Run Keeper

I found a great iPhone app to help me track my running.  It's called Run Keeper and it was free.  Basically you turn on the GPS on your phone and it tracks where you are and how fast you are going.  It calculates info for pace, calories, mileage, and even elevation.  You can even listen to music on your phone while it's on (which speaks for the iPhone's multitasking  capabilities).  Today's info is a little off because I started it on our walk down to the lake, which isn't included in our "official" program. Best this is that it takes the info from your "activity" and sends it to a website where you can access it for better viewing.  Of course you can also access it all on you phone as well.

This is exactly the type of thing that makes me love my phone. Isn't it awesome!

Lucy doesn't like thunderstorms

Since Lucy's traumatizing 4th of July, in which she felt like she was being shot at all night by missiles, she has decided not to like rain storms due to the fact they call up traumatic memories. So on Monday when a storm rolled through town, she hid in the bathroom.

Keep in mind the lights were actually off... I only turned them on for the pictures sake.

This is a video of her practically going into shock over the thunder. Can you see her shaking?

In other news, when she isn't hiding from thunderstorms, she is evading the leash (a new game she thinks is the greatest).  The other night when I went to put on her leash the following chase ensued.

Right on Track

The running program is going well.  Slow right now, but I know I will soon be over my head in terms of difficulty.

So far...
I have run 10 minutes this week.
I have walked 2 hours.

You will see this ratio start to flip flop over the coming weeks.  My joints are happy... not too much soreness or pain.  I haven't missed a work out yet.  Even though I've been waking up at the crack of dawn!

Here's picture of some wildlife at the lake. Look very closely... can you see the little guys?

Yesterday morning the sprinklers were on while we were on our walk, which made things a little more like EXTREME WALKING. It keeps things interesting!

Life is getting busy

This week one of the therapist at Bliss went out of town on vacation.  And lucky for me she schedule all of her clients with me while she is gone.  I'm so grateful that she did this (even if it's because she feels sorry for me that I don't have any of my own clients).  It works out perfectly though.  I get to see her kids, and then when the fall schedule is made, I will acquire my own kids.  This is perfect considering my changing work schedule is the reason for my lack of clients. Anyways, it makes me super busy at work until next Wednesday.

I've also been getting in gear for school to start.  I went to a Happy Hour get together today with my future co-workers.  It was fun to meet all of them in an unintimidating environment.  I got to show them my happy, nice, not-annoying side... which is good because soon I will be beating down their doors asking to pull out kids for therapy, which teachers always seem to resist! I'm currently working on lists of things that I know I will need, lists of things I want, lists of things I need to make, lists, lists, lists.  Nichole, my supervisor from Big Spring Elementary, is going to let me steal a bunch of her materials to copy and recreate! Always a good thing in SLP world!

My schedule is also filling up with sunday school functions, meetings for Richardson, showers and weddings, and tons of other things.  I feel a busy year coming on.  AND I LIKE IT. Everyone knows I must be extremely busy or I go insane! Can't wait to see what other *surprises* make their way into my schedule for this year!

Tidbits from Hayden

And I quote...
p: What did you do at Stompy and Guh's house? (aka my aunt trisha and uncle red, his grandparents)
h: Well... no tattoos at St. Johns... but... (with sheepish grin)... GUH BOUGHT ME TATTOOS! Good thing they washed off because no tattoos at St. Johns (his school).
p: Ohh... what kind were they?
h: (with an even bigger grin) Pirate tattoos!

Again... quoting...
h: I was born over there at that hospital.
p: Oh really?
h: Yep, right there in that hospital.
p: Can I ask you a question?
h: Okay.
p: What would you think if I had a baby?
h: umm... I already have one cousin... but thanks.
p: Ohh... does that mean you don't want me to have one?
h: Well, you can if you want to, I guess.

Ahh... I love my chats with that kid!

Fat Straws

Today I went to Sunday School... alone... but I'm making more friends so it's less scary to walk into the newlywed class by myself now.  I quickly chose a spot next to a friendly couple William and I talked with at our Sunday School lunch outing last week.  They are super nice! After class they invited me to hang out with them this evening.  We went to Fat Straws.  It's a bubble tea place near the Galleria.  It was delicious! Plus, they have games that you can play.  So we played 3 rounds of Uno, which is always a blast. Good thing this place is located dangerously near my new job. I'm definitely going to have to take William up there... although I'm not sure he likes bubble tea.  It's a fun place to hang out though!

Do any of you like bubble tea? It's a very "coastal" thing... as in east and west coast.  It's slowly making it's debut around Texas, but it's definitely bigger on the coasts.  Anyways, if you haven't tried it, you should. It's an acquired taste (well actually texture) though, so don't be surprised if you don't care for it the first time.  Tapioca has a strange consistency... especially when it's swimming around at the bottom of your drink!

Images via Wikipedia

Have you heard of...

If you are a blogger, I'm wondering if you have heard of Zemanta. I'm testing it out right now.  Apparently you just type your post as usual and it pulls up all sorts of related content, links, and pictures for you to use in your posts.  Sweet! Anyways, if definitely worth looking into.  It sure beats all the copying and pasting I end up doing to get links and pictures.  Plus, it will link to a Flickr/ Facebook account for you.  Saves a lot of time in uploading pictures!  In this short 3 minute post, I've already decided... I love it!

Related articles by Zemanta

• Get Related Content for Your Blog with the Zemanta Gadget (buzz.blogger.com)
• 11 Google Chrome Extensions For Every Blogger (makeuseof.com)

Day One... Check

William has been working nights so I thought "perfect, I'll be waking up to head out for my run when he's getting home".  Well this morning when I was ready to leave, he was no where to be found.  I conjured up my inner "independent woman" and said, "Oh well, if I don't head out now I'm going to be late, and I will NOT be late for my first week of running class!"  I decided to call him to see if he was okay (he should have been home by then).  He answers with a not too happy "WHAT!" I was like "Oh sorry, just wondering where you are?" He mumbled something about me not having to check on him every time he drives and that he'd be home in a few minutes... which is when I reminded him... "Babe, I'm not AT home." At this point I can see the confusion on his face through the phone.  He frantically starts bombarding me with questions "What's wrong? Where are you? Are you okay?" I laugh and say "remember... I'm going running".  He was suddenly like.... "Oh, well have a GREAT time babe" (in his best supportive husband voice).

This morning was really great.  It seemed like it lasted forever... but I guess the first day of these sorts of things always do.  It's like you are showing up for a huge race or something... but really everyone is just out there to run.  There was music, 600 people (there are like 25 pace groups), a local running store (RunOn!) was giving away sample of all sorts of stuff... and that was just before the run.  We did our little beginner run... but I didn't feel dumb at all.  The marathoners cheered for us when they passed us.  Our pace leaders were all people who did the beginner program last year (and have run halfs since then). It was very encouraging.  I made a fast friend and we ran together.  After the run was over, there were people handing out popsicles and wet rags, drawings for gift cards, etc.

It was a really good start for me.  A perfect high. Not too mention... the lake was beautiful. I forgot to take a picture, but I will soon!

Running Starts Tomorrow

Image via Wikipedia

Tomorrow I'm starting a new running adventure.  I'm going to be taking a "running" class with the Dallas Running Club.  I joined the running club a few weeks back... basically you get free entrance into all of their races, plus a ton of discounts at local "health" establishments.  I'm taking the "beginners" running class... I think it's going to be easy for me... if I do everything I'm supposed to.

So here's to keeping me accountable. For the next 21 days I'm going to wake up at 6:30 and walk/run.
It won't be a strenuous work out, but I'm going to get
 into the habit now before school starts and the runs get longer.  If I don't skip any of the next 21 days I'm going to buy myself a new pair of running shoes... I figure it's fairly necessary since I can't remember the last time I bought new ones.

Oh and my goal... by the end of the class I'm going to run for an hour straight! In the spring, pending no *bumps* in the road, I'll take the half marathon class.

In 5 days...

In a few days 5 days, William and I will have our 8 month "anniversary".  We aren't really keeping track of  months in terms of celebrating... but I was updating my calendar and couldn't help but notice the date coming up.  I can't believe it's been that long already.

Back to School

I've always loved the beginning of school! I absolutely LOVE school supplies and this year I get to take part in the August stocking up ritual again!

I recently went to Office Depot and picked up a lesson planning book and a record book (so I know who comes to therapy on which days). It was fun picking out supplies.  William was thoroughly annoyed with my pickiness about the books... and at one point said "Is there even a difference?" Whoops!

In addition to planning tools and bulletin boards... I'll also be stocking my room for therapy.  I don't know what's in my room currently, but next week I'll visit my classroom and take an inventory.  In the meantime I've been making a few lists of my favorite items!

I think from here on out, I will be thrilled to receive Super Duper or Lakeshore products as personal gifts! I love pretty much everything from both stores... too bad they are so darn expensive! If you want to help, here are my wish lists! Hint hint!

Favorite Super Duper Items (wish list here):

Favorite Lakeshore Items (wish list here):

Saturday Catch-Up

William has been home since Monday afternoon.  As always, we try and spend as much time together when he is home.  So here is how we spent the last few days.

We went to see Toy Story 3!

I loved it, William liked it.  We concluded that it was definitely made for our generation.  Complete with Barbie, Ken, and Trolls... kids much younger than us definitely wouldn't get it.  It was full of adult humor, inappropriateness and flash backs of our 80's childhoods.  I feel that it was definitely a good conclusion to the trilogy.

We ate at Chili's... a favorite that we don't really eat much anymore.

We made dinner for Jonna and Bryan.  We made the delicious steaks that my dad got William for his birthday. (Thanks Dad!) William went and grilled them across the driveway at the pool grill. I made homemade mashed potatoes and green beans.  It was delicious!

After dinner with Jonna and Bryan, we all went to play mini golf! We went to Top Golf and wound up playing for free!

We also concluded our evening with a trip to our favorite establishment! Yogurtland!

We went to lunch with my supervisor from Big Springs this past semester, Nichole, at Mooyah Burgers and Fries.  It was pretty delicious and a great concept.  You basically get a little card and then you check boxes for what kind of meat you want (1 patty, 2 patties, beef, turkey, veggie), which veggies, which kinds of sauces/condiments, and what kind of bread you want.  Then they bring it to you just how you like it! It was good. 

We took my car for it's 60,000 mile check up.  Poor Teenie... she's only 3.5 years old.  I guess that means she's well loved.  Knock on wood... we have had absolutely NO problems with her! She's been the perfect car!

We got library cards! YAY! So excited about free DVD rentals and free books! Best of all, libraries are so technologically up on things that I can just request the books/DVDs I want online and then pick them up when they are all gathered up!

I also got a new pair of Sperry's.  Get ready for it... yes they are PURPLE!

It was also a big week for both of us on the job front.  I'm officially no longer employed by the home health company I was working for.  And I'm busy tying up loose ends in Richardson.  Next week I will meet with my new CFY supervisor to get everything signed and sent off.

William also had big news.  He is getting a promotion! I'm so proud of him.  This promotion normally takes people 9 to 12 months to get... but William is getting his after working there for only 4 months.  He worked his butt off for this.  Last night we went to celebrate with some sushi! Next he will be on a rig back in the DFW area... he is supposed to be on that rig for the "long haul".  Hopefully this means more regular breaks and getting to see him more!

Have a bad job? Get a better one.

Most people will think I'm insane.  But oh well... you should know before I say what I'm about to say, I'm not a quitter. When people tell me I can't do something, or if something is hard, it normally makes me want to conquer whatever it is even more.  Unless it happens to be my job at the home health company I work for.  Anyways, their company is a huge mess.  No one knows which way is up.  And I know that I do not want to be right in the middle of it with my name all over it.  Heck NO!

Today I accepted a position in Richardson ISD.  So here is the new plan.  I will work full time for Richardson.  I will be 4.5 days a week at Spring Creek Elementary and .5 days (or one afternoon a week) at Arapaho Classical Magnet Elementary.  Just doing assessments over at Arapaho.  Then I'll work a couple of hours a few afternoons a week at Bliss Speech and Hearing.

I have one thing to say about all of this.  Why didn't I do this to begin with? Who knows...
BUT I'VE NEVER BEEN MORE RELIEVED!

So anyways... I guess I'm a school SLP now! Here's to making the same money in 9 months I would have made in a year...

Stupid Me

I'm really good at ignoring things.  For instance, when my arthritis is bad... I ignore it.  My doctor's used to tell me to keep a pain journal, so that when I went to the doctor I could actually tell them how much pain I was having.  Normally when I got to the doctor my response to "how has your pain been" was always "I'm not really sure, I don't think about it". Anyways, enough sidetracking... I'm good at ignoring things.

I've been getting some signs from God that a few things need to change, but I've been ignoring them.  I'm pretty sure I'm finally listening and I've never been so relieved.

Current Events

Here is a recap of a few current events that I care about... I'm not saying anyone else will... but at least you know how my mind works.

1) Mattel took Super Duper Publications, a popular speech therapy materials company, to court over copyright infringement and WON! The dispute occurred because apparently using the word "SAY" in materials directly references a toy called "SEE 'N SAY" that was created in 1963 by Mattel.  The court awarded Mattel $3.6 million in returned profit that Super Duper made and lawyer's fee.
Here is a list of reasons why this is ridiculous:

• Mattel doesn't need $3.6million. It won't even make a blip on their radar of profits.
• The See 'n Say profits were completely unaffected by the Super Duper Materials
• The word SAY used in a speech therapy material makes perfect sense! 
• Mattel claims that Super Duper used the word SAY to increase the popularity of their materials and trick consumers... what the heck.
• Isn't this taking copyright law a little far? I mean seriously... it's one word. And have they gone after every single company that has used the word SAY in their product line? I highly doubt it. So why go after the company that helps kids with special needs and communication disorders? 

Super Duper is one of the TOP material's companies for SLPs.  I put my hands on their products EVERY SINGLE DAY I do my job. But they are not a huge power house corporation like Mattel and this will surely affect their profits and ability to sell what they make. Worst of all... any hits they take from this will probably be reflected in future pricing of their materials which will directly affect SLP's!

If you are outraged or want to read more, visit the informational website Speak Up for SAY.

2) There is a corpse flower blooming at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.  It is HUGE. It grows 4-6 inches a day and it smells BAAAAAADDDD! How amazing is that?
Check out the HMNS blog for more info! And for goodness sake, go visit it.  It's a once in a lifetime experience.

3) Passport prices are going up. For the third time this post... what the heck. I haven't gotten a new one since we got married so unless I get my act together by Tuesday (which I won't), it looks like I'll be paying at least 35% more for the darn thing when I get around to changing my name. Check out this article for more info.

4) Car doors weren't meant to be shut on fingers. I am okay though. I may or may not lose a fingernail, but I've concluded after thorough assessment  a quick squeeze that none of my fingers are broken.  My largest injury was the initial shock of the actual smashing.

There in lies the conclusion of "Current Events That I Care About".

Cohen

Blogging Day of Silence for Cohen