Entry for December 26, 2010

A neighbor's horse pasture and shed.

I arrived home Thursday at noon from Chattanooga. A nice trip through the snow capped western North Carolina mountains helped make the trip even better. Upon my arrival, Gin and I ventured out for some errands at a few stores and a pizza lunch. Friday was another day of a few errands and a day spent with the youngest Grandson, Dean. I took on Dean for much of the time so Gin could bake several cakes for family. I jumped in the kitchen between cakes to whip up a pot of white chili.

Christmas morning was spent at Patrick's house. We enjoyed gift opening by the boys and just hanging out with the family. Santa brought Nolan and Dean a swing set which was part of our morning fun. Both boys enjoyed the new playground toy. We are so lucky to have two of the happiest Grandchildren in the world.

The dream in the song finally came true. On Christmas day at 1 o'clock the snow began to fall. Continuing into the night we were dusted with 5 plus inches of wet snow. The best part was having the temperatures hover above freezing which kept the snow on the ground and not on the roads. I ventured out this morning to clear the snow and ice from the satellite dish and to also get some pictures of the rare southern "White Christmas". The driveway did not need to be shoveled which was the greatest part of the snow storm.

The week ahead will include more family gatherings of much larger proportions. I'll have to step up the running efforts to keep the sweets from hanging around. I hope all your family get togethers are filled with love and happiness. May the season's blessings be with your family, friends and you.

Merry Christmas!!!
P@

Entry for December 19, 2010

 

As expected, the weather warmed back up to more tolerable temperatures. The rainy days put a hamper on my running schedule. I was able to go Tuesday night in the 28 degree air and again on Friday night. Saturday I rested, then got up this morning and made a 30 minute run in the 30 degree morning sun. I can't quite understand the guys who "man up" and run in shorts when it is below freezing. Dude, your freaking crazy to let your muscles never get a chance to get warm. Sure your legs ar working, but the heat generated is just vaporizing in the frigid air. Go ahead, get a cramp or pull a muscle. Me and my wuss pants will be tooling along when you're sidelined at the doctor's office.

I walked 4 miles of trails at the Enterprise South Nature Park next to the VW plant in Chattanooga. Very nice place to get a light workout. Throw that on top of my 3 mile run this morning and I'm at 7 miles on foot today. I walked 4 different trails and passed by several WWII ammunition bunkers along the way. The park offers bike paths for the road bikes and pedestrians, trail paths for mountain bikes, pedestrian only paths, and a loop around the perimeter for cars only.

I'm looking forward to the upcoming Christmas holidays and a much needed break from work. I've only been back to work since April after 7 months of nothing, but the job can wear a person out if not for a break in the action. Most of the past eight months I've worked through almost every holiday and or holiday weekend. I've been fortunate to get extended weekends when I needed the extra time for personal duties. I am thankful to be employed this time of year. It has helped take the stress away from the holiday season for Gin and myself.

I hope you and your family are filled with the Christmas spirit. That all your wishes come true. That you are able to make someone's Christmas memorable for years to come. Give what you can to those in need and be thankful to receive all you are given this season.

Merry Christmas!!!

P@

Entry for Decemberrrrrrrr 13, 2010

December is upon us and the furry of winter arrived yesterday. I chose the picture of the flower to remind me that it will get warm again....sometime. I look forward to the slight warm up we are promised after a few days and nights of sub-freezing temps and wicked winds. This is just a temporary set back as far as I'm concerned. The real challenge for me will be running tomorrow evening after work. A true test of my dedication to keeping pace with my renewed exercise regimen. I hope the flower gives you a spark in these bitter cold days and nights. A return to the warm summer months is closer than you think.

Sometimes I feel lost in a moment. When I say lost, I mean that it's like I'm standing beside myself watching me do nothing. Sometimes not fully listening, watching or thinking. Letting things pass by without absorbing the impact of the moment. Life has spun such a winding web of pitfalls and plateaus that I have become lost at times. Not fully understanding what my purpose is in the current scheme of things. Do I choose this over that? What does the future hold for this over that?  I've made so many seat of the pants decisions and settled on many well thought out plans. Yet, here I am again needing to figure out which way to turn next.
I regress.

I was home Friday afternoon just in time to drive up right behind Jessica, Nolan and Dean. Nolan was being dropped off for a sleep over night. As soon as I was out of the car, Nolan was already hitting me up for a tractor ride (lawnmower). I deflected enough to get all my stuff into the house. After a little playing inside, we were riding the lawnmower around the yard. He's a lot like his daddy when he wants something. He just doesn't stop asking until he gets it. The first thing out of his mouth Saturday morning was "Ride the Tractor". We shared pizza and home made sugar cookies. We played with monster trucks and learned how to take apart and rebuild a toy truck that is designed for kids to to just that. Nolan loved the little impact wrench tool for the truck assembly.

Saturday afternoon Gin and I stopped by Pendleton Place Children's Shelter in Greenville to drop off a gift card for Christmas purchases. I toured the shelter last year with our friend Lauren. I hope our contribution helps make Christmas a little better for the children who are under their care. http://www.pendletonplace.org/

Keep warm and be safe in your ventures outside in this frigid weather. Watch your step and drop the speedometer down a few notches just incase there is ice hidden around the bend.

Thanks for reading!
P@

Entry for December 5, 2010

Go ahead! Make my Day!!!

Nolan and Jackson will team up to take you down.

The picture is from our Saturday Thanksgiving visit at Caris and Thomas' home a week ago. I love the unprovoked expression from Nolan. Jackson was really good with Nolan's hugs and love.

This weekend was my turn watching the project site in Chattanooga. Not much exciting at work and I wouldn't want to bore you with all that. 

I've been experimenting with my running pacer. I downloaded a cardio program that progressively takes me through target zones for my heart rate. The English lady in my ear tells me to pick up the pace or slow down. I'm still getting used to maintaining certain paces because they are slower than I jog, but faster than I walk. Maybe I should skip during the less strenuous parts of the program. I'm sure people who see me wonder what the hell I'm doing.

I ran this morning at sunrise with a stiff chilly wind from the north biting my face. The temperature was around 34 degrees, but the wind chill was more like 24. I handled it pretty well and feel comfortable in those conditions. I stopped by Academy Sports and picked up a multifunctional head wear garment for the upcoming 20 to 30 degree runs. The garment is a sleeve that slides over my head like a sock and covers my neck, head and as much of my face as I want. http://www.buff.eu/en/USA/products/-/c/H/s/A/f/105

Last night after talking to Gin on the phone, an apartment neighbor knocked on my door. Apparently an appartment below had a minor fire and they were evacuating the building. When I reached the ground floor, someone decided to pull the fire alarm. The only problem was the building was already evacuated and the fire department had already handled the problem. Within 5 minutes we were given the OK to return to our apartments. The only problem was...EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE...listening to the damn fire alarm squeal until maintenance arrived to shut it down. 30+ minutes later. 

Twenty days until Christmas. I'm going to enjoy the time off and the chance to spend time with Gin and our families. I hope all your shopping is complete. That all your handmade decorations, gifts and goodies turn out perfect. I still have a few things to accomplish between now and then. I think things will turn out well as long as I keep it simple.

Do something nice for someone whenever you can. It will come back around. Just don't expect it. Let it happen by surprise.

P@