Laura - I had other kids in and out of the house alll day, so the noise level was definitely up!

Linda - today's 6 is the furthest I've ever made it on the treadmill; I don't know how people do long runs on them. It really did help to have my running buddy to talk to.

Karen - that bread sounds yummy!

Lisa - I don't think I would say you "should" do more with the grands. You have raised or are still raising your children, you have a full-time job and an challenging marriage. You have a gracious plenty without feeling guilty about taking on your stepson's responsibility. Beautiful pics from the run!

Gatsby - it's supposed to be in the 60s here by mid-week. We can get such swings here in the winter. I'm lucky enough to be able to run outside most of the time, though. I hope you feel better.

DH and I are trying to watch the shows we have stored on our DVR - we've been having problems and need to have the DVR replaced, and they can't transfer the shows you have recorded from one DVR to another. Working our way through NCIS now-

Hello all!   I'm back from the Adirondacks!  I'm just gonna say, for the record... IT WAS COLD!!  One day the temp got UP to .5 degrees.   We did manage to get outside once and do some snowshoeing.  That was nice.  And, even though we were inside most of the day, it was incredibly beautiful to look at.  I added some pics to share.

I'm not going to make my running goal this week due to weather and travel.  So, I'm going to have to really hit it over the next week to make my monthly goal.  I leave on Tuesday to go to Florida and see RB#1.   The Warrior Dash is one week from today!  Wooo hoo!  Bring on the mud and the fire.

I was going to write personals, but quickly found that a few days away from the forum, and I have no idea what's going on.  So, I'll just say hello for now.   I hope you're all doing well.  I'm sure that when I'm through these two weeks of travel, I'll be able to catch up with all the news!

Here are some pics:

Be well all!

Camille:  I did 200's. I definitely can not do (16) 800s.

HI!  Couldn't get online yesterday----Uverse problems.  15 months till my contract expires!

Did 6 miles yesterday and had a great 10 mile run with buddy.  We kept up with the guys for the first 6 miles at about a 9:15 pace but stopped for a potty break.

Had a great sew and knit afternoon yesterday.  Worked on a quilt till I ran out of a specific fabric.  Then worked on my latest sock.  Turned the heel, picked up the stitches along the heel flap and knitted the gusset!  Yay!  It worked the first time!!  That is the most difficult part.  Gotta clean house today.  Bathroom first, will vacuum after Deuce the hairball leaves.  Also need to cut the grass and would like to make kumquat marmalade but that may have to wait till next weekend.  Camille--The quilt seminar sounds like alot of fun!!  The one I am going to in March has three days of workshops.   I'm taking my sewing machine and prepping fabrics for the classes.  A couple of my friends went to that last year.  I would love to meet Alex Anderson ( professional quilter and teacher).

OMG--DD sent me a pic of where Gracie ATE the carpet yesterday!!  The girls didn't take Gracie to the Mardi Gras parade.  Apparently Gracie was not happy....

Lisa--would be hard to watch the family situation but you cannot do everything for them.  They have to want to change and be willing to put in the work.  Sad that they do not see the big picture.

Susan--I just told DS2 that HE will have to pay attention because I cannot "mom" him at school anymore.

Sunny here and will be near 70s.   Opened the windows.  Ran in shorts and t-shirt.  Crazy warm winter for us.

Just stopping in for a quick hello.   I think my cold is a teeny bit better, thanks for the well wishes.

Carol, glad to hear the trip went well.  Try to hold on to the good vacation feelings as long as possible.

CrazySue, enjoy the crazy warm weather.

Karen, thanks for the recipe!  I don't do much cooking but like quick breads, especially variations on banana bread.

Camille, I know nothing about quilting but I least I got the joke. 

Julie, beautiful photos.  But brrrrr.  Florida should be a nice contrast.

Hi Susan.  Sending good wishes for your Dad.  Congrats to your son on Eagle Scout.

And hi to everyone else.  Enjoy your Sunday.

I signed up for my longest race to date--25K--trail --next weekend

Hi LC.

Hi, I had a busy day yesterday and today. A Bat Mitzvah and party yesterday morning and afternoon, then 9th grade retreat starting at 6:30 last night, It's not a sleepover and I wouldn't stay if it were. We left at 11 and came this morning at 9 till this afternoon. The theme was healthy living ("Fit to be a Jew") and I did get a work out with them for about an hour. It was a kind of boot camp based work out with stations hitting different body parts and I was sweating like crazy by the end. And I am in better shape than 75% of the 15 year olds there.

Karen, that banana bread recipe sounds amazing! Keep it away from me!!

Susan, thinking of you and your dad. I can see my DS's grades and classes but he did have to give me specific permission to do it. It was in his best interest to do so.

Lisa and Julie -- your snow pix are beautiful but make me glad I live in the south.

Carol, so glad you had a great time in Florida. It sounded like an amazing trip!

Marjorie, wow! 22.5! I guess these are good temps for it. I wouldn't want to do it in the summer!

Bragging time! Here is an article about my DS's a cappella group at UNC. Sababa

Greetings, all!

I ran 4.25 miles on the indoor track at a decent pace today.   It was a great run.  I felt strong throughout.  I have six more miles to make my monthly goal.  So, I'll probably run tomorrow, travel on Tuesday, and then drag RB#1 out for that last push on Wednesday.  I think after that, I'm on recovery for the Warrior Dash. 

Thank you for the comments on my chilly pictures.  It was a beautiful and pristine place to visit.  When I go there in August for our summer planning retreat, I'll share pics of that too.  

On a more somber note; A friend who has been a fellow traveler on the road to recovery, died yesterday.  Those of us in the recovering community are in mourning today.  I hate this disease of addiction.  It robs our communities and our families of some of the best and brightest God has to offer.  She had four children.  I would appreciate thoughts and prayers for her family.  Thanks!    

Honestly, I think that's why I ran so long and so hard today... a mix of anger and sadness.  A good hard run is better than a drink (for me).  I am grateful for a healthy outlet.  

Be well, all... and hug someone you love a little tighter.