Day 40 - Brrr...

Although I could make several jokes about hell freezing over, I'll just say that winter has come to Spokanistan.  After hitting the snooze button a few times, I threw on my running tights and dug out a head band and gloves from my winter wear box.  I knew the forecast had called for temps in the 20's, so I was prepared for the cold.  What I wasn't prepared?  The snow.  About 3 minutes into my run, the snow started blowing in all directions.  I strongly considered turning around and heading to the gym, but there is no way that my thighs are ready to be seen in my running tights in close proximity by other gym patrons.
 
I finished a full 5 miles in just nuder 50 minutes, but it took me a good two hours after to feel comfortable again.  I was FREEZING.  I tried to slowly warm up so that it wouldn't be so painful when I hopped into the shower, but I apparently didn't wait long enough.  The water stung like crazy and then my skin itched for the next few hours.  I've got to invest in some cold weather long sleeve running tops if I'm going to continue running outside this winter.

The rest of the day was spent working on my brief and celebrating Charlie's 26th birthday.  We snuggled on the couch while watching the Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe (GREAT movie), got an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen and had a reverse dinner (dessert first) with his brother.  Charlie is anti-birthdays, but I hope he had an OK day.  We're going to try to do something more exciting to celebrate later this week when our schedules settle down some. 

I know you aren't likely to read this, but Happy Birthday Hubs.  I am honored to have witnessed another year of your life and look forward to the many years to come.  Love you!

Day 39 - Nike

Today was all about channeling Nike. As in, "Just Do It." I'm really starting to feel the stress of the end of the semester and am having to make a conscious effort to not let myself get overwhelmed to the point that I can't focus on my brief. Once it's done, a huge weight will be lifted off my shoulders.

I had a fairly large setback today when I realized I had misread an important section of the WA law I'm working with. Thank goodness I caught and corrected it while there's plenty of time left. Unfortunately, it meant having to reformat the whole flow of the brief. Such is life. Make a mistake, recover, move on.

I got limited physical activity and ate pure junk. I took Tucker for a long walk and to play catch this morning and did a few sit ups during a study break tonight. Otherwise, the only calories I burned were those from shaking from anxiety. Tomorrow I hope to get up early for a 5 mile run. I'm assuming Charlie will choose to sleep in (it is his birthday after all), so I'll hopefully be able to exercise and put in a few hours of work before he wakes. After that, it's 100% non-stop birthday fun. Maybe. It sounds like Charlie has a lot of homework this weekend too, so this may be a birthday spent with the books.

Day 38 - A little late

I am a little late getting this blog post published.  I try to post before I go to bed each night, but last night that just wasn't going to happen.

The day started EARLY.  I was at the gym by 5:30 for a solid four mile jog.  It felt FANTASTIC.  I think I could have easily run an additional 2 miles without much more effort.  I certainly would have tried if I wasn't in a hurry to prepare for my Street Law class.

Street Law is a program where GU law students go to Rogers High School once a month to teach a lesson on a legal subject that may be interesting to teenagers.  We cover topics like search and seizure, freedom of speech, etc.  Some of the kids get REALLY into the activities.  Others could care less if we were there.  But, I guess that's high school for ya.  I don't know how Charlie plans to teach this age range day after day.  Once a month is enough to wear me out.

After street law I had evidence and then I donated blood.  As many may know, I am not particularly fond of either blood or needles.  I've been known to throw some minor temper tantrums and ball my eyes out when needing to get a shot or have blood drawn.  And that's just been the last few years, I was probably worse as a child.  Anyway, after politely asking the blood bank guy to please stop telling me what he was doing and to go ahead and just do it, I successfully donated a pint of my blood.  I didn't even cry!  It wasn't a delightful experience, but I will try to do it again when I can. 

After donating blood, the last thing I wanted to do was get to work on my appellate brief (about a blood bank of all things).  BUT, I put in a few hours of productive work (and probably an hour or so of time-wasting nonsense to protect my sanity).

Charlie met me at the law school and took me out to dinner at the OG.  When we were living in Pullman for undergrad, Charlie and I would drive an hour and a half to Spokane to go to the Olive Garden for a "nice date."  My how things have changed.  I still love the chicken alfredo pizza, but the OG is no longer a place I'd get dressed up for.

After dinner, we went over to a sports bar for a going away party of one of Charlie's co-workers.  As they say "Every party needs a pooper and that's why we invited you."  I was that girl.  After completely overloading on carbs, donating blood and waking up too early, I had started falling asleep on the walk over.  We stayed for awhile, but I couldn't keep my eyes open long enough to really see the party get started.  Several of the party attendees were high energy, attractive and bubbly TV personalities.  I simply could not keep up.  Sorry Krem peeps, I'll rest up before the next one. 

Charlie said I was asleep before he even crawled into bed.  After the last few weeks of insanity, it's probably best I was out before 11.  I'm off to finish my brief.  With a little luck, I just might finish this thing today (unlikely, but a girl can hope).

Day 37 - Rest

Today was a rest day physically. Mentally, it was full steam ahead. Until I shut down at 4:30. I really had the best intentions for kicking butt on my brief, but it just didn't happen. I've had trouble getting to work tonight on the brief. I haven't done much writing, but my apartment is the cleanest it has been in a long time. Tomorrow holds street law, class, donating blood and extremely focused brief writing.

On a side note, welcome to the world Sarah May Addison!

Day 36 - Productivity

Pilates (with weights) was rough this morning.  My whole body started shaking when we did leg lifts in the first 15 minutes.  I survived the rest of class by focusing on my time line for the rest of the week.  I have a ton to get done and very little time to do it.

First on the priority list is finishing my appellate brief.  I put in a few good hours tonight, but I still have a long way to go.  For comparisons sake, assume a quality completed appellate brief is analogous to a drive across the country.  Tonight I filled the gas tank, checked the pressure in the tires and cleaned the windshields.  All essential tasks, but not much progress was made towards reaching the end goal.  Hopefully I'll start "driving" (writing) tomorrow.

I've got a sick husband and a misbehaving dog.  I'd better turn my attention back to home matters.  Goodnight!

Day 35 - Slippery Slope

This was definitely an eat your feelings kind of day. I woke up feeling like I had never fallen asleep. Not a good start. Then, after evidence, I had a doctor appointment of the lady nature. I need not say more as I know my female friends empathize. I got my motion for summary judgment back in LRW, and although I got an ok score, I really thought I had aced it.

Still reeling from the stress of the weekend, I decided to treat myself to one soft taco supreme from heaven... I mean Taco Bell. While I put in 45 min on the stair machine and taught my two dance classes, I also ate several handfuls of cheezits and two dove chocolate squares as I waited for dinner. I then washed down a large piece of lasagna and two large slices of sourdough bread with a Mikes Hard Lemonade. I don't even want to try to add up how many unnecessary calories I consumed. It will only make me want another piece of chocolate.

Which, by the way, is an interesting phenomena. Why is it that when you are having a really crappy day that you feel entitled to eat junk food? Last time I checked, the cure to a bad day wasn't getting fatter. Wouldn't it make more sense to say "today sucks so I think I'd like to lose a pound?"

When I figure out the secret to preventing emotional eating, I'll be sure to let you know. Until then, goodnight.

Day 34 - Homeward Bound

San Fran to Redmond.  Redmond to Portland.  Portland to Spokane.  It took FAR too long to finally get home, but I am here safe and sound.  I registered for next semester and was able to enroll in all the classes I wanted.  My legs were pretty sore from all the walking I did in San Fran, so I decided to swim for about 25 minutes at the gym.  Now, I am going to sleep in my own bed.  Goodnight!