In Other News of 2011

 

Life continues marching forward! 2011 has had many good things, but there are some struggles and uncertainties that keep me on my toes.  Gabby and I are well, happy, and so blessed. Even with the trials I’m facing lately, I’m choosing to focus on the blessings, great and small. I am so blessed and am so grateful to God and His wisdom in blessing me with the things I wouldn’t think to necessarily ask for, but once I receive them, see it’s just what I need.  I’m trying not to let those things outside my control not stress me out too much. I’m getting better at it every day. I turn it over to God, knowing that He can work things out better than me if I trust in Him.

Work is going well for me. It’s busy, but I enjoy for the most part.  No complaints about my social life. I’m making more friends all the time. I love my neighborhood and love my ward.  I’m still as single as can be and still enjoy being so. I’ve decided that I’m looking for someone who I enjoy being with more than I enjoy being alone. I just find myself to be good company!

Gabby is still Gabby. She is doing very well in Kindergarten and learning to read.  My suspicions of her being brilliant are being confirmed.  She is a really good at memorizing.  She’s a bit boy-crazy and has crushes on boys at church and daycare. She also really likes a Ben10 character, Chip I think, because his voice is really nice. I love her more everyday. Everyone seems to love her, too. Her teachers at school and daycare all think she is entertaining and sweet. As a parent, I realize that I may be slightly biased so it’s gratifying to have others enjoy her so much as well.

We also experienced the end of an era. Whitey died.  I’m not sure of what. I’d imagine all the plastic she chewed from the cage. She’d chewed through it so I had to get a new one as she kept escaping. When I discovered her dead, I knew that getting her out of the cage would make me sick. I went knocking on my neighbors’ doors but none of them were home.  I had to get her out on my own which was accompanied by much gagging. Gabby took the death well and took comfort that Whitey was with Jesus.  She quickly asked for new pets.  She chose Robo-Dwarf Hamsters that she named Sparkle and Shine. They are much cuter than gerbils and have no tails to pull off! Unfortunately, Sparkle has gone the way of Whitey and died already. Actually more the way of Blacky seeing as I think Shine killed her as she was all bloody when I discovered the corpse.  I surmised that it was over where to place the nest.  They originally had it under the wheel, but as soon as Sparkle died, Shine moved it to the corner.  Shine doesn’t seem to be missing Sparkle and enjoys putting the nest where she wants.

The new cage and pets.

Vigor 5K

 

I ran the Vigor 5K last Saturday(February 5) with some friends in my neighborhood. The race was at Wasatch Mountain State Park in Midway.  I knew going in that it would be winter obstacle course.  I had plenty of time to get in some what shape for it, but that didn’t get me off my rear very much.  It was all about the experience anyway. It was so much fun! It wasn’t like any other race I’ve done with the obstacles and snow.

The Race crew from left to right:  Chrystal, Chelsea (our organizer and team leader), me, Mel, Elise, and Holly. We took 2 cars up and I had such a fun time getting to know Elise and Holly.

The first obstacles was a snow mound right at the start. This was the 2nd one about 4 minutes into the run.  The only complaint I had about the race was that it took about 15 minutes for everyone to get over as only 2-3 could go at time. The race had about 150 participants and we were at the rear of the pack at the start so it bottled up quite a bit. This is me, Mel, and Chelsea climbing over.

Obstacle 3: I opted not to crawl on the ground and threaded my way through.

Obstacle 4: Another snow mound. These weren’t too tough.

Obstacle 5: This was actually the most difficult.  I have very little upper body strength and the cracks weren’t a good toe hold. Fortunately, one of my teammates helped give me a hand going over. 

Obstacle 6: Sledding!! This was the most fun of them all.  We had to grab our sleds at the bottom of the hill and then went down.

Obstacle 7: More climbing, but easier than some of the others.

Obstacle 8: This did require me to get down in the snow. 

We finished!  It snowed quite a bit the night before the race so the snow was very soft and powdery. Snow is very difficult to run on.  It required a lot more effort with each step and a lot more concentration. I didn’t feel like I could run straight and I kept thinking I would turn an ankle. It snowed through the whole race, but I stayed warm. I actually felt good during most the race thought. I wasn’t in as bad of shape as I thought. Elise and I finished first in our group and ran together most the race.  We walked during it, especially up the hills. Those were just rough in the snow. I made it through without falling and felt good throughout. Except, I did get really hungry mid-way. Ever since vomiting in my first cross country race, I can’t eat much before a race.

Afterwards, we enjoyed some hot cocoa in the lodge and then drove back to the valley for a fun girls’ lunch.  Hopefully, we’ll be doing some more races this year. Running in the snow ended up being more fun than I thought so I’d probably do it again next year!