The post where I come back

Well, hello! How are you? How've you been since January? Has your year gone well?

I had all good intentions of getting back into writing this blog at the beginning of the year. I did a few posts, then stopped. I don't know what happened, but I'll be honest, I kinda lost the password to get into the blog. And with that, I stopped posting because I didn't feel like I had anything good to post about.

But, I decided I wanted to have this back. I wanted a place where I could share what's going on and ask questions and show off my cats. Ha! You will always see pics of the cats!

So, I'm back. I'm not going to write multiple posts about what has happened between January and August, so I'm going to do a quick recap and start going forward from here:

• We had 30" of snow in these parts back in January. Made getting to work and training for Shamrock Dolphin Challenge a bit challenging;
• At one point, our schedule became so busy we started doing our long runs on Friday nights. It was actually fun and I loved that the runs were done so I could sleep in on Saturday mornings and sometimes get a second run in on the weekend.
• I ran my favorite three races in March - St. Patrick's Day 5k in Baltimore and the Dolphin Challenge in Virginia Beach. I didn't set any PRs, but I had fun. 
• I missed running one of my other favorite races in April - Sole of the City 10k in Baltimore - because I killed my back the week before and I just could not imagine running a 10k. It made me sad because hubby ran it, but I knew I did the right thing.
• In May, I decided with my Y membership running out in June, I needed a gym closer to home and one that I would have the ability to go on weekends. So, I joined the local Gold's Gym in town.
• June changed my life dramatically {and I am not exaggerating} when I fell off a stair in my backyard and broke my right ankle. It has been a rough summer and it is not healing as fast as I hoped {and read about}.
• I missed another race. I was signed up to run the Baltimore Women's Classic the following Sunday, but with a broken ankle, that sure didn't happen. I was not a happy camper.
• June also saw us plan our 15th wedding anniversary trip. We go to Jamaica every 5 years and this is the year we go back. We visited the travel agent and booked our trip!
• After the ankle break, the summer stopped. I used a scooter for almost two full months before getting the ok to start walking without it. It really messes with your mind when you always thinking about whether you can do something or not. I highly recommend not breaking anything from the waist down. Break a finger, your wrist, elbow, shoulder, ANYTHING but below the waste. It seriously impinges your ability to do anything.
• August brought some good news - the ability to stop using the scooter, then the ability to start walking without the air cast, and my husband's 40th birthday.
• I spent months {ask my friend who listened to me go on and on about what to do since February} planning a party for him, then I broke my ankle. I then had to re-do the whole party. It turned out well and we all had a fun time. That's what matters.
• We also went to Atlantic City, NJ for three days to celebrate his birthday {and to try to take suspicion away from the party}. We had a great time, even with my limitations. I got to put my feet in the ocean, even though I couldn't go swimming. It was something.

So, we are all caught up. Here's what's coming up in the next few months:

• Getting back normal movement in my ankle.
• Working with the doctors on some health stuff that's come up because of the ankle.
• Getting back to the gym, getting back to running {though I'm sure that will take longer than I want}
• Work on getting my eating under control. I didn't adjust the diet with the broken ankle and gained some more weight. Need to find a way to start eating healthy and stay consistent with it.
• Writing a journal article on the 1918 Influenza Epidemic in Philadelphia. My first attempt at being published.
• I also have an idea for an ebook that once my journal article is done, I will be working on.

My goal is to get back to writing on the blog several times a week, probably not everyday, but sharing my life and answering questions if you have any. Thanks for checking back in and we'll chat soon!

Elizabeth the Kitten

 Love ya!

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Throwback Thursday

Me as a little one with my grandparents/godparents in front of my childhood church.

Can you get any better Throwback Thursday than when it's your birthday?? LOL! Seriously, today is my birthday. :-)

I am celebrating my last year in my 30s today and I'm thinking I need to do something spectacular this coming year. What? No idea! I've been thinking about it, but haven't put anything to paper yet.

But, today I'm just going to celebrate with my hubby and see where the day takes us. He always spoils me so I know it will be a good day.

Have a fantastic Thursday friends! Hope you have just as great a day as I will!
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Libra

From The White Goddess

I'm a Libra, born October 9th. I've always loved my sign. I know most people think it's bunk, but I have always felt for the most part it described me. Not every single detail, but enough to think there's something to this astrology thing.

According to astrology.com, "libras are first and foremost focused on others and how they relate to them." Yea...this is about me. LOL! I'm always thinking of others and what our relationship is like. Am I being a good person to others? Have I asked too much of someone? Did I do something to upset them? If I'm upset, is it justified? So many things go through my head when it comes to other people!

According to astrology.com, "it's the Scales that symbolize Libra, and just like that balancing mechanism wants to stay even, Libras want to be on an even keel." Oh yes. I like to be balanced. I hate conflict or having to bring up uncomfortable questions. Not to say I won't do it if I have to, but if I can avoid it, I do!

According to astrology.com, " The Scales are cultured, refined and love beautiful things." Yup. I loved beautiful things. I don't necessarily need the most pricey item {my engagement ring isn't a diamond. Yea...by choice.}, but I do like shiny. LOL! I love theater, music, photography, and jewelry. I love to know things, even if they are trivial. I'm always reading to find out new things on random topics. I tend to think my interests aren't all that interesting to others though!

According to astrology.com, " the great strength of the Libra-born is their quest for fairness, peace and harmony." This might be the best way to sum up the Libra and to an extent, me. I do want fairness - for myself and others. Yes, I know life isn't fair, but it could be a little more fair than it is. I hate conflict and always wish for peace and harmony. I get too agitated when conflict happens...for long periods of time. Hence why I dislike handling it because it's not once and done for me. I will mull it over for weeks or months.

From Wikipedia, because we all know it is the source for accurate information!

Positive Traits

• Pleasant and charming 
•  Has a pure (clean) and open (sees both sides) mind, which makes them fair people
•  Clever
• Detailed and artstic
• Social and co-operative
• Their temper is balanced
• Self-sufficient
• Idealistic and equalitarian
• Urbane
• Argue very well

Negative Characteristics

• Indecisive
• Lazy
• Flirtatious and envious
• Extravagant, silly and impatient
• They can quarrel easily

So, what does this all mean? It means since this is my month {I've always felt that way about October}, I'll be sharing some fun facts about Libra's. I just wanted you to know why. :)

What's your sign? {heehee} Do you think it matches your personality?

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October

October is my favorite month of the year. Always has been. I suppose it doesn't hurt that October is my birth month. :)

Honestly though, I love October because the weather starts to cool down, it becomes jeans/sweater weather, the leaves on the trees start to change, pumpkin {everything} happens, blankets are needed again, and oh yea...it's my birthday month!

This month I'm back to racing - Hop Dash 5k, Baltimore Running Festival 5k, and Kids Chance 10k. I have been running with a coach in September, so hoping I made some gains. I'll be happy if either 5k is under 40 minutes.

This month we're brewing beer with friends again. Well...I'm not. I'm just there to chat and bring snacks. LOL! Hubby does all the work. For me, it's just a nice day of hanging out with friends. :)

This month we're also christening the deck! At the end of the month we're having people over to hang out on the new deck for the first time. It will probably be cold, but we have a fire pit so hopefully that will help out. I'm looking forward to toasting some marshmallows!

This month I joined a challenge a friend is hosting. She was kind enough to send me a message asking if I'd like to join since she knew I've been struggling. She's so sweet! So, next week starts our pre-challenge to the official challenge. I'm looking forward to it and seeing what she has in store!

So, what's your favorite month? Do you like the fall too? What great plans do you have coming up?

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Motivational Monday

Happy Motivational Monday friends! I know you may think that this quote is only applicable to people with cats, but no. I've thought this through. Replace "cats" with "kids," "dog," "spouse," etc. and now it applies to all!

Today's quote is inspired by Higgenbaffum the cat. It is his 16th birthday today. It is bittersweet in that his brother Pooka passed away in July of 2013 and this year we do not get to celebrate with him. It is also bittersweet because in January Higgy was diagnosed with cancer and due to his age and type of cancer, the decision of all involved was to make him as comfortable as possible rather than put him through chemo. Honestly, when we were given the diagnosis I didn't think Higgy would be here to celebrate his 16th birthday. But, here is he. Celebrating with us today. We grabbed a party hat and he will enjoy cake and ice cream, plus special chicken stew cat food.

Higgy the kitten in 1996

Why is this Motivational Monday? Because we all have those things we take for granted, we assume will be there but then they go away. Maybe it's a friend we were oh so close to that decides you aren't worth it anymore. Maybe it's a spouse that finds someone new. Maybe we don't live each day with our children and all of a sudden they are off to college. Maybe we realize we didn't spend as much time with our grandparents as we should have before they pass on.

Today, we need to remember that happiness is in the simplest things ~ petting a purring cat, play fetch with a dog, reading a book to a child, having tea with your grandparents, a phone call to a good friend. Today, I am going to celebrate Higgy the cat knowing that (sadly) this is his last birthday with us. I am going to make sure he has yummy food, including cake and ice cream. He enjoys some cat nip. We take lots of pictures and we cuddle him lots. Happiness is in the little things and today I am celebrating them to the fullest!

What small thing can you do today to make happiness a priority?
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October 9

It's my birthday! Yea me! It's been a good day so far. Hubby and I hit our local cafe for breakfast - french toast and home fries. Yum! Now we're off to see Hotel Transylvania and to dinner at a nice Italian place in Harrisburg. I'm not a fan of getting older, but having a day all about me is kinda fun.  ;-)