40 for 40 Update #1

I think I'm making good progress...

1. Ski a mogul run - DONE!

2. Attempt to donate blood

3. Join the bone marrow donation registry - DONE!

4. Sponsor a child

5. Go cross country skiing

6. Go snowshoeing

7. Make cinnamon rolls

8. Make 40 new recipes (I need to keep better track of this! I know I've tried at least 2 so far.)

9. Complete a quilt each for Kate & Jack (in progress)

10. Complete a quilt for my bed

11. Learn to play 4 Christmas carols on the piano

12. Get chickens

13. Learn to fold 40 origami projects

14. Document a day-in-our life 40 times (that's 3-4 /month) - done 1
15. Run 1000 miles (joining Tall Mom's club) - on schedule!
16. Say "I Love You" to 40 people

17. Go camping

18. Visit a National Park

19. Complete a half marathon (registered for Feb)

20. Complete a marathon (registered for June)

21. Complete a triathlon (registered for Aug)

22. Plant a garden

23. Go to a drive-in movie

24. Climb a 14er

25. Leave the country

26. Go water skiing

27. Host a party

28. Buy an RV - DONE! (Details this week!)

29. Secret Plan
30. Start a new, benevolent family tradition

31. Do a back flip off a diving board

32. Ride a motorcycle

33. Run 5K in less than 30min

34. Do the incline

35. Have a full day spa day

36. Fast for a day

37. Fly a kite

38. Go horseback riding

39. Take kids to a college sporting event
40. Go rock climbing

Hippo Blanket

Matt's sister had a new baby boy back in December. We didn't know ahead of time if it was going to be a boy or a girl which makes project planning a bit difficult. I also didn't have a lot of time with the holidays, so I decided to make a cut chenille blanket after seeing this tutorial. I can't remember where I found the cute decorator's weight hippo fabric, but I bought the flannel from Connecting Threads. The binding is from my stash - maybe It's a Hoot? My hand got awfully sore cutting with the scissors that much and I had other issues with the cutting (ugh, ugh, ugh! If I do another blanket like this - and I have more hippo fabric in several colors - I'm going to get a chenille cutter), but I'm really happy with the end result. Even the cute little patch.

(Sorry for the bad photos... I'm getting lazy and just using my iphone lately. 

Should have at least used the Instagram app... but too late since the blanket is in the mail!)

Daybook 1.30.12

FOR TODAY

Outside my window... partly cloudy but warm day. How can it possibly be January?!?

I am thinking... that a long run yesterday plus a tennis lesson this morning plus a singles match this morning was a bit much for my poor legs. I have NO IDEA how I am going to convince my legs to run tomorrow after my doubles match.

I am thankful for... quiet time.

From the kitchen... haven't really thought about food for this week until this moment. Guess I better come up with something.

I am wearing... my robe and an Origins face mask (I just got out of the hot tub and am making my way to the shower next)


I am creating... lots and lots of fun quilts in my head, not so much at the machine this week.

I am going... to get myself a new running shirt for my half marathon. Not sure what yet.

I am reading... finished The Shack this morning, still reading the BFG at Kate's request, not sure what I am going to start next.

I am hoping... that my current daydreams come true.

I am hearing... NOTHING! It is really, really quiet.

Around the house... just barely keeping up. Some days I think I should trash everything and start over!

One of my favorite things... the Out of Trouble face mask by Origins (see "I am wearing..." above)

A few plans for the rest of the week: Not much right now. In a good way. Mostly routine plans like tennis, swimming, etc. Matt is off work this week and has a friend coming in this weekend for skiing. Hoping to get some sew time with Miss D. I might also schedule myself for a massage.

Here is a picture I am sharing: no photo. Everything is still on my phone and I want to go take my shower...

Running Log

This week's running highlights...

• Ran my longest run ever today! 14.75 miles! Although I'm not sure *run* is the appropriate verb - *went* might be better. Matt ran the first half with me. I got a grumbly tummy at mile 7 so I went home with him for a pit stop and a water refill before I hit the last 7 miles. There was a decent amount of walking in there, but I finished strong and felt great at mile 14. Had to force myself to stop running and walk home.
• Ran in Bear Creek Park where I encountered the bear last summer. It was only my second run there since the bear run-in. My first run back last fall, I spotted a coyote eyeing me. This week, there was a deer leg on the trail (a sign of a mountain lion in the vicinity) in almost the same spot I saw the bear. Needless to say, I'm a bit jumpy on that running route.
• Still no swimming or biking. My legs are getting plenty with running and tennis right now.
• 3 weeks until my half marathon. Taper starts this week.
• Going to sit in the hot tub as soon as I'm done typing!

Running Miles: 30.25
Hiking Miles: 0

Swimming Miles: 0
Biking Miles: 0
Tennis Hours: 6 (& I wonder why I can't get any cooking or laundry done!)
Skiing Hours: 0 (much to Matt's dismay!)

This Week's Total Mileage: 30.25

YTD Mileage: 109.5

Right Now

In the middle of building my Lego fortress. Needed a chai to get me through.


Might need something stronger to get me through the upcoming Lego battle...

- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Right Now

Kate's first swim meet


- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Bone Marrow Registry

One of the items on my 40 for 40 list is to join the Bone Marrow Donation Registry. I filled out the online registration form and got my packet in the mail a couple weeks ago. It was easy to swab my cheeks, I stuck the swabs in the mail, and I think I have to wait a couple months until I'm officially on the list. Easy peasy. You should go do it also. Right now.

The Testing Kit

Rudolph Club

Just for the record, even I think I'm a bit crazy for doing this. But the last 2 years I have used the Organized Christmas site to help me get ready for the holidays. in 2010 I did the 6 week Christmas Countdown which was great and really allowed me to enjoy the season. For 2011, I did the Houseworks Holiday Plan. It got a little long, and I lost momentum by early November. But I was really happy to have lots of my holiday plans done early. This year I've decided to do the Rudolph Club. On the 25th of every month, you do some Christmas planning. They have assignments each month that I'll pick and choose from, but since I've been trying to move more and more to handmade/homemade gifts, I'm hoping this will give me some momentum/inspiration to get some of these gifts done early. I'm also hoping that I will get to some of the quilty Christmas projects that I keep intending to make for ME.

Yesterday was the January meeting. Matt had a late work meeting last night, so I used the time at my sewing machine working on the gifts I am making for all the cousins this coming year. I also did some research on some of the accessories to go with the gift. I also want to inventory my gift closet in the next week (it is over flowing! Some will be birthday presents for my kids in Feb and March, some I'll save for birthday party presents, some are just going to be donated, and some I'll save for the Toys for Tots drive next December).