When the weather gets cold outside the one thing I love to do indoors is read.  There is just something about snuggling up with a good book and letting your mind go free that is so relaxing.  So far this winter I have read 6 books all of which I have enjoyed. 

1.  Do As I Say (Not As I Do):  Profiles in Liberal Hypocrisy - This is one of those books where no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall on it is an interesting read.  It truly is amazing to see people who stand for one thing act so differently in their personal lives.  I wouldn't say this is a must read book but if you are just looking for something a little different it is worth your time.

2.  Boleyn Inheritance - This book is actually part of a series written by Philippa Gregory that surrounds the life of King Henry the VIII and his wives.  These books are interesting and hard to put down once you start reading them.  I would say if you love history and don't mind a little fiction then these are the books for you.

3-6.  Twilight Series - Yes I read the Twilight series and to my surprise I loved it!  I actually was not planning on reading these as they were more geared for teens, but my sister in law gave me the first book to borrow so I figured why not give it a try.  I must say I was blown away by these books.  I know there are many critics out there but if you just go into these books not over analyzing and just for enjoyment I don't see how you will not love them.  In fact, these books were so addicting that I actually finished all 4 in a week and a half.  I just couldn't set them down.  If you don't want to let people know you jumped on the Twilight bandwagon I can understand but go ahead and read these books in secret.  They really are worth it!

     So, now I am off to find my next great book or series to read.  A good friend of mine is actually finished up the Twilight Series now and we are going to have a dinner date next week to discuss the books.  It would be nice if we could both find a book or series to read again together and enjoy.  If you have a must read book or series please share!     

     I can’t even begin to write about all the craziness going on that has kept me from blogging, but let me just say things have been nuts.  Night terrors, teething baby, giving up the baba aka pacifier, and sickness have all left me in a zombie state for about a month now.  Just when I see the light at the end of the tunnel something else happens.  I have been horrible about working out and honestly that is another reason why I haven’t been blogging.  I have not been being “fit” for a good month now and just felt wrong blogging when I was so far off track.  This week I finally got back into weight watchers so that makes me feel somewhat better. 

     Anyway,with the election tomorrow I just felt the need to come on and get a blog posted.  If you did not get a chance to vote early make sure you go vote tomorrow.  It is such an important election that every vote really does count.  So, if you haven’t already get out there and do it!

     On Sunday I went and bought my first pair of “official” running shoes.  In my town we have a shoe store that specializes in running and walking shoes so I thought I would start there.  It was a lot of fun because they had me walk on this mat and it showed me where the main pressure points on my feet were and what type of arches I have.  Then the girl helping me had me walk around in order for her to determine my pronation.  After we finished with all that good stuff she brought out about 6 different pairs of shoes to try on and I right away fell in love with a pair of Saucony’s.  The shoes just felt like they were made for my feet.   

     Once I got them home I couldn’t wait to take them out on a test drive.  I laced up and headed out.  I must say my feet felt great.  Since I am started out the running process slowly I was walking two minutes running one minute for 30 minutes.  I must say I was proud of myself because I made it the whole 30 minutes.  It isn’t that walking is that hard or that I am out of shape, but running is a lot harder on your body even if you are used to exercising.   

    Anyway, the next day I could feel some muscles in my legs that were sore because they don’t get used often biking.  Other then that I felt good.  I have decided I will just run 3 times a week every other day.  I know running can be hard on my body so I don’t want to get crazy with it just yet.  Tonight was my third night walking/running and I actually enjoyed my time running even though I still think I prefer biking. 

     Overall, I don’t think I will become an uber runner who focuses only on running.  I do enjoy it but there are so many other activities I still want to be able to focus my attention on too.  So, I will continue running until I am able to run a few miles without stopping but I think that will be the max for me.  My goal is to be able to do a 5k.  I have no set timeline but I just know sometime in the future if I was able to enter a 5k and finish no matter what my time was I would feel like a million dollars.  From a girl who used to hate running it is amazing to me I have actually found a little place in my heart for this sport.   

     I am so upset because my sister’s dog is sick.  His name is Rocky and he is just the sweetest most loving dog I have ever known.  I myself have never owned a dog.  When my sister was little, before I came around, my parents had a dog that bit my sister.  My parents decided it would be best to give the dog away and after that never we never had any other pets.  I always hoped when I got older I would be able to have a dog of my own; however, my husband is allergic to dogs so it looks as if I will never own a dog.  So, for me Rocky has been the closest thing I have ever had to owning a dog of my own. 

     Anyway, a week or so ago Rocky started having some spasms in his right chest.  My sister took him to the vet and he thought it might be a muscle problem or arthritis and sent him home with some pain med's.  The vet said if his condition changed to bring him back.  He seemed ok for a few days which we all thought great maybe he just needed time for the muscle to heal and he will be feeling better soon.  Well, a few days later my sister asked me if I could go let Rocky out because she was going to be late coming home from work.  The second I walked in the door I knew something was wrong.  Most of the time he jumps up and is so happy to see me and the kids but he just walked over and wagged his tail a little bit and then sat down.  I let him outside and when he came back inside he started crying.  I called my mom to ask her what to do and she said we need to take him to the vet.  We brought him to the vet and he had a fever of 103 and was just not doing well.  The vet took some blood for testing and also gave him an antibiotic just in case he had an infection causing the problem.  A day or so later Rocky’s fever was down and the blood tests came back normal but he still had twitching on the right side of his chest.  The vet pretty much said he doesn’t know what it is, but I just can’t accept that.  He is the vet.  Hasn’t he seen another dog with similar symptoms?  I just don’t see how he can’t figure this out. 

     So, today the kids and I went to visit Rocky and the spasms are still there.  He seems a little more upbeat but you can just tell something is wrong.  He isn’t happy like he used to be.  He can’t play with my daughter like he used too.  There is just something not right and I feel so helpless.  I want to help him and I want the old Rocky back.  I can’t imagine him having to live the rest of his life this way.  I can’t imagine him having to be in pain and not being the same active, happy, loving dog I know he is.  As I am typing this I am crying and I never knew I would ever feel this way.  He is my sister’s dog but he has been a huge part of my life too.  I just wish I could help him and find the answers.  It’s hard to see someone you love in pain.       

     Lately, I have seen a trend amongst my friends and family.  It seems as if everyone I know has recently or will be running in a marathon.  They are in all different stages of training but I must say they all look great.  In fact I have never seen a runner with a horrible body.  They all just look lean, healthy, and strong. 

     Honestly, I have never been a runner.  There was always something about it I just didn’t get.  I ran for sports and of course I would run my fanny off if someone was chasing me with a knife but other than that I had absolutely no desire.  It seemed like every time I saw a runner they just looked miserable so I didn’t understand why anybody in their right mind would want to run.  Or maybe it was the fact that every time I ran I felt miserable.  Yet with so many people out there who love to run I am really starting to think I might give running a try once again. 

     There are a two main reasons I feel running may not have stuck with me before.  The first is that I never had the dedication to my health.  I now look at running as something that could be great for my body and will help me stay strong.  Before I used to look at running as something I was forced to do in order to play sports.  Playing sports was number one and running was just something that happened to be a part of it.  Now I see that running could be so much more. 

     The second reason I think I left running was because honestly I was not a very good runner.  I was never trained on how to build up my stamina.  It was pretty much just go out there are do it.  I think when you are expected to go out and run a mile when you body has not been trained you are just setting yourself up for failure.  While I struggled to run my mind would start to think how awful running was and I just grew to hate it more and more.  Really, it may not have been the running at all it was just the circumstances in which I was expected to run.    

     So, I think I will give running a shot once again.  Hopefully one day I will get this grand runners high everybody talks about.  I have found a few different websites that have good tips on how to get started and I hope to try them out on Monday.  We shall see how it goes.  If you are a runner and have any great tips chat it up in the comments.  I can use all the help I can get.  For those of you that are not runners but might be interested in getting started here are the links I have found that might also be helpful to you. 

http://www.weightlossresources.co.uk/exercise/running/3_mile_training_plan.htm

http://www.runnersworld.com/cda/smartcoach/1,7148,s6-238-277-278-0-0-0-0-0,00.html

http://www.thediatribe.net/2006/03/19/how-to-run/

     I ran across this story a while back and saved it on my computer because I thought it was hilarious.  However, I forgot about it until I was cleaning files on my computer today and ran across it again.  It is so funny I just have to share it.  I am not sure who wrote it so I can’t give credit, but I know all of your parents out there will appreciate it. 

Sleep Training... OK, here's my situation. My Mommy has had me for almost 7 months. The first few months were great-- I cried, she picked me up and fed me, anytime, day or night. Then something happened. Over the last few weeks, she has been trying to STTN (sleep thru the night). At first, I thought it was just a phase, but it is only getting worse. I've talked to other babies, and it seems like it's pretty common after Mommies have had us for around 6 months. Here's the thing: these Mommies don't really need to sleep. It's just a habit. Many of them have had some 30 years to sleep--they just don't need it anymore. So I am implementing a plan. I call it the Crybaby Shuffle. It goes like this: Night 1--cry every 3 hours until you get fed. I know, it's hard. It's hard to see your Mommy upset over your crying. Just keep reminding yourself, it's for her own good. Night 2--cry every 2 hours until you get fed. Night 3--every hour. Most Mommies will start to respond more quickly after about 3 nights. Some Mommies are more alert, and may resist the change longer. These Mommies may stand in your doorway for hours, shhhh-ing. Don't give in. I cannot stress this enough: CONSISTENCY IS KEY!! If you let her STTN (sleep through the night), just once, she will expect it every night. I KNOW IT'S HARD! But she really does not need the sleep, she is just resisting the change. If you have an especially alert Mommy, you can stop crying for about 10 minutes, just long enough for her to go back to bed and start to fall asleep. Then cry again. It WILL eventually work. My Mommy once stayed awake for 10 hours straight, so I know she can do it. Last night, I cried every hour. You just have to decide to stick to it and just go for it. BE CONSISTENT! I cried for any reason I could come up with. My sleep sack tickled my foot. I felt a wrinkle under the sheet. My mobile made a shadow on the wall. I burped, and it tasted like pears. I hadn't eaten pears since lunch, what's up with that? The cat said "meow". I should know. My Mommy reminds me of this about 20 times a day. LOL. Once I cried just because I liked how it sounded when it echoed on the monitor in the other room. Too hot, too cold, just right--doesn't matter! Keep crying!! It took awhile, but it worked. She fed me at 4am. Tomorrow night, my goal is 3:30am. You need to slowly shorten the interval between feedings in order to reset your Mommies' internal clocks. P.S. Don't let those rubber things fool you, no matter how long you suck on them, no milk will come out. Trust me

     So, this past weekend my daughter was sick.  At first we thought it was a cold but then she got a fever so we figured it was some type of virus.  Anyway, after sleepless nights, hugging, kissing, and snuggling to make her feel better I too am now sick.  Of course we were kind enough to share it with my husband and mom.  Yet my son somehow has managed to stay healthy.  Go figure! 

     Anyway, I find myself using a lot of the same tricks my mom used to help me feel better when I was little on my daughter.  So, it isn’t doctor’s orders but moms orders:

1.  Ginger Ale – My mom could get us to drink this when we were sick and it kept us from getting dehydrated.  I am sure there are “official” drinks out there now but I seem to always go back to Ginger Ale. 

2.  Toast or Bread – Easy on the tummy and my mom always claimed it absorbed snot in your stomach.  TMI I know but my when daughters belly hurts and she eats bread or toast she always says her belly feels better. 

3.  “The bucket” – basically a container that will catch you know what if you don’t make it to the bathroom in time.   

4.  Vicks Vapor Rub – you know it doesn’t smell great but it really does help with the pain in your throat and chest.

     Please feel free to add to the list in the comments.  As my daughter seemed to have gotten well within 48 hours I am still suffering along with my husband and mom.  To make matters worse I really can’t take anything since I am still breastfeeding.  Let’s hope this isn’t the beginning to a long winter!

       Reading about the recent infant deaths due to formula tainted with melamine in China just breaks my heart.  I had to write about this story because it hits so close to home with myself having a 4 month old.  I have been so lucky that I have been able to breastfeed both of my children with no problems and no assistance from formula.  So, I can’t even imagine what it would be like to have a child who became sick do to the formula you feed them every day.  These parents put their trust in these companies to provide them a product that they feel will best help their child only to find out they have been betrayed.  

    I just think about what choices those parents have now.  Your baby needs to eat but what can you feel them?  The story I read on CNN.com said that Chinese investigators have found melamine in almost 70 milk products from more than 20 companies.  That is just disgusting.  I can’t imagine what person in their right mind would do something like this.  Are people really so greedy that they don’t care if another human being dies in order to make money?  It just makes me sick to my stomach.

     So, let’s see China provided us with tainted pet food last year which coincidentally enough was also tainted with melamine.  Then we have the wonderful lead paint in toys panic.  Let’s, also not forget the wonderful Aqua Dots toy that turned in to the date rate drug when ingested and the Pokemon Valentine lollipops that contained metal.  Then last but certainly not least they are now killing their own people by tainting their infant formula. 

     I just don’t even know what to say about this except that it is scary……….. 

        From the blogs that I have been reading recently I find that I am unique in my approach to politics.  Unlike many of the blogs I have read that criticize the opposition I find myself happy that there are people who think differently.  Without unique ideas to challenge each other we would never push for bigger and better things.  If we all sat back happily and agreed on everything we would never make progress.  Without somebody challenging our views we would not be able to gain a stronger sense and dedication to our own beliefs.      

     If there is one thing I have learned in my short time here it is that the more you push somebody to follow your ideas they more they are going to push away.  People don’t want to be told want to do, they want to believe in their ideas.  They want to feel it deep down inside of them and they want to know that what they believe in is what will be for the best.  Putting down, criticizing, or belittling the opposition in no way makes your side any stronger.  If you truly want people to hear your thoughts and really listen you need to inspire. 

     It amazes me that many people wonder why the other side “just doesn’t get it”.  It isn’t that they “don’t get it”, they just see things differently.  It isn’t right or wrong it is just a different approach.  When you think of things in the sense of right or wrong you are losing out on the bigger picture.  There is no plan or guide book that is going to tell you all of the answers.  As much as either side wants to believe their person is the right one there is really no way of telling.  Each of the candidates running has the best interest of the country at heart and people who disagree with that are just naive.  If that were honestly the case you wouldn’t have such equal followings on each side. 

     I also find it interesting that many people accuse the opposition of not looking at the issues.  As if the opposition just doesn’t care and picked somebody at random.  Both sides understand the issues well and both sides want to see changes made.  It is just a matter of how they believe these changes will best be managed and solved. 

     As for my political views it doesn’t really matter.  You will not see any banners on my blog promoting one candidate over the other and you will never read any posts about my political point of view.  I have my issues that are most important at heart and have chosen a candidate who I feel will help my causes.  When the election comes and goes if my candidate wasn’t picked I won’t find it to be the end of the world.  Life will still go on and most importantly I will have the freedom to disagree. 

     Well, after JoeGirl left me a message to check in on me (thanks Joe!!!) and make sure I was ok I realized that I have been neglecting my blog in a bad way.  I got into blogging not so long ago and I just love it.  Before blogging, I was one of those people who had no idea what I wanted to do with my life.  I switched my major in college about 4 times before I just settled on Social Work which is a very important profession but is just not the right one for me.  I have had so many jobs, outside of being stay at home mom which I love, yet nothing seemed to stick.  I just couldn’t find my niche in life and many times I felt lost.  But then I found blogging and something just clicked.  I really felt like blogging could become not only a hobby but a job I loved.   

     I used to have such a creative side.  I would write short stories and my brain was always going.  But then life took over and some of that was lost.  Since having kids I can’t just stop what I am doing to write down thoughts that pop into my head and I can’t stay up all night writing when I know the next morning I will have to be up bright and early.  Sometimes I stop and think what the heck happened?  My brain is now molasses and doesn’t just flow freely like it used too.  It is almost as if I have to think where as before things just came to me.  Yet, this blog in many ways has become my new creative outlet.  Since I have been blogging again I find my creativity is returning slowing but surely. 

     However, as much as I would love to be able to blog everyday my new found love has to take a backseat at times.  Right now my husband has been working overtime and as much as I would love to tell him to put his work on hold I can’t because his work actually makes us money where as my blog at this point in my life is just for personal benefit.  Lately by the time I get the kids to bed, workout, take a shower, and nurse my son it is 11 and I just don’t have the energy to get a blog out. 

      I hope you all understand and I hope you continue to stick around even if my posting is erratic at times.  I really have enjoyed getting to know all of you and learning new information from your blogs.  It has been such a wonderful experience that I don’t want to lose any of you!  I will really try my best to keep up with things and drop by your blogs as often as possible.  Thanks again to all of you for sticking with me!