spring? finally?

after spending the early evening in my parents' backyard, where spring officially seems to have sprung, i am going to tempt fate and say that we think that spring is finally here!  i have had a few requests for spring wedding ring sets - so i think we're heading to warmer (and more romantic?) weather forecasts.  finally.  I snuck out while at the bank this afternoon and got my hair trimmed - i am still getting used to having super short hair after a lifetime of super long hair - and i still am thrilled at the sensation of the breeze on the back of my neck.  (kind of sexy, kind of ticklish, kind of awesome).  on the way home, i rolled all the windows down, opened the sunroof and blasted my favorite warm weather songs.  for a few minutes, all my worries floated away into the sunshine. who cares about the high gas prices?  who cares about voice mails piling up at work?  who cares about unanswered emails and angry clients? 

 joy, bliss, spring!

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beautiful spring day + park + my kid = meltdown.

we can't resist going out on this beautiful spring day, so the mini and i head out to the park behind my house.  we swing, we slide, we run around in the baseball field, we dig in the sand.  then, after an hour and a half or so, i get packed up and tell her we have to go home.  "no, mom." she said, quite firmly.  but, since i'm the boss, i toss her over my shoulder and head towards home.  cue meltdown.  kicking, crying, yelling... all the way out of the park.  all the way home.  all during her bath.  and then for 45 minutes until she finally fell asleep out of sheer exhaustion.  bad mommy!  bad springtime!   i sense the terrible two's heading our way...

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zen and the art of running.

today i slip into my new black running tights, throw on my adidas zip-up, and lace my Nikes for the first time this season.  i have some awesome songs on my blackberry and have stolen the husband's over-the-ear headphones (that never slip off my head).  the weather is fabulous - sunny, bright, warm(ish) - and i can't wait to feel the rays on my face.  i feel like i have been waiting to do this forever.

i head out, walk briskly for a bit before increasing my pace.  and i run.  i find my rhythm quite easily and it feels like i never stopped.  i follow the well worn path into the ravine behind our subdivision and revel in the fact that i am OUTSIDE in the SUN!  i don't worry about the mess that is my house.  i don't worry about long overdue case notes.  i don't worry about emails.  i am one with nature.  my mind and body are linked.  i am zen.

until about 3 minutes in.  my breath starts to burn in my chest and i kind of feel a little dizzy.  even my lips start to throb because the blood moving through my veins is pumping at a furious clip.  i am already hot and sweaty.  (definitely not in a GOOD way)  and i realize i have to slow down.  to a walk.  funny enough, my legs are willing, but my lungs are not.  i walk for a bit till i catch my breath and then run again.  but soon i realize i have to slow to a walk.

after 20 minutes of this run-walk-desperately try to catch my breath routine, i head for home.  sad that it feels like i am right back where i started when i first started running years ago, when i first got sick and was much heavier.  even knowing that i am lighter than before i had the baby is no consolation for the fact that i am in sad shape.  and it's not like anyone is necessarily paying attention to the fact that my muffin top is definitely squishy-ier, and that i have lost some muscle mass, but i am disappointed in the old body.  sigh.  5K feels VERY far away right now.

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happy friday!

the weather is getting warmer, all the ice at the park has melted, and it's nice enough outside to run around in the sunshine without 50 layers of clothing on!  not only is it friday, but tomorrow is supposed to be absolutely brilliant!!!!  yay, weekend!  where have you been all week???????

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happiness is...

... a quiet sunny afternoon in mid march.  an excellently romantic playlist in iTunes.  soft wool and a fast crochet needle.  recent orders packed up and shipped. hot earl grey tea in my favorite mug.  a napping toddler.  a clean kitchen.  paid off bills.  a brisk walk. sightings of crocuses amidst the snow.  a warm bagel.  a cold diet coke.  daydreams of kisses in springtime. 

hurry up, spring!  i've missed you!

(the notebook to the left is from my gocco printmaking days... hmmmm.  maybe it's time to start again!)

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