Moving on up

Move that body: 2-ish mile walk with Mark and Denali

Moving into a two-story house with a basement is sort of like buying a very expensive and frustrating stair climber. My calves are seriously feeling it this evening.

But it's done. Or as done as it's going to be at this point and time.

To recap the weekend, here are some quotes:

"Let me be a baby for just a minute." This was not me, I swear!

"We have too much crap."

"Denali! Denali! Get back here Denali!"

"Are you serious? We don't have hot water?"

"I'm hungry."

"When in doubt, put it in the basement."

"Damnit, Denali stop peeing on the basement floor!"

"Are you sure you should be lifting that?"

"Mark, you're going to be a hoarder."

"I'm going to go ahead and put this (the iron) over here by the woman station."

"Part of my community service says I have to work outside."

"We're going to turn off the main power."

If you're super bored, I did a little video tour of the house before it was turned upside down with all of our stuff.



I promise that, in a few days, I'll be back to writing about slogging my way through pregnancy. Until then, stay tuned for my awesome mini blind hanging skills.

And congrats to everyone who raced this weekend, especially those in Eugene and Cincinnati1

Friday love

Workout: 3.0-mile run

Remember last week … last week, when I wore shorts on my run?

Yeah. So do I.

I just wish Mother Nature did.

This morning, it was full-on winter gear with early-morning temps in the lower 20s – tights, long-sleeve shirt, jacket, vest, hat and gloves. Though, truth be told, I could have done without the vest and hat. I was hot by the half-way point.

Regardless, it didn’t make me happy.

 

But seeing as my other option was “power walking,” as Mark so kindly reminded me, I sucked it up and went on my way. Or our way since Denali was my companion.

And, in case you were wondering, yes. Yes it is possible for me to take an even more unattractive photo than the one above. I promise.

Anywho … time for Friday love!

Food. Mark has discovered the joys of a daily dose of caffeine in the morning and has made a small pot of coffee every morning this week. He takes a cup in a travel mug to school and leaves the rest for me. No baby worries - it’s half-caff, so it’s cool. Let me tell you this: I am loving the fact that it’s one less thing I have to do for myself. Yay morning laziness!

Fitness. Yesterday, I finally picked up my weights after a near two-week hiatus. I did circuits, I think. I did an exercise that focuses on a specific muscle for one minute and then switched to another exercise, focusing on a different muscle, for a minute. I did four muscle groups – so 4 minutes – and then took a 1-minute break (repeat 3 times). The muscles were biceps, shoulders, triceps and back. Let me tell you that those 12 minutes of work translated into some serious soreness this morning. Yay for muscles!

Life. After my manic excitement about the house last week, Mark and I were taken down a notch (or three) after the inspection. There are some definite issues that we had to take to the sellers but they are getting estimates – and that’s good our Realtor says. So how is this love worthy? I’m not sure but I am glad that the home inspector caught the things he did; I am glad that we have an A+ Realtor to guide us through the process; and I’m glad that I’m not losing hope. So keep your fingers crossed, say a prayer or just have hope that this works out. Baby boy needs a room!

So what’s going on this weekend? We’re going to a luau (of all things in this miserable weather) and I’m taking Coconut Cornbread Bread Pudding!

Friday love: Springing forward

Workout: 2.8-mile walk with Denali

Today is a good day.

A very good day.

The sun is shining. The birds are chirping. The air feels warm. It feels like spring.

It’s a good day.

Denali and I took a walk, and he barely pulled. Squirrel playtime and the return of the geese made him smile. “Water for Elephants” on audiobook/my iPod made me happy. We took a loop around the park if only to spend another 10 minutes in the sun.

It’s a good day.

I’m wearing a shirt from last summer that I wasn’t so fond of it because it was too big. Now, it’s actually quite fetching – even got a few compliments on it … from strangers.

It’s a good day.

But what makes it best of all, is Mark and I are one step closer to being homeowners. We saw a house last night, loved it, made an offer and it was accepted this morning.

It’s perfect for us. Remodeled using government grant money to prevent neighborhood blight, it has new windows, roof, furnace, central air and hot water heater.

 

It has wood floors, charm and a fenced in yard for Denali. It’s exactly what we need.

There’s still a few more steps – loan paperwork, an inspection and closing. I’m not sure I will feel like it’s mine until then but getting here, to this point, is just what I needed today.

Now for some Friday love!

Food. Tuesday, before my doc appointment, I wanted to eat something that would be light yet filling as I always treat myself to a bagel after seeing the doctor. I opted for some cottage cheese and two slices of light wheat toast with jam. It was perfect and very filling. I almost didn’t need the bagel afterward.

Almost.

Fitness. I was so wrong about that daylight saving time thing. It’s not lighter in the morning. At all. But it is lighter at night, and Mark and I were able to take a short walk with Denali on Wednesday night. It was a great supplement to the exercise of the day but more than that, it was nice to get out there and wind down from the day. To connect with my two men.

Life. The house. Duh! You didn’t expect me to put the 30-day countdown to my 30th birthday (April 17), did you?

Hope you all have a good weekend! And, if you didn’t enter, go over to this post and enter my giveaway. Some of the goodies are the POM Wonderful bag (with a coupon for POM Wonderful juice), Cliff bars and Barney Butter.

The good, the bad and the UGH-ly

Workout: 30 minutes stationary bike, 15 minutes elliptical and 1.25-mile walk with Denali.

I hate house hunting, I hate house hunting, I hate house hunting.

There - I said it.

Despite being in a buyer's market, we are now in competition for the house on which we made an offer and have until 6 p.m. to sweeten the deal or walk away. I have a sinking feeling, too, that Mark and I are not on the same page as to what we should do.

I hate house hunting, I hate house hunting, I hate house hunting.

The whole process is tough and only made tougher with a looming deadline, aka baby boy's birth, and the preggo hormones. I seriously cried in the middle of the newsroom ... twice ... today about the situation.

But anyways, I noticed something good this morning. Despite feeling like a complete blob, I still have a decent amount of energy during my workouts. The only times I wanted to hop off the bike and make a run for it were a result of boredom and an uncomfortable seat - not because I couldn't do it anymore. I probably could have increased the resistance and been fine. But I didn't. I was a good girl.

And another good thing: People watching at the gym. I saw someone on an elliptical - or something like it - working a sudoku puzzle. Another guy had his treadmill on such a high incline and at such a great speed that he had to hold on. I sort of think you shouldn't have it at a level unless you can move hands free. Then there was the old guy with a white undershirt tucked into snug Kmart khaki shorts, white tube socks (pulled up, of course) and white sneakers. I loved it and sort of wanted to hug him. But I didn't. I was a good girl.

After the gym, I headed to Walmart to pick up a make-do slow cooker. I haven't been able to replace the lid on my current one (if you remember, Denali broke it) and needed a vessel for my MIL's famous marinara. I didn't have much time to peruse but I ended up with a $9.88 2-quart one. I was really tempted to buy a better one. But I didn't. I was a good girl.

I'm always a good girl.

So what did you do good today? Make it a good answer. My favorite response will win a POM Wonderful tote bag, with coupon and filled with healthy edible goodies. A winner will be chosen Friday night after my envy-inducing standing date with the husband: cheap eats and the grocery.

Morning glory

Workout: 3-mile run with Mark and Denali

Let me tell you, we know how to live it up in the Healthy Strides house.

Mark took his Dad to see "Rango;" Denali is sleeping on the rug; and I'm hosting a "Sex and the City" marathon ... for one ... while a pot of Cincinnati chili simmers on the stove.

Talk about an exciting afternoon but I guess that's what you get when you pack all the good stuff in the morning.

When I woke up this morning, I decided to move my run to the afternoon. I was STARVING and knew a small snack wouldn't even make enough of a dent so that I could run. Thankfully, Mark agreed.

But we forgot to include someone in our little run later decision: Denali. He was howling up a storm as we put away laundry (after breakfast, of course), and I decided that we could squeeze in a few miles before we met our Realtor to look at two more houses.

The miles were a bit chilly - 26 degrees - but not too bad. I've discovered that wearing my Bella Band over my belly helps a bit with the heaviness. Sort of like wearing control top panty hose. Sure, it rolled up a bit but helped to keep things in. I like to keep things in.

I am noticing that the breathing part is getting harder. Darn baby compromising my lung capacity! I am hoping that spring's warmer weather will help with that.

What are you looking forward to most about spring? Feel free to mention my birthday :)

Three Things Thursday

Workout: 2.9-mile run and 10 minutes with my weights

Is it just me or does this week seem loooong? I was sitting on the couch last night, watching "Survivor," and bemoaning the fact that it was only Wednesday. It definitely felt like Thursday. And now today is Thursday, and it feels like Friday.

Except it's not.

1. I think part of the reason it feels like such a long week is because it's been a busy week. I was in meetings all day Tuesday and we met Mark's parents for dinner that night. Today, I have a full plate at work and then Mark and I are meeting the Realtor to look at two more houses. Yep, we're still looking. Want the scoop?

a. We had to walk away from the house on which we had made an offer. The sellers did agree to replace the furnace and roof but only under the condition that we pay half the closing costs and $2,000 above list price. Say what? Apparently, they were way under water and couldn't afford to take less on the house and make repairs. Considering their situation, our Realtor wasn't confident that they would pick reputable contractors and we were released from the contract.

b. Mark and I went out again last weekend and again found a house we liked. But there are glitches. The house was purchased by an investor (aka flipper) and updates were made to the house. New roof, newer furnace and hot water heater, new bathroom. Awesome. Glitch? The house was bought, remodeled and being sold (potentially) in less than six months, subjecting our loan to greater oversight. The seller could be asked to justify the increase in price (160 percent) by providing receipts and if the lender didn't find it acceptable, they could deny the loan. Even if the house appraised for the selling price. Boo.

c. House No. 2 isn't out per se but we're feeling a little gun shy, prompting the meeting tonight. At least I'm bringing cupcakes.

2. Lately, I have been having an issue with vegetables. As in I don't want to eat them. The thought of a side of broccoli or carrots as a snack makes this former veggie queen nauseous. I can manage to eat salads but that's about it, and it's forcing me to get creative with my meals. Case in point: breakfast this morning. I made a "pizza" scramble - sauteed mushrooms, onions and spinach; 10 grams turkey pepperoni, 1/2 cup Egg Beaters and 2% cheese. The pepperoni made the vegetables palatable and was actually kinda good with the eggs. Salty, salty. It would have been better with tomatoes but we didn't have any. (By the way, a helpful hint: Cook the veggies in 1/4 cup chicken stock to cut down on oil.)

3. I felt so smart today. I was able to change the display on my Garmin so that I only see time and distance - all I really need to see right now. I can no longer glance to see what pace "slogging" really is and I don't get the urge to push myself beyond my comfort level. Kinda nice. Sort of like today's run - minus the wind.

Friday love

Workout: 3.16-mile run

I am changing my attitude. I am going to expect the best in the hopes that the best comes my way because, last night, I learned that when you expect the worse, you get the worst.

The inspection for our new home was slated for 4 p.m. yesterday. I couldn't go - you know, that whole working thing - so it was up to Mark to get the scoop on the house. And let me tell you, it wasn't ideal.

• The roof is leaking and it's at the end of its life. Replacement is not an option.
• The 32-year-old furnace is cracked in two places and is leaking carbon monoxide and natural gas. Obviously, it is not safe and needs to be replaced.
• Replacing the furnace involves the heat exchange, which means the air conditioner will need to be replaced. Something about leaking freon.
• And there are the other things that need attention but not immediately: less than adequate insulation in the attic, a slow drain in the kitchen and a pipe needs replaced, as does the garage door opener does.

As you can see, our "move-in ready" house isn't so move-in ready. We're going back to the sellers and asking for replacements. And I am going to believe that they are going to do it. You know why? Expect the best, get the best. Plus, they'll never sell the house with those issues.

But anyways, in light of our new positive mood, let's get to some Friday love.

Food. Knowing we had a busy day - and night - yesterday, i had Mark pick up a pizza from Papa Murphy's, using a gift card I scored off Plum Deals. I told him to get half-veggie and half-whatever he wanted. Instead, he got some "chicken thing" ... off the light menu. My husband ordered off the light menu! It was the Herb Chicken Mediterranean and, let me tell you, it was amazing. Olive oil, garlic, Mozzarella cheese, spinach, grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, feta cheese and herbs. I might have eaten three slices. Might have.

Fitness. Let's just run down the list: 40+ degree weather, capris, ice-free sidewalks, the opening up of neighborhood routes, the sun rising over the river this morning, watching ice chunks dissipate downstream, still managing to maintain a sub-10 minute pace and listening to my iPod. I love it. And I plan to love every single run that I get to have in the coming weeks.

Life. As you know, or maybe you didn't, I'm a fan of audiobooks in the car. My most recent entertainment is "Unbroken," by Laura Hillenbrand and read by Edward Hermann (the grandpa from "Gilmore Girls"!!!). The book is about Louie Zamperini -- a juvenile delinquent-turned-Olympic runner-turned-Army hero. Louie was expected to become the first man to ever break the 4-minute-mile barrier before heading off to World War II, obviously my hook into the story. It's so interesting, even the war parts, and beautifully read. And even though it's non-fiction, I find myself wanting to know what happens next. I highly, highly recommend it.

What are you loving this week?

Three Things Thursday

1. My arm hurts. Well, not really but I expect it to. And it's sure not because I got up early and had a fling with Jackie Warner. I wish it were that. No, Mark and I had to go to the bank this morning to sign a million and one papers for our house! Yes, folks we bought a house. A super cute ranch in one of our desired neighborhoods that doesn't need work. The only thing we (read: I) have to do is paint baby boy's room.

2. It feels a bit weird to say we bought a house but it feels even weirder to allow myself to believe it. I am still on pins and needles, needles and pins -- just waiting for something to go wrong whether it be with the loan or the inspection (also today) or some weird condition of the neighborhood association (like they hate dogs named Denali).

3. I was contemplating this fear this morning as I made myself a breakfast of PB&J waffles, and I couldn't help but wonder if this fear is related to my weight issues. Hear me out. I think I wait for things to go wrong because part of me believes good things don't happen to me. That I don't deserve them. Do I believe this because nearly a lifetime of obesity programmed me to feel that way? OR, was I obese because I didn't believe I was good enough to be thin?

I am not sure I know the answer, and I am so hot right now that I couldn't think of a good answer if I wanted to you. What are your thoughts?

Cool front

Please don’t hate on my coolness.

Yesterday – Saturday – I got to wake up at 6:30 a.m. so I could judge the spelling bee. What can I say … I have an inability to say no when asked by my boss and I am easily bribed by the words “free,” “doughnuts” and “lunch,” especially if they are all in the same sentence.

And, yes, I ate a doughnut. Two, actually. It seems I also have the inability to say no to jelly goodness from the Dunkin’ gods. Thank goodness, I can still say no to hamburgers and fries and still pick soup and salad at restaurants. Life’s all about balance. Right? right!

Adding to the weekend fun was more snow – 4 or so inches this time – and 1+hours of shoveling between Saturday and Sunday; the cold that my husband was so generous as to give me; and more house hunting.

Anyone care for a house with carpet on the front porch and in the kitchen?

How about a house with an updated kitchen and the teeniest sink on the planet?

Or the foreclosed house in an awesome neighborhood that has no appliances and a wet bar in the living room?

Next week, we’re looking at four of our faves – and bringing Mark’s parents. Should be a rockin’ good time.

 

The good, the bad and the straight up hideous

Workout: 75-minute Restorative Flow Yoga class

Six houses, two hunters and one Realtor made for quite an interesting day.

We had the house that was even too old lady for my grandma.

Do you like the blue tub and sinks? And, yes in case you were wondering, the toilet was also blue. But check out the treadmill in front of the fireplace! And the owners also had a stair stepper blocking the front door (we used a side entrance). I wonder if we could have negotiated the equipment with the house …

I will give the old lady house some brownie points for the best kitchen of the day and a big, fenced in yard.

More brownie points go to the house for not being the worst of the day. That honor went to a four-bedroom that overwhelmed me with the smell of smoke and pure nastiness that the Realtor assured us that we didn’t even have to walk through. And we didn’t.

The best house of the day was also a bit of a surprise. The house doesn’t have some of our main criteria – a big kitchen, a fenced yard or a basement. But it was in one of our top neighborhoods, and was the only one besides the old lady house that wouldn’t need cabinets replaced in the next two years. Plus, there was just something about it.

It had built-ins in the living room and the second bedroom, and the dining room/family room had a wood-burning stove and beadboard on the wall. The appliances weren’t brand new but new enough and we liked the hardware on the cabinets. The yard also had a swing set, which would be nice for the sea monkey in a couple years.

There was another home that we liked but didn’t put on the list. Sure, it was updated with (some) stainless-steel appliances and new tile in the bathroom. It had a living room and a family room, which had a fireplace. It had a fenced yard, separate dog run and a pool!

But it was missing a fridge,washer and dryer. There was also no dishwasher and no place to hook one up. The kitchen was small, and we were sure we couldn’t work with it. Plus, it was on the top end of our price range. It was hard not to be tempted by the new paint and pretty stove but Mark knows he doesn’t want to wash dishes every day – especially when he has to add bottles into the mix.

So, in conclusion, day one of house hunting was good. Informative. And we’re left with one possibility and four houses on our slate for next weekend.

What features in a home could you not live without?