Snails after the rain

When we got to the office yesterday there were hundreds of snails all over the place. Ange and I took tons of them off the pavement and put them back under the plants to save them from being stepped on or run over. Sadly, I accidentally squished a few myself. The tiny ones were really hard to see.

Looking for dry ground

Wall crawler?

The snails were trying to get to high ground after the heavy rains from the night before, but were putting themselves in danger to do it. I don't know why they didn't just climb the bushes instead. They sure were cute though. I was tempted to take some home to put in the garden, but I didn't want to upset the worms I have there. 

A Public Service Type Post

Warning: This post contains information of a personal nature. If you are eating please swallow and put your food down before proceeding. Thanks!


Yesterday I learned of a new kind of pain caused by running. It seems to be common among larger sized persons.At least that's what the internet says. It makes me wonder why I had never heard of it before I experienced it.
 I expected the thigh rub pain, when you have them they rub. I expected the knee pain, it's a given with me. I even expected the ankle pain, it's what happens when you break it in your teens and it isn't set properly. This pain I never expected. This pain is chafing of the butt crack.
I didn't even know it was there until I hopped in the shower and the water hit it. I think I screamed and I know I jumped. That made Princess yell at me. (She wasn't in the shower, she was in the sink.)
Apparently, I've lost enough of padding in my boom boom to make my shorts loose enough for thing to rub together in an insidious way. Then when you least expect it, BAM! Your butt is on fire! This sucks and it now hurts to walk or sit.
It is not a good feeling, knowing I can start a fire with my behind.
Just thought you all should know , that way you can avoid it walking funny like me.

It's been a busy, good week

I finally completed the Comparative Religion class I've been taking and turned in my essay. I was a little worried because it took me so long. It was a go at your own pace online class, but I'm sure there is a limit to how long they would have waited.  For a writer I really have issues turning things in in a timely manner. Well I passed, and in the mail on Thursday was this beautiful certificate! Now I just have to figure out which class to take next.

It's so shiny!

Yesterday was my 10 year anniversary so to celebrate I ordered dinner in. I had it delivered from Brother's Noodles and it was as good as I remembered. They don't usually deliver to my area, nothing but pizza will, but I pulled the sympathy and large tip card and they were more than happy to bring it over. I really loved the Kung Pao chicken, it had just the right amount of heat and the vegis in it were still nice and crisp.

Kung Pao Chicken

The Mongolian beef was a bit bland, so I broke out my squeezie garlic and that really brought it to life. They did get the heat factor spot on though. I'd never had it with bell peppers and it really adds a good dimension to it. What I really want to know though is how they get the rice to be sticky, but not slimy. It's the perfect texture and firmness. Whoever does their cooking is really great!

Mongolian Beef

The rest of the evening was spent watching cheesy Netflix and relaxing. All in all it was a good day.

On the writing front I'm still on schedule to self-publish at the end of this month. I'm so excited! Although it would be nice if the monsters I live with would leave me be for more than 5 minutes. Somebody is always yelling at the door, but the worst are the strange crashing sounds that you go to investigate. There is never anything out of place when you go look. It's weird.

On the running front I'm redoing Zombies, Run 5k week one again next week. My knee is still a bit annoyed, but I think it's coming around. Or maybe it's just giving up the battle. I plan to keep taking it slow though. I kind of like this running and I don't want to not be able to walk.

Have fun!

Restart of Zombies, Run 5 k

I'm restarting my plan to redo Zombies, Run 5k. Outside I'll be doing the 1st week and inside I'll be on whatever week I'm on. Right now it's week 4.  I have these great headphones called Yurbuds my husband got me. They let in ambient noise so I can hear the zombies and what is around me. I got the blue ones.
 Today was the first outside walk/run. I strapped on my water pack and headed out into the sunrise. There may have even been a slight spring in my step. :-0

The sun is just getting up.

It started out great. I went to the bike path because it's safe and I know it. On the way there I saw a pair of ladies doing their morning walk. One had a baseball bat and one had a golf club. They were very friendly and we all said hi. That reminded me I didn't have my stick with me, but nothing happened so it was all good.

I love trains!

I was going strong and enjoyed the first few running intervals. I was feeling cocky and smiling at the people I saw. I even pretended to race a train. It was great! A passing bicyclist said I was looking good, that made my day. I wonder if she knew I could hear her.

Pretty little flowers.

Shortly after the flowers my wonderful knee popped and that sucked. It hurt but I kept going, but there was no more running for today. I just tried to walk faster for those intervals.

Little mushroom.

It's sucked, it popped at the best running segment yet. I was feeling good and warm and floaty. Then bing out it goes. The walk home was slow and a bit painful, but I stayed upright. Thursday I'll try to remember my stick. Otherwise it was a great start to the day.

I was outside moving across the Earth under my own power in the coolish morning air. It was great! I can't wait to do it again, minus the pain.

Great Chinese Food Found!

One of my clients had one of their clients deliver for a meeting we had on Tuesday. It was the best Chinese food I've had in a loooong time! I'm going to take my husband on payday!
It's Brother's Noodles and they just opened. They do deliver, but call them to make sure they go to your place. The food is great!

Simple and concise.

I tried some of everything! 

The fried rice was almost as good as home made and those little pork dumpling things were amazing!

I have no idea what it was called, but the one in the middle was my favorite! 

The beef and broccoli was also great, the broccoli wasn't over cooked at all and the beef had flavor. There was also a really tasty dried tofu noodle dish that I didn't shoot. Everything I tried was really good. I think I've finally found a good Chinese restaurant! Thank you Tom for introducing me!

I can't wait to have some more,  and to share it with my husband. If you live in Tucson or are planning a visit you have to try them. Then let me know what you think!

Did too much yesterday.

Yesterday started out great. Husband and I went for a walk/run in the park. We ended up going almost 3 miles total. My knee felt strong so I did all the 30 second sprints for the workout and the knee lifts. I felt so good and springy. The walking parts were fun too and I saw some cool things.

Pretty little butterfly

Giant mushroom I thought was a bagel.

It's missing a wing, but still has attitude.

I have no idea what kind of bird that is, but it was having a great time playing in the pond then fanning its wings dry.

It was great. Fast forward a few hours and my knee is burning and throbbing a bit. I tried stretching it out, but nothing helped. finally before bed I took some Advil to chill it out. I don't know why it hates outside so much, asphalt is softer than concrete covered with linoleum, but stupid knee doesn't hurt when I run back and forth in my house. Maybe it's because I wear shoes outside.

Anyway I've come up with a plan that will hopefully work. I'll keep going on the new missions inside on most Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. I'll start over on week one on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. That way I can still hear more of the story and stay engaged, but I'll be also building up outside strength more slowly. 

I've just been loving going outside and I'm not going to give it up, If I can only do 15 seconds at a stretch for another month I can live with that. I hate having to go slow now that I know I can run, I just have to make sure I don't make my knee worse by trying to go to much to soon.

Fun inside today

I got up excited today, I was going to go for a walk/run outside with my fancy new Camelbak Delaney belt. I was seriously lucky to find it in town and in the lovely purple color. I found it at Summit Hut, the same place I found my walking stick. I really should check them first instead of last.  I've used the bag once outside so far and I loved it, no more having to carry a slippery bottle in my hand!
Then I opened my door and was greeted with this.

My street's a river and the rain is finally here.

It was pouring rain and I'm not that confident in my knee to risk it. So I decided to do it inside. Again. I really wanted to go outside! Oh well, this is what GPS sees when I walk in my house.

I was going back and forth.

So far I'm really interested in the story for Zombies, Run 5k! I want to keep going each day, but I stop because I don't want to hurt myself. I'm also doing each mission at least twice to help me get stronger. I think it's working, now if I could just get outside.

Tomorrow I will hopefully get to play outside. On a happier note, the Hurricane Odile never hit us and we have just had cloudy skies for the past 2 days. I love cloudy skies. Maybe after work I can go play at the park if it's not to hot/humid.