race day

Today I ran my first 5k race. It was at a local park. I was slow, but I did it! I was nervous yesterday, but I told myself that since I'm so slow I'm not really "racing" anyone. It's just about getting out there and having the experience. Once the pack thinned out, it was just like any other jog through the park. Only this time there was cheering and a medal at the end!

Here I am at the start of the race. Woo hoo!

My guys were there cheering me on. They were doing some geocaching in the park, so I saw them tromping around while I was in the middle of the race - and they stopped to applaud and take this picture. I am applauding them back!

Afterwards we went to Big Boy. I was very, very bad. But it was worth all the fat and calories - look at that cheeseburger and onion rings!

hanging out

Jim and I were outside and noticed all four pets lined up on the walkway by the front door. Black/white, black/white, black/white, tan.

i made it!

In January I started a 16-week "bootcamp" fitness program. And I finished it - yay! So far, I've lost 16 pounds, and feel much healthier. I used to get winded pretty easily, but now I'm regularly running (...very slowly...) 5k at the park. I can do push-ups. Real ones. I've gone down three pants sizes. I know I was packing on the pounds - partly because I love to eat (and I'd rather sit at the art table than do yard work), and partly because of multiple meds that mess with my metabolism and hormones. It feels so good to triumph over all that.

Last night was the big Finale Party for the spring session of the program. It's been so long since I've played dress-up. (I attended a wedding - don't remember exactly when it was, but I do remember that I had to wear a wig.) Anyway - here I am all dolled up. Found this pretty party dress at JC Penney for $30. The sandals were a Goodwill score - only $3 for Italian leather shoes - wow!

I've enrolled for the summer session of bootcamp, which started this week. Most of the classes are held outdoors in summer, which has been fun so far. I'll just have to watch the temperature and go to early or late classes when it starts to get hot out. I'd still like to lose a few more pounds, and of course maintain the weight loss and fitness level. So, hopefully I'll be able to stick with the program.

Jim came home from work just a few minutes before I had to leave for the event. He picked up some flowers for me to say "happy finale!". Soooo sweet. I'm a lucky girl!

geisha card

I made this card for my nephew Connor's birthday. The background is some Stampin' Up paper I've been hoarding. On top of that is a scrap of washi paper I got at a stamp convention - it's wonderful, and I'm sad that I only have a tiny bit left. Trims are ribbon and a pre-made spray (I think from Michaels). The edges of the paper, as well as all along the edges of the geisha, have been highlighted with gold.

my sock monkey has sock monkey socks

Visited Wrenda and Rich's store - in Walton, KY - Sleigh Bells. A good portion of the store is Christmas, but there are tons of other items - decorative, kids' stuff, etc. I got these really cute sock monkey socks for my sock monkey! Actually, they're meant for babies, but I couldn't resist a little dress-up. My mom made me this sock monkey when I was a kid... started my sock monkey obsession.

new kitty pics

Thought it was time to post some more kitty pictures. They're all grown up now - especially Woody - he's a very big boy.

Here's Lily the laundry helper:  (click on the pic to enlarge it)

Last year when the kitties were little I posted this picture of them on my laptop:

That little area they're standing on is only about two inches wide. Here's Woody now, with the same laptop:

fish rider

Liz is also a fan of nudes, so I wanted to make her a special birthday card. The origami fish is made from a page of a libretto for Die Fledermaus that I got at a library book sale. The origami pattern is from a book my late sister Jeannie brought back for me when she stayed in Japan for a while. I think it was around 1970. She liked unusual things, and I know she would have loved this card. The water plants* at the bottom were done with a metal leafing technique. *Liz interpreted them as flames of hell - which is a very cool concept (wish I had thought of it!).