Just a hodgepodge of pictures:
Since a large snowstorm has prevented me from going to Flagstaff to visit my aunt and uncle :(, I headed down to Tucson a couple of days early.
Grandma and I decorated the yummy sugar cookies Mom made before she headed up to Boise to visit Monica and family.
Once again, I headed to Florence, AZ for Tamale Day with Tima and her family (sans Mom, since she is in Boise visiting the new grandson). They broke a record this year- 103 dozen tamales made!
Last year, I was too busy with my flight to make Christmas cards. I honestly think I am even busier this year, but thanks to my Cricut machine that I bought during the Black Friday sale, I about halved the time it usually takes to design and make them. Here you go:
It's getting better! I'm seeing this chiropractor that my friend Jessica recommended. She uses Active Release Technique (ART) therapy and the Graston technique.
Turns out, I have really weak hip muscles and my ankle just got tired of compensating and starting protesting. I've had 4 treatments (the above therapies plus lots of good hip strengthening exercises- bonus, these exercise also TONE. Woot!) and the ankle is feeling much better. In fact, I ran 4 miles yesterday and it didn't hurt at all! The trick, now, is getting the rest of me to learn this "new" (ie correct) ankle position. So my knees are twinging and so is my lower back...all very minor, just my body getting used to being able to move my ankle. Seriously, learning how your muscles work together is fascinating. God designed our bodies so intricately- it's mind blowing really.
It's also been very humbling to have it so blatantly pointed out by my limited range of motion how much more "in shaping" I have yet to do. The perfectionist in me wants it to happen NOW...but I know that in time, I will improve and hopefully, this added flexibility will mean fewer injuries. Yay!
So Houston Half Marathon, here I come!
My second nephew, Carter Anthony was born on December 2nd. I can't wait to meet the little guy next month!
So Pam, Claire, and I invited the singles from our church and from another church over for some festivities. The couple that heads up the other singles group had planned a party for the same night, so we ended up combining the two. Desiree had the idea to have a tacky Christmas sweater party. It was a lot of fun. The outdoor fireplace seemed to be a hit. Thanks Sholls for letting me borrow it!
Yay! For the second year in a row, it snowed in Houston. It didn't stick at work, but it did where I live.
Ta-da!!! What do you think? Pam and I had fun decorating this afternoon...
Every wondered how you can sprain your ankle yourself (as in you are the one that causes the sprain?). Apparently, you've come to the right person. Okay, okay, I don't know if it's sprained. It just hurts (although I think it would hurt more if it was a real sprain, but calling it one makes it seem more dramatic and less I Love Lucy). Like...hurts when a run on it. UGGGGGGHHHHHHH (how's that for an exasperated groan of frustration? I can do better, but you are probably wanting to hear how I was the cause of my current...(not going to say the "i" word)...ouchiness.)
So last week, I woke up in the middle of the night and both my ankles were aching. Now, this isn't a completely random thing (with my disease, you discover all sorts of fun and interesting aches and pains at very inopportune times, like when you are sleeping). But this was a different ache, kinda like when your knee or elbow needs to "pop". So I rotated both of the ankles, and the left one popped, but the right one didn't, it just ached more...so I reached down to "help" in the rotation. And the aching kinda stopped. I fell back asleep only to be woken up again a few hours later with some MAJOR hurtage going on in that ankle...I pretended its was dream and went back to sleep.
A day later (and minimal painage), I went on a short long run (7 miles). It felt fine, except for the last two miles, I started noticing it. I went out and bought a wrap...it's been feeling better (yay). I went on a 3 mile run today...it was supposed to be 4.1 miles...guess that tells you how it feels. UGGGGGGHHHHH. So it has been iced and wrapped and I am wearing tennis shoes around the house to give it more support (rather than going in flipflops or barefoot). Can I just tell you how FRUSTRATING "not-the-i-word"s are? Definitely keeps this gal humble, that's for sure. Pray for this non-i-word to be short lived...
Here's my second attempt at wedding invitations- for my bestie- TimaSue! :)
I spent the last few days out in Boise with John, my sister, and the cutest nephew ever. We had such a good time. My second nephew-to-be is looking mighty big in Monica's belly...I think he (Carter) might be coming a bit earlier than expected. Then I will have the TWO cutest nephews ever. :)
My parental units came to visit me last week. We had a blast! As I mentioned before, I woke them up at 5am (3am their time...after they came in on a 10pm flight the night before- bad daughter! :) ), dragged them to my race (the first athletic event they have EVER watched me participate in since I was very much the anti-sport child). Then we went to church and had the Smythes and Millers over for hospitality afterwards. Monday started out with a much needed stop at Antigua coffee shop for my dad and I and then we headed to Austin. Strolled South Congress, visited the capital building, and thanks to Lindsey's fantabulous recommendation, ate dinner at The Salt Lick, where I had the privilege of encountering the BEST RIBS EVER. Remember, I live in Texas now...many places have very very good ribs. These are hands down the best I have ever eaten. I, of course, forgot to take my camera everywhere. We finished up their trip hanging out in the Montrose area and then visting MFAH (the fine art museum). The Moon exhibit is pretty cool, by the way,- geeky me was drooling over the original Galileo book 'Sidereus Nuncius' (Sidereal Messenger). I read about him writing it in 'Galileo's Daughter', by Dava Sobel (great read, slow, but extremely interesting). Here are some of the pictures my mom sent me- because as I mentioned, I am a slacker and I didn't take any.
