Another holiday birthday

It's Valentine's Day, a "holiday" that doesn't have much meaning for our family. Instead we celebrate something else: ten years ago, Katrina was born at 2:14 on 2/14.

Wow, double digits. I could get all sappy and say how time flies, it seems like only yesterday, etc. But it doesn't really. It just makes me feel old.

Since tonight is her piano lesson, we celebrated last night with dinner out (her choice - Chinese!) and then a trip to Culver's for ice cream. We had birthday cake last Thursday when my Mom and Dad were here. Katrina's birthday cake choice? Cheesecake! She opted out of a party this year (thank goodness!). Instead we're taking her annual trip to a museum, and she gets to bring a friend. She chose the Field Museum in Chicago (again). She absolutely loves that place. Then it's my favorite part - on the way home, we'll stop for dinner at Portillo's (Mmmm, a Big Beef with sweet peppers!). Now, I just have to wait the 11 days until we go.

Spring??

Well, since Jimmy the Groundhog was snowed in for Groundhog's Day, I have no idea if this spring-like weather we're having is an actual spring, or just a teaser. Either way, I'm taking full advantage.

Karl has agreed to be my fitness coach, and so far, has put more effort into the project than past years when he's agreed to be my fitness coach. He made me a fitness log and a schedule. The schedule does include indoor spinning, but the bike hasn't made it in from the garage yet. I'm trying a new approach: intervals. I'm starting small - I did just have major surgery, ya' know - 10 minutes of slow walking/fast walking. I did that 3 times in the last week after dropping Katrina off at the bus. I'm not sure of my time for those days though because Karl's watch got waterlogged and so he's wearing mine. I did go half a mile each time.

Todays beautiful weather was just calling me, so I donned my cold-weather tights (and my watch!), and was able to run/walk for 13 minutes - a whole mile! I could have gone more, but I didn't want to overdo it. I think I was even a little overdressed, my jacket was hanging open after only a few blocks! I think this will be my routine for at least a week - temps will be about the same as today for at least that long (I hope).

I haven't done any running since last summer, and it was amazing how comfortable it was to run without "the girls" flopping up and down! I'll be doing much more running, I'm sure of it. I just need to steal my own watch back.

Back at it

I went back to work today for just half a day. I should have done the full day. There's less to do at work than at home.

This time of year is always slow at the store - kids are still enjoying their Christmas toys. But wow, four hours, and only one person crosses the threshhold. That person is looking for a gift for their daughter's boyfriend. "I think he likes games." So, I show them some great games: Killer Bunnies, Luck of the Draw, etc. "Oh, I don't know if he likes games that much." AARGH! Just give him cash and let me get back to my knittng then.

I did get a knitting project finished, though. A quick trip on the blocking board, and it will be ready to send to the recipient.

The cold weather has everyone in a tizzy. Yeah, we won't hit double digits again until friday. But it's February in Wisconsin! It gets cold. Put on a sweater (or two) and quit your whining.

Another doctor's appointment tomorrow. I think we're going to start "re-inflating." That will be interesting.

Disappointed

So, the hair dye experiment was a disappointment. We wanted purple, so we used grape Kool-Aid. Followed the instructions I found on the internet.

And, we got barely visible blue-green! Next time I'm trying a darker color, and liquid food coloring.

Am I creating a monster?

Holy cow. In 10 days, Katrina will turn 10 years old. Every parent says how time flies, and it seems like yesterday when the kids were born. It's sort of true, although it doesn't seem like yesterday, maybe last week.

Kids nowadays must just mature faster than we did. She'll be 10, she's in 4th grade. She wants makeup for her birthday, and she wants to color a green streak in her hair. Thinking back on when I was in 4th grade, I had no interest in makeup (still don't), and I didn't color my hair until high school. She's definitely different than I was, but she's also a lot like me.

She really is a great kid, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

I'll let you know how the hair dye comes out - on both of us.

Whew!

Well, we made it through the blizzard with everything intact. Now it's the deep freeze for a few days. As much as I love winter, I'm glad I don't have to go out for a few days. Well, unless you count walking Katrina to the bus, which I am doing again, and I don't really count that because I'm still wearing my jammies under my snow pants.

Hopefully, I'll get my remaining 4 stitches out tomorrow, then I can legally shower. (I've had a few illicit showers in the last week). These "tissue expanders" are not as comfortable as I had imagined. The injection ports stick out like freaky tumors. I think I start getting "re-inflated" next week - 100ml per week until I'm the size I want. That won't take too long, since I'm going small. I just want to be over and done with this whole thing.

It is the first Thursday in February, so that means City Band rehearsals start up again. I'm going to see how I do tonight. I need a roadie to carry my stuff, and I don't think I'll be able to hold up my horn for very long. It's also difficult to get a good, deep breath, so I hope I can get a good sound, or any sound at all. I still have a few more weeks before I play with Ladies Must Swing at the High Noon Saloon. I'll have to work on my endurance, there's no room on that stage for a chair for me.

Snug and Cozy

The Snowpocalypse has come. The wind is whipping at about 32 mph, and it's snowing. They've already cancelled school tomorrow, and Karl doesn't have to go in to work. I was "on call" for the store, but I got the call about that too ("Stay home - nobody's going to be shopping.") We're stocked up on groceries and cat food (because that 3/4 mile to the store would be treacherous).

There was a little excitement today: First of all, I walked Katrina to the bus and felt pretty good. Then around midday, our new computer was delivered! I almost didn't answer the door, good thing I did. Then, I picked up Katrina and the cello from school. I made her carry the cello, I know she can. The wind was aleady starting to get bad after school, luckily, I broke the rule and parked in the bus lane when I picked up Katrina (I played handicapped - but NOT in the handicapped spot, don't worry)

I made some fabulous chicken a'la king and cherry cobbler for dinner, going to cast on a new knitting project for February (a sweater for Katrina), we're all tucked in, and all 3 of us are clad in polar fleece and handknits (OK, well, I'm wearing the handknits), so let's hope the power doesn't go out.