Arthritis Foundation

looking forward to my meeting with a representative from the Arthritis Foundation here in Austin Hoping that we can make some things happen to raise money for Arthritis Awareness!!!

Keep you posted!

The Message

It's kinda ironic really. There I was sitting at the airport where people come from all over to travel yet, I didn't even leave my seat for what happened next. In less than 30-seconds, I was whisked back to grandma's house where I spent many summers growing up.

As I listened to the message my cousin had left just moments ago, my mind flooded with images of Blue Spruce trees, sounds of logging trucks on the highway and remembering the tart rhubarb that grew like weeds along the fence in grandma's garden. I remembered that every summer, there was always a new kitten on the back porch meowing for food yet never starved for attention. I remembered that there was always a pot of coffee brewed for that friend that's "just saying hi" on their way into town. I remembered how the back screen door slammed, the musky smell of the basement and the saddles that hung in the corner by the glass jars used for homemade jelly.

The message may have lasted only a few seconds but the memories it brought are endless. "love ya"

Short list of Friday Flip-Off's!

It's been a pretty great week so not many "flip off's" today. Let's get started:

~ Austin traffic. Enough said.

~ To the Austin Parks and Rec employees who replenish the bathrooms at Town Lake. You have been slacking. Twice in two weeks, no "TP" in the ladies restroom??? NOT COOL!

~ Haven't mentioned this in awhile but to my RA. Flare-up. Really?

~ Did I mention Austin traffic?

That's it! Told it was a pretty great week!

Happy Friday!!

October 1st edition of Friday Flip-Off's!

Its time for Friday Flip-off’s and I’ve got a few:

To people who don’t follow directions.
To people who don’t do what is asked of them and then I have to put out “the fires”
To mosquitos and chiggers. My legs are not your personal buffet. I look like I have chicken pox!
Prejudice People and Hate Crimes. JUST. NOT. COOL!

Without further ado I will extend my tallest member of my hand at you!

Have a great day

Friday Flip-Off's!!!

It's Friday Flip-off time   So, let's get started....

Rheumatoid Arthritis:  You seem to be on my list every time.  You are a pain in my ass and I really don't like you.  You have also reared your ugliness in a friend of mine and he's just 10.   Just not fair!  Go away already!!!  

The Ball of my Foot:  OK.  what gives?  You've been so nice to me the past year or so and now that I want to train for another marathon, you start giving me trouble again?!  Ugh.  I may have to lay blame on the running shoes but I will still need a shot of cortisone to make it bearable to run for now.   

Red light runners:  Pay attention!  I saw two cars run the same red light within 5 minutes of each other.  Scary!! 

Texting while Driving:  Yes. I see you!   PUT YOUR 'EFFING PHONE DOWN!!!!!   Do I need to post pictures of my husbands car that was TOTALED by a driver who was texting and driving?  Oh and let me also mention, she didn't make it!!!!  

Tropical Storm Hermine:  Thanks for all the rain (no, I truly mean that) but the mess you left behind is not welcome!  

Tree-Hugging Bitches:  Who don't know how to mind their own business!!!  GET OVER IT!!!  

 So as I extend my tallest phalange..... flip off! 

Much better!  Have a great weekend!!  

Oops!

Wow!  I'm really behind on my blog.  Sorry about that.   See, August arrived and well, when  you live in Texas and have a son (or daughter) that plays football and or cheers, then you know summer vacation ends the first week of August.  Now, mind you, kids are still out of school, but football practice and cheer practice has officially begun and your out of town vacations (and free time) are pretty much over!!  
And if I wasn't already busy enough, I also sit proudly as a board member of our community youth football program as a fundraising commissioner AND I am a cheer coach.  Whew!!  See, now hopefully you can cut me some slack!

My training has officially begun for the 2011 Austin Marathon in February.  I will (try)  keep a journal of my progress especially dealings with my RA as the training intensifies.  This year, I am going to focus on speed drills, plyometrics and diet.  My training, in the pas,t has been to just finish but I'm going for a PB/PR this 26.2 mile go-around!  Looking forward to seeing what the end result will be with a more regimed training schedule.

Stay tuned!  Friday Flip-off's are just a couple days away and boy, do I have some things to get off my chest!!

Friday Flip-off's on Saturday?

You bet'cha (said in my best Sarah Palin voice) and since I'm a day late and always a dollar short, let's get to flipping off....


To our new hometown HEB:   Where is the "cafe on the run?"  In every HEB I've been too (newer stores and or remodeled stores anyway) there is a "cafe on the run!"  Just because we are a "small town community" doesn't mean we don't want an awesome store.  And the wine selection.  REALLY?!   Us "country folk" like to drink more than Alice White or Yellow Tail.  Give us a little more credit please!!!


To people and/or kids  who think they are better than everyone else:  Sorry but NO!  You are  just like everyone else  and yes, your shit does stink.  So does mine.  So does my dogs.  You are NOT special and you will be treated like everyone else!  


To my RA:  Again?  I thought I flipped you off last week?   Stop flaring up already.   You are really starting to hurt my career as a hand model.  Ok maybe I wasn't really a hand model but I could have been.  Right?!  


To the makers of dog food:  (I know, random)  Stop putting "by-products" in dog food.   For example: "Chicken by-products include head, feet, entrails, lungs, spleen, kidneys, brain, liver, stomach, bones, blood, intestines, and any other part of the carcass not fit for human consumption,"   Why would you feed that to your dog?!   If you have a dog or a cat, read the label of the ingredients of the food you are feeding them.   You'll be shocked if not disgusted at what you are feeding your family pet. 


To squirrels:  Cute, yes, but only when climbing trees.  NOT stealing my tomatoes of the vines before I do.  Grrr..


So as I extend my tallest phalange..... flip off! 



Enjoy the rest of your weekend! 

My First Friday Flip-offs (get your hands up!)

This is my first attempt at Friday Flip-off's but before I get started, I want to thank Erica at alabaster cow for turning me onto Friday Flip-off's  and for Gigi at Kludgy Mom  for being the  the brains behind this brilliant idea.   

And so it begins... 

To my Rheumatoid Arthritis:  you have been rearing your ugly head all week and I'm done dealing with you.  Calm down already.  I can only take so much prednisone before I turn into a total bitch (and a bloated one to boot! - NOT pretty!) 

To people who STILL text and drive:  Please STOP ALREADY!!!  A young lady lost her life while texting and driving by swerving into my husband's lane,  smashing up my "dream car" and almost killing him as well (thank GOD for BMW's engineering or I would be a widow)  

To people who drive with  small "designer" dogs on their laps:  This is as bad as texting and driving.  You are a distracted driver!!!  Yes, it's cute but it isn't going to be so cute when you have a wreck!  Put IT in the front seat next to you or in the back seat but GET IT OFF YOUR LAP SO YOU CAN DRIVE!

To those people who try to pull into the parking spot RIGHT NEXT TO YOU while you are opening your car door.  HELLO!  Can you please just wait until I'm out of the car first or maybe park someplace else?! I'm pretty sure there are plenty of other spots!!!  Ugh!  

To the administrators who create school supply lists:  Really?  60 - #2 Ticonderoga pencils?  WTF?  First of all, what is a "TICONDEROGA pencil"  anyway? Oh wait, they are the same as any other #2 pencil!  (a pencil by any other name is still a pencil) And for me to purchase the absurd amount of 60, it will cost me approx. $21.00 - FOR PENCILS!!!  AND... if you have say 20 kids in your class and each kid brings in 60 pencils, you will have 1200 pencils (yes, I know.  I'm a math genius) What the hell are you going to do with 1200 pencils?   School supply lists are great, I do understand that, but come on...  let's be real!! 

So with my tallest phalange extended as straight as it can be...   FLIP OFF!!! 

Wow!  That felt great!!!  I'm going to come back and do this again next Friday.  Have a great weekend!!!    

The Gentle Barn

www.gentlebarn.org

This is an amazing program that I recently found via the Ellen Show.  I only wish I lived closer to be able to help hands-on!!!     

The Gentle Barn Foundation is a nonprofit organization that was founded in 1999 as a safe haven and place of recovery for abused farm animals and children. We are home to over 120 rescued animals and we are host to at-risk, inner-city and special needs kids.

Our unique treatment philosophy rehabilitates animals and connects their stories of survival and healing to the personal experiences of at-risk and special needs children who have suffered physical, mental or emotional trauma.

Through the interaction with our animals, the children learn forgiveness, courage, strength, leadership skills, trust, empathy and kindness. The healing that takes place is truly miraculous!

Be sure to click on the link below and meet the guests of the Gentle Barn and read their stories!!!  :o) 

http://www.gentlebarn.org/virtual_barn.php  

Infusion Day

Infusion Day. Not always the best day for me but necessarily the worst day either.  This particular visit has me 2-weeks past my regularly scheduled appointment, due to a recent strep/sinus infection.  For those who don't know,  I get an infusion of Remicade every 6-weeks.   "REMICADE is a biologic therapy that recognizes, attaches to, and blocks the action of a protein in your body called tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha). TNF-alpha is made by certain blood cells in your body."   Most days, since my diagnosis, I'm have a pretty up-beat, easy-going, deal-with-the-cards-I've-been-dealt kind of attitude but today, not so much.  


"Mrs. Baumann", the nurse calls as she opens the door.  I smile.  "You ready?"    "As I'll ever be." I say.  So with that, I put on my "happy face" and walk into the infusion room.  The infusion room isn't much to brag about.  It's a small room that holds 4 hospital-issued, blue recliners, a couple desks for the nurses and a nurse workstation.  For our entertainment, however, they have a 13" tv mounted on the wall which, btw, doesn't get the best reception.  We make small talk while they are taking my vitals, poking my left arm with the IV needle (I prefer the left side so I can still use my right hand) and setting up my IV stand with my meds.  The drip starts and now I sit.  Being hooked up to an IV machine for 2.5+ hours was not in my "long-term",  or "short-term" for that matter, life plans.  I didn't ask for this.  I don't want this.  I'm certainly not feeling sorry for myself because that isn't going to make me feel better or make this RA go away.  I just get ANGRY at what this "disease" can do to people. 


I also watch.  I watch people come into this small room with pain on their faces.  Some walk with a limp because RA has effected their hips.  Some use a walker because they just can't walk without help.    Others have issues with their hands, back, and shoulders.  And then there is me.  I can walk fine.  I can still use my hands, with some limitations,  so I should be thankful, Right?!  But  I can't help but wonder what lies ahead.  What is going to be taken away from me as I get older?   Will I be able to do ALL the things  I enjoy most?  Running?  Stand-up Paddling? Yoga?   Are my hands going to be deformed?  Will it make me ugly? (Yes, I know that sounds vain but... )  Deep sigh!  My thoughts are taking me down a road I don't like to visit often.  Now I'm sad.   I hold myself together until  the infusion is finished but when I get into my car, the tears begin to fill my eyes.  They start slow but then quickly it turns into a good ol' fashion, sobbing, soul-cleansing  cry.   


"Damn it, Kelli", I say, "pull yourself together!"    And just like that, I wipe my tears and pull myself up by my running shoes.   


I believe that I have been given a voice to raise  the awareness of rheumatoid arthritis.  Now, how I'm going to use that voice?  That is what I'm going to figure out but I'm pretty sure it will have something to do with running and our stand-up paddling!   


to be continued.....  

No Ordinary Day

Sometimes I have to go to the doctor.  You know, the "primary care" doctor.  This probably happens twice a year at most, but yes, it does happen.   Though my throat had been hurting for a couple days, I went about my life, ignoring it;  thinking it would just go away.  But then, the unthinkable happened. I woke up with more than just alittle throat pain.    I couldn't smile or even open my mouth to make more than an "ahhh" sound.  Crap!!  Not today I thought. 

Let me back up just a bit.  This particular day was no ordinary day.   This particular day was my daughter's 10th birthday, my niece was coming into town for a week and on THIS particular day, we were heading out for an  overnight camping trip in our new travel trailer.  NOT the best day to try and squeeze in a dr. appt let alone be sick.

Dr. confirmed my worst fear!  Strep throat and a sinus infection.  Great!  Prescription in hand, I head to the pharmacy for a z-pack and a couple boxes of kleenex.  Relief is on the way.  Right?!

Feeling like I had been hit by a ton of bricks.  Scratch that.  Feeling like I had been  hit by a dump truck full of a ton of bricks, I get home and continue packing up the trailer for our birthday outing  with a smile on my face, head full of "gunk" and my ears echoing every sound anywhere near me.  

A week has since past.  My ears are still echoing, my head is still full of gunk but the strep has cleared, the camping trip was a huge success (a little wine helped that happen) and my daughter had a great birthday!   Yeah.  No ordinary day but a pretty good day over all. 

 

What's your wager??

The school year is winding down yet it seems my schedule is busier than ever.  I am looking forward to the lazy days of summer.  No set schedules and pajama days however, I have a gut feeling those days will also be filled with complaining, whining and pouting.   
I am willing to bet that the statement, "I'm bored" will escape from my kiddos mouth within one week of summer vacation.   Do you have children?  How long do you give them before they say they are bored??   

SUP

Today was a gorgeous day.  Lots of sunshine and temps in the high 80's. (it's great living in Texas!) A great day to be on the water and SUP.  What is that you may ask?  Well, SUP is short for Stand Up Paddling and  it has quickly become my new water sport obsession.  

SUP'ing is an awesome core and upper body workout and you get to enjoy some time with your freinds on that lake to boot.  The experience is very zen on a calm day or a bit more of a challenge on days with some wind. 

Looking forward to my next SUP workout! 

30-day shred

here we go! I'm going to document my workouts for the next 30 days (well, actually until Memorial Day Weekend) as well as my diet to see what happens. Sticking with it is going to be my biggest challenge but I'm hoping that by keeping my blog updated, it will keep me accountable as well.

Make it a great day!

Me and RA

Prior to my diagnosis a few years back, it wasn’t uncommon for me to be up at 4:00 AM to make the 5:00 spin class, rush home to get the kids ready for school then meet a friend for a run and a coffee.    Life was good.  I was on top of the world!!!  Then it stopped. 

First on my list was to find a rheumatologist.  Easy, right?  Ya, I thought it would be too.    Who knew they were so busy?  I was put on three different appointment schedule books at three different offices and whoever called me first is where I was going to start.    Just call me a gambler!  A few weeks later, I’m off to meet my new doctor.    

My Rheumatologist and I hit it off immediately.  Comes to find out, he is also a runner so he totally understood the importance of getting me back on my feet as soon as possible.  However, this turned out to be a little more of a challenge then I/we were expecting.  I had a year of ups and downs, different medications, and regular cortisone shots in my feet and in my hands.   And as any runner knows,   when you can’t get that rush of endorphins, you tend to get a little cRaZy (or in my case, a LOT crazy!) My outlook on life was not as bright and cheery for this little miss sunshine as it used to be.   

Patience was something I had to learn when it came to my RA.  I wanted instant results.  I didn’t like hearing that it will take a couple months to build up in my body before they start to work.   I was starting feel like Veruca Salt from Willy Wonka.  I WANT IT and I WANT IT NOW!!! 

But let’s fast forward to now and things are better.  My current medication consists of Remicade, Methotrexate, Folic Acid, and some “happy pills” to keep my mind sound.    My flare-ups are rearing their ugly head a little more frequently these days but nothing to get too stressed about just yet.    I keep my outlook positive and take each day as it comes!   Off to my infusion. 

YES!

I  believe that anyone can do anything as long as three conditions exist: You want to achieve it.  You believe you can achieve it.  You enjoy trying to achieve it. 

Shifting Gears

Thanks to some encouraging words from a great friend (Thanks, friend), I've decided to shift gears and go a different direction with my blog.

Four years ago, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA). Looking back now, I experienced early signs but nothing that really required medical attention until that ONE morning when I rolled out of bed and put my right foot on the floor , it felt like I had jumped onto a box of thumb tacks.

Let me back up just a bit. You see, I am a runner. I have been a runner since I was 12. It is my therapy! It is my drug! It is who I am! When I don't run, I become a super villain a.k.a. "Super Bitch"! Trust me, I do!! So that dreadful morning was the beginning of a very long, very frustrating, journey for this runner who quickly became known as "Super Bitch"!

I wasn't diagnosed with RA right away. I mean, why would RA even come to into my mind? Right? So, with the throbbing pain radiating from my foot, my first call was to a podiatrist. After a short consultation, he ordered some x-rays and there I sat, for what seemed liked hours, waiting in a small room with clay models of feet and posters of anatomy illustrations peppering the walls for his return. "Slight stress fracture" he says as he enters the room. He puts the x-ray on the light board and he circles the bone where HE sees the fracture (although I am not sure I saw it) and that he also suspects the pain in the ball of my foot was due to Morton's Neuromas. He goes on to tell me that neuroma's begin gradually and often occur when wearing narrow-toed shoes or performing certain aggravating activities. blah. blah. blah. He gives me some treatment options and I opt for the injection therapy where he then injected my already "pissed off" foot with some cortisone to deaden the nerve. After I loosen the death grip on my foot, he puts on a medical boot and asks that I come back in 4 weeks for a re-check. Ok. No problem. I can do this. 4-weeks in a boot isn't a big deal right? Right?

I do as I'm told. Four weeks rolls around, I make the appointment and return to the office. X-ray shows that my foot is healed but why am I still having some throbbing on the ball of my foot? Another round of injections and he says to just take it easy, slowly get back into my running as to not re-injury myself and to give him a call if things aren't getting better.

A month or so pass and the pain will come and go. Some good days; some bad. A friend said she thought it sounded like I was having flare-ups. Arthritis? Could it be? So I make an appointment with a different podiatrist to get a second opinion. I explain my symptoms, what has been done thus far and that I don't seem to be any better now than I was when it all started. Blood tests, MRI and another x-ray is ordered.

I returned to the office to get my test results. "Good news and bad news" he says as he walks through the door. "Good news is we have found the reason you are having such pain, bad news is you have Rheumatoid Arthritis." He hands me a card with the name of a couple rheumatologists and wishes me luck. I thanked him for all he's done and as he walked out and shut the door, I remember I took in a deep breath, lowered my head into my hands and just sat there. Numb. I felt defeated at 37 years old. And so my story begins....

Top 10 Health Benefits of Lemon Water

Since I heard about the benefits of warm lemon water, I have had a cup every morning before my green tea. I found this article on www.lifemojo.com listing 10 health benefits of lemon water and I wanted to share with my readers.

Good for stomach

Lemon can help relieve many digestion problems when mixed with hot water. These include nausea, heartburn and parasites. Due to the digestive qualities of lemon juice, symptoms of indigestion such as heartburn, bloating and belching are relieved. By drinking lemon juice regularly, the bowels are aided in eliminating waste more efficiently. Lemon acts as a blood purifier and as a cleansing agent. The intake of lemon juice can cure constipation. It is even known to help relieve hiccups when consumed as a juice. Lemon juice acts as a liver tonic and helps you digest your food by helping your liver produce more bile. It decreases the amount of phlegm produced by your body. It is also thought to help dissolve gallstones.

Excellent for Skin Care

Lemon, being a natural antiseptic medicine, can participate to cure problems related to skin. Lemon is a vitamin C rich citrus fruit that enhances your beauty, by rejuvenating skin from within and thus bringing a glow on your face. Daily consumption of lemon water can make a huge difference in the appearance of your skin. It acts as an anti-aging remedy and can remove wrinkles and blackheads. Lemon water if applied on the areas of burns can fade the scars. As lemon is a cooling agent, it reduces the burning sensation on the skin.

Aids in Dental Care

Lemon water is used in dental care also. If fresh lemon juice is applied on the areas of toothache, it can assist in getting rid of the pain. The massages of lemon juice on gums can stop gum bleeding. It gives relief from bad smell and other problems related to gums.

Cures Throat Infections

Lemon is an excellent fruit that aids in fighting problems related to throat infections, sore throat and tonsillitis as it has an antibacterial property. For sore throat, dilute one-half lemon juice with one-half water and gargle frequently.

Good for Weight Loss

One of the major health benefits of drinking lemon water is that it paves way for losing weight faster, thus acting as a great weight loss remedy. If a person takes lemon juice mixed with lukewarm water and honey, it can reduce the body weight as well.

Controls High Blood Pressure

Lemon water works wonders for people having heart problem, owing to its high potassium content. It controls high blood pressure, dizziness, nausea as well as provides relaxation to mind and body. It also reduces mental stress and depression.

Assist in curing Respiratory Disorders

Lemon water assists in curing respiratory problems, along with breathing problems and revives a person suffering from asthma.

Good for treating Rheumatism

Lemon is also a diuretic and hence lemon water can treat rheumatism and arthritis. It helps to flush out bacteria and toxins out of the body.

Reduces Fever

Lemon water can treat a person who is suffering from cold, flu or fever. It helps to break fever by increasing perspiration.

Acts as a blood purifier

The diseases like cholera or malaria can be treated with lemon water as it can act as a blood purifier.

How much should I drink?
In case you are in good health, it is advisable for you to have juice of one-half of the lemon squeezed into one glass of water, twice daily. However, if you weigh more than 70 kg, juice of one whole lemon in a glass of water should be preferred. For maximum benefit, this mixture should also be taken two times a day, though you may dilute more lemon juice according to your taste if you wish.

It’s the little things….

While still trying to find my place in this saturated world of blogging, I jumped in with both feet with little expectations but with very high hopes.  Maybe I will become a “popular blog” and followed my hundreds perhaps thousands (that’s where the high hopes come in) of fans.   On this drizzly morning, I sat down to check my blog and I saw the most amazing thing!  COMMENTS!!!  I’ve got COMMENTS!!  (Insert happy dance here!)

I received two comments (one on each blog) from readers who aren’t close friends or a family member but rather from fellow bloggers who liked what I wrote.    There is nothing better than a little affirmation when you are just starting out.   It’s the little things that make me happy and inspire me to continue my expectations and yes, even high hopes!!    

Tap Dance

We are a strange couple, Jake and I. We met 13 years ago when he was a young pup. He was still finding his way and me, well, I wasn’t looking to get attached but one look into his brown eyes and there was no looking back.

Once we moved in together, we had some adjustments to make if we going to make this work. He wanted the right side of the bed; it wasn’t big enough for the both of us. He whined and cried when he didn’t get his way. Sometimes I listened; sometimes I didn’t. We took to the trails and mile by mile, we created a friendship that only we could understand. We’ve gone on many trips together to Arizona, New Mexico, and back to Texas.

He wakes me up at 2:00 AM, he paces around the floors during thunderstorms, and he does a tap dance when he is happy or needs to go outside. He has seen me at my worst; he has seen me at my best. He has met my children and he loves them unconditionally. You see, Jake is one of our family dogs. He’s getting up there in age and although we can’t run the trails anymore, we still have that friendship that only we understand. One look into his brown eyes and he still has my heart. He’s a good boy, that Jake, and I’m so happy we met!

The ONE Thing

Do you remember the movie City Slickers when Curly says to Mitch, “You know what the secret of life is?" and he sticks up one finger and says “One thing. Just one thing. You stick to that and everything else don't mean sh*t." And Mitch replies, "That's great, but what's the one thing?" and Curly answers back, "That's what you've got to figure out."

That’s it?  Just ONE thing?   That shouldn’t be too hard to figure out, right?  Then I got to thinking.   What is the one thing that has remained constant in my life?  The one thing that I have stuck too and "everything else don't mean sh*t"?  As I celebrate my 41st birthday, (Yes, I said it!! 41! Not "forty-something”) I think my "one thing" that has been my “secret to life” is running.  

It all started around the summer of my twelfth year when my mom signed me up for a 1-mile fun-run that was part of a 10k she had entered.    Little did I know this was the first of many miles I would run in my own race to adulthood.     

My early twenties were filled with highs and lows and some memories are blurred (or selectively blocked out) but running always seemed to bring me some perspective even though life didn’t make much sense.  I was in my late twenties when I met Bret, my future (and now) husband.   Not only had I found a new running partner but also my life partner.  A new chapter was about to begin.

The year of my thirtieth birthday was the start of many new beginnings.  A new decade older, newly married and pregnant with our first child.  Wow!   I have to admit though…pregnancy did NOT agree with me.  After what felt like the LONGEST first trimester EVER, I was finally able to put on my running shoes and run outside instead of to the bathroom!  A big day for me!!   As I began to grow, I used running to keep me feeling in tip top shape even though I started to look more like a top about ready to tip.   I ran for as long as I could but I slowed it down to a leisurely stroll by the end of my pregnancy.

In May of 2000, our baby arrives, hormones all OVER the place and my “runners” body is somewhere under all these maternity clothes.   As soon as I get the “OK” to start exercising, I call up my friend and asked her to meet me for a much needed run.   Well, I wouldn’t really call it a “run” per se.  It was more like a shuffle but it was the best “shuffle” ever!!!   I felt awesome!  My jogging stroller became my second car and I ran whenever and wherever I could.  I was back on track.  Pregnancy pays me another visit and this time around, things went a lot smoother and run/walking (with the stroller, of course) became even more crucial to my sanity and fitness. 

As I enter into this new decade with my kids in elementary school, jogging strollers a thing of the past and fitness still top of my list, running continues to be my “ONE” thing.   My secret to life!  Now ask yourself, what is your “ONE” thing?