Who ready for it to be summer? I have been working out as much as possible to prepare myself for Sunday Fundays. I finally used the $100 gift card my boss got all us girls at work for Christmas. Convenient too, because it is to Planet Beach. Nothing better then not having to come out of pocket for an $80 month long membership. I upped my cardio during the week so I look more toned. Of course, meeting with my trainer once a week for the past seven months helped. Anyone else doing anything in preparation for the summer?

Since I can remember I’ve always suffered from shin splints.  When I was a cheerleader for two years in junior high I would wake up in the middle of the night crying from the pain of always landing flat footed from my jumps.  The combination of growing pains didn’t help.  I’ve had the same pair of New Balance tennis shoes for over four years now, and they have become not only my work shoes but my gym shoes.  Since I started making exercising a part of my weekly routine I’ve noticed that when I jog on the treadmill I have horrible pains/cramps in my shins.

My trainer told me it is time to get a new pair of shoes with better support so I can possibly fix this problem.  I ended up getting these Nike Air Max shoes from Shoe Carnival for a decent price today.  I went to the gym tonight and to my disappointment I am still getting pains in my shins when I run and walk on the treadmill, but it isn’t as bad as it was before.  I can feel the extra support from the shoes.  I can’t help the way I run, but I enjoy it so much I’m trying to work through the pain.  I don’t know what else to do about the problem.  I stretch in between the spurts of jogging and walking.  I even put the pace at which I jog and walk down to one that doesn’t hurt me as badly.  I just have to stay on the machine longer.  I’m guessing I am going to have to keep it at a lower pace since that’s the only way I’m not in excruciating pain while working out.  I stay on the treadmill because I like the workout I get from it.  I’m not a big fan of the elliptical.  Does anyone happen to have any home remedies for this affliction?  I hate it!

I am still loving The Friday Five!

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This Christmas I only wanted a few things and they all pertained to decorating my house. When my roommate moved out in June I lost all furniture in the living room. I gained a love seat when my second roommate moved out without warning. He just left his here. A coffee table has been the one thing massively needed in my living room. This Christmas Blondie & I celebrated 1 1/2 years together as well as our second Christmas together. He really wanted to build me a table, but I have no idea what type of table I like. After a couple weeks of shopping we found this one at an Ashley Furniture Outlet. It was a decent price, and the oak matches with my entertainment center. I should be getting it in near the end of January. Yay for new furniture!

A couple weeks ago Blondie and his roommates had their annual Yule party. I have a whole set dedicated to the festivities on my Flickr account. I’ve also added pictures from a get together we had with friends on Christmas night. Life has been so great lately. I’ve been trying to take more pictures and document them. Blondie is still getting used to the fact that I’m so public with my life. I keep enough private to where we are able to separate the two. Especially now, since I’ve been so detached to sparkley.net for so long. I’ve just recently felt the urge/need to get back into this blogging thing.

Today made the third month I’ve been meeting with my trainer. I meet with him for an hour every Tuesday morning. I make it a point to go to the gym at least two to three more times a week. Since the holidays have kicked in I’ve been working so much more. I’ve been majorly slacking on the gym visits. Last week I asked Jeff (the trainer) to work me so hard I hated him on my way out of the gym. For the next two days I had trouble walking up and down my stairs. Good thing I have a rail to hold on to. My thighs hurt so f’ing bad. These two days happened to fall on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Getting up off of the floor was definitely a task.

I found out today that Jeff had me doing work outs off of his Navy SEAL work out cards. This morning I worked out using the kettle bell? Ball? I just know it was only ten pounds, but I got a hell of a workout. Compared to last week it was nothing. I was in pain by the night of the work0ut. To me, it is totally worth the money. I couldn’t do it on my own. I am finally toned! Looks like I finally went through with a resolution.

Marley, the all white cat I adopted a year ago has been missing for over five months now. When I moved into my place I was told that cats have a way of disappearing around here. When I adopted Marley I learned that she was a stray before I adopted her (at eight months old). Captain has been missing for over a month. I am torn apart about this. I’ve had Captain since he was seven weeks old. He’s been with me to Houston, to my Mom’s house, and now with me in my current home for over two years. Every time I open the door to my house I expect him to be at my heels trying to either get in or get out. It took me about three weeks to be able to pick up the food and water bowls. I called all the humane societies and rescues around here. I’m printing up flyers to put out just in case. When I talked to my landlord she told me there are larger wild cats (bobcats, etc.) around here that could be killing the domesticated cats. Blondie seems to think I’m going to adopt again or conveniently find a kitten. I doubt it. But, I do have a second room I’m doing nothing with!

My next door neighbor told me to not give up hope. I think it is safe to say I’ve given up hope. My landlord called me the day before yesterday and said she saw two cats that look like Marley and Captain running around the heart of town. We have a pretty bad stray cat problem in the heart of the small town I live in. I wouldn’t be surprised if someone took them and dropped them off in town. I’m going to drive by the building she told me they were around. It is worth a shot. Maybe I haven’t really given up complete hope…

I’ll miss you buddy.

Be patient.  Give me a couple months to get this together since I work a lot and don’t spend all of my free time on my computer.  I will still post at sparkley.net until the time I decide to switch over to this domain.  Feel free to register in the meantime.