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Sunday, November 30, 2008

Sunday Long Post

First of all, to answer a few FAQs:

1. In response to some comments on my holiday stress that I posted about yesterday: I'm not necessarily that stressed out about preparing for the holidays in and of themselves. In fact, I am 97% done shopping, holiday cards are done and in the mail, winter-wear clothing for MN is out of storage, and car is ready for the trip (oil is changed, SunPass is charged up). See, what's stressing me out is that I have not only the finishing holiday stuff to prepare for before we leave, but I also have the semester to finish (which means reading about 135 essays and finalizing grades in the next two weeks), I have a book review due on Dec 9th (I review about a handful of books a year for ForeWord magazine) and I've only read about 20 pages of my assigned book, I have the Palm Beach Half Marathon to run on Sunday, Dec 7th, and we are hosting a Christmas party for our friends on Dec 12th. So, it's all of these things converging at once that has me feeling a touch stressed.

2. Some asked if I'll be running while we're in MN for our 2 week vacation: Hells yeah, I am! I do have some winter running gear, but it's limited and somewhat make-shift, but it will do for just two weeks. But I couldn't go two weeks (especially during the holidays -- all that time with family, ack!) without running. Plus, since I don't have to live and run in winter conditions on a regular basis, I actually kinda like the change in weather and terrain.

So, on to today. As mentioned above, I have a shitload of essays to read, and worse yet, about 75 of them are research essays, so I spent most of the morning working on those: Some are really well-written and contain excellent research and writing; others are...well...like Thumper's mom says, "If you can't say anything nice, you shouldn't say anything at all." The good news is that I made significant headway with them and I feel good about how much I got done.

After lunch, I settled in with these two
for some Sunday afternoon football, and we're currently watching a pretty tight game between Miami and St. Louis: C'mon, Fins! Pull your shit together!

BTW, what'cha think of this pic of Scooter? Funny, right? Doesn't he kinda look like a Gremlin?
I was gonna say that I'm gonna start calling him "Gizmo" but then Jerry said that Gizmo isn't a Gremlin and they only turn into Gremlins if fed after midnight; does anyone remember what they are called before that, when they're still Gizmo-esque?

As for running today, I slept in this morning for the first time on a Sunday since September, and I was gonna save my long run for early this evening, but now the weather is doing this:
Off and on showers, windy, cloudy weather, with tornado warnings until 8 pm. You can see how windy it is in this next pic: That's the flag on the 9th hole on the golf course directly behind our house. Not ideal running conditions.
So, after football, I think I may try to fit a quick, short run in (weather permitting -- it's pouring out there right now) and skip the long run since I don't want to gamble with the possible tornadoes. I've been apathetic about running this week and I'm logging some of the lowest weekly mileage that I've had in a long time, but I can just think of it as a step-back week, right?

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like a busy couple of weeks. I'm impressed by what you have done though, as I've done none of that...

Enjoy the cold weather running. I usually run at least one outside run while we are in WI, unless it's a particularly icy week.

And Scooter is just cute. :o)

Unknown said...

I haven't even started my Christmas stuff and you have that mostly done.

Hope your run goes well - weather permitting. Our weather is blustery at the moment. Ick.

Viv said...

Step back week fo sho especially with the pile o papers on the table. You will get all together before the trip Jess.
That weather calls for a Netflix night anyhow.

Have a nice evening, and PS the Fins have not had their shit together since the 80's.

Viv said...

Scooter just made me drowsy from that yawn pic.

Shannon said...

Your doggy is cute!

Have a great Sunday evening....

Running Jen said...

We're having the same weather here in Orlando. I am glad I got a 10 miler in this morning before the weather turned bad.

Good luck getting all your stuff done in preparation for your trip! I agree about not minding visiting cold places, it's nice to have the change when we live in a place like FL!

Anonymous said...

sounds like you have things under control....i'm 99.9 % done with my shopping- I need a gift for my boss and now a hostess gift for the girl hosting our team's christmas party.

AddictedToEndorphins said...

You are quite possible Super woman. Don't worry, you'll get through it, AND you'll rock it!!! :)

And um, I think that tornado warnings are a good excuse to miss your long run. Or any run.

Keep on Keeping ON!

Marcy said...

Whoooaa whoooa whoooaa! You have your holiday cards already done? Dayum you ARE good. I've gotta get on that shiz.

Anonymous said...

Scooter is cute as ever.
Good luck getting everything done - you are going to be one busy girl, but I hope you'll get to relax in MN.

Marlene said...

Yep, nothing wrong with a step back week!

Here's hoping everything comes together smoothly in the comping couple weeks.

Aka Alice said...

Scooter looks like I feel after reading your blog. I haven't even started on the holiday stuff yet, and you've addressed cards?

Hang in there with the research papers.

Marci said...

Sounds like a busy few weeks. I don't know how you read so many essays. As I science teacher, I dread marking essays and lab reports!

Casey said...

I love Scooter. I kinda want to kiss his face off. Good luck running in MN!

teacherwoman said...

Somedays I would do anything for a run in 30 degree weather (minus icy roads and wind) over a run in the heat. It's just that more enjoyable, for me. I guess I overheat.

Sounds like you have a few papers to grade... eeks. Make sure you have the fridge stocked with soda!

Agate Lake Girl said...

That's a cute Scooter pic for sure - funny!

SavvyFitChica said...

Okay, I asked my dork of a husband what a Gremlin is called before it actually becomes a Gremlin and he of course knew the answer because, well, like I said, he's a dork... it's "mogwai". I hope this helps you sleep tonight! LOL!

The holidays are always a crazy time but it sounds like you have a great plan of attack for everything that has to get done. Keep checking things off that list. You'll get it.

J~Mom said...

My brain would explode reading all of those essays.

Laurel said...

Mogwai. I know the most random sh*t.

Those essay exams look awful! J always hates grading them.

You're going to love running in the cold. Well, not the first mile, but after you warm up you will. I can't imagine going back the the humidity of Florida for a run now. I'm spoiled.

Anonymous said...

Huh, my invitation must have got lost in the mail...

Scooter looks like a Gremlin - yeah the post-midnight feeding Gremlin. Must be the tooths - although he does look happy.

Unknown said...

Oh shiz.. I haven't started on the holiday cards yet. Dang !!! Thanks for the reminder.

Ahhh... I think its neat to run in the freezing weather up in Minnesota and to come back to warm Florida.

That dog is so darn cute !!!

Wes said...

Mogwai! LOL... But I was NAWT the first!! Nothing like being busy to pass the time!! Isn't running in MN this time of year dangerous? ROFL... You go girl!!

Jess said...

Hope the weather cleared up enough for you to get some kind of run in!-