20 Things

Ok I got the idea from Beth at I run like a Girl. I think it is a very good idea.

20 things to give thanks to today

1. Hot yummy coffee
2. Kitty cuddles
3. My job. I love helping others in ways that are usually overlooked or missed.
4. The roof over my head. Some people have no home and no heat at this time of year.
5. My partner Terri. She is the most loving, caring, and honest person I know .
6. The Muppets- they make me smile EVER the time.
7. My ankle is healing and I can start walking next week.
8. Strawberry Chobani yogert!....yum
9. My Mizuno Wave Riders that are waiting for me.
10. Fleece PJ pants
11.My senses....taste, seeing, touch and hearing
12.My family- Bio and chosen
13. Secret Sister exchange at work....mine got me Larabars!
14. My truck- to haul our camping gear and kayaks
15. Christmas Carols....love them
16.My weight maintaining while I have been on the injured list
17. Zentangle...A new pasttime/craft
18. My wonderful accepting friends
19. My love of reading...just finished Gone Girl
20. The changing seasons/weather in Ohio

This was on a bike ride a couple days prior to me breaking my ankle, Soon, yes soon I will be at it again. Next week!!!!

Happy Thanksgiving

I am thankful for so much this year. I have my family, friends, health, job, house and food.
I have had many joys and some struggles in my journey to where I am today, I am thankful for that road I have traveled. I look forward to my journey to come.

While I wish I could walk or run a Turkey Trot this year but can't due to healing still, I am thankful that I have a few more weeks till I can walk and start to run.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

Tuesday This and That

-I am going to be spending Thanksgiving with my Dad, stepmom, grandma and other family. I am looking forward to being with them. Terri and I know this will probably be grandma's last Thanksgiving. I know she is excited we are coming there, the smile on her face said it all . Maybe Dad and I can get the Instagram working  on his phone...

-My ankle is doing better!!! I am off crutches and full weight bearing and up and down steps. It is still bruised. I (in my maybe unrealistic mind) hope to be up and running again before the end of the year!!
Nothing wrong with goals, even though the goals need to be flexible. 2 more weeks of this brace then I can start walking more and then work to walk/run.

-Just wanted to share this guy who was in a birthday gift for me!!! I love wind up toys. They keep me entertained  while at work.

-I received some Injinji socks to try and review. I am hoping to wear them on a run some day soon!

Getting there

I met with the orthopedist last week and the fracture is healing in my ankle. I have to wear the brace at least 3 more weeks and then call 12/5 and talk with him as to where I go from there. We discussed therapy. He feels that I will be fine with no residual effects but will start with walking then walking/jogging and then slowly up to one mile runs on treadmill(controlled enviroment). Sounds like I am learning to run all over again. I can do this....I WANT to do this.



Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies. ~Mother Teresa

The T's......

Thursday This and That!!

-Still nursing my fractured ankle. I am healing though. Saw the MD yesterday and have to wear the ankle splint another 3 weeks then I can start walking then walk/run and then running small distances. Reminds me of when I was learning to run with the couch to 5K. It is ok I would rather take it slow than to do more damage. I am hoping to be running again in some form by 12/31.


-I had a wonderful 40th Birthday celebration last Saturday. It was with my whole family minus some nephews and a few friends.  Terri organized it and did a fabulous job. She had my family telling funny and embarrassing stories about me growing up. I couldn't have asked for a better birthday celebration. Plus the cake was delicious and fun ...80's themed!

-I am trying to maintain my weight with being inactive and not running. I have a huge fear of gaining back the weight.

-Finished the second book of the Divergent Series....it is a YA cross over book in the likes of Hunger games. The third is no due out for awhile yet.....bumming.

-Looking forward to the holidays coming up!!!! Love Christmas

-My grandmother got some bad news of a huge colon tumor that is cancerous and a large hiatial hernia that 90% in her stomach. She has chosen no treatment since she has lived a good life at 94 yrs old. It is hard having to explain the process of this to her and my family( I am the nurse in the family). I just hope the suffering for her is minimal.

Grandma and I

GU review

I feel bad for this is a long overdue review on the GU products that I was sent and able to review.
I have tried numerous products but not really any of the GU products and was thoroughly excited to try new flavors and products .

Here is the website to check out more products GU Energy

I was sent some GU Energy Gels, GU brew, a GU Roctane drink and GU Recovery mix.

A little about GU Energy Gels
An optimal blend of carbohydrates, the proprietary GU amino blend, and a full serving of Vitamin C & E. Oh yeah, did we mention taste? GU Energy Gel has the time-tested consistency and delicious taste that athletes have come to expect from the original energy gel.

-I tried the flavors Vanilla, Tri Berry and Chocolate Mint. I will have to say my favorite is Vanilla. More palatable to me- personal preference. The down fall that I saw was as the weather gets colder they stiffen up and hard to get out of the packet on runs. I do like how they fold up to nothing to put back in your pack or pocket.

GU Brew Tabs
GU Electrolyte Brew Tablets are simple, light tasting and natural. They are invariably better than water alone and bring your system into balance more quickly by helping you retain more of the liquid you ingest.
Stevia, a plant-derived sweetener, is the primary sweetening agent in Electrolyte Brew Tablets instead of acesulfame potassium, a commonly used artificial sweetener. Brew Electrolyte Tablets are the natural option to achieving proper hydration

I tried the Lemon Lime and Tri Berry flavors. I used them instead of water on my runs. I and my stomach was happy with them. I prefer the Tri berry flavor. Lemon Lime is ok just not my favorite flavor. I found nothing wrong with the bre tables.

GU Brew Roctane
A carbohydrate intensive energy drink that contains the critical carbohydrates and electrolyte replenishment ultra endurance athletes need to compete at high levels. It comes in a super light tasting, easy to mix formula for fueling hour after hour after hour

I tried the grape flavor and love it! I want to get a container of it to have more. Enough said!

And last but surely not least is the GU Recovery Mix


The premium quality ingredients in GU Recovery Brew help you quickly replenish energy stores and rebuild muscles after an intense workout. GU’s Recovery Brew reinvents the category and evolves this critical training tool into a nutritional experience we’re confident you’ll actually enjoy.
What's in it?
Protein - GU Recovery Brew is full of whey protein isolate for speedy recovery of muscule fibers
Amino Acids - Arginine and Glutamine promote recovery by diminishing the negative effects of intense training and supporting a strong immune system.
Carbohydrates - Both simple and complex carbs (and lots of ‘em!) in optimal balance will re-fuel your competitive fire and get you back to training and racing on schedule.
Antioxidants - Over 100% daily allowances of vitamins C and E in every serving. Your free radicals will hate us!
How's it different?Quality ingredients is the cornerstone of any qaulity product and GU Recovery Brew relies on whey protein isolate -- not cheaper whey protein concentrate -- to create a higher quality and more effective product. Did we mention taste? Say goodbye to grainy, chalky, salty and smelly. GU’s Recovery Brew reinvents the category with a highly effective product that actually taste good.

Ok you know you want my Muppet glass but not the dirty stove...don't be jealous! :)

I tied the Chocolate Smoothie . Mixed it with milk in a Tupperware mixer. It tasted good and was a nice alternative with more nutrients then just plain chocolate Milk. Plus I put it in a nice Muppet glass.

Overall I would continue using GU products and look forward to trying more!

Disclaimer- I was sent these products free to review on my blog -courtesy of GU Energy products. I did not pay for the items, receive payment for the review or agree to give a positive review.