Snap back to reality

A break in the Great Adventure for a few announcements:

Workouts:

I went for a run/walk outside Saturday morning. I ran 3 walked 2, decided to ease myself in after a 2+ week sabbatical. I felt good, the knee was good and all seemed really good.

Monday I did 45 minutes on the Elliptical.

Yesterday I went to the gym to run. SUCKED! I could not get through 2 intervals. My side was cramping like it has not cramped since I started running forever ago. I could not recover enough during the walks and as SOON as I started running again it killed me. So, I gave up running and did walking incline intervals. I have been thinking about working on inclines b/c I have not done that...but I envisioned myself running.

This morning I had early meetings and did not work out. SO, I loose my Friday off day. Here is the plan:

Tomorrow: RUN
Friday: 20 minute Elliptical 20-30 minute swim
Saturday: Run 5K course

I am thankful that I signed myself up for the Riverbend 5K. I am not sure that I would be getting up and out this quickly if this race was not looming in a week and a half. I am also thankful because I stepped on the scale Monday morning to see that the extra weight I could feel in my clothes was actually there - 5 pounds!

Anxiety

hate, Hate, HATE this medicine I am on. Don't get me wrong, if I take it I am fine. But if I forget, or take it too late in the day...I am a queen BITCH. Poor Scott was the benefactor this morning when, out of the routine, I forgot to take it. I get antsy, jumpy and literally (I MEAN literally) want to punch something. Getting off of it ASAP. I need to do it with the Doc though b/c, obviously, just quiting it is not an option.

Thinking of getting of everything for good, again.

Croatia

Why Croatia you ask. As I mentioned in the last post Scott loves Rick Steves who does a travel show on PBS. He saw a special on Slovenia and Croatia and fell in love. He showed it to me and I fell in love. We literally traveled from the beaches to the Alps...where else in the world can you do that. Another cool thing is that it is pretty well undiscovered (I say pretty well b/c that is changing...the French have descended) so it is not as busy as other parts of Europe. There are still people who think that this part of the world is in turmoil and are afraid to travel there. You will see, in later Great Adventure Posts, that there are definitely still remnants of the unrest in the 90s, but everything is resolved.

And, there is this:



The Koz

Is great. He enjoyed his time with his friends while we were gone; but, I think he is happy being top dog again!

Momma

Happy Birthday to my Momma...the best mother and the best friend a girl could have!

Question

Does anyone know how to fix my sidebar? It has moved to the bottom of my screen and I can not figure out how to move it back!

Take Care,
Molly

You can do anything you set your mind to, man
-Eminem

Molly and Scott's Great Adventure Part 2

Our next stop was Split. It is the second largest city in Croatia. We spent the majority of our time just wandering and absorbing, as opposed to going to the sites, my favorite thing to do.

We spent a lot of time at the Market in Split people watching. This picture does not even begin to describe the "hustle and bustle" of the market! Everything you would ever need was available at this market! They even had a several underwear stands...thought of you momo.

This was my favorite booth...they sold the chicken and the eggs...guess we know which chickens were not doing so well in the laying of eggs department.

This was our only day that was split (haha) in half. All the other days, except one that I will explain, we sailed at night and would wake up in our next destination. So, it was kind of cool to watch the ship leave from and arrive to a port.

Our next stop was Kortula, the birth place of Marco Polo. The picture below was taken as we approached the city.

If you look to the right of the picture (left of the ship) above you can see what looks like a small tower. This is actually a bar. After we walked this small city Scott and I retreated to this tower for drinks (don't order a margarita in Croatia). We ended up talking to two couples from California who are probably still riding their motorcycles through Europe. Cool folks. From the tower Scott took this great picture:

Although our stay here was short we got two of my favorite "souvenirs". We purchased an amazing first edition painting of the harbor (which we thought was appropriate b/c we watched the boat arrive) and I got a coral, the stone of the Adriatic, bracelet.

That night we were off to Dubrovnik...one of my favorite places on the tour. The "feature" of this city, which is a must do, is to walk the city walls. These walls do a complete circle around Dubrovnik.

One of the things that interested us the most about this trip is that we literally went from the beaches (as you see here) to the Alps (later in Bled). From the city walls the views were amazing...including the city itself and the beauty of the Adriatic.

This picture (above) is the best example of the city and the ocean.

Have to throw a Molly and Scott picture in there too!

Around the right corner of this building is where Scott and I chilled for a while. Around the next corner was a swimming hole. When we got there we watched kids jumping off rocks and playing around. Later a man came strolling by in a causal work outfit, striped to his underwear and went swimming, about thirty minutes later he put his clothes back on and, I imagine, headed back to work.

This is one of my favorite pictures. Notice the classic, beautiful, red clay roofs...with satellite dishes on top!

While we usually had lunch on the boat we decided to spend the entire day in Dubrovnik without making the trip back to the boat. Scott is a big Rick Steves fan and we went to the pizza place he recommended. Check out our small pizzas (no wonder I gained 5 pounds!)!

If you have to chose a place to go in Croatia, Dubrovnik would be my recommendation.

Back to work...more tomorrow.

Take Care,
Molly

Molly and Scott's Great Adventure Part 1

This was an amazing trip!
I would recommend going to Croatia and Slovenia to ANYONE!

Our boat was small by cruise ship standards, it help 330 passengers. We were about 3/4 of the way full and about 1/3 of the passengers were English speaking.

Here is our room. Small, but that is what we expected. It was just big enough to be comfortable.

There were not many English speaking tables on the ship. We were lucky to be seated with a great group. A couple from England and two friends from California (who ended up going on the excursion after the cruise with us!).

Most days we ate breakfast, lunch and dinner in the dinning room (seated, from a menu) above but some mornings we ate breakfast (buffet) on the deck.

So, that is the basics. And after the safety drill...

...we were off.

Our first stop was Pula.

Most of Croatia has been under Italian, mostly Venetian, influence. Above are some ruins that are still used today as a concert hall.

Pula is a small town, we did not spend a lot of time there. We chose to take an excursion to Medieval Istria.

And part of the trip was a wine tasting...hmmm, wonder why I was so excited to go...

Every night we were "entertained" by the unity orchestra. This brings up another point. We were called, "the aliens" by the crew because we were about 1/2 the age of most of the people on the ship...who I am sure enjoyed the unity orchestra...especially Natasha the Russian singer.

Next stop was Zadar

We walked around Zadar in the morning. We found it quite charming and would have enjoyed the day there. Instead we went on another excursion to the Plitvice National Park.

This Park was absolutely amazing. Every turn led to a waterfall or a lake. The water in Croatia, due to a lack of industry, is amazingly clear. It is possible to look down and see layers of fish and on to the bottom of the lake. The water is an amazing blue/green color that is impossible to catch on film. An absolutely amazing place!

Off to get ready for Scott's birthday dinner. Another installment tomorrow...

Take Care,
Molly

All my bags are packed, I'm ready to go

PEACE OUT!

Take Care
Molly

So kiss me and smile for me
Tell me that youll wait for me
Hold me like youll never let me go
cause Im leavin on a jet plane
Dont know when Ill be back again
-the late great John Denver

Don't get close, She'll warn you with her growl

Exercise:

Thursday: 40 minute Elliptical

Friday: 3 Miles 5 minute run (5.0) and 1 minute walk
Mile 1: 12:40
Mile 2: 12:24
Mile 3: 12:13 (ran through last walk)

Monday: 4o minute Elliptical

Great run Friday.

I am not sure what to say otherwise.

Saturday I spent at Pee Wee soccer games, shopping, cooking and celebrating Mother's Day with Scott's Momma. Sunday we had my parents, Katie, Tony and the boys over for brunch and we had a WONDERFUL time.

Did not work out either day. I really wish that I did not care.

The fact that I did not work out Saturday or Sunday was in the back of my mind all day both days and that actually pissed me off a little bit. I really wish I could have enjoyed the days...period.

Another fact about Molly that you might not know...I do not sleep well alone. Scott has been out of town this week and it has taken a toll on me. I have not slept well and I have not been physically able to get up at 5 am (that is my excuse anyway). Apparently Koz does not sleep well either b/c he has been waking up and barking once an hour every hour...just to add fuel to the not sleeping fire.




The last two nights I have done a lot of strength and core work at night. Plan on doing that again today.

I am disappointed in myself this week. I am about to go out of town for a long time and I am disappointed that I have not been gutting it out and getting it done. Especially when I read what others are going through. Not looking for sympathy...just stating the facts.

All of this is making me grump and irritable.

Anyway...a lot going on. Getting ready for our trip, been busy with a lot of work and trying to braid some loose ends so they are manageable when I get back.

I hope to post some garden pics b/4 I leave.

Take Care
Molly

Out there a redhead walkin'
Redhead walkin'
The redhead walkin'
Better listen keep your distance from the crimson crime warpath
-REM

The insurgency began and you missed it

Workouts:

Sunday: notta

Monday: 3 mile run, 5 minute run (5.0)/1 minute walk
Mile 1: 12:19
Mile 2: 12: 23
Mile 3: 12:37 (walked 2 minutes during middle walk)

Tuesday: notta

Wednesday: notta

Sunday we missed spinning. For about three months Scott and I have needed to go to Lowe's and return a lot of extra materials from our remodel. The people at Lowe's were very nice but it took them quite a while to get everything sorted out. I also needed to get some things in the garden center. At this point I knew I was going to miss spinning so we went on to the Fresh Market and got some meat to grill out for dinner. I played in the garden all afternoon and I am finally really happy with the way everything looks, I will post some pics soon!


Monday's run felt good. As usual the first two miles were like butter and the third hit hard. I took an extra minute walk in the middle and was able to push through to the end. I needed my Halo I was dripping in sweat. I think the gym is having trouble with the fluctuating temps here b/c it seemed really hot in there,


I started to feel bad Monday night and I felt really bad Tuesday morning. It was odd b/c I had mild cold symptoms and my biggest complaint was that I was achy and my temp was fluctuating. Knowing me these weird sypmtoms would have freaked me out if Scott had not had the exact same ailment last week. I must have caught whatever bug he had. Needless to say I did not get up Monday morning. I worked from home and actually ended up getting a lot done, between naps.


I probably could have gotten up this morning but I decided to take it easy for another day. I also worked from home again (could get used to that) and Koz and I did get out for a little bit for a good walk,

So, my plan for the week has changed a little bit:

*************************UPDATED*****************
(apparently I am not good with the days of the week)

Thursday - 40 minute Elliptical
Friday- 3 mile run
Saturday - 20 minute Elliptical and strength
Sunday - 40 minute run outside

I have not done a Molly Mental Health Update in a while...

I am doing really well on the Lamictal. I feel much more balanced and my swings have been much less dramatic. AND I did not make the bed the entire weekend and it did not kill me.

I also did some back reading on my blog and I definitely see a strong correlation between good mental health and staying active. I have to keep this WAY up front in my mind when we decide to add to the family and I am free of the meds in the future!

Take Care
Molly

Life's rich demand creates supply in the hand
Of the powers, the only vote that matters
Silence means security silence means approval
On Zenith, on the TV, tiger run around the tree
Follow the leader, run and turn into butter
-REM

I've never been there but the brochure looks nice

Workouts:

Monday:

40 minutes Elliptical

Tuesday:

40 minute run

3.3 miles...5 minute run/1 minute walk

Friday:

40 minute Elliptical

Saturday:

20 minute Elliptical

20 minute strength

My run Tuesday was really good. I felt good...trucked along at a slower speed (4.8)...but kept the 5/1 ratio up the entire 40 minutes and felt good.

Tuesday also included some cross training in the woods chasing these two:

Kozmo had his leash on but still managed to take off with Roxie Doxie. Mom and I trekked through woods and roads and, after an hour, found them. They were actually pretty close to Mom and Dad's...Koz had wrapped his leash around a poll and Roxie was hanging out. We are not sure if she was keeping him company or teasing him b/c she was free and he was caught!

I planned on only taking Thursday off...but I made a game day decision to stay in bed Wednesday morning too. Happy Anniversary to me!

The rest of the story:

(Paul Harvey's wife died of cancer...this is my little tribute to the two of them.)

Our anniversary was great. Scott brought me flowers to work. That sweet boy actually thought to get flowers in our wedding colors:

(a little fuzzy...thanks to the camera phone!)

We had a great dinner at the Bald Headed Bistro. It was GREAT! S told them it was our anniversary so they brought a special desert, wished us Happy Anniversary several times and called us Mrs. and Mr. Cooper all night...pretty cool!

Overall..a GREAT day!

Thursday afternoon I got home from work and planted our anniversary gift from Momma and Dad Man, a beautiful Lilac:

Last night S and I went to J Alexander's...one of our favorite places. We decided to be cheep (a relative term at J's) and get soup and salad. When we ordered our waiter said, "Is that all?" and as you can imagine our service went downhill from there. I was really disappointed b/c they are usually on point there.

We did decide to hit Bruster's afterward and if anyone is looking to be bad their new Key Lime Pie ice cream is to die for!

Chillin' out tonight...if only I had a Miny Julup (my pinot will do!)!

Plan for the week:
Tomorrow: Spinning
Monday: 40 minute run
Tuesday: 20 minute Elliptical/20 minute swim
Wednesday: 40 minute Elliptical
Thursday: 40 minute run

Take Care
Molly

Everyday is a winding road
I get a little bit closer
Everyday is a faded sign
I get a little bit closer to feeling fine
-Sheryl Crow