Rants, Recipes, and Running

I've never done a book review in this blog, but have been wanting to for quite some time. An expression of thanks is necessary to my sister, Lisa , who has really opened my world of reading. Reading has always been a hobby, yet finding books and keeping me reading past Chapter 5 was always a challenge. So this summer, when I was miserable in San Antonio - she graciously made me a list of "books to read". That really got me going. My family has started a "Virutal Book Club" - which has also opened me to new reads. And finally, I've started a book club with small & selective group of girlfriends (so far there's only 3 of us...) " Wild: Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail " by Cheryl Strayed, was given to me as part of my birthday present from a girlfriend, who knew I was getting into backpacking. This book was eye-opening for me, and interesting. It's about a 26 year-old women, who essentially loses everything. She ruins her marr...

I am so glad this work week is done. I'm not going to even start explaining, or this will turn into a ranty novel. All I will hint at, is I wish I had noise cancelling headphones while I'm working in my cubicle. And I am thankful that most of my work day is spent out on the floor interviewing patients, reviewing charts, and nagging doctors. (Yes, most of being a case manager involves nagging doctors. But I've become very talented at nagging in a manner that seems like I'm helping, instead of nagging. Anyways. I have found 3 new things this week that are wonderful. They are not related. But all amazing. 1.  Smoothies . I've found that I don't have time to eat breakfast in the mornings - because racing from my work out to the shower to work...doesn't leave me time to even eat. Maybe if I didn't do my hair and make-up. But then I look like I'm 15 years old. So I busted out our blender, and have made some of the most delicious concoctions every m...

I did my 1st trail race yesterday. And I am in love. A group called "Everyone Runs" here in Tucson holds a race at Catalina State Park twice yearly, but in the past I have always had to work that Saturday. (I love having a job that has given my weekends back....) So glad about my decision to register at the last minute (Monday). I went into this with no idea what to expect. I pictured myself hanging in the back of the pack with not a competitive bone in my soul. Until I crossed the start line........and I kept passing people. And realized there weren't very many people ahead of me. It was the most beautiful morning. It was slightly overcast, causing a 10 minute period of an orange sky. (I got to watch all this, because I arrived to the race way too early . My nerves always seem to do this.) Pictured below is a shot of one of the trails we took - prior to the sun peaking over the mountains.         It went from that, to this within ...