Blade an errand?

I have decided to try getting more exercise or more variety of exercise in than I normally do to attempt to help me stay in shape. Since we are a one car family, this activity becomes a little more necessary. March 21st, a Saturday, was one of those days where I needed to run and errand and do a work out, but I didn't want to do the usual run. I also needed to go to Walgreen's (let's face it, Walgreen's is everywhere and it's super convenient to get medications there cause there's another one every 20 blocks or so) to get my allergy stuff. Walgreen's isn't too far from where we live so I decided I would strap on my Rollerblades (Oxygen KR05) and go! I didn't realize how windy it was outside or I might have opted for something like taking the car, which actually was at home because Josh was home doing homework. But I was so excited and quite frankly, maybe not even that would deter me so I strapped on the blades I think I bought 12 or so years ago (give or take a little, I honestly don't remember it has been so long!) and certainly haven't used in at least 6 years and off I went! I "bladed my errand" instead of ran an errand!

I have to tell you, I had such a blast! When I bought the blades that long ago, they were the top of the line cause I remember they were somewhat spendy! They weren't the fastest out there at the time, but they were the one notch below the fastest. But let me tell you, I think they are pretty fast! It only took me 10 minutes to get to the nearest Walgreen's. Somewhat saddened by how fast I had gotten there, I went to the counter to get the allergy stuff and they were out! That didn't disappoint me at all though. I had only been exercising for 10 minutes! Plus, with how fast they are and I was down hill just a smidge, it was not that difficult to get there so I figured I'd try the next one. So I had the pharmacy tech call the nearest Walgreen's, just 22 blocks north of where I was, and they had what I wanted so I strapped 'em back on and out the door I went! It took me an extra 15 minutes to get there and I thought at a few points I'd loose my visor but I just kept pulling it down lower over my eyes which ended up helping with the wind and dust anyway. By the time I got there, I purchased what I needed and had to tell the tech there so I could justify what I was doing because quite frankly, I felt like I was 12 years old doing this at nearly 30! But I was having such a blast! She was excited for me and even said she was impressed. Cute girl. Anyway, she helped me figure out where there was a drinking fountain which I was so thankful for because I was so parched, put my stuff in my runner's fanny pack thingy, slurped as much water as I could, called my husband (he always prefers I call when I'm alone doing anything cause he worries someone is going to steal me, I'm not kidding. It is kinda cute so I do it even though I sincerely doubt anyone would want a 6 foot tall woman in fat chunky blades), and off to home I went!

This time took me a lot longer than it did to get where I wanted because I was blading into the wind. I couldn't stop moving because if I did, I literally wouldn't have gone anywhere in the forward direction the wind was blowing that hard. But it was a pretty good work out, plus it forced me to throw my arms into it so I could use the force of momentum to carry me forward as well. I was pretty tired of the wind by the time I got home, and I felt like I had swallowed 3 socks due to cotton mouth, but I sure had a blast! Total time while gone, 1 hour and 10 minutes. Total blading time, probably around 50 minutes. Total mileage? I bladed about 81 block lengths and from what I understand, about 8 blocks = 1 mile, so that would be about 10 miles. I haven't driven it in my car so don't think I'm heroic by any stretch. It hardly seems like that could be the correct mileage cause I was going so fast!

Sometimes it is fun to do something wild. Try it! I had a lot of people looking at me like I was crazy while out there but I really enjoyed myself. I plan on doing things like that more often, and in fact, once Josh and I buy a bike this year, I will start commuting on bike to work! Can't wait! Stay tuned for that update! :-)

The girl who always gets flowers...

When Josh and I were dating, I was "the girl who always gets flowers"! When we were married, he would celebrate our being together as a married couple with one dozen roses for each month we were married. Each month on the seventh of that month, I would get a dozen roses. For our two month anniversary, on the seventh, I would get two dozen. This lasted until our fourth month anniversary in which I got 4 dozen roses! We quickly ran out of a vase large enough to hold all those roses! I soon after that got laid off from my job however and we decided it was time to realign a few priorities, mostly by my prompting (I know, what was I thinking?!?!) Never the less, we went to DI and got a big fat vase just in case and have since only gotten one dozen. But I'm sure you will all see the picture when that day does come when Josh insists I get enough roses to fill that monstrosity of a vase!

Well, I just couldn't throw away all those roses. Some flowers are not worth saving, to be sure, but I had kept as many (if not all) I could because I wanted to do something with them. Some of these roses are from our wedding, some white ones from when he proposed to me at the Salt Lake Temple, although most are from other times he has given them to me. I couldn't use all of them, and I actually ended up throwing about 50 or so of them away. This year for Christmas, we came across some cash and this is what Josh suggested I buy on our trip over to Hobby Lobby. I've wanted to do this for so long and I suppose it gave him a thrill to see me so excited to finally be able to do it! This is what I came up with and he even helped me out with quite a bit of it too!

I'm very excited and quite surprised at how it turned out. Even though I'm not one of those girls who always gets flowers anymore, the ones I do have have brightened up our little living space and reminded me just how lucky I always am!

Vitamin and Mineral Best Bets (Realage.com)

Our favorite top picks from the list (see website below):

Salmon
Kiwifruit
And we'll be trying Total Raisin Bran very soon!

http://www.realage.com/NutritionCenter/VitaminsNutrients.aspx

What's your Real Age?

I had to add this to the blog. I figured it was just as easy to put it here than be old fashioned and do something like send an email out to my friends and family. Heaven forbid, I only do two blog postings a year....

I have loved this website: www.realage.com

Why? I took the online test and entered in my info and whalaa! I'm younger than my real age!!! I have found it fun to learn more about how to be more healthy. It is extremely important to me, for many more reasons than just being thin. My favorite addition is the strength training to my regular working out reoutines. I have been eating better this year and have learned even more.

You could say it is my new obsession. Only to the degree that it has really made a difference in my outlook on being healthy. I will even go so far as to say it is added to my bookmarks on Explorer.

As far as the working out goes, it has been 6 weeks of strength training and I am shocked at the difference. I have only lost 3 pounds, which is a good pace, but overall I wanted to be stronger. So, if nothing else, I'll post the secret, and the rest is up to you if you don't want to do the Realage.com test: http://www.realage.com/WorkoutCenter/fitness/fitDesc.aspx

With only two blog posts a year, would it really be posted if it wasn't phenominal? Ask my husband...

New Year, New Changes

I (Melanie) got laid off from Richmond American Homes in early November. We're not sad though. It was a twisted and corrupt division (many good people but the upper management was awful!) Our lease was up at the end of the year, and we couldn't find a new place to live that will suit our needs so we're moving in with Josh's parents. But it will be a blessing to save up some money.

As far as jobs, I'm still applying to jobs and starting the process of a few interviews now and am excited about the prospects. I've done this so much in the past five years, one would think I'd have more patience! It's always a test of patience :-)

Honestly, we've both never been happier even though we have had a number of trials. Life is incredible when you are married to your best friend! I'm just so thankful for the blessings I've received and the covenants I've made with my Heavenly Father. Oh, life is so good!