I miss my friend

To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
(Those times to mourn really suck.)

I miss my friend; the one my heart and soul confided in

So many things remind me of you.
When the sun is shining bright I think of you and smile
When I see the full moon I think of you (and say hi!)
When it's unseasonably warm in the fall or winter I think of you and smile
When I see the billboard with the lobster claws I think of you and giggle (yep, it's still there!)
Occasionally I feel a hand on my shoulder for a moment and I wish it could stay there.
I think of you and I smile, I laugh, I cry, I remember
I will never forget you
I am so very glad that I had you for my bestest friend throughout those years.
You believed in me when no one else did.
I miss you...I miss you more
(\o/)
 /_\

Time to get life back to normal

The big day has come and gone.  Another Christmas is in the books.  Next Christmas I will no longer be the world's oldest college student!!  I'll be all graduated! 
I got my daughter an ipad and she loves it!  She has been playing with it and downloading games.  There is even a game for the cat to play!  We went to the apple store today to get a case to protect it.  She will be using it when she gets back to college.  She is getting a stylus that she can use to take notes on the ipad.  Now I want one!!  Maybe after I graduate. 
I have to go back to school and resume my role as the world's oldest college student in 12 days.  Right now I'm loving not having anything to do.  I really needed this break.  I know it can't last forever.  I have 2 books to get ordered. Because I'm a college student, I get free song downloads from Amazon every time I order textbooks!!  This will be the last time I have to order textbooks.  The rest of the program will not require any more new books!!  
I also need to get my running log book caught up.  I've never let it get this far behind.  I think I last recorded a run back in September.  I have all my runs on my Garmin and I have uploaded them all to Garmin connect and put notes on there.  I have no idea of what my mileage is going to add up to for the year.  I'm sure I won't reach 1000 miles this year.  I think I've ran over 1000 miles for the last 4 years. 

I'm falling asleep.  Last night I stayed up half the night watching you tube videos of old REO Speedwagon concerts and songs.  I can do that while I'm on break from school!!!!  I ended up downloading some songs I have always loved and used to listen to on records and cassette tapes!!   The REO dudes were so young in those videos and the wild hair was soooooo funny!! 
Ok, before I fall asleep...
Runner Nerd
college student on break who stays up all night watching music videos!! 

Silent Night Holy Night

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.
And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.
 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

Oh Holy Night

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.
And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.
And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

For unto us

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

It's December 22nd and I have no gifts for my parents

It's December 22nd and I have no gifts for my parents.  What do you get for parents who have everything?
My parents retired to an island in the upper peninsula of Michigan.  It's what we lower Michiganders call "up north".  Up there they decorate in that up north way - pine tree, moose, deer, bear theme.  Over the years I've given my Mom more than enough up north themed things.  My Mom also likes Mallard duck things but she has more than enough.   My Dad's birthday is just a few days after Christmas and their anniversary is early in January.  Fortunately for me, one of my sisters always takes care of the anniversary and then just tells the other 3 of us how much we owe her!!  Maybe I will suggest that she begin doing the same for their Christmas gifts!!!  For years now I've given my Dad a big bag of really nice pistacios for his birthday.  For as long as I can remember, my Dad has liked pistacios.  I remember that every now and then Mom would get him a small baggie of them from the bulk foods in the grocery store.   I am going to the place that I get the pistacios from today to get them. 
Yep, I'm a bad daughter!! 

Runner Nerd
not ready for Christmas

Running and partying!!!

Tonight was our little holiday run and party for the Tuesday night running group.   We run through a couple of nearby subdivisions to see the holiday lights on the houses and in the yards then back to the running store to eat and goof off! 
Hard to believe that another year has come and gone! 

some of the running group just before heading out to see the lights

Grades Posted

FINALLY...my last grade is posted!!  ALL 4.0!!!  I was pretty sure this last class was going to be 4.0 but I just wanted to see that 4.0 there staring at me!!! 
I am glad that this semester is over.  It's the most difficult semester of the program I'm in.  It really feels good to have all of my hard work and endless days spent in the library studying pay off.  4 classes - 4 4.0s!!!  True nerd style!!!!!!! 

Runner Nerd
World's oldest college student with 4.0 GPA

My fave salad dressing

Bolthouse Farms Chunky Blue Cheese dressing

I've been using this stuff since it came out a couple years ago.  I LOVE it!!  I'm a bleu cheese on salad girl!  I never liked any of the dressings I've bought in the store until I found Lighthouse brand - and even their low fat bleu cheese dressing is great.  This one is made with yogurt and is even lower in fat than the Lighthouse low fat dressing.  It is really good!   I had some left over chicken from a couple days ago so last night when I was out Christmas shopping (oh yippie) I stopped by the store with the big salad bar and got some lettuce,  spinich and chopped yellow and red peppers (no icky green)  in a container for my lunch today.  The cashier at the checkout asked me if I forgot to get some dressing!! 

35 calories, 2.5 grams of fat! (2 Tbsp serving)

So, anyway, if anyone cares, this is the salad dressing that I buy!!!  I like it and it's low fat. 
The only thing I find odd is that the name of the cheese is usually spelled B-L-E-U but this brand spells it B-L-U-E, like the color (which is my favorite color!).  I guess it doesn't matter since I really like the dressing!!! 

I think I should go for a run now.  I have 2.5 hours until I have to leave. I'm going to a party tonight for the running group that I've been missing since becoming a full time college student.  I'm still a part of the group and I'm glad they still invite me to things!!  Most of these women eat very healthy, some are vegetarians or vegans and some aren't.  When we have a party it's crazy - we eat like pigs!!!  I made a dessert containing chocolate!!  There will be lots of chocolate there!!  I'm sure most of them ran this morning but I never did.  I am planning on a long run tomorrow. 

Runner Nerd
off for a run to pre-burn party calories!

Loving after dark running

I've been running with a group for, I think, 4 years now.  We meet at the running store at 6:30 pm and go for a run.  As the seasons change so does the weather and the daylight.  Until recently running group was about the only time I ran in the dark other than a couple of night races each year. 
Since I've been in college full time I've been spending many hours studying at the public library in chelsea.  In the fall shortly before the time change I got the idea to go running around town after leaving the library since I'd have a very short window of light.  At that time it was still light out when the library closed at 5 but I knew that it would be fading fast and if I made the drive home and changed it would get too dark.  I got the idea to change in the car after leaving the library, thanks to the miracle of tinted windows, and run around the residential streets of town.  It worked out very well and I ran 4.6 miles and had a great time!  When I uploaded my run from Garmy to Garmin connect I looked at the map and saw some possibilities for other routes.  It was still light when I finished but was beginning to fade.  I thought that the streets I ran on would be perfectly safe to run on after dark.  Most of the route was residential streets within the city, most had sidewalks.  I crossed the main street twice. 
Since then I've run quite a few times after dark and it's been fun.  I have a couple of neon yellow shirts, a head lamp, a couple of flashing thingys - one clips on and one goes on my wrist.  I bought a new shirt a couple weeks ago at the annual sale at the running store but so far it hasn't been cold enough to wear it.  It is made by Illuminite, which is a brand of reflective running gear.  It has a pattern on the outside half running the length of the sleeves (visible from front and back) and across the back, more than the little dots that most shirts have.  The pattern is barely visible in the light but when in the dark and lights hit it, it is very reflective.  I'm really excited to wear it!  I'm not sure what temperature range it will work best for as the tags and the website do not offer information on that.  I am guessing that it will be good for 20s and colder.  I will also be able to wear layers under it as it gets colder.   My winter tights have zippers at the bottoms of the legs and the zipper is outlined in reflective trim so I am all set for night running!!  I will still use my flashing thingys because I can't be too safe and because they are cool and fun!!  

Runner Nerd
safe night runner

Done Done Done Done Done Done Done Done!!!!!!!

This semester is HISTORY!!!!!!!!!!!  Took my last final exam today! 
Grades were posted for the classes I finished on Monday.  Nothing but FOUR POINT!!!! 
I totally rocked one final - 100%!!  I can hardly believe it!!  I got 94 on the other final; that class was the one I had the hardest time with, so glad to have that 4.0 recorded in the grade book!!  I felt pretty good today after finishing the exam so I'm sure I will also get a 4.0 in that class.  I had 98 going into the final. 
I am so glad this semester is over; it has been a long semester.   The teachers of the program said it is the most difficult semester and it sure has been.  It also marks the end of the first year in the program, one year from now I will be graduated!!  The 2nd year class graduated Monday.  One more year to go! 

I was going to go for a run after leaving school but I discovered I had forgotten to pack my running shoes.  I had all my clothes but forgot to throw the shoes in.  I guess I'll go for a run tomorrow.  It will be wonderful to be able to go out and run without guilt hanging over my head. 

Well, I watched my favorite (and the only one I watch) TV show, Ghosthunters, and now I am going to watch a Netflix movie because I don't have any homework to do!!!  I can do anything I want to!!!!!!   My brain needs a break! 

Runner Nerd
off nerd duty for a month!!

Almost There

The end is in sight!!  Tomorrow I have 2 finals.  It has been a nightmare of a weekend studying for 2 finals plus a little studying for a 3rd which is on Wednesday. 
I ran the Holiday Hustle yesterday afternoon with much guilt hanging over me for abandoning my studying.  Oh well, it was fun!  When else may one wear Christmas lights and Santa knee socks and jingling bells in public???  I have pictures but that is going to have to wait till after Wednesday.  (as if there are people waiting to see them) 
The weekend after Thanksgiving is always a big sale at my running store of choice!  I went over there Friday to get my race number and got a winter shirt that I drooled over all last winter!!  I was so excited when I saw it on the 50% off rack!!  There was even one in my size!!!!!!  (usually most of the 50% off stuff is either extra super small or extra super large)  All last winter I would walk over and just touch it when I was there for running group!! (I know, what a dork!)  It was just toooooooo expensive; even 50% off was too expensive.  Well, I now own it!!  I would have loved to have worn it at the race yesterday but it wasn't cold enough to wear this shirt.  This shirt is going to be for those sub zero days in January and February.  I'm secretly hoping that since I now have this miracle shirt that I won't even get to wear it because we will have such a mild winter and it will never get into the single and negative digit temps!!  Wouldn't that be wonderful!!!  I can wish but I am sure that I will get to wear that shirt quite a few times.
Well, I must be getting to sleep so I can go and rock these 2 finals tomorrow.  They are going to be tough.  I'm nervous. 

Runner Nerd
all studied out