Thursday, March 11, 2010

Catching Up And a Truth Game!


I haven't been around blogland much in the last week and a day or two, but I couldn't even tell you why. I haven't really been that busy, but if you give me a minute, I'm sure I can come up with a few good excuses. Let's see...

Oh! I've been cleaning my house more than usual lately as we had overnight guests last weekend (with toddlers!) and I had a friend over for lunch yesterday. Neither parties have seen the house since way before the construction even started, so of course, I had to make good first impressions. Now I'm thinking that I should schedule visitors every three or four days so that I'm compelled to maintain this level of clean and tidy. ;)

What else? I've been making an honest effort to work out again at 5-6 days a week instead of the 3-4 that I was doing in the last two months or so. I realize now how lucky I was when I could workout every day at 9 am after getting the girls off to school. Now that I need to stay home during the days to take care of my father-in-law who can't be left home alone anymore, I have to workout out every Saturday and Sunday--or at least try, and try to get in as many early morning workouts as possible before my husband leaves for work during the week. So now I'm getting up three days a week by 5:30 am to go to the gym, which is forcing me to go to bed earlier at night, which in turn cuts into my usual reading and blogging time. You'd think I'd be in such awesome shape by now... grrr.

I've still been running one morning by myself (although not this week, because I'm resting a minor shin injury), and on Saturdays either by myself, with my running partner or with my husband. Running solo isn't anywhere near as fun as running with someone and is a lot harder! My online running friend, Shawn a.k.a. doodlegirl, once told me that solo runs should count as double the miles and I totally agree! Running with my partner is great because we talk the whole time, which is a nice distraction from how hard running is. Running with my husband is great, too, because, well... he's my husband! I simply love doing stuff with him. Plus in that 45 minutes we can have a conversation without being interrupted by children or his dad. Plus he's really nice to look at. He totally lets me set the pace for the run and doesn't put any pressure on me at all. I do that all by myself. I keep thinking I'm holding him back (the fact that he falls behind or runs ahead to take pictures or video of me and then is by my side a minute later hardly out of breath kinda makes it obvious that I'm not the same level), so I'm constantly playing tug of war with myself in my head about my pace. One minute, I'm relaxed about it, and the next minute I feel inadequate that I'm slow and can't run any faster for him. I'm like that when we cycle together, too. It's such a waste of mental energy on my part. I really have to learn to let that go and just have fun. I just can't help that I still want to impress him after all these years. ;)

My husband took this photo of me on our last run together. Lovely conditions. :)
Lovely backside, too. Hence the need to run.
And then run some more.


I've also been reading, which is always good. I'm almost finished with the last Lily Bard mystery book by Charlaine Harris. I love this series and am going to be sad in about 100 pages because then I'll be finished with the series. I told Angie on twitter yesterday that Lily Bard ranks right up there with Mercy Thompson as a favorite heroine, and if you know me, that says A LOT.

So as you can see, I haven't been unusually busy after all. I think sometimes I just lose my blogging momentum out of nowhere and it takes a week or more to get back into it. I seem to be the only one who does that!

Anyway, if I haven't lost your attention by rambling on and on about myself and you're still reading this... How about we play a little game? I got tagged by Tracy last week on game about telling the truth. Or telling lies, depending on how you look at it.

I've come up with a list of 10 statements about myself. Only TWO of them are true and the rest are lies. You have to guess which two statements are true.

To make it even more fun for you, I'm going to throw in prizes!

{Which I meant to do back in December for my two year blog anniversary but I missed it. Doh!}

Anyone who guesses the correct TWO true statements about me will be entered in a drawing for one of the following prizes:

  • A $7 gift card to Dunkin' Donuts or Starbucks. (winner's choice)
  • A new book from TheBookDepository up to $7.
  • Two gently used books from my prize shelf on Shelfari, which will be updated with more books by next week. (US or Canada only for this one)

Everyone else who leaves a guess is entered in a drawing to win a homemade book thong made by me. I'm too lazy to go take a picture of a book thong and upload it. Maybe I'll do it later. A book thong is basically a bookmark made with thin ribbon and beads at either end. It's very pretty.

Game Rules:
  • Leave a comment below indicating which TWO statements you think are TRUE about me.
  • Contest will close on Wednesday, March 17, 2010 by 11:59 pm EST.
  • Answers will be revealed and winners announced the following day.
  • Leave your email address in your comment if it is not available on your blog or blog profile so I can contact you if you win.
  • Winners have three days to claim their prize before I chose another winner.

Truth or Lie?

1. I spent my summers as a kid on eastern Long Island, NY where I spent days "working" on my grandfather's fishing boat.

2. I have only been out of the country once, when I visited the Philippines with my husband the year after we were married.

3. Both of my daughters have my mother-in-law's first name as their middle name.

4. I met my husband in college when he was my TA in physics and I was his student.

5. I have never beat my husband in Scrabble.

6. The only state I have ever vacationed in twice is Utah.

7. I was on the track team in high school.

8. I have my bachelor's degree in electrical engineering and my master's degree in business management.

9. I recently reconnected with my best friend from childhood with whom I was friends when we were 4 years old for the first time on Facebook.

10. I had a part time job in high school working in my town's public library shelving books and making sure the card catalog was properly alphabetized.
(Raise your hand if you actually remember card catalogs?!)


Good luck! :)


26 comments:

  1. But if you had more visitors, you'd have to spend more time cleaning and then, less blogging... No, not a good option, Christine :P

    Running alone is very boring, cos you have to find something to occupy your mind as well. So it's good you have a running partner or your husband to go along.

    I'm going to say that your true statements are no. 1 and 4! :D

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  2. I will go with 9 and 4.

    I can't stand running alone either but if I have my music going I don't feel it as bad.

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  3. Ok I'm gonna go with 2 & 9 on the game...although I don't have a clue! lol

    I admire you for running at all...and getting up that early - damn! lol I hate to run and I hate getting up early so you're my hero! :)

    I understand about blogging momentum - mine comes and goes too.

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  4. I'm going with 1 and 5.

    running in the snow? Wow you are dedicated! :)

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  5. WOW on the running I just started this week and managed to set my goal... since I have a triathlon this summer I have to step up my game!

    I'm glad you have someone to run with and I totally hear ya about running solo...


    I am going to pick 4 and 9!
    Have a great weekend!

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  6. Hello Christine!

    Long time no blog? Same here! I say 4 is true, and 8 too :)

    cindyc725 at gmail dot com

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  7. That's one of the reason's I gave up on trying to run. I was bored without someone to distract me. *G* I'm totally guessing, but #3 and #8? *G*
    So long as you blog every now and then to let us know you're okay, I'm good. *G*

    Have a great night!

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  8. Running in the snow - something I'd like to do. I hate running, but I like snow. :) But you're right, running with someone is a lot more fun than running by your lonely self. hehe

    I'm gonna go with 1 & 10, just because!

    Have a great day!

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  9. I guess 9 and 10.
    And I've lost my blogging mojo to life too. I get it.

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  10. Ho fun! I'm going with #1 and #10!!! Good for you for getting up and getting those workouts in. And, so sorry to hear about your FIL's health!

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  11. I have to admit this is pretty fun to read everyone guesses. =)

    nath: So you're saying you'd rather I have a unkempt house than not find enough time to blog? You're so sweet! LOL Remember that thought if you ever come visit me. I expect to be off the hook regarding any cleanliness standards! ;p

    Yesenia: When I do run alone, I HAVE to have music going. And loud, too, so I can't hear my own breathing. haha

    Tracy: I hate getting up early, too, but it's so great to have it done before the day really gets going. At least there's a bit more daylight that early now, so that makes it easier.

    Kate: You'd think the county would have plowed that snow!!! I tried to step in the little patches of pavement. ;)

    Sarai: Good for you, training for a triathlon! I'm planning on doing one next year because I need more time to work on my swimming. I just saw a swim workout class on the class list at my gym... I'm thinking about starting there. Good luck with your training!!! :)

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  12. I <3 Book Gossip: Hey! It's hard to be so regular with blogging, isn't it? And once I miss several days, it only gets harder to get back in.

    Brandy: Yeah, I definitely exercise best in group settings--either a partner or more for running OR classes at the gym. I need the distractions and discipline that working out with others provides.

    Hilda: I used to hate running, too. It gets addictive pretty quickly, though... especially if you have someone to run with. All of the trails weren't covered in snow, by the way. Just that particular stretch and one or two other spots.

    Venus: I'm glad to know that I'm not the only one who loses her blogging mojo from time to time. Some people never seem to!

    Carolyn: FIL is better now than he was in December and January. He won't ever be the level he was prior to the 'event', but at least now his limitations have plateaued so to speak, so we know what he can and can't do and we've sort of established a routine.

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  13. I'll say the true statements are #3and #10.


    Skk25@aol.com

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  14. I'm going to take a wild guess and say #s 4 and 9. :-)

    Glad to see you post. I gotta commend you for running in the snow!

    Thrilled you enjoyed the Lily Bard series. I love her cameo (with her husband) in the Southern Vampire series.

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  15. Actually, having all those people to stay sounds busy IMO!

    Plus he's really nice to look at.

    I don't think you need any more reasons *grin*

    I say #2 and #7 are correct. Oh, and I can verify that Christine's book thongs are gorgeous!

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  16. I could use a visit *looks around* or two or three. *g*

    I think it's great that you and your husband run together. Don't waste your mental energy on worrying. :) I'm sure he likes to run (or cycle) with you, too. Otherwise he wouldn't do it, IMO. But it's sweet you want to impress him. :)

    No guesses as to what's true (because I'm in Europe and all that). But I have to say, you came up with a couple of nice lies! *g*

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  17. I'd say 4 and 9.

    I can so relate to you on the need to invite guests over to keep the house clean. My kids always hate it when we have people come over because it means I go on a cleaning frenzy and they get stuck helping *g*

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  18. Hmmm, you made me think -- I thought I know you this much. LOL.

    I'll give # 4 and 8 a try...

    So you're definitely determined in this exercise thing huh. I have been missing my gym time lately but once my schedule clears out I plan to resurrect myself and get back to my gym time. Nice pix though running like that on snow...

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  19. Layla: Welcome to my blog and thanks for playing! :)

    Renee: How cool that Lily and husband make a cameo in the Southern Vampire series! Something to look forward to! I loved the last Lily book.

    orannia: Heh. I think that's a pretty good reason, too. ;)

    And thanks for the compliment on my book thong! I'm glad you like it.

    Taja: Regular visitors are key for me to keep up the housework. In fact, I think I'm going to invite a friend over for coffee one morning this week!

    You're absolutely right about the mental energy thing. It's easier said than done for me, but I'm going to work on it. :)

    I'm documenting your guesses here for you. You told me in your email but didn't put them here. Probably because you wanted to spare me overseas postage, but too bad. I'm entering you.

    Taja guessed #4 and #8.

    Lori: LOL! My kids hate when I go on that frantic "guests are coming--we have to clean" frenzy because in my franticness, I get quite testy with everyone.

    Natalie: I am determined in this exercise thing! LOL. Although this recent rain storm we had is totally interfering! I couldn't run on Saturday because of the torrential rains and now the cardio room at the gym is closed because the roof is leaking terribly and needs repair. I did run this morning though and checked out the flooding at the park. ;)

    I hope you're able to get back into your workout routine soon. It's tough making the time to exercise when you work full time and commute and all that.

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  20. #2 and #5, baby!

    I think anyway :).

    I got tagged for this one also. I've been thinking about doing it. Tracy was kind enough to think of me, and I feel bad I've procrastinated. But I needed a break :).

    You may not have been too busy, but it's nice to step away for awhile. It's nice to be around again and see you all :).

    So you learned how to make the book thongs! That's awesome. I hope you do take a pic and post it. I want to see!

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  21. I *think* four and five are true, but I confess I'm not quite up on my "Christine trivia" ;-)




    How're you enjoying the new kitchen and bedroom, woman?

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  22. Hi Amy! Yeah, I saw that Tracy tagged you on this one as well. It's fun seeing everyone's guesses. ;)

    I'll try to get that photo of a book thong up. Thanks for inspiring me to make them!

    Hoping you're getting your blogging mojo back! xo

    azteclady, not quite up on your "Christine trivia"? That's a sweet way to phrase your own cluelessness. LOL! J/k I admit these are tricky truths and lies.



    I am LOVING the new kitchen and bedroom. You still interested in photos or has the novelty of my renovation worn off already?

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  23. I'll say 9 and 10. :)

    I don't run... but walking with the ole iPod is my company, love it.

    LOL on the cleaning... schedule visitors so you can keep up it up -- it's a good idea. Although I love Nath's comment, she makes me laugh!

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  24. I kept forgetting to come here and do this. They're all fun "facts." Too bad they can't all be true. I'll guess 4 & 8.

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  25. LOL! I just saw you entered my guesses for me. :) You were right. I wanted to spare you overseas postage in the unlikely case I'm right AND win.

    Ah well, thanks! :)

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  26. Hi there Christine:

    I'm at the back of the bus with this one but I'm going to say #5 and #10? lol

    I love the pick of you jogging - great to enjoy the outdoors!!

    L

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