Saturday Evening Stroll

Gus and I went on a Saturday evening stroll.  I still used my Garmin because I'm still a "gadget girl" even when I don't have a goal time, pace or distance. 

Gus is doing great since his surgery!  He had some pretty gnarly looking incisions when I first brought him home, but they have healed beautifully and won't even be noticeable when his hair grows back.  The vet said that the surgery went easier than planned - the fatty tumors were both between layers of muscle and easier to remove than anticipated!  And I'm thinking the bigger lipoma was really hurting, either directly or from interfering with his stride when he walked.  Because he has not limped at all since his surgery!  Yay!

We have not wogged a lot since his surgery because he had stitches for a couple weeks and I've been traveling for work.  But I have every reason to believe that he will be back in wogging shape in no time!

I did complete the St. Patrick's Day 5K a few weeks ago.  I wore a green t-shirt and started out with a headbands with sparkly shamrocks!  The pictures reminded me that wearing baggy clothes do nothing to make a person look smaller.  But I am still caught in that in-between sizes phase, where an XL t-shirt is big and a large t-shirt hugs all my bumps and bulges (and not in a pretty way). 

I signed up for the St. Patrick's Day 5K, knowing that Gus could not wog with me, because it's for a great cause.  That morning was pretty dreary and rain was in the forecast, so I was kind of dreading it, but I made myself go.  My feet felt really heavy at the beginning and I lost one of my shamrocks at about the 1-mile mark.  So I tossed the headband at the water stop and picked up that shamrock on the way back of the out-and-back route.  No pockets so the *sparkly* shamrock got stuck under my bra strap.  That was fun when I got home because I'd forgotten about it, but let's just say the sparkles did not stay on the shamrock well.  :)  I set a new PR --- 43:43.7 official time, 44:28 Garmin time. 

Several people asked me where Gus was, including the photographer as I was crossing the finish line.  It made me feel good that a) people missed Gus and b) people recognized me even without Gus.  :)  He'll be back soon!

Wednesday Weigh-in: 12/4/13

November 6 - 247.2
November 13 - 248.0
December 4 - 244.8

Down again - yay!

I had a job interview yesterday.  I am qualified, but I have no idea who else applied nor do I have any control over how any of their interviews go.  I would be lying if I said I wouldn't be disappointed if I am not chosen for the position, but I also have a firm belief that things usually work out the way they are supposed to.  If they find somebody better suited for the job, more power to them.  I'll be able to turn over some of those responsibilities that I've taken on over the last several months.  Anyway, I should know by the end of next week.

I took yesterday morning off from work so that I would not have to try to clear my mind from the details of working in the morning before my interview in the afternoon.  That gave me plenty of time to take Gus for a nice long wog down to the park.  It was a little humid but Gus was ready to go.  He is getting better and better about jogging my speed, rather than at an all-out sprint, so that is a definite bonus.  He even did pretty well when we came across a couple squirrels in the park.  I truly believe that my brain is getting trained!  I felt much more relaxed after the wog and my mind was clear.  I don't have to think about anything when I exercise, except putting one foot in front of the other, not tripping over Gus, and just breathing.  I think that was the perfect way to start my day.  Plus "exercise gives you endorphins.  Endorphins make you happy" (a favorite quote from Legally Blonde).  If I could just train myself to be a morning person, I could start out every day a little happier.  :)

After the wog, it was time for a shower and I still had plenty of time to straighten my hair.  I decided against wearing a collared shirt under my suit because it was so warm outside and I knew our office would be warm because the heat has been on for a couple weeks.  I knew the suit jacket would be warm enough.  Anyway, here is what I ended up looking like:

After the 5K last Thursday, I went Christmas decoration shopping in the garage and got out the strand of Christmas lights I bought last year in an effort to take Gus' photo based on a pinterest inspiration.  I decided to try again.  So I set up the camera on my tripod and got out plenty of treats.  Those things plus a tired dog made for much better pictures this year.

And here is Gus' four-legged "cousin" in the Santa sleigh that my mom made years ago for my grandparents' yard.  My brother must have somehow inherited it and repainted it for Coco.