Day Two Hundred Forty-Seven: Several Small Firsts

There really wasn't one big First today. But, there were several small ones. First of all, Ruth and I left the house at about 6:45 to go to Aubrey for an Equestrian Special Olympics horse show, which some of the CAP cadets were helping out with. I actually spent most of the time in the car because it was COLD. From there, we drove straight to Six Flags, which was where Ruth wanted to celebrate her birthday with one of her very best friends. It was my first time to just drop Ruth off at a place like that, which is a testament to the fact that she is almost 16. I then had lunch with one of my very good friends, who happens to the the mom of Ruth's friend. We haven't gotten to have one-on-one time like that in quite a long time, so it was a very nice treat. Finally, I took myself to Urban Alchemy, a new-to-me local coffee shop, where I spent the afternoon writing while waiting to pick up the girls.

Day Two Hundred Forty-Six: Two-Mile Run

Ok, so technically, I have run two miles before. Lots of times actually. But everything I knew my body could do completely reset when I injured my knee, and so I have new old milestones to reach that certainly do feel like Firsts.

I was cleared to start running in January, and it has been hard. At first, I could barely run for a minute. There has been pain (so much pain!) and a few tears. But there has also been fierce determination. By early March, I had worked up to one-mile runs, and could pound them out pretty consistently on the pavement and on the treadmill. Even as recently as Tuesday, though, I was telling Jeff that a mile was about all my knee seemed to want to do and that I was having a hard time moving beyond that barrier.

But, with the knee's blessing, today I finally managed to knock out two miles. Before my injury, I was running about four miles a day, and I'm assured that recovering from this type of injury and surgery generally takes about a year.  I am realistic enough to know that, as I continue to work, there will very likely still be hard days, days when my knee or my mind or both just don't want to or just can't manage to reproduce the results from today. That's o.k. because now I know I can do it. And when you know you've done something once, it's easier to do it again and again. This accomplishment meant a lot to me and truly felt for all the world like a real First (possibly a little better, even, since I had to work harder for it!), and I wanted it on the official record. 

Just put one foot in front of the other until you get where you want to be!

Day Two Hundred Forty-Five: Wine Bottle Workout

This morning I was working out at the house and found myself wishing for some small dumbbells, but all I had was a set of kettlebells that wouldn't work very well for my purpose. I cast a hopeful glance around my surroundings and came up with a solution: full wine bottles. As an added bonus, it was a tangible reminder of one of the many reasons I work out! 😃

Time for some curls!

Day Two Hundred Forty-Four: Coconut Lime Ale

We love craft beers and live in a good place to find many. Tonight was my first time to try something from Whistle Post Brewing and my first time to ever have a coconut lime flavored ale. It's so good, and now I'm planning a personal visit to the brewery in Pilot's Point. And, as an aside, I'm kind of crazy about the Texas palm tree logo!

Day Two Hundred Forty-Three: Journal with Maps

It was a very ordinary day, and frankly, I didn't expend the energy needed to make a First happen. However, my hubby visited Half-Price Books and brought us all back a surprise. For me, because he knows the way to my heart, he had a beautiful travel journal with maps on every other page. I've never had a journal quite like it, and I love it and can't wait to use it on our trip to South America this summer!

Day Two Hundred Forty-Two: Chia Seed Pudding

I have tasted chia seed pudding before, once, but I have never made my own until tonight. I made a chai flavored one, which I think is going to be fantastic. I'm already looking forward to breakfast!

Day Two Hundred Forty-One: Zombie Movie

I am not now, nor have I ever been, interested in watching zombie movies. The whole concept just doesn't appeal to me. So, imagine my surprise when I sat down to watch the sequel of a perfectly good movie (that had absolutely nothing to do with zombies) only to find that it was in fact a zombie movie. It was disappointing, but at least I got a First out of it.

Not a zombie movie
(Photo Credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/viipeer/15090733409)

Zombie movie
(Photo credit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/vernonbarford/23083912521)