Which Party?

I really have become more independent politically the more nonsense I see on the news. Today I figured that I should research, what party am I really?

I looked up Libertarian Party first and found; http://www.lp.org/platform

A lot of what they say makes sense, we should take care of ourselves and the government shouldn't be involved in our care. But, then I started to think about how some of what I read in this platform was contradicted in other places.

Next I looked up Democratic Party and found; http://www.democrats.org/issues

I have to admit I agree with so much more here, especially:

"Democrats stand for an abiding faith in the judgment of hardworking American families, and a commitment to helping the excluded, the disenfranchised and the poor strengthen our nation by earning themselves a piece of the American Dream. We remember that our country was sculpted by immigrants and slaves, their children and grandchildren. Even today, it is our diversity above all else that provides us with our enduring strength."

Lastly I looked up information about the Republican Party. This proved to be a bit harder because there was information for each state and their Republican Party, also there seemed to be new information each year, making it a little confusing. The website I found the most helpful was from 2008, and the more I looked through it the more confusing it was for me; http://www.gop.com/2008Platform/

I feel like I should do more research, but I guess you put all these together and you get Independent. I guess I have turned more person than party.

Yoga, just what I needed.

Well, I have been furiously exercising by lifting weights, and not as much cardio (i.e. running), because I was told by several different trainers that strength training is more important than cardiovascular exercise. They all told me the same thing, that if I did strength training BEFORE I ran then I would notice a difference. The difference I noticed was that I felt bigger through my hips and thighs, so I asked my Pilates instructor what I could do to fix this irritating problem. She told me, what I already knew, that we are all built differently. She also asked me what I wanted to get through my exercising, I told her that I want to eventually run the full marathon. She said that it sounded like running was more important to me than building muscle, which I totally agree. Also a classmate of mine jumped in and told me that I should try the Power Yoga Sculpt class with her later this week. I tried this class today, and I found that this hour and a half of holding poses was exactly what I need. I was able to work on my balance (important for running), and I was able to work on my breathing (also important for running). Also, let me just say that at the end of class when you relax and only concentrate on your breathing it was exactly what my body and mind needed. I now feel more rejuvenated, and better about getting on with my day. Namaste.

Rule Book

Little Princess has dictated to Big Princess rules for everyone that takes care of her to follow. I had to share. :)

"Little Princess' Rule Book"

1. I like to go to the play ground.
2. I'm good with pets.
3. I like getting wet.
4. I like sugar.
5. I like Auburn.
6. I like going outside.
7. I like to read.
8. I want to ride a horse.
9. My favorite animal is a tiger.
10. I like to pick flowers.
11. I like to help people in need.
12. I want my own elf.
13. I like to paint.
14. I like babies.
15. I will not clean my room.
16. I like petting dogs.
17. I like shiny stuff.

This is where it ends, I'll update if more rules are written.

excuses, excuses, excuses...

Well, it's been awhile... I guess I've been busy, but I've also not taken claims on the computer as much as the rest of the family. Wait a minute, was that an excuse that I just posted? Maybe so, I haven't been keeping up with my goals, and all I have are excuses for that. I really just need a good swift kick start...

I also don't really have any news to report, so I hope to come back when things will be more exciting on my end. :)

oh Bunny, where are you?...

Bunny is Little Princesses lovey, she took him/her everywhere. Well, about a month ago she lost it, somewhere in this house. We (the whole family) have no idea where this blessed bunny is! Well, LP has been calling him on the phone, her end of the conversations are all pretty sad, she obviously misses him. Tomorrow I plan to do a big clean of her room, and hopefully I can find it. She went to bed crying tonight, we have had a few nights like that, as you can probably imagine. All the pictures I have of her asleep she's holding bunny. She asked me if we can go shopping for a new one if I don't find bunny during the clean tomorrow, but I don't even know if it exists anywhere. I'll be tearing up the city looking for one tomorrow, I can't stand to see LP cry.

goals.

Ugh, who was that "Negative Nancy" that ran 13.1 miles and didn't feel good about it? Sorry, for that last post folks, my attitude must be bad lately, and I haven't noticed until I read something I wrote.

Today I did the Jillian Micheals "Yoga Meltdown" DVD, and it is very tough. I think that if I do it every day this week, it will be easier, and maybe then I will appreciate my work outs more. That is one goal.

I have entered a weight loss contest with some friends. It started March 1st, and goes until May 31st, and it's mainly about losing 10 pounds, even though I'd like to lose closer to 20. I have measured more than just my weight this time around though, I also measured inches, so I can still feel good about myself if I lose inches and not weight. My BMI (body mass index) is 25.5 which is considered to be overweight, and in the 50th percentile. I'm hoping to get that down as well as inches and weight. I'm trying to not diet as much as just cutting back on junk food and trying to be more active. That would be the other goal, so here we go, wish me luck, I may need it. :)

It's not like I lost, but...

Yesterday was the Mercedes Marathon, and I participated in the half-marathon. I trained so much harder this year, and I worked on my speed, however I didn't do enough strength training, as it turns out. It started like all races do, me chatting with other racers before the gun goes off, getting myself pepped up listening to my new play list. I remembered this year to start off slow, because I found during my training this year that it is better to start slow and finish fast. I took an extra rest day to because my knee hurt, but since it didn't hurt on race day, I didn't wrap it. I was running along just fine until about mile eight (8) I couldn't run any longer, I was walking at what I thought was a 4MPH, and every time I tried running, I couldn't, it really just hurt too much. I noticed that I was ahead on my previous times whenever I passed a mile marker that had a timer on it. I ended up stopping at a medical tent to get my knee wrapped, thinking that surely getting it wrapped would help me get back to running. Well, I was at the medical tent for about 10-15 minutes, and got it wrapped and then took off running only to see that I couldn't run anymore. I continued at a fast walk, irritated by people passing me, and I kept telling myself, "you're not racing them, you're racing yourself, and you are ahead..." I also tried to channel Mark Ingram, Running Back of Alabama's Crimson Tide, he is able to push through other line backers to get the extra yards for his team, surely I can push through the pain and finish in the two-hour mark, and beat my time from last year which was 3:14. Finally I finished mile 13, and continued through the .1 mile, hoping to finish, even though I was walking, in the 2-hour mark. They said my name as I passed, and I cheered for myself and waved at Daddy Princess and Big Girl Princess and Little Girl Princess, smiling at them cheering for me. I told Daddy Princess that my knee hurts, and it wasn't good, and I crossed the finish line at 3:01. Faster than last year by 13 minutes, but not at the 2-hour mark like I wanted. I fought the tears as I got my finishing medal, and was greeted by my family, and I just broke down and cried. My knee hurt, I didn't finish in my goal time, and I felt like I failed. Daddy Princess reminded me, however, that even with a bum knee I still beat last year's time. Okay, so an update of my emotions... I am upset about my time being lower than my goal yesterday, but I have decided that next year that half-marathon will be my bitch, and I WILL finish in the 2 hour mark. I won't stop at some medical tent to get my knee wrapped up, I'm sure that affected my end time. Also, I need to do more strength training, as much as I hate it, it will help me to a stronger finish. Next year that race will be mine, it has to. :)