Wednesday, July 8, 2009

Latest and Greatest

I did end up finishing The Poisonwood Bible. It was very well written, but it could have been about 100 pages shorter and I would still have been satisifed. Speaking of levels of satisfaction, my stomach is growling and I can't wait until lunch.

I'm almost a third of the way through a giant brick of a book called Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. Been listening on audio and enjoying it. I had to bring the cd's back to the library instead of renewing when I was smack in the middle of it because someone had requested it. Wouldn't you know, they brought it back within days and it's now riding along in my car again. I rented the hardbound copy in the meantime so I could catch up to part two of the audio and that bumped me up in timing. The story itself is about three characters; Tom Builder (the cathedral architect, Phillip, a Prior, and Lady Alieana, some earl's young daughter I don't know much about yet. It's really interesting because Follett combines drama with historical and technical material very well and I can't wait to see what happens next.

I am also beginning Along for the Ride, a predictable young adult novel by Sarah Dessen, and The Red Leather Diary by Lily Koppel. Red Leather is a biography using a woman's diary from early 20th century New York City. Waiting to begin at lunch but sounds great.

In the housing arena, big fat fail for our first offer. The sellers didn't counter our reasonable offer but wrote a very strange letter about how great their house is. We told them either counter or we're walking. 'Nuf said, I'm not heartbroken and we've got time to look for something better for us.

I got my heart rate monitor for the gym. I really like it but am torn about what zones I should stay in. The gym says they matter, other sources say they don't. I want to do what's best for my body and don't know what that is yet. Also trying to eat better, but it's hard when we've got awesome bacon cheeseburgers to eat from leftovers. Last night I ran farther and longer than I ever have before. I ran 3.25 miles in 45:30. I walked about 10 minutes of that, equaling about .6 miles of it. This makes me a lot more confident in my ability to do that and not pass out. I stumbled off the treadmill for a potty break and ended up rolling my ankle to the point of discomfort but not injury. If I hadn't done that, I could have gone longer. I did 3 miles in 41:40, which as I told my husband beats his recent run time. Anyway, today I'm meeting with a trainer and setting a good strength training plan for me. I should meet with a nutritionist too, but I feel like that isn't too necessary right now. Maybe if I get bored again I will use it to motivate me.

Wow, totally serious post here. Signing off.