Sunday, July 30, 2006

Pink Eye

Okay, it isn't really pink eye, but it sure looked bad. Honestly it looked like I was stoned and drunk.
I have to come to the conclusion and realization, I may be allergic to my (very expensive) MAC make-up. Either that, or it get in my eye and causes great irritation. I don't know for sure. maybe I have bacteria in them, that could be another thought.
Either way, last time I wore my make-up I thought I got a little in my left eye. It did cause some irritation. Mostly being my eye was all bloodshot and icky looking. They did not itch, nor burn. it did however cause my eye to be a little blurry at times, and I would have to blink a few times to fix it. Just a hassle and annoyance more than anything.
This time, I wore my make-up, had a slight annoyance of blurriness (is that a word?) and went to bed. I know you are supposed to wash your make-up off at night, but I never do, so I figured, why change now. So, I went to bed, and I woke up looking like this...



Now, my left eye had some sort of drainage through the night, but as I woke up, washed my face, no more drainage. I know this is not real pink eye, since my conjuctivae (the inner membrane of the lower lid) aren't swollen. My right eye was not as red, but the upper lid was swollen. Weird. Again, no pain, no itch, just looked like a monster.
I didn't seem to have any sight issues at work, but I did look funny. Everyone thought I was crying or smoking the pipe too much. Seriously...I hope this is not my make-up. I paid good money for that make-up and I love it. Tonight, I am still red and a little puffy, but getting better.
Hopefully tomorrow will be better. I will wash my face really good tonight before bed, and pray that it goes away!

Saturday, July 29, 2006

Fleas

Sorry for the delay in posting. I guess nothing exciting has come up recently. However, Charlie has (had) fleas. I came home last night, and Martha (my doggie sitter) pointed them out to me. I know he hasn't had them for long but none-the-less, he has them.
So I went straight to me room, pulled out my dose of "Frontline Plus" and applied. Today, all the fleas are gone. Yeah. I even killed about 5 or 6 last night. I didn't see that many on him. They are not easy to kill. You have to hold tight, and rip them apart with your nails. They don't just squish. Man, those boogers are evil!
This is only the second time he has ever gotten them, but I keep a supply of Frontline handy, just in case.

In other news. Had a great 10 mile run today. I felt great the whole time, which is not typical. Normally after a point I have to push through, but I just kept going, and even felt I could keep going. So next week is the big 30k (18.6 miles) so I am hoping I have a great run then too. At least 3/4 of a great run.
So, nothing too exciting going on in Kathleen's life right now. Headed to visit Mara in a couple weeks...which reminds me. I need to check with Khristina, to see if she will be able to watch Charlie...otherwise...he may have to be here alone. Can't take him with me on the plane.

Sunday, July 23, 2006

Detour

Had another run this am. It is called the Cascade Run-off 15k, which is about 9.3 miles. Started out this morning feeling pretty good, knowing it was already getting hot, little less humidity than yesterday though. As I look around, all I see are very skinny, very fit people prepared to run, and no one has water bottles.
First off...I bring my water to every run, otherwise I will be needing it more than if I hadn't brought it, whether I use it or not. Don't worry, today I used it lots!
Second....I am not fit, and I am not skinny, so I pretty much knew I would be the last one. I was.
This run starts at the Burnside Bridge and runs to the Terwilliger hills, which is pretty much uphill the whole way. I did this run yesterday too.
Feeling like crap after the race started, everyone passing me, only a couple people behind me. Well that changed pretty quickly too.
For the most part, I, and another person (Laurie), were the last ones. I have never held up the back of the pack before, but it was ok. But then, after a while, even the pace car had to keep going because we were too slow. I wasn't going much slower than I typically do, however, I think the roads were only open for so long, so he had to go ahead.
Again, oh well, it was ok. I wasn't gonna win this race, I didn't care how long it took me. Matter of fact, during the first couple miles, I wanted to just turn around and saw "screw it". But, my new found friend encouraged me I could do it, so I kept doing it.
Up the hill was hard and I walked lots. They were putting away the tables of water by the time we were reaching them, and most of the volunteers had already been picked up, or left. So there was on point in the race (just after the 5 mile marker) we thought we were to turn and head down that street, but apparently we weren't. Once we got back down that road, it connected to the road we supposed to run to, and we saw lots of runners. No longer in the back of the pack, but did miss about a mile of the race. Again, we didn't care, we just kept going. At the ned we realized we had made several small detours, and probab;y made up at least half a mile or so, because we would go down a road, and realize that wasn't right, and head back to the race.
Overall, it was an ok run. Pretty run, but bad for course support, and bad for course closure. If it wasn't for the heat, I would probab;y had been able to run faster and without walk breaks.
Oh well, you learn from these things. Now I am take a couple days away from running, let my body recover, and get back to training for the Portland Marathon! Yeah!

Saturday, July 22, 2006

Hot and Humid!

Today was my 13 mile run for my training. It started at 6am, and by the time I left my house (~5:50am)it was already hot and muggy. It wasn't sunny, it was overcast. I think I liked that better than sun, but definetely had the humidity in the air.
I did ok. We went up Terwilliger (which is a big hill) and then down it. By the end I was feeling sore, and walking. However, they say to take it slow, get more walk breaks, and just listen to your body. I did that.
But now, my body is saying go take a quick shower, and go LAY DOWN!!
I didn't get much sleep last night, since someone decided to call me at 11:30. It was an old friend I hadn't talked to in a while, so it was nice to catch up and talk again, even if it was at 11:30 at night.
Off to my nap...zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Friday, July 21, 2006

Hmmm

Nothing exciting going on lately. Just been working the last few days.
I have been having a hard-to-deal with patient at work. Pulling on the old heart strings, you know? It is hard with this type of patient. I wish I could spill my beans on here, but this is the world wide web, and HIPPA rules don't even allow me to discuss with people I know, little lone announce stuff about my patient on the web.
Basically....the dilemma. I have a pt, fairly young. Said pt had a heart attack, and is on life-support. Questionable brain activity, but occasionally some. Do we pull life-support when pt has stated wishes not to live like that? Or do you continue on with the hope of getting better "some-day"
That is my generic dilemma. It is really hard, and the family is great. Sure makes me cry. The family loves me and thinks I am a great nurse, and this is why I became a nurse, to help those in need get better and live. Only problem is, this isn't an open-n-close case. It is very grey. Too many "ifs"
Okay, that is all I can say. I hope I haven't said too much!
Big plans this weekend. 13 mile run for Pfit on Saturday. Weather is supposed to be about 104 that day. Glad I am running in the early am (6am). Hopefully will be done by 9, before it gets too warm.
Sunday, even bigger day. 15k Cascade run-off run. That is 9 miles, for those who don't know. Then, headed to Forest Park for another hike with Zoe and her family. We did this hike about 1-2 months ago. It was fun. However, another really warm day, only about 100 that day. So we will see. I also have 2 softball games that evening.
Don't worry, I know to drink plenty of water and to listen to my body, and either take-it-easy, or even just don't do it. I know!
Hope you all have a great weekend. Maybe I will bring my camera and take some pics of the hike and the games. I will see if I have room for it in my carry stuff.

Monday, July 17, 2006

Softball Update

Haven't been to softball in a few weeks, it was nice to get out there again. Last week I was OOT for Jackie's wedding, and the week before that no game d/t 4th of July holiday.
So yeah, had a great game. We WON again. Won the week I missed too, woohoo!
Their team was a little mouthy and rude, but we still won, which was nice to be able to throw back in their face-but we didn't. We are all adults, and we didn't feel we should stoop to their level.
Either way, it was fun. No runs for me tonight, but I can cheer everyone else on like the best of them.
Man, I forgot to bring my camera again. Next week, it is a double header, I will get some good shots. I am just afraid of losing it (ie someone stealing it) while I am in the outfield. I trust my team members, but lots of people floating around there, so i don't know. Something I will have to think about.

Sunday, July 16, 2006

I made it past a plateau

So, back in January I started WW, and lost 15 pounds very easily. I kept it up for about 2 months, and somehow slipped off of it. Well, I was at a plateau. I couldn't lose any more weight. I never gained that weight back, but I have stayed within 5 lbs of it, never going below 220. I hate to admit that is how much I weigh, but those who love, don't care, so there.
Well, my friend Zoe introduced me to this thing called sparkpeople.com. It is a completely free weight loss area. I don't call it a diet, because it isn't. It is an area that you go for encouragement, direction, and fun. So I went on there, checked it out, and decided it was the push I needed, but didn't know I needed.
I started on July 13, and even though it hasnt been a week yet. I can already see results. My starting weight was 223, and today, my weight is 219.2. Yes, I am below that damn palteau I have so wanted to be below for six months.
So now I know that I can continue losing weight, and it will be a great thing. My ultimate goal is 175 pounds, by Jan 1, 2007. I think I can do it.
The program's basis is you lose weight by eating right and exercising. It encourages both by giving you laid out plans for food that you can follow or change or not even track, and laid out strength training plans, and cardio. You can also join teams and compete within your team for more points. You can get points by reading healthy articles, signing into the website, tracking food/exercise, posting on the discussion board, all sorts of things.
I can't wait. A few days ago, I printed off the menu for this week, changed a few things I absolutely do not like, and kept a few things I was willing to try again (ie brocolli, corn, apple juice). I headed to the store with my list, and I got nothing but healthy foods.
I haven't had a problem with cravings so far, so wish me luck, and I will keep you posted on my progress!! Yeah, I am so excited....219.

This is me now (virtual model)


And this is me then, hopefully in January of 2007.

Friday, July 14, 2006

Grason and Kaitlyn Photoshoot

Kaityln (almost 4 months old):







Grason (just over 9 months old):







Grason and Kaitlyn together in their "I Love My Auntie K" onsies.

Thursday, July 13, 2006

Weekend

So, this is a long awaited post. I had a great weekend at home (Tri-Cities) for my friend's wedding. Here is a breakdown of how my weekend went.

Wednesday:
I headed home on Wednesday morning for the bachelorette party starting that night. Jackie wanted a simple girls's night out. No drinking, no bars, no bachelorette get-up, just girl's night in (or out, whatever). What she got...

Sarah rented a limo to take us to dinner, and then around town for a while afterwards.


We went to Bella Italia for a nice dinner. It is a small restaurant with real Italian food. There is hardly anyone ever in there, so it was nice.



This is us enjoying our dinner.



This is her sister, and bridesmaid...Sarah. She lives in California, and has a twin brother named Jeremiah. They are older than Jackie by, I think, two years.



After dinner, Jackie wanted to head back to her place and settle in, watch some movies, pig out on ice cream and cookies, and just have fun with the girls. What she got was...

Part of her "get-up" was this Freedom sign. She also had a bachelorette sash, a veil, and toward the second half, a bachelorette hat. She gave me a Maid of Honor hat as well, so that was cool.



Sarah just wanted to take her to a bar to get "one" shot. Well, one shot turned into four, and that turned into bar hopping. Good thing we had that limo. We had originally only had it for 3 hours, but the driver was cool...if we paid in cash, we could keep it as long as we wanted. The cash kept coming...



Jackie taking her first "blow job" shot.



Some fun in the limo.



Here's a good pic of me and Jackie, early in the evening.




After that, she was hooked. The night just kept going like that. It was fun, but I was getting tired of it, and feeling bad for Jackie (since I knew this is not waht she wanted) by the end of the night. Fianlly stopped bar hopping, and headed back to Jackie's Watched a couple movies (I fell asleep during them both), and then headed home.

Thursday:

Well since I didn't get home until 5 am from the bachelorette party, I slept all day. Didn't really do too much. Hung out with my mom, got a little shopping done.

Friday:

I got up early and went running with Jen. It was a small 3 mile run, but she runs faster than me, so I was pushing it. By the time the 3 miles was over, I was pooped. Afterwards helped hang wallpaper in Grason's room. We had actually done this once before in her house in Beaverton, but just after we got it all up and nice, she sold her house. She still liked the paper, so we did the same thing in Kennewick. I think it turned out pretty good. There was some rough spots, and we had to redo a wall, but it looks good. His room is painted blue, and the paper is red cars. It looks great.

Rehearsal & Dinner. I just didn't have time to take shots of this. It was a blast. Everything that Nathan and Jackie do is fun, so of course, we had fun. We were well prepared for the "real" thing.
Dinner was at the Spaghetti Establishment. It was ok. Not a place I may go again, but ok.

Saturday:

Day of the wedding! Yeah!! :)
Started off getting our nails done, then I had to pick up Jackie and take her to the church. Well, what bride is calm and collected on the day of her wedding...she was freaking out. She left the nail salon, I told her I would meet her at her house after she had her shower. Well apparently I wasn't quick enough (had some traffic detours and delays I wasn't aware of) and by the time I got to her house, she was packed and heading off to the church. Oh well, little speedbump in the "calm and collected" day, but I knew we would get over it.

We did. Arrived at the church, said a little prayer, and got started with hair and make-up. Here are some getting ready pics.





She's all ready for pictures. I caught a quick shot of her all ready-to-go. She is a beautiful bride. She was just glowing at this point!



Jackie had some of the bridal party pics outside in a little nearby park. It was nice to have some different scenery. The were also some in the church as well. I thought this was a great pose of Jackie.



Jackie and Kathleen.



Jackie having some fun.



This is Codi and Deja. They are girlfriends of the Groomsmen. They also came to the bachelorette party. I liked them, I thought they were cool. Deja is scheduled to marry the Best man (Jim) in December.



Moving on to the actual wedding. I know this is becoming a long post, but I had to get all the pics up.

This is me and the Best man, Jim. It is really blurry, but you get the idea.



Of course, Jackie and her Dad. Again, blurry, but obviously I wasn't the photographer. (Not that mine are much better at times)



I really liked this one of the whole bridal party, with the bride and groom.



My whole family came. Except my dad...don't know where he is...maybe golfing. Hmmm?



After the ceremony, we signed the marriage license, and took some more photos of the family. I think by the end, all the picture taking was making us all feel like this..



Next up...reception.

Cake toss: Nathan was nice, fed her appropriately. But Jackie would not agree...she threw it at him. But, in the end, they still love each other.



First Dance. This is one of my favorite pics of them. It just shows how much they love each other.



Speeches. Short, sweet, and to the point.



An old friend Josh. Who happens to be Jackie's cousin. This is his little 13 month old Kailey. She is adorable.



I even got to dance with the groom. How sweet. He said that was his third dance in his entire life.



The wedding went off without a hitch (well, at least not too many hitches, and small ones at that), the reception was fun, and I was beat. Overall a great weekend. I was proud to be Maid of Honor and standup for my friend. She married the perfect guy for her. I really like Nathan, and I am very happy for the two of them.

Here's a pic of me and Jackie attempting to swing dance.



I have so many more, but I couldn't post them all. Even though it seems as if I did, I didn't.

Also had some great pics of Grason and Kaitlyn. Those will be on my next post!

Photoshop

Zoe fixed up my blurry, grainy pic of Grason. Amazing what a little photoshop can do...



More w/e pics to come....

Monday, July 10, 2006

COMING SOON!!

Coming soon, stayed tune...

Weekend updates, and more pictures!!

Wednesday, July 05, 2006

Happy 4th of July

Round 2.

I went to Vancouver, and celebrated the 4th in the park. My sister came into town to go and do this, so I went with. I was originally planning to come home tonight. Now, I will wait until tomorrow morning, my eyes are very heavy.

I took my camera and got about 200+ shots, only about a dozen were any good.

That's ok. I was just playing around with the settings, and seeing what I could do.

Here are some shots I took.







This is Grason (with his Daddy, Joel) wearing the cool onsie I bought for him!!


This one is actually from the night before, lighting off firewirks in front of Jen/Joel's old house. I thought it was a pretty good pic for being pitch black outside.


A good one of Jen


And finally....my baby (nephew) Grason!!