My boss cut this out of the newspaper for me - it's from a comic strip called "Moderately Confused."

The next training race in the series, the 10K, is coming up this weekend! I am still in the walking/recovery phase after pulling my muscle, so I'm not sure I'll be able to do it, but I'm definitely going to try. I'm a little stressed out about it.


I got my new running shoes. As you can see, they are blue and MUCH cuter than my old orange ones. And cuteness is what's most important in a running shoe, right?


I got a nice thank-you letter in the mail from the Obama campaign for my little bit of volunteering in New Hampshire over Christmas. This weekend, I am driving out to Columbus, Ohio (after the 10K) to help get out the vote! It will be a short trip, but I will get to see my friend Jen. I have also started volunteering about 6 hours a week for the local Obama campaign. So far I have sliced paper forms and made lots of buttons. I prefer the easy stuff to knocking on doors. :)

Lenny/Running

Lenny got his hair cut today and looks fluffy and nice. He also has that great "salon" smell. That will last maybe until tomorrow. As he is getting older, he gets smelly more quickly.


I have not had the best running week. Last Saturday, I had my first race in the training series leading up to my mini-marathon in Indy in May. It was a 5K at 8:30 in the morning, up in Indy. The night before, I packed my gatorade, iPod, a banana, everything else I would need, and printed out my directions from Google Maps.

Google Maps let me down. I got lost before I even made it downtown, and then once I did, I got lost on one-way streets trying to find the Indiana State Museum, where the race began. I was near tears and about to turn around when I saw a parking garage that was on the right street. I pulled in and asked if I was in the right place for the 5K. It was 8:25. And it cost $8 to park there.

I didn't know if I was even in the right place, and I didn't have much of a chance of making it in time. And when I opened my wallet, I had only 5 one-dollar bills. I dug through my change and somehow came up with $3 more. I parked. I ran outside and frantically looked around, trying to figure out where to go.

Diagonally across the street, about a block away, was the museum, swarming with people wearing spandex leggings. I SPRINTED! Once I got over there, I elbowed my way through the crowd, trying to find the registration table. It turned out it was inside, down a couple flights of stairs. I SPRINTED! I got my number and shoe-chip and RAN back up those stairs. They fired the starting gun as I was putting the third safety pin in my number on my shirt. I didn't even have my iPod or gloves on yet! Luckily, I was at the very back of the pack and it took a while for me to get to the start line. But I hadn't even stretched, and I was winded, and I felt horrible.

So I ended up walking a little bit during the race. I didn't care enough at that point to make myself run the whole way. So I was disappointed in myself. However, I finished in 35 minutes, 54 seconds - I met my goal! I had wanted to run a bit faster than my other races and finish in under 36 minutes. So I guess that means my pace has increased, which is a good thing.

But as soon as I had finished, I knew I had pulled a muscle. In my "gluteus" region, if you get my drift. A week later, it still hurts when I walk around or try to stand up. So I have been trying to rest. On Thursday, I walked on the treadmill for an hour trying to loosen it up. But now I am under doctor's orders (thanks Dad) to completely rest until Wednesday, and then start back really slowly, only walking. I have been really frustrated, feeling like I am falling way behind on my training schedule, but talking to my dad about it helped a lot. Thanks Dad!

I've also decided to replace my running shoes! I love the ones I have now, but I have been having blister problems. Switching back and forth from the street to the treadmill has been giving me blisters on the arch of my foot, but I think that would happen with other shoes. Now I am getting blisters on the ends of my toes! I read that you are supposed to buy your running shoes a half-size too big, because your feet will swell and expand as you run longer distances. So I went on swoosh.com and found my exact shoe model - on clearance, and in a much cuter color than the orange ones I have now! Sweet! My size 10s should arrive on Monday.

June and George's visit

We were very happy that June and George came to visit last weekend for the Bloomington Symphony Orchestra's "Hot Night in Old Vienna" dinner-dance.



On Saturday afternoon, the four of us went to the local dance studio and had a lesson on Viennese Waltz!

We will not be on Dancing with the Stars anytime soon.


The Night in Old Vienna is kind of a Bloomington tradition, and it was a lovely event. During the first piece, the dancers had a little procession in. Unfortunately, I couldn't see much of what was going on on the dance floor because I was playing. The few times I could watch, it was very impressive. Some of the people REALLY knew how to ballroom dance. Everyone was dressed to the nines.

It was great to see June and George and it was a great weekend!

Yes We Can

How Not To Be a Flutist

I found this little video called "How Not To Be a Flutist" - enjoy. (This is similar to one of Chuck's young students back in his middle-school teaching days!)

Running!

On May 3rd, I am running the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon in Indianapolis.

This race is the largest half-marathon in the United States, and 34,999 other people are signed up with me.



You might be thinking, Kelley? Really? 13.1 MILES?

I know, I'm not a natural athlete. I'm not built like a runner. I'm built more for...Scrabble. But now with three successful 5Ks under my belt, I got a little ambitious last fall and sent in my registration.

I think this might be the hardest thing I have ever done.

Thanks to my mom, I am lookin' good in my Nike gear! Thank you Mom! Does Nike make Air Booties yet for dogs?

The problem is, running outside in sub-freezing temperatures is no fun. :) Lenny, my loyal training partner, refuses to go any farther than half a mile with me. And it's hard to breathe! But I am trying to stick to my training schedule. I am still in the running/walking phase, but my time spent walking is going down.

I did my "long run" on Saturday, and for the rest of the day, my insides were completely messed up. My dad is helping me a lot and coaching me about training and hydration, so that has been really helpful. Apparently I need to hydrate BEFORE I run...ahhh. Makes sense. I will try that next time, and hopefully my digestive track won't revolt. My sister-in-law Missy, who is a talented marathon runner, has also given me good tips!

On Thursday night, I got some great inspiration. Our local movie theater was showing a documentary - one night only! - called Spirit of the Marathon. The movie got two thumbs up from me! It really got me motivated. The funny thing was that the theater was packed with people wearing their athletic gear - their tech t-shirts, jogging pants, etc., announcing "I am a runner!" I did not feel insecure enough to do that - I know I am a runner! I am so confident in that fact that I didn't even feel bad munching on my popcorn. With "buttery topping." (I ran three miles before I saw the movie. I deserved it!)

Happy 91st birthday, Grumpy!!!

Register to vote!

Have you registered to vote yet? If you haven't, you can CLICK HERE to get started.

Christmas Eve pictures

On Christmas Eve, Mom, Dad, Chuck and I went down to Cambridge, Massachusetts to St. Paul's Church, where Chuck and I got married. It was beautifully decorated and the music was wonderful as well. The Boston Boys Choir sang.


Mom and Dad

We saw a few familiar faces, including the church lady that made Chuck so upset that he cried at our rehearsal, and the secretary who called my dad a "Love Muffin." The director of the Boston Boys Choir was the organist at our wedding.


Me and Chuck

Saturday's BSO Concert

The Bloomington Symphony Orchestra performed its December concert (re-scheduled due to "snow") on Saturday, and the review is in! Lots of praise for Chuck.

(Click on the article to see a larger version.)


Too bad - no mention of any spectacular flute soloists. :)

More Christmas

We were lucky that we got to see Annie and John while we were visiting. They were up from Connecticut. We had a very nice few days with them.

By the way, John gave me the BEST Christmas present - YAK TRAX! They came in very handy when Chuck and I were walking up icy driveways when we canvassed. Check them out!


Chuck (with his Christmas beard) and me


The boys being goofy opening presents






I love the look on John's face in this one..."Oh, fun...Santa decorations...These will come in really handy..."


Mom and moose

Walter's Christmas attire

I'm going to post pictures from Christmas in little chunks instead of all in one huge long post. Let's start with Walter!



I should note that Walter looked like he had lost a few pounds. Nice work, Walter! Looking very svelte!

Winter Weather

It snowed several times while we were in New England and it was beautiful. This is in Dover. The driveway is not completely snow-free and black because Chuck shoveled, not Dad. Dad would have been a little more "thorough" [read: obsessed]. Dad even shoveled the sidewalk in front of our church (after the city had shoveled) so no little old ladies would slip and fall. He just can't get enough of shoveling. :)







These are pictures from up at the lake house.

Shopping!

Christmas Tree Shops clearance sale event. No explanation necessary. :) A highlight of the trip.

Lenny's Christmas

Over Christmas, we had to send Lenny to "Double K Kennels" in Hope, Indiana because there was no room for him at his local place, "Bark'N'Buddies." It was a nice place, but it was over an hour away. We had a hard time finding a suitable (and available) boarding option.


Anyway, he came home with a report card, and apparently he behaved after he stopped chewing on his paws the first day. Though they described him as "shy"... we're not really sure where that came from, though it may have been his normal aloof attitude. If you click on the picture, it will show you a larger picture so you can read all of the details.


We have determined that his paw-chewing behavior is most likely due to separation anxiety. His allergies seem to have calmed down slightly, and luckily, he's been much better about his paws since he came home from the kennel. We just ordered a new toy to challenge (and distract) him from a company called "Canine Genius." It's a puzzle toy - he has to figure out how to get the treats out from inside of it.

By the way, we just celebrated the fourth anniversary of Lenny's adoption - he came to live with us on January 2nd, 2004.

O-H-I-O and Obama

Wow, it's been a tough week here for me. Monday night was the college football BCS national championship game with Ohio State playing LSU. We were hoping the Buckeyes could redeem themselves after last year's embarrassing loss to Florida. No such luck. But we still adore Jim Tressel, the coach, and we had a good time with several friends over. In the picture with Chuck and me are Amanda and Renee, both Buckeyes!


Despite the volunteer hours that Chuck and I put in to the Obama campaign while we were in New Hampshire, Hillary Clinton squeaked out a victory there on Tuesday night. I made a few hundred phone calls in Strafford county, and Chuck and I canvassed (went door-to-door) in Dover. Both the town and the entire county went solidly for Hillary. But the campaign is optimistic about the next primaries coming up later in the month, so I am trying to keep my chin up. I'm reading Barack's first book, Dreams from My Father, and taking solace in the fact that the woman who asked the question that brought Hillary to tears ended up voting for Obama. His victory speech in Iowa and his concession speech in New Hampshire were amazing and inspiring. YES WE CAN!

So now that all of that excitement is over, I'm not sure what's up next! It's got to be better than Monday and Tuesday, though!

I'll be posting pictures from Christmas vacation very soon.

Update: I just checked the NH Secretary of State's website for detailed election results. Hillary won in all 6 of Dover's wards, but in Ward 3, where Chuck and I canvassed, her lead was by far the smallest. She only won by 14 votes. So I feel like maybe we at least made a small difference! :)

Thelma and Louise hit the White House

Today I'd like to welcome my mom to be my guest blogger, and document her recent trip to the White House for a Christmas party with my aunt Marlene.


We have arrived!


Which one should I wear?


Just a few Godivas before the big evening. Have to keep our strength up!


How does my hair look?


Thelma and Louise arrive at the BIG HOUSE!!
Do we HAVE to behave?


Marlene and Robb Thomson (NH Bush Co-chair)


Thelma poses after just entering the White House.


Lighthouse in first entrance hallway. This year's theme - our National Parks.


The Grand Floor Corridor.


Ground Floor Corridor where previous White House Christmas cards are displayed.


Thelma and Kim Thomson seated in the Theater which is used as a coat check room.


Thelma seated in 1st floor Vermeil Room (features portraits of First Ladies) waiting her turn to go into the ladies room to steal all the hand towels.


Fresh amaryllis centerpiece in Vermeil Room.


Stairway to second floor. At the top of the stairs, East Room is to the left, Entrance Hall is to the left.


The "President's Own" Marine band playing Christmas selections in the 2nd floor Entrance Hall.




Louise seated in the Red Room. (Are we allowed to sit on the furniture??)


Thelma approaches the banquet table in the State Dining Room.


One of the pastry chefs in the State Dining Room. The tiered dessert is all browned marshmallows - something you'd eat around the campfire in one of the National Parks.


Portrait of Lincoln over the fireplace in the State Dining Room. (Is that Gladys?)


The Gingerbread House this year was white chocolate instead of gingerbread. They must have known we're all about chocolate!


Thelma in front of one of the fireplaces in the East Room.


Thelma seated in the Green Room.


Thelma and Louise in front of the Christmas Tree in the Blue Room. All the hand-painted ornaments were from each of the states.


Louise with Charlie Weiss (Notre Dame football coach). What do he and President Bush have in common? They both should be out of a job next January.


Thelma in the Cross Hall outside the Blue Room.


In the Cross Hall, looking towards the East Room. The State Dining Room is at the opposite end of the Cross Hall.


Another fresh amaryllis arrangement.


Thelma taking a picture of Louise taking a picture of Thelma.


Banquet table in East Room with Nativity scene (blue background).


One of the pastry tables in the East Room.


More goodies in the East Room. Check out that silver bowl of shrimp!!


Banquet table in East Room.


Louise with good friend Jason Recher. Jason is in charge of all travel details for the President.


Louise seated in the Cross Hall ... behaving.


Louise and Robb Thomson under the Presidential Seal in the Cross Hall leading into the Blue Room.


Thelma and Louise with one of the Military Aides from the Coast Guard.


Stairway to the family quarters. Thelma tried to sneak up but the coffee lady stopped her.


The Devil wears Prada.


Thelma and Louise "livin' large"!!


Thelma and Louise take a moment to dine with Matt before heading home ... back to reality.