June 27, 2013

Cherry pickin'

I'd like to say hello and welcome to any new readers who found my blog from Another Mother Runner! I was honored to have my story featured on their site. The site has some great info for runners (not just mother-runners, either!). Anyway, thank you for stopping by :)

I'd also like to say thanks for the encouraging comments on my last post. It always helps to know that I'm not alone--whether with weight management, or depression and anxiety. Yesterday was a rougher day than usual for me, and I'm glad I ended up mentioning it on my blog.

Nothing like a good run to make me feel better, though! This morning, I had four miles at easy run pace on the schedule. I had to do the treadmill today. Over the past year or so, I've actually made peace with the 'mill. I used to hate with a passion, but once I started setting up my computer to watch a good show on Netflix, I realized it's not so bad. I don't dread running on it anymore.

The one drawback to running on the treadmill instead of outside (for me) is that I don't get the same kind of "runner's high" that I get from running outside. There is something about running outside that just makes me feel sweaty and beat-up, like I really did something good for my body. Physically, I get that from the treadmill (sweaty and beat-up), but I don't get that same feeling mentally. I hope that makes sense; it's hard to describe.

But anyway, I set the pace at a 9:00/mi and just ran and watched Pretty Little Liars. That show is VERY addicting, by the way! Four miles flew by pretty quickly, and 36 minutes later, I was done. I felt kind of tired today, but I think that's because of the rough (mental) day I had yesterday.

I spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon working on little projects in the house. I cleaned out a few cupboards and drawers. I wish I'd done it a long time ago; it didn't take long, and they look so much better! Here are a few before/after pics:


Random junk drawer in the kitchen

This one still isn't super organized, but it does look neater
It was actually kind of fun going through everything and getting rid of stuff. 

This afternoon, we went over to my parents' house, and my dad said that the cherries were ripe on his cherry tree if we wanted to pick some. They have to be picked within a few days, because the birds eat them otherwise. I picked one to try, and it was SO good (I love sweet cherries!) so Jerry got out a ladder and we picked a bag to take home.

I probably ate about 20 of them while we were picking. Jerry doesn't like cherries, which I think is crazy!

I really want a fruit tree. When we first moved in here (10 years ago), I planted an apple tree. Some jackass ripped it out of the ground shortly after I planted it, and it died. I tried again the following year, and that one died, too (not sure why). Finally, I planted one that lasted a while. After two years, there were four apples that grew on it, and I was so excited! Then my dad told me that I needed to cut the tips of the branches to help it grow better (or something like that). So I did.

Yep, it died. I haven't tried again, but I would love to have some sort of fruit tree! The cherries are a huge mess, but an apple tree would be nice.

The kids' baseball game was canceled again today. We've been having thunderstorms all week long. Today, my brother, Nathan, was supposed to come watch them play, so I was really disappointed that it was canceled. Hopefully the storms cool everything off for my long run in the morning ;)

I have to run 12 miles tomorrow, and after last week's long run, I'm a little nervous. I'm going to run based on my heart rate, rather than my pace, so hopefully I won't feel as exhausted as I did last week. Last week wasn't terrible, but I was definitely feeling every step of the last few miles.

I got my new shipment of David's Tea today! I tried the Oh, Canada! rooibos this afternoon, and I really liked it. It definitely has the rooibos flavor, so if you don't like that, then you probably wouldn't like it. (Does anyone else think that rooibos tea smells/tastes like a cigar smells? Sounds strange, but that's what it reminds me of, and I like it). The Mint Chocolate rooibos smells heavenly, so I'm going to make that one tomorrow. I'm excited to try the rest!

23 comments:

  1. Mm cherries.

    Apple trees are a huge mess too when apples fall off and rot on the ground.

    I know its not a tree but you should get a berry bush! Like raspberries or blackberries. Maintenance free :) Strawberries would be nice too.

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  2. It's wonderful that you are able to keep yourself motivated to workout even when you are feeling down. So many people (myself very much included) let depression or anxiety keep them inside and keep them stuck in bad habits. All the positive things you are doing (eating healthy, running, cherry picking, cleaning, blogging even when you don't feel like it, open up to others) set a wonderful example for your readers who likely have experienced similar struggles. Keep it up!
    Also- Those cherries look AMAZING!

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  3. For some reason running on the treadmill makes me feel sick. I think it's an inner ear thing?
    Also I don't like cherries either! It's too bad, because they are all over right now.

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  4. AnonymousJune 27, 2013

    I now watch Pretty Little Liars because of you...it's definitely a dirty pleasure for me (is dirty pleasure the right word?) Also LOVE LOVE LOVE your organization skills! I'm an efficiency analyst and spend A LOT of time teaching organization skills + maintaining skills! IF you want any tips let me know! Jealous of the cherries, I'm going to see how the cherries in my area are doing!

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    Replies
    1. Um how do I become an efficiency analyst?! I feel like this is right up my alley! I love organization and always offer to help my friends/family with storage and organizing! lol :)

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  5. YES! that is what the rooibos reminds me of! Cherry scented tobacco that my dad used to smoke! I don't love it, and it bums me out that the bday cake one was rooibos. :/

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  6. Those cherries look delicious. I miss Michigan cherries. I can't believe somebody ripped your apple tree out of the ground! Who does that?

    KSA on your 12 miler tomorrow!

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  7. Thanks for providing the link to the other site, I found out that one of the ladies is from where I live and was able to find their mom's running group on FB so I'm really excited because I've been trying to find some people to run with, so thank you. And thanks for all of your fun posts :)

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  8. You got the Oh Canada tea just in time for Canada Day on July 1st. Have a cup for us Canadians!

    Nice job on the organizing. I really need to get on that too... maybe this will be the motivation I needed!

    I hope you have a better mental day today. I think there are more of us dealing with depression/anxiety than we really know.

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  9. AnonymousJune 28, 2013

    That is exactly why I do not like Roiboos tea! It reminds me of pipe tobacco. EWWWWE

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  10. I have a peach tree in my yard and love it. I keep joking with my boyfriend that I want to plant a vineyard behind his house (he lives on several acres of farm land). Easy access to fresh fruit!

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  11. We have a pear tree in our backyard. It's over 40 years old. We get a few edible pears, the birds and squirrels eat alot, and our dogs eat the fallen ones.
    A pear tree isn't too much of a mess... I guess the dogs help with the mess on the lawn though.

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  12. I think one of the CS spice teas I drink is Roiboos and I didn't notice that! Hmmm... I'll have to try it again!

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  13. Hope your 12-mile run went well. We are supposedly getting a cool front in Nebraska, a break from highs in the 90's, with highs in the low to mid-80's for a while. I have been walking just before dark so that it's not so hot, and I do like that time of day. Plus hubs has been coming along with me and that's always nice.

    Du (aforementioned hubs) planted a "grove" of miniature fruit trees when we moved to our acreage 20 years ago. But none has produced much. I had enough apples last summer to make one batch of apple crisp. The cherries are tiny and like you mentioned, the birds usually get them all. We get some peaches and pears, but they're never very tasty.

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  14. AnonymousJune 28, 2013

    When we moved here 10 yrs ago, we had a lemon tree, tangerine tree, grapefruit tree and orange tree! It was one of the reason i wanted this house. First the lemon tree died (and it had perfect, store bought looking lemons) from some strange disease that we couldn't figure out. Then soon after our beloved tangerine tree died...you couldn't even pick it all it grew so many every year! Eventually we cut down the grapefruit tree cause none of us ate them and the rotting ones on the ground attracted tons of wasps, and the orange tree never did have good oranges. Plenty, but no good. I too would love all kinds of trees. We even tried to get the pro's to treat them when we saw issues but noone would touch citrus trees...I guess the liability due to spraying food :-( Stinks!

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  15. I want a cherry tree because cherries are sooo expensive!

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  16. That's a good description of rooibos. I tried the creme caramel rooibos last Sunday and it just turned me off and I couldn't figure out why. Cigar-like taste nails it! But I like other rooibos teas, like birthday cake, mint chocolate, and alpine punch.

    I had an oolong tea that I just did not like at all. Not sure I'll ever be into oolong now.

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  17. AnonymousJune 28, 2013

    We have a cherry, a pear, five apple, five sour cherry, a plum and an apricot tree. Get a cherry tree and you wont "have to cut the end of the brsnches to make them grow better" :-))

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  18. I love cherries! Yum!

    Hope your long run goes well today. I'm running 12 too (tomorrow though).

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  19. I totally understand what you mean about the difference of running outside. I love to run early in the morning-I go out about 10 minutes before sunrise and the sun and I get up together. It's so quiet and abandoned, and sometimes it feels like the day got itself together just for me and my dog and our run. There's no space for a 'mill at my house, so in the winter I have to use my university gym, which is crowded and noisy and doesn't allow pets. I miss my sidewalks and my breeze and my brand new pink sunshine.

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  20. Outside runs are the best! Just avoid the muggier weither- mosquitos are attracted to sweat and out in droves in the mist and fog!

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  21. I don't know if anyone mentioned it or not but apple trees have to be planted in pairs ( or at least two). I'm from Wisconsin and when we went to get one the tree man explained they need one within a specific distance to do well. Also, I got into the show One Tree Hill... It's addictive to the point I bought each season and watch them all the time!! Great job on your 12 miler :)

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  22. You look so cute (and thin!) in the cherry-picking picture. :) We used to pick cherries at my grandparents' house and make pies with them. Yum! I have a pear tree if you get the urge to pick fruit this August. ;)

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I used to publish ALL comments (even the mean ones) but I recently chose not to publish those. I always welcome constructive comments/criticism, but there is no need for unnecessary rudeness/hate. But please--I love reading what you have to say! (This comment form is super finicky, so I apologize if you're unable to comment)

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