Belly Warming Chicken & Noodles

After another good night’s sleep I woke around 5:35am feeling completely rested and raring to go. It was a cloudy morning with chilly temps – only 44 degrees around 5:45am. I completed my sit-ups and push-ups before walking Ykraps. My knee felt great during our walk, but then again, it typically does. Trying to think positive, I held out hope that it would feel equally as good later during my run. It was already 6am when Ykrap and I got back. I didn’t bother sitting with my own coffee until after delivering Mindy’s. Finally, around 6:10am, I was able to relax for a few minutes in front of the PC. I read the Daily OM, an article about manifesting what we focus our energy and attention on – both positive and negative. I swim in that pond for sure. It was a timely reminder for me. I moved on to meditation and stretching, both of which went really well. I dressed warmly in early-winter running attire and hit the streets around 6:40am. I wasn’t sure how my knee would hold up until I took the first few strides. It was still problematic, and it caused all of my leg muscles to stiffen dramatically, probably due to the natural over compensating I’m doing with my left leg. It was a difficult run. At times I could get my stride almost normal, but by then my legs were so crampy it barely made difference. It definitely feeds on itself. I trimmed my run to three miles. I was sore, sweaty, and exhausted by the time I got back home. I am confident that I’ll get through this and be back as good as new soon. It’s the only answer I’ll accept. Mindy was just finishing frying her own egg. She asked if I wanted to do my own. I did. I fried up two absolutely perfect eggs. J Mindy was off to school at her usual time. Bella and I shared a few minutes together breaking bread before I dashed off for a shower. Just before we headed out the door for the bus, I overheard Jacob barking orders at Bella to bring him his shoes. She was already in there, but still, I didn’t care for the technique. She refused, and told him she wasn’t his slave. To help things move along I carried him his shoes. Problem solved. Off to the bus stop. The bus arrived on time – 8:02am. Soon after, I gathered my stuff and headed out the door destined for work. The drive in was fine. No traffic snarls, but then again, there rarely is. The work day went by quickly. I didn’t take a lunch break, but did eat my packed veggies and fruit. I had cauliflower and broccoli in my veggie medeley for the first time in a long while. They were a daily staple for almost ten years, but I got burned out on them. I find myself craving them again. Later in the afternoon I heard from Mindy. We didn’t have any after work activities planned. Sounded like we might get a quiet evening at home. I was planning to leave work at my usual time but something came up. Turned out, I wasn’t able to get out of the office until 645pm. I was hungry! I stayed in contact with Mindy through the evening. I knew that dinner was ready, although I didn’t know what we were having. It was raining and had been almost all day long. Bella was very dramatic as soon as I was home and in the door. She was more than ready to eat. I still had to walk Ykraps, however. I took care of that chore then returned home for dinner. Mindy out did herself. We were having chicken & noodles using the leftover rotisserie chicken from earlier in the week. As usual, the chicken & noodles were delicious. Everybody loved them. While I was cleaning up the kitchen, Mindy put together a care package for my dad consisting of some chicken & noodles, rolls, and birthday cake. She called him ahead of time to make sure he wanted some. He did, of course. I kidded with Mindy & Bella about needing a brief nap. Lately my brief naps have turned into an entire night on the sofa. Instead, I spent time writing in my blog, which was several days in arrears. Mindy & the kids played a board game. After writing I quietly slipped into the recliner and dosed off for a few. I know it frustrates Mindy but I’ve been more tired than usual lately. I attribute most of it to my knee, and the extra strain running puts on other muscles compensating for it, as well as the weather change and absence of sunshine. I didn’t even tuck in the kids. I was too tired. I got up at 9:23pm and told Mindy I was going to bed.