What do I believe? I believe certain Republicans in Congress are instigating investigations into Planned Parenthood, not because they believe there’s been a misappropriation of funds, but because it serves their personal agendas of appeasing their highly conservative constituencies. I believe Komen caved to pressure from pro-choice groups. I believe, at the direction of one of their executives with a very personal agenda, they carved out new corporate policies that allow it to yank funding from Planned Parenthood without debate. I believe they mistreated and were completely disrespectful to Planned Parenthood—not by yanking funding (that one we can debate), but by making an announcement to Planned Parenthood, instead of meeting face to face with Planned Parenthood leadership. Is this any way to treat an organization they’ve partnered with for seven years? Cowardly, I think so.

My reaction? I was deeply saddened by this news. Because, I actually have history with the Komen Foundation. My college sorority picked the Susan G Komen Foundation as it’s national charity (and I can only hope they will seriously reconsider a different breast cancer organization to support going forward). We organized the Franklin 5K (before 5ks were popular) as an annual fundraiser for the organization. Over the years, we raised thousands upon thousands of dollars for that organization. After I graduated and moved to Chicago, I continued to support that organization by raising money for and running in the Race for the Cure. And so, it’s sort of a stake in my heart that an organization I supported for so many years could so egregiously mistreat another organization I happen to support. And, more important than my personal disappointment, it’s incredibly unfortunate that women’s health has to be politicized. Ridiculous and appalling, actually.

Furthermore, this story adds more reasons why I am utterly confused by the political right. The whole conservative Republican movement screams at liberal Democrats that we need less government. Fewer taxes. Less spending. Stay out of our business. That’s their message and trust me, we hear it loud and clear. Oh, but wait a minute. What’s that? If the conservative Republicans don’t agree with my business, then they’re more than happy to stick their noses in it? So, what this basically means is that when it comes to my body, conservative Republicans have their hands all over it. Hypocrisy much? Eff that.

Ooooh boy, I can feel the comments brewing. Or even better, the lack of comments brewing, because many of you don’t like to pick fights. And that’s fine. Bring it on. Or don’t. In the meantime, I’m gonna turn my words into action. Instead of continuing to whine about this sad state of affairs any more, I’m heading over to the Planned Parenthood website to make a donation. And from what I hear, a lot of others have, too (they raised $400,000 in the 24 hours after the Komen announcement went public). Action speaks louder than words.

Let’s say it’s a really nice day and you want to go for a walk. Or, let’s say you’re a running nazi and are going for a run in sub-freezing temperatures. Either way, you walk out of your house, your work, your parents’ house, wherever (!) to get started on your excursion. Which direction do you go? And, is it the same direction every time?

Yesterday morning, I dropped off Gavin at daycare, which is a leisurely three block walk from our house. I go the same way every time, because, well, it’s three blocks straight south from where we live. But, from daycare, I sometimes go for a run or walk before heading home. And every single time I continue heading south.

I could head east. Or west. Or even north (though, that would eventually result in a run-in with a cemetery, which I’d like to avoid). But, my brain always points me in a southern direction. (Given it was 12 degrees yesterday morning, maybe my brain was telling me to seek out warmer climates?!)

Why is that? There’s nothing special about these workouts. I usually go 2-3 miles. Have plenty of options for which streets to travel. And yet, my loop? It’s the same silly circle every stinking time! As this realization occurred to me yesterday morning, I decided to shake things up. I crossed over and reversed the loop. And you know what? I kinda liked it.

So, tell me, when you head out, are you on auto-pilot, too? Or do you seek out new routes to purposefully change up the scenery, give yourself new challenges, etc.??

All joking aside. Gavin is a sick kid this week. I can see it in his eyes. Can you?

After seeing this recipe, I requested to make cinnamon rolls for our family gatherings. It started on Friday night with a trip to the grocery store to pick up some much needed staples. It was absolute madness at the store (guess I’m not the only last-minute shopper), so I grabbed a balloon to bribe Gavin into good behavior. It worked – and has provided for endless moments of excitement at home. Though, later in the weekend when we went back to the grocery store, he was excitedly reaching for another balloon – I’ve created a monster!

I’ve got to admit, I don’t usually make such complicated recipes. It’s not that this recipe was hard to follow (in fact, instructions that include comments like, the more butter oozing out the sides the better, well, those are instructions I can get behind!). But, there were a lot of steps and a lot of waiting between the steps (let the dough rise, let the dough cool, etc.). I wound up making the dough on Friday night and actually putting together the rolls on Saturday morning (which meant, I was the only one up at 5am to ensure we got out of the house on time).

Saturday was a long day for us. We went to Sweets’ parents house in the morning (they live about 45 minutes away) for a family get-together, gift exchange, brunch. We also committed to going to church and another gathering with family friends that evening … so, we wound up staying in the suburbs for the day. It was fun, but exhausting, especially since I was fighting with the ickies. Nevertheless, Gavin had fun with his cousins and playing with toys circa 1980 when Sweets was a kid (and yes, Gavin is rocking out in an Addidas track suit!).

Sunday, I woke up feeling like hell. I was up coughing for much of the night, my head hurt and I just felt rundown from the previous day. Sweets wasn’t feeling all that great, either. So, we cancelled brunch with my family, which really bummed me out as it was the only time over the weekend we devoted to spending time with my side of the family. Sunday afternoon/evening, we were expected at another family gathering in the suburbs. I bailed, but Sweets took Gavin and seemed to have a good time.

Monday was a day of rest for our family. We went grocery shopping. Organized gifts. And planted our butts on the couch for much of the day. It would’ve been glorious if it wasn’t for all of us feeling sick. Sigh.

Speaking of gifts … Sweets got me a sweet new lens for my camera. It’s one I’ve been thinking about getting for months now (probably more like over a year). It’s a fixed distance lens (no zoom), so it means I have to get up and move around if I don’t like how the photo is framed. It’s supposed to be one of the best portrait lenses, so I was excited to play with it. There is definitely a learning curve with this lens and I have only just started playing with it. But, so far, I love that you can focus crisply on your subject and blur pretty much everything behind (even if it’s only a foot behind your subject).

I love how Gavin is standing less than a foot in front of our entertainment center and yet, it’s totally blurred out. There’s no question what I (as the photographer) want you (as the viewer) looking at … my cute son, of course!

Life isn’t always rosey around here. Gavin definitely has his moments. I love the lighting in this photo … and also that his face is in focus, but his body is blurred.

And finally, a photo where I don’t want you focusing on the face. Rather, I want you to see this light-up snowman that Gavin is playing with … I love how his hands are in focus, but his face is blurred away.

Anyway, needless to say, this sick girl has had fun playing with her new toy. Hope y’all had a wonderful holiday celebration. And to those who don’t have to work this week … I’m oh so jealous!!! =)

Mostly, I kept quiet, because I didn’t want this space to become an exercise journal. I didn’t want you to feel compelled to cheer me in my quest to exercise. Because, at the end of the day, I have to remember how to motivate myself. It has to come within.

So, how did the 30 days go? Well, I didn’t workout everyday, but I did workout a lot more than I had been working out before. I managed to do something on 20 out of 30 days. And if we don’t count the Thanksgiving weekend and our weekend in Galena, then I really only had 2 bad days out of 22. I feel pretty good about that.

Are you wondering what kinds of workouts I did over that month? I was pretty proud of myself for creatively coming up with ways to stay active. Some of the things I did included:

• Running (2-3 miles at a time)
• Push-ups and sit-ups (mostly on days when I didn’t have more than 10-15 minutes to workout)
• Brisk walks (2-3 miles at a time)
• Hip-hop dance videos (thanks to a friend who is featured on ExerciseTV, which we get OnDemand)
• Yoga
• Circuit training, fat blasting, Pilates and other exercise videos (ExerciseTV)

Now that the weather has taken a turn for the worse (high in the 20s around here by the end of the week!), I’m feeling good about working out into the winter. I feel like I know what I can do within the confines of my home. I also know I can run in the cold weather and not collapse. And HELLO SHOVELING – we all know that’s a fabulous workout! I don’t think I need to workout everyday (nor should I), but I am now in a better place for working out more than I was before. And for that, I consider my personal challenge a success!

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