Comments (24)

By kilax, August 19, 2014 6:21 am

Hee hee.

Last year the North Face Endurance Challenge had a virtual goody bag that included a free magazine subscription. Schweet! I had just acquired my first road bike, so I chose a subscription to Bicycling magazine, and it turned out being something that both Steven and I enjoyed reading!

So it’s almost a year later now and my subscription is over. I got a few emails, and a few mailers reminding me of this. But the emails and mailers had such higher pricing compared to the mail-in offers you get in the actual magazine. I was offered a great deal of $20 for a 11 issues, OR:

Counter clockwise from top left (and just looking at the cost for most issues offered): 33 issues for $22, 22 issues for $22, or 22 issues for $18. So I can pay what they offered to start with – $1.81 an issue, or, respectively, $.66, $1.00, or $.81 an issue. 

When I write it out in cost per issue, it really isn’t THAT big of a difference, but you can see that I chose the “cheapest” one. BUT! I am paying the most upfront! So… did they get me? Or did I get them?

Ha ha. I do this with all of my magazine subscriptions – let them expire, then sign up again, with the lowest cost per issue. I usually don’t miss any issues by doing this, because they send me an older issue first, anyway. And it seems most magazines have their pricing set up this way! I saw inserts in Runner’s World offering 24 issues for $24, $20 and $14… all in one issue. Ha ha. Make sure you grab the right one!

Does anyone else do this with magazine subscriptions? Or at least notice how much the prices vary?

I wonder if many people subscribe to magazines anymore. You can read a lot of these articles online, for free, a few weeks after the publish date (or even earlier, sometimes!). But I am pretty old school – I still like reading paper copies! When I see a long article online I can’t focus to read it (or really, put it down when I fall asleep and pick it back up the next day). 

Comments (32)

By kilax, August 15, 2014 12:47 pm

Oh my gosh, I loved this story (pdf here) about an agency that helps troops bring home the stray animals they “adopt” while serving overseas! It was so heart warming to read how the animals provide a sense of normalcy when the troops are there, and serve as a connection to the country their tour was in when they bring them back to their home country. Definitely read it if you want to feel all warm and fuzzy! Ha ha. 

Reading that made me think of Data’s adoption story, which is obviously NOTHING like that, but I realized, has never been shared in a blog post*! So, horrible segue be damned, here it is!

When I was in college in Iowa, and was still two years away from moving to Chicagoland to be with Steven, we’d talk about what kind of pet we’d like to have, when we lived together. 

Steven had never had a pet cat before (and I had), but for whatever reason, we decided we’d like to have a gray cat someday. Apparently, I mentioned this to my friend Kelsey, because when she saw a gray cat roaming around her neighborhood in early February 2005, she called me to tell me about it! I went over to meet Data for the first time!

Doesn’t Data look different than he does now?

Data was friendly, looked well fed, and didn’t have front claws, so we thought maybe he was an abandoned house cat. I sent pictures to Steven and told him about Data and was all “OMG IT’S A SIGN WE MUST ADOPT THIS CAT!”

And at first, Steven was like, “Um… no.” But for whatever reason, he warmed up to the idea, and said yes. Maybe it was that I said we could name him Data (after the Star Trek character)? Or the fact that I had to leave very soon for a trip to New York City and we had to decide what to do with Data, because he kept going back to my friend’s apartment.

So we took Data to the local shelter. He was required to stay there a week, to see if whoever ditched him ever looked for him (they didn’t), and to make sure he was healthy/give him shots/etc. 

Unfortunately, I was still in NYC when the week long time frame ended and he was officially up for adoption, so I had Andrew and his wife pick up Data. The shelter had named him Chip, which we thought was funny – Data Chip! And when Andrew and his wife went to pick up Data and took some time checking out the other cats for fun, he reminded them they were there for him by sticking his arm out of the cage and bopping them on the head! Ha ha.

Data stayed with them for a few days until I got back. And got his first (and only!) bath and loved up on their cats.

I got back from NYC on Valentine’s Day and picked Data up immediately! I was so excited to have him! He lived in my apartment for five days (which was so fun for me!) until Steven and I met in Iowa the following weekend, so he could take Data home!

First family photo!

And Steven and Data have been besties ever since. Ha ha. Actually, it took Steven awhile to get used to having a cat in the house, since he never had one around before, but it didn’t take long for them to get used to each other, and become wonderful companions!  

Data never lets me forget that he’s lived in our house longer than me. Ha ha, when I first moved in, I felt like I was ruining their boys club! That’s why I spoil him so much… so he’ll like me as much as Steven. Yeah, that’s it! Hee hee!

If you have a pet, where are they from? 

*But has been shared here from which I am totally copying. 

Comments (32)

By kilax, August 14, 2014 6:19 am

Yesterday my Facebook feed was filled with cute pictures of people’s children going back to school.*

Think about this, guys. Yesterday was August 13th. 

THE THIRTEENTH. 

As in, “why the heck are these kids going back to school so early?!”

Ha, I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t happy that school was back in session and it means our neighborhood might be a bit quieter during the day (read: won’t have to hear bouncing basketballs all day), but DANG, it seems early. 

When you were in school, when did you typically “go back”? Parents, does August 13th seem early… or not early enough? (Ha ha.) 

I think that is the last time anyone has referenced me as being “quiet.”

Where I lived in Iowa, it seemed we always went back the week before Labor Day, and that school always started in late August. I associate the start of school with my snister’s birthday, which is August 25th. And it was the same in college – the week before Labor Day. 

When I was in school, I would get really sad about going back. The other night I was telling friends how nice it is not to have that “end of summer” dread anymore. I think I just struggled with the change of routine. It’s better now that I just do something I dread all year round (juuuuuuust kidding!). 

*Which was a nice break from all the news/status updates about Robin Williams. Not that it is bothering me, but just that seeing it all is making me feel very overwhelmed and sad. 

Comments (19)

By kilax, August 13, 2014 10:37 am

This is not a sponsored post. This is something two of my close friends are doing, and I think is so fantastic, I want to share it with you. 

Have you heard of I Run 4? I Run 4 is a program where runners are matched with a child or adult with special needs, or the sibling of a child with special needs (Unsung Heroes, see below). That person becomes the runner’s “buddy,” and, you guessed it, the runner runs (or does other activities) for them! 

Each runner interacts with their buddy or their buddy’s parents through the group’s buddy Facebook page or the group’s sibling Facebook page, posting about the runs/activities they have done for their buddies and sharing photos. Runners are encouraged to wear their buddy’s name during a race, make a special shirt for their buddy, make them signs, take photos with something special they like, or (with permission) send their buddy race medals! The I Run 4 site has merchandise ideas, as well. 

What a cool program, right?

I was really surprised I hadn’t heard about this until recently, when two of my friends started participating! Dawn has had a buddy for quite some time, and Kelly just got hers! I sent them a few questions so I could share their experience with the program!

Thank you so much to Dawn and Kelly for letting me interview them and sharing their photos (and getting permission to post them)!

How did you hear about I Run 4?

Dawn: Through the Grayslake Running Club [four other members of the club participate in I Run 4].
Kelly: My best friend told me about the organization after I expressed a concern for future motivation. I returned to work in December, accepting a weekend nurse position. The only con to accepting this position would be losing my weekend long run and signing up for weekend races. Dawn suggested I sign up for a buddy to keep me motivated by sharing my running journey. Having someone to run with and/or for is motivationally inspiring!!   

Why did you decide to participate in I Run 4?

Dawn: Because I have a high school classmate who had a terrible car accident 15 years ago that left him disabled.  At our 30^th high school class reunion (in 2012), I was humbled at how much he lost (though he’s not in a wheelchair, he is considered “disabled” and cannot drive or work) and had to depend on others for just the basic things to live life (like getting to the grocery store, doctor, to an event).  It made me realize how fortunate I truly was to be able to run and do crazy things like Spartan races. 
Kelly: I agreed with Dawn’s suggestion. I researched the organization right away but then held off questioning if my running/walking/biking journey would actually motivate or inspire another. Once Dawn was matched and I started seeing all of her posts, I saw the excitement and gratitude from her, her buddy and his family.  So I signed up in early June.

How long did it take to be assigned to a buddy?

Dawn: About four months. 
Kelly: Several weeks ago the I Run 4 organization started a buddy program for the siblings, referring to them as the Unsung Heroes. In the short time I have been involved with I Run 4 several of the buddies have passed, leaving many siblings behind.  For the siblings who have a special need sibling, they often feel left out/behind. Having a buddy, just like their special needs sibling, would help bond their sibling relationship. I signed up for a sibling buddy at the beginning of August and was matched on August 10^th! 

Do you put any requests in for the “type” of buddy, or fill out a sort of questionnaire?  

Dawn: You can select to be a buddy for a child or an adult or either.  Other than that there wasn’t any other questions that I recall had to be answered. 
Kelly: No. I just submitted my name and basic demographic information. 

Are there costs to participate?

Dawn:  No, but you have to have a Facebook account because that is the way runners and buddies communicate.  I am also “friends” with his mom, though I don’t believe that is required.   It just lets us be more “connected” and supportive. 
Kelly: No.

What costs have you incurred on your own?

Dawn: I bought Zach a $3.00 t-shirt and bought a “Dawn Runs 4 Me” iron on decal. I have also bought 2 “I Run 4 Zach” decals for my car and I’ve registered for 3 virtual races (a 10k already run, a 5K and a half both coming up in September). 

Kelly: Thus far none, however I have only been matched for a week. I plan on making temporary tattoos, shirts and possibly a tote bag for myself & my buddy.

Does I Run 4 give you guidelines?

Dawn: They have guidelines on what can be posted in the Facebook group. It is to be a positive atmosphere. You cannot post links to races or fundraisers. You are not allowed to use derogatory language.  The I Run 4 organization also has a separate Facebook group for virtual races where the medals that come with your paid registration fee already include a medal for the buddy. Usually with these virtual races you can also purchase additional medals (ie for a sibling) and/or tshirts other gear at reasonable prices.  Proceeds, I believe, go back into the organization. 
Kelly: Yes – there are rules on the Facebook page. 

Kim’s Edit – rules such as not to leave your buddy behind (it’s a permanent match), I Run 4 Siblings must have a special needs buddy already matched, one runner will be matched to one sibling, only matches made by I Run 4 will be honored, matches will be made according to the waiting list. 

Does I Run 4 set things up for you?

Dawn: They provide you with your match’s name and contact person (typically a parent).  They provide ongoing support to rectify buddy/runner issues (eg needing a rematch, etc.).
Kelly: Yes, the organization does all the matching the posts the matches several times a week on the private FB page. The runner & parent are tagged in the post. It is the responsibility of the runner & parent to initiate contact and post. 

How often and how do you interact with your buddy?

Dawn: My buddy is 8 years old.  I try to post at least once every day. Sometimes I post more than once.  I don’t worry about if his mom is posting back but if I don’t see any activity (such as a ‘like’) from her for a day or two, I’ll double check to make sure she sees the post because… you know… Facebook can sometimes be cranky!  All interaction has been through Facebook. His mom and I are “friends” on Facebook. 

Kelly: I post to the FB each time I run and/or bike, so about 4-5 times a week.  I may also post when my 4-year-old son does a race. My buddy seems interested in my children, so I may post his races to see if she likes them.  Continue reading 'I Run 4'»

Comments (21)

By kilax, August 11, 2014 6:26 am

Alternatively titled: I figured out the post “big event” blues

Wow. This is NOT the conclusion I was expecting to make when I started reading this article – “On the road to happiness, a pleasant surprise beats a sure thing” (pdf here).

Based on, yes, recent studies, this article mentions the theory that being surprised by an outcome has a bigger effect on your happiness than knowing the outcome in advance. A simple example is going to a movie and expecting to dislike it. If you end up liking the movie, you will have a higher happiness level than if you had gone thinking you’d like it, and ended up doing so. Interesting, right?

As I started reading the article I had two reactions: I need to lower my expectations for everything, and, what about the discontent of dreading something – doesn’t that downplay the overall happiness, even if you end up enjoying it?

Ha. Just read ahead, Kim. The article addresses that:

But this doesn’t mean that having low expectations is the path to happiness, because the model also shows that such pessimism leads to discontentment while you wait for an outcome. So if you make plans with a flaky friend and assume he’ll cancel, you’ll take a hit on your happiness in the meantime, even if you experience a boost when he shows up on time.

Ahh. Gotcha. That makes sense. But then what am I taking from this article other than something I probably already intuitively knew – that “these two factors — degree of surprise and overall expectation — play a dual role in determining our momentary well-being, although surprise matters more”?

This is where I was like, WHOA:

…while the idea behind the happiness equation isn’t new, the study is a “strong and interesting” piece of supportive evidence. But can we use this knowledge to boost our own well-being? Lowering expectations as a tactic has already been ruled out, but the study does hint at why you might not feel as elated after reaching an expected goal as you might think.

“People are always pursuing goals, and when they reach the goal, they don’t end up being as satisfied as they perceive they’d be–as if happiness is held out in front of us, and we never quite achieve it,” Loewenstein said.

On the other hand, he suggests that there might be some consolation in realizing that we are all hard-wired this way in order to keep us moving forward.

That… is so me. I am much happier when achieving a goal I was not expecting. Of course, I am thinking about this in regards to exercise related goals, but it could be applied to anything. 

But when I do a race and meet some time goal I didn’t even consider, it’s a much bigger (happier!) deal to me than if I did what I “knew” I could. Of course, I believe in training and not aiming for ridiculous goals, and I also believe in self confidence. So I am really just thinking about the times when I have completely surprised myself. 

This happened at my 5K PR from March of 2013. I had just PR’d a few weeks earlier in the 5K and was happy about that – I had been expecting/planning for it. I showed up at this other 5K thinking “why did I register for this?!” I didn’t have a plan, started out with a friend, then felt great and took off! I ended up taking 49 seconds off of the previous PR!

The element of surprise DID make me much happier. And it was not so much that I lowered my PR time – it was that I was expecting to, then felt great and did it! 

The same thing happened at Iron Girl yesterday. I picked a very aggressive (for me) time goal, not really being sure AT ALL if I could hit it. And when I did, it was such a nice surprise (ha, I think to everyone else, too)! It was much more rewarding to me than just going out there and doing what I “know” I could do. 

So back to the post title (and alternative, ha ha), this article made me think about how I am just not one to set many goals. That doesn’t drive/motivate me. And I really think this theory is a HUGE part of that. And a huge part of why you feel down after a big event (I mean, along with it being over and not being able to plan for it anymore and all that). 

Do you agree with this theory? Does a “surprise” outcome make you happier than an expected one?

Comments (38)

By kilax, August 6, 2014 6:25 am

Awhile ago I was telling my dad* how I’m annoyed that radio stations all play their commercials at the same time – I am changing stations because I don’t want to hear a commercial. 

He said he hadn’t noticed that. He said, GASP!, he doesn’t change the station when a commercial comes on. 

WHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUT?!

Are you an ad skipper?

You know, changing the station when a commercial comes on, fast forwarding if you have one of those fancy DVR things, recycling catalogs, ignoring the ads in your email, on Facebook, on blogs…

Well, you probably guessed it, but I sure am. Can’t stand them on the radio. Don’t watch much TV so that’s not a problem. I ignore them online as much as possible. I have noticed a huge increase of people selling stuff on Facebook, and more and more sponsored posts on blogs, which I mostly just skip over. I just, sigh, want to peruse the internets without trying to be sold something. Is that too much to ask?!

Ha ha, yes, I realize it is. I realize ads are what make it so certain sites can run. So that we can listen to music, and watch tv. So people can make money. I get it. But that doesn’t mean I don’t try to block it out. I have enough “things**.” I just cleaned out my closet and had three bags for Goodwill! This happens every year! That doesn’t seem… right. 

And there are only two places I don’t skip ads – in running magazines (fun to look at new products) and in local area bulletin boards (never know what you’ll see there!). 

*During one of those long runs where he has to listen to me babble for hours… sorry, Dad!
**Of course, not all ads are for things (some are for experiences), but a high amount seem to be. 

Comments (18)

By kilax, August 4, 2014 6:19 am

Yay! My snister got all of her official wedding photos back! Now I can share a few more of the wedding details!

One of the traditions she incorporated in to the wedding was the four “somethings” – something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue. And of course, I love how she chose to include it. 

Let’s start with new! The dress, earrings and shoes were all new. And I think I only shared this in the comments before, but Christina actually WON her dress at a bridal show. Isn’t that awesome?!

For something old and something borrowed, she used some of our deceased grandfathers’ pins, to put in her bouquet, in remembrance of them. The “UNI” on top is for our paternal grandfather, who worked at the University of Northern Iowa, which is also where Christina and Will got their degrees (Christina already had this pin). The “R” on the bottom is for our maternal grandfather, whose last name began with an r (Christina borrowed this pin). 

Seeing those really tugged at my heartstrings. And reminded me that I wanted to ask my maternal grandmother about having a certain token of my grandpa’s (she said she will keep an eye out for it, ha ha).

And if that didn’t get me, the something blue sure did! This one was a surprise – we didn’t know about it until Christina was putting her dress on! 

So a bit of back story – our dad has something of a uniform – he always wears blue Dickies. That is what we have seen him wear probably, oh, 95% of our lives. In fact, he was going to wear that to Christina and Will’s rehearsal dinner. Ha ha ha! My mom stopped him. 

People are so used to seeing him wear that outfit, that in 2002, to be funny in our holiday card, we all wore that, and had dad “dress” up. Ha ha.

So Christina had asked Mom for some fabric from dad’s “uniform” but Mom didn’t know what it was for. We found out on the wedding day: 

Aww! Isn’t that perfect?! That really made me emotional!

And I have to add this photo of my dad at the wedding – that is pure happiness on his face! 

I love how Christina incorporated the four “somethings” tradition, with such thought and meaning. 

I am trying to remember if I did the four “somethings,” and I am thinking, since I don’t remember… I probably didn’t! I do remember my paternal grandmother giving me this at my bridal shower:

Yeah, I definitely don’t remember having a sixpence in my shoe!

Have you seen this tradition used in a memorable way? What was it?

Comments (17)

By kilax, August 2, 2014 1:08 pm

Part of me is ashamed to admit I have lived in the same house for seven years and am just now visiting a state park that is only 10 miles/20 minutes away. 

And the other part of me is all “Woo hoo! New-to-me trails/nature things to do!!!”

Ha ha. 

It’s funny, but I never visited the Chain O’Lakes State Park because it looks like it’s far away on the map. But driving by it last week, I realized it’s a lot closer than I thought – it just doesn’t feel that close because it’s not in an area we visit often. Derrrrrrrrrrrr.

So I headed out there for a trail run on Thursday and saw they have horse rental! For a second (or two, really) I thought about going on a horseback ride by myself, but decided to ask Steven if he wanted to come back. Horseback riding is something we’ve talked about doing for the last five or so summers!

Now we can finally cross it off the list!

We went back on Friday and paid to go on a one-hour tour. I was curious how long we’d have to wait for a group to get together to go off, and how long instruction would take, but we pretty much got there, filled out waivers, got on our horses (Two Feathers and Cody), got some quick instruction, and took off! I like when I don’t have to wait around. Ha ha. 

We were with five other people (including the guide) for the first forty minutes of our tour, then alone with the guide for the last twenty minutes. It was such a peaceful walk through the prairie and woods!

Until we were alone with the guide and I asked her a zillion questions about horses. Our guide was really nice and knowledgeable*! 

We actually had a horse at home, when I was a kid. The one memory I have of riding him is with my mom, when he walked down to the creek by our house, and sat down in the water. With me on him. Ha ha. For whatever reason, I didn’t get off with my mom. 

This is the first time I remember riding a horse by myself, and I liked it! Of course, it didn’t take much skill. Two Feathers (the horse I rode) mostly followed the horse in front of him, and I only had to tell him to stop a few times. Cody, Steven’s horse, required a bit more instruction – he kept trying to eat grass and leaves! The guide said that Cody likes to stay in his bubble, so he always walks in the back of the pack. And she called Two Feathers a “bubble popper” – always getting in other horse’s and people’s faces (or butts, in the case of this ride)! I enjoyed hearing about their personalities, and why they use mostly geldings instead of mares for the tours.  

And even though we’ve crossed this off our list, I think it’s something I’d like to do again!

Are there any places close to your house that you feel like you should have visited by now? Any one else going horseback riding this summer?

*And she said to me “Is that a GoPro? You are so cool!” non sarcastically, which made me feel like less of a dork for wearing it. Ha ha!

Comments (10)

By kilax, August 1, 2014 1:53 pm

(is over)

Something awesome happened in July! I saw my parents every. single. weekend. 

I don’t think that has happened since the last summer I lived in my hometown – 2003! And I didn’t know it was going to happen this July!

I had plans to see my family the first (Fourth of July) and last (RABGRAI) weekends of the month, and that was it. But when we were all together for the fourth, my snister told my mom she should ride with me, Steven and Rachel to Kansas City that next weekend, and my brother mentioned they were all going to a drag race the third weekend in July… so it all just worked out. What a fun month!

Last weekend I joked with my mom that we’ll probably both have withdrawal this weekend, and we better set up a phone call or something. Ha ha. Nah, we’ll be okay. I just feel really lucky I got to see my family so much this past month! And I already know I will see them the last two weekends of August!

Do you feel like you see your family the right amount? Not enough? Too much (hee hee)?

Comments (8)

By kilax, July 23, 2014 12:07 pm

Would you wear a bracelet that allows you to instantly send Facebook friend requests to people you just met? Or would you use one at an event… for funsies?

Don’t worry, this bracelet can do other things as well. Like allow you entry to places. Or you can make payments with it.

Confused yet? Or maybe interested? Ha ha.

It’s funny that on the same day I was thinking about how fantastic it is to have Facebook to stay in touch with people I might never see again (like my snister’s fabulous bridesmaids) that I read this this opinion article (pdf here) about how these bracelets being used for a festival in Belgium allow you to instantly Facebook “friend” anyone you just meet (and also gain access to places, and so on). Simply stand next to them and press your “heart” button at the same time, and BOOM!, you’re Facebook friends (of course, after linking your account to the bracelet). IT’S SO EASY!!!

Wait, why can’t we just take the person’s name and search for them on Facebook later or the next day?

NO! SO MANY STEPS!

Hee hee.

This reminds me of the Bump app that (before it was shut down) allowed people to share contact information and files, by “bumping” their phones together. Nifty (I never used it). Of course, the difference between that and Facebook is that right away you are connected to a lot of information about that person, and somewhat guaranteed future encounters – if the Facebook algorithms show you their posts. 

When I first read that article on Friday I was thinking I would never use something like that. That I can just take someone’s name and look them up later (I have before). 

But then it dawned on me – this would actually be useful for my RAGBRAI ride this Saturday! Everyone’s ride kit included this little license plate to hang on the back of your bike, to spark conversation. I am sure it will, and I look forward to meeting lots of interesting people. And yes, maybe some that I would like to keep in touch with in the future!

Hmm, hmm, what to put for hometown?

And I am not going to want to get my phone out and mess with it (or drain the battery). I will want something quick and easy. Of course, NOT to use while riding. That is just a bad idea. Both hands on the bike for me, at all times!