I’ve just been extremely busy this past week since coming back from vacation. And I’ve taken a short break from running. Just for a few days because I was feeling burnt out. Now I don’t feel like I have the same energy level. And my mood has not been that great. I’ve been stressed at work. Having problems focusing on things. Trying to spend lots of time walking Ruthie who we call a politician, because she’s never met a person who has petted her that she’s ever forgotten. (She’s been one of the few bright spots this week.) Guess I should get back to running, huh?
I’ve been very busy with my freelance research to keep up with M’s goals, before the fall semester gets completely insane for the two of us. Actually, the fall semester is already going to start getting underway for me, in a week or two. I have felt like a tsunami is approaching now, for several days. I moved offices, and that always takes a while to get settled in.
My mom and I did have a good vacation together down in PA. I am not saying I want to be Amish or anything, but I think there is something to be said for not living life at such a frenetic pace, where you constantly feel like you have to be doing a million things at one time. The countryside down there is just gorgeous. Lots and lots of rolling hills, a few of which I actually ran up and down, too. I did take picture and promise to post them for you.
I did promise pictures of Ruthie. She really is adorable and we’ve taken to call her our Yellow Shadow as she follows us from room to room and as I write this, she is napping behind my chair in the dining room. She has made herself quite at home on our couch upstairs, as you can see.
Anyway, sorry for the absence, but I’ve just been finding it hard to get all things done, every day, and still keep some sense of sanity. I hope you’re still out there reading!
Middle-of-the-Pack Girl 
August 15, 2009 at 3:40 pm
OMG-she has pulled up her chair and is STAYING FOREVER!! What a sweetheart!! You’ve done a great job rescuing such a beautiful girl! You are all super lucky!!!
I know you’ve been busy! I know that feeling all to well!! No biggy!!
Do think about the malibu half Marathon Nov 15th-need a vacation???
August 15, 2009 at 4:38 pm
Yes,she has made herself quite at home, quite quickly! I took some of those photos to send to Bill when he was at work, to cheer him up. He just took her for a walk a few minutes ago, and now that they are back, she’s sacked out on our kitchen floor, right where the air conditioning hits her.
In all honesty, I probably couldn’t do that half marathon in Malibu. My schedule during the fall is so hectic, that my training would be for crap. And I have a feeling, I need to try to save some money for that Ragnar Relay. While I’m not complaining, having a dog walker is definitely taking a bite into our budget, at $17/day, 4x a week, and will soon be 5x a week. But with our schedules we need to pay for it. I wouldn’t feel right leaving Ruthie all by herself all day long. She’d be doing the “pee pee dance” by the time we’d get home!
We are so glad to have Ruthie, our “little mayor” be part of the family. She’s adorable!
August 15, 2009 at 7:08 pm
I hear you on taking a break from the frenetic pace of everyday life. I hear all kinds of studies that say how people’s stress levels are so much higher now that we’ve got all these ways to communicate and be in contact so much. But then… I don’t think I could give it all up either.
I hope you are hanging in there, it is hard when life gets overly busy. But I’m glad you have Ruthie to brighten your days. It must be nice to have someone who is always happy to see you!
August 18, 2009 at 7:49 pm
Ruthie definitely makes a difference in how i feel when i get home. When she sees us come in, she literally is bending her body into two, and then her tail wagging smacks her in the face. she doesn’t seem to care. she’s awesome.
i think where work is concerned, i need to take a step back and breathe. and i’m setting boundaries whether anyone likes it or not!
August 15, 2009 at 10:38 pm
She’s beautiful! Will you be able to run with her?
PS. My Mom’s name is Ruth : )
August 18, 2009 at 7:50 pm
Bill and I are slowly working with her on her endurance, at least where walking is concerned. it used to be that a half mile would tire her out. tonight, bill said they walked about 1.2 miles and she was doing good even at the end. tired, but good. so i am hoping, eventually, she can run with me. but right now, she seems to tire of it very quickly!
we think the name ruthie they gave her is very fitting. i think it’s something that the rescue gave her – she definitely responds to it!
and cool name for your mom too!
August 15, 2009 at 11:12 pm
Of course we’re still reading! I grew up with Mennonites, including Old Order Mennonites. I was so in love with their lifestyle that I told my husband I wanted to be Mennonite. Then he reminded me of all I’d have to give up and I realized there’s a reason they all live communally and it’s because it would be hard to support that way of life in modern times. I think we all seek a simpler life now and then. I just enjoy television too much to give it up.
August 18, 2009 at 7:52 pm
yep, and i find that the amish seem very close-minded about some things. I’ve read a few books about them since returning home – one was non-ficiton, and the other was fiction but you could tell based on real life characters, probably. vrey interesting life they lead.
you ever notice what kind of push back you get from people when you try to slow things down and set boundaries?!
August 17, 2009 at 11:46 am
Those pics of Ruthie are so nice. Having a dog in the house changes everything, they are great companions.
Taking a break every now and then is always good, it’s the best way to refuel, let the body heal, the mind rest a bit and you always come back stronger. I also took last week off, I was still feeling tired from the marathon and set the goal to become a Couch Potato for a week, it was awesome! I spent the whole week resting and eating lots of chocolate =D
August 17, 2009 at 9:13 pm
she is so cute and not-so puppy-sized already! 🙂 i’m glad you have her to brighten your days with the stresses of work and normal-life-junk. the farmland here in ky is really beautiful and rather peaceful, so i know (to an extent) what you are saying. we do have the modern conveniences that the amish do not partake in so we’re not totally out there 🙂
glad all is well – i mean i know work is stinking up the court but you’re healthy, you’re fam is healthy, you have a job, etc, so life is good today. hopefully the dust will settle so you can get back to entertaining us virtually!
August 18, 2009 at 8:04 pm
yep, she is 3, and she’s adorable. we’ve noticed she’s made herself at home on the couch quite a lot lately! and i have missed writing for my blog and for myself generally. i need to set a lot of boundaries so i don’t lose sight of what’s important.
August 18, 2009 at 8:48 pm
AW, Ruthie looks/sounds like such a sweetheart–I love the photos! I really hope things settle down for you soon . . . I have been at that same place many times; so I really appreciate that desire for a simpler, more tranquil life! I really hope you can find a happy place soon! Hang in there 😉
August 19, 2009 at 10:32 am
Thanks for the Ruthie pics! She’s a cutie, for sure!