It is the middle of August and the weather is crazy here on the mountain. There was actually a winter storm watch out of the area north of where I live. It literally rained all night last night and is now only in the mid 40s....the mid 40s in the middle of August. I've seen it happen, not often, but I have seen it before. I feel a bit spoiled. While the rest of the country bakes, we have had very temperate weather and periods of rain all summer long. A blessing, and I'll take it!

I am glad I went out for my run last night while it was still just lightly sprinkling because there is no way I could be out right now. The mud would be ankle deep where I run and it is still raining. So, that brings me to one thing I don't want to do or even think about doing.....buying a treadmill.

My doctor advised me that buying a treadmill would be a wise thing for me to do. The running was made necessary by the PCOS diagnosis - which is never going away. I have to admit, I feel 100% better when I exercise like that and running in the snow during winter simply will not be possible, so buying a treadmill is the only answer I am afraid. If anyone out there has suggestions about what - or what not - to buy, please share. I am delving into territory that I have zero experience with and starting from scratch!

Since the weather is so yucky, I think today is the perfect day to curl up on the couch with a good book. I recently finished both of Lisa Kleypas' new novels - both were good but one was better than the other. I'll share my thoughts in a book review soon. I also read my first Teresa Medeiros novel, The Bride and the Beast. I liked it. An easy and fun read. Today, I am going to restart Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett. I was a few pages in to it the other day but got busy with other things and stopped. Today would be the perfect day to start all over again and read a good bit of it.

Happy Friday all! Have a great weekend!

One of the things I have been doing in my (very long) absence from my blog is to start running. Yes, really! Those of you who know me in real life know that I hate running and am not overly fond of regimented sorts of exercise as a whole. However, having PCOS and being in pain and misery has a way of changing your perspective on such things - and fast!

Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome is a very common disorder among women and can affect anyone with ovaries from a shockingly young age. In retrospect, I believe I have had this condition for a very long time, thus my fertility issues. If you have never heard of this disease or would like to learn more about it, please visit the PCOS support page.

So, why running? That's pretty easy. Simple economics and geography! I live 50 miles from a gym and I don't have the room or funds to set up a serious home gym so it's down to running. All I needed was a pair of running shoes, a good bra and a plan. My cousin was trying out the Couch to 5K program for herself and I decided to do the same. I started in April and was very faithful to the program for the first six weeks - then, I contracted H1N1 and could not continue. I was not fully recovered from the flu when I went on a trip and it has taken me another full 5 weeks to get myself back on the wagon.

I DID get myself back in action last week. I started completely over again - which was much easier this time than last - LOL. It still isn't my favorite thing to do, but running makes me feel better without question and that alone is worth it!

Hello All!

Nice to be back blogging! I have had a bit of a rough go of it over the past month. My kids are both in school which means that I am driving them back and forth getting them to school and all of their activities. I understand this will be the norm until they are out of school - in a mere 14 years. No problem....I think.

Life on Metformin has not been pleasant. I have lost 9 pounds this month - which is 9 pounds I needed to lose - but the stomach upset has been horrendous and very annoying. I am hoping that the Metformin is doing it's job though and it will all be worth it in the end. Only time will tell on that front and when I look at the whole process as a whole, it is nothing compared ot what some others have to deal with.

So mostly during the day, Owen and I are hanging out at home (he is only in school for 3 mornings a week) and doing stuff together. Today, we made Monkey Munch - which was a lot of fun for Owen.



Here is the recipe:

9 cups Corn Chex®, Rice Chex®, Wheat Chex® or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combination)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Substitution
Peanut butter and chocolate are a favorite flavor combo, but peanut butter lovers can substitute peanut butter chips for the chocolate chips to intensify that flavor.

1. Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.

2. In 1-quart microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.

3. Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.



Here is Owen mixing up the Monkey Munch :)

Hope all of you are well. Big hugs to you all!