Training the Puppy

I'm trying very hard to recommit to all of my healthful ways again.  Not an easy task, but I'm doing the best I can even if it isn't very good.   People who knew me before on MyFitnessPal and Daily Mile will find that I'm not using those accounts anymore.  I've reset my MFP account so I can have a clean slate.  It is a huge weight off of my mind.   I'm also going to just keep my run and gear tracking to Garmin.  This should streamline things a bit for me and let me just work in private and not feel like I have people watching my pace or the fact I've been losing the same 5 lbs for two years over and over again.  I'm sure no one even looks at it, but I do and it's making me nauseous when people "like" a weight loss.  Yes, I am neurotic.  Most days.   I'm also hoping to blog more as part of my recommitment.

Something new that has come into my life recently is an amazing rescue puppy named River.  She is brilliant.  She makes me want to train to run with her.  I could never run with Abner.  His little legs, heavy body and cancer weakened body could never handle it.   But River.  She was made to run.   It was just a matter of waiting until she was mature enough to handle it.

I have been leash training her with 3 daily walks since February and she is pretty good most days.  I bought a waist leash for her and we've used it a few times on the walks, but it was anyones guess how she was going to be when it was time to pick up the pace.  And yesterday, at 8 months old, River got to start her running journey with me.

Disclaimer: there will always be people in the crowd who say "wait til one year" or whatever.  I DID talk to my vet when she was 4 months old and she advised me to wait until 6 months.  The rate River was growing made me want to extend that a bit.  She is a Rottweiler, German Shepherd, Great Dane so is not a tiny mutt.  I want to make sure I ease her in and I want to make sure I don't hurt her.  Luckily, my running ability is pretty weak right now so she is getting a pretty gentle intro.

To avoid the possibility of disaster as much as possible, I decided to take her out on her inaugural run on the pathways of Chestermere.  No cars to dodge, like in Langdon where sidewalks exist in less than half of the town.  I figured I'd been good for 3:1 run/walk so she would get plenty of breaks (especially since that 3:1 is actually more of a 3:5 haha)

All set for some run training with my new runner girl. #riversongwood #amrunning

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Jun 5, 2016 at 9:22am PDT

and the verdict?  She's a natural!This dog was born to be my running partner. She runs straight, stays right beside me and adjusts to my pace perfectly (and I know how fast she CAN go. She's holding back for me.

She is such a magic puppy. No pulling. No straying. It's like she just knows what to do. #bestrunningfriend #shesdoingbetterthaniam #riversongwood

A video posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Jun 5, 2016 at 9:41am PDT

I set out to do 5k with her, but we ended up doing 6.4k. There are still some kinks to work out with getting her to drink (I drained my hydration pack for her and neither of us seemed to get enough) but I think this will be easy to solve. Most importantly? I'm excited to run with her again. This is going to be a great way to keep me running this summer...and to help her get some exercise to tame the puppy crazies when she isn't getting 3 spaced out walks in a day.  We can run in the morning and walk for errands.  It should work pretty well if that first run is any indication.

#sketchadaycafe March 2016

I'm hosting another sketch challenge over on Instagram.   I’ve been struggling with doing a daily challenge, so I decided it was time I got back to hosting one!  Welcome to the #sketchadaycafe challenge.  March 2016 has a theme of COFFEE!  (mmmm coffee).  You don’t have to be some master artist to join in - just grab a sketchbook and start doodling on the daily prompt.   Tag a friend who you think might be interested (if you want) or repost this image to your own account to help spread the word.  I’m looking forward to a fun, coffee filled March!  I hope you’ll join me!

Here is a printable version of the prompts.

Have fun!

DIY Mom: Homemade Laundry Soap

In our house, I always thought I was the one with the skin allergies until I had my girls.  Specifically, Buggie.   Every liquid soap we tried set her off.  Almost every powder did too.  That poor kid needs the most gentle soap possible and for the longest time, we just stuck with what I had used on the girls cloth diapers - Country Save.  It was both inexpensive and didn't give her any issues.   There is nothing more miserable than watching your toddler scratch away for a week at a rash that covers every inch that clothing has touched.

About a year ago, though, Country Save started to be harder to find.  Really - I had only ever been able to get it at London Drugs and then Target for that brief moment in time that they were in Canada.  I decided I wanted to take a stab at making our own laundry soap.  I figured if I knew what was in the soap, I'd feel much better about having it on her clothes.

Even better - she has never had a reaction to my soap.   I don't know if I am saving much money over what I'd pay for commercially prepared soap, but I usually make such a large batch that it lasts forever so I MUST be saving money.

Ingredients:

Here's the washing soda box in case you have trouble finding it on the shelves like I usually do.  I live in Canada so your packaging may vary (or not)

1 Bar Gentle Soap - I really love Dr Bonners because the almond hemp one smells so good in this mix, but recently tried this with Ivory bar soap and it still works great, costs less and is much easier to find in most stores.
1 Bar Sunlight Soap
2 Cups Washing Soda (You can substitute with baking soda if you can't find washing soda.  It just makes it much more powdery.  I've had to use this substitution a few times)
2 Cups Borax

Grate the bar soap.  I prefer to do this in my food processor.  It's just faster.  You can use a hand grater if you want but a food processor will make your fingertips happier.

Put the regular blade back into the food processor and pulse it until the soap grates are tiny.

Important - before you add the powder, you want to make sure the little blocker is in the chute of your processor.  unless you happen to like huffing Borax.  GAG!  Not recommended.

Add the Washing soda/Baking soda

and pulse until mixed then do the same with the borax.

Voila.  Homemade laundry soap.    I repeat the process until my laundry room jars are full and I always keep the supplies on hand so I can make more at a moments notice.

You only need 1-2 tablespoons per load.  I used a coffee scoop in ours.  It does not foam up like a commercial soap would, but my clothes are clean and don't smell like chemical fragrance.  The lack of sudsing should mean it is fine for a front loader.

I got my apothocary jars at Wallyworld

A note about food processor cleanup:

As for concerns about using your food processor to do this and then being able to use it for food after...don't worry.  But don't toss the parts into the dishwasher straight away.  You will want to soak it and then hand wash it first.  Then run it through the dishwasher to get any last soap residue off.  If you put it into the dishwasher first - it will coat everything in wax-like soap residue.   So take the extra step because you'll only end up handwashing everything that was in the dishwasher all over again if you don't.

My Running 2016

Did y'all know I used to be a running blogger?

Like seriously.  I was.

I ran and ran and then wrote and wrote.  It's how this blog got it's name.  But then I broke my leg after a really struggly year and I didn't want to just sit here and bitch and moan and be all anxious and shit about my leg.   So I didn't write as much anymore.

Well - guess what.  I'm turning forty this year.  Eeek!  Unsubscribe now - this bitch be OLD!   and I miss running.  I left my job a year ago to stay home with my girls and you'ld think that would have meant more time to eake out for my health and fitness.  It hasn't worked out that way.  Much of this year has been finding my footing with being a stay at home mom with a side business and contracting obligations.

But in 2016, I will return to running.  I ran a half marathon just 4 months ago. It's not like I'm completely out of shape.  I walk 4k a day just dropping off and picking up my kids from school!   But it's not running.  Not even close.

Right before the new year, I saw one of the people I follow had posted this:

***60 likes by the cutoff equals 300km in 2016. Totally doable if I've managed to do 1000 in a year before. Thanks for the motivation guys! *** When I saw this on @littleandfab's feed, it resonated with me immediately. I need to get my run love back. So like away and help me be accountable in 2016. I have my new running dog, I have 40 lbs to lose before I turn 40 in November and I want to go back to the joy I found in running. Make me literally run my ass off. I promise too not dress like the gal in the pic while I do it 😂😂😂😂. And I will do shout outs as I run your 5k!

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Dec 31, 2015 at 6:06pm PST

and I decided it was perfect.  I don't have to commit to running more than 5k at a time.  I have no intentions of racing this year (though I may do a couple shorties).  I have a new puppy to train to be my running partner.   This could be perfect.

So I put it on my Instagram.   And I got 60 likes for it.

60 likes x 5k = 300 km in 2016

Totally do-able.

Early January left me battling the flu, so I got a late start as I waited for my lungs to normalize again.  But yesterday I kick started my return to the world of running.

Back on New Year's Eve, I posted a run challenge. 5k run/walk for each person who likes the post. It got 60 likes. Today, I finally started. So here is my 5k for @kirih I was going to dedicate it to one of my #bestrunningbitches @sue_dothingsalways , since she hung out with me while I did it...but she didn't like the post so I don't have to run for her 😂. 5k down, 295k to go. #rantoday #runningoutthecrazies #poststressfracture

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Jan 25, 2016 at 1:01pm PST

and an interesting thing happened.   When I tagged the person I dedicated the run to...they later tagged me back to say they had done a 5k solidarity walk!

@khourianya way to get started with your 60 runs. I did a 5k solidarity walk! Beautiful day here! #walkitout

A photo posted by Kiri Hargie (@kirih) on Jan 25, 2016 at 4:23pm PST

I don't know if it will happen every time, but it was pretty cool to have it happen even once.

So I'm running again.  Not fast, yet.  and not far, yet.  But for 2016 it is about turning 40 with a healthier mindset and healthier body.  I have alot of weight to lose from a year spent on the couch bitching and moaning about a broken leg...but more importantly - running is a mental health thing for me.  The thing that turns off the naysayers echoing in my skull...and I need that more than anything else in life.  

Happy Homemade: Easy No Bake Energy Bites for the Kiddos

This year, I am trying to improve our eating around here...mostly because we've been really bad about it of late but also because I have the big 4-0 hitting this year and I want to feel better before I get there.  My kids are ravenous when they get home from school so I decided that instead of having them hit the pantry for some carb filled empty snack, I would make them something a little more satisfying yet every bit as much fun.

Enter the Easy Energy Bite

Toss all of this into your mixing bowl:

1 cup Peanut Butter (or other favourite nut butter or nut substitute butter)\
1/3 cup honey
1/2 cup raisins
1 cup oats

You could also toss in things like coconut, flax seed, hemp hearts, chocolate chips or whatever else you happen to like in cookies...but I keep it simple.

Mix it all together until well mixed and roll it into 1 inch balls with your hands.  Voila - you're done...These should keep at least a week in the fridge...if they last that long.  They totally taste just like munching on cookie dough.

Enjoy!

Making Your Elf Poseable

I am really amazed that the Elf on the Shelf people don't do this in the factory, but this year, I took a few minutes out of one evening and it has made a huge difference in our elf flexibility.

What did I do?  I wired my elf.

What you need:

• Wire - I used 20 gauge
• Wire cutters
• Scissors
• Red thread
• Needle

What I wish I'd used:

• a dab of glue gun glue on the ends of the wire

There are tons of posts on Pinterest on how to do this, but here is the readers digest of what I did.

1. Make tiny snips in the back of the elfs armpits and at the top of the legs near the crotch.
2. Cut the wire to match the full length of the limbs
3. Carefully insert the wire into the slits and thread it through tot he end of the limb.  This is delicate work.  These Elves are made of felt and the wire can and will punch through if you are not careful.  I wish I had taken the time to heat up my glue gun and drop a dab of hot glue onto the ends of the wire because ours did poke through within a couple of weeks of posing.  In the off season, I'll be remedying this on ours.
4. Once the wire is threaded - sew up the slits

Voila - poseable elf.   Sorry for the lack of photos.   I realized after the fact that I should have taken some but I forgot.  Maybe if I end up helping someone wire theirs - I'll shoot some.

For a simple craft that takes only minutes - this really took Libby to the next level this year.  It is so much easier to make her cooperate now that she can sit independently and have posed gestures.

If you really need pics and want to see other ways people have done this - here are some links I got off my pinterest.

• All Mommy Wants - How to Make Your Elf on the Shelf Poseable
• A Bird and a Bean - How to Give Your Elf on the Shelf Bendy Arms & Legs
• Domestic Femme - Make Your Elf on the Shelf Bendy! A Quick and Easy Tutorial

Elf on the Shelf 2015 - More Ideas

I'm a little late posting the elf shenanigans this week...ah well.  Tis the season to be busy....


Every Elf mom needs a list of lazy or late ideas....

Dec 7: Libby seems to have gotten herself into a pickle...jar that is. (Okay, okay. I know it isn't a pickle jar but I had to go with something. They are NEVER going to find her. Well maybe in the after school snack scrounge. ) #elfontheshelf #eots #libbysholidayshenanigans #creativeholidays #magicalchildhood

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Dec 6, 2015 at 8:33pm PST

I have to admit - I'm a little surprised more people didn't get this one. Just me and a friend of mine who is a pinup model. We laughed our asses off...

Dec 8: looks like Libby is hoping to catch a few rays on our heatwave. She may just be the only scout elf going north with a tan tomorrow night. #libbysholidayshenanigans #elfontheshelf #elf #eots #creativeholidays #magicalchildhood #iwonderiftheyllevengetthisone #almostforgottomoveher

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Dec 7, 2015 at 10:16pm PST

Once an elf craft, always an elf craft...saving things you made in past years can make for fun reuse opportunities.

Dec 10: 🎼"Santa baby, put a sable under the tree...for me. I've been an awful good girl."🎤. I guess Libby feels we don't have enough Christmas carols on around here and decided to put on a show. #elfontheshelf #eots #libbysholidayshenanigans #creativeholidays #magicalchildhood.

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Dec 9, 2015 at 8:33pm PST

Dec 11: oh my. I thought by year three we'd be safe from this one. That darn elf. Libby TP'd the tree. She must like us enough to have waited for the small tree. #andmommacompletelyforgottomovetheelf #thankgoodnessfor530ampuppypottybreaks. #elfontheshelf #eots #elf #libbysholidayshenanigans #creativeholidays #magicalchildhood #lazymom

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Dec 11, 2015 at 4:43am PST

Raiding the recycle bin for elf crafts can be super fun...and all you need is some washi and a glue gun to pull this one off.

Dec 12: Rock it, Libby!!!! #elfontheshelf #elf #eots #libbysholidayshenanigans #creativeholidays #magicalchildhood

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Dec 11, 2015 at 9:31pm PST

Piggy bank robbery in progress...

Dec 13: I suppose the holidays can get expensive - even for a scout elf. But really, Libby? Piggy bank robbery? #elfontheshelf #eots #elf #libbysholidayshenanigans #creativeholidays #magicalchildhood

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Dec 12, 2015 at 10:42pm PST

The girls had a playdate the day Libby did this...and I heard a chorus of "Darn it. Why does our elf have to be a boy! He never does pretty things like this!"

Dec 14: it takes many talents to be a Scout Elf. Libby surprises us all the time with the new things she can do. #libbysholidayshenanigans #elfontheshelf #elf #eots #creativeholidays #magicalchildhood

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Dec 13, 2015 at 8:58pm PST

Another easy one that looks harder than it is...just cover the front of a framed picture and voila!

Dec 15: I wondered how long it would be before Libby kicked up a stink about the lack of decorating and wrapped gifts around here. Looks like she's taking matters into her own hands. #elfontheshelf #elf #eots #libbysholidayshenanigans #creativeholidays #magicalchildhood

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Dec 14, 2015 at 9:08pm PST

I have to offer a word of warning to anyone who wants to attempt "Crying over melted snowman" Use a piece of acetate to put the glue on...I started with waxed paper thinking I could peel the dried glue off and as the glue dried, it crinkled the paper and ripped it. Ruined the melted snowman. So I ended up doing a 5am rescue on acetate and the glue was still wet when the girls saw it. But when it dried, it looked amazing...just like a puddle of water. Even better - make it in advance instead of fling by the seat of your pants like I did.

Dec 16: Well, Libby. You couldn't really expect the snowman to not melt when you brought him inside now could you? Now now dear. No need to cry. #elfontheshelf #elf #eots #libbysholidayshenanigans #creativeholidays #magicalchildhood

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Dec 15, 2015 at 9:07pm PST

I knew we were going to have a tooth out before Christmas so this one was on the list - I just didn't know when it would be played...well, Buggie lost that tooth last night and voila...she felt special because the elf was in her room especially for something that happened to her. If you've got wiggly teeth in the house, it's a good one to keep in your pocket.

Dec 17: nah. It couldn't be! Could it? Is LIBBY our tooth fairy? #elfontheshelf #eots #elf #libbysholidayshenanigans #creativeholidays #magicalchildhood #toothfairy

A photo posted by Cori Nicholls (@khourianya) on Dec 16, 2015 at 8:31pm PST

SO there is another week or so of creep-free elf ideas.