RoadID

I recently learned about an ingenious product designed to protect runner, bicyclists, swimmers, and walkers like me.

The idea is to wear an ID bracelet, anklet, necklace, or shoe tag that identifies you, gives some emergency contact numbers, and lists any information a medical professional should know. 

The company is RoadID. 

There are a variety of colors and styles available to fit anybody's preference.  The stainless steel tag has up to 6 lines of information.  I chose the Wrist ID Elite.... "With its rubberized band and watch-style buckle, this sleek ID has you covered on the bike, in the boardroom and everywhere in-between. It's perfect for all of your outdoor activities and knows how to play it cool at formal events. With the Elite, you get valuable peace of mind with a look that’s just right for everyday wear."  It comes in 9 colors, and is fully size-adjustable.  I, of course, ordered mine in pink to honor my Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure commitment!

Here's what I put on my tag:

MARANDA LAMPING / 1988

TENINO, WA, USA

JOSH 360-***-****

JEANELLE 360-***-****

RICK 360-***-****

NKA / A NEG BLOOD

So, if something were to happen to me while I'm out walking, someone who found me would be able to know my name, my age (based on the year I was born), which town I'm from, 3 emergency contact numbers, that I have No Known Allergies (NKA is a standard abbreviation), and that I am A Negative blood type.  This information could save my life someday!

I highly recommend a RoadID to ANYBODY.  Not just athletes.  Check them out!

And, as a special bonus, RoadID is offering a special bonus - order yours and use the coupon code "ThanksMaranda628432" and get $1 off!

Look for all my pictures of me sporting my RoadID coming soon!

Training Walks

I am so excited to be starting my official Training Walks this weekend! Sunday is supposed to be nice, so I have arranged to walk with at least one fellow 3-Day walker that morning.  We are doing a 3.6 mile loop from Tumwater towards downtown Olympia.

I have also been contacting fellow walkers from the Olympia/Lacey/Tumwater/Rochester/Tenino area to see who's interested in joining my team (Pink Panthers) and also who just wants walking buddies!

And, I am working on finally getting all of my donation letters out to the 75+ businesses I am contacting.  Next up, writing my personal letter to family/friends!

I'm excited to finally be getting my rear in gear and accomplishing some tasks!  September will be here before I know it!

Thanks for stopping by,

Meet Hallee

Friday afternoon, I adopted a kitty from Animal Services. I knew the previous owner of her, and had met this kitty on one occasion. I planned on adopting her once I moved into the new house, but she became available Friday and I didn't want to risk someone else adopting her.  She had to be neutered yesterday, so I wasn't able to bring her home until yesterday evening.

Once I got her home, I took her into my room, which I had all set up for her.  She bolted out of her carrier, and hid behind my desk.  She came out fairly quickly though, and from that point on, all she wanted was to be held and petted.  She is such a loving, cuddly kitty.  Her previous owner found her as a stray on Halloween, so she was nicknamed Halloween Kitty.  Well, we shorted that to Hallee.

She spent last night in our extra large dog crate, which I had scrubbed and scrubbed to make sure it was clean.  I lined it with a soft towel, put her bed in there (which she already LOVES), as well as her litter box and food/water bowls.

And she cried all night.

She hates being in there.  She just wants attention.  I kept getting up during the night with her, and checking on her incision site.  She has a lot of swelling, which is to be expected.  After all, she had major surgery!  Today, I had to put her back in her crate, with a fresh towel and food and water.  I felt so bad leaving her, when I could hear her cry.  But because of her surgery, she needs to be kept quiet and not jumping/climbing all over my room.

Everyone in the family loves her so far.  She is kind of hard not to love when she snuggles up to you!  I am hoping to post more photos tonight - the above one was taken with my BlackBerry (which explains the poor photo quality!).  Hopefully her transition continues to be a smooth one!

Yummy Dinner Recipe: Chicken & Cheese Enchiladas!

This recipe comes from Campbell's Soup.  A patient of mine at work brought it in for me to try, and I made it last night for dinner!  Here it is:

1 can (10 3/4 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed Cream of Chicken Soup  (Regular or 98% Fat Free)
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup Pace® Picante Sauce
2 teaspoons chili powder
2 cups chopped cooked chicken
1/2 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
6 flour tortillas (6-inch), warmed
1 small tomato, chopped (about 1/2 cup)
1 green onion, sliced (about 2 tablespoons)

Heat the oven to 350°F. Stir the soup, sour cream, picante sauce and chili powder in a medium bowl.  Stir 1 cup soup mixture, chicken and cheese in a large bowl.  Divide the chicken mixture among the tortillas.  Roll up the tortillas and place seam-side up in a 2-quart shallow baking dish.  Pour the remaining soup mixture over the filled tortillas.  Cover the baking dish.  Bake for 40 minutes or until the enchiladas are hot and bubbling. Top with the tomato and onion.

These were very simple to make, and tasted delicious! Even my brother and cousin Wyatt liked them! You can make them as spicy as you want my using medium or hot picante sauce (I used mild) and by adding more chili powder. We served this with some Mexican-style rice and it was a big hit!

Happy cooking,

Crafty!

I've been feeling rather crafty lately. I go through phases like these, where all I want to do is be creative and make things with my own two hands. Here is my latest project:

In case you don't know, Josh and I both love Americana-style things.  Framed pieces of art, rustic signs, anything red, white, and blue.  We have decided to go with this theme in our living room of our new house!  While at the craft store recently, I stumbled upon some wooden letters and decided to make a little Americana piece of my own!

The materials:

Acrylic Paint in Red, White, and Blue
Crackle Medium
Varnish
Paintbrushes
Wooden Letters
Sanding Block

To start, I sanded some of the rough spots on each of the wooden letters.  Then, I painted each letter a different color.  This color was the base coat; the "U" started out white, the "S" started out blue, and the "A" started out red.  (I apologize for the out-of-focus bottom of this photo!)

Then, after the paint had dried, I applied a coat of crackle medium, which went on clear and was very sticky!  I let that dry until it was still just barely tacky, and then applied a contrasting color of paint over top.  It went from looking like this....

.... to this in a matter of minutes!

Here are all three completed letters! 

I still haven't figured out exactly what I am going to do with these yet, but I will be sure to post photos once I do decide!

Adventures in First Time Homebuying: Part 8

Here is another bullet-point update on our home process:

• Yesterday we had the home inspection done, as well as a foundation inspection that was required for our loan.  Both passed without a problem!
• The seller also had the septic pumped yesterday - no problems there!
• Our loan officer ordered the appraisal today, but we don't yet know when exactly that will take place.
• We are currently obtaining quotes/doing some research for homeowners insurance.
• I have continued to buy things for the house, such as more cleaning products, a paper towel roll holder, and other miscellaneous items.
• And...... our estimated date of closing is March 25th!!  That is exactly 3 weeks from today!!  I still can't believe this is all happening so quickly!

Before we actually move in, we plan on painting the entire interior of the house, along with installing new carpet in all of the rooms.  And, mom and I are going to team up to do some deep cleaning.  The only problem is, since I am having my tonsils removed on March 29th, I may not be too much help during that week.  I will undoubtedly be feeling crummy, and possible a little groggy from the pain medicine I will definitely be needing.  So, cross your fingers and pray that come April, I will have a new address!

Going Under

In case you don't know, I have been having problems with my tonsils for years.  I have recurrent strep throat infections, and as a result, severely scarred tonsils.  My throat is constantly sore, especially if I cough, sneeze, or just yell (or sing along with the radio too loudly!).

So, today I had my first appointment with my Ear, Nose, & Throat Specialist, Dr. G.  She was friendly, knowledgeable, and really put me at ease.  She took a look inside my ears, nose, and throat (obviously!) and then told me what I was hoping to hear.....

I am scheduled for a tonsillectomy!

Now, I have conflicting feelings about having this routine, outpatient surgery.  See, the thing is, I am scared to death of being put under anesthesia.  I know I shouldn't be!  I have taken care of family members after surgery, and I know how people are put under everyday and do just fine.  But I'm still scared!  I have even had lengthy conversations with my former professor at SMU (who was/is an anesthesiologist) about just how anesthesia is now.  But I can't help feeling frightened.

And, I know this fear is totally irrational for me.  I have absolutely no fear when it comes to flying down a curved, winding back road at 150mph on a streetbike, leaning so far to the side that my knee is almost dragging on the pavement.   Knowing there is nothing between me and the ground, except my helmet and some thin leather coat and my jeans.  Completely trusting my life in someone else's hands.  In fact, I miss doing that almost every day!

And, I have no fear when it comes to jumping out of an airplane at 10,000 feet, with a parachute strapped to my back, and my stomach feeling at though its in my throat, and flying straight for the ground.  If I could do that everyday, I would!  None of these things scare me.  But a simple, 15-minute outpatient procedure makes my hands clam up, and my pulse race even more than it normally does, and I start considering calling it all off!

Anyone have any advice?