December is here! So much to do!

I know, I know, it has been awhile since the last post.  Saying I was busy should not be an excuse at all.  I can certainly pick up this netbook, open it up and create a post!

So with that said...here is what has been happening.  I went on a cruise to Cozumel out of Mobile.  Friends Anne and Steve flew in from Maine and we went out on Nov 11-Nov 15.

I had a rough time on board the ship again-a bit queasy until I changed medicine. I think I need to keep my feet on solid ground.  We ate at a great Mexican restaurant called Pancho's Backyard. It had awesome Mango Margaritas.

Then I headed out to San Antonio, Texas on Nov. 17 to meet some friends who now live in Austin. We stayed at a Holiday Inn that used to be a jail.

I saw some great tennis and walked to the Riverwalk almost every day.  It was very nice to see Pam and Kristen again as well as get to see the rest of the team.

New Sneakers?

So this is a discussion about when runners should switch shoes....

Of course the rule of thumb is supposed to be every 3-400 miles but then of course it is probably a bit about the shoe. This is my current dilemna. I had been running in Saucony Hurricanes since going to my orthopedist and being told I need a stable shoe for an overpronator. I had been happy and relatively pain free for years when...I win a free pair of Brooks Trance 9. They were lighter, even with orthotics and so I have started training in them. I have 300 miles on them and have started having more Achilles pain and some heel pain. Now, is it time for new shoes? same Brooks shoes or back to Sauconys? Or did this occur because of over training while in Gatlinburg? My hiking boots are in need of replacing as well. At what point do orthotics need replacing? or do they? Lots to think about while I take today off and decide what to do.

Update From Daphne

Well, well just waiting for the coffee to get perked and it's another Monday morning.

Tennis-the team went 2-2. Wind and cold were the constants for the Shore. It is still chilly here this morning as well, but the sun is shining. Putting away the tennis racket for awhile to concentrate on finishing the running necessary for the upcoming marathon.

Jacksonville-I had taken off a week because of a tight, sore left Achilles. Playing tennis on the clay did not seem to help but the final day of playing on hard courts it felt great so I was encouraged. Decided to try and run the 15 that was back on week 7 of the training program. Bundled up and headed to the Fairhope Pier. Had a great run and used KT tape. I also ordered a Pro-Tec Roller that is used in physical therapy sessions to try and get rid of the scar tissue. Waking up this morning, legs are sore which I suppose is expected with running 15 after taking a week off so I will stretch out on my foam roller and try an easy 3. Hoping that Jacksonville does not come upon me too fast.

Cruise-Cruising in 3 days and my Maine friends will be here late tomorrow evening. So excited to see them. Bruce has Wednesday off and we are hoping to have a few people over and have some ribs that night.

Kristin's Birthday-Also daughter Kristin had her 24th birthday. We called and talked to her on the phone yesterday. She was headed out to dinner. Does not seem possible that I had a baby that long ago. How time flies.

Tennis on the Gulf Shore

November4-7 is tennis on the Gulf Shore time. My team is going to the shore to play from Thursday-Saturday and hopefully we will be winning. It is the USTA Combo League Finals. My team is staying down there on the coast so I will try to post at least a team picture if not some action photos! Weather looks good for the rest of the week, although it is supposed to be cooler in the mornings.

November in Bama

Ok, so a quick update on life here in LA(Lower Alabama)!

Created my own web site this morning and will continue to update it with pictures, recipes, and family happenings. I enjoy using all this new technology and I want to preserve all of this information for later generations. It is also a way for me to keep in touch with others who live away from the sunny south. lol!

I really would like to start writing in the blog at least on a weekly basis-sometimes I think that it is necessary to write or create a clever new post when in actuality it is probably better to just add a new picture or write about a new headline or update folks about the marathon training! So I will try to get better at this!

Halloween came and went. Next year I would like to host a Costume Party and decorate the house more. Sarah and I walked around the development with some friends and their children and we got to see some great decorations. It was so much fun to be able to see children being able to trick or treat in a development setting with temps in the high 60s. Made me think about rural Maine and the colder temps for the grandkids. Can't wait to see their costumes in the pictures Kristin sends me.

Now, the marathon training update! Injuries are trying to stop me but I am managing. Had a great first 3 weeks and then while hiking AND running in Tennessee I had the first twinges of plantar fasciitis in left foot and then the left Achilles tendonitis settled in. I am now sidelined for this week and hoping that rest and deep tissue massage will do its magic. December 19th looms large!

Trip to Gatlinburg

Gatlinburg Oct 2010 Slideshow: Carla’s trip from Mobile, Alabama, United States to Gatlinburg, Tennessee was created by TripAdvisor. See another Gatlinburg slideshow. Create a free slideshow with music from your travel photos.

George and Laura Lee's Wedding: Sept. 25, 2010

The wedding....finally here. And the day seems perfect. Temps will be in the 70s and the sun is shining. Bruce and I got to Laura's a little before 3pm and got a chance to see her and Tim before they had to dress and head out for pictures at the church.

Bruce and I got there and sat in front of Joell, Sarah, Hazel, and Luella. Troy came in and sat with us and then Jenay with Wyliam.  He is getting so big.  Bruce had not seen any of the 3 little ones.

Wedding was wonderful and had some different parts to it. They had a bagpipe-r lead them in and out of the church. The reception was next door. We stayed until almost 11pm and danced to "Sweet Home Alabama". Food and cake were excellent. Here are some pictures I took.

George with his mother Laura

Troy with Wyliam and Hazel 

Heather

Me with Hazel

Feeding of the cake