WARNING!!!

I've had a couple of friends tell me that they have F-150's that are affected by the recall. All I can say is GET IT TAKE CARE OF IMMEDIATELY!!!

I've never been one to take recalls very seriously. I always think I'll just get it taken care of the next time it's in the shop. Well, the pictures below speak to me and should yell to all others out there. TAKE IT IN!!!

Most importantly, until you can get into the shop to get it taken care of, DO NOT park your truck near your house or near your other vehicles. This fire did not happen while the truck was running. I was in someone's house for almost 1.5 hours before it spontaneously ignited. And by the time I got out to the street, it was already engulfed in flames

Finally, don't keep any valuables in your truck, just in case

Here's what happened....

Some friends and I signed up for a cooking class on Saturday morning through Leisure Learning Unlimited. I arrived at the class on time at 9 AM. The class was at a woman's house so we were all parked in the street around her house in this residential area. At around 10:15, someone was banging on the window yelling, "Someone's truck in on fire!" We all ran out and it was my truck that was on fire. It just spontaneously burst into flames.

Yes, Lisa, this was one of the Ford trucks that was affected by the recall. I was taking off work this week and this was one of the things I was going to take care of. (I also needed new tires but I guess I won't have to bother with that this week.

No one was hurt. The only thing of value that was in the truck was about $7,000 worth of software that a friend of mine had given me...stuff he was no longer using...development stuff. Also some books, a shirt, a child seat, a coffee cup...really no big deal

Hopefully my insurance company will pay me the value of the car and I'll be looking for something else soon.

Sorry I missed the marathon, but...

Well, my plan was to be on hand to cheer all my HRB buds on but something kinda happened on Saturday that threw a wrench in my plan. Rather than try to explain with words what happened, I'll let the photos speak for themselves.

Well, that's my ride. Enough said.

Look what I did!!!

I know, I know, Sarah!!! It's not the space shuttle. But it's really me and I'm really flying!!! Dream come true for Christmas!!!

Great news!!!

Many of you may not know this about me but for about 4 years now, I have been intent on breaking into the healthcare informatics field. I've worked in a hopital laboratory now for about 15 years and became interested some years ago in how technology can be used in healthcare to save money, reduce medical errors, and save lives. I went back to school about 3 years ago and have been working on my BS in computer science, all the while attending conferences, meeting people, learning all I can about the field.

Well, all my hard work had unbeliveably paid off as I just received my first job offer in my new career last friday. My new position is Clinical Applications Analyst and it's with the same company I currently work with. The money is a whole lot better but more importatly, it's doing something I love to do.

Now that all the initial excitement has subsided a bit, it's a bit surreal to be changing careers. As I said, I've been doing the same thing for about 15 years now so to totally switch careers, although it's exactly what I've been working towards, is a tad bit scary. I'm soooooo ready though!

Thanks to my family for helping me get here. It's been a tough road, going to school, working odd shifts, going to conferences. Also, thanks to God for giving me this opportunity.

I start the first of February!!!

Long overdue!!!

To start off, let me say that my ankle recovery and my fitness in general have not progressed as I had hoped. A week or so ago, I posted a little about my frustration as well as a plan for getting out of this funk on HRB.com. I wanted to post the plan (not the frustration) here on my blog, too. Rather than a 1, 2, 3 step-by-step plan, I've set this up as a list of priorities. Here they are:

1. When I first started this list, this #1 priority was relegated to the end of my list. I had to put it back at the top. My #1 priority is to get my spiritual life in order. I know there are a lot of views out there and I'm not one to push my faith on anyone but as a matter of record, I must state here that without God, I can do nothing. Health and fitness are spiritual issues for me. For me, health and fitness allow me to serve my God, my family, and my community in a way that's just not possible in my current condition. So, I must 're-connect' to the Source of my strength and my discipline and my inspiriation.
2. Secondly, I MUST decrease the pressure and stress that I put on my ankle with each step. In other words, I've gotta lose this weight. I was reading that lbs/foot pressure increase exponentially with total body mass. If that's the case, then it should also decrease just as fast. I think this is the number one reason that my ankle has not healed. I'm not making excuses but it's kind of a catch-22 for me. I need to exercise to lose weight but I can't exercise because my weight keeps my ankle from healing properly. I am going to have to figure out and implement a strict weightloss regimen that frankly does not include running or walking. This will require even more discipline and planning. I can't splurge and then go out and run 6 miles like I could last winter. I'm going to have to work.
3. I need strength. The muscles that hold my ankle together and the muscles that support those muscles are in bad, bad shape. So, exercise-wise, I am going to start a 12-16 week concentrated strength training program. I dont' know what or where or how but I think this is a priorty that will get be me back to running with a good foundation.
4. I need flexibility. I MUST start back to stretching. Tight muscles don't help my gait and posture and in turn probably do more harm to my ankle.
5. I must re-engage my awesome community (Striders, HRB'ers, family). I've gotta get back on the blogs and boards and stay inspired. Most of all, I want to chronicle this comeback for others to draw on.
6. Lastly, and this may be the hardest. I'M NOT GOING TO RUN AT ALL!!! Until further notice, running is off-limits. I've got to break the cycle of 'well, I feel a little better... I think I'll go run...injury...take time off...feel a little better...I think I'll run...injury...take time off...' You all know the drill. Patience, patience, patience!!! I think if I take care of 1-5, I'll be ready to come back strong in April or May. Will that put me in a position for Houston '07? I don't know. I hope it does but I've got to do this first. And if I have to put my first marathon off 'till later in spring '07 or fall '07, sobeit.

Updates to follow!!!