This post is to notify all users of this site about a few "house rules."
I see the people from Europe, Asia, and the Islands, and I know what you are up to. So here is a few reminders about those of us that operate blogs in the United States of America.
I write this blog for a living. If you copy the blog, you are infringing on my right to make a living in the United States. That is a big problem. I will find you.
Under no circumstances are you allowed to copy any post in this blog without the consent of the author. No exceptions. All violators will be reported. The author charges a minimum of $250.00 USD and up to $1,000.00 depending on the popularity of the article, per paragraph. Google translate will be used to find any perpetrators. The offending person will be billed for the past use, demanded to remove all unauthorized content. The bill is due and payable upon receipt. By copying, spinning, rewording, translating, or otherwise using the content you understand these terms and agree to pay the author immediately. Payment is due in full and in USD only.
You may read the blog and site the blog as a reference. You must use the blog name, date of the article, and put the information in a proper format. Otherwise, again, it is considered copyright infringement.
I have had to crack down on a few people that have used the blog to spin the articles and repost them as their own in various languages. Good thing I know about how to look up i.p. addresses, spoofing, and find out who these people really are. The entire web site was taken down once it was reported.
This blog, all contents, and comments thereof are the sole property of H. Jennings in the United States of America.
Friday, November 13, 2015
When Life Isn't Normal
Most of you know I lost my Mom to cancer. I also recently lost an aunt to cancer as well. It isn't fair. It isn't right. These women were in their early 50's, had children and grandchildren. They were loved. They were part of our Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year traditions.
After mom died, it was nearly February before I could take down the Christmas decorations. Every time I picked up a piece of the ceramic village, I couldn't breathe. I would set it back down and tell myself I would put it away as soon as I was able. Each day for a month, I would attempt the task. It never hurt less, but the repetition helped numb me enough to get these things put away.
Mom was in the hospital when I went to visit her after she moved to the Vancouver, Canada area. Although she had moved in late July, the passes across the state were dangerous to attempt, and it wasn't feasible until the weather started to clear in February 2013. Her house was just as she had described. Her touches were all over the exterior.
Once inside her house, the Christmas decorations were still up. She had become too sick and frail to put any of the decorations she lovingly put out, away. Every single piece: from the girl figure skating on the glass pond in the village, to the baby Jesus in the manager, was a reminder she wasn't going to be back. Normal was dead.
The second year (last year) was a bit easier. I decided to view life differently. It was an experiment of sorts. I decided I wasn't cheated out of a normal life with my Mom. I got to see her from the time she was still a teenager. I had been blessed with the most time. I had given her grandchildren. She loved us girls, but let's face it; she LOVED being grandma. I told myself that she would want us to be thankful. She would want us to be together. She would want us to be happy.
I pulled out her holiday silver and set the table with the nicest dishes I own. I sewed special napkins for people to write on. I decided that I would make new memories. I would forge new traditions woven from old ones.
This year, I will put those napkins back out. Life has changed a lot this year. I am not blind, nor ignorant to that. Families blend and change. People leave us and pass on. Those that are left here have an important choice: live in the past and fear the prospect of venturing out, or look to the future. My favorite song is by Danny Gokey (from American Idol). The song is called "Hope in front of me." If you have never heard it, here is a link to youtube https://youtu.be/O5GFiDdGGGM. It is my hope that you will choose to press on. I had to pick up the pieces mom left behind and integrate them into the future. You want to know something, it is working out pretty well. She was a pretty amazing person. The best part of having a future is this: by keeping her in my heart while pressing toward the future, is that there are times I feel her so strongly by my side that tears spontaneously roll down my face. Not from pain, or pity but from overwhelming peace and contentment.
I do not have a mother. But I do have two father figures. I do have in-laws. I do have my grandma. I have friends that love me. I have my siblings. I have my health. I have my kids. I have our neighbors, and the people we have collected along our journey. I have enough. It is not normal, but it is enough.
United States Copyright date November 13, 2015. No part of this blog post, nor posts in the past may be used, transferred, translated, nor altered in any way without express written permission of the author.
After mom died, it was nearly February before I could take down the Christmas decorations. Every time I picked up a piece of the ceramic village, I couldn't breathe. I would set it back down and tell myself I would put it away as soon as I was able. Each day for a month, I would attempt the task. It never hurt less, but the repetition helped numb me enough to get these things put away.
Mom was in the hospital when I went to visit her after she moved to the Vancouver, Canada area. Although she had moved in late July, the passes across the state were dangerous to attempt, and it wasn't feasible until the weather started to clear in February 2013. Her house was just as she had described. Her touches were all over the exterior.
Once inside her house, the Christmas decorations were still up. She had become too sick and frail to put any of the decorations she lovingly put out, away. Every single piece: from the girl figure skating on the glass pond in the village, to the baby Jesus in the manager, was a reminder she wasn't going to be back. Normal was dead.
The second year (last year) was a bit easier. I decided to view life differently. It was an experiment of sorts. I decided I wasn't cheated out of a normal life with my Mom. I got to see her from the time she was still a teenager. I had been blessed with the most time. I had given her grandchildren. She loved us girls, but let's face it; she LOVED being grandma. I told myself that she would want us to be thankful. She would want us to be together. She would want us to be happy.
I pulled out her holiday silver and set the table with the nicest dishes I own. I sewed special napkins for people to write on. I decided that I would make new memories. I would forge new traditions woven from old ones.
This year, I will put those napkins back out. Life has changed a lot this year. I am not blind, nor ignorant to that. Families blend and change. People leave us and pass on. Those that are left here have an important choice: live in the past and fear the prospect of venturing out, or look to the future. My favorite song is by Danny Gokey (from American Idol). The song is called "Hope in front of me." If you have never heard it, here is a link to youtube https://youtu.be/O5GFiDdGGGM. It is my hope that you will choose to press on. I had to pick up the pieces mom left behind and integrate them into the future. You want to know something, it is working out pretty well. She was a pretty amazing person. The best part of having a future is this: by keeping her in my heart while pressing toward the future, is that there are times I feel her so strongly by my side that tears spontaneously roll down my face. Not from pain, or pity but from overwhelming peace and contentment.
I do not have a mother. But I do have two father figures. I do have in-laws. I do have my grandma. I have friends that love me. I have my siblings. I have my health. I have my kids. I have our neighbors, and the people we have collected along our journey. I have enough. It is not normal, but it is enough.
United States Copyright date November 13, 2015. No part of this blog post, nor posts in the past may be used, transferred, translated, nor altered in any way without express written permission of the author.
Thursday, November 12, 2015
Best Shoes For Women With Flat Feet
*Please note: I use this site to both review products and from time to time I earn money by the product links in this page which are affiliate links to Amazon. Full legal disclaimer per Amazon's request is at the bottom of the page.*
I have flat feet. Once upon a time I had high, glorious arches. Then I had children. Children really do change every single part of your body.
I will preface this review blog post with the fact I now wear orthotics. If you experience foot pain, even with the help of specialty shoes, then you should probably talk with a physical therapist and get fitted for an orthotic also. Feeling like you have grandma shoes beats pain ANY day of the week.
My first pair of running shoes were Ascis. They were not meant for flat feet, nor were they meant for running. I found them on sale for sub $40.00 and that should have been my first tip off that they were not good for me.
I started running on a treadmill, which cushioned the blow somewhat. However, the second I stepped outdoors, I had blisters and shooting pain up my leg. I decided to buy another pair of shoes hoping for a bit of relief.
I purchased Brooks Ravena 4. They were bright, purple, and were so much better than the other pair, I was in awe. However, after about four months of steady wear, they started to break down. This is the point that I realized that I had to see a doctor. With the orthotics, the Brooks Ravena 4 is now my #2 choice for those women with flat feet. <iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=writeonrunnermom-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B0089OQYTA&asins=B0089OQYTA&linkId=M2T2WXTWYR6KOMND&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
About 6 months later, I decided to buy another brand. This time, I got the Pearl Izumi EM Road H3. These were billed as shoes for those with flat feet. The arch hit completely wrong. Even with the orthotic, I felt like my foot wasn't secure, and the toe box was just wrong. Perhaps if you are sub 100 lbs and have only slightly flat feet these will work.
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=writeonrunnermom-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B00H0AZHUQ&asins=B00H0AZHUQ&linkId=TP6M5S6KR7UHZ5V4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe> Finally, got a pair of Brooks Addiction 10's. I love them. I have worn them over a year and even though the tread is worn down, they are still very supportive. I have put on at least 200 miles. Even though I spent $125.00 on these shoes, they have been worth every penny. These are by far my top choice for shoes. The Addiction provides excellent value, very supportive, and even though they look like old lady shoes, and are a bit heavy, they are still going to be your best bet for long-term use.
Copyright November 12, 2015 United States of America. Unauthorized use of any blog, post or comment is forbidden without express written permission of the author.
*Legal disclaimer* “H.Jennings is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to http://www.blogger.writeonrunnermom.com.”
I have flat feet. Once upon a time I had high, glorious arches. Then I had children. Children really do change every single part of your body.
I will preface this review blog post with the fact I now wear orthotics. If you experience foot pain, even with the help of specialty shoes, then you should probably talk with a physical therapist and get fitted for an orthotic also. Feeling like you have grandma shoes beats pain ANY day of the week.
My first pair of running shoes were Ascis. They were not meant for flat feet, nor were they meant for running. I found them on sale for sub $40.00 and that should have been my first tip off that they were not good for me.
I started running on a treadmill, which cushioned the blow somewhat. However, the second I stepped outdoors, I had blisters and shooting pain up my leg. I decided to buy another pair of shoes hoping for a bit of relief.
I purchased Brooks Ravena 4. They were bright, purple, and were so much better than the other pair, I was in awe. However, after about four months of steady wear, they started to break down. This is the point that I realized that I had to see a doctor. With the orthotics, the Brooks Ravena 4 is now my #2 choice for those women with flat feet. <iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=writeonrunnermom-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B0089OQYTA&asins=B0089OQYTA&linkId=M2T2WXTWYR6KOMND&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe>
About 6 months later, I decided to buy another brand. This time, I got the Pearl Izumi EM Road H3. These were billed as shoes for those with flat feet. The arch hit completely wrong. Even with the orthotic, I felt like my foot wasn't secure, and the toe box was just wrong. Perhaps if you are sub 100 lbs and have only slightly flat feet these will work.
<iframe style="width:120px;height:240px;" marginwidth="0" marginheight="0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" src="//ws-na.amazon-adsystem.com/widgets/q?ServiceVersion=20070822&OneJS=1&Operation=GetAdHtml&MarketPlace=US&source=ac&ref=tf_til&ad_type=product_link&tracking_id=writeonrunnermom-20&marketplace=amazon®ion=US&placement=B00H0AZHUQ&asins=B00H0AZHUQ&linkId=TP6M5S6KR7UHZ5V4&show_border=true&link_opens_in_new_window=true"></iframe> Finally, got a pair of Brooks Addiction 10's. I love them. I have worn them over a year and even though the tread is worn down, they are still very supportive. I have put on at least 200 miles. Even though I spent $125.00 on these shoes, they have been worth every penny. These are by far my top choice for shoes. The Addiction provides excellent value, very supportive, and even though they look like old lady shoes, and are a bit heavy, they are still going to be your best bet for long-term use.
Copyright November 12, 2015 United States of America. Unauthorized use of any blog, post or comment is forbidden without express written permission of the author.
*Legal disclaimer* “H.Jennings is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to http://www.blogger.writeonrunnermom.com.”
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