Hello 2014!

Here we are again starting a new year. 2014. The super shallow girl in me just loves that it is an even number and I like to write 4 better than 3's! I know, shal-low. Now, deep . . .

A new year is always a fresh start, a new beginning, time for refocus, yada, yada, yada. I've never been much for resolutions, but I do think it's super important to always try to improve somehow. So I work on that one way or another each year. Deeper relationship with my Maker, do more for my family, hitting new running goals and my first year of graduate school will be my major focus points this year. Nothing documented or track-able, just a goal to get through one day at time. Look, I made it through 2013. And that was nothing short of amazing at times! Ugghhh. '13 was truly one of my hardest years EVER, so to make it to 2014 'clothed and in my right mind' isn't an accomplishment to scoff at. Really. The pressures, emotional trials, struggles, a full-time job, completing my final undergraduate year of school and losing my mother made it beyond tough and unbearable at times. Yet, I endured and here we are: 2014.

But hold on 2014, you're not going as expected. Things I thought were working out aren't turning out so well. Hopes and dreams I had, are already diminishing. Relationships that should be strong are shaky. People that I had expectations from, are not coming through. Stress is already mounting. Emotions are high. I've already had a few good cries. My little life that I had all planned out is rather turbulent. 2014 is starting out just like 2013. Isn't all supposed to clean and new and fresh and perfect and headed in the right direction?

Life. It's life. Just like all the other 30-something years I've experienced. Sometimes it doesn't hit until May or June or maybe even September. But life happens. I can't control it or order it the way I would like, but I can only chose my reaction in these situations. And though my 2014 may not be starting off the way I'd like, I know here we are at another year of life and come what I may, me and Jesus will get through it!

A New Name & A Yummy Breakfast

Productive and fun morning with hubby, who I roped into driving me downtown to do my name addition - that's been on my to-do list for years! Yay! After business was taken care of, breakfast stops included Porter Road Butcher, where Dave got a meaty breakfast sandwich and I got a scone. They gave us a free scone because it was a little overcooked. Super yum! Good thing I ran this morning! Then to Headquarters Nashville for Chai! #yum #supportlocal #itsbetter

                            

Mini-Me and Me

She still likes to match and I'm okay with that. 10 years strong!

     

To Every Thing There is a Season

You know the girl, the girl that absolutely hates ALL sports. That is perfectly happy sitting, reading quietly in the library. Yes, with the four eyes. That never, not once, participated in an organized sport unless it was completely mandatory. That sat on the bench. Or cheered from the sidelines.

The girl that dreaded gym class with every fiber of her being. Never understood the rules of any game, except maybe dodge ball. Lacked all coordination needed to athletically perform any type of physical activity at all.

While other girls made playing volleyball look so cute and some could run like the wind around the bases of the baseball diamond playing softball. Or the cheerleaders . . . oh, let's not go there. The girls that made sweat look pretty on the basketball court. Yeah, not those girls. 

The one who got a soccer ball in the face when some wise guy decided it would be funny to throw it up in the air and hit it as hard as he could with a baseball bat, landing smack-dab on the bridge of the above-mentioned spectacles . . . making quite a spectacle in front of the entire middle school.

The one who even escaped state-mandated physical education class in high school via a note from her parents deeming co-ed sports were banned in accordance with strict religious beliefs.

The one that was always one of the last to get picked . . . and for good reason.

Yep . . . that's me.

Sports weren't my thing. I didn't like to move my muscles. At that time, I liked to be "lazy", which is okay when you're ten, but doesn't work out so well when you're 33 and spend over eight hours a day on your dairy aire. As I grew older and my metabolism began its evil ploy against me and I started to put on pounds, I joined Weight Watchers, which at the time taught much about what to eat, but put little emphasis on exercise. This worked out great for me and I was able to drop 30 lbs. by eating less and not breaking a sweat.

So, I know it came as a big surprise to many of those around me when I began running. And the only way to explain it is Ecclesiastes 3:1 "To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven." And a praying mother-in-law, who wanted more than anything for her son to be healthy. So when he took up running, I followed suit.

In just a few weeks, I will run my 7th half marathon, yes 7th, for all those kids that laughed in gym class when I attempted to make a basketball shot from whatever that line is where you stand directly in front of the hoop, yep, missed. 7th, for all those kids that said girls in skirts can't run.

So, it's not the Olympics, but I'm moving. And this season I've taken on a new challenge. As I plug my way through my 84th year (well, it sure feels like it!) of college on my way to my Master's in Accounting, I read and run. I hate to admit it . . . but I'm starting to lose respect for those that just run. Rip through their neighborhood knocking out a 10 minute-mile. Big deal. Kinda' sorta. I understand. That's still pretty awesome.

Over the last few running years, I've struggled to keep a 10 minute-mile on the treadmill on a good day. And for those of you that don't run, the treadmill is more difficult than outdoor running when trying to increase your speed. But today I stood in sweat and amazement as I did my 4 mile run in just 40 minutes and 53 seconds, with a 2.0 incline and knocking out a chapter in my biology book on cellular respiration. Hello. Cellular respiration?!?!? It takes some skills, people!

Yeah, I guess you can say I'm an athlete now.    

Life at my Pace

Life is back at this pace again. What?!?! It's out of focus? It is not clear? Fuzzy? Hurts your eyes?

Welcome to my world.

Yep, life is a blur when you work full-time, attend college full-time, have a family, are preparing for a half marathon, yada, yada, yada . . .

Nevertheless, I love my crazy, blurry life!

Wonderful Weekend

So strange not to spend a Saturday studying - squeezed tons in! 1/2 Goodwill Day, finished final little bit of school shopping, lots to consignment and got through 90% of the bonus room disaster. Yay! This is what the rest of the world does with their weekends, no wonder you love them so much! :)

 

Home is Where My Heart is Happy

While visiting here in Nashville my Dad is enjoying sampling every live music venue our Music City has to offer. That was a perfectly fine activity for him to do while I was busily working to complete my final assignments for my summer course. But since my last class ended Monday night, as a good daughter I felt it obligatory to go along with him on his adventure last night. Yikes and more yikes.

 

Our first stop we walked in and walked out of just as quickly. Thankfully it was a bit too loud for dear, old Dad. Good, because the act was looking a little strange to me.

 

Moved down the road to our second stop. - I will omit names to protect the innocent, as they are not my thing, I'm sure they are totally enjoyable to those in attendance. - After we finally found parking and made our way to the bottom of this kinda' sketchy venue, we did stay for a bit. Young and old enjoyed a couple of guys making some music. Dark and scary are the descriptive words that I feel are most appropriate.

 

Somehow the picture just does not do it justice. Again, not my thing, but obviously pleasurable for those who like such an atmosphere. No thank you. :)

Soon my Dad decided it was a bit too loud and not acoustic enough and he convinced me to travel along to check out another spot. However, before we departed I made him stop for a picture, which I'm sure was quite amusing for those young fellas observing from the back porch, as I'm sure they are stilled perplexed as to why we ever entered in the first place!

The last venue turned out to be just what Dad was looking for. Songwriters Night for all those trying to find their way in Music City. Some were good, some not my style. The atmosphere was dark, the crowd was mix of all ages, typical dive bar scene. And so I stood and listened and for the most part enjoyed the live music forever, I mean, a few hours. ;-) I got very caught up on my Facebook and Instagram feeds, which is nice for a change and because I never do nothing for that long. But Dad liked it and when he realized I was growing weary, we eventually headed home.

Songwriters doing their thing and trying to make it big in Music City.

But I came to the most awesome discovery last night:

 

I LOVE MY LIFE, I LOVE MY JOB, I LOVE MY CAREER CHOICE, I LOVE MY HOME.

 

I watched as these starving artist do what they love, trying so hard to make a life or the people-packed bars sipping their alcoholic beverage in the dark, dingy places. That life is for them and maybe they are happy. But not me.

 

I love having a desk job. I love that one day I'll be an accountant (Lord-willing and the creek don't rise!). I love wearing fancy clothes, dressing up and meeting girlfriends at fru-fru lunch places. I love using an adding machine and owning more office supplies than most corporations would ever need. I love being with my energetic ten year-old and her dad, cuddled up on our clean sofa watching a movie or just hanging out shopping at Costco. I love my family. Home and family are where I am happiest, it is where my heart is.

 

And I love my Dad, so I endured what makes his heart happy.

Just Simple Stuff

Some puppy tried to take over driving while I was pumping gas! 🐶 Bundtinis at work for a birthday party. 🎂 McDonald's in the rain on the minion hunt. Picking up after Day 4 of camp, still smiling! 😀 Yay! 

Happy Hump Day!

That's my Wednesday. 

Dropped CC off for camp at the fun bus before 7am. Dolly goes along for the ride. 

 

Pretended to be a plumber at work, yeah, I'm not! 🔧 

 

Tried the new Orange Spiced Iced Coffee at the 'bucks. Not too shabby! 🍊 

 

Even squeezed in a four mile trot while reading half a long grueling chapter in Business Strategy. 📖 

 

Wow! You can squeeze a lot in a Wednesday if you really try! 😉 BED.time! Good night all! 💤

Much-Needed Mommy Daughter Shopping Day!

But don't ask Daddy, because he'll tell you shopping is never needed! ;-)

 

Little CC and I have a great day, started with scoring some good deals at Goodwill, for her new shoes and a purse still with the tags! Brunch at our new Panera Bread, yum! And then the sinking of Mom's savings account on a brand new pair Sperry's for 5th grade. Eeekkk! She's growing up tooo fast.

 

I had an awesome day with her and am so thankful for these days to clear away my busy and hectic work and school schedule and make her a top priority.

 

And I think she kind of likes it too . . . in the car on the ride home she said, "Mom, I have to tell you something."

"What?", I reply.

"Thank you."

Without even being told. Ahhhh, sometimes I feel like I've got this.

 

National Running Day 2013

I made it happen! So much homework, so much to do . . . but I hit the 'mill and it felt so good! 

 

I run for my moms (mom and mom-in-law). They both ran, encouraged me and were so proud of me when I started running. I ran when they weren't well enough to run anymore as they each fought their battles with cancer. 

 

And now I run with both my moms cheering me on from their Heavenly home. And usually it's when I feel the closest to them. #irun #iloverunning

A Lesson on Patience by Prada

 
While I'm over here moping about my life and how horrible school is, look what came today!!! 👛 And God reminded me, yes, Jesus can use a #Prada bag!, that you appreciate things even more the harder you have to work for them. I've lost count of the years I've been in school working on my degree, but when I'm done I'm sure I'll feel pretty accomplished. Much like today when after all the pennies I've been tucking away resulted in this special treat! #goodthingscometothosewhowait 

My 2013 Summer Goal

My goal this Summer is NOT to:

     * lose 10 pounds,
     * run a few 5K or possibly another half marathon,
     * get all A's on my summer semester,
     * workout more,
     * be vegan daily before 6pm [Check out Mark Bittman's book: here]     
     * or to go on lots of fun and exciting outings with my little family.

Nope, I have made it my 2013 Summer goal to try all 25 of Sonic's Hand-Mixed shakes!

And though those above ideas are all great, I historically tend to set my expectations in life too high or have too many expectations to begin with. So, here's to summer fun and relaxing and enjoying the small, sweet moments in life. Because, really, it's all that matters.

So . . . 2 down, 23 to go!

Vanilla

Chocolate

Strawberry

Pineapple

Fresh Banana
Caramel
Hot Fudge
Peanut Butter
Peanut Butter Fudge
Peanut Butter Cookie
Peanut Butter Banana
Peanut Butter & Jelly
Peanut Butter & Bacon
Strawberry Banana
Chocolate-Covered Strawberry
Chocolate-Covered Banana
Chocolate Cream Pie
Coconut Cream Pie
Banana Cream Pie
Strawberry Cream Pie

Cheesecake

Chocolate Cheesecake

Strawberry Cheesecake

Cherry Cheesecake

OREO® Cheesecake

Country Music Half #3

This Saturday will be Country Music Half Marathon #3 for this guy and I! Can I believe it? No! Do I love it? Yes. But I sure wish Lipscomb University and the committee for the Country Music Half would plan a different weekend . . . it always falls the weekend before finals. Talk about a busy weekend. Oh Lord! Throw a wedding and church in the mix. Will I have time to breath? Will I survive? :)

It's crazy that it has been just 10 days since the tragedy in Boston and the Rock 'n' Roll committee has done so much for the victims and our fellow runners in Boston and all over the world. Security has been heightened and more prevalent police presence. This is the largest race taking place since the Boston attacks, so they're be extra cautious. Makes me happy and so thankful for this awesome country I live in. God bless America and especially Boston!

The Health & Fitness Expo was fun as usual. Brooks always has a cool display. Check out that pasta bowl!

Had a celebrity citing and had to get a picture!

               



Speaking of pasta . . . Of course, carb-loading time had to happen! Yay for the yumminess of The Old Spaghetti Factory! There Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter is my absolute favorite, well they have a new dish: The Garlic Mizithra! Can you say A-mazing?!?! It was awesome! Same as the Mizithra Cheese and Browned Butter, but with garlic, BACON, and mushrooms. And we all know how I LOVE bacon! I can't wait to enjoy my leftovers! And finished our fantastic dinner off with their yummy spumoni ice cream. Yum!

Now, rest and relax until race time, minus the countless hours of homework! Yep, Monday will be here before I know it. Happy Weekend, all! 

 

It's all you can do . . .

Hold On as talently performed by Alabama Shakes

Number Four!

I did it . . . again. My very first solo half marathon (without my hubby running beside me) but that brings me to FOUR total! Pretty amazing, especially for this once-very-nonathletic gal who didn't even take Phys. Ed. in high school! So glad I'm taking care of myself, kinda' sorta, though I don't feel so good now that I'm finished and am lying in bed eating Candy Corn Oreos! But I guess I've got a few extra calories I can afford eat today!

                                      

I Really Do Learn Something New [Almost] Everyday

So neat to learn today I can blog from my phone!! I like to think this is going to change my blogging-life as I know it, but I'm still missing one thing . . . time!

But in the mean, I sure hope this results in at least a few more entries of family milestones and memories, more (though poor quality) pictures and additional random babblings. Be warned . . . but not too scared!

Stopping By

Awwww, January 20 . . . 1st day here of the new year. Yep, I'm a real serious blogger. Not. Man. Someday. And so much of precious, sweet Charity's life is flying by and she does the cutest things. Life's not too bad. We miss Gramma. 2nd grade is half over. We're having a very snowy winter. Fashion is lovely. And I miss blogging it all. Going to try and get the mobile thing set up once and for all. I can do it! If not . . . well, until next month, right?!?

Ready for 2011!

Oh, my lovely life. And it's Monday. Figures. They're always the worst.

I was kinda' hoping in the back of my mind that this month, November, was going to be better than the last couple. Been a little rough. September was awful. Then October my BlackBerry crashed causing me enormous headache and trouble that I'm still dealing with.

So today, November 1st. I think surely things have to get better. Ha! That would be way too easy.

Charity and I leave her $133 dentist appointment only to have to return in a few days for her to get either a couple-hundred-dollar-filling or a $410 crown, they don't know which. They won't know until they get "in" there. Ok. We'll figure that out. We have dental insurance, it's just the dentist we are currently going to does not accept our insurance. Must switch dentist. Must figure out soon. Still stress. Will do.

Then hop in the car to this:

Yes, the lovely check engine light on. In the car we just got back from the $1300 shop visit. Oh, lovely. Did I mention how great life's going currently?

Oh well, it's bound to get better . . . or worse. Either or, we'll deal with it and move on, because that's life and that's just what you do. However, here's hoping 2011 is better.

I Loved this Saturday!

Just a simple fun, full day. However great. We jammed a lot it. Saturday’s are my favorite and the one’s with no set schedule are even better.

Started off intending to find some yard sales, but didn’t see anything that interested us. Headed to the Nashville Flea Market, from there to Farmer’s Market for some fresh produce and an amazing blueberry pie that we later enjoyed with Gramma along with some vanilla yogurt. It was worth going off the diet for!

We ate lunch at new spot in Bellevue: Tee’s Fireside Cafe. The chicken salad was AMAZING and they had tasty fruit tea too!

Came home and enjoyed a nice 2 hour nap. Then out to Target for some leisurely girl time, 2 hours of shopping. Charity was pretty good, for that long of period in one store. But it’s been so long since I’ve just strolled around and shopped there . . . and only spent $100. :)

Finished the night with a 2 mile run! Whoa! Bed feels goods, but the entire day was, too!