Hi Friends!

Wow! It's been awhile since I have done this. Like 4 months awhile. 

I'm loving the new space, thanks to Hubby Jack for fixing it up for me. 

Anyway, now that I have my new space, I promised myself I would write more. I just spent 2 hours moving photos around in Photobucket. What a nightmare. I was trying to be diligent and move all 2000+ photos to the appropriate file, but that didn't last long. I can't for the life of me move one picture at a time to the correct folder. Instead, I made an "uploaded 070313" folder and dumped everything  there. From this point one, I will organize photos appropriately. With that being said, I'm sure I just mucked all of my previous entries photos. When you move photos, after you have already used them in a post, it wipes them out. So frustrating, but it is what it is. 

So...you might be asking what's been going on with me for the past couple of months. Here's the rundown:

I'm still running! Not as often as I was, but I'm still trying to get out and run at least once per week (read: once every 3 weeks). Side note: we ran a very slow, pathetic 2 miles last night and I felt like I hadn't ran in 6 years. It was awful. End side note. 

My goal is to get back into a normal running routine. I have a million excuses why I can't, but ultimately, those excuses only hurts me. 

I did get this little update yesterday and I was pretty proud of it! Hopefully the next 6 months will be better! 

Remember when we got this little guy? 

Here he is today:

I still love him - even if he weighs a ton!

He's the best pet! Besides the occasional rooting of the yard and the fact he can open our back door, he's truly one of the best pets we've had. He is just so cool. He's smart, independent, loves to eat, loves to sleep, loves his belly rubbed, and can do a few tricks. He's so much fun.

In April, we said goodbye to one of our favorite people....."Old Grandma" It still doesn't seem real that she's gone. We all miss her dearly.

We started playing softball again.

This time with our church, in an exclusive Church League. It's been a lot of fun and it's keeping us on our best behavior. We are so competitive that it's natural for us to slip a naughty word here or there. Luckily, the worst thing I have said so far is "fruit". I'm trying to be a good girl... :)

I started a new job on 6/3. I took a leap of faith and decided to do something different. I was at my previous job for exactly 2 1/2 years. There are so many things I loved about that job, except the job itself. I'm more of an Accounting type of girl and that wasn't really Accounting. It was more Finance, which I hate. Anyway, it was a great company with awesome benefits, but the job itself and personalities of some folks made me decide to get back into a small office setting. I have been here for exactly one month today and I'm loving it so far.
It's nice to have a laid-back atmosphere and be able to laugh and listen to music, without upsetting anybody. Seems petty, but I'm serious about it being a "no-no" at my other job.

I'm still working on getting fit and healthy. When Old Grandma passed away, I was down 10lbs from where I am now. I would like to get back to that point, but I don't want to gain it all back as quickly as I did, once things settled down. I have been pretty lacks in eating right. Working with guys is different, because they eat. I feel like I eat like them, when we eat together. When I worked with girls, it was easier to eat lighter and to "diet" more.
I'm trying to stay aware of what I'm eating, so I can't blame anyone but myself, when the scales are yelling at me. Today's weight wasn't the best, but it wasn't horrible considering I haven't exercised much lately and have eaten a ton of ice cream this summer. I picked up this little gem last night and can't wait to dive into it.

If you follow me on Instagram, I'm sure you saw this already, but I thought it was pretty comical. I bought a book explaining why I'm fat and then I left the bookstore and bought ice cream. I mean, it is "skinny" ice cream and the book does say "eat more, cheat more, lose more"....just sayin'!

Just the runs

A few years ago, okay like 16 years ago, I was runner. Not a great runner, but still a runner. I ran in Cross Country and ran in track. During track meets, I typically ran the 1/2 mile, mile, and 2 mile for a total of 14 laps around the track. (Boring!) Right after high school, I got married and started a family. I never ran again.....until recently.

I reintroduced myself to the running world in September 2011, with the Couch to 5k program. We went from barely being able to run 90 seconds at a time, to running 8 minutes without stopping. It was hard for us, but we fought through it. He started traveling more, so our time of running together ended. I had to venture out on my own and try and complete this program. I quit the program on Halloween. It was cold, drizzly, and I almost got ran over, so I decided enough was enough.

In December 2011, I bought a treadmill, with hopes I would get that desire again. And I did. I loved running on the treadmill, in the comfort of my own house, anytime of the day, no matter what the weather was like outside - I could run. I continued a mile here, a mile there for awhile, but didn't really progress. In the Spring of 2012, I once again started the Couch to 5k program again, determined to finish the entire program and to prepare for a race we signed up for. Consistency was better, but still not great. We would run our little hearts out and then celebrate with margaritas afterwards. (Probably not the best training method.) Our race came and I felt good. We ran our first mile really fast, but kind of faded after that. My friend was having major side cramps and I wasn't sure if I was supposed to stay with her or go on, so I decided to stay and walk when she walked.

My time was 36:22, which was a lot better than my previous 5k. (I won't tell you that story just know this: School reunion the night before + beer + late night + early morning + hot summer = bad racing experience//bad racing time)

My Scentsy Sponsor signed up for the Hot Mamas Run that would take place September 2012. I had been running every so often, but nothing consistent. Maybe a mile a week, maybe nothing. I decided to sign up for the race as well. I tried so hard to be more consistent with my running, but just didn't commit. When it was time for the race, I felt somewhat prepared, but not completely prepared. It was a hilly course and I walked a lot of it. I started walking with her, but was determined to beat my time from March, (that totally didn't happen, by the way), so I left her behind and walked/ran to the finish line. The hills were brutal. I was used to running on either the treadmill, or flat streets. I was not prepared for a lot of hills (not big ones. But still, hills are hills). My time was 39 something. You can see pics and deets here, if you are interested.

Anyway, fast forward to the current running situation and we are doing things like this:

This is what I'm most proud of. Challenging ourselves each and every week to do more, whether it be more miles, or more times. Just more.

I don't want to be the fastest runner, I just want to be a good runner, who is always improving. I would love to (eventually) run a half marathon, but right now we are enjoying our own challenges and seeing what we can do. So far this week, we have run 9 miles. (6 on Sunday, 3 on Tuesday). That is completely unheard of for us. Someday, we might be running 9 miles in one day. Who knows.

What I do know is that I like this. I like the feeling we get when we are finished, when we look at each other and say "we just ran 5 miles. 5 freaking miles". I like that it's making me stronger - physically & emotionally. I like that it's good for my heart. I like that I can do it with my husbad by my side.

My purpose for writing about "the runs" today is to let you know that you don't have to be good, you just have to be good enough. You have to want to do it, commit to it, and not give up - no matter how slow you might be. I have been there, even after being a "runner" back in the day. Running is hard, but it so rewarding. Don't let your mind talk your body out of something that could be the best thing you've ever experienced.

As we were running 3 miles yesterday and struggling going into the 3rd mile, the song "The Climb" by Miley Cyrus blasted in my ears. The words rang so very true with my experience with running. My failures, my successes.

The struggles I'm facing
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking

I may not know it
But these are the moments that
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I got to be strong
Just keep pushing on

'Cause there's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be a uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!

A little motivation/funnies:

These things are so delish. I also like the Banana Foster flavor.

Sparking it up! (Oh and look, my nails don't look hideous!)



Don't forget to hop on over to Miss Desirae's blog and enter a chance to win a boatload of prizes!


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IIIIIIIIttttttttt'ssssss Monday!

Hello Lovies!
I hope you all had a fabulous weekend - I sure did! For the first time in a long time, I am glad it's Monday. Maybe it's because I'm anxious to get to the weekend already!

Here's what happened with me this past weekend.

Yay! Finally a haircut for the boy after months of growing it out. (He had a few haircut nightmares that scared him away from scissors)

My new car! 2013 Dodge Avenger. Traded hubs' beast in. Yay for cheaper gas!

Sunday lunch with my good friend, Lauren.

6 miles with new shoes. Boom and Boom.

Dietbet is starting today. I want to win the $$$

My breakfast this morning. Sandwich thins, toasted with pb, strawberries, and banana. So good!

This came in the mail on Friday - will be starting today.



Ratchet Nails. Going to get these gnarly things taken care of tonight. New color: Strawberry Margarita.

 

 

 

That wraps up my weekend/Monday morning recap. Before you leave, you need to head on over to Going with the flow and enter for a chance to win a lot of prizes. One winner, ya'll!

 

Go now!!

 



All in a day's work

Here's what my Thursday looked like.........

#OOTD Top = Ny & Co//Pants = Ny & Co//Nude Heels (can't see in this pic) = Target

P.S. I suck at selfies, but trying to get better! I put my daughter up to taking this pic.

I start everyday with Spark. 

Love this!

Ran while daughter was at soccer practice. Cold North wind. I wanted to quit so bad, but kept trucking. No pain during run, but had pain immediately when I stopped. Hoping I will be cured tomorrow when I get fitted for proper shoes.

Spreading some Advocare love to peeps all over the United States.

Dinner Success!

As you may or may not know, I try to incorporate healthy meals into our week. Typically on Sunday I sit down and pin recipes on Pinterest and then we choose a few to use for the upcoming week. We also do our weekly shopping at this time. That works for us. I like knowing what we are having a few days ahead of time, as it usually means that there is less of a chance for a fast food dinner.

What I think of fast food:

Here are a few of the food choices we had this week. Both recipes from skinnytaste.com, which has been my go-to website for healthy food recipes. In all of the recipes we have tried, we have yet to find one that we didn't like.

Mexican Shrimp Cobb Salad

Chicken Rollatini with Spinach alla Parmigiana

This chicken recipe was delish. Even my son, the picky one, had 3 helpings. He did scrape a bit of the spinach out, but that's still okay with me.

Dirty dish = every portion devoured = happy mom! 

Diet Bet. This is happening in a few days. Bring on the $$$$$. You can join me here - http://bit.ly/1401qJY

I was running!

The last couple of weeks, Sundays specifically, the hubs and I head out to complete a 3 mile run. We have a race coming up in a month, so we have been trying to get some decent training in on the nice days. A few weeks ago, I completed my first 3 mile run - without walking - in I don't know how long. It was incredible.

Fast forward to this past weekend and we did this:

Our Splits.

It was a struggle at first. My music kept messing up and my pace was way off.  I was getting so pissed. I wanted to quit. Scott even suggested it at one point. I finally got my music situated and wanted to keep running. And running. I don't know what happened, but I didn't want to stop. We did have to take a few breaks as the hubs started cramping and over heating. At that point we were at 3.84 miles. I suggested we keep going, with the wind at our back. I really wanted to get 5 miles in and we were so close to it. So close. 

We continued on and stopped when we had to, but never for very long. Our last 1/4 - 1/2 mile was straight into the wind. It wasn't a fun way to end, but we finished a 5 mile run! Something I haven't done in a long time, if ever! It was pretty exciting and I can't wait to get 5 again, or maybe even 6!

Post Run Pics

Sneak peek of our church pics!

My babies

Happenings lately

Another busy, but fun weekend!

The highlight of the weekend was my 3 mile run! Actually, the highlight was the KU/OU game. However, us losing caused my focus to shift to my amazing run yesterday afternoon!

Tonight = KU vs KSU

All I have to say to that is ROCK CHALK JAYHAWKS!!!!!

Menu Planning Week 1/27- 2/1

All I can say is THANK GOODNESS FOR PINTEREST!

It makes meal planning so much easier and we have found some great, HEALTHY recipes to try.

Here's our meal plan for the week:

Sunday: Breakfast for Dinner

via


Monday: Basketball Game out of town - will have to grab Subway or something else equally as healthy.

Tuesday: Cajun Chicken Stuffed with Spinach and Pepperjack Cheese

via

Wednesday: CrockPot Ribs

via

Thursday: Southwestern Chopped Chicken Salad

via

Friday: Where's the Crust Pizza

via

Off to go grocery shopping! How lame are we at 8pm on a Saturday night?!?!?!?