Happy Easter

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, ⁴ and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. (1 Peter 1:3-4)

First Wedding Anniversary

I can't believe that I have been married to my best friend, my Cowboy, for one year tomorrow.  It's crazy to think back to all those little things that I was planning, worrying and waiting for a year ago.  When the day came it was perfect.  The weather was great, everything went really smoothly (minus a hair fiasco and lots of tears at the hairdresser) and the day was wonderful.   I couldn't have created the day of my dreams without all the help of our friends and family. 

We really put our touch on everything.  It was "US".  Nothing too fancy, just relaxed, simple and fun.  We didn't have a huge wedding party and left out a lot of the wedding traditions.  My husband wore black jeans, cowboy boots, a western button-down shirt and cowboy hat.  My dress was a corset style top with a simple skirt and a train that I wore busselled most of the day.  The reception was simple and decorated with wildflowers and country themed items - glass bottles, latterns, little cowboy boots.

My husband has a sweet tooth so the idea of keeping the cake top until our first year anniversary was absurd and didn't happen.  So I ordered the top of our cake again a few weeks ago and picked it up today to surprise him with it tomorrow. 

There are just a few little things I would do differently, but overall I wouldn't change the perfect day we were given as we started our lives together as husband and wife.  Our first year together has been great.  We,  as any newlywed couple, had our little ups and downs but through it all we always turned to each and grew closer together because of it.  I am looking forward to growing old with my Cowboy and enjoying each and every year the Lord gives us together.

Spring Break

Well it's one day off anyhow since we used our spring break day for all those snow days.  Regardless I am going to enjoy my day off with my husband and all our doggies.  Hopefully the rain holds off for a bit so we can enjoy some time outside.

Yesterday I had a half day and was able to have lunch with a good friend at one of my favorite little sandwich shops..  Thanks Annie for meeting me on such short notice.  It was great catching up with you!  I was able to run some errands and then make it home to play with the doggies.  I also mowed the grass for the first time this season and weedwacked the tall grass away from the flower beds, so that it looks like there actually is a flower bed.  When Cowboy came home we continued working in the yard and then had a relaxing evening together.  I didn't get a real workout in yesterday, but yet I did.  I can feel my summer working muscles getting back in shape.  My back and arms feel a little tight after all the push mowing and weedwacking.

Go check out Running with Sass's Auria Earphones Giveway.  I could use a good pair of earphones that don't complete block out background noise.  The pair I got last year stay in the ears but they also block out alot of sounds which isn't good when running on these country roads.  Last year, Copper actually came up beside me and pushed against my legs to get me off the road when a truck was coming behind us.  He is such a good runner dog.  I will have to get a picture or two of us running together. 

Well time to get moving.  Have a great day ya'll!

One of those days...

and it was a rough one on the run today.  Finally a day without downpours and cold, dreary temps.  BUT I was struggling with the warm temps.  It doesn't help that I of course wasn't dressed appropriately.  I have no idea what it is like outside of my cave until I escape.  Today I picked a long sleeved shirt and was hotter than hot. 

It is always so tough the first few runs when the temp is on the rise.  In the winter I can have tons of layers on, run hot and not mind it.  But in the spring and summer I hate being hot.  With that little bit of discomfort comes all kinds of excuses.  My lil brain was just tossing excuses around to stop, slow down, walk, complain, etc.  I was finding the littlest things and it was really tough to keep my feet moving.  Thank goodness my Dad was there to push me along.  We did 3 miles in 28:18 but it seemed like it was more 48:18.   Now I have about 9 more runs before I get into the summer running grove and can ignore the "hot feet, hot belly, wrinkle in my sock, itchy toes, sore feet, bouncy sunglasses, and sweat drippin my eyes" and run with a quiet head.

Time to be lazy and NOT do the backpack full of school work sitting at my feet.

Counting the Mondays away.

So we finished Monday #7 - only 6 more Monday's till summer freedom!  I tell you, I really am worse than the kids.  It was HARD to get my butt into gear this morning. The funny thing is though that during summer vacation I will probably be up and finished with a run before my usual wake up time.  Ask me to get up early now and there just isn't anyway it's happening.

Workout recap:  I got two loops in around the property with the doggies right after school.  Got my doggie related chores done and then did some inside chores before Cowboy got home.  When he got home, we split up doggie watching duty (he got three and I got three) and both got a workout in.  I was able to do the first set of JM - Yoga level 2 and then an additional 20 mins of Pilates.  Aaahhh, I feel good now.  My muscles are doing the little feel-good-quivers. 

We had delicious spaghetti and meatballs for dinner. I made my own sauce for it tonight and it tasted really good.  Now, I'm trying to brainstorm dinner ideas for the rest of the week before I sit down to do some lesson planning and paper grading.  Have a good night!

Motivation to Run

Julia at Pain, Pride and Perserverance is doing a Monday FOOTnotes each week.  Each week she will pick a topic to discuss and then we can choose to blog about that topic as well and link it to her post. Last week her topic was Motivation to Run.  I finally had a chance to sit down and type up some of my motivators.

For me, I am motivated to run for:

1)  my family.  I got into running because I was "jealous" that everyone else in my family was running.  My lil bro, lil sis and baby sis all ran cross country in high school when I was in my undergrad and grad programs.  My dad got into running by running with the siblings so they didn't have to run on the country roads by themselves.  I got "jealous" seeing how much time my siblings got to spend with my dad on their runs.  While I was in my last year teaching in Bucks County, I decided to train for a 5k to see if I could do it.  I got bit by the racing bug quickly and have been running now for 7 years.  My lil bro doesn't run anymore, but my sisters, dad and I still run.  They are my running buddies and you can often find us doing training runs together and road races together.  We have done a gazillion 5k's, many 10k's, several 15k's, dozen half marathons and a marathon together.  Running gives me my family time with my bestest buddies.

2)  fitness and time outdoors.  I enjoy spending time outdoors and keeping in shape.  I hate running on a treadmill and very rarely do.  I would much rather run in the sun, rain, snow, hail and wind them torture myself on a treadmill. I've always  been thin but as I get older it is getting harder to be the "thin" I want to be.  I miss the days of begin thin without trying.  Now I have a few trouble spots that drive me crazy.  Running helps keep those spots from getting out of control.  It keeps me in shape, but not near the "good shape" I think I am.  Since I've been focusing on cross-training I realize I'm not in as good of shape as I thought.  My cardio is good - but everything else needs work so now I'm trying to balance running and cross training.

3) mental health.  Running is my time to unwind, vent and destress.  I often run with my dad, sisters and SIL so we use that time to catch up and share our daily events.  Occassionally we all take our turns venting - but look out when that happens because our feet try to keep up with our mouths and we usually end up gasping for breathe.   Even when we run together we take the time to just run and get lost in our own thoughts and sounds of our footsteps together.  There is nothing better than the sounds of the great outdoors and four other sets of footsteps beside you.  Running is relaxing, refreshing, and energizing.  It gives me time to think.  In the summer I run a lot by myself and when I do that is my time to meditate, talk to God and day dream.

4)  strength.  Running really is a matter of mind over matter.  Running gives my body lots of strength but it also strengthens who I am.  It has taught me so much about myself and my own capabilities.  If you would have told me in in high school that I would complete countless races, dozen half marathons and a full marathon before I was 30 I would have told you that you were crazy - I couldn't do that.    But I have because you can do anything you put your mind to, with support, dedication, training and willpower.

These are just some of my thoughts on what motivates me to run.  Ask me next week, and I will probably have other motivators to share.  For me, running is my chance to push myself, to go beyond what I think I can do, and remember how thankful I am to be me.

Race Recap - YMCA Spring Run

Racing Season is slipping into full speed.  We had our second race this morning and picked up two more race flyers for June and July. 

It didn't look half bad out there this morning when I got up at 6:30, but the race wasn't until 10 am.  It was a 5k race to benefit our local YMCA.  It was in a different town then most of our races and only 15 mins from my house which was nice.  After 5 different outfits because I couldn't figure the weather out, I ate a quick granola bar for breakfast and headed out.  I met my Dad and SIL at the race and got registered.  Sis and Baby Sis weren't in town this weekend to run with us so our gang was a little short numbered.  It was really windy but the rain held off until we were finishing which I was very thankful for. 

The race started out flat and then had a nice hill - not too big, not too small, just right hill - and then a smooth downhill until it flattened out for the finish.  I was doing pretty good and could see girl #1, and #2 ahead of me most of the time.  When I did the final corner to the hill and flat finish the wind caught my hat so I had to turn around and get it and then on the downhill my shoe came untied.  So I lost about 15 seconds or so there.  I lost sight of the girls in the last half mile, but worked on helping a first time 5k-er finish strong.  He was letting me start to get past him so I was screaming at him to push and forced him to kick it in so that he finished just ahead of me.  As I was finishing I was trying to figure out how I could have possibly pulled at 21:15 because I knew I didn't push that hard and was told that the clock was off by 2 minutes so I had a 23:15 (or somewhere around there) which is about where I though I'd be.  It's still early in the season and I haven't been running all that hard during the week so I should see mid 22's by the July 16th race.

All in all  a good FUN RUN.  Nice turn out but not full of the 5k race usuals.  My Dad, SIL and I all got 1st in our age group and I was 3rd girl overall.  So the goal for the next few weeks is to increase the weekly miles and get in 4, 5 and a 6 mile run before the May Day 10k on May 14.

What Day is It?

I keep getting my days all mixed up.  It feels like a Thursday but it's only Wednesday.  Shucks! 

It was a pretty good day considering it was "day 5" and I hate "day 5's" because of the motley crew of 6th graders I have to teach.  Thirty 6th grade boys for 45 mins in a computer lab is TOUGH.  Thirty boys in gym class understandable - they can run, throw balls, scream and all that - but in a classroom - OI!  It is always a tough day and I end up with hardly a voice by the end.  Today wasn't too bad, the second class of boys did a great job of asking questions and listening for the most part.   Now tomorrow I get to do the same lesson with 30 girls and it will be COMPLETELY different and probably go VERY smoothly.

I got home early since it was my carpool day.  The doggies and I went for two loops around the property and then did our chores before Cowboy got home.  For dinner we had what my mom calls "matza" which is just basically hamburg patted into a casserole dish, topped with pizza sauce and cooked till almost done, then topped with mozzarella cheese.  We also had cheesey potatoes and steamed broccoli.  It was delicious!  While that was all cooking I finally got in JM Ripped - week 1.  I need to do that workout more than once a week.  It's a good one and I would really like to get this tummy trimmed down even more. 

Tomorrow I am going to plan and attempt a run with Copper right after school.  I would like to try to get our 4 mile loop in.  Hopefully it isn't raining and the weather cooperates.  I also get distracted by the other 5 dogs and feel bad leaving them in their pen for even longer.  But Copper needs the exercise and so do I since I have a 5K coming up on Saturday.  Hopefully I can get these new shoes broken in a bit more before Saturday.

Monday, Monday...here you are again.

BUT we are down to just 7 more Mondays until Summer Vacation!!!  I know this teacher is worse than the students with the count-down to summer.  I can't wait! 

We are off to a good start to the week.  The temps were wonderful today, even though by the time I got outside to enjoy the nice weather it started to pour.   I did get some errands run and got to play with the doggies outside.  I also got in a 30 min Yoga Meltdown workout in with Jillian Michaels.  I love the level 2 workout.  It is probably my favorite of all her workouts I've tried so far.  I still need to move on to level 2 of Ripped in 30 but I keep getting sucked back into the Yoga and 6 pack abs.   My goal is to do level 2 of Ripped sometime this week.  (I think I had the same goal last week....try, try again!).  Tomorrow's workout plan is a run with my dad and hopefully some Pilates when I get home.

We had delicious golden mushroom vension with pasta tonight.  It was really good.  Basically my mom's stroganogg receipe but instead of cream of mushroom soup I used golden mushroom soup.  It was very good.  Any suggestions for tomorrow nights dinner?  I think it might be time for another honkin' big Pittsburgh style salad.

Gotta love Bargains

It was a great day with the girls!  Dress fitting went really well.  The bride, my sister, only needs a little taken in and the button for the bussel.  Everything else was perfect.  She looked so beautiful!  We also got our bridesmaids dresses ordered too.  After dress time we hit up the Woolrich sale and each walked out with probably $150.00 or more worth of clothes for $50.  I got a skirt, two long sleeve shirts, one short sleeve shirt, two sweaters and a fleece.  My sisters and TinTin also got lots of great deals.   After lunch with the family and working my magic-touch-sleeping-powers on the exhausted-out-of-her-mind niece, I came home and worked with Cowboy on the pen for the Beagles.  We just have to put the door on Macy's side and we will be all set. We left that work for tomorrow along with a list a mile long to get accomplished as well.  Time to recharge the batteries so I am all set to go for another busy day.

Weekend Fun

The weekend is already off to a busy but great start.  We got a family run in yesterday afternoon - all of us since baby sis was home.  I stopped by Elite Feet before the run to get new shoes.  My feet and legs having been killing me on the runs.  I was having trouble with the Brooks Defyanance3 since I got them but toughed it out and got use to them.  However, I think they broke down rather quickly and were really just bugging many of my ankle, knee and IT band issues.    So I went back to Elite Feet for a re-fitting to see what I should be in.  The Defyanance are a cushion shoe and worked really well for me back on Defyanance1's but were really causing me to pronate.  So Bonnie, put me back into Brooks Adrenalines.  I wore them for years when I first got started running, but then switched out when I didn't like one of their versions.




Source:  Brooksrunning.com

So these are my new running shoes!  I ran in them last night and they felt pretty good.  I didn't notice any real aches and pains until closer to the end of the three miles.  My right foot doesn't pronate in and probably doesn't need stability shoes so I was feeling it in that foot.  But my IT band issues weren't aggravated so I was happy.

After the run I got to play with EllaBeans.  She is getting to be a big girl and walked to everyone who came into the door.  She just started walking distances on Tuesday and walks like a Mummy which makes me giggle everytime.  Mom and Dad made one of my favorite dinners - Chicken PotPie so I stayed and ate dinner with them before I headed to the Beagle club to clean for the show and hunt today. 

Now, it is time for me to get my butt in gear.  I have to get showered, get my stuff packed up, stop at the Club and drop off my desserts, get some birthday gifts and then meet the blushing-bride-to-be and all the ladies for the bride's first dress fitting.  We are also picking out the dresses for us girls too.  After the dress fitting fun, I hope we can make a road trip to Woolrich for their warehouse sale and pick up some good deals on Woolrich clothing.   So off I go to start my busy Saturday!

Oh - if you get a chance go check out Julia's giveaway at Pain, Pride and Perservance.  She has a great first giveaway to kick off the start of her blogging journey!

On a roll

This morning got off to a great start.  I was on the ball.  My graphic design lesson went really well today.  Everyone participated, came up with great ideas and started some really great projects!  The rest of my day went just as smoothly.  I was able to get all prepped and ready for my afternoon classes and still had time to eat my lunch at a normal pace with actual time to breathe between bites.   

When I got home I had to race to get up to the doggies and we took off at a ran on our loop as the thunder was rolling and the raindrops were falling.  We made it back to the house without getting too wet.   After Cowboy got home we split up the kidz and both of us got a workout in.  I spent 30 mins working on Pilates.  It felt soo good to do some of those moves - especially the flexibility section.  Hoping to get a run in tomorrow and maybe day 1 of Ripped again.

I've still been keeping track of my workouts and my points, even though the Fitness Challenge has been done for a while.  Hopefully tomorrow or Wednesday I will do a post on my points and workouts for the last few weeks.