Monday's Memory

More randomness while I am out of pocket (hopefully) enjoying myself on vaca...

Hard to believe she's already 9 years old!!

 Hopefully we've all been spared meltdowns on this family trip.

 

Since one of our stops is the Grand Canyon,

I suspect there will be lots of shenanigans like this ^^^ where Jay and I get too close to a ledge (read: about 6 feet away) and my dad almost has a heart attack. 

Despite temps projected to be in the 100+ range, we're looking at evening temperatures in the Grand Canyon into the 30s.  Hopefully we've all packed the right cool to warm clothes ratio.

 

Its been several years since my sister and I have went on vacation together. 

Traveling with a 9 year old and a 5 year old...what could go wrong???

Friday Confessions

Every friday on her blog Live Simply-Live Well, readers are treated to Friday Confessions.  Ranging from her "Whore foot" to wearing socks with sandals to making her dog pee on-the-run, she's always good for a laugh.

Don't forget to leave your confession!  What happens Friday on her blog, stays there!

Cooking Thursday

One of the sweetest blog ladies I know is Mari.  She is a proud mama, grand mama, and wife.  The stories she shares about the residence of the nursing home where she works are always fun.  Also, every Thursday, she tempts my diet by sharing a cooking Thursday recipe.

Head on over and see what she's got cooking today.

Training Tuesday - Version B&J.2

Today is the start of my vacation, so instead of a standard training Tuesday post I thought I'd give a shout out to my other training Tuesday posters.  Bari, Jaime and I met online courtesy of the Sisterhood of the Shrinking Jeans.

I was thankful to host them in my home town for the Covenant Health Knoxville Marathon last year.

If you don't already follow them, check out their blogs and give them some love.  They are 2 awesome chicas!

Summer Solstice 8 - Race Report

I started the summer with this in mind as a goal race.  Then Kelly chatted with Joe...and it quickly dropped back into a "for fun" position.  Not sure in who's mind "fun" = running in almost 90* heat with some of the toughest hills this area has to offer. 

Okay so I confess - I was in it for the post race beer.  Sure I could sit at home in the comfort of my a/c and drink 24 bottles of my pricey imports for the cost of the race.  Pesky little details.

Kelly & I attempted speed work outside on Wednesday - she partially completed hers.  I ran/walked trying not to die.  I knew at that point it wouldn't be a stellar race, but I'd already dropped the $$$ so what was I to do?

Then I heard via twitter there were dogs on the course.  I'm afraid dogs.  I was bit as a child.  My dad has a scar on his face.  My cousin got bit pretty badly just a few years ago.  I tend to shriek and run when they come near me.  Big, small, it doesn't matter.

Over the years my running buddies have helped out.   Lisa actively positioned herself between me and any dogs we would encounter training for Covenant.  I've jumped behind Bob.  I've pushed Kelly toward the dog.  Racing, I knew this wouldn't be an option.  I wanted to bail.  I'm thankful I did not.

I felt decent the first couple miles.  A gradual uphill registered in the first mile, only because I knew we'd be returning and I could enjoy it as a downhill in mile 5. 

Mile 1: 8:59

I had my headphones in, but I heard a dog just past the 1st mile marker.  I couldn't see it, so I had no clue what breed.  The bark didn't seem like a "how awesome - runners" but rather a "grrr - strange people I don't know" kinda bark.

I started reciting one of my life verses.  Out loud I think.  Or at least as a mumble.  "For God does not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.  power, love, and a sound mind.  power, love, and a sound mind.  power, love, and a sound mind." 

Victory #1 - I didn't get bit by the dog.

Victory #2 - I didn't quit because of fear.

Victory #3 - I didn't cry (Although this was a close one.  Thank God for sunglasses)

Mile 2: 9:52

Due to the out and back nature, I knew the 2nd portion contained a difficult hill - dubbed "puke hill" by racers.  Someone had even spray painted a bull's eye on the road with "puke here" or some such written. 
*Next time I do this race, I'm going to carry my camera/phone.

Mile 3: 10:10

The scenery for this race is gorgeous.  We saw horses, pasture fields, and Natty Ice cans in the ditch.  Okay so maybe the beer can liter isn't pretty, but you get the idea.  The major problem with open grass/hay is pollen.  I could smell it the whole time and it did a number on my breathing.  Not that my un-heat trained lungs would have functioned well any way, but this made it extra rough.  Worth it though, for the prettiness and the shade of the trees along the way.

Puke hill did a number on my average pace (I was walking up at at a 17:XX) and for my mental game. I checked out and didn't bother to push through the discomfort. I forced myself to run at the top of every other song, although I didn't make myself run the whole song. 

Mile 4: 11:52

Around the 4 mile marker, I finally saw the source of the barking.  It was a little yappy dog (unattended) on the side of the road.  He neither looked friendly nor scary, and at this point I didn't have enough energy to freak.  I just kept pushing, without letting him out of eye sight until I went up over the hill.

Finally I got back on the downhill and I knew I was almost done.  Beer just around the corner!!

Mile 5: 10:41

Finishing Time: 51:16 (chip)
Age Group: 12/21
Overall: 104/176

I love the 8K and 10K distances.  They are each long enough to not be a sprint the entire way, but short enough to post some fast times.  While this definitely isn't a race or PR course, I enjoyed it.  Next year I'll know what to expect.  Until then, I've got a couple of other 8K races in my sights for the summer.

God's Provision - Jabez Style

This past week, God did something huge in my life.
A few days ago, we received potentially life-changing news.
My heart is anxious with worry regarding a letter we received in the mail.

I don't know how to write this blog.  I have an incredible story of God's provision in my life, but don't feel as if I can share all the parts.  Hardly any of the parts really.

I don't want to be the blogger who teases the reader with a few details, leaving them wondering more about what was left out rather than getting the point of the story.

I don't want my blessings in life to be seen as a point of bragging.  Praying for wisdom, I know I can say:  Life is hard.  God is good. 

I don't know where to begin the story.  I suppose the beginning is as good a place as any.  "In the beginning God created the heavens and the Earth."  Just kidding...but seriously.  I've blogged about God's provision before.  He vetoed my mother's choice of curtains, sending her something better.  He provided me a training buddy when I was in need.  Then there was the time He showed me a safe place to ride my bike.

Earlier in the week, we received a letter in the mail from a bank.  A creditor of ours had went under, and been bought out by a new institution.  Immediately, I saw God's hand at work.  I'd be lying if I said I didn't feel just a bit scared by the news, but mostly I just saw my Provider.

Last year, Jay "just so happened" to fall in love with a property he was researching for potential clients.  The cabin was love-at-first-sight for me as well.  We wrote out a pro/con list.  I prayed for wisdom.  I asked God to put up road blocks if the cabin wasn't for us. 

Months later we were the proud owners of 2 mortgages/tax/insurance/electric & bills.  Through it all, God provided.  I thank God for giving my husband the means, ability, and work ethic to support our family.  After one contract fell through, we were able to very quickly get another contract on our farm house.

The house met the couples needs and desires, and was in perfect timing for them to get settled before their baby is born.  For us, the timing was also perfect.  The sale of our farm house plays heavy into my current topic of provision.

If we hadn't purchased the cabin...
If Jay's hard work hadn't combined with real estate luck...
If our farm house hadn't sold when it did...
If we had chosen to invest our money differently...

BUT GOD.

God knew.  Last year, He knew this week would come.  Like a farmer tilling the ground, He began working; preparing us (financially) for this moment.  We are still in the planting season, but I am assured He is at work. 

When I think about it, I'm speechless.
When I think about it, I tear up.
When I think about Him, I get chill bumps.

"Praise the Lord, oh my soul - oh my soul.
I worship His holy name..."

Epic Birthday Weekend - Part 2, the Gift Edition

The weekend had been so busy, Jay couldn't find time to give me my gifts. Sunday evening, while I whined about it on Facebook, he was busy setting everything up.

First came the note in a mostly-empty bag of potato chips.

Hints got me started on my scavenger hunt to find 2 gifts he'd hidden in the house. He does this so he doesn't have to wrap anything or buy me a card, but its fun so I let him get by with it.

The first gift was a message in a bottle - not sure if you can see it, but the beer bottle even has a picture of a ship on it.

GIFT #1 - Jay being responsible for dinner for the next 14 days! *Disclaimer at the bottom advising that the coupon has no cash value and cannot be redeemed for any other services.*

The next gift was hinted at as being an "approximation" of the first gift. (First gift being a message.) The location hint was "in an area designed by Jay" - meaning the closet. I knew that right away, however finding it was like a needle in a hay stack.

 

 

This is my side of the closet.  I assumed (hoped) he hadn't hidden it on his side amongst his thrift store t-shirt collection.  I felt each of the stacks trying to find something lumpy.  Finally Jay gave up on me and started saying "hot" or "cold" depending on how close I got.

 

 

 

Turns out, my gift was flat, thus making it difficult to find.  Eventually I stuck my hand under my KTC Socialites race jersey.

 

 

 

 

And pulled it out to find...

 



 

A gift certificate to my favorite spa!!

 

 

 

I get to have a manicure, pedicure, and a 50 minute massage!! My man knows me well.  I love the time and effort he put into the scavenger hunt, not to mention the work he's going to be doing the next few days cooking me dinner!!