Nerds for Words

This year I've thought more about my purpose, ministry in life than I have the previous 34. Or at least it feels to me like I have. First I discovered I had been equipped with spiritual gifts to serve the body of Christ. 

In theory, I knew each believer was equipped in some fashion for kingdom work. In practice I had no clue what that looked like or meant for my life. Discovering that the gifts don't necessarily manifest in standard ways was game-changing for me.

Teaching doesn't necessarily mean sitting in a class room of 3 year olds reading them a Bible study. I very much enjoy substitute teaching for my Bible study class, but that too isn't the full extent of my calling.

More and more I'm starting to truly believe that writing is another form of the gift of teaching. Putting thoughts and concepts into words which can be savored and enjoyed. I'm not sure I'm there yet, but the more I write, the more I can refine my craft and get that much closer to my goals.

Purpose. Calling. Gift.

These seem so serious and dramatic. And they can be. However at heart, I am a brutally honest, geek who doesn't take herself too seriously. I'm slowly learning that God isn't limited by my personality, but can work through it for His glory. No matter how loca I am.

Linking up with Jaime for Stream of Consciousness Weekend.  What's on your mind? Share it in the comments or let me know if you post your on SOC blog.

Faces of My True Love

Tomorrow, my darling love turns 36.  
What better way to celebrate him than post several photos which will most likely embarrass him? 

I love how in the photo to the left he's trying to look mean, but can't quite pull it off. The snap is from a hike to Rainbow Falls with out-of-town guests. 


Sure, we've been known to bicker on the trails. 

Brooke, you're acting like a hungry toddler.
Have a snack.

Thankfully he's also not one to hold a grudge. Ultimately hiking in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park never fails to bring a smile to our faces.

My nephew and I like to say "hashtag dangerous is fun!" And yes, hashtag must be said. My husband, Jay, however is the king of the DIF movement. He loves pushing the limits of what he can do.

I'm pretty sure there are deep rooted psychological reasons for this - given that his mother wanted to put him in a bubble after his hemophilia diagnosis. However I can't deny that life on the edge is a bit more fun. 

But seriously, we're always safe. Promise.

He gets sick of me perpetually wanting to take selfies (us-ies?) or at least he pretends to be annoyed. I love the smirks he makes when I take the pictures, so I don't mind his annoyance - real or pretend.

I took the photo on the left at a Tennessee Smokies game a few years ago. Unfortunately this year, we didn't get to very many games. 

Speaking of unfortunate: those bangs! Since this blog is about him not me, we'll just move right along.

Living in a tourist town has its perks. Sure I may gripe about traffic, but the tourism industry is the reason both Jay and I are employed, despite not being directly in the industry ourselves.

In addition to that, we frequently have the opportunity to attend free concerts and other types of entertainment. The idea of course is to draw in tourists for sales, but we are still able to have a good time.

In the case of the photo on the left, Jay and I headed up to Moonshine Holler (home of the original Old Smoky Moonshine Distillery and Store) to hear his favorite musician Daryle Singletary perform. 

I'm really not sure why everyone in picture (save us) looks miserable. Free moonshine, free music, can life get any better?

Actually it can. A life of love with the one who constantly puts a smile on my face.Happy birthday to my favorite scruffy nerf-herder in the galaxy!!!!






This week's topic: Five Smiles. 
Who/what has brought a smile to your face this week?

Writing about writing

Hey there. Its me. Just blogging randomly off the top of my head. Those of you who visit my blog regularly know  the prospect isn't quite as scary as it sounds, but can be more difficult.

I've started and stopped this blog numerous time. Deleted text and pictures. At the moment, focus is my problem. And content. I suppose I've read enough about having quality blogs, so I worry that no one would want to read the crap in my brain.

But I'm doing this blog anyway. Sometimes just writing is what it takes to get my groove back. In all my prayer about what gifts I'm supposed to be using for God's glory, I know writing is one of those. 

Will I ever get to the point in my life where I can make statements like the one above and not feel as if I'm bragging on myself or being arrogant? 

So here I am, laying on a partially deflated air mattress, using a rolled up hoodie as a pillow. Metaphorically speaking. Here I am, a little deflated myself, but willing to pause for a moment to give you a picture into my world.

Do you have any tips for getting back to writing (or any hobby you've been away from just long enough to feel a bit rusty)? Do you prefer goofy randomness or an attempted to be focused?

Linking up with Jaime and the rest of the Stream of Consciousness weekend crew.

Something to Talk About

In the days since my marathon, I've found myself with more time on my hands than I know what to do with. Well, that's not entirely true. I could be more tidy and keep my house cleaner, but I figure if the slack schedule the first 3 months didn't hurt us, it surely isn't high priority now.

Jay and I have come to depend on our DVR since we moved into the cabin a couple of years ago. Before that watching most of our shows online allowed us the convenience of watching on our schedule, rather than when the networks chose to air the shows.

Current shows

1. Gotham
2. Modern Family
3. Brooklyn 99
4. Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

Recently retired, and still missed shows

1. Psych
2. Monk
3. White Collar

What do you do when you have little or no motivation to post a blog? I want to write. My soul craves it, however dramatic that might sound.

The well, however, is dry. 

I seriously sat down and thought OOh, I'll write about mine and Jay's TV habits. Snoozefest!

While I enjoy my stream of consciousness blog posts, I haven't participated in several weeks. No real reason other than the weekend sneaks up on me before I have time to schedule my posts. Spring time is always a busy season for me, so there is little time once the weekend arrives to blog.


If I wrote about what is truly on my mind, I'd whine about how I need to lose weight for my upcoming cruise, or else how tired I am thanks to seasonal allergies.

I'm going on a cruise in 47 days.
Flowers are blooming, the grass is green, and the sun is shining.

Don't you just feel sooooooooooooooooo sorry for me??
Yeah, didn't think so.

So instead, I'll use these next 3 minutes to pump you for ideas. I'm not currently in training for anything, so those posts would be boring, not to mention a lack of race reports in my future. I'm doing a lot of reading, but I'm not sure the titles I'm selecting would be of any interest.

While I have taught Bible study a couple of times this year, I'm no closer to starting my own class than the last time I mentioned it. I think my church offers new teacher orientation in May, so I should learn about scheduling and details then. I suppose deep down I'm waiting on them to tell me I'm not Baptist enough to lead a class.

Looking through my photos, I found no flower pictures. Maybe I should do a landscape post each week. Currently my azaleas are blooming beautifully. I only say "my" because they are on the land our house is on. We've certainly done nothing to facilitate their growth. I suppose God, via nature, has a way of making things happen naturally.

And of course, I could always return to blogging about my thankful list. I could certainly stand to focus on the positives more in life. While I feel as if I'm building my gratitude muscle, it certainly could stand a bit more growth.

What am I leaving out? Do you have favorite topics I'm omitting? Do you want to submit questions to have me answer? I'm an open book and you know I'd ask you something about poop if you opened yourself up to my questions.

Neat & Tidy

I like my life neat and tidy. There should be a certain order to things. I attempt to follow the rules, after all they were set for a reason. Every now and again, however, I get a reminder that the ebbs and flows can't be contained within my set order.

Joining with the other ladies of my current Bible study class, I signed up for Beth Moore's Siesta Scripture Memory Team. The basic concept is to commit a verse to memory twice a month. 26 verses in total for the year.

Tools include: a spiral index card booklet so that the verse can be carted with me everywhere and the other team members from whom I can draw inspiration for future verses.

The first few verses I chose had meaning to me. The first was to help me remember why scripture memory is so important, and the ones to follow had other significance in my life. 

Until this last round. 

As I've posted about previously, I'm just in a funk these days. Every scripture I considered was quickly discarded. I couldn't for the life of me find a verse I wanted to meditate on. But being the rule-following, tidy kinda girl I am, I couldn't let the deadline pass without picking something. 

Instead, I picked something random. 
And have since abandoned it.

Something to the effect of As water reflects the face, so the heart reflects the person. Proverbs 27:19.  

Blah. 

Whatever. 

        
I'm trying to redeem this time, using it to revisit past verses. I also have a couple more verses picked out for the first of April. Oop! There is my timer. Time to make like a sitcom and wrap this up all neat and tidy like.

Then me and my index cards apologized to one another for missing the mark. We hugged it out and offered forgiveness.

 

Chop Chop!

A couple weeks ago, a Facebook friend changed her profile picture to one of Jennifer Lawrence in a University of Louisville tee. JLaw's pixie was super cute, and inspired me. I've been feeling a bit blah in the hair department any way, so I decided to chop all my hair off.

Occasionally on the weekends I would actually fix my hair - blowing it dry then using a fat barreled curling iron. But mostly I just scrunched it curly with gel or else pulled it back into a ponytail.

Finally the magical day arrived!! I took in a picture of the cut, and told her in addition I wanted color to cover my gray. Dark, but with a few highlights. She set to work, making me beautiful.

Buh bye length. Then it was time to crawl into her rocket ship, and travel forward in time for color.

Then she did a bit more refining before I got to see the finished product.

Two weeks later I'm still loving it. I don't think I've worn it the same way twice. Its an incredibly easy cut to work with after my lunch time runs. Of course you saw in my race report that it gives me no problems whatsoever when I'm pounding the pavement.

What do you look for in a hair cut - looks, convenience, or both?
Have you ever dared a super drastic change?

Shamrock Marathon Training - Week 15

Time once again to bear my soul, or at least the superficial surfaces of my brain to link up with Jaime and the gang for Stream of Consciousness Saturday.


Writing this Friday evening, in prep to be totally wiped out and not to much of anything on Saturday. 

Tomorrow morning, I have my 20 mile training run scheduled. For my last marathon 30K was my longest run. This time around I want to follow the plan and see if it results in increased fitness, so 20 miler it is!!

In some ways, I feel ready for the taper. Weekends of forgoing housework in order to get up early and run have started to get wearisome. More from a mental perspective than a physical one.

From a training viewpoint, I don't feel like I've done all that much. Just my standard lunch runs and a bit on the weekend. Of course that's just not accurate. Wednesday evenings for the past 15 weeks have been dedicated to a "medium" distance run ranging between 5 and 8 miles. I've never done those prescribed miles before, and am interested to see if they make a difference.

Am I ready to tackle 26.2 in less than a month? I don't feel like it. Then again, I also think I'm more than capable. I'm not sure how to reconcile these feelings in my brain. Am I under trained? More than adequately trained for the task? I suppose I'll get a glimpse in the morning, and better still in 3 weeks.

Starting tomorrow around lunch, taper madness will set in. The mileage will be dialed back and I'll let my body heal from the past 15 weeks of training. Funny thing, I'm not sure I need it. Easy to say now, I suppose; sitting on this side of the 20 miler.

Captain's Log: Day 3

Catching up for those who are late to the party. Friday I awoke to frozen pipes in the house. Saturday, thanks to a bit of freezing rain and ice, I was stuck at the house all day with no running water (save Jay running to the creek to fetch another bucket for flushes). 

Don't let the dates confuse you, each blog was posted about the previous day. So that brings us to Sunday, day 3 of no water.

I've solved for the coffee issue. Jay solved for the toilet issue. Dishes, laundry, and showering were the dirty trinity for the weekend. Winter running gear is expensive, so I only have a week's worth. Thankfully, I spent most of the week on the treadmill. I've got tees and capris running out my nose.

Paper plates, plastic bowls, and Styrofoam cups allowed Jay and I to have meals at home without creating too big of a mess. I even fixed salmon and roasted red potatoes with very little of a mess - God bless the inventors of aluminum foil to line baking sheets!

I've tried to be grateful for all I have through this, but its very difficult. I've been snippy and short tempered. Sunday morning, I struggled to focus on what the pastor was saying in service. My 16 mile long run was cut to 12 due to my bad attitude alongside the hardship of ice-covered bridge sidewalks. A girl can only play chicken with so many cars before deciding to pack it up.

Jay had a fire blazing when I got home from my run. I love the coziness of a fire and his efforts to brighten my day (and lower our electric bill) did not go unnoticed. My parents had invited us over for a steak dinner - talk about a win/win/win. A yummy and delicious meal with no mess for clean-up? Yes please!!

The sky was dropping more moisture as we got set to leave my parents, but we couldn't specifically define what kind. I grew despondent. Forecasts called for the highs the next day not to top 30* degrees. If 40*+ hadn't done the trick, we were in for a long wait. We filled up the 5 gallon water jug my dad had loaned us, and headed home. Jay parked my car in the garage, and carried the jug up to the deck.

I waited as he typed in the number code to unlock the house. 

He turned the handle, pushed open the door.

As I walked through our front door, the sound of angels singing greeted me. 

We had left the kitchen faucet on, and it was flowing freely!! Never have I been so excited to run the dishwasher or do a load of laundry. The Lord heard my cry and delivered me!! 

Of course I don't believe that God unfroze my pipes merely because I requested my Bible study group to pray for me that afternoon. I do, however, think He attempted to use this experience to open my eyes to the things in life I take for granted:

• an able bodied husband
• parents who love me
• parents who enjoy spending time with me
• a Bible study class who accepted me as I was, prayed for me, and a precious lady who offered to let me shower at her place

and last, but of course not least:

• running water

 My cup runneth over.

Captain's Log: Day 2

As I previously blogged, we're currently without water. Since I spent most of the day at work, I wasn't all that inconvenienced. Excluding living and dying by "if its yellow let it mellow, if its brown send it on down."

Today, however, has been a bit more of an adventure. I attempted a mess-less breakfast of oatmeal in the microwave, but it overheated and spewed oats all down the side of the cup and into the microwave.

My Keurig had only 1 cup of water left for coffee, but thankfully yesterday my dad brought a 5 gallon bucket of water for us to use. They have well water, and it makes incredible coffee.

Our heat is working just fine, but I decided to build a fire and attempt to melt snow for flushing. I suppose that's a good idea if its your only option. But Jay, when he arrived home from meeting a client, he quickly went to the creek and filled a 5 gallon bucket. within 5 minutes he'd bested the work I'd done all morning "thawing" snow.

I started to freak out right about when he arrived home. After all - if if the snow was that slow to melt in a 65* house (made warmer parked by the fire) how long would it take our pipes to unfreeze. We quickly decided to start drinking our way through some whiskey samples and a build-your-own 6 pack in the fridge.

This afternoon is marked by a fire, Bobcat basketball on the TV, a wide variety of drink options, and of course, blogging the fun.

What have you been up to this weekend? If you link up with Jaime, let me know so I can check out your post.



  Jaime

Captain's Log: Day 1

This week we - like a good portion of the country - have had severe winter weather. Of course living in the south-east, please know that our severe is different than those living in the New England area. However, considering our roads (hilly, curvy, and with steep hillside banks) and minimal snow fighting power (plows, salt, and such) a layer of ice topped with snow really does debilitate our area.

I am incredibly thankful that, unlike many in the area, Jay and I never went without power. We do have an alternate heat source, but I'm so glad we've only used the fire place for ambiance and enjoyment this winter.

BUT

Yesterday morning, I awoke to every germaphobes nightmare - our pipes were frozen. Last year, we had a landscaping sprinkler (which we didn't even know we had, much less known to winterize) exploded and made us water-less for a day. In the process, we added insulation and an electric heat strip.

So when the temps threatened to dip below zero (farienheight), we thought we were covered.

WE

THOUGHT

WRONG.

Today is day 2 without water. Day one wasn't very difficult. I had water in the Keurig, so my coffee experience wasn't compromised. I headed to work, same as always. After work, I ran on the treadmill and showered at the gym before going home. Taco Bell for dinner meant no dishes to linger in the sink while we waited for water.

Looks like my 5 minutes of free-writing is up. Perhaps I'll do both Stream of Consciousness Saturday AND Sunday this week. Linking up with Jaime, and I can't wait to read your posts!!

Ack-sen-you-ate the Positive

Here are the rules: there are no rules.
Okay maybe there are a couple of rules - set your timer for 5ish minutes and get to writing. Don't forget to link up with Jaime when you are done. I can't wait to read what you decide to share!

Now its my turn - buckle up and let's get started!!!

Does it count as SOC if I keep deleting my text? I mostly want to whine about being tired. Seems like that's all I get done these days. Then I hate that I want to whine about it, because otherwise this marathon training cycle is going great! I'm actually losing a bit of weight, the miles are easy, and I haven't missed any major runs.

BUT

Each night I struggle to stay awake to the 9 o'clock hour.

I hate that this is my post though. So many other awesome things going on that I could talk about instead of sleep deprivation. I'm like that annoying mother who dreams of having a baby, talks about how awesome babies are, then complains about a 2am diaper change.

If this is what I wanted, why am I complaining?

So, instead, I'll focus on "all these awesome other things" - like the girls weekend that is my marathon. We're starting to plan who's car we are driving and what-not. We've had our hotel booked for months.

Non-running related, I'm excited that my favorite band - Skillet - is going to be in Knoxville next Friday at the Winter Jam concert.  Also a week from today, my darling and I will celebrate the 100th monthiversary of that Friday the 13th when we first met. Not to mention the 14th - Valentine's day, and the 16th - Presidents day (to be celebrated with a hike).

Oh, and as you are reading this, I'll either completing my 16th half marathon or celebrating with a nice, long afternoon nap.

Hope you have a great weekend!!

Kickin' it Old Skool

Making: a meal plan and grocery list for next week
Cooking: crock-pot meals, tonight trying a new potato soup recipe
Drinking: bailey's + chocolate vodka
Reading: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. I missed the boat the first time around.

Wanting: to go to sleep. I'm finding it more and more difficult to stay away until 9 these days. Marathon training? Or old age?
Looking: for ways to use my spiritual gift. Or at least test it to see if my hypothesis is accurate.
Playing: Trivia Crack - I'm growing bored of it, but I'm in too deep to get out now!
Wasting: time. Playing Trivia Crack.
Wishing: I had the $$ for a cleaning service. I hate daily chores.
Waiting: on my next run. I've had some ups and downs this training cycle but for the most part I feel like it hasn't really been hard. So of course I'm waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Liking: our new MacBook - Jay isn't use to the programs, so he hasn't made the full switch yet. I very much enjoy blogging from it (instead of my iPad mini)
Wondering: How the marathon will turn out - I've invested more time into this training cycle. I'm interested to see how it pays off.

Loving: running. I've already done my 18 miler, yet I haven't reached the burn-out stage yet. 11 weeks down, less than 6 to go.
Hoping: for an exciting 100th monthiversay/Valentine's weekend.
Needing: sleep. Its officially 9:02.
Smelling: sharpie - I got new recipe cards for Christmas and the glossy finish requires a marker to prevent smudging

Wearing: My favorite flannel jammie pants

Noticing: The hum of the HVAC. Our house would be so quiet if that sucker didn't run constantly in the winter.
Knowing: new skills are on the horizon, and I'm looking forward to them.
Thinking: about my study of Daniel and Ezekiel. Dudes had some weird dreams/visions.
Feeling: tired. Have I mentioned how sleepy I'm getting this training cycle?
Opening:a new tab to read other people's blogs.

Trophy Wife Nightmares

Warning: Crazy dream ahead


 No, I'm not talking about Boston Qualifying.

I'm talking about the movies my mind makes when I'm asleep. This past week I've had 2 weird ones.

Two nights ago, I dreamed of a blood and guts. It seemed as if I did the shooting, yet somehow the bullet passed through the other person in the dream and then through my side. I can't remember who or why, only that the dream was one which felt incredibly real.

When I awoke, I had a pain in my side. This, of course, gives me a chicken/egg question - did I dream about being shot because of the pain in my side? Or did my brain convince my side that it was injured?

Last night I had an even more scary dream - me, preggers. I didn't know how far along. But it was my second night of dreaming about something that terrifies me and I hope to never experience. This time I awoke to a full bladder, which was probably the cause of the strange dream.

I've read up a bit on dream interpretations, but am not an expert by any means. My guess is that I'm feeling out of control in my life and am worried about possible outcomes. Is this more of my marathon anxiety? The race is the only think I'm consciously worried about, but who knows what lies in the innermost recesses of this brain!

My 5 minutes is up, so I'm heading over to link up with Jaime. What's on your mind this weekend? Be sure to let me know if you write a stream post. I'd love to check it out.

Three Easy Ways to Be Blessed

Don't ya just hate those blog titles that barely have anything to do with what the blog post is about, but try to draw the reader in and commit to reading before its too late? Me too. *wink*

Instead of my standard Thursday list of thankfulness for the past week, I wanted to expound a bit as to exactly how these three things have brightened my life.

1) My Love

This past weekend an attraction near our house opened. My darling love, who likes the business on Facebook, saw that they were running a $5 special on Saturday. 

We certainly didn't want to miss out on a great deal, so we headed that way and stood in line for an hour. The weather was beautiful this past weekend, but as the sun went down the air started to get crisp.

I was in the first car, then Jay, then a buddy of mine who came over to hang out on Saturday. Not exactly date night, but I certainly and grateful that Jay likes my friends and vice versa.

2) Fitness

While it may see odd to be thankful for something I often consider a chore, or whine about completing, I'm very thankful for the role fitness plays in my life.

Whether its bundling up to enjoy a run outside with friends, taking it to the treadmill for some easy solo miles, or even heading to the fitness center for a class, I'm blessed to be healthy enough for activity.

This week, I've found myself pushing through the hard miles, basking in the strong miles, and enjoying nature as I've logged miles in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Sometimes music gives me a tranquility when I'm able to zone out and focus on the music. Other times my accomplishments help me realize just what I'm capable of when I put my mind to it.

3) Friends

Last Tuesday for a friend's birthday, we headed to Knoxville to enjoy a night of Painting with a Twist. The perfectionist in me hates arts and crafts. If I don't get everything exactly perfect, I quickly grow frustrated with myself.

The instructor did a good job with step-by-step directions on how to achieve the look we were going for - included how to get the faded effect as seen in the starter picture of my art, with only 2 colors of blue and a dab of white.

The "twist" helped me tell my inner-mean-girl to be quiet as I made the imperfections into really cool aspects of the painting. Of course anything can be fun with these girls. I am certainly grateful God brought them into my life!

What blessings have you found noteworthy 

in your life this past week??

Getting the Ball Rolling

My goal for the new year was to get back into my blog routine - both posting and reading. While I've been posting 2-3 times a week, I don't feel like I've really gotten back to the heart of why I love writing.

Sure, it only takes a few minutes to posts some pictures, a quick list, or a 5 minute stream-of-consciousness post. What I'm struggling with, however, is the deep stuff. I love taking an idea and fleshing it out with words - bending, turning, and exploring the issue.

I've just not taken the time to do that, and I miss it.

Heck, I'm even having trouble drafting this into an actual blog post! I guess what I'm looking for is help, inspiration, encouragement. Really anything that may be in the way of assistance.

Do I lack organization, time, or is this just an manifestation of seasonal depression?
Do you have a good system for picking topics? A certain time of day devoted to blogging? 
How do you push through when blogging becomes a chore?

Typing out that last question reminds me a lot of running. Its no secret I love to run. Its also common knowledge that I'm the laziest marathoner I know. So what gives? I love the action, but I hate the idea of getting started.

Is that fear? Apathy? Anxiety? Or just busyness and lack of proper prioritization?
 
Maybe the answer is a written plan for blogging, much like my run training plans. A training buddy also helps. Any volunteers?

Talk to me! I need help getting this ball rolling again.

SOC Saturday

Its been a while since I've joined Jaime for Stream of Consciousness Saturday and today I'm fixing that.

Confessions:
Cause you know how much I love typing it all dramatic like

• I'm writing this a few days before Christmas. Because I've been neglectful of doing these posts, despite the fact that I really enjoy them.
• My But Seriously post started out as a SOCS post, but then I went over my 5 minute and didn't have everything out I wanted to say.
• I'm ready for Christmas - early as always - and now wondering why I finish so early. It seems like the longer I drag out the season the more I sit, twiddling my thumbs a few days in advance

For the new year:
I want to do all those trite "resolution" type things

• Lose 10 pounds
• Be more organized around the house
• Take time to date my husband
• Find outlets to serve others
• Put down the phone/iPad and be present and available with those I love.

Now to find a way to actually do those things, not just talk/write about them. Do you have goals for the new year? Resolutions? Sure fire tips for staying on task?

about them.

Twas a week before Christmas

What a better time to pause and give thanks? Hopefully I'll be caught up on my sharing by the new year. I have super awesome news to share, but I'm leaving that for SOC Saturday. No, I'm not preggers, moving, or getting a promotion. Its nothing to do with me, directly at least. But it truly thrills my soul.

And now, the list:

4744) Daddy's perfectly cooked burgers

4753) Extra day with the in-laws

4760) Christmas in a candle

4772) Green Bay Packers on TV

4789) Library full of options

4792) 2 parents

4793) a bike

4794) a non-leaky roof

4804) Bible study Christmas party

4819) Beautiful Star song at church

4822) Family who cares enough to visit

4839) Throwback Thursday - happy memories

4845) New running kicks

4851) FREE books!

4864) Comfy new outfit

4873) Run plans with friends

I've at least caught up to last week. For what have you been thankful for this Christmas season?

Concert Recap Pt 2 - Thompson Square

After Thursday's Eric Church concert, Jay and I planned to hit up the Thompson Square free concert sponsored by a local moonshine distillery. I had ran a cold half marathon that morning (snow flurries for my drive to the race), and wasn't sure I wanted to go back out in the cold again. Thankfully the afternoon concert start didn't leave me too much time to back out.

The concert was held just outside the distillery's retail shop, and all the seating was taken by the time we got there. After a few songs, and walking around a bit, we decided to head inside to warm up.

We might have had a moonshine sample or two. Yep, that's a cherry soaked in the liquor. Turns out the sample bar offered one of the best views of the concert.

They sang all their well known songs, along with the classic duet Jackson (made famous by Johnny Cash and June Carter). The concert was fun, and I enjoyed their casual conversational banter between songs. I suspect they were cold as well, because the performance only lasted an hour.

Once again my photography skills are lacking, but Jay was able to get pretty close to them walking through the store on their way off of the stage. I've got to get better at pictures for my blogs!!

Ooh a spider!

Now for a random change of subject - hope you have an incredible Thanksgiving! I'll be extra thankful if spidey doesn't try to shower with me again.