My week in Pins...

I'm linking up with Michelle at The Vintage Apple!

So this sums up how I feel this week, because I am starting over and every part of my body hurts!!

Source: Uploaded by user via Anna on Pinterest

I've been doing a little running lately, but this week I started back some hard core stuff.

A friend talked me into running our high school stadium on Sunday.  I cried and whined, but she didn't let me give up.  I hope I wasn't so much of a baby she doesn't call me back :-)

Monday, when I rolled out of bed, my calves were crying...

Source: eat-sleep-run-repeat.tumblr.com via Sarah on Pinterest

I felt both.

Then, Monday night,  I tried kettle bells for the first time.

Source: beproactive.tumblr.com via FitFluential on Pinterest

Holy macaroni, that's a workout!

So Tuesday, my calves were crying and my back was sore...

Source: the17thman.typepad.com via Anna on Pinterest

Yeah, whatever, I just couldn't find another good pin about being sore.

Tuesday night I met my cousin at the gym for some walking...

Source: rippedandfit.tumblr.com via Anna on Pinterest

That is absolutely true!!

And then she yelled at me while I did abs...

Source: health.com via Anna on Pinterest

This doesn't really give you the picture as I don't see a pic on Pinterest of laying upside down while someone throws a heavy ball at you and yells while you try not to die... I'll look further...


That leads us to today.  My calves are still crying, my hamstrings screamed when my feet hit the floor, my back still hurts, and now my abs are starting to hurt, I'm sure they will be in full force pain tomorrow.


Why you ask.  Why?

For several reasons.


There is the little black dress reason...

Source: anntaylor.com via Sarah on Pinterest

My friend Melissa is marrying in July and the bridesmaids get to pick out any black dress (how awesome is that), so I have no excuse not to look my best!

Then there is the food reason...

Source: mommyimhungry.blogspot.com via Anna on Pinterest

Loaded potato rounds, I'm in love, but they don't work themselves off. 
PS, I had the most amazing dessert Saturday night, when I make it myself, I'll take pictures and tell you how.

And then there is the most important reason... God wants and expects us to treat our bodies as temples, and if I want to live for Him, I need to be at my best.  My best involves exercise.  It makes me feel better, more alert, so many positive things.

Source: tumblr.com via olives! on Pinterest

I love that verse.  We don't have to fear what's hard, because God has given us a spirit of self-discipline.  We just have to put it into action.

Source: tumblr.com via Taylor on Pinterest

Happy Wednesday people!!

Mr. Wayne

Do you have those people in your life that always make you smile?  The ones who make you think you are one of their favorites.  That was Mr. Wayne.  It may be an underestimate when I say 9 times of 10 when I saw him he gave me some sort of compliment. 
From all the Facebook posts, I now realize he had the ability to make everyone feel like a favorite, make everyone feel special.
He always had a smile on his face, whether I saw him at church, around town, or at the ballpark.  He was just nice, easy to talk to, and quick to help.  He smiled as he told me about the first time he saw his wife, about when his first daughter was born, about many things.  I know enough about his life to know that things were not always peaches, but you wouldn't know it from talking to him.  He was a fixture at church.  He worked to serve others.  He will be greatly missed, gone much too soon, but another reminder of what a legacy means.  Another reminder of a great way to be remembered.  Another reminder of ways to live a life that means something, that serves others, that serves God. 
You will be missed terribly, you should have see the mess I made Sunday trying to figure out how to pass the communion back a row with no extra guy where you usually are. We will miss you much!

Random Monday

1.  I love all the navy that's out right now... now I just have to buy some.

2.  New folks start at work today and they are there to help me, woo-hoo!!!

3.  Kettlebells, kettlebells, I'm going to try to hit it for the first time again tonight.

4.  New friend to work out with after work today!

5. Really sad about a man from my church who passed away today.  He never failed to make me smile. 

6.  After being in the dumps for a few weeks, I'm feeling much better.


7.  We brought in food for the new folks today, it was really fun to hang out and bond for a few minutes while eating some really good taco soup.


8.  If you don't own "Jesus Calling", you should.  It's great.


9.  My last trip to Publix I spent $28 and saved $36.  I love coupons!!


10.  I'm wearing out Adele on iTunes.  Until I saw her accept her Grammy, I had no idea she was British.


11.  I break every long necklace... EVERY. TIME.  I broke another one today :(

Hobbies

Oh Saturday...

I have a few hobbies, some old, some new...

Cooking is new.  I only worked in the kitchen when I was growing up when I was asked.  I cared nothing for cooking.  When I went to college I learned to make spaghetti.  If spaghetti, PB&J, or cereal couldn't satisfy you, stay out of my kitchen!!

Since moving into my house and being responsible for keeping myself fed, I've become a little more adept in the kitchen.  I like to have people over, to host game night, or invite people to watch a game.  For some reason, most of those people expect food.  All that said, I've learned to enjoy cooking and trying new things.

So today, I tried this recipe I found on Ashley's blog

It involves this...

If anyone's kid at work is selling something, just ask me, I'll buy, thus the cheesecake for the football team fundraiser.

I took that, added a bunch of bad for you stuff and came to this...

And then the final product...

Yum!!

After my pancake lunch, I headed to the farm to feed.  Farming is an old hobby.  The farm is my happy place.  I forget that a lot of times until I get out there.

I love this barn, and I'm sad it's probably going to fall soon.

I got my feed loaded in the back of the truck and headed up to the hill to feed.  They heard me coming...

Getting in for the grub...

This is why I don't post pictures of myself

Attempt #2...

Yes, we'll stop with that now...

Close ups of a cuter critter...

We've had a lot of rain this winter and it stays pretty muddy right around the troughs.

Hope you had a great weekend!

Whitney

I've said it before, but the news of Whitney Houston's death hit me hard for some reason.  She was one of those you always wanted to see recover, you always wanted to see a comeback.  Recently I had found some old mixed CD's from college.  I like lots of different kids of music, this one had Gospel written across it in Sharpie.  When I put it in, it has all sorts of singers, Dolly to Destiny's Child, but one of my favorites on the CD is Whitney and CeCe Winans. 

I've always known Whitney had some background in gospel and that she was friends with the Winans, but I didn't know the extent of her faith and the faith of those close to her until her funeral today.  I hadn't intended on watching it, but I happened across it and I'm so glad I did.  To hear her family and friends talk about her and to see their faith was inspiring.  It really was a going home celebration rather than a funeral.

I've seen so many knocking her and talking about how we shouldn't be celebrating an addict.  I understand where they are coming from, but this situation has made me think.  Whitney had demons, public demons, but don't we all have demons?  Ours may not be as public, but do we say, let's not celebrate that life because she was a gossiper, or let's not celebrate that life because she was a glutton?  Today's service was not about celebrating drug addiction, but really, to me, it seemed about celebrating a great God, a God who is good, a God who loves us.  Almost every speaker spoke about Whitney's faith, about how she spoke about God's love.  It was in her, part of her everyday vocabulary.  Wow.  How many of us want that to be our legacy? 

If you didn't watch, you can't understand what I saw as the magnitude of what I watched, but a sermon was given, celebrities talked and sang about God's love, and a much loved woman was honored for her love of God and her tattered and highlighted Bible.  I think I'm so jaded on Hollywood.  We rarely see Christ talked about from celebrities.  We rarely see scripture quoted by celebrites.  We rarely see God glorified by celebrities.  But I did today, and it was refreshing. 

I know her mother had initially wanted the service private, which would have been completely understandable, but, wow, letting the world view what happened in that church today, that was completely unselfish, wanting the Word spread, and showing love for others.  And as Whitney was described today, I think that is just what she would have wanted.

It's Ok Thursday - 2/16/12

Today has been one big fat mess.  I'm hungry, I'm frustrated, and I'm ready to go to bed and call it a day, but ...

It's Ok...

... that my abs are still sore from a workout on Monday night (can we say out of shape)

... that buying coffee creamer on sale has been one of the highlights of my week.

... that my coffee is 90% creamer, sugar, and cinnamon and 10% coffee

... that one of the highlights of my lunch break is playing words with friends

... that my hair wants to by gray and I want it to be brown... constant battle

... that i spent seriously 3 hours in the salon today and thus will be working All. Night. Long

... that I sent my nephew a book for Valentine's Day and I'm pretty sure my sisters and I are more excited about it than he is... The Color Kittens, a great one from our childhood

... that I had my first acupuncture appointment today that I think would have been great if I weren't a big fat coward, but instead, since I am, I didn't tell the doctor he was working on the wrong leg and instead left it tears.  Yes, I am a self-professed loser.  And I'm still upset with myself over it.

... that since the salon and the doctor took ALL DAY I haven't eaten.  Me hungry = me grouchy.

... that I have days where age 30 is the same in my mind as 22 and days where age 30 might as well be 112

... that my Dilbert calendars can make me laugh hysterically while sitting in an office by myself

... that I bought some supplement from the doctor and I don't know what it does or when to take it (yes, I know I should never have children... what adult can't tell the doctor that he didn't fix the right foot and buys stuff she doesn't know what to do with... anyone have some ocean front property in Arizona they want to sell me???)

... that I really want to cry some more and I probably will once I get in the car

... to have bad days

... because I know that this is just a day, a rough day, tomorrow will be better, probably an hour from now will be better.  I had the opportunity while waiting in the salon for hours to read some good stuff...  Isaiah 41:10 “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you. I will help you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand”

... that I'm feeling better even as I type this

Well, must get back to work to make up for all I missed today... Happy Thursday, thanks for listening to the vent session... 

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day, Happy Tuesday.

I celebrated tonight with my family.  The best part was some fried cheescake, yes, as good as it sounds.  Some day, I'm going to become a real blogger who thinks to take pictures of such delacacies as that.

Since I last checked in, Whitney Houston died, which I was a little more torn up about than expected.  I think she just always seemed to be one of those people who picked the wrong man, and it was a choice she could never overcome.  Of course Whitney and I weren't friends, but from what I've read of her family and upbringing, it always seemed as though Bobby was the one who introduced her to the addictions that ended her life.

On that note, I've read so many blog posts today of bloggers talking about their marriages, their men, etc.  I'm a touch on the emotional side (major understatement) and these posts have made me laugh, made me smile, and most recently brought tears to my eyes.  It's interesting reading how different relationships work, different personalities, different characteristics.  But it has reaffirmed this for me, yes, I'm growing older every day, yes, it seems like I've had to wait a lot longer than most, but waiting for God's pick for me, the one He deems best suited for me, is worth it.  A marriage based on Him, rooted in His Word, and blessed by Him is the only kind I want, really is the only kind that would survive with me in it (I'm very difficult and would be a great challenge to be married to).  If He sees fit to bless me with that, awesome, and if He doesn't, there is another plan for me far greater than I can imagine.

But I digress, Back to Whitney... probably would not have watched the Grammys but the Whitney coverage sucked me in.  I was pleasantly surprised.  Really appreciated LL Cool J's prayer in the beginning, I'm slightly obsessed with Adele, just ask the girl who works across the hall and can hear my iTunes choices, I was amazed by Jennifer Hudson's tribute to Whitney and just overall enjoyed most of the program.  I'm not sure what's going on with the Dead Mouse guy or girl, that was a bit creepy, and apparently there was some drama with Nikki Manaj, but I was in the bathtub during that and missed it, so I'm giving it a thumbs up.

I bought my obligatory box of Trefoils supporting the Girl Scouts this weekend.  Don't get me wrong, I like them fine, I'm just not a huge sweets person.  I think I still have part of last year's box in the pantry.  But let me take a moment to address the Thin Mint people.  I wonder if there is a Thin Mints Anonymous Club.  I wonder what the price point is that the Thin Mint people wouldn't buy.  I saw a guy who lives alone buy 4 boxes then proceeded to tell me he froze them.  A mom told me she hid the Thin Mints and left the others out for the rest of the family.  I've seen in my own house growing up a sleeve consumed in mere hours.  I just don't understand the obsession.  I'm really not sure I've ever put one in my mouth.  I hate the whole chocolate/mint mix, I'm anti-York peppermint patties, anti the mints at Olive Garden (usually makes the other folks at the table happy, more for them), I think it is such a weird mixture, but those who love it, wow do they love it.

I think I'm off to start "The Hunger Games".  All I've heard is good things about it.  A friend started telling me about... all right up my alley... then she says "fight to the death"... I say "say what"... she says "you'll love it".... I say "ummmm"... she says basically I'm not invited to the movie if I don't read the book :(     I once loved to read, for some reason I don't as much anymore, maybe it's just been a while since I've found a really good one.  And, I don't really understand reading a book you know is going to be a movie, yes, yes, the book is always better they say, then why are you watching the movie???  But, I can download it free on my Kindle, so I guess I have no excuse.

Happy Tuesday to you, hope you got to celebrate in some way today, with family, friends, that special someone, or a heart shaped Krispy Kreme doughnut (why must they constantly tempt us at work!!!)

It's OK Thursday 2/9/12

 

It's Thursday!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, It's Ok...

...That my office still looks like a paper tornado hit it

...That I went from a girl who wondered why people were running if no one was chasing them to a girl who thinks running ranks up there as one of the best therapies out there.

...That I haven't been to the grocery store in WEEKS, and I'm eating some really random stuff for dinner.

...That I can't wait for dinner tonight with some old co-workers, it's been a long time since we've gotten together.

...That I love weddings, love seeing people committ to each other, love when two people love each other, but the thought of it for myself seems like a foreign idea

...That I am soo excited about my teeth cleaning in the morning, if it's possible, I've been craving a teeth cleaning!

...That a friend told me a funny story two weeks ago, and I just laughed out loud in the hallway at work thinking about it.

...That at 30, I can't ride a bike.

...That I got a full 8 hours of sleep last night and I could still take a nap.

...That I'm strongly considering stopping my obsessive DVR'ing of the Gilmore Girls.  Seriously, I record them all, and watch them if nothing else is on or if I'm trying to clean and I know I won't be focusing, but I need something new, I've seen them all 3-4 times, and it's time to let it go for a while.

...That I still wish I could live a week in the life of Laura Ingalls.

...That I wish I could play the fiddle

That's all for today, hope you have a great one!!

Oh How Pinteresting

It's Wednesday, time to link up with The Vintage Apple with my favorite pins this week!!

This is really something I'm trying to remember this week!

Source: rhubarbinthegarden.tumblr.com via Catherine on Pinterest

I want a day right there, with some books and a journal!

Source: prettyspace.tumblr.com via Cait on Pinterest

Wonder if I can tattoo this on my palm??

Source: piccsy.com via Cait on Pinterest

Pretty!!

Source: wanelo.com via Anna on Pinterest

Good plan...

Source: rusticbeauty.tumblr.com via Anna on Pinterest

I do love turquoise...

Source: thenest.com via The Perfect Palette on Pinterest

Tulips are my absolute favorite!

Source: thecolorsofmymind.tumblr.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Love it!!!

Source: gardenhomeandparty.com via Brittnye on Pinterest

And lastly...

Source: Uploaded by user via Anna on Pinterest

Happy Wednesday!  Hope it's a good one!

Random Monday

It's Monday night. I should be working.  I got an awesome new computer at work, problem is, I left early tonight to come home and meet my cousin to run, and now I can't log in to the new computer.  It's giving me a touch of the tight chest panic feeling, but I can't control it, so I have to let it go and unless the IT guys can figure it out, go to work really early in the morning to try to get in some hours.

So, I shall blog some randomness.

First, I LOVE the Voice.  CeeLo and his cat kind of freak me out, but overall I think the judges have great chemistry, and I love the blind auditions.  Unique voices are the best.  I'm watching last night's now.  I know I've said it before, but I love seeing people doing what they love and being great at it!!  And I love the joy in the friend and family room when the chair turn.

Second, and this is quite random, but couponing helps me not overeat.  I was raised to know the value of a dollar, not to waste, and to clean my plate.  I know now, as do my parents, that that was probably not the best lesson for your kid's waistline.  Anyway, I have to fight my brain sometimes that thinks that throwing away food is wasting, and tell it that sending the food down my throat is just as much of a waist.  Tonight, I ended up cooking some Rice A Roni rice for supper that I had bought for almost nothing when it was on sale and I had a coupon.  Was there any struggle in sending the extra to the trash, none!  Freedom!!

Third, it's getting colder.  It's February, it should be cold, but how about some snow??  I don't want high heating bills and frozen toes unless some white stuff is headed our way.  But, on the other hand, a little nip in the air is kind of nice.  I help it doesn't hurt my blooming buttercups, yup, that's how warm it is!!

Fourth, my run tonight was wonderful.  It's just so great to be hitting the pavement again.  I've really missed it, as has my extra flab.  I'm also ready to get back on the weight and abs train.  I have the stuff here at the house, just have to do it!!

Fifth, this is my favorite verse this week from 1 Thessaloanians, trying to focus on it...  ¹⁶ Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray continually, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. ¹⁹ Do not quench the Spirit. ²⁰ Do not treat prophecies with contempt ²¹ but test them all; hold on to what is good, ²² reject every kind of evil. ²³ May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. ²⁴ The one who calls you is faithful, and he will do it.
So much in there.  I've always loved 16-18, such simple language, specific commands.  My mom's favorite word is Rejoice which probably also draws me to this passage.  But, this week when I read it, more jumped out at me "Do not quench the Spirit" - wow, this is something I've struggled with as of late, not saying something when I feel the Spirit is telling me to, and on the flip side, a huge sense of peace when I have followed the Spirit's lead on something I had been fighting for a while. 

Sixth, I have a teeth cleaning on Friday, and I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Seventh, I think that's all for now, but this has been fun.  Who knew what kind of post could be written when you can't work at night!!

Friday's Letters

Dear McDonalds Guy, thanks so much for chasing down my $1 bill in the parking lot this morning so I could have my Coke (I mean litterally chasing to the back of the parking lot, while I sat in my car and watched in the rearview mirror). Dear Co-Workers, thanks for all the nice comments and emails this week. You make work fun. Dear January, thanks for coming to a close, you kicked my tail. ALL. MONTH. LONG. Dear Cousin, thanks for running with me last night. I really enjoyed catching up with you and getting some exercise. Let's do it again very soon! Dear Susan, way to go!!! So proud of your win, keep on dominating! Dear CVS and Publix, I've missed you and I know you've missed me. I'm getting my coupons together this weekend and I'm coming to do some damage! Dear Mama, you are the best!



This is my first link up with Adventures of Newlyweds! 

Happy Friday Everyone!

Fabulous Valentine's Day Challenge - Day 4

I'm not a big Valentine's Day fan.  In my entire life, I've received one present from a boyfriend on a Valentine's Day.  I don't hate it, it just never seems to apply to me :-)  But, today's challenge is fun...

Day {FOUR} Love Weddings - Share your wedding photos, your friends or families, or your pinterest inspiration!

I don't have the whole thing planned, but I will say my addiction to Pinterest has given me some cool ideas.  I grew up on a farm, and a wedding at the farm would be so cool.  Here are some of my favorite wedding related pins!

I love barns...

Source: Uploaded by user via Anna on Pinterest

I think an outdoor reception would be cool...

Source: google.com via Anna on Pinterest

Source: savvyhome.blogspot.com via Anna on Pinterest

I think this dress is gorgeous!!!

Source: stylemepretty.com via Anna on Pinterest

I think this is really neat.  My horse, Rex, would look good in that picture!

Source: jennyleebridal.com via Anna on Pinterest

And this one!

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Anna on Pinterest

I'm a little torn on footwear, something like this...

Source: bluejeansstringofpearls.tumblr.com via Anna on Pinterest

Or something like this...

Source: Uploaded by user via Anna on Pinterest

The incredibly mushy, overly emotional part of me thinks this is really cool, reading letters from each other the day of the wedding.

Source: Uploaded by user via Anna on Pinterest

Most importantly, I want a good, Godly man to say forever to.

Source: helloandrea.blogspot.com via Anna on Pinterest

 

Thanks to Neely and Amber for the fun link up!!

It's Ok Thursday - Feb 2

It's Thursday, woo-hoo!!!

That means It's Ok...

That I'm sitting here waiting on the bug guy, but afraid to start getting ready for work.  I tend to forget about him and tend to be in the shower every time he shows up, most embarassing time was when the door to my house was unlocked and he walked on in.  I'm in the shower, it was not too long after I had moved into my house and I still had nothing but the clear liner on the shower.  Anyway, all was well, thankfully I had some clothes in the bathroom and I threw them on and Mr. Bug Man never knew how close he was to a really bad moment.

That I did a happy dance on Tuesday when I realized it was January 31 and I had made it thru the month!!  (All related to work, year-end close, and the fact it's done!!)

That it took me 3 days to recover from the driving range... I believe I need to do that more often, my love handles were crying.

That I'm on pins and needles waiting to hear from my sister this afternoon if they won their parliamentary competition today.

That as February begins, I'm telling myself on a daily basis that Valentine's Day is not a horrible day, and that I should be happy for those that have someone to celebrate with :-)

That the Super Bowl is this weekend, the last football game of the season, so sad... I will not go thru withdrawals, I will not go thru withdrawals

That I'm super excited about running tonight, it's been way too long

That I quickly talked myself out of a yoga video last night when my sister didn't bring her clothes.

That one of my favorite blogs, RunEatRepeat, has me eating pancakes with peanut butter... don't knock it til you try it!

How Pinteresting - Super Bowl

It's Super Bowl Weekend and in honor of that, I'm sharing some of my favorite football related pins.  Football food, football weddings, anything!

Source: southernpiphi.tumblr.com via Eagin on Pinterest

Source: chef-in-training.com via Angie on Pinterest

Source: minibakercupcakes.blogspot.com via Kim on Pinterest

Source: pillsbury.com via Kim on Pinterest

Source: maddycakesmuse.blogspot.com via Kim on Pinterest

Source: getmarried.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: iloveswmag.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: iloveswmag.com via Sara on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: google.com via Catherine on Pinterest

Source: etsy.com via Anna on Pinterest

Babies, weddings, food, and football... does it get any better??  Happy Wednesday!!