Friday Facts

Happy Friday Folks!!

#1 - This made me laugh out loud while sitting in my office...

#2 - Remember that trip my mom is on with some long lost college friends, well my sweet, kind, Mama sent me a picture sometime in the middle of the night of her new tattoo... I'm not sure what's going on down there :-)

#3 - It's weird how you can get exciting, joyous news and sad, painful news all within an hour's time

#4 - Very excited about dinner with some fun girls tonight!!

#5 - The diet has not gone so well this week, but I have been more aware of what I was eating.  I've stayed away from Cokes, and I think I'm close to conquering the caffeine addiction.

#6 - Newest blog added to my Google Reader this week - Lavender Parking!  It's a good one!

#7 - I finally made an appointment to go to another doctor about my heel.  Appointment is in a week and a half.  Part of me just wants the guy to put me in a boot, tell me no running for however long and make this pain end for good!  3 miles is just not a long enough run, I'm tired of hurting, and I really want to do a half!!

#8 - Good one - Colossians 3:23 "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.  It is the Lord Christ you are serving."

Have a great weekend!!

It's Ok Thursday

Whew what a day.

So let's get this party started.  Linking up with Amber and Neely.

It's Ok

...that I woke up to a text this morning from workout friend that she was in the ER (it's ok because I'm thinking they are going to give her some relief from the pain she's been having, woo-hoo)

...that Kettlebells kicked my tail to the curb tonight, we did 280 swings

...that the blisters have already started from all those swings

...that I smelled like a goat after the workout

...that I caught parts of two shows I don't ever watch tonight and both had former Gilmore Girls characters on them!!

...that I am now watching a Gilmore Girls rerun

...that I was devastated about Pat Summitt stepping down as head coach of the Lady Vols.  She's been there my whole life.

...that I made an impromptu purchase of a plane ticket today for a quick trip in a couple weeks, can't wait!

...that my mother is on a trip with some friends she hasn't seen in a long time.  She texted me to tell me that she's auctioning me off to the women with single sons...  oh boy

...that I tend to only enter my food in My Fitness Pal when I've done good

Happy Thursday!!

Really Quick...

It's a little crazy today.  I still haven't finished my taxes that are due TODAY, so I'm working like a wild woman on those. 

This is my Google quote of the day that popped up on my home page, made me laugh...

Love: A temporary insanity curable by marriage or by removal of the patient from the influences under which he incurred the disorder.

Ambrose Bierce

In some exciting news, I won new running socks in a giveaway on Jane's blog!!  Woo-hoo!

Emily and I did some crazy workouts off Pinterest on Saturday, can't wait to tell you a little more.

Kettle bells was last night.  I really like that workout.  Very sad that our instructor is leaving soon.  I think Emily needs to get certified!!

I thought this was a great post by Megan.  I just love her blog.

I hope you have your taxes done!

Happy Tuesday!!

Friday Facts...

#1.  I was sent this today, and I find it hysterical... and true :-)

#2.  I cheated today with 4 Starbursts :-(

#3.  I've gotten to hang out with friends every nice this week and I love it!!

#4.  My sister is staying with me this weekend, really looking forward to that!

#5.  This accountant still hasn't started her taxes... but almost everyone else's are done!

#6.  More friends tonight.  One of my favorites is in from D.C., and I can't wait to see her!

#7.  It makes me feel so much better when I get in a regular workout schedule.

#8.  My yard is being mowed today!  I think I narrowly escaped hate mail from my neighbors or the city.  I'm not a yard person, and I tend to not notice it's getting out of hand until it's REALLY bad

#9.  I've felt just some overall anxiousness the past few days.  I'm not usually like that.  I've tried to blame it on the diet, but I really think it's because I haven't been reading my Bible.

#10.  I thought when i cracked open these pistachios I bought yesterday that they would have little pieces of gold in them since they cost an arm and a leg!!!  I think this will end my pistachio infatuation.

Hope you have a great weekend!!

Diet, Workouts, and Other Random Bits

We'll start out with other random bits...

As a single Christian girl, I thought this was a really great post I stumbled upon today.  The comments are great, too.

Source: danoah.com via Maurya on Pinterest

Diet...

I'm in a better frame of mind this afternoon, I came close to a meltdown this morning... it's a wonder what a little food can do for the brain.

Source: eyesmize.tumblr.com via Sharon on Pinterest

This diet is tough, not fun, not even remotely.  But, I'm starting to see some good points such as...

#1 - I ate Mexican last night and left full but not stuffed.  I made good choices and did not gorge myself on chips and salsa

#2 - I had to think thru my lunch today instead of running to Chick Fil A.  I ended up going to the Earth Fare grocery store across the street and after nearly crying in the produce section because I don't like healthy foods, I was able to find some things that qualified as lunch and snacks on this plan.

#3 - My sugar intake is wayyyyyy down.  I've used the app "My Fitness Pal" on and off for a couple of months.  One thing I was surprised to see was that my sugar intake was almost always over the recommended amount, and not just by a little.  When all was entered last night, I had only eaten two thirds of the sugar alloted to me for the day.

#4 - When I do get to splurge (I only agreed to do this thing 5 days a week), it will feel like a treat, not the necessity my everyday Starburst addiction had become.

As an added challenge, my friend, Melissa, and I are emailing during the day to challenge each other to drink at least 8 glasses of water.  It's been so helpful to have someone help keep me accountable! 

Workouts...

We kind of quit Insanity, and it was mostly my fault.  The workout was slowly destroying my joints.  First my knee, then my ankle.  I do think it's good, I would like to incorporate it into my workouts, but I don't think I'm up for the 60 day non-stop go at it.  Three weeks kind of did me in.

This week we tried the video Emily won in a Twitter contest, Jillian Michaels Kickbox FastFix.

 I have a love/hate affair with Jillian.  I liked the 30 day shred, really liked the Boost Metabolism, and hated with a passion the Yoga video.  So far, this kickboxing is my favorite.  There are 3 workouts, each 20 minutes.  The first focuses on arms, second on legs, third on abs.  We've done the first and second.  My arms are sore today, which I like.  The workouts are quick, but I broke a sweat.  My coordination-challenged self has somewhat of a hard time trying to follow some of the combinations she does, but overall, I'm really liking it.  Can't wait to see what the abs one is all about, goodness knows I need some help in that area!

So that sums up what's been going on in my fitness world lately.  I'm really enjoying doing some running again, but I'm glad to have some other stuff I enjoy so that I'm less likely to want to push my injured foot too hard.  Still debating on what to do about the foot.

What's your favorite workout?  Or favorite video?

It's Ok Thursday

Why, yes, it's Thursday again...

It's Ok

...that this new diet is causing problems... emotionally, physically, mentally... i kid not

...that early workouts NEVER get easier

...that I'm still way proud of knowing the final answer in trivia last night and helping my team win 3rd.  What about that, Byzantine Empire!!

...that when my boss just told me he was going out to grab a sandwich, it made me want to punch him just a little, b/c I can't have bread

...that I almost tackled the waiter at the breakfast joint this morning for the oatmeal he was carrying to another table... I can't have that either :-(

...that the Google "How To" of the day on my iGoogle page is "How to Date a Nudist when You Are Not One", seriously, how many people have that problem???

...that I haven't started my taxes

...that every time I think about my friend asking me how about the "Pagan" diet, it makes me smile (I'm trying Paleo)

...that I'm drinking something called "Naked Juice" and it's actually not too bad

...that I might have to eat Mexican every day to get the mean and veggies I'm supposed to

...that I consider pot roast a lean meat

...that I kind of want to run tonight just because my new shoes came in the mail

...that I'm thankful that I have one friend who is as addicted to "words with friends" as I am

Can you tell I'm not loving this diet???  But it is teaching me something already, more on that later.

Happy Thursday!!

Paleo, Day 1

I am not very bright.

I don't do diets.

There is a reason.

Because they make me hungry

and a little mean

and give me a headache.

But, I ignored all that and agreed to try the Paleo diet with workout cousin.
I agreed to 5 days a week.

Source: Uploaded by user via Deb on Pinterest

If you don't know me, I'm picky.  I don't like healthy foods.

My dad does an unflattering impression of me as a child gagging at the table.

I don't like green food, not even green candy.

There is another catch that the above picture doesn't mention... no dairy!!!!

When I was in college, I bought milk 3 gallons at a time for myself.

Cereal is it's own food group at my house, as is spaghetti...

neither are allowed...

oh, the horrors! 

So here is the goal...

 Make it thru this thing for a couple of weeks

Challenge myself to find new ways to eat vegetables

Rid myself of sugar.

The overall goal is...

 to come out of this with an appreciation for fruits and vegetables

 eat cleaner overall

 think thru food choices

and plan meals

Today's breakfast was 2 eggs with bacon bits.

Lunch was a Newk's salad minus the cheese and crutons

And I'm not sure what dinner will be, this is were the planning meals could come in handy

I will say this, I've put my food in my Fitness Pal app, and while I'm almost always over in sugars, today, I've only had 1 gram. 

I have a headache that would make you want to slap someone, but only one gram of sugar.

Trying to look at the positives.

We'll see how it goes, wish me luck!

Oh How Pinteresting

Linking up with The Vintage Apple showing off my favorite pins this week.

Enjoy!

Source: fittipdaily.com via Fit Tip on Pinterest

Source: ramzrevell.blogspot.com via Colleen on Pinterest

Source: Uploaded by user via Sandy on Pinterest

Source: stacyhower.bodybyvi.com via Stacy on Pinterest

Source: iwastesomuchtime.com via Kirsten on Pinterest

Source: bakedperfection.com via Susan on Pinterest

Source: bhg.com via Anne on Pinterest

Source: weheartit.com via Jennifer on Pinterest

Source: orange-tropics.tumblr.com via Jayne on Pinterest

Source: ssbuffat.blogspot.com via Ted on Pinterest

Easter Recap

I woke up early, looked out the window at the sunrise, thought about my friends at the sunrise service, and thought about Jesus rising from the grave.  And God's love for us.  God's love, I feel like I learn more about it all the time.  I experience it more all the time, and I'm more thankful and humbled by it all the time, because I'm so undeserving.  I sin, I complain, I whine, and God still loves me and blesses me.  It was some good quiet time on Easter morning.

I got up, went to church, worked the nursery (where there were no kids, whew), then my sister and I headed to my grandparents.  My parents and my other sister and her family were there when we got there.

My granddaddy, Nandy, asked me to help him hide the eggs, so out we went to the backyard.  The egg coloring had been the night before and the eggs were pretty and ready.

The egg is more special if it has your name on it!

This was my nephew, Will's, first hunt.  He was ready!!



He figured out quickly...

Some other cousin hunters...

And the all important onlookers...

All that hunting will wear you out!

How much can Susan handle??

We finished up the day watching the Masters and eating more BBQ before heading home.  It was a great day with family and celebrating Jesus as our Saviour!!

He's Alive!! Happy Easter!

I'm a little late on my Easter post, but I wanted to share this with you.  I ran across it not long ago on a mixed CD titled "Gospel" that I had made in college.  It's the first song on the CD, and by the end I was in tears  So yesterday while driving to my grandparents for the Easter celebration, I played it for my 16 year old sister while I sang it at the top of my lungs and played the drum parts on my steering wheel.  I'm not sure it was quite the spiritual experience for her it is for me.  But, I love it, and I think it's the perfect Easter song... and I love Dolly.  I still remember her performance of this on TV...  Hope you enjoy...

It Feels So Good

So this week has been my return to running.  It's been awesome!!

You may or may not know, I did something to my ankle/heel last summer while training for a half marathon.  I have yet to be able to move past it.  The sports med doc determined it was bursitis in the heel.  I did Celebrex, ice, and an air cast, but it was very little help.  So I kind of quit running.  Not fun.  Every so often, I would do a little, but not much, and the pain always came back.  So then I really quit running.  I would say since November, I've run maybe 2 or 3 times.  I think the rest did me some good.  Insanity was starting to irritate it with all the jumping, but we've backed off that a little. 

I didn't really intentionally start back, but Monday night the exercise room was full with a yoga class, so we got on the treadmills, and it was awesome.  There is just something oddly rewarding about running.

This was the week...

Sunday afternoon a 2.5 mile or so walk.

Monday night, sprints on the treadmill that nearly killed me.

Tuesday night, a walk/run with my Mama for a little over 1.5 miles.

Wednesday morning, a 2 mile walk/run (and breakfast with one of my favorites... an added bonus!)

Thursday morning when I woke up, foot said, let's take a break, and so I did.

Friday morning, a walk/run for 3.7 miles (and breakfast with a bunch of my favorites!)

I definitely need to ice and Advil tonight, but it isn't hurting.  Yay!!!!!!!!!!!!  I'm so thankful.

I think a key has been the walk breaks, there is just something about the force of the pounding pavement that irritates that bursa.

If you have any suggestions, I'd love to hear them, but I'm just so thankful to be doing a little something like running again!!

It's Ok Thursday!

I can't believe it's already Thursday.

It's time for...

It's Ok...

... that I'm a little depressed March Madness is over.  It's a long time until football season starts with only the evils of baseball in between.

... that I mAy have lost some hair this week because a co-worker called while I was waiting on my hair dye to take hold and while we were talking, it passed the allotted 10 minutes and I could feel it start burning my scalp, but I didn't know how to nicely interrupt her serious story and tell her my scalp was on fire.

...that since I was able to run a couple easy miles a couple times this week without a lot of foot pain, my mind thinks a 10 miler is going to be no problem

... that I had some people over for dinner the other night and realized later I had served a cheese based appetizer and a cheese based entree... hope everyone felt ok the next day...

...that I'm checking the Master's leader board online to see where Tiger stands only because I'm not a fan, a friend is a fan, and I want to be able to talk smack when Tiger's behind. (He's tied for 5th right now)

...that I think Starbursts taste better mixed with a mouth full of milk!

...that I'm not playing softball this summer for only the second time in 25 years. 

...that my grandparents hide a golden and silver Easter egg every year for the adults and we act like a bunch of crazy people trying to find them.  (trees have been climbed, wrestling has ensued)

...that they put me on nursery duty at church for Easter Sunday... and I have a fear people might actually use it.

...that I saw on the local news last night that my high school basketball coach is retiring, and I'm extremely concerned about his wife.  All he did was basketball all the time, I bet she'll go crazy having him at home :-)

...that I went on a hair product shopping spree online Sunday night and today at work, I have received shampoo, conditioner, and hair spray

...that I don't dye my hair as well as the stylist does.

...that I discovered some pretty blue blood vessels on my face today that run from my mouth to my chin (I'm not having fun aging)

...that I've been eating like a horse for 3 weeks

...that I made this post a little too long

Happy Thursday and Happy Easter.  Hope you have a wonderful weekend and remember what and why we celebrate.  Thank you, Jesus!

Thoughts from Luke

Source: spiritualinspiration.tumblr.com via Anna on Pinterest

We have started a new book in Sunday school, and "new book" might be a little misleading, it's actually the Bible, the New Testament, but presented in a little different way.  It has no chapters, no verse markings, no references, just the words.  I really like it. 

It also presents the books in a little different order than your standard Bible.  If you are interested in reading more about it follow this link to Amazon, click on the picture of the book and it opens up the foreward that tells you about why they presented it this way.

So, my intent is to post at least once a week about something that stands out to me in my reading.  I've done a good bit of Bible reading, and this format really throws me for a loop.  It's so odd not to have the chapters and verses, but it also makes things flow more.

So last week was the first week and our reading was Luke.  This is the part that got me day one... Mary is approached by the angel and told that she will be having a baby, the Son of God.  Can you imagine?  I mean, let's pretend you are a little virgin Jewish girl, and you've heard about this Messiah who is supposed to return one day, but your people really haven't heard much from God for about 400 years, and all the sudden an angel comes to you and tells you that you will be the conduit for this Messiah to come to Earth.  Wow.  That's a lot to take in.  But once he explains everything to her and givers her instruction, what does she say... "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May your word to me be fulfulled."

This brings a few thoughts to my mind, I'll try to keep them as brief and with as little rambling as possible.

#1 - What does age do to us?  Based on what was customary for the day, things I've read and some preachers I've heard say Mary was probably around 14-16 when these events took place.  We see Mary's reaction.  How does that contrast with Sarah, who was also promised a child, but lost patience, and turned her handmaiden over to Abraham to have a child instead of waiting for God's plan to reveal itself.  And what about Zechariah who lost his ability to speak because he didn't believe when the angel told him he and Elizabeth would have a child.  Does experience make us wiser or more cynical.  Do we still leave room in our mind for miracles as we get older?  Do we leave room for God to work his plan and to use us as He sees fit?  I want to be like Mary, I want to accept what I'm told the first time around.

#2 - Servant attitude - Wow, what servant Mary was.  I'm so selfish with my time.  I'm single, live by myself, and for the most part, control my own time.  I spend a lot of it for me.  Part of me can't imagine a husband and kids because then someone else dictates my life.  What I need to put in perspective is that I need someone to dicatate my life, God.  I need to be living as the "Lord's servant".  I do sometimes, some things, but not the majority of the time.  As we were asked yesterday at church, if you were put on trial for being a Christian, is there enough evidence in your life (or in the past week) to convict you?

I'll leave it there, let me know if you have any thoughts to add!