D.C. Trip

So a few weekends ago I went and visited a friend in Washington, D.C.  She's up there for a few months and had a place for me to stay.  It was a great weekend.

I arrived Friday with my plane sick self, but after a coke in the airport, I was ready to go.  We had signed up for a 5K that night.  The have what they call "5K Fridays" in April. 

So maybe not the best pic, but it's all we got.  I'm in the pink. My friend, Martha, is in the purple, and two of her friends ran with us. 

It was a fun race, lots of people, I think around 1400.  We were off.  I told Martha not to stay with me, but to run ahead.  So she did.  I forgot my watch, and I never saw any mile markers so I had no clue where I was the entire time.  I'll be honest, I didn't want Martha to beat me by too much.  Anyway, I ran hard, I tried to pass people, of course, I watched strollers and children pass me, but I trudged on.  I only took one walk break. It was a fun race, lots of cheerers, the course volunteers were very encouraging, and supportive.  I crossed the finish line, and was beat, but felt good.  We left and went to a place where they were serving the runners $5 burgers.  They were delicious!  After that, Martha and I headed back to her place, talked a while, and crashed.

On Saturday, she looked up our scores.  I was so excited to find out my time was 33:27 with a 10:46 pace.  I know that's no speed demon, but it was a PR for me, and I couldn't believe I had averaged under 11:00 minute miles!!

On Saturday, we started with breakfast at Metro 29 (I think that was the name).  It has been featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives.  They are famous for their french toast, so there was no doubt that's what i needed to try.  It was delicious!!

After that, we went to the Pentagon for a tour, it was so neat.  A friend of Martha's who works there took us around and showed us all sorts of things.  That was my first time in the Pentagon.  It was just facinating.

After that, we headed to Alexandria.  What a cool place!  We stopped by George Washington's church, then did some shopping and eating. 

This is the view of the Capitol from Alexandria.  It was just a really neat little city.

I think after that we headed back to Martha's apartment.  Her apartment was great.  After reading too much Skinny Runner blog, I feel as though you should check out all gyms.  So Martha showed me her complex's gym.  Holy cow!!  It was on the top floor and surrounded by glass.

Do you see those TV's on the treadmills?  How cool is that?  It doesn't take much to impress me. 

And the view from the gym...

Just outside was the pool and a the balcony.  The view of the Capitol...

And the Washington Monument...

The next morning, we were up, a couple quick miles in the gym, and headed back to TN.  It was a great trip, with a great hostess.  So glad I got to visit!!

It's Ok

What a week...

It's Ok...

...that I stopped and bought dry shampoo yesterday on the way to work because my hair was so nasty.

...that I sprayed my hair with the dry shampoo at a redlight and nearly suffocated from the smell and had to drive the rest of the way to work with my windows down.

...that my 16 year old sister finds me so incompetent with keeping our nephew she made me a list and and put it in his bag (I probably needed it)

...that today has been a wild and crazy day including early morning runs, walks, breakfast with friends, quality time with the nephew, lunch with a friend, knocking out some work that has been hanging over my head, meetings, dinner meeting, nephew transfer, and finally home!

...that I heard an interesting business pitch last night and I can't decide what to do with it.

...that I am wearing everything I tried to eat today

...that I am up before 6 most mornings and I can't make it to work at a reasonable time.

...that I hadn't completely gotten all the old spray tan off before I got the new one today (I hope it stays)

...that I'm so excited about the Olympics, I can hardly contain myself.  I can't wait!!

...that we've been having 80 weather off and on for a month, and I just realized today I had my driver's side a/c vent closed.  No wonder I'm sweating in the car!

...that running = gaining weight for me.  I really can't blame it on the running, only on the poor choices and massive amounts of food I've been intaking as of late.

...that I think I'm going to bed and it's 9:30

Goodnight and Happy Thursday!

He's Here!!

My new nephew is here!!  Yay!!  He surprised by showing up a little early, but I'm so excited to see him.  My sister and brother in law didn't find out the sex, so everything was a surprise. 

Isn't he cute...

My first time to hold him... I'm not really a baby person, so the hand off/hand back borderline terrifies me, but that actual holding was pretty sweet.

My sister took this picture of his big brother earlier today, he's staying with us while everyone settles in.

So you've now met Fletcher Knight Byrd!!

Fletcher is my brother in law's mother's maiden name, and Knight is my granddad and cousin's middle name.

My granddaddy (his great granddaddy) came and just held him and held him, it was pretty sweet.

 And Emily (Knight) was also pretty enamored with her namesake...

So congrats to Clair and Rob!!  So excited to have Fletcher in the family!!

Weekend!!

This was one weekend I was glad to see roll around.  It hasn't been a bad week, I was just ready for Saturday and no plans.
This morning we ran 8 miles.  At 5, we decided we were hungry and hit the breakfast place, then ran 3 more.  If I ever do get to run a long race, I'm going to have to have someone placed about mid-way to feed me fried eggs.  It was a good run, the last mile was fast for me, 10:40.  Would have been faster if I hadn't stopped to pick up a shiny quarter laying on the ground, but who passes up a quarter???
That gives me 26 miles for the week, not too shabby.  And the steroids must have worked on my foot, because I have no pain, even after today's long run.  I'm soooooo thankful!!  I may be able to run this 10 miler in June after all!
Now I've got to talk to cousin and get back on the weights and abs.  It seems like I can only keep one exercise plan going at a time, either running or strength/abs, but I haven't mastered the mixture of the two even though I know that would be the best route.
Not sure yet what the rest of the day holds.  My dad said something about vaccinating calves, so that may end up on the agenda. 

I so appreciate all the kind comments on my post earlier in the week.  I'm really trying to make a conscious effort to control my negative thoughts and replace them with God's truths.  The thing is my insecurities start out with negative thoughts about me, which is bad enough, but they can easily turn into me judging others on what I feel insecure about.  That's the absolute worst.
When I was a kid, we sometimes watched Saturday Night Live.  When i was thinking about positive thinking this week, this skit came to mind.


Doggone it, people like me :-)

Christan has a great series going on on her blog called Get your HEART Ready for Swimsuit Season

I hope everyone has a fantastic Saturday.  It's a beautiful day here!

Too cute

After yesterdays post, I can't help but smile at this little cutie and want to be more like her :-)

Insecurities... from the Devil... literally

I have a friend who occasionally uses the term "headcase".  I think that perfectly describes me sometimes. 
Being single has its perks, but it also has its challenges.  I think one thing the Devil uses against me is my mind and my thoughts.  Let's be honest, I don't have anyone I live with and while I do think about other people, pray for my family and friends, too much time is spent thinking about me.  My evil thoughts tend to center around my insecurities.  Saturday, I let the evil thoughts take over.  I was invited to a party.  It was a party in which I didn't think I would know very many people.  I knew two guys going well, and I planned to go with them. 
The party got closer and closer.  I couldn't decide what to wear.  I have -0- confidence when it comes to clothes.  I wear pants when everyone else has on a dress.  I wear a dress when everyone else has on shorts.  I just never do it right.  I never look as cute as everyone else.  I don't know how to put it together.  This isn't flattering, this makes me look old, this makes me look like I'm trying to be 18... I don't have the right jewelry, the right shoes... the list goes on and on.  I feel like my friends give me a pass and don't judge when I show up wearing something stupid, but I don't know these people, what if I embarrass myself?
Then there is the self-diagnosed social anxiety disorder.  I enjoy social gatherings, I enjoy my friends, but I despise situations in which I don't know the majority.  I have an incredibly hard time with small talk.  Once it gets going, I'm usually ok, but that horrible, awkward time where you are standing, not knowing who to talk to, or how to strike up conversation, awful!!  So here are the thoughts that start going thru my mind as the party looms closer... Who are you going to talk to?  The boys don't want to babysit you all night.  These are their friends, you are just going to be in the way.  You can't make small talk with other people... and it went on and on.
I worked myself in such a frenzy I didn't go.  I stayed by myself on the couch, fun, huh?  At first I was feeling sorry for myself, poor pitiful unstylish, untalkative, uninteresting me.  I finally went to bed.  About 4 am I woke up, and that's when I had the epiphany.  Not poor pitiful me, but stupid, sinful me.  I just let the Devil steal from me a night of fun, because I listened to the put downs.  I listened to the lies.  I listened to all the negative.  I was so mad at myself.
I just want to send out a little thanks to my preacher for pouring salt in the wound the next morning.  We talked about the Proverbs 31 woman during the sermon, you know the perfect woman all men should want.  The perfect woman who buys fields, sews clothes, keeps her husband happy, is admired at the city gates, and does all things good.  Her.  I felt as far away from the Proverbs 31 lady as could be.  Then I go to Sunday school and we talk about Timothy.  One verse that was read  was 1 Timothy 2: 9-10 "I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God".  Really it was just read in passing, not one of the verses that had much discussion, but it hit me like a 2x4 between the eyes.  Here I was getting all bent out of shape over stupid things like clothes.  I sat at home by myself because of CLOTHES!!  How stupid.  I was so upset with myself I couldn't even eat lunch.  I sat and watched everyone else eat, because I was literally sick at my stomach for letting the devil control me like that.  I apologized to my friend for not going and bailing on him at the last minute. 
So last night was share group at church, the guys cooked us a fantastic dinner, but that's beside the point.  We went in to start singing.  One song was "The Battle Belongs to the Lord"  I honestly was so choked up with tears in my eyes, I couldn't even sing.  These are some of the lyrics.

"The power of darkness comes in like a flood

The battle belongs to the Lord
He's raised up a standard, the power of His blood
The battle belongs to the Lord
When your enemy presses in hard do not fear
The battle belongs to the Lord
Take courage my friend, your redemption is near
The battle belongs to the Lord"

It just reminded me what I have to do when I feel overwhelmed, when my fears (my enemy, the darkness) are taking over.  I don't have to fight this battle by myself.  God is with me.  He helps me fight my demons, my insecurities.  I just have to ask, have confidence, believe. 

I wish I could do the weekend over.  I wish what I was reminded of yesterday had happened a few days earlier.  I wish I didn't have these demons.  I wish, I wish.... But I know God is in control.  I'm thankful He used my meltdown to remind me of His strength, His power, His goodness.  I'm thankful I've been reminded who needs to control my mind and my thoughts.

I'll forget, I'll have another meltdown.  I'll stand in front of my closet again and throw a fit, but maybe next time, I'll remember sooner, I'll ask God for help faster... and I'll make it to the party.

Happy Mother's Day

My Mom and My Youngest Sister...

Doesn't my mom have the prettiest blue eyes??

She's also the sweetest, kindest, calmest, nicest woman in town.  Just ask anyone.

I'm not like her, I wish I was.  I was probably the most difficult to raise, fiercely independent, always think I'm right, overly sensitive, overly emotional, not the best combination.  I'm a first child in the midst of middle children and babies.  God knew what he was doing.  From my mom, I've learned worrying is needless and sinful.  You pray and you let it go.  I've learned that I've learned that good friends are one of the best things you can have in life.  Find the ones that have your back, that love you no matter what, that are trustworthy, and that carry a gun ;-)

Be patient, stay composed, don't gossip, be positive.  She exemplifies all of those. 

I'm so thankful for her.  I'm so thankful for all she has taught me.

Happy Mother's Day, Mama!!

One more plea...

Dear Emily, I think you need to help me to a blog header and spruce up the blog!!!

Friday's Letters

Linking up with Ashley this fine Friday...

Dear Spaghetti, you have a hold on me like no other.  You make it really hard to lower my carb intake.  Dear Susan, I’m so proud of your new FFA office.  You worked hard to prove yourself worthy and I know you will make a great officer!  Dear Spray Tan, everyone says you look so natural.  You make sleeveless an option.  I heart you.  Dear Fish Fry, wow you were so good.  I love that our IT guys are fishermen!  Dear Amy and Mrs. Peggy, thanks for the comments the other day.  So sweet of you to comment after my blogging hiatus!  Dear Emily, there’s a chance I have some rocking cool shoes on the way so we can look cool running together!  Dear Erin, thanks for encouraging me and pushing me on our runs!  Dear Mama, God handpicked you to be my Mama and I’m so thankful.  Dear Football, I can’t wait to get a little fix of you tonight.  It’s been a while!  Dear Sunny Weather, I’m really enjoying you, more than usual.  You just make it a little more difficult to be inside working!  Dear Single Status, you have your pros and cons… last night’s pro… when living by yourself, you can make anything you want for dinner, last night I put in a bowl some of my current favorites, wheat spaghetti, sauce (no meat b/c I was too hungry and hurried to thaw), balsamic vinegar, and avocado = YUMMY!!!  Dear Anyone Reading, I hope you have a fantastic weekend.  I hope you know that God loves you, because He does, even in the funky times.  And I thank you for reading!

I'm a Blogger failure

... and I know it... does that make it any more acceptable???

I do have some posts started about the past few weekends, but they haven't been finished.

My lack of picture taking is inexcusable.

I had a PR in a 5k a couple weeks ago!!!

The 5 miles we did this morning was painful, but I oh so needed it. 

I bought a grocery basket full of healthy food and went home and ate a Totino's pizza.

That was the last Totino's pizza in the freezer.  No mas.

I really want to lose 5 pounds in the next two months, so I must actually eat the healthy food and not just let it rot in my fridge.

I'm going to try the Green Monster Naked Juice... if you have any clue what kind of aversion I have to green foods, you would know this is big. 

I've signed up for a 10 mile race in June, crazy??  Maybe so.

I'm really looking forward to summer.  It's already filling up quickly, but I think many good times are going to be had.

Life is all about relationships.  I tend to forget that.  I need to slow down and spend time with people and make time for people. 

I want to do the Amazing Race... except the food and heights challenges would kick my tail. 

Well, at least I've now posted something... :-)