My Cupcake Run & New Chili Recipe

So, tonight I ran my first Cupcake Classic Run.  I have done one other virtual run in the past; this one was by far the most fun.  I ended up running a total of 6.08 miles.  The weather is still a little warm (86 degrees), but I waited until the sun went down and enjoyed the sunset as I came around the back side of Desert Foothills.  We had a beautiful fall sky tonight.  I love running here.  We are so spoiled.  I don't miss the 40 degrees and rain in Michigan.  

I saw my first rattlesnake ever in the foothills tonight; it was a little scary.  He/she was crossing the sidewalk where I was finishing up my loop.  I stopped to let it cross.  I could definitely see the tail, so I know what it was.  There was a woman that I was passing after I saw it, and I stopped her to tell her to be careful.  She started laughing and said, "Time to turn around.  I didn't want to walk tonight anyway!"  It was just too nice of a night...I would have just been careful; I wouldn't have let it stop me.  :-)

Me right after my run

 Isn't my shirt cute?  :-)

I have to be honest though...I haven't had sweets like that in a long time and I didn't really enjoy it all that much.  I did get as healthy of a chocolate cupcake as I could get (didn't have time to make myself), with all natural ingredients, but it was just so super sweet.  Next time I will pick something more natural like carrot cake or banana...or I will be done with school and have the time to bake!  I had Mom's yellow cake and chocolate frosting last weekend and even that wasn't as sweet as this cupcake was.  I bought a four-pack.  I know Matt won't eat one, so it looks as though my friends at work will be getting them (LOL).

Click here for more information on the Cupcake Classic

I finally made Kristy's bean-less chili tonight.  Well, it isn't Kristy's recipe (it is an Everyday Paleo recipe), but I got it from her.  Oh, it is so delicious!!  I figured out how to use my food processor tonight as well, so it was much easier to prepare than if I would have had to cut up all those carrots, onions and celery.  Yep, you heard right...celery.  And Matt at it!!!  I have been really proud of him lately.  With our changes in diet to organic and grass fed, he has really been more open and positive about trying new things.  It has been good all around for both of us.  I look forward to continuing to broaden my experience in the kitchen, and trying new things.  :-)

Well, it is getting really late, and I have a big day ahead of me tomorrow.  I hope everyone that is reading this is well and feeling loved.  More to come soon...

All for Me...

Almost Done with September

Last week went really REALLY well!  I ran 13.1! (Well, actually 13.27, but who is counting? LOL)  I made it to my 24 miles total for the week.  It felt amazing to accomplish that.  I ran, showered and was drinking my tea before Matt even got out of bed!  Yep, I am a rockstar!  No, just kidding.  The last two miles of my distance on Sunday was really rough.  I miscalculated and at the very end had to come up with another mile...when my brain was already telling me my run was over.  It was a major hurdle to overcome.  I said a little prayer to God and pushed my way through it.  Then I cried.

The dogs had their follow-up appointment with Dr. Scott on Saturday.  Both are A-OK.  Lily got her stitches out and Baxter's jaw is healing nicely.  She still wants me to be extra careful with Baxter because the bone could still be exposed at this point.  We will baby him until he feels ready to be tough again.  But I will say Dr. Scott was right.  Baxter is a totally different dog now.  He plays with Lily and they wear each other out.  You can definitely tell the sore in his mouth was keeping him under the weather.  

This week has started out a little slow.  I am somewhat tired (I am sure from my 13 on Sunday), but I am trying to get through it...because this is only the start!  I ran my goal today which was 5.  Thursday will be 6 and then Sunday will be 11.  I just need to keep at it.  I CANNOT get to my goal if I don't work hard this time.  I am keeping this commitment to myself...because I deserve it.

Registered for Another Half

Right before Disney...

I will be working for this one:

Look at that bling!!  LOL, I have wanted this one for a while.  I am pretty excited.  Plus, a friend of mine, Bina, will be running in it too!  Should be a really great race, and a good warm up for Disney with Matt.  As I have been saying today, if I have to run 13+ miles each weekend, I should get something better than aches out of it!  :-)

You'll Always Have...

Had to share...made me laugh because it is so true

(and made me think of a few) :-)

Happy Friday everyone!!!!

Blessed...

Today I am feeling unbelievably blessed.  I am not sure where the feelings are resonating from...it could be that I am enjoying the reduction, almost elimination, of stress in my life or it could be that I am feeling just so fortunate to have the people that I have in my life...not sure, but I am basking in the warmth of this feeling.  In my stress management class right now we are supposed to document "what's good" throughout our day, and TODAY is what's good!  

Tonight I ran 5 in 50.  I was there in the moment, feeling the pull of my muscles, the air in my lungs and the sweat fall down my face.  It was ALL there tonight; it was amazing.  Tonight's run reminded me of why I do this and why I get so much enjoyment out of it.  I AM a runner.  This is what I was made to do.  This weekend is an easy 1 hour run; which equates to 6 miles...but next week will be the challenge - 13 miles on Saturday.  I can do it; I know I can.  I have done it 5 times before this! (they've just been a little more grand than what I have in mind.  :-)  )  I will map out my run during the week and get myself psyched up for it.  I have an idea of what I would like to do.  Of course, it has to be outdoors.  I couldn't bear the thought of being on a treadmill that long!  I am looking forward to this first milestone.

The puppies are doing so well.  Baxter seems like a new dog, which the vet said would probably happen, and Lily is mending nicely.  I will need to take both of them in to see Dr. Scott next week, and I am expecting a good report.  They are such great animals.  I am just so thankful that there was nothing terminal going on with Lily and her lumps.  Many prayers were answered throughout this week.  Thank God I don't have to be planning when I will lose her.  She is my little diva.  I want to keep her around for a while.

School is going great.  I really enjoy my two professors, especially Finance (Gallinger).  He is very knowledgeable and has taught us a lot in the small amount of time that we have been there.  So I am just chugging along right now; first paper due in a month.  I have already started my research.  Only 3 more months...just can't even express my excitement.

So, all is good right now!  :-)
   

Thoughts for the day...

Just keep going...don't give up!

My Schnauzers - A Look Back

Spending a lot of time being thankful for my two little ones today.  I am very happy that they are home recovering.  Looking back on all the amazing memories...

 Baxter as a newborn

The day we brought him home

Nanny Kak drove the 8 hours with me to get him :-)

Meeting Daddy for the first time

He was so small!

His first hair cut

He loved to play in the back yard

He was such a BEAUTIFUL little boy...still is

Celebrating my 30th birthday with me

He used to love to cuddle

After our move to AZ together :-)

Then we added #2...

She was just as tiny as Bax

The day we brought her home

We knew from day 1 she would be a handful!

She would steal Baxter's bones AS SOON as she was strong enough

But they were the best of friends right from the beginning!

And they love the other kids in the house too :-)

Her first hair cut

She is growing up so quickly

I love my dogs more than anything.  If you have ever contemplated having an animal, but decided not to, reconsider.  They bring the absolute most joy to your life.  I love my two babies more than words can adequately describe...

They are my life.

Marathon Training Has Begun!

There is only one word that really explains how I feel right now...EXCITED!  I am there; training for my marathon has begun.  In less than 19 weeks I will be running my first marathon - 26.2 miles!  I am a little nervous, but everyday I remind myself that I am one day closer to the biggest goal/challenge I will have achieved in my life.  A bucket list item that will be checked off.  I am so looking forward to this journey.

There are SO MANY things that have happened since I last wrote.  Summer was hell, there is no other way to put it.  I pushed myself to the limit yet another summer.  High risk/high reward right?  Well, that is what I kept telling myself and it almost killed me.  However, I was able to check off another 4 classes so now I am able to graduate in December.  Gosh, it seems so weird to even write it.  I am graduating THIS year!  And the most wonderful thing about it all is that I only have 2 classes this semester, and absolutely no exams...and one of the classes is stress management!  How cool is that?!?!  In three months I will be done, hopefully stress free (LOL), with my undergraduate degree....Master's Degree, you ask?  Probably, but my husband wants to enjoy some free time with his wife before she takes that on. :-)

With putting school first, my fitness went south...way south.  Last night was emotionally painful for me.  I ran the slowest I have in a long time.  But that won't stop me.  Every training session makes me stronger and faster.  I will never give up.  I will keep on keeping on.  Matt's training has now begun for the Disney Wine & Dine, so he is a great encouragement.  Plus, I am now on a special eating regimen, so the extra pounds that I put on during the summer should shed quite quickly and will provide me additional power to get me through my longer runs on the weekend.  I am only running a total of 17 miles per week right now (4/5/8), which is less weekly mileage than what I was doing before I stopped, so I am hoping that will assist me in getting back up to where I was.

Two weeks ago my awesome brother got married to the most amazing woman.  We couldn't be happier for the both of them.  It was the first time EVER my family (of course without Mom) were together as a family.  It was an emotional reunion.  I love my family so much.  We ARE family.

Daddy and his girls :-)

As soon as I have a pic of the entire family, I will share.  And now that life has slowed waaaayyyyyy down it should be much easier to keep this updated.

Love you all!

Happy Father's Day!

Me and My Daddy Christmas 2011

I am so very blessed to be surrounded by amazing men that show how much they truly love their families each and every day.  My own father who has had to be placed within the battles of his own family for reasons of religion...choosing his children always, no matter what the cost.  I love you and I will never forget the sacrifices you make.

To all the wonderful fathers...Happy Father's Day!

The Power Of Good-bye

Many of you know the internal battle I face (sometimes every day) over the loss of my mother because of religion.  I am taking a New Testament class right now that has really opened my eyes to understanding why my mother truly is the way she is, and how she will probably never change.  I understand now.  I am not angry, and I forgive her...and I am learning to say goodbye.

Some things we will never be able to change, and that is okay.  You just have to find the power deep within to realize THAT, and learn to let go...

How I Feel Today

It's going to be a great weekend!

Trust

It's Official - Matt's Taking on His First Half Marathon!

Now, everyone knows that I am not the fastest thing in the world.  I have never really cared much about that.  I just LOVE to run; the farther, the better.  And during a half, I love the experience my body goes through from mile 1 to mile 13.  It is such a great high!


Matt had started to run with me at the end of last year.  At first it was just the smaller races, but he has taken on larger races lately.  I have FINALLY persuaded him to run a half.  I officially registered him today.  The cute dialogue went like this (I cut and paste from email):


Me:  Quick question...do you want me to register you for Wine & Dine?


Him:  yes please.  going to race against the wife ;-)


Matt and I do have activities that we enjoy by ourselves, but I am very fortunate that we enjoy so many of the same things.  I am so happy that he is doing this with me.  And what better place than my favorite place on earth!  We have decided we will make it a mini vacation as well.  I am so excited!!

Throwing Out the Scale!

Okay, I know this is a slight exaggeration, but how I have somewhat felt for the past few months...actually since January.  My weight has either increased or stayed the same, and unfortunately has dictated how I was going to feel for the day or days proceeding the reading.  Well today I revolt!


This morning, after become aggravated and not understanding how I could have gained 7 pounds in the past 6 months...and my clothes fit just fine...put on a dress to test a theory.  Now this is not just any dress; This is THE dress.  You know ladies which one I am talking about.  The one dress that sits in the back of your closet that you take out every once in a while to see if it still fits.  Yeah, THAT one!  My dress, was one I had bought for Melissa's Brownie banquet when she was in kindergarten (she is now in 4th).  I had gotten down to 123 pounds...a weight that EVERYONE calls "my unhealthy look"...and thought that I deserved this short, tight, straight silk dress from Banana Republic because I deserved it.  Looking back, I didn't deserve something that I cheated to obtain.  And I cheated.  Anyone can starve themselves.  It takes true discipline and strength to get your butt to the gym every other day and run 6.2 miles.  In retrospect, I had become a quitter.  I wanted the easy way out.  Not this girl...not any longer.


The result?  I look better in it NOW than I did when I was 123 pounds!  My hips have reduced, my arms and shoulders are more toned, my legs are much more muscular than they have ever been, and the dress just looks fantastic!!!  I sat on the end of my bed today and cried.


Now, ladies (and men), I know that they talk about this on t.v. and the radio and on the internet, but it just didn't sink in for me.  I really couldn't comprehend how my body could gain THAT much weight and still be getting thinner.  And when you look at your body every day, it is hard to see the changes.  It was a personal experience that I had to have.  I am glad that I did.  It taught me a very valuable lesson.


The other thing I learned from this...never let a piece of technology tell me how to feel.  Lately, I have felt great; in the best shape of my life.  It was only when I hopped on that stupid scale that I was feeling like an ultimate failure. My husband calls me the gadget geek...well, that is one gadget I don't need ever again...


and I just keep telling myself:

I know many of you are hard-at-work for that strong, beautiful body.  Sometimes we get discouraged...if the scale is a contributing factor for you, do what I did, throw the damn thing out!!

Yep It Is!

21 miles last week!

I am giving it my all!!

Off to a little bit of a rough start this week...I know, today is Thursday, and I have logged zero miles.  But I have been trying to catch up on homework I didn't do over the Memorial Day holiday weekend.  Matt left this morning for his golf trip (won't be back until Sunday), so I plan on giving the rest of the week to me.

Last weekend was the greatest.  I truly am blessed to have married into such a wonderful family.  Especially Mom and Dad; there are no real words to describe how great they are...so self-sacrificing and loving.  All of us couldn't be better taken care of.  Thank you for putting up with all 11 of us.  We love you!

I Never Will...

21 miles this week...all for me!
235 days to go before my FULL marathon - 
I CAN DO THIS!!!

A Must Read for EVERY Couple

I received this today from a friend on FB. Married or not you should read this...


“When I got home that night as my wife served dinner, I held her hand and said, I’ve got something to tell you. She sat down and ate quietly. Again I observed the hurt in her eyes.

Suddenly I didn’t know how to open my mouth. But I had to let her know what I was thinking. I want a divorce. I raised the topic calmly. She didn’t seem to be annoyed by my words, instead she asked me softly, why?

I avoided her question. This made her angry. She threw away the chopsticks and shouted at me, you are not a man! That night, we didn’t talk to each other. She was weeping. I knew she wanted to find out what had happened to our marriage. But I could hardly give her a satisfactory answer; she had lost my heart to Jane. I didn’t love her anymore. I just pitied her!

With a deep sense of guilt, I drafted a divorce agreement which stated that she could own our house, our car, and 30% stake of my company. She glanced at it and then tore it into pieces. The woman who had spent ten years of her life with me had become a stranger. I felt sorry for her wasted time, resources and energy but I could not take back what I had said for I loved Jane so dearly. Finally she cried loudly in front of me, which was what I had expected to see. To me her cry was actually a kind of release. The idea of divorce which had obsessed me for several weeks seemed to be firmer and clearer now.

The next day, I came back home very late and found her writing something at the table. I didn’t have supper but went straight to sleep and fell asleep very fast because I was tired after an eventful day with Jane. When I woke up, she was still there at the table writing. I just did not care so I turned over and was asleep again.

In the morning she presented her divorce conditions: she didn’t want anything from me, but needed a month’s notice before the divorce. She requested that in that one month we both struggle to live as normal a life as possible. Her reasons were simple: our son had his exams in a month’s time and she didn’t want to disrupt him with our broken marriage.

This was agreeable to me. But she had something more, she asked me to recall how I had carried her into out bridal room on our wedding day. She requested that every day for the month’s duration I carry her out of our bedroom to the front door ever morning. I thought she was going crazy. Just to make our last days together bearable I accepted her odd request.

I told Jane about my wife’s divorce conditions. . She laughed loudly and thought it was absurd. No matter what tricks she applies, she has to face the divorce, she said scornfully.

My wife and I hadn’t had any body contact since my divorce intention was explicitly expressed. So when I carried her out on the first day, we both appeared clumsy. Our son clapped behind us, daddy is holding mommy in his arms. His words brought me a sense of pain. From the bedroom to the sitting room, then to the door, I walked over ten meters with her in my arms. She closed her eyes and said softly; don’t tell our son about the divorce. I nodded, feeling somewhat upset. I put her down outside the door. She went to wait for the bus to work. I drove alone to the office.

On the second day, both of us acted much more easily. She leaned on my chest. I could smell the fragrance of her blouse. I realized that I hadn’t looked at this woman carefully for a long time. I realized she was not young any more. There were fine wrinkles on her face, her hair was graying! Our marriage had taken its toll on her. For a minute I wondered what I had done to her.

On the fourth day, when I lifted her up, I felt a sense of intimacy returning. This was the woman who had given ten years of her life to me. On the fifth and sixth day, I realized that our sense of intimacy was growing again. I didn’t tell Jane about this. It became easier to carry her as the month slipped by. Perhaps the everyday workout made me stronger.

She was choosing what to wear one morning. She tried on quite a few dresses but could not find a suitable one. Then she sighed, all my dresses have grown bigger. I suddenly realized that she had grown so thin, that was the reason why I could carry her more easily.

Suddenly it hit me… she had buried so much pain and bitterness in her heart. Subconsciously I reached out and touched her head.

Our son came in at the moment and said, Dad, it’s time to carry mom out. To him, seeing his father carrying his mother out had become an essential part of his life. My wife gestured to our son to come closer and hugged him tightly. I turned my face away because I was afraid I might change my mind at this last minute. I then held her in my arms, walking from the bedroom, through the sitting room, to the hallway. Her hand surrounded my neck softly and naturally. I held her body tightly; it was just like our wedding day.

But her much lighter weight made me sad. On the last day, when I held her in my arms I could hardly move a step. Our son had gone to school. I held her tightly and said, I hadn’t noticed that our life lacked intimacy. I drove to office…. jumped out of the car swiftly without locking the door. I was afraid any delay would make me change my mind…I walked upstairs. Jane opened the door and I said to her, Sorry, Jane, I do not want the divorce anymore.

She looked at me, astonished, and then touched my forehead. Do you have a fever? She said. I moved her hand off my head. Sorry, Jane, I said, I won’t divorce. My marriage life was boring probably because she and I didn’t value the details of our lives, not because we didn’t love each other anymore. Now I realize that since I carried her into my home on our wedding day I am supposed to hold her until death do us apart. Jane seemed to suddenly wake up. She gave me a loud slap and then slammed the door and burst into tears. I walked downstairs and drove away. At the floral shop on the way, I ordered a bouquet of flowers for my wife. The salesgirl asked me what to write on the card. I smiled and wrote, I’ll carry you out every morning until death do us apart.

That evening I arrived home, flowers in my hands, a smile on my face, I run up stairs, only to find my wife in the bed -dead. My wife had been fighting CANCER for months and I was so busy with Jane to even notice. She knew that she would die soon and she wanted to save me from the whatever negative reaction from our son, in case we push through with the divorce.— At least, in the eyes of our son—- I’m a loving husband….

The small details of your lives are what really matter in a relationship. It is not the mansion, the car, property, the money in the bank. These create an environment conducive for happiness but cannot give happiness in themselves.

So find time to be your spouse’s friend and do those little things for each other that build intimacy. Do have a real happy marriage!

If you don’t share this, nothing will happen to you.

If you do, you just might save a marriage. Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.

History in the Making

Tuesday I registered for my last two undergraduate classes. I can't believe it. The way I feel is a feeling that I have NEVER felt in my life. It has actually been difficult to contain myself. I have worked so hard for this day...so many hours of studying, late nights filled with no sleep, and meals skipped...but I will never be able to replace the life lessons learned, the academic knowledge obtained, and the friendships I will hold dear for the rest of my life. December is just right around the corner...my next journey can begin!

To go along with the amazing day I had on Tuesday, I was surprised by my management on Wednesday with my promotion. Something I wasn't expecting AT ALL! After 8 years here at the company, I am finally under the professional salaried staff umbrella...ahhhh, it feels good to be here. They have also agreed to allow me to work a virtual office schedule. I am speechless on how awesome my week has gone.

Life can't get any better!

In Darkness Christ Shed His Light...

When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."