RUNNING THE RACE...
Well, I finished the race, and it was as awesome as everyone promised it would be. The waves of euphoria lasted long after the race...for the rest of the day, even into today. It felt AMAZING. I loved it. Really, really loved it. I am sore from head to toe today, but hey, it was pretty much the most strenuous thing I have done in about six years. Yikes. I didn't run the whole thing. Nope, I did walk 4-5 times, for about 20-30 seconds each time. My running time, for my first ever race was 30 minutes and 57 seconds. Not fabulous, but not embarrassing either. I was not good at pacing myself. That is definitely something I am going to work on. I was running an eight minute mile for the first mile and a half. But the last mile and a half almost killed me, and that is when I walked some. All in all, I am very happy with how I did and am looking forward to improving my time, as well as my endurance, over the next few weeks, before Amanda and I do our next run in April. Yes, we loved it so much, we are doing another one in a few weeks.
Oh, and Amanda was totally awesome, by the way. Her mental and physical endurance were light years ahead of me. She ran the whole thing. She rocks. I *heart* Amanda. She is my running pal. I wouldn't have done it without her. :)
I was a nervous wreck all day on Friday, and hardly slept at all on Friday night. I was nauseous the whole way down to Richmond Hill and was shaking and trembling the whole morning. I don't know if it was the fear of the unknown, or just my fear of failure, that made me so anxious. Once I stood at the start line, Michael Jackson's "invincible" playing in my ears, I was good to go. I think this could be addictive.
If, for some weird reason, you would like to see pictures of me about to die, um, running, here they are (if it says the session has expired, the event name is See Spot Run, and my bib # is 49).
*Updated: I was not able to run the April race because of sick children. And, the pictures are no longer available to view on line. *
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Saturday, March 29, 2008
LIVE LIGHTLY!
Check out Sara's documentation of their time here in Statesboro. It was such a wonderful time and I learned so much from her. Just a few of my favorite "take aways" from their visit...
-Learning about raw food. I was interested in incorporating more raw foods into my diet, but my mind really drew a blank after smoothies and salads. Sara was so generous with her knowledge and her food...she made me so many delicious raw things to eat, as well as loaning me many of her raw foods cookbooks to read while they were here. By the end of the week, I was ready to eat raw all the time. I am eating about 85% raw right now, and have seen a HUGE difference in my body in the last two weeks. I dropped five pounds the first week, my skin is much clearer, and I have so much more energy! My children are eating a lot more raw foods too and they love the green smoothies. Caedmon actually turned down cheetos the other day, in favor of an orange. Nothing short of miraculous! To learn more about raw food, check out Sara's raw food blog, happy foody.
-Babywearing. I am a big, big fan of babywearing. I have a wrap that I made when Bauer was first born, and it has been wonderful. But he is getting a little big for the particular one that I use, and it was such fun to try on all her different style wraps (12 in all!), to see which I liked best. Sara was so helpful and even Matt and Bella got in on the action. My friend Stacy has a new lease on life, now that she has a wrap for her newborn, Murray!
-Veggie Oil. After spending time with Matt, my hubby, Matt took the plunge and purchased a 1981 Mercedes 240 Diesel, which he will be running on veggie oil from the restaurants he sells food to. Converting to used veggie oil is going to save us about $250 a month (Matt drives about 500 miles a week). I am super excited, because I absolutely LOVE old Mercedes. My last car was an old Mercedes station wagon, and I was so sad to sell it.
-A new friendship. Sara embodies so many of the things that I am interested in, want to be, admire, etc. It was SUCH a pleasure to spend time with her preparing food, playing with the children, and talking, talking, talking. I love her sweet RV (it is adorably decorated!) and admire how much she has simplified her life. The thing I was most surprised about was how non-judgemental she was. She was loving and accepting of us, just the way we were (Cheetos and all!!). She was happy to offer suggestions and ideas when I asked for them, but she was not pushy. I really appreciated that about her and want to be more that way myself. Also, she has such a generous spirit. She was so quick to share her resources with me...her food, her wraps, her books, and many more things. After downsizing so severely, I expected her to be really frugal with their remaining possessions, but she seemed to be just the opposite. As though, by giving away so much, she was now less tied to what she still owned...she saw their value, but was not defined by what she owned. This was a big "ah ha" for me. I truly want to have this generous spirit.
It is so easy for me to try to hide behind my "stuff". I think this is why I had such a hard time driving a minivan. I felt that people would label me, based on what I drove. I know, I know, it is very shallow! I am slowly learning to let go of my preconceived ideas of who people are, based on their things. It is a hard thing to do, and I catch myself making assumptions about people based on what they own all the time. We are so much more than what we own and I really appreciated how quick Sara was to share what she had. A big life lesson for me.
Anyway, I could go on and on about their time here and how much I learned from Sara. I know she and I will continue to keep in touch, and I will continue to call her a friend. If you get the chance, be sure to check out her main blog, Walk Slowly, Live Wildly. I have read the past posts many times, and never fail to learn something every time.
Check out Sara's documentation of their time here in Statesboro. It was such a wonderful time and I learned so much from her. Just a few of my favorite "take aways" from their visit...-Learning about raw food. I was interested in incorporating more raw foods into my diet, but my mind really drew a blank after smoothies and salads. Sara was so generous with her knowledge and her food...she made me so many delicious raw things to eat, as well as loaning me many of her raw foods cookbooks to read while they were here. By the end of the week, I was ready to eat raw all the time. I am eating about 85% raw right now, and have seen a HUGE difference in my body in the last two weeks. I dropped five pounds the first week, my skin is much clearer, and I have so much more energy! My children are eating a lot more raw foods too and they love the green smoothies. Caedmon actually turned down cheetos the other day, in favor of an orange. Nothing short of miraculous! To learn more about raw food, check out Sara's raw food blog, happy foody.
-Babywearing. I am a big, big fan of babywearing. I have a wrap that I made when Bauer was first born, and it has been wonderful. But he is getting a little big for the particular one that I use, and it was such fun to try on all her different style wraps (12 in all!), to see which I liked best. Sara was so helpful and even Matt and Bella got in on the action. My friend Stacy has a new lease on life, now that she has a wrap for her newborn, Murray!
-Veggie Oil. After spending time with Matt, my hubby, Matt took the plunge and purchased a 1981 Mercedes 240 Diesel, which he will be running on veggie oil from the restaurants he sells food to. Converting to used veggie oil is going to save us about $250 a month (Matt drives about 500 miles a week). I am super excited, because I absolutely LOVE old Mercedes. My last car was an old Mercedes station wagon, and I was so sad to sell it.
-A new friendship. Sara embodies so many of the things that I am interested in, want to be, admire, etc. It was SUCH a pleasure to spend time with her preparing food, playing with the children, and talking, talking, talking. I love her sweet RV (it is adorably decorated!) and admire how much she has simplified her life. The thing I was most surprised about was how non-judgemental she was. She was loving and accepting of us, just the way we were (Cheetos and all!!). She was happy to offer suggestions and ideas when I asked for them, but she was not pushy. I really appreciated that about her and want to be more that way myself. Also, she has such a generous spirit. She was so quick to share her resources with me...her food, her wraps, her books, and many more things. After downsizing so severely, I expected her to be really frugal with their remaining possessions, but she seemed to be just the opposite. As though, by giving away so much, she was now less tied to what she still owned...she saw their value, but was not defined by what she owned. This was a big "ah ha" for me. I truly want to have this generous spirit.
It is so easy for me to try to hide behind my "stuff". I think this is why I had such a hard time driving a minivan. I felt that people would label me, based on what I drove. I know, I know, it is very shallow! I am slowly learning to let go of my preconceived ideas of who people are, based on their things. It is a hard thing to do, and I catch myself making assumptions about people based on what they own all the time. We are so much more than what we own and I really appreciated how quick Sara was to share what she had. A big life lesson for me.
Anyway, I could go on and on about their time here and how much I learned from Sara. I know she and I will continue to keep in touch, and I will continue to call her a friend. If you get the chance, be sure to check out her main blog, Walk Slowly, Live Wildly. I have read the past posts many times, and never fail to learn something every time.
Thursday, March 27, 2008
CROSSING ITEMS OFF THE BUCKET LIST
I mentioned two months ago, that one of the things I want to do before I die, is to run a race. I immediately started running, using this training schedule. I used to be very active and physically fit...until I had children. Since then, I have sporadically exercised, usually doing classes at the gym, which I enjoyed (a lot!) but always dropped when I became pregnant. So, seven months after the birth of my third son, I was very, very out of shape. The first training sessions required running in only one minute intervals, and even that was challenging. So, no one is more amazed than me that I am now able to run for thirty minutes straight! What a difference eight weeks can make. I have enjoyed this much more than I ever could have anticipated. The thrill of seeing a new (daunting) challenge in the horizon, and pushing myself physically and mentally to reach and meet those challenges, has been very, very rewarding. I have absolutely loved it. I have actually looked forward to putting my shoes on and hitting the pavement.
So, tomorrow, Saturday, is my first race ever. I am running the See Spot Run 5K with my friend, Amanda. I am really excited about it, but nervous too. I have been having a lot of pain in the insides of my shins the last few times I have tried to run. I am hoping that with all the adrenaline and excitement of the race, that I will be able to push through it. I have not been able to complete my last three runs because of the muscle pain in my legs. I have taken the advice of several other runners and am following the guidelines they have set forth, so hopefully, everything will be great! As this is my first run, and I don't have a previous time to try and beat, I have very simple goals. To finish, and to run the whole thing. I would also like to not come in last. :)
Anyway, I will let you know how it goes after Saturday! It is exciting to be able to check off something off my list! It is very rewarding. After Saturday, it will be time to choose the next item on the list...
*This image from flickr.com
I mentioned two months ago, that one of the things I want to do before I die, is to run a race. I immediately started running, using this training schedule. I used to be very active and physically fit...until I had children. Since then, I have sporadically exercised, usually doing classes at the gym, which I enjoyed (a lot!) but always dropped when I became pregnant. So, seven months after the birth of my third son, I was very, very out of shape. The first training sessions required running in only one minute intervals, and even that was challenging. So, no one is more amazed than me that I am now able to run for thirty minutes straight! What a difference eight weeks can make. I have enjoyed this much more than I ever could have anticipated. The thrill of seeing a new (daunting) challenge in the horizon, and pushing myself physically and mentally to reach and meet those challenges, has been very, very rewarding. I have absolutely loved it. I have actually looked forward to putting my shoes on and hitting the pavement.
So, tomorrow, Saturday, is my first race ever. I am running the See Spot Run 5K with my friend, Amanda. I am really excited about it, but nervous too. I have been having a lot of pain in the insides of my shins the last few times I have tried to run. I am hoping that with all the adrenaline and excitement of the race, that I will be able to push through it. I have not been able to complete my last three runs because of the muscle pain in my legs. I have taken the advice of several other runners and am following the guidelines they have set forth, so hopefully, everything will be great! As this is my first run, and I don't have a previous time to try and beat, I have very simple goals. To finish, and to run the whole thing. I would also like to not come in last. :)
Anyway, I will let you know how it goes after Saturday! It is exciting to be able to check off something off my list! It is very rewarding. After Saturday, it will be time to choose the next item on the list...
*This image from flickr.com
PICTURES OF THE BATHROOM
I do not yet have pictures of the completed bathroom because the bathroom is still not completed:::sigh:::but it is close. Mostly details. But you know how details "make" a room! Anyway, here are some "in progress" pictures.
This is a "before" picture of the clawfoot tub. It had about four coats of paint on the outside that to be stripped, then cleaned, primed, and repainted.
This is the "after" picture of the tub. Aaaahhh. I have taken two baths in this tub so far and it is bliss!!
This is an "in progress" picture of the shower. I am just going to put this out here: I hate the tile. It is really, really ugly. I wanted subway tile, but it wasn't in the budget. The hubby and I agreed that the shower was his deal, and the rest of the bathroom was my deal. I should have thought about that a little harder before agreeing to those terms! :) But, it is what it is, and at least I am able to have a shower, right? Considering that a large percentage of the world doesn't have running water, it doesn't seem very noble of me to get all up in arms about the color of the tile. But, all that being said, I still don't like the tile. :)
This is the bathroom with the pine planks on the walls. It looks like a sauna here, but when it was painted, I was soooo glad I had used the wood on the walls, instead of sheetrock. I wanted to keep this room pretty simple, and the wood on the walls and floor adds a really nice dimension to the room, without adding a lot of fuss.
Here is the sink, which I just love. The sink basin and faucet were recycled from our old bathroom. I showed our contractor a picture in Cottage Living Magazine of a similar sink base, and he whipped this one out in just a few hours. I think he did a marvelous job. Bonus: almost all the lumber for the sink were scraps from the walls and floor of the bathroom.
Detail of the sink, painted.
Detail of the shower floor.
A little glimpse of the bathroom from the bedroom.
I do not yet have pictures of the completed bathroom because the bathroom is still not completed:::sigh:::but it is close. Mostly details. But you know how details "make" a room! Anyway, here are some "in progress" pictures.
This is a "before" picture of the clawfoot tub. It had about four coats of paint on the outside that to be stripped, then cleaned, primed, and repainted.
This is the "after" picture of the tub. Aaaahhh. I have taken two baths in this tub so far and it is bliss!!
This is an "in progress" picture of the shower. I am just going to put this out here: I hate the tile. It is really, really ugly. I wanted subway tile, but it wasn't in the budget. The hubby and I agreed that the shower was his deal, and the rest of the bathroom was my deal. I should have thought about that a little harder before agreeing to those terms! :) But, it is what it is, and at least I am able to have a shower, right? Considering that a large percentage of the world doesn't have running water, it doesn't seem very noble of me to get all up in arms about the color of the tile. But, all that being said, I still don't like the tile. :)
This is the bathroom with the pine planks on the walls. It looks like a sauna here, but when it was painted, I was soooo glad I had used the wood on the walls, instead of sheetrock. I wanted to keep this room pretty simple, and the wood on the walls and floor adds a really nice dimension to the room, without adding a lot of fuss.
Here is the sink, which I just love. The sink basin and faucet were recycled from our old bathroom. I showed our contractor a picture in Cottage Living Magazine of a similar sink base, and he whipped this one out in just a few hours. I think he did a marvelous job. Bonus: almost all the lumber for the sink were scraps from the walls and floor of the bathroom.
Detail of the sink, painted.
Detail of the shower floor.
A little glimpse of the bathroom from the bedroom.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
WHERE DID THE TIME GO?
Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted since February!! What have I been doing? I am not really sure...
Well, my brother, Dylan, and his fiance, Leigh Anne, were married this past Saturday. Woo hoo to them! They also just bought the cutest little house, in the downtown area of town. It was built in the 1920's and it is so sweet!
Matt and Sara of Live Lightly were here from Tuesday through Saturday. Oooooh, that was amazing. They get their own post, there is just too much wonderfulness to share from their visit.
Next Saturday, March 29th, is my first 5K road race! You might remember that running a race was one of the items I listed as "things to do before I die". I am so, so excited about this event. I have been mostly consistent with my training schedule. I can't tell you how (surprisingly) enjoyable running has turned out to be. It has been so fun to see a goal down the road (increasing my running time from 0 to 30 minutes), thinking it impossible to achieve, then slowly, but surely, reaching it. It is amazing to physically push yourself, and to be rewarded. I will keep you posted on the outcome of the race. This being my first race, I only have two (small) goals. 1. FINISH. 2. Don't walk any of it. :)
Our bathroom is almost finished. Of course, it has been "almost finished" for about three weeks now! I will post pictures as soon as the last little details are finished up. I really like it. I haven't soaked in my claw foot tub yet, but I have enjoyed the "shower that you can take a stroll in", as Matt says. :)
Other than that, I guess I have just been keeping busy with the regular stuff of life. A little homeschooling, lots of diaper changes, dish washing, and laundry. Visiting with friends, eating with family, enjoying the beauty of South GA in springtime. I radically changed my diet about ten days ago, so that has been consuming a lot of time (and a LOT of veggies!). We have planted lettuce and spinach in our new square foot gardens, and are excited to see them popping up. Caedmon has been busy with a lemonade stand, right outside our door. This venture has been more successful than his produce stand, with less overhead. :)
So, that is about it with me. I hope to be more regular with my blogging again. I miss this outlet when I am away.
*Image from ckaiserca on flickr.com
Wow, I can't believe I haven't posted since February!! What have I been doing? I am not really sure...
Well, my brother, Dylan, and his fiance, Leigh Anne, were married this past Saturday. Woo hoo to them! They also just bought the cutest little house, in the downtown area of town. It was built in the 1920's and it is so sweet!
Matt and Sara of Live Lightly were here from Tuesday through Saturday. Oooooh, that was amazing. They get their own post, there is just too much wonderfulness to share from their visit.
Next Saturday, March 29th, is my first 5K road race! You might remember that running a race was one of the items I listed as "things to do before I die". I am so, so excited about this event. I have been mostly consistent with my training schedule. I can't tell you how (surprisingly) enjoyable running has turned out to be. It has been so fun to see a goal down the road (increasing my running time from 0 to 30 minutes), thinking it impossible to achieve, then slowly, but surely, reaching it. It is amazing to physically push yourself, and to be rewarded. I will keep you posted on the outcome of the race. This being my first race, I only have two (small) goals. 1. FINISH. 2. Don't walk any of it. :)
Our bathroom is almost finished. Of course, it has been "almost finished" for about three weeks now! I will post pictures as soon as the last little details are finished up. I really like it. I haven't soaked in my claw foot tub yet, but I have enjoyed the "shower that you can take a stroll in", as Matt says. :)
Other than that, I guess I have just been keeping busy with the regular stuff of life. A little homeschooling, lots of diaper changes, dish washing, and laundry. Visiting with friends, eating with family, enjoying the beauty of South GA in springtime. I radically changed my diet about ten days ago, so that has been consuming a lot of time (and a LOT of veggies!). We have planted lettuce and spinach in our new square foot gardens, and are excited to see them popping up. Caedmon has been busy with a lemonade stand, right outside our door. This venture has been more successful than his produce stand, with less overhead. :)
So, that is about it with me. I hope to be more regular with my blogging again. I miss this outlet when I am away.
*Image from ckaiserca on flickr.com
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