Ruminating while Running

The things that occupy my mind while I run are all sorts of odd, crazy, and to some, probably disturbing. After hearing listening to me wordvomit all about these crazy things I think of during one of our half marathons,  my friend/running partner Emily (who is now debt free!) suggested that I start a blog of my crazy thoughts while running. So here is my brain, exposed. Don't think I'm crazy and please don't submit me to a mental hospital. k great thx.

PS- Rumination is a verb that means "to meditate on, ponder". I looked it up.

Bikini Body on the Way

Things have got to change. That is what I was thinking one morning as I was looking in the mirror, getting ready for work. Sure, I work out consistently, run my butt off (not literally) and feel like overall, I eat pretty healthy. Well, due to the (what feels like) five trillion inches of back fat that create "back boobs" as my friend/pilates instructor likes to call them, I made the decision. Things have got to change. I got even more motivation when I put on full-butted seamless panties from VS (hate them) in a size medium and my husband says- "Babe, I think your underwear are too small." I wouldn't say I'm overweight at all, but I don't remember EVER being like this. So, with little (none) coaxing, my dear friend and very faithful workout buddy decided to take on this "healthy eating" challenge with me. Everyone has heard "it's easier with a friend", so we jumped in together and began with shopping together five days ago. This week has been pretty great for both of us. We are trading off making lunches which makes it more exciting to get a surprise meal, and also not have to prepare lunch for yourself every day. We went to dinner once at their house this week, and they'll come to ours next week. Thankfully our husbands are on board as well. OMG- game over. This morning (Friday), I woke up feeing pretty good, and very skinny and then of course G requested cookies, so i ate 2 spoonfulls of dough and 2 cookies- but that is ok! This "healthy eating" is not a diet, it is a lifestyle. it is learning to not let food control me, I can make choices for myself, and if I want a cookie- by golly I'm gonna have one- just not 17. So we'll see how it goes. Weekends will be harder because of going out and not being occupied at work all day. I can do it though, and thankfully I have N by my side to keep me accountable.

Anyone else?

Is anyone else obsessed with Pinterest? I think I need to go to counseling- it is a HORRIBLE addiction! And then, because I saw some magic potion on Pinterest that said- "Buy at Target", that is supposed to make your hair dry in waves (every girls dream right?), I had to go to Target to fetch it. Another horrible addiction. Target- what is it with that place? I feel like I am on a scavenger hunt when I am in there, trying to track down all of the  clearance items scattered throughout end caps of goodness and racks of pretties. And everything they sell is so darn cute. It's horribly amazing. Let's just say, I love Target, but my wallet does not. Today I made out pretty good, alas, never finding the magic hair potion. I'm sorry, but if you don't like Target, there may be something wrong with you. Here are a few of my favorite Target finds, some from today and some from previous trips.

 

Really? Does a pencil holder get any cuter than this?!?! Don't mind that it will hold 3 pens, 2 pencils and is definitely not tall enough to hold my scissors. It will make me happy every time I look at it while plugging away at data analysis at work. (those are some new books in the background, for a later post- I'm so excited to start reading them!)

 

 

 

I saw this and it was love at first sight. HOT PINK measuring cup!!!!! Give me a break. There was no question as to whether or not I was going to buy this. I also got a glass Pyrex bowl with a hot pink lid (nevermind we probably have about 8 of them with blue lids already). I also got both of them to give to my sister at her bridal shower.

 

 

Super cute right? And on clearance! WOO WOO!!! I'm loving mint green lately.

 

 

Who cares if no one will see them under my boots!

 

Thanks for following the most random post ever. You will definitely be seeing more on my Pinterest addiction. It is the BEST for finding new recipes and for dreaming about crafts when I have a bigger home to fit everything I love!!! I'm off to go share some soup with my friend Nicole! Grab your purse and keys and take a trip to Target!!!

Moments like these...

Another "hobby" you could say I have is hosting. Whether it is just friends for our low key annual "Marcus' Graduation Party BBQ" (don't ask, this year will be the third), game night, friend's Christmas dinner, girls night or showers of all kind, I absolutely love hosting. In particular, I love hosting things that honor those I love (thats why Marcus has had more than one graduation BBQ!). Baby showers, bridal showers, bachelorette parties, and anything that is special to a friend. I love creating new themes, decor and executing new ideas for showers. I love making people feel loved and adored and just making sure others know that they have a support system then can count on. Of course I couldn't throw these showers without the help of my wonderful, amazing friends and my adoring husband who is always there to lend a hand. To me, life is moments with people you love. And these are moments I love.

This is the banner I made for my friend Sabreena's shower (2011). 

These are the place settings and buffet for my friend Natasha's shower before her destination wedding in Maui, Hawaii in 2012. The shower was actually held in her mom's gorgeous backyard- perfect for our "Hawaii" theme!

This was a bridal shower for my friend Mickelle (2012), I really wanted to incorporate her main wedding color of navy into the decor. I made a pink lemonaid cake, the tiers were three different pinks. Mickelle used the cake flags on her actual wedding cake! It was so cool and such an honor!

This was a brunch baby shower for my friend Jackie and her baby boy (2012). We went with the "baby SHOWER" theme and it turned out adorable!

This was Kellie's 90s themed Bachelorette Party (2013) held downtown Portland in Abbie's condo overlooking the city. We did all things '90s, candy, Squeeze Its, Lisa Frank, episodes of Full House, and ordered pizza. After gifts, pizza and cupcakes, we went to 90s night at McMenamins.

The above are all from my dear friend Nikki's shower, held at her parents gorgeous outdoor gazebo. Complete with purple cupcakes, a mimosa bar, and wine cork magnet favors to complement her winery venue.

All of the above are from my middle sister Stephanie's shower. It ended up being a gorgeous day for an outside shower. I got the items I used for the centerpieces at Pier One, and the flowers from the farmer's market. I rented the tables, chairs and tablecloths, and purchased the burlap at Michael's. I used an old ladder my father in law had to add some old, vintage feeling to complement her wedding theme. I had the food catered from a Taco Truck that didn't understand we would be picking up the food at 11:30 creating a huge wait for the food. Such a bummer, but I do have to say, the shower ended up being wonderful!! 

Girlfriend's Sushi Making Dinner- in honor of Jackie's birthday! 2013

Marcus' Second Annual Graduation Party 2013 (and Skyler's 8 foot mallow stick)

Friend's Christmas Dinner 2013

And once again, I can't close without a huge shout out to all of my friends who help plan every single one of these events. I couldn't do it without them! I'm incredibly blessed with the best friends and family anyone could ask for!

Encouragement...

Everyone needs a little encouragement in life. Sometimes it's in running, sometimes it's in work and today it was in blogging. See, I've always wanted to start a blog, but then I think to myself, "Self, why would you write a blog when you have NOTHING to write about?? No one cares about your simple life." So a few months ago I convinced myself that my love for writing and storytelling was all I needed to become a blogger. I didn't tell anyone about my blog until today when my dear friend Joho told me to write a blog about my running adventures. Cat's out of the bag. I can't lie, so I had to tell her I already did. So why not write my next post in her honor.

Back to encouragement... 

When people meet me they often think my demeanor of joy and happiness is fake. Some would say I'm over the top. In everything I do. Which may not be a lie, but hey, it's what you get. My approach on life is positivity, happiness and HUGE hugs. I don't give little hugs, I give HUGE hugs. So much, that at least every other person comments on my hugs. "Oh dear." "Oh gosh." "You squeezed the air right out of me." Thankfully for my self confidence, some people love them. Doesn't matter that only some people love them, it hasn't made me change my HUGE hug ways. Everyone should be known for something, and I don't think HUGE hugs is a bad thing. To me, encouragement ties in with positivity, happiness and huge hugs. I always hope to encourage others I'm around. Leading them to find happiness and see the greatness in their own lives, and this little lady I mentioned above brings encouragement to me, and reminds me daily why that is such an important role to play in friendships and life in general. 

See, JoHo lost her father to an unexpected accident a little over a year ago. Not long before, she had moved here to the west coast for a new adventure, leaving her family and many friends at her home on the east coast. You can only imagine how that alone would be hard, and then comes the blow of the most painful news you could never even imagine receiving. I won't even begin to describe the feelings that came over me seeing a dear friend go through this, and having a small idea of how she felt and what she was going through. From that day forward I knew that she would need a little extra sunshine in her life, and of course naturally, I wanted to give that to her. I have to tell you that since the day I met Jo, I have felt the need to "protect" her. No, she didn't ask for it, and probably gets annoyed by it, but in a sister sort of way, I feel like it is my responsibility to make sure everything is always ok in her world. I grill her with questions about her other friends, boys, her family, her travels, her running and more, basically I won't go away. I want to encourage her in every way. She can do anything - she can run fast (and boy does she), she can fight through her injuries, she can be fashionable, she can be the greatest girlfriend, friend, daughter, roommate, colleague and more. She is one the most gentle, kindest soul I have ever met.

While this is the role I try to play for her, little does she know what she does for me. She encourages me every day. Her story isn't really my story to tell, but every day my JoHo encourages me to appreciate what I have in life. She is a simple girl who is always willing to do anything for her family and friends, laughs like no other and is the most appreciative person I've ever met. Just being around her makes me happy. I'm just blessed to live among HER greatness. 

So throughout my running adventures, I think of JoHo and the adversity she has had to endure these last couple years. I think about her father, and how proud he is of her. I think about her and her feelings, what she must be going through and how I can be a light in her life. I run for Froggy, and for the Ludington's and for all of those who think that they can't do it. I run to be among the greatness. 

The Quest...

I wrote this in June... Just now posting it...

So I'm on this quest to run a half marathon a month for 12 months. Some call it crazy, and well, maybe I'm the crazy one because to me it actually sounds normal. The thought crossed my mind last year when I was running a half in December, but I didn't think about it enough to sign up for a race after that, until March. Darn it. Now my 12 months started in March. I had run 3 halfs (and yes, I'm going to say halfs, not halves) and a full when that thought crossed my mind. My first one was in November 2010 with my bestest friend in Hawaii, and then Fourth of July 2012 with my sis in law and the third in December 2012 for my sissy's birthday. I ran my first full marathon in October of 2012. This leads me to now. I ran a half in March, and in April, so I'm 2 down! Woo hoo! Only 10 more to go. Oh yeah, and I have a full marathon next weekend. I PR'd in my last two, March and in April, but running fast isn't all it's cracked up to be. My PR now sits at 1:56'44". Oh Joy. And when I run fast and finish, I feel like I'm going to puke, which means awkwardness for my cheering squad at the finish line. I finished my marathon at 4:36, which I know I can beat, so we will see what next weekend brings. 

Among the greatness...

This is our life, our story. This is our "documentary" of living this life- among the greatness.