R is for Rant

Today...I shall rant.  If you'd rather not read, fine.  Pretty sure you don't anyway.  

Subject?  Varying...to start-MEN.

What's wrong with them?  Seriously?  Every time I think there is the slightest hope for one of them, a valiant member of team Y chromosome steps up to reassure me that yes, they are all jerks.  And are, quite possibly, incapable of 1) acting like MEN not children/boys/infantile idiots and 2) understanding emotion in theirselves, others or in general.

And I realize that I am writing in gross generalizations and know that yes, there are a few good ones but to be perfectly honest they are few and VERY far between, particularly in my generation.  

Rant #2-Why is it a truth universally recognized that if A) you are interested in someone they are almost certainly not interested in you and B) if someone is interested in you it is often someone you wish didn't even know you existed?  Why I ask??? Why???

Rant #3-Why is being good so hard and being bad so very easy?  And why do people who try to do good and be good and spread good struggle with guilt over the slightest slip but the ogres of the world feel not one apparent moment of remorse for their actions.  Or inactions.  

Why am I ranting about this on a page that I am pretty sure no one reads and that if anyone does will make me seem like a bitter, angry hag.  Because sometimes-you just got to get the rants out there.   Even if it is to no one.  Or everyone. 

Rant on sisters.

Things I've Realized Lately

1.  No one can break your heart like family. And nothing can challenge your faith like seeing your parents hearts being broken and being powerless to stop it. Anger & resentment are very human feelings and are very hard to fight.

2. Feeling strong is a powerful thing. And being able to do numerous push-ups can aide in this feeling.

3.  Summer break is exhausting. But so very welcome.

4. Nothing will make you sleep better than 2 a day workouts.

5. Cookie Butter from Trader Joes is heaven and hell all at the same time.

6. Trader Joes is the bomb. Diggity.

B is for Beautiful Mess

Ok so my addictive blog reading led me to the app BeautifulMess.

O. M. G.

It is fantastic. You can create cute little wallpapers or add borders, doodles and text to pictures. Here's what I've played around with so far.

Just .99 in iTunes. Check it out!

Top 5 Friday-Top 5 End of the Year Moments

1.  Quiz Show Day in my class-the question:
If a woman in a wedding is called a bride, what do you call the man?
Student A-Honey?
Student B-A Prince?
Student A-Dear?
I had to call an official time out to collect myself.

2. The looks on my kids faces and their squeals and giggles as I blasted them with a hose on water day :) I enjoyed it too ;)

3. The 3 boys who told me that they had it figured out.  I teach a K/1 split and "since I teach first grade too they will just stay with me next year ok?"

4. Field Day-the exhaustion, the joy!

5. My kiddos screaming my name and becoming militant in my defense during a game of teacher vs. teacher capture the flag.

Happy End of the Year (or almost) to all my fellow teachers out there! Stay strong-we've almost made it!

J is for Jennie Carol 5K!

So I ran 5k number 2 Saturday.

It was supposed to be run with one of my friends and her hubby.  And as is my luck (and hers) said friend turned up injured knocking both she and hubby out of race.  So I had to run it alone.  With had me about as excited as a trip to the dentist-ok I love the dentist so that's not a good analogy.  A trip to the doctor.  That I hate.

Anyway I digress.  I was not looking forward to running on my lonesome but I had paid my money and I am nothing is not a cheapskate.  So I was running.  In what is becoming a pattern for 5k's and me the weather was crap.  My first 5K it snowed-this one? Cool with a drizzly rain.  That really added to my lack of excitement.

I showed up in my official shirt plugged in my ear buds and hoped for the best.  On my first 5K although there was no official time my friends and I ran it in about 45 minutes. My goal was just to beat that.

I started out strong and was at 22 min 2 miles in. Which is really really good for me.  I usually do about a 12 min mile.  I was right at 11.  The last mile about killed me though.  It was a tough course with lots of hills.  As I rounded the last turn to the stadium where the race ended I could see my time on the scoreboard-30 min.  I thought, good Lord, I'm flying.  I thought this because I thought I was at the end. Not so.  In a cruel twist they made you double back on the road before turning into the stadium for the final lap and the finish line.  I sprinted out the last few yards and crossed the line with a time of 35.28.  TEN MINUTES OFF MY LAST TIME PEOPLE! AND ALL BY MYSELF!!!

To say I was proud was an understatement.  Apparently all the running and walking and boot camp has paid off. Now let's see if I can shave another ten off next time!

Top 5 Friday-Funny Friday

Today's top 5?  The top 5 Pinterest saying/quotes/ecards that have made my oftentimes juvenile, perverse, nerd-like sense of humor chuckle in glee :)  Hope you enjoy!

And one more just because...

Okay just this last one...

NEVER stop believing!!!!  Happy Fridays peeps!

Link Up! Finish the sentence....

 

My best friend says... that I can make her laugh.  And that we get each others weird movie obsessed nerd humor.

People call me... Lindsay, Linds, Linda, Leslie, Ms. Oliver, the Oliver, Squirrel (don't ask)

The best part of my day... running with my peeps, down time with my doggies, rare but lovely

I really don't understand... selfish, mean people.  And I hope I never do.

I get really annoyed... people post TMI on Facebook.  We don't need to see your kids poop, hear about your sex life or your latest surgery.

There's nothing like a... sleeping in, a good book, a good movie, a good laugh.

Lately, I can't get enough... food.  Ravenous, thanks to my uterus and Aunt Flo.

One thing I am NOT is... late.  Ever.  I have been referred to as "obnoxiously on time".  I fail to see how this trait can be obnoxious.

I spent too much money on... clothes lately. Being skinny(er) has not been kind to my bank account.

I want to learn.... to be a true runner. And to play the piano. 

If I ever met Jake in real life , I would... give him a hug.

I can't stop... watching Duck Dynasty.  That's a fact Jack.

Never have I ever... gotten arrested.  Rule follower here ladies and gents.

Reese Witherspoon... is disappointingly imperfect. 

N is for News-good news preferably

This chick could use some good news.

I have one best friend who is STRUGGLING to find a job.
Family members (yes, plural) who are STRUGGLING with health problems. 
My own family who is STRUGGLING with drama and crap that is giving me an ulcer.

Couple all that with being in the midst of the final push to the LAST DAY OF SCHOOL, which is something akin to the battle to take over and remain leader of a small country and I have just about had it.  The natives are restless and I am getting a tad dictatorial.

Good news, make thyself known to me.

IMMEDIATELY.

Friday Top Five: Smells!

Driving home from Bible study last night with the windows down the smell of fresh cut hay started drifting through the car.  One of the 5 million reasons I love living in the county.  It prompted me to write on Facebook that fresh cut hay was one of my top five favorite smells.  Which led me to wonder, what are my other four?  In no particular order I offer you....

My Top 5 Favorite Smells!!!!

#1- Fresh cut hay!

#2-Babies ready for bed all baby lotioned and powdered up-ahhh!

#3-Horse feed-the fact that animal meals make up two of my favorite smells should tell you 1) how much time I've spent in a barn in my life & 2) just how big a country girl I am

#4-Fresh laundry-particularly if its been line dried. 

#5-A good smelling man-one with just enough cologne you can smell it but not so much you fear he is an extra in an Axe commerical.  Best.  Smell.  Ever.

Those are my top 5!  Can I get an Amen?  Or a heck no?  What are yours?

M is for Marriage

I have always wanted to get married.  Since the time of Barbies and Cabbage Patch Kids marriage and a family has been in the plans.  But hasn't happened yet.  Which is hard some times, unbearable others and sometimes fine and dandy.

Sometimes when my married friends with kids are complaining about in laws and no sleep and their spouse I think, you know what? I'm ok.  I can sleep when I want and do what I want and don't have any mother in law drama.

Sometimes when I see people with their wedding pictures and baby pictures and idyllic looking lives its hard.  When something goes wrong or I need someone to talk to it would be nice to have a husband who was on my side.

And sometimes, when people are callous and insensitive to the plight of singledom it is nearly unbearable.  It is a slap in the face and tears from hurt feelings and friends who SHOULD know better and understand how you feel.  They were single once, but in my experience, becoming a
"smug married" makes you forget all that.

But you know what?  As much as I want that, as much as I want a marriage and a family, sometimes it scares the daylights out of me.  Because I have seen too many people, in my family even, who have completely lost their identity in their marriage.  Who have tossed aside their own family and have become selfish self absorbed robots who can't do anything without the approval of their spouse. I've seen others who have marriages that would make me absolutely miserable.  Honestly, of the young married people I know and am friends with, there are about 2 that I consider to have a "good" marriage.  Something like the one I want. The others?  Their husbands are selfish or lazy or big kids themselves.  That's scary.  So is the thought of marrying a person you think you know who turns out to be crazy or have a whole other life or personality you've never seen.  This is what terrifies me the most.  It's a scary business, this marriage.  I won't even get into in laws.  Yikes.

It's scary.  It's a huge decision, among the most important you will make in your life.  And even with all that, I still want it. 

But I vow, here and now to NEVER, EVER become a smug married.

M is for Mint

I am digging, and I mean digging, the bright colors of spring clothes right now.  Corals, mints, pinks, yellows-all gorgeous.  I am also loving, that for the first time in my life I am comfortable enough with my body to explore the colored pants/capris explosion that is currently happening.  I may or may not have purchased a mint pair of capris, a dark coral pant and a lighter coral capri this weekend.  This losing weight/feeling more confident in my clothes thing has not been kind to my bank account.

Today I am rocking a look I saw on another blog I follow that I loved.  Mint & denim.

I love mint.  I think it looks so crisp and clean and classy.  The problem?  Apparently I have "witch undertones" in my skin (30 Rock?? Liz Lemon anyone?) that makes me appear tres Wicked Witch of the West whenever this beautiful color is near my face.  I have tried on a blue million mint tops this spring in the desperate home one particular shade variation will work.  Yeah, no.  So I decided to try pants-and voila!  No witchy skin (probably partly due to the rocking playground tan I am pimping).  I paired the pants with a denim shirt I already had-one of several-I love denim-I'll admit it.  I then threw on my favorite pair of silver sandals from Rack Room Shoes-they go with everything, and what they don't match the identical bronze pair I have does :)

And to top it all off this fabulous mint ring from Maurice's that I bought before I had anything to possibly wear it with.

I'm digging it-what's your favorite style/color this spring?  I am loving pretty much everything from the colors to the styles and the oh so lovely dresses.  I was never happier to put away my drab winter clothes-how about you?

Top Five Friday: Top 5 TV Shows!!!!

I am a TV nut. There, I said it.  I love TV (and movies) and literally look forward to certain days of the week when "my" shows are going to be on.  So, in no particular order, here are the top 5 shows I can't get enough of lately:

 

#1-New Girl-I LOVE this show.  It is one of the few shows that literally makes me laugh out loud every. single. episode.  I am loving how they've handled the whole Nick & Jess thing and can never get enough Schmidt.  It's one of the few shows I save up on my DVR to rewatch when nothing else is on.

 

 

#2-The Mindy Project-I initially checked this out because I liked Mindy Kaling on the Office and it followed my aforementioned fav New Girl so I thought eh, why not.  I love it too.  Mindy is hilarious and so very relatable.  She so badly wants her life to be a romantic comedy/drama-what single girl doesn't really?  Chris Messina as her colleague/friend/?? is hilarious.  They have great chemistry. 



 

 

#3-Psych-my all time favorite and another that never fails to make me lol.  I love Shawn. I love Gus.  I love their bromance.  I love Shawn and Juliet's love story.  I love Shawn's tenuous relationships with Lassie and his father.  This is another that gets the high honor of being saved in the DVR.

 



 

 

#4-Nashville-This is another new show I am hooked on.  Throw Connie Britton, Chip from Who's Line Is It Anyway? and some fantastic country music together?  I'm in.  I just really, really hope Rayna and Deacon can work it out.  Those two deserve to be together. This is a truly drama filled show...I'm always on the edge of my seat and several of the songs have made it onto my iPod.

 



 

 

 

#5-Duck Dynasty-OH MY GOODNESS! I made fun of this show without ever watching it but it is definitely one of my top 5 now.  This show revolves around the Robertson Family, self proclaimed rednecks who made it big (and rich) selling duck calls.  They are hilarious.  Jase and Uncle Si are my favorites.  Each episode has the family on some new adventure and ends with a lesson and prayer at the family table. It's wholesome, real and always entertaining.

 



 

 

If you haven't checked any or all of these shows out yet, I highly recommend them all.  Let me know what you think and let me know what some of your favorites are-there may be a little room left in my DVR yet :)

 

Happy Friday Homies!

B is for Baptism

Today was baptism Sunday at our church.
And who got baptized? This girl.
I went up and made my public profession of faith about a month ago and today was baptized.
It was the most amazing day.  I have been feeling nervous about it and anxious and excited so I prayed to God for peace.  And boy did I ever get it.  I was calm, sure, steady and never more sure about any other decision I have made.

But just in case I needed a little extra reassurance this was the verse of the day when I opened my Bible app this morning:

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38

I love small but meaningful affirmations to little me from a big big God.

P is for Prep

Spring break is over.  Allow me to sing you the song of my people...

WAHHHHHHHHHHHH!

But I am clinging, desperately, to the fact that there are only 6 weeks left until summer vacation.  I think I can, I think I can...

With the return of school and my alarm clock (yack) also came the return of breakfast/lunch prep. Which I loathe.  But it is essential to sticking to a diet and is one of the reasons I do much better when I am in school as opposed to off for vacations.

So last night I hunkered down in the kitchen and over about an hours time cranked out:

-4 servings of eggs whites, mushrooms and avocado
-5 days worth of salads with egg whites, tomato, tuna or chicken, sweet pepper and avocado
-5 days worth of snacks (sugar snap peas, carrots, hummus and cocoa covered almonds (my newest addiction-ah-mazing!))
-grilled chicken and mushrooms to pair with some Steam Fresh veggies tonight for dinner post boot camp

It is not an hour I enjoy but I do greatly enjoy not having to spend time each night packing and rather condensing it into one block of time.  I also LOVE being able to open the fridge in the morning and have everything ready to go into the lunchbox.  This is convenient and increases the chances I won't make bad food choices, since the good ones are already there for me.  It's a win win. 

And one of my best tips-wanna lose weight and make sure you're on target with eating clean? Plan & prep folks.  Plan and prep.

Top Five Friday

Soooo.....I haven't posted since last weeks TFF. And when you see the topic of this week's you'll understand why :)

Top Five Things I Did On Spring Break:

(see, I was on break, from everything, blogging included)

#1-spent a day (or two) doing NOTHING.  Vegging out, watching Tv, being lazy.  Those days are necessary and oh so nice from time to time.

#2-spent a day with my Dad at the barn doing some spring cleaning including pulling out old fence, repairing stalls, hauling hay, cleaning out stalls and hauling shavings, etc.   Which reminded me how much I love the barn and my horses.  I love the sound of horses eating in the morning.  The smell of fresh bedding in stalls.  Ahhh the life of a horse girl.

#3-A day with my girls shopping, lunching, watching The Host (that Stephanie Meyers has some issues ya'll!) then eating dessert, then dinner in that order.  Insert lots of laughs and fun.  So blessed to have these girls in my life.

#4-A day at home cleaning EVERYTHING.  Thrilling I know, but its super nice to be going back to school next week with everything spic and span, laundry caught up and to not have to worry about it.

#5-This is not happening until tomorrow but a cookout with friends including some corn hole and roasted marshmallows? yes please.

It wasn't wild and crazy but it was a relaxing and productive break.  I would have liked to go somewhere tropical but maybe next year.  I will go back to school feeling re-energized and ready to head down the backstretch of this school year. 

Top Five Friday

Ladies and gentlemen for today's Top Five Friday I give you....

THE TOP FIVE SONGS ON IPOD REPEAT RIGHT NOW!

#1-Suit and Tie, Justin Timberlake-Yes, I love me some JT.  Every since he brought sexy back (really, if I'm honest since he told us bye, bye, bye) I am a fan.  At first I was really disappointed with this song but it has seriously grown on me. 

#2-Stay, Rhianna featuring Mikky Echo-I am NOT a Rhianna fan.  At all.  I honestly couldn't even name 5 of her other songs with a gun to my head.  But I LOVE this one. It's so melancholy and beautiful at the same time.

 

 

#3-Heart Shaped Wreckage, Katherine McPhee and Jeremy Jordan (from SMASH)-I am a Broadway nerd.  Love it and I have many musical numbers on the old iPod.  So it is no surprise that I also love the show SMASH (which I heard yesterday may be getting cancelled-BOO!) This is a beautiful story of love lost and a journey to reclaim it-sappy enough for you?  Other than that these two can SING.

 

 

 

#4-Pirate Flag, Kenny Chesney-I love KC.  Deeply and forever.  He never lets me down and is the sound of summer-which may be why, with snow all this week (in MARCH!!!) I've been digging this tune.

 

 

 

#5-Sure Be Cool If You Did, Blake Shelton-I also love BS.  He is hilarious, I love his music, love him on the Voice and think he would be a blast to hang out with.  On top of that I love the line "standing in the neon, looking like a high I wanna be on..." Nice.  Really nice Blake. I'd stand in the neon with you but I'm pretty sure Miranda could take me.

 

 

 

So there it is-my Top Five Songs lately.  I suggest you check them out if you haven't already. 

 

What song can't you get enough of lately?

Reboot

So I feel like the blog is in need of a reboot.  The whole Fitness, Faith, Fun title is a tad long but it got me thinking of doing a letter theme (I am, after all, a kindergarten teacher.  The alphabet is my life).

So welcome to the new and hopefully improved "To the Letter".

Clearly there will be the aforementioned letter theme and I will also start a regular Friday post entitled "Top Five Friday" which will include top five list on everything from food to tv to music to Bible verses to nail polish. I encourage you to share your lists with me each week!

Let me know what you think about the upcoming changes and I welcome any suggestions.  I'd like to get this blog out there a little bit more and am constantly looking for effective ways to do that.

Catching Up

So I am kind of in a blogging lull.  Don't really feel like I have a ton to say so I'll just do a little FFF catching up.

Fitness=frustration!  I am having a horrible time lately.  I am sticking to a diet and working out like crazy but am either maintaining or, this week, gaining! AHHHH!  So I am cracking down and allowing myself NO cheat days, upping my cardio, tracking calories on My Fitness Pal and upping my already large water intake.  Hopefully I can break through this never ending plateau soon.  My body is very happy here-I am not.

Faith-I made my public declaration of faith last Sunday and am getting baptized in April.  It was, obviously, one of the biggest moments in my life and was terrifying and amazing all at once. I think I am still processing.  All I can say is that the people at my church are some of the most amazing, supportive and encouraging I've ever met and I am blessed to be becoming a member there.

Fun-Fitness and Faith sometimes leave little time for the third F.  Saw "The Call" this weekend with friends.  Oh my goodness! I recommend it but will also say I was a nervous wreck leaving the theater and could have thrown up.  I will also say my female friends and I are now planning on taking both self-defense classes and concealed carry classes following this viewing.  It was far too scary in a realistic, this could happen to me, way.

I am also now firmly obsessed with all things Duck Dynasty-I held out a long time but after one episode I was hooked.  It is fantastic.  Check it out if you haven't already. And for the rest of the week....

Menu

2 posts in 1 day! Craziness :)

I was working in s clean/healthy eating menu for a friend of mine and thought I would share. They're are examples of what I eat for each meal when I'm really serious and eating as clean as possible. Some are tips & ideas from trainers, others from friends. I am obviously not a nutritionist but this works for me. Since being back on it for the last week I'm down almost 3 lbs! After a never ending plateau that get a - WOO HOO! Hope it helps :)

Workout Buddy

The value of a good workout buddy cannot be overstated.

I'm lucky to have several. I have some running buddies, some Zumba buddies and even a buddy who I never actually work out with but we keep each other accountable and encouraged via text on our eating, exercising and weight loss.

A workout buddy, an accountability partner, is a great tool and makes the whole experience much more enjoyable.

But you know what's even more vital?

Self motivation.

Sometimes your workout buddies will have other obligations. Sometimes one will have to sit it a sessions of boot camp or have an appt or whatever. And the most important thing is that you keep going on your own. No one else can do this for you, no one else can make it happen. If you are not accountable to you and for you it's not going to work. I've gone to exercise classes alone, knowing basically no one. I've ran on my own, walked on my own, come up with menus on my own.

It's better, more fun, to do it with a partner. But it's crucial to be able to do it alone. You gotta dig deep and soldier on. Fight the plateaus and mind games and get it done.

Race Re-Cap

So this post is about a week late-blame it on the stomach bug.  It hit me post race Saturday night and had me praying to the porcelain gods until the next morning. It then proceeded to drain the life and energy from my body until Wednesday resulting in 1 1/2 sick days, numerous hours in bed and 6 lbs lost!!  Whew.  Add to that a crazy busy week/weekend and now that all that's over I can regale you with tales of....

Color Me Rad 2013

 

 

 

It was fantastic.

 

I had my doubts.  The day of the race I woke up to nearly an inch of snow on the ground, 33 degree temps and flurries.  Not the ideal condition for my first race. Or any race in my opinion.

 

I geared up and made the trip to Lexington.  My alarm went off at an alarming (see what I did there?) 5:30.  Yikes.  Met up with my team members and we headed to the race site.  But not before taking some before pics. 

We waited, narrowly escaping hypothermia, and away we went.

 

And it was awful.  I am not lying when I say I thought I would die during the first 10th of a mile.  My muscles were cold, the air hurt to breath, my nose and eyes were running.  Not fun. 

 

But then, it got better.  We made it to the first color station, got bombed and settled on a walk/run plan of action.  Our team stuck tight.  Each color station added more bombs of color to out outfits.  (Which we were complimented on, making the whole race a success in our eyes.  We worked hard on those suckers!)

 

At the end there was a wild dancing, contest having, color bomb throwing, screaming, jumping party. It was so fun.  We took pictures that will live in infamy as some of the most hilarious I've ever taken. 

 

And you know what I was doing about an hour later after scouring the color off my hair/face/body?

 

Researching upcoming races.

 

I've got a fever.  And the only prescription?
 

 

MORE 5K!

 

Brady Bands aka The Bomb Diggity

Ever since I have been working out-heck ever since I have been in charge of my own hair-I have been on the lookout for a headband that WILL. NOT. SLIP.

This is a hard commodity to come by.  I cannot stand to have my hair in my face and likewise cannot stand to wrestle with a headband that keep richocheting off my head like a rocket or puddling around my neck.  I've tried cloth ones, elastic ones, plastic ones, ones lined with "non-slip" grip-lies I tell you, all lies!  Either my hair is the slipperiest stuff in the world or I really work my follicles when I exercise.  Or breath.

Well two of my favorite bloggers- Mama Laughlin & Skinny Meg -recommended similar style headbands and swore by them so I decided to give them a chance.  Mama Laughlin swears by Bic Bands and Skinny Meg is a fan of Brady Bands.  The Brady Bands were cheaper and I am ever the skeptic about headbands so I decided to give them a whirl.  Plus a portion of the proceeds go to fight childhood cancer. Win, win!

So far...so FANTASTIC!!!

I wore the regular solid black one all day yesterday at school.  It NEVER budged people.  Not an inch.

(Please ignore my slightly cross eyed expression.  Self portraits are hard people.)

 I then wore the Black/White chevron skinny band to Zumba today.  Again-NEVER moved.  And trust me-I shake what my mama gave me and shake it hard. 

If you've been on the search like me please check them out. Tons of cute patterns and colors.  They're great for working out or just normal everyday wear. 

***I'm not being paid by this company in anyway. I just like sharing good products :)

Rewards

The constant eating healthy and working out and on and on can get old.  And tiring.  But every so often there are big rewards that push you on and motivate you to keep going.

Today a co-worker shared with me that she thought I was looking so good.  She prefaced it with "not that I looked bad before" but that I was really looking good now.  There was no need to preface it-I know what she means. I do look better than the 30+ pounds heavier and definitely less toned person of a year ago. She even hugged me and was so excited and I think even a little proud.

And (besides almost making me cry) it really motivated me and made me think all this work is worth it. 

So if you get the chance today or tomorrow or next month-tell someone you know who is working hard to achieve a goal-any goal-good job.  Give them a hug or a pat on the back or a word of encouragement.  You never know how a few minutes of your time can affect someone.

Love

The Beatles sang it.  God commanded it.  Books, movies and songs promote it.

And it's true.

 

 



And it's all that really matters.  In Sunday School last week on of our teachers shared what she had learned in her Bible Study.  It really stuck with me and had popped into my head several times over the last week when I have struggled with someone or something.

 

"Love Others and Love God"

If you focus on those two things and actually do them, everything else will fall into place.

Stretched Thin (if only!)

Ever have one of those days, weeks, months that just makes you want to curl up on the couch in sweats with your dogs and not move or speak or do anything but watch mindless television for hours? Maybe even days?

Yeah I'm having one now.  See lately my social life has, shall we say, blossomed. I've always had one but lately my friend group has expanded.  Which leads to more social experiences and responsibilities.  Which leads to me being slightly overwhelmed and generally exhausted.

For example: This week I have worked out with my Zumba friends, went running with my running friend, have a Homemakers meeting tonight with those friends, am having to skip Bible Study with church friends due to aforementioned meeting, tomorrow its running again and then somehow this weekend my 5k/church friends and I are supposed to decorate shirts for our team.  Not to mention church, Sunday School, post church lunch.  Whew.  That was exhausting just to type.

Now don't get me wrong.  I love all these new experiences and cherish the time I get to spend with all these different groups of people.  I feel like I learn from them all in different ways.  And frankly I have a great time with all of them too.

But I'm tired.  I ain't 21 anymore folks.  Lately I feel like my house is more like a motel/restaurant that I run through, eat, sleep and shower in.  And I'm overwhelmed.  I'm starting to feel like my week is a giant checklist I can never get completed.  Reading for Bible study, reading the Bible, Sunday School lesson, exercise classes, running to prep for 5K, school, school responsibilities, blogging, time with friends, time with family-the list goes on.  And again, I am blessed to have all these opportunities, all these people in my life.  And these things on the list are all good and important things.  They matter. And yes, I realize if I didn't get on Facebook or Twitter or whatever mindless entertainment I occupy time with each day time would open up more for these things.  But a girl needs a break people!

I am tired. It's an excuse and it's whining but it's a fact Jack.  And I realize that this whole post has been wild and rambling-maybe that will give you a clue as to what my life feels like lately.

So I am going to try to slow down and focus up (i.e. on God). I read that on a blog I follow and it's a great way to think.  Because that's whats really important.  Honoring Him, praising Him, following His plan.  Taking time to listen.  Instead of talk so much-not easy for me but necessary.  Hopefully it will help.

 

I mean doesn't even Aesop tell us-slow and steady wins the race?

Countdown to Color

It's here-looming ever closer.  Exactly 10 days till I stick on my first ever race bib and line up with my friends to run a 5K.  And while the competative person in me would like to finish with blazing speed, I am being realistic.  I will be glad to finish in a respectable time.  If I have to walk I have to walk.  And this will prepare me for my next race, a Mother's Day 5K.  It will let me know what to expect and how to better prepare.

  But most of all I am excited for the memories and to look like this:

Who wouldn't be?

I'm excited to pick up my first ever race packet, my Color Me Rad shades and tee.

I'm excited to decorate our team t-shirts this weekend and plan out all white outfits for optimal color saturation. 

I'm excited.

And that in and of itself is pretty exciting too.

Stuck in a Rut

I am stuck.  And frustrated.  And still stuck.  

My scale for the last two weeks (and actually way longer than that but since I've been back on track for two weeks those are the only weeks that have frustrated me!) and I HAVE HAD IT.

I've changed up the diet.  I've added different exercise, more exercise.  And nothing is happening.  Except the frustration.

I wish I could be at a point where the scale didn't matter.  But I'm not.  I have too much farther to go.  My body may have convinced itself that it is happy here but I am freaking not. 

This plateau has got to go.  Far away from me and with speed and haste.

I'm not sure what to do but something has to give. 

The Music In Me

I consider myself a HUGE music fan.  It is a massive part of my life and has been since...well birth.  I come by it naturally.  My mother sings, all the time and loves all music.  My father plays guitar, mandolin, and a little banjo and piano.  He also loves to sing.  Their tastes are diverse and vary from each other which gave me great exposure to lots of styles.  Which in turn led to my own very eclectic taste.  My iPod has everything from Gospel to County to Broadway to Rap to Hip Hop to Folk and on and on.

(side note: I cannot over-express my all consuming love for my iPod.  Thousands of songs in one teeny tiny little place.  Ahhhh-magic. It is a music lovers dream!)

I identify with music.  I think a lot of people do and often it can speak to someone or reach someone in times when words or actions may fail.  Music can more readily make me feel emotion, cry or laugh or get angry, more quickly and more honestly than just about anything.  It's the thing I turn to to comfort me or join me when I am sad, happy, mad, joyful.  I have certain songs I turn to when I am having a great day and likewise songs that can instantly put me in a good mood.  Same goes for the opposite spectrum of emotion.

My church incorporates a lot of music into their services which is something I really enjoy and that really made me feel at home there.  Because I feel closest to God and feel like I am truly worshipping him when I sing.  I feel happiest and most blessed when I hear the collective voices of the congregation raising in song and praising the Lord.  We had some special music yesterday-a bluegrass medley of traditional hymns to kick off the service that was a break from the usual contemporary Christian offerings (which I also enjoy).  And I loved it.  Every single second.  My toes were tapping and I was singing my heart out and in that moment I really feel like I was worshipping as God intended.  It was a great moment for me for God.

Since I am a music person I live with the constant curse of getting a song stuck in my head.  I am like a living, breathing, walking juke box.  Anyone that knows me well can attest to this and also tell you that likewise I am usually singing the songs in my head. 

I'm not crazy.  My mother had me tested. #BBT #Bazinga

This Sunday's music has gotten put into rotation and I have had "I'll Fly Away" and "Victory in Jesus" in particular on repeat since yesterday.  They will likely remain there for days, maybe even weeks. And so you too can get them good and lodged in your brain or even have your own little mini worship this morning I offer you, "I'll Fly Away"-two versions (bluegrass for those so inclined, Jars of Clay for those not so inclined)

 Enjoy and Happy Monday!

 

 

 

**In other news if anyone has a version of "Victory in Jesus" they just absolutely love let me know! I cannot find one I really like on iTunes.  Thanks!

3 Miles!!! and a F.F.F. Breakdown

Well I have been sticking like glue to my plan for this week.  The scale this morning showed no weight results but hopefully I have at least been getting in better shape.  I ran/walked 3 miles yesterday in about 45 minutes-not a fantastic time but not awful either.  I had a running buddy for it which helps-it brings out the competitive side of me and also helps keep me on pace.  And honestly, the 3 miles was not as bad as I thought it would be!

On to a F.F.F breakdown:

Fitness: I have hit it hard this week.  I ran a mile & Zumba'ed Monday, ran a mile & went to Dance Fit class Tuesday, ran my 3 yesterday and intend to go to Zumba tonight.  I also looked in to the next session of a boot camp I have gone to in the past.  It kicks off March 4 right after my 5K so I think I'll start that back to mix things up for my body. 

Faith: I have been really good this week about reading my Bible in One Year plan, journaling and tonight am participating in a Bible study group with some girls from church.  Via Facetime since they live in Lexington.  Should be interesting :)  We are reading The Purpose Driven Life-which is very thought provoking.  I'm on Day 6 and so far, I like it. 

Fun: Fun this week for me has been exercising-always a party. :) I also was giddy with anticipation of the newest New Girl-any other fans?  It is my FAVORITE show-I always actually lol-which is rare.  This week's episode did not disappoint but I hope they don't let the whole Nick and Jess storyline fade away.  I have definite issues but I could see myself with a Nick.  Oh dear.

And that's the wrap up/break down for now.
Peace out homies and Happy almost Friday ;)

The Superbowl, The Agony of Ice Skates and Getting Back on Track (long enough title for you?)

Whew what a weekend-since becoming more active at church and expanding my social circle my weekends seemed to gone from a time to recoup and relax from the week to a whirlwind of activity that needs another weekend to recover from.

It started out, luckily, with a relaxing snow day on Friday.  Thank goodness or I really don't think I could have pushed through my Super Bowl hangover this morning.  But I digress...

Saturday a large group of friends from church decided to go ice skating.   Which I have never done.  Which is crazy hard people-except apparently not for five year old whiz kids who raced by me like Apollo Anton Ohno chasing down the gold.  Nothing like feeling horribly incompetent at a sport children can master with ease.   Good for the pride.  Luckily one of our friends took pity on me clinging desperately to the wall and pin wheeling my arms like a fool and gave me a few instruction that helped. I am happy to report that by the end of the evening I was off the wall, skating with reasonable skill for a first timer and only fell once-sadly while I was just standing there but still, only once.

*May I add here that rented, old, look like they've been chewed on by a dog, ice skates HURT people.  I think I could have done better if not for the screaming pain induced by those savage things.

So, skating survived, I crashed that night with some friends that live in Lexington, the same time as my church.  We got up, made it through church and Sunday School and then lunched at a delightful Italian place.  Where I had pizza.  On top of the spaghetti the night before at Carrino's.  To be accompanied by Super Bowl chip and dip and chili spaghetti with my parents later that night.  So to say I had a bad weekend eating wise is a gross understatement. 

So it's Monday and its back on track for both diet and exercise.  I have resurrected the use of the My Fitness Pal app (a great calorie tracker that is easy to use and free!) and am sticking to a workout plan.  I have been working out a lot but my diet has been, well, not so hot and a few pounds have crept back on so it's really what needs tweaking.  So today here's the plan:

*healthy eating
*calorie tracking
*M-run a mile, Zumba
  T-run a mile, Dance Fit class
  W-run/walk 3 miles
  R-run a mile, Zumba
*stay positive, stay motivated, stay ON TRACK!!

What are some things that help you get back on track or stay on track?

The Best Workout Clothes

Since I have been a serious worker-outer (yes I realize that is not a word but what can you do?) I have been on a constant search for...
-the perfect work out pants
-the perfect Zumba shoe
-the perfect running shoe
-and the ultimate, the un-attainable, the perfect sports bra.

I have found one or a variety of most of the above items.  Some I am still in search of...some I fear (ahem, bra, I'm talking to you) I will never be completely happy with.  Such is life.  Se la vie.

La vie. 
Hardy har. 
Anyway I digress.  Here are some of my favorites:

*Disclaimer-I am a cheapy.  I teach, I am single, therefore I do not have a disposable income on which to spend untold fortunes on workout clothes. So for you bargain shoppers or people on a budget-enjoy!

Work Out Pant
I have tried a blue million.  Old Navy's are ok but tend to fall down and I HATE constantly having to tug my pants up while exercising.  I sometimes wear yoga style capri pants but lately I have become a big fan of fitted capris-maybe not the most attractive but they stay up and compress any unsightly jiggling...mostly.  My two picks are:

Danskin Now Performance Capri-Available at Wal-Mart ($10-$12)

Xersion Fitted Athletic Capris-Available at JC Penney ($10-$20)

 

Both of these pants are on sale often.

 

Zumba Shoe

 

I started doing Zumba in a pair of Nike Musiques that the instructor recommended and they are great-an essential thing in a Zumba shoe is a pivot point on the ball of your foot.  But when I had danced all the cushion out of these shoes I started looking for something new. And found these:

 

Kelly Ripa Collection Ryka Transition Shoe-Available at www.amazon.com (price varies)

These have the pivot point but are not strictly a dance shoe.  I have done boot camp in them and have run in them-they are comfy for both.  They are really lightweight which is great.  When I bought them I got them for around $50 which was about $20-$30 cheaper than what I could find in stores-gotta love Amazon!

Running Shoe
I am a Nike lover-always have been, always will be.  They just fit my foot best.  So for my fellow Nike lovers I offer you:

The Nike Dual Fusion Running Shoe-available pretty much everywhere-price varies



 

 

These shoes are SO COMFORTABLE.  They are my favorites just to wear and are also really great for running- not to mention they come in a bunch of colors :) Always fun!

 

 

Under Armour Micro G Defy Running Shoe-available at www.amazon.com -price varies

 

 

These I just bought the other day to try for my 5K and because my Nikes have about had it.  They were only $38 at Amazon (tip-when shopping on Amazon always check out the diff colors of an item-this style of this shoe was $38, all the others were $78-worth a try to save yourself several bucks). I've only worn them a few times but really like them-light, very cushioned and comfy. 

 

 

And so we come to, my nemesis, the sports bra.

 

Sports Bra

Understand that I am....chesty.  Well endowed.  Whatever you want to call it-I'm rocking a DD ladies.  And I have NEVER, EVER found a bra that contained the girls on its own and believe me I have tried tons.  My best solution is to double up. I usually wear a non under wire regular bra from Lane Bryant (the Cacique bras are the bomb for you busty ladies like myself).  Then I layer a snug sports bra over that.  My fav:

 

Old Navy Padded Sports Bra-available at www.oldnavy.com - ($10-$15)

 

This bra is great for high impact, which lets face it, if you have a big chest is anything resembling physical activity.  They come in fun colors too-I believe mine are XL.  Great moisture wicking.  And cheap-on sale a lot too.


So there you have it-my must have run down.  If anyone has any work out gear they can't live without, please, do tell.  I am thinking about investing in some workout undies-any recommendations?  And if anyone has found the miracle sports bra cure-please, please share!!

Happy working out!





Taking It To the Street

Well it's official. Three friends and I have officially signed up for our 5k. We are The Frenetic Four (an inside joke of a name that would not make sense or be funny to anyone else even if I explained it). And this, and the crazy 68 degree break in the recent Artic temps, inspired me to hit the streets today in preparation.

Holy mother of running shoes the treadmill just doesn't cut it, does it folks? I knew this. But I had forgotten. My legs and lungs certainly have. And I know it is totally a mental thing taking me back to my basketball suicide running days of high school, but I cannot get my breathing right. Oy. To the vey.

But I made it. Just under two miles at the sluggish and slow pace of 16/mile. You know, slightly faster than turtles and slugs. But I kept going. I had to walk some but I kept going. I'm beginning to believe more and more that running is about 99% mental and 1% physical. So I'm going to pray about it and think positively and make it happen. I'm going to finish the race. I may be slow and I may walk some but I'm crossing that finish line.

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." (Hebrews 12:1 NIV)

Confessions-Part 2

Just when you thought I'd said all I had to say....

(Usher anyone?)

I must, must always have my toenails painted.  Even in the dead of winter when no one but me sees this.  I used to always have them painted and never my fingers but now I am obsessed with finger nail color as well.

I take super fast showers for a chick.  For a human really.  We're talking less than 10 minutes here folks.  And that includes leg shaving.

I LOVE horses.  Have shown them since I was a child.  Own more than one.  My father and brother have trained them and I have spent the majority of the weekends of the summers of my life at a horse show, prepping for a horse show or on horseback.  It was something I never thought I would give up but the people, not the horses have soured it for me.  Showing?  Not so big on anymore but my horses I'll always love.

I get ready, again for a chick, nearly as quickly as I shower.  I roll out of bed in the morning at about 6:40ish and arrive at school at between 7:15-7:25.  In that time span I get up, get dressed, do hair and makeup, let my dogs out, pack my lunch and hit the road.

I have a thing with teeth.  Smile and good teeth are among the first things I notice, in guys mostly, but also in all humans. 

It is all I can do not to correct peoples grammar and spelling when they write things on FB.  The only thing that stops me is not wanting to be an insufferable know it all twit.  But gosh it's hard to fight it.

I am not proud of this but I cannot contain my laughter when I see anyone fall.  I always check to make sure they are ok and then.  I.  lose.  it.  I realized this weekend during a mini ice storm that this extends to dogs, as hilarity ensued every time my pups slid right on past the back stoop.  he he.  he he he.  I am so ashamed.

I love cake.  All cake.  Cupcakes (the offspring of cake) included.  But I enjoy my cake cold, as in refrigerated.  Yum. 

Enough fluff.  More serious heavy stuff to follow.  Maybe.  Maybe more fluff.

F-Filter Free

I have reached a point in my life in which I (think) I no longer care about trying to be nice and polite all the time.  I think I have about reached the breaking point that will lead to me removing my filter.

Now, for those that know me or have met me you may be thinking-filter? Lindsay? HA! But believe it or not (and this may terrify you to your very marrow) very little comes out of my mouth that has not been judiciously edited before leaving.  I know...its hard to believe.

Now this whole impending filter free movement is not an excuse to be mean or to hurt people with rude comments.  That is never a good idea and like Ellen I think we should "be kind to one another".  It is rather an honesty movement.  Maybe instead of sugar coating things I just let er' rip.  Maybe instead of bottling up hurt feelings or questions or comments I just say what I think and feel. 

This could be a dangerous experiment but goodness don't you think it would be liberating?  No one would be left wondering about what you really thought of them or if you were romantically interested or if they had made you mad.  No double talk, no passive aggressiveness.  I think it would be so freeing. How many time have you wished, hoped or prayed that you could really know what someone was thinking? Good or bad, it would be better than wondering...always wondering.

I'm almost there folks-I am teetering on the brink of an all out filter free fest.  It's only matter of time until I jump off the ledge.

If I Were a Boy

Linking up with Erin over at http://www.livinginyellow.com :)

If I were a boy....

....I wouldn't have had to worry about pulling my hair into a pony this morning because I didn't feel like doing it.  Running a brush, or more likely, my hand through it would have done the trick.

....the khakis and school tee I pulled on for hump day wouldn't have been a cop out or a comfy treat but my normal uniform.

....while running on the treadmill last night controlling my boobs in a variety of bras to prevent my being knocked unconscious would not even be an issue.

....I would not have the compulsion to eat anything chocolate that is not nailed down.

....Hallmark and Sarah MacLachlan sad puppy commercials would not reduce me to tears.

....I could sew wild oats and date around and act a fool and no one would call me a floozy or a tease or a hot mess. I'd just be "being a guy". 

....comfort over fashion could always, always be my motto.

....dressing up would still consists of pants and a shirt.  I'll whine about the tie but it won't even come close to matching the horror or pantyhose, Spanx and heels. 

....I'll be able to simply stop drinking REGULAR Coke to lose those pesky 10 pounds I picked up over the holidays.  Within a week they'll be gone.

In short, I will live a charmed life.  But sadly I will never, ever understand women.  It's okay though.  They don't understand us either.