Ash Wednesday

So I know I'm a little late... 20-odd something days, but hey. I started the day by going to 7am church. Lenten season started strong... I decided my 'fast' for the 40 days was facebook. Well, that lasted 12 days, but I digress.

 At work...

I was super excited because after work I was getting my hair done, compliments of a 50% off groupon. 

 Highlights & lowlights...

Chunky blonde and lowlights #4 (dark)...

The final... Love love love!!! I think I'm going to go to my regular hair lady for cuts, and the new lady for color. Next time I'm going for dark #5. Wooo! :) She also dried my hair with a difuser, which I may have to invest in.

No good, awful gym day

So I head to the gym after an 11 hour workday. It's been a week since I've worked out and I'm ready to go... in my new running shoes. Week 3, day 1 (again) of c25k.

I hop on the treadmill -- 5 minute warm-up walk. I got this. Then my phone says "Start running." I pump up the treadmill to my usual 3.9. My legs immediately say "WHAT?!?" I jog for 1:30, walk for 2:30... then comes the 2:30 run. My legs freak out. I slow down just a touch, but my calves are on FIRE and TIGHT. Oh my goodness. I've felt this before... back in week 1 when I first started.

I regretfully slow way down to a walk and go for 20 minutes. Not even a mile. Boo. I look at my logbook and realized that last time I attempted to run was February 11. Are you kidding?? Almost a month???? I go to the bike and go for 6 minutes. I was done.

I was so disappointed in the fact that I might have to start c25k all over. Week 1. Really? I'd come so far... and I was doing so well!! Then I totally botched it by emotionally eating my disappointments in a brownie.

Oh.
my.
gosh.

I texted with one of my best friends after. His advice - "build back up. You have to slip to realize that you're still climbing."

He's right. I haven't quit. I'm not giving up. I have two 5k races schedule for this summer. The first one is two months... I can do this.

A New Favorite

When I pulled in the driveway tonight at 7:10, I had a list in my head of things I wanted to accomplish before the night was over. Cleaning was one... starting to pack was two.... I have now done neither of those things and it's 10:10.

I had ab/core class from 6-7.. I was feeling pretty good, but considering my lack of workouts lately, I was not wanting to move. I sat in the car until almost 7:30.... well - that was a little less than productive. I finally managed to move from the car to the house... took laundry out of the dryer and then started to watch Biggest Loser.

It took me 45 to realize I hadn't eaten dinner yet and was quite hungry. So I searched a bit for a different tuna salad recipe and came upon this. A. MAZ. ING.  I added a couple of my own ingredients

Ingredients

2 whole-wheat pitas
1 can tuna canned in water without salt
Lemon juice from 2 wedges
2 tsps olive oil
1/2 small onion diced (purple or red onion adds color)
1/2 cup diced red bell pepper
1 tbsp chopped parsley
Salt and pepper


I also added a dash of dill relish for more color.

I also added a wedge of laughing cow cheese, creamy swiss. I warmed the tortilla for 20 seconds and then spread the cheese. I have to tell you, I felt so GOOD about this meal. I didn't want to eat crap or have a chip chaser, so I just had the wrap and sucked on my water.

The fitsugar.com website said the two pitas were 391 calories and 38.6 carbs. That's something I can deal with AND feel good about!!

Ahhh ... and a trip

Aahhhh... fabulous Saturday of spoiling myself.

I haven't had a mani or a pedi in eons... felt so good!! CJ is leaving for San Diego on Monday. I'm flying out on Thursday and then we fly home together on Sunday. I'm so looking forward to it as I've never been there. If you know me at all, you know I'll be using the opportunity to knock out 3 more baseball stadiums... Anaheim Angels, San Diego Padres, and LA Dodgers. Wooot!!!

I told CJ that I wanted to drive through Beverly Hills before we leave... I think it's a flashback from 90210. ;)

Last Saturday in February

Here's how it works: describe your life -or something- in six words. Explain or don't, either way, have fun! Visit Cate at Show My Face to read all about it and get started! :)

There's a pedi calling my name!

Free Saturday? Yup!! I think pedi, shopping, and lunch on the plaza. :)

Handing God the Pen

I'm a little late in writing this, but...


January's book of the month was When God Writes Your Love Story by Eric and Leslie Ludy. I must say - I was a little hesitant at first. I had been wanting to read it for quite some time, and was scared it was going to let me down.


I won't tell the entire book, there has to be SOME mystery. There were points that made me think, "Act/speak like your future spouse is watching you." Wow. It definitely made me think before spouting off at the mouth!!


There are things that some Christian author's talk about - especially when it comes to kissing, making out, etc., that not everyone can understand. If you're waiting until you get married to have sex, and that's your weakness - making out may not be the brightest idea. Stay away from the temptations because the devil knows where you're weak and he will attack you there.


I loved the fact that a husband and wife wrote the book. Eric wrote parts and Leslie wrote parts so you got both perspectives about how they felt and what they experienced. It wasn't just another feel good self-help book. As a single girl, it gave me a tad more hope and just a little peace about how God is working in my life. :)


February's book of the month is kinda long... and I haven't been reading a lot - so it might take up two months. Then again - I just gave up facebook for lent, so I'll probably be reading more. ;)


Love you guys!
Until next time ~

Poke Me in the Eye

Have you ever had your eyes dilated?
I had not, until today. Let me say, it was... weird. Close up vision stinks and everything is brighter than normal. For my lovely eyes that have these pockets (not what the doctor called them, but I can't remember the word)... that were all dilated, everything was 10x. Yikes!!! I picked out some new glasses - which I'm super excited to get!! Doc checked my eyes after a few minutes and didn't see anything wrong that would correlate with diabetes. So that was a plus.


I came home and sat in my dark bedroom, not being able to text or anything because I couldn't read...


WEIRD!!!


Obviously, my eyesight has returned to normal. :) Over the weekend I finished January's book of the month. I'll blog about that tomorrow.


Goodnight, friends! How are you ending the day?

Battle of the Scale

I hate the scale.
No. Take that back. I loathe the scale.


I started this new workout plan of mine one month ago. Has the scale moved? Slightly, but it's been fluctuating between a couple pounds.


Typically I would be ecstatic over the slightest hint of movement on the little needle.. but I feel like I've been working my tail off (literally and figuratively) and it's not budging.  Not sure if I need to incorporate something into my gym time. I've been going 5-6 days a week; Couch to 5k on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Ab/Core class on Tuesdays. Saturday and Sunday are 'free' days, but mostly I've been walking. I've pondered doing circuit weights on Saturday and Sundays; or maybe I need to go back to working out with a trainer once a week.


Ugh.


I've been eating very well, and tracking everything. Not sure if I need to give up the scale... I really would not be sad about doing it...


Thoughts? Suggestions?

Six Word Saturday

Here's how it works: describe your life -or something- in six words. Explain or don't, either way, have fun! Visit Cate at Show My Face to read all about it and get started! :)

I did a six word Saturday!!!!

The last one I did was over a year ago... if you want to get technical I only posted a handful of blogs last year. This year is already promising to be better!! :) Have a good one - snow day or not.

Mess to Message

If you haven't noticed, I'm big on dates and anniversaries. Four months ago I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes (read more about that here). At the time I was shocked and so disappointed in myself. I'm learning more everyday, but God has used this as a spark of motivation on taking care of myself.

This week I began week 2 of c25k. Farther than I've ever gotten in the program. Tuesday I went to ab/core class... and then got the flu (or something like it). I was in bed all day on Wednesday, barely made it through work and teaching on Thursday... tonight, I HAD to do SOMETHING. Went to the gym - barely did 1/2 a mile on the treadmill, 10 minutes on the elliptical and I was done.

BUT... Did I mention... I registered for my first 5k!!!!!! :) May 12 is the big day and I'm so excited and nervous at the same time!!!

For that reason alone, I will forge ahead with typical weekend workouts and start week 2 again on Monday.


In a typical me fashion I would have thought 'who cares? It's Friday' and not have done anything. I don't normally toot my own horn, but I'm pretty proud of myself. I appreciate and love the encouragement and support I'm getting from friends and family.

Tonight on the way home from work I was thinking about the last four months. For the last month alone, I've been to the gym at least 3 times a week... I feel better about myself now than I have probably in my entire life!


God is definitely turning my mess into a message and I'm so excited about what He's going to do!

Me and My Jealousy

Today I taught my church kids THE hardest lesson I've ever had to teach. In theory it shouldn't have been that hard, but it's something I've been struggling with A LOT lately.

Typically I don't like airing my dirty laundry, but sometimes I think it's important to share struggles. I've been going through some things in my heart lately, including going through some 'coaching' with my pastor's wife. She's trying to help me be more transparent when it comes to needing prayer, asking for help... it's not a sign you're weak. I'm an emotional person, but I don't ask for prayer a lot in public forums (i.e. church or Bible study). However, I digress...


This morning my lesson was about Cain and Abel - how God preferred Cain's sacrifice over Abel's. In a jealous rage, Cain killed Abel, but then asked God to take pity on him so that people wouldn't kill him if they saw him. I took it to being jealous over what other people have (i.e. an xbox that you want REALLY badly). I'm at a time in my life where everyone is engaged, getting married, having babies, multiple babies, etc. I want that, plain and simple.

Psalm 37:4 says, "Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart." I feel like I take delight in Him, but have yet to receive these desires. There are things that I'm fully aware - like God hasn't given them to me because I'm not ready. God is preparing the way, for me and for whomever I end up with. The way I presented it to the kids was, God wants to make sure you can handle what you're given. HE wants YOU to treat it with respect and handle with care.


Praying without ceasing, casting my cares upon Him...

Couch to 5k

On December 27, 2011 I began a great feat. I started "running"... ok, jogging. I began the program couch to 5k (again). This time of year I always beat myself up because I never accomplish anything throughout the year. I'm not a runner AT ALL, so it's been interesting listening to my legs talk after my workouts. Yesterday, I completed week 1 - I had to do days 2 and 3 twice, but hey, I'm ok with that. I've stuck with it longer than I did before, so that's something right??

The reason: One of my co-workers told me about the Royals Charity 5k. It's July 8 - the start of All-Star week (which is being held in Kansas City -- I'm super excited!). I said do you want to do it? We agreed and said let's do it!! Thus began my motivation for killing my legs.

I found another 5k that's close to my house that takes place on May 12. Ok. That gives me 5 months to 'train' and maybe get somewhere. This will be my practice run. This journey suddenly spiraled and one of my friends in North Carolina said "You should come visit me and we'll run one together!" Well.. ok!!! You know I'm always up for a trip. :) I found one that we can do - October 27. Looks like I'm making a trip to Charlotte.

My other 'goals' for this year are basically the same as last year -- again, because I can never accomplish anything. Ha!

Love you guys - thanks so much for the encouragement and motivation!

The Circle of ... life?

It's funny how God works sometimes. It's almost 2am and I just came to this realization -- on this date, September 21, 1999, I accepted Jesus into my heart - fully, completely, unconditionally. I had this peace in my heart; the joy.


Fast forward to 5pm, 12 years later... I'm overwhelmed with the news I've received and the knowledge I need to gain. I've just been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Ironic as this is - I hate numbers... yet numbers of blood sugars, blood pressure, cholesterol are swimming in my head. I despise numbers...

I call my mom to tell her the news. I now I have to take a pill for blood pressure (very low dosage, to protect my kidneys), a pill for cholesterol, and a pill for diabetes. I originally had lab work done to check my thyroid... apparently my thyroid is normal - nothing else is. I now have to test my sugars throughout the day. As if that wasn't enough - I also have to attend a class on how to eat. Oh, I know how to eat -- obviously. I mean how to eat CORRECTLY so that my sugars are skyrocketed.

Oddly enough, 12 years ago I was a freshman in college, and I actually had  moments when my sugar would go low. I'd get shaky and dizzy feeling... now I'm too high. Seriously, when I do something, I do it right. :) "Coincidentally" my pastor's wife is taking a class on how to be a life coach and needed someone to 'coach' for seven months. Weird how she asked me right before my diagnoses - our first meeting is tomorrow. I might add that her husband has been diabetic for years, and is now turning himself around to where his A1C levels show he's almost completely off meds.

There is hope, but I fear the unknown. The challenges I now face in everyday life. Many 'messages' from God today spoke to my heart, not only about pain, but trusting God. I know I'm not alone, but He'll carry me through my fears and challenges in the days and months ahead.

Baseball Trip

Wow. LONG time no write!!! I've had some things going through my head and have has some inquiries about where I've been with blogging.... this led me to realize I haven't blogged ALL YEAR!!! Wowsa. Time for some catch up.


Baseball trip was AMAZING!!!  It was just me and CJ on the open road. :)  This trip took place during all the tornadoes (including Joplin).  Saw parts of the country I haven't seen before, including Niagara Falls (American side and Canadian). Niagara Falls are B-E-A-U-tiful and amazing!  Another bonus of this trip was seeing all of our friends that live in different areas along the way.  I added 6 stadiums to my list; only 14 left!!! :)


The itinerary:



May 22 - Drove from KC to Cincinnati - hotel was WONDERFUL - including warm cookies and milk when we got there. Yay!
May 23 - Whirlwind tour of the city, saw the Great American Ballpark, lunch with a friend. Then we were off to Cleveland!! That night we saw the Red Sox take on the Indians (Sox lost)... sort of. After an hour rain delay, the game finally started. Then it started raining again, so we had another delay.

Great American Ballpark - Cincinnati

Progressive Field - Cleveland

After the game in Cleveland we drove a little way to no where PA. 

May 24 - We drove to Buffalo, NY. Long story about why we stopped there, but it worked out because we spent the afternoon at the American side of Niagara Falls. Then we drove to the Canadian side and stayed in a hotel with an amazing view of the Falls.

May 25 - We drove to Toronto and spent some time at Rogers Centre, home of the Blue Jays. Then we drove across Ontario (not really across, but you know what I mean), to see our friend Joel. On this day a small tornado hit Louisburg (where we live) and we had to read about it on the internet. Since we were in another country we had our phones off... we turned them on after we heard this. Scary!! It turned out it didn't do much damage, but wow!

May 26 - Drove across the border into Michigan. Saw a 1pm game in Detroit against the Red Sox (Sox whooped butt this time). It started raining in the 7th inning, so we decided to get the heck out of dodge. We drove to Michigan City and stayed the night.

Comerica Park - Detroit

May 27 - Drove to Milwaukee and saw the Brewers play the San Francisco Giants. I couldn't care about either of these teams, but our tickets were $4. :) We ate dinner at the TGI Fridays inside the park and watched batting practice.
May 28 - Drove from Milwaukee to Minneapolis... had to stop at a visitors center because we turned on the radio and heard there were tornadoes in the area. We didn't know county names so we had to get a map. We were driving west and the tornado was just south of us moving east. Yikes!! We saw the Twins play the Angels - after a gps snafu in finding the stadium itself. After the game we drove to our friend Hope's house to stay the night.
May 29 - Drove from Hope's house to Des Moines, Iowa... had dinner with our friend Tricia, then found a hotel and stayed the night.
May 30 - Drove from Des Moines to home. Whew!!!!

The good thing about this trip was that it looks like a lot of driving, but the longest day was from KC to Cincy... other than that, everything we drove were in little 3-4 hour increments, for which I was thankful.  Hope you enjoyed the mini-synopsis as much as I enjoyed the trip! :)

Dress to Impress

We've all heard the saying "You can't love, if you can't love yourself." I've pondered this phrase a lot lately... and come to realize how true it is. Why should someone accept you unconditionally if you don't? God does, but He is the Master of unconditional love.

While a lot of us have things that we don't like about ourselves, there is always something to be proud of! If you can't look nice or be proud when you have "no one" to impress; why should anyone be impressed with you in the first place?? I find myself guilty of this a lot, not really caring what I look like, but then throw pity parties when things happen that make me disappointed in myself.

I want to dress with JOY and CONFIDENCE. I want to be proud of who I am in Christ. I want to be a Godly woman who is striving to do what He has called me to do and be.

Progress

This week signifies a lot of 'anniversaries' if you will.

Tomorrow is 12 weeks since I got braces and I can totally see a difference!! I'll post a picture tomorrow after my orthodontist appointment. :) Here's me 6 weeks ago:



It's also kind of a mile stone in my weight loss journey. Since being at my heaviest weight EVER and beginning working out with the trainer, along with my new diet - I've lost a total of 18 lbs. I'm seeing a number on the scale that I haven't seen for a very long time... Yeah! Go me!!

Happy Tuesday - go kick some tail!!

Baseball tour

I posted this blog last summer, but we didn't end up going... thought I'd repost - with a few edits - and see if I could get some suggestions. :)

When I travel I love stopping at random "historic markers" along the way. Generally you won't find them in brochures and maps, etc. I'm kind of dork when it comes to the places I would like to go/have gone. For instance, my roommate and I took a day trip to Wamego, KS once... spent the day piddling around the small town and visited the Wizard of Oz museum. Yes, you heard me correctly.

Me and two of my friends are going on a baseball tour -- five stadiums, seven days. I'm quite excited I must say. :)

Here's where the tour will be taking us:

Kansas City - Cincinnati
Cincinnati - Cleveland
Cleveland - Detroit
Detroit - Milwaukee
Milwaukee - Minneapolis
Minneapolis - Kansas City


We will be going to games in Cleveland, Detroit, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis. If anyone has suggestion, recommendations of places to stay and a few things to do in any of these cities, let me know! I'm very excited because I've only been to Milwaukee, but never saw the stadium. We'll be visiting friends along the way, only staying in Milwaukee at a hotel.

Suggestions?! :)

Any suggestions/recommendations would be much appreciated!

Six Word Saturday

Here's how it works: describe your life -or something- in six words. Explain or don't, either way, have fun! Visit Cate at Show My Face to read all about it and get started! :)

Weekend with no plans; now what?!

New Year's version of 6WS

Here's how it works: describe your life -or something- in six words. Explain or don't, either way, have fun! Visit Cate at Show My Face to read all about it and get started! :)

New Year - resolving to go MAD!

Happy New Year, everyone!! The last couple of years I haven't made resolutions, but goals on how to better myself and my life. Next year, my goal is to make a difference. In lives of those around me, maybe someone I don't even know. Whether it's random acts of kindness to the person behind you in the drive thru line, or donating money to build wells in Africa... what will you do to go MAD???

2011 Here we come

Like most of us, I've been reflecting on 2010 and deciding what my goals are for 2011. I've tried to think of goals for the next year that will enhance my life, spiritually, physically, and mentally.

First things first - 2010 recap

February - Went on my first cruise to the bahamas and played with dolphins.
April - Visited friends for a weekend in Nashville.
May - Spent Memorial weekend in Louisiana - drove from Kansas City and saw everything in between!
July - Walked and completed my first 5k!! Looking forward to doing that more in 2011.
August - Spent a week's vacation with my parents - went to Fort Knox and watched my baby brother graduate from boot camp.
September - Went to Colorado Springs for Labor Day.
November - I turned 30!!!!! Went to Chicago to celebrate.
December - Children's Christmas program, shopping, Nebraska for Christmas.

These are just the high points. The summer was rather emotional with my brother leaving, my grandpa getting sick, etc.


NOW - Goals, etc for 2011

1. Talk to the people I love more often - I have one set of grandparents left, that I rarely see... my goal is to talk to them, and other people I love, more often, whether it's texting, random notes on facebook, cards, or calling.
2. To visit Nebraska more often, and not just on holidays - While this seems like a weird vacation destination, it's where I'm from, and the aforementioned loved ones live. :) Generally I only go on holidays and rarely see friends that live there... no more!
3. More gym time - I've been good, but it's time to get serious!! One night a week is devoted to the trainer. She gives me 'homework' to work on the other 3-4 nights that I workout. Game face on!!
4. More Bible/God time - For Christmas I got a devotional journal and prayers for women. Also going to try that whole 'reading through the Bible' thing. :)
5. Read 12 new books - One book a month; can't overdo it, I'm a busy girl!! :)
6. Go MAD - Do one random act of kindness a week. Whether it's buying breakfast for the person behind me at McDonalds or doing a favor for someone, without them asking and not expecting something in return.
7. Less tech time - Biggest Loser's Bob Harper has a challenge for 2011: Turn off your phone one day a week and be less reachable. If you can't go an entire day, go an HOUR. These days an hour with no technology seems like the world is ending! Another one of my friends challenged this year for every 20 minutes on facebook, spend 20 minutes in the Word.


My One Word doesn't focus not on resolutions, but on a word that is your vision and character for the year. My word for 2011 is CRAVE. I plan on reading Lysa Terkeurst's book "Made to Crave" but more than that, I crave more of life, more of my relationship with God! "Made to Crave" is just that.... satisfying your deepest desire with God, not food. I crave the change, the zest, the joy!