Here are some things/stuffs I am loving/living this week.
1. First, and foremost. My Brooks Launch 2’s. I love them. They are like clouds on my feet and I wish I could sleep in them…ok….maybe a bit much but still.
Brooks Launch 2’s
2. I chew gum when I run. Some question folks who can talk and chew gum at the same time. I MUST run and chew gum at the same time or my cadence is completely OFF. Brand? Extra, of course. Orange or Watermelon are my go-to flavors.
3. As I near my 1 year anniversary at work, I find myself almost waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am so in love with my job (minus weekends, holidays, and the occasional snarky person) that I keep shaking my head. Every day is better. Every day I feel like I am making a difference with the best crew I’ve ever supervised. Someone. Pinch. ME. now.
4. Single parenting is tough. We’ve discussed this before. But sometimes we surprise ourselves and realize we CAN do it alone. Going on the better part of the month, alone and – WINNING.
I may have served 20 years, but I still have years to serve as a spouse.
5. Dreadmill runs are extremely difficult for me. But as I ran tonight my virtual RBFF texted me continually telling me I COULD do this. Thanks, Maria.
pretty much…
So at the end of the day, I am living, running, moving, and loving EVERY single step of my life.
Ah, it’s been a while since I did a five things, Friday post. This week my 5 things come with photos of a few of my favorite things this week…because isn’t every good blog post filled with pics?
Here goes:
First…tonight I had a day off because I am working the next 6 days and IL law states you can’t work more than 6 days in a row. What did I do? I set my alarm to take my eldest to school so she wouldn’t have to wait outside in sub zero temps, I took a nap, I cleaned my house, did laundry, my AB challenge, and cooked this beautiful meal for my family. Once I perfect the recipe, I’ll post it!
My deconstructed “Burger and Fries with homemade BBQ sauce.”
After picking up my mini me from after school care I checked the mail. It’s been a while as our drive way is hella long, and well, it’s darn cold outside. I received this beautiful hand made apron and pot holders from my dear friend Michelle who is the most self-less person I know. While she battles her second bout of cancer, she sews me an apron because she is concerned about my thumb, and over all well being. I couldn’t hold back the tears. Wow.
A gift from someone who deserves more gifts than I can even dream of giving…
And then there’s this guy…We’ve had our fair share of struggles. He travels more than I’d like. He plays too many video games. But at the end of the day, HE supports me and loves me, even when I am pretty tough to love. Which is often…lol
This dude…yeah…
THIS day. This. The day I put off for over a year because I let self doubt win, over. and. over. ALL THE DOUBT. And none of the confidence. But this day I took a chance. It may have not panned out. But darn it I sure tried and will continue to do so. #chefwannabe My life will be forever changed because I took this chance…
A reminder of a day where I chased my dreams full force.
Lastly there’s this little fella…this dog, this FRIEND who hasn’t left my side in years. True love right here.
My little prince, who’s now 7 years old, but still a puppy in my eyes and heart.
My point to this post, is to hang on to the things you love dearly. I lost a friend from high school yesterday, without warning, and I am again reminded how short life really is. So these are just a few of my favorite things that have touched my heart this week.
What keeps you going? Do you have pets? Have you stepped out of your comfort zone lately?
Thursday I received a text from my sister. I yet again, for the second year in a row, ordered the WRONG gift for my youngest nephew…and I also shipped said gift TO my sister, not my home. The news nearly sent me over the edge, and between that moment and the lack of sunshine for the last MONTH it seems, I found myself in tears. I was ready for this season to be OVER.
This…isn’t me. I LOVE Christmas, the magic the season provides, the thrill of lights, glitter, and lovingly wrapped gifts usually gives me SUCH joy. But this year is different. I am stressed, tired, and over the entire season hearing my kids ask for expensive gifts our budget just can’t provide. It HURTS not being able to spoil my kids during this season…but I got them what I could, and have their presents wrapped neatly under the tree.
So as I left work Thursday, in a ball of stress and tears combined, I found myself turning in to the parking lot of Hobby Lobby to pick up treats for my coworkers and staff. I picked out cute candy boxes with more than enough candy to fill said boxes, and cards and candy canes for my peers. I needed to turn this funk around, ASAP. I picked up my youngest daughter from daycare, explaining to her my plan, and she beamed. “Mommy, can I help you assemble the boxes?” she asked…”Of course,” I replied.
So after dinner, showers, and homework we set up shop on the kitchen table. I expressed my lack of spirit, to which this beautiful soul exclaimed, “Mommy, you always say I am the happiest girl in the world, so let me share my Christmas spirit with you.” I wiped away a couple tears, and we filled 30 boxes of candy with love, and spirit. I hand wrote on each box, and filled out cards taping a candy cane on each one. I also made cookies for my amazing team of techs, PA’s, and Pathologists. For I have to say, I work with the most amazing team of people, well, ever. My pay may stink, but these people are rock stars.
who doesn’t love sugar cookies!?
Today I delivered my gifts, wishing each person a Merry Christmas, and ordered pizza for them all for lunch. And with each smile, I felt my daughter’s words resonating in my heart. I took the spirit she gave ME, and passed it forward.
Not much, but given with love!
At the end of the day, I received the most amazing gift and card from a woman I have come to love and cherish. She saw something in me years ago, that I didn’t see in myself, and helped me find my confidence again.
Best. Gift. Ever.
My eldest daughter could feel the stress too…but came down stairs tonight to ask me to braid her hair. She is 15, and normally wants nothing to do with me. But as I brushed her hair for the first time in years, I found myself choking back the tears. I took my time, for I truly didn’t want the moment to end. Ever so neatly I braided her hair, and she hugged me a little harder tonight.
I ended the night, watching a movie with my husband. We watched “Haute Cuisine” on Netflix which was such a great flic. It was about a cook who was hand picked to cook for the President of France. GREAT movie.
So as always, at the end of the day I am found counting my blessings, not my misfortunes. All thanks to the amazing people I have been blessed to call “my circle.”
Tonight’s word is something I have fought with for a long time.
CONTENTMENT
I often listen to Christian radio on the way to work to help clear my mind. One of the messages this week was to be content with what we have, for God provides what we need. I’ve battled with this sentiment for a long time. I’ve always wanted more, wanted a better career, a bigger bank account, better clothes for my kids, trips, etc etc etc…Yet hearing this message last week was like a slap in the face to get my act together and be CONTENT with what I have…Because in all honestly, I have a lot in life.
I have a healthy and happy family that battles the same struggles as everyone else. I have a job in which I can come home from most days, smiling. I have some pretty great friends, both near and far geographically yet all are close to my heart. I have an amazing husband, and 2 beautiful daughters who may test my patience, but that I love dearly. And above all, we have our health. Hearing the news of a dear friend battling stage 3 cancer today brought things full circle. I need to be content. End of story.
Our finish line photo…my biggest fan, and now running partner.
I have a husband who sacrificed months to train with me for his first half marathon, simply to experience this finish line feeling WITH me.
And today, while he had a day off work, he prepared for me this yummy meal…just because.
Lady bug luck
I received this awesome reminder walking out of work today of God’s amazing creatures…I’ve always believed in lady bug luck, and this little dude accompanied me to my Jeep after work today.
And at the end of the day, I recounted my blessings, re-reading text messages and posts from my friends over the last several weeks. These friends applauded my MasterChef journey as short as it was, and continue to cheer me on to help me find my motivation to run again.
But my biggest fans, are my daughters. And this little mini still argues that the judges got it all wrong. She told me, that this week she prayed after having a tough time at school, exclaiming, “Mommy, HE listened!” And a part of me melted…
My Sous Chef
With that, I leave you with the thought that moving forward is key…in life, in running, in friendships, and in family. Hang on tight to those who lift you up…
This week has been a little crazy. I am working 6 days this week, which always puts me off course in trying to get everything done around the house.
So here are my “five things”…
1. Taking the time to unplug more, has given me a lot more time to read, write, cook, and get stuff done around the house. Today was my only day off, so I cleaned the garage, finished staining my deck, and repainted my fire pit. Note to self, use the right color paint. I accidentally bought WHITE heat resilient paint, so as soon as I started spraying I thought OH CRAP. A second trip to the home depot saved the day. It is now a pretty black.
2. The hubby and I have stayed on point with our half marathon training. We were both visibly tired tonight when get got home from work, and while we stood on our driveway I said, “I don’t want to run.” This rarely happens. But I just wasn’t feeling it. It was humid, and getting ready to rain and I simply was feeling like a lazy thug. We ran anyway, and finished at a decent pace of around 9:45. We normally do our long runs at a 9:30 pace, but I needed to slow down, and heck, that’s ok sometimes too.
3. I have truly been enjoying taking my youngest to dance class at the park district. She really enjoys it, and although I am still having a hard time getting her to focus during class-I see how happy she is and that makes it all worth while.
I can’t help but to sing this song on the way to her class, LOL
4. Note to self: do NOT eat this for lunch on the day of a longer run. Yeah…my stomach nearly killed me the entire 10k.
photo credit to Jersey Mikes
5. I rarely wish days away, but I can tell you I am already dreading the next two days of work. I am not doing my regular job as a Histology Lab supervisor, as a few of the lab supervisors have to rotate through weekends being in charge of the ENTIRE lab. Yikes…I hate not knowing the answers to people’s questions…Is it Sunday afternoon yet?
Yup, this will be me. Pray for minimal crisis control this weekend, PLEASE! LOL
What are you training for? Do you ever have to step out of your comfort zone at work and do additional duties? If so, how to you cope?
Movin' it with Michelle 