race recaps, Uncategorized

Sycamore pumpkin 10k recap and weekly wrap up! 10/24-10/30

Movin' it with Michelle

I am happy to report that last week I ran THREE times, did yoga once (hey, that’s a lot for this non-yogi) and did weights twice. Here’s a couple of my workouts:

 

We watched the Cubs take the pennant and have watched all the games since…and yes, I am very tired from staying up even later than I normally do, LOL!

 

My mini was sick with a low grade fever so we hunkered down and rested this weekend so she’d be better for Trick or Treating tonight. #priorities We did manage to carve pumpkins, which is SOOOOO not my thing (I am not a fan of Halloween in general, I know, bah humbug) but I put on my happy face for my youngest.  My oldest had no desire to carve pumpkins with us this year…her friends are more fun, ya know? The best part is that my hubby Facetimed us while we were carving pumpkins and having not been able to talk to him since the end of September, this MADE OUR NIGHT!!!!

 

I also ran my very first 10k (yes, I know I’ve ran 3 full marathons and I’ve lost count of half marathons) on Sunday and it felt great to be racing again (even though my pace wasn’t really fast, it was fast for me not running for several months and just starting back a couple weeks ago). The race was the Sycamore 10k pumpkin run and many people were dressed up in costume.  They had same day packet pick up, and a nice area for us to hang out inside while we waiting for the race to start.  The race went pretty well, despite some CRAZY winds the last 4 miles.  The first 2 miles were glorious as we ran through wooded neighborhoods.  The Fall colors were brilliant!  I was afraid if I stopped to take a picture I wouldn’t be able to stop again though, so I have only my memories to share with you, LOL.  But as we hit mile three and turned left to make the first turn of the loop, the wind literally smacked me in the face and I got a little nervous.  Would I be able to finish this race with this wind?  Ack…I kept positive though, thinking as soon as we turned the wind would ease up…I was wrong, it just blew you sideways, LOL…So I stopped to walk the 4 mile water stop, and walked for a good minute to catch my breath. I really wanted to finish the race strong.  So I slowed my pace, and just settled in. I saw my friend Mark at the 5ish mile marker, and he ran me in the last mile or so giving me encouragement and cheering me on.  It was just what I needed!  I finished in just over an hour (1:03) and for not having trained really (2 weeks of running) I was quite pleased.

 

Overall it was a pretty good week which will hopefully carry over in to my 6 day work week this week.

How was your week? Any races to report?  Do you like carving pumpkins/Halloween festivities?

Linking up with Holly at https://hohoruns.blogspot.com and Tricia at http://www.misssippipiddlin.com for the weekly wrap!

weeklywrap

 

Cheers!

Michelle

real life adventures

Guide books and forgotten socks

Movin' it with Michelle

There are hand books, guides, text books and lesson plans for just about everything in life.  Heck, now a days you can just hop on YouTube and find instructional videos for just about any issues you may be experiencing.  Just the other day in fact, my vacuum was not sucking anything up.  This being my 3rd vacuum in 5 years, left me feeling very frustrated.  “Not again,” I thought as my youngest stated, “Well, we just have to buy another one!”  Absolutely not.  So with determination I started to look in various spots for what could be blocking the hose.  After a while I resolved to YouTube, and low and behold I found the exact spot to look for a blockage and what did I find?  One of my teenager’s no-show socks.  LOL! Will she ever pick up her stinking socks? No pun intended…lol

 

And that very sock got me thinking.  In a year and a half give or take, she will venture off to college.  We aren’t sure where yet, but she’s bound and determined to get out of dodge and has already pulled away more than I care to admit.  I say this because I know this is the stage in her life where she starts to pull away.  She wants to be with her friends, study after school at the library, go to clubs after school, and ultimately be anywhere but the confines of home.  I get that…I remember being in her shoes, signing up for the Air Force the summer BEFORE my senior year of high school because I was THAT ready to leave.  And I see myself in my baby’s eyes…she’s got a fire inside her and she’s ready for adventure.  With that I ask, where’s the hand book for letting go?

 

How on earth will I let this little girl go?  This little girl that saved my life in more ways than one.  This little girl that taught me more about myself, that made me grow up in to the woman I am today, that made me realize I DO deserve it all and that I would teach her the very same thing.  This little girl, now almost woman, that made me a Mom…I hope one day she sees how much I love her.  She doesn’t yet…but one day…

 

How will I be able to not see her every day, and how on earth do my own parents get through not seeing my sister and I every day?  I now understand the moments when I first joined the Air Force and seeing my Mother’s eyes fill with tears when it was time to say goodbye after a visit home.  I remember once scolding my Mom for staring at me when she came to visit when I was stationed in D.C. and I noticed her just staring at me smiling.  I remember how hurt she was when I did this, too, and wish I could take it back.  I wish I understood then what I do now, and that the relationship between a mother and her kids is priceless and precious and to not take it for granted.

 

But see, there are no hand books or YouTube videos when it comes to parenting, are there? Oh sure, those wonderful guides to pregnancy and raising children, but I think most of us can attest to the fact these books only are relevant in the perfect world, and sad to say that world doesn’t exist.  So now, while my teen brings home brochures and pamphlets for colleges with her eyes beaming, “Mom, let’s take a look at this one,” she exclaims, and I find myself having to plaster on the fake smile so she doesn’t see that I’m just not ready to let her go even though I am super excited for her future all that the same time.  “Sure honey, let’s take a look,” I say, just happy she’s including me with her choices. Because most days she hates the fact that I’m “holding her back” and not letting her go.

 

Today at work, it hit me like a freight train coming down the highway with no brakes.  In a year and a half, there won’t be any socks to pick up.  And that very thought makes pretty much every part of me ache inside.  But at the end of the day, we raise them up the best we can and then it’s time to send them off in the world to have their own adventures. No one said it would be easy, did they?  Where’s the hand book for letting go? Oh that’s right…there isn’t one.

 

So here’s to all the socks on the floor, and vacuums’ that get clogged.  May each one give you a memory that lasts a life time.  Because remember, the memories are the pages of the guidebook we never received.  And that, my friends, is what life is all about.

Races, running, Uncategorized

Bite the bullet

Movin' it with Michelle

Last night I went to dinner with my running friends to celebrate my friend Christine’s birthday. I hadn’t seen most of these friends since before my husband left back on my birthday. In January. Sigh. 


When you’re not running, training and/or racing it’s hard to keep in touch. Of course I’m thankful for social media and texting etc. but it’s not the same as physical interaction. So to sit with these awesome people for two hours made my day. It also made the fire for running burn again in my belly. They are all doing a 10k next weekend and encouraged me to sign up. 

And you know what? I couldn’t sign up fast enough. I’ve not run a single race this year. And that sucks. Of course my priorities are elsewhere right now. But I need to make time for me too before I internally combust.

So first thing this morning I signed up. 


Yay!!  This fueled me to run tonight. I ran FOUR miles after work today with my mini. She scootered along with me!!


We finished the day with a yummy salad. And what makes this even better is that it was my mini’s idea. Kale, romaine hearts, red onions and grilled steak topped with blue cheese crumbles and a little oil and vinegar. 


How was your day? Ever bite the bullet and sign up for a last minute race?

Cheers!!

Michelle

weekly wrap up

Weekly Wrap 10/10-10/16

Movin' it with Michelle

Last week was a busy week but a good week overall. Today I am linking with Holly from hohoruns.blogspot.com and Tricia from misssippipiddlin.com  for the weekly wrap up.  I love this linkup, and the wonderful women behind it.  Even if I don’t have much to report, I love visiting their linkup.  Please check it out if you can.

weeklywrap

 

 

I am proud to say I am still planking every day since my husband arrived in country. Tomorrow marks the 32nd week since he’s been gone, and I’ve planked daily since May 1st which is when he arrived in country.  I also made myself run last week, TWICE.  YAY.  While I still struggle with just a couple miles, I am happy to at least be doing more exercise.  My mental health has really been tested these last 7-8 months, and I just need to find time for me.

Here are the highlights from my week:

I finished staining my deck on Monday. It doesn’t look perfect, but with the harsh winter we’re due to have it’s at least protected.

Tuesday I celebrated my 2 year anniversary of trying out for MasterChef.  One of my proudest memories.

Wednesday we had some crazy storms but I caught this beautiful double rainbow from our administrative office window.

rainbow

Thursday we were feeling pretty stressed.  This pic of my daughter says it all:

Yup...hiding under the desk. I joined her for a bit. LOL
Yup…hiding under the desk. I joined her for a bit. LOL

 

 

Friday night I babysat my neighbor’s 3 month old baby boy. Let me just tell you what an honor it was to give back to a family that has done so much for us while my husband has been deployed.  They’ve plowed my driveway last winter and mowed my 1.5 acre lot the entire time he’s been gone and at NO charge.  Like, who does that?!?!  These people…so when she asked if I could babysit I jumped at the chance.  This family not only said they’d be there for us over this last year, but they’ve shown it and it made my heart happy to snuggle with this little cutie for a few hours to show my appreciation so they could get out and have some adult time.

ww3

 

Saturday I was invited to a corn maze (Richardson’s corn maze) up in northern IL by my neighbor’s friends. What a blast.  We all brought food and cooked over a campfire, and then headed in to the maze.  It was dark…and I had a couple glasses of wine, but man was it fun!!  The kids had a blast too.

ww4

 

Sunday was my lazy day where I catch up on laundry, do some cooking for the week but mainly just relax. I had missed my goal of running 3 times last week (to be fair I made that goal mid-week, LOL) so last night I threw dinner in the oven and hopped on the treadmill for a couple miles.  #winning

ww5

 

What were the highlights of your week? Do you have any good casserole  or cook ahead for the week type recipes you’d like to share?  How many times per week do you try to exercise?

 

Have a great week, y’all!

Cheers,

Michelle

Uncategorized

Hey I ran!

Movin' it with Michelle

Well. Only two miles on the treadmill. But yesterday I ran. And it was glorious to blow off a little steam. I think seeing all the Chicago and TC marathoners last weekend tugged at my heart and I realized I need to somehow carve out 30 minutes 3-4 times a week for a little running/working out. 


Because someday I’d like to do another marathon. I’ve got some redemption to obtain. So this winter I plan on sticking with the ‘mill and my free weights to work on speed and getting leaner. I’ve got a few lbs left to lose which I am sure is the extra wine I’ve had to calm my nerves these last almost 8 months. Wow. Did I just say 8 months?  Hard to believe that much time has passed already!!!  We’re still planking every day to honor my hubby and his troops. Feel free to join in! I post every night on my FB/IG pages. 

Ok time to get back to stalking my daughter’s ballet class. Lol!!  This makes being on the go since 6 am a little easier to tolerate. 


Did you watch the marathons last weekend or know of anyone who ran? 

How do you keep your motivation when life crazies get in the way? 

Cheers!

Michelle

moving forward, weekly wrap up

Safety nets

Movin' it with Michelle

I’ve talked several times about the fact that I have been in the same career since I first joined the Air Force at the young age of 18.  Just three weeks after graduating high school I boarded a Grey hound bus and headed off to basic training.  My job was chosen for me, as I joined “Open General” in hopes of getting a flight line job, but alas.

Here I sit in a hospital laboratory, just doin’ my thing 25 years later.  And while this isn’t my career of choice, it’s a good job, that pays decently and provides for my family. So while I keep talking of taking chances and making changes, I know I need to be smart too.  I’ve got one kid going off to college in less than two years and I don’t want her to have to carry the burden of huge student loans like I have to (still a LONG ways to go to pay for my MBA) in my life.  I’ve got a little saved and will continue to save for her, but we all know they make college nearly impossible to afford in this day and age.

What’s my point? I’m never too old to learn!


Well, those that know me well know of my love of the beach.  I loved the coast of Texas, and love the coast of Florida.  Heck, any beach will do, really! I’ve made it abundantly clear to my husband that if he is going to continue his pursuits in furthering his Army career, my butt would be hunkered down on a beach somewhere while I continue to raise our youngest solo (once my oldest heads to college of course). So six months ago I applied for my Florida licensure, and finally have finished studying and taking my exam!!! Who got an 92%?!?!?  This girl!! All I have to do is send in the paperwork and the check for my license.  WOOT!!

miamibeach
South Beach, Miami-One of my favorite pics from our trip last year
So while this job may not be my dream job, it DOES provide a nice life for my family.  Does that mean I am giving up on my dreams of being in the food industry?  Heck no…that just means I am doing what’s best for my family first.  It’s good to have dreams and goals, but those safety nets sure come in handy!

66316030
photocred: memegenerator.net
Are you a believer in having a “Plan B?” as a back up?

If you could live anywhere, where would it be?

Who’s with me on starting over and getting back to working out this week, regularly?!?

Linking up with Holly @Hohoruns.blogpost.com and Tricia  @misssippipiddlin.com for the weekly wrap!!!! Please check out their blogs and the other awesome inspiring bloggers!

WeeklyWrap

Cheers!

Michelle

 

 

Deployment thoughts, Uncategorized

30 weeks

Movin' it with Michelle

209 days ago my husband left for his deployment. 209. That’s a long. Freaking. Time.

We’ve had a lot of heart ache. A lot of growth. A lot of struggle. Many steps forward lead to even more steps taken backward.  But always deciding to move forward regardless. 

But every day we started anew. Sometimes with hard feelings from the argument the night before. Sometimes with such a heavy sadness that the physical ache in my chest started to concern me. But almost always we started with a hug, a kind word or just the presence of each other as we started our day. Together. Me and my girls.


My girls are my tribe. I see that so very clearly now. Looking back on wasted energy and jealousy of those who had these amazing groups of friends and social life makes me a little sad. Why would I not just look right in front of me?  Despite all of our conflict these girls are my constant. My reason for being at least for now. They won’t always need me but they do now. And I’m thankful for that. Because together we keep moving forward.  

30 weeks. Broken toilets, house repairs, teenage drama, work stress, heart breaks, missed holidays and birthdays, missed life events and everything that could go wrong that went wrong. And we’re still movin’ my friends. 

Take that deployment curse. 

And yes. I fixed my power washer all by myself and washed the deck and windows tonight to celebrate. 


Because I can do hard things. Even when I think I can’t. 

Cheers! 

Michelle

Deployment thoughts, Uncategorized

The many moods of an Army wife while her husband is deployed…or something like that.

Movin' it with Michelle

This morning my eldest daughter and I had a fight. This is no real shocker to those that have been following my blog for a while, or for those that parent teenage daughters.  As most know, the teenager is ALWAYS right and the Mom NEVER understands. The simplest question to said teen, sets off the immediate defense mode and suddenly all the progress I thought we’d made suddenly feels light years away. Sigh.

b42d09694e9bad95e849fd55e5c0d982
LOL!!!

Yup.  That was my morning.  By 0730 hrs. and not near enough coffee all I really wanted to do was go home and crawl back into my nice warm bed so I could listen to the rain and make the world go away.  But, that isn’t how real life works now, is it…so when I got the email just an hour later from my husband that he had gotten promoted to Captain I did my best to put on my game face and email him back huge congrats while I was still fighting back emotions from the fight earlier with my teen.  But my initial thoughts weren’t so pretty…cuz I suck like that sometimes.

My initial thoughts were “of course you got promoted, you go off and do everything required and then some for the Army while I am at home with the kids managing on my own, dealing with mornings like this so you can progress in your career and I am tired of being last, tired of being alone, tired of raising this family by myself, I miss running, I miss my friends, I miss US.”  And then I sat in my office and cried.  Happy tears for him, sad tears for me that I think so selfishly sometimes.  But I’ve always done what’s required of me.  First for 20 years for my country, and now, the last 5 1/2 years I’ve put any career aspirations on hold for my family.  And every now and then, those thoughts come up and the resentment creeps up, and I wonder…will my time every come, or is my destiny to sit in the back seat? Cuz I really don’t enjoy it back here most days.

So, to turn my mood around I texted my teen trying to reconcile our argument with less than successful results but we are at least talking.  I also made sure to go and tell ALL my coworkers of my husband’s promotion to celebrate the occasion which always makes me feel better. I really AM so happy and excited for him despite my little moment.  My emotions have just been out of whack due to very little communication with him, so when you add on a fight with my teen I suppose I deserve a little break.  At least I recognized it quick, and have moved on from it.

But in all honestly, deployment hardships are very real.  This isn’t a business trip to Tahoe, or a conference in San Diego for a few days.  This is a year long deployment and I think we’ve experienced every emotion possible.  I say this, to remind myself I deserve a little slack to, ya know?

32b575b19d7a2c287c5c7d4d43f39e6c
Yup.

So here’s a shout out to all my fellow Army wives, keeping it real and getting it done-every darn day, and a shout out to my hubby for never giving up on his dreams and getting his well deserved promotion.

How do you turn a bad moment around?  Ever have to put on your happy face for someone else despite being in a horrible mood yourself?

Cheers!

Michelle

Deployment thoughts, Uncategorized

Thursday’s thoughts 

Movin' it with Michelle

Holidays, birthdays, special days in general are tough for us. There’s no “stop time” button when it comes to deployment. So we keep on keeping on. Jordyn had piano lessons tonight and Sophia had ballet. (oh and the dog decided to roll in skunk pooh! Lol) I have to juggle all this with a full time job. So when Jordyn said let’s just grab Buona beef for dinner I was all about it. As we ate our meal, I noticed the couple at the table next to us. The man had a Vietnam veteran cap and veteran tee shirt on and I couldn’t help but to get tears in my eyes. I thought of my dad, Bob and my husband, Brian who selflessly serve our country. After our meal I walked over and put my hand on this man’s shoulder and outstretched my hand in thanks. He and his wife smiled from ear to ear as I thanked him for his service and explained that my Dad and husband have served. While our world is in a current state of crazy it felt so good to focus on thanks and giving back. So thank someone, remind people they make a difference and be the change you want to see in this world. #mytwocents

Uncategorized

My absence 

Movin' it with Michelle

Sorry for my absence. This deployment thing is no joke so thought I’d share my last FB post because it sums it up to a T. 

28 weeks…people ask how I do it…what it feels like to have your husband deployed for a year. I equate it to being on the beginning of a roller coaster as you start your incline…but you are facing backwards. You are going up…up..up…up…but you have no idea what is in front of you. The anxiety is at an all time high, but you have no idea how the ride will turn out. Every day, is that ride. My advice? Raise your hands up, take a deep breath, and screaaaaammmmm and laugh and embrace all that life gives you. #icandohardthings

With that, I’m still here. I’m just juggling a lot and doing what I can to keep it together for my kids. I’ve added a couple pics for fun!! We’re still Movin’ forward!!

How have y’all been?  Tell me something good!