Movin' it with Michelle

Ok, so I won’t lie. After Tuesday’s post about my light bulb moment describing how I was going to tackle this deployment, my what was a little cough turned in to a full blown chest cold. The 4 miler I did on Tuesday also did me in, and I knew I couldn’t run for at least a few days. Add on a HUGE blow out with my teenager, moments of sitting curled up on my floor in a corner crying as I group texted my Mom and sister hoping they’d save me, and trying to figure out HOW I could save Easter even though I was working all day Saturday and Sunday…and yeah. This girl took a few steps back to say the least.

Me, on weekend duty at the lab. Don’t I look all official, and TIRED? LOL

We decided coloring eggs must happen, and of course last minute Saturday night!

I didn’t work out other than light arm weights a couple times last week after Tuesday. And since my week now starts on a Monday I’ll wrap this up with the weekly wrap with Holly and Tricia.

WeeklyWrap

So if you read last week’s post, you read that I was going to start celebrating firsts. My last week of firsts goes a little like this…

I took my daughter’s window shopping for the first time in ages. As in, we aren’t buying anything we don’t NEED and are just going to enjoy each other’s company while having fun looking at fun and pretty things.

Hats, all the hats, always!

Because Tiera’s always make us smile

We spent Easter at our neighbors house for the first time, and I felt so blessed they welcomed us over after I got home from work.

We went to the city today. By ourselves. Ok, this was a second time solo for us, but still, lol! And we ate at two new restaurants (Flat top grill for a quick light lunch, and Osterio Via Stato for dinner), and visited the Art Institute of Chicago for the first time even though we’ve lived here for almost 5 years.

For the first time in a few weeks, I finally felt like cooking. Wasn’t fancy, but yummy!

week3food — polish sausage, sweet potato yumminess!

And for the first time but not the last time, I cried and screamed saying I couldn’t do this, and patted myself on the back saying YES I CAN! lol! Welcome to my rollercoaster!

This coming week I hope to get back on a workout schedule despite my cough, and continue to move forward with building a routine.

We’re now 3/52 weeks down in this deployment….23 weeks to our halfway point!!!!

How was your week? How do/did you celebrate Easter?

Cheers!

Michelle

Tuesday Firsts, Uncategorized

Marathons and Deployments and how I tackle both with a similar strategy!

March 22, 2016March 23, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

I had posted to my FB just last night that I was excited that tomorrow (today) marked week 2 of 52. I have found that counting down by DAYS is far too mentally challenging in regards to my husband’s homecoming. I mean, really, seeing 300+ days on my countdown app is quite disheartening to say the least. A friend of mine, and fellow blogger Hanna over at The Millennial next door pointed out that 52/2 is 26. And we all know that 26 (.2) miles is the marathon distance. And suddenly the light bulb went on. Light bulb!!!

I have always prided myself in regards to distance running. I am by far NOT a fast runner. BUT…I can sure run far. My mental strength has always gotten me through, in all aspects of life, really… Last year’s full marathon was a mental feat of strength in and of itself, and I will forever boast about how proud I am of my sister for not quitting. We were out on that road, in the cold, in the rain, in the drizzly fog that felt like little ice pellets poking us in the eyes by the 6^th hour. But. We finished. We are some pretty tough chickadees.

So what does all this have to do with my husband’s deployment? Well, I am going to break up the time into chunks, just like I do the distances of my long runs/races. I count back as well as celebrate the time already completed. For example, if I have to run 12 miles, I break it down to running 6 miles, twice….but once I get to the half way point of 6 miles, I then count down…5 miles to go, 7 miles in the books, and so on and so forth. It sounds like a lot of math and we all know runners brain isn’t the sharpest, but it keeps me focused and it keeps me feeling strong. It has worked for me, nearly every single race. I’d be lying if I didn’t admit to a bad training run or race. We’re only human right!

So my friends, every Tuesday we will have our deployment marathon countdown, filled with at least ONE first that occurred during that week. I encourage you to post a “first” each week to the comments as well! Challenge yourself to try new things, listen to new music, read a new book, cook a new recipe! The options are limitless!

This week, we mailed our first care package to my husband (yesterday) and today I mailed him his first 5 lb. back of Atomic fireball candy, LOL. I also challenged myself by taking the first steps in obtaining my professional license in Florida. One can never be too prepared, right?

10401263_10153892735540781_7675556968745240390_n — First package, MAILED!

We have survived 2 weeks of him being gone, 24 weeks until our halfway mark with 48 weeks to go. I will admit, that nearly every single day so far has been a roller coaster. I sometimes start off rough, and even out as the day goes along. My routine is fairly set, but sometimes little things that normally wouldn’t push my buttons nearly send me through the roof. So tonight when I was contacted by Cascia from Healthy Mom’s magazine that I was listed in the top 100 running blogs, it was just the boost I needed to get out the door running tonight. You can find the list HERE, please go check out these amazing blogs for more inspiration!!!

12095046_1121301677912956_6017511235057450050_o — Tonight’s run-ingested several bugs, had to stop and cough up lung cookies several times, and my legs felt like bricks the first 3 miles. BUT. I ran. Did you?

SO who’s with me in regards to a new “First” every week? How do you tackle long distance challenges-both in life and in running?

Thanks everyone, you’ve all been amazing through this difficult time!!!

❤

Michelle

weekly wrap up

Weekly wrap up, 2 weeks down with an easy recipe!

March 20, 2016March 20, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

Today I am linking up with Holly and Tricia, and I am thankful I keep doing these posts because it keeps me from completely “holing myself up” as my sister (and I) always say. Because those that know me well, know I tend to go into Super Woman mode when faced with challenges, thinking I can do it all, when really, no matter how strong I think I am-I need help. Lots of it. ❤

WeeklyWrap

I started out the week strong, managing 2 workouts. And then my mini got sick, and then she decided to share her nasty chest cold/cough with me…so our weekend was a bust, only getting out to run mandatory errands yesterday morning. We got supplies to send my hubby an Easter box, went grocery shopping and gassed up my Jeep. The rest of the weekend we were watching movies and relaxing for the most part. I watched “High Fidelity, Silver Linings playbook, and Brooklyn” this weekend. Friday night and Saturday nights were hard…I was missing my hubby quite a lot, especially because I felt like crap, but more so because the quiet of the house once the kids go to bed is especially lonely. Thankfully I channeled my energy and got all of my laundry done, and my floors swiffered LOL. I have issues.

3-20.3 — still smiling, despite not feeling well!

I did make this yummy AND easy crockpot chicken parmesan recipe:

3-20.4chicken.png

1 jar of your favorite sauce. 5 mushrooms sliced. Put both in your crockpot. 6 chicken thighs seasoned with salt, pepper and garlic powder. Brown chicken on both sides. Add them into your crockpot. Top with Parmesan cheese and basil and cook for 2 hours on high.

How was your week/weekend? Do you love your crockpot as much as I do? Tell me something good!

❤ Michelle

moving forward

The first anniversary

March 17, 2016March 17, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

There are life changing events that happen in everyone’s life. No one lives a perfectly easy life filled with daisies and unicorns and picnics and sunshine. No one.

Yesterday, was the anniversary of one of these life changing events for me. It was a moment in time that I will never forget, and just recalling how I felt at 5 P.M. on March 16th makes me shudder. See, my oldest daughter was in a car accident, which she was hit by a car while on her bike. The story can be found here, and to date it is the top viewed post on my blog in 4 years.

This event changed my life forever. I hang on a little tighter when my kids hug me. I TRY not to get so bent out of shape over the little things, although battling good grades is still my breaking point. I don’t spend as much time cleaning or doing yard work, instead I make the most of the time I have to make memories with my family and friends. When people reach out to me and offer their help, I let them, more so I welcome the effort with open arms.

With that, I’ll keep this post short, and sweet. I’ve got a work out on deck after I finish this post, and then I PRAY for a good nights sleep. It’s been 9-10 days since I’ve slept more than an hour at a time, and I’m a zombie!!

Have you had any life changing events that stand out in your life? What lesson did you find most important from these/this event?

Have a great night everyone!

❤

Michelle

Uncategorized

The empty seat

March 16, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

My very first guest post, on Rough and Rede II Please make sure to check out his awesome blog.

Rough and Rede II

dragoos Brian and Michelle Dragoo on their last date in Chicago before his deployment earlier this month.

Editor’s note: In the online world where friends and strangers occupy the same space, it’s gratifying to have something you write recognized with a comment or a simple “like.” I noticed a while ago that a fellow blogger in the Midwest was kind enough to like a few of my posts. I read some of her posts as well, including one where she mentioned preparing for her husband’s deployment.

Knowing what we went through as parents when our youngest son spent a year in Afghanistan, I asked her to contribute a guest blog post. She readily accepted. I don’t know that I will ever meet Michelle Dragoo in person, but it’s nice to come across decent people like her in other parts of the country.

By Michelle Dragoo

Often people ask me what it’s…

View original post 601 more words

Deployment thoughts, weekly wrap up

Weekly Wrap up 3/13-First week down, ?? to go!

March 14, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

This marks the first week we’ve gotten through with my husband being gone. Ok, tomorrow is technically one week, but who’s counting.

To say the week was hard, is an understatement. With as much as my husband travels, I thought that this truly would be easier. But it’s not. And more days than not last week I wondered how on earth I would get through this next year without him?

I don’t want to cook, don’t want to work out, don’t want to even watch the shows he and I watch together because honestly it just hurts. I attempted Sunday supper last night to try and get back to our normal routine, and the emptiness of my husband’s chair made it painful to even eat. We all feel his absence, and it’s hard to even put into words the raw ache I feel in my chest.

So here a few highlights of my week.

Does drinking wine alone make mean I have an issue? LOL…The kids and the dog are in the house so it doesn’t count as drinking alone, right? HA!

I worked out, ONCE last week. And was sore for 2 days afterwards, LOL. #outofshape

The girls and I got to Facetime with my hubby and it was GREAT. We went out to eat to celebrate Saturday night. Ok, I just didn’t want to cook.

My youngest also got her first slide phone. With the recent nanny issues, and my husband being gone, I just wanted to be able to communicate with her at all times. Call it paranoia? Normally I wouldn’t allow a cell phone until middle school, but I think this time my change of mind is warranted.

My hubby sent me a selfie of him and one of his troops. LOVE!!

Well, my lunch break is up, so I better get back to work!!! I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for the Weekly wrap up! Make sure to check them out!!!

How do you get back in to a routine after a traumatic event? What age did your kids get cell phones?

Cheers!

❤ Michelle

Fun Surverys

The ABC’s of me!

March 10, 2016March 10, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

I saw this idea on my friend Jamie’s blog, and thought what a fun prompt to keep writing. So here goes!

A – Age: 43

B – Breakfast Today: Um, I skipped. I did however sample a piece of the Crème Brulee cake I brought in to work

C – Current Time: 1630 hrs

D – Drink You Had Last: Water!

E – Exercise of Choice: Running and weights. My two favs!!

F – Favorite Song: I can’t really say. If I were to pick ONE, it would be the classic “Way you look tonight” by Frank Sinatra. It’s my wedding song, and the song I sang to both my kids when they were young before they went to sleep.

G – Grossest Memory: My youngest daughter throwing up ALL over me. And me, in turn, throwing up for hours afterwards. EWWWWWWWWWWW

H – Hometown: Duluth, Minnesota

The Lift Bridge on Lake Superior, Duluth MN

I – In Love With: My hubby, always…

J – Jealous Of: People who get to 1. Do a job that they love or 2. Work from home or 3. Don’t have to work at all!

K – Kids: Two girls, 16 and 9.

Aren't they just pretty?!? <3 Pic from our summer vacation last year. — Aren’t they just pretty?!?

L – Longest Friendship: Hard to say…I’ve got lots of life long friends thankfully!

M – Middle Name: Rae. I was supposed to be a boy with the middle name of Robert (and first name Michael) but came out a girl so my parents went with Michelle Rae.

N – Number of Siblings: One amazing sister who always knows when I need her, even when I don’t ask for help.

My sister and I at the finish line of the 2012 Chicago Marathon

O – Occupation: Lab (Pathology) Supervisor

P – Pet Peeve: Dishonesty, being late, loud chewing

Q – Question You’re Always Asked: Did you fly planes when you were in the Air Force? NO. We aren’t all that lucky. I worked in the lab for 20 years (and still do full time), far from exciting as flying a plane. lol

R – Reason to Smile: My family, my friends, my coworkers…Oh and the biggest reason-I woke up this morning!

S – Snack You Ate Last: Kettle cooked chips. Don’t judge, it’s cheat ~~week~~ day.

T – Time You Woke Up: 5:50 a.m.

U – Underwear Color: Blue

V – Vacation Destination: Anywhere with a beach! Hope for this to be my home in the next few years!

W – Workout Today: Trying a new workout by Tony Horton and hopefully a quick run before my daughter’s dance class later tonight.

X – X-Rays You’ve Had: Head, chest, the routine ones…

Y – Your Favorite Food: Seafood, I could eat it daily but my kids get tired of it. “Fish again!?!?!?” LOL

Chilean Sea bass, MasterChef audition dish from season 5 tryouts

Z – Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Play along!

What’s your sign? What is your middle name? Last thing you ate? Dream job?

Cheers! ❤

Michelle

Deployment thoughts, Uncategorized

What day is it today?

March 9, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

I swear I have lost my mind, and yesterday threw me on a roller coaster of emotions I had thankfully forgotten from our first deployment. Our final goodbyes for the year have been said, and I can honestly say that I am not sure how I survived the 60 minute drive home yesterday. After being enveloped in my husband’s arms as we all sobbed, I just can’t put into words the raw emotion that we felt. My daughters and I simply hung on to one another yesterday, and after tucking my youngest in as she cried herself to sleep, I knew I’d have my hands full this next year.

brianescort — He texted me this photo on his way to the airport. They were being escorted by veterans. SO cool.

So my sister challenged me, to keep busy, find a project, and/or journal to help the quiet of the evenings hurt a little less. So that’s the plan. I’ve got several house projects to do on my list, and plan to write a lot more. That’s the joy of my blog, it’s multifaceted, and not just about running. Plus, it’s mine and I can write what I want to, LOL!!!

I still have to remind myself to breathe sometimes. I have to choke back the sobs more times in the day than I can count. But with each day that passes, it’s one day closer to his return. And I am reminded daily of all the blessings in my life. I walked in to work this morning to find this on my desk, a beautiful gesture from my entire staff. #allthelove

flowers

I also received several texts, got a dozen hugs, and this awesome gift from my friend Kelly. I wish I had words to describe how grateful I am for all the awesome people in my life.

And as the day came to a close and my kids played outside while I did laundry and cleaned I received a text from my oldest. “Mom, come outside and look at the sunset” She loves the sunrises and sunsets nearly as much as I do.

As we watched the sun set into the horizon, we hugged each other tightly and she whispered, “Love you…” and held her even tighter.

This will be a very tough year. But we love each other so very much, that I believe in the end it will help us get through this even stronger. The crazy emotions of the week have brought on a pretty terrible headache so I put off my workout for another day because I just can’t bear to be down for the count. I’ll get back at it in no time.

Who’s your biggest supporter? Do you have beautiful sunrises and sunsets where you live? What’s your latest workout?

Cheers!! ❤

Michelle

Deployment thoughts, weekly wrap up

Weekly wrap up and goodbyes

March 7, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

I had thought about skipping the weekly wrap again, but I really want to keep writing, too….so I decided to work on my weekly wrap during my lunch break today to at least get something brief out there…last week was a doozy, so bear with me. So here it is, my weekly wrap up hosted by Holly and Tricia! Make sure to head over and see what they are up to!

It finally became all too real that I will be without half my heart, my smile, my best friend for an entire year.

Monday: I cried in the shower so my kids wouldn’t see how upset I was. And at some point during my pity party I forgot if I had washed my hair, so I washed it quite possibly twice, just in case…No one likes greasy hair. #losingmymind

Tuesday: I realized in a panic that I forgot to call my nephew the night before to wish him a happy birthday. While yes, I had sent his present and given him his card on Sunday, I still had promised him I’d call him. And I didn’t. #allthesuck #auntiefail

Wednesday: While in the midst of a conversation about the ever so important food network and upcoming shows, My husband loudly said, “You didn’t even hear what I just said, did you?” after seeing the blank stare on my face. Nope. Sorry babe. I didn’t hear a word. I was too busy trying to wrap my brain around being without you for a year, and how on earth I’d hold it together when we say our final goodbyes for the year this upcoming Tuesday (tomorrow).

Thursday: My nanny quit. Via text. Oh, and with NO NOTICE. “DON’T YOU KNOW MY HUSBAND LEAVES ON TUESDAY???” I begged, asking for at least 2 weeks’ notice. Nope. Sorry. That night, while my 16 year old drove us to dinner in my husband’s Honda, we were discussing the infamous Jeep wave. If you drive a Jeep, you wave to all fellow Jeep drivers in passing. Don’t be that guy that doesn’t wave. So while at a stoplight I spotted a Jeep and yelled to my daughter from the backseat, “Make sure to wave!!!” Wait. We’re in a Honda. Ugh.

Friday: The hubby and I escaped to Geneva for the day, eating, shopping, and just having a couple hours of just us. That night we took the kids to see Zootopia and to dinner and it was so nice to just hang out as a family.

We spent the rest of the weekend interviewing new nannies (I think we found one, fingers crossed this time she works out), and spending time with each other and some of our closest friends. My husband’s departure ceremony was on Sunday, and I was then reminded for the gazillionth time how darn proud I am of him. If you could see the way the room just is energized when my husband speaks to his soldiers, you would be in awe. It’s just awe inspiring and I get to call him my husband. Man, I am one lucky gal.

Tomorrow, he leaves and we will start the year of firsts. First phone call, first letter, first month done, etc. And I’ll be counting down the days until he returns. Please keep him and his soldiers in your prayers this upcoming year. ❤

Have you ever had a family member deployed? What’s your favorite thing to do with your family?

Cheers,

Michelle

Deployment thoughts

T-1 week

March 1, 2016March 2, 2016 Movin' it with Michelle

I missed out on the weekly wrap this week, and honestly hadn’t planned to post until my husband leaves next week. It’s now very real as he is home packing up all of his gear today. #allthesobs after seeing these pics…

Someone isn't pleased... — Someone isn’t pleased…

Time to pack...I'm not ready. — Time to pack…I’m not ready.

But I am trying to focus on the good, so here goes…

Our weekend was wonderful, having spent it with my parents as they flew in from Arizona. We visited the city, ate yummy good food, and just enjoyed each other’s company. We went to the city on Saturday and enjoyed the unseasonably warm Chicago weather we were given that day (it’s snowing today…really?!?). We took the train down, and hit up our favorite places to eat, Quartino and MK. We also did a bit of shopping, but more so just walked around and had fun together. My parent’s had NEVER been to The Bean, so we of course had to get an obligatory Bean selfie. I skipped my long run this weekend, and am 110% ok with that, especially since we walked over 5 miles on Saturday. I’ve pretty much decided I will only run the half in May, but that’s another post in itself.

When they brought this desert out to him, he lost it..."I'll see you in my dreams..." — When they brought this desert out to him, he lost it…”I’ll see you in my dreams…”

Sunday, we got home from having lunch with my sister’s family and wishing my parents safe travels home, and I was feeling pretty sad. Yet here’s what changed my mood: My neighbor AND girlfriend made this beautiful flier for me, passed it out to the neighborhood, and a neighbor that I hadn’t met had stopped by to offer her support. I was just in awe, and am still so touched there really are no words.

In less than a week, he will be gone and I still have trouble imagining this next year without him. I know, it’s probably tiring to read the same thing over and over, but I somehow have to get it off my chest because it literally feels like an elephant is sitting on my heart. BUT…the day he leaves, starts the countdown to his return and I found this super cool app for my phone.

Thanks for all of your amazing support and prayers. We truly appreciate it!

How’s the weather where you are at? Have you had to scale back on a race due to real life before?

Cheers!

Michelle

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