Deployment thoughts

Oops, I did it again…

I lost my smile…

One of the many reasons I have been struggling with the absence of my husband, is that he makes me smile, daily.  The very presence of him, calms me, motivates me, inspires me, etc.  When I say, he is my person…he really IS. I don’t have a female “Bestie” or “BFF” like most women do.  Sure, I have girl friends but they’ve all got their lives and their friends that they are much closer with so without my husband, I get pretty lonely to say the least.

I was having lunch with my sister on Friday and we were talking about how when my husband talks to his soldiers, the room instantly lights up and you can FEEL how they respond to him.  The inspiration in the air is tangible. He is a TRUE leader.  He is where he is meant to be in life.  And then it hit me.  Like a ton of bricks.  He does all that for our family too.  For the last 5 weeks, you can feel the void left in the house so strongly that sometimes I dread going home after work.

And that sucks.

SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO because I am tired of these sad, Debbie downer sad posts, I am going to make a list of things that make me smile.  Because I need to find my smile again.  My kids need me to find it, too.

SnapChat.  I made an account a while back, but didn’t understand the purpose of this app.  I mean, are you supposed to take selfies of yourself over and over and send them to people? I don’t like pictures of myself, so there’s that, too.  So after last week’s YUCK fest I invited my teen to join me for my youngest daughter’s dance class.  We had a little fun with SnapChat and by the end of the 1 1/2 hours we were laughing so hard tears were pouring down our faces.

4.10.2
Cute, right?
4.10.1
Like my facial expression? ROFL!!!

My sister.  Last week I wanted to literally hole myself up and just forget the world.  But she won’t let me, and for that I am forever grateful.  She lets me be me, with all my faults and is there for me always. She had my kids spend the weekend with her because 1. I am working all weekend again and that sucks for the kids, and 2. They sure could use a break from reality for a couple days.  #sistering

4.10.3

Seeing my husband’s face.  I’ve asked him to try and send pictures when he can.  Yesterday while I was working, I got this picture to brighten my day.

4.10.4

Support. Between my Mom and my sister checking on me several times each week, to one of the Army wives who texts me every day, along with my friend Andrea who also texts me every night (for the last 5 weeks nearly!!!) “NNT” which has always been our thing (Night Night Termite) when we talk, I feel so very blessed.  AND, I came home last Tuesday from work to find my neighbor had mowed my lawn!  How awesome is that?While I may not have a female “BFF” I do have a lot of people who make the time to show they care.

4.10.5
That’s love right there, LOL!!! ❤

Running!  Of course!  I ran twice last week, and am hoping to get a few miles in tomorrow since it’s my day off!  I have concluded that I don’t like the Brooks Launch 3’s as much as the 2’s.  The toe box is just a little different, and they don’t have that same airy feel.

Doesn't everyone lounge around the house in their old marathon running shoes?
Doesn’t everyone lounge around the house in their old marathon running shoes?

With that, I bid you all a happy weekend!  Tell me something that makes YOU smile?!  Ready, GO!

Cheers! ❤

Michelle

 

 

Grandma's Marathon

T minus less than 2 weeks until the Grandma’s Marathon 2015!!!

Happy Monday everyone!!!!  I hope this post finds you well rested from an amazing weekend.  My weekend was filled with movie watching (we rented McFarland on Friday night, and it was amazing!), long runs (12 miler on Saturday) and run club coffee with friends, grocery shopping for the week, Cougar’s baseball game on Saturday night, and my nephews graduation on Sunday.

These ladies helped me find my smile...I had misplaced it for a couple weeks...<3
These ladies helped me find my smile…I had misplaced it for a couple weeks…<3
MMMMM, the only time I drink beer is at a ball game.  I even had 2!!
MMMMM, the only time I drink beer is at a ball game. I even had 2!!

As you can probably guess, there was very little rest for me this past weekend but I am NOT complaining at all.  It was a much needed escape from the stressors of normal every day life.

With that, I’ve been thinking A LOT about my weight, and how since turning 40 I just can’t shed these dreaded 10 lbs.  So starting today, I am biting the bullet and doing the military diet to see if I can jump start shock my metabolism so I can run Grandma’s marathon at least a couple lbs lighter.  Thankfully I am still just shy of 2 weeks out for race day so I am not worried about my system getting upset.  I think this is much needed reset, and have heard great success stories from others who have tried it.  You can read about the 3 day ‘cleanse’ here. Disclaimer: I am not an advocate for quick diets, nor am I a certified nutritionist.  I’m simply trying something new to jump start this 42 year old body that wants to hang on to weight I’d rather be rid of. 

military-diet-logo

Last week wrap up: I managed to run 21.55 miles, 3 core work outs, and added in weighted side bends to help firm up my muffin top. LOL!   I missed yoga due to National running day being the same day as my previously scheduled yoga work out, but still did a lot of stretching.  I also took my own advice and took a nice long Epsom salt bath Friday night which really seemed to refresh my legs for my long run on Saturday.

How was your week, last week?  What are your plans/goals for this week?  Have you ever done a cleanse/restart diet?

Have a great week, y’all! Remember, keep movin’ forward!!!!!!

❤ Michelle