#ProjectThankful14

 

 

Another week to be Thankful....

 

03.13.14 - Women's Running Magazine

 

 

I get excited every time this one comes in... its my favorite.

Full of great info & not a 'beauty' magazine that makes you feel bad about yourself, but real people who run & strive for fitness.

 

 

 

03.14.14 - Cloth Grocery Bags

 

 

I love these for a few reasons.  One, of course, save the planet!  Do what you can do make a difference.  Two, they don't fall over on the drive home where the grocery plastic bags, everything rolls out of them.  Three, they are so much easier to carry in.  Four, they hold a LOT. All this would probably have taken double in plastic bags.

If you don't use them - change & go get some. You won't regret it.

 

 

03.15.14 - Warmth before cold

 

 

It was so beautiful this day... warm, sunny... perfect to sit outside for a little bit & enjoy the warmth & read my book with my dogs next to me...

enjoyed it while I could because the next day it was below freezing & snowing again.

....sigh...

 

 

03.16.14 Pastor Harvey

 

 

I've talked about this through the week, but thankful that Ricky was willing to go get Harvey for me during my lesson (which meant he missed it) & thankful that Harvey did OK in front of all the people. 

I can admit for him, he was thankful his daddy was there to hold him & protect him in front of all the kids.  He'd never been around that many people at once before.

 

 

03.17.14 - IT'S BACK!!!!!

 

 

I'm the biggest Dancing with the Stars nut

& am THRILLED about this year.

I may have to do a post about it... may even have to LIVE BLOG it again

(Sorry dad)

GO CANDACE!!!!!!

 

 

03.18.14 - Her Spot

 

 

This is where Sydney has always loved to lay.  Its near the air vent, its in between the bar & bar stools where we eat (great for catching crumbs) & she can get the light on her face from the window.  She hasn't been able to get there for awhile because she has to stay on carpet for her leg... we have rugs laid out everywhere for paths to get her to every part of the house, but how do you lay rugs down here?  So she hadn't been laying there... but she managed to squeeze in there & enjoy her spot again.

Made me smile to see her there.

 

 

 

03.19.14 - Edit Software

 

 

Its amazing the difference it makes in a picture...

so thankful I can take an 'ordinary' picture & make it into something beautiful with just a few clicks of a mouse.

 

What are you thankful for this week?

 

 

Time for an update...

So some updates on some things that have been happening in life lately...

Sydney

She's hanging in there.  Its been a month & a half since we got the news of her bone cancer.  She has good days & bad days, but we're so thankful for the good days ... & the good days are more often then the bad.  & even her bad days are more like a bad few hours of not being able to position herself to get comfortable.  She's able to limp around & get where she needs to go, but Ricky still will carry her when he can & we try to take as much pressure off her legs as possible.

What kills me is when she tries to play with Harvey.  He obviously doesn't get it & will bark & run to her & it gets her excited & she wants to play with him... but she just stands & barks at him & tries to take a few quick steps to get to him.  That's where my heart breaks.  She wants to run & play... & can't...

I can't believe I got a picture of all 4 of them
I came around the corner from washing my face & just kept saying "STAY STAY STAY"
so I could grab my phone

It also breaks my heart how Zoe is acting.  Zoe is such a recluse that stays to herself but she has been sticking with Sydney lately.  Even sleeping with her & being her best buddy.  Dogs have a sense about them....

Our fear is that one day we're going to come home from work & she's not going to be able to stand at all.... & we'll have to face that when it comes.  Right now, we're just loving every minute of every day we get to love on her & get to continue to let her know she's loved & that we'll take care of her.


Dad

He's mucking though the recovery of his shoulder replacement.
I think what they said about this being a painful recovery was spot on because I know dad went through his pain medicine on those first few days coming home.  I don't blame him.  He said it feels more like a tooth ache then anything.  This girl has had 8 root canals so when you say "tooth ache" my heart instantly sympathizes with you.  That dull, constant throb & ache that you can't do anything about.

The physical therapists are coming to his house during the week & working his arm out getting it back in shape & getting those muscles used to moving again.  He said its not really that bad.  They found out he's going to have hip replacement after he recovers from this one so they are even working on his hip muscles to get them stronger... don't ask dad about this though... he thinks its a little dumb to take steps to the side & then step back & call that therapy.  I just try to think they know more then we do...
even though You Tube videos does make us feel like we could become doctors or physical therapist just by clicking the next video on surgery & rehab.

I think the worst part of all this for him is just being 'tied down' - not being able to drive, not being able to get around like he's used to.  I always say God slows you down for a reason at times....


Grandbaby William

Still doing perfectly wonderful.  With everything going on in our life, we hadn't been able to make the trip to get our hands on that sweet face... but it won't be long now...
Ahhh - the smell of babies.  It's the fountain of youth - right?
Julie said he's been the easiest baby.... blessings happen all the time.

He's the spitting image of his daddy

Half Marathon Training

I'm still at it... & still not sure where its leading.  The next half marathon (will be my 6th) will be in 5 weeks & I'm still debating if I'm doing it or not. 

I'm training, but this is where my training needs to pick up - the long runs... & my weekends & my life are so busy, I'm having a hard time getting it in.  If I don't get my miles up to 10 miles in the next 2-3 weeks, I may have to skip the race.  I've done one not prepared & I know I almost died... I'm not doing that again.

My low back is still miserable & flares up horribly so I'm also wanting to test the 10 miles to see how it feels with that.  I know I have a busy photo season & I don't want to mess up my back totally for this race...

I'm actually OK with missing it if that happens... look at me growing as a person compared to last year where I literally threw a 2 yr old tantrum about having to miss when my back pain started. Don't get me wrong... I'll probably cry & pout & be sad IF I have to miss it, but I know I'll keep running, but maybe long distances won't be my thing for awhile...

we'll see.  Its a constant debate I have with myself every day... even more when I'm lacing up my new running shoes.

Unconditional....

Wasn't it the coolest thing when you got your drivers license & you could drive to school on your own?  No more having to ride the bus!  It was like a 'cool pass' was handed to you & you even felt like you stood a little taller when you got out of your car.  Even if it was a 1978 Toyota Celica ... it was still cool to me, paint chips & all.

Yes... cool for me in the 80's were Risky Business dark shades... with a touch of Breakfast Club

My school was a special kind of school... I'd like to say it was for "advanced students" just to make myself sound smarter, but it was a Traditional program & different from the normal high school... and it was a good distance from home.  It would take about 30 minutes to get to it in the Downtown area.  None of the "just around the corner" for me.  So it was a different situation.  Where you have a lot of people on your street or in your neighborhood that went to the local high school down the street, there were just a handful of people that would venture to the school 30 minutes away.  So when you found some that lived near you, you developed friendships... & by friendships, I mean, you would car pool together & save on gas.  After all, 95 cents a gallon for a teenager was crazy. 

I'm old... I remember $0.95 gallon gas

But there were some people in our car pool that I developed great friendships with.  Being in this school system, you had only a select few that you went to school with so it was nice to have those friends who understood where you went & the different environment you were in.  I still am friends with some of these people.

There are a few that I totally lost touch with.  And when I say I lost touch with them, I would even loose touch with them during the summer, or even days where they didn't need a ride.

They were 'conditional friends'.  The ones that only wanted you around if it served a purpose.  In this case, it was "if you drive, I'm your friend"... don't drive to school & see how often you talk to that person.

There's people in my life now that I can tell are "conditional friends"... I have to serve a purpose for them, whether it be the funny friend, or the creative friend, or the friend that will take care of things...we all have these sort of relationships in our lives.  Sadly.

So do we take those relationship ideas & put them on God?

Do we think we have to live up to certain standards or conditions for him to want to be in a relationship with us?

Do we feel like "I have to do good all the time" - I have to make sure I don't mess up - or God may not love me, may not want anything to do with me?

I think we do get in our head the idea that we have standards we have to live up to... which, don't get me wrong, we do in a way... we have Jesus as a standard to live up to.  But we're never going to be that perfect....

& God knows that... & he loves us anyways...

I always think of Harvey Dent when I think of this now.  Here was this little stray puppy that needed a home.  We were going to foster him but we laid eyes on him & knew he was ours & from the minute we saw him, we promised we would take care of him no matter what....

Well, no matter what comes with puppy attitude.  Its full of tearing up things... constantly... it comes with puppy teeth... it comes with puppy energy.

& when Harvey messes up, he knows it.  He throws himself on the ground, rolls over & submits.  He pulls those ears back.  He'll even go put himself in his kennel & try to hide, especially when I'm picking up a kitchen full of bed stuffing.

But he ventures back out & slowly will make his way back to us & test the waters.  Walk up to us, sit, stare & see if our voices are going to be raised.  He's even came up to us when we're sitting on the ground & he'll put his head on my shoulder, or throw his paw on my lap... "Do you still love me?"...

You can tell he really wonders if he messed up enough for us to stop loving him.

We may get angry at him & upset at his actions... but we never stop loving him.
I know those of you who are parents understand this all too well.

& loving them doesn't mean there is no discipline & no correction...
love is love
& real love isn't conditional...

Just remember today, no matter what you do to mess up, you can know that you can still come back to God
.... even if you walk up to Him slowly & want to put your head on his shoulder & lay your hand out, & He'll take it & let you know that He always loves you....

The weekend that had me running with the moon....

Whew... its Monday & I'm exhausted...
Aren't weekends supposed to be refreshing & for recharging?
Weekends... I'm doing them wrong

Friday

* Took mom to the grocery & we both filled up our carts.  I wanted to do like the old days of when we used to go grocery shopping... which included me riding on the bottom of the cart asking for every sort of cookie there was.

* Mom wasn't too fond of my Iced Green Tea from Starbucks.  I thought she was going to hurl... it was appropriate because she tasted it in the meat department where I was ready to hurl.

* Finished up my last Disney puzzle I have - The Lion King!  & it was the ONLY puzzle I've worked in the past 5 that had the correct number of pieces. FINALLY!

Saturday

* I had bananas that were going bad so what to do at 8am?  Make banana cookies. But they're healthy so its all OK.  Just bananas, instant oats, walnuts, raisins & chocolate chips.  They are delish.

* Banana cookies if you eat too many can be like a laxative... just saying...

The best tasting laxative ever! :)

* Ricky & I were going to go to see my niece's last basketball game.  Got dressed & ready to walk out the door... & then, just look back at the previous post.  We missed the game.  Dang it banana cookies!

* Note to remember:  don't eat a dozen banana cookies at once.

* YIPEE!!! Photo season has begun again.  I love doing High School Senior Portraits.  They are always so easy going & up to do anything.  Plus, their parents always make the best assistants holding reflectors & carrying gear & wardrobe changes.

I love love LOVE this yellow!!!

* Headed to Starbucks to get another Iced Green Tea ... she talked me into the Trenta size. HOLY COW... that thing is massive.  No one needs that much of a drink.

* It was the most beautiful day we've had all year. Not a cloud in the sky, warm, it was just wonderful.  I had to sit outside for awhile & read.  Plus, if I came in, the dogs would come in... we all need some fresh air.

* So my training said I needed to get in 8 miles today.  I almost didn't run with doing the photo session & wanting to get started on editing, but I knew I'd be mad at myself.  Plus, it was beautiful out.  So I change & head out on the streets.... little did I know what time it was.  Before I know it, the sun is gone, the temperatures have dropped & I'm wearing all black on country roads.  Not going to lie - I got nervous... I wasn't prepared for the temps, was scared a car was going to hit me or a coyote was going to grab me... just when I saw headlights coming at me & stopping.  It was ok, I saw the "JESUS ROCKS" on the front of the truck... my husband.  Ricky said, Get in the car - its dark!!! ... I told him to let me run just a quarter more mile to round it off & I ended up with only getting in 5.50 miles... BUT after all the walking I did in the session earlier, I got in over 10 miles for the day... that's gotta count... right?

* Screw it... after my shower, I was too tired to work on pictures.  I knocked out quick!

* We've found Sydney is more comfortable at night with the TV on.  She can't hear well anymore so we can put it on MUTE, but if you wake up, you'll find her sitting up just watching TV, keeping an eye out for any one that runs, or any animal that crosses the screen. 

* Its not fun waking up every hour with some sort of scary barking where Sydney feels like she's protecting us from the creature on TV

Sunday

* My turn to teach... & look who came to church with me to be part of my lesson...(I'll talk more about that in tomorrow's post)

Call him Pastor Harvey

* We took Harvey home real quick & headed down to Target & about half way on the way there, I gasped & screamed, "OH MY GOSH"... we didn't even think about it, but we let Harvey out of his kennel & not contained in any way... he had free roam of the WHOLE HOUSE.  Something we NEVER do.  I was a nervous wreck.  We just hoped he was exhausted from the exciting morning at church that he would just sleep.

* I had horrible images of what our house was going to look like

I completely expected my couch to look like this

* CHEERS FOR HARVEY... not one things was tore up!!!!  Does he get a little more freedom now?  We'll see... because an hour after we were home, he was eating a can he found out in the yard.

* Don't ask me how a can got in our backyard.  It was a drink can I don't even drink.  We're finding weird things in our yard.  Don't know if someone is throwing it over, or what's happening.....  strange....

* Had stopped at Starbucks for mine & Ricky's new routine of Café Mocha's on Sunday... they messed mine up.  It was DISGUSTING!  I think it was some sort of latte.  That's 2 Starbuck drinks in 2 weeks that I had to throw away... make that 2 & 3/4 drinks because I had to throw out that gallon size Trena drink... I couldn't drink it all.

* Once Upon a Time... Please sing a song from Wicked....

* I'm really liking that new show "Resurrection" ...

So did you have a relaxing weekend?  Feeling recharged & renewed?

Friday Fragments

It's been a long week....

But we've made it to Friday!!!

 

_____________________

 

Anyone else still riding the Weather Roller Coaster?

It was 70 degrees on Tuesday... snow on Wednesday

Its going to be in the 60's today & tomorrow... snow on Sunday

 

how I feel every time I open my door

 

This is so messed up!  Spring is next week!

I know its usually warm & things are blooming....

now?  I'm still seeing piles of snow that won't melt.

 

________________________

 

What the heck happened to that missing plane?

Anyone else freaked out about that?

 

Just reinforces my fear of flying.

Now its not even about crashing... its about just plain disappearing

 

___________________________

 

When we were in the hospital with my dad, my phone rang.

I have the ringtone from "Party Rock Anthem"

Yep... it kicks off, "Every day I'm shuffling" & then that cool dance beat

... it went off with the nurse in the room & my brother, being my brother, said

"Well, that's just embarrassing"

 

I loved that the nurse said, "I kinda like it"

YES! Score one for me.

 

But now I'm a little conscious about my ringtone

I actually just downloaded "Do you want to build a snowman" from Frozen as a ringtone....

any less embarrassing?

 

_____________________________

Speaking of Frozen...

I'm so giddy about the movie coming out on video!!!!
Ricky asked me, "Are you really getting it?"

I said, Yes... & we'll watch it once a week



_________________________________

 

Finally finished the book "Gone Girl"

I just haven't been able to read like I want to lately

 

I feel like this is one of those books you can't say anything about because you don't want to give away any sort of mystery about the book.

 

I'll just say, I hated the language in it (geezzzz!!!) & the ending? Not sure how I feel about it. I guess everything is messed up about the whole life of the book anyways.

 

Cant wait for it to come out in the theater now!

 

now that I've read the book... this looks even more awesome to me

 

______________________________

 

Anyone else have Windows 8 & still hate it as much as I do?

Do you know it doesn't play DVD's!!!!

I went to put in my Jillian Michael's work out DVD the other day & nothing...

I pulled out another movie... nothing..

 

I look on line & it says Windows 8 won't play things like that

... you have to download some sort of program..

& PURCHASE something that makes it easy & simple.

 

Really?  I HATE WINDOWS 8!!!!!!

 

 

Who thought, "Hey let's take away one of the features of a laptop that everyone uses?"

Let me meet that person so I can throw my dvd's at their face.

 

_______________________________

 

I'm sorry...

the song by Pharrell, "Happy"

 

... it gets on my nerves something fierce...

 

But yes, I'll end up snapping my fingers to it.

 

__________________________________

 

I'm caught up with the Walking Dead

 

Now what to binge watch?

 

I'm thinking I may try out House of Cards.

I love Kevin Spacey...

just hoping I can follow.

I'm not good with politics...

but if its as good as Scandal?  I'll give it a try.

 

Frank Underwood... let's see if you are as good as Olivia Pope

 

________________________________

 

I keep hearing about 'Drunk in Love" by Beyoncé

... I went to You Tube to look at the lyrics...

 

I now feel my brain just became more stupid

 

What is wrong with songs today?

I remember when George Michael's "I want your sex" was the most controversial thing around, & it was actually about monogamy.... & only have showings of the video on at the top of the hour so you can make sure your kids weren't watching it.

 

Now?  Turn on the radio & holy disgusting lyrics...

I'm scared for the next generation

I just like adding in Schmidt whenever I can

 

_____________________________

 

 Funny of the Day:
Frozen Honest Movie Trailer...
the end where it introduces Idina Menzel ... still cracks me up...

 

 

 

 

 

#ProjectThankful14

 

Another week full of things to be thankful for!!

 

 

03.06.14 - Edamame!!!

 

 

I am so thankful for finding these individual bags at Sam's Club. 

Add this to my "MUST GET" list when I go to Sam's.

That list gets longer every time I go there.

 

 

 

 

03.07.14 - Forgiveness

 

 

We had our Children's Ministry, "The Backyard" Friday night.

The message is tailored for kids, but its always great reminders for adults.

Forgive as God has forgiven us.

 

 

 

 

03.08.14 New Kicks

 

 

Headed to the running store & came out with some sporty new shoes.

Brooks Ravenna 4... hello beautiful

 

 

 

 

03.09.14 More Sunlight!!!

 

 

As much as I hate loosing that hour, I do love that the sun is still shining at 8 pm

... I don't love how dirty my windows are...

BUT since we're talking "Thankful" - I'm thankful I HAVE windows :)

 

 

 

03.10.14 AAAAHHHHH!!!!

 

 

Ricky got me this back massager Christmas 2012...

it still is one of my favorite things in the house.

It really gets in the spot & works out the kinks.

I sat in this chair for 45 minutes watching "The Bachelor" :)

 

 

 

03.11.14 Straight Hair

 

 

FINALLY... got my color all glossy shinny again...

& STRAIGHT!

I don't know how hairdressers do it

 

 

 

03.12.14 - Warmth in cold

 

 

It was 70 degrees the day before & it dropped down to the teens again with snow flurries.... WHY?  Just WHY????

So I tried to make the best out of a cold night with a warm drink.

I'm not normally a 'mint' drinker, but this was really smooth & yummy.

 

 

What are you thankful for this week?

 

Hodgepodge

Wednesday... let's podge the hodge

1. Do you have an interest in learning about your family's heritage? Why or why not? If you know a little bit about your roots, share an interesting piece of trivia or a fun fact about someone who goes way back on your family tree.

I have family members that are awesome about that... lucky for me. I get to learn things without doing all the work.

Fun Fact:  It would be my great-great-great-great (maybe one more great) grandfather was friends with Abraham Lincoln.  He convinced him to go into politics.  Its documented actually.  His last name is Wood - so if you ever come across that, know my family is awesome.

PARTY ON!!!!

2. Branch Rickey, the baseball exec credited with signing Jackie Robinson, is credited as saying-"Luck is the residue of design."

Agree or disagree? Why?

mmm.... quotes confuse me...let's move on

3. In the town where you currently reside, what's your favorite green space?

Well, hello!!!!  I live in the town of GREENVILLE...
enough said...


4. Who is your favorite comedian?

I LOVE comedy... I mean LOVE IT!  & I could go on for days about this one.  But I instantly had 2 names pop to my head...

Kathy Griffin ... the harsh red head that has no boundaries

Gotta cheer on a funny red head
even if I do want to clean her mouth out with soap sometimes

& Tim Hawkins ... the Christian comedian

See?  I love my comedians... covering a lot of range here...

I love Sarah Silverman, Jerry Seinfield, Tina Fey... I just love funny people period.


5. March is National Nutrition Month, and almost everyone needs to improve their diet in some way. What about you? How can you improve your nutrition on a daily basis? Will you try?

I've been trying for YEARS to do this...

My daily goal though? checking to see how many fruits and veggies I get in a day.  It always surprises me how few I get even while I try to eat healthy.

6. Which of these green expressions have you 'experienced' in recent weeks-green with envy, green thumb, green around the gills, or give the green light? Explain.

Green Thumb...

& as in, I don't have one...

me trying to keep a plant alive

7. What is one place you don't mind waiting?

In my bed... waiting for the alarm to go off.... while I'm still sleeping

8. Insert your own random thought here.

So I went to open a new jar of peanut butter today... & saw it was CRUNCHY & not CREAMY!!!

I realize how spoiled we are in America when I almost cried...

My reaction when I opened up the jar & saw actual peanuts in there

I've got to go out of my way to get Creamy today.  Crunch is just gross.

#firstworldproblems