Disclaimer: This post was written over two days ago, but I still think it’s a fun one to share with y’all!

Today was such a great day! I think I really needed a day just like this one too, I feel rejuvenated and I also feel relieved. I feel rejuvenated because I ran farther than my normal runs (9 miles, woot-woot!), and my body feels great! I feel relieved because I did fear that I wouldn’t have been able to do it, a nine mile run was a typical one day a week thing for me a year ago. I was always training for something, so I wanted to be in tip-top shape!  For a while my runs were minimum 7 miles and I didn’t even feel complete then, but over time I’ve learned that it’s quality not quantity. Stay tuned for tomorrow’s post where I discuss my past eating, exercise, and lifestyle.

Back to today! It was snowing all morning, after I had breakfast I decided to read a little bit. Obviously I’m getting closer and closer to the end, I enjoy this book but it’s a downer. I sometimes wish I didn’t like non-fiction so much, my imagination leads me to become part of the story. I’m currently reading Standard Operating Procedure by Philip Gourevitch. It’s a very insightful read, but it’s one moment in our country’s history I wish never happened. Anywho, after reading for a bit I went on my merry way to the gym. I had intentions of running a long one, but I just kept going, and going, and going…

During my run I was watching True Life: I’m Deaf…whoa, that was amazing! It’s amazing how determined people are to hurdle obstacles. As I was thinking about how difficult it was for someone who is hearing impaired, I thought about how much importance we give to things we CAN control, but can’t seem to find it’s niche to counter it. Take, for example, the deaf community. They want so badly to be able to hear feet on the ground, the sound of chatter, or a door bell ring but they cannot. People of all kinds worry so much about this pound or that pound, the newest video game, player trade, or who’s dating who in the celebrity world. Take a second to think about that…do any of those things really matter? No, they are wonderful things to have but they’re not necessities.  What I’m trying to say is that we can control our pleasures and temptations much more than a different hand at life. We don’t appreciate what we should, and we should feel privileged because our able bodies do so much for us to keep us running. Sometimes it’s important for us to take a step back, appreciate what we have rather than not, and enjoy our bodies/lives/and those who are in our lives for what they are! I realized all of this while running!

Well, blog lovers…I suppose I better get going. I have quite a few things to accomplish before I head to bed.

First, though, what do you appreciate? Have you ever had an epiphany and had a moment of self reflection? Lata tatas!

Alright! This wasn’t exactly the traditional Christmas my family is used to having. I’m thinking it was about 5 years ago (about the time I went to college) that my family began to have something other than ham as the main course for Christmas dinner. I think the Food Network transformed the way we do things for the holidays. Well, that and the daughters going vegetarian, vegan, and quasi-vegetarian. So, to say the least we have seen quite a few different recipes make an appearance at the table.

Well, I can’t exactly say that our dinner was a disaster. I can, however, say that no one planned for sides, we didn’t have an apple pie (my favorite), and the rolls weren’t rising- not once or twice, but 3 times! Luckily, we managed to throw some things together and it all worked out, the rolls were good but slightly different from the normal, fluffy ones, and I chose chocolate. Oh yes, I reached for the chocolate. I don’t know what came over me, was it the Wilbur buds or the homemade fudge (courtesy of my cousin Tina…woot-woot!) that threw me through a loop? I’m not sure, all I know is that I ate more chocolate tonight than I do in an entire year. That’s the truth! I’m more of a sweet, candy type person. Gimme a bag o’ jelly beans and I’m a happy gal, but I threw tradition out the window and reached for a much more palatable treat! So, thank you Wilbur Bud Chocolate Co and thank you Tina!

It began to snow tonight, it’s beautiful! I’ve been waiting for the snow to reach the sticking point, being from NWI I am able to identify sticking snow and non-sticking snow. I’m sure anyone who comes from the Midwest can tell the difference, I like to think that those of us near lakefronts REALLY experience winter effects. Jeesh…we often wonder if winter ever ends…I like to think that I can handle any weather condition. I honestly think I can experience warm, cold, rain, shine, sleet, and a blizzard in a 24 hour period. Kinda crazy…that’s how I know I’m close to home! It’s funny, people from the Midwest are obsessed with the weather. People (often strangers) start a conversation asking about the weather, or commenting about how the weather has been…boring, right? It’s the Midwestern way, we never know what to expect. It’s almost like the lottery…only not nearly as exciting as winning free money. But…we can still wake up and say SURPRISE!

I’m planning a long run tomorrow…actually, I’m planning on running a mini! I’m in the process of convincing the mancandy (yep, my boy) to run a race. Which race you ask? The Indy mini-marathon! We will actually be in the same country at the same time! It’s great, actually, for those of you who don’t know. There are certain races that coordinate with a liaison (that’s what I’m going to call them, but they’re really a coordinator) at Army posts, so they can participate while abroad. I think it’s such a great opportunity for those who are deployed to stay motivated, fit, and to feel connected to family and friends at home. My sister, Jennifer, and I don’t live in the same town. Luckily we live in the same state, but we’ve always lived a distance away. Well, Jennifer is my running partner. She’s been my training buddy ever since I began running races. We went through the tough runs together, the de-motivating runs, the fun runs, long bike rides, and I can’t forget our rewarding treat nights! Ice cream…nom nom nom! Let me tell you, a support system is the greatest thing you can have….wherever you get it! Support, support, support! Well, this time I might have to work a little harder to make sure he follows through with runnin’! I, really, just want him to appreciate the fact that he can do it! That’s the best part…well, that and knowing that I can have an amazing dessert afterwards!

So, that’s my newest motivation…thing to look forward to…and thing to work for. I would definitely like to train for a triathalon in the future. If you must know, I think a half-Ironman would be really stellar! It’s a mind over matter mission, though. I’ll stick with the half for now!

Well, I must know. What was your Christmas like? Did you have any new memories? Dishes you definitely have to have again? Things you wish didn’t find themselves on the table?

I hope you all had an amazing Christmas! Oooo, Oooo, Oooo….I forgot to mention I got a really neat LED headlight! Haha, YEP! It’s a headband with a light so I can run in the dark, be hands free and work out in the dark, or be my cool self and rock the light! It’s great! I’ll have to let you know how it works out!

Merry Christmas!

I cannot begin to tell you how much better I feel about myself once I get ready, my spirit is lifted and I feel so much more confident! Of course there is also something to be said about lounging around in pajamas, sweat pants or workout pants, but for the sake of my sanity I like knowing that I look as if I care about my appearance when going out in public. All too often I go out and see people who look as if they haven’t taken a shower or brushed their hair in days, I never have or ever will understand that. It shows that people no longer care about what they look like, and that, to me, is a shame. I think people should always care about how they present themselves to others, I want to be taken seriously…don’t you? As a young person I am already dismissed due to my lack of experience, I always have something to prove to my superiors and I like that feeling. I don’t want to think that things come easy for me, if I had everything on my side than there wouldn’t be a reason to work harder or make goals for myself. I don’t want attention because of my physical appearance, but I want the necessary attention to be given an opportunity. I hate to say it, but they way we carry ourselves has its place in determining our worth. In college my professors would often make that point when talking about hiring credentials, if you look as if you don’t care than why should they care about hiring you? My mother always made sure we left the house looking our best, we didn’t always have name brands or the best, but we certainly dressed according to mom standards…in case you were interested, they were mom-approved standards so thay must have been good! Being overlooked has never been an option for me.

My grandmother continues to dress up when her and my grandfather go out for dinner. Now, they may be the only people in the restaurant who are dressed up, but that’s the way it used to be and certainly should be. People dressed up to go to the movies, dinner, or for an outing at a friend’s house. Wearing a pair of slacks and a nice shirt is not hard to muster for anyone, certainly most people have those hanging in their closets! That may be a bit of a stretch nowadays, but I still dress for the occasion. I like being pictaresque rather than embarrased to take a picture ( like during those lounging days), we don’t have to be perfect but if we try it’s better than not!

I’m eclectic in terms of my style, I like to wear a little bit of everything. I do, however, have my favorite colors and personal touches, but for the most part I’m pretty conservative and tasteful in my appearance. I love outlets, so I tend to mix most things together. I’m not a brand lover, and I don’t typically prefer brands over others. If you look into my closet I have a plethora of brands, cuts, and styles. I mix and match clothes that I’ve had for years, and yes, I do have a very full closet. I can’t seem to part with some things for the sake of me thinking I will have a chance to wear it someday. Most of the things in my closet are bargain finds, and I am cheap. I like more for less! Marshalls….my favorite store! I love it! I always find the best clothes for great bargains. I suggest all of you go, it’s the greatest store! I like comfy, conservative, tasteful, and casual clothes. Those work for me, and I get complements so I must be assembling pieces alright! I dress for my body type and I dress for the occasion, but I don’t like to make a big fuss! I’m a plain Jane, but I do occasionally like to experiment with new styles. It’s better for me to assemble like pieces than to not care at all.

I love jeans, sweaters, tee’s, button-ups, flat knee boots, scarves, and flips (that’s flip-flops for those of you who don’t know my lingo!). I pair anything with everything and I have fun doing it. I don’t tend to think too hard about what to wear, but we all have our days…right?

Have you ever gone into a store and been shocked by what you saw? Have you ever been anxious to leave as a result? What makes you feel better about yourself? Is there any one item that you cannot live without?