Recipe for love

I was speaking to my aunt the other day and mentioned how as I grow older and remain single each day, I have a list of ideals that my future hubby "Nigel" will have. Nigel will of course be a Christian, make me laugh, be good-looking more because of his personality than his face, be social (but like to stay in and hangout with just me), be a total foodie like myself, love country music, be athletic, will share the love of traveling and England, come from old money and be independently wealthy, carry a tune/enjoy karaoke, love my family, ski, love to cook, and pretty much worship the ground I walk on. Of course I followed up my comment with the fact that once the real Nigel shows up, I will love him and none of the above may apply. And that's ok! I'll have Nigel.

My aunt merely replied, "that's good."

A few days after this conversation, once again I was speaking with my aunt (we do tend to talk almost everyday, or at least twice a week) and she told me about a little moment between her and my uncle. She told me that she was telling Unkie how she had decided to lose some weight and just be good about eating as she isn't happy with her weight right now. He looked at her and remarked how beautiful he thought she was and that he loved her. I might also add here that this is after 25 years of marriage. I think perhaps a few PG-13 things happened after that comment -- aka holding hands -- but if Nigel could still think I'm beautiful in 25 years, no matter how I might age, that would be perfect.

Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman, is a novel that was adapted into a movie almost a decade ago. The story surrounds 2 sisters, who have a bit of witchcraft magic inside of them. The book was excellent, the movie changed the story completely, but one thing that did remain was the character Sally Owens' (played by Sandra Bullock) recipe for her perfect man. She included ideals such as he would have one blue eye and one green (or was it brown?) eye and that he could flip pancakes in the air while making them. Silly as it seemed when she was young, he came along and at just the right moment, fitting her recipe exactly.

Will Nigel actually be the man I have described above? Most likely not. However, he will love me, worship the ground I walk on, and still find me beautiful after 25 years, that I know.

So hurry up and get here, would you?

Keep the faith

Week 5 – still going strong!

Today I completed Day 2 of Couch to 5K’s Week 5 running program. This week is a bit trickier than the previous four. The first four weeks hold the same running/walking interval for all 3 days within each week. However, here is the Week 5 breakdown:

Day 1 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, 3 intervals of 5-minute runs, with 3-minute brisk walk rests in-between the runs, cool down 5 minute walk
Day 2 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, Run for 8 minutes, rest (brisk walk) for 5 minutes, Run 8 minutes, cool down 5 minute walk
Day 3 – Brisk 5 minute warm-up, Run for 20 minutes, cool down 5 minute walk

I struggled to run on day 1. I thought, if I can barely do these three 5-minute runs, how can I possibly run for 8 minutes, TWICE, in 2 days, let alone run for 20 minutes in 4 days?! Plus, my first 5k is less than a fortnight away! So after I got home I spoke to my running buddy, my Auntie, who is running the 5k with me, to tell her of my worries and woes.

She reminded me that even the best runners have off days. Even she, who runs a 5k 3 times a week already, has off days where she really struggles to run. She went on to say that I’ll do great in the race and if we have to walk, so what?! We’re in this together.

Her words were encouraging and just what I needed to hear. She was right and I knew that. I recently read a blog entry about training for a race. The writer talks about the new Miley Cyrus song, “The Climb,” and about training says, “I love the training more than the actual race…the process of life more than the "perfect" moments at the end.” Her point is that “no matter how many mountains we manage to summit (or move), there is always another. And the process is what we have to enjoy: the riding, the running—even on an aching foot in the rain.” She loves that the MC song encapsulates this very idea. And yet, as I listen to the song, what I hear most is MC's line that says:

Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb, yeah!
Keep on moving, keep climbing
Keep the faith, baby

So keep the faith, it’s what is keeping me going. I prayed this morning that I would be able to complete the 8-minute runs. Was it hard? YES. Was it hot out? YES. Did I do it? YES YES YES! Keep the faith, it’s all about the climb.

Old Faithful

When I was younger, there was this woman who either walked or jogged along our street everyday. Since my parents continued to see her day after day, they began calling her “Old Faithful.” We’d drive by and they’d say, “theeeere’s Old Faithful!” Eventually she must have picked a different route, so we stopped seeing her.

Today I officially became this little city’s version of Old Faithful. There was I was, chugging along on a running interval for week 5 of Couch to 5K and I was passing moms and kids heading to the local elementary school. I headed up one of the hills and as I reached the top, I saw the crossing guard (CG) watching me and saw her say something. So I pulled out my iPod earbud and said a breathless, “What?!”

She proceeded to tell me that I looked fantastic and remarked that I’m going to lose a ton of weight. I laughed and said that I hoped so, having already lost about 8 lbs. She then asked if it was just from the running, which it isn’t of course, so I told her I’m working on eating healthy and nutritious too. CG then asked what a typical breakfast, lunch, and dinner was for me, she said, “a lot of salads, huh?” Answering this question was actually difficult. What do I eat that I could tell her to make it sound possible? Her question reminded me of celebrity weight loss articles that share in little boxes what that celebrity eats. It always seems so blah and like oh sure, she can do it, she’s a celebrity! Of course when I mentioned that it wasn’t always salads and that I try to be creative, turning my favorite meals into a healthier option, she kind of nodded and started talking about Weight Watchers POINTS. I told her I wasn’t doing a diet, that I had joined FirstPlace4Health at my church and it was about balancing my life – spiritually, mentally, emotionally, and physically. She seemed very interested. Then 2 children came along who needed help crossing the street, so that ended our conversation. As I was gearing up to head off again, she shouted that she would see me again and was excited about watching me progress.

Becoming the new Old Faithful? It feels awesome.

Obsessed

WELL!

It's been absolute ages since my last post -- almost 2 months! But there's a reason, or an excuse rather. I've been obsessed with myself! And in a good way! I have some new loves in my life which I had been ignoring before. As a result, I’ve been focusing on these things and just ignoring my blog. So I apologize and I’ll try to be better about writing.

Here are my loves (aka my obsessions):

• Couch to 5K – I’ve been following this podcast to get myself into running shape, enough to run a 5k in 9 weeks. I’m on week 4 and moving steadily along! My first 5k is this coming Saturday (which I’m choosing to walk), but then on June 17th, I’ll actually be running that one! And it feels great. I’m starting to feel like the runner I was before.
• Food/Dieting blogs – Since deciding to get healthy, I am on the constant search to read about other people’s weigh loss struggles and also to read their recipes and tips. It helps with the motivation!
• Books – I can finally read guilt-free again as the sales season comes to a close. And have I ever been reading! It’s a good escape.
• Being crafty – In addition to reading, I’m getting in touch with my crafty side. Just finished an embroidery project, working on sewing next. I love it!

I think that may be it! The list seems short, but it definitely is taking up a bit of time. I’m a happier girl for sure!

Just forget the world...

The band Snow Patrol sings a line in one of their songs that I just love: “If I lay here, if I just lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world.”

As far back as I can remember, if I was unhappy or upset or mad, it has always helped to just lie down. When I was younger, my grandmother, Narnny, would always say, “let’s go upstairs and lie down for just a few minutes.” I would protest and claim that I was already too old for naps, but she would promise that it would only be for a few minutes. Yet, somehow she knew that a nap or simply to lay there was just what I needed. And sleep I would. Later after waking up, I would ask how long she had lain there with me. She would smile and reply that it was just a few minutes and then I had fallen asleep.

On Sunday, my brother told me that he is joining the army to complete EMT training through one of their programs. I know that a lot of men and women join the army, but this just hit me hard – it’s my brother. I just couldn’t stomach the news and didn’t sleep very well that night, since my mind was racing with all those horrible what-ifs.

Monday dawned bright and early for me, but as I told my mother, I was just stupid. I tried to go to campus, but returned home shortly feeling deflated and not quite sure what to do with myself. I called my mom and she suggested I lay down for a few minutes. She told me that she had done that herself on Saturday night (after she had heard the news) and that solace of laying there had somehow made it seemingly better for the moment.

I lay down on my bed and soon after drifted off to sleep. Hours later I woke up and although my head and heart kept thinking about Seth, somehow my perspective changed during that nap. I’ve come to terms with his decision and know that everything happens according to God’s plan. I need to trust in him and know that he is in control.

For some reason, it helps to simply lie down for a few minutes or more. Whether I’m lying there awake, silently crying, or fast asleep in a matter of minutes, there is something soothing about lying there, just to forget about the world.

Just a phone call away

One of my closest friends is a gal that first arrived on my school bus when I was in the 8th grade and she was in 7th. Although our friendship didn't quite bloom until we were in high school, I happily count her as one of the people (outside of my family) who knows and understands me the best.

Since one of my biggest faults is the fact that I don't like calling people or really returning phone calls in general, I need friends who are similar. That being said, a friend that I can call after any length of time and be able to pick up where we left off, is the ideal mate for me. Which is exactly why my friendship with B is so perfect.

B called me this afternoon to check on me and see if I was ok since she had heard from another friend of our's that I am unhappy with my job. I basically answered the phone to hear her blurting out, "OMG, it's been too long, what is going on with your job I hear you're unhappy and I need to know everything about it."

After we caught up and chatted about work and life and being grown-ups, we hung up with promises to see one another soon. Even if I didn't spend the afternoon with her or talk to her for more than a half hour, I love her even more for calling me to find out what is going on in my life, the more negative aspect. Plus, she got it. She completely understood why I'm unhappy and encouraged me to look elsewhere to find a workplace where I'll be happier. It's nice to be thought of, considered, and appreciated for who I am. I just love friends like that!

I'll be missing you a "latte"

So I’ve made a decision. And I need you, my readers, to hold me accountable. Here goes:

I’ve just bought my last cup of coffee.

Sigh. I’ve said it. I am sitting here in Starbucks, a place I’ve found all over the world to be one of familiarity and comfort. NO MORE. I’m doing a little experiment for my wallet and not.purchasing.coffee.from.anywhere. Well, to be more specific, I won’t be purchasing a cup of coffee from a coffee shop. Rather, I will be seen buying it at the grocery store in bulk and making it for myself at home.

I realize that sometimes it’s not just one coffee purchase a day. Sometimes it’s 2...or…well, no need for a full confession here. You get the point. Travelling around like I do will make this difficult as a medium-iced-french-vanilla-with-extra-cream-and-2-splenda makes a great companion for those hour plus drives. Luckily, sometimes I get one with my corporate card to count as a “snack/refreshment” while I’m on the road. Being the lonely rep girl, I tend to use coffee as an excuse for me to be out and about wherever I find myself. And yet, I don’t need the excuse of coffee to get out, I just need ME! And my two legs. I can make a coffee at home, use those lovely “to go” cups that I buy and then march myself out my front door and go for a walk. Plus! All of the hotels I stay at either have free coffee in the lobby or coffeemakers in the room itself complete with to-go cups. So next time we hangout, unless you’re treating, this gal will be coffee purchase free. Sigh. It’s a little hard to say, even if I am just writing it.

Ironically, my biggest encouragement will come from the enemy itself. After all, it is Dunkin’ Donuts who says:

YOU ‘KIN DO IT!