Running a 5K...and Other Miracles

Just a little over a year ago I couldn't hardly walk to the mailbox without huffing and puffing. Since that time I have made some major changes in the way I eat and (gasp ... the "e" word) exercise. I would have rather taken a beating than exercise. But one Sunday afternoon my sister invited me to play racquetball at the YMCA, it turned out to be a lot more fun than I had imagined. I joined that afternoon and it has changed the ugly "e" word to something I look forward to everyday. After many months of working at it I lost 50 pounds and started my own training plan to begin running.

This cold morning at 8:30 a.m. my sister and I set out to run our first 5K! It was so much fun, and even though we didn't break any records it was a record for me just to be able to run at all, much less run over 3 miles.

I have to give her a hard time for not putting her bib on the front of her shirt. You know how it can be with sisters: "I'm doing it right, and your not!"

Here we are at the starting line, or at least as close as we could get with 600+ runners. My daughter was so sweet to come and cheer us one and take pictures.

Here we are crossing the finish line in less than 36 minutes! Whoo-hoo!

Baby Dish

I really don't know why, but every time I go into an antique store I am drawn toward the baby things. One item that has interested me are the vintage ceramic baby warming dishes with stoppers. Unfortunately they have all been priced between $30 - $50, which is much more than I would pay for one.

A couple of weeks ago while browsing around the Goodwill store I can across this one for $2.00! It's from the 1940's and has a rubber bladder inside to hold the hot water. It looks cute on my high chair.

Sunday Morning Visitors

As you may have read from an earlier post my little dog Melanie died several years ago, and I miss her so much. She was part Schnauzer and part mutt, but she was a great dog. Last year my neighbors got two miniture Schnauzers, Elvis and Lucy, who come by to visit often. It probably doesn't hurt that I treat them to animal crackers! Last Sunday they greeted me at the door, and it made my day.

Lucy decided to come back for seconds. Aren't they just the cutest?!

Fishin'

For several days last week my son would stop by after work and thow his line in a little pond near by. He loves fishing as much as my daddy used to, which brings back a lot of sweet memories for he and I both.

My son, the man...still my little boy.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

Burrr, it is really cold! Well for us it is really cold, even though it is about 30 degrees warmer here than it is in other parts of the country. Actually when I took this picture it had already warmed up from 6 degrees. With it being this cold the best thing to do is snuggle in and start being creative.

My girl friends and I got together and started making Valentines cards. It was a great day.

Going Cold Turkey

Every year this time the Girl Scouts begin their annual cookie sale. Being a former Girl Scout myself I like to support the cause; but this year I have decided (sigh), no THIN MINTS for me.

This is how it used to go: "Hello, I'm selling Girl Scout cookies. Would you like to support our group?" Then I start to remember how much I love those little crunchy dark chocolate minty wafers. . .mmm. . . always wanting to support our young girls, I buy at least three boxes.

Then they are delivered and the money is hardly out of my hand before the box is torn open. I think I'll just eat a few...oh no just a few more...then the entire plastic sleeve of cookies is gone! Put them up, put them up!! They start calling me from my desk drawer...just one more won't hurt. Oh my gosh, the entire box is gone and the two remaining will be gone soon too.

Well I just can't let that happen this year, so I am giving up my beloved THIN MINTS farewell, my little mint chocolate friends; it was nice while it lasted.

Thin Mint Trivia: Thin mints are the most popular Girl Scout cookie. They make up 25% of total cookie sales, and have always come in a dark green box.

A Cube With A View

Several years ago my office was moved to a new building, which was great except that I moved from an office to a cubicle. In fact we all moved from offices to cubicles, so I was not the only one who had some major adjusting to do. No more door to close. No more quiet, undistrubed time to concentrate on work. Now it is sort of like the Dilbert cartoon. Nothing like spending the day listening to your co-workers yell into the speakerphone while you are trying to concentrate on the project at hand. No more getting up and going to someones office or calling them on the phone, everyone just yells their questions across the entire office. Oh well, such is the life when working in a cube farm. But that is fine, I am just so thankful in this current economy that I have a job. It is just that working from a cube changes the dynamics of office work.

But I do have one major bonus; my cube has a view! A couple of days ago I followed this storm as it came and went. Beautiful.

Out With the Old - In With the New

Well its the start of a new year, and there is so much to do around here!
- Take down the Christmas decorations . . . CHECK
- Vacuum and dust the entire house . . . CHECK
- Wash clothes . . . CHECK
- Clean out the refrigerator and throw away all the left over holiday junk food. . . CHECK
- Go to the grocery store for some healthy food . . . CHECK
- Whip up some white chicken chili in the crock pot . . . CHECK

Whew, with that taken care of I look out the kitchen window and see my poor bird feeder has just about had it! The squirrels had chewed off almost all of the plastic perches, and my husband had replaced those with wooden dowels. It had definitely seen its better days.

So off to Lowe's to look for a new one. After pondering for what seemed like such a long time, and after several attempts from Lowe's staff to assist me, I had just about made up my mind. The store security probably radioed them to see why that woman was fondling all of the bird feeders for an hour! This was a big decision! Or at least I make things like this out to be...will the rain get into the feeder; how easy is it to fill up; will the squirrels be able to chew it up; how much feed will it hold, and on and on.

I finally decided on this big beautiful red metal one. But of course the display was all they had in stock, so one of the helpful associates pulled a ladder over and got it down for me.

When I opened the top and looked inside there were two suet cages that hooked to the sides. I bought Apple Treat Sweet and Orange Delight suet, as well as a bag of fresh 20 lb bag of seed. Best of all when I got to the check out it was on sale!

Okay my little bird friends, come and get it!

Historic West End Holiday Tour

Every other year the West End Historic District in our town hosts an afternoon of touring local homes. I have always wanted to go into some of these beautiful old homes just to see how they are decorated, and admire the old woodwork and design of the structure. These homes were all built in the early 1900's - 1930's. When my friend asked if I would like to spend a recent Sunday afternoon walking through these beautiful homes, I jumped at the opportunity. It was a nice cool day but at least it wasn't raining...well at least not for the first hour or so. This is when my sweet husband comes to our rescue and chauffers us to the rest of the homes! Now how sweet is that!?!

Saint Paul's Episcopal Church was our last stop. The stained glass windows are beautiful.

It's The Day After Christmas ...

And all thorough the house, I see things that need to be done . . . maybe next year.

For Unto Us A Child Is Born

Merry Christmas to you all!

Christmas Eve ... and the shoppings done

All of the shopping is finished and gifts are wrapped; ready to settle in for a joyous Christmas with my family. Hope Santa Clause is good to you all.

Peace

I took this picture yesterday on my way home from work. I love the evening sky.

Draw neigh to God and He will draw neigh to you.
~ James 4:8

A New Look

I have been toying with the idea of updating my blog layout. Here is my first crack at it...how do you think it looks?

Pink and Blue Christmas?

I love this paper! I found it in a local scrapbook store and I was drawn to the vintage designs. Pink and blue are not the usual Christmas colors but they will be perfect for making cards; which by the way is one of my new hobbies. Maybe I can get creative and make an advent tree with the numbered paper. Christmas is so near and I am still have not sent out our Christmas cards; well the cards and Advent tree are going on the list of "to do's"

Christmas Open House

Welcome to my Christmas Open House! Please come in and enjoy some hot apple cider while we munch on fresh baked Christmas cookies. Let's sit for a bit while we reminisce about this past year; it has went by so fast, hasn't it? While it is fun to decorate and celebrate Christmas lets remember the real reason for it all . . . the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ . . .

May God's blessings be with you all this Christmas Season and as we welcome in 2009!