Back to School tomorrow!!!!

Although he is very well behaved, Zachary heads back to school tomorrow.  He is very low maintenance but I like being able to do the things that I like to do without worrying I am taking time away from him.  Plus his new XBOX is hooked up to the TV I do PIYO on.

My running has improved so much over the last month.  I have reached my goal to get back to where I was before I got injured.  It has been a long road, but I am pleased at the results.  This morning I got out the door early for a nine mile run.  I am amazed how yesterday I was running in shorts and a tank top and today I had to wear winter gear.  

This blog is covering two days, as I forgot to post it yesterday.  It was not that I was too busy because one of my goals was to start going to bed earlier and waking up earlier which has really been awesome.  I just forgot.  

So I had another great run, spent an extra day with Zachary, and just enjoyed being happy.  

A few quotes,

For so long, I sat around feeling sorry for myself, contemplating if life was worth living.  I did this because I thought that a person other than myself was responsible for my existence.  After several years of thinking like this, I finally realized that only I could make myself happy.  It was not easy to let go 

of what was holding me hostage but I had to in order to see that there was a life worth living.  I still have sad moments but I know how to handle them.  I guess I owe a huge thank you to the person who I held onto for so long.  Without that experience I would not be so strong today.  I am a believer in "what doesn't kill us only makes us stronger."  Enough with the sad things. 

I am really looking forward to a great race season.  I feel like all the hard work has finally paid off.  Running is my way of lettting go of negativity, I leave it out there with the miles.  

What I  have to work on now is comparision.  I am always comparing myself to others.  Whether I am comparing running times, or how to be a better mother.  I need to accept that I do the best that I can.

I guess being a perfectionist has its downside.  

Do you compare yourself to others?

Are you glad that school is back in?  I AM

What makes you happy?

Rain out Saturday

I was extemely motivated to run today.  Got up and out the door I went. Five miles into my planned thirteen mile run, I had to call it.  The rain was so strong that I did not think drivers would be able to see me.  I like to run in the rain, however, my safety was more important.  I came home and did my PIYO workout.

This morning prior to my run, I was looking out the window at my birdfeeder and there were nine male cardinals.  They are so beautiful, and in the field behind the house there was several deer grazing.

I got this picture off the internet, I remember when I lived in Pennsylvania in the winter seeing them like this.  Unfortunately we don't get snow like this in Memphis.

Are you planning on making any New Year resolutions?  I prefer to call them goals. I am working on mine now.  So far I have a couple, to get my run pace to seven minutes and fifty five seconds.  Get back to my goal weight of 125, which seems impossible. Complete a race every month.  

I have a feeling that 2015 is going to be a much better year, with endless possibilities....

One more week before school starts back!!!!!

It is hard to keep a eleven year old occupied for any amount of time, before hearing "I'm bored."  I wish school was all year long. I'm am burnt out from raising children for the last 21 years, I only have ten more years  of parenting.

I am looking forward to the Rock and Roll New Orleans Marathon on January 25, 2015.  I've never been to Louisiana so it will be a first.  I am hoping to qualify for Boston at this race. 

I am going to miss the Christmas season.  It is always so beautiful to see all the sparkling lights. I had a great Christmas and I hope everyone else did to !!!

Have you started your New Year resolution/goal list yet?  I have

Are you going to miss Christmas?

What races do you have planned for 2015?

Baking completed and what's up with all the rain?

Cookies are ok for breakfast, right? I consulted with an expert and he gave me an ok and agreed it was just fine.

I ALWAYS over bake, I make two batches of everything. Just in case a last minute gift is needed.  Plus I just love to bake.

We had movie day yesterday, went to a second run theater which was really nice.  I had won some free movie passes last year at a race and finally got around to using them.  We saw teenage mutant ninja turtles, it was OK. 

Trying to sit out this nonstop rain, it rains here all the time.  I will run in the rain, but not a cold rain.  I guess it is a triple PIYO day.  The sun has not made an appearance here in quite some time.

This is how miserable it looks here.  

I'm getting so excited about Christmas Eve.  My father loved Christmas Eve we always had finger foods and lots of sweets.  I have continued that tradition with my family.  This year will be the first time in over thirty five years that I will attend Christmas Eve services at a church.  

I am feeling really good lately.  I don't suffer from physical pain.  I suffer with depression and it sucks not knowing how you will feel each day.  I hate it when people say just cheer up, because it is not that simple. It is not something that is 100% controllable. Medication, lifestyle changes, and a great support system are necessary in maintaining a status quo. I am not embarrassed to admit that I am depressed!!!!

How many different types of cookies did you make? I'm at 13

Do you or anyone you know suffer from depression?

Are you going to Christmas Eve services? 

New York crunch time,

Anywhere I go should be alerted upon my arrival, not really!!!

So sparkly, I can only imagine with all the Christmas lights what it will look like.

Only a day and a half before I'll be in New York City, and I cannot wait.  I plan on squeezing in as much fun as I can. It is the city that never sleeps, isn't it?  I know it is going to be awesome.

I've been working out pretty hard the last two weeks.  Increasing mileage and speed because I have a lot of upcoming races.  Very satisfied with the PIYO workout from beach body.  It came with a seven day supply of shakeology which is a meal replacement shake.  Definitely going to stick with the shakeology as well.  It is pricey, however there is nothing on the market that compares.

This is going to gross you out. Last night I was watching (because there was nothing on) my criminal addiction. Did you know that there is a disorder called ABDL. Ok are you ready for this, Adult Baby Diaper Lovers.  Seriously???? This guy would steal dirty baby diapers and wear them. He figured out that he could buy baby diapers in adult sizes and started wearing them, however kept stealing dirty diapers.  WTF.  I spent 20 years in law enforcement and never heard of that.

Have you ever heard of ABDL? I had not

What are some must see things in NYC?

Have you ever done meal replacement? Did you like it?

PIYO works, recipe for Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake

I'm so excited that I get to go to Eat Well today, I love sushi.  They have these delicious scallops in scampi sauce. I worked out extra hard this morning to make room for dinner.

I started my PIYO workout yesterday, and it works!!!! I was sore this morning which is always a good feeling. After my PIYO workout I went running. Seven miles at a 7:43 pace. Getting back to where I was.

I must admit I am an overpacker, I pack too much. Way too much.  For example a three day trip=10 pair of socks, seriously??? I can never decide what to take so I take it all just in case. I mean it is New York City what do you pack?  I have to take dress clothes, running clothes, and the usual wear. 

This will be me in the airport, lol

As I promised here is the recipe for OOEY GOOEY TOFFEE CAKE they are the best I have ever made!!!!

Ingredients:

Cake:
1 (18.25-ounce) box yellow cake mix (I used Butter Recipe Yellow)
1 large egg
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
Filling:
1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, softened
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 (16-ounce) box confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, melted
1 cup toffee bits (I buy a bag of Heathy toffee bits in the baking section.  I use 1 cup in the filling and the remaining toffee bits sprinkled on top of the cake.)

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 13 by 9 by-2-inch baking pan.

For the cake: In the bowl of an electric mixer, combine the cake mix, egg, and butter and mix well. Pat into the bottom of prepared pan and set aside.

For the filling: Still using an electric mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Beat in the eggs and vanilla. Dump in confectioners’ sugar and beat well. Reduce the speed and slowly pour in butter. Mix well. Fold in toffee bits.

Pour filling onto cake mixture and spread evenly. You can top the cake with the leftover toffee bits.  Bake for 35-45 minutes. Don’t be afraid to make a judgment call on the cooking time, because oven temperatures can vary. You want the center to be a little gooey, so don’t bake it past that point!

Remove from oven and allow to cool completely. Cut into squares. Just remember that these wonderful cakes are very, very rich, and a little will go a long way.

New fitness program, rainy run

"Got my new workout program called PIYO (Pilates/yoga).  It is supposed to help with stretching and toning which I desperately need.  Did my first session this morning and I was sweating, which is awesome.

I felt so good afterwards I went for a run, in the pouring rain. I was pretty happy with the pace. There are actually good people out there a few people stopped and asked me if I needed a ride. When I told them I was running for exercise they looked at me like I was crazy.  But it was really nice of them to offer!!!!

I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am for my trip to New York!!!!  I have planned out a couple runs while there, run across the Brooklyn Bridge and run in Central Park.  Not to mention the hotel has an awesome gym. I am not going to eat like a hog, like I have in the past on trips. I have worked so hard to get back in shape, I am not throwing that out. 

I know it is going to be beautiful there and sparkly!!!

I hate flying, I have to take medicine before I fly, or I will be like the lady on Bridesmaids. Bridesmaids in one of my favorite movies I seriously have watched it over 100 times.

Haha

Going to make a cake that Jennifer Chaffin gave me the recipe to Ooey Gooey Toffee Cake.  I will post the recipe tomorrow.

What are your weekend plans? I am running, eating, and spreading cheer.

Do you hide in the rain or just do it?

What is your favorite movie? How many times have you watched it?