National Drink Champagne day, farewell 2014

I am beyond words for 2014 to leave.  I made alot of new friends this past year and that is about all I can say good about it.

How adorable is this?

"Have you ever seen hot chocolate drinking hot chocolate?"  Mrs. Green

I have been nursing a sick guinea pig for the last 24 hours.  This will be the third guinea pig to die on us.  This WILL BE the LAST one we get.  Heartbreaking to watch an 11 year old cry because I do not know how to fix a sick guinea pig.

Today is National Drink Champagne day.  I plan to partake in the festivities!!!!

I need one of these, with Moscato in my home ASAP

Today is my rest day from running which means I will be swimming and doing PIYO.  Tomorrow will be my last run before Sunday.  This will give my body a llittle rest time, still having some minor nagging issues in my right leg.  

I hope everybody has a safe and happy NEW YEAR!!!!

Do you like this blog?  Are you following it?

Are you staying in or going out for NEW YEARS?

I am going to kick depressions ass this in 2015!!!!!

The last couple of days have been extremely exhausting.  I am trying to get back to where I was, running.  2014 was not nice to me.  Started off with a trip to the VA hospital for severe depression New Years day, broke my tailbone March 10, another trip to the VA hospital for a week for major depressive disorder, pulled my hamstring, lost several toenails, and in October an 11 day stay at the VA hospital.

I had a lot to overcome just to get back to running.  It was not easy and it is a struggle everyday.  Yesterday by the grace of God I made it 20 miles, not a great pace, however my ultimate goal was to hit 20 miles and I did.

Rewarded myself with a venti white chocolate mocha.

It was so cold outside, and I was sweaty so the first thing I did when I got home was of course check on Zachary who was still asleep at noon.  Jumped in the hot shower until the hot water ran out.  Then for the rest of the day I sat on a heating pad.  

Got up this morning, no where near as sore as I thought I would be.  Decided to go for a short run three miles at a 758 pace with a one mile walk at the end.  Not too shabby.  I'll take any progress no matter how small.

I am trying to decide how to ring in this new year.  Champagne, wine, Kinky, fireball?  Lol

My first race of the year is on January 3, 2015 it is an 8 mile run in the Shelby Meeman Forest, the Hill and Dale 8 miler.  My goal is to finish in a respectable time.  

Some New Years quotes, and humor.

As I was typing this blog, I witnessed, a hawk swoop down towards my birdfeeder trying to get lunch.  The birds at the birdfeeder sensed his presence and were able to retreat to safety.  

How are you spending your New Years?  I'll be at home, with an adult beverage.

Have you  made any resolutions/goals?

What have you been doing?

New Year excitement

I love it when a new year sets in.  Not because I plan on drastically changing my life, but because I can set new goals.  My goals are always realistic.  So many people set themselves up for failure because they make these resolutions that are unrealistic.  For example a goal of mine right now is to get my running pace down to a 7 minute 55 second mile.  I know people who run about an 8 minute mile who make resolutions to get down to a 6 minute mile.  I am not a professional runner nor will I ever be, but even I know that a six mile minute is out of reach.

Do you celebrate New Years?  I have a hard time staying up that late lol.

How sparkly!!!!

It is still raining, ughh,  it never stops raining.  I have my runs planned a week in advance. Today I am just going to suck it up and run in the rain on a trail away from traffic.  So many athletes get struck by cars, because drivers do not pay attention.  

My motto for the day

My Christmas cactus is in full bloom and so pretty.

What are some of your goals for 2015?

Do you have any plans for New Years?

Do you run in bad weather?

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?

Post Christmas run, time to relax

Ran a quick 8 miles this morning.

I am loving this new watch, taking a little time to get used to.  But I love this watch.

I have a race on the third, which I would love to place in, however will be happy just finishing it.

Spent Christmas night watching movies and hanging with Zachary.  Went to Eat Well for dinner.  I refused to cook both Christmas eve and Christmas day.  It is becoming a tradition to eat there for Christmas.  I enjoyed the shrimp tempura, and scallops.  

Came home from Eat Well and poured myself a glass of Kinky blue.  It is such a relief for it all to be over.  I always worry if my kids will be satisfied with their gifts. This year was a success.

Have I ever mentioned that I love to clean.  I am a cleanaholic.  I bleached down the kitchen today, cleaned up from the last two days, time to relax.  

I hope everybody had a great Christmas with those they love.  Time to start working on setting goals for 2015.  I will reveal my list next week.  I have a lot planned.

Merry Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone.  Today has been an awesome day already and it is only nine in morning.  Santa was very good to me this year.  My sons were equally as giving. I never ask them for anything, however I received the most thoughtful gift.  I received a package yesterday from my son, there was a card inside that made me cry.  This is my twenty year old son, picked out a pandora bracelet, with three charms.  Once charm was for having boys, a heart with a blue crystal, one charm was for nature because I love anything outside, and the third was a pearl to signify our birthdays.  I never knew he cared so much.  I am so proud to be a mom to all three of my sons.

Probably the best few days of my life have been the past few days.  I don't know if my medicine is finally working, or maybe I have finally let go of things that were making me feel horrible. I take my good days very seriously, and try to make them last as long as I can.  

I hope everyone is having a great Christmas, and spending time with the people that matter the most to them.

I got up early to make breakfast from scratch.  I made bread dough by hand, yeast packets, etc.  I then tore it apart and made monkey bread.  

Have you ever wondered how plants know when it is Christmas?  I have been patiently waiting for my Christmas Cactus to bloom and what do you know I woke up and it was blooming, so pretty.  

I am going to test out my new Garmin Forerunner 220 today, which I am super excited about.  I feel like this is the training tool I need to perform better.  

After my run I plan on drinking some Kinky, blue in the tub. Sounds like a good plan.

Have a great evening, eat, drink and be merrry

Was Santa good to you?he was good to me

Do you  have a Christmas cactus?  did it bloom yet?

Are you having a good Christmas?  why? or why not?

Christmas Eve, wish list, happy national eggnog day

l First, to all my fellow eggnog lovers, happy national eggnog day!!! I like eggnog plain, but I really like it with buttershots in it.

My Christmas wish list to Santa or anyone else who loves me

Garmin forerunner 220.  I have always used my handy IPhone app to track my runs, and it sucks. I want this watch because it is like a personal trainer.  It will definitely help me with my pace.

Starbucks gift cards, need I say more

A new pair of diamond stud earrings. I had to sell my other ones a few years ago, which I regret now.

I have pretty much everything a person could ask for, health, happy children, lifestyle that allows me to stay home and not work.  

Christmas Eve has always been a big deal to me, because it was my fathers favorite day of the year.  We fill ourselves full of finger foods then relax...wait for Santa.  This year I have made pigs in a blanket, spinach artichoke dip, deviled eggs, meatballs, cheese sticks, Texas fries and miscellaneous dips. Then have an adult eggnog and call it a day.

I wish everybody a happy Christmas!!!!

What traditions does your family have?

What is on your wish list?

Do you like eggnog?