you just never know…

Yesterday I woke up and I was CRAB-by!  Great scott!  I’m on duty for work and had a couple of late night calls, had somehow gotten roped into volunteering for work and I had a dull ache in my head that made me want to cancel ALL plans for the day.

Spoiler alert!  I’m really glad I didn’t…

First up was the 1st Annual (is this possible with the first?) Strip Run 5k sponsored by my office.  The point of the race was to wear extra layers and then “strip” them off as you run at different points of the race.  All the clothes were donated to charity.  While the turnout was small, I think it’s a fun idea for a work-related event.  Unfortunately, it was 34* and the “feel like” was 24*.  It took me hours to get the feeling back in my fingers!

Also, one of my favorite people ever volunteered for the race.  It was so great to see him and catch up!  After our shift was over I bribed him into driving me to Pop City Popcorn downtown.  Oh.my.goodness.  This place is FABULOUS!  I mean, seriously, a whole store dedicated to popcorn?  I got some Irish Creme Caramel popcorn – check out this bag of scrumptousness

oh so tasty!

Next I was on my way to a relaxation class.  I considered skipping and going home but I was on a sugar-rush from my popcorn and stuck to the plan.  You guessed it – a good choice!  The meditation session was excellent.  The woman running the class got the same holistic health certificate I am looking into so I talked to her after the class.  She couldn’t have been more encouraging!  In fact, at the end of our conversation she offered me an internship when I get to that portion of the of the program!  I know, crazy!

Then it was back to my apt for the hottest shower ever, a lovely little nap, a surprise visit from a friend and a nice evening at home.

So there you go… I would have sat in my apt all day, feeling guilty for shirking my responsibilities, sorry for myself because I didn’t feel well and lonely.  Instead I said YES and made some quality connections.  Yay!  Three cheers for an unexpected good day and making things happen.

the last bit of birthday talk

Thank you all for the birthday wishes!  I have ALWAYS loved my birthday.  When I was younger, I had great parties and my family was really good at making them special.  I am a firm believer that birthdays are INDEED special and it sincerely boggles my mind when people don’t like theirs.

That all being said, I’m still not quite sure about this whole “getting older” thing.  There are several aspects that I appreciate:  being more comfortable in who I am as a person, not caring (as much) about what other people think of me, the ability to better balance my work and personal life and understanding what I want out of life.

Now, what I do not appreciate is the slowing of the metabolism, the pressure that I should want or be more than what I currently am and this feeling I have that I am “behind” a.k.a not married (heck, not in a relationship!), no kiddies and not living in this house

I’ve also grown up… for the last several years, I’ve gone out to get a FABULOUS birthday dress.  This year was not different but it didn’t get here in time!  I did order it from my favorite store that has all kinds of umm…”party dresses” so I was disappointed but I made do.  If this had happened last year, I think I would have freaked out.  I know this seems like a small and perhaps petty example but learning to chill out is a great accomplishment for yours truly!

haha, this was NOT what I picked out to wear but I thought it was ridiculous and had to show you

Oh yeah, birthdays surely make me think!  But honestly, did you expect anything different from me?!  The last few days, I’ve thought about the fun experiences I’ve had this year and the situations where I stepped out of my comfort zone.  I got a promotion and interviewed for a few other positions.  I’ve traveled (a crazy amount – I’ve worn out my suitcase!), spent time with my family and (ugh!) MOVED!  Haha, yes, moving was probably one of my biggest accomplishments because packing essentially makes me break into hives.

I paid off a lot of debt, developed and nurtured  total kick-ass friendships, ran a FULL marathon (x2!!), actually kept up with blogging, watched every season of Supernatural, tried crossfit, ran a relay from Madison to Chicago, and am getting better with the whole “simplifying” aspect of my life.

wanted to post this one again!

My favorite poem has always been Robert Frost’s “The Road Less Traveled”.  I know it sounds cheesy but I’ve never taken the well-beaten path and it’s something I have to remind myself when those “I’m behind” feelings hit.  I have some big plans for this next year… can’t wait to fill you all in!

 

 

 

goals… time to get this plan into action

Wow… I have been plumb lazy about writing these last few days.  After a bit of a whirlwind flight (including being delayed for an hour but still arriving 3 minutes early?!  I mean, I get it, a tailwind but CRAZY!) I am happy to be home.  Simon is especially happy to have me around since the temp is a cool 24* here in MI and he leaches my body heat on a regular basis!

I am definitely one of those folks who sees promise in a new year.  I know many frown on this but I like the chance for a do-over.  I don’t want to forget what I learned in 2012 but considering I had a disastrous end to 2011 and a bumpy road in 2012 being able to get a fresh start is, well, refreshing!  I’ve been tossing around a ton of goals but I think I have settled on the ones that mean the most to me.  They have all been ideas that have made some sort of appearance on this blog before but I’m trying to nail them down into something achievable.

1.  Better my mental and physical health

A) I will do this by working with a life coach, staying with a fitness plan and cutting myself some slack.

2.  Work towards being more financially healthy

A) Last year I made a committment to spend more on experiences rather than “things”.  I’ve done a decent job of this but sometimes I fall off the wagon (why are you so easy, online shopping?!).

B) Try out a “budget” – ewww… but I have a feeling actually useful!

3.  Work to build my blog

A) I love this blog of mine!  It has become a lovely part of my life and I want it to grow.  I am currently doing some research on how to make this happen and hopefully I will get there

B) Share my weight loss story.  Does it sound too egotistical to want some fitness magazine to publish my history?  YES!  But I did drop about 90 lbs so maybe it warrants being slightly egotistical!

4.  Stick with a training plan and gain speed

A) I am terrible about sticking to a plan.  BUT when I did this (well, mostly) for my first half, I clocked in at a 2:04 – on a hilly course.  I desperately want to sub 2:00 this year for a half and I want my 5:25 full to be a “oh that was my first marathon time” memory.  I know this requires discipline, which seems to have been on short-order lately.  But I also KNOW if I stick with a plan, I can break through my speed glass-ceiling.

B) I am mapping out my plan right now for the Blue Ridge Marathon (which I know won’t be a PR – it’s a freakin’ MOUNTAIN!) and then Chicago will be in my sights for a PR.  My 1/2 PR is going to be in Wisconsin, because this is where dreams come true!

5.  Develop a healthy relationship

A) This one is a bit harder to create an action plan for but as I mentioned, I am going to give on-line dating a shot.

B) Know my self-worth.  Enough said.

6.  Write my book

A) I have been talking/thinking about this FOR-E-VER and it’s time.  I started it and will spend time each week working on it.

7.  Add cross-training

A) I know this will fall into the whole “stick with a training plan” gig but I feel it needs it own number.  I have started and dropped many a “I will cross-train twice per week” declarations but I know it’s necessary.  Swimming is in my near future.

8.  Run 2013 miles in 2013

A) This has been my super-secret-squirrel goal.  I am considerably afraid of this number and am nervous I won’t achieve it.  I’m tired of fear dictating my goals though so I’m unveiling this puppy.

9.  Better deal with my stress

A) Last year this showed up on my performance review for work so clearly I don’t hide my stress as well as I imagine!  I know the fitness components on this list will help as well seeing a life coach.  I also want to work on my “stress absorption” (wow, that sounds gross!).  As I’ve mentioned, I take on the stress of others and this needs to stop.

B) I am a very good hermit – too good.  I do want to be careful with how much I depend on this when I am feeling stressed.  It’s a dangerous spiral that includes hoarding, having actual conversations with my cat and an ass-print permanently embedded in my recliner.  DANGER

10.  Cook healthier meals

A) This sounds frightfully cliché… oh well.  I lost a lot of motivation to cook this past year and mainly would grab something fast and easy.  I didn’t eat out more (thankfully) but I powered through boxes of Blueberry Frosted Mini wheats like a champ!  Inevitably, I would be hungry again later and then it was a free-for-all on the late night snacking.  Exactly what aided in my weight gain many years before.  So, I shall cook.

11.  Keep in better contact with my family

A) Remember my hermit skills?  Well, this doesn’t just apply to friends but family too!  I want to skype more with the fam!

12.  Better my vocabulary and let this reflect in my writing and speech

A) Living with 18 year olds for 9 years made me extremely lazy in my use of the English language.  Shameful!  I am not only very (expensively – yay for student loans!) educated but have always loved utilizing a parade of different words – it’s time to put this in action and get my moneys worth!

13.  Be grateful

A) This was a goal last year as well.  It definitely helped me to get through some of my darker days but I always felt it was kind of false.  I am a true believer in the “fake it ’til you make it” philosophy but sometimes I felt too fake.  I want to sincerely be more grateful.  I have this quote on a mug I made (Art By Yourself) some years ago and it says the following:

“Be Yourself.  Life is precious as it is.  All the elements for your happiness are already here.”

Unfortunately, I failed to write down who said this and I certainly am not quoting myself yet but this speaks to me.

See what I did there?  13 goals for 2013!  I am going to work this 13 angle so please be prepared.  If you got this far – thanks for reading!

a (mostly) pictorial thankful thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday.  I love the focus on giving thanks, eating (!), hanging with family and then eating some more.  While I adore Christmas, Thanksgiving simply doesn’t have the same chaotic atmosphere that Christmas has.  Did I mention the good eats?!  Many of my favorites in one day!

I am super grateful this year.  It’s been a really tough year – as in if 2013 is anything like 2012 I’m moving to a cabin in the woods.  BUT rays of sunlight DID occur and it’s important to remember them!

Family – of course!

Running – and everything/everyone it has brought to my life

Friends (not all of whom are pictured) who have been never-ending fountains of support

Simon!

My new job

Focusing on reducing debt and spending more money on experiences rather things… like traveling!!

not giving into some of those bitter jaded feelings that tug at me sometimes

This blog!!

this was the first pic I used!!

Thanks to everyone to stops by – your encouragement, support and comments mean the world to me!  You all are helping me achieve my dream of being a writer!

Have a wonderful day!  I’m headed out for a run in a few minutes and then making some tasty dinner.  Then relaxing… non-stop – YAY!

saturday fall fun!

Saturday a group of friends and I headed out for a fun-filled fall day!  We used to all live here and worked together but in the last two and half years there have been new jobs, marriages, a baby and relocations.  Sometimes it seems crazy how much more life changes now that we are older in a mere two years than it did when we were younger.  Or my perception has simply changed…

We headed out to a local pumpkin patch, corn maze, orchard and yummy donut place called Gull Meadow Farms.  They do a corn maze every year in a new shape and it’s incredible

pretty impressive, no?

Alas, it was POURING down rain!  The corn maze is a muddy adventure on a normal day so we all decided to forgo this aspect of our day.  We bought some tasty homemade donuts, perused the super cute gift shop (of course I bought a bit o’ halloweenie!) and then tried to come up with a new game plan.

I loved this pumpkin – just a bit of muffin top ;)

So what to do when weather is unfortunate?  Wine tasting!  Fabulous idea!  Just a short jaunt away is the cutest little winery.  It’s small and located in the farmer’s home.  For a measly $5 we got to try 8 different wines.  Then if you bought a bottle the wine tasting was comped.  I purchased a semi-sweet white wine called La Crescent.  It was excellent.

gotta love a place where you can drink wine and hang out with friends. oh and the oyster crackers were good, too!

From here, it was onto the main event – Erbelli‘s pizza!  This pizza is fabulous and for two of the hubbies in the group, it’s their favorite place.  Since they don’t have one in their new home bases, whenever we are all together in Kzoo, we plop our hineys down for the long haul of bread, cheese and sauce – both the marina kind and the alcoholic!

sweet, sweet baby!

this little one also decided she was tired of sleeping and wanted to liven up the party with some table-dancing!  She was a hit!  Seriously, kissing baby cheeks is probably one of my most favorite things to do ever!  We hung out here for a few hours and it was a lot of fun.

Of course, all good things must come to an end.  Our lovely fall day had to come to at least a partial close – the friends who live an hour away had to boot-scoot.  Hugs were exchanged and it dawned on me in that moment how stinkin’ lucky I was/am!  The small group of us that were left headed to another locale to finish out the night and I ended the eve feeling fulfilled.  Maybe this sounds a bit hippy-ish but I can’t help it – I’m realizing more and more how important it is to be grateful and live in the moment.

the four of us – happy to be together for the day!

awesome day with awesome people!

some vaca pics!

Whewww!  I’m currently HURTING today!  I took a “red-eye” flight back from WA last night and everything was jacked from the beginning.  My dad and I hit major festival traffic going over to Seattle making the trek about 3 and half hours.  I got to the airport and my tickets wouldn’t print.  Turns out there had been a change in my flight – no worries, since it would get me to Chicago earlier.  Well, we were delayed since someone forgot to file a flight plan (whhaaa???) so I got in late.  On the plane, I was put in an exit row, which sounded amazing but the woman in the middle seat kept stealing my leg room.  NOT okay with this!  Sleep was a bit hard to come by and then I had to BOOK it to the train into the city.  From there I climbed Mt. Everest the stairs up to Clinton St (haha, they didn’t have an elevator – eek!) and made it to Union Station in record time.  Oh yeah, there was a freak rain shower on the way there!  I managed to grab some breaky/coffee and race back down to my train, which left about 2 mins later!  Yep, this little comedy of errors seemed out of control at the time and kind of on the stressful/exhausting side but ultimately, I made it back to my furry little guy, Simon.

All in all, I had a fantastic time home with my family.  I never stopped running from activity to activity, seeing friends and family and of course some shopping with my sister, Heidi :)  Here are some fun pics

bananas don’t travel well

oh yeah – just ran a wee little ways ;)

got to spend a day and a half with these cutie “goils”! Sarah and I have been besties since before 1st grade and these are her little ones!

worked on my photobombing skillzzz – this is my super radical grandma!

discovered a little slice of heaven called “a wine walk”

played tourist in my hometown – this is on the pier facing port angeles

the slug – the PNW’s official, umm… creature

had me a bit o’ spumoni – delish!

yeah… the height totally skipped me! these are two of my fave little “big” kiddies and they are only 16!

my second mom and niece at my mom’s memorial bbq

heid and I taking a break from making corn dogs at the party to pose all pretty

why YES, that is a horse head in my bed! my dad is a bit twisted and we do love our movies! I laughed so hard when I went to bed that night and found it, along with a note that said I had been “warned” by the mafia ;)

Haha, there you have it – a bit of my life/vaca in a nutshell!  Actually, I left out a huge chunk – CrossFit.  But that will be tomorrow and I don’t have any pictures of the carnage workouts.  I do want to give you my little review though so stop back!  OHHH!  And of course some pics of my treasures I brought back with me!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

see jane run 1/2 recap

Great scott!  Sorry for the MEGA disappearing act!  I’ve been trying to tweet once a day but I haven’t had a chance to do any posts since I got left for vacation.  I am currently here in Port Angeles, WA with my family and seriously, I have no idea how it became FRIDAY already!  What the hay?!  I feel like I just flew in the other day but I only have two more days here.  Crazy!

There is so much to report!  But I want to start with the See Jane Run 1/2 marathon.  This past Saturday, my dad, sister and I headed to Seattle (about 2 and half hours away from PA).  We hit up the expo, which wasn’t huge but did have a delish taste-test of Barefoot’s new pink moscato champagne – YUM!  I bought a bright pink sweatshirt and then we headed out to walk around for a bit.  I bought my first pair of Tom’s - red! – (my dad thinks they are hideous!) and we went in search of the start line.  It was tough to find :)

I convinced my dad I needed to carb up and we went to The Old Spaghetti Factory.  We used to go here as a family all the time when I was younger and it brought back great memories!

a little chicken parm and noodles!

Afterward, we drove to a family friend’s to spend the night.  Alex was fostering a kitty, and he has been rehabilitating him for a few days.  The kitty’s name was Manny and the poor guy was in rough shape :(  He had been neglected and then finally dropped off at the shelter when there didn’t seem to be much hope for him.  But Alex took great care of him and Manny warmed up to my sister and I right away!  He had quite the way with the ladies!

Manny broke and stole my heart! The little guy seemed to respond to Heidi and I and he slept at the end of our bed

We got up very early and all headed back downtown to the start line, which was at Gas Works Park.  Okay, remember how excited I was about the cooler temps?!  Wow!  I must have wished pretty hard because it was CHILLY!  A friend from Michigan was in town for a conference and he stopped down to say hello before the race started – it was so fun to see him!  My dad and sister had dropped me off in order to hit up some breakfast and find parking.  The race started at 8 am but due to the volume of runners they started us in waves.  I probably got running around 8:10 am or so and the wave start was much appreciated.

The course was “relatively flat” according to Seattle standards!!  But seriously, it wasn’t as bad as it could be but there were a couple of STEEP hills!  As in tsunami evacuation route steep hills!  I saw my dad and sister around mile 4 and I was sooo happy to see them!  I was getting kind of tired and they totally perked me up!

intense running face

then I saw my “fans” and got really excited!!

After seeing dad and Heidi, I started running pretty quick!  As in 9 min mile quick!  I know!  What was I thinking?!  Haha, I slowed it down a little and kept pushing through.  Then my dad and sister caught up with me again!  Yay!  I think it was around mile 6 or 7 and then again around mile 9.  There were a couple of out and backs and each time I saw my fam cheering for me, I felt rejuvenated.  It was AMAZING!  No one in my family has ever seen me run a race and we all really enjoyed it!

super awesome spectators – dad and sister, Heidi! wahooooooo!

 

The last out and back were miles 10-12.  This was tough.  I was getting tired and I knew the turn around was somewhere up ahead since women were running toward me but it felt like it took forever to get there.  I was struggling some but didn’t give up.  While I did walk through water stops, I never walked on the course or “breaked” at water stations.  Going into the race, I felt a bit unprepared since I had taken time off during moving so I was nervous.  I was very proud of myself!  Oh!  They had Nuun on the course and I became a believer!  I took one GU in the first half of the race and then only relied on Nuun at stations.

 

pushing through!

Yes, my sister is a GREAT race photographer!  Haha, I’m sure she is available for bookings :)  I was definitely tired when I crossed the finish line.  I finished in 2:23 and while this not my best time, I am celebrating finishing and finishing strong!

here is the first pic after I finished – haha, yes, I was TIRED!

seriously – why don’t they ALWAYS have champagne at the end of races?!

 

the hoarder in me wants to keep this sign my dad and sis made forever… but I’m going to settle for a pic instead :)

I really liked this race!  Everyone was so nice, I met some other women while waiting in line for the porta-potties (huge shocker in a women-only race the lines were LONG!) and running in cooler weather was fab!  They had a lot of water/Nuun stations and it was fairly well-marked.  The See Jane Run company has a very inspirational message (they call it their “manifesto” – check it out!) and it was printed on the start/finish line.  I read it right before the horn sounded and it gave me a boost.  We also got a cute tech t-shirt, a recycled grocery bag and the goodies at the end of the race.  I would do it again!

the medal is tiny but the engraved champagne glass is neato so I guess I can be okay with the small bling

 

 

 

 

how is it saturday already?!

As you may have noticed, there has been some silence around this here blog.  I’ve had a tough time writing this week.  Part of it was Ragnar exhaustion – is this a real diagnosis?  It should be!  Another part was a busy work week.  The last part is today is the 6th month marker of my mom’s passing and I have been thinking about her a lot.

With all of this cluttering my mind, I couldn’t really find the focus to write.  But that doesn’t mean I didn’t have a good week, just complicated!

1.  Cherries are back in season!  Yay!

2.  I got a new job!  More info on this to come (including a move that is going to be entertaining!).  I am staying at my current place of work but am moving up in the world.  I am really excited for this new opportunity!

3.  My niece graduated from high school!  How crazy is that?  She is simply amazing and I love her to pieces.  I can’t wait to see her in a month!

aren’t they a beautiful fam?!

4.  My first official S’more of the season!  Even though there was a check point at Ragnar with them, my marshmallow wasn’t melted soooo, I’m considering this the first real deal.

haha, I know, alien fingers here – oh well, it was delish!

5.  Umm… my “temp” Ragnar tattoo still hasn’t washed off… everyone thinks it’s real and I’ve gotten a few, “wow, it totally makes you look like a badass!”  Hmmm, should I make it permanent?! ;)

bad to the bone… or something like that

6.  I had a great 5 mile run the other day.  My love for running has returned.  Yay!

7.  We got a new fro yo place here!  It’s pretty weird inside but there are 16 flavors and lots of toppings.  Warning!  It’s expensive!  Oh and don’t get the red velvet – it takes chemically!  BUT the birthday cake option was awesome!

oh – the brownie chocolate fudge was decent too

8.  I found a bunch of fun stuff on sale that I’m going to put together for a giveaway!  Look for it soon!

9.  I’ve been googling “small apt living” non-stop for the last 24 hours.  I have been on pinterest stealing as many ideas as I can and am purging some of my belongings.  Yep, my new apt is a wee bit smaller than my current one.  Nevertheless, I’ve been bitten by the “less is more” bug and I am looking forward to getting creative with my space.  Here is what I want my bed to look like

source

I know there’s more.  Like I said, it was a busy week.  And even though my mom isn’t here to help me celebrate some of these achievements and fun moments, I know she is proud of me.

OH!  A very special Happy Birthday shout out to two of my dearest friends, Emily and Larissa!  Love you both so much!

yay!

I did it!!

Registration Confirmation for:

2013 Walt Disney World� Marathon

Dear Amy,

Congratulations! You are now registered for 2013 Walt Disney World� Marathon. Please check the event’s official website for updates: http://www.runDisney.com

Yes, Mickey it’s true! I’M COMING TO SEE YOU!

Soooo… who would like to have me as a house guest?!

an award? for me?!

This post is WAY overdue… like by about a week.  But as we have discussed before, when I want something to be perfect, I procrastinate.  I really wanted this blog post to be great because you see, Megan and RunLikeAGrl nominated me for the Pink Tree award “One Lovely Blog” for this here blog o’ mine!  Isn’t that amazing?  When I read her comments in my “About” section I got a bit misty.  I feel pretty dang special!

When I first said I was going to start this blog, a friend asked me if it would be “free therapy”.  I laughed and said, “yeah, probably”.  In reality it’s so much more!  I have met some really incredible people because of it, have realized part of my lifelong dream and I freakin’ LOVE to write!  To be a super cheese, it feeds my soul.  Which, I guess, can be considered therapy… damn good therapy :)

Here is what I needed to do to accept the One Lovely Blog award:

1.  Link it back to the person who nominated you – Megan, check her out – she is great!

2.  Paste the award image to my blog, someplace – oh what?  I already did?

3.  Share 7 facts about myself (ooo – I’m sure you all are at the edge of your seat for this one!)

4.  Nominate other blogs for this award (there is a limit)

5.  Post a comment on each of your nominees’ blogs telling them they were nominated by your’s truly

In order not to keep you in suspense, let’s start with the seven facts about me:

1.  I LOVE movies!  I worked in a movie theater for 4 or 5 years, ate popcorn for breakfast, lunch and dinner and even though I worked a bunch, I would still go out there to watch movies during my days off.  My family used to always buy movies on VHS and this was a habit I picked up… in fact, I still have my VHS tapes.  I know!  But it hurts my heart to throw them out!

2.  I’m pretty sure I peaked in the looks dept in kindergarten!

no, I don’t have issues but I think this is one of my best pics ever! oh yeah, and this was my favorite school blouse :)

3.  I chose one of my majors, Criminal Justice because I LOVED Scooby Doo as a kid.  Nope, really not joking.

4.  I sailed around the world on a ship for Semester at Sea.  I was able to make this my final project for grad school, was paid a small stipend to be a hall director on the ship and we stopped in 11 ports (not counting Seattle, WA where we landed).  I absolutely had a fabulous time.  We were gone for 110 days.

this picture was taken from the portal on the ship by one of my residents at the time, Philip Van Nostrand

5.  My senior year in high school I got sick.  After several small seizures (I thought I was just getting dizzy) and one big seizure I was diagnosed with epilepsy.  My doctor said I would grow out of it and put me on an aggressive medication without letting me know it would mess with the serotonin level in my brain and I would essentially eat everything in sight.  6 months and 30 additional pounds later, I freaked out on the doctor when I was told the cause of my never-ending hunger.  With my meds changed (and a new doc), things became more manageable.  Unfortunately, I have never grown out of it.  I’m lucky in the sense I have great control with medications.  Nevertheless, I take meds for it which has lousy side effects, have to think about/monitor it and it’s always present in my mind when I make decisions.  But I deal…

6.  I collected pigs when I was younger.  I probably had 300 or so?

yes, I have one sitting out – it’s supposed to bring me good luck! besides, isn’t he cute?!

7.  Hmmm… the last one… all I can think of are gross stories from my childhood!  I am a romantic at heart.  Since said heart has been broken a couple of times, I now say I am a “jaded romantic”.  I still REALLY, REALLY want to believe in happily ever after (I know it takes effort!) but it’s hard to pack away the baggage and keep believing.  I can’t completely stop though and continue to wear my heart on my sleeve.

yep, still a romantic at heart – damn!

So there you go!  Now for blogs I want to nominate:

Because I Can

Managing Meagan

Fit Girl Daily

Healthy Diva

Life in the Twin Lane

Laura Lives Life

Life After Swimming

A Duck on the Run

There are so many more!  I hope you get a chance to stop by and read these – I really enjoy them and think you will too.  They are each different from each other and I really appreciate their styles, their ambition and dedication!

Stop back tomorrow… it’s Chicago Ragnar week up here and I’m on top of the world excited (and nervous!)