New Years Resolution Update

For those of you who missed it, here are my new years resolutions: Bring it on, 2011

1. Making my own bread- check. I make 2 loaves of wheat bread every two weeks. I have finally found the "perfect" recipe which has become our staple. I also make our pizza crust, which is SO much cheaper than buying pizza. I am also able to keep some frozen, so when we are ready to eat it we pull it out, put our toppings on, and bake it! Super easy! Resolution #1 is so far an excuse!

2. Run 2 half marathons and a 10k before Christmas- checkish. I am running 3 half marathons and a full marathon. Not the exact goal, but definitely more of an accomplishment than the previous. Hopefully it all goes smoothly!

3. Menu's for the week- checkish. I did this during the school year, but not the summer. So far so good!

4. Go a year without cable- check.

5. Read the Bible more- uh-oh. This is not going well. It was, but then softball season hit and it went downhill from there. Hopefully I can get back on track.

6. Go through all the recipes on the frugalgirl- I give up. There's only two of us to eat lots of baked goods, and I don't want to get fat. It's for health reasons that I say no more of this goal.

I am definitely happy with the goals so far. Hopefully I can keep it up. :)

Marathon Training: Week 7

A little late. Whoops.

Last week went great! It was hot and humid which I have decided I do not enjoy. It's amazing how much the heat takes out of you while running. But overall the runs were very good.

This weeks schedule is a little different, but at least this time around I am being more flexible- so that's good.

Monday- 4
Tuesday-7
Wednesday- biking (apparently 25 miles....)
Thursday- rest
Friday- 14 (AHHHHH! This will be my longest distance. I feel like I should get a medal and T-Shirt after I finish)
Saturday- I may do 4. We shall see.
Sunday- either rest or do 4

We are definitely getting up there in miles now. I'm actually quite nervous about 14 but I know I can do it! Bring it on!

Things My Husband Learns

I may keep this as a regular. Maybe not. We'll see.

The hubbs has been working a lot lately. He comes home for dinner and leaves right after to head back to the lab. His thesis is due next week and I don't think I have seen him so stressed before.

He told me he would be home about 5 and I said I would try to have dinner close to being done so he could eat quickly and head back to school. He walks in about 4:45 and immediately says, "Why isn't dinner done?"

Ah-hem. This was not a good moment. Needless to say, I don't think he will ask that question again.

(BTW, he swears he was joking.)

The Marathon Kicks

Aren't they gorgeous? -- in a "I have to run 26 miles in these shoes" gorgeous? Yep- we're getting pretty close. There's nothing like the bond between a runner and her shoes. Sad thing is, this is my third pair of the same shoe. I guess I am not a fan of change. :)

Marathon Training: Week 6

Not to brag, but we rocked the 12 miles this week. Even in the Arkansas heat and humidity (impromptu trip). It definitely left me a tad sore, but I will take that over not being able to finish any day. We did miss a three mile run because of the ridiculous amount of things we had going on. I plan (because I am obsessive) to make up for it this week.

Monday: Nothing :)
Tuesday: 3 Miles
Wednesday: 6 Miles
Thursday: 3 Miles
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 9 Miles
Sunday: 3 Miles

We are rearranging this week due to a camping trip this weekend.

One interesting thing I have noticed while training: I don't do well with carbonation. If I have too many cokes I feel like I have a hangover. It's sad.

Catching Fire and Bet Me

As with the first book of the series, Hunger Games, I loved this book! A-MAZ-ING! Collins has great character development as well as plot set-up. She provides all sorts of twists which had me hooked from page one. I can't say enough good things about these novels. I think everyone should read them. I don't really feel like summarizing this one; you should just read it!

And for the not so fun book:

This book was very entertaining to read. It made me laugh. It was "cute". It was also annoying and not quite original.

The main character is always complaining about how fat she is. Her mom is controlling and won't allow her to eat carbs or butter. Ya know- the typical rich, pretty mom/ chubby daughter relationship. Min (the main character) gets dumped by her boyfriend and then is taken to dinner by the sweet, charming, hott guy who swoops in to save her from herself.

The have a tumultuous courtship because they are both overcoming their relational demons. They have a weird food/ weight obsessed relationship, and a few weird moments that ruined Krispy Kreme donuts for me forever. Cal (the hunk) calls Min "full" many times. Which made me chuckle. I can see Chris coming home and saying, "Hey babe, you're looking mighty full in that dress." He'd be sleeping on the couch.

Anywho, despite family, ex's, and insecurities they fall in love and live happily ever after.

Marathon Training: Week 5

Week 4 recap- great week! The short week runs were great as well as the long run. I feel much more encouraged than I did last week at this time. Definitely ready to keep this training up. I have realized my speed has decreased, but I will take that over a miserable run.

Week 5: Monday- Ab workout
              Tuesday- 3 Miles
              Wednesday- 6 Miles
              Thursday- Bike Ride
              Friday- 3 Miles
              Saturday- Rest
              Sunday- 12 Miles

Indiana State Pie

Indiana has a state pie (is that normal?), which since I am a pretend Hoosier, I will be making the famous sugar cream pie this weekend. Any excuse for a pie is a good excuse.



Photo credit: Frank Espich



Startling Fact

I'm an introvert. Yup. And it only took me 24 years to learn this.
And my shy, socially awkward, sweet husband is an extrovert.
Crazy, huh?

I always assumed I was an extrovert, but I have come to realize that without quiet time to energize my soul- I'm done for. That's why fall break, Thanksgiving break, Christmas break, spring break, and summer break are necessary for me.
And Chris, who doesn't like make new friends, is energized by being with people.
Hmmm. The things you learn.

The following two pictures are from my birthday winery trip in Tulsa. It was awesome! I even tried apple pie topped with cheddar cheese...

Marathon Training: Week 4

I can't believe we are on week four already. Crazy how time flies.

Monday- Rest. Because I have run three days in a row and my legs need a break.
Tuesday- 3 Miles
Wednesday- Cross Train.
Thursday- 6 Miles
Friday- 3 Miles
Saturday- Rest
Sunday- 11 Miles- Gross.

I am praying the eleven miles goes much better than the 8 and 9 have. This last week was nice because even my short runs felt better, which leaves me hopeful. It's just weird to think that when we trained for our half the longest we ran was 12, and here we are, on week four running 11. It took me 10 weeks to get to that last time.