To Be A Runner

Today was definitely a Monday... I wanted it to be over before it even began.  However, nothing is better than going for a run.  It puts me in a much better mood.

"It's just that moment on a run when you realize it's just you and the pavement. Your stresses go away, your thoughts become clearer, and you have no one to please but yourself. No matter the distance, you end with a feeling of accomplishment. That's when you know why you keep coming back. That's what it means to be a runner."

My thoughts exactly.  Running isn't just about exercising for me... it's my time to reflect, plan, think, and talk to God.  Running on a treadmill in a crowded gym is VERY different than running outside.  I look forward to my runs - it's my "me" time.  I know others have different ways to do the same thing.  Whatever works...

Breathe

Sometimes she annoys me, sometimes I love her.  Either way, I really like this song.

Fall Wish List

With tomorrow being the first official day of FALL, I was thinking I need to make my wish list.  (You know, of all the things I can not afford on my teacher paycheck but can hope they go on sale one day.)  Here's to wishful thinking...

casual everyday sweater from Anthropologie

Towne & Reese necklace

Hunter Regent Savoy rainboots

   Seven 'trouser fit' jeans

 chunky circle scarf in plum

essie 'hot choc' current nail color (obsessed!)


 lululemon 'wunder under crop' pants (for yoga/run)

 Kate Spade 'Licorice' but I think I'd actually need a reason to wear those. So this falls in the "a girl can dream" category.

 and last but not least, this hair color.  No, I'm not kidding.  It's happening.  TOMORROW actually.  new season = new hair.

Give Up

Plan was to be super productive today... get lots of work done, workout, run errands, you know the drill.  But I'm starving and tired,  it's rainy, and it's Wednesday.  Dinner date w/ an old friend instead?  MUCH better plan. This made me laugh...

Happy Birthday, Rooms!!

Tonight some of my bfs and I are celebrating the birth of two of my favorite people...

Happy birthday to one of my best friends, Jordan!  Her birthday is Wednesday.  Jordan and I met freshman year of college and instantly became best friends.  She's the one who is mistaken as my sister by people all the time - the person who can throw together an outfit and look like she stepped out of a magazine - the one who shares my love for pb & chocolate & all other sweets - the girl that always gives the most thoughtful gifts - my Polished date partner - and who has helped me through many good and many bad times.  Jordan was my roomie for 3 years in college and trust me, when you live with someone that long you develop a friendship like no other.  Jordan, I hope you have a wonderful day, because you deserve it!  Love you.

Also, my other ex-roomie, Danielle, will be having a birthday on Thursday.  Danielle, Jordan, and I made that little apartment our home away from home for 3 years... we called it KDJ's.  I am grateful to have had such great roommates for that long.  Danielle and I also became friends freshman year and developed a bond very quickly.  She is the one who will always tell me the truth, no matter what.  Danielle is someone who will always be a true friend and look out for you.  She's the one who can tell you anything you want to know about college football, the latest hit song (esp. if its Rascal Flatts), and red wine.  We've been through so much together and I am thankful to have her.  Danielle, even though you don't have a blog, I know you will probably read this... SO I hope your birthday is fantastic!  Love you.

So what if I just put 22397439 pics up?  We took alot over the years! ha.

Pumpkin Please

After a sweet co-worker brought pumpkin muffins to my team on Monday, I knew I had to try to make them myself.  I have pumpkin fever right now!  I got the recipe from her and she swore it is super easy.  All I know is that the muffin I had left me craving more!  I will try to make these asap, but for now I'll share the recipe.

Pumpkin Muffins

Ingredients:

1 (18 oz) package yellow or butter pecan cake mix

1 (15 oz) can pumpkin
3/4 cup water
1 tsp. ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Fill muffin pan with paper liners.
2. Mix the cake mix, pumpkin, cinnamon, and nutmeg together until smooth.
3. Spoon equal amounts of muffin batter into the muffin cups.
4. Bake for 18-22 minutes.  Check to make sure the toothpick is clean!

Easy and delicious?  Sign me up!  Best thing?  Only 97 calories per muffin!  (Fact provided by teacher friend.) However, if you have a sweet tooth like me, these would be ideal with some cream cheese frosting on top or chocolate chips baked in.  (Just forget about the calories then. haha)

Faith...

I'll Never Forget

10 years ago I was sitting in my 8th grade Algebra class.  It started just like any other day, but when a teacher rushed in to tell us to turn on the news... everything changed.  I remember seeing the burnings buildings, listening to the news reporters, but wondering what was really going on.  I hadn't been to NYC by that time and wasn't really sure of the importance of those buildings.  Everyone was in shock.  We all sat in silence.  No one knew really what was going on or what to say.  I went home that evening to my family and my mom explained everything a little more.  I remember going to church that night for a special prayer service.  So many people came to just pray for our country, for those who lost lives, and for the upcoming events that would follow this tragedy.  I think about everything our country has been through since that terrible day and how far we've come.   I may not have lost family members that day, I may not have been there to experience everything with my own eyes, but I have a connection to 9/11 because I have lived through the aftermath of it.  Today is a day of rememberance... to remind us to be grateful for our loves ones, to remind us we aren't guaranteed tomorrow, and to be thankful we live in such a wonderful country.  Most of my students have never heard of 9/11 and they all were not even alive then.  However, it is something that I will never forget.

Sing it, Girl

Loving this song right now when I jam out in my car in this beautiful Fall weather.

Happy Birthday, Maggie!!

Happy 24^th Birthday to my BIG sis, Maggie Baker!!  A friend who knows me better than I know myself sometimes… The one who is always there for me even though she lives far away… The one I have more inside jokes with than should be possible, The one who I honestly feel like could be my older sister (from a different mother).  We’ve been through it all - college fun, sorority life, break-ups and new relationships, marriages, graduations, deaths, fights, bad jobs and good jobs, roadtrips and visits, and so much more.  Maggie, I love you more than words on this blog can express.  I don’t know what I would do without you and your advice sometimes and I truly mean that.  I know I can always count on you to tell me the truth, to keep me in your prayers, to make me laugh, and to tell me to stop smacking my gum.  I hope you have a wonderful birthday.  Enjoy your special day!!  I am looking forward to our next get together!

THINK

This month's theme at the yoga studio is kindness.  Wise words from one of the instructors:  Stop and THINK before you speak. 

Will your words be...
T - true
H - healthy
I - inspiring
N - necessary
K - kind

Something to "think" about ;)

Perfect Weather

I can't believe it's already September & Labor Day!!  That means one thing(well, other than no more white pants/shoes)... COOLER weather.  I love the nicer weather for many reasons but one of the BIGGEST is that is so much easier to run in.  Going for a run in the fall is so much more calming that running in the summer.  I noticed that this morning when I was out for a run.  In the summer, the heat is unbearable unless you go early and you have to chug water the whole way.  However, in the fall I can wake up and go at any time of the day and usually for further distances.  This is why fall is perfect for training and races.  I am running in the Hog Jog 10K this Saturday but my next race that I must start training for asap will be October 22nd.  I am going to do another half marathon.  I completed my first one back in April and it was probably one of the happiest days of my life.  It is one of my biggest accomplishments and something I will never forget. 

I remember at 11.8 miles, I thought "Okay, I really don't know if I can run anymore... what if I just walk the rest?" Then that voice inside my head told me to shut up and keep going.  I am so glad I listened because I beat my goal of finishing in under 2 hours.  I don't race for the competition against others.  I race to show myself I can do it.  It gives me a sense of accomplishment like no other. 

I will keep you posted on how the training goes... praying for NO injuries this time! :)