Thursday, December 31, 2009

My 9 Big Events of 2009

These are my 9 big events of 2009.  They are mainly focused around running, health and fitness and our home.



Wednesday, December 30, 2009

I said "YES!"

Four years ago today the most amazing man asked me to be his wife! 
Of course I said "YES!"




Here is what we wrote on our wedding website:
Husband had imagined the proposal idea years earlier, even before Meredith and he had met. The proposal itself is hard to describe in short because of all the planning involved – Nate asking Meredith’s mother and brother for their blessing, purchasing hundreds of Christmas lights off of eBay, and the ring, and so much more.

But all that matters is that on a cold December night, "Husband" brought Meredith to a spot underneath a Magnolia tree, situated right next to her family’s farm house. And underneath the glow of thousands of white lights scattered amongst the many tree limbs, "Husband" attempted through tears of joy and love to profess his adoration and love to Meredith. And then, down on one knee, he asked her if she would marry him.

Neither "Husband" nor Meredith can recall if she said yes to his proposal. Yet, they stood underneath the Magnolia kissing, hugging, crying at times, and largely attempting to cherish this wonderful event in both of our lives – "Husband" took that as a yes. 
 
 
Our Professional Engagement Pictures (July 2006):



 
 
And I became the happiest lady ever when I became his wife on July 14, 2007.


I am so lucky, loved and happy!

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

New Year... New and Old Races


It's almost a new year and I have NO firm race plans to begin my year.  I so enjoy having plans and a purpose for my runs.  I definitely want to repeat many of the races I ran this year, including our first 5K (in May) and the night 8K race, which is my favorite race to-date (in July).

I have other plans as well.  I want to run a half-marathon!  As someone who never considered herself a runner before December 24, 2008, a half-marathon is an exciting goal!  The half I am planning to run is around Halloween (score) in Husband's hometown and it is an afternoon race (double-score).  I'm excited!  I will definitely have to regain my mileage that I've lost in these colder months but I know I can do it!  There is also one in Charlotte (an hour south-east) from where I live that I would LOVE to do too!

More timely, I am hoping to run a Valentine's Day race.  Husband and I have run all of our races together but I think it will be extra sweet to run together on Valentine's Day.  Then the rest of the day can be spent resting and enjoying our time together.  There is also a Spring race (March 20th) that could be fun.  Snow is more common in January-March where I live so that could make things interesting!

What races do you have planned in 2010?

Sunday, December 27, 2009

Finding My Niche

Merry Christmas (a few days late)!  I hope everyone had a very wonderful Christmas.  I know that I did!  I am happy to say that pretty much everything from my Wish List was received, including a heart-rate monitor. 
 
Earlier this week a high school friend asked what I wanted for Christmas I listed off a few things... new running shoes, heart-rate monitor, etc.  She gave me an odd look after the heart-rate monitor was named.  She asked if I was concerned about my heart.  I gave her a confused look and explained it that it helps me know how hard and well my heart is working as I work out so I know how many calories I'm burning and if I am working out efficiently.  She had never hear of it before.  It showed me how at home I am in my niche of people and interest.  I am living in a bubble of health and fitness related blogs.  I read fitness magazines and know my heart the hours of the gym.  I can pretty much track calories in my head but I know recording them is so much more beneficial for me.  I am living in a bubble of Greek yogurt, spaghetti squash, organic milk, oatmeal, Meatless Mondays, etc.  I LOVE LIVING IN THIS BUBBLE! 
 
Do you ever feel like you're living in such a bubble?
 
 

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Run-Anniversary


Tomorrow, Christmas Eve, is my running anniversary.  Last year I was of the elliptical trainer and was jealous of runners.  I decided to change things up.  After my typical 30 minutes on the elliptical I decided to try running.  I had no expectations.  Previously I had decided that I was NOT a runner so there was no way I could fail.  That day I ran 1/4 mile without stopping.  And when I was done I felt so proud!  I even told my mom and brother about it. 

It was several days later that I returned to the gym (after Christmas and visiting Husband's parents) but I decided to get back on the treadmill and that day I ran a little farther.  Within a several weeks I ran 2 miles and had the goal of a 5K!  The day I ran a 5K on the treadmill I felt like a CHAMP!






And yet another 10K race.  This was my last race and I ran it the Saturday before Thanksgiving.  I met my goal and completed it in under and hour (59:11). 



So what I have I learned?
  • I have realized how therapeutic running can be.  I love it!  It clears my mind and relaxes my body.
  • I can do ANYTHING I set my mind to!  The only limits I have are the ones I put on myself.  
  • My body is powerful, strong, beautiful.  It has imperfections and bumps and humps but it carries me and allows me to do amazing things!
These are the lessons I learned in 2009.  I can't wait to see the lessons I will learn in 2010.  




What have you learned this year?

Monday, December 21, 2009

Funny Pics, a Confession and an Update




Yesterday after a great run on the treadmill we came home to do some things outside.  I took off my running shoes and put on my snow boots (it snowed Friday -- 4 inches... which is a lot of snow for us) and a fashion funny was documented!  Don't tell Clinton and Stacy!

Earlier today I came across a lovely bag of white chocolate chips and before I knew it, I had consumed over 300 calories of white chocolate goodness.  When I woke up from the chocolate-high I quickly threw the bag in the trash.  I do not do well with temptation.  They were left behind after a Saturday of baking with my mom.  Have you ever trashed a perfectly good food because of it being too much of a temptation?

Last week I posted that we had entered Ella Blue in a Christmas Cutest Pet Photo Contest.  Thank you so much for everyone who voted!  I love this blogging community!  Today they announce the winner.  Even if Ella doesn't win, she's still my cutest pup.

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Calling EVERY READER, One and All!

I need everyone's help!  If you are a reader, a regular commenter, a stalkers (whatever), PLEASE HELP ME!  We have entered our pup into a cutest Christmas pet contest and NEED EVERYONE TO VOTE!  You all know Ella Blue is cute!  You have seen this cuteness for months! 

Vote now!  Click the link, type in your email address and then select pup #144. 


Please leave a comment if you vote!  I'll love you forever if you link this post to your blog or send it out to your friends. 

Monday, December 14, 2009

I LOVE My Gyno!

Yes, you read that correctly.  I love my gynecologist!

Today I had my yearly lady-physical.  And aside from the normal "procedure" everything went wonderfully.  My doctor is a very straightforward, kind and honest lady.  Last year we discussed the fact that I have PCOS (Polycystic ovary syndrome); I've mentioned that before.  This is likely to make it difficult to get pregnant but she said the best thing I could do was to maintain my weight, work out and try to be as healthy as possible.  That was my focus and mission this past year and will continue to be -- it is a lifestyle.

So after the physical we sat in her office and had a chat.  My doctor was very happy with all I had done and even commented that I had lost a few lbs from last year.  She said there was nothing else I need to do but continue the track I am on.  These changes aren't going to mean I'll get pregnant without drugs or procedures but it could help.  And of course the healthier I am, the better my pregnancy may be.  She also discussed with me the plan and the steps that we'll take once Husband and I want to get pregnant... in about 1-2 years.  Once we're ready the plan will begin and that is a such a joy for me.  I have a doctor who understands my concerns and needs and it taking them seriously in order to aid in us having a baby.  She is giving me hope and a plan.  I need both.

Driving home it hit me.  This past year I have met many milestones.  I have lost pounds, ran miles, changed my eating and ran races.  But even more exciting that those things is the joy and the acknowledgment that these changes will help me to be a Mommy and I don't think any joy but that can compare.


Friday, December 11, 2009

My Sick Day

For an idea of my activities today, see Ella Blue's picture.


As a teacher I think it is 10 times harder to miss a day of school.  It is so hard to prepare for, get a sub and deal with the following school day's mess.  I hate missing school.  I know so much about my students and teaching that I don't like a stranger with them. 

Yesterday (after a late night with Husband's work party on Wednesday) I developed a low-grade fever around mid-morning.  So I called the doctor for an appointment.  I rarely get fevers.  They were able to see me yesterday and thought I had the beginning stages of Strep Throat.  I then came home and went to sleep.  By the time Husband came home I had developed a fever to 101.8.  I decided then that I would not be going into school today.  After calling some subs, I was able to secure one (a good one, thankfully) and went back to bed.

Today I have not left the bed much.  There have been lots of naps, some medicine for the pain of my throat and of course a pill from a lovely Z-Pack the doctor gave me yesterday.  I am feeling a little better.  The most difficult thing that I have done has been input some typical meal and food items into SparkPeople which I started on Tuesday.   

Unfortunately, I won't be able to attend our Young Professionals Christmas party tonight.  It makes me sad because I was going to be cute in black tights, a shorter than typical gray wool skirt and a tight 3/4 length black turtle neck.  And I was going to do some fun things with my hair using hot-rollers for a big, holiday party style.  Too bad... PJs and a messy ponytail it is tonight (as it has been all day).

Back to napping!

Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Sparks and Sparkles

Today I decided to join SparkPeople.  I have been having a hard time consistently tracking calories so I thought this may just be the "spark" to get me back on track.  Any one out there who uses it?  Any tips?  I think it'll get much easier after all my typical food has been entered in.

Anyone watching the finale?  The weight loss is amazing... almost too amazing and slightly scary.  What do you think?

Here's my prediction back in September.  I didn't predict the winner but did enjoy watching lives change. 

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

All I Want for Christmas is...

This year there is a major theme to my Christmas Wish List:
  • new running shoes






  • Women's Health Magazine Subscription


 

  • Polar F6 Heart Rate Monitor



  • Digital Food Scale


  • Banish Fat, Boost Metabolism DVD



What is on your Christmas Wish-List?

Tuesday, December 1, 2009

Race Recaps

In December 2008, I decided to start running and it changed my life.



Here's a list of the races that I've run

November 2009: 
Turkey Trot 10K




















I PRed and completed it in under and hour (59:11).



October 2009





August 2009




















I PRed and won first in my age-group (out of 3 people)



July 2009
Crazy 8s 8K race




















I loved this race!



May 2009
Race for the Rock 5K race recap


















Buddy Runner for Girls on the Run 5K recap




Explanation

I feel that I owe all the ladies that read my blog and explanation.  I have not been blogging lately and let me explain why.  When I was blogging regularly I felt like I was ignoring Husband.  We only have a few precious hours in the evening together and I was spending close to an hour (some days) staring at a computer.  Of course, my great Husband ever complained or said anything but I just had this guilty feeling in my core.  I don't want to go through the motions and not be present with him when I can.  Now of course there are times when he's busy or playing Wii and I do plan to use those times for blogging and commenting.
 
I hope you can understand.  As much as I LOVE this community, I know being a good wife is a job for life.
 
I will be back in a more sporadic/regular fashion; blogging a few times a week but not daily.
 
 
Here's a highlight list of what I've been up to:
  • landscaped the front yard (brick, pansy flowers and mulch... oh my!)
  • planted pansies for my Mom
  • decorated for Christmas
  • gained a few lbs (but nothing that can't come off with a little more focus and determination)
  • fixed a great Carmel Apple Cranberry crisp from my Cooking Light cookbook
  • made 3 Thanksgiving food items that were well received:  low fat pumpkin dip (cool whip, 1 can Pumpkin Purree, box of Vanilla pudding mix, 1 tspn pumpkin spice), spinach salad with feta, nuts and craisisns, and broccoli salad
  • ran crazy barely marked Turkey Trot 10K (the Saturday before Thanksgiving) and PRed
  • wrapped several Christmas presents
What have you been up to?
 

Favorite Posts

Here is a collection of my favorite posts: