Friday

This may not have been such a good idea......

I had eight miles I my training schedule for today and it was raining so I did it on the treadmill. My treadmill isn't working properly (they are sending a new computer board for it). It works but isn't registering the correct speed.......I watched Jenny Doan from Missouri Star Quilt Company the whole time.....many, many quilting tutorials......when I finished running, I went to their website and ordered a bunch of quilting supplies...... :)

Anyone made anything with their half hexie ruler?

 

Edinburgh Square Quilt

I got this massive quilt back from the long armer today. It was just too big for me to quilt. More pictures are forthcoming......

In other news....I started my training today for a November half marathon.

 

 

Summer projects before and after

So today is the day the fisherman comes home. Yay! I've missed him. It sounds like they have had a fabulous two weeks. Great weather, lots of fish. Even had wifi in the cabin so we were able to FaceTime several times while he has been away.

Thought I'd do a summary post of all the projects I've done while he was gone. First up, and the biggest in my book....the garage. Dramatic difference.

I had already started tossing stuff before I made the top picture. Got rid of a lot, hired out the painting, purchased new storage containers. I love it. So clean. I am hoping I can keep it this clean. Next up the living room...

I've been wanting to replace the recliner and couch for a couple of years now, to something more neutral. I like change and I like to change out quilts and pillows for the seasons. I also painted the lamps black. The old furniture went to a pastor and his wife. They returned from Brazil as missionaries a few years ago and have had to start from scratch. No home, no car, no furniture. It blessed my heart to bless them with it.

...then the dining room. I'm very happy with the beadboard wallpaper.

It brightened up the dining room. Love that stuff. I'd like to put up more.

Then because the old, old fridge in the boat garage bit the dust, we replaced the refrigerator in the kitchen and moved the old one to the garage. I didn't think I wanted stainless but we got a great deal, only in stainless. Very happy with it now.

And, I believe this is the last project. I've been wanting to make a barn quilt for my front porch, but I just hadn't slowed down enough to do it. One of my friends from church makes these so I commissioned her to make us one. I designed the block and picked the colors. It is 20"x20". I like it on the front porch but I may end up putting it on the screened porch, where I can see it more often.

I'm very happy with it. My friend and I snagged the little antique table at a flea market yesterday.

And just in case you thought I hadn't been busy enough, I ran 6.2 miles this morning.....I did a virtual race sponsored by Skirt Sports.

All of this in two weeks, and I worked 55 hours in these two weeks. The Lord blessed me with boundless energy, or at least a goal oriented mind. I love lists and I always start my "stay at home while he is away fishing" time with a good long projects list.

Not sure I mentioned it here but I did go back to work part time. I'm really enjoying my new job.

 

A little this and a little that

Yesterday was not as productive as I had hoped but I made up for it today. I ran five miles in the horrendous heat and humidity this morning. Took my Nunn water with me, had a GU (salted caramel with caffiene, yum) at mile 3. Both helped me to complete the five.

As I ran over the little pedestrian bridge, I saw this duck taking a rest. After running I finished washing the windows in the garage and even mopped the garage floor. That was a first.

I am so pleased with how the garage update has gone.

After a rest, I took the paddle board out ...

I went a little past the bridge today. There were lots of boats out so it was pretty choppy, but still great to get out.

So I've had a very busy active day, just the way I like them. So thankful I can work hard at playing.

 

Friday

Today was a long run day. Perfect weather for it.

Really wanted to run over this bridge, but chickened out.

Received some new pictures and videos of my baby girl....

She is growing up so much! 15 1/2 months old already!

Her daddy is awfully happy, but obviously she is not.

After running and getting cleaned up, decided to do a 'What I Wore' pic.

The top is great. It is from Dress Barn. The jeans are Loft jewelled ankle jeans, and I'm wearing my five year old Chacos. I've worn these every summer for five years and they still look great. I really like them but my Teva sandals are more comfortable. Too bad the Teva straps aren't nearly as durable. This is only the second year with them and the straps are fraying. :(

 

Monday run and healthy smoothies

Doing a bit more reading abut Jeff Galloway's running method. Today I did five slow miles at 3/1 run/walk intervals. I am going to try to follow his recommendations for a while. I do think I'll be faster with a more frequent walk break. It was a beautiful day for a run. Sixty degrees, sunny skies.

I've been a fan of protein smoothies for a while now. Today I added some spinach to my regular frozen banana, strawberries, almond milk, and protein powder.

It looked pretty gross, but tasted awesome. I couldn't taste the spinach at all. I'd like to try it with kale too.

 

 

Saturday

We have been blessed with perfect weather for today. Perfect for a long run, perfect for a wedding shower, perfect for sleeping in the porch swing....

First, the long run......

Then the wedding shower........regretfully no pictures of the beautiful bride to be.....then sleeping in the swing...Under a couple of quilts....

....And me, I'm enjoying the sunshine and cool breeze with the windows open......resting. Tomorrow is Easter. I love the reminder of what our Lord Jesus did for us. He gave his all so we could be forgiven of our sin, and be accepted by the Father in Heaven one day.

 

Quilt Guild Friday

I joined a quilt guild last month and today was my second meeting to attend. I am so impressed with this group. I signed up for a contemporary art quilt workshop with Pat Pauly as the instructor. Evidently she is world renown for her work. I am on the wait list so I won't get in unless about five people have to cancel. Below are a couple of the samples she sent for the guild to show.

 

The Big Leaf below is the class I'd like to attend.

I also started messing with small scrap pieces. I'd like to make a modern baby quilt like the nine block bright birch trees by Crazy Mom Quilts. I noticed she has the pattern for sale in Connecting Threads. I'd like to try my own version.

There are so many opportunities to learn new things, meet new people, and support worthy causes, being associated with a guild. Are you in a quilting guild?

I got in a great run yesterday at my favorite trail. 5.24 miles. Yeah for spring and warmer weather!

 

 

Sunshine!!!

 

So thankful for the sunshine. I had a long run on the schedule for today.

Seven miles! In short sleeves and a running skirt!

Mercy, those legs are lily white! (I wonder...is that a purely southern expression?)

Got her done. 5/1 intervals, long and slow. Foot feels ok. I've self diagnosed my foot pain as metatarsalgia, and I think the cause is all the running I've had to do inside. Lots of turns. It started hurting after two weeks of inside running due to the ice and snow. Some day I may have to break down and get a treadmill.

In other randomness...have you tried Pioneer Woman's meatloaf recipe? It is the best I've had, especially with her tomato gravy as a topping. Just for the two of us I halve the recipe, but it is so good I think next time I'll make the whole and freeze half of it.

With some green beans, and sweet potato fries (from Costco; officially a Costco fan now), we've eaten two meals each and still have a little left -- and I only made half the recipe!

Let me put in a plug for Costco while it is on my mind. The nearest one is about 25 miles away but I've decided it is worth it for us. One reason really....my glasses. I had my eyes checked last week and I usually get my glasses at the eye doctor's facility. With vision insurance, the cost to me was going to be $292! That was for a nice stylsh frame, scratch resistant, non glare, progressive and transition lenses. Basically the works. HOWEVER, at Costco, all of that cost me only $115. The basic membership is $55. I still saved $122, and I found several things we use that were significantly cheaper at Costco. The vision center is run by licensed opticians and they are open the same as the store hours, seven days a week. No charge for adjustments. They were so very nice too! I was impressed.

So here are the fashionable frames I picked out. Did you know cat eye frames are making a comeback, along with more rounded frames too? I just couldn't do those. They reminded me of the fifties and sixties. I hope these are stylish enough to help make this old gal look a bit more modern.

 

Free race photos

The Hot Chocolate race in Nashville provided FREE professional race photos. I think that is cool. In both the half marathons I've run you had to buy the photos. They were not that great and were terribly expensive.

 

 

Fun times..

 

Great day for a long run

On today's schedule was my last long run before next week's 15k race. Eight miles. I tried to keep it very slow because slow = no injuries. I finished with a salty face! I kind of like that rough salty feel to my face after a really long run.

I received my retirement blocks today too! Yay! Oh, how I loved reading them and I have a very special project in mind for them. It will be an original design. Of course some blocks are so universal it is hard to be original, but I did design the layout and am excited about it.

 

 

Long run

On today's schedule was seven miles. So for my birthday present to me, I did seven long, slow miles at 5/1 intervals in the cold rain. Today I dedicate my run to those who can't, those who are battling injury, illness, or disability. Those include my mom, my pastor, and my husband. Love them all! Thankful I can. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Lots of layers to protect against the cold rain....winter tights, shorts, winter shirt, jacket, light rain jacket, gloves, headband, and hat.

...and on the track....a little boring....

 

Long Run Day

One day a week I try to do a long run. Today's was six miles. Trying to work up to eight before the 15k (9.3 miles).

My favorite place to run. Not many folk out today, but it was sunny and a balmy 38 degrees.

Once you start running it isn't cold.

Slow but steady gets the job done. Also got a new haircut.

I've been trying to let it grow into a longer style but my hair is so curly, when it is longer it ages me. Short and spikey gives me a more youthful look....if you can be "youthful" with hair that color!

 

 

Long run

Getting ready for a New Year's Day 5k. Five miles at 5/1 intervals. Slow but felt great.