Change

My mom reminded me of something the other day that I think we all should recognize. I don't know exactly who said it, or the exact words but I now have this posted in my office. 

Happiness shouldn't be just a final destination, it should be a way of living life. 

This couldn't be more true! I've been making some changes in my life and I am so excited for the whole journey and have promised to take more time to "smell the roses". 

I've been consistent in my weight loss and eating healthy and running, spending more time volunteering and focusing on others, working on our marriage and connecting with Dru more often (I haven't always been the nicest person), resigning from my job and looking for something that truly makes me happy, and to top it all off - seeing friends I haven't seen in a long time. 

I can't wait to spend time in California this weekend and reconnect. I can't believe that it has been almost 2 years and I am SO ready to celebrate a beautiful wedding and spend time in the city with 2 of my favorite ladies. 

A New Day

Everyday that we wake up we have the opportunity to seize the day, or let it be the same old, same old. I've decided to seize the day, each and every day from now on. The question that you probably have, and one that I have been asking myself a lot lately, "Why haven't you been doing this all along?"

I'm happy, and I will never again accept not being happy. Life is short, way too short to wake up each and everyday with nothing but the promise and drive to let TODAY be that day, the day that you decide or at least realize that you deserve to be happy. 

I know that I am being vague about what is going on, but I assure you that things are all good in the neighborhood. Dru and I are still VERY happily married, and I love waking up with him each and every day. Stan and Molly are doing fantastic, and I am getting ready to lace up my running shoes and hit the pavement before the rest of the day begins. It is a cool 65 degrees here this morning and I have an urge and a need to run, and run fast. 

So ask yourself this question "Am I Happy?" If the answer is "NO!" Please, for your sake and mine, do something about it!

Accountability

I have decided that I am going to start blogging about my workouts to keep me accountable to myself. I haven't really had time to actually blog about fun stuff, and I hope to do so soon. Summertime has me out in the sun when it isn't 102 degrees and really humid reading books and soaking up the sun.

I have read quite a few books this summer and I currently can't put down "The Help" Such a great book and I can't wait to see the movie when it comes out. I hope that it is just as good as the book.

This morning my gym partner had to be at the gym at 6 instead of our normal 6:30 am. She is crazy enough to be entertaining 4 kids today...Only one of which belongs to her. Crazy lady!

Last night I decided that I would run to the gym this morning and I texted that idea to Tanja before I could take it back. I Google mapped the distance from my house to the gym and I got 1.7 miles...Totally doable as a morning warm-up before I got to the gym. At 5:50 this morning I strapped on my running shoes, my Nike+ app and Iphone and off I went. I quickly realized that those 1.7 miles really was 2.79 miles, and it isn't as cool outside as one would hope it to be at 6am in Minnesota.

Running with a destination in mind, and a friend waiting for you and cheering you on to get there safe makes running a lot easier. I ran a pretty steady 9:30 mile for almost 3 miles which is pretty good for me. I just started really liking running about a month or 2 ago and I am gearing up to run a 10K in September.

Now it is back to the daily grind. I wasn't feeling well on Friday so I took a sick day to recoup which means that Monday is going to be even busier!

Time - Or Lack Of

Blogging has taken a back burner lately and I think that it is for a few different reasons...None of which are really that exciting but I feel the need to explain myself and try to get back in my blogging groove.

1. It is finally summertime in Minnesota. There is sunshine rays to catch and soak into my body - a girl's gotta get her tan on and many of my free hours are spent outside in the sun.

2. I have a new workout plan. Every morning of the week is dedicated to fitness. I have been working out since May and couldn't be happier. I ran a 5K on July 4th and have a 10K on the books for Sept. I have found that I love working out and have a great workout partner that goes to the gym with me every morning.

3. I feel great. Life has been good and I love spending time with my family and friends. Busy days and nights don't leave much time for blogging.

4. Now that I think about it - I don't think my blogging will improve until after Sept. I am going back to Cali 3 times in August and September and I am SOO excited to get to spend time with friends and family and celebrate the weddings of 3 amazing people. I am sad that I don't get to go to 2 other weddings (one was last weekend and one is this weekend) but a girl only has so much time off and so many airline miles available...right? Ughh I wish that I had TIME and more Money but don't we all?

That's all for now, Lunch is calling my name and Molly (who still continues to poop on my desk) and Stan need attention.

Hold Your Loved Ones Tight

Right now I have a little bit of daughterly guilt. My mom is hurting and I don't know how to make it better. I want to be there and give her a big hug and let her have my shoulder to cry on. Losing a best friend is something that no one should ever have to go through. Cancer is an ugly disease that takes the ones that we love away far too quickly. I am happy that she is now in a better place and isn't hurting, but now the healing must begin and I must say I am lost. I want to help, I need to help and I just don't know how.

So the best thing that I can do right now is offer love and support. My mom is my rock. She is the most kind person that I know. She is always willing to put others in front of her and now I need to be there for her. 2000 miles away makes that really hard. But mom, I want you to know that I am here for you. I will always be here for you. I love you more than anything. Lori was such a sweet kind woman, and you should cherish the times that you had with her and think that she is now in a better place where she is no longer hurting.

Mom I love you! I'm so sorry that you are hurting and believe me, I will do anything that I can to make it better.

Hugs big massive bear hugs from the whole family - Stan, Molly, Dru and Me. We love you.

A Skin Cancer PSA...Or Lack thereof

I have been neglecting this poor little blog for a while, and it is because I don't really have anything to say or time to say it. Yes, it is true, my life has been so busy and slightly boring that I don't have anything funny to share. No pooping Molly, No crazy Stan, No fun travels or vacations. Just plain old boring life.

But I am happy to report that I have been really good at recording what I eat each day and also trying to work out. I even went for a run today before it got hot. It is supposed to be sunny and beautiful here in Minnesota today. Which can only mean 1 thing. Tanning and book reading.

Yes, a summertime favorite of mine is getting a tan and reading a book. I can usually read a whole book in an afternoon of sun bathing. So it is almost like going to a movie (yet getting skin cancer while I'm at it)...

But I am going to just come out and say it. Skin cancer doesn't really scare me. I know, I am naive and shouldn't lay in the sun, and should wear sunscreen - yada yada. But I don't look good white, I have good genes (thanks mom) and it is relaxing. My mom is a sun worshiper just like me, and she, at her ripe old age :) I won't mention your age mom, but you are not OLD yet...Is still skin cancer free. Yes I think she has had a few moles removed here and there, but we are not really a sunscreen family. Unless you count my pasty white father. He obviously didn't give me my tan genes, because the man is blindly white (minus the GREAT farmers tan on his arms and face). Sorry dad, you are pretty white.

I know that cancer sucks and is dangerous and I shouldn't be tempting fate with laying in the sun, but look at it this way. I do live in the great state of Minnesota. Where it has been winter for the past 8 months. My tanning has been dramatically reduced since moving from the sunny California coast. So I have tacked a few years on my life just by moving :)

Enjoy your Saturday - and get a tan for me...Or wear some sunscreen if you choose.

PSA brought to you by Banana Boat Tanning Lotion *jk they don't know who I am, but they probably should.

Crusin for a Brusin

I am pretty sure that 2 out of the 4 words in the title of this post are not actually "words" but oh well, I am in that kind of mood.

3 weeks ago I started playing softball with my friend Sarah. We are on a Women's league in our little town/county. It has been so nice to meet new people and get out and do something different on Wednesday nights, but in all honesty I don't know if my body can handle much more of it. Last week I pulled a muscle in my quad (or something like that, I don't know technical terms) and I tried to tough it out. It hurt like hell and I couldn't run or walk for most of the game last week. Then I went to Baltimore. I thought that things were fine, and I was feeling much better - until last night.

I stretched before the game and could tell that my leg was pretty tight but I didn't think much of it. Thought that I would be fine. Turns out a pulled quad muscle doesn't miraculously go away. I felt/feel like I am 80 years old, or at least have the body of an 80 year old. Today I am SORE and I have more bruises that I have ever had in my entire life. I have a softball imprint on my knee (yes I know this speaks to my great catching abilities)....and some gnarly bruises all over my legs. Don't worry I will spare you the photos :)

I can't wait for acupuncture this evening, I haven't been in over a week or actually closer to 2 weeks and I need it. My body hurts my mind is frazzled and I could use some rest and relaxation.

The good/great news. I bought a plane ticket, or better yet, my lovely mother bought me a plane ticket home to CA on the 31st of August. Yes you heard that right. I am going back back to Cali...For about 1.5 weeks. My big brother is getting married to a beautiful girl that I am proud to call my sister and I am going to be doing some much needed sunbathing by my parents pool over Labor Day weekend.

Dru and the kitties will miss me (right?) but I am super excited and Dru will join me for the wedding...

Speaking of the wedding - this video montage of the happy couples engagement photos made me cry, and miss my family and hometown a lot! I love you guys and am SO happy for you!