Every Girl has got to get one…

My friends and I took a trip to Birch Run this weekend to shop at the outlets.  We all got great deals, one of which was at the Coach store.  I’ve always dreamed of a Coach purse – but never purchased one.  I usually buy my purses from Target or Payless – never spending much on them.  Well the Coach store yesterday was INSANE!!  I couldn’t believe how many women were walking around with 2 or 3 purses on their arms and ended up getting at least 2.  That store is just raking in the money I swear.  Anyway I did find the perfect Coach for me – it was on the Clearance table – with 50% off the lowest marked price and then I also had another 20% coupon on top of that!   So…with that good deal it brought the purse to just over $100….I was like…hmmm… I really want to spoil myself…but I’ve NEVER spent this much on a purse…well I did it!  I went for it and I’m now the proud owner of my first Coach purse!

It was a wonderful experience.  They even wrapped it in the coach tissue and sealed it with a sticker… and I walked out of that store super proud. 

I did end up getting some good deals at the other stores including Columbia, Bath and Body works, and Yankee Candle!  Lets not forget to mention my new Croc Sandals for $10.    Overall it was a wonderful and LONG day.  The 3 of us girls shopped from about Noon till about 7:30ish – I didn’t get home until about 8:30…  what a day!  I couldn’t have asked to spend it with 2 better people!  We had a blast.  

Now…lets just not panic with the credit card bill comes in..mmmmkay!?

 

Off to another adventure!

Lo

April Showers….bring May Flowers

So excited for May flowers!!  I was shopping the other day at Randazzo’s and they had the most beautiful tulips there – so I bought a couple bunches – They’re super pretty!

This April has been many things for me.  A time to reflect on what I want in my life and what direction I’m going and how I’m going to achieve all my goals.  I feel good and I feel new.  I’ve been doing great with Weight Watchers the last few weeks.  I’ve got my eating under control and right and it feels wonderful.  Not only is that part going good – but I’ve actually started running again.  Now, I haven’t gone far – just starting off doing 1 mile straight.  But I’m doing it!   Baby steps back into the 13.1 miles that I use to be able to do straight and will once again.  As of last April I haven’t done much running wise.  While doing the Martian Marathon – I tried to run, with not enough training, I injured my knee and I’ve been scared to run since.  All that putting it off made me more afraid to start back up again, afraid that I couldn’t do it anymore and afraid to find that pain.  I’m happy to say that so far so good!  I’ve run a few times now and have absolutely no pain!!  I feel strong and in control and happy – and I haven’t been able to say that in a long time. 

I with out a doubt know that this change in my life has to do with the fact that I have amazing friends and family who are always there for me and the fact that I’ve found a new church that I can call home.  I’ve found my relationship with God again and just being able to talk to him in prayer and lean on him…..surrender all my pain to him has made all the difference.  I am strong and I will move on and I know with Him by my side things will be good!  I have a happy heart!  I’m excited to see what each day brings.

Being in control is AMAZING!  I’ve been planning out all my meals and working hard to keep that going.  This weeks weigh in is going to be great!  I can already tell (and let’s be honest…I’ve been scale hopping!)  By the end of May I’d like to be 10lbs lighter if not more.  Can I do it?  Lets find out.

Isaiah 40:31 -

³¹ but those who hope in the LORD
       will renew their strength.
       They will soar on wings like eagles;
       they will run and not grow weary,
       they will walk and not be faint.

With Him….I will surely run and not grow weary!

 

Here’s to another great week and more running!

Lo

Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood

I’m so ready for Spring/Summer – not only for the warmer weather but also for the longer days, and beautiful flowers.  I’ve been slowly buying things for my balcony these past few weeks, to get my little space ready for Summer!  This is such a change from where I use to live.  Before all I heard was the traffic from I-94, and now all I hear is birds chirping and the occasional kid playing.  Listening to the birds is the best thing ever!   I decided I wanted to put out a bird feeder.  I’m not allowed to install things on my balcony, such as drilling/nailing/screwing things into the wood railing or siding.  I searched local hardware stores and such and couldn’t find anything that I could use.  Finally I saw someone here in the complex had a clamp style hook for plants/bird feeders.  Since I couldn’t find anything here like that, I took my search online and finally ended up ordering one at Ace Hardware.  It came in today and I was finally able to hang the feeder!  So far I’ve only seen house finches coming to eat, but I often hear chickadees out there….I can’t wait to see what other kinds of birds come to eat!  Maddie (my dog) and Dutchess (my cat) love that I’m feeding the birds – they sit here and watch.

It’s too cold to plant flowers yet, but I’m seriously counting the days.  The planters I blogged about earlier actually came in and I tried them on the railing for size.  I can’t wait to just plant them with some beautifully colored flowers.  I know pansy’s do well in colder weather – so I bought some at Kroger last time I was there – so that’s a start.

 

The side table I ordered that matches my little bistro set should be in this week and then I can place that out there as well.  I should stop by my storage unit too and get my gravity lounger to put there there and then on sunny beautiful days such as this I can spend hours outside lounging and reading!

 

Little by little my space is coming together.  I’m excited about it and can’t wait to see it all done and in bloom.

 

I’m spending today just recovering from my 1/2 marathon.  Just a little sore today – but plan to hit the gym early tomorrow morning to do at least a mile on the tread.  Time to get my butt in gear.

 

Well I’m off to enjoy the beautiful day.

 

More soon!

Lo

Martian 1/2 Marathon

Well, today was the day!  Karen, Jared, Mike and I all walked 13.1 miles in the Martian 1/2 marathon!  We actually did a great job.  Karen and I had first set our goal to complete it in 4 hours – I was thinking that was totally doable – but then as we kept a good pace and thinking back hearing the guys say the wanted to try to do it in 3.5 hours – we decided to up our goal to 3.5 miles.  We kept up a very strong pace and ran about the last 3/4 mile in to (according to my Garmin) we crossed over at 3:29:42!!  We made our goal!  I can’t tell you how great it was to actually finish a race WITH someone…..to cross over that finish line and actually be able to hug the person!!  I was so happy that I got to share that with Karen – It’s something I’ll never forget.

 

I have done the Martian 1/2 for the last few years in a row….I always brag about the cool shirts they hand out…See below:

2007

FRONT

BACK

2008

FRONT

BACK

 

2009

FRONT

BACK

 

NOW…… check out how LAME ASS this years shirt was…I mean…totally BLAH – not to mention if you ordered a XL and were a girl they gave you the “Ladies” cut shirt – which are cut shorter and run smaller…. Mine is a total belly shirt on me…I’m NOT happy – but they had no men’s shirts left so I couldn’t trade mine in.  I’m stuck with it and I guess it will be a goal shirt to fit into….

 

2010

FRONT

BACK

 

 

I hope that next year they turn it around and go back to the awesome style that they had before.  I rather dug it!

 

I was able to add my medal to my “Wall of fame” Now on to the next!  I plan to keep this up and even start running again.  I was pretty excited that Karen said she’ll try running some 5K’s with me….Turkey Trot here I come!

 

Well, I’m off to put my aching feet up and relax!

 

More soon!

Lo

NEW WEDNESDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY: I BELIEVE, BUT...Ever been asked about your Christian beliefs regarding current events, controversial topics, or hard sayings of the Bible? What about capital punishment? Is God green? Aren’t most Christians intolerant? Don’t you see the contradictions in the Bible? Have you ever answered, “I believe what the Bible says, but… ?” Join us on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and equip yourself to eliminate the “but.”

I think that I'm going to attend this new Bible study going on at church. So many times I find myself in that role...saying "I believe, but..." This is going to be so interesting!!

What's Doing?

So - I find myself wanting to blog, but not really having anything to blog about at the moment. Life for me has been a roller coaster as of late. I'm hanging in there like the best of them.

Things that are new in my life - I've joined a really awesome church. I forgot how much I loved going and loved worshiping God. I mean all this time I felt the pull but didn't really know where I belong. When I moved last October, I'd pass all these new churches and think... wonder how their service is? I really need to find a place! Well I have...and let me say..it's pretty awesome! I'm so happy that I found my church home before Holy week too! :) I'm now attending and meeting new people and making myself at "home" I feel good - and you know last week I could say that for the first time in a LONG time I actually had a happy heart! I can't wait to watch myself grow and see how my life changes along the line. I'm really trying to live a better life - and become a better Christian.

Yesterday I got some major good things done for my little balcony patio. During my lunch break I ran out to Target - I found a bird feeder online that I really liked and I was hoping that I could get it in the store! Well, I found it! I got that and some bird food along with some extras that I went in for. I also went to the hardware store. I'm trying to find a clamp hook to clamp on to the railing of my balcony so that I can hang my bird feeder over the edge. I've seen them online, but I can't seem to find them in any stores. I didn't have any luck at Ace hardware, but knew I could order it online and have it sent to them for free. When I got back to work that's just what I did! I can't wait for it to come and I can hang it. I hope the birds find it fast! I also ordered some super cool planters. I ordered 2 of them in the "Bone" color. They actually fit on to the railing and fit snugly so that they won't fall off. I can't wait until the end of May and I can put flowers up on my balcony! We actually have a contest at the complex. First place gets $100 off their rent, 2nd $50 and 3rd $25. I'm determined to at least get one of those! Time will tell.

So I sat out on my balcony - kicked my feet up and read my book. I sat out there reading until it was getting too dark for me to see. I headed inside, cleaned up and then couldn't resist picking up the book again. I'm reading J.R. Ward's - Lover Avenged. This is the 7th in the series I believe and super good! You know I end up reading a lot of books - I've placed a link on my homepage to my Good Reads site/profile! You should totally check out and be friend me! :) We can be book friends too.

Tonight I'm having my friend Jenny over for a Biggest Loser dinner party. We're doing pot roast and veggies tonight - watching biggest loser and then just vegging out! I'm going to do my fair bit of relaxing this week as Thursday I'll be walking 6 miles and then Saturday is the 1/2 Marathon. I'll have to post pix and what not from that!

Time to get busy and get some work done!

More soon!
Lo