Feeling Like a Kid Again

This evening I went for my longest run since having to take a month off (August) from running. I headed to a local path with a plan of doing 4 miles.

The weather was perfect for an evening run. It has rained almost all day long, but by the time I left the sun was setting and the clouds were clearing and the temp was just around 60.

The path I run is 2 miles out and 2 miles back. I ran the first half at 10 - 10:30 min/mile pace. Not fast, but not absurdly slow. At the turn around point I picked it up a bit. Since I have been back to running, my runs have been slow and fairly short, about 3 miles. I have been taking it easy, as to allow my body to readjust to running without risking injury.

Tonight I was feeling the need for speed. I had had enough slow and easy runs and wanted to feel some tightness in my chest and jelly in my legs. I have no idea how fast I ran the last 2 miles because my Garmin died at the 2 mile mark...my own fault for not charging it.

But...tonight's run was just the perfect run. Perfect weather, felt great. By the last half mile I felt like a kid again...running just because it is fun. Running because I can again. A month of no running was misery and easing back into it was smart, but no fun. As I finished my run....a little out of breath, a little shaky in the legs and VERY sweaty, I felt like I was 10 years old again....and it felt awesome.

My Girl in The Girly Skirt

I recently finished an adorable twirly skirt for MissyMiss. The pattern is called "The Girly Skirt" and it is by Pink Fig Patterns.

I don't do much in the way of garments, but was able to easily follow the pattern and the skirt turned out really cute. I matched it up with a red tee from Wal-Mart and it made for one cute outfit.

Here she is modeling it. Bubby insisted on being in the pictures too. The funniest part is that I later noticed that he was wearing my mom's fuzzy blue slippers! I can't wait to pull out these pictures when he is 16. Between this one and the one of him wearing one of MissyMiss's nightgowns, tap shoes and an Easter bonnet...I am all set. :)

Under Construction

Thanks so much to everyone who gave me suggestions as to how to improve the look of my blog. I will be working on it for the next few days...these things truly take me forever!

On another note, fall has arrived here in upstate NY and it is gorgeous! The temps have been down into the low 40s at night, so waiting at the bus stop in the morning is chilly! But...it will get up to 70 today, which is just perfect for playing outside.

I had a lovely 3 mile run this morning..it was cool and breezy and the leaves were falling from the trees...this is my favorite time of the year. :)

A few questions....

O.k...I need a little help here. Any input would be VERY appreciated.

Keep in mind that I am a techno-idiot. When my grandfather was in his 80s he decided he wanted to get a computer and get on-line. My mom got him one and was helping him to figure it out. During the middle of his tutorial about the Internet, he turned to her and asked "Who is on the other end of this?" He thought that there was another person on the other end....gotta love him. I am not much better than that. :)

Anyhow...here is my first question....
When I set-up my blog, I picked one of the standard blogger templates. It is very boring and not at all me. I visit other people's blogs and am amazed at how cute and personal the background, font, etc is. How do I do this??? I honestly have no idea where to even begin.

Also....my blog is a lot of running...but also my quilting, sewing, baking, family, kids, etc. Is anyone turned off by my lack of focus? Do you runners click right off when I show pictures of sewing projects? Do you non-runners click right off when I talk about my running? Anyone at all interested in my baking? I am trying to figure out what to do with this blog...should I continue on or choose one focus??

I would love to hear from y'all!!!

A Long Time Coming

Today was a big day for me. I have not been able to run for the last 4 and a half weeks. (Long story...don't wanna go there) I also had to pull out of a half-marathon that I was totally ready and excited for.

Enough of the bad...the good news is I was cleared yesterday for running and had a glorious 3 mile run today!!!

This morning I was grinning from ear to ear as I put on my running clothes for the first time in over a month! My husband walked in and asked why I was smiling so big and then realized that I was getting ready for a run.

It was a beautiful, cool and crisp morning with a gorgeous blue sky...perfect for a run. I went to my usual path and had a great run. I took it very easy, but pushed a little more for the last mile. My legs have been craving that "tired after a great run" feeling. I was thrilled that I was able to easily complete the 3 miles, even after a month off. I don't think that I lost nearly as much as I feared I would.

So...I was down in the dumps and just plain mad about the 4 weeks off and the missed half marathon, but I am back!

I totally heart the band Rascal Flatts and was reminded to the lyrics of one of their songs when I was out running this morning:

You find your faith has been lost and shaken
You take back what's been taken
Get on your knees and dig down deep
You can do what you think is impossible
Keep on believing, don't give in
It'll come and make you whole again
It always will, it always does

(This song is actually talking about love, but I totally relate it to running...one of my many loves.)

Just one more time...

My little MissyMiss started first grade today...where did those 6 years go?? Bubby starts preschool next week and then I will have 5 hours a week all to myself...what ever will I do?

Last week the weather here was gorgeous...sunny and not too hot and perfect for being outside. We tried to fit in "Just one more"....park, ice cream, etc.

One of our favorite restaurants is part of a family farm. They have delicious food and make their own bread...so the sandwiches there are unbelievable. The kids and I have been there to pick strawberries and blueberries and also several times for lunch. We made it back there one more time last week.

After lunch we go walk to see the animals and feed the goats.

It was not long before we were joined by this handsome fellow. His name is Braeburn. The farm is known for its apples, so the dogs are named after apple varieties.



He walked up to us and dropped his ball at my daughter's feet. The 2 then played fetch for the next 20 minutes, until Braeburn was worn out. My kids know and love him...when we eat on the porch at the farm he likes to sit by our table and wait for the kids to slip him some food.




Here are the kids and the donkey. They love to go see the animals.





After playing fetch for a while, Braeburn cooled himself down in the tub. :)







While MissyMiss played fetch, Bubby was content to fill his shoes with "hay"....boys.

Smores on a hot night...

We decided to buy a fire pit for the backyard. Making smores with a gas grill just feels so wrong. I can now say that making smores with a fire pit feels very right. :)

Luckily, both of my kids are afraid of fire and VERY careful around it. We broke it in the other night and had such fun.


Here is MissyMiss roasting her marshmallow. We bought long forks in the camping section at Target, so the kids don't have to get too close to the fire.



Bubby loves to roast the marshmallows, but does not like to eat them. He ends up eating a graham cracker and chocolate sandwich.




A fun time was had by all. :)