a lovely assortment for your friday [it's still!] morning!

July: one. be diligent about getting workouts in, at least three a week.  two. oh budget, hello there. three. enjoy every moment, especially because it's my birth month. three. walk to get ice cream at least once. four. eat at tikitaki. five. manage my magazines. six. comb the cats every other day. seven. wear a pretty dress once a week. {some fun, some usual, one challenging. trying to keep it simpler.}

1.   The best news I ever received was probably that I got the job at Delta, everything else has fallen into place after that - home, kitties, Matt.

2.  Something I'm looking forward to is this month, mostly planned but a free weekend out there, and all good plans that make my little life quite special. (fireworks, birthday, friends/great lake Huron, chain of lakes on the boat) Bring it on July.

3.  Something I would never do is, well I'm sure there are things but I'm totally drawing a blank right now. Or maybe I'm feeling very open today...

4.  If I could choose someone to be my life coach (famous or not, living or dead), I'd choose my train4change coach, Carla Murphy. She lives with such an open heart, she's a beast at triathlon, she's an Ironwoman, she has a great family, and she drinks beer and always has a burger when we're out to eat. My kind of woman.

5.  If I had to put a label on my style it would be colorful and cozy.

6.  One should always  follow your heart/laugh/as Lauren said, be kind to others.

7.  I want to get some things on my tangible to do list accomplished today, as much as I also want to just stay on the computer all day. Why am I so damn lazy?

now you.

: red

Rouge- crimson, pomegr... TCaponePhoto $30.00

33% Off SALE Red Flyer ... Raceytay $20.10

Photograph: Red Chilis... LeighsPhotosAn... $75.00

Georgia red peony 8x10 ... mistflowerphot... $21.00

Treasury tool by Red Row Studio. 

Summer Colours Week : yellow / pink / blue / : rainbow

Aw, it's the final day. I'm obsessed with making treasuries now. Imagine that. :)

Train4Change -- Seahorse Triathlon 5k Playlist

I'm sitting here soaking my feet in Epsom's salts to sooth four blisters, one of which popped during my run and is now a very ouchy scab, and I thought it was the perfect time to do race recap. Then I realized that was quite a detailed process and I don't have the energy.

I did pull together my playlist to share, so here we go.

In just a minute...

I'm going to get moving again. I'm dogsitting this weekend and Gdog and I took a rest after a trip to the park. 2 hr walk = 2 hr break makes sense right?!

I was also busy creating this on Vista Print. Thanks to a Living Social deal I got $116 worth of Train4Change gear for $44.81, and I ordered extra.

 next Valentine's day? one day? so pretty, the sparkly love.

 i feel this way sometimes. but i think it's the best part of my personality. sure it's burned me in the past but it keeps my heart light. i know i have people who i will love for the rest of my moments that make these momentary loves, lovely but inconsequential.

TINY ELEPHANT!!!

these images have been sitting on my desktop for a while now, thought I'd share.

I have no idea what their original sources are.

 my momma and me visiting abe. 

how cool are we?! 

1/3 less excuses

I have a confession, I partially, finally posted about Train4Change yesterday because Rachel is doing a fun little challenge - 1/3 Less Excuses.

"Each challenge will last for two weeks, and I hope in those two weeks you’ll make those little changes that motivate you in all areas of your life."

The first challenge is Fitness related and you pledge to make 1/3 Less Excuses about skipping a workout or not pushing yourself enough in a workout.

As I mentioned yesterday, I'm seeing changes in my attitudes about working out and how I feel when doing so, but I'm still struggling to get there a consistent basis. This really couldn't come at a better time.

My entry:

Last week I didn't work out because... my feet hurt, I needed more sleep and I was a crabby bitch that didn't want to deal with my problems. The week before it was because I had a headache. In the past month I've chocked my excuses up to the weather good and bad, eating to much and to little and continually absurd, cop out excuses. As you can see I have no lack of excuses...but I'm participating in a triathlon, in 47 days. It's time to get serious. I'm supposed to train five days a week, but I've only been doing three. I pledge to hold myself accountable and only miss for a truly valid reason if one arises.

 I love the idea of tweeting the workout excuse that I would use if it weren't for the challenge. @RachelGettingIt and @Kraftsingles with the hash tag #BetterForYou (+ bonus entries!)

So really, go check out the Rachel's blog and give making 1/3 Less Excuses a try!

train4change

Meet most of my Train4Change Team. 

Train4Change is a group of eleven Delta College women preparing to run a the Seahorse Sprint Triathlon in Climax, MI (between Kzoo and Battle Creek) Memorial Day weekend. It’s a .5 mi swim, 12 mi bike, and 5k run. We have the honor and pleasure of training with Carla Murphy. She is a Delta College Lifelong Wellness Professor and ran the Louisville Ironman Triathlon last August.

We’re making Our Miles Mean More We by training and collecting change for the Delta College MyAlert fund for students in crisis. People can pledge miles or give a straight donation to the Train4Change fund. Many of us were not doing any or much physical activities before training started and have now completed almost or over 100 miles and ran the Bay City St Pat’s 5k. I like to think we’re not only collecting change but changing our lives.

Activity is not my default setting (can you tell, I barely pick my feet up off the ground ;). I always knew that I would need a real motivator to get myself into a workout routine that would last for the rest of my life.  I've tried joining gyms and taking classes, but I fell short on consistency. The last time I ran was at 14 for basketball. That was 11 years ago. So when I overheard there was a group starting to train for a triathlon I knew it was time to take the opportunity right in front of me and start changing my life. Now, I've jogged/walked/meandered a 5k, and in 47 days I'll be participating in a TRIATHLON. 


The team has kept me honest about my motivation, by no means am in the gym every day yet. I am there at least three-four times a week, and I'm learning to understand my goals and motivations more. I'm also learning to appreciate my body. I got on the treadmill last week, and it seemed to know what it was supposed to do - my body, not the treadmill. It still wasn't easy, but it wasn't so hard. 

47 days from now I'll be swimming, biking and running my way through a triathlon. Wow.

46:57 / pace 15:07

Yesterday I ran (jogged/walk) my first 5k. I finished in 46:57, at a pace 15:07. 8 weeks ago, I wasn't doing ANYTHING! If I can do it, get off my ass, you can do it.

(So You Think You Can Dance version, 67 days until the season premier!) When this song came on I was able to kick up my walking speed to the beat. Maybe if I'd just listened to this on repeat, I could have finished in 45 minutes. There's always next time! Because, that' the thing, now that I've started I NEED to keep it up.

I was able to run the race with a great group of women, my train4change mates. It makes a world of difference to have people cheering me on from the sidelines, and cheering my mediocre time. :) The slowest and the youngest of the group. More about them in an upcoming post and what this train4change thing actually is. 70 days until the triathalon!!!

I'm rounding out today's post with two giveaways:
one. Lomography from the Dainty Squid.
two. Organized Simplicity and Magnets from Lisa Leonard Designs.

993 % to goal   .   50 kits   .   $54,594   .   http://www.forjapanwithlove.com/

really Being Human?

 now you.

1.   The best deal I've ever gotten is  oh, I'm not even sure. I deal shop but I guess I've never gotten anything truly memorable...

2.  If I were hosting a dinner party and could invite people from my fantasy guest list it would include people who could keep the conversation going, because I'd be super nervous. I'm enjoying this question though, usually I avoid it. Here we go. Kelly Rae Roberts, Leigh of Curly Girl, Elsie & LA (especially as a pair) because these women have all followed their dreams in a creative world. I'd love to soak up their passion and joy and learn all I could from them. So that's one dinner party I would love to host, I'm sure there are others. Lauren's list was great, be sure to check it out.

3.  Something that inspires me are the women above, the women in my family, a clear blue sky, sunshine, clouds, thunderstorms, my love, really the list is probably endless. I need to grab that inspiration more often.

4.  If I could only choose to eat one flavor of food for the rest of eternity (sweet, salty, spicy, bitter....) I would have to go with well there are fourfive recognized flavors by the chef community, thank you Top Chef (hootie hoo forever!) sweet, bitter, sour, salty, umami. I thought my answer was going to be umami, but as I read about it apparently it only works when on of the four other flavors are present. I'll go with salt then, not that I really should have questioned this. I'm a salt fiend. rambling.

5.  I dream about so much. I've been having whack-o dreams at night, about random stuff. They always involve the people in my life in odd situations. Or I'm trying to think of a name of a Teen Mom and I can't figure out if I had the conversation in real life or my dreams. It was Chelsea. Currently during the waking hours I'm dreaming about the warm weather that's right outside the door or at least right around the corner, future plans with Matt, a weekend in Chicago, what I want to be when I grow up (today it's a nutritionist/food activist, a mom, bed and breakfast owner, or maybe this, this is ok.)

6.  My weekend will be spent, well I'm so glad you asked. On Sunday, I will be running (please think of this term loosely, more walking bits of jogging) my first organized race, the Bay City, St. Pat's 5k. I'm excited. I'm more excited for the Oatmeal Party/Power Breakfast I'm hosting at my house for my train4change mates. And then there's the beer after the race. But first, Saturday, will be spent with my love, I think we'll walk downtown and do some window shopping. I'm in a shopping mood. I don't even want to look at my budget. A bit of mall shopping too, it's the Gap corps Give & Get weekend, a perfect opportunity for my annual flipflop purchase. I'd like to cook something yummy and grocery shop. My Google reader needs some serious attention. Of course, house cleaning's got to happen pre-oatmeal party. I'm looking forward to this busy weekend. I'm sure we'll work some downtime in there too.

7.  If I could only  watch one movie or TV show for the rest of my life, it would be something dramatic but that makes me laugh like, this is really out there, Being Human. 

marching into march

so welcome to a new month. we're going to go a little random today, because that's the best.

this morning i made a list. my first of many this month hopefully. i need to keep myself on track and lists will help! what's on this list you ask, well i was just about to tell you. CHANGE CAT LITTER, PICK UP MAIN FLOOR AND SWIFFER, FINISH LAUNDRY. it's not a very exciting list, but you see we cleaned (and cleaned and cleaned) the house on saturday. it feels great and it needs to stay that way! so lists must be made and tasks must be completed. do you call these chores? i'm 25 and have chores.

did you know there's probably (hopefully, omg i hope with every fiber of me) going to be a 70 degree day in the next 31 days. and then it's april. and april showers bring may flowers!

who wouldn't that?

planting, green, growth, fresh, thunderstorms, skirts, bare legs, flip flops, freckles. sunkissed.  it's all right around the corner. this is probably the most optimistic i've ever felt going in to march. i'm just pretending there isn't also a chance of a giant snow storm as well.

check out these beautiful jeans from Nine in the Morning. i particularly love the image in the upper left hand corner.

do you Bright Side? great companies, special giveaways. you should.

SimpleShoes

$30 for a pair of flips, even if made of recycled is a bit steep for me.

i'm an old navy two pair for $5 girl.

this could be color for the season.

or at least the rest of the post, but probably the season too.

last night i had a lesson in gluttony. we went out to dinner at local Harvey's and i proceeded to gorge myself on their delicious seasonal menu. potato wedges with blue cheese and bacon, tomato soup, brushetta burger. and here's the stupid thing, i knew before i even started my burger i was overfull, but proceeded to eat half of it, and thought i was going to burst. no good. lesson learned. 

then i bought goggles so i can swim straighter and get more exercise. i have reached a new chapter in my life. oh! i totally registered for the st pats 5k RUN yesterday in Bay City. my tri team is doing it as a group. i'm hosting an oatmeal smorgasbord. do you think they'll want bloody mary's?! no, probably not. that's ok, i never need an excuse to enjoy a bloody mary.

i think i will leave you with, three things for March, the three things i most want to accomplish for the month.

ONE. KEEP IT TIDY/FINISH ORGANIZING. TWO. MORE SPECIAL DATE NIGHTS. THREE. WORK ON/REEVALUATE/PRIORITIZE MY LISTS (25before26, 11before2012, etc.).

funk

Do you ever feel like you're just in a FUNK? I do. Right now. The thing that stinks the most is I'm completely aware of it and not sure how to get out of it.

What kinds of things do you do when you're in a funk and want to shake it? I just ate a bag of Grandma's Mini Sandwich Cremes, sooo yummy! I texted Matt, hope you're having a better day than me, subtext fix all my problems!, which in reality probably only succeeded in making him worry about me. I read a couple of blog posts. And admired these beautiful photos:

from Alec Vanderbloom. I want him to shoot my wedding, one day.

Publish Post

 

love this JUST MARRIED text, I'm inspired to add words to Valentine's Day garland. 

Maybe I'll finish that tonight or soon.

Ok. 

I feel better. Yay! Now to stay positive and out of my funk for the rest of the day/week/month. I've got things to look forward to, my second tri training workout, a Pure Romance party, more tri training (endorphins, right?!), bowling, a weekend with no plans other than to snuggle up with Matt and visit the grandparents at some point and time to clean. LIFE IS GOOD. Remember.

it's FRIDAY!!!

It's been a weird week. I'm really disliking this winter. I always feel like I'm always on the brink of sickness and I'm tired and I want it to be summer. so there.

Thank goodness, we're going away for the weekend, me and six of my favorite people!!! Do you think I need it?? ZoodeSKI, Boyne Highlands here I come!

That also means it's time for Fill in the Blank Friday!!!!!

 this feels like spring.

can i live in that image for the next thee months?

can i take matt?

1.   My favorite quote is "Always look on the bright side. Be eccentric. Be inspired. Follow your heart and be your funny self." It's from a beautiful shop in Paris, Karine Dupont.

2.  A bad habit I have is well, can lack of motivation be a bad habit? Because that's definitely my biggest fault right now and inconsistency, same boat.

3.  The first time I felt like a "grown up" was I think that first night I was at Ferris all by myself, I had a private dorm, definitely felt grown up, breaking up the ex was pretty grown up (almost six years ago), moving to New York to be on my own, with no connections was but I can't really pinpoint an exact moment.

4.  Weekends are FANTASTIC, full of possibility but we usually end up in the same state, cuddled up on the couch reading/sports/lazing. Definitely not complaining.

5.  When I was a child I wished my name was Abby. That's an easy one!

6.  I wish for so much. Today I'm wishing for inspiring meetings that will build a fire of excitement in me about training for the tri and give me oodles of motivation for Monday.

7.  A secret I have is I'm scared I'll never figure it out.

it started last monday and ended thursday

One of my goals for this year is to "Run a (baby) triathalon." I have a trainer and supporting team and everything. Seriously, I'm going to go from couch to TRIATHALON in five months. I haven't started training yet so in the meantime...

I'm also P90Xing with Matt. We've been talking about it for about a month and were supposed to start the first week of the new year (resolutions!)  but put it off since I was still sick. A week ago it started. I definitely had my, well I'm not really in the mood, I'm cold, I don't wanna moments, but I faked my way through them and we did it! 60 minutes of back work, 15 minutes of abs.The thing with P90X is you have to do it every day and it's long and I pinched a nerve stretching. (lame!) So Friday I was in pain, Saturday we slept in and undecorated for xmas :( and Sunday... we ordered pizza. I really believe in the fact that it's about learning to make a lifestyle change though, so four days is good for the first week.


So we start again get back at it tonight. And next week I start training for the tri.