E is for Exercise

This is Day 5 of the A-to-Z Blogging Challenge.

Exercise is something I don't like doing but am very glad I've done after-the-fact.  A few years ago, I really never exercised, and lived a pretty much sedentary lifestyle.  But, spurred on by my Dad who knew exercise was good for me, and the desire to lose some weight, I began exercising and eating better a couple of years ago.

With my Mom after my second 5k in October 2010.

I'm so glad I started exercising regularly two years ago.  Not only did I lose weight, but I feel better, too.  I used to be cold all the time, but I'm really not anymore.  I also used to lay in bed for 30 minutes trying to go to sleep every night; now, I go to sleep within 5 minutes of getting in bed.  

Speaking of, I need to get some exercise in this week.  I've been busier than usual lately and haven't gotten in very much exercise, and I have a 10k race at the end of this month, which will be the longest distance I've run yet.

C is for California

Time for day 3 of the A-to-Z Blogging Challenge.

My Mom & I at the beach a few years ago.

California is the state my parents grew up in, my siblings and I were born there and all our family and several friends are there.  We moved when I was 11 and for the past few years some of us have gone back to visit about once a year.

California is my favorite place to visit, and I can't wait for our next visit.  And if the beach wasn't enough to look forward to, there is also this:

I am all about good food.

A is for Allergies

You know the time of year.  Winter is finally over, and the warmer weather is finally here.  You can put away the wool sweaters and winter coats, and pull out the pretty spring colors, shorts and sandals.  Finally, the weather is sunny and warm, and being outside is so much fun.  Until the sneezing, itchy eyes and itchy throat hit.  Yep, allergies are the only thing I don't like about springtime.

Friday Favorites

It's Friday again.  Is it just me, or do the weeks keep going by faster and faster as you get older?


Anyways, here are some of my favorite things this Friday.

You can't really see it in the photo, but this is a sample of Clinique's "Happy" perfume.  It came with my most recent order, and I think I may buy a bottle when this sample runs out.

Sour candy, especially Sweet Tarts, are a favorite of mine.  I've been eating these at work this week.

A beautiful sunset on a perfect spring evening.

And, hearing that a girl that's been coming to my sister's Bible Study became a Christian tonight.  That is my favorite thing of all!

I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance. ~ Luke 15:7

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

What We Have Here, Is Failure to Communicate

Communication.  It really is important.  Unfortunately, it's something my siblings and I don't do very well a lot of the time.

Take, for example, this past Saturday.  My sister and a friend were running a 5k and I had planned on doing it with them.  The 5k was taking place about 40 minutes away from where we live, and my sister was spending the night before the race with her friend who lived 5 minutes away from the 5k location.  The plan was for me to drive up in the morning, run the 5k with them, and then drive home with my sister.

The morning of the 5k I drowsily woke up and decided I didn't want to run the race anymore (this happens for pretty much every 5k I've run, and I'm always glad I ran anyways.  Usually my sister is around to drag me out of bed to go with her.).  My sister had mentioned possibly spending the day with her friend and hadn't confirmed whether she was coming home after the race or not.  For some reason, I had in my mind that she was staying with her friend for the day and wouldn't need a ride home, so I decided to just stay home that morning.

My sister called me shortly after I went back to sleep to make sure I had left.  I was going to have to go up to pick her up anyways, so I decided I might as well run.  The only problem was that race-day registration closed in about 30 minutes.  I got in the car and drove as fast I could without being dangerous, parked in the parking structure, ran/walked to the event tables and made it to register in time!

I then got back in my car and drove off to pick up my sister and her friend in time for the start of the race.  My sister kept calling to make sure I was on my way, and giving me directions to a place whose location I thought I was sure of.  So after spending about 10 minutes (the race started in about 10 minutes at this point) driving around trying to follow her directions I find out that she and her friend have been at the event for the past 1-1/2 hours and she's trying to give me directions to the race.  So I race back to get parking in the parking structure.

I find parking and my sister and her friend are trying to find me.  I don't find out that she and her friend need to give me their sweatshirts and purses before running the race until now.  I'm on the second level of the parking structure and not sure if it's the A or B section.  I'm trying to get to them to get their stuff and put it in the car in time, but they give up and run off to join the race (carrying their sweatshirts and purses) that is starting in approx. 2 minutes.  I go back to the car to lock it and pin on my number and time chip.  By the time I finish that and get to the starting point the race had already started and everyone was long gone.

I was pretty frustrated and honestly, I'm getting a bit frustrated again writing this.  But it was a lesson in clear communication to my sister and I.  Megan, I'm so sorry you had to run in 70 degree weather wearing your purse and a sweatshirt.  And Priscilla, I'm asking you lots of questions to have everything clear next time :)

My poor timing chip that never got worn.

And if you have no idea where my title comes from you have not watched the movie Cool Hand Luke.

It's time for another Wednesday Hodgepodge with Joyce from This Side of the Pond.

1. What's the last job you did that required elbow grease?

I scrubbed down the shower a few weeks ago.  Since we have well water, and about 3 - 4 people that use it regularly it definately required elbow grease.

2. March Madness, aka the men's Division I basketball championship, is nearing an end. What sort of 'madness' has your house seen this month?

For some strange reason, this month my room has been in a constant state of disarray.  I can't seem to keep it in order.

3. What's your favorite shop for browsing?

I love browsing Etsy shops for jewelry.  Maddy and Co. is one of my current favorites.

4. Is there ever a time when giving up makes sense?

Yes.  When you're completely late for something it's no use hoping the event is running late, and still trying to make it.  Ask me how I know.

5. What's a song you love that contains the name of a city, state or country in its title?

Hello Seattle by Owl City.

6. When did you first begin using a computer?

1997.  I was ten years old, and my Dad purchased our family's first computer.  A little before that we had one  of the ancient ones that had no mouse and a black screen with only orange text.  I think the new one cost about $1700, which is crazy to think about since you can now get a good one for about $400.  It was mostly for business use, and I remember wondering if we'd ever have one for fun.  Things change a lot in 15 years.

7. Did you buy girl scout cookies this year? What's your favorite?

Sadly, no.  My brother supposedly did, but he hasn't gotten them yet :(  My favorite would have to be the Samoas.  They cannot be beat.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

I've been trying to read more, and this book was an excellent read.  I couldn't put it down and finished it in less than a week.  And, it's a true story.

Crafty

I hope you all are having a good week so far.  It was 70 degrees here in Iowa today and sunny, so I really can't complain :)

I really love making things.  If you've read any of my other (few) posts, you'll know I love to bake.  I also like to cook, sew, crochet and knit.  I know, so, so, old?

Not unless almost-25 is old,  which I sometimes feel it is :)

Anyways, knitting is the craft I am able to do most, for the main reason that it is very portable.  I would probably sew a bit more than I do now, but taking a sewing machine everywhere with me could get a bit awkward.

I have a habit of starting projects and not finishing them.  Case-in-point:

I started this quilt four years ago, and have worked on it on-and-off since then.  It's still not finished.

I started this skirt four years ago as well, and have actually worked on it recently.  Then I got to the zipper.  And, oh, zippers scare me.  I know, it's ridiculous, I let some plastic teeth scare me.  I'm hoping to conquer my fear soon.  What can I say, every weekend for the last month I've told myself to conquer this fear, and it hasn't happened.  So all I can do is say that I'll do it soon.

After that's done I hope to make this:

{Link}

Somehow, I can actually finish knitting projects.  Here's what I'm working on right now:

Squares for a blanket inspired by the Log Cabin quilting pattern.

A scarf, in purples.

A sweater in bulky yarn.  Yes, more purple.

Some socks.

And, to be honest, I'm consistently working on the scarf and blanket right now, and the other two have kinda been pushed back.  But they will get done, don't worry.

Hope you all have a Super Tuesday!  Yes, I know, cheesy pun.