And so it begins...

My running regimen that is.  I began my c25k running program that I mentioned in my Random Resolutions post. 

I prefer to work out using my trusty iPhone because it has the c25k app that you can download.  I'm loving that! 

See the app in the lower right corner?  :)  Like I said, I'm loving it.

According to The Weather Channel, it's 32 degrees outside and feels like 25.  Yes, I decided to go for my first run in freezing weather.  Honestly though it didn't feel that bad and I've got more than enough excuses to delay starting this particular Random Resolution so I figured I better get moving before I thought of more reasons to put it off.

So I completed the workout and I am tired but that's a good thing.  The ankle (sprained on a workout run 10/31/09) held up well thanks in part to a brace I was wearing and my new New Balance WR769's.  This was my first run with them and they were awesome.  Felt much better and had more support.  I also wore an official Air Force reflective belt for safety since I am running at night and it's dark.

All in all a good start to one of my resolutions.  I'll keep you updated as my progress continues.

How are you doing on your random resolutions???

Technorati Tags: random resolutions,running,c25K,iPhone,new balance

Pierced Ears

My ears are pierced and have been since I was in 2nd grade.  I had them pierced at Leggett's Department Store when we lived in Fredericksburg, Virginia.  The way I remember it, they put an ice cube on my ear in order to numb it.  Then they pushed the earring thru my earlobe and voila!  I had pierced ears.

Those earrings were simple gold studs.  Classic earrings in my opinion.  We had to apply hydrogen peroxide to avoid infection and had to wait six weeks before changing out the earrings.

I was excited to finally be able to switch out my earrings because my Mom had bought me a really cool pair to wear.  They were these tan/yellowish colored circles that reminded me of Cheerios.  I LOVED Cheerios so I thought they looked pretty cool.  I don't know whatever happened to my Cheerio earrings. 

Since I've obviously had my ears pierced for a long time it's safe to assume that I've owned many, many pairs of earrings.  I remember for my birthday one year my Mom got me some little earrings that were shaped like a birthday cake.  I also have a pair that my Dad had given me that he bought in Mexico I think.  I lost the other one but still have one earring to remind me. 

And since I've owned many pairs of earrings as most girls with pierced earrings do, I have a couple that have some sentimental value.  The first pair are my Liberty Bell earrings.

I am not sure when I got these.  I know I took a trip with a girl and her family to Pennsylvania but I don't remember much else.  I do know that I brought these home as a souvenir and I've had them ever since.  They are at least 30 years old if not older and I actually still wear them from time to time. 

The second pair are a very expensive pair that I usually wear on special occasions. 

These were a Mother's Day gift from my younger son Nicholas.  When he gave them to me he asked me if I thought they looked like they cost a million dollars and I told him I most certainly thought they did.  He then told me that they really only cost $4.97 at Walmart.  Whew!  What a relief!  I thought he might have robbed a bank or something to be able to buy those for me.

These two memories came back to me tonight because I recently bought something to organize my earrings.  A year or two ago my sister showed me how she was storing her earrings.  She was using pill boxes and they seemed the perfect size so I went and bought some pill boxes but I bought some that were a little different.

I liked the idea but I was having a little trouble seeing my earrings.  Then I happened by Walmart and found these containers in the craft section and they work perfectly for me. 

They are stored on a tray and since they are clear I can easily see what earrings are inside.  I am really happy that I switched to this and thanks to Gina for the inspiration and my Mom for getting my ears pierced in the first place.  :)

Technorati Tags: Mom,earrings,piercings,memories

My Mom Makes Delicious Date Nut Bread

Every year at Christmastime my Mom makes date nut bread.  Not from a mix but homemade.  This year was different.  At our Make, Bake & Take this year my Mom didn't bring us our usual loaf of bread.  On Christmas Day I expected to receive our loaf then but again, no bread. 

On Saturday night we went to my brother and sister-in-laws house to celebrate my Mom and brother's birthdays.  As I walked in my Mom handed me this...

Yea!!!!  My Mom's delicious date nut bread!! 

I didn't want to rush the evening because we were having such a good time but secretly I did want to hurry home so I could open it up and taste test this wonderful treat. 

Now the way that we eat date nut bread around our house is sliced and with just a dab of butter.

Okay - so maybe more than a dab.  I prefer to load on the butter.  Mmmm....so yummy!!

Thanks Mom ~ it really was delicious!!

Technorati Tags: Mom,traditions

My Random Resolutions for 2010

I have decided to go ahead of make a list of the random resolutions I have created for myself so far.  Keep in mind that these are in no particular order and are subject to change due to applicable laws, local time zones and observations of certain holidays. 

That being said, here are the Random Resolutions for 2010:

1.  Read one Nancy Drew book a week.

I have a collection of Nancy Drew books from when I was younger.  I often watch Clean House and other similar shows and they are always talking about purging items if you aren't actively using them.  I really, really like my Nancy Drew books but all they do is sit on my shelf in my closet.  I figured if I read at least one a week then I would be "using" them and would thus justify their taking up space on the shelf. 

2.  Start and finish the Couch to 5k (C25K) program. 

You may remember in my Beginning My C25K post back in August '09 that I was going to start the program.  Well I did and due to an injury on October 31, 2009 (a minor but very annoying sprain) I put my "training" on hold.  No more!  Starting this back up beginning Tuesday so look for my exciting post then. 

3.  Lose 15 pounds in 5 months. 

This kind of goes hand in hand with number 2.  I have a wedding coming up in the middle of June so I would like to look a little more in shape than I am today.  Official weigh in is tomorrow morning right before leaving for work.  Not following any particular program other than to drink more water/Crystal Light, eat smaller portions and of course run. 

4.  Clean out my closets and PURGE!

I was cleaning off a shelf today and I found some stuff that just leaves me scratching my head.  For example, in this one little cubby hole I found a pair of earrings that I like but will never wear, two small nails and a plug in air freshener that is out of freshener.  Not sure why they were together but again, the clean theme for 2010 is going to be PURGE! PURGE! PURGE! 

5.  Try one new restaurant a month.

There are plenty of places that we would like to try and unless we make a definite plan to do it, it might not happen.  So I'm going to try and pick 12 restaurants, write the names on 12 pieces of paper and once a month on our date night we'll pick one out of the hat and that's where we'll go.  We already have TABC (Thomas Ave Beverage Co) on the list but we're open for suggestions. 

6.  Blog more.

I like blogging.  I like reading other people's blogs.  I hope to better my writing but this particular resolution is harder to measure.  Except for the blog more part.  That I can measure.  It's the "better my writing" part that may be a little subjective and difficult to measure.  This also helps to further another long term goal of mine which is to become a well known travel writer.  But that's another story.

7.  200 sit-ups in 6 weeks.

Now I'm not starting this one right away since I want to start the C25K thing first but this one will be awesome I think.  I'll let you know once I get started.  To find out more about the program I'll be following, check out Two Hundred Sit-Ups for more info.  I'm sure y'all will be totally waiting on my sit-ups postings. 

8+  I also want to do many more things this year.

  Some are measurable and some are not.  I haven't really thought much about some of these, consider it similar to free association writing or something like that. 

I'd like to travel more and explore some new places with my husband.

I'd like to embrace life and laugh more.

I'd like to help my team at work be better than they've ever been.

I'd like to greet the troops more often.  Maybe adopt a soldier or something.  Just do more than I have been to show my support and gratitude. 

I'd like to try more new recipes this year. 

I'd like to improve my photography.  This takes some patience, some time to actually start learning the craft but taking pictures is one of the things that makes me happy so I should learn to do it better.

I'd like to learn a new hobby.  Maybe how to knit or crochet.  Or how to embroider like my sister did.  Or maybe I'll learn something really wacky and off the wall. 

I'm not sure what all 2010 will bring but if I am able to accomplish most of the things on my list then I think I will have made some really positive steps in the right direction. 

What do you think?

Resolutions or solutions?

When the New Year rolls around everyone tends to have a reflective nature about themselves.  How do we assess and summarize the past year?  What is it that we want to accomplish for the coming year?

I have no idea what I would like to list as my resolution(s) for 2010.  Well actually I do.  I would like to generate a list that's thought provoking and inspiring to others.  A list that is committed to self-improvement and making a positive impact on others around me.  A list that includes things that are fun and enjoyable and expand my horizons.  One that creates more memories and opportunities to embrace life.  But I also need the list to be somewhat measurable and reasonably attainable.  What to do?

So as I sit and ponder what to put on the list I find that it's also a time of self analyzation.  Why is losing weight always on my list and how will this year be different from all the others?  Keeping my closets clean...really?  This is going to make it to the list again?  Did I ever attain that goal in the first place? 

Are these resolutions or really solutions to issues?  I found on dictionary.com that a resolution is the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc. whereas a solution is the act of solving a problem, question, etc.  Does the resolution lead to a solution? 

So this weekend I will be trying to come up with a list of things that I would like to see happen this year.  The list will range from the mundane like cleaning my closets to more adventurous ones such as trying at least one new restaurant a month.  Maybe it'll include something inspiring like becoming more involved in supporting our troops or just something fun like learning how to knit? 

Something to think about.  And now I challenge you...

What will your resolutions/solutions for 2010 be? 

Technorati Tags: New Years resolutions