500 miles in 2013

I attempted to run 500 miles in 2012. I tracked pretty good in the first half of the year, but fell off in the second half. This year I'm going to blog on my way to help keep me on track.
The goal is 500 miles. That averages to about 10 miles a week. I already signed up for the 500 Festival Mini Marathon in May. I definitely need another Half (or maybe a whole) in November to keep the motivation going. I have a thought of a race a month. Anyone know of a 5k in January?

Getting crafty

I've been dying to get crafty lately. My friend Jennifer's baby shower was the perfect occasion. I made her an initial onesie with a ruffle butt. Here's how it turned out.

Don't worry boys. I haven't left you out of my crafting weekend. How adorable is the tie onesie I made for my friend's son. Can't wait to see him in it!

Much of my inspiration came from www.makeit-loveit.com. I still have use of a sewing machine for another couple of days. We'll see what other projects I can come up with. Enjoy.

25 things about me

I never caught on to the facebook craze of giving 25 facts about yourself. Today, for some reason I decided to do so.

1. I love that I am from Indiana. I miss cornfields, Colts, and my family.

2. I have been to 43 of the 50 states and have a goal of making it to all 50 before I'm 50 (Alaska and Hawaii are in there- that takes awhile).

3. My lifelong dream is to be a published author. I'm trying to blog more to help me get started.

4. I love watching Gilmore Girls and most nights I fall asleep to it. I start with season 1 and work my way through.

5. We'll be friends forever if you spend a day with me on a Gilmore Girls theme marathon. I've done the wedding episodes, Thanksgiving episodes, and birthday episodes. What other marathon themes can you come up with?

6. I've never kayaked, but after my canoe trip in Arkansas I officially want to become a kayaker.

7. I have intermittent spurts when I decide to be a distance runner. They don't last long. I'm trying again and have a half marathon scheduled on October 23rd. (I can always walk it, right?)

8. When asked what my favorite move is I almost always reply Rudy. I truly love Rudy, but the movie I can quote the most is Empire Records. That's my favorite guilty pleasure movie.

9. The best book I've read in the past year is Same Kind of Different as Me by Ron Hall and Denver Moore.

10. The book I had to read in seminary that changed my perspective on God is Grace Awakening by Chuck Swindoll.

11. I love crafting. I crochet. I scrapbook. Soon I will use Modge Podge. I have even been known to craft while watching football.

12. I'm a huge Indianapolis Colts fan. I have autographs from Peyton Manning and Marcus Pollard. I'm more proud of the Marcus Pollard.

13. Little in life makes me happier than my 2 nieces and my nephew. They can always make me smile.

14. I love watching families in action.

15. I really truly enjoy hanging out with your kids.

16. Upon recommendation from Cynthia Thomas I spent Friday night watching The King of Kong: Fistful of Quarters and I don't regret it one bit. I now want to own the documentary.

17. I'm probably one of the most loyal people you'll ever meet.

18. I come across as a jokester and light hearted. Underneath I'm super sensitive.

19. My perfect night involves hanging out with great friends.

22. I love being on a boat in the water.

23. I spent many a family vacation in Hilton Head and can't wait to go back.

24. I hardly ever wear make up, but when I need to I can apply it as well as any makeup counter. Plus I wax my own eyebrows.

25. My mom is pretty much my best friend. We talk almost everyday and I don't know what I would do without her in life.

26. My dad is super awesome. I love going on vacation with him. He's a big prankster and loves to tickle me by poking me in the side.

27. My folks have an amazing marriage and have been such great examples for me.

28. My sister in law has more strength than I can imagine to raise 3 kids as a military wife.

29. My big brother is my hero. I am so proud of the way he serves our country and how much he sacrifices.

30. I love my family and when you get me thinking about them 25 things turn into 30. I would not be me without them in my life.

Nest Needed for Crafty Corner

Maybe it's the fact that I haven't had an actual home for a while, but I have entered into a nesting phase in my life. I want to decorate, cook, and craft. Hopefully I'll have a place to call home soon and be able to create to my heart's content. I'll need to invest in a sewing machine so I can make things like this.





Then I can finally start quilting like I really want to. Then I might have to invest in Accuquilt go I can quickly cut fabric to make super cute quilts and other projects. Yes please.

P.S. I totally forgot something for my wish list. I'm finally ready for some TOMS.

Size 9.5

Size 10 in the wedges

Favorite things- Ultimate edition

Just when I thought my wish list was complete I remembered my desire to own Boy Meets World on DVD. I had seen it a few years ago, then they stopped making it. I could find it for over $50 a season which is a little out of my price range. Today I went on amazon.com and discovered that Seasons 1-3 will go on sale again on September 7, 2010. My life (or at least my dvd collection) will soon be complete.

These are a few of my favorite things. 2010 edition

These are a few of my favorite things... (I don't own them yet, but I sure would love to).

iPad. Every time I travel I want one of these a little more.

Not going to lie. I really want an iPhone 4.

I can't decide between these two

fabulous necklaces from Make

Pie not War.

I love, love, love this bedding from Anthropologie.

Now that I have mentioned stuff I will let you know that what I love most is quality time or words of encouragement. If you really want to make me feel special set a time to hang with me or drop me a note letting me know you appreciate me. Those two things will always be my favorite things.

Catch and Release Friendship

I am currently reading same kind of different As me for the second time. The first time I read it I flew through it reading it in one day. I loved it and its story resonated in my heart. The second read comes about a year later and have been slower. This time it is truly piercing my heart. It breaks at the story and the editing. It's outstanding. If you haven't read it you should. Start right now. I mean it.
About midway through the book Denver uses the phrase "catch and release friendship." Tears poured down my face as conviction went straight through my heart. I am by no means an expert in friendship. Most of the time I wonder how worth it friendships really are. I know I cannot survive without community and am grateful for those in my life who don't let me live without it, but most of my relationships start out as "catch and release." You see, I love befriending people who are new or in transition I just don't love maintaining those friendships. I plug them in, find them friends, get them connected, then I'm done. I'm out. I move on.
I was deeply hurt in friendships as a child. It seemed as though everyone walked out on me. I learned young that everyone leaves. As an adult I try not to get attached to friendships. I allow them to run their course and then release. I don't release people back into their old environment I make sure they are in a new and better one, but I release none the less. It seems the people who are still my friends are the ones who refuse to be released. Thank you for being that to me and for helping me to live my life in community. I know I cannot exist alone and cherish your love and friendship.
Lord, help me not to see friendships as "catch and release." Help me to be "a real friend. Forever."