AA for Procrastinators

Once again, I am using this blog to procrastinate… I really should be writing my five page paper on leadership and communication that is due… well… um…. tonight. I also should really be working on my presentation that I have to give in class…. Once again tonight… however I feel that writing a blog post is more important than grad school and my paper and presentation will still be there when I am done with this… right? I mean really, in ten years will I be more interested in reading my blog or paper… I think BLOG! (Don’t you like how I rationalize not doing homework?)

Ok, I will admit it, I am a very bad procrastinator. Honestly with most things, I just get it done. I would say I am fairly self motivated and really enjoy being on top of things. So why does this not translate into school!?

These last few days I have been greatly enjoying the warm weather and sunshine. The snow is almost completely gone from our yard; a huge feat considering the piles were up to my chin only a few weeks ago. Though I am learning to enjoy all seasons, I just can’t help but be relieved warmer weather is in its way. (Please do not tell me about the possible snow on Saturday… I am living in denial right now.) Monday we drove over to Como park (it is only a mile from our house) with the dog and enjoyed a walk. I forget how close we are to such a beautiful place. I am looking forward to summer runs there! The dog is in desperate need of some exercise since he has gotten almost none all winter… yes, I know I am a bad pet owner. We walked maybe a mile and when we got home he did not move the rest of the evening… kind of sad :) Once I can be walking more I am going to try and train a little with him, maybe I can get him in shape also!

Job update: We are still waiting to hear back from Phil’s company… there are still a few options, I guess the company’s are just moving really slow! I am praying we will hear something soon! In the mean time Phil is being so awesome at home. I am so thankful for a husband who is so great! He has made and brought me lunch to work the last few days, did all the laundry, is working on a bunch of little projects around the house, made food for our small group, and many other things! Have I mentioned that he is just a great guy and I am so blessed to have him for my husband?

Ok, my procrastination needs to be over… time for a paper and presentation… wish me luck!

Happy St. Patties Day! Anyone have fun plans?

I think we have been here before

Question: Why on Monday mornings does it seem things always go wrong? It’s like a rude awakening; yup it’s not the weekend anymore, welcome back to LIFE!

This morning we were greeted by some not fun news. I realize that I never talked about the fact the Phil’s contract position ended last Friday. Though there have been a few different possibilities, nothing has come up yet, so as of today Phil is at home waiting for a phone call. He was also in the running for what we thought was the perfect job, and found out they chose someone else… yes we found this out this morning… go figure.

Ok, to be honest, I am so confused and frustrated! I know that God has a plan, I am sure that He will take care of us, I know this has all happened for a reason. Though I know these things and have seen God work in our lives in ways we didn’t think were possible, somehow I still feel lost. I feel so human, so shakable. I just keep on praying that God will give me the faith to trust Him, to make it more than head knowledge.
Even as I say these things I feel stupid because I know that God has and will take care of us. He has shown this time and time again. I am excited to see what God has in store, and I really do pray that in my unbelief, God will continue to work in me to follow Him better everyday.

OK…. Therapy session is over…. Thank you for listening, I feel much better.

This weekend was so good for both Phil and me. Friday we had two couples over from our small group for dinner and games. It was a blast and we are continually thankful for great friends in our lives! Saturday, my cold got the best of me and so we spent the day relaxing. Though I felt really lazy it was so nice to just lie on the couch and sleep and relax. Sunday we slept in till WAY to late (honestly, I didn’t know I could sleep in that much anymore!) and when we got up headed outside to the beautiful sunshine. It was 63 and oh so very sunny. For March 14th, I believe we got a record amount of yard work done! The whole yard was just a mess after winter, so we got everything cleaned up, had a fire and burned a bunch of wood and the Christmas tree, took down the Christmas lights, cleaned the excessive amount of doggie presents all over the lawn, and even got an area behind our garage ready for new soil and grass! Phil even changed the oil in both of our cars; honestly the man can do ANYTHING! It felt so great to be outside in fresh air and getting stuff done! We are both very excited for all there is to do in the yard once things warm up even more.

If anyone knows of any job openings or contacts for Phil, we would greatly appreciate it!

Friday!

Ok, so I know I said that since my leg is not as bad as thought I will still be allowed to run the marathon, but maybe that just made it to my head because I AM SO EXCITED, I GET TO RUN THE MARATHON STILL! When I found out I possibly would not be able to run, my heart was broken and more than that I feel a responsibility to the children in Africa who need people to run for them. So, now I just want to run again… has it been six weeks yet?


This weekend we are looking forward to a relaxing time of doing nothing! We were going to tear the bathroom out but decided we are going to wait. I have bronchitis again (yes, this is the THIRD time this winter!!) and both thought that the dust we will create would only make me worse. So we have postponed for a little longer, maybe next weekend!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

I lost something, but I don't remember what it is...

Do you ever have one of those days where you just don’t have a brain? I feel like today has been one of those days for me! Every time I am not at my computer I have had great, deep thoughts about life, I mean the really good ones where you think… “This changes my whole perspective” and naturally my next though is, “I should blog about that.” So here I sit with all these great thoughts and perspectives and for the life of me cannot remember what they were. I guess this is where I need to just laugh at myself and move one!

So sorry to disappoint, no great thoughts here today, check again tomorrow, maybe I will have found my brain, I mean, that is if I can remember long enough that I am searching for it!


To better help you understand, I thought it was important to illustrate with a picture of how i feel...

Ok, maybe.  What did you say? How can I feel crazy on a beautiful beach on Mexico with Leo? (Leo is the penguin.... in case you were wondering....) Ok, here is really how I feel.....

OK.... I lied again... here is the truth... man this blog is really pulling the truth from me!!

I mean, the dog makes this pictures even crazier, yes?!

Six weeks....

Yesterday I had another appointment with the Orthopedic Specialist to go over the results of the MRI and to figure out the next steps with what to do with my leg. I knew going into the appointment that I could learn that I was done running for possible a really long time, and had been told to expect that by my doctor. However I learned the best possible news yesterday! There is a break in my tibia, about 5cm long (if you don’t know this is about an inch and a half long) BUT it is in a place that heals quickly!! She told me that if I keep weight off it and do nothing to stress it more it should heal in about SIX WEEKS!!!! I am honestly so relieved and excited. She said that since the marathon is a ways out still she sees no reason why I could not do a modified version of the marathon. (This might mean needing to walk a little so I don’t re-fracture the leg)

For the next six weeks I am supposed to stay on crutches as long as it hurts, but the longer I stay on crutches the better chance I have at being healed more for the marathon, so I am going to try and stick it them as long as I can stand it! I still have quite a bit of pain in the leg, so for now I am still “gimpy” as Phil likes to call me. I am also starting physical therapy next week and will be going weekly for a while, I have been told at least twelve weeks.

Even though I do not like being hurt, because of the injury I am getting training from athletic professionals who are going to work with me so that I am running well and without further injury. Most athletes need to be on a professional level to have trainers working with them, but because of this I will be able to really learn how to not just be a runner for a season of my life, but a runner for my whole life!

After we returned from the doctor I was so excited and thankful…. So what do you do when you are excited and thankful? ….. Make chocolate chip cookies of course! (Man, how did you not know that?!)

Enjoy my documentary of making cookies!!

MMMM, now come over to our house and help us eat the excessive amount of cookies we made!

It’s coming… Spring!

This morning as I was turning through my planner I realized that daylight savings time is this next Sunday! Spring is really coming!! Yesterday as Phil and I pulled into our driveway I also spotted the first visible grass in our yard, I forgot there was such a thing under this grey blanket of dirty snow! Though I keep on reminding myself that March and April can still bring snow, I cannot help but feel excitement for the coming warmth, green grass, trees with leafs, and best of all FLOWERS! (I often think I am living in the wrong climate…)

Though I love warmer weather and green grass and that wonderful smell the earth has as everything comes alive again, spring reminds me of things so much more important. After the snow has melted the world is left with the dirt and grime of the long winter, but then it rains. It rains and washes away the dirt and brings new life to everything. Even though this has been said probably about a million ways and billion different times, it reminds me of how God brings each season for a purpose. In my life I have experienced the winter, it has been cold and dark. There have also been wonderful times like when I can play out in the snow and make snow angels. But when spring approaches I am grateful. When the rain comes to clean the earth I want to stand out with my arms out and let it wash me.

Over this last weekend Phil and I enjoyed a great time with friends, we spent a great day with Phil’s parents, and on Sunday spent the day at Church volunteering. After the busy but fun weekend, I came down with a little cold and decided that I should stay home on Monday, so of course Phil decided he would only work a half day also, and got home about the time I was getting out of bed… we won’t say what time that was! It was so good to relax and catch up on some much needed sleep and just R&R.

The bathroom project now has an official “start date”…. THIS WEEKEND!! We are hoping to get started on Friday after work and get as much done over the weekend as possible. We will be tearing EVERYTHING out, down to the studs, so it will be a lot of work but well worth it in the end! On Saturday morning when I let the Dog out, I was surprised to find a huge box on the front step! Yes, the vanity has arrived! It is now sitting in the dining room ready for a bathroom to go in. I am going to take some pictures of the bathroom “before” and post them soon.

Over the weekend I heard from so many people who read this blog, it is so great to hear people enjoying my ramblings of life! Thanks for saying something, it's fun to hear! I love hearing your comments and thoughts so feel free to continue to comment! I am honestly honored that you would take time out of your busy life to read what I have to say.

I am off to the orthopedic specialist today for some long awaited answers… ok I know it has not been that long, but I am more than ready to hear how long the healing process will be and what is actually going on! I have also figured out another possible reason this happened… but that will have to wait for another day!

Oh and did you notice?!?! We finally changed the slide show! (Thanks to Phil!) These are pictures from our wonderful trip to Akumal Mexico over Christmas!

And the results…. More waiting!

You know how when there is an area in your life you need to work on it always comes up? Its like praying for humbleness, as soon as you do over and over again you're humbled! Well in my life this is patience and giving God control. If you know me well, you understand where I am coming from. I am a very planned organized person. I like to know what I am doing, when I am doing it, what will happen next… blah blah blah… Phil jokes all the time about the lists I make. When we moved I made a list of lists I needed to make. I know to normal people this seems, well, odd, but let’s face it, I’m not normal. Ok, and one more confession while I am at it, yes, my planner is color coded for each thing. Ok, I feel better admitting that!

So as you can see I tend to be a control freak and yes, this is something God is working on with me! I do want God to have the control in my life, and even though I still struggle with this, I have learned SO much over the last few years how life is really totally out of my control. Even though I am getting better at trusting God with my future I still have a long ways to go and I am continually reminded that I need to give everything over to the one who has the control!

Lately with this injury I have struggled with letting things go. Honestly I do not understand why God would tell me to run for kids in Africa only to allow me to get hurt. But I am in a place where I can say, “ok God, you allowed this, let me trust you with what you are doing.” I do not know what is going to happen, but I do trust that even if I am unable to run, God has something planned, even if that is just taking time off and running again next year…

I am still waiting to find out exactly what is going on, even though I BEGGED the lab tech (literally, I begged laying on the MRI table to tell me, yes he thought I was nuts!) to tell me what was going on, the only thing he would tell me is that he saw something and that I would have to wait to talk to my doctor on Tuesday about the results. So I wait… and I am honestly working really hard at trusting God in this time!

Though I still do not have any concrete answers I did find something out about my doctor that I thought was really cool. After my MRI the lab tech said something about my doctor being the best Orthopedic Specialist in the state, I thought he was just being nice and said something like, “yeah, why?” He said that she was nominated and selected to be the DOCTOR FOR THE US OLYMPIC SWIM TEAM!!! How cool is that?! I was really excited to learn this, and know that I am in really good hands also! (I MEAN SHE WORKS WITH MICHAEL PHELPS…)

So despite not understanding why this happened, I am learning to trust God through yet another thing… maybe I will get it right this time!