The First Day of School 2012

Here they all are.  So excited for the first day of school.  Lyssa in her last year as an elementary kid in 5th grade, and Kiara in her first day of Kindergarten, and Jace a big kid in 3rd grade.  Everyone is so ready to get moving on again. (Especially me!)  Have a great year kids! Love ya.

Just in time for Fall

Please check out this sew-a-long just in time for Fall. http://www.whimsandfancies.com/category/halloween-paper-pieced-2012/

On Becoming A Runner...

Early this Spring I was feeling blah pretty bad.  Clothes weren't fitting, energy was ho hum, and I was grumpy.  Something had to be done.  So I got back on the running wagon.  I started about 3 years ago getting fit and trying to run in 5k fun runs.  I had some good experiences with those events and it hooked me.  Last Summer I didn't end up doing much running because of some numbness in my foot that turned out to be ill-fitting shoes.  But I wanted to wait until the tingling went completely away before doing any more running, and that took the whole Summer. So no real training that year.  Then this year I wanted to race again and I wanted a real challenge.  I knew I could run 3 miles, but could I run 6 or 10 or more?  My fears were unfounded as I have been following a half-marathon training schedule for beginners.  It has worked!  When I complete the weekly runs I do improve, and my body responds readily.  I have given myself twice as long to complete the training schedule as they gave me, knowing that life would get in the way.  And it has.  Also I wanted to see how my body would respond to the huge amounts of running that I would be doing with out mentally stressing out if I missed a few days here and there.   So I took it easy and worked for two weeks on each level of running before pushing further.  My latest long run was 6.5 miles.  And I couldn't believe how easy it felt!  I can run for 30 or more minutes without feeling like I have to stop for a breather.  I did walk a bit on my 6.5 miler, but that's to be expected and normal--probably a half-mile total.  I am pleased and proud of my progress.  I am ready for a 10 K race at any point now, and the next goal will be a half-marathon. The endorphins are such a high kick.  At the beginning of this Spring I could not go 3 minutes without feeling winded.  Such a difference to my running stamina now.  My major goal was to compete in a half -marathon within 2 years from that time, and it had to be before I turn 40.  It seems that this goal is well within my grasp.  Not the Spokane race this year , but next year I will be in it.

Fitness Challenge

On Biggest Loser they went to Washington DC and had a visit with the First Lady who gave them, and all of us, a challenge.  Get Fit!  Move.  Get off this silly computer and do something.  =)  Go check out the fitness tracker and goal setter at:
https://www.presidentschallenge.org/

Education

My new favorite inspiration

Please take a minute and check out this blog.  You'll be there way more than a minute.  I promise.  Beauty in words.  In faith.  In living.  In doing.
http://www.flowerpatchfarmgirl.blogspot.com

Hawaiian Butterflies

Playing around with machine applique.  So much color in this batik.  I love this design!