The chicks are growing!

When I was younger we would go visit my Uncle Mel in Niobrara at his farm every summer. He was a lifetime bachelor and from time to time would have a sick calf, pigglet, or other adorable farm animal hanging out in his bathroom while receiving a little TLC.

I always thought he might be a little crazy - farm animals don't belong in our house! Well I currently have either chickies and four geese hanging out in my guest bathroom waiting for their coop to be complete......Who is off their rocker now?

2014 Lincoln Half Marathon

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1

I think this is the 5th year I've ran this half marathon! My first first half was the Lincoln half in 2009. Pretty much always with the same great group of ladies - give or take a few.

This year I did NOT want to run at all. I had just ran the Gambler half the weekend prior and my legs were tired. Plus it was a busy weekend with a lot of other activities and a yard calling for attention. In the end I ran it and I'm super glad I did. Always a sense of accomplishment when done plus it wasn't as miserable as I expected.

 

Ran with some friends from school the first 4-5 miles just chatting away and catching up. Not worrying about my time, then the second half just kinda ran whatever felt comfortable without pushing it, stopped for oranges, gummy bears, all the goodies and stopped to use the restroom (which I never normally do). For sure my slowest race to date but at least I finished without walking right??

Results were 1:32:04 was total time. An average of 11:37 a mile. The best part is I have awesome friends and family that waited for me to finish and congratulated me even on my pokey time. Treated myself to a little shopping at Regency as part of Berkshire weekend afterwards and have a massage schedule for tomorrow for my poor sore body. Can't wait.

The Shed Progress

 

Progress is being made on my future weekend getaway. This lovely shed is undergoing some much needed TLC after several years of neglect and a little storm damage.

 

I can’t wait to get the walls painted, new flooring installed, and fill the place with furniture and accessories.

 

It’s just so peaceful out in the country and will be a welcome break from the hectic daily race known as life.

 

So far it’s been mostly all tearing out of old dirty carpet, furniture, and patching up damaged walls. However, Sunday when the sun finally came out after a thunderstorm filled morning I did take some fun gold spray paint to the deck chairs and planted a few colorful flowers in a new pot. Can’t wait to fill more  pots full of flowers for a true county oasis.



Vieques Sunsets

 

There was a bar called the Azul that was the perfect place to watch the sunset in Vieques.

 

 

We managed to make it there several nights and snagged prime spots on the patio to watch the gorgeous sun dip down over the water at the end of the day.

 

 

Breathtaking for sure.

Always a perfect ending to a day full of family, fun, and  sun. Of course no day is complete in Vieques without a Medella the local beer.

Casa Tolteca Vieques

I am finally going through and editing pictures of our family trip to Vieques from December. Crazy I know! All these pictures bring back so many great memories of our perfect vacation and make me want to head to the island again.

 

 

We rented a Villa on the island of Vieques called Casa Tolteca. This is the second time we have rented this villa and we absolutely love it! It has four bedrooms so everyone has their own room and three bathrooms. Bonus is  that one bathroom even has a very cool outdoor shower. It was hit with all of us.

 

The pool is perfect for a little sunbathing and the groups are so pretty with tropical foliage we can only dream of growing indoors in our climate.

 

 

 

Since most of my family loves to cook we actually ate a majority of our meals here and had so much fun buying up local fruits and fresh fish (some even caught by the boys) and enjoying family meals by the pool.

 

After a full week of rainy cold weather I would love to be back in Vieques soaking up the sun and enjoying a laid back lifestyle!

 

Gambler 2014 Race Report

 
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us," Hebrews 12:1

 

To say the weather was miserable is an understatement. Worst weather of any race. It started off raining pretty solid (I actually contemplated not leaving the jeep and driving home) and continued to rain essentially all 13.1 amazing miles. There was a slight tease for about a mile where the rain gave me a break. Only to have the skies open up and quickly turn into a torrential downpour with thunder and lightening the last 4 miles. Sweet.

I was VERY under trained for this race and knew it would be bad. I had one long run for a whopping 9 miles. The rest of my runs where anywhere from a mile to maybe 5 on a good day. Too much travel, too much work, too much fun, not enough running. Somehow I trudged through the puddles/lakes and managed to not walk and finish with an ok time all things considered.

 

Overall time was  2:24:290, so an average of  11:02 a mile. 32/39 for age group, way to close to the end of the pack for my liking. My slowest ever but I’ll take it.  I can use this time  as motivation to actually train for the next race. I did motivate myself by purchasing a cute new Lululemon running outfit. I really should buy stock in that company!

I  recovered with a beer, a long hot bath , and my first try at compression sleeves.

I can't say thank you enough to all of the volunteers who stood in the rain to hand out  water and the CB police officers  who kept us safe - you all make this race my favorite every year even in miserable weather. Your high fives, huge, and words of encouragement keep me going. Thank you!!!

That Lake House I Didn’t Get

 

How cute is this place?? And the view is amazing.

Sadly I just wasn’t quick enough as had essentially 24 hours to decide how much to offer  and couldn’t wrap my mind around the idea of downsizing and selling my home with all its memories in that time period.

I have now resorted to stalking properties on the lake either online or during my runs. Another perfect home or lot is bound to open up there eventually right? I have to hope so anyway - I have horrible luck with houses. I still dream about the gorgeous farmhouse that I also lost out on.

A Mile a Day for Jesus

"He gives power to the faint,
and to him who has no might he increases strength.
Even youths shall faint and be weary,
and young men shall fall exhausted;
but they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings like eagles;
they shall run and not be weary;
they shall walk and not faint."

Isaiah 40:29-31

 

 

 

I’m not Catholic but decided to participate in Lent this year. Instead of giving something up I committed to doing something every single day. My friend Stephanie actually had the idea.

We each committed to running at least a mile a day. I called it my mile for Jesus.

 

Some days it truly was only a mile, other days it was as many as 10 miles. But EVERY SINGLE DAY I managed to get my mile in.

Even when in New York and Vegas (miracle I tell ya). Pretty proud of myself for actually following through 100% on  this commitment. Often days I used the time to just reflect and be thankful for everything God has given me.

 

 

This Sunday is my first half marathon of the season and I am as unprepared as I have ever been but hopeful I can at least make it to the finish line!

Happy Easter

 

I woke up to a glorious sunny day – what a blessing from God to be given such a beautiful day for Easter. Even better as originally they had forecasted storms. We attended Easter service as a family and I even got to be part of the “high five” team congratulating new believers.

 

Afterwards was a fun Easter lunch at my house prepared by my two brothers. Lots of great food, wine, and laughter.

 

We even had to test out the fun new pink garbage can I am the proud owner of.

 

And what Easter would be complete without new baby chickies?? Hope everyone had a blessed Easter.

Matthew 28:5-6

 "The angel said to the women, 'Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.'"