Day 10-

Busy, busy day...

I spent the morning at mom & dad's. They finally got their new carpet delivered yesterday. (From the pipe burst issue early last month). My brother and family are due to arrive in just a few days. So there was much to be done.

The girls making sure their cousins' beds are nice and comfy.

Hannah and I spent the afternoon out with Mom.  Getting a few more needed items for the kids room.

Once home I tackled a couple more problem areas in the kitchen.  The vacant area which used to house a dishwasher...now had become a catch all cluttered eye sore.

Hand in hand with that space is this massive cabinet with wicked heavy pull out shelves.This is where most of that stuff actually belongs.
Lots of empty space because its such a hassle to pull in and out.

 After: Everything put away.  The crock pots scrubbed and shiny inside and out :)

After dinner...for which my super amazing mister ordered Chinese for us all....Yum. I bathed the pooch and clipped his nails. A much over due task. Then calculating I had just about enough time to watch "Mom's Night Out" before I had to pick up Mikayla and her friend from the mall I settled in the basement working on sewing the binding on Owen's quilt.

I finished the quilt!  Such a thrilling feeling. I am so happy with the finished product.  Sometimes I think each quilt I finish is my very favorite! ;-)  I love pulling it out of the dyer when its done, all quilty, fresh and puckery. I wanted to snuggle up in it myself!

Here is a sneak peek....

Lent day 9 | check in

I fell off the 40 bags in 40 days band wagon a little bit this week. But I have been maintaining, which in and of itself is sometimes a battle.

I did:

• manage to give the kitchen and living room a once over every night before bed, just to make sure all was in order; trying to remember to do so before I leave in the morning as well.
• drop off a bag of clothes to the Salvation Army that has been sitting in my bedroom for weeks
• the piano is mostly clean.  Hannah was even able to play a little bit last night.  Not sure what she was playing but she was making music. ;-)
• I washed my van yesterday...or rather I drove her through an automated carwash! ;-) But she is CLEAN non the less.  Rid of all the winter grime and salt. Blech...and my magnets are now proudly back where they belong.
• boxed up some more stuff in the basement to donate.
• I put my aldi bags back in the van! This is 2 fold...they are not cluttering up my kitchen and will actually be in the van the next time I go to the store.

Today, I was straightening up the ever cascading piles on my desk and decided to just take the plunge and be done with it.

Before:

After: (ahhhhhh, happy sigh)

Side note: I decided what to do with my swap from Peggy @ The Simple Woman....

I am going to bring it and tack it up over my cork board. =)

From my devo this morning:

My heart is full, thankful and worshipful today.  The devotional on SheReadsTruth was about worship.  I just finished up an entire month of Sunday School lessons on worship with my K/1 class.  Finishing up the bulletin this morning at work, and Dad is preaching on WORSHIP.  (Pastor Eric on on vacation this week and my Dad is filling in on Sunday).

week #5

"Running takes discipline, time out of the day.  But often it's not wasted, as it can end up being the best part of my day, the time when I see something or feel something special that stays with me, settles in on me, and feels as if the pages of my heart have been read, giving me hope and fuel."     --- The Runner's Devotional, p. 226

I have been such a slacker.  Time to get my act together.  Seriously.  Planning on yoga and/or strength training tonight.  If you see this-- ask me if I did it!! My February running/training calendar is pathetic.  But hopefully we are headed into slightly better weather.  As my training buddy pointed out, I need to be doing strength training too.

Yesterday's run was good.  Slower and harder than I would like.  But as I said, I have slacked off a ton the past couple weeks so what do I expect.  You can see above mile three was the pits.  It was slightly uphill, on snowy slushy gross sidewalks and I slowed way more than I should have.  {Slacker.}

Still though, 4.5 miles on the books.  We'll get there. ;-)  The sun came out yesterday and the temps soared into the 20's.  Turned out to be a pretty decent afternoon for running.

Post run snack... cake and chips ;-)

Photo Credit Laura...I stole it from her instagram

Next Week's Goal:  To look forward to our run with excitement instead of trepidation; to not wimp out mid way like I did yesterday. Boo.

2.24

 

Linking up with The Simple Woman's Daybook

Today | February 24

Outside my window... Brrrrrrrrrrr ❄️

Sunrise from my kitchen window

It's so very cold.  I feel like I can't even function at times.

I am thinking... about my brother and family as they are en-route from Arizona to New York. Boy are they going to be cold when they get here!!

I am thankful... for my dear friend.  That I can drop my kid off at her house on my way to work.  The elementary school is closed because of frozen pipes.  Bonus: this means I get to chat with her a bit when I pick up Hannah this afternoon =D

I am wearing... 

I am wondering... same ole stuff...

I am looking forward too... spending sometime with my friend this afternoon.  And Mikayla's concert tonight.  To NOT being at work :P Just being Mom.

I am reading...  A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas and Apart at the Seams by Marie Bostwick.  Hannah and I finished Little House on the Prairie last night.

I am hoping... for SPRING!!!!!!

I am learning... it will be okay

Around the house... I have been working on 40 bags in 40 days, feels so good. I can see and feel the difference already.

In the kitchen... planning on making Broccoli Cheese soup tonight. 

I am pondering... Marriage. I picked up the January selection from the ultimate marriage reading challenge again this morning.  Realizing I am far behind and have already renewed it once from the library so I need to get it read! It's really good. This chapter I read this morning spoke so to my heart. Talking about how we can not expect out spouse to fill us, that we must be filled by God. Then we can love and minster along side our life partner as God intended.

A favorite quote for today... 

One of my favorite things... reading.

From the Board Room... {Pinterest} From my Girl Scouts Board.  This one just made me laugh!  Its Girl Scout Cookie Season!  The girls' first order is due this week.

Originally from theberry.com

A few plans for this week: Mikayla has a band/chorus concert tonight. I need to go running but its so so so cold. :( Girl Scouts. Pampered Chef Party on Friday

A peek into one of my days from last week... Sunday was World Thinking Day

Day 3--

I love how God weaves my devos together, this was my runners devotional , also in #shereadstruth talking about forgetting the past moving ahead. (Isaiah 43:18-19) How He uses these harsh winter seasons, then comes to joy, the new life of springtime. He is ALWAYS there with us.

Sewing Machine area {check} =)

This morning I took before pictures of my room and Hannah's room.  Scary stuff.  I don't know if the before pictures will be made public or not :P Hannah's room is actually looking "better".  She has been plugging away at it this week as she has been off from school.  And while there is still a lot to do...I can see her progress! =)  Mine is definitely more than an evening project.  Hoping to devote some serious time to it this weekend.  When it is complete I think I will reward myself with new sheets.  Taking the pictures this morning, I again noticed how very RED it is.  While I love our red walls, I think the red sheets are just a bit too much. Our bedroom, should be a sanctuary, a place of rest and peace.  Currently it causes me nothing but STRESS.

Finished quilting! Now the binding and it will be all ready for little buddy when he gets here in about a week and a half! woo-hoo

Lent...

Yesterday was Ash Wednesday. The beginning of Lent. Our church had a service. My Dad led it. He makes me proud. I am proud to be his daughter. He talked a bit about Lent, what it means. It is the time between Ash Wednesday and Easter, 40 days (not counting Sundays).  Dad urged us to give up something, or add something this lenten season.  Not just for the sake of giving up something.  Not as punishment.  But to draw us closer to God.  Closer to the cross.  Whenever you miss that "thing", whatever it is.  Its a trigger, a time to focus on God...instead of whatever it is.  I thought about it, yet nothing really resonated with me.  As we left the church and the cars where again covered in snow and ice, I exclaimed to Mikayla that I was giving up winter and snow for lent.  We laughed about it most of the way home.

But really its not that far fetched... this is my plan.  Clearly I can not give up snow.  I live in Syracuse, come on.  But I can give up complaining, sighing, whining.  I can use my angst to turn me to God.  Instead of whining and complaining.  I can catch myself.  Stop and pray instead.  Focus on HIM and HIS goodness.  His mercy.  His grace.

The other thing I am really struggling with is a person.  A person whom I have extreme bitterness toward.  This season I am going to let it go.  God has been nudging me about this for quite some time.  I have been and I will be working on that.  The bitterness and anger is only hurting me. So here we go, my theme verse for the coming weeks.

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.  Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.  Ephesians 4:31-32

I mostly have them committed to memory already.  But I will use them as a prompt, whenever those feelings overtake me.  To stop.  To refocus.  To pray for this person.

I have seen the following challenge floating around social media.  It seemed like a really good idea.  One I desperately need to do.  Then my mom shared it as well on FB last night. I decided to bite the bullet and go for it. I went and read the blog, and checked out her instagram and FB.  She had even post a before and after picture of her bedroom on IG that gave me hope.  I can do this.  I will do this.

Here is the start of my to-do list.  I didn't make it to 40 yet, but somethings also will undoubtedly need to be broken down into multiple days...

My to-do list

My DONE list

I am following once again with #SheReadsTruth and their lenten study, Near the Cross.   Below is one of the verses from this morning's devotional.  My prayer for this Lent, to do all of the above.  To do it with God, for God and to serve Him with all my heart.  To dig deeper in the Word, not just go through the motions and check it off my list.

Training #4--- kinda

Yesterday morning my training buddy had to cancel on me. My first thought was relief. I had not run, at all since our last run together the previous week.  I was per usual nervous about the run.  So if we weren't meeting up, maybe I'd just skip it.  What's another day not running.  I could feel myself slipping into apathy.  Running sucks anyway, and I suck at it.  Why bother.

But then she queried, was I still going to run???

Crap.  Yes. I committed.  I would.

Even driving home from work, I waffled.  I whined, I really don't want too!!! It was 27 degrees.  You can not squander a 27 degree, slightly sunny afternoon, I told myself.  For all you know tomorrow will be sub zero and blizzarding again.  And then there was that pesky promise to my sister-- Yeah, I will put in some miles.  I got home without thinking further I changed and walked back out the door.  Don't think, just go.  My children though were supremely disappointed Aunt Laura would not be stopping in.

As I began I was running down the middle of our quiet street to avoid the ick.  Ever mindful of the few cars that passed by, careful to move far out of their way.  You have to push yourself!  I thought.  No wimping out just because Laura isn't here.  I tried to imagine she was.  Just keep running, I repeated.  You can do this.  Last Wednesday we did 2.5 non stop.  Just. Don't. Stop.

I made it to the end of the road, which is around half mile-ish.  Keep going...don't wimp out now.  I passed back by my house.  Feeling pretty good, optimistic.  Keep pushing, you can make it to Kathy Street...I focused on the street sign in the distance.  Three times I set goals and when I got there I pushed harder and kept on.  I felt so proud.  After two miles I glanced at my phone and realized my pace was still in the low 11's.  I beamed, lets try to keep it there!!

My post run selfie I texted to my Sis... 3 miles ;)

Check it out! I maintained a pace of 11:12 for 3 straight miles.  Mile 2 actually dipped down into the 10's.  I proved to myself -- I could push myself.  I am getting stronger and will continue.  The remainder of this week I will not slack off like I did last week.  Hopefully I will get in some more miles today...although the sound of the wind right now is a little daunting.  At the very least I will do some yoga and strength training.

Pay no mind to the last split that was when I was trying to get the app to finish post run.

Yesterday as I ran I thought about my sister. Pittsburgh and my cousins. I thought about this year. We are facing some daunting challenges but I decided we are going to rock this year, and come out better for it on the other side. I returned home feeling triumphant and strong. My heart bursting with pride. I felt like I did my best and that's all you can do.

Winter Camping

It was another bitter cold weekend in CNY.  Friday evening the girls and I left for the winter camping trip with their Girl Scout troops. I was thankful as I drove that there was no snow storm, the roads were mostly clear. I drove the "Brownie Van". Mostly I think Julia came with us just so Hannah had company. It was quite amusing listing to their chatter on the drive down to camp.

Everyone arrived safely.  We were soon unpacked and settled in for the weekend.

My bed for the weekend.  I shared this room with another mom, Two others in the adjoining room.

Hannah's Troop Room, 8 girls total here. Mikayla's troop was in a similar room across the hall.

Playing a little Go Fish

Friday night, since Saturday was Valentine's Day we made up Valentines for everyone.  It was one of the highlights, both the making and opening the next afternoon.  The girls encouraged to write one nice thing to each girl.

Hannah's Troop made breakfast in the morning.

Pink Pancakes with Strawberries and Bacon. Because after all it was Valentine's Day.

After breakfast, they worked on various badge activities.

One of Hannah's projects was to choose her favorite line from the Girl Scout Law, they then made posters with the line and found quotes to support it.  Hannah choose the line- "Respect myself and others." One quote she found was from Taylor Swift.

"We don't need to share the same opinions as others, but we need to be respectful."

After lunch the girls shared their posters and quotes.  I was so proud of Hannah, how confidently she shared aloud before the group.



Mikayla's troop worked on a variety of spa treatments, and also their Textile badge. They made dye from carrots, beets, blueberries and raspberries Friday night, then Saturday morning used them to dye T shirts.

Here they were making bathbombs.  They also made a sugar scrub and lip gloss. As well as sewed little pouches to keep a manicure set in.


Mik's group made lunch...Tacos...Scrumptious.





The moms/leaders hanging out during free time....I actually got quite a lot done on Owen's quilt.

The girls also spent an exorbitant amount of time writing out clues, sending each other on extensive scavenger hunts.  To what end I am not quite sure, but they had fun! ;-)

For dinner the older girls in Hannah's troop made pizza.  It was fantastic.

Hannah's Troop

Saturday it snowed.  A lot.  The wind blew.  A lot.  I tried not to be nervous about leaving/driving on Sunday morning.

Fern Lodge

Now worries though, the ranger plowed and shoveled us out. The roads were passable, the highway, not terrible. The girls and I made it safely home. I am slowly getting over my intense fear of winter driving. Mikayla and I chatted happily as we ventured home. It was a great weekend. I told Mik how happy I was to "get to be a Girl Scout" now. ;-)

We both are looking forward to SPRING and hopefully much warmer weather for the Spring Encampment.

I love these girls, {and their moms}.  I feel so blessed to be part of the group.  I am so thankful for Judy, Keri and Karin, who work so hard as the girls' leaders.

Oh P.S. Its COOKIE Season!!! Want some Girl Scout cookies?? I know two of the best girl scouts around.