This last day of March

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For Today... {March 31, 2015} 

Outside my window... it pretty much suits my mood today.  The world is looking a little worn and beaten by the long winter.

I am thinking... How can it be Easter is already upon us?? Trying to not stress over the worldly things like new dresses, shoes and Easter Baskets.  But to remember what Easter is anyway.

I am thankful... for time with the Nemitz Fam last night.

I am wearing... new earrings from my mom.  They were handmade by Pabi Ral a lady from Bhutan who now lives in Texas.  It is part of a membership club called Fair Trade Friday. I will include the links in my post script ;)

I am creating... the first two pictures are Mikayla's creations.  She made herself this giant tote from Capri sun packs

She made two of these lunch boxes, one for each of her siblings...

These are the shirts Hannah and I made at Girl Scouts last week.  We LOVE how they turned out.  Hannah is actually wearing hers again today.

I am pondering... I woke up feeling discouraged and worn. Sometimes I get so weary of my life. It feels like a joke. Is this really my life, I wonder. I get so tired of struggling to get by. I miss my friends and our bible studies around kitchen tables.

This morning my runners devo reminded me to be patient, to trust.

"It's as if God is saying, hang in there. Trust me. Your troubles are building up, and soon everything will be all right-- you'll see." The Runner's Devotional pp 267.

I then was led to Colossians 3:18 again reminding me to let Christ's peace rule in my heart and be thankful.  I can't choose my circumstances. I can only choose how I deal with them. Choose joy, it makes the way lighter.

I am reading... I finally finished that Gary Thomas book, A Lifelong Love on Saturday.  Its due back by tomorrow.  I have a stack of other library books to read but have been to tired the past few nights to crack one open.

I am hoping... My sweet girl has a better day.  Why o why are girls so stinking mean to each other sometimes.  She came out to me sobbing last night after I tucked her in bed.  Because a "friend" had been mean to her.  We talked about what it means to be a true friend and have true friends.  And what a beautiful, smart, wonderful girl she is.  Even now my mama heart aches for her, I could cry just thinking about it.  We snuggled on the couch under my fluffy polka dot blanket until she felt she could return to bed.

In my garden... its still early but I have noticed crocuses have begun to sprout!

In the kitchen & around the house... last night was my birthday dinner at Mom and Dad's, 16 of us gathered round the table. <3 :)  Mom made her famous noodles.

My birthday cake! So YUM! Lemon blueberry.

Nate's package won best wrapping! Yes, that is the is the wrapping...not the actual gift ;-)

Here is what was inside:

So many birthday goodies. I feel so blessed.

A favorite quote for today...

 “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”   --Dr Suess

A peek into one of my days... Saturday Hannah and I picked up and sorted the Girl Scout cookies!

One of my favorite things... blueberries.

From the board room {Pinterest}... My birthday cake! I found it on pinterest last year. =)

Lemon Blueberry Cake

Post Script... My mom joined this Earring of the Month Club: http://fairtradefriday.club/eotm/ It looks like a really cool project. The earrings Mom gave me also came with this website that gives a little info about the lady that made them. =)

What is Fair Trade Friday?

Fair Trade Friday is a monthly membership club that delivers high quality fair traded items to your door. The items in the box are fairly traded and provide employment to women all over the world. Plus, they are really cute! We currently have multiple monthly options: our original (and very popular) Fair Trade Friday box—this include 3-4 surprise items (think stylish accessories, organic soap, coffee, etc); our next option is a one-time box to try out as a trial or give as a gift; and finally, our brand new option: Earring of the Month. 100% of the proceeds from each product go toward the empowerment of impoverished women as an avenue to introduce them to the Gospel.

Thinking out loud

Stumbled across a link up this morning: you know how I can't resist a good link up. Plus it was just perfect for the bits of randomness floating around in my head today...

You can click the graphic to visit the link up post ;) Always fun reading new blogs!

•  Another bag gone.  Mail, school papers, etc... into the recycle bin.  Also put a bin on the desk to hold incoming mail.  Its already filled to the brim.  But I imagine I could weed through some of that as well.  No before pictures today.  But am pleased with the results.  There are lots of blank lines on my 40 bags in 40 days chart but I figure I will just keep on, going back and filling in blank days after Easter.

• Hannah is contemplating her next race.  She brought this home from school yesterday and asked this morning what day Pittsburgh was.  They are a little more than a month apart.  So I could do both. :) Was her conclusion.

• Recently, I caved and started watching Downton Abbey.  I have been laughing at my mother for the past several seasons and her love for it.  On a whim I got season one out of the library a few weeks ago.  Last night I started season two.  Totally hooked.

• Rosie...just because she's cute.  Chilling on my lap watching Downton Abbey last night

• Pampered Chef.  I love this company so much! Its been getting squeezed out of my schedule lately though.  Its frustrating.  I am supposed to being doing this Power Club conference call thing. But week 2's call was yesterday.  I have yet to listen to the first call or do any of my homework what so ever. :/ epic fail.  But I really need to get my act together! I really, really want to go to conference this year! Its Pampered Chef's 35 anniversary, my first and only trip to conference was 10 years ago, the year TPC turned 25! 

Also check out these cool shopping totes! Have a party April 1-15 and hosts get one FREE. I want one! ;)

• Just got a text we are tye-dying tonight at Girl Scouts! I am kind excited. =) Keri said she got a t shirt for me to do too! I love being a girl scout :P hahaha

7 mile training run

Which in truth turned out to be 8. Eight miles! And it was amazing. We ran from my house to my parents house.  A feat I had on my bucket list last year, and checked off on my birthday week last year as well. It was a great way to celebrate my birthday! I felt like a real, honest to goodness runner.  For the first time since starting "training" I didn't feel like running another half marathon is crazy. In fact, I am thinking I just may rock it ;-)  Laura tells me I will.

Laura and I were both a little uneasy about the weather.  It was calling for rain. Predicted to start right about the time we scheduled to start out run.  (Which it did.) But finally we looked at each other and consented.  We had too.  It rained the entire run, from a light drizzle to a steady rain and back again.  Not awful though, it was relatively warm (for Syracuse, in March) something like 47 degrees at the start and 41 when I returned home after.

We started out chatting easily as we ran, I was pleasantly surprised when we reached the village again.  Noting how good I felt.

As we continued on she challenged me to run up and down a hill on a side street.  I did it!  As we topped the hill and stopped for water, I exclaimed how last year I hadn't been able to run up that hill!  In fact she wait for me at the top.  Not so this year! I was busting with pride.

Last year when we ran this route in was insanely windy.  So in spite of the rain, it was way better!  I still can not get over how awesome it felt.  I felt strong and confident.  I was able to carry on a conversation with my sister.  To laugh and smile and genuinely enjoy myself.  Not wish I was dead.

Dripping wet selfie in Mom and Dad's driveway

As we drove back to my house Laura said something about, that was fun.  I agreed.  It was fun!  She laughed.  I exclaimed that I meant it.  I really had a good time.  That's not what you said last year! was her reply.

Picked up a little post run treat for myself ;-)

In other news I have added a couple races to my calendar that I am super excited about. Next month I am going to run the Good Samaritan 5K with Mom. In May I am going to do the Komen Race for the Cure with one of my best friends. If all goes well I am hoping Hannah might be interested in that one has well. Aimee's daughter Makenna is doing the kids run.

Half way to 70!

This was what my husband told me this morning as he wished me a happy birthday! You're half way to 70!

 Linked up with The Simple Woman's Daybook

Outside my window... The sky is blue, some of the snow has melted.  But it is again COLD this morning. Something like 14 degrees.

I am thinking... its a great day to turn 35 ;-)

I am thankful... that my mister made it home safely after a week in Las Vegas for work. 


I am going... to make 35 my best year yet.

I am wondering... how tomorrow's 7 miler is going to go.  I hope we have better weather than when we ran that route last year!

I am reading... I finished the book I was reading last week The Heir of Winterwood on my lunch break yesterday.  I am almost done with A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas.  I need to get this one done as I have already renewed it twice!  It is really good even though its taking me forever to read it.

I am hoping... to rock the Pittsburgh Half this year.  I am so excited to be doing Kids of Steel with my sweet Hannah.  I can't wait to run the Kid's run with her the day before the marathon.  Also to spectate and cheer on Mom and Aunt Sue and Uncle Bob at the 5K!

I am learning... just how much God's got this.  That his blessing just keep going.  Everything working out as it should.

Around the house... Since its my birthday, for cross training this morning I had a dance party.  Hannah got Just Dance 2015 out of the library last week.  Since, its due back tomorrow I thought I should give it a try before we return it.  Plus it's my birthday.

In the kitchen... I made my potato soup in my brand new Rockcrok. This amazing pan can do just about anything, microwave, broiler, oven, stove top, even the grill.  I am really excited to use it lots and lots! Anybody else have Pampered Chef's rockcrok? What's your favorite thing to make in it??  Also I made corn bread squares in my new brownie pan.  They smelled divine this morning.  I am a little sad I won't be home to eat dinner tonight!  I made brownies in the pan last night. ;-)

I am pondering... the quote below.  How so very often we get so upset over things that ultimately don't matter at all.  Working on an attitude of gratitude this day.

A favorite quote for today... from A Lifelong Love by Gary Thomas pp. 211

"But if I have God, and having God, even if everything else in my life goes wrong-- literally, everything else--- I am still blessed beyond measure, blessed beyond what I deserve."

Blessed are the people whose God is the Lord!  Psalm 144:15

One of my favorite things... My birthday! Despite the fact my sister claims I am too old for such things.  And I have to work all day today anyway, I am really excited its my birthday.  when I got up at 4 am to let my dog out, one of my first thoughts was-- It's my birthday!!!! =)

From the Board Room {Pinterest}...  I used this recipe to make brownies last night.  I only ate a couple little pieces that broke off so far but they were delicious! I plan to make up some mixes to have on hand in the pantry.  I would say they rival any Betty Crocker brownie mix.

A few plans for this week: working today, hoping to go to the library tomorrow night, girl scouts on Thursday. Going to see South Pacific at the high school on Saturday night.  Sometime this week-- actually celebrating my birthday ;-)

A peek into one of my days from last week...I found these birthday surprises when I got to work this morning... =)

Mom and Dad left me flowers, candies and a new quilt magazine.

My hubby and kiddos left notes all over my computer screen. And a few in my desk drawers.

On Saturday I got to go to my birthday buddy's 3rd birthday celebration.  Liam's birthday was yesterday.  He was supposed to be born on my birthday ;-) He got anxious and came a day earlier.  His little brother had the chance to share my birthday as well...but he held out until April 2!  Happy birthday to two of my favorite little guys.

Liam and Ryan

A great weekend for running!

I am trying to stick with the training plan my sister so generously wrote for me. One week done and I think I have done pretty well.

Yesterday I did my three mile "easy" run. I was pleasantly surprised that it actually was kind of easy. As embarrassed as I feel admitting this. Because it makes me feel like less of a runner. But for the first time in I don't know how long I was able to run the WHOLE 3 miles. No walking what so ever. Bonus I had negative splits!! (Each consecutive mile was faster). I am totally stoked about this!

Today runtastic congratulated me on my week.

In all seriousness though it felt awesome! Having my training plan in print really helped me this week. It's about all that got me out the door today! I was so comfy on the couch snuggled up with my book. But I told myself at three o'clock I would get my butt out the door. After a few cries of just five more minutes to myself I got up and got changed to run. When Hannah saw me  in my running clothes she quickly doned her new running shoes and hoodie. So we did her mile first. She did awesome. We ran more and our over all time was over a minute and a half faster! She was pretty excited. Marked her mile on her Kids of Steel training log, brainstorming ideas for new fruits and veggies she can try this week.

Despite the chilliness of today it was a beautiful sunny afternoon. It felt great to be outside in the fresh air! After the first mile I dropped off Hannah at home and ran two more solo as my plan called for.

I am actually looking forward to Wednesday and our 7 miler! We are running from my house to mom and dad's. I am looking forward to doing it better than last year!  ;-) Game on Pittsburgh!

Hannah | Mile 1

This morning before Hannah left for school I told her if she brought home her sneakers we could go for a run. She nodded in agreement.

Then later in the morning on facebook I saw this post--

With the warning the kids marathon was close to being sold out! What?!? I didn't want her to miss out so decided to just bite the bullet and register her. Mildly nervous she was going to balk and back out. Oh well I figured I've wasted $20 on worse things.

Driving home I realized it was a gorgeous sunny afternoon. The road was calling to me. Maybe I'd go for a run even if Hannah bailed. It was so nice! Too nice to be the "rest day" my training plan called for. My muscles sore from the 6 miles yesterday and yoga,etc... But oh that sunshine!

By the time Hannah got home I was involved in looking at my sister's wedding pictures. Finally trying to narrow down which ones I wanted to order. Hannah disappeared to her room with barely a word, reappeared moments later in sweats pulling on her sneakers. "Well, are you ready???" She asked. I quickly changed out of my work clothes to running appropriate attire. Hannah already outside waiting for me.

In truth we walked most of our mile. But it was so nice to be out together. She was so excited when I told her she was registered for Pittsburgh! She proudly told her Girl Scout leader tonight the run down of who was running which race in Pittsburgh. She was super excited to hear she does indeed get to run over one of the bridges in Pittsburgh.

Isn't she adorable!?

So excited for our Snyder Marathon Party Weekend! #GameOnPgh 

6 mile Long Run...I don't even know what week any more :~P

I think I went through about every range of emotion today on our run.

At the end of our first two miles I was miserable. It sucked. I felt like a fraud and a failure. At running and at life in general.

I grew a bit tired of listening to the sound of myself gasping for breath. Somewhere between miles 3 and 4, I lost feeling in my left foot. I thought about how awesome it would feel to just collapse on the snow bank and let the world continue on. I tried to distract myself taking a few pictures. It was snowing. Despite the fact the weather this morning assured me it would be sunny. The temperature hoovering around 29 degrees.  We pretty much had the park to ourselves. I think I could count the number of people we passed on one hand.

My hair looks doofy.  I forgot a ponytail holder.  Whatever.

I was sure signing up to run a 10K next month and then the Pittsburgh Half Marathon again was probably to stupidest thing I have ever done.  I seriously thought about quitting all together.

As we neared our starting point I began to feel a bit better. Maybe because I knew it was almost over. We were at 5 miles. Do you want to stop or keep going? Laura questioned me. Part of me really wanted to call it a day. But I knew I would be seriously upset with myself if we did. We pressed on, leaving the park and looping back through the village for a change of scenery.  As we rounded one of the last turns, for the 2nd time, I could help but think about the Wedding Day 5K.  It was almost exactly 6 months ago to the day.  Despite my frustration earlier in the run, I was feeling pretty good.  Strong.  So much better than how I felt running half the distance 6 months ago.  As we walked to the car I told Laura this.  Stick to that training plan, she reassured me.  I would be ready.

Looking back at our splits, I can see why I felt like dying at the beginning.  Our pace the first two miles was significantly faster.  But I survived.  I made it two miles at that pace, without walking.  Theoretically, I am getting stronger and hopefully faster.  Perhaps at some point maybe, just maybe I will be able to run comfortably at at 10-something pace.  If I ever make it down to single digits I might pass out from happiness.

Saw this on instagram earlier this afternoon ;-)

On somewhat of a sidenote:  Hannah asked tonight about running shoes ;-) Maybe tomorrow she and I can squeeze in a mile run/walk.

tired

 

Outside my window... its grey and drizzly.  BUT above FREEZING! Last night when I drove home ti was 53!! Spring!!!

I am thinking... I am so tired today.  Bone weary.  Is it over yet???

I am thankful... for family.  We had such a wonderful weekend down at Grammy's.  We have a pretty great family. #SnyderClan

I am going... to train hard from today on. My sister made this training plan.  I am frustrated and discouraged but hopefully its not too late to get my act together and still meet my goal. Oh my gosh it is so close!!! 

I am wondering... if I can really do it ^^^

BUT my MOM and Aunt and supposedly my Uncle are running the 5K! That was exciting news this weekend!  I planted the idea in Hannah's head of running the Kids Race.  Last night she said she wanted to do it {with out any further prompting}.  It'll be next week before I can sign her up and get her the promised new running shoes.  Hopefully she will still want to. =)

I am reading... The heiress of Winterwood by Sarah E Ladd; from my local library

I am hoping... I really hope tonight goes by fast. I just want to be done and back home in my jammies with my book.

Around the house... it needs some attention.  It feels like it somehow imploded while we were gone, but hopefully tomorrow night I can get back on track. :-)

In the kitchen... the kids are having chicken sandwiches tonight.  I am a little sad to not be home and make fun ST Patrick's Day recipes.  Perhaps we will just have to observe it another day.

I am pondering... the below quote from The Runner's Devotional this morning.

A favorite quote for today...

One of my favorite things... Coffee, I almost had a complete meltdown, and may have had a bit of a temper tantrum, when part if the keurig was missing this morning.  Ryan finally found it for me and NO ONE will admit to taking it out. Don't mess with mama's coffee.

From the Board Room {Pinterest}...

 I am so jealous of the official PGH bloggers!  I remember last year as we drove to Pennsylvania for the marathon I saw a group picture of the bloggers in their official blogger shirts.  Maybe someday I will be a "real" blogger. ;-)

A few plans for this week: My week's a blur.  But am looking forward to celebrating two sweet little boys' birthdays on Saturday turning 3 and 1 respectively.

A peek into one of my days from last week...

We are also enjoying having my brother's family around. #Cousins are #awesome