Weekend Bargains!

Matt says I'll buy anything if it's on sale...but I like to think of it as I only buy items that are on sale. I'm a savvy shopper...I won't let him get me down about spending a little green to save a little.
Five shirts from Gap plus a pair of sandals off the Dillard's sale rack--all for $60.

What can I say, I'm into stripes? Some are turtle necks and some are short sleeved so there's really more variation than it looks like.
Jessica Simpson sandals...so I can't wear these for a few months...but I have no doubt I'll one day pair them with the perfect outfit and be oh so glad I made this purchase for $11. :)

I also treated myself to a post-race pedicure (wasn't on sale). Felt SO good! I hardly ever spring for the whole pedicure, usually just a polish, so this was extra special!
Guess this is what happens when Matt's out of town for the weekend?

The difference a little support makes!

Author's note: This race became so much more emotional for me than I expected. I got a little windy here explaining so I give you permission to skip down to the pics if you want. :)

The Story:
Last April I decided that running was going to be my "thing." I was going to be a runner. I can always pick out the women who run...disciplined, fit, and they wear fancy digital watches. I wanted that. I wanted to be hard-core.
So we're off...but running for no reason got kinda dull. How far should I run? How often? How fast? Why am I running? I needed a goal. After surfing the internet for running tips/routes I decided to dabble in a 1/2 marathon training program and picked out a race to enter. I trained for about 4 weeks before actually signing up for the Omaha Marathon...and before telling anyone I was thinking of signing up. After a 9 mile workout I thought, I can do this. If I can run 9...surely I can run 13.1?
Training was tough...especially when school started. I was feeling so overwhelmed already...and then had to add long runs onto my days?! Matt was such an awesome supporter! He trained with me a good portion of the time--solely because I didn't have time to get my workouts in until after dark and he wouldn't let me go it alone. (Wait, did that sentence make it sound like he was running with me...because he was biking...but I still enjoyed his company and appreciate his effort). I didn't know if I could make it 13.1 and I missed some training sessions here and there...but 13 weeks into attempting to be a runner...race day was upon us.
Hands down, the best thing about this experience was the support I received from my family. I was so honored when they all planned to come watch the race. So here we are...in Omaha...for the packet pick-up and pasta party. Only a few tears during a "what the heck am I thinking" moment when I looked around the convention center at all the hard-core people preparing to race...in the same race as me. My dad helped me through that one and I ate the pasta at the party even though it was like 4 in the afternoon and I wasn't hungry. If everyone else was eating this...I was too. Woke up at about 5am on race day and gave a quick interview to documentary producer Mike Keeley before venturing to the start line. Also kept reading the verses Hebrews 12:1-2 in reference to throwing off everything that entangles us and running the race before us with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus. I know this verse isn't referring to a 1/2 marathon, it's referring to living a life on earth for Christ--but it still provided such comfort and motivation for this small race I was undertaking in the big race of life. Might seem like a strange concept to some, but I definitely felt God's presence and strength during the race.
At the start line I kept thinking this was a goal I had set, I trained for this, now it was time to just do it. I kept thinking this is going to be hard, it's supposed to be hard. If it wasn't going to be hard my family wouldn't have made the trip...woudn't have made T-shirts to support me. This is going to be hard. It's supposed to be. I survived...and it was hard. But it wasn't deadly. It was actually FUN. The actual event of the race, running the 13.1 miles, was fun! It was exciting to see all the people lining the streets cheering the runners on. It was actually pretty emotional. The atmosphere was great and the route was really set up well. It was hilly, but I knew once I got up the huge hill I'd be able to go down it.
The point of my whole "story" is, I know there are a lot of people out there who have done much more heroic and hard-core things than run a 1/2 marathon...but the sense of accomplishment I felt when I finished the race and my family greeted me at the finish line is indescribable. It felt so great when they were proud of me. I achieved my goal...and it felt amazing! I know I'm getting all sorts of motivational speaker-ish, but I can't explain the feeling I got from meeting my goal. Surpassing my goal! So I just have to put that challenge out there...do something crazy. Do something you think is beyond yourself. Set a goal...work toward it...achieve it. Because otherwise you're just letting life pass you by, right?

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Conference Trip Pics

It's a little strange to sight-see on a trip with just a group of random co-workers you don't really know...but it was a fun trip. Heard the DuFour's speak about PLCs in schools and ate some great food while seeing D.C. and getting to know my co-workers. However, it's SO ANNOYING to miss school...especially for 3 days in a row! I returned to a mountain of papers to grade. Enjoy the pics! Next post = 1/2 Marathon.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Playing catch up...

Our computer is up and running again so I'm back to the blogging world! So much to catch up on...however...I have to go chronologically...so if you're waiting for that 1/2 marathon update, stay tuned!

Freshmen Football games are underway! Our first one (weeks ago) was endured in the rain...we lost 14-44. Seriously.

WRHS Cheer tradition for cheerleaders to do pushups when our team scores (luckily that's not too often). Do I think this is stupid? Yes. However, I do not get paid enough to fight them over their "traditions" so they are free to do as many push-ups as they like. Attractive, huh?

I've been meaning to tell you...

Our home computer has an icky virus...you always hear of these things happening...but you don't really care until it's happening to you. Haven't decided what our plan of action is to rid it of the virus...Matt's made attempts to fix...but right now it's still eating itself. Awesome.

Going to a conference in Washington, D.C. Wednesday thru Saturday for the school district. Was excited when they asked me this summer...not so excited as I make out my sub plans now...

Half marathon is 12 days away...two words...OH NO!!!!!

DeAnna's Survey

What do you do when you want to write but have nothing to really write about? Steal the survey thing from DeAnna's blog!

In honor of me taking the survey from DeAnna's blog, I've included these pics from her recent bridal shower! :)


I AM...tired
I WANT...to live in my parent's basement and have no responsibilities
I HAVE...a tummy full of ice cream
I KEEP...my birthday cards displayed on a string across my living room for at least a month
I WISH I COULD...do gymnastics like the Olympians...really...that would be so cool
I HATE...when people are mean to other people (especially high school kids...breaks my heart!)
I FEAR...that I actually have to run the 1/2 marathon on Sept. 28 that I signed up for
I HEAR...the TV? Matt's watching Sports Center.
I DON'T THINK...I'll ever have time to watch all my shows I've been DVRing
I REGRET...a lot of things...but they say you shouldn't have regrets...so I won't dwell on it
I LOVE...that I can call my mom anytime and usually reach her. I LOVE that.
I AM NOT...expecting anyone to read all these random thoughts!
I DANCE...rarely...not a big dancer
I SING...with Matt on road trips to the radio...we also like to make up actions...we are fun
I NEVER...go to bed early
I RARELY...cook supper for my husband...I know...bad wife...and bad FACS teacher
I CRY WHEN I WATCH...The Notebook. Not just cry, bawl like a baby...every time.
I AM NOT ALWAYS...on time
I HATE THAT...my husband's legs are SO much skinnier than mine
I'M CONFUSED ABOUT...who to vote for
I NEED...to feel loved and needed
I SHOULD...go to bed.

Going, going, gone!!!

My mind, that is.

Going to a wedding in Omaha this weekend. Can't remember for the life of me if I already bought them a present or not. I always buy wedding gifts online and have them shipped directly to the bride & groom. I tend to use Bed, Bath, & Beyond or Crate & Barrel. They have the best online registries. I just keep thinking...really? This is happening to me? I've lost my mind this much, already, at the wee age of 25.
I try to be so organized...I haven't written down a confirmation # for a gift anywhere...but I know I've looked at their registry...hmm. Would I have bought them this? That? Dang it!
Question: What's more embarassing? To go to a wedding and NOT give them a gift or to send someone TWO gifts?