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I just have to say this first. I love Google Chrome. Thank you so much to my brother's in law Dave and Jess who suggested I try it. My computer hasn't had an error message all week since I changed to this awesome web browser. I feel that EVERYONE should use this instead of Internet Explorer. I had multiple problems with Internet Explorer every day that caused me so much stress and I though my computer was dying. Come to find out 99% of my problems were because of Internet Explorer.

This week we received our first snow. Luckily for me it is just a dusting of an inch. I can't stand snow, ice, cold or anything that goes along with winter. So it's fair to say I HATE winter. Yes I agree it's pretty, but only for a moment and that is only if you don't have to go outside in it. Snow and Ice have caused much stress in my life as well, here are just a few examples:
*Cancellations of parties which affected my Pampered Chef business in a negative way
*Accidents that I've been in and friends of mine have been in.
*Spinning of the car because I hit ice unexpectedly in which I wet myself. (Not funny)
*Frozen hands, necks, face, toes, body
*Having to shovel the walks or driveway
*broken front part of our van because of sliding into a huge ice packed snow mound by our mailbox
*Having to warm up the car/van for at least 10 minutes in order to have a running vehicle that is still cold.
*Having to wear extra layers in the house on my body just so I don't have to turn the heat too far up and have an extra large electric bill.
*Stepping on ice when you don't know it when you have a large load of stuff in your arms then twisting your back as you are falling.

Anyway I'm done complaining, but if you ever wonder why I don't like winter just refer back to this post.

We had our annual Christmas party at church last night. I am on the Activities Committee which has been fun until last night because we (as a committee of 4 and the husbands) spent hours cleaning up after. Everyone leaves and then there is a huge mess. I know some stayed to pick up chairs and tables, but there was so much food left over and many left their nice dishes behind so we had to package up all that food, clean the dishes, clean the floors, pack away all the decorations and so on. I'm glad that this calling has ended and I'm looking forward to a new calling soon.

I did manage to do a little Christmas shopping this week. Mostly at a local consignment store called STUFF. Love that place because I refuse to buy books brand new, they are overpriced (well isn't everything?) Anyway I have found many of the books for my children and Jason that were on their lists. I'm glad they all like to read and I'm grateful that people consign things to STUFF so that I can then buy those needed things at a much reduced price.

At the beginning of December I made a goal to run a little further each week so that I can start really preparing for my next Half Marathon which is on May 7th in Columbus, Ohio.

My last half marathon was on September 11th and since that time the furthest I had ran was only 5 miles in a Turkey Trot on November 13th. I had backed off running quite a bit. So now to get ready for another Half Marthon (13.1 miles) I need to get my milage up in hopes that this time when I run the race I will be well prepared and what I mean by that is to have run the distance of 13.1 miles at least 4 times before that race so I'm not as sore the next day as I was last time.

For my first Half Marathon which was in July that was just for me to see how far 13.1 miles really was. I walked half of that and ran half of that so I don't count that race as "My first official Half Marathon". It was a miserable day with super hot temperatures.

My official First Half Marathon to me was the one I did on Sept. 11th. It was called Park to Park and it was put on extremely well by Trekman racing. They did everything right and I loved that race. It was also the first time I had ever ran the entire way of 13.1 miles. I was surprised I did it, but I wasn't prepared like I should have been. For instance I had only run up to 10 miles before that race so when I ran 13 miles I was extremely stiff the next day to the point of I couldn't even walk correctly and thought I was permanently injured in some way.

Anyway since making the goal to run further each week I have made a chart to help me out. This way I can keep track of how far I am running to make sure I really do it.

This week I ran only 1.5 miles and walked 1 on Monday, ran 1.5 miles and walked 1 mile on Wednesday. On Friday I ran 2 and walked 2 miles then on Saturday I ran 6 miles and walked 1 mile. I feel very accomplished about yesterdays run, mostly because when you are running you get a lot of self doubt and you want to quit almost every second. Mile 1 is super hard, once you get past that you will do better, but then after about mile 4 your mind plays with you and tells you to quit over and over. My original goal was a 5 mile run and I pushed myself to do more.


For those of you out there that are saying, "I'm not a runner and this is why you don't run." Neither was I back in March. I couldn't stand running. I did a race with my sister 5 years ago and after that race I vowed I'd NEVER do it again because it wasn't my thing and I didn't enjoy running. Running takes patience, time and a ton of effort. You have to be willing to just do it and TRY. Of course you won't be a runner if you don't try and do it. I started with walking a mile and then one day during my walk I ran the distance of a couple houses. Each time I would run, which was about 3 times a week it was just a tiny bit further and one day two months after I started running I was ready for a 5K distance (3.1 miles). It just takes time. If you want to be fit then get off your can and do something about it, don't just Dream about it, DO IT!

Next week I hope to be able to do a 6 mile run again or a little further if I get through this week.

Today we are setting up our Christmas tree. I love Christmas so it will be nice to have our house look like Christmas for a while. Today is the first day we will have everyone home at the same time.

If you haven't received a Christmas card from us yet it's because we haven't sent them out yet. Plans are to do so, but don't hold your breath.