Life Seems to Get in the Way

I do really good for a while and then time slips away. School becomes over whelming. Work, well its getting stressful with state assessment coming up. Things at home are grand, I couldn't ask for better but the house doesn't clean its self and dinner doesn't get cooked unless one of us does it. Don't get me started on the dishes and walking the dogs. Squeeze in there meal planning and prepping, working out and now working on our newest addition the Westy. Simply seems like there's always something going on. I am looking forward to a new month though, we have no big plans this month which is nice. It should be low key, I'm sure we'll take the Westy out a time or two but aside from that its just the two of us hanging out. The hubbs was suppose to go to Ft. Polk for 3 week to help / train at JRTC but thankfully that got canceled and he didn't have to go. We have just a little more than a month until our 8th wedding anniversary. I really can't believe that we have been married for almost 8 years. Sometimes it seems like much longer then other times it seems like we just were married last year. Up until last year we had been together for every anniversary except one. Being apart for 2 out of 8 living the MiliSPouse lifestyle is pretty unheard of but I guess you can say we have gotten lucky. We have a little weekend get away planned to celebrate next month and I'm so excited. We are going somewhere new, somewhere neither of us have been before. I love visiting and trying out new places. 

Here's a little Insta drop on what we've been up to here the last week or so. :)

On our venture down to Louisiana we stopped off at none other than Duck Commander Headquarters its self. Kinda cool to see where all the filming was taken place, although it looks nothing like the show of course. 

Sweet Savvy girl wanted to have a sleep over, so that did. After dinner and walking the pups that evening we went to Berry Bear for some Froyo. :) 

 Sunday morning she joined us on our weekly bike ride, on post for a little adventure. This girl did great and stayed right with us on the 5 mile loop. 

 The night we bought the Westy we stopped a Starbucks on our way home for a little pick me up. I had my first Peppermint Hot Chocolate of the season. Its so tasty!!! 

 I always check the weather temp before I go running in the mornings here lately now that its starting to get chilly in the mornings. This particular morning there was rain in the forecast but not till closer to 7am. Having to be at work by 7:30 I figured I'd make it home well before the rain hit. Boy was I wrong, with just under a mile to go till I was done it started pouring something crazy and I was soaking wet. There was no point in stopping because I'd just have to walk the almost mile back to my house. So I kept going and was literally dripping when I finally reached our front door. 

Every so often everyone as a not so good day and well I had one just the other day. Everything that could have gone wrong or awful did and it wasn't even lunch time yet. I still had the afternoon to go and things weren't looking up with the rainy weather. So off to Starbucks on my lunch break for a little pick me up. 

For our Sunday ride this past week we loaded up the Westy and drove her to post. I love that we can do so much with the Westy, its def. been a great purchase for us. 

That morning after our ride and a family style breakfast we loaded up, in the Westy of course and went to Shade Tree Farm for a little Apple pickin. Sadly the only pickin we did was from the baskets in their little store. The tree's where all picked through but we did leave with a bag full of freshly picked apples. 

What to do with all those Apples you ask?!??! Well Apple Cinnamon Muffins sounded great, and tasted just as good. :) 

Picking Up The Pieces

Just a little bit of life lately and a Instagram dump. Because every blog needs a catch all here and there right, to keep you up to date on the latest and greatest of what's going on in our life. hee hee. 

Dinner in Nashville a few weeks back at Hattie B's. It was quite tasty, we must have gone at the right time because we got right in. Typically this place is packed with a line out the door and down the side of the building. I went with the chicken tenders, coleslaw pimento cheese mac n cheese. I was semi disappointed to find out that they only serve their Chicken and Waffles on Sundays. :( 

Finding ourselves in Nashville once again we went to Blaze Pizza for lunch. You can choose from one of their pizza's on the menu or you can "customize your own" and its made right there in front of you. This place reminded me so much of Chipotle and let me tell you it was so so good!!! We'll def. be going back here. I got the BBQ Chicken and the hubbs got the Green Stripe. Both where delis!!!

Our most resent Nashville outting was complete by gathering some goodies from some of my favorite stores that we don't have in Clarksville, such as Trader Joes, REI and Fresh Market. I'll say we cleaned up pretty well and are going to be eating some tasty snacks. I finally got my hands on Cookie Butter which I'd been looking EVERY where for, for months. Its soon good!!! 

 What better way to enjoy your 3 day weekend, Thank You Labor Day. Then go for a nice long run on post. I typically don't run on post. In fact this was the first time I ran on Ft. Campbell. I wanted to change things up, you know put a little spice in my life. I didn't have a set milage I wanted to run when I headed out but knew I wanted to make it a long one. And that I did, 15 miles just shy of 2.5 hrs and I was sweating my booty off. But it felt great. I'm officially training for my 2nd Full Marathon, which I plan to complete next April for my 30th birthday. Yikes we aren't talking about that though. 

 This past weekend the hubbs and I headed out early EARLY Saturday morning for a quick two day trip to Louisiana for a wedding. One of the Soldiers in his platoon was getting married to the Post's Deputy General's Daughter and had plans to attend. Driving through the city of Monroe we where talking and the hubbs made a big deal about it. I wasn't sure why he was making such a deal for then he reminded me about the Duck Commander store / filming location. Well of course we had to stop then. We / I are big fan and I had to get the obligatory picture in front of the sign. The "shop" turned store was packed with loads of goodies and souvenirs to take home. We took a quick look around before heading back on the road. 

 Only 3 hours away from home, if only we come make a quick stop. But only having two day's we just couldn't swing it. 

 We stopped for lunch once in Shreveport at a local restaurant and the hubbs orders Fire Gator bites even after I told him I would NOT be trying them. Something about it just completely weirds me out and I just can't do it. The idea of eating Alligator, NO thank you. However he pretty much twisted my arm and I tried the tiniest bite. No it wasn't horrible but just the idea of it I couldn't get behind. Mixed in was fried Jalapeño slices so I chowed down on those since the hubbs doesn't care for Jalapeños by themselves. 

Busy enjoying ourselves and the beautiful wedding I failed on getting any pictures of us at all. EPIC FAIL. I was so bummed, but there's always another time. I did get a picture with my fabulous boots on. I mean you can't go to a country themed wedding and not wear your boots!!! It was a absolutely beautiful wedding and I couldn't be more happy for the newly weds. I'm so glad we where able to make the trip out to be apart of their celebration. 

The next morning we slept a little bit, if you call 5am sleeping in. We decided to take advantage of the hotel's complementary breakfast they have. I mean after all I'm pretty sure we paid for it in our rate some how or another. Waffles, Yogurt, Banana's and a Muffin just to name a few things that may have crossed my plate. On the road by 6:30am headed home. 

Our GPS took us out of Louisiana through some back country roads and blessed us with this beautiful sunrise. It doesn't get more relaxing or better than looking over a fog covered pasture with cows out grazing around. 

On our drive home we finally had a chance to stop at the largest Bass Pro Shop ever. The outside looks way neat, and on the inside you'll have just about everything your normal BPS has. I think it get's the title being the largest one simple from the building size. There is a restaurant inside, a body of water aka mini pond that has boats for display and I believe its the worlds tallest free standing glass elevator in the middle. It's one of those places where we can save we've been and check it off the list of must see's. 

Back at it first thing Monday morning. My BB group is hosting a 5 day clean eating challenge this week and its just what I need after a weekend of splurging. I'm going all out and doing 10 days. We have another little trip planed next weekend and I / we plan to fully indulge in lots of yummy goodness. 

Day 1 workout complete, and lunch curtesy of Hops Java and Juice in downtown Clarksville. This little joint has only been only about 2 maybe 3 months and let me tell you they are fabulous. All clean, organic, natural ingredients. Plus selection of baked goodies, a ice cream bar and pup cups (puppy ice cream). Its just what we needed here in town. My new Monday lunch spot, Military Monday Discount day. 

Tuesday I headed out for a 6 mile ride after my morning work out and it was so chilly. I'm not at all ready for the cold weather, I mean really who is. I'm really enjoying my bike and even more so that we both where able to purchased one when we where home in Texas. I try to make a point to go riding at least twice a week in the mornings before work and then the two of us go together on a longer ride on Sunday's. We've been going on post and riding around a couple different area's which has been really nice. I foresee lots of fun times ahead of us. :) 

"We've got Spirit, Yes we do. We've got Spirit, How about You?"  It's Spirit week at school and today was Story Book Day. Dress up as a Story book character. Barbie and I decided that we'd go together as a team, seeing's after all we are always working together and getting into one thing or another. I'm not one for dressing up all the time and to be honest this was the first time this week I remembered or even put effort into what I was going to wear. I have to say our outfits / costumes turned out pretty darn cute and we had so many complements on them.  

I suppose that catches things up for a bit. Until next time folks. 

Here We Go Again!!!!

As always time seems to slip away and life gets the best of me and I've slacked at up dating this hear blog of mine. But I'm here updating now and that's all that matters right?!?!?! 

With a week of class left we decided to have a class pot luck / surprise baby shower. Tell me why I volunteered to make a cake for this little shindig we where having. I was leaving right after class to head out of town. So the day's leading up to class where super crazy busy. But I have to toot my own hour because this cake turned out fabulous!!!! It was homemade from scratch all the way down to the icing. I was so proud of it, I haven't baked in forever and I loved every minute of being back in the kitchen doing what I love. This fabulous master piece didn't let down either. Every one LOVED it and I'm not just saying that because I made it, really my class-mates couldn't stop raving about it. I will defiantly be keeping this one for future baking goodness. 

 The night before my last class and said above pot luck followed by a 6 hour road trip I ran a 5K Glow Run about 45 minutes away from my house. Now back up a few days, my Director at work was suppose to run this as well. She was the one who actually talked me in to doing it. Unfortunately for a few reason's she wasn't able to make it. I decided to tough it out and still run the race. It might shock you to know this was the first race I'd ran alone not knowing anyone there. I was a little nervous and hesitant going into it alone but I embraced myself and rocked it. 

It was raining and ugly out, we had a 15 minute rain / lightening delay due to a storm. Once we finally got going I was passing people left and right. I kept checking my pace making sure I wasn't pushing myself to fast in the beginning and I wasn't. The rain kept coming and a few bolts of lightening here and there. In my head I kept thinking this was the worst idea I'd ever had. Part of the course was dark back streets that I ran by myself because others where way ahead of me (so I though) or further behind me. I was a bit scared not going to lie, being somewhere I wasn't familiar with at all. They had water stations in the worst places, you'd think they'd have them on the streets with no lights or store fronts vs. on the main roads, simply for safety reasons. 

Pretty soon I caught up with this little dude and he was struggling a bit so I tried encouraging him to keep going when he wanted to stop. I asked him if he knew how many people where in front of him and there was only one he said. We stayed together for the last half mile of the race and then I booked it through the finish line. I hadn't looked at my watch much through the last mile since it was raining, I was trying to keep it down from getting wet. Yall I came in 2nd place. I had no clue, I mean he had mentioned there was only one other person in front of him but I wasn't totally positive. I've NEVER placed in a race and I ran my fastest 5K time ever. I was so stoked and proud of myself. Yes it was a smaller race only 80 out of the 100 people that signed up came (due to the bad storms we where having) and everyone has told me that a race is a race no matter the amount of participants not to use that as a excuse. And I'm not, there where some awesome runners out there and I just happened to be on my game and totally kicked butt!!! 

First race ever when we lived in Hawaii. (left) May 1, 2011 5k- time 43:57. 

Most recent race June 26, 2015 5k-time 25:35.

Yall, I still can't believe it!!! 

PS: look at those chubby cheeks on the left. I know I know not really but yes really. 

After I came back from my little girls weekend get away (I'll recap that later) I made this delicious little treat for our work 4th of July Pot Luck. I came across the recipe on Pinterest (it was a birthday theme) and new I wanted to try it and though it would be perfect to incorporate it into our Red, White and Blue theme. 

Yall, this was AMAZING, like I'm talking there was only one slice left. It was scrumptious, melt in your mouth delicious. I've been on a roll here lately in the kitchen and defiantly enjoying it. 

With a bottom layer of freshly homemade Chocolate Chip Cookie dough, top that with a layer of Oreo's, the gaps where filled in with M&M's, topped with a layer of Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough and polished off with another layer of M&M's. Baked in the oven for 20 minutes and you've got heaven in a pie dish. :) 

Another month down and one more closer to the hubbs coming home. The end feels so near yet its still so far away. I miss him with all my heart and can't wait to wrap my arms around him again. I'm actually gonna miss doing this fun little monthly counts, but I wont miss doing life alone that's for sure. 

 Speaking this crazy deployment.....1) I've seriously slacked on keeping up with his truck. It's a standard which I'm not able to drive due to my lack of skills. It's on my 30 b4 30 list to learn, one day one day. It's been driven twice in the last 8 months so when I asked Amy to come over the other evening to help me get it going we had no luck what so ever. Even after letting it charge connected to my car for about 20-30 minutes it still wouldn't even attempt to turn over. I knew I had to cough it up and buy a new battery. Sometimes that's the price you've gotta pay and I did. A big Thanks to some awesome guys he works with (that returned early from deployment) they picked it up the next day and had new tires put on and the brakes checked. So it's all set for his return, I've just got to keep it going till then and not let the battery sit so long with out being started. 

2) This massive backyard of ours, its amazing, I love it and the pups do to. But it also comes with a bit of maintenance. Sure I could pay someone to do it but that would be wasting money when I am more than capable of doing it myself. I don't love doing it but I don't hate it either. I look at it as another way to get a workout in. However I've learned I really need to make sure I stay on top of it, meaning mowing it every week. YALL!!! I let it go a week and a half, 4 day's longer them normal and it was killer. I struggled. Yes we had a lot of rain with in that week so that didn't help. Although, I'm not complaining because its helped keep it nice and green but man was it tough to cut. The bag kept getting full and I'd have to stop and empty it after less than two times around. I was so frustrated. I ran out of gas at one point and thankfully had just enough in the tank in the garage to finish out the yard. It might have been 8:30pm before I was done with everything, weed-eating and blowing included but I got it done. I kept telling myself I could finish it up tomorrow but I knew I'd be kicking myself in the butt if I did that. 

I remember always giving the hubbs such a hard time on the weekends when he would say he was going to sleep in and then he'd be awake on his 2nd cup of coffee around 6am sometimes. I'm like dude what happen to sleeping in and he would always say "that, that was sleeping in for him." I'm like no, "sleeping in means not getting up and outta bed till close to 8am" I couldn't sleep much past that or I felt like I was wasting my day away. And now I find myself laying there wide awake most mornings before 5:30am. I just can't help it, no matter how late I go to sleep, even on the weekends... I'm up and my brain is going 90 miles a hour thinking about everything I could / should be doing. 

This morning for example, 5:35am laying there thinking of everything I was doing today and figured I might as well go ahead get up and get started. Morning workout (40 minutes), Dog's walked (20 minutes), Dressed, Laundry going, Shake-o made and dishes done all BEFORE 7am. I decided to switch my morning plans because sitting around the house for the downtown market to open at 8am just made no sense at all. lol. Originally I was going to the downtown market first then, make the 25-30 minute drive out to Guthrie, KY to the most amazing little Amish Bakery. To pick up a box of freshly made donuts and some cinnamon rolls. I plan on freezing the cinnamon rolls till the hubbs gets home and taking the donuts to work with me on Monday. They only make and serve the donuts on Saturday's, and they don't last long so you've gotta get there early. I was kinda sorta itching for one and decided to treat myself. It worked out perfect because I got there right at 8am when they opened. From there I headed to back to Clarksville to our market. Sometimes I'll go and simply just walk around it a couple times checking out the vendors not purchasing a thing. I just enjoy going, gives me something to do on Saturday mornings. But today I knew I wanted to pick up some local honey since I was getting low. The food trucks and baked goods looked so yummy, I sampled some different breads and a fruit tea which I wasn't crazy about before heading out. I was so tempted to give into a yummy waffle, a tamale even the homemade Amish ice cream but I didn't I knew I had donuts in the car, lunch plans and jazz on the lawn later that evening. Not to mention a couple homemade M&M cookies at home. I didn't need it. 

One last stop on my way home. I remembered The Mill, a little local antique / craft store was having their re-grand opening today. It's super small and I normally never find anything there but I always enjoy stopping and looking since its so close to home. I ended up picking up this cute little "Tennessee Home" plaque that will fit perfect on our Christmas Tree to represent out time here. 

All of that and I was still home before 10am. With lunch plans not till 1pm I decided to tackle the upstairs. Our bedroom and bathroom needed a good deep clean so I figured why not knock it out before lunch. Nothing's better then a freshly clean home. Well yes there is, having someone to help me with it or at least keep my company while cleaning. Blah Blah Blah, I know soon enough he'll be home. Lunch was fabulous, I hate that L and I haven't gotten together more over the deployment then we have but we always have such a great time when we do. It'll be great once the hubbs is back and the four of us can all get together. 

I spent the rest of the afternoon into the evening lounging around and kinda being lazy at home. Out girls night at Jazz on the Lawn got canceled since a few couldn't make it and honestly I was totally fine with that. There's always next time. 

Where has the time gone?!?!

I was doing so well with keeping up with this here blog of mine and then the last two weeks have just been cram packed filled with life. All good, mostly that I can recall. Just busy busy busy. Keeping up with work, thankfully with graduation behind us now we can enjoy our summer program. Not that it slows down the work load at all. We are still busy bee's in class keeping the kiddos on their toes. My Friday nights typically consist of me mowing our massive yard. I try to get it done at least once a week, other wise waiting two weeks it can be a big head ache. If I can't get it done on Friday after work then Saturday after I get home from school and running around it is.

Taking this summer course has definitely kept me on my toes and busy with school work. I have had so so so much homework. Its been a great learning experience and I'm def. glad I'm taking the class and its helped the month fly by but OMG, the work load. My Saturdays and Sundays have been flipped. I have class Tuesday and Thursday nights till 8:30pm and then pretty much all day Saturday, from 8:30-3:30. When I would normally get up and go get my long runs in and then stop by the downtown market, I'm heading to class to get my edu-ma-ca-tion on. Then I try to get any running around done that I need to do after class before heading home. This way once I get home, I'm home for the day. We live pretty far out from where a lot of the stores and shops are so going back out can be a pain sometimes. So Sunday's have been my running / relaxing days. I've been getting up between 6:30 and 7am (that's with out a alarm, my body just doesn't know what sleeping in is) having a light breakfast and heading out the door to the Greenway for a run. I have to get it done early before it gets to hot and going in the evenings is just NOT a option since that is when the hubbs gets on line and its our only chance to talk and catch up on life.

Going early I also beat the crowd and am able to get good parking not that its a hassle to park but by 9:30-10:00am when I'm done the trails are getting pretty busy and cars are lined up along the road. It's been kinda a bummer missing church the past couple Sunday's but its a choice I've made. I really enjoy running and its a great way for me to get out of the house and clear my head. Getting my long run in puts me in such a better mood and mindset for the week to come. I'm able to think, breath, talk to God and simply have that me time with out any distractions from the outside world or social media. The rest of the day is generally spend meal prepping and finishing up any homework assignment I have due the up-coming week. This way I'm not cramming Monday night to get it all done.

Things aren't slowing down either, in fact that are about to get even busier over the next 2-3 weeks. I'm thankful to be able to stay so busy and active to help the time go by with the hubbs being gone but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't ready for them to slow down just a bit. Not really sure what I was thinking planning two weekend road trips back to back with only a full two days back at home in-between them. Having to meal plan and prep for both, making sure I have Fixed approved food options to take with me on my drive. Having to make a Pot Luck dish for this coming Saturday's class. Why on earth did I volunteer to make the cake. Coming home Tuesday evening and then on Wednesday night making a Pot Luck dessert dish to take to work on Thursday, cookies for my sweet neighbor thanking them for watch the pups, as well as a batch to take with me on my road trip to see the In-Loves. Not to mention laundry, and re-packing in between those two days. I should really make sure I do the yard one of those two nights but that's going to be a last resort. Oh and I've got to start meal prepping for when the hubbs comes home. I am making up a good handful of Fixed approved meals ahead of time and freezing them this way I'm not spending the first couple weeks each night in the kitchen when I get home and we can sit down and enjoy dinner together. It's early but the earlier I do it the sooner its done and one less thing I have do to and I can mark it off my "To Do List".

I've finally started tackling the "Truck, To Do List", before the hubbs left we knew there where a few things we wanted to get fixed on it while he was deployed. Like replacing a lost cap in the floor board, new tires, oil change and getting the e-brake fixed (it currently does not work). Well I've let time get the best of me and I haven't touch the darn thing. So much so that the battery is dead and we will probably end up having to buy a new one. A cost we did not factor in. But I mean what's a girl to do when you don't know how to drive a standard. Well I finally got the cap replaced this past week. Hubbs looked all over the internet looking for it and I just made one quick phone call and the next day had it. I went down to the tire shop and ordered new tires so those will be installed soon. Only thing left to do after that is the break job. Slowly but surly making progress on it. It would make my life so much easier if I could drive the stupid thing. I'm making it a priority when he gets home that he teaches me.

I think that pretty much sums up what's been going on lately here in the Music City Capital area of the World. Busy busy with work, school, running and continuing to live and healthy life and fine tuning my routine along the way. A couple pictures to go along with what's been happening. If you follow me on Instagram I'm sure you've seen some of these already. :)

Sausage Hash Brown Bites from Nerdy Birdy for breakfast last Saturday before class. Simply AMAZING!!!!! 

2013- 1st Half Marathon- 2:27hrs @ a 11'11min pace, last Sunday's Half Marathon (non-race) 2:04hrs @ a 9'28min pace. Major progress!!! 

Followed by lunch with a great friend we where stationed with at Ft. Jackson, you can't go wrong with Mexican food!!! 

A guy in our neighborhood owns a gun store and well this girl got the inside hook up on powder. You know just a evening stroll through around the circle with the dog to pick it up, no biggie. 

I made Fixed approved (minus the dash of powdered sugar) French Toast one day last week for breakfast and scramble up a single egg to go on the side. It tasted fabulous!!!! Quick, Easy and Healthy that's what I'm talking about. 

I helped with and attended a memorial service this past Thursday for one of my dear sweet friends at work who lost her boyfriend suddenly to a heart attack last Friday night. 

Had to run to the mall on Friday to pick up a few things on my lunch break, I walked by Auntie Annie's 3 different times and passed it up. That's victory there people. I decided on a fresh fruit smoothie instead. I know I made the right choice. 

Fulled and Ready to tackle another Saturday of school, H2O, Shakeology and loads or fruits and veggies to help get me through the day and stack on track. And it worked. I will NOT eat vending machine junk!!!! 

Because a piece of me will always be in Texas and Texas will always be in my heart. YALL, know its only the greatest state that was ever founded. Don't hate. 

Looking like a hot sweaty mess after this mornings 7 mile run at the Greenway but it felt great!!! 

I did a little window shopping at Miss Lucille's this afternoon and decided to treat myself to lunch and didn't feel the least bit guilty about it. I had Strawberry Basil Lemonade, Willies Brisket Sliders, Grilled Skewer Veggies and for dessert Homemade Banana Pudding. You bet I finished my plate. I'd eat here just about every day if I could. 

55 miles

I set a goal to run 29 miles in the month of April in honor of my 29th birthday. Well I not only passed it but for just getting back into the running season I crushed it. I finished out the month of April with a total of 55 miles logged. I was so and still and so pumped. I have been really working on my pace this past month and its improved so much, it's really boosted my self-esteem and given me the confidence that I can do anything I put my mind to. I've got the distance down and don't really have a problem with that. I typically only run short runs between 3-5 miles during the week though. I love being able to get my run out of the way during my lunch break from work. (I work out in the mornings before work) So coming home in the evenings and simply walking the pups and being able to have dinner and relax is such a great feeling. I'm hoping to continue and improve my pace as well as continue to build my miles back up per run. If you follow along on Instagram you've seen my progress post's but I wanted to share them here as well for ol' time sake and of course for me to have to look back on. I'm really wanting to get back into racing as well. I don't mind going alone, but when we lived in Cola. I had my running buddy and we always went together. I wish I had someone here to run races with. Maybe one day but I'm telling myself I can't let that hold me back. I've completely stepped out of my comfort zone / box since the hubbs has been gone and it's been great to really get out there and find myself. I know I can over come this as well.

I'm loving this new tank my Spouse Sarah sent me for my birthday, not only does it show my love for Texas but HELLO its Monogrammed!!!! 

I've got a little challenge with myself to get my 5k time down to 25 minutes. This just a smig over 2 minutes that I have to shave off my time. That's less than a minute a mile, totally do able and I'm determined to get there!!!

Spring is in the air and baby its HOT outside but that's not stopping this girl!!! I love that I've gotten to work on my tan all while getting my sweat on. Its a two for one deal. :) 

I crushed my goal for April with 55 miles, so I've set another mile goal for May. I know its totally do able but that mean's I'm going to have to up my game a little bit!!! 

Here's to another month of living a healthy fit life and working on a better ME!!!! 

Weekly Running Wrap Up and More

* I haven't typically run much through our little neighborhood because well its pretty small. To get any good distance in with out venturing out on the main road I'd have to do a couple loops around our circle. That gets old real quick. Last week I did finally make my way into the neighborhood that's right across from ours. Just thinking it was a short dead in street I figured I'd at least check it out. Low and behold I ran across this street sign. Made me miss my love so so much!!! I was able to get a good 4 miles combine with my normal route all together. So not to shabby. 

* April 10th made a year that we signed on our house here in TN, I still can't believe sometimes that we own a home. It's been a great year and we've learned a lot about being home owners. Thankfully we haven't had any problems at all. Knock on Wood. We've made a few changes / adjustments around the house but for the most part its been working well just as is for us. I'm looking forward to many many more years of memories made in our first home.  

* Last Sunday I met up with one of our sweet friends from our time at Jackson. Drill SGT Cutter was here at Campbell going through a school for a couple weeks. Her and the Hubbs were Drill SGT's in the same Platoon together and became good friends. I know G was bummed he didn't get to see her but it was great to catch up and have a yummy lunch together. 

* That afternoon I decided I'd better run off that yummy fried chicken I had at lunch and counter balance it with a healthy protein filled dinner. A 4 mile run and a Avocado Boiled Egg Sandwich was the perfect ending to a great weekend!!! 

DS Cutter, the Hubbs, DS Brady 

* The week before last I was pretty stoked with my run and pace. 4 miles in under 40 minutes and my pace was in the high 9's. Not to shabby at all for just getting back into the running season. Little did I know that was only the beginning. 

* This past Wednesday rolled around and I headed out for my run on my lunch break. I never really have a plan going into it during my lunch runs, I just go for it and figure it out along the way. 3.10 miles later - I was over the moon with my pace and time. It may not be much for some but for me it was awesome. 

* April's my Birthday month, I'll be 29 so I set a goal to run (at least) 29 miles during the month. I accomplished and passed that goal on Friday with my 5 mile run during my break. I went down further than I normally do on my route which meant I had some killer hills to come up on my way back. Figuring that would set my pace back a little, I was mentally prepared for it. Nope I crushed it yet again. 

--I've got the distance down, now it's just working on the pace. I'm not trying to get to a certain pace or time. Simply working on pushing myself, maintaining and getting stronger and if my pace continues to gets better that's just a added bonus.--

* A friend of mine from Texas makes these cute adorable signs, pretty much anything you want it to say she can to. I set her this quote I'd see a while back that I though would be fitting for our back patio and she had it whipped up in no time. I'm just getting around to hanging it up but I think it fits perfect on our patio.