The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow

It better-- today it's dreary, cloudy, rainy, and a questionable 37 degrees. Eeeks! I've checked the hourly weather several times recently, and with less than 24 hours to go, I'm praying that it doesn't change much. It looks to be clear tonight and about 35 degrees by 6 am; climbing to 38 by 8 a.m. and 44 by the time I'm hoping to be finishing the race!

My personal goal is to complete this race in 2 hours and 30 min. I really think it's possible because I'm feeling pretty good about an 11 min. pace. BUT I know things happen--knees hurt, ankles pop, feet burn, stomach cramps, hills come, people won't get out of your way, you have to go to the bathroom and so on... so tomorrow my one true goal is to FINISH. Really. It means so much to have come this far and trained so hard, the time doesn't matter. This will be such an accomplishment in my life and something I really do believe I will continue to do. As the time continues to get closer I'm getting more excited, feeling the excitment a race brings... people stretching, chatting, talking, listening to music, pinning on my bib number, making sure my shoes are double-knotted, clearning out my watch to 0:00:00, making sure my hair is ready to go, breathing in lots of air, shaking my arms and legs loose, feeling the quiet a morning brings-- even with thousands of people around, smiling at hubby before I take off, hearing the race begin, moving my feet, finding my pace, looking at the new sights, listening for new sounds, enjoying the feeling of running and working my body, and then crossing the finish line... I can't wait!!

Hubby will be there with camera in tow, as I plan to document this day well and bring it to you on-line. And I have to admit, one of the things I'm looking forward to most: eating whatever I want and not feeling guilty--it will truly be an awesome day!

I have a little booklet sitting just below my computer screen that I write verses in. Today, I will leave you with this verse:

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1 (ESV)

Another Monday

But not just any Monday, I have good news for those of you wanting to comment on my blog and being frustrated... repeatedly. (Sorry!) I have just updated the settings, so you should be able to comment without even having to sign in. So, will you all do me a favor and post a little comment or two. It doesn't have to necessarily be on this particular post, you can comment on one of the others that you've been wanting to. Please do! Then I'll know that I fixed the problem.

It's also only 5 days to my half marathon. I can't believe the Cowtown is almost already here!!! I'm pretty excited and feel ready to do this. My training has paid off and in just a few days I'll see what my body can do. I'll try to make sure Hubby gets some pictures. Here's to a great week!

12 Miles

Another new accomplishment in my running journey! On Saturday I went out to Trinity Trails to run with my friend. It was a beautiful day! It had snowed 12.5 inches here on Thursday and was still sticking around for us on Saturday. But it was in the upper 40s when we were out running, so it was fantastic. I started off feeling a little tired and slow because I had taken most of the week off because my foot had been bothering me, so it took me a while to find my groove. But, surprisingly, my foot hurt me less as I was going along, so I was extremely thankful for that! Our run was going pretty good until about 4.5 miles when it ended and we're like, "Where should we go now?" We needed to go 6 miles one way and then just turn around. So we ended up running down by the zoo, up some crazy hills, through areas with no sidewalks, through THOUSANDS of puddles (AGH! My feet were so wet!) because of the melting snow, and finally turned around when we saw we would have to cross over Interstate 30-- not happening! The way back was better because we felt like we knew where we were going and were so thankful to get back on the trail.
I was able to run the whole time, even through all the aches and pains. I definitely ran out of water and was so thirsty by the end, but was thankful for the water I had up to that point. I finished pretty strong and was glad I made it. But that's when the worst part came-- as soon as we both got back in the car I felt nauseaous!! Ugh! And it lasted for about 90 min. My sister told me to eat something, but it was so hard to do because I just wanted to throw it all up. But I took a shower and hubby finally got home with some OJ, so I drank that and it helped to turn things around. So this week, the running part was ok, it was the after-party that was not so awesome. But I suppose I'd rather that be the case because I want to feel good when I'm running!
The next day the only things that were really sore were my hip flexors!! So I was so happy about that. My ankles felt a little weak, but no real pain. That 12 miles will be the most I run until my race... it's all 'downhill' from here! So I'm thankful for a little break for my body for the next 11 days before race day. I'll let you know how it goes!

Cookie Love

Wanna see something wonderful and delicious and scrumptious and lovely? Well take a look at this:


Behold the beautiful and glorious 5-Chip cookie! Talk about delicous and irresistable! I made some of these cookies for a Super Bowl party on Sunday and this batch is so awesome it made 5 1/2 dozen!! So I took 4 dozen to the game, saved a few for us, and sent a few to my wonderful cousin in CA (hope you enjoy them!!)

I'm learning to try to get shots of the batter process as well as the end result. I remembered again this time. Here is both my nemesis and best friend:

Doesn't it look like you could just eat it with a spoon? Well obviously it did to me... because that's exactly what I did-- nine, ten, eleven, twelve cookies on to the sheet...stick the sheet in the oven... go to the drawer... get out a spoon, one scoop right into my mouth. Then throw that spoon into the sink because I will NOT do that again. Wait a second, the cookies are out of the oven and I'm scooping more dough onto the sheet and, wait! stop it! stop right now! do not get another clean spoon out of the the... too late another bite into my mouth. Mmmmmmmmmmmm!

So that was Sunday. And our remaining cookies are waiting in our freezer (it just seems safer there!) waiting for a few days from now when I know I'll have another hankering and I can have a little of this action:



Then last night I tried a new cake recipe recommended by a friend of mine. I still had some cranberries left over in the freezer from Christmas, so I wanted to find some good recipes to use them up on. So I made this Cranberry Upside-Down Cake.


It's very light and fluffy and delicious. It has just the right amount of sweetness to offset the tartness of the cranberries. And it was all completely from scratch-- no cake mix involved!! I was excited about that. Also very happy that I liked it so well being from scratch. If you're interested in the recipe, just let me know and I'd be happy to share. Both Hubby and I think it could be served as a breakfast/brunch item as well and it would be perfectly suitable. Happy Baking!

It's already Feburary?

How did that happen? I remember my Grandma telling me many years ago that as you get older, every year just seems to go by faster. I believe her... but I already think they're going too fast. What does that mean for me 60 years from now?
I wanted to share some of my accomplishments of 2010 so far. My New Year's Goals are still taped up on my bedroom wall and I continue to look at them from time to time. Several of them I am currently working on, others I've purposely decided to wait on so that I'm not spread too thin at the beginning of the year. Then I can focus on a few at a time, accomplish them and then focus on doing the others. It is true, some are on-going, but I like my system so far. Two of my goals for this year are:
1. Lose 15-20 lbs. (I look forward to the year when I don't have to put that on there again!! It will happen soon, I promise!)
2. Do three new things this year; one of those includes running a half marathon!
I am happy that I am on my way to both of these. So far this year, I have lost 9.4 lbs. (yes I do the tenths increments, it makes me feel like I've accomplished more!) and my half marathon is coming up on February 27th. The farthest I've run up to this point was last Saturday-- 8 miles. And tomorrow is 10!!! I'm a little nervous, but fortunately I've found a friend to run with me who is also training for the half marathon. So it's nice to know someone is out there with me. I have discovered that I truly do love running. If I can just go at my own pace (no pressure at finishing under a certain time) and be outdoors, I find I really enjoy it! I listen to music, talk to God, think about my life-- it's a great time of reflection! And now that I've realized that I like it so much, I'm sharing that joy and excitement with others. If people have questions, I just spill over with little tidbits and information about what I've learned about running so far. It's something that I hope I can continue to share with others as I choose to live a healthy life. To Life! Even if it is speeding by...

And here they are...

So you've been reading this week about my quest leading up to the baby shower for today. 3- 6" cakes that have 2 layers. Last night I got started on them around 9 pm and finished up around 11:30 pm! I was pretty happy with how things went timing wise and was pleased with the finished product as well! Now just waiting to see what the mommy-to-be thinks. And also, what you-- my lovely reader(s)-- thinks!

Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing:


Next up, the one I like the best as far as decoration goes. The design is my take on the bedding they picked out for their baby girl. Here's the White Cake with Vanilla Buttercream Icing


And last but definitely not least, polka dots. And the cake is A Little Something For Everyone: one layer chocolate, one layer white, chocolate cream cheese filling, and vanilla buttercream on top!


I also want to give you a picture of how they all look so lovely together; complementing each others' colors and designs-- I think they make a great little team. (I didn't even take this picture up and down-- why is it doing this? Anyone know how to rotate it if it uploads like this?)



So which one is your favorite? Coming up next month are Baby Shower Cake Pops! Have a wonderful weekend!

Wednesday Night: Vanilla Buttercream Icing

Last night I made half of the icing I'll be needing for tonight's big project. I've gotten to where the process of making the icing doesn't take nearly as long as it used to. So I was able to whip up two batches in about 15 minutes. There's 6 cups ready in the fridge at home and I'll be making 4 cups of the chocolate cream cheese icing tonight. I have been mulling ideas around in my head the past few days and bouncing them off of Hubby as to how I will be decorating each cake. He is more of an artist that I, so I appreciate his feedback and help with these cakes immensely! I'm a little nervous because I feel like there's so much to do tonight, but I'm trusting my preparations throughout the week will make it that much easier. So come back tomorrow and I'll plan on having up pictures of the cake. Geranimo!

My speculation of the day: Today I'm wearing a purple dress and leggings to work. Several people have told me today, "Wow, you look so comfortable." Hmm, maybe it's just me, but that's not really the vibe I was going for. I was kind of thinking-- cute, young, nice. I didn't think anything of it at the time because I DO feel comfortable, but still... upon reflection of those statements I wonder if I look nice now. *clink* *clink* Those were my two cents :-)