Beautiful Bob Marley Quote...

I absolutely love this.  I originally read it on Rachel's blog.

"Only once in your life, I truly believe, you find someone who can completely turn your world around. You tell them things that you’ve never shared with another soul and they absorb everything you say and actually want to hear more. You share hopes for the future, dreams that will never come true, goals that were never achieved and the many disappointments life has thrown at you. When something wonderful happens, you can’t wait to tell them about it, knowing they will share in your excitement. They are not embarrassed to cry with you when you are hurting or laugh with you when you make a fool of yourself. Never do they hurt your feelings or make you feel like you are not good enough, but rather they build you up and show you the things about yourself that make you special and even beautiful. There is never any pressure, jealousy or competition but only a quiet calmness when they are around. You can be yourself and not worry about what they will think of you because they love you for who you are. The things that seem insignificant to most people such as a note, song or walk become invaluable treasures kept safe in your heart to cherish forever. Memories of your childhood come back and are so clear and vivid it’s like being young again. Colours seem brighter and more brilliant. Laughter seems part of daily life where before it was infrequent or didn’t exist at all. A phone call or two during the day helps to get you through a long day’s work and always brings a smile to your face. In their presence, there’s no need for continuous conversation, but you find you’re quite content in just having them nearby. Things that never interested you before become fascinating because you know they are important to this person who is so special to you. You think of this person on every occasion and in everything you do. Simple things bring them to mind like a pale blue sky, gentle wind or even a storm cloud on the horizon. You open your heart knowing that there’s a chance it may be broken one day and in opening your heart, you experience a love and joy that you never dreamed possible. You find that being vulnerable is the only way to allow your heart to feel true pleasure that’s so real it scares you. You find strength in knowing you have a true friend and possibly a soul mate who will remain loyal to the end. Life seems completely different, exciting and worthwhile. Your only hope and security is in knowing that they are a part of your life."


— Bob Marley

More 30 Days of Self Love Catch-Up!

I have not forgotten the amazing 30 Days of Self Love.  It is almost over, and I have not posted on my blog about most of them.  I absolutely love the concept, so I am going to start catching-up.  Enjoy!

Idolizing our bodies (check out Tina's post here).

What ways have you put too much emphasis on your body?  How can you change that?

I have always been good at picking out the little imperfections and thinking negatively about them.  What I should do is focus on how they make me unique. 

Quote:

Revel in your imperfections.  Be entertained by your problems, and know that once you looked ahead, and wished you were where you are now.  And once again you will look back and smile. ~Unknown

Perspective (check out Tina's post here).

How do you witness the power of perspective in your life?  Do you currently face something where your perspective could make a difference?

My dad loved to play Devil's Advocate and make sure that I always considered others point of view.  I think this is most important in every type of relationship in life, because trying to view situations/arguments/ideas through other people's perspectives expands your own. 

Quote:

Being happy doesn't mean that everything is perfect.  It means that you've decided to look beyond the imperfections.  ~Unknown

 I had the blues because I had no shoes until upon the street, I met a man who had no feet. ~Denis Waitely

Perfection (check out Tina's post here).

In what things do you try to seek perfection?  Why do you even want it?  How does perfection actually hurt that area of your life?  What would letting go of the hope of perfection do for you?

I am by nature a perfectionist, and it is a constant form of stress when everything does not go perfectly.  Stress does not go well with confidence and happiness, so I am working on not caring how perfect something is.  I'd rather focus on how I can complete something to the best of my abilities and feel good about it. 

Quote:

Striving for excellence motivates you; striving for perfection is demoralizing. ~Harriet Braiker

Certain flaws are necessary for the whole.  It would seem strange if old friends lacked certain quirks. ~Goethe

Gifts of the body 2 (check out Tina's post here).

Take a few moments to think about 3 new things you appreciate about your body.

(1) My hair.  It makes me... well... Me!  I tried straightening it a couple times.  Not only did I look sick because it was so thin, but I did not look or feel like myself.  I love my quirky crazy curly hair!  It makes me feel unique.  (2)  My butt.  That's right!  I said it.  It catches me when I fall, looks good in jeans, and is fun to shake when I'm dancing around the living room.  (3)  The shape of my ears.  I typically would say that "I hate my ear", but they run in my dad's side of my family.  It is just something else that reminds me of him. 


Quote:

The body is an instrument, the mind its function, the witness and reward of its operation. ~George Santayana

ExerciseTV quickies

Yesterday I did a 4 mile solo run in 38:30.  I was happy with the pace; although, it was tough.  Tonight I tuned into ExerciseTV and did a 10 minute killer arm work-out then 10 minutes of abs.  The arm work-out was killer considering I have zero upper body strength.  The work-out may have been short, but it felt great! 

I have been having troubles sleeping lately, so I am hoping a weight work-out will help me sleep.  I'm off to drink some Tazo Relax tea and try to.... well... relax!  I hope you all are having a great week!

I leave you with some more picture of my beautiful purple flowers.  As the dye is washing away, the flowers are turning many shades of purple.  I love it!

 

 

Afraid of losing the people I love...

[source]

This picture describes my feelings exactly.  I know it is morbid, but I am always afraid of the late night phone calls or worry when Chris doesn't answer his phone when I know he should have left work.  The latest Love Bomb really breaks my heart.  If you have a few minutes today, please spread some love to Bonnie, who just lost her second son. 

Fabulous birthday weekend!

As of this past Saturday, I am officially 29. Eek. My last year before I turn 30! My year of running a marathon. I am so excited!

On Friday I drove south to attend my friend Kyle's surprise 30th birthday party. His wife, Erin, throws the most amazing parties, and this year she brought Vegas to Kyle! We played blackjack, roulette, and slot machines. The cake looked like a roulette table! There was even a burlesque show by one of their friends. I had a wonderful time and did not get home until 2 am.

With the birthday boy!

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Kyle and Erin <3

Erin's brilliant idea to have us sign the bottles for the bar.  I love it!

Chocolate bars

The birthday cake!!!

Saturday we slept in, then got together with Chris's sister, Jessica, her boyfriend, Chris, and our friend Diane for lunch and frozen yogurt. Diane had to go to work, but the rest of us headed to Weikiva Springs for a little relaxation in the cold spring, some hiking, and some sun. It was a wonderful day! Jessie and Chris got me my own painting supplies, so I hope to be painting again soon!
Sunday I went with my friend Tamra, who is getting married next May, to my first bridal show. It was very overwhelming! I am glad that I have a lot of time before planning our wedding, because I do not need that stress right now. I don't know how my friend is doing it... planning a wedding, raising a toddler, and going for her PhD. She is a superstar!

Tonight Chris and I went for a 3.08 miles run. I finished in 30:32 which is under a 10 minute pace. Unfortunately it was harder than I wanted it to be, but at least I did it. Then I came home and discovered that I won Tricia's Compression Sock Giveaway! I am soooo excited! I have been wanting a pair of those socks for ages, but I haven't been able to justify the cost. Not only does Tricia have wonderful giveaways, but her blog is incredibly inspiring! I very much recommend it!

I love to paint!

I have had quite the busy week so far! Monday Caitlin and I did a very, very easy 3 mile run (36:37), since we were sore from the 13.4 the day before. I needed to run on Monday, because I knew I wouldn't have time on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Tuesday Chris's mom came up and brought me an awesome cake with purple icing and a gift for my upcoming birthday. My future in-laws are amazing!
Wednesday I went with Chris's sister Jessica, her boyfriend Chris (yes, 2 Jessica's and 2 Chris's), and met our friends Nick and Federica for Canvas and Cocktails at Infusion Tea. There was a painting instructor, Bethany, who instructed us on how to mix our acrylic paints and gave wonderful painting tips and instructions. We were supposed to work on still life, but I saw a picture of tree that I loved and decided to build off of that. The instructor was really sweet and came around to everyone several times to offer help and support. The price also included a glass of wine and for an added fee a salad or wrap. I had so much fun! I have always wanted to try painting, and I loved it! When I was younger, I took art classes in school, but never in paint. I have found a new love! After I graduate, I want to look into taking a painting class. After, Jessie, her Chris, and I stopped for some frozen yogurt. Yum! I am currently on the old blogger setting and cannot add captions, so... The red painting below was done by Chris's sister, Jessie. She is sooooo talented! I painted the one with a girl on the swing. Jessie's Chris painted the one that my kitty, Zack, loved the best.
Tonight Caitlin and I ran 4 endless miles. Maybe because it was so hot, the run seemed to last forever. Our time was 47:40. I think next week I want to do a little speed work to really get my heart going. Today Chris and I received a gift from one of his good friends. She and her husband sent us Tervis tumblers that say "bride" and "groom". I love them!!
I have plans tomorrow night that will keep me out late, then Saturday is my birthday! I love my birthday week!

I know I am wayyyy behind on blogging my days of self love, but I will catch up eventually. As I said, I have been busy doing fun things! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

The kindness of strangers

This morning my low tire pressure light came on in my car. There is a gas station on my way to work that used to offer free air for your tired, but when I went in this morning they told me it was no longer free. I went searching through my car to find some change and did find a dollar in change; however, it was not all in quarters. Before I could head back inside to exchange my dimes and nickles for quarters, a gentleman who was in his car leaving the parking lot pulled next to me and asked me if I needed some change. I asked him if I could exchange my dimes and nickles for quarters, but he readily handed me quarters and told me to just take them and have a great day. It was a small act of kindness, but it really touched me. Time to pay it forward...

"Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around." ~Leo F. Buscaglia

Great week so far

Last weekend was pretty great. I house/dog sat for a little extra cash, worked on my candidacy, went for a run with Chris, went out to dinner with two different friends that we haven't seen in a while, watched a hilarious silly movie and drank wine with my fiance (hehe), bathed little Kirby, and relaxed. It was a really wonderful Labor Day weekend.

The week also involved three short (3 mile runs, more about those later) and having friends over for dinner. We watched a few cute movies, and I had lunch with friends from school that I don't usually get to see. On Wednesday Chris and I went to get my ring appraised, and I got to see something really awesome. With the way my diamond is cut, an ideal cut, if you look at it under a microscope in one direction you can see arrows, and if you look at it the other direction you see hearts. I thought that was pretty awesome. There is a picture of this below that I found using Google. Oh yes, and we enjoyed a dark chocolate wand and pumpkin juice from The Wizarding World of Harry Potter that Chris's mom brought us when she and his sister went while we were in St. Augustine. The pumpkin juice had a wonderful flavor but was very sweet. The wand did not last long with me around. Hehe. Our friend Kyle and I were brave and tasted the many disgusting and a few delicious flavors of Bertie Botts Every Flavor Jelly beans. Overall it was a great week.
In running-related news, I only ran 3 three-mile runs last week. The holiday then weather and school kind of messed up my plans. Earlier in the week, Caitlin and I ran an easy 1.5 miles to the park then back in 33:53. It was the perfect pace for chatting and not overly exerting ourselves in the intense heat. Caitlin, Ryan, and I ran another night. It was the worst run ever, because I had the most dreadful side stitch in the world. I had to keep walking and our time ended up being 37:28. Ouch. The next day I ran solo. I took is very easy and was super happy that I did not get a single cramp. My time was 31:35 which did not include a walk/water break in the middle. I was very relieved, because I knew that we were planning a long run for today (Sunday), and I was afraid of residual pain from that really horrible run.

Today Ryan, Caitlin, and I drove to Clermont, FL which is one of the few places in Florida that actually has hills. Caitlin and I set out to do a 12 mile run. We should have carried gatorade with us for the first part, because we were really hot by the time we hit our first hidden gatorade spot at 3 miles. We split a GU goop at that point. Then I wanted to find a bathroom, so we ran another 3.7 miles to the closest bathroom. This normally would not have been so bad, but at this point it was getting really hot and neither of us anticipated what it was going to be like to run the hills. We also did not have any other beverages along the way. Luckily we made it, and at this stop there was a store so we each bought a bottle of gatorade and one more goop to split. We ended up splitting that around the 7.5 mile mark. The run back to the car was really brutal. It was extremely hot and hilly. We had to walk some of the inclines. I screwed up the Garmin and forgot to restart it a few times, so I have the time for 12 miles instead of the full 13.4 miles. For 12 miles our time was 2:27:23. I think that isn't half bad considering we had to walk and it was so hot. We were both really happy to finish and pretty shocked when we found out we actually ran 13.4 miles. Woo-hoo! My longest distance yet. A half marathon was my longest distance before, so it's not like I beat it by much but still! I have to say that I think the goops (I don't know what they are really called) really help! If it wasn't for the fact that I felt under hydrated for the first part and just really freaking hot due to the sun, I think I could have kept going. Yay! Oh and during the last 3 miles we ran against a half ironman race! We passed some very hot and tired runners.

After we went to Infusion Tea for a much needed lunch. I even ordered an iced chai tea latte to go. YUM! Then I took a nice nap with my little snuggle-bug, Kirby.

I'm feeling pretty good right now. My butt is a little sore, I'm guessing from the hills. I think that we just need to start earlier next time. I'm actually looking forward to running it again (although I am sure I will complain about the hills again while running them).

I hope you all are doing fantastic! It is officially the start of my birthday week!!! Woo-hoo!

I will hopefully catch up on my 30 Days of Self Reflectance posts tomorrow. I am loving it, I have just been behind on blogging lately. Have a great week!

More old pictures with Dad

Blogger has finally decided to cooperate for uploading pictures, as long as I am on the old uploader. Here are the other pictures I wanted to post of my dad. Unfortunately captions are not working.