Meatlesss May

I am thinking about going vegetarian for the month of May.  I've thought about becoming a vegetarian on and off for four or five years, but have never thought that it was actually the right choice for me.  However, in my efforts to be healthy, fit, and happy, I figured that I would try it for a month and see what happens.  I already buy meat substitutes from Target (like MorningStar chicken nuggets or black bean burgers) and have cooked a few times with tofu from WalMart.  I don't think I'll miss meat so much as I'll miss the convenience of going through a drive-through on my way to class.  I also don't want to have to explain to people all the time why I'm not eating meat.  Especially since I'm not necessarily doing it for any ethical or moral reasons.

What do you think?  Am I crazy?  Do you have any tips or critisisms?

First Half-Marathon, Here I Come!!

We're about to leave for Oklahoma City for the race.  My husband, his brother, and brother's girlfriend are going up now, and then my sister-in law, her boyfriend, cousin, and his girlfriend are going to meet us up there in a few hours.

I'm already nervous.  And excited.  And scared.  And I really want a 13.1 sticker for my car, or even one of those 13.1 necklaces.

See you all in a few days!!!  I'll take lots of pictures.

Is It Summer Yet?

My last day of the semester is the 12th....which at this moment may as well me August 12th.  I am so over this semester with it's boring classes that I don't care about.  I'm tired of working all day and going to school all night and never having a clue what's going on.  I would like to sleep for more than five hours.  I would like to see my husband.  I would like to watch tv.  I would like to not go to statistics anymore.

And what's so crazy is to think that I still have four semesters left (barring any unplanned events like pregnancy or job loss or the Rapture).  As much as I feel the horror of two more years at NSU (where I can't get advised correctly to save my life), I also feel a little surprised that in two years I'll be done with my bachelor's degree.  Since I've gone part-time or not at all for the last six years, two years seems kind of short to me.

But only two years (and the economy and any of those above unplanned events) stands between me and working in the field of adoption.  I am so excited about the day I get to start helping children find their forever families.  I almost want to cry thinking about it.

Proverbs 31 Woman

I have been thinking a lot lately about how to be a better wife.  Not just a good wife, but a Godly, wise, respected woman that my husband is proud of. 

One of the ways that I feel God is leading me is to start my own garden.  Consider verse 16 of Proverbs 31- "She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard."  This shows us that she is enterprising and prudent with money (something I'm not).  By planting my own vegetable garden, I ensure that Lee and I are eating healthy.  I save us money, which means we have more money to give back to God.  I learn how to work hard over the long term as I labor over my vegetables.  And I get to get my hands dirty and have fun!

Here are my seeds, soil, and manure.

Lee and I picked out the cucumbers together, I chose the okra, and he wanted the squash.

The garden box my wonderful husband built for me.  Look at my tomato plant!!

The first bunch of seeds.

Did you plant anything this year?  Do you have any suggestions for this novice?

Gift from the Co-Workers

I came down with a yucky virus yesterday, complements of my lovely co-workers.  Of course it's not their fault, as sickness always lurks where there are lots of children hanging out.  I just wish I had avoided this dreaded virus.

All I've done today is lie on the couch and watch tv and sleep.  Which means running didn't and won't happen.  I'm trying not to dwell on the fact that my race is a week away and I won't be doing a long run this week.....which means the most I've run before my first half-marathon is nine miles.  I'm scared and worried and feeling sort of like a failure.

Whoa

Heidi unveiled her new DDD cups.

I have no words.  Do you?

My First 10-K!

I ran my first official 10k yesterday!!!  I also learned that my Nike Sportband is waaay off.  I had suspected this for awhile, but it was proven to me that at the end of my 10k (six miles), my sportband read 7.04.  Ouch.  Which freaked me out, because I often trust the distance on it.  So here I've been thinking I've been running certain distances as I train, when in fact I'm running less.  Oh well, now I know.  I attempted to calibrate it, but we'll see how effective it is.

I got everything ready the night before.  I actually ended up wearing different shorts (because "they" say not to do anything different on race day, and I hadn't worn those undies in awhile, and I for sure did not want to be pulling wedgies for six miles).

Getting ready to leave for the race.  It was still pretty chilly out.  I had a blueberry crisp Clif bar, which was entirely too sweet for early in the morning.

My faithful chauffeur and photographer.  I love him.

At the starting line.  Very, very nervous.

Rounding the final corner...a really nice man had just run by and said "Ok girls, this is go time.  Sprint for it."  So I did.  His motivation was exactly what I needed at that time.

I did it!!!!!!!!!!!!!  One hour, six minutes, and thirty-one seconds.  Then I collapsed and hyperventilated.  And cried a little. 

5th in my age group!  I think there were only five of us, but still!  The official results aren't posted to the website yet, but I took this picture as they displayed them at the race.

Rocking the compression socks. 

Catching some sunshine....this warmer weather is amazing.

So tired now...wishing I could go take a nap.  Instead it was on to a baby shower.  Which is a happy thing, I was just spent after my emotional rollercoaster and run.

The race as a whole was nice.  It was the first time I've ran an open course during a race.  I didn't think it was good or bad, just different.  I was a little worried that I was going to get run over by a cyclist and not finish the race.  But other than that, it was nice to run along the river and see everyone out on a Saturday morning. 

I registered online and picked my packet up at Fleet Feet on Friday.  That process was easy, and cheaper than registering in person.  It was confusing trying to find parking the morning of the race (mostly because I didn't even know OSU had a separate Tulsa campus for their medical college), but other than that, everything else was clearly marked.

I spent most of the race mostly by myself.  For the first four miles or so I kept up with a girl with a long ponytail, but after that fourth mile she took off.  She only finished a few minutes in front of me, but I want to know how she had the endurance to pick it up so much in the end.  I didn't see her consume any nutrition either, so I'm really curious.  I brought a gel with me...which I seriously regretted.  I had grabbed a Clif Mocha gel, which I'd never tasted.  I honestly wanted to throw up when I ate it.  It is not a flavor that I like....I guess I need to stick to the berry flavors.

I am so excited and happy and proud and scared now.  Scared because six miles made me tired and in three weeks I have to do thirteen point one.....oh boy.