THAT kind of week.... (by: Jess)

Have you ever had "THAT" kind of week?

The kind of week where you ask God, "Is this a joke?"

I mean......really..... this week has been hilarious!

I FINALLY scheduled myself a full body massage that my mother-in-law got me for my birthday back in August.

I told the  bone crusher massage therapist not to be scared to be firm.

WOW! I couldn't move my neck for 3 days and I think I held my breath for the full hour of the massage. So much for relaxation.

I guess I could have spoken up and politely let her know that my body was not made of silly puddy and I was on the verge of tears from the immense pain she was causing me..... but I didn't want to be rude.


(2) people cancelled their scheduled jewelry shows this week. Good-bye new jeans and brown ankle boots from JCP that I had my eye on.

I went to exercise class on Wednesday night and to my surprise we were scheduled to run a mile....

Outside.

 I didn't have a coat. Or my ear-buds. Or my phone. And I just ate dinner.

THAT was a pleasant jog.

 NOT.

 (yes.... I just slipped some 90s slang in there.... cause that's how I roll...)

Oh..... and the nightly janitor coming out of the courthouse carrying 2 giant bags of trash who I TOTALLY plowed into was a nice addition.

Wow.... the look on his face when I came barreling towards him. Priceless.

Ummm, let's see... what else......

Oh yeah, I backed into crashed into my boss's car on Thursday night. Severe damage on my end.... moderate on his. That was a nice touch to the week.

I had parent/teacher conferences 2 nights this week which resulted in (2) 13 hrs work days.

Actually.... that's not really fair.... the conferences went really well. I have awesome students this year and all the parents who came into talk with me couldn't have been nicer.


Leo told me (again) that he "hated me" and then added this little gem... "Mom, you need to take a shower".

Nice.

I put a flavor packet in my bottle of water and shook it up to mix it.

The cap wasn't on tight enough.

AWESOME!

Speaking of water... I told myself that I was going to start drinking more water. So I researched exactly how much water I need to consume daily in order to loose weight.

There is NO WAY on God's green earth that I am going to be able to drink 80oz of water a day. "Ain't nobody got time for that".

Seriously contemplating replacing water with wine at this point.

You think I'm kidding?

I am kidding!! Seriously.... I DO have some class.....

 I meant to say vodka.

There was a lice outbreak in the HS this week. #cantstopitching

I thought I was being a real BA and over-achiever and planned, typed, and submitted lesson plans all the way up through Christmas break.

THEN I remembered that I forgot to include my mid-term exam. #re-do

I got my 1st formal evaluation this week from the man whose car I crashed into. It went well. We played a review game to prepare for a big unit test coming up. The kids did a good job and it actually was a fun game. This COULD HAVE BEEN the highlight of my week. The sunny spot among all the gray fog.

COULD. HAVE. BEEN.

After the observation, I checked my email and read a message that was sent to the staff at 7:30am, from the man whose car I crashed into. It said this..... "please do not allow students to sit on top of counter tops, desks, or tables".

  The review game we just finished playing that the man whose car I crashed into just got done observing required students to sit on top of their desks.

Nice.

I found time to cook dinner on Wednesday night.

Burnt on the bottom.

I woke up Monday morning to the realization we were out of coffee creamer.

Almost cried.

Speaking of coffee... since I didn't get to enjoy my steaming hot pumpkin spice cup o joe Monday morning, I figured I'd just wait and get a cup at work. No biggie.

Got to school. Poured a mug, Added my sugar packet and dry creamer that I had to settle for. Took a careful sip so not to scold my mouth.

Ice cold.

Yesterday's coffee.

Nice.

Someone left a bag of whoppers (candy) in the teacher's lounge to share with everyone. My eyes lit up. I took some.

Stale.

I got weighed and measured at my 24fit class this week.

Based on "my numbers" I'm in the 1st stage of obesity.

Sweet!

Based on this week.... things can only go up from here. Right?

Anyway, even though this week has (for the most part) sucked eggs, I still have this....

family
support
love
shelter
food
faith
life
health
a dog
a job
sanity

So I can't complain too much.... ;)

It's STILL a Guy Thing (By: Jess)

Update on whether or not Leo loves me:

Nope.

Ok. Dramatic I know, but my son is a total daddy's boy and I HATE IT!

If you are confused, please refer back to this post: It's a Guy Thing

If I'm being honest, I honestly feel at times that Leo does not love me. (unless I'm holding suckers, cookies, a sippy cup of milk, or his blankie... then he likes me a little.)

I joke about it and I laugh about it, but in reality it breaks my heart.

2 situations happened the other day and I wanted to drown myself in the toilet.

The other night Toby, I, and Leo were laying in bed. Leo was watching scooby-doo on the ipad, Toby was watching a horse sale on his ipad, and I was pinning pictures on pintrest for what I want my headstone to look like.

Leo started flopping his arm over on my face. Over and over and over and over. Literally smacking me in the face every time.

It's safe to say at this point, I was pissed. (obviously I had told him to stop 18 times prior)

I finally had had enough! I kicked the covers off, stood straight up, told him that, "I'm leaving! I am going to sleep in the guestroom! Wake me up when my alarm goes off!"

Then I stomp off.....slowly....expecting Leo to beg me to stay with him and that he was sorry.

Not the case.

He says this to me:

"Bye."

Stab. In the heart.

As I sulk off to the guestroom and get into bed (because I had to follow through with my threat), I hear this from my bedroom.....

"good night daddy. I love you!"

Stab. In the eyeball.

Ugh! I went to bed with a heavy heart.  and the most beautiful headstone picked out for when I finally jump off a cliff.

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh... but it doesn't end there, my friends.....

So I go to pick the kids up from "school". Favorite part of my day! Sometimes I cant get out of the car van fast enough!

SO I go pick them up and, like normal, they are excited to see me! Hugs and kisses are given, artwork is collected from Leo's mailbox, they both get a drink from the water fountain, Cece wants to take her shirt off cause it's now soaking from the water fountain, and we all head out the door, waving good-bye to Miss Cindy on the way out.

I strap them both in their seats and we are off.

Then I hear this from the backseat.....

"Mom, I don't like you. I want my daddy."

Stab. Into the top of my own head. While the theme song from "Psyco" plays in the background.

The rest of the ride home I didn't mutter a word, as I was trying to keep my face from falling apart.

Whoever said that "All little boys are mama's boys" can go suck an egg.

If You Build It, They Will Come (By: Jessica)

A line from one of my favorite movies......
"If you build it, they will come"

"They" being "us".

Our family.

Me, Tobias, Leo, Cece, and Gertie.

We are building our forever home. The home in which we will grow up and old in.

Cece will have her 1st sleepover in this house.
Leo will practice basketball in this home's driveway
I will help Cece get ready for prom in this house....maybe even her wedding?
All future birthdays will be celebrated in this kitchen
Toby and I will retire in this house
Gertie will find new hiding spots in this house and this backyard will be where she will be buried.

This home is allllll ours. Toby and I designed it ourselves. We I scoured pintrest and magazines for the exact way we I wanted every room, nook, and cranny to look and be set up..

We put things in this house that we have always wanted.

A built in office/desk
A bench/table eating area
A jack-and-jill bathroom
The perfect size master closet...not too big or small
A basement with a guest room and bathroom
French doors.
A spot for a double oven.
A toy room
A mud area... not a mud room.
Storage. Storage. Storage.
A garage that is a little too big
A fire pit area by the water
An open floor plan where you can see straight through that house upon entering the front door.
One level

As of NOW (October, 2014) we have almost all the framing up. No roof, no walls, but designated rooms. Last night  the kids and I walked through the house as Toby explained where each room started and ended. It was so fun and exciting! It made things seem more real and it gave me hope that, "yes! someday we actually will have our own home again!"  It helped me stay positive, which is hard.

I have a picture in my head for what I want every room in our house to look like. I have a vision. Will our home end up looking like my vision? I don't know. I hope so. Regardless of how it ends up looking..... I think it will be fun to go back and see what I originally pictured in my head.

Here are my "visions" that I am hoping to make realities. Or at least close. I am very practical and I know what we can afford and what we cant, contrary to what Toby may think. It is safe to say that "I know what I want". I have a plan for every room of this house. I've had time to think about it, research, and make decision after decision. Will all my "visions" happen? Probably not. But maybe so.....

Lets start with the basement. Something that I am SO THRILLED to have! I've NEVER had a basement, EVER! This room will be for storage, entertaining, and playing. It will also serve as our guest room and guest bathroom. Toby would like the decor to be "horse theme" and I agreed but will not over-do it. The basement will also hold my Dad's work desk. SOmething that I inherited after he died. It will be my work space for my jewelry business. THAT area will not be horse themed.  Here are some visions..

Basement Visions

Cute!

Love this idea! Especially for people (me) who fall down stairs often. Which also reminds me...I want the stairs to be carpeted. 

really want to be able to do this! 

My next project!! Have already found an old armoire on Craigslist! 

looks simple, right? 

Door leading to the basement, Just cause its pretty and different 

Oh the kitchen. My favorite room in any house. I knew I wanted white cabinets that looked like bead board. Ive always loved that look and really wanted to have that in our kitchen!1 I also knew that I really really really wanted a double oven and an eat in breakfast area. It's happening!!! Eek!!

Kitchen Visions.....

have always wanted one! 

Love this style of light

I have a slight obsession with coffee cups! Love this idea! Just hope I have a good spot for this. 

Backsplash 

pulls and knobs for cabinets 

a must!!

Leo and Cece's rooms are so fun!! I know that they wont be fun for long. Eventually they are going to be teenagers and want to re-decorate their rooms in God-know-what type of theme! For now, I'm gonna enjoy decorating their rooms myself.

Kids bedroom visions

My mother-in-law has given me a beautiful vanity. I want to paint it My aunt is gonna paint it and give it to Cece. Similar to this. 

Color scheme for Cece's room 

because I always wanted one....

Color scheme for Leo's room 

Love! Want to make one for Leo's room 

Their bathroom is another important room.....to me. I initially wanted them to have their own... but then realized that we didn't have the space for that. So, I compromised. If they HAD to share a bathroom, I at least wanted them to have their own sinks. Done. Oh, and I tried to pick a gender friendly decor to last at least the next 7-8 years.

Kids bathroom vision

Love this idea and so easy to do!

color scheme for bathroom. (Primary colors) 

just cute. Will do. 

Our bedroom in our last (3) homes has always been the same decor. Dark brown and crisp white. I love it and Im sticking with it.

Master Bedroom vision 

dark brown and white

will put a picture similar to this above our bed. **WILL NOT be taken by Hawkeye Photography

My bathroom is always the first room I design/decorate. I dont know why.... but I like to spend a lot of time making the bathroom a "decorated" place. My vision for our master bath was the very first one I started with. I love mint green and coral. I feel like it's "spa like", yet not too womanly for a man. Here are my thoughts.....

Master bathroom vision

maybe minus the pattern rugs....

When I started thinking of the laundry room, I immediately thought WALL PAPER! I love love love wallpaper! I am a little scared of it being "too much",  so the laundry room is the perfect place for it. Its small and not as noticeable. Im going out on a limb here with the wallpaper. Im gonna try a patterned wallpaper. I have faith that it will be sharp! Not sure of color yet. Still debating if I wanna stay neutral or go bold...like navy blue or mustard yellow. We will see.  I also know that this room is not THAT big and it's gonna also serve as our half-bath. Here's what I'd thinking.... 

Laundry room/half bathroom vision

pretty sure our washer and dryer will be front loading so we can have a counter and storage above. 

The outside of the house was the easiest part. I knew (in my own mind) what I wanted it to look like The shape was hard to decide because we only had so much "lot". Do I love the shape of the house? I guess. It's not my 1st or 2nd choice, but it is what would fit and I'm OK with it. BUT.... there are a few details that I am going to add to the front of the house to make it "ours". 

Exterior vision

I love the detail molding above the window

this is what our front door will look like. Except with black hardware

I love a little detail that's different and unique. "A conversation piece" my mom would say. I WILL find the most unique and cute door knocker. Not too silly or gaudy... still classy, but stands out a little bit when people come up to our door.

love this style of window box and shutter. Same colors and all. Maybe even the same flowers!

this is the garage door we picked out. Minus the top part. 

Another room Ive always wanted was a mud room. But we dont have the space, so I had to settle for a mud "area". Here are my thoughts on this little nook..... 

Mud Area vision

The toy room was a MUST! Never had one in the other homes and always talked about how much we needed/wanted one.  When the kids get older and no longer need a toy room, it will serve as a great TV room. 

Toy room vision

wall color

already have my boards!!! 

very clever and looks nice

love the rug

what I'm looking for as far as toy storage

doors going into the toy room

The living room is the largest room and the most used. I wanted it to be open. That's about all I requested. OH... and french doors leading outside. Im a sucker for french doors! 

Living room vision

this pict is more of a wish than anything! LOVE that ceiling. Crossing my fingers.... 

pretty much how our living room will be set up. french doors on each side of a faux fireplace

There you have it. My visions on our forever home. Stay tuned (January?)  for what it really ended up looking like.  :) 

22 Minutes. (By: Jessica)

A few days ago I had 22 minutes.

22 minutes to myself, guilt free, given to me by my husband.

It was a sweet, thoughtful, and totally surprising gift.

We were sitting in the living room. Toby, me, Cece, and Leo. Kids playing and Toby and I talking. I told him about all the things I had on my mind. I wasn't complaining (or at least I didn't think I was or I honestly wasn't trying to) but just simply making conversation about things I was currently working on and trying to finish up.

Out of no where, Toby says this.... "Want me to make you a bath?"

I was taken so off guard, I didn't know how to respond. I think I laughed, thinking this statement was not serious..... something similar to when someone says, "Would you like a million dollars?"

I thought he was joking and trying to make me smile.

Then he said this.... "With a glass of wine?"

Then I KNEW he was joking. He was now making this a dream; something that only happened in movies. A woman soaking in a bubble bath, hair up in a beautiful up-do, perfect make-up on, rsting her head on a fluffy little pillow, her perfectly painted toes sticking out of thousands of tiny multi-colored bubbles, in a claw foot tub with one of those things that connects to the sides of the tub like a shelf, holding a crystal wine glass with perfectly chilled pinot inside.

If you are a fan of the TV show "Roseanne", this reminds me of the episode where she is in her dream bathroom with  muscular, half naked men fanning her with huge palms.

Then he said this......"With the door locked".

Finally.... I realized he was serious.

Why did I suddenly realize he was serious when he mentioned a locked door? Because he knows how much I miss a locked bathroom door.

I looked at him deep in the eyes. Looked at the sexy, playful, yet serious, smirk on his face and immediately took him up on the offer before he took it back!

I jumped up from the couch and headed toward the spa bathroom, while Toby got up and went to find the wine cork.

I guess I got a little excited, cause I already had the door locked before Toby could even get a wine glass out of the cabinet. Hearing the "click" of the lock gave me goosebumps.

Here are some details concerning the next 22 minutes.......

• the water was already running and the bath smelled of Johnson & Johnson bedtime bath wash
• when it was over half-way full I got in. 
• the water was already luke warm cause we had run out of hot water
• When I stepped in and sat down, a tidal wave medium size wave splashed over the edge of the tub, rudely  reminding me of the 10 pounds I would love to loose. 
• I sat back, sighed, and closed my eyes, thinking to myself that I could legit fall asleep. Here. Just like this. 
• Toby knocked on the door with my wine. 
• I had to get out, naked and cold, open the door just enough to slide my hand out, and take the wine. 
• I proceeded to get back into the tub, a little less warm than before, causing a slightly bigger wave to splash over the side because I was now lowering myself into the tub with the aid of only one free hand.  (damn these 10 lbs) 
• I sipped the wine and then sipped some more and then sipped some more, until it was totally gone in less that 5 minutes. Maybe I should have tried to make it last a little longer? Or maybe Toby should have filled it up fuller. 
• I set the glass on the floor and just rested, trying to slow down my mind and take a break from all the "to-do's" and "need-to-buy's" and "don't forget's". 
• Then I heard the door knob jiggle. 
• And jiggle again.
• Then I opened my eyes and now watched it jiggle. 
• Then a small voice yells, "MOM?" and then an annoyed "HEYYYYYYY!"  when he realizes the door is locked.
• Then I heard loud man-like footsteps and the scurry of little feet in a direction away from the door. 
• I then smiled and thought about that voice and laughed a little bit. 
• I rested a bit more. 
• Got bored. 
• Was a little chilly. 
• and snapped outta the moment. 

I grabbed my phone and looked at the time.

22 minutes had passed.

I took a deep breath, avoided seeing myself in the mirror, grabbed a towel, unlocked the door, and got back to real life.

22 minutes.

It was all I needed. A quite moment, with a few gulps of wine, a little  luke warm soak in baby bath, and the sweet sound of my son's voice wanting to come in.

I honestly will never forget that moment/gift.

It's the little things.

Ralph and Marj. Marj and Ralph. (By: Jessica)

Toby's grandparents will be married for 65 years in October.

When asked what they wanted to do special for their anniversary, they said that they wanted to go bar-hopping.

Well, an 80 year old couple's version of bar-hopping anyway. (going around to the local "clubs" and having a drink with all their grandkids) But bar-hopping is bar-hopping to me no matter how you do it.

That's awesome.

Ralph and Marj are such special people. Not because they want to go bar-hopping with me (even though that is pretty bad a**), but for so many other reasons BESIDES that.

When I first met Toby, one of the first things that I learned about him was that he had an awesome relationship with his grandparents.

 I was introduced to Ralph and Marj early on in the relationship and I think it was Toby's way of "hooking me in" for good and making sure I stuck around.

I can't tell you the exact moment when I met Ralph and Marj, or what was said or where we were at.... but I can say this..... I KNEW I was gonna love them someday. And boy was I right.

I believe God puts people in your life for a reason. We may never know the reason, but the people that we know were specifically placed there by God, Himself.

I knew from the instant when Ralph told me that he liked Key Lime Pie that I loved him.

 Every time I see Ralph I hug him. He doesn't hug me...I hug him.  I can't wait to get my hands on him first! I just love him! When I hug Ralph I see and feel a glimpse of my own grandpa and my dad. Why? I don't know. Ralph is not really similar to either one of them... but for some reason hugging Ralph fills a void in my heart. He also is always warm, smells good, and always hugs me back.

And that smile. Ohhhh.... it's a statement piece! He may be missing a couple teeth, but I wouldn't know that smile any other way. I love Ralph's long chin, thin face, and big ear lobes.

And Marj... she is a fun time!

All the time!

I love, love, love, love the sound of her voice.

I can't even begin to explain it. There's no way I could explain it. Only those who know Marj know her voice. But, I will forever know what it sounds like and so will Leo and Cece.

When Leo was born, Ralph and Marj gave him a book and they recorded their voices reading it. When I first heard it, I cried. I didn't even listen to it all the way. I shut it immediately. It was too much for this post-pardum depressed new mom could handle.  Out of allllll the gifts we received in honor of our first born, that one is my favorite. Sorry to everyone else who gave us gifts, but Ralph and Marj gift takes the cake.

 Aside from Marj's "know-it-anywhere" voice, her presence is all I need. When she's around, everyone seems happier. Maybe it's just me who is happier, but everyone else is always smiling too.

When Marj is around you can count on a funny story, remark, word said incorrectly (peez-za), some kind of statement said to or about Ralph that is hilarious, and always, always laughter.

 I'll never forget when she tried to teach me how to crochet and how bad of a failure it was. She tried so hard to make me understand.... but it wasn't happening.

 I'll also never forget how scared I was she got sick about a year ago.

I loved, LOVED, playing cards with Marge on our Beckstedt family vacation a few years ago. Sitting around the card table with her, listening to her teach me how to play, then playing game after game. It was fun.

The image of Ralph paining all our walls in Toby and I's first home together makes me grin ear-to-ear. Hearing him get up at 5am and start painting, for us, was enough to make me jump outta bed and run out to see the first swipe of paint go on the wall. (in which I immediately yelled "STOP!", I don't like that color once I see it. Can we get another color?!") He painted our ENTIRE HOUSE in 2 days. Room by room. Bright turquoise blue to bright sunshine yellow. He was a rainbow by the time he was done and he worked hard. Bless him.

I loved our wedding day and sharing Ralph and Marj with our friends, who soon fell in love with them too! I'm still bitter about the fact that I didn't get to ride in the limo with them to the reception. I missed a fun time..... or so I heard.  Oh!!!!!! and the wedding "after-party" in the hotel room..... and I'm not talkin about Toby and I's hotel room..... we had a blast and Marj was the life of the party and Ralph took his shirt off.

I never had a real relationship with either one of my grandparents, so maybe that's why I find Toby's relationship with his so unbelievable.

 I envy it.

 Does he know how lucky he is?

When we lived in Greenville, Toby and I would be driving somewhere and we would randomly want to call Marj. Just talk to her. We would put her on speaker phone and both of us would just giggle every time she said "hello"!

When we were invited to bar-hop with Ralph and Marj last week to help celebrate their anniversary it go me thinking about how incredible this couple is. (and how much I needed a drink and was glad to have a night out coming up)

 While I was getting ready for work the other morning, alllllll I thought about was Ralph and Marj and how much I love them.

Do they know?

I doubt it.

I tell them "I love you", but I tell everyone I love them. Not that is doesn't mean anything, but to me, it's just a simple phrase said at least 10 times a day.

 I believe I was superposed to fall in love with these people. God wanted me to and planned on it to happen for me. They are one of the many reasons why I thank Him everyday.

Happy anniversary, Ralph and Marge. I'd be honored to buy you a drink!

Half Marathon #2..... training (By: Jess)

In the words of my friend, Britt.....,

"Opps, I did it again.....".

Never did I think I would train, do, and finish (1) half marathon.

Now, I currently training and (hopefully!) will do/finish another one.

This process is more than  race to me. In fact its not a race at all. I don't feel like I'm "racing" anyone...... but myself.

Why am I doing this? Lots of reasons....

• I like to have something to work toward 
• I like to exercise
• I need to have something pushing me, cause really no one else will. 
• I like the feeling of working really hard at something and succeeding. 
• Its something my friends, Nicole and Maria, and I do together. 
• I want my kids to be proud of me....someday 
• I want to be proud of me.
• I like the fact that I still amaze myself that I am actually doing something like this. (running is NOT in my gene pool)
• Time alone to run is therapeutic 
• Cause I like to eat food and drink alcohol 

The 2nd half marathon  that I'm getting ready to embark on (still can't believe it!)  is going to be right here in my hometown of Celina, OH. I don't have to take an airplane this time and my friends will be coming to me! Bliss.

It's at the end of September and it's creeping up on me fast.

My training this time around went really good........ at first.

I started training in July. I ran (5) days a week. 3miles, 3miles, 4miles, long run, 3 miles, and 60 min walk/bike.

I ran in a lot of different places..... bike path down by where Toby works is my favorite! I ran through our neighborhood, through the park, through the neighborhood across the street, around the lake, on the bike path by the lake, through downtown Celina, and on the bike path by Walmart.

I have a routine. I run 4 minutes/walk 2 minutes. I got up to running 5 minutes/walking 2 minutes, but then I had a set back. I listen to "Boyance Avenue" on Pandora. I honestly love every song that is played. (sidenote: I'm going to their concert at the end of October! Cannot.Wait.) I use 3 apps at once; my interval timer, my Nike GPS, and Pandora. If I did not have access to these apps... I have NO IDEA how I would make it through a run. When I'm done, I post my Nike results to FB and twitter. Why? For verification to my partner, Maria. It keeps me accountable.

I did not miss one single day of training...... until 2 weeks ago.

I started having a weird knee pain that just wouldn't go away. I tried ice and creams and wraps and nothing really helped. So I did something that I KNEW would work. Rest.

I rested for 1 week and was planning on getting back at it. But, it still was bothering me. So I took another week off. That seemed to do it. Kinda.

Since July, I have been running in the mornings. It was perfect for me. The life of a teacher......

But now that school is back in session, its H.A.R.D.

I was supposed to run on Monday (3 miles), Tuesday (3 miles), Wednesday (4 miles), Friday (6 miles) and Saturday (9 miles) . Rest days are Thursdays and Sundays.

This week I ran Tuesday (3 miles) and Wednesday (4 miles).

Slack.

I want to do it.... but I just don't have it in me by the time the school day is over, dinner is made, kids are fed and baths have been given. At that point in my day, (usually 8pm ish) running any number of miles seems   is impossible.

If I "suck it up" and just do it.... I feel good.
If I don't, I'm hard on myself. And I am bummed.

The thing with running is that once I get going.... I'm OK. I am pretty good at finishing what I start. Even if I feel like total dog barf and its hot and sticky and I can't catch a breath and my legs feel like wet sand bags and I probably look like a complete train wreck..... I will keep going. Because I told myself I would and I don't want to hear it from myself if I wimp out or quit early or give up.

Plus, the pay off emotionally, mentally, and physically from completing a run (especially when I didn't want to) is awesome.

Seriously.... you should try it. The best medicine.

But.... dang.... sometimes that prescription for that medicine feels like it costs $5,000. And sometimes I just don't have the money,

Anyway- I have a good (3) weeks left and here is my plan....

Do my damn best.
Im gonna TRY my hardest to get at least 3 runs in a week.... whatever day of the week works out the best.
A 3 miles run
A 5 mile run
and then the dreaded "long run".

At this point, my long run is starting at 9 miles.

I want to be able to have at least (1) 12 mile run under my belt before the big event.

My goals:
1. Finish in at least 3 hrs and 30 min. My last half, I finished in almost 4 hrs.
2. Keep my pace under 14 min per mile. Right now I'm at 13:40 per mile
3. Keep up with my interval timer
4. TRY to do 5 min run/2 min walk the whole time. NO LESS that 4 min run/2 min walk.

Heres hopin'

Wish me luck! Pray for me! I'll keep you posted!!!