Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 28, 2011
So Beyond Excited!!
I am so beyond excited! I won this class on Ali Edward's blog! It is one of those things where you feel like a kid again when all the other kids get picked and then just resign yourself to the fact that, "it's ok, it is just not something I will ever get randomly chosen for."
I went along just like any other giveaway - make my Spring Cleaning comment, "Spring cleaning tip? hmmmmm….clean out – in order to really clean-up, get rid of those things you didn’t use over the winter time" and researched the class - placed it on here to say it is on my wishlist for the "someday" AND I was chosen!
How excited I was when I saw my name, like opening up that Golden Ticket with Wonka Bars! I sat there and screamed in jubilee and Ian jumped up from his very focused Thomas the Train play session and ran around the basement towards me saying "what is it?!!! what is it mommy??!!!!" in such excitement only a 2-year-old could muster.
So this 30-year-old mother is estatic and remembering where all of her scraps are and various everyday papers for this class. I plan to focus more on it during those times when I would be doing those LLOONNGG runs after the marathon is done. So very blessed!
I went along just like any other giveaway - make my Spring Cleaning comment, "Spring cleaning tip? hmmmmm….clean out – in order to really clean-up, get rid of those things you didn’t use over the winter time" and researched the class - placed it on here to say it is on my wishlist for the "someday" AND I was chosen!
How excited I was when I saw my name, like opening up that Golden Ticket with Wonka Bars! I sat there and screamed in jubilee and Ian jumped up from his very focused Thomas the Train play session and ran around the basement towards me saying "what is it?!!! what is it mommy??!!!!" in such excitement only a 2-year-old could muster.
So this 30-year-old mother is estatic and remembering where all of her scraps are and various everyday papers for this class. I plan to focus more on it during those times when I would be doing those LLOONNGG runs after the marathon is done. So very blessed!
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Today....
Today was a little different...15 miles @ 5:15am for me...
The guys getting ready...they rode 10 or so miles & ran 3 miles...
AND tried to organize some on our IKEA shelf...it may never look like this gain but at least there is some semblance of organization.
15 miles & "Circles"
Awoke at 4:35am this morning (alarm was to go off at 5) and felt somewhat ok to get up. I just figured well the more I lay, the less I sleep, and the more I lay, the more tempted I am to miss this run. See this run couldn't happen at any other time this weekend due to weather, on-call obligations & other plans.
NOTE: I now can make a ponytail out of my hair - it hasn't been this long in a very LONG time.
I get out of bed and begin to run (clothed mind you) and begin to remember why I was so disciplined to get up so early when it was just a mere 20 degrees out this past winter. I would not say it felt fabulous but the potential was there. Anywho I titled this run "Circles" because that is what I literally did around numerous neighborhoods around our north side of town...I just went around and around and then straight and around and around so the map looks pretty weird but I got it in! And after having strep throat I am happy with that. It was a little lonely but I talked periodically with God and felt my knee alittle but just kept going.
NOTE: I now can make a ponytail out of my hair - it hasn't been this long in a very LONG time.
Friday, March 25, 2011
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Facebook Notes = New Blog Posts
I went into my facebook notes archives and found that I write a lot and have for quite awhile. I'll be incorporating more of these notes into blog posts...and probably inserting them chronologically into this blog to stay true to myself and the time when I wrote them. So excited for whenever I take this task on!! Can you feel my excitement?
Here's one from March 21, 2010 @ 12:00pm "Turning Point"
There are times in life when you just know that you are beginning another chapter of your life. I had this realization this past week as I began to see my professional self becoming more awakened and determined to pursue some goals and being given opportunities to do so. Between hospital social work, home-care social work and marriage & family therapy at CCJ my world is opening up a little bit more and I'm allowing it to do so.
As I study for my licensure exam I'm reviewing all kinds of knowledge and WOW THERE IS A LOT! and it always has me looking at my own worldview and how I consider life and people. We have so much potential and so many times we kick ourselves. So many different ways of looking at the world, situations and our own thoughts. Then there is God's view and it is so revealing. I could go on and on about truth and Truth but I will not do that here.
So the Turning Point - I cleaned out drawers and cabinets and some areas in the basement full of memories from Grayson, KY (beginning of marriage and undergrad years), found high school newspaper clippings (realized I had settled at one point for living in another person's shadow), notes from friends (some I am still close to and some I have no idea what has happened to them), cards from occasions, a ton of personality tests I had taken (you'd think I'd know myself by now) and gobs of class notes that were meticulously written perfectionistically to learn. I was and still somewhat am a knowledge-seeker but back then I grabbed everything...especially Biblically or some sort of understanding of myself. A lot of searching.
I sit here now realizing that I am further along, utilizing more of my heart than before in considering life and situations, giving a lot more people the benefit of the doubt, seeing more colors (I loved black & white in middle school), not perfectionist in my endeavors (for goodness sake one of my anthems is "imperfection"). We're messy people and life is messy. Not everything fits in a nice box or goes on a straight line. Memories fall in and out - I got rid of A LOT of stuff and I think also took some things out of my brain as well which was nice.
Creating more room for new people, new development and a deepering relationship with Christ. It's not as much about me...my time isn't as much about me. It's a nice place, not a comfortable place but at least the predictable is unpredictable and I'm more ok with that.
My grad notes contained lots of great thinking nuggets and questions. AND I found how to interview the problem!!! YES! (for those unfamiliar with therapy - we can talk later about that)
This is a new phase in life. I've done the teenage deep thing (conversations with Sarah Beachy, Olga Panchenko and Kristi Brandon about God and then there were my own struggles), the hold onto all memories thing (notes from Megan King, memories with Jane Wamsley in middle school, Alena [List] Bauman and Robyn [Elliot] Myers), the college struggle and hold on to notes that got me through (thanks Beth Johnson, Karissa [Evans] Kimmel and Rachel [Szallai] Harvey), the bridal shower tid-bits and all the wedding items, the notes in class passed in grad school (hahaha Leslee, Randi, Karen and Rebecca), and there were some other things I went through - my Christian book obsession that are great books but I'm not going to read them. My obsession with marriage information at the beginning of our marriage (poor Mark he was ambushed with that stuff), found coasters I ambitiously made with Sherrill Rommel in Louisville that awakened my creative juices & sent me on a rampage to stock up on crafts, and race numbers from all of our races (most I can't remember now - no wait I can remember), and pictures I didn't know we had of hanging out with friends (Aaron & Jen Johnson, Mandy Gorman, and my extended family as they were getting to know Mark). Yep a lot has happened.
Searching, Undergrad, real world job, Grad school, pretend world, Church world, God world, Jasper, Baby World and now...family world with professional pursuits. I'm finally getting there and I know this phase will have many stories of its own.
.
Here's one from March 21, 2010 @ 12:00pm "Turning Point"
There are times in life when you just know that you are beginning another chapter of your life. I had this realization this past week as I began to see my professional self becoming more awakened and determined to pursue some goals and being given opportunities to do so. Between hospital social work, home-care social work and marriage & family therapy at CCJ my world is opening up a little bit more and I'm allowing it to do so.
As I study for my licensure exam I'm reviewing all kinds of knowledge and WOW THERE IS A LOT! and it always has me looking at my own worldview and how I consider life and people. We have so much potential and so many times we kick ourselves. So many different ways of looking at the world, situations and our own thoughts. Then there is God's view and it is so revealing. I could go on and on about truth and Truth but I will not do that here.
So the Turning Point - I cleaned out drawers and cabinets and some areas in the basement full of memories from Grayson, KY (beginning of marriage and undergrad years), found high school newspaper clippings (realized I had settled at one point for living in another person's shadow), notes from friends (some I am still close to and some I have no idea what has happened to them), cards from occasions, a ton of personality tests I had taken (you'd think I'd know myself by now) and gobs of class notes that were meticulously written perfectionistically to learn. I was and still somewhat am a knowledge-seeker but back then I grabbed everything...especially Biblically or some sort of understanding of myself. A lot of searching.
I sit here now realizing that I am further along, utilizing more of my heart than before in considering life and situations, giving a lot more people the benefit of the doubt, seeing more colors (I loved black & white in middle school), not perfectionist in my endeavors (for goodness sake one of my anthems is "imperfection"). We're messy people and life is messy. Not everything fits in a nice box or goes on a straight line. Memories fall in and out - I got rid of A LOT of stuff and I think also took some things out of my brain as well which was nice.
Creating more room for new people, new development and a deepering relationship with Christ. It's not as much about me...my time isn't as much about me. It's a nice place, not a comfortable place but at least the predictable is unpredictable and I'm more ok with that.
My grad notes contained lots of great thinking nuggets and questions. AND I found how to interview the problem!!! YES! (for those unfamiliar with therapy - we can talk later about that)
This is a new phase in life. I've done the teenage deep thing (conversations with Sarah Beachy, Olga Panchenko and Kristi Brandon about God and then there were my own struggles), the hold onto all memories thing (notes from Megan King, memories with Jane Wamsley in middle school, Alena [List] Bauman and Robyn [Elliot] Myers), the college struggle and hold on to notes that got me through (thanks Beth Johnson, Karissa [Evans] Kimmel and Rachel [Szallai] Harvey), the bridal shower tid-bits and all the wedding items, the notes in class passed in grad school (hahaha Leslee, Randi, Karen and Rebecca), and there were some other things I went through - my Christian book obsession that are great books but I'm not going to read them. My obsession with marriage information at the beginning of our marriage (poor Mark he was ambushed with that stuff), found coasters I ambitiously made with Sherrill Rommel in Louisville that awakened my creative juices & sent me on a rampage to stock up on crafts, and race numbers from all of our races (most I can't remember now - no wait I can remember), and pictures I didn't know we had of hanging out with friends (Aaron & Jen Johnson, Mandy Gorman, and my extended family as they were getting to know Mark). Yep a lot has happened.
Searching, Undergrad, real world job, Grad school, pretend world, Church world, God world, Jasper, Baby World and now...family world with professional pursuits. I'm finally getting there and I know this phase will have many stories of its own.
.
Being Gentle with Myself...
Has there ever been time when you come to the realization that "whoa, I'm pretty hard on myself?"
Nah, me neither...but and that is a BIG BUT, God always shows me this truth when I get sick. It never fails. In the moment of my sickness, I lament, I question and I get through it but in the process often miss out on the bigger picture. Guess what Kara, it's not about you.
This process of training for this 4th marathon has been a different journey for me. One that has at times almost consumed me with workouts entailing swimming one day to running 5-7 miles then weight training an hour and another day running more than 10+ miles. It has been a lot of on my body and I know this, but there are times when it does feel like you're invincible. Until a knee injury comes up...then you focus on that or then you get sick and you focus on that...which is my current story.
Through the knee injury or whatever it is/was, I've had to buckle down and do only the movement that would benefit my knee which has meant less weight training, and decreased workouts during the week AND most importantly giving my stress, my time and my own anger to the One who can take it (no not Mark), Christ. It's a different view and takes a different perspective.
But I have realized that while being sick, I can now look back and I make a *sigh*. It was good. I would not have taken a break from this training process any other way especially after a 22 mile run last week. This has brought to my mind, being gentle with myself and letting myself heal and move forward. We are so hard on ourselves and I see it all the time in doing therapy and ESPECIALLY with couples. We are hard on us and we are hard on our spouses. In reality, we all really are doing the very best that we can in those moments. But we are all vulnerable to criticsm - it hurts from our spouses but it seems natural to us to do it to ourselves.
In addition, the bigger picture that I could not see involved the facilitation of the premarital class/group I do on Sunday mornings and this past week was Sex & Intimacy. This was the one session I was so excited about and lamented all at the same time. I was excited to present this awesome gift that God gives to us as married couples - this intimacy we have with no other person on earth and yet how to present it and be bold enough to say what needs to be said about the effects of sex before marriage & some consequences that come from living together before that commitment is made.
I've prayed and prayed about this very subject with God for quite some time. And behold, I got sick...and so sick that I could not do this. In God's mighty plan, He brought forth a compassionate couple who has experienced these things, seen the consequences, and now knows God's plan for their lives. They at first were not going to be there (which is ok) just as a mentor couple to share their experience but then 15 minutes later called me back to say, "we'll come home early, we wish someone would have taught us this before we got married". So WOW, they facilitated it and in my mind, that is how it was suppose to happen. His perfect plan worked for the good when my plan falls short. It just helps to get perspective at times...
Nah, me neither...but and that is a BIG BUT, God always shows me this truth when I get sick. It never fails. In the moment of my sickness, I lament, I question and I get through it but in the process often miss out on the bigger picture. Guess what Kara, it's not about you.
This process of training for this 4th marathon has been a different journey for me. One that has at times almost consumed me with workouts entailing swimming one day to running 5-7 miles then weight training an hour and another day running more than 10+ miles. It has been a lot of on my body and I know this, but there are times when it does feel like you're invincible. Until a knee injury comes up...then you focus on that or then you get sick and you focus on that...which is my current story.
Through the knee injury or whatever it is/was, I've had to buckle down and do only the movement that would benefit my knee which has meant less weight training, and decreased workouts during the week AND most importantly giving my stress, my time and my own anger to the One who can take it (no not Mark), Christ. It's a different view and takes a different perspective.
But I have realized that while being sick, I can now look back and I make a *sigh*. It was good. I would not have taken a break from this training process any other way especially after a 22 mile run last week. This has brought to my mind, being gentle with myself and letting myself heal and move forward. We are so hard on ourselves and I see it all the time in doing therapy and ESPECIALLY with couples. We are hard on us and we are hard on our spouses. In reality, we all really are doing the very best that we can in those moments. But we are all vulnerable to criticsm - it hurts from our spouses but it seems natural to us to do it to ourselves.
In addition, the bigger picture that I could not see involved the facilitation of the premarital class/group I do on Sunday mornings and this past week was Sex & Intimacy. This was the one session I was so excited about and lamented all at the same time. I was excited to present this awesome gift that God gives to us as married couples - this intimacy we have with no other person on earth and yet how to present it and be bold enough to say what needs to be said about the effects of sex before marriage & some consequences that come from living together before that commitment is made.
I've prayed and prayed about this very subject with God for quite some time. And behold, I got sick...and so sick that I could not do this. In God's mighty plan, He brought forth a compassionate couple who has experienced these things, seen the consequences, and now knows God's plan for their lives. They at first were not going to be there (which is ok) just as a mentor couple to share their experience but then 15 minutes later called me back to say, "we'll come home early, we wish someone would have taught us this before we got married". So WOW, they facilitated it and in my mind, that is how it was suppose to happen. His perfect plan worked for the good when my plan falls short. It just helps to get perspective at times...
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Strep Throat & Running
Today thinking about running, biking or resting...plus 3 counseling sessions (luckily very low caseload day). I was reading all of these running forums about what other runners are doing especially those who got sick right in the middle of marathon training like I am.
Conversation on Facebook
STATUS - runners: run with strep throat...rest?...bike?....just exhausted still, luckily only 3 sessions today, I think I can do that
Sara Priest West REST! (Sara's a friend from college who I played basketball with who is now a full-fledged runner training for her first marathon and a speed-demon in my book)
Kara Messmore here's the deal - this is day 5 I haven't done a thing -- Friday: the Conference, Sat...I rested, Sun...big rest, Mon...big rest, Tuesday (today) ? do you think that is too long of a rest? I have a 15 or 12 mile run on thursday
Sara Priest West I would skip today, try to do something light on Sunday morning and you should be fine.
Kara Messmore hhhmmmmm I'll consider, I do want to get over this, just not sure with the weather changing again that I want to let go of doing something while it's in the 70's - the thought of running those miles on THursday in the 40s - doesn't seem all that doable now
---------------------------------------------------
Well after this conversation I took a shower and got dressed for work and I am EXHAUSTED. So new realization, I need to take it easy and ease into it. I could see myself biking today. I'm just really bummed that the weather is going to turn cold AGAIN and that my supposed 12-15 mile run on Thursday would be in the 40's. I work on Friday and am on-call all weekend which is a big bummer since that is when I'd do my run so maybe Saturday after being on-call??? Maybe??
Conversation on Facebook
STATUS - runners: run with strep throat...rest?...bike?....just exhausted still, luckily only 3 sessions today, I think I can do that
Sara Priest West REST! (Sara's a friend from college who I played basketball with who is now a full-fledged runner training for her first marathon and a speed-demon in my book)
Kara Messmore here's the deal - this is day 5 I haven't done a thing -- Friday: the Conference, Sat...I rested, Sun...big rest, Mon...big rest, Tuesday (today) ? do you think that is too long of a rest? I have a 15 or 12 mile run on thursday
Sara Priest West I would skip today, try to do something light on Sunday morning and you should be fine.
Kara Messmore hhhmmmmm I'll consider, I do want to get over this, just not sure with the weather changing again that I want to let go of doing something while it's in the 70's - the thought of running those miles on THursday in the 40s - doesn't seem all that doable now
---------------------------------------------------
Well after this conversation I took a shower and got dressed for work and I am EXHAUSTED. So new realization, I need to take it easy and ease into it. I could see myself biking today. I'm just really bummed that the weather is going to turn cold AGAIN and that my supposed 12-15 mile run on Thursday would be in the 40's. I work on Friday and am on-call all weekend which is a big bummer since that is when I'd do my run so maybe Saturday after being on-call??? Maybe??
Saturday, March 19, 2011
To ALL the sick people...
It is not a regular deal that I get sick but when I get sick, I feel like I really get sick. Of course any one person could probably say the same thing but I get down and then realize that strength of those people who are continually fighting a disease or fighting the side effects of medications that help them with their primary disease. I have so much admiration for YOU. I am weak and am definitely one of those who likes to be pampered. Poor Mark - but he has Ian to work with right now. Thank you Mark...it means a lot.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
22 miler *awe* *sigh* yes!
So I might be a little obsessed with this Garmin Connect thing....I ended up having to do a little loop in between switching biking friends and thought "how will this show up on my route"? Anywho 22 miles done.
Thoughts before a LONG Run
These are my thoughts before a LONG run...you may be surprised:
* I don't want to do it
* I'm nervous
* what route would be best
* will I have the strenght?
* it will take me how long? almost 4 hours? or more?!!!
* what am I thinking that is insane!?
* well, what if I do it later - can't do it later, just do it Kara
* well, the sun will be out
* can I just go back to sleep right now? NO!
* did I eat too much or too little?
* will I have enough fluids?
* will my shoes be able to make it all the way through?
* this is going to hurt, oh my legs they hurt already
* wait a second, this is what I want to do!
* I know I will feel awesome afterwards!
* the birds are chirping!!
* I can do this! God can do this - He can do this through me!
* if I do this, it will be a testament to His strength and not mine
* hmmmmmm how many GU's will it take...4?
* what is the flatest route I can run or that can have a bike accompany me?
* it is just 1 mile at a time (2 miles for every water stop)
* every 4 or so miles for GU
* what is the best way to dress - 45/50 degrees to 65 degrees while I run
--- Nike shorts (cold legs will get warmer)
--- Flying Pig Mini-Marathon short sleeve running shirt (a little cold for sleeveless running shirt)
--- maroon long-sleeve wick-away shirt (holds cell phone too & to keep warm)
--- hat (yellow or white?)
--- sunglasses (el cheapo pair)
--- Garmin Forerunning 205 watch
--- 26.2 Chicaband
--- running socks & 2 types of shoes (old running shoes phrasing them out & new running shoes) *yellow tag on old pair of running shoes is my "chip" from the Tulsa Half-Marathon in November 2010 where I almost broke 2 hours
--- Body Glide Anti-Chafe
* ipod shuffle? or no ipod shuffle? (well you know God has been telling you lately or you sense He is telling you to turn it off) so NO - woah, never have ran without it
* I don't want to do it
* I'm nervous
* what route would be best
* will I have the strenght?
* it will take me how long? almost 4 hours? or more?!!!
* what am I thinking that is insane!?
* well, what if I do it later - can't do it later, just do it Kara
* well, the sun will be out
* can I just go back to sleep right now? NO!
* did I eat too much or too little?
* will I have enough fluids?
* will my shoes be able to make it all the way through?
* this is going to hurt, oh my legs they hurt already
* wait a second, this is what I want to do!
* I know I will feel awesome afterwards!
* the birds are chirping!!
* I can do this! God can do this - He can do this through me!
* if I do this, it will be a testament to His strength and not mine
* hmmmmmm how many GU's will it take...4?
* what is the flatest route I can run or that can have a bike accompany me?
* it is just 1 mile at a time (2 miles for every water stop)
* every 4 or so miles for GU
* what is the best way to dress - 45/50 degrees to 65 degrees while I run
--- Nike shorts (cold legs will get warmer)
--- Flying Pig Mini-Marathon short sleeve running shirt (a little cold for sleeveless running shirt)
--- maroon long-sleeve wick-away shirt (holds cell phone too & to keep warm)
--- hat (yellow or white?)
--- sunglasses (el cheapo pair)
--- Garmin Forerunning 205 watch
--- 26.2 Chicaband
--- running socks & 2 types of shoes (old running shoes phrasing them out & new running shoes) *yellow tag on old pair of running shoes is my "chip" from the Tulsa Half-Marathon in November 2010 where I almost broke 2 hours
--- Body Glide Anti-Chafe
* ipod shuffle? or no ipod shuffle? (well you know God has been telling you lately or you sense He is telling you to turn it off) so NO - woah, never have ran without it
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Allowing Myself....Right Now
I'm allowing myself to stay up past my bedtime because I just feel like it. Allowing myself to wonder what tomorrow holds, what this upcoming 22 mile runs holds...hoping friends will come alongside me to support me. I'm allowing myself to give myself grace for those little vices I fight daily. But now I think I will allow myself to go to bed. Yes, indeed I will.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Crop for Kicks & Christmas Card Punch Collage Project
This year instead of me signing up for Crop for the Cure in Evansville (although for a good cause), I decided to stay home and save money. Candy, my very fabulous friend decided to go along in my adventure. Candy received "door prizes" about every hour...hence her facebook statuses of "I Won Again!" Here are some pictures...
this is Ian "helping" me out at the CVS to print photos instantly before our Crop
this shows my crafting area (and yes I have gotten rid of a lot but as I told my premarital couples in our class this past Saturday...I spent & bargain-hunted...a lot throughout our first 5 years of marriage for crafty stuff)
this is the album cover for the "Christmas Card Punch Collage Project"
title page quotes Ali Edwards from this post and I add, "From present years until 2007 I had kept cards but apparently through our move from Louisville, KY to Jasper, IN I did not keep Christmas cards from years before. Beginning in 2004 we wrote Christmas newsletters and have placed them in those years. This is definitely a work-in-progress."
PAGES
2010 1 *note I misplaced the newsletters I received :S
2010 2
2009 1
2009 2
2008 - this page has an interesting story, I couldn't find many cards at all and figured out that in Christmas 2008 Ian was born -- hence I'm not sure where I put the many cards and newsletters I received throughout that season
2007 - the big white squares with the signatures were from my basketball girls
2006 - couldn't find cards so this begins our newsletters
2005
2004 - note the cards on the write - they were the last Christmas cards we received from Mark's Grandpa Bruce, his writing is precious to us
this is Ian "helping" me out at the CVS to print photos instantly before our Crop
this shows my crafting area (and yes I have gotten rid of a lot but as I told my premarital couples in our class this past Saturday...I spent & bargain-hunted...a lot throughout our first 5 years of marriage for crafty stuff)
this is the album cover for the "Christmas Card Punch Collage Project"
title page quotes Ali Edwards from this post and I add, "From present years until 2007 I had kept cards but apparently through our move from Louisville, KY to Jasper, IN I did not keep Christmas cards from years before. Beginning in 2004 we wrote Christmas newsletters and have placed them in those years. This is definitely a work-in-progress."PAGES
2010 1 *note I misplaced the newsletters I received :S
2010 2
2009 1
2009 2
2008 - this page has an interesting story, I couldn't find many cards at all and figured out that in Christmas 2008 Ian was born -- hence I'm not sure where I put the many cards and newsletters I received throughout that season
2007 - the big white squares with the signatures were from my basketball girls
2006 - couldn't find cards so this begins our newsletters
2005
2004 - note the cards on the write - they were the last Christmas cards we received from Mark's Grandpa Bruce, his writing is precious to us
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Ian's Bargaining Skillz
So the boy has talent...he begins with a *sigh* then gruffly & sternly says, "Mommy, me have juice!" Mommy says, "No...not now it is too late." He tips his head slightly and in the most loving voice says, "Mommy, peese juice?"
Mommy says, "Sweetie, no it is too late." Which promptly is followed after by a soft but excited voice of "milk!!???" with his head slightly tilted my way. Mommy says, "yes Ian that is ok." He marches to the refrigerator for his milk as he proudly just negotiated his latest bargain.
Nurture Project
Nurture Project (LOVE THIS)
I have found that with working with various clients (especially mothers) that we have bought into this notion in our society that we cannot take time for ourselves or that somehow we are to do this solely on our own.
Nurturing You: Clipboard Project
As a busy mama – I’m sure the notion of “me time” either make you roll your eyes, burst into laughter…or tears?!! We mamas put our own needs on hold to meet the needs of everyone around us…and that can leave us burned out, frustrated and cranky!
I went to a parenting talk a year ago and what I came away with from it was this – if our ‘cup’ is empty (ie we are not filling ourselves up with the things we need to be happy), then we have nothing to spill out and give to those around us. We need to keep filling our own cup to be able to pour out into everyone else’s.
Since adding a third child to the mix, my cup has definitely been empty (more like a stone dry well actually!) and I keep going back to what I heard in the course…that I need to fill my cup. I need to carve out time for feeding my soul. This doesn’t need to be a huge amount of time on a weekly basis (that would be nice, but lets be realistic!), it could be a 10 minute meditation each day, it could be a long hot bubble bath once a week, it could be a monthly afternoon out with a friend. I love to be creative, and my natural high comes from making something out of nothing with my own two hands (and perhaps the help of a sewing machine!), so for me – I want to make time to pursue my creative fantasies (fixing holes in children’s pants does.not.count) – to do what I love for the sake of just doing it because I LOVE IT! Whether you love sewing, gardening, cooking, shopping…you know what feed your soul and I’m telling you – you need to make time for it!
To follow through with my wild notions of nurturing myself I need an actual plan to do this. I must choose and work to carve out the time – otherwise sneaky old regular life gets in the way of cup filling efforts. Luckily, my husband is on board with this plan (perhaps in the hopes I’ll become less cranky) – if you have small children at home all day every day then you need to enlist the support of someone to give you some alone time. Or, during school or nap times, wedge some cup-filling in there for you instead of cramming work/cleaning/cooking/washing into every free minute. Shiny happy mama = shiny happy family (you know it’s true)!
Most days I’m not even sure what day it is, so I’ve made a pretty little reminder clipboard for my nurturing plans. It’s propped up against my mirror where I’ll see it every day, and I can make a date/plans with myself on a slip of paper and keep it on the board for that week. Each week I will find the time to do one nice thing with myself – and once done I can switch the paper out with my following weeks plan. You can make one too! Yeah! Lets make 2011 the year where our cups are full, our families enjoy the splashings and we truly love and care for ourselves…wishing you all good things for this new year!
Emily
Nurture time reminder clipboard
Supplies:
Mini clipboard (office supply stores carry these)
Acrylic paint & foam brush
Paper (think scrapbook, gift-wrap, hand-made, magazine pages)
Mod podge/gel medium (or any white glue)
Ribbon or lace
Stickers, tags, fun things to embellish with.
Steps:
Cover all or part of the clipboard with your papers. You can make a collage of papers, or use one special piece. Paint the glue onto the clipboard to stick the paper down on, and then coat the paper in another layer of your glue.
Once the paper is dry, paint the remaining portion of the clipboard with 2-3 layers of acrylic paint (I simply lifted the metal clip to paint underneath it).
Add a strip of ribbon or lace using the glue.
Choose a word such as ‘nurture’, ‘nourish’, ‘breathe’, ‘my time’ to serve as a reminder to yourself!
Decorate the clipboard with any stickers or other fun things to make it your happy place.
*on the back of the clipboard I glued a library pocket to hold ‘ideas’ – then each week I can choose an idea from the pocket, and add to it as I feel inspired.
Some simple and (mostly!) inexpensive nurturing ideas:
Have a bubble bath
Read a magazine in bed
Take a solo trip to the library
Play with some watercolour paints
Visit a garden
Treat yourself to a nutritious meal at a favorite cafe
Download a meditation online, lay down and relaxxxx
Lay outside on a blanket and watch the clouds
Attend a class that you’ve always been meaning to try
Write a list of things you are grateful for
Receive a massage
Doodle with crayons
Sit in a park and people watch
Visit a museum or art gallery
Go for an indoor swim
Read a chapter of a book
Plan a girls night with some friends – organize and send invites
Have a home facial
Go for a walk and take photos of things you see
Take a self portrait
Create a visual soul collage from magazine pictures
Organize your wardrobe
Burn oils and listen to music
Write a card/letter to a friend
Plant something in your garden or in a pot
Phone your best friend for a chat
Write some goals in your journal
Try a new recipe
Set your timer for half an hour of crafty time
Give yourself a hand massage & manicure
Take yourself out for coffee/hot chocolate
Make a cd of your favorite music for listening to in the car
I have found that with working with various clients (especially mothers) that we have bought into this notion in our society that we cannot take time for ourselves or that somehow we are to do this solely on our own.
Nurturing You: Clipboard Project
As a busy mama – I’m sure the notion of “me time” either make you roll your eyes, burst into laughter…or tears?!! We mamas put our own needs on hold to meet the needs of everyone around us…and that can leave us burned out, frustrated and cranky!
I went to a parenting talk a year ago and what I came away with from it was this – if our ‘cup’ is empty (ie we are not filling ourselves up with the things we need to be happy), then we have nothing to spill out and give to those around us. We need to keep filling our own cup to be able to pour out into everyone else’s.
Since adding a third child to the mix, my cup has definitely been empty (more like a stone dry well actually!) and I keep going back to what I heard in the course…that I need to fill my cup. I need to carve out time for feeding my soul. This doesn’t need to be a huge amount of time on a weekly basis (that would be nice, but lets be realistic!), it could be a 10 minute meditation each day, it could be a long hot bubble bath once a week, it could be a monthly afternoon out with a friend. I love to be creative, and my natural high comes from making something out of nothing with my own two hands (and perhaps the help of a sewing machine!), so for me – I want to make time to pursue my creative fantasies (fixing holes in children’s pants does.not.count) – to do what I love for the sake of just doing it because I LOVE IT! Whether you love sewing, gardening, cooking, shopping…you know what feed your soul and I’m telling you – you need to make time for it!
To follow through with my wild notions of nurturing myself I need an actual plan to do this. I must choose and work to carve out the time – otherwise sneaky old regular life gets in the way of cup filling efforts. Luckily, my husband is on board with this plan (perhaps in the hopes I’ll become less cranky) – if you have small children at home all day every day then you need to enlist the support of someone to give you some alone time. Or, during school or nap times, wedge some cup-filling in there for you instead of cramming work/cleaning/cooking/washing into every free minute. Shiny happy mama = shiny happy family (you know it’s true)!
Most days I’m not even sure what day it is, so I’ve made a pretty little reminder clipboard for my nurturing plans. It’s propped up against my mirror where I’ll see it every day, and I can make a date/plans with myself on a slip of paper and keep it on the board for that week. Each week I will find the time to do one nice thing with myself – and once done I can switch the paper out with my following weeks plan. You can make one too! Yeah! Lets make 2011 the year where our cups are full, our families enjoy the splashings and we truly love and care for ourselves…wishing you all good things for this new year!
Emily
Nurture time reminder clipboard
Supplies:
Mini clipboard (office supply stores carry these)
Acrylic paint & foam brush
Paper (think scrapbook, gift-wrap, hand-made, magazine pages)
Mod podge/gel medium (or any white glue)
Ribbon or lace
Stickers, tags, fun things to embellish with.
Steps:
Cover all or part of the clipboard with your papers. You can make a collage of papers, or use one special piece. Paint the glue onto the clipboard to stick the paper down on, and then coat the paper in another layer of your glue.
Once the paper is dry, paint the remaining portion of the clipboard with 2-3 layers of acrylic paint (I simply lifted the metal clip to paint underneath it).
Add a strip of ribbon or lace using the glue.
Choose a word such as ‘nurture’, ‘nourish’, ‘breathe’, ‘my time’ to serve as a reminder to yourself!
Decorate the clipboard with any stickers or other fun things to make it your happy place.
*on the back of the clipboard I glued a library pocket to hold ‘ideas’ – then each week I can choose an idea from the pocket, and add to it as I feel inspired.
Some simple and (mostly!) inexpensive nurturing ideas:
Have a bubble bath
Read a magazine in bed
Take a solo trip to the library
Play with some watercolour paints
Visit a garden
Treat yourself to a nutritious meal at a favorite cafe
Download a meditation online, lay down and relaxxxx
Lay outside on a blanket and watch the clouds
Attend a class that you’ve always been meaning to try
Write a list of things you are grateful for
Receive a massage
Doodle with crayons
Sit in a park and people watch
Visit a museum or art gallery
Go for an indoor swim
Read a chapter of a book
Plan a girls night with some friends – organize and send invites
Have a home facial
Go for a walk and take photos of things you see
Take a self portrait
Create a visual soul collage from magazine pictures
Organize your wardrobe
Burn oils and listen to music
Write a card/letter to a friend
Plant something in your garden or in a pot
Phone your best friend for a chat
Write some goals in your journal
Try a new recipe
Set your timer for half an hour of crafty time
Give yourself a hand massage & manicure
Take yourself out for coffee/hot chocolate
Make a cd of your favorite music for listening to in the car
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
So Tired...
I am soo tired. It never fails, I can get up at 4:30am on Monday morning and swim, do an entire full day at the hospital and go to bed at a decent time....then get up at 5:30am Tuesday to run a 5 or 7 mile run and feel awesome + do a weight lifting class close after. And then Tuesday evening comes and I'm exhausted. It's 8:45pm and I will be going to bed very soon. At least I remember the "high" and great feeling after the morning run. It just gets hard by the time 4:00-6:00pm comes around. Alas, not complaining - "just sayin'". :) But it's worth it.
Flex all-sport ear buds review and giveaway
YEP a giveaway that looks really great to me! Plus I had to swipe Mark's earplugs b/c mine had the lining taken off with wear and now they suck into my ears after a few miles.
Flex all-sport ear buds review and giveaway - from this BLOG.
I don't like to gush about products that I'm asked to review--might not seem authentic, you know? But here's a product I need to gush about. It's Flex all-sport ear buds by H2OAudio. What makes these ear buds so cool? Well let me explain:
*They're waterproof to 3 feet (in case you fall into a nearby lake)
*They're sweatproof
*They come in a wide variety of colors
*They come with three pairs of silicone earplugs in small, medium and large so that you can customize the fit
*They're made so that you can use them, rinse them off, and repeat--no more sweaty ear buds!
*They don't fall out when in use
I tried them while on the bike trainer and loved the comfortable fit and sound quality. Even more, I loved that I could take them off and rinse them off when I finished. Since I can't run, I recruited this guy to try them out on the treadmill. He didn't love the power pink color, but he did like the performance--they never fell out or became loose while he ran. So a big thumb's up.
Now H2OAudio wants me to share the wealth. They've given me one pair of black headphones to giveaway (see, I picked black to appeal to both genders!).
For the giveaway:
1) Be a MissZippy follower or become one and let me know (required)
2) Like H2OAudio on Facebook (required)
3) Bonus--Post this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, or tweet about it.
Contest ends March 15 when I pick a winner through Random.org. Good luck!
Flex all-sport ear buds review and giveaway - from this BLOG.
I don't like to gush about products that I'm asked to review--might not seem authentic, you know? But here's a product I need to gush about. It's Flex all-sport ear buds by H2OAudio. What makes these ear buds so cool? Well let me explain:
*They're waterproof to 3 feet (in case you fall into a nearby lake)
*They're sweatproof
*They come in a wide variety of colors
*They come with three pairs of silicone earplugs in small, medium and large so that you can customize the fit
*They're made so that you can use them, rinse them off, and repeat--no more sweaty ear buds!
*They don't fall out when in use
I tried them while on the bike trainer and loved the comfortable fit and sound quality. Even more, I loved that I could take them off and rinse them off when I finished. Since I can't run, I recruited this guy to try them out on the treadmill. He didn't love the power pink color, but he did like the performance--they never fell out or became loose while he ran. So a big thumb's up.
Now H2OAudio wants me to share the wealth. They've given me one pair of black headphones to giveaway (see, I picked black to appeal to both genders!).
For the giveaway:
1) Be a MissZippy follower or become one and let me know (required)
2) Like H2OAudio on Facebook (required)
3) Bonus--Post this giveaway on your blog, Facebook, or tweet about it.
Contest ends March 15 when I pick a winner through Random.org. Good luck!
Monday, March 7, 2011
20 miler...
This day was pure loveliness...really it was. It was about 50 degrees when I left to go on my run which I knew would be something to talk about. Right when I stepped onto my first mile I kept thinking "ok when is this knee pain going to hit". It had been aching all morning and was aching right before I stepped out. Well the knee pain never came...it NEVER came and this 20-miler I was doing it by myself. I talked to God once again the entire time whether about my own fears - giving them to Him, prayers for friends and Mark, discussing various situations and clients.
It felt soo warm even with a pretty good wind. I looked down at one point and saw my legs...bright read...from wind burn but it didn't matter. I was on a mission. Below is the route I took. It was a new route for me that I had never done and I tried to keep it as flat as possible with some hills here and there. I ended up taking a short break to go to the restroom at mile 13 and then did a quick text to Mark to let him know where I was and that I was running to the church for my last 7. He encouraged me and it meant the world to me.
I kept going and it was a sight to see myself breaking through those last couple of miles. I was drained and my legs were tired...very, very tired. But I was so happy to run in shorts that I didn't care one bit and I finished! I finished running up the gravel side of the road to the church with Mark coming out the doors clapping, whistling and haulering for me. What support! I felt like a million bucks and like I had just won the Boston Marathon or something :)
It felt soo warm even with a pretty good wind. I looked down at one point and saw my legs...bright read...from wind burn but it didn't matter. I was on a mission. Below is the route I took. It was a new route for me that I had never done and I tried to keep it as flat as possible with some hills here and there. I ended up taking a short break to go to the restroom at mile 13 and then did a quick text to Mark to let him know where I was and that I was running to the church for my last 7. He encouraged me and it meant the world to me.
I kept going and it was a sight to see myself breaking through those last couple of miles. I was drained and my legs were tired...very, very tired. But I was so happy to run in shorts that I didn't care one bit and I finished! I finished running up the gravel side of the road to the church with Mark coming out the doors clapping, whistling and haulering for me. What support! I felt like a million bucks and like I had just won the Boston Marathon or something :)
To Be Written Posts
Those posts that need to be written:
* Ian's bargaining skills
* most recent 20-miles ran last Thursday
* impromptu Ohio trip to grandparents & Ian
* what it means to "guard your heart", Proverbs 4:23 for those couples struggling
* change in counseling room (owning how it [this counseling adventure] is really not my own including the space I work in)
* upcoming Crop & potential projects
* Ian's bargaining skills
* most recent 20-miles ran last Thursday
* impromptu Ohio trip to grandparents & Ian
* what it means to "guard your heart", Proverbs 4:23 for those couples struggling
* change in counseling room (owning how it [this counseling adventure] is really not my own including the space I work in)
* upcoming Crop & potential projects
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