Youth is when you're allowed to stay up late on New Year's Eve. Middle age is when you're forced to. ~Bill Vaughn

It is happening. I am aging. I am happy with what I have become, yet still pause and wonder when it all happened. 3 kids? really? one who is 15 and in high school? how is this possible? I look at my skin, my hands, my hair and see aging. I am not displeased with what I see, just see change. I don't recall growing older, or feeling this change. I still feel as though I did years ago. If I close my eyes I feel as though I did when I was 18. Yet when I open my eyes and look down at my sad stretched stomach, when I hear these 3 children calling me mom, when I remember my responsibilities as an adult, it still baffles me how I got here. I love my life. I am blessed. I am complete and satisfied. Yet I look back and wonder how I got here. Why was I so lucky? You see my stretched belly, my few grey strands of hair, my aging hands and face. They are reminders of who I am and where I have been. They are the reminders to me of my past, the good times and bad. they are reminders of why I am what I am today. I have learned so much already on this great journey of life. I look forward to many more amazing rides, even the bumps and curves, for I have learned far more from the rocky times than the smooth. Life is an unbelievable ride, one we need to stop and cherish each day. As this new year begins I hope that my family enjoys the ride, that we remember to buckle up and hold on tight, for this year year has wonderful potential.

"Nobody said it would be easy, they just said it would be worth it."

139 days until my first half. HAPPY HOLIDAYS! Santa was very good to me, my wish list consisted of mostly running things. Could it be I am now a runner? Did it happen? I got more Bondi Bands. I LOVE these. LOVE. Santa knew and got me 6 more. I also got a medicine ball with work out DVD. I also got a home gym. I AM SO EXCITED ABOUT THIS. I really need to step up weight training and this will make it so much easier. We are also going to finish the work-out room (drywall and carpet). I plan to paint fun bright colors and write motivational quotes and words on the wall. It will make working out and the treadmill much more desirable.

I DID IT!!

I have OFFICIALLY signed up for my first half marathon!!!!!!

146 days!

Perseverance is the hard work you do after you get tired of doing the hard work you already did. ~Newt Gingrich

Anyone who works in a large office can relate to this. This time of year the office is overloaded with cookies, chocolate, fudge, cheesecake, candy, brownies, anything you can imagine dipped in chocolate, breads, catered lunches, and I was even given sauerkraut. I have managed to resist most. It is exhausting to try to stay on track. My goal this holiday season is to not gain. that is it.

Running is coming along. I am having some problems with my knees. They hurt medially. I know it is because I run indoors on pavement and I need to work on my gait. My feet fall flat on the ground, like a slap. I am loud and hard as I land. After a few miles it usually corrects. Occasionally my left hip gives me slight trouble. I am using Advil and an ace-wrap as of now. I have 146 days until the half. WOO HOO!

I know I need to add weight training to my work-outs yet not sure how and what to add in. Any advice is welcome.

‎"The trouble with not having a goal is that you can spend your life running up and down the road and never cross the finish line."

Is anyone reading this??? ECHO!!!! I plan to officially sign up for the half soon. prices go up Jan 1st so I will sign up before then. What do I want for xmas?? I can't come up with anything!!

The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.
~Vince Lombardi~

I always loved running... it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs. ~Jesse Owens

~160 Days~

I have 160 days to prepare for the half. To keep my motivation up, I have vowed to post a running quote or fact daily until then. to start things off:

If you can dream it, you can do it. -Walt Disney

Today is a treadmill day as overnight we got a good 8 inches or more. Things I need to do in the next 160 days:

Set a plan and stick to it (my wonderful friend Kim is helping with this)

strength/weight train

cut out the beer (one week down already!)

stay focused/motivated

watch my diet

encourage/motivate my friends that are also running

HAVE FUN! ENJOY THIS MISSION!

Half-Marathon....FOR REAL THIS TIME!

I AM DOING IT. I am running a half in May. I am doing it. I am not backing out. I am excited, scared, motivated...I have many emotions.

This past weekend I ran a 5k with my husband and a bunch of friends. My husband and I ran every step of the 5k together and finished in 33:33. This was his first 5k (my 2nd) I am so proud of us. He has come so far. I have come so far. All of us that ran Sunday have come so far. Regardless of if we have been running for years or months, we all started out the same way. One step in front of eachother. I look back at the days of running a block and wanting to die to now. I look forward to looking back at running 5 miles and wanting to die to running a half.

...........

June was my last blog post??? LAME!! wow. quick recap:

I did the Susan G. Komen 3 Day for the Cure with my best friend Samantha. I raised $2700. I ended up with an IV and vomitting from the heat and lost both of my big toenails (which have not grown back yet), but had an amazing experience. I did what I set out to do. I raised money and walked the 3 Day. It made me realize that with hard work and determination I really can do anything I want. Many have told me that they have always known that about me. I had a baby at 18 and made a wonderful life for myself and my son. I graduated college at 31. But now I have really noticed when I set my mind to something it happens. I HAVE SISU!

I have been running on and off for a few years. I am back on track and it feels good. Moreso, my husband has joined the bandwagon. I am so proud of him. There is nothing more fun than running with him. We have a 5k coming up at the end of the month and a 10k in June. I look forward to mapping out other races and goals. ANything is possible with hard work!

Fundraising Continues!

I have sold about 40 keychains! WOO HOO! I also have raised nearly $1800! I am so happy! My latest project is earrings that I am selling for $5. My wonderful 14 year old son made this awesome stand in woodshop for me!!

Keychains!

I made some keychains that I plan to have at a pharmacy in the medical center near where I live. I am selling them one for $3 or two for $5. Here is the wording I used:

I will be walking 60 miles in 3 days in the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure™. I appreciate your support as I take an amazing journey in the fight to end breast cancer!

• Komen 3-Day for the Cure formed in 2003 and has raised nearly $500 million.

• More than 1.3 million women are diagnosed with breast cancer globally each year.

• Somewhere in the world, a woman dies from breast cancer every 68 seconds.

• Every 3 minutes a woman is diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States.

Please consider purchasing a keychain that I have made. Your donation will help me reach my fundraising goal of $2,500.

Purchase one for $3 or two for $5!! Buy one for yourself and one for a friend!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT!
~Kristin~

Feeling Crafty!

I made some shirts. I am on a craft roll lately!

Let the Fundraising Begin!

Today I made donation canisters. They were easy and fun. My parents own two flowers shops, I made one for each store, I will see how these go and perhaps make more! Below is the text I used:

This August, I will be participating in the Susan G. Komen
3-Day for the Cure. I appreciate your support as I take an
amazing journey in the fight to end breast cancer!

I will walk 60 miles for those that have lost their life, for survivors, for my daughters, for my mom, for my friends and family, and for myself.

Would you consider a donation of $3 for the woman every 3 minutes in the U.S. diagnosed?

Would you consider a donation of $8 for the 1 in 8 women in the U.S. that will be diagnosed?

Would you consider a donation of $60 for the number of miles I will walk?

I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me
by supporting me in my fundraising efforts. A donation of any amount
will help me reach my goal of $2,500.

Checks can be made out to Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure.

Thank you for your generosity!

~Kristin~

Help me reach my fundraising goal!

This August, I will be participating in a very special event called the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure. I appreciate your support as I take an amazing journey in the fight to end breast cancer! I will walk 60 miles for those that have lost their life, for survivors, for my daughters, for my mom, for my friends and for myself. A donation of any amount will help me reach my personal goal of $2,500. THANK YOU!

Would you please consider making a donation? Keep in mind how far I'm walking - and how hard I'll have to train. You can give online, just click on the web address below:

http://www.the3day.org/site/TR/2010/MichiganEvent2010?px=5132064&pg=personal&fr_id=1467&et=YSgvy9P8RGJGGK1ezq08Xw..&s_tafId=237694

One person is diagnosed with breast cancer every three minutes in the United States. That's why I'm walking so far. To do something bold about breast cancer. I hope that you'll share this incredible adventure with me - by supporting me in my fundraising efforts.Thank you in advance for your generosity!

~~Kristin

P.S. Ask your employer if they will double your donation through a matching gift program!

Spring is nature's way of saying, "Let's party!"

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! Ahhhhh. Winter is behind us, even if we get another snowfall, knowing it is April and warmth is ahead makes it much more tolerable. What is it about spring that provides us with such energy? Perhaps the sun? Perhaps knowing that small clothing is around the corner? Perhaps the thought of cold beer on a warm deck, the lilacs, the smell of fresh cut grass, the warmth of the sun on our face? Spring has a way of waking us up from the lull of winter. I feel motivated, I feel happy, I feel excited. I have again begun to run. I HATE THE TREADMILL. Winter makes running hard for me. The dark days, the boring treadmill, the baggy clothing, who needs to run? Now? I can't get enough. My legs ache, but in a good way, in a way that is aching for more. I want to push myself and set goals and see results.

My husband has begun to run. He has been loyal all winter with the treadmill and has a great routine of a run/walk down. Today we ran outside together. It was brief because of the rain and our 4 year old who was on a bike. But we did it. I LOVED the feeling of running beside my husband. I can not describe the feeling, something we can do together, be be better, to be stronger, to be healthier, something to do together. I look forward to many more as we encourage each other along.

Be kinder than necessary because everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

A sharp tongue can cut your own throat.

If you want your dreams to come true, you mustn't oversleep.

Of all the things you wear, your expression is the most important.

The best vitamin for making friends..... B1.

The happiness of your life depends on the quality of your thoughts.

The heaviest thing you can carry is a grudge.

One thing you can give and still keep....is your word.

You lie the loudest when you lie to yourself.

If you lack the courage to start, you have already finished.

One thing you can't recycle is wasted time.

Ideas won't work unless ' You' do.

Your mind is like a parachute...it functions only when open.

The 10 commandments are not a multiple choice.

The pursuit of happiness is the chase of a lifetime!

It is never too late to become what you might have been.

Life is too short to wake up with regrets.

Love the people who treat you right.. Forget about the ones who don't.

Believe everything happens for a reason.

If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it.

Nobody said life would be easy, they just promised it would be worth it.

Friends are like balloons; once you let them go, you might not get them back. Sometimes we get so busy with our own lives and problems that we may not even notice that we've let them fly away. Sometimes we are so caught up in who's right and who's wrong that we forget what's right and wrong.. Sometimes we just don't realize what real friendship means until it is too late. I don't want to let that happen so I'm going to tie you to my heart so I never lose you.