Friday Fill-In

Yes, I know it's Thursday, but it's almost 8:30 and I have a busy day tomorrow. Oh, and I'm filling in my answers in caps, because my Mom says she can't read the black lettering!

1. It's January; AND REALLY COLD.

2. PORTILLO'S CHOCOLATE CAKE is what I crave most right now.

3. Cork and wine go together like OIL AND WATER.

4. WATER is so nourishing.

5. Let us dare to HOPE FOR CHANGE!

6. I WANT TO PAINT my home.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to SEEING THE DANCING WITH THE STARS SHOW WITH MY MOM AND SISTER, tomorrow my plans include A BABY SHOWER FOR JEN AND WATCHING FOOTBALL and Sunday, I want to SLEEP IN!

Commercials

There are 2 commercials on tv that are hilarious..

The first is Subway. It starts with music and a bunch of different people either sitting down with buttons popping off, or pants splitting when they bend over - you get the idea. It eventually moves to making changes for 2009, losing weight and using Subway to do it.

The second shows a guy in a drive-thru ordering a bunch of fast food. He gets up to the window and there is Dr. Ian Smith - who is heading up this 50 Million Pound Challenge. Dr. Smith is standing in the drive-thru window, arms crossed, and won't let the fast food worker give the guy his food. Subtle.

While both are funny as heck, they also send a very specific message to this country. Just the other night, there was another commerical on for McDonalds that ends with "most drive thrus open 24 hours". Sure, there are people out at all hours of the night that need to eat. But does McDonalds, or any other fast food place, really need to be open 24 hours?? They weren't open 24 hours when I was a kid and we all managed to make it through the night.

It's really no wonder this country is so unhealthy. We have fast food at our fingertips constantly.

I know, you're wondering "where IS she going with this"? Well, I'm going down the "make this your healthy year" road. Trust me, I'm not 100% healthy food girl, but make the change slowly.....do it for yourself - to be healthier, to feel better and to live longer. And, do it for all those who love you!

Now, go get an apple....

GIRL POWER!!

I recently came across this quote...

"Guts, strength, determination, courage, sacrifice, inspired, motivated, the heck with sugar and spice, that's what little girls are made of." --Bethany Hamilton, greatest female surfer of our time

To that, I say, AMEN SISTER!!!!

Friday Fill-In, on Saturday...

I picked this up on Confessions of a Marathon Mom's blog, and thought it would be fun. The bolded words are my fill-ins. For #7, keep in mind that it's a FRIDAY fill-in and today is Saturday!!!!

1. The world is at a turning point.

2. No more treats was the last thing I said - to the dog.

3. I wonder how this year is going to turn out.

4. Plan for the next step at the end of all things.

5. There's something to be said for fantastic blogging women!

6. On a beach is where I want to be.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to watching football, tomorrow my plans include packing up my recently purchased ebay items and Sunday, the eye doctor and more football!

New look, new title

I have Jenn to thank for part of the title, the "mission accomplished" part. Thanks for the input, Jenn!

The mission was the marathon, and that's over (yes, I realize it was 2+ mos ago). Now I need to move on to another goal. I won't stop running, but for now, half marathons will be my max. I will run another marathon, but I have other things I'd like to accomplish first, like going back to school. I figure between work, family & school, marathon training is out for now. I can't commit to the time it takes.

So, that said, it is New Year's Eve. Like alot of you out there, I have been pondering over the past year, as well as the upcoming one. It was a good year, but there is always room for improvement, changes and new goals.

A big goal is fitness - getting back to regular running and occasional weight training. Nutrition is another - time to put away all the holiday crap. My other big goal is school. Specifically, cosmetology. I've wanted to do it for years, but finally have found the right fit with the school. The one I choose has a very flexible program, and offers a free first 40 hours to try it out.

I'm excited, and a bit nervous about figuring out how to make it all work, but am confident it will all happen.

There's other things too, like continuing to keep in mind that I can only control myself and not how others act; keeping in touch with friends & family more often and trying to be more patient and less defensive!

So, as 2008 ends and we ring in 2009, here are a few sayings from my vast list:

** Don’t be afraid. You needn’t slay the beast nor scale the entire mountain. That’s not how it’s done. You only need to move through today. Think of the distance you’ve already covered. Focus on your strengths. Let each new step remind you of your freedom. Let every breath you take remind you of your power. Seek out friends and guides, they’re anxious to help.

** The only way to get what you really want, is to know what you really want. And the only way to know what you really want, is to know yourself. And the only way to know yourself, is to be yourself. And the only way to be yourself is to listen to your heart.

** A positive attitude has nothing to do with what happens to you. It's what you do with, and how you react to, what happens to you. Your humor, internal belief system, and your ability to look at things from a different perspective. That's the key to a positive attitude. Stuck in traffic, NO PROBLEM! Turn on the radio and laugh! It's all how you look at life!

Happy New Year, see you in 2009!

I need a new blog title..

since it's not about Chicago '08 anymore. Been there, done that. Not in the time I wanted, but I'm over that. I started, I finished. Tadaaa....

So, if anyone has any great ideas, let me know. And yes, I do plan to actually start blogging again. It's been a busy month. But, the new year is upon us, and I'm excited about that. Be sure to check back for the spiffy new title and look..

Happy New Year!

It's time..

to get motivated again. I read an article the other day about starting up again after taking way too much time off from running (for various reasons - too busy, injury, etc.). The goal is to EASE back into it. I'm not so good at easing into anything. I'm much better in jumping in with both feet, regardless of consequences.

At this point, there is no reason for me to run a zillion miles at one time. It's freezing outside with snow on the ground, so that makes it more difficult. All I have to do is a few miles, a few times a week. If I feel like getting crazy, I throw in some weight training. Really, how hard is that?

I need to sign up for a race, something to give me motivition. I'd love to say I'm running for the sheer enjoyment, but having a goal gets me off my butt alot faster.

There's a half in Kenosha in May, so I think I'm going for that one. Yes, it's in May, so I have time, but at least it's something. I miss running and I miss how I feel when I do it. Running is one of those things that no matter how I feel before the run, I always feel better afterward.

So, run on. You'll find me on the treadmill tomorrow...finally.