Giving 2011 Credit Where Credit is Due

For the past month I can successfully say I have not been doing amazing. I find things that I let get me down and sad. On several occasions I have said to others, I cannot wait for 2011 to be over and 2012 to begin.

The other night while talking to Erin after a meltdown, I said it again. "2012 cannot get here fast enough".

On the way home I thought about it again. You know if I look back on 2011 it has not been all that bad. It has not been easy don't get me wrong but it has been a year of a lot of first for me.

Ran my first 5K with Erin and Kim.
Completed The Warrior Dash with Tara and Jessica.
Went to San Jose TWICE.
Went to San Diego TWICE, even met Chris Young.
Walk my second PTC with 11 other amazing women.
Ran my second 5K with Erin, Kim, Morgan, Tara and Lindsay. Which were Tara and Lindsay's first 5k.

The list goes on of all the great things I have actually done this year. After thinking about it the laughs, smiles, and adventures far outweigh all the tears I've shed.

My family is amazing. I love spending time with every single one of them.  I love getting random I love you text message from them. They always seem to come just at the right time.

I realized I have this amazing circle of girlfriends around me that I know will never go away. Some were old friends that became closer and some were new friends that became good friends. They will even give up Valentine’s Day with their husband to come sit and drink wine with you so you don't have to be alone.

One of the best weekends of my life was this year. That is hard to say since I will be turning 36 in exactly 10 days. I walked in Portland to Coast 2 years ago with some girlfriends and had a great time. We decided to do it again this year since everyone was done having babies and all. My expectations weren't high because we had so much fun the first year. Clearly this year FAR surpassed 2009. I don't think I laughed that hard ever. Thank you girls, Eric, Morgan and Chad for a great weekend.   All day, all night long, right here.

One Sunday night Zach and Lex decided we all needed to play telephone. After family dinner we all (except grandpa) got to played telephone. So imagine this, 6 adult and 2 kids playing telephone. It was what we would call AWESOME!

In July I made a decision with Nikki on a Wednesday that I was going to lose weight. We went back to the basics. We started counting every single calorie that went in and every single calorie that went out. Currently I have lost a total of 15lbs and 2 sizes. I love it!

Once PTC was over we applied for HTC. A few of us started picking up running but I decided I wanted to check off one of my bucket list item which was HTC. I kept telling myself, "12 months, you have 12 months to get this done". Our team didn't end up getting a spot but I kept up with the running. I found out that I can do it and I love it. I hope to run a 1/2 marathon the summer of 2012. I have not been consistent but do love it and it gives me this amazing feeling. Plus I have all these awesome running shorts. :)

After all that, the greatest part, I started to find myself and my happiness.

5 Running Winter Needs

In the last 2 week I have realized there are 5 majors you need for winter running in Oregon.  If you are lacking ideas of what to get me for Christmas or my birthday, please see below.  :)

1) Nike Element Shield Max running jacket.  (pictured above)
2) Long running pants
3) Gloves..I haven't been using them and I realized I need them.
4) More long sleeve shirts with thumb holes....yes these are key and awesome.
5) Sweat shirts for those days it isn't raining and I don't need my Nike Element Shield Max running jacket.

If you have any questions just ask.  :)

Love this....

This is a blog I found a month or so ago.  I love one of today's posts.

http://marathonsweetheart.com/2011/12/08/conversations-of-a-marathon-freak/

Week Off....

I took the last week off from blogging and running.  Not by choice that is for sure.  It has been one crazy week with work and what nots.  I can't wait for this awesome weekend and to get back into a normal schedule. 

What to do next?

Shamrock Run - 3/18

Race for the Roses - 4/1

Bridge to Brews - 4/15

Bay to Breakers - 5/20

Starlight Run - 6/2

This Is My Life

Winter Running

After running Run Like Hell in Oct. I was having trouble getting back into the grove of things.  Sure I would do a run here and there with Erin at night or early morning but I just wasn't feeling it.  Last night I had a good run and it felt good.  I did however realize it is FREAKING cold outside and I need new winter running gear.  So if you feel the need to purchase me a few things for Christmas I would love any of the items below.  :) If you can't do Christmas cause funds are tight don't worry my birthday is Jan. 2nd and I will take gifts any time in January. 

Nike Vapor Flash Running Jacket....This jacket is Bas ASS.  Ok so it is a little spendy but totally worth it if you are night running.  It is one HUGE reflector when headlights shine on you. 

http://insider.nike.com/us/clothing/vapor-flash-running-jacket-962/

Nike Element Shield Max Jacket........I love this jacket too but not as safe as the jacket above.  It will keep the rain off.  It won't keep my from dying though. 

http://store.nike.com/us/en_us/?l=shop,pdp,ctr-inline/cid-1/pid-414700&cp=usns_soc_101511_cpylnkshare

I could use a few more Dri-FIT longsleeves so I don't have to wash the 2 I have each night.  :)

Dri-FIT running pants I need a couple pair. I am not sure which I like best yet but when I find out I will let you know.  Kind of like the shorts.  I can always use another pair of running shorts.  This girl can never have too many Nike running shorts.  :)

God Gave Me You

Every time I hear this song I think of a few amazing people in my life. You know who you are. I am so thankful to have you in my life to help me though "the days of doubt" and "for the ups and downs." You know just when to text me. You know just what to say to make me smile. I love you all so much!!!!

(OK ignore the beginning from his wife.)

Giving Thanks - Fail

What I really wanted to do is give thanks everyday this month.  I failed.  If you were following, I am sorry.  I can make up a bunch of lame excuses but I won't bother.  I just didn't do it and it is just that. 

I do however want to try and post a blog everyday from now till the end of the year.  Even if it is just a picture.  Not going to make any guarantees but I am going to try. 

Life

Today was a different day.  I don't want to say today totally sucked, it didn't.  Today wasn't totally awesome either.  Today I learned that I thought I found myself at one point. I got a little side tracked and now, I'm back on track. 

My New Obsession

I watch the very first Sons of Anarchy episodes a few weeks ago.  I was kind of skeptical at first to be honest but after episode 1, 2, 3, 4 I was COMPLETELY hooked.  Ok, I was hooked after the first one.  It is honestly one of those shows I could keep watching and not know what time it is.  Friday I finished season 1.  I realized that I could watch it instantly on Netflix instead of waiting for the DVD's.  Today I was lazy and have almost finished season 2. 

If you haven't watched it you will not be disappointed.  Now I just need to get season 3 from Stacy.  I don't know what I will do when I finish season 4. 

Review Mirror

Stop looking at your life in the review mirror. Keeping our eyes on the past and we, ultimately, drive our life into a wall.

Thankful Day 8 - Hope

I am thankful for hope....Today I am holding out hope.

Thankful Day 5, 6 & 7.....

Thankful Day 5 - Old & New Traditions

Every year when I was little we went to the Verboort Sausage Festival.  Then it was small (well compared to now.) and in the basement of a little school/church.  Now it is HUGE, no longer in the basement and has a line for to go orders.  For the last at least 8 years Mom and I have gone and gotten to go orders for us and whoever else wants them.  Last year Juanita and JR at Plum Hill asked us to pick them up 2 dinners.  This year we did it again then went to the tasting room and sat for a couple hours enjoying chatting, YUMMY wine and good company.  It was a great day for old and new traditions. 

Thankful Day 6 - Standard Time

I love the extra hour we get each year to sleep in.  It is always nice to wake up, forgetting the time has changed then realize I am wide awake at 8am because technically it is 9am.  LOVE IT!

Thankful Day 7 - Bears Won

YEP - That is what I came up with.  The Bears won their 3rd game in a row.  OK OK I am thankful for the job I have that I get up and go to 5 days a week.  I know I complain about it but I am lucky enough to have one.  I am very thankful for that. 

Thankful Day 4 - For Fences

Today I am thankful for fences. 

They help keeps things in and they help keep things out. 

Thankful Day 3 - My Family

Thankful I have the most amazing family! I love you all more than you know.

They are what holds me together and has helped me become who I am.  I can count on them know matter where I am or what I am doing.  I love all of you in so many different ways. 

I would post a bunch of pictures but there are too many.  :) I love you!

Thankful Day 2 - My Best Friends

I truly can say I am lucky.  Some may laugh because they say I have too many BFF's.  Honestly though, I have the BEST friends in the world.   I don't think I would have made it through these last 9 months without them.

They let me text at any hour of the night.
Call any time I want.
Cry when I want.
Laugh when I want.
Send the most amazing text messages of encouragement when I need them.
Come over on Valentines so I am not alone. 
Take trips with me.
Sing to me to make me laugh.
Run with me.
Walk with me.
Drink with me.....Yes we all need to drink sometimes.
Have Anniversary parties for me. 

Today I am thankful for these women in my life.  I love you girls SO much. I hope you know how thankful I am to have you in my life.

Thankful Day 1 - My Princess

I decided I follow along and would post each day what I am thankful for in the month of November.  I'll even go past Thanksgiving. 

Today November 1st I am thankful I get 5 days and nights with Kona.  It seems so small but right now so big.  I miss her so much when I don't have her but appreciate the time get with her.  She's just so snugly. 

Love that my princess!

Let's do this!

First things first......It's been a while. It is kind of hard to blog when there is so much going on in your head but couldn't really put it into words. Life has changed a bit since I started blogging 5 years ago, (Wow just read my first blog post.), my life is completely different. Maybe ond day I'll put it all in a blog, maybe not. The 3 or 4 people that read my blog probably already get the daily/nightly text messages so we'll leave it at that for now.

In 2009 I was on an all girls Portland to Coast team. I loved every minute of it. We counted shorts in our spare time, (Which I now own about 7 and LOVE.), we slept on hard grange floors with snoring men, we ate AMAZING ham and cheese sandwiches and I did something I never thought I would do. I spent the weekend in a van with 5 other women. It was awesome. It was emotional, tiring and amazing all at the same time. I was so motivated and felt good about myself. I was ready for PTC 2010 and I hadn't even got home yet. 2010 sign ups came and shortly after we cound out half the ream was pregnant, ok really only 3 but that is half a van. Needless to say I lost my motivation and only walked every now and then. Running wasn't even on the radar at that point. Well I thought about it a little.

When 2010 PTC ended a 2011 team was quickly put together and ready. A few had even taken up running and signed up for the Shamrock Run. I convinced myself I had enough time to train for a 5K and could do it. Mid-January I signed up and ready to train. January 27th I left for NY for one of my biggest trade shows. I ran probably 3 or 4 times that week. February 5th I came home from NY, February 6th life took a turn and changed a bit. Time got away from me and March 13th was here.

It was the day of the Shamrock Run I was up at 5am and just a bit nervous. Kim and I ran together most of the race, I did ok. I didn't do great, needless to say I almost puked. I was proud of myself for actually trying and finishing with an ok time. I did ok for not doing anything really leading up to the run.

Now it was time to train for PTC. I ran every now and then training for PTC but focused mainly on walking. About 8 weeks before PTC I realized I had the hardest ranked legs on our team. I was a little nervous but up for the challenge.

My fist leg was a flat, 7.13 miles, down hwy 30, mid day, in 92 degrees. I did it and I rocked it. My second leg was 6.11 miles, straight up hill, straight down hill, at 3am. To be honest I was a little bit, scratch that a lot a bit nervous. I was NOT looking forward to this walk at all. All said and done it was my absolute FAVORITE in the 2 years I have done PTC. Durning the walk is when runners started catching up to us. I kept thinking one of these years I am going to run Hood to Coast.

 

When I finished my last leg all I kept thinking was I wanted to keep going. Oh wait I did run up and down the shoulder of the road with Lindsay looking for Van 2. :) We hadn't finished PTC and I was ready for PTC 2012.

 

That weekend was by far one of the BEST weekends. I don't know what hurt more, the HUGE blister on my foot or my stomach muscles from laughing at all the AWESOMENESS. Maybe it was the side of the road stretching at 5am.

 

When we got home I stll had 2 weeks till Warrior Dash......NOW that I was nervous for. I was still a little tired from PTC weekend but got in a couple work outs.

 

The morning of Warrior Dash I thought I was going to puke. The thought of climbing over a 10 foot rope wall scared the crap out of me. Oh and there wasn't just 1 10 foot wall, there were at least 6. Truly the walls were not the problem. It was the hills we had to climb. I think at one point I thought I was close to death. We finished and we did AWESOME!!! "Thank you!"

 

I decided to try another 5k so I signed up for Run Like Hell on Oct. 23rd. I will let you know Monday how it goes. I ran my first full 5k last night, not bad I might add. I think I can actually say I can do this.

 

Oct. 12th was approaching and the 2012 PTC email came from Erin. Erin also mentioned they were putting together a 2012 HTC team if they could get enough people. I thought about it. I thought about it a little more. I've always wanted to do it but not sure I ready yet. I thought about is just a few more minutes as I made up excusses why I wasn't ready and I text Erin. I am going to do HTC......What the hell I have 11 months to train. Let's do this.

 

Now.....we wait. Fingers, toes, arms and legs crossed. Will we make it?

 

It's time.....

Of all the things I believe in
I just want to get it over with
tears from behind my eyes
but I do not cry
Counting the days that past me by

I've been searching deep down in my soul
Words that I'm hearing are starting to get old
Looks like I'm starting all over again
The last three years were just pretend and I say

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I love
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

I still get lost in your eyes
And it seems like I can't live a day without you
Closing my eyes till you chase my thoughts away
To a place where I am blinded by the light but it's not right

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

Ohhh yeah
It hurts to want everything & nothing at the same time
I want whats yours and I want whats mine
I want you but I'm not giving in this time

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

Goodbye to you
Goodbye to everything I thought I knew
You were the one I loved
The one thing that I tried to hold on to

We the stars fall and I lie awake
Your my shooting star

Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup with Asian Greens

This might just have to be a new one to try. It looks really yummy. It might be that I am starving but I love making noodles soups.

Healthy Dinner Recipes: Vietnamese Beef-Noodle Soup with Asian Greens Healthy Dinner Recipes: Beef and Lamb - Cooking Light

103 Healthy Snack Recipe Ideas - Every Day with Rachael Ray

I am always looking for snack ideas and came across these ideas this morning. I am going to have to try some of them.

Note when reading all 103 ideas, cereal sized bowl of goldfish are not on there. CRAP!

103 Healthy Snack Recipe Ideas - Every Day with Rachael Ray

Email From Japan

Most of you know our parent company PLUS Corporation is in Tokyo, Japan. Many have asked about my fellow co-workers (friends) in Japan. They are all ok and business is going along as normal as they can. They have black-outs (power outages) every now and then, along with the changing bus schedule.

Last week we received an email from on of our contacts. It was so sweet I thought I would share it.

It really puts things into perspective and actually brought me to tears.

*The english is a little choppy but you get the idea.

-----Original Message-----
From: PLUS(JPN)/ K. Nakano
Sent: Tuesday, March 22, 2011 8:39 PM
Cc: PFC ?????; ?????? ?????
Subject: One of the US great support to the people in the disaster regions

Dear Joe-san and all friends at PCA,

How are you?

I am very glad to share this great great news with you and all friends at PCA.

After the earthquake, I watch TV news everyday and I was so impressed the one last night. USS Ronald Reagan is now off shore of the disaster region and they have been supporting relief efforts under the "Operation TOMODACHI (friend)". So the flight deck is like a distribution center of food and water company. The news introduced that one of the helicopters left the carrier to delivery food and water to the poeple. But the crew were not told any destinations, so they were looking for reasonable points from the upper air that seemed to be still isolated because of disconnection of roads. The helicoper delivered 17 places on the day and one of them was an elementary school which became an evacuation place. People there bowed so deeply and took hands of the crew with shedding tears. The young crew member smiled and looked so satisfied with his duty. Of course, I was moved to tears!　And I felt that it was my honor to work together with PCA people.

The accident of the nuclear power complex has not been resolved yet and there is also a huge problem in Libya. Under such circumstances, US military is giving us a lot of support. If you have any US military members among your family, relatives and friends, it would be greatly appreciated to send them our gratitude and best regards.

Sincerely yours,

Kiyonori Nakano of PLUS Furniture

Spicy Thai Noodle Soup

I love Thai soups so I kind of just threw a bunch of stuff together.

Ingredients -

-2 quarts chicken broth
-2 stalks fresh lemongrass, sliced on a bias in 2-inch pieces
-1 teaspoon chili garlic paste
-1 garlic clove, chopped (I used a garlic press)
-1 bunch of straw mushrooms
-1 pound large shrimp, peeled with tails on or sliced cook chicken*
-2 limes, juiced
-2 green onions, sliced
-1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
-1-2 handfuls of bean sprouts
-Thin Rice Noodles (I used half a box of Thai Kitchen Thin Rice Noodles)


Directions -
Bring the stock to boil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add lemongrass,garlic, and chili garlic paste. Lower heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes to let the spices infuse the broth.

Uncover and add mushrooms. Simmer for 5 minutes. Toss in the shrimp (or cooked chicken) and Rice Noodles, cook for about 8 minutes until noodles are soft and shrimp are pink. Remove from the heat and add the lime juice, green onions,cilantro, and bean sprouts. Taste for if you want more spice add more chili paste.

Tom Yum Goong

One of my favorite Thai soups. It is pretty easy and simple to make.

Ingredients -

-2 quarts chicken broth
-2 stalks fresh lemongrass, sliced on a bias in 2-inch pieces
-4 kaffir lime leaves (I haven't used them but can find them at the Asian market)
-1-inch piece fresh galangal or ginger (I used galangal which you can also find at the Asian market)
-2 red chilies, sliced (Jalapeno or Serrano chilies work too)
-2 tablespoons fish sauce
-1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
-1 bunch of straw mushrooms
-1 pound large shrimp, peeled with tails on
-2 limes, juiced
-2 green onions, sliced
-1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped


Directions -
Bring the stock to boil over medium heat in a saucepan. Add lemongrass, kaffir lime leaves, galangal, and chilies. (I also add about 1 tsp of chili garlic paste for a little more spice, we like spicy). Lower heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes to let the spices infuse the broth.

Uncover and add the fish sauce, sugar, and mushrooms. Simmer for 5 minutes. Toss in the shrimp and cook for about 8 minutes until they turn pink. Remove from the heat and add the lime juice, green onions, and cilantro. Taste for salt and spices.

When eating don't eat the lemongrass and lime leaves they are for flavor only.

Little Miss

Little Miss done on love
Little Miss I give up
Little Miss I'll get tough
Don't you worry 'bout me anymore

Little Miss checkered dress
Little Miss one big mess
Little Miss I'll take less
When I always give so much more

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Yeah, sometimes ya gotta lose 'til ya win
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It'll be alright again

It'll be alright again, I'm okay
It'll be alright again, I'm okay
(okay)
It'll be alright again, I'm okay

Little Miss do your best
Little Miss never rest
Little Miss, be my guest
I'll make more anytime that it runs out

Little Miss you'll go far
Little Miss hide your scars
Little Miss who you are
Is so much more than you like to talk about

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Yeah, sometimes ya gotta lose 'til ya win
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
And it'll be alright again

It'll be alright again, I'm okay
It'll be alright again, I'm okay
(okay)
It'll be alright again, I'm okay

Hold on,
Hold on, and you are loved
Are loved

Little Miss brand new start
Little Miss do your part
Little Miss big ole heart beats wide open
She's ready now for love

It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
Well, sometimes ya gotta lose 'til ya win
It's alright, it's alright, it's alright
It'll be alright again

It'll be alright again, I'm okay
It'll be alright again, I'm okay
(okay)
It'll be alright again, I'm okay

It'll be alright again

I Never Told You

I miss those blue eyes
How you kissed me at night
I miss the way we sleep
Like there's no sunrise
Like the taste of your smile
I miss the way we breathe

But I never told you
What I should have said
No I never told you
I just held it in
And now I miss everything
About you
I can't believe I still want you
After all the things we've
Been through
I miss everything about you
Without you

I see your blue eyes
Every time I close mine
You make it hard to see
Where I belong to when I'm not
Around you
It's like I'm not with me

But I never told you
What I should have said
No I never told you
I just held it in
And now I miss everything
About you
I can't believe I still want
You
After all the things we've
Been through
I miss everything about you
Without you

But I never told you
What I should have said
No I never told you
I just held it in
And now I miss everything
About you
(still you're gone)
Can't believe that I still want
You
After all the things we've
Been through
I miss everything about you
Without you