RUNNING UPDATE:

It's a nice number.  I wish I could have logged more but this last week's mileage came up to a total of:

20.7

Getting up at 5am just isn't early enough, I suppose.  It takes me a good hour to get rolling in the morning and then I have the short drive to the gym...and still, time is ticking away ever unforgiving.  

It's a race against the clock for me.  I have to run as far as I can, as quickly as I can in just under an hour.  But on a treadmill!!!  Those things just don't work for me people.  The farthest I've run on the treadmill, so far, was 5.1 miles.  And even then, around 3.5 miles I was getting a little loopy looking longingly at the bright red STOP button.  I kept swallowing my irritation down until my stomach was about to burst.  But I didn't stop. 

So, I figure since I leaped over that 5 mile hurdle...a 6 miler is in my future?  Near future?  I hope.  Of course, it will have to be on the weekend when I don't have to race back to the house so my husband can leave for work...  

Here is my promise to you all.  This week my mileage will be more than last week.  I promise.  I don't know by how much.  But I am going to put my best foot forward in this (o. puns..)

Where are all my silent cheerleaders?

O!  And in preparation for the summer months when I can get up at 5am and not have to worry about driving to the gym because itssocoldIcan'tfeelmyspleen outside, I bought this!

RUNNING UPDATE:

Got up at 5:30 this morning.  Groaned and rolled over.  Fell out of bed around 6.  Up and out by 6:45.  I did something new this morning.  I went to the gym.  I've never had a gym membership and I've never gone to the gym out here.  But drastic times, drastic measures.  It's COLD and snowy.  The roads weren't even cleared and it snowed quit a bit overnight.  But, I brought my grand total mileage up to:

15.6 miles

I ran 4.3 today.  I hate treadmills.  They bother me.  It doesn't feel like I've gone anywhere for the past 45 minutes.  How boring is that?  But I have to do this.  The treadmill is my friend.  While the weather is being torturous I still have to keep my goal in sight.

Running outdoors makes everything go by so much quicker and it doesn't feel like I've run 5 or 6 or 7 miles.  It's awesome.  Plus, I've discovered that gyms make me ill.  For some reason, I start getting clammy and nauseous.  You don't have to say it...I know.  weird, right? I almost had to stop running at 3.5 miles because I felt sea sick or something.  But I finished out strong raised the incline to 3.5 and pounded out those last 3/10 of a mile.  (when I do run on a treadmill, I make sure the incline is set at 3 and then I raise it and lower it during my workout to challenge my muscles.)

Tomorrow, I am taking my long run.  I hope the weather is nice, because I don't want to do 8 miles on a treadmill.

RUNNING UPDATE

11.3 miles this week.   This year...

A little low, but I am working with the time I have.  Because it's winter the mornings are very dark and very, very cold.  I could get up earlier but I'm not comfortable running around here in the pitch of morning.  No street lights.

I am happy, however, that my goal of running at least 20 miles this week is very achievable.   I have upped my abs to 135 instead 120.  Feels good.  My body is getting stronger and I can feel my muscles strengthening around my lower back.   My lower back is my arch nemesis and if I don't watch it, it will get me good.

Met two ladies this morning while on my chilly run.  They were walking their dogs; and there is nothing better than running up a hill with "Good luck!" and "Good for you" 's following my back.  It made me smile and my run so much better.  Having support, even if from complete strangers, is very empowering.

Bustle Bottom

The past couple of months I have scoured the internet looking for a tutorial on how to bustle.  I know, I know, bustling is for the ladies of the 1800's who rode side saddle, didn't show their ankles and slapped rude men with their quirts.  *sigh*  But I have this weakness you see...

And finally, FINALLY I found the little jewel of a tutorial, rough as it was, lurking on the pages of one of my favorite blogs.

I was completely smitten.  I still am.  And I am going to be going bustle crazy.   Anyone want to join?  I tweaked the tutorial to make this my own version and I'm selling these puppies in all sorts of colors and sizes.

Because every girl needs a good bustle.

The silence is deafening

But I'm still here!  And yes, I did get a little sewing done over the past few weeks.  Not as much as I would have liked, but I did.  I managed to sew little man some pj's!  My first set, ever.  And I think he liked them.  I know I did! 

I really wanted to a spin-off of these in pink for lil lady.  But, I have to find the right pink striped fabric.

So, for now, my little pirate is sailing the blankety seas of his bed, alone. 

I think he can handle it.  He's pretty tough.

Ponies, snow and babies. OH my!

Today was a breath of fresh air.  Winter has been coming in with harsh gusts and sleet and snow, but today mother nature smiled and rolled back the skies to give us such a pleasant day. 
And I shared it with sassy Ms. S and her cute little bro baby B.

Now, with babies, it's tricky.  They have their "days".  I managed to wiggle around baby B's day and catch a few cute shots.

 

When you get shots like these, it makes living in the middle of nowhere worth it.

Because somewhere beyond the soybeans and corn...there is something to do

'Tis the season...

Yes!
It's here.
Christmas.  And before I could begin to decide what I would do for my family...tsk, tsk

But thank God for the internet, right?  Came across the cutest idea and thought to myself, "self, you have to do this!"  It only took me about an hour because I decided to sew everything instead of hand-stitch.  I would recommend hand-stiching if you want to give it a more rustic look.  I simply made my top stitch longer on my machine...not too much of a difference but it's there.

I love them.  And I think my mom and sisters will, too.