Snow, Cold, Love and Running

Thursday, this is what our driveway looked like at about 2 p.m.

At this time the storm was just getting started, Jared and I had shoveled up by the house twice, before the day was over, I had shoveled over 5 times just trying to keep up. Didn't want Phil to have the entire mess to shovel when it finally stopped snowing.

Friday morning greeted us with at least 14" of fresh white powder, it was beautiful.

Friday was also my parent's 49th Wedding Anniversary. Here they are helping Erynn celebrate her news that she was MSHS's 2013 Snowcoming Queen.

This morning while it was very cold, still 0* at 8:30 a.m., it was beautiful!! God did some amazing work while we were sleeping, I couldn't resist taking a few pics of his art.

This afternoon, I finally was able to run outside. Amanda and I had planned on doing 10 miles, but I discovered today that running on snow covered roads, leaves you feeling rather tired a lot quicker, than you think it would. We only did 4.2 miles. I am so glad that Phil was able to put the screws in my old running shoes, yesterday, they made today's run possible, without them, I would have never made it. Especially, this last hill. This picture is very deceiving, it really is quite a steep climb, and for those who have run up sand dunes, that's what it was like.

#8 1/2" sheet metal screws in an old pair of shoes

Almy Road hill, actually does drop off, believe it or not.

My mom and dad were our wonderful babysitters and kept Lorelei, busy so we could get out and enjoy this wonderful day. Thank you!!!

Then it was a quick trip home, so Amanda could do Erynn's hair for MSHS Snowcoming dance, of course she did a great job!! Another big thank you!! I have the most wonderful kids!!

Erynn and Zoe

2013 MSHS Snowcoming Queen

But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not consider how handsome or tall he is. I have not chosen him. I do not look at the things people look at. Man looks at how someone appears on the outside. But I look at what is in the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

I have been taking a close look at my heart over the last few weeks, mainly searching for areas I am passionate about. One thing I have discovered is that I have a huge heart for the elderly, I get pretty fired up when discussions turn toward changes the government wants to make in regards to their healthcare. That said, I realized that finding employment in an area where I could make a difference in these individuals' lives was where I needed to be. So last Saturday, I began applying for jobs that would allow me to serve them in some way. Friday, I received a phone call from one of those places, and I have a job interview on Tuesday, I couldn't be more excited! 

Weather is supposed to be nice at least until tomorrow afternoon, hoping to get a long run, maybe even the 10 miles I didn't do today. 

To my running friends, may you enjoy the brief break in the weather and enjoy a few miles outdoors. No matter what may you all have a very blessed Sunday!!
 

Yarn, Scarves, Running and Frustrations

Yesterday this arrived:

7 new colors to explore. There was one skein that really stood out and I couldn't wait to get started on. This morning I finished the scarf and I have to say, I'm not disappointed with the end product.

Cheers

The end result a beautiful, cheerful scarf that would brighten up anyone's wardrobe. I only hope that someone will feel the same and quickly purchase it. At the moment I am working on "Magic Potion, stay tune for the finished product.

This week I decided to drop back my pace on all of my runs, I've been exploring different training plans and Runners' World's Smart Coaches 1/2 Marathon training program had me running all of my runs at a much slower pace. While I couldn't handle running as slow as they had on their plan I have backed this week's runs back to a 10:54 minute mile pace. The wonderful thing about it was, yesterday's 9 mile run was much easier, I didn't have to slow down. Usually, when I do a long run, even though I try hard to start slow, I usually fail at starting slow enough, so by the time I run the last mile, my pace is that of a snail. Now that I know approximately how fast I need to start out, while on a treadmill, I need to figure out how to replicate that pace when running outdoors. That won't be so easy. 

I would like to say that I received a phone call this week. However, that would be a lie, I even called and left a message today, with zero return call. Maybe by the end of the week, he meant Saturday. Needless to say, I have begun the hunt for employment again, and am disgusted I waited all week, to do so.

TOO Cold Tuesday

Well winter has finally arrived here in Michigan and baby it's cold outside! In fact at 8:30 pm it is -4* BRRRRRRR!! Unfortunately, that is what is predicted for this week at least until Saturday, when it is supposed to be ..... wait for it in the 30's, we'll be having a heat wave, might have to break out the bikinis. 

Because it is so cold out, today and probably all week will be spent running on the treadmill, aka the DREAD MILL!! Today's run was a slow 6 miles, watching:  

I know some people are not a fan of Cher, however, she does a good job in this movie. Am almost looking forward to tomorrow's run, as I can finish the movie. Because I was feeling kind, I allowed Zoe and Lincoln to go with me, I think they became a little bored, and Zoe, well, she just plain wanted to run. 

The only other entertainment around here today, was the lively conversation, at time argument in the house this evening. 

8 Miles, Birthday Fun and Yesterday's Unexpected Phone Call

On my training plan for the 25K today's run was supposed to be a 9 mile one. I will be honest, I wasn't really looking forward to it, as the weather was not predicted to be very good, which would mean I would have to run it on the dreadmill. When I woke up, you can imagine how happy I was to see that it was warmer, but the steady strong wind really didn't thrill me. So I sat pondering the routes I could run, ones that wouldn't have me dealing with nasty dogs, or idiot drivers, something Phil worries about more than me. I had decided to beg for a ride to Big Rapids so I could run on the White Pine Trails there, when Phil stated, "why don't you come with me and run on the trails in Grand Rapids." Which was what I did. The weather was perfect, 40 degrees, winds blowing to my back and no ice to run on. Phil dropped me off in Comstock Park and I headed out, with Rockford as my goal, one mile short of the nine on my training plan. I will admit I did have to stop a couple of times to take a few pictures, couldn't help myself it was just to pretty.

Bridge over West River Drive

Yes, that is someone fishing down there! Zoomed in to catch him with my lens!!

Damn at Rockford

Fish Sculptures at Damn

 Most of the run was overcast, and I feel extremely blessed that it didn't rain. Especially since we didn't even make it to Cedar Springs before windshield wipers were needed. The only thing that would have made it better would have been company. Really need to find a running partner.

Tonight we celebrated Jennie's 17th birthday at my mom and dad's. Good food and good time was had! I still can't believe how good it is to see dad up and walking on his own. Continuing to pray that he will soon have full use of his right hand and shoulder again, and that he will not be suffering from pain in his hips and legs.

On Friday, I had a job interview for a billing position at a Clinic in Big Rapids, I would like to say I think the interview went well, but truthfully, I don't know what to think. Actually, I was feeling a little down when I left there. Continuously looking for employment can be an emotionally draining experience. I don't know how many positions I have applied for, one I was even told if my references came back good, they were going to recommend me for the position, that was December 11th, and I hadn't heard back even though I had emailed and called them. So you can imagine my surprise when I got a call yesterday, stating, "All your references came back great, like I expected anything else, and I would like to recommend you for the position if you are still interested." I should know one way or the other with that position by the end of next week. I'm standing in faith, while I wait.

As a blessing from my parents I received a Kindle, and have been reading a book called, Waiting on God, by Cherie Hill. I would like to leave you with a quote from that book, "Faith isn't faith, unless, it believes in the unseen. It doesn't take faith at all to cling to what you see. Faith in God trusts Him even when you can't see the very next step in front of you."

Unexpected Visitor

As many of you know I have been very busy knitting. Today, while I was working on this particular scarf, I heard a loud thud on my slider. Unfortunately, this usually means, one of my wild feathered friends, didn't realize they couldn't fly through. The last time this happened, I ended up disposing of the poor little guy, cause he didn't make it. Today, when I got up to check sure enough out on the ground, was a female Cardinal, whom appeared to have met the same fate. So I gathered a plastic bag, put my shoes on and went out to take care of her, before the dogs discovered her body. As I bent down to pick her up, she moved her head slightly. I felt really bad for her as one eye was closed, and the other open, so I picked her up, at which time she wrapped her tiny little toes around my fingers, holding on for dear life. That said, I held her close to me for at least 10 minutes outside, thinking maybe she was really stunned and would be able to take off on her own. Those of you that know me, understand 10 minutes in the cold was definitely testing my limits. When she still made no attempt to hold onto branches or fly after that time, I decided to let her warm up in the house.
Here she is showing her good side, at the time this picture was taken she still couldn't open her other eye.

Because I didn't want to stress her out, I left her on the table and went about doing what I needed to do. It had to have been about 30 minutes, when a car in the driveway set the dogs off, which had a great reviving effect on her. She had decided it was time to fly the coop. That said, I put the cage on the stoop and took the top off, and away she FLEW!! It was a beautiful sight. Needless to say, while I love having company, I would rather not have injured birds as guests. Therefore my windows now look like this:

I wonder if the birds will realize that red means stop?

Slippery Sunday Run + Birthday Fun

Didn't post yesterday, in fact I had so much fun celebrating someone's birthday, I was in bed at 9:30 last night. Here are a few of the highlights from the party. If you couldn't guess this year's theme was Brave!

Borrowing from Lorelei's theme, I decided to be brave and run 10 miles with Paul and Amanda. Why is this brave? Well, I only really started to seriously run again last month, and my longest distance since then has been 7 miles. Also, I knew that most of the time I would be running alone, as I don't expect them to run as slow as this turtle does. Hence this is what I saw of them most of the time, that is when I could see them.

We also had to battle running in places that were very slippery. There were a couple of places that looked like this:

While other times, you had no clue until you were skating on the trail, instead of running. Thankfully, we all survived our slippery, drippy run and were able to enjoy the beautiful scenes around us.

Oh, that black blob up there that's Paul - told yah I'm slow!!

"So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing." 1 Corinthians 9:26
I hope your Sunday was just as blessed as mine!

Foggy Friday

The day began as it finished yesterday, raining, and hard at that. At 5:30 when I let Zoe and Lincoln out to do their business, it was clear as a bell. However, when I got up again at 10:30, the fog was so thick, you couldn't see the trees in our front yard which are not more than 25 feet from our house. I'm glad at the moment it has cleared again, as I have to drive in to Grand Rapids, was blessed to pick up a graveyard shift. 

I finished my little tuna's birthday present, I hope she likes it.

Yesterday, I didn't post, as I had a job interview in the afternoon, I thought the interview went well, and was told I would know one way or the other by the end of today. It is now 8:20 pm, and I haven't heard a thing. I know that God has a plan for me, one for me to prosper, by not hearing, it just means He has something better out there for me.

At the moment, I will settle for the unconditional love that Zoe has for me. Nothing like cuddling and coffee!