Category Archives: Uncategorized

February 3, 2012 · 1:05 AM

11 Random things about me x2 (Because I was tagged by some awesome Team Touch Chik bloggers)

I haven’t been on Team Tough Chik long but I’m already finding out what great ladies they are! We have our own page that we talk about our sports we love, ask questions, get tons of encouragement and in the process, we’re having lots fun getting to know each other. I was honored to be picked by 2 of my teammates in as many days to write 11 random things about me, then answer 11 questions that she has for me and then write my own questions and pick some chicks to do the same for me! Journey of a Canuck Mom on the Run was the first to tag me and then Larissa Milano Fitness.

I’ll answer questions in the order that I received them. 🙂

Here is how it works:

1. Post these rules.

2. You must post 11 random things about yourself.

3. Answer the questions set for you in their post.

4. Create 11 new questions for the people you tag to answer.

5. Go to their blog and tell them you’ve tagged them.

6. No stuff in the tagging section about you are tagged if you are reading this. You legitimately have to tag 11 people.

11 Random Things About Me:

1. I LOVE shoes but I have very large feet – size 12 (11 sometimes). I’ve always had trouble finding shoes that fit me because all of the cute shoes don’t usually go up that high in size. Unfortunately, if they do have them, when they are super enlarged, that don’t look that “cute” anymore, lol. I’m always so excited when I find the exact running shoes that I want in my size and don’t have to get the men’s style.

2. I have really curly hair but it only became this way after my last 2 children were born. My hair was wavy before but now it’s out of control!! I don’t really like how it looks on me so I straighten it constantly. Of course, as soon as I sweat or go outside in the humidity, it curls again. Sigh.

3. I broke my arm while out for a run November 1, 2011 and I had to have a metal plate with screws put in it. On November 19, 2011, I ran in a 5k race. It hurt like heck but it was for a good cause to help a very sick lady. My time wasn’t that great but I showed myself that I can do whatever I put my mind to.

Getting a pic with my friend, The Fittest Fat Chick, after the race.

4. I eat ketchup with my scrambled eggs.

5. I chew the same type of gum (Orbit peppermint) every time I run and I freak out ~~just a little~~ a lot if I forget it or have to chew a different flavor.

6. My favorite super hero when I was little was Wonder Woman. I would dress up in my Wonder Woman Underoos with my golden lasso (gold jump rope) and watch her tv show. Ok, I still love Wonder Woman. In fact, I dressed up as her in the Jazz Half Marathon in New Orleans last October! 🙂

7. I love Scrabble and finding out about Words with Friends a few weeks ago has been like Christmas for me, lol! I currently have 16 games going on right now with various friends. Is that normal? I hope so.

8. I didn’t go to Disney World for the first time until I was 30 yrs old. I cried when I saw the castle, when we watched the fireworks, when I had my picture made with Mickey and when we had to leave. We’ve gone back twice after that and I still cry, especially when it’s time to leave.

9. I took voice lessons for 8 years and during that time, a little 4 yr old girl and her sisters started taking lessons too. Her name is Lacey Chabert. After she got older she played the little girl in Party of Five, was one of the daughters in Lost in Space, was of the Mean Girls and was in Daddy Day Care. I tweeted her last week and she messaged back and remembered me after all these years. Kinda cool! 🙂

10. I’d like to go back to school one day and become a psychologist – even though I might be 70 when I find time to do it, haha. I love to listen to people and try to help them (if they want it). I also love meteorology but I think psychology is better suited for me.

11. I cry at parades. Not just at Disney World. All of them. I don’t know why but I do. :p

Journey of a Canuck Mom on the Run’s Questions for me:

1. Did you have a childhood nickname? What was it? Yes. Gina-poo haha

2. What is the weirdest thing you have ever done while driving? Oh wow. Driving ~~plowing into~~ a police car at a red light during a snow/ice storm in Wyoming. He was so nice and knew that I couldn’t have stopped. (I was freaking out!) He told me that the important thing was that we were both ok and that a car can be fixed.

3. Do you have any strange phobias? What are they? Yes. I don’t like honeycombed shaped things. It makes me nauseated. I don’t like spiders either but at least they don’t make me want to throw up!

4. If you could travel to anyplace right now without worrying about finances or how long you are gone, where would you go? Why? Wow, that’s a really hard question. Since time and finances wouldn’t be an issue…..(U.S) I’d love to go and stay in Florida for a few months and go to our favorite places, like Disney World and Destin but also hit up the other wonderful parts of FL too. Then, I want to go back to Colorado and spend time there. I’d go to California and go to Beverly Hills (to shop) and Hollywood. I’d also go see the Grand Canyon since I’d be on that side of the U.S. (Worldwide) I’d love to go to Ireland, England, Germany, Switzerland and Italy. I’d also like to go to Australia. 🙂

5. What was the last movie you saw in the theater? A Dolphin’s Tale with my sweet 6 yr old son. (He wants to be a dolphin trainer when he grows up.)

6. What song always makes you happy when you hear it? Why? It’s a tie. I’ll post the 2 videos and let you decide. 😉 There’s a Playtpus Controlling Me & Candace Party

7. If you had to move to another state right now, where would you move and why? Probably Florida….or Tennessee. I think I have a decision making problem, lol. Why would I pick these places? I think they are beautiful places and I love the people there.

8. Salty or sweet? What is your favorite? Salty. My favorite would be almonds with sea salt or popcorn…the really ~~unhealthy~~ good kind at the movies.

9. Do you have any pets? What are they are? Oh yes. We have 3 outside dogs that are all rescues. Two came to our home and we took them in. My husband found the 3rd one, Jake, by the side of the road. He was teeny tiny and barely had any hair. He was starved and was going to die. He called me and I met him at a gas station, took him to the vet and started a rigorous routine of weekly vet visits, getting shots, dips and getting well. He’s now one of the healthiest, most beautiful dogs I’ve seen. Inside we have 2 kitties – Wubzy (orange tabby) and Jasper (gray tabby) who are like night and day, btw and 1 new puppy, a Maltese named Buddy. (I’ll post a picture or two…or 3…)

Buddy

Wubzy

Jasper

Jake

10. Snow or rain? Pick your poison. To run or sleep or relax in? Rain. To enjoy? Snow. Hmmm…rain wins, I think.

11. Name someone you would love to meet right now, who is currently living? Why would you like to meet them? I think I’d like to meet Will Ferrell and ask him about his running and the training he does. Seriously! I’m sure he’d make it funny but I’m really curious. I couldn’t run with him though…he’s faster than me.

Larissa Milano Fitness’ Questions:

1. How long have you been running and what made you start? It will be 2 years on February 8. I don’t know what made me start. I didn’t start out trying to train myself to run. I started walking to try and improve my health and it was a natural progression.

2. What is the farthest place that you have traveled to? The Portuguese Azores. I lived on the island of Terceira.

3. Favorite race that you have run? The Jazz Half Marathon in New Orleans. (10/29/11)

4. Favorite thing to do on a rainy day? Take a nap. 🙂

5. If you could meet anyone (dead or alive) who would it be and why? Since Canuck Mom asked me who I’d like to meet that’s alive, I’ll go with who I’d like to meet that’s dead. I think I’d like to meet Albert Einstein. I bet he’d be very interesting to talk to.

6. Do you have any pets? What are they? *See #9 in the questions above*

7. Craziest thing you have ever done? Ran in 2 races with a stress fracture. (Wait, you said craziest, not dumbest, lol)

8. Biggest fear and why? Probably the same fear any mother has and that’s something happening to one of my kids.

9. If you won the lotto would you still keep your current job? If not what would you do? Yes, I would keep my current job (stay at home mom) but I might hire a cook, lol!

10. What was your #1 New Years Resolution? Are you still on track? I didn’t really make a “resolution”. As far as running goes, I have a goal to try to get faster this year. Non-running goals are to try to simplify and be more organized with things at home.

11. One bad habit you want to break? I need to be a more positive thinker and stop worrying so much. Sometimes my biggest obstacles are inside of my head.

Here are 11 questions for you:

1. How many pairs of running shoes do you have and are they all the same brand?

2. Are you an early bird or a night owl?

3. What race/races do you have on your bucket list?

4. Running with an Ipod. Yes or no? Why?

5. What’s your favorite thing to cook?

6. Were you an athlete in high school or did you become one as an adult?

7. Why did you start your blog?(Ex: accountability, encourage others, etc)

8. Do you wear running skirts? If yes, which are your faves?

9. Have you ever had a running injury?

10. What’s your favorite distance to run?

11. Where’s your most relaxing place to be? (It can be a place in your home or somewhere you travel to.)

Now for the list of ladies I’ve tagged:

Pounds to Miles

Climb Run Lift Mom

Running Loving Living

Runn Princess Runn

The Fittest Fat Girl

MCM Mama

Just Keep Running

Blonde Loves to Run

Keeping My Pace

Run 4 It

I Swear My Legs are on Auto-Pilot

SPIband Review and Giveaway!

Carry your cash, keys, ID, and credit cards.

You probably already know my love affair with SPIBelt. (Click here to read my review.) So, when Dawn at SPIBelt suggested I try their new SPIBand, I was more than excited to be able to! She even sent the black with bright pink colored one, which was icing on the cake!

Like the SPIBelt, the SPIBand is much roomier than it appears to be. It can hold your cash, keys and your ID/credit card. I even stuffed a bag of Chomps down in there, just to see if it would fit. I found it to be comfy, roomier than it looks, didn’t bounce and didn’t feel weird. It’s definitely the answer to what to do with your keys when you’re going for just a short run or going to the gym. A perfect spot to stick the bare minimals. They are sized in small, medium or large. (Larger ones can fit on your ankle!) The colors come in black, black/pink, black/turquoise, and reflective.

Here’s what SPIBelt says about their new product:

SPIband creates a more compact way to keep track of the tiniest belongings without interrupting a productive workout. With SPIband’s compact, yet roomy design, users can keep the smallest personal items around their ankle or wrist. With the safe and secure fit, users can work out without the worry of keeping up with their smallest, yet valuable belongings such as car keys, house keys, gym membership cards, cash and even wedding bands. (MSRP $9.95)

Once again, SPIBelt has lived up to their reputation of making great products! I love mine and can’t wait for one of my lucky readers to have one too!

Click here to enter!

As required by the FTC: I received a product sample in order to write my review. I received no monetary compensation. All opinions expressed are mine and mine alone.

4 Comments

Filed under Giveaways, Reviews, Uncategorized

Tagged as running, spiband, spiband giveaway, spiband review, spiband running, SPIbelt

September 1, 2011 · 10:55 PM

Hitting the Wall…then pushing through it

Have you ever had so much going on in your life at one time that you almost felt paralyzed from it all? Yes?

Me too…

In these last several weeks, I’ve hit the Wall and it wasn’t just while I was running. I’ve had so much going on with family and other obligations that I was to the point of feeling completely incapacitated. A lot of this comes from having a really hard problem saying two words more often – “No” and “Help”.

Summertime busyness, birthdays to shop, clean and cook for, rearranging a bedroom (the day before a double bday party), normal household duties, a wedding to be in, planning a race, finding a time to run (and deal with the extreme heat), back to school shopping, and all of the rest of things that being Mama involves has had my head spinning! Not that women all over the world don’t have that much and more to do everyday but I can say with no doubt that my plate hasn’t been just full…it’s been overflowing. At one point, I was having nights that I couldn’t fall asleep, even though I was exhausted because my mind was racing. When I did fall asleep, I’d wake up sweating with my heart pounding as if I’d been running speed drills and eyes wide open. Thoughts of race medals, matron of honor dresses and shoes, where can I order that Caillou toy, race time clocks, Barney birthday decorations, making birthday cakes, school clothes, cleaning the house, typing up registration forms to put online and did I leave a candle lit in the living room were going through my head so fast that I wondered if I was truly going crazy. There was a day or two that all I wanted to do was drop my kids off at their grandparent’s, turn off my phone and computer, go in my bedroom and just hide. (I never did that but boy did it sound good at the time! )

Thankfully, I’m not and never was alone in all of this. I have God, my family and I have friends and that’s how I’ve gotten through these last few crazy weeks. A sermon at church about worry came at a perfect time for me and made me realize that I had let my anxiety not only get out of control but control me. I made a decision to stop so being stressed to the point of doing nothing because I didn’t know where to begin and start moving forward.

So, what did I do once I decided having a mini breakdown wasn’t an option? First, I prayed and apologized to God for trying to do everything myself. I also acknowledged that I need to have a little more faith and a little less freaking out going on in my life. Then I did something that I don’t always do….I asked for help and accepted help when it was offered. For example, I called my friend, who is great cake decorator, and asked if she could come over and help me decorate the 2 cakes I had looming over me to bake. As the time got closer and I still had tons to do, she insisted on just making them herself and bringing them to me on the day of the party to make things easier. Although it was very hard to accept this extremely huge gesture, I finally realized that she was right and gratefully accepted.

I started prioritizing and making lists (which isn’t a bad thing to do anyway) and deciding on what had to be done now, in a day or two,week or so, etc. Which explains the lack of a blog lately. Slowly but surely, things have been coming together, getting done and being marked off of my to-do list. I’m now finally feeling like things are getting slowly back to the normal busy around here instead of nightmare busy.

Crying helps. Well, at least it does for me sometimes. Not because it solves any problems but sometimes it really helps me get all of my emotions/frustrations out and focused again. There was a day or two that I scrunched up in blanket on the recliner and just cried. I can nearly guarantee that after one “good” cry, the next day I come back stronger and more focused than ever. It may be just a girl thing but sometimes it just has to be done (if you can’t get a long run in). I’ve also made sure that I didn’t stop finding a time to go run. Running is a huge stress reliever for me and I knew that it needed to be done even if I thought I was too tired to go. The great thing is that lately, because I’ve been having to go nearly all the time at night, I’ve picked up a new running buddy – Jason! 🙂 ( Our older kids keep the baby monitor with them and listen for Zach and Zoe for us.) Instead of running those boring loops at the track, we’ve been running all over Seminary. It’s been so nice to get to run and talk to each other -almost like a date!- and it’s also been neat to see the town from a different view. I took my son, Tyler last night with me and proudly gave him the tour of the town as we chatted the whole time. At first I felt like my circumstances were forcing me into running at a certain time but now, I wouldn’t trade it for anything. 🙂

Don’t get me wrong. All of these things that I’ve been doing and currently doing are all things I want to do because they involve, in one way or the other, people I care about. The trouble I have is when it all seems to happen at once or so close that it seems like it’s all at one time. I’m not the most organized person you’ve ever met either. The first step is to admit it, right? 🙂

My big focus on my list right now is the Race for Grace 5k, planning another birthday (but at least it will be at a laser tag place), and starting my half marathon training. I’m also hoping to do a product review soon, a race report from the Watermelon 5k (Yes, the one in July…) and I’m going to feature a runner/walker from our state and do a Q&A blog with them. It may be a slow going process but at least now you know what has been keeping me so busy lately. Don’t give up on me! I’m getting there, one step at a time. 🙂

Philippians 4:6-7
Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.(NLT)

5 Comments

Filed under Family, Running, Uncategorized

Tagged as birthdays, family, kids, Race for Grace 5k, races, running, stress, weddings

March 25, 2011 · 8:56 PM

Bloggin’ Ain’t Easy

For a long time, I’ve mulled over having my own place (other than a notebook) to jot my thoughts down as they came to me. Then, in the last month or so, I had made the decision to start a blog, if I ever had the time to sit down and form more than a sentence at a time. What I’ve found is that, not only do I hardly have time to write more than a couple of sentences at a time but the ones I do write down take forever to type because I have so much “help” while doing it. These few sentences alone have taken about 20 minutes to write because I’ve had to try and put Zoe down for a nap (it didn’t take, btw)…and now keep her entertained while the cat tries to see how many times he can walk across my keyboard and brush his tail in my face. As she toddles off again….(and now I’m back from retrieving her), I’ve realized that my thoughts come in such huge waves that I’ll probably never blog as much as I’d like to and by the time I do get to, most of what I thought of will be forgotten because I have so many other things going on in this head of mine. C’est la vie.

Another thing I’ve realized is that technology has really gotten away from me. Back when I only had a couple of kids (wow, when was that???), it seemed like my computer knowledge was so much more vast. Now, if it doesn’t involve clicking the “Home” or “Upload pictures” button on Facebook, then I’m nearly clueless. I’ve tried to fix my little blog page up so that it looks more personalized and it’s been everything but easy! In fact, it’s been so hard that I pretty much come away feeling like a big dummy. I have always considered myself a fast learner but apparently not when it comes to this. I’m currently looking at a different blogging site that might easier for me to figure out because this one is obviously way over my head.

On a side note, I’m certainly not complaining about having an abundance of children. I really don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have them filling up our home with their diverse personalities and of course their toys and clothes! I do love a little bit of quiet time but I think I’d go stir crazy if I didn’t have someone here who needed a snack, a diaper change, help finding a toy, a ride somewhere or just someone to listen to them talk about what’s on their mind. It’s usually a circus around here most of the time and my house definitely has that ~~tornado just hit~~ lived in look but it’s what makes this journey through life “ours” and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.