A little break...

Well, I thought I would have a little fun before I got to what I need to get done for the day. Alrighty, well back to the grind of things...Over and out!

Lo!

Kinesio what!?

So the picture is of Kinesio Taping. It's a specific way of taping, as well as a specific type of tape. If you'd like to read more about it, check it out here! I had this (not exactly like in this picture) done today around my achilles tendon. I also had a few adjustments done too! This was my first time EVER to a chiropractor, but it went well. I actually had fun being there. I have another appointment this Friday to see if there is any progress, and if the pain in my ankle decreases at all.

Also...I had an interview today at Hallmark! Seriously, it's like the mother ship is calling me home! Anyway, I think it went really well, and expect to hear back from them by the end of the week. I think I got the job, but keep praying! Alrighty, well time to go work on my art! Yippie! Over and out!

Lo!

Quick time out...

So from my previous post about my new design, I've actually made quite a bit of progress already! Right now I have about, one third to a half of it finished! I made a few changes already from my sketch, to the canvas, but I really LOVE how it's coming together. I still need to figure out a few things yet, but that will come with working on it. I have an interesting thought on how to achieve a certain look, but I have to investigate that a little further before I just throw that on the canvas. For whatever reason I'm starting out with red, again, but am loving the way the contrast is turning out with this one. My previous design had contrast too, but this one I feel has a more focused area of contrast. There is also much more detail in it. Like the previous series the central item is on a table with a window in the background. I'm hoping to finish this first one (1 of 6) by the end of the week, but I'm thinking that I'll actually be able to get started on a second one before the week is over. Once I finish it I'll be sure to take a picture and post it up here. If you want to check out some of my other art pieces go here! Over and out!

Lo

New Inspiration...

"So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel. But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him."

-Jeremiah 18:3-4

You might be wondering what I am talking about for what I'll be using this inspiration for. Well, I have been working on a series of pieces of art work for the past couple years that the main focus is a disheveled old fashion fan. This time, it will be of a vase. I'm still working out exactly what I want it too look like, but the sketch that I have so far I really like. I went to the store today and picked up canvas, paints, paint brushes, etc. so I can get at it right away. (I left most of my art supplies back home thinking that I wouldn't have time to work on things!) I really feel like God is prompting me to work on this. Why you ask? Well, I'm not sure yet, but I think I'll have a better idea when I get my ideas on the canvas. I haven't stopped seeing this image in my head now for the past week and a half. Hopefully I'll be able to get a piece of the series done and take a picture of it soon to post up here so you can see the image as well. Over and out!

Lo!

Book Worm!

Well being that I still am not able to train, I went to Borders for a few hours and read. Normally I would be training my body, but this time I was training my head! I brought my one new book, For Women Only: What You Need to Know about the Inner Lives of Men, and read another chapter of that, but then decided to pick up a different book and read some from it. So I went and picked up, For Men Only: A Straightforward Guide to the Inner Lives of Women. Oh man, it's really a good book (as is the other book too!)! I ended up reading FOUR chapters from this book, and will probably go back tomorrow and read the rest! It is amazing what men think when we, women, act or say one thing. I seriously think that every man should read this book if you want to understand women better. I'm not saying that you'll be able to really understand us, because lets face it, that won't happen!

Anyway, it was really great to just sit there and enjoy the books, and the random people in the store. It was amazing thinking that I would normally spend time like this watching television. Not this time though. It's only been a couple days of being "unplugged" but it really has been a great thing so far. I have been writing more as well which is always a plus, especially for the people who receive the cards! Yay for snail mail! Over and out!

Lo!

Unplugged!

Well for the next month and a week or so, I won't be watching television. Yep, that's right, I'm giving it up for lent! Now I know already that I watch way too much television and that I need to really cut back on that. My real focus though isn't that I won't be watching TV, but that I will be reading more, a lot more than I have been. (I literally am unplugging my television so that I can't even turn it on!)

Today I went and bought Shaunti Feldhahn's book, For Women Only. I'm already on to chapter three! I have a chapter left of another book that I've been reading (not a lot of lately), and should finish that up very soon. After these two books are finished I think I might go through some of the books that I've previously read and re-read them and get even more out of them. We'll see though because I think I might end up picking up For Men Only too and reading that one as well. Yes, I know it says for men only, but I feel like it would be a good book to read to better understand myself!

So unless I am at the gym, I won't be watching any television! The only reason I'll watch it while I'm at the gym is that they have little TVs on each cardio machine, which really helps me pass the time when I'm running for two hours! Although, that's another thing, being that I'm injured right now, I have even more time on my hands than normal, so even more time that would normally be spent watching TV, I'm now reading! Craziness I tell you! Over and out!

Lo!

Down and out....

Well, I'm down and out for a while, which as you can guess I'm not happy about at all. One of my instructors looked at my ankle and told me that I have both, achilles tendinitis and bursitis in the same area! This means that both the bursa and the tendon are fighting for the little space that is in the back of my ankle, thus causing me extreme pain. So for the next couple days I will not be able to run. Today I took of completely from training and am icing my leg (20 minutes on, 20 minutes off, etc.). We'll see if I can do anything tomorrow as far as training goes, but I can't push too hard because there is the potential of seriously injuring my achilles tendon. That would then mean that I could just about kiss my up coming race goodbye. So I've been icing all day, literally! I even took an ice pack to school with me so I could ice while I was there too! I bought a bunch of pineapple too, which is a natural anti-inflammatory! Hopefully this will go down soon so I can get back to training!

On a different note, I read an article in class today from MassageMag.com because I wasn't able to receive a massage (or give for that matter!). The article really hit a chord with me. It was about massage therapists who go to disaster areas and help the first responders. Massage Emergency Response Teams (MERTs) have responded to all of the major disasters in the last decade including the September 11th terrorist attacks. The first disaster that they responded to was the Oklahoma City bombings in 1995, and was then nationally recognized, and since then has 32 teams. When I was reading this article, all I could think of was, "I need to get more information on how I can do that!" Being that I was with the fire department for almost a year, I already understand how that whole system works. Plus my main reason for joining the fire department was to help people, same reason I want to be a massage therapist. So if I was able to almost combine the two, that would be awesome! Obviously I have to finish school first, but I figure that I can at least get more information on it all. Over and out!

Lo!

OUCH!

Yes, that's right I'm in PAIN! A lot of pain actually! for anyone who doesn't know me all that well, let me tell you, that doesn't happen often at all! It really takes quite a bit for me to be in pain, especially a lot of pain! My achilles tendon (picture to the left) is throbbing! Standing, walking, especially running, but even sitting is painful! This is not good news to keeping my training on track, but I need to pay close attention to this now, or I could really be in terrible pain if I throw this aside. So I have been icing, stretching, and massaging it out as best as I can. So far, no real results but its only been a day.

Anyway...on a different note which makes me really happy...I went back to Gary Gribbles today! This time I didn't purchase anything...I went there to see about a job! So hopefully I'll hear back from them by the end of the week. The awesome thing is that all of their employees are runners! The owner has run 105 marathons! Wow! So I think I would fit in pretty well...because anyone who knows a runner knows that runners are a little odd! It's something in our blood, we are just wired that way I think! Anyway, so say some prayers for me! Over and out!

Lo!

Great Monday!

Today was a really random day. Woke up to a text message from a friend that was the perfect message to get up to! I literally sprung out of bed! Then I ended up going out to lunch with a few classmates after class, so my running was pushed back a couple hours. I didn't eat anything though, one because I didn't want to risk getting sick when I went to go run, but also, I'm not a big fan of eating out (at least the cheap way!) much at all! Anyway, that was a lot of fun, laughing most of the time, and just hanging out some. Running today went well which was good, because I was still really sore from my long run on Saturday. The rest of the day went really well, and I really was able to just relax for a little bit which was nice. Especially because last night I couldn't fall asleep for the life of me! I was in bed for THREE hours last night just wishing I was asleep, but no luck. So, I prayed the whole time! Lots and lots of prayers! Over and out!

Lo!

What a day!

Today was GREAT! I got up around 8am and started the day right away. I got up in time to start getting things done and had time to make it to church on time too! On my way back I stopped in at Gary Gribbles, a running store! Yeah, I was ecstatic! Check it out here! I bought a few different energy gels/bars/etc. to try them out while I'm training so I know if which ones, if any, that I'll want for the big race. I bought, Cliff Shot Bloks, Shot Gel, MOJO bars, and Jelly Belly Sport Beans!

So we'll see which one gets the best marks! After I left the store I was so pumped! My legs are feeling so much better today which is GREAT! They're still a little sore, but nothing like they were yesterday evening! I am really looking forward to my 2nd week of my training, and feel great about the past week of the training. I'll post every week or so how things are going with my training, or you can check it out in more detail here! Over and out!

Lo!

Drum roll please!!!

Fitted Sheet folding demo

Well many people have asked me before to post pictures and instructions on how to fold a fitted sheet into a square. The wait is finally over! (Just click on the picture above and it will take you to the pictures, and instructions!) So hopefully these pictures and instructions help you out! Over and out!

Lo!

Can't get up!

Yes, that could be me just about now! I ran 10 miles today and my legs are exhausted! Sitting is great until I want to get up for any reason. I literally have to brace myself, my legs are so unstable! It's not all from running today though, I did a lot of weight training yesterday both with my legs and arms, so I had it coming! Tomorrow I get to rest though! I've been stretching my legs out to try and help them recover, so hopefully they'll feel better within the next day or so. I feel like an old person trying to walk around and get up from sitting down, etc. It's pitiful! Oh well, it will get better the more I train! I'm just glad that I finished the 10 miles like I was scheduled to on my training sheet. It's a HUGE barrier that I knocked down, which was awesome! Over and out!

Lo!

Prayers for a friend...

This post is for a friend of mine. A very dear friend of mine. My friend feels so weak right now, but is really so strong. This strength is something that we all have, but sometimes we can't seem to really feel it. This is one of those times. I am trying to help her, and be strong, but I know that God will be her real strength through all of this. She has been my strength many times before, and this time it's my turn to be there for her. I'm praying for you, and I love you so much!

Praise You in this Storm

Casting Crowns

I was sure by now, that You would have reached down
and wiped our tears away,
stepped in and saved the day.
But once again, I say amen
and it's still raining
as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain,
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away.

Chorus:
And I'll praise you in this storm
and I will lift my hands
for You are who You are
no matter where I am
and every tear I've cried
You hold in your hand
You never left my side
and though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry to You
and raised me up again
my strength is almost gone how can I carry on
if I can't find You
and as the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
"I'm with you"
and as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise
the God who gives and takes away

Chorus

I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth
I lift my eyes unto the hills
where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth

No One Else Knows
Building 429

My world is closing in
On the inside
But I’m not showing it
When all I am is crying out
I hold it in and fake a smile
Still I’m broken
I’m broken
Only one can understand
And only one can hold the hand
Of the broken
Of the broken

When no one else knows how I feel
Your love for me is proven real
When no one else cares where I’ve been
You run to me with outstretched hands
And You hold me in your arms
Again

I need no explanation of why me
I just need confirmation
Only You could understand the
emptiness inside my head
I am falling
I am falling
I’m falling down upon my knees
To find the one who gives me peace
I am flying
Lord I am flying

When no one else knows how I feel
Your love for me is proven real
When no one else cares where I’ve been
You run to me with outstretched hands
And You hold me in Your arms
Again

I have come to you in search of faith
Cause I can’t see beyond this place
Oh You are God and I am man
So I’ll leave it in Your hands

I love you. I'm here for you, wherever, whenever, whatever.

Over and out.

Lo!

Tears...

That's how I feel right now. Head in my hands. Not really sure what to do. This is going to be really vague, but it has to do with some financial issues for the next several months. I feel that there are actually a few ways out, but then I would be just that, out. That's not really what I want, but right now it's so hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel. I know that there is an end to this tunnel, but it seems like it wont come fast enough. I know that God will provide a way for me, but right now I'm in freak out mood, and can't comprehend that. Today when I was running I was trying to run away the pain, run away this uneasy feeling that I have. Running has always been a way for me to clear my head, and today it did help, but I felt like the time flew by when I was running. Like I didn't have enough time to process through my thoughts. I got home and tried to relax and listen to soothing music and really let God take control of this. As I was talking to a friend very briefly on line I was struck with panic, and started to cry because I felt like my dream will be just that a dream. That it wont be something that I can actually accomplish. So then I had to step back and try to relax and let God work in my heart. I'm so stressed out about this, and I don't feel like I should be. At least not this stressed out. I've been going through my head with different options, some good, some not so good, and I can't help but wonder what to do. Maybe I'm not supposed to do anything right now. Maybe I'm just supposed to still and know that God is God, and He'll take care of me. I'm so scared right now. Please say some prayers for me. Over and out.

Lo

hApPy TiMeS!

Why you ask? Well I'm sitting here listening to my new Jon McLaughlin CD (Songs I Wrote and Later Recorded) that just came in the mail. (I couldn't buy it last week when I was at the concert because they didn't take credit cards...poo!) Anyway, so that came in the mail today, so I'm listening to it, and I'm sipping on some wonderful hot chocolate, and I just got some snail mail from my parents! It's the funniest little card. It's a foam postcard and there is a bee on it, and is says, "Bee Mine!" My parents are so wonderful! Oh and I believe I came up with a new design for my next series of drawings! Right now I'm still in the scetching stages, but I think I might have something good! We'll see sometime this summer when I have a couple days to really put some color and life behind it. Over and out!

Lo!

Snow day!?

As I went to bed last night the rain slowly changed to snow, and was supposed to continue snowing for about eight hours. The weather forecasters were predicting around 2-4 inches of snow close to me, which looked pretty promising. I didn't think that it would be too bad out, so I set my alarm clock to get up for school. I figured that when my alarm went off that I would check the news cast and see if my school was closed...and it was! Seriously, I don't understand it here! We only got about 3 inches of snow and all the major school systems were closed! Oh well, I didn't mind, and got in a couple hours of extra sleep, which was great. I'm feeling so much better today too which is wonderful! I went and started my half marathon training today and felt really great running! Tomorrow is going to be much more of a test with a tempo run, but I think I'll do fine. Over and out!

Lo!

Under the weather...

This weekend, as well as today, was spent chillin' on my couch. Unfortunately it was only because I've been sick for the past few days. Last night I woke up in the middle of the night because I was coughing so hard that I thought one of my lungs was going to come up! So I thought it best that I would stay home rather than go to class today. I slept most of the day which was much needed considering I haven't slept much because of the coughing. I wanted to still go and work out today, which would have been an easy 5 mile run today, but opted to stay home and rest some more. That means that tomorrow will be my 1st official day of training for my half marathon! I'm really excited for it, and can't believe that it is now less than 16 weeks away! I added a countdown at the bottom of my blog so you can see how many days until the half marathon! Well I need to go and get more Kleenex.

Over and out!

Lo!

"A" & eh...

Today I had my written midterm in my Deep Tissue/Sports massage class. I won't get my final grade from the test until next week, but after looking over the test when it was handed back to us, I didn't miss a single question, and I got all the extra credit points possible! We had to label different parts of the heart, and arteries, which I love, so I had no problem! We didn't have a practical mid term, but will have a practical final, but I don't feel like that is anything to worry about either.

Also...today I woke up and I thought that I wouldn't be able to swallow anything my throat hurt so bad! So I'm trying to fight this cold that I seem to have picked up in the past couple days, eh! I have been gargling salt water, and eating chicken soup, and drinking as much water and orange juice that I can handle. It's really not too bad though, its just annoying that my throat hurts. I think I'm going to have to run out and get some Alka Seltzer Cold & Flu! Well, off to gargle some more salt water! Over and out!

Lo!

I can't see!

Well I had a crazy start to my day today! I woke up and got dressed like I do everyday, then I put my contacts in. Or so I thought! I put my right one in no problem, but then when I went to put my left one in, something just wasn't right. I couldn't get it in, and then when I thought it was in, I still couldn't see. So then I'm trying to find it, but then I'm realizing that I'm not seeing well in my right eye, so I'm trying to take that one out. Well, I can't find this one! I go ahead and open up new contacts thinking that I've lost both of them, and put in my left one first. Well when it goes in, I still can't see right, so I take it out, and look into the mirror, and see that I still have a contact in! So I take that one out...but then get this! There were not only two, but THREE contacts in my left eye! So somehow when I was searching for my contact in my right eye, I moved it in to my left eye. I still have no idea how that happened, but all is good now!

Oh, and for those of you who want to know, the concert last night was awesome! There was a new band there too called, Alternate Routes, check 'em out, they're totally worth it! Over and out!

Lo!

Concert time!

So tonight Melissa and I are going to see Matt Wertz, and Jon McLaughlin in concert! I'm so excited because I haven't seen Wertz, or McLaughlin in such a long time! They both have some new stuff out, and I can't wait to hear it live! Waahoo!

In other news, there was a HUGE fire in KC today, and has been burning now for about 4 hours! Read Melissa's blog here for a little more detail on the whole thing here!

Over and out!

Lo!

Happy Birthday....

hApPy BiRtHdAy LiNdSaY!!!

Here are a few pictures of the two of us that make me smile! Love you Lindsay!









































































Over and out!

Lo!

Lots of updates....

It's been a while since I've posted anything on here...so here are some updates...

My Birthday/Superbowl 2007

Thursday was my birthday and my parents bought me plane tickets to fly home for a few days! So most of the day I was traveling, but things went well. Once I got home I went to church and surprised a couple friends! It was so awesome, they literally were so surprised to see me that they couldn't even scream...it looked like sound could be coming out, but nothing! It was so funny! Then it was to one of my favorite restaurants for my birthday dinner (pictures above!)!

Friday was awesome because I was able to catch up with a bunch of people and just relax in the frozen tundra! While I was home I think the average high was 3 degrees, and that was without the windchill!

Saturday was spent looking for a Colts hat. Yes, there were a ton of Colts hats but I was trying to find one without velcro for the back, or a fitted hat, so that made for a bit more of a challenge! I finally found one that I liked and then was off to dinner with my sister and hang out for a little bit. Church was good, and I was able to catch up with a few other people as well, which is wonderful!

Sunday I had breakfast with a few of my friends, and I seriously still can't believe how much we made, and ate for that matter! Oh it was so good though! Homemade pancakes, bacon, sausage, hash browns, eggs, fruit salad, and of course coffee (okay, or hot chocolate)! Next it was time to get ready for the big game! A bunch of people came over to watch the game (and commercials of course) and have a great time! I was glued to the television, and was doing push ups for points! (Push ups for points...every point on the board for your team you do a push up! ex. a touch down 7 pts, 7 push ups, then a field goal 3 pts + the original 7 pts, 10 push ups!) So I ended up doing 101 push ups! Yeah, I was tired be the time the gave was over! I also decided that because the half time show was so terrible that I would entertain my friends! So I put my swim suit on and went out in the frozen tundra and made a snow angel! (Pictures above!) So for anyone who hasn't heard, the Colts won the Superbowl 29 to 17!

Monday I ran around trying to see a few more people before having to pack up and head back. My flights went pretty well, with only a short delay, which was amazing because it seemed like every flight was delayed. I ended up getting in pretty late, but all safe and sound!

Anyway, THANK YOU all so much for all of the birthday wishes! For those of you who I was able to hang out with, thank you so much for making my time home so great! I love you all so much! Over and out!

Lo!