I'm a runner....

and I can't run tomorrow. Words can not describe how sad this makes me. We have to drop my car off at the shop, then we have Vacation Bible School at church, and I have class tomorrow night. There is NO way I can run 4 miles in 100 degree heat when I can barely do it in 85 degree heat. I may have to jump on the dreaded treadmill. YUCK. Have I mentioned that I loathe the treadmill with every fiber of my being. I like to visualize my progress.

Summer is here.....

I have simultaneously dreaded and eagerly awaited the start of summer vacation with my children. I love them dearly. However, it can be difficult to entertain three children aged 15, 8, and 3. How do you entertain all 3?

Vacation Bible School starts at our church this week. The oldest is helping and the younger two will be entertained by attending their perspective classes. After noon....I have no idea. The baby naps and I'm assuming the older two will be entertained by video.

I might add that this is all complicated by the fact that I am taking a class on grant writing this summer--for two reasons--GPA booster and I think it will be helpful whether I choose an academic career or a more traditional job. I am also taking research hours for my thesis. A friend of mind nicknamed her thesis a beastis and I am contemplating stealing it. I just started but I am starting to feel that it will be the bane of my existence for the next 6-9 months. I should have chosen to get my Masters in a more "practical" field that I would consider EASY. Oh no, I had to choose a purely academic field. Ugh. Oh well, you live, you learn. It is what it is and I do love it. I would be bored with a practical program.

Anyways, entertaining children........I am hoping for picnics, days at the pool or the park, $1 movies on rainy days, trips to Jefferson City to hang with my BFF and her boys, Sunday evenings at Shelter Gardens listening to local music, bike rides around town (and maybe to Rocheport), movie nights at home with popcorn in bed....I'm forgetting tons but I am hoping and praying we survive this summer.

Not Too Shabby

Sunday is coming to a close. The weekend was fairly uneventful. Nothing exciting. I had expected this weekend to be full of the weekend pressures typical of one so close to the end of the semester. It was probably irresponsible of me, but I was a slacker. I didn't read and I didn't grade. This means the coming weekends will weigh me down like a ton of bricks. Time to buckle-down, focus, and pomodoro the heck out of the next 3 weeks.

Amazing Weekend

This past weekend was AH-mazing!!!! This was the second amazing weekend in a row. I'm afraid a really bad weekend is in my future. I shouldn't think negatively but its hard not to.

I made a killer dinner on Saturday. We grilled steaks and I made stuffed mushrooms. I also made onion straws to top our steaks. I had some extra mushroom stuffing that I also used to top the steaks. I thought my taste buds were going to explode. It really was delightful. Cream cheese makes everything better. ;)

The stuffed mushrooms are super simple. The stuffing is onion, mushroom stems, 1-8oz cream cheese block (I use light), minced or fresh garlic, then about 1 handful of Italian shredded cheese, and salt/pepper to taste. Chop the onions and mushrooms stems combine everything and then stuff the mushrooms. I also take a little of the shredded cheese and top the mushrooms. Cook at about 400* until melty and gooey. I then stuck them under the broiler for a couple minutes to brown the cheese.

I worked on school all day Sunday with just a few breaks in between.

Me a runner?

Not sure how it happened but I think I am on the path to becoming a runner. I ran a little over 4.5 miles on Friday, a little less than 4.5 miles yesterday, and I'm developing a plan/goal for the month.

I am beginning to HATE/LOATHE/DETEST the treadmill. I like running on the road (or the sidewalks next to the road). I like to run where I drive. It is so much more amazing to me. To know that MY body has carried me (all glory goes to God) a distance that I drive is amazing (I can't believe that His creation can do it).

I was going to run a 10K in May but the course is just two loops of a a 5K course. Not quite what I wanted to do. I was hoping for a nice long course. I think I am going to just do the 5K and go for a personal best, under 35 minutes will be my goal.

By my calculations, I will need to begin my Half Marathon training around June 12. I will continue building up my mileage and train for the 5K. Then take it easy for a few weeks and hit the half marathon training hard this summer. I can't wait.