Goals: Running

Hi Everyone! Last post I wrote about my goals for the year. I want to focus more on some of the goals starting with running. I started running in the spring of 2015 using the couch to 5K app. I really liked the app and my goal was the 5k at the Disney Marathon Weekend. My cousins have been going to that for several years and supporting Muscular Dystrophy with Run for our Sons on Team Danny. Danny is the son of my college suite mate from William Paterson in NJ. I didn't complete that goal but I was able to run a 5k in December in Mentor, Ohio. (run, Santa, run). For that run I had 2 goals - to finish and not be the last one. I did accomplish both of those goals.

Run Santa Run 12-13-15 with my new running buddies!

 I have been sick and still have the cough so I haven't even run yet this year. It is also cold here in Northeast Ohio. My main running buddy, Mandy, also lives in Mentor and we have a plan for the winter and early spring. We joined Planet Fitness that opened recently at the mall in Mentor. Mandy has already started running on the treadmill there and I will join her next week. I will walk until I can run. We were also planning on upping our game to run a 10K in May. I don't know if I will make it. I downloaded a new app Zen labs fitness 10K. One of the other running buddies have this app too.  In the meantime, I have signed up to a a 5K Kiss Me I'm Irish on March 13. I also may have another 5K with my running buddies in the picture that weekend. We also have a list of other 5Ks this year that we would like to take part in.

I can't wait!


In order to keep myself motivated, I am following running related things on Facebook and Twitter. I also have pinned many things about running that I am reading. I am trying to plan a better before running stretching plan. I will keep you updated on my/our running plans. How do you stay motivated to exercise especially in the winter? What is your favorite type of workout?

New Year Changes

Hi Everyone! Sorry I have been away so long. I was away for Christmas. Then we went to the Disney Marathon weekend. I need to plan my blogging better. I will be posting on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Monday posts were not happening with my life. I will be starting a monthly newsletter at the end of each month in the spring. That's all the business I needed to cover.

In the beginning of a new year, there are always changes and resolutions. The changes for me always start with a new planner. I have 2 this year. I am behind in setting them up because I caught a cold with a bad cough, which I still have and too much traveling. This cold cost me my first goal of the year. Another change (that I am still adjusting to), Lily, my pug, died on December 30, 2015. This year my daughter is graduating from high school and going to college. She is going to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. This year will be very different for my family.


Like everyone else, I always forget my New Year's resolutions quickly. I stopped about 3 years ago making New Year' resolutions. I make goals each year instead. This was a suggestion from my husband. It is something I can work toward all year. I feel better about having goals than resolutions. They are more reachable.

My Goals for 2016

1. Run and finish the 5k at the Disney Marathon Weekend.

Santa Run 5K  Mentor OH 2015

2. Grow my blog
3. Finish writing my book that I started
4. Reach my weight loss goal
5. Continue running and entering more races
6. Reorganize and redecorate my guest room/office
7. Clean out all closets and donate old clothes
8. Go to Bloggycon at Cedar Point (in the fall)
9. More camping
10. Throw a graduation party for my daughter





Goal should be measurable. I didn't include the measurement parts for my goals here. I still need to develop them further. I will update them when I decide what they are. I was not able to complete my first goal. I caught a cold during Christmas and due to the cold and horrible cough, I was unable to run. I was very upset about it most of the time at Disney especially since all the runners were wearing their completion medals. My husband said something that made me feel better about it. He said "You have unfinished business." So we will see what happens with that goal in the future.

Do you make goals or resolution? What is your #1 goal or resolution? I can't wait to hear what they are!

Running for less stress

Several years ago I went to a weekend long retreat called Walk to Emmaus. I didn't want to go because I was sick (bronchitis) and on a bunch of meds. Also I didn't want to leave my husband for the weekend because I worry about him because of the MS. I was worried something would happen to him and I wouldn't be there with him and our daughter. She was still in elementary school at the time. I was upset and not feeling well but I went anyway. I had a note in my room, probably from my roommate that said "I run to keep the stress down." So I thought about that for a while.

source on the bottom of pic

Last winter, I had been on Weight Watchers for about 5 months and decided that I wanted to run a 5k. I had one in mind. I wanted to go to the January 2016 Disney Marathon with my cousins who have been going to this for years in support of our friend Jen. She was my suite mate in college and worked with my cousin in a hospital.  They have supported Run for Our Sons on Team Danny. My cousins run a half marathon but I was looking at a the 5k. I shared this goal with my husband and then my cousins at Christmas last year.

The weather in Northeast Ohio wasn't cooperative until later in March. So I read articles about running, pinned running stuff on pintrest, and bought running shoes. Then I bought the couch to 5k book and app for my iPhone. I was running and using the app. I was doing well until my left knee started hurting. My doctor called it runner's knee and said I needed different running shoes. Then I found a great store called Second Sole and bought expensive sneakers. Great store and they were very helpful. I continued running until July. Then I had to go and find myself a part time job in a grocery store. I couldn't run after standing for my shift except for my 15 minute break. 

I was able to start running again in October but it wasn't going well and end up walking more than running. I skipped lots of days. I was worrying about the Disney 5k. I had also signed with my friends to do a Santa Run in my town. I figured this would help me get ready for the Disney one.

The Santa Run is Sunday. I have been running regularly and walking some of the days I don't run for the last 2 weeks. I'll let you know how it goes next week.

My house in the winter

As far a the stress, running does seem to help a lot. It has helped me lose weight. I enjoy being outside when I am running. I have learned to stretch and I like that as well.  I'm not sure what I am going to do when the snow comes and doesn't leave for months. Where should I run in the snow? What type of exercise do you like? Does it relieve stress? Is it fun? Keep searching for Inklings of Joy!

Thanksgiving to Preparing for Christmas

I missed writing my posts last week. I was too busy preparing for Thanksgiving and having my in-laws here. I was busy cleaning and shopping for the meal. I let everything except the turkey wait to the last minute instead of taking my own advice from my last post. I guess this means I need to work on my time management. 

Now that Thanksgiving is over and Black Friday has past, I want to share what I am thankful for this year. What were you most thankful for over this past year?

1. My Family, including people in New Jersey and Illinois, has been wonderful this year helping me deal with my stress and anxiety. My husband and our daughter so helpful and wonderful. I wouldn't have made it through the year without them.
2. I am thankful for my dog and cats who snuggle and love me. I am so happy that Lily has made it beyond her 17th birthday and that she has been a part of our family for over 10 years.
3. My home is another thing I am thankful to have. I am thankful for the town we live in and the great schools my daughter has been able to attend.
4. I am thankful for Weight Watchers and what a difference it is making in my life. I still have  more to go but am happy for what I have accomplished. I am so glad that I discovered running. I am still working on my couch to 5K training as I had to start over due not being able to run in the summer and lack of motivation in the early fall.
5. Last but not least, I am thankful my friends both in Ohio and New Jersey. I am also so thankful for my readers but most of you fit into the friends or family category!

Did anyone go shopping on Black Friday? I did go to Pat Catans (local craft store) in the late morning. I did do some on line shopping over the weekend. I was very thankful that the sales were still on Sunday because my Keurig  broke. I was able to buy the Keurig 2.0 450 at Kohl's. It was on sale and I had a 20% off coupon. What a great deal! There would be no way I could be without coffee as I get up on weekday mornings at 5:45 to get my daughter off to high school. 

Daughter in the car

Now is the time to make your list and check it twice. Also to start planning for family holiday meals, if you are hosting the meal or bringing things with you. I plan to start baking soon and finish my shopping. We are traveling for Christmas to my parents house in New Jersey. My brother and his wife are hosting Christmas day at their home. What are you doing for the Christmas holiday or the holiday you celebrate?

Things to Reduce Stress

As we are getting closer to the holidays, I think of stress. Stress effects everyone but I think life is more stressful than when we were younger. The world has change a lot since I was in high school - more dangerous, more electronics, more demands on students, ect. There are more things to worry about.

I have anxiety and panic attacks caused by too much stress from work and home. I am also very hard on myself which doesn't make life any easier. My stress is somewhat less without teaching but I still have other stresses. I am always looking for things to reduce my stress. Some of the things I have found a simple and others a little more complicated. 

Flanagan

1. My favorite way to reduce stress is to snuggle with my dog or cats. Therapy dogs are brought into hospitals to help sick patients feel happier and distracted from their illness for a while. Many patients look forward to visits from the dogs. Cats have started to be used for therapy as well. I have read research on cat's purring reducing people's blood pressure.

2. Another stress reduction is meditation. I haven't done much of it yet but I have a few meditation apps and free e-books about meditation. Meditation will be on my goal list for next year. I will write more about it as I practice it and learn more.

3. One I tried and want to do more of is yoga. I took a class in restorative yoga and it was very restful. I found a yoga studio called Blue Sky in my town. They have a bunch of classes. It can't wait to go back. It will also be on my goal list for next year. 

4. Exercise is an another way to reduce stress. The exercise I do is either running or walking. I am using couch to 5k to train for the Disney Marathon in January. I also decided to do one in December with some friends in the town I live in. I will tell you that I am not prepared. I was a doing well in the spring but then I had a part time job in a grocery store. I couldn't run because standing the whole time I was at work hurt my body too much. Also needs to go on my goal list for next year.

5. Spending time outside is also a good way to reduce stress. I walk or run outside (not sure what I am going to do when the snow piles up in Northeast Ohio. In nice weather, I like to sit on my patio and work on my planner, write or read. I wrote a lot of a novel one summer sitting on the beach at the lake. I also go camping and have a fire pit for my patio.

Fire while camping

6. Listen to music can also reduce stress. I like to listen to music when I read, write, shower, and run or walk. I also really enjoy watching my daughter in the marching band and her 2 concert bands. 

7. Pampering yourself can also be stress reducing. Thing like getting a massage, mani/pedi or hair cut. For me, baking is stress reducing. My favorite thing to bake is cookies and I also like to eat them.

I will be continuing to find new stress reducers and try them. I will also be working on the ones above. What do you do to reduce stress? Do you have a favorite?

A Thanksgiving with Less Stress

Its the middle of November and I am planning for Thanksgiving. Planning for holidays can be very very stressful. Busy moms (in fact anyone) can use all the help they can get. I am having Thanksgiving at my home for my family (3) and my in-laws (2). I am not having that many people but I still need to plan ahead. Here is a list of ways to make Thanksgiving less stressful.

1. Go to somewhere other than your home for dinner. You can go to a relative's or friend's home for dinner. If you are a guest, bring something easy such as a box of candy or a bottle of wine. Some restaurants are open and have a Thanksgiving menu planned. Just remember to make reservations.

2. If you are hosting dinner, make the turkey and have each guest bring another dish. Keep track of who is bringing what so that you will not have to many desserts and no veggies or potatoes! You could tell each guest what type of dish to bring or just say can you bring mashed potatoes or sweet potato casserole. Another thing to do is call your mom or aunt and ask them to make whatever is the favorite that they make for holidays.

3. When Thanksgiving is at your home, plan ahead. plan your menu early in the month of November and find out how many people are coming. Then you can start buying what you need for dinner a little at a time. I have already started myself. I bought my turkey at Target on Saturday. The Butterball turkeys are 99 cents a pound. I also bought turkey stuffing box mix which I dress up for Thanksgiving. I can share the recipe in a later post.

4. If you are only having a few people for dinner, you can make a roast chicken instead of a roast turkey. Some people also make fried turkey in a indoor or outdoor turkey fryer but be careful not to start a fire. My husband also suggested making cornish hens for each guest. I have found on pintrest how to make a turkey in a slow cooker as well as the sides.

5. The easiest plan of all is to get a turkey frozen dinner or fast food!

Happy Planning! What are your plans for Thanksgiving?

Things I Love to do - Camping

Camping isn't something I have always liked. The first time I went camping was with the girl scouts. We slept in platform tents which were extremely uncomfortable. It was like sleeping on the boardwalk at the Jersey Shore. I didn't make it through the first night. My leaders called my dad and he came to pick me up. I guess I didn't make a good girl scout.
That was the only time I camped until I was an adult, married and with a child. 

The first time I went camping it was at Dillion State Park in Zanesville, Ohio. My husband's parents were visiting us at my husband's first church appointment in Trinway, Ohio. They were camping there in their pop up camper. We decided to spend one night camping on their sight. We brought a tent and an air mattress. Our daughter who was about 3 decided to stay in the pop up with Grammie. It was actually fun. We didn't camp again for a long time. I was busy with going to school to get my master's degree, being a mom and a pastor's wife. 

We started camping again when we moved to Northeast Ohio. We still had the tent and air mattress and a daughter in high school. The first time we went camping we stayed at Geneva-on-the-Lake State Park in Ohio. It was very damp and rained all night. We had fun and meet nice people camping next to us. They gave our daughter some of the walleye that they had caught in Lake Erie and were cooking in packets on the fire. We also camped at East Harbor State Park which is near Sandusky (Cedar Point area). We camped there several times and it rained. We even camped there with friends. It rained then also. We seemed to have rain every time we camped. 


In a few years, it was getting hard to sleep on the ground even with the air mattress especially for my husband who has MS. (I'll talk about that another time.) So we looked into  buying a pop up camper. We looked for a few features that would make setting it up and taking it down easier on us. Our camper has an automatic up or down button (not the real name) so we don't have to crank the camper up and down. We also go an adaptor or a drill that helps to put down the supports under the camper. There are still some things to set up manually but this helps a lot. 

Our camper

My favorite things about camping:
1. I love sitting outside to read, talk and eat meals (When it's not raining).
2. I love the campfire and cooking on it. We make smores and sandwich pockets. I want to try cooking packets on the fire too.
3. I like having my own bed to sleep in (still working on make it comfortable).
4. I can bring my dog (when it's not too hot for a pug).
5. I love looking at the stars and the moon at night.

We didn't get to camp this summer due to all the rain we had in June and July. Then our daughter had marching band which is everyday during the week in the summer. We want to camp in September and October but our daughter had football games and competitions for band. Saturday mornings, she also is in an area wide concert band and has practice. 
She also is not fond of camping because of the bugs and they like her. Now that she is a senior, there will be no band and we can camp when ever we want in the fall. I can't wait for more camping! Does anyone else like to camp? Share some camping stories or favorite things about camping.

Memorial Day Parade