Christmas Lists - Chicken Nuggets

No worries. Elle was forced out the room while I typed up this post.

This is the first year that Elle has requested certain things for Christmas.

She wants an Easy Bake Oven and LaLaLoopsy. Done!

She is also getting a Leapster Explorer. It came with a bag and a Tangled game.She also asked for a new table and chairs. She had a set in her room until I removed it because she was standing on it to get to things at the top of her closet. Apparently, she thinks she needs a new one because hers is broken. Hmmm...

Keira asked for chicken nuggets. She may just get some. But, on my list for KK is a JumpSmart Trampoline, Moon Dough and Alphie. Who would not want Alphie? I remember Alphie and Easy Bake.

Diet is 80%

I have gained four pounds since Joe has deployed. Absolutely horrible. I'm determined not to make it five pounds. Today is the day. I realize that a week before Thanksgiving is probably not an ideal choice to re-evaluate my eating. But, let's be honest. I've obviously been celebrating Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's for four months now. A pound a month to be exact.

My diet is not terribly unhealthy, but I have these memories of when I looked much better. I am in the best shape of my life, but also the heaviest (aside from pregnancy related weight). It shouldn't be that way. I know it's not just about the number on the scale. I also know that I've always had a lot of muscle, but...still...that's not exactly a good excuse. I stepped on the "magic scale" and it confirmed that the four pounds is not muscle.

The real problem is that I KNOW I could do better. When you know that about yourself, you also know you have to try harder.

Mica & Kris from Keep Movin' Fit Camp always say diet is 80% of the pie. I have to say that I am a believer. Most people can't just exercise their way to being healthy. I definitely can't. I have most certainly tried though.

Now, I just need to make myself like vegetables. And, stop thinking of food as a reward or a time to relax. Maybe I need to take up a hobby that I can do with my hands while I watch TV.

Sleep Deprivation

I'm pretty sure that I require more than 6-8 hrs of sleep each night. Maybe 8-10 hrs would be ideal. I am so tired. Keira has been staying up until 11-12pm each night. She is exhausting me. She's staying in her room for the most part, but just won't close her eyes. I have tried just about everything. This has been going on for a couple of weeks now. I had high hopes the time change would help, but so far it hasn't.

Sleep...need sleep.

Scentsy for Blue Note Fund

I am hosting a Scentsy Fundraiser to benefit the Blue Note Fund. If you order your Scentsy through the link below, 25% of your purchase will go to the Blue Note Fund. The fund provides financial assistance to colon cancer patients. The donation will be made in honor of my mom, Kathleen, who has stage IV Colon Cancer.

Your order will be shipped directly to you. Only $5 shipping for an order up to $49.99. If you are local in Abilene and would rather order directly from me or Sami, let me know and I'll get your info.

Scentsy is flameless, wickless, and smokeless. It's scented wax that is heated in a warmer. They also have fragrance foams, travel tins, room sprays and scent paks. The scents last a really long time and are only $5. Perfect for Christmas gifts.

The party ends on November 10; so order now and help out a great cause.

Scentsy - Sami O'Brien

Blue Note Fund

Marathoning for Miracles

This past Saturday, Abilene, TX had its very own marathon. This was the 1st year for Marathoning for Miracles benefiting Children's Miracle Network and Hendrick Home for Children.

It was my 3rd half-marathon. Number three really felt like a big number to me. I didn't just do it once or twice, but 3 times. Yea! My first was in May and my time was 2:26. I was truly happy with that. And, I did have an injury. 3 weeks ago, my time was 2:21 at the Tyler Rose, which was rolling hills all the way. Then, came Abilene - advertised as fast and flat! Woohoo! My friends, Kerry & Brandie ran it, too.

2:15:14 Avg pace 10:22. I beat my last half time by 6 min. 50s medium wind (maybe 10-12mph)

I started out faster than what I would have wanted to at 10min miles. Some of these were into the wind. A lot of the course was on gravel road. I was not prepared for that at all. It truly did throw me off. I was worried about twisting an ankle. I'm still not sure why I didn't at least attempt to drive the course, but I really thought it would be all paved road. I held on to the 10min pace for the first 6 miles though. After that I moved to about 10:30 pace. It got worse from there.

I finally turned on my tunes at mile 11. My mom's favorite song from a long time ago was on; so that made me smile. At mile 12 we could see the finish line, but were forced to run in a big out and back mile first. That was brutal.

I am going to go ahead and admit this. Right at mile 11, I did the calculations and realized if I held on to an easy 11min pace, I would beat make a personal record by a lot. So, I didn't push it. I'm not sure why I do that to myself, but I do. When I say an easy 11min, I don't really mean it was easy. It wouldn't have been easy to even walk it in. But, I definitely need to play better mind games with myself.

At the finish, I did my thing. I waved and raised arms and sprinted right in. In Tyler, the Garmin said my finish sprint was 5:30 pace. For Abilene, it was 6:00. It's fun to do that and I am sure it looks ridiculous coming in like that at 2:15, but I just can't help myself. That last .05 or so deserves some awesome finish pictures and some hooting and hollering.

Oh..and after I got home, Elle wanted to run a race with me. So I had to do an obligatory run around the block with a 4 year old and her 2 year old little sister. Afterwards, Elle said she was so tired and needed a running drink! Love it! She's built like her dad; so we're hoping for a fast one.

Left is us with our cheering crew: Tammye, Kerry (1:57), Brandie (2:03), Lisa, Me, Sarah & Hartley