Running to a new tune

Last week I wrote about my failures.  I have been really itching to get running again in fear that I'd lose my endurance and have to start from scratch.  My husband just returned home this past weekend and it took a few days to find our groove.  Last night, I got finally got on the treadmill.  As I ran, I thought about my old goal... To run a 5K in under 30 minutes.  {I was about 2 minutes away during my last race so feel it really is a possibility!}  So I thought I'd run for 30 minutes instead of running for distance as I did before.  I walked for 2-3min to warm up and ran for the rest... Straight without stopping... And the miracle of miracle, no stitches, and no need to walk!  Mind you, I was in a good mood and ran to music.  Good tunes really helps me.  I was at the 23 minute mark where I normally stop and a song came on Pandora I hadn't heard before.  The lyrics were great and had me running with renewed energy.  I found it on youtube to share here and the video is goofy but the lyrics are super!  Here they are with my comments in brackets.

And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

And ooh, I can fly, I can fly, I can fly

And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

And im loving every second minute hour bigger better stronger power

{I am so grateful to God for a healthy body... For life... For getting stronger!  My steps lengthened out as a heard these lyrics!}

I got that power

I got that power

I got that power

Power power power

{That's right... I can do this!}

I stay on that hussle, I flex that loose to muscle {Thought of my legs}

Hate to bust your bubble

Im on that other level

Imma take it higher and high and high and higher {and do it in 30min!}

I stay and buy attire

Keep burning like that fire

And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

And ooh, I can fly, I can fly, I can fly

And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

And im loving every second minute hour bigger better stronger power

Yes yes yes y'all feeling funky fresh y'all {fresh and running so long after a month off!}

Work to be the best y'all

We're good under pressure y'all

Been through all that stress y'all

Get this off my chest y'all 

Made it out in project where this project that's progress y'all {Progress!  Look how far I'm going!}

Whatever doesnt kill you, only makes you stronger

So I'ma get stronger {and healthy!}

Call me like a veteran, veteran {I've been running for a year and half... I got this!}

I lock lock it down and go again {No matter how long this break was!}

Call me like a veteran, veteran

I lock lock it down and go again

And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

And ooh, I can fly, I can fly, I can fly

And ooh, I'm alive, I'm alive, I'm alive

And im loving every second minute hour bigger better stronger power

{I want to be strong and healthy and it felt really good to run!  Praying that I keep the momentum! Having my husband home and hearing him ask if I was going to run really helped me too.}

Here's the video.  Again... Cheesy and I'm not a Bieber fan but do love Will.i.am and Black Eyed Peas a whole lot!  Great running music!

Thanks for swinging by!

1st Vendor Event with Clever Container

I just did my very first vendor show!!!  And I had a lot of fun!

Now that I know what they are, I have to tell everyone because they are a great chance to support a good cause, shop local AND win FREE STUFF!  

What is a vendor show you may ask?

You know when you go to a local festival or fundraiser and all the small businesses are there?  It's our opportunity to get our name out there and network!   This event was a fundraiser for Suicide Prevention and they received money from vendor registration and raffle tickets.

We pay for our table space and we have to donate something that'll be raffled off.  They have all the donations lined up on a table with little bags in front of them.  People buy raffle tickets and place their tickets in whichever bag goes with the item they want to win. 

Here is my display all set up!

Two of my favorites were right across from me!  In fact these are the TWO I mentioned in my blog post {here} when I told the world about joining Clever Container!

I had a really good time talking to the different vendors.  They were a friendly group and know each other from different events. I really enjoyed the friendly environment and chatting with everyone.  Sadly, there wasn't much foot traffic.  It was a gorgeous day and there were other events going on. 

But I still made the most of it!  I found a Tupperware lady!  I have 4 cups with lids from years ago that I love but I only have 4.  Now that no one uses sippy cups anymore, I wanted a few more of these awesome cups.  They had this FUN Disney pattern that I just had to buy!  *wink*

Tastefully Simple was there and I had to buy another bag of the Twisty Grahams on the left to go with my cheese ball mix on the right which I already had at home.  AH..MAZING!

The table next to me was Jen with Silpada.  I loved her jewelry and spotted a couple things that were on my wish list from Christmas.  They were each under $30 so I bought them!  I wear a gold wedding band and just wanted something simple in silver to wear when I dress up.  I also wanted simple earrings that'd match everything.  I was in love.  And the rep was super super nice!  

At the end of the day, they did the raffle and wouldn't you know I won Origami Owl's drawing!!!!  It was a $25 gift certificate and here is what I got!  I have been wanting a Mommy necklace FOREVER {just check out my Pinterest wish list if you don't believe me!}.  They have many charms to choose from so I got my kids initials and of course gotta represent with the maple leaf and flag!

I bugged the Thirty-One ladies A LOT.  I am mildly obsessed with bags!  Remember I was right in front of them!  Many of us vendors had our own free raffles going on.  This is why I recommend you attend these fairs, festivals and fundraisers!  Free chance to win!  For us, this is a way to get contacts and find customers.  Don't be afraid to fill them out - you can always check off  "not interested in a party" but some people DO want to earn free or discounted products!  Anyway, I WON THEIR RAFFLE TOO!!!!  haha!  I won a $20 gift certificate so I snagged this great square tote.  It makes me so happy!

Oh and the winner of MY give away was Jodie from Origami Owl!  haha!

So that in a nutshell was my day working!  I got a break from the house and kids and was busy socializing and shopping!  I had a really good time and this really reinforces my decision to start this business!  I love organizing, people and even the paperwork behind the scenes!  Such great fun!!!

Thanks for swinging by,

Mary 

Failures

I have failed a lot lately!

My husband is in the military.  He left to go on a 5 week long course and returns THIS WEEKEND!  {I am SO EXCITED!}  I would like to blame his schedule for my failures and although it has complicated some things, this is totally on me!

I have been weak.  I haven't run in a month {again}, and I've been on Facebook more.
My priorities have been shifted as I stay up late and get less sleep.  

I prefer running in the evening when the kids are in bed and my husband is home to be the extra set of ears to listen for kids {while I'm on the noisy treadmill with music blaring!}  It is a more peaceful run... kinda like showering when someone else home.  I just don't like running while being "on call".  I enjoy the mental break it offers when my husband is here.  

I have also failed at avoiding the newsfeed on Facebook.  I outlined my Facebook terms of use {here} which is something I've been doing since December 2012 but the past couple weeks have been bad.  I haven't be strong and committed.  I have been a little extra lonely and staying up far too late.  When my husband is home, we have a regular bedtime and that keeps me from wasting time and he helps me keep my priorities in check.

I saw the above quote on Facebook this week and thought I'd add it to my own picture.  :o)  
It's a good reminder... I know what I am capable of!
I want to live better and I am better when I'm working out and taking care of my body as well as watching HOW I use Facebook.  
So this is me fessing up.  Trying AGAIN to get on course.
I only thought it fair to share my failures as much as I share my successes.
Running and social media are what I want to make productive endeavors!

Thanks for swinging by,
Mary

Summer online book club!

I have so many books I want to read!  When my bible study group Good Morning Girls announced a book study they were going to do for the summer, I knew I would sit it out and instead tackle a book I have on my own bookshelf!

Many of the girls in my small group were also more interested in the book I proposed so I thought I'd put it out there in case there is anyone else wanted to join us! 

We will be studying "The Five Love Languages of Children"!  I know I have much to learn about loving my children better!!!  

Dates: June 3 - Aug.19

How it works:

Commit to read just one chapter a week!  {for 12 weeks}
We have a Facebook Group for discussion, questions and encouragement. {join here}

Obviously with the summer comes lots of travel for families so no biggie if you can't commit to posting each week, nevermind each day.  But I will be creating a simple daily reading plan so we have something to discuss each day.  Chime in when you are able!

You can order the book on Amazon. {click here}.
And here is the link to the free study guide with some introspective questions:  {click here}

I wanted to make this announcement so anyone interested has time to buy the book.  More details will follow on the Facebook page!  

{If you don't use Facebook and still want to participate, email me and let me know!}

Thanks for swinging by,
Mary

PS.  If you are interested in the Good Morning Girls study, it runs Jun.3-Jul.26 {8wks} with a break til Sept.2 when we continue in the book of Luke.

I am a hoarder. Kinda.

I really understand the hoarder.  I am one.  Kinda. {I say kinda because I AM able to part with things... eventually!}  So actually, I'm more of an "environmental hoarder".

I don't want to part with things that can be reused or re-purposed.   

{ie. I save plastic food containers (take out, yogurt, margarine, etc) in case I need them for the kids to use to catch bugs or for crafts.  I save boxes to to reuse for gifts, never mind tissue paper & ribbon!}

I keep some useless things because I know no one else will want them, just to keep them out of a landfill.

{ie. McDonald's toys, old cassettes and VHS movies.}

I want to be thrifty and make money back on some of the items we no longer need.

{Baby gear or clothes & shoes the kids have outgrown, old bridesmaid dresses, etc.}

And then there is another part of hoarding.  The emotional side.

Sometimes I don't want to part with things I had received as gifts in fear I'd insult the person who gave them to me.  Or I have a sentimental attachment to something and someone else will just see it as junk and toss it.

Soooo.... One of the things I do to help overcome my hoarding tendencies is to offer my unwanted items to friends before donating.  Parting with things is much easier knowing where it is going and knowing I can bless someone else.  One person's junk is another person's treasure!

I started doing this in 2008 and a bunch of us continue to do it via a Facebook group!

The only problem with this format is that when you accumulate so much, it can be a burden to post pics, to track who wants what and to connect with these people.

When it gets THAT overwhelming, it's time to just get it out the door!

  

Today was that day.... I FILLED the back of my trunk with TONS of stuff.  A friend of mine is doing a yard sale and the money made is going towards a missions trip at her church.  Anything left over will be donated to smaller donation center with a great cause.  For me, it is much easier to give this stuff away under these terms.  I feel lighter and freer and my "to do" list just got shorter!  

If you are surrounded in a lot of junk that you just don't need or use anymore, seriously think about WHY you are hoarding it.  If you open a closet {or garage in my case} and the piles stress you out, it's time to deal with it.  Think yard sale, freecycle.org or a resale group on Facebook, offer to friends, or donate to a yard sale fundraiser that someone else is doing.  There are so many creative ways to get rid of your unwanted items and I would encourage you to declutter and destress!  

Thanks for swinging by!

Not showroom ready!

You'd think that after publicly advertising that I am an Organizing Consultant with Clever Container, that my home would be in tip top shape.  But it is not!  Yes I am organized but quite honestly, my home is never "showroom ready"!

We live in it.  

I'm a stay-at-home Mom.  

I homeschool.  

We come and go a lot.  

And there are days that tidying up just isn't a priority to me.
I am clean and organized but I am not always tidy!

I just had to get that off my chest, especially as I go into people's homes and now worry if they think I am judging them.  Trust me - I'm not!

Here is a pic from last month.  It was the morning of my son's birthday and he was opening his gifts first thing.  This mess was from the day before...
Shoes left randomly by the door.
My bags scattered and not in the closet.
Toys not picked up.
A dirty diaper to throw in trash!
Yes yes... I know!  It's shocking that I live in such conditions... calling myself an Organizing Consultant.  It's almost scandalous.  haha!

But no matter the state of my home, the goal is JOY.  If the stuff starts to irritate me and rob me of my joy, then that's when it's a problem.  So as long as I stay on top of the EMOTION more that the LOOK, that is what's important to me at this point in my life.

I just had to fess up and share that with the world.
An on that note, I feel the urge to tidy!
Thanks for swinging by!

Movie Review: The Croods

I took the kids to see The Croods this afternoon. We had seen the preview and it looked pretty interesting and fun!  Friends who saw it said it was cute so with good recommendations, off we went....  Me and all three kids.  Ages 8, 6 and almost 3.  Here they are in front of the movie poster.  Colin didn't want to get in the pic so with a little coaxing he got over to the wall but there was NO WAY he was also going to hold his popcorn.  Stinker!

I just went online to read a review on pluggedin.com to see if they shared my opinion but they did not.  So I might be alone in this BUT the intensity level was too high for most of the movie and it just wasn't a "feel good" movie.  Yes it was funny when it was funny.  And interesting.  But I would not recommend it for kids ages 6 and under.  There was just a lot of scary stuff!  So if you are the parent who skips over the scary fish eating Coral in Nemo, then DEFINITELY stay clear of this movie!  And my kids watch a lot of movies but this was just too much.  (I thought if anything the Croods would be crude and there would be jokes that'd fly over the kids' heads but there is absolutely no relation.  The language is fine in this!)

Anyone else see it?  What did you think?

Thanks for swinging by!