*sigh*...

Update to my list..

1.  Do a 20 mile run (slatted for the weekend of 11/19/11 - in preparation for the full marathon)
2.  Turkey Trot 4-miler @ Shelby Farms (scheduled for 11/24/11)
3.  Frame & matte large picture (Christmas gift)
4.  Put Big Wheels together (from Santa for both Cooper and Grace)
5.  Make Ruffle (no sew) tree skirt - this one will take some time, I'm sure (CURRENTLY IN PROCESS)
6.  Make cinnamon honey butter  **Project to do w/ Coop**
7.  Make "Kitty Chow" **Project to do w/ Coop**
8.  Make Hairbow holder for Grace (Christmas gift)
9.  Complete yarn wreaths (Christmas gifts)
10. Make mini Christmas trees w/ styrafoam base **Project to do w/ Coop** (btw, Coop loved doing this)
11. Pick up ham for Christmas
12. Run St. Jude Full Marathon (set for 12/3/11) - I DID IT!!  And it's over, FINALLY!!
13. Pick out Christmas Tree & decorate  *Project to do w/ Coop*
14. Pack up summer items & place in attic
15. Pull winter items down from attic
16. Cardboard "peepholes" up on house for winter (it's an OLD house)
17. Create list of items to make for Christmas dinner & buy needed items (if you know me, you know why this is on my "Project" list)
18.  Find time for sleep inbetween all that....somehow!

Almost done, but now I've added a few more:

19. Paint (clean up, mostly) old window frame, place mats on panes and apply "love" quote (gift to my BF's sister to place some of her wedding photos in).
20.  Make wreath for BF's mom.
21.  Buy inexpensive vases, place rubber bands around them and spray paint w/ frosted paint (CURRENTLY IN PROCESS)
22.  Create paper mache Christmas trees

*sigh*....MUST stay off Pinterest till AFTER Christmas.

Where do I begin??

It's been a couple weeks since I last posted, but there has been SOOO much going on.  Of course, the Thanksgiving holidays came upon us...and fast, I think.  But I didn't fuss about it because this year I didn't have not one single place I had to be nor did I have to cook not a single dish!  I am THANKFUL for that. 

I took a vacation day on 11/23.  My daughter and I were out and about most of the day running errands.  Then we came home and did a craft project which she enjoyed.  Then that night she went to her dad's to spend Thanksgiving w/ him.  So, Thanksgiving morning, I got up and....

Yep, you got it.  I participated in an annual tradition.  It's called the Turkey Trot 4 Miler and Turkey Relay.  I ran the entire 4 miles and finished in 37 minutes and 13 seconds with a time of 9 mins, 18 secs per mile.  I think that was pretty good.  I was happy with that.  So, from there, I went straight home and started (notice how I said "started" as this will take some time to complete) the holiday CLEANING.  Oh how I hate it, but it has to be done. 

Later that night, I decided to finish a wreath that I was making for my aunt for Christmas...

Anyways, yes, I created this entire thing.  I also did one for my grandmother and I will do one for my boyfriend's mom and sister for Christmas. That night, I figured my dinner was going to be whatever I came up with in the kitchen (probably a bowl of cereal, which I was fine with), but Hunter called and said that he had saved a plate for me from what they had made at the fire department that day.  So, I went and ate up there and spent some time w/ him.

On Friday, I went w/ Hunter and his daughter to his mom's for Thanksgiving Lunch.  It was nice to meet some of his family and spend some time w/ them.  After that, I went home and finished the wreath for my grandmother.  Now, I've got their Christmas gifts finished...thank goodness. 

Saturday morning, I got Cooper Grace at 8 from her dad and brought her home to show her that Santa had left her a gift (way early).  She opened it and was surprised when she saw the Elf on the Shelf.  We read the story book that came w/ him and then she decided to name him Bernard....after the main elf on The Santa Clause (w/ Tim Allen).  I thought that fit very well.  She was all excited after we "adopted" him and he had magical powers then.  So up on the shelf he went until that night when he went to the North Pole.  So, after that, we went to pick out our Christmas tree.  Yes, I lugged this thing in ALL BY MYSELF.  It was not easy as it probably weighs 50 pounds and is 7 foot tall, but I did it.

For the rest of the day, we ran errands and I had to take her to buy her new pants after I just bought some a few months ago.  The child has grown 4 inches (exaggeration, but it sure seems that way) overnight.  Every pair of pants I put on her came above her ankles.  So, she is now stocked up on winter pants...that is, until her next growth spurt. 

Sunday morning, we woke up to this:

Yep, that's Bernard.  She was NOT happy that he had her horse and dolls, too.  She kept asking why he was wearing her Barbie's boots.  I told her that I guess his feet got cold while he was at the North Pole and needed the boots to warm them up.  She finally got past all that, but still wasn't happy about it, I don't think.  And Bernard no longer seems to have an affect on her behavior, because after we got home from church Sunday, she was a child on a rebellion streak the rest of the day/night.  I thought I was going to pull every last strand of hair out of my head before I finally got her to bed last night.  Well, this morning when she got up, Bernard was missing in action.  No where to be seen.  I think he will be missing for a couple days (while she is at her dad's) and then when he does show back up, he will have a letter from Santa noting her bad behavior (I'm HOPEFUL that will work on her).  

So, tonight when I get home, I will start working on this project:

I will be putting rubber bands around them and then spray painting them w/ "frosted" paint.  Found this idea on Pinterest and decided that I had to do it.  Plus, I really need to start on my ruffled tree skirt.  Think I'll start that tonight as well. 

Ahhh, so much to do...so little time to do it in.

Got that 13.1 behind me...

Since I got the wild hair in me to run the St. Jude Full Marathon coming up in Memphis on 12/3/11, I decided that I needed to run a half marathon before I got to the actual full marathon.  As I was driving to Tupelo, MS to the run (about 1 & 1/2 hours from my house), I had all these thoughts going through my head (and that's a long time to be thinking before a run like that).  My stomach was all in knots....had dozens...no, HUNDREDS of butterflies going through it. I just kept thinking to myself, what had I gotten myself into and why in the world would I sign up for the half, much less the full marathon.  Then, my head cleared up. I told myself that no matter what, I could do this.  I was ready for this.  I had to finish it no matter how hard it turned out to be.  I run because I enjoy it and I wasn't going to let fear take over.  

I got there with about 20 minutes to spare.  It was cold and windy, which made it seem even colder.  After I checked in, got my bibb (paper that you pin to your clothes that has your number on it and a timing chip on it), I decided to sit in my truck and get myself "ready".  About 5 minutes before it started, I headed towards the start line.  I did some stretching and got my music ready to listen to while I run.  We waited for the prayer and national anthem and then "POW", time to start running.  I usually freak myself out at this point trying to keep up with the other runners, but I remembered what I had been told before..."take it easy on long runs or you will never make it to the end".  I have found that to be very useful advice.  So, I found someone that seemed to be running at the same pace I was and stayed behind that person until they started to slow down. 

I felt really good during the run.  Started feeling a little tired after about mile 8, but I kept on.  Then on mile 11, the BURN set in.  Oh boy!!!  I really, really thought about quitting at that point, but told myself it would take WAY longer to walk those final 2 miles than to just run it.  So, that's what I did.  The kicker was that the 2nd part of the half marathon, we were running directly into the wind.  That made it so much tougher.  I was never so glad to see a finish line as I was when I crossed that one.  And for it being my very first half marathon, I think I did pretty well with a finishing time of 2 hours and 23 minutes.  Not too bad!!

Now, time to prep for the Full Marathon that's in 19 days.  *sigh*

Upcoming projects I have to complete...

Since the holidays are upon us now (and they came faster than I had hoped), this year I have decided to get creative.  I know, I know...not normally my forte', but I'm gonna give it a shot.  Here's my list of items to work on and projects I have to get completed before Christmas:

1.  Do a 20 mile run (slatted for the weekend of 11/19/11 - in preparation for the full marathon)
2.  Turkey Trot 4-miler @ Shelby Farms (scheduled for 11/24/11)
3.  Frame & matte large picture (Christmas gift)
4.  Put Big Wheels together (from Santa for both Cooper and Grace)
5.  Make Ruffle (no sew) tree skirt - this one will take some time, I'm sure
6.  Make cinnamon honey butter  **Project to do w/ Coop**
7.  Make "Kitty Chow" **Project to do w/ Coop**
8.  Make Hairbow holder for Grace (Christmas gift)
9.  Complete yarn wreaths (Christmas gifts)
10. Make mini Christmas trees w/ styrafoam base **Project to do w/ Coop**
11. Pick up ham for Christmas
12. Run St. Jude Full Marathon (set for 12/3/11)
13. Pick out Christmas Tree & decorate  *Project to do w/ Coop*
14. Pack up summer items & place in attic
15. Pull winter items down from attic
16. Cardboard "peepholes" up on house for winter (it's an OLD house)
17. Create list of items to make for Christmas dinner & buy needed items (if you know me, you know why this is on my "Project" list)
18.  Find time for sleep inbetween all that....somehow!

I'm sure I'm forgetting a few items and I will add as I remember.  Sometimes I think I've taken on too much.  Since I've got my Christmas shopping done, hopefully this will go pretty smoothly.  Wish me luck!!!

Ok, so I'm totally addicted...

to this website called Pinterest.  Oh.  My.  Word!!  It is fantastic.  I am so glad that I discovered it before Christmas time b/c I'm getting so many DIY ideas to use as Christmas gifts.  Now, if you know me, then you know that I'm not usually one to be "crafty", but I'm coming to find that I actually enjoy it....that is, when I can sit still long enough to actually create something.  PLUS....it's a big money saver.  And I usually don't have the patience to do a "crafty DIY project".  But so far I am.  I've started creating 2 yarn wreaths as gifts.  And I'm going to create my own ruffle tree skirt this year.  Really need to get started on it so that it's ready for when I get the tree.  And I think I'm going to let Cooper make a few of her own ornaments this year as well.