Run

I've been doing a lot of that lately. Like, a lot more than I ever ever ever thought I could. Dude, I ran a half marathon. Like, without stopping. Seriously.

10-ish years ago a friend and I decided to run track. All I remember is that we joined the team because there were some cute guys on it. I have about 2 memories of the whole thing, and one involves attempting not to die at some hot middle Tennessee track meet, writhing in the infield after running a 400 meter race with period cramps. That was cool. The other is some hot "assistant" (meaning student) coach rubbing a calf cramp out of my leg.

So obviously that had a huge impact on my life.

I always had dreams about being a runner. I was so fast. And it was so easy. Dreams be dreams for sure.

Until one random day when I signed up to run the annual Turkey Trot. About 3 weeks out from it, I decided I had better see if I could actually run three miles without dying. And I could. Not easily, but I could. And not without some pain. But after I did that race, and I was like 23rd (?) in my age group, I decided I was finally going to do it. I would become that girl who runs. So I signed up for a half marathon. And then a second (brave, huh? that second one? Pretty presumptuous I'd say!)

So I started running. And it was really hard at first. I could barely go one mile without stopping. (Apparently the Turkey Trot was a fluke burst of adrenaline.) But I kept up. I loosely followed this schedule. I did allow for two off weeks, meaning not that I wouldn't run, but in case life got in the way. And it did (flu.....). The only thing I changed was I went up to 11.5 miles rather than just 10, for the longest run before the race.

I like, HAD to sit. Seriously.

And I did it. I finished. I didn't walk. I ran it in 1:56 and I was soooooo happy. Well, I mean, after I died a little. Cause it was soooo hard. Like, harder than I imagined it would be. My long runs had been, dare I say, easy? So I assumed the race would be too. But I was keeping a faster pace, and never let it up. It was the hardest thing I have ever pushed my body to do. And I'm about to do it again in 5 weeks....

I will post more about the details of training, and am happy to answer any questions if you have them. I am no expert, but hey, I did it! My next race is in five weeks, and I am back to training fill force. This race is very hilly, so my routes will be now too. And I'm eating clean. Like, 100%. This is new for me, and I didn't even think about what I ate last time. I didn't really care. So here's hoping!

Coming in across the 50 yard line... then my camera died, and my husband didn't get "the shot" :(

Hellllloooooo....????

Is anyone still there? Leave a comment if you are!

It's been a year. A YEAR since I've posted. Crazy. My ETSY shop went a little nuts, my kids were growing up, life just got a little much to dedicate to this.

I am spending some time evaluating if I want to get back into blogging, and if anyone out there cares! I have a new hobby these days, running. I have done a couple of small races, and am currently training for two half marathons, almost back to back. We are also going to Disney in a few weeks. Long story short, if I come back, there will be a lot about running/being a mom/balance, and some Disney stuff.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Where I have been

Besides a baby whose antics will likely end her up in the ER before she's two, a three year old who is in desperate need of my attention all.day.long, and now add in watching a two year old 2-3 times a week, my ETSY shop has gone bonkers!! I am so excited! I have had a list of orders a mile long for weeks now. I feel like maybe I am making a dent, and then I get more orders. And orders from friends. And I couldn't be happier. Everyone knows I wouldn't know what to do with myself if I wasn't busy. So here are some of the latest things I have done, and some things that are in the works.

Some sample Dr Seuss letters- Which would also be super cute on canvas

Some cute paisley letters

Pooh!!

A personalized growth chart inspired by PBK

Personalized initial canvases for two brothers. Super cute!

A little Pigeon Wants a Puppy art for O's new big girl room

More letters

This is one I am about to reproduce. Sorry PBK. Normal people don't want to pay $299 for this! It is by far the largest thing I will have ever painted. I am soooo excited to see how it turns out!

Oh forgot to mention I totally re-did O's room too. Sheesh! Let me know if you need any new artwork, and have any great ideas!

Uh, We Are in Fact Still Alive

Here's the proof. Prepare yourself.

I.just.about.died. when I saw these pics our amazing photographer Jenny Cruger took. Died. Amazing. There are more. I love them all.

Here are the six month pics, and newborn pics too. Yeah. Jenny rocks. A lot.

Etsy sales are booming. Life is busy. I am happy :)

Happy Birthday Ava! Rainbow Party recap

Well, I am exhausted. I loved planning this shin-dig, and big sister loved it. But little sister, well, she was a little overwhelmed. Pretty sure she is cutting 4 teeth, and all the people just made her a little, well, special. She whined a lot, pretty much refused to eat, and didn't even want to smash her cake. But alas, my baby is one now! Next year, pizza and cake with the grandparents. No theme. Just small. And cheap. 

But here, in all its glory, the rainbow party: a story in pictures. There may be some DIY instructions later in the week. We'll see. If you want to know something specific, please, feel free to ask, and I can arrange a post about it! 

Crepe paper rainbow, and my mobile when I was a baby

Before the madness

Off center picture...

Rainbow Jello cups

Maybe my favorite rainbow! ROYGBIV food table :)

Drinks

Cupcakes

Coloring table- books from the Dollar Tree

 Candy Bar

Gift table, favors, and monthly picture banner

Our family :)

Sweet baby while she was still smiling

Me and my biggest little

Daddy and Ava

Cake fail

Ok, I'll eat it if mom holds me

Here momma!

Happy Birthday sweet girl!

And I may or may not have made our friends and family dress in specific colors.....

Do You Love Eric Carle?

I know we do at this house! I have started adding some new stuff to my ETSY store, in hopes of making a little money. This project started with me wanting to actually paint something for my own kids (wow!). So I made them these:

They now live in our playroom :) I LOVE them!!

Then a friend asked me to make these, for her son:

And once again, I fell in love.

So I started these:

I have two to finish during naptime tomorrow. How can I love each one more than the last?!

DIY cupcake tower

I can't pretend I figured this out on my own- I pinned it here, and I loved it! So I did it. And the best thing about it, I think, is that I can remove the ribbon on the edge, and replace it for the next party! So a $5 project should last me at least a few years.

So, here is my how-to. It is just about the same as the other lady's but maybe a few things are different.

Materials-

2- 10 inch cake circles
2- 12 inch cake circles
2- 14 inch cake circles
Hot glue gun
2 soup cans
1 tuna can
cardstock (I used white, to be neutral for future parties, but you can get creative here)
ribbon of your choice

So first, cut the cardstock to the size of your can. Then hot glue one edge, as seen here. Pull it around the can, and hot glue at the seam. It is best if the ends overlap a bit, like 1/2 inch.

Do that with all three cans.

Then glue the circles together. White side out, on either side. (The other side is brown cardboard, not pretty.)

Then, using your largest circle, hot glue the edges of the tuna can to the board. Try our best to be centered. I'll say, I didn't measure or any of that nonsense, I mean come on, the baby was due to wake up at any moment, and my kid + a hot glue gun= disaster.

Oh, side note, try to make sure the seams of the cans are all in line. That way, you can turn the whole thingy and the seams will be at the "back" of your party table. Same goes with the ribbon, when you get there. 

Then on top of that, glue your first soup can. Then, glue the next size circle to the top of the soup can. Repeat for the top layer, with the second soup can.

Now, cut your ribbon to the length of your circle, again, leaving room for a bit of overlap. Do for all three levels. Hot glue to the edge of the circles. Go in like, 4 inch segments, so you have time to be sure the ribbon is level, and the glue doesn't dry before you get there.

Let me take this moment to tell you, I love the glue gun. And I hate it. Glue strings everywhere, I burn myself every.single.time. But dang, it makes some crafty stuff!

Then go get the baby. She woke up.

Voila! Gorgeous!!!!

Next, and most importantly, go to my ETSY store, and buy a handmade cake topper in your party theme! I have rainbow and ladybug listed, but just tell me what you need, and I can do it!

T minus 10 days til my bebe's first birthday, and party!