In Charge

Scotty and Luke are both out of town this week on a New Year's ski boarding tip, so guess who is planning this week's Mischief workout....you got it, ME! I have been really itching to do some heavy lifting lately, just to see what I can do. Today I braved the cold to get to the gym to do some preparation for Friday. Janae and I met and found our one rep max on each of the 3 major lifts (dead lift, squats, and bench press). Gonna do an old fashioned (as Kevin would say) meathead workout. Everything is based on percentages of our max. It is gonna be fun!!

That Time of Year

Christmas is over and New Year's Eve is on the horizon. As always, I tend to be reflective during this time. I count my blessings, look at the hurtles I have overcome, pack some things away, and set my sights on the year ahead. As always, my biggest blessings are the people I have in my life. I am honored and humbled so much by them. The love, encouragement, laughter, tears they freely give/share with me makes me rich beyond all my comprehension.

This year has brought some family back into my life. My oldest brother, Delbert and I had drifted apart over the years, but have now drifted back together. I look forward to rebuilding that relationship. Stephen (my other brother) and his family and I have been separated by distance. We have been making efforts to stay in touch over the past year. They have always been there, but it seems we are reaching out to each other more. 

My circle of friends always seems to be in a state of flux. There are the old friends (Erik, Robbin, Shelley...) that have been in my life solid for a very long time. There are the new friends (Luke, Scotty, Janae, Christi, Hannah...) that I am continuing to build deeper and deeper friendships with. Then there are the friendships that due to the flow of life, I find that I'm packing up and putting away in a special corner of my heart, friends I may or may not ever see again. 

I lay my roots in this rich soil, dig in deep and with that foundation, reach for the stars. Thank you all for the part you play in my journey. I share each victory with you because none of it would be possible without you.

Latest Mischief

People tend to come and go in The Mischief, so periodically we have to do new group pictures. This is currently my favorite. 

Right to left: Scotty, Jason, me, Hannah, Janae, Luke

Turkey Trot 5K

Well, the Mischief signed up for a 5K together. Thanksgiving morning, after being up most of the night helping my husband roll Black Friday newspapers, I got up at 6:45 AM to RUN. Sigh. I have been really trying to work on my running endurance and speed, but lately, I have been working extra shifts at work and have been unable to practice. That being said, I still finished about 5 minutes faster than my last 5K. I haven't gotten my official time yet, they haven't posted it on the website. I'm not terribly happy with my results, but I did it. Since my friend James said "if there are no pictures, it didn't happen", here is my proof:

Mischief Motto

My dear friend Janae found this quote for me. I love it!!

Musings on an Early Morning Run

I recently took a trip to see family in San Antonio. I am Brainwashed & Broken enough that I can't take a weekend off without doing SOME FORM of workout, even when on vacation. I got up early and with most people still in bed, I hit the roads around my brother's house. Based on questions asked of another runner I came across, I estimate I put in about a mile and a half. Here is what I learned that day:

1. "May the road rise to meet you..." - great Irish blessing, not so much for a new runner. Abilene is FLAT, and while I have always known that San Antonio area wasn't, I am now PAINFULLY aware of the fact.

2. Another fact I know about San Antonio area vs Abilene that is now even more clear in my mind, it is far more humid there. Every time I slowed down to breathe, my sunglasses fogged.

3. When running in a non-loop path, ALWAYS remember not to run so far that you don't have the energy to get back. I was afraid I was going to have to text someone to come scrape me off the pavement.

It was a beautiful run. I have been really trying to get better at it. In 4 days, I will be participating in The Turkey Trot, a local 5k. The Mischief will be doing it together. Heaven help me, 3.1 miles! I have walked a couple of 5ks in the past. This will be the first time I try to run as much as I can. Look for that post soon, unless it kills me.

In My Face

I really don't know what it is about Luke that enables him to get in my face without me punching him. There is just something about him that cracks me up, and the more serious he gets about something, the more amused I become. I think this annoys him a little bit. He sees it as me not taking him seriously, but that isn't the case. Humor is the key to my heart and mind. If I can laugh about something, it sinks in and is retained. He has put me on the diet challenge. He has me doing a mid-week rest day. Now he is getting in my face about my sleep patterns.  Twice he kicked me off Facebook to send me to bed.  The night before he started back to school, I woke in the middle of the night and was having trouble going back to sleep. I texted a prayer to him for his first day back in class. The next morning, I got a message back, thanking me for the prayer. Then he said, "Don't think it means I won't get onto you for being up at 1:30 am!"

The other day, I had a late night phone call with my best friend. Erik and I have both been having a hard time lately, and I think we both needed some best friend time. I posted something about how the conversation made all things good again. 

Luke commented:
"you have 3 mins to get off whatever device you are on and go to sleep. Each minute past is running a lap. If you post anytime between the hours of 12:30 and 7am it will be 50 burpees  I'd get to sleep if i were you

P.S. these rules are now permanently in effect from here on out. However the time frame shall consist of 12 to 7 that you will not be on social media. If you want to get better you need to sleep and let your body rest. I can see when you are on here through chat, better not see you on here after 12 in the future or you will pay  My sick thinking: if she doesn't want to sleep, I'll find things that will put her to sleep... or make her pass out, either is effective and gets the end result I want "

So at 43 years old, I have a curfew.....

On a side note, the next night, he stayed up all night and then slept through Mischief. See, he cracks me up!