Monday, December 12, 2011

Running thru life.... It is going to be a good week

With only two week left until Christmas and a couple more till London I am determined to get out of the "darkness funk" as I call it. 
It is dark when I go to work and dark when I get home.  
I hate it, I feel my production as a human goes down.  
However, this weekend Joe and I had so much fun with friend at various events. 
It was good too see people from different aspects of our life.  
Just for the record- 2 year old birthday parties while fun are also really really good birth control \
=0)

To continue - This morning started out awesome!!! 
Clemson puppy let me sleep till 9:30am !!!  
OMG.
Then I got an email stating that I have been selected for the Cherry Blossom 10 miler!!!  
They have started to do a lottery because so many people register and I did not get in last year...but did this year so I am so excited! 
After finding this out I was very motivated on my run!

So my Monday is starting out on an awesome foot!
Let see if the rest of the week can continue.  

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Running thru life.... Christmas Spirit

Sorry I have not posted anything recently but I have been uber busy with work, running, and holiday festivities!
But this post is extra special to me....

The other day while organizing things on the computer I came upon an old english assignment that I compose as a holiday poem while in middle school.  I thought I would share to help everyone get in the spirit of giving this holiday season.  

 
Red Envelopes
 T’was the night before Christmas and out on the street,
not a creature was stirring, not even the cop on his beat.
But under a sign that read, “Do not Park,”
sat an old Chevrolet, covered with snow in the dark.
Inside were the three Milens with no joy to behold,
this was their home, a broken car that was damp and cold.
Dad Fred and mother Molly in the front seat they slept,
while alone in the back, Michael the Christmas vigil he kept.
Michael looked to the sky and a prayer he quietly said,
“Dear God let Santa give my parents and me a warm bed.
We have each other and for this I am glad,
but what a wondrous gift if a warm bed be could be had.”

He drifted off  to sleep and thought of Jesus that night,
and how cold he must have been, with the same moon for a light.
When all of a sudden the car shook with such a clatter,
Fred, Molly and Michael awoke to see what was the matter.
There on the seat was a small shiny pillow and a red envelope attached with pins,
On its cover a note that said simply, “To the Milens, From Santa’s Friends.”
Michael opened the envelope and inside he found,
a key, three metro passes and an address on the edge of town.
Fred was amused but thought this must be some sort of joke,
But Molly said she knew that address, it was where she had once worked for some folk.
So they huddled in their clothes and three blocks to the Metro they sped,
It was something fun to do and better than sleeping in a cold bed.
They sat alone on the car, there are not many commuters on Christmas eve.
But then out of nowhere, Daddy Fred felt a tug on his sleeve,
It was an old boss of Fred’s for whom he hadn’t worked in years,
but just the thought of seeing the man, made Fred’s eyes fill with tears.
“Fred,” the man said, “A bearded chap I met on the street said I would find you here,
I need you to come work for me in a new business I started this year.
No arguments now cause I know you are just the type of man I need,
I want you to run my new business, and I will pay you well indeed.
I won’t take no for an answer, you simply must say yes,
here is the address, can you start on the day after Christmas?”
Molly sighed, Michael giggled and Fred nodded quickly to agree,
and with that, the man ran off, “There is a place I have to be.”
Now totally stunned by the events thus far that night,
their station, their stop came quickly into sight.

Off the car they came and out of the station they went,

they all wondered if their share of miracles for this Christmas had been spent.
To the address on the envelope they came and daddy Fred took the key.
They all held their breath as he put it in the tiny lock, Michael pulled closer to see.
He turned it, it clicked, they opened the door and walked in as they dared.
Molly was crying but Michael just stared.
The house was all warm and had furniture, beds and all,
there was a small light on a small table at the end of the hall.
On the table, Michael found three red envelopes which he distributed with care,
Perhaps there were more miracles still in the air.
Fred tore his open quickly with a single whiz,
Inside he found a mortgage note that declared the house to be his.
Molly was next and she too opened hers on the fly,
she found a gift certificate for a store, open, nearby.
“Christmas dinner!” she proclaimed and let out a shout,
“It was the one thing I had been dreaming about.”
And in young Michael’s there was simply a note that said,
“Sometimes wishes come true in envelopes of red.”

Now I believe in Santa and miracles too,
even though there are those who say they are not true.
You see Santa and miracles for the Milens are real.
They are now warm in their house eating their Christmas meal.
Santa lives in all us and the power to make miracles does too,
there is a Santa and he lives in me and you.
So this Christmas, as you think of the Milens and the gifts that they got,
Remember, charity and prayers make miracles and disbelieving does not.
The Milens gave thanks to God as they ate their meal,
and little Michael, like me, now knows that Santa is real!


Merry Christmas!!!!

Monday, December 5, 2011

Running thru life.... I love oranges!!!



For anyone who knows me-
I LOVE CLEMSON football!
Most importantly I love my college.
It is hard to explain to people, unless you went to Clemson.
It is an unspoken bond that we share. 

I have so many good memories...
Friends.... 



Meeting my hubby....


The year we tore down the goal post after beating FSU!!!


.
Tailgating...
Tiger Town...

The list could go on and on...




 We even named our dog after our school...
But I draw the line at the dog- 
Our children will be named Tiger and Tigeret!
Totally kidding.
Apparently someone did just name their daughter Clemson!
CRAZY!




That being said I was totally bumped that we had not been playing well.
We just were not the same team that had beat Auburn, VA Tech and FSU.  
Going into our game with VA Tech I was mentally ready for the worse. 
To the point that my hubby went and watched the game with a friend while me and my girlfriend periodically checked the game. 
We played amazing. 
On Sunday when my friend and I went to out for the day we had people stop us (because I have a tiger paw on my car) to tell us how well Clemson played , even though they were tech fans.  

So orange bowl here we come!
Does anyone else think that the team who color is organge should actually win the orange bowl?
I do!!!

Go tigers!!

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Running Thru Life.... Getting the House Christmas Ready

If you recall from previous blog, I stated that this year I am not going all out for Christmas with regards of decorating.  There are many reasons for this 
1) My hubby basically is non exsistant and working on his project 24/7
2) Leaving for Europe in January after the holidays 
3)Decrease the holiday spending.  
The only thing I purchased this year is 1 string of lights, and some glass ornaments that were on sale on homedepot for next to nothing.  Total came under $10 so not bad. 

That being said I went to work Sunday putting everything out and up. 
Joe helped put the tree up and then went back to do homework/projects for the rest of the day.
The inside turned out perfect and the outside I am still working on. 

Here are some pics....




View of the Sunroom with tablecloth from Target- purchased a couple years ago




 Dinning Room table with runner from Crate and Barrel- 
many many years ago!



The main room.
Yes my presents are already wrapped and under the Tree.
Would you expect any thing less?   


Tree in the basement- this is a tradition I started last year and placed all the holiday cars we received on.  I found it a nice way to display all the beautiful cards we are sent!

All and all it took me about 2-3 hours to get everything out,
put everything up and clean up which is not too bad!

I have decided on a new way of storing our light which will be a future blog post and also got rid of alot of Christmas stuff we do not use which will be donated to Salvation Army. 
Also, went thru all the Christmas wrapping paper, bag, and bows and organized to fit into one small container.  It was so nice this year not having to spend a single penny on Chrismtas wrapping thanks to my inlaws giving me all their stuff they are not moving. 

To come...
Outside pictures

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Running thru Life- Getting a boost!

Last weekend we were over at a friend's house and she pulled out this little stool 
while she was cooking to help her reach something. 
I immediately noticed because I am always having to climb on the counters because I am short.  
What I liked about this stool is it folded up for easy storage.  
So while I was at the Container store this weekend getting some stuff to help me organize my new desk, I saw one and immediately grabbed it. 
I have already used it a couple time so was definitely worth the purchase.  
I store it next to the fridge for easy access!

Score 1 for the short people!

Monday, November 28, 2011

Running thru life... More Rugs...

Besides picking up stain while I was in NC visiting family.
I also ran into a run in Lowe's that I loved. 
I have been looking for a rug to go downstairs in our family room.
I wanted the rug to have an orange them but also have some tan,
black and brown in it to help pull the room together. 
Also I wanted a rug that did not cost an arm and a leg. 
I spent a littl more on the entry way rug, which I am so glad I did but that meant that this rug had to be a budget rug. 
Score!!


The store in NC did not have the size I wanted so I came home,
ordered it on Lowe's website with a coupon code I found for 20%,
and had it delivered to the store so I did not have to pay shipping
(which cost more than the rug did- I found this to be odd!)
I ended up going with a 3'11" x 5'5"- a 5x 7 was just too big after measuring due to our fireplace down in the basement. 

I recieved a call on Saturday stating the rug was in so after picking up my car I swung by picked it up and now it is in our house. 




Happy with the purchase which means the downstairs besides painting is complete!

Saturday, November 26, 2011

Running thru Life... The Pet Corrector

For any one who knows our dog Clemson, 
he has a voice.  

One I am working very hard to tame....
How you might ask...

With the help of the Pet Corrector

 Can be found on the internet or at Willy Wags which I got a 20% on Black Friday so I picked up some other things I needed.  

This is a pressurize can that lets out a weird noise that apparently dogs do not like.  
I have been using it for barking and his jumping and it seems to help a lot.  
We tried the squirt bottle but he loves water so he thought it was  a game.  
Also tried the can with money in it but again he wanted to eat the can. 
Seriously... seriously!