Wow, it's been quite a journey since I last posted. So much has happened! I am loving my new house. I have officially been a home owner for a little over a year now! I feel so grown up....I am constantly saving for the next project! I can't wait to get it all looking the way I imagined it would on the day that I bought it. I have a 5 year plan for getting the yard, landscaping, and interior the way I would like it. Yes, I said 5 years. It will take me that long to save for each new project once one is done. I can't wait to make my back yard a comfortable place for my friends to come and hang out! A few weeks ago, I, along with the help of a couple of friends, tilled up the entire backyard and re-seeded it! Hopefully I will have a yard full of thick Bermuda grass by the time summer arrives! I wanted to start the whole yard all over because I spent so much money last year on weed killer and spot seed, that it was going to cost me less just to start it all over. I am quite proud of the accomplishment of doing that in the midst of the busiest time of year at work. My visions for the back yard of the future include, a sitting area, small garden, pergola, and covered patio. See, I told you it would take 5 years to save....and that's just one of the major sections I want to improve. I love to walk barefoot in thick, green grass, and can't wait to do that soon! You will all have to come for a visit to do the same! Since my last post, I have also started a bootcamp! It has completely changed my life! I found a groupon online and thought I would try it out for a month. After all, it was a really good deal...what did I have to lose? Well, I had about 30 pounds, 25+ inches, and close to 10% body fat to lost to be exact. I am completely addicted to the class. I have had to make some adjustments to my budget to be able to continue going, but it has been totally worth it! To be honest, I don't think I have ever been in better shape in my life...even in high school playing sports. I recently wanted to prove to myself how far I had come, so I competed in a Tough Mudder in Dallas. If you don't know what that is....it is a 12 mile course with 25 military style obstacles. The British special forces designed it, and man was it tough. I am proud to say I finished in 4 hours and 16 minutes and can't wait to do another one!

If you want to test you strength... both mentally and physically...this is a great race for you! The other major thing is that I am trying my hand at my own business on the side. You have probably seen me post about it on my Facebook. It's called Monavie. Yes, it is network marketing, but I am trying it as a business because the juice has made a huge positive impact on my daily life. I started drinking the juice 8 months ago. I have had to use my inhaler and take allergy meds very rarely ...and I have even mowed the lawn! That's a huge change for me!!! My whole family is drinking it...even the kiddos. My dad's blood pressure is much better, and mom is sleeping better than ever. Since it was working so well for us, I decided that I needed to share it with others who could potentially benefit as well. So, here I am sharing the juice with as many people as I can. For many, it has give their family time and financial freedom. Others it has given freedom from doctor's visit and pharmacy bills. Many of the people on my team are doing Monavie full time and are very successful! I am excited for this venture....as I am expecting it to help me mark several things off of my "to do" list. Some of those things include: getting out of time by the time I am 35, giving back more to my church and other charities, someday help make someone's dreams come true, live an active and healthy life, start a crisis pregnancy center, and much more. This juice is going to help me do all of those things, and I can't wait to tell you where it takes me even in the next year. So, to those of you who read this....that's what has been going on in a nutshell. I'm hoping to keep up with this better in the future. Much love, Mel

Two close together

I can't believe I am already writing again. Some times I even amaze me!

I got to spend the whole week last week with my mom for my birthday! What a great gift. I dragged her around with me everywhere. She came to work with me, went to a Mini Relay with me, and we also shopped. (of course) The week went by too fast for sure. I had a great birthday and made it to 30 without a hitch!

As many of you know, I make lists of things to do for myself. My most recent list is "30 things to do before I am 30." I was unable to finish all of the list, so I have decided to change the wording to "30 things before and while I am 30." This gives me a whole year to finish the tasks on the list. I will try to remember to blog as I finish the remaining tasks.

So, 30th year, here we come! Looking forward to it being the best one yet!

Too long again

I always have the best intentions about keeping up with this silly blog. Unfortunately, I just don't always turn the intentions into actions. It has been over a year since I have last written, and it just doesn't seem like that much time could have passed.
I left off on a running kick and a soapbox. I am sad to report that my running kick didn't last very long last September. I allowed myself to get too busy. But, I am happy to report that I am now on week 7 of couch to 5k, and have fallen in love with running. I crave it! After a long stressful day at work, there is nothing that calms my soul like a run with good music in the background. I believe the only reason I have lasted on the running kick this time is because I have a friend who is running alongside me. Isn't it sad that I couldn't get it done on my own? :( We have pushed each other each week and have run a couple of 5ks over the last 6 weeks. I am up to running 30 minutes without stopping and ran my last 5k in under 40 minutes! We are planning to keep up this new hobby and keep pushing ourselves to the limit.

All of this running and the new friendship has made me think about a couple of things. First of all, we are able to do anything that we set our minds to! This has been as much of a mind battle as a physical battle. You would think that after the Camino I would remember this. Guess I still need to be reminded some times. The other part that has spoken so loudly to me is that with a friend and encouragement, I have been able to do SO much more. Isn't our journey here on Earth meant to be shared with others?! The Lord wants us to have relationships that "spur us on." We should have friends who sharpen us and we should sharpen our friends. Thank you Lord for this reminder that all things are possible and that I need to help my friends in this life journey as they help me!

Here's a little "catch up" on my life over the last year. I still have the same job and am still loving it! It feels so good to get to invest in others and be making a difference in this world! My sweet sister and JJ are expecting a little boy named Korbin soon! We will have a new baby at Christmas. Kaitlynne is 12, Alexis is 8, Keaton is 6, and Jackson is 3...so as you can see, they will have their hands full!
Mom and Dad are doing well. Dad has battled through some health issues this whole year, but we have finally found some answers and things are settling down on that front. Toni and I are still living together and are hoping to move to the Norman area some time soon!
We went to New York City in September...Toni took me to Wicked for an early birthday present! If you have never seen it, you must rush to see it when it is near you! We had a blast, and I can't wait to go back.
That seems like that is about it...you can tell I have no life if I can get through a whole year in that short of time and space. Oh well, I love the life I do have!

I will work on being better about posting! If anyone still reads this.
Mel

Soap box

Fair warning... the following content may offend some readers.

I need to get some things off of my chest. I think rather than argue with closeminded people on Facebook and get upset, I will put my thoughts here.

Unless you live under a rock, you have seen all of the controversy about Obama's speech today. I agree with the woman who spoke on the news saying that she was embarassed to be an Oklahoma because of all of the ridiculous banter. I can't believe that people actually believed that Obama was going to have people bow down and pledge allegiance to him. Seriously? Unbelievable.

For those who missed the talk about the fact that the transcripts has been available for the public to read, and still said things like the above comment, you really needed to hear today's speech.

The reality is, his speech was quite inspiring. I had chill bumps several times. I don't understand why people are upset about a speech that asks students to be all that they can be. More than anything he said, your current circumstances do not determine your destiny, you do. It doesn't matter where you come from, you can be whatever you work hard to become. Isn't that what America is all about? (the American Dream) There was NOTHING political in his speech at all. Parents are still on the news screaming things like, "Keep Hitler away from my kids. Don't brainwash my kid with your socialist indoctrination. I don't want to see your face on TV unless you are working." Really America? And to those using the word "socialist", what does that word mean to you? I suspect that most people who are throwing this around heard it from some forwarded email about how Obama is a Muslim, non-citizen and they believe everything that they hear.

The thing that disturbs me the most about this whole issue is that the people who are being vocal about their problems with Obama speaking to their children are Christians. We continue to make a bad name for our faith. Debbie and I decided that our pastor uses the words Christ-follower instead of Christian because the word Christian is quickly earning a bad connotation. Instead of loving others, we criticize and shun them. Since 9/11, Christians have been known for shunning Muslims. We are also known for ostracizing homosexuals, and those who have made other lifestyle choices that differ from ours. Radical Christian groups have picketed soldiers' funerals and have blown up facilities where abortions are performed. I am not saying that all Christians are giving Christianity a bad name, but in the same way that a few radical Muslims gave Islam a bad name on 9/11, some radical Christians are doing the same. Somewhere in all of this Christ's message of love others, help those less fortunate than you, and don't be self righteous is getting lost. What legacy are we leaving for Christ this way? In my opinion, one that not many others are going to want to follow. So it our responsibility to change America's view of Christianity.

I honestly think that if George Bush or another white, conservative had delivered the speech today, far fewer people would have been upset. Many people didn't hear a word that was uttered simply because it was coming from Obama. Maybe this is a racial issue? Let's face it, we still live in a "white privileged" world. It is hard to admit, but it is true. I hope that those minority students listening to the speech heard the messsage, that they too can be successful. I hope the white students heard it to... I am just saying.

Ok, I feel better now. I am sure there is more that I wanted to say.

The thing that struck me most in the speech today was at the end when he asked, "What will the President in 20 years say about your generation when he gives this speech?" We have such big shoes to fill in those who have gone before us. What legacy will we leave? As Christians, what impact are we making?

Just some food for thought.

Day 1

Today has been an interesting day. I will have to go back to Saturday for all of today to make sense. Actually, Friday. Toni and I made a deal that his weekend we would allow our selves to play one day and then we would work the other. So on Saturday, we worked a little and played a little. In the middle of the day, our AC just stopped working. I mean, no numbers on the digital thermostat... nothing. Luckily it was later in the evening, so it was at least somewhat comfortable. (PTL for our last couple weeks of cool weather. When the high is only 80 something) I slept on the couch with the fans on high and all the windows open. All was well and good. In fact, I even had to cover up once because I got a little chilly.

After church on Sunday, we decided to go to Norman. We needed to go to Sam's and we always love to go to Borders. Since our house was going to be HOT, we decided to stay all day. AFter lunch with a friend, we ran our errands and Toni graded while I read a book for work. (another day of work, right?) Nope, doesn't count. Our work was to be done in the house. We still have a few unpacked boxes from when we moved in a year ago.

So about today.... we woke up this morning knowing that we had made ourselves a deal. We couldn't go back or we would never get these boxes cleaned up and things over to storage. Who wants to work in your house when it is blazing hot? Not me, but we did it. WE worked all day and were sweating like pigs. We took breaks about every hour and a half. During our break, we would drink as much cold fluid as possible and watch Criminal Minds (one of our new favorite shows) Needless to say we got our workout. When it got unbearably hot, we decided to load up the truck and head to storage. This meant up and down all 18 stairs multiple times to load the truck with boxes. Yep, you got it... SWEATING.

Now why all this is significant.... I didn't run today because I thought the up and down the stairs thing was enough for my knees today. However, I did walk a little over 3 miles with my good friend Debbie. There is just something about a good brisk walk with good conversation that is good for the soul. (especially when it is cooler outside than it is in your house)

So, as for running... tomorrow will be the first official day of the training ... though I have already technically completed a week's worth. Today was a cross-training day we will say.

Ironically, the AC just miraculously clicked on..and so did my clock in my bedroom. CREEPY.

Mel

A new step

After watching the movie Julie, Julia, I have decided to start blogging more often. I don't blog more often now because I feel like it is pointless, because no one reads it anyway. However, after seeing the movie, I decided that I don't care if anyone reads this or not. This is going to be a way for me to keep track of my own progress. I am hoping by putting my thoughts, achievements, and failures out here, I will inspire my own self to be a better person.

So here is my goal: become a runner. By this I mean, really a runner. I have always been involved in athletics, but have let myself get really lazy in this category. When I went to college, I played intramurals to keep myself active, but they are still not the same as practices were in high school. I have decided I need a Biggest Loser for people who want to get in better shape. I don't need to lose a ton of weight, but I need a Bob or Jillian in my ear to push me to the limit. Growing up, I always had a coach or my dad in my ear to push me to the next level. Guess it's time for me to step up for myself.

I am hoping to run a 10k in October. I think I can do it, though I am already preparing myself to have to walk a larger portion than I would like. I am SO competitive with myself, it is easy for me to achieve something great, but still feel like a failure.

I bought a book in Borders today about running. ONe of the things it mentions is that running is a good self-esteem booster, particularly for women. Lord knows, we could all use that, right? I do feel really good after I run, especially if it is a long, hard run. Long run for me is not that long yet, buy I want to eventually be able to run a full marathon. From there, I want to be able to do a triatholon. I know, these are awfully high hopes.... but nothing is impossible when you set your mind to it, right?

So here is my blog... instead of recipes, I am going to chart my progress in running. I promise to be honest and push myself. I have been running for the last few weeks and feel pretty good.

If I can walk across Spain with all those blisters, surely I can do this right? I have one year and two months to run a marathon in order to check it off my "30 things to do before I am 30 list."

Until the next run,
Mel

What if...

What if we all stopped making assumptions about what is to come and just waited for it to arrive?
What if we all tried to take care of those less fortunate than us, rather than complain about being asked to? - isn't that what Jesus would want?
What if we all loved ALL of our neighbors as ourselves, not just the ones that we think are fit to love?
What if we all worked together as one group of people to accomplish things, rather than several seperate groups?

I think that Jesus would want us to love everyone, regardless of race, social status, sexuality, job status, beliefs. This is not to say that he would condone all behaviors, but I am tired of Christians ostracizing people who don't fit into the "God box." I am quite certain that Christ did not shun the theif on the cross, nor the woman at the well. Why are we making people feel like they have to "clean up their act" before they come to church, etc. Aren't we all a mess, and isn't a sin, a sin? Unfortunately, we have made a hierarchy of sins in our world. So this means that Christians who lie, cheat, gossip, lust, and whatever other sin they might be dealing with sit in church on Sunday and judge those who have committed the "Big sins." No wonder the church is not too appealing. We as Christians are so judgemental of those outside of the church that those who really need Christ will never come inside the building.
When we will begin to act like true Christ followers who accept people NO MATTER WHAT?? The reality is... we live in a fallen world. Sin, disease, and suffering are here as a result. Let's stop trying to act like we are better than the world, and start taking in the people who truly need to experience the love and forgivness of Christ that we have all experienced.