Prayers from a Runner

If you have followed the blog for any amount of time you know that the Single Gal and I are runners. We always laugh when we think of calling ourselves "runners" because we are not very fast and don't race very often. We are hesitant to use the title because in our minds "runners" are elite, fast and cover many more miles a week than we could ever dream of. They are Boston Qualifiers, Age Groupers and 50 mile finishers, but we know in our hearts we are runners and are part of that community. What is a sad, terrifying and unfortunate event that occurred yesterday is also shocking. A lesson we should still all be very vigilant. Every.single.day. A reminder that yet again, people carry hate in their hearts and are willing to cause damage. As the images also show, their are still many who will run to help. Who will rip down the barriers to care for the injured. Run to the hospital to give blood. Hold on to that.

Today we pray. We will run. We will wear our marathon shirts. I'm thankful the handful of people I know who raced are fine. Some crossed the finish line maybe 10 minutes or so ahead of the explosions.  Next year the Boston Marathon will be greater than ever. The runners will be there, because some people run their whole lives just to qualify for Boston. A good friend asked me if I would never run a marathon again because of this. The answer is, of course I will.

The Single Gal and I will hit the pavement Saturday morning.

The Housewife

Moving Day, I mean week. Maybe month?

I have been reading the Single Gal's pleas for a blogging partner......please send an application and a writing sample. Kidding. Moving is rough. Please forgive any typos because this is from my iPad.

Moving with kids basically sucks. Remember your married days when you could accomplish so much together? Yeah, strike that. I'm not sure I will ever be unpacked. #1 graciously got a stomach virus last Thursday to add to the fantastic-ness of living with the in-laws for two weeks and Turtle frantically trying to paint her room at night after work. I think I'm suffering from exhaustion this week because once the kids are in bed I pick up a few things, fold some laundry and I'm in bed at 7:30. I don't have anything left. The good news is the twins are at an age where they have no idea where they're at and the move hasn't really disrupted them. #1 is doing okay. Night sleep hasn't been horrible except for one night, she's even taken one nap and only locked herself in her room three times. I don't think moving during Spring Break did us any favors because we were not maintaining our regular schedule or preschool, gym and gymnastics, etc. She would not go into her gymnastics class on Monday and that is so out of character for her. The teacher was nice and came and got her even though she practically had to carry #1 around on her hip the entire class. I just keep telling myself moving would blow no matter when I did it.

In other good news my Motorola monitor broke after only 5 months. Jjsdfhjsdkjfjfm!! It won't hold a charge and guess who doesn't have the receipt? I've ordered a new battery off amazon in hopes that fixes the problem. Stupid piece of junk. Buy a Summer Infant I guess or keep your receipt for your replacement.

Bottom line is we do love the house.....moving is just hard. It's much harder than I anticipated it would be. The Single Gal has come by the last two days for a bit and she's lifted my spirits a good bit.  I'm pretty sure if we had actually moved out of state or much farther away I would be really depressed. I can't even imagine. 8 miles may kill me.

So be patient and I will try to post some house pictures. Beware, every room needs to be painted. I'm thankful we could have the majority of the main living area downstairs painted already. This is a vaulted two-story living room so the ceilings and walls are a bit high.

Cheers to 5 pounds lost from stress! At least the sun is shining and warmer weather is here. #1 is loving her new backyard. Enjoy Master week. It always falls around Big John's birthday so we celebrate by watching golf, good food and fun times at his house.

The Housewife

{Off Days}

Aside from starting another new job less than a year after that last new job, I am doing something else that is unprecedented  for this Single Gal -- taking two days off before I start.  I don't take a ton of vacation days and when I do I like it to be for a trip.  I actually don't get a ton of vacation days anyway but who does these days?  So, other than starting a petition for The Housewife to post something soon I'll be forcing myself to take care of  a few household items {those pesky taxes I haven't finished yet} and trying to have lots of "me time" relaxing around the house.  

What do you do on your off days? I've got a few of my favorites in mind for this week: 

-a long run

-time with The Housewife + the little ones

-quality time at home with Hogan

-reading magazines, my book, blogs, Pinterest, recipes...

-date night with 3 Putt

-small home projects -- anything that will make me feel more organized at home going into spring/summer

-Starbucks iced coffee

Something else I would like to do this week is to focus on the things I have. I feel like I am always looking around and thinking about what else I can buy or get or obtain.   I have enough.  More than enough, really.  

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

New Adventures & New Pants

Happy Sunday everyone! I wanted to finally take a moment and share some big "Single Gal" news -- I get to start a new job this upcoming week.  I know that work was extra hard recently but I think that all along I was really never quite as happy at my new, bigger company as I had been with my former, smaller company.  An opportunity came up at a small company my old claims manager went to about a year ago and while I'm not an advocate of job jumping or changing less than a year in, I felt like it was the right thing for me to do. It's been in the works for a couple of weeks but I needed to make the rounds to parents/friends/family with my news and also put in my notice before I broadcasted here.  

The more days I am on this earth, the more I am reminded that the only constant is change.  A hard concept for me, but I am very hopeful and excited for a positive change in my career.  

One thing I am super excited about is to go back to an actual professional dress code.   We had a pretty casual one at my last company that I didn't even like to abide by -- because I like to get dressed to go out in public always.  Mainly because that's what's appropriate people -- especially for work.  In light of this, I realized that after I lost about 13 pounds training for my 1/2 Marathon last summer/fall I needed a few new "wear to work" items because none of mine fit.  Enter new pants. 

In case you are in the mood to shop today JCrew factory is offering an extra 30% off with the code "MOREPLEASE". 

Factory Addison Trouser in Linen 

Factory Addison Trouser in Linen

I really wanted both of these, but grabbed the neutral because I figured it would be more versatile.  But someone get the teal ones and enjoy for me. They are gorgeous!

I did go bright in my second pair of Minnie pants though.   How bright and happy are these? 

Factory Minnie Twill Pants

This may have falled into my basket too because the sale was so good...and I need another necklace. But I just couldn't resist the little bit of neon for spring and summer with an extra 30% off the price of $29.95. 

Factory Neon and Crystal Necklace

So if you are awaiting pictures of my bedroom redo lets give it another minute because I have a shopping problem I am trying to reign in. 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Friday!

Happy Weekend Y'all! 

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Feeling Good

It's been a really good week.  With all the work stress it's been hard to say this of late.  So definitely heaving a big sigh of relief here. 

My new Sperry's came in the mail -- love my little Masters Shoes.  Now to break them in ASAP and find an outfit. Pray to the Little Baby Jesus that the weather is perfect that day. 

 I think a lot of my happiness kind of did come with shopping -- it just feels good.  I know, I know, all that shopping I wasn't supposed to do until April.  I do feel like I have been fairly responsible since January but I guess April approached and I went a little crazy.  On top of the Masters Shoes {totally needed those! Ok..maybe not..} Gilt had those awesome Red Carpet Manicure kits for $59 {regular price $79.99) so that just fell into my online shopping cart and then Lilly was on RueLaLa so I attempted an order at a new swimsuit.  Not sure I will like the suit so that may be returned but on top of my remaining bedroom items that were needed I feel like I have been on a spending spree.  

I have also been reading more which always equals happiness.  I grabbed this on Amazon -- $3.00 for the Kindle version.  It's sort of a modern day Jane Eyre.  Not bad so far for the price.  

It's been raining today but we have had a lot of sunshine lately so I will be happy with that.  Have an outdoor run under my belt for the week and plans for another run with The Housewife on Saturday -- life is as it should be I think.   If I can manage to keep up with my blogging duties for the week, rescue some dry cleaning, and make it to a Friday night with 3 Putt everything will be coming up roses. 

How is your week?

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~

Weekend Recap!

I hope y'all had a fun holiday weekend -- whatever you celebrate! I was pretty much gone all weekend visiting with family but it was really nice.  I also had Monday off work which was even nicer.  

Spent the day at Kwoww's Saturday -- we had dogs, babies, cupcakes, and lots of other food.  I was also happy that the weather turned out to be pretty nice.  

Hogan isn't sure about babysitting duties...

These outfits The Housewife had the kids in were unreal cute.  And pink.
Enough said. 

Easter cupcakes! Yummy!

Catching rays on Nona's balcony. 

Saturday night I met up with 3 Putt and his mom for another dinner.  We ended up eating at Valenza in Brookhaven which is an Italian place and it was really, really fabulous. Beautiful inside, great service, really good food.  We took a couple pics but I think M's mom has them on her phone. 

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Sunday was Brunch with Big John and Pammie and my step brothers and sister in law.  We had lots of breakfast yummies and mimosas before I headed into Athens to meet up with 3 Putt.  He has a tournament this week to try and qualify for the {Web Dot Com} Tour and wanted to play a practice round.  So I went out to ride in the golf cart with him and visit my favorite little town.  We had dinner at Last Resort -- it was wonderful and fun to sit and reminisce and we had a nice little evening staying in town. 

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Practice makes perfect! 

Happy Tuesday! 

Love you. Mean it. 

~the single gal~