Beast Mode, Friday Flower, Planning Ahead

 

Todays weather =

Hoping the grass dries out more so I can get the lawn mowed before heading to the Big City [Louisville] for the Mr.'s surgery on Wednesday, May try and get it done tomorrow afternoon.

I have my very first 'official' 10K 🏃 in the morning so we'll see how I feel...I'm sooo under trained for this race, I just haven't had motivation or taken the time to train, and every now and then my Hamstring gives me a twinge signal reminding me that it was pulled/sprained just a couple weeks ago. Regardless I. Am.Competing. and will do the best I can. I've already signed up to do another in the fall 😬.

Feeling my 'oats' today I decided to Beast Mode for 2 miles...it wasn't until I made my Instagram post that I realized that even with the few times I did manage motivation to work out I still have my toned [somewhat] shoulders and neck, Chapter 66 ain't gonna stop me!💪

Another handful of these sweet Cherry Tomatoes will be perfect snack options...

Lots and Lots of Beautiful cherry tomato blooms.....

Happy there's still a few of this Daylily showing off her blooms....

My view looking down in the Triangle flower bed off the back steps, I'm going to try and separate these this fall and replant along the fence.

This rest of the afternoon is going to be low key, the Mr and I are going to see the new 

Vin Diesel F9 movie

I mean Come On...who doesn't Love Vin....

After the movie we're stopping at Kroger to use store coupons I received in the mail, I've started my Fall/Winter re-stock list and will start buying those items in a few weeks, does anyone else plan 6 months ahead? I'm only planning on restocking pantry/sundry/medical items, we still have stuff in the freezer that I'm doing meal plans around to get those used up. I'll be getting some laundry done and organize things around the house for the upcoming week, as I mentioned the Mr.'s surgery is coming up and he'll be in the hospital a few days, the drive is 1 1/2 hours one way so everything I can get done ahead of time, maybe I won't be as frazzled...Maybe...

Until Next time,

     Hug's, Kisses, Be Safe Wishes!!

 

Look my Age?!? HaHaHa!!!

 Went for a 'cut & color' update this morning...

I don't act like I'm in Chapter #66, 

so why look like it...#amiright 😏! Color to match my eyebrows and

went with a much shorter cut since the weather has decided to go from

Hot 🔥to

Hotter than Hades 🔥🔥...

Today's weather started last night, rain-some thunder-more rain-down pour rain repeat!

[no I wasn't going out to get pics of the down pour are you Crazy!] The rain is more than welcomed by me for the raised b gardens benefit, 

I've already picked a few Cherry Tomatoes,

as well as a few Sweet Banana Peppers, though I planted these primarily for the 'Kid', I'll put a few in the freezer for later use in soups and such.

I was really glad to see the Snail Mail today...

Meet Rose Garden from Bolder Athletic, 

I...Love...Roses!

As this was a custom skirt I did pay a price a bit higher than I normally would...but then It's Rose Garden, I can't wait to wear her. I have many other skirts and claim to be a #teamSparkle & #SparkleSister [the brand they were called] thanks to the Kid for getting me started, and she has many more customs though than I do...😁 Go Kid!

Not much else going on today, getting July's budget set up, doing some laundry, basic housework, leftovers from church potluck is on the menu, and hope the rain holds out for couple of hours to Walk/Run.

Until we Blog again! 

A Runners Mom and More

      Hug's, Kisses, Be Safe Wishes! 

And Just Like That it's ****JULY**** !!

Wait?.... What?.....? July?.....?

Where did January, February, March, April, May and June go?? More Importantly what in the World have I been doing, obviously not Blogging. Let's see if we I can change all that, in the meantime let's do a small 2021 re-cap....

January was still under Covid restrictions with only a few race events going on, the Mr. had a surgery on Jan 19th, and I was offered [shockingly] a job with Chick-fil-A food truck, my Step-dad, aka PaPaw got sick and unfortunately passed late in the month, Walk/Run 48.6 miles

February brought multiple follow up trips to the Big City for the Mr. getting stitches removed and such, we were hit with a Ice Storm-luckily we were prepared having lot's of freezer/pantry food, and a  generator if it was needed, the storm also forced the rescheduling of a few race events [Covid restrictions were in place for races], I was forced to begin a plan on what to do with all the stuff from Papaws house-then learning that the kid does in fact have a lot of her Granny in her-she & the SIL decided to take the house as her inheritance and that's ok, started volunteering at the local Covid Clinic, I also worked every Friday on the food truck for CFA. Walk/Run 27.3 miles

March brought a few more lenient covid restrictions for race events so I was able to be more involved with my #teamRaceRise group, a planned couples dinner outing happened finally this month with more planned in the future, I did the Card Ministry for my church sending them those that are sick, had surgery or lost a Loved one, CFA Friday work slowed down to every other week and I was off for 'my' second time doing the RTB Yearling 3.65 miles [3rd in my age group Go Me!], and started back to in-person church services. Walk/Run 29.9 miles

 April I turned to Chapter #66 in life...worked CFA alternate Fridays, Connections Ministry starting having church meetings at Church [finally], only had a few race events but things are slowly getting back to normal, yearly check up was good-but my motivation was no where to be found and not sure where it went, Walk/Run 15.4 miles

May brought another surgery for the Mr so again off to the Big City multiple times for follow ups and such, volunteering at Covid Clinic continues for the month, started Hiking again [hallelujah] thanks to my friend Margaret I'm part of the Casey County Explorers and we go everywhere to hike, a few more races and restrictions are getting more and more relaxed, GOP meetings are also beginning to be in-person and that's a big plus, work at CFA is spotty at best [and that's ok], I completed all the spring landscape cleaning and re-mulching in all the flower beds, booked race events every weekend, after having a 'come to Jesus' talk with myself Walk/Run = 55.6 miles 

June I signed up to be RunMom/motivator/cheer leader for the new A Running Start group you can read about the program/group Here, not sure what I was thinking but attempted to try some speed work while out for a walk/run and ended up with a pulled/sprained hamstring, played PitStopMom for the Kid and her running friend in Indianapolis for their 50K race with said pulled/sprained hamstring, surgery for the Mr [again in the Big City], No More Restrictions!, a much needed couples dinner out to reconnect with friends, Bible Study resumed at our 'other' church, races are open to as many that want to compete, booked every weekend, only worked 1 Friday for 4 hours-they shut down due to thunder and lightning storm, resigned from CFA for a few reasons, city Commissioners in-person meetings have resumed, the Mr worked on the #porchproject, and though I've done 'some walk/run activities I've not taken the time [just like the BLOG😒] to update my Strava account...but I will!

And now here it is JULY....I have 6 race events to do/be at, Connections Ministry meeting, Hiking, GOP meeting, Wednesday Bible Study at First Baptist with Dr Brisco, possible Covid Clinic volunteering, and a HUGE financial decision in the works, Walk/Run will continue with a plan for some longer 🏃 distances...hopefully🤞

First..? Last..? Next.....

I owe all of you Soooo Many Blog Posts, Projects review, Race reviews, Daily activities review, Emotional 'Red-Haired Step Child' review, Started a Job review [resigned 6mo later review], Hubby's surgeries review, Chaos Clutter review, [re]Start Hiking review, and so many more things, but First...let's talk about being Next....

 In a perfect world I, like so many others like/want to be First, first in line, first place, first (and only) marriage, first to get and keep the remote, First born, first to open a new box of cereal, the list goes on and on. And of course No One wants or likes to be last, it just goes without saying. But what if you realize your a "next"? Does anyone actually understand what that is or means? What if you begin your day and anticipate getting all the chores done. Maybe even get one or two from tomorrow's list checked off. Then make a plan/time and ready to enjoy a outing or get together with a significant other, family member, friend only to hear...., 

''but first I need to go/do/call/[insert whatever it is here]

it'll only take 30 min or hour, then I'll be ready '' . 😒

That's being a Next !

Guess what...I've become a next...and I don't like it. It hit me this month that This is what I Am! a NEXT. No I'm not thrilled about it, at first I was disappointed in myself for having the feeling of being, well, let down 'cause for me that's exactly what it felt like. I would much rather be a last. Something that will/would happen as a finale. Something/Anything that will become the end of [whatever].

I've lost patience being Next.

Then I discovered me [again]. I discovered I can go with any flow I want to go and Not be a Next. Going forward I'm having a back up ''to-do''.

No Longer am I going to be Next.

Any one else ready to join me in being First?

#arunnersmomandmore       #gettingbackatit 

     Hug's, Kisses, Be Safe Wishes!

Released the #pausebutton & Ready to reStart

Thinking 2021 was going to be The Best Year Ever was such a …Delusion !  The passing of my step-Dad (aka Papaw), still has a way of creeping up on me, I made myself crazy and Tired.

So April 1st I made the decision to just stop...and be more relaxed with myself. And It Felt Sooo Good. But here it is the end of the Month and I'm ready to get back to my healthy steps, join a Hiking group, and work on cleaning up all the chaos/clutter.

So when I see these hanging.....

@shefit

@mysoxyfeet

I see all the miles of possibilities to come!

And of course finding a Challenge to do will kick start me. Shaking the dust out of my walk/run shoes, getting out the door for a 'easy' walk, I'm ready to compete in the #mileadayinmay that my good friends @lourunningco is putting on.

So there it is...I'm Back!

I'm going to make this Chapter #66 even better than the last.

A Runners Mom and More

     Get Up, Get Out, Get Active!

Winter Solstice...Almost the End of Month...Not the Last of Me !

Hear Ye....Hear Ye..... Hear Ye!

I proclaim my spot in this World Wide Web of Blogland and will be setting my sights on getting my shit (sorry) Crap together !

* I will be doing Race/Run event recaps,

* I will be doing updates on Home projects,

* I will be doing updates on Goals I want WILL be doing in the coming months,

* I will be doing updates on Budgets,

* I will be doing updates on Meal plans(ing)

* I will be doing updates on Everything !

Some posts may be  Short...Sweet...Simple but I will be making this a New (yet again) Beginning. I want Will work towards getting A Runners Mom and More re-branded, sharing discount codes for various races. 

Christmas is this week, I only have 2 gift cards to get and my list is complete. I'll be sharing pics on what I did this year for the G'daughters.  Luckily even with the Covid restrictions regarding gatherings we are within the guidelines set by the Governor.

I hope to see you not only follow me but also comment, I Will be posting again this week....Spread the Word....my Come Back is HAPPENING!

Happy First Day of Winter !

            Hugs, Kisses, Be Safe Wishes!

Back to Normal??? Here we go again...

 I've tried, and tried, time and time again to do a post. Thought of hundreds of things to post about. Obviously I didn't Try hard enough. That needs to change. I need to get back to MY basics and My priorities.

So here goes...it's still COVID everything everywhere! Is that stopping everyone else?

I'm leery of course and wear my mask whenever I go to the grocery and other stores. Am I concerned? Of course I am, I have a high risk Hubby. But...we are smart about things and we do our best to be safe. He's worked very hard at being healthier. Diet was the Biggest change for him and he's a happy camper with the weight loss so far. Exercise is happening as much as possible. Unfortunately with some of the Medicare changes his Silver Sneaker program isn't covered so we are doing some checking. When your on a Fixed Income, budgets are a huge consideration, and gym memberships are not cheap.

Speaking of budgets if your following me on IG ( if not shame on you..JK) you seen where I have done my November Budgets, Goals List, Meal plan for.the.month!! Told ya Here we go Again.. I have a lot of stuff stocked up preparing for the fall & winter months so my food cost includes all the cleaning stuff,  indoor & outdoor cat food, and meds. Also going back to a 'cash' envelope for any bread/milk/fresh fruit/fresh veggies. The only other grocery spending I plan on is Thanksgiving meal stuff...

 Yesterday I also moved my Walk/Run 

activities to the front of my Priority list...my pace goal for walking is 16 min or under, run/walk pace goal is under 15 min. Any race events I do, my goal will be to do 14'ish min pace... RTB Yearling was the first in-person event and got 1st in my age group !

That's it for the New back to Normal, I Will Be Posting again this week (there I said it) in the meantime follow me on IG Here and of course on my FB page Here

Hugs, Kisses, Be Safe Wishes !!

[ Happy Homemaker Monday ] -- #chapter65 on 4/20/20

It's My BIRTHDAY and #chapter65 in Life !

I had been hoping for 'some' kind of celebration, but alas with the Corona stuff going on it will just be another day....with quarantine guidelines.

Looking in the mirror at the older me I see wrinkles,

the young me sees them as laugh lines,

the older me see age spots,

the young me sees freckles highlighted from being active,

the old me see my hairline riddled with gray,

the young me sees the opportunity to wear the newest headband/visor as a way to pull up the curly locks I still have,

the older me see the aging/crepe skin from batwings developing,

the young me sees the arch of toned muscle when I lift.....

the older me made many mistakes, raised hell, drank to much, made poor questionable choices, married and divorced 2X, came close to financial ruin, was a single parent to my daughter, and ''fostered'' many other daughters,

the now me is amazed I managed to pay off a [High] five figure debt, 

the now me has an amazing Adult daughter but is still my baby girl as well as my ''foster'' girls,

the now me has Grand Children,

the now me found love and got married to someone who has the same life goals,

the now me craves the structure of Faith, of organization, of schedules,

the now me is Mama Ruby to road athletes...LOT's of road athletes,

the now me has No regrets..None..Zilch..Nada from the before's,

the now me is looking forward to this next #chapter65 

Now onto Happy Homemaker Monday and linking up with Sandra

The Weather:

          It's Crazy here in Kentucky...temps are up then down...we've had great Sunny days, Gloomy overcast days, Rainy days, it even Snowed last week... Luckily today was a fairly sunny day..

My Feelings Today:

          Happy to be as Fit & Healthy for someone age 65...did I mention it's my Birthday today!

ThoughtsToday:

          I'm beyond grateful for so many blessings... #chapter65

What I'm Reading:

   getting ready to start this book. Thinking we would have a colder more difficult winter I'm glad I had stocked up on reading material last December...[ stupid Corona virus ]

Menus for the week: 

       Leftover Sweet Teriyaki Chicken w/rice

       Stuffed Sweet peppers w/ green beans & small potatoes

       Meatloaf patties w/ veggie side dish

       Pot Pies

       Sweet potato, veggie pack, cottage cheese & sliced tomato

       Spag

       Pork Loin w/alfredo noodles

       

House chores:

       Every day Basics get done, ie..sweeping, bed made, dishes,

TV this week:

       Night time soaps = anything RH on Bravo

       we have lot's of movies DVR'd for late night viewing.  

This weeks Project:

        Raised garden bed completed this morning for my niece and her family..Wood we had on hand, 60 bags of top soil, 

   

Week Goal:

        Get some kind of activity Daily

        Complete a Virtual 5K

        Blog at least 1 more post

Prayer/Devotion:

        1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

       " always be joyful. never stop praying. be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus "

Hugs, Kisses, Be Safe Wishes !

Since my last post---$hit hit the Fan

That's right it's been over a month since my last post....and O-M-G what in the World has happened?? Stuff going on is Crazy at best. Corona Virus hit and the country, then there was a MAD dash to buy ALL the Toilet Paper..?!?!

Toilet Paper🧻 of all things. Then it was stock piling...E.V.E.R.Y.T.H.I.N.G. to the point that stores had to change hours of operation restocking shelves. And now stores have had to change hours to help accommodate Senior Citizens so that they are at least able to have supplies, well except 🧻 Toilet Paper...did I mention there was a MAD DASH on buying Toilet Paper.😖 

Then came the Race/Running Postponements...Reschedules...Cancellations... for most reading this it's not a big deal, for me though it's a Huge deal.

As a race/run photographer with a small partnership at RaceRise.com along with being on staff for RunTheBluegrass Half Marathon, on the Board of Directors for Dash for Danielle, and as a Race Director myself it's been nothing short of Chaos !  

The other Chaos going on is the fact that the Hubs had a daily routine and it slowly but surely came to a halt....at first it was not so bad due to the fact that he already had planned appointments. The last 2 weeks of February he had retina repair, colonoscopy [luckily this was before non-emergency procedures were put on hold], heart Dr check up, and vein Dr appointment for his P.A.D.

Then it happened...March, he was volunteering as a Meals on Wheels person then he wasn't, he was volunteering 3 afternoons and 2 mornings at our local hospital then he wasn't... he was going to the gym every other day, then he wasn't, and now he's here - with me - every day - all day.

I hope and pray everyone out there is safe, I'll share more thoughts sooner than later, after all I'm sheltered at home.

#hugskissesbesafewishes

Happy Homemaker Monday 2/17/20

Linking up with Sandra for Happy Homemaker Monday

First of all Can you BELIEVE its already half way through February...time is flying by, at least for me it is. Keeping a busy schedule then **blink**... I do try and plan out where I'm going to be and what I'm doing, Including making time for the Mr and Family. Speaking of which one of my G'daughters and her BF recently bought a house in a neighboring town. They are young But 'old' minded [does that make sense?] She has come a Very long way from her early teen age years where we were not on the best of terms..At..All!

Risking everything I wanted for her I choose a Tough Love approach.. loosing her to addictive things was so incredibly hard.

I Prayed, texted, Prayed, texted again, repeating over and over how I still Loved her with all I had and would be there if and when she wanted me...

luckily after several years she responded and I cried.

Are we good now?? I say yes to this as she has come so far and has finally grown up realizing life is what YOU put in and make of it. There are NO hand outs. You get what you WORK for, lessons that I was teaching/giving her during those incredibility difficult hard years. So to you my 'MissB' my Sweetie Pie Sugar Plum I'm proud of you for growing up, continue being the independent hard-working woman that you are, and know my Love for you is Forever!

The Weather...

    It's Crazy this weather...this week has Highs of almost 60* to night time lows of 17* 

What I'm reading...

     from this psychological thriller first page...'My name is Amber Reynolds. There are three things you should know about me: 1. I'm in a coma. 2. My husband doesn't love me anymore. 3. Sometimes I lie.'  At first I wasn't sure if I would enjoy reading Sometimes I Lie...the character goes from Now--to Before--to Then as these are the chapters in the book. Just started a few days ago and 100 pages in, [ also doing lot's of other reading so only read this at bedtime ]

TV Shows this week...

     Anything RH on Bravo, will be setting the DVR for some regular TV shows due to a couple meetings this week

Menu Plan...

     Still successful with my #noUnNeccessaryGrocerySpending goal so we'll be eating from the freezer, pantry and fridge. I have Pork Loin, Meat Loaf patties, freezer Meals, soups in pantry, Lot's of frozen veggies in freezer. Only plan on getting a couple potatoes for a meal. I'm more of a Convenience cook not by scratch cook. The Hub's and I do plan on going out after getting our taxes done to celebrate a 'Belated' Valentine's Day

Goal To Do List...

     Walk/Run 3X this weeks-various distances

     Get taxes completed - Tuesday

     RTB staff meeting tonight - can't believe the race is in 6 weeks !

     Take the Hub's for [hopefully] final eye appointment due to his retina hemorrhaging scare - Wednesday morning early

     GOP planning lunch meeting - Wednesday

     Bible Study - Wednesday evening

     Happy Heart Luncheon - Thursday

     Candace Owens GOP fundraiser - Friday evening

Project this Week...

     Work on more Radio segment preplans

     Email vendors for upcoming Horse Capital Marathon/Half Marathon expo 

     Update list for Spring Get Moving Ruby's Ramblers group

Todays Motivation...