Runner I Was Not

I have never been a runner. Never. Even in middle school when you had to run a mile or whatever, I hated it. That's why swimming was always so perfect for me. Completely opposite from running. Running = vertical. Swimming = horizontal. Running = hot. Swimming = cool. Running = moving slowly and looking like a fool. Swimming = gliding through the water nice and gracefully.

Well, something changed in the fall. For whatever reason, I had the desire to run. Now, I've had that random, out of nowhere desire before which usually led to one run around the apartment complex to which I'd run for about 15 minutes, be sore the next day, realize how crazy runners are to do what they do, and that would be the extent of my try at running. But this time was different. I had a program, a routine, something to accomplish and work towards. I won't lie, the first run was really hard. I was only running for a minute at a time and I couldn't imagine how I could possibly finish this program and run a 5K (~30-45 minutes). But I kept at it. I was sore a lot but I wanted to finish. I had the drive. I even got all the way through SEVEN weeks of the program! Seven weeks of running three times a week! Amazing. And then came Thanksgiving, where I even ran for 25 minutes straight! Also amazing. I couldn't believe it.

But then I got sick, and it snowed, and the time changed so it wasn't light out when I got home from work.

FINALLY, I went running for the first time in over a month on Friday. I joined the rec center so no more excuses if it's raining, cold, dark outside, snowing, whatever. I wasn't sure what my ability would be after that far of a break but I started back with the Week 6 workout. Only a week behind where I was. And how did I feel.....SORE! But I went again today and felt better. I really want to do a 5K in 2011. Crazy, but also super exciting and the craziest thing is that I actually LIKE running now. Wow, never thought I'd say that. Thanks c25k program!

1st completed craft of 2011 (sorta)

Finished my first craft project of 2011. I started this set of scrap napkins over a year ago - living in the apartment, using my mom's sewing machine. Finally finished the last three that had been sitting pinned and ready to be sewn since then - in my own house, in my craft room, and with my sewing machine. Yay for completed projects! I needed something easy to complete, would get my mind off of other things, and would make me feel accomplished in not too long of a time period.

2011

I'm worried for the year 2011. Thinking about my goals for this year and what I want to accomplish made me sit back and think about 2010...and you know what, I had a pretty AMAZING year! I met a guy, fell in love, traveled to New Orleans, bought a house, went to the theater, expanded things at work, kayaked, went camping (twice), bonded with some new friends, traveled to Maine, made a bunch of kids super happy at camp, traveled to the Outer Banks, met a workout routine that I actually enjoyed (zumba), went running, traveled to Wilmington, became a board member, kayaked in the freezing rain and survived, and brought my boyfriend home for Christmas! I'm sure I'm forgetting things but it was an awesome year! So I'm just afraid that 2011 has a lot to live up to. But I'm still excited. I'm sure there will be more awesome things to come. :)

Christmas is almost here!!!!!

I'm so ready for Christmas. I've been crafting for for a while now and hopefully soon I can share all of my projects with you since they will have been given out as gifts. One more day of work left and I'm so excited about cooking and baking and crafting for a few days before heading home for Christmas. With the man. First time an "outsider" has come to Christmas with the fam. I'm excited. :) Hope he can handle us...

Candy Wreath

It's become quite the tradition each year to make a candy wreath (traditionally with mints) with my mom. She learned how to do it from her mom and my coworkers and friends have been enjoying them for a few years now. This year we had a candy wreath-making party over Thanksgiving Break and taught a bunch of others how to make them. Here's my creation for Jared's office - mints with a few leftover Jolly Ranchers from the one I made for work.

Yo-Yo Love

My grandmother taught me how to make yo-yo's - something that she has made a lot of into quilts, pillows, etc. She and I started on a project together, and while she has made probably over 10 of these, I have finished two so far. My goal is to have one more made by the end of the month so I can have a set of three out for Christmas.

From there, the yo-yo love continued. I made some two different yo-yo crafts for Christmas gift which are a secret (sorry, no picture yet).

And lastly, my newest yo-yo love! And they are so cute. Got the idea here. This is basically a giant yo-yo that before you tie them off, you stuff, then tie off, add a stem, some leaves and a vine curl. I think they turned out pretty darn cute! I made three bigger ones and three tiny ones. Too bad it's almost too late to have them out as decorations. Oh well at least there's next year.

And this is my favorite one! :)

**Sorry for the not so good photography...need to work on the lighting or staging area for pictures of all my crafts.

Crafting Bug

So it's been another long break between posts here. I'm really going to try and do better. Especially since I have so many cool projects to work on and share with everyone. Here's an update of a few things I've worked on in the past few months - when the crafting bug has bitten hard....some things can't share b/c they might be Christmas presents....but this is the majority of them.

I posted this last year, but I've just been enjoying it so much this year, thought I'd post again. Just love my fall centerpiece! After Halloween, I took out the two small pumpkins and replaced them with some turkey candle holders.

Another fall craft that I've already put away, but never got a chance to show on the blog was my Halloween wreath. Just black burlap strips and scrapbook paper-covered "BOO" letters. I got the idea from another blog. My strips are a little floppy - might need a trim for next year.

And I have some leftover black burlap for another project for Halloween next year! To be continued in 2011!

My BFF and I had a crafting day full of some "secret" crafts and these! Two different flower pin ideas.

Lastly, working on some ornaments for Christmas presents. When I went to visit Jes at the Wild Sage Homestead, she taught me how to make these. Turns out my grandmother had given me one a long time ago using the same technique. So I have four that are in the process of being made. This one is pretty much done except for the ribbon I need to add around the edge. It's the same on the other side.