Challenge - Day 14

A picture of someone you could never imagine your life without

It's been a while since Kiddo has made an appearance on my blog - - but today's topic suits him! I love my boy. The timing for this picture is interesting, also, since today is my first day in Chicago- and I miss him already!! He was being very momma-needy before I left yesterday. Perhaps he sensed I was about to leave?

At least I'm sure he's in good hands with his daddy - and I will see them again (in Chicago) on Thursday!

Love: My kiddo.
Hope: Kiddo is good for his daddy!
Do: Study. All. Day.

Challenge - Day 13

A picture of your favorite band or artist

Since I have never been into music all that much, I decided that I'd go with one of my favorite artists... and not of the musical variety! Although I don't actually own any of this person's artwork, I think it is cool when I know or have personal friends that are artistic. There are so many forms of art, that I decided to go with a favorite of the classic, "painting" variety. So to my friends who make jewelery, knit, crochet, stitch, cook, felt, and numerous others expressions of art I'm forgetting-- hat's off to you, as well!

Love: Expressing my creative/artistic side - although it's typically not "quality", I enjoy art for the pleasure of making it, and not necessarily how it turns out in the end!
Hope: I am not getting a cold - my voice is a little hoarse!
Do: Go on a run with the neighbors!

*Artwork used with permission of the artist.
Do:

Challenge - Day 12

A picture of your favorite memory

For my first international trip, the hubby (then boyfriend) and I went to New York, London, and Paris. It was a ton of fun. For some reason, that was also the trip of the kissing picture. Isn't new love awesome?

Love: Travel
Hope: We have a great week in Chicago!
Do: Need to start packing. Really!

Challenge - Day 11

Something you hate

I'm not much of a hater... but black licorice is on my "list." I don't like the smell, I don't like the taste. Plain and simple.

Love: Licorice... that isn't black!
Hope: It stops snowing in Chicago!
Do: need to start thinking about packing!

Challenge - Day 10

A picture of your most treasured item


I have several "items" I treasure, but only one came to mind as being something I am not the same without. Not that it "completes" me, or anything cheesy like that! However... it does encourage me!

I. Love. My. Garmin.

Love it.

I started running with a Garmin when I was training for my 1st marathon. I don't remember getting it - but as I began to use it - it changed me! Okay, so maybe it sounds "dumb" to talk about an inanimate object in this way. However... this is no ordinary object!

It measures your heart rate. There's a chest-strap that you can wear (although, I wear the strap only rarely). You can also set an alarm to "beep" if your heart rate goes over a certain rate. (My alarm when I do use it, is typically set to beep somewhere around 190 bpm.) This is a feature I use mostly in races, to slow me down when I start going too fast at the beginning! In reality, the alarm should probably be set somewhere slightly lower, but - like I said - I use this feature relatively rarely.

When I run, it tells me how far I've gone. If I want to go 5 miles, for example - I can run 5 miles without having to worry about starting at a mile marker. I can run ANYWHERE and tell the distance.

I can tell how fast I am going. Whether I am walking at a 17:00 minute-per-mile pace, or running at a 10:00 minute-per-mile pace, it tells me - almost every stride- what my "average" pace is. Admittedly, this is usuall somewhere closer to 12:45 (running) and 15:30 (walking). But, you see, without my Garmin, I would never have known these things!

My Garmin has gotten me through 2 marathons. Recently, I couldn't find my Garmin when I wanted (or needed, perhaps) the Garmin for the extra motivation for a run. 3 hours of searching and breaking-down before I could go on a run without it. I had to replace the first one I bought, so now I can run "smoothly" again.

I like my Garmin so much I bought one for my DH as a Christmas present - hoping to share the wealth (or maybe just being selfish and unwilling to share mine...)

Love: running - but only with my Garmin!
Hope: This one lasts a few years!
Do: Need to sign up for my next "race" adventure...

Challenge - Day 9

A picture of the person who has gotten you through the most

For today's picture, there are several people who came instantly to mind. There are several friends, for example, who helped me "survive" divorce. There's my college friends who helped me through a tough freshman year. There's my "BBS" friends who helped me survive an awkward coming of age. Only a couple of people came quickly to mind as helping me through one (or more) tough situations. There's my mom, who helped with divorce, freshman year, and many other things I am sure I have long since forgotten.

At the end of the day, however, there is only one person with whom I share my bed. The same person who came to a marathon to cheer for me. The person who survived a "pregnant" version of me, and coaxed me through an entire labor and delivery. This person faithfully reminds me - daily - that I am loved. He travels by my side to far-a-way places. On a lovely September day, he rode beside me on a bicycle for 100 miles. Only one person comes to mind for encouraging me to be a better version of me.

Love: DH
Hope: He continues to get me through the tough times to come!
Do: Figure out how to prevent kiddo from standing on the couch!

Challenge- Day 8

A Picture of your night.

It seems a little weird to be posting - first thing in the morning- a picture of my night. However, this is a typical picture of me after 8pm (Kiddo's bedtime). I'm not sure if I'm sleeping or studying, but I guess you get the idea!

Love: the prospect of one day being done with studying.. right now, that's just a prospect!
Hope: I finish my "plan" this week before the seminar next week!
Do: Get on with my day!