Seven things I'm stoked about! (Also, heyyyyyyyyy:)

Well this is awkward...

So I know that it's been a while (in true fashion, I'm too lazy to look at the last post I created on this here bloggie for reference), and for that, I am so sorry.  For sure what happened:  1.) My training slowed down to a minimal existence (we'll talk about that in a minute); 2.) I began focusing on work *BIG TIME* -- I'm pretty sure my Principals went from "She's awesome" to "She can stay here forever...";) 3.) Thusly, I haven't had much to blog about for you.:(

HOWEVER

This has given me a lot of time to shift back into priority land, reflect, and have a few revelations.

I've still been following you and reading all about your wonderful lives (how many preggos are out there now?!) and awesome training.  Just bear with me as I make my return, yeah?

1.)  SCHOOL IS OUT for Chicago Public School kiddos, teachers, and staff on June 21st  I know -- that's later than most!  But to be fair, we started the day after Labor Day.  I'm not sure which I would prefer:  Going back earlier, say mid-August, or later, second week of September.

Nah, that's a lie.  I'd rather start earlier.

2.)  Just a month after school lets out will bring the event that I look forward to every four years!  SUMMER OLYMPICS!  

I guess I'm into countdowns lately.

That lockscreen though.

(Yeah, that's what time I get up -- *le sigh*)

3.) Two things happen on June 4th that I'm stoked about -- here's one:

4.)  My training has been pretty spot-on for the past two weeks.  The reason for inconsistency is seriously something I'm going to have to discuss later -- after I find a therapist and lay on their couch for a while.  Things that I've considered:

• After a year and a half of worrying (I've gone over this before), I feel like I was D-O-N-E with obligation.
• Self-sabotage?!
• I entered into a cycle of overtraining, long ago, when I felt like I had to worry about exams and monetary needs over training.  It was disguised?!
• I got lazy.  <<<< Occam's Razor, eat your heart out.

5.)  This one is a twofer!  

Getting on Lola was AMAZING.COM yesterday!  Harry and I dropped Sophs off and hit up a nearby trail.  There isn't much shade...like at all...it looks like this for 99% of the time --

OH MY GOSH, CHEEEEEEESE.

And seriously?  I never would've thought that I'd find a Dickey's BBQ in Illinois.  I used to stop at Dickey's after a long run or ride when I lived in Texas.  A pulled-pork sammich, some 'slaw, and a root beer seriously hit the spot after ~18 miles on the bike.

6.)  I am still going to the /R/iver /R/unners track nights, but I have a new conditioning routine that I do instead of running with the crew.  I still get the best part of the night, without stressing over not really like running in the afternoon/evening (I think it's the worst!  I'm a 100% morning runner!).

7.)  I'm going back into teaching group exercise!  I will totally update you about this, but I'll be teaching Kickboxing + abs & Yoga.  I GET TO SEE SOMEONE VERY SPECIAL EVERY SINGLE TIME I TEACH, TOO.

 I'll share later ------------ promise.

But really, have a happy Tuesday.  I hope you have an awesome one!

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Did you do anything fun and/or fantastic for the long weekend?


Do you have any races coming up?


FAVORITE OLYMPICS ATHLETE AND/OR FAVE SUMMER OLYMPICS EVENT?
LOLO JONES!  FOR LIFE!

Optimism - KEEP LOOKING UP - & Friday Faves

I have had some period of reflection as of late, and I can't think of the last time that I felt like true sunshine.  Friends and family will tell me that I'm so happy, and that I'm optimistic and can see the silver lining.  While that IS true on the outside, it seems to take more time to see that silver lining, perhaps since I've moved to Chicago.  My default used to be optimism; it seems like it takes me a bit longer lately to get there.

Here's where there IS a bit of sunshine, though!  I'm not sure when or how the shift to pessimism, but I'm happy that I've figured out that this is what has been missing from my World.  Realizations are a tricky thing -- They require some work; just knowing what's up isn't enough.  I've started documenting what's been going wrong, and have found some internal insight to construct a list of things to work on.

Symptoms of my fading optimism:

-Complaining too much
-Additionally, providing no real solutions
-Blaming others for things they can't possibly know they're doing wrong
-Missing the point of a story or detail and going right to criticism
-FAST judgement --- WHAT?
-Allowing negative thoughts to stay in my brain, sometimes until my head hits the pillow

How I plan to get my optimism back:

-STOP COMPLAINING -- There's no good reason for it!
-BE GRATEFUL -- This will take care of 90% of the challenges I'm facing!  It can start with the simplest of tasks, such as getting a cup of coffee.  
-THINK before I speak -- I get nervous sometimes and just blurt out whatever's on my brain.  I know this is the second thing I need to work on.
-Take better care of myself, stay on top of work and other tasks (at home, for instance) -- I'm the best at procrastination when I'm down n' out; if I stay on top of things, I can better avoid this challenge.
-Looking forward to change -- I have mentioned before about how change makes me nervous.  I'm excited for how my life and outlook are going to ROCK in no time!
-CHOOSING JOY.  When all else fails, I have JOY on my side, and I'm convinced that that's the only reason why I'm typing this right now.

In the wisest words I've ever heard, and got to hear them every single day, from someone whom I still adore, the late, great Kidd Kraddick ----------->

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Now that that's behind us, let's move on to HAPPY FAVORITE THINGS!

THIS HAT was in a lovely box sitting on my doorstep the other day.  The North Face Locals had sent out a request for a photo from our most adventurous trips a couple of months ago.  The scene was winner winner, chicken dinner, and it's apparent why they won!

What a gorgeous shot.  It's officially my new favorite hat.  Of all time.  #NeverStopExploring

My favorite way to cut carbs.

Oatmeal.  I <3 <3 <3 oatmeal.  1/2 cup oats + 3/4 cup cashew milk + organic PB + organic banana = the breakfast of my life.  I used to eat this more than once a day, and somehow got out of the habit of eating it altogether.  Well, guess what, oats?  I'm BACK to nom on you!

Me, scraping my bowl clean like a four year-old.

Track night.  Even though it was kind of warm and muggy Wednesday night, I missed the crew so much and didn't mind it one bit too much.  This picture is almost misleading (and also eerily blurry), though.  It would appear that This Hobbit is running toward me, when he was really running backwards.

Faster than me.

Running forward.

LOLO. 

Forever my favorite breed of pup, despite Monday's post with the Corgi.

And the closest second of all time, as well as your *BRAIN HUG* for today, and more than likely for ALL TIME.  You're always welcome to come back and see them again.:D

Happy Friday, and happy weekend, bloggie friends!<3
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Tell me some of your faves today!  FAVE PUPPY BREED?!

Favorite breaky?

Favorite SCARY MOVIE?

Favorite workout/training sesh?

FAVORITE WEEKEND PLAN?

I've Been Thinking.

You know.  Because Thursday.:)

As always, thanks, Amanda!

1.  It warmed up!  But I don't expect it to stay over 20*F for very long.

2.  Proof that I needed to get out and train to feel better.  I had a sinus infection (a pretty mean one!), and didn't work out for nearly two weeks.  I'm not the type of person that gets freaked out by this by any means, but I missed running.  I missed the release that I get from exercise-induced sweat.  At least in this instance, the Lord wants me to...do Yoga?:)

3.  And #RUNHAPPY I shall!

4.  Harry's birthday was last Friday, the day after Thanksgiving.  I feel bad for anyone whose birthday is that close to a major holiday, since your day might very well go on the back burner just a tad.  My parents and I took him out to eat for some chicken-fried steak, something I haven't been able to successfully find in the Chi!  Mmmmmmmmmmm...Salt Grass's Shiner Bock bread, chicken-fried steak, and garlic mashed potatoes.  Happy on a plate.

5.  Another shirt I believe belongs on me.  #Waffles

6.  Oh yeah!  It's about THAT TIME!  I have made homemade peppermint bark, and I believe Harry would like for me to make some (very) soon.  Until then, these will do.  These will do very well.

7.  Lolo Jones is my most favorite human.  Ever.  Of all time.

8.  Are you doing Elf on the Shelf?  Do you find it as creepy as I do?  Here's something that'll address and confirm the creepiness.

9.  In related thoughts (more on the Christmas side -- not so much on the creepy side), we get to put up the tree this weekend with Sophia!  We had a very basic setup last year, as it was our very first Christmas together, and we didn't have a ton of cash to spend on decorations.

We made our own stockings.:)  We have new ones this year, but I definitely saved these.

10.  My favorite Christmas song.  Or at least one of them.  I'm a pretty big fan of Christmas, so I might very well post my faves every Thursday.

Y'all have a fantastic Thursday!  Try not to think out TOO loud (like me).

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QUICK:  FAVORITE (Christmastime) candy or sweet?

Have you already put up your tree?  

QUICK #2:  FAVORITE ATHLETE?  (ANY sport.)