Thanks for the Giving...Mr. Turkey

I wanted to post a few things about the holidays we had with our dearest family.

Thanksgiving, although typically placed in the shadow of Christmas, was surprising awesome at my house! Thanks to our dear friends Trent and Missy, Hans' parents, and all of the sticky faced children running around, we had a super fun filled weekend. It tipped off with turkey, peaked with turkey, and concluded with turkey! so here is my ode to the poor creature who was gruesomely beheaded, plucked, and deep fried, all for the sake of saying "Thanks".

Dear Mr. Turkey,

How great life was. Living from moment to moment. So happy with what life had given. No need for worry, no need for pain; constantly under the impression someone would bring you food when hungry. Oh poor poor Turkey, you were betrayed. Your food came at consistent intervals for a much higher purpose. We wanted you to be fat, juicy, and clean. It was not for your sake we primped and preened you, oh no. It was for ours. I'm sorry your fate was doomed from the start, and I'm sorry to your next of kin regarding Thanksgiving 2011; for I am greatly looking forward to eating your cousin Melvin!

White Fang and the "Malley"-Mute

So I just finished reading the books Call of the Wild and White Fang. Loved, loved, loved them! But the best part of the whole experience was upon completion when I chose to watch the cinema version of "White Fang". Excellent movie by the way, but the best part of all was my sweet Malamute Malley (who always dedicates her presence to her mommy (yes human form) every second of everyday). So, it happened that when snuggeling down for her routine nap, I turned on the flick. Though, Little did this nugget know that the movie had all sorts of puppies and dogs in it. Imagine her surprise when a dog was on the screen for almost 3/4 of the movie. This little girl couldn't take her eyes off the screen! She watched the whole movie with me, start to finish. Litterlly...when the dog wasn't in the picture she was still watching just with her head down, but once White Fang came running in, her ears would perk up, her head would cock from side to side, and then slowly scoot closer to the screen. Quite litterally One of the cutest things I have ever experienced, but hey she keeps one uping those lately, so I will just end with saying. I LOVE MY GIANT PUP! ( :

Sparks, flames, and other Independent things

Hans and I went camping this weekend with our furry girls...Luckily, we were the only ones within a mile of our chosen camp site, so we were happy. Unfortunatly Hans was the camera man, so his adorable face isnt here, but here are a few pics of me and the pups.
I do love my family!!!

Just me and the road...if that

So I wanted to write about running again today, but this time explore the psychology behind it and why it has become so addicting for me.



For the longest time I assumed I would hate running. It has always been a challenge for me because, in spite my complete lack of preparedness every time, I would still start off with loud music in a giant sprint. This of course was an equation for failure...every time! My approach lately, yes fueled by desire for weight loss and a better marriage, has started me on a healthy increase of endurance.



At first I kept it short .5 miles, then .75, then 1, and so on so forth. Second I set a goal, 5.6 mile marathon on June 11th. Check. Now I have started measuring my distance with the handy dandy "Run Keeper" app for my IPhone from which I am motivated by the encouraging automated voice: "activity summary: distance: 3.1 miles, time: 28.56 minutes, average pace: 11.2 minutes a mile". I LOVE this! Its like my very own coach encouraging me to keep going, push forward, all to hear over my earphones a larger number, a longer time, a smaller average. This is my first point. The addiction of success.



I think we all know how good it feels to accomplish a goal we have set. But the most of us (including me) set goals that we know we can do : i.e. say no to the next cupcake, smile at more strangers, order a salad instead of fries, tell our spouse we love them more. Do you see my point? I have done nothing but set goals I KNEW i could accomplish. But here I am, a living proof that we can accomplish our "impossible" goals. It is possible; and believe it or not, the progress we make everyday begins to be our motivator, and I love it. Now I am the one encouraging me, not Hans, not family, not friends, ME!!! I never knew I had this power. Yes, I still look in the mirror and see the "old" misty, but I think my mind just needs time to catch up with my heart; because I not only feel successful and proud when I run a longer run, but also when I say no to another plate of fries. The feeling associated with these far out ways the momentary comfort of stopping to rest or salivating over the grease and salt. I LOVE pushing myself now and feeling good about it! Never in a million years did I think "chubby Misty" could run 5 miles in one hour!



The exciting thing is that this concept can roll over into anything we want. For example, my sister Tami is working on writing a book! I love that; and her response? "Why not"! EXACTLY sis! You will never know ability until you try, and if no one else is there to tell you how awesome you are...so what? Aren't you someone? Aren't you excited for yourself? Then that's all that matters. The concern of what "others" think should be, and will be replaced by the what do "I" think. It's a very freeing, OH and ADDICTING feeling.



This leads me to my second and last point. The mental/stress release that comes with my running is something I never expected. I find myself struggling every time to bust into it and sync into the rhythm. It is a mind and body battle for about 1.5 miles, then the two FINALLY stop arguing and we all begin to play nice. I joke here, but it is true. I literally can feel my mind slow and "give in" to my body's pace. I take one, automatic deep breath, and my mind calms, my legs move themselves, and the only words... "dreamlike state". I don't think about my life, work, or relationship. The stresses of the day/week are washed away, and I can finally clear my mind. This is as I said above...addicting.



It is the most peaceful hour of my day and I look forward to my turn again.



How amazing is that! I don't mean me, but the mind and body idea. I am so amazed at how we are built and maintained, and how quite literally when fed and exercised right, we are clean running machines, naturally de-stressing, detoxifying, and purifying ourselves. God has made us so well, I just need to take care of me and the rest is in hands.



Ironically, I am still very much struggling with self esteem, but all of this is helping so much. I can only imagine where I would be if I hadn't made this change when I did. I am not thankful for the pain that pushed me to make said change, but I am thankful that I was given another chance, and with it I made a healthy decision. I pray that I will maintain this strength and continue to stay addicted to my runs.



Good luck with your own battles...I know we can all do it! Let's stop with the excuses, believe it's all you...and guess what...that's enough!



Thanks for reading,



Until next blog. Cheers

My Monday

I for one, hate Mondays! Why is this?
It's a day that inevitably comes every week, no matter how hard I try to ignore it. Plus, for some reason, I set up the worst expectations for her...poor Monday.

What did she ever do me? She enjoys her sunrise, but selflessly sets the sun for Tuesday. How kind is Monday. For without her there would be no Tuesday, Wednensday, Thursday, or most IMPORTANT Friday!

So I am making an effort to love my Monday, if only for that one fact: She ever sets in motion my week, allowing Friday to make his way to me once again! ( :

So Friday come quickly, but Monday....thanks for getting us started.


Cheers to you, and I will see you again next week! ( :

To My Hans

The wounds were deep and fierce but we are finally healing.
With so many watching over the years we couldn't help but feel ashamed and made fools of.
Where did our friends go? The ones who said they loved. No matter, we are safe now in each others arms. Can it get better than this? I know it can! I work hard for you and you for me. I can feel your love through every sense. What have I been missing.
Forgiveness is daily and will be for life, but I am feeling more secure today than before.
I will give you my light soon, and very soon. In fact I have already let you hold the lantern, just stay strong and love me, and my trust will come to you. Be mine forever my love, and I will be yours. Holding Hands through Eternity is my goal, as I'm sure it is yours. Stay strong my love, and I will be yours, Hold my hand through eternity and i will promise to hold yours.

-Your Misty

All I need are shoes!

So I have recently taken up running. Not only because I was literally watching my ass grow, but because I wanted, no, NEEDED a challenge. Something that I could say "look what i have done!". So here I am. I have been running almost everyday for over a month, and I can easily punch out two miles comfortably! Never did I think this was possible. I have always assumed that such feats were for "the better" women out there. You know, the ones who have never had a giant ass, who always have the "perfect" marriage, and who only eat wheat and water because "its yummy". (I call BS on that)



I am hear to say for one, this woman does not exist, and two anyone can make a change in their life...just start off slow and work into it. Don't set goals you can't obtain, keep them small and add on as time progresses. I know I am not perfect, and have made many mistakes in my life, but thank God I was given a second chance (in some cases a third or fourth).



I will keep running. I have promised myself this. Even if i only make it to the end of my street that day, I WILL put on my running shoes and press my feet into the concrete. Yes, there will be days that I am sick, or PMS is pullsating so heavily through my veins that even my running shoes fear me, but I will keep my chin up. Because after all I have not lost anything...am I not still capable of running? Do I not still have functioning legs? I have lost nothing in this momentary break. All I need are shoes! (Well im sure the neighbors would appreciate some additional items as well)





My gift to you: Take it slow and work on forgiving yourself.