bakingrunner: Liebster Award!!!!

bakingrunner: Liebster Award!!!!: Thank you so much Margaret at youngandrungry.com.   This was a blessing today because I was stumped on what to write about. The Liebster A...

Liebster Award!!!!

Thank you so much Margaret at youngandrungry.com.  This was a blessing today because I was stumped on what to write about. The Liebster Award is an award given to new bloggers by other bloggers as a way to support and promote each other in growing their blogs.  It’s a great opportunity to build up some connections and maybe even make some new blogger friends and I am so excited to have been nominated.

The Rules:

1. Post your award to your blog.
2. Answer the questions that you were given from the person who nominated you.
3. Nominate a few new bloggers you’ve discovered.
4. Create 10 new questions for the nominees.
5. Thank the blogger who nominated you and post a link to their blog.

1. What inspired me to start a blog?
     A movie. Julie and Julia which is about a lady who wants to start a blog and decides to cook her way through Julia Childs Mastering the art of French Cooking.  I have seriously watched that movie so many times I had to buy another copy.

2. When did I start running?
     I never liked running.  When I joined the Army I was so horrible at running. After I ended my tour of duty I said I would never run again.  Then I joined the police department in Atlanta and got so tired of suspects running.  So I initially started to run then, however have been running races for three years.

3. What is something I have always been good at?
     Making other people laugh.  I guess if I can't be happy I at least want to make others smile and laugh.

4. What are 5 things that bring me joy?
   Ice cold Coke, my sons, making others happy, memories, Ambien (lol)

5. If you had to completely change the direction of your blog and could not talk about running or anything health related what would you write about?
   Probably my love of food.
6. What is the hardest thing to write about?
    Once I can find an interesting topic, I can write forever, it is the initial topic that gives me the most grief.

7.What is the strangest and most embarrassing phase you have ever gone through?
   I would have to say the high hair phase.  I used so much hairspray.  My hair was about two inches off my face and boardlike.  Sitting in front of a mirror with a hair dryer and hair spray. 

8. What is the most spontaneous thing you've done?
   Joined the Army I don't know what I was thinking, probably wasn't.

9.  What is something your followers don't know about you?
    I hate the way I look.

10. How would you describe your personal style?
    I love simple plain cute.

 

 

My Nominations:

 

Maddie~dixieruns.com 

 shay~greatnowwhatstk.blogspot.com

Mary~minutespermile.com

Jen~jenchoosesjoy.com

 

 

I am super new to blogging, like less than two months.  I enjoy reading everybody's blog.  If you want to answer the questions that would be great. 

 

I hope everyone had a great weekend.

 

                    

Things I have been up to...

I took a couple days off of blogging to catch up on life.   I found myself spending a little too much time in front of the computer....I love reading and commenting on blogs.  It makes me feel like I have a social life even if it just through blogging. 
Finally got around to carving pumpkins and had so much fun!!!
Mine is the top one and Zachary's is on the bottom.  I think they are so cute!!!

 

I mentioned a few weeks ago I was in the process of sorting through my spices and changing over to Morton & Bassett because they seem to be more to my liking versus the regular brand.  I never used Chinese Five Spice so I picked up a bottle to see what it was.  It has a really interesting smell kind of like black licorice and cinnamon.

Chinese five spice powder is a spice mixture, typically made from fennel, cloves, Szechuan peppercorns, star anise, and cinnamon.

 I was feeling quite adventurous and roasted the pumpkin seeds with it and they were awesome. 

 

Lots of miles and spinning going on.

 

Rest, I definitely needed some serious sleep lately.  Unfortunately, Prissy had started a bad habit of banging on the blinds at all hours of the night/morning to wake me up.  I put her on the bed and she jumps down and does it all over again.  I have had her for twelve years and this is something new, but I am really tired of it.  She just wants company.  I woke her up all day long today thinking she may sleep tonight, I hope so.  I do not want to lock her out of my room. She has Grinch paws!!!

 

 

I have two races planned for November.  One is an 18 mile trail run and the other is a Turkey Trot.  I have A LOT of work to do.  I am just so excited to be healthy and injury free right now.  I rested more than I liked. Usually I just push myself through an injury. 

Well that is all I have for now.  I hope everyone is having a great weekend!!!!  Good Luck to everyone racing.

Have you carved your Halloween pumpkin?
Do you have a pet that refuses to let you sleep?
What is your next race?

 

Who knew Wednesday???

I love finding out new things and sharing them.

This is me most of the winter!!!! You will never know...

This would have freaked me out, I already do not like to fly!!! 

I do this so much,  however I do recall a argument where someone told me not to talk to them like a dog, and my reply was "woof woof mother f@#$er"  One of my proud moments.

I did not know this, nor have I watched "Cast Away"

 I may be above average with the fat....oh well I will always be clean.

I love avocados

That had to suck!!

 

Any interesting things you would like to share?

How is your week going?  Mine kinda has been rough

Trick or treating? Yay or Nay

 

 

 

A-Z survey

Happy Tuesday!!!!  I have seen this survey floating around and I enjoyed reading it about so many people, so here we go!!!

AGE- uggghhhhh  44
BIGGEST FEAR-  Something happening to my kids.
CURRENT TIME- 0800 hrs
DRINK YOU LAST HAD- Hot apple cider it is so good!!!
EASIEST PERSON TO TALK TO- My oldest son Jordan
FAVORITE SONG- This always changes probably Taylor Swift Wildest Dreams
GROSSEST MEMORY- I am going to say crime scenes and leave it at that
HOMETOWN- Townville, PA
IN LOVE WITH- Prissy
JEALOUS- Fast runners
KINDEST PERSON I KNOW- Amy
LONGEST RELATIONSHIP- sighhhhhh  4 years
MIDDLE NAME- Ann
ONE WISH- I want my mental health back!!!!
PERSON SPOKE WITH ON PHONE LAST- Jordan
QUESTION YOU ARE ALWAYS ASKED- Whats for dinner?
REASON TO SMILE- Everyday is a new opportunity to improve.
SONG LAST SANG- Wildest Dreams
TIME WOKE UP- 0620 hrs
UNIQUE TALENT- Cooking
VACATION DESTINATION- Mountain cabin
WORST HABIT- Comparing myself to others
XRAYS- Skull, back, tailbone, arm, ankle
YOUR FAVORITE FOOD- Salads for sure
ZODIAC-  I hate my sign for so many reasons Cancer

I had the best run today!!!!  Probably the best run in over a year. 

 I hope you enjoyed this survey.  Feel free to share.  

The weather has been absolutely gorgeous here in Memphis,  I love fall. 

 

How is the weather where you are?

Pick a few letters and add, please

Are you giving out candy for trick or treating?  I cannot decide if I am yet

 

Mute Monday

I am at a loss of words this morning.  I don't know why.  Maybe because I have fallen short with many of my goals.  I did not hit 50 miles last week, we did not carve pumpkins, I just feel out of it lately.  So instead of dwelling on negatives.  I am going to pick myself up and move on.  So this post is just going to be a compilation of positive, happy photos and quotes to help me move on and maybe it will make you smile too..

I hope everyone had a great weekend and accomplished great things!!!  

"This too shall pass"

 

Friday Five

I had so much fun yesterday with Zachary watching these funny videos yesterday.  It gives me so much joy to see him laugh.  I am so blessed to have had such wonderful sons.  I know we all think that our kids are great, but mine really are!!!



1.  I am completely out of peanut butter, like I took a spatula and scraped every little bit out of the jar.  I am addicted to peanut butter.  I had to have half a bagel with plain butter.  The good side of this is I get to go to the grocery store which I love. This may be the size I move up to

2.  I am going to the new Whole Foods close to my house tomorrow and I am really excited because I have a rolling list of things I have been wanting to get. 

3.  Have you heard of Coke rewards?  I have been entering the caps (most donated) into the system for a few months and have $30.00 already!!!!  I also have been entering my grocery store receipts into Ibotta and have $20.00. 

4.  I am starting to take donations to make homeless blessing bags to pass out on Thanksgiving.  Memphis has a huge homeless population.  If you are interested email me at has2run@yahoo.com

5. We are carving pumpkins tonight which should be a lot of fun.  Hot apple cider and scary movies what a great way to end fall break!!!

What are your plans for the weekend?
Do you eat an obscene amount of peanut butter?
Do you participate in any rewards programs? Which ones?

Police story ~ arresting a goat ~ seriously

This photo was taken in Washington DC. I rode a bicycle with several other law enforcement officers from around the country 300 miles to raise money for the Law Enforcement Memorial Fund.  It is a yearly event that remembers law enforcement officers that were killed in the line of duty.  I was so proud to do it. 100 miles a day from Portsmouth VA to Washington DC.  As part of the event you escort family members of slain officers to their seats during the ceremony.  I could not hold back tears.

One day I was dispatched to a goat in the middle of the highway, a four lane road.  I drove around but never found it.  This went on for a couple days.  Finally, I was dispatched to the goat trying to break into businesses.  When I arrived at the business where it was I saw the suspect.  It looked similar to the above goat but really dirty and evil looking.  This goat was seriously ramming into the front of a carpet store. I really thought it was going to bust the glass, but it was the shatterproof glass thankfully.  As I approached the goat it looked at me and took off.  I think it was at this point that I actually asked myself what the hell I was supposed to do with a goat. It was not like I had any tools or training in goat wrestling.  I cornered it and it started to charge at me.  I actually took out my ASP baton and hit it as it ran towards me.  It ran into the woodline and I just figured it would go back home.

Later in the shift the goat started dodging in and out of traffic which is never good.  I think this goat was on meth.  My partner and I cornered the goat near a day care center which was closed because it was the weekend.  Some citizens pulled up because they just always have to interrupt police business.  They suggested we get the apples out of our patrol car and try to feed it.  Seriously, do people really think we carry produce in the trunk of our patrol car?  My partner decided to pepper spray it, which did not work.  It was funny to see it run around covered in orange.

I continued to chase this goat for what seemed like miles at the time.  Police gear weighs over 25 pounds.  Several other officers joined in to try to stop this nuisance goat.  Finally after two days, being struck by an ASP baton, being pepper sprayed, and almost killed in traffic we were able to get it into an enclosed area.  Unfortunately it was a car dealership, and the goat liked to ram everything. It rammed three new cars, oops!!!  We tasered the goat and it screamed like a girl and pissed itself.  Some animal control officers tied it up like a cattle and took it to a farm.  The reason it kept ramming everything was because it saw it's reflection and thought it was another goat. 

I am so glad nobody was injured and that there were no accidents.

 

I am thirty miles for the week so far, I have noticed the pain is coming back in my calf so I a running this evening to give it a few extra hours to rest.  Have a great day

 

What do you think police officers have in their trunk?

Have you almost got in an accident because of an animal?

How is your week going?

 

 

I don't know why this particular story has been on my mind.  Just thinking about it makes me laugh.

A few random things

 

                                            I definitely needed a pick me up this morning.

 

Last night I made homemade spaghetti sauce.  It was so good I basically just drank the sauce and left the pasta. I used a large can of crushed tomatoes, butter, garlic powder, Italian seasoning, basil, oregano, salt, pepper and a pinch of cayenne. Butter makes everything better!!!

 

I am pretty bummed that the Real Housewives of Orange County is over until next season and we still do not know if Brooks actually has cancer.  Vicki is not coming back next season so I am not sure if we will ever know.  I think he is lying.

 

I love feeding the birds. It is relaxing to watch such delicate creatures eat seeds.  It is always a treat when a new type of bird swoops in makes an appearance.  This week I had a Northern Flicker stop by, is he cute.

 

My November issue of Runner's World arrived in the mailbox, I am sure this will be read by the end of the day.

 

Have you ever been overwhelmed by trying to read, comment, and create blogs that are interesting enough for others to read?  Blogging is a lot harder than I imagined it being. I have no intention of quitting.  I think I may need to plan ahead as to what I am going to blog because I just sit down and type a bunch of randomness. 

I would by lying to say I do not want to go to Pyros for lunch and have another salad.  I can't get that salad out of my head.  I will definitely be taking a picture to share.

 

What have you been craving lately?

Do you watch the RHOC? 

What is the latest exciting mail you received?

 

 

 

 

 

 

The gas station vampire who wouldn't shut up

My running goal this week is 50 miles in five days.  It looks like I am going to crush this goal.  I ran 10 yesterday.  Tuesdays is my four mile run to the gym, hour spin class (25 miles), and then run home.  I took a little stroll through the park which put me at 9 miles today.  It feels so good when you finally are over the constant nagging injuries that seem to happen all at once.
I think that I may have mentioned that I live in a not so savory area.  Pretty much all of Memphis kinda sucks.  So today I was leaving the gas station where I get my Gatorade to chug real quick, when I hear somebody screaming hey you.  I kept walking but it kept getting louder.  I turned around and there was this homeless guy.

OMG.  I never ignore people,  I try to give all I can. But this MF was absolutely ridiculous.  Let's just start with what he was wearing.  Does anybody remember Mr. T. from the A-Team?  He had rings on every finger.  He had what appeared to be a chandelier medallion hanging from his left earlobe.  He was wearing the old Army fatigue shirt which I immediately questioned him about.  He tried to tell me he was in the Army and exposed to Seron gas.  Basically he was trying to fool me into believing some bull shit that I could see right through.  He had the "crackhead"  look.  He proceeds to tell me that he won a huge amount of money and smoked it all up.  That was probably the only thing I believed he had the two teeth left up top that looked like vampire teeth.  I kept moving away from him and he kept effing talking.  I did not give him and money, however he let me know his name was Leon and he is always there.  It amazes me that people think I am so naïve.  That is how I caught so many criminals in my day.  I look completely harmless and like a regular person.  But I am not I know exactly how people like that operate.  At least I got a good laugh.  I hope he returns that huge ass glass chandelier medallion to the rightful owner. 

The weather has been absolutely beautiful here in Memphis.  I love the smell of fall and the leaves. 

I have been leaving the door opened for the breeze to blow through and it is amazing.  I hope you all have a great day and enjoy the weather.

How is your week going?  Anything exciting planned?
Have the leaves fallen where you live?  They are just starting to here
Do you speak to homeless people?  I try to give everyone a chance.

Five things I did this weekend

 

Finally watched Quantico, which is a really great show. I cannot wait for the next episode.

 

Celebrated a huge milestone with my car.  She officially has over 200,000 miles on her and is going strong.  This car has had two people learn to drive in it. Moved more times than I care to say. She has taken a lot of abuse from three boys. Has been my home on more than one occasion. I love my car. Sorry for the blurry photo!!

 

Saturday after taking a double spin class I came home and cuddled with Prissy for the remainder of the day.  It was so nice and she really enjoyed it.

 

 

I finally tried Pyro's Fire Fresh Pizza.  Only I had a salad and Zachary had a pizza which looked delicious.  You get a huge bowl of what appeared to be spring greens and then walk down a line and select your toppings.  It is not like a traditional salad bar.  They had roasted potato cubes, roasted onion, roasted tomatoes, a large selection of various meats.  I made mine with black olives, roasted onions, roasted potatoes, mixed cheese, and ranch dressing. It came with two triangle garlic rolls which were ok.  pyrospizza.com

 

Made the best brownies ever, not from a box.  I like my brownies cake like.  Not to firm or dense. 

Sunday was my rest day for the week.  I have 10 mile runs planned each day this week and then double spin on Saturday.  Running is getting "easier" again and mostly pain free.  I still feel a little twinge of pain in my calf every now and then but it is bearable. 

I hope everybody had a great weekend.  Congrats to everyone who raced.