Shutting it Down Saturday

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Saturday, June 2nd

Second day and going strong! I got up a little earlier, and we went all day long! The run was good, but the wind was strong, slowing Mom and me both down some.

PS, Mom is now addicted to Starbucks Triple Mocha Frappuccino. So if you want to get her anything, this would be the winner. You could also call this a "hack" I guess, not to be trendy, I hate that, but she would get them in the morning and freeze them until afternoon! When I went up to get some food from the room I would bring it down and it was like eating ice cream! For my afternoon treats, I tried lots of new drinks I had bought over time. I need to hydrate, especially running and tanning in the heat and humidity all day every day, so flavor helps me! Today was a Neuro.

My Bible Study for today was tying up some loose ends of an old daily devotion and a Daniel Plan that I had gotten in my email. The last day of the month was the best one and so encouraging to my place in life.

"Keep Improving"

"No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:27.

Not that I haven't heard and read this verse many times, but it means something different in different situations. That's why you can never get enough of the Bible, because God is always at work.

I admit that I am way too hard on myself both physically and mentally. But why do I push myself so hard? Rather than get caught up in the moment, I need to think about the future. Will this small mistake I made (that no one even notices but myself) matter tomorrow? I might spend "5 more minutes" on something, then "5 more" and so on because it's never good enough, but who cares!? I could be missing things or draining energy and motivation for things that God has in store for me here and in the future. If I wear myself out being a perfectionist, I won't have the focus or energy to give to other works, family, friends, and fun. I have a difficult time doing what I need to do now so I can do what I want to do later, but that is something God is teaching me to discipline myself in.

Second was a Daniel Plan devotion titled "Real Life" with the verse in John 10:10 where Jesus says that He has come so that we can have full life. LIFE is found in Him, not in my daily pursuits. I find that when I struggle emotionally, I have gotten caught up in trying to do more than be satisfied in what Jesus has already done. Even before we left for vacation, I had a hard time thinking things like, "What if it rains? What if I can't run as much as I want? What if we don't get to go shop here or there?" I had to remind myself that my joy does not depend on this beach trip. It will be over and done before I can feel like I've been there. Then we will be back home. That was a depressing thought. Not getting to go to the beach last year has made this a huge anticipation in my mom's and my mind, but it is just a thing that will come and go. I will always have Jesus. He has an ongoing plan for my life, and everything else is just details!

For the day on the beach, I read some comics and a part of a book and some word searches. It was a great day on the beach, and by the time we got to the big Coastal Grand Mall and sat for dinner, we were much quieter than we had been. We laughed at ourselves being so tired! We also joke about how "fancy" we eat at the beach; we use gift cards from over the year, and we go cheap! But that's how we enjoy it. We enjoy the beach and simply being there, so we don't have to spend so much money eating out at the places like Margaritaville. Tonight was Chick-fil-a! We hadn't been there in a long time, and it was very satisfying.

 

Mom and I split up to shop since the mall closed at 9, so that way we could do more faster. I looked around more than I bought (which is kind of a good thing!), but I did get some good stuff at GNC! I had a rebate for Optimum Nutrition Cake Bites, which look really good, so I got a few flavors as well as a carrot cake No Cow Bar. (PS, if you are interested in the rebate app I use, I can send you my referral link so we can both get extra points! I love it and currently have around $100 stored up) I also had an American Eagle giftcard from a return from my birthday I think, and I have not been able to get rid of it! I am highly disappointed in the quality of clothes over time. Prices go up, and quality goes down. Not just quality, but also coverage. Why should I pay so much money for clothes that look like they came out of the trash, are paper thin and/or have holes, paint splatter, whatever!? They're ugly. I could go on, but I'll stop. Finally I found some jeggings on the clearance rack to take care of one of the items on my "wish list" and a decent and cute shirt also on sale at Aerie! Before we knew it, the doors were starting to close all around us, and we had to head out. I can't believe how time flies. I used to think we shopped for hours and would run out of places to look. Well, tonight we shut the place down, literally!

On the way out, we heard some thunder and saw lightning off in the distance, but little did we know of the rain that was coming! I got drenched in the parking lot, even though I only had to walk two steps from under the awning... In the hotel, I had seen a brochure paper for a new ice cream and candy shop that was between the mall and the hotel, so Mom took me by! I got some great chocolates from the do-it-yourself section and tried lots of new flavors! For the chocolates, I got dark chocolate covered pretzels, espresso beans, and pomegranates, chocolate coconut almonds! I love the places that aren't so generic. These flavors I got were banana pudding, salted caramel cheesecake, rum raisin, maple nut, white chocolate raspberry truffle, heath yogurt, and peanut butter pretzel! Their to-go containers were so good! The styrofoam kept it cold already, but when I got back to the hotel and opened it, there were Yeti brand paper things on top! All that goodness and care for packaging, and it still wasn't expensive.

Spring (Break) has Sprung

#SB2015
(That means Spring Break 2015)

Chronologically previous post:  Focusing on Faith

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Spring just ended a couple days ago, so summer is in full swing.  Good time to talk about the best part of spring:  the part where we have no school.

 

I wasn't exactly wishing for Spring Break to come so quickly, but at the same time, I was. I wanted a week away from school so bad!  Just as I knew it would, though, it came fast enough. I really needed a break from school!

Good thing:  Frisco got a bath.

Bad thing:  It was in my bathtub.

Speaking of dogs...

Spring is a time when hopeful feeling well up!  Grass get greener, the sun brighter, weather warmer, flowers bloom, birds and squirrels come out of hiding, new flowers bloom, etc.  It's a great time to get out and try new things!

"For behold, the winter is past; the rains are over and gone.  Flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtledove is heard in our land."  Song of Solomon 2:11-12

 

Mom and I took a trip to Sevierville to shop at the Tanger Outlets and Bud's Gun Shop and Shooing Range.  The sports outlets are always my favorite!  I bought some new running tights in Under Armour (not pictured), but I also wanted these tank tops!  Deciding that I would rather spend my money on the tights, I took pictures of the shirts instead.

Between Tanger and Bud's, we stopped in Dunkin Donuts, and I treated Mom to an iced coffee and muffin because she treats me way more often than I deserve.

I always see someone I know at Workout Anytime.  Q was in my spanish class last year, and we had so many laughs!  It was a great surprise to see him this morning.  It also gave me some better--living and breathing--entertainment than my phone while I biked!

Snoopy sweats.

 I saw a worker at Chick-fil-a wearing one of these, so I asked if I can have one, too.  I love Chick-fil-a and cows, so that is a good enough reason.

 

 

Another thing I love!  My mamaw!  She is so sweet, pretty, and smells good...and cooks good, but what mamaw doesn't?

I did my morning run on the road from home through town and back to Chick-fil-a to meet Mom and her parents for lunch!

I finally got around to changing my stuffed animals' clothes from their Christmas attire.  Snoopy is ready for the sun and surf, and Hal is keeping it classy.

Sophie and I are twins!  Can't you see the resemblance?

Frisco felt left out because he didn't match, but he jumped in the picture anyways.

During the spring season, my most common pancake flavor was banana chia with peanut butter banana glaze.

Spring was a stressful semester for me in school, track, home, and just everything that was happening.  There was just too much to do and not enough time!  Despite all that, I still tried to "Be Hoppy" with the days that I had.  It was good to have a break from school and regular track practices, so I could work on "throwing off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and...fixing our eyes on Jesus..."  (Heb. 12:1-2)

The song by Colton Dixon, Through All of It, really related to me going through all the ups and downs.  If you haven't heard it, you should take a look!  God is always there!  (Dueteronomy 31:6) 

One thing I reallly wanted was some freedom in my mind and soul from all the stress and worries of life.  Two verses I fould encouraging were

Galatians 5:1 "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free.  Stand firm then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by the yoke of slavery."

and 2 Corinthians 3:17 "...where the spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 

We can live freely, no matter where in the world we are, because Christ has given us freedom that nothing can ever take away.

 

Do I really look 5 years older?  I may not look much different on the outside, but man have things changed!  No more basketball, all running.  Not planning on studying education, but communications.  Praising God for the good times and reading His word when I was at church or when it was convienient was typical, but now I am thankful for the good and the not-so-enjoyable moments, because each and every one has been a part of these changes that have made me who I am! 

"...The old has gone, the new has come!"  2 Corinthians 5:17

 

The same morning that I took the picture on the right, our Sunday school lesson was, yet again, just what I needed.  It was about hope!  As Christians, our hope is not in the temporary, but the eternal!

Science Hill hosts a big meet every spring called the Tri Cities Track Classic.  We went last year, and it was one of my favorite meets ever, mainly because they had a steeplechase.  I had SO MUCH FUN doing that.  I won with a NBN qualifying time in my first ever steeple.  I had no practice.  Sometimes that's what you gotta do.  Just go out and try something new, and it may turn out to be one of the best decisions you make!  I also won the 2 mile that same night, so it was a good weekend.  Sadly, our team didn't go this year, and we couldn't enter as an individual, but MileSplit used my picture in their sidebar advertisement!

This brought back good memories as well as hopes that I can do it again.

A post I saw on Instagram inspired me to make this cross-shaped pancake.  The ones I saw were small circle and oval pancakes arranged to form a bunny-rabbit, with various toppings for the eyes, nose, etc.  Bunnies and eggs are fun things that go with the Easter holiday, but the best thing about Easter is the reason we celebrate it.  We don't celebrate Easter because bunnies have babies and chickens lay eggs.  We celebrate Easter because Christ was crucified and came back to life.

"He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness.  By His wounds you have been healed."  1 Peter 2:24

What a great hope we have.  He died so that we can live.

Nasty November

To start things off, here's a funny video of a high school cross country team that recorded a parody of the song "Fancy."  Even though it is high schoolers, it looks pretty fancy!  No pun intended.

Another random insert:  This is an old post from before there was snow on the ground for this season, but I like goats and I like Colorado skiing!  One blog for a resort that I follow, ABasin, has lots of goats, and they even post about them sometimes.

This month has had some crazy and nasty weather, which has made some days very discouraging!  But of course there are always smiles to go around town!  You just have to have that attitude about it!  This month seems to have gone by just as fast and been just as busy as October was!  Just colder.  And wetter.

Practices during this month were rough...the weather was pretty much all cold and nasty, hence the title "Nasty November."  We had one week that Farmer told us to only cross train after state, which was not too exciting for me since we still had a race left, but I did it anyways.  After that, though, we were back on the trails, leaves, mud, and all.

After going to Hobby Lobby, mom took me by Sweet CeCe's to use a gift card my grandmother gave me. I haven't had froyo in a while, and this was amazing!  I'm talking heaven in my mouth!  I tried mint with Andes mints, chocolate caramel turtle with Resee's Pieces in the little cup, then in the big one I had egg nog and pumpkin pie with cheesecake chunks and cereal!

This was inspired by Jenna, my Sunday school class college leader. When you mis your face soap with baking soda, it makes a mask!  My face felt quite refreshed afterwards. 

Hobby Lobby could entertain me for hours during the holidays!  Mom and I went the Tuesday night after we got out of school for Thanksgiving to do some Christmas shopping. 

Wednesday morning was the first day of break, yet I still had to get up earlier than I had been. Farmer wanted to have practice early so we could have the rest of break to do what we needed to. 

Every Wednesday morning that we have Bible study, I always head a couple streets over in my neighborhood to pick up Megan!

Marshmallow is my favorite!  Well, I have lots of favorites, but anything marshmallow catches my eye, especially scents and tastes.  I was hooked after the first time I ate marshmallow frozen yogurt.  I have never gotten to try TCBY's yet, but I am determined that I will one day.  I think it's too late for this year, out of season, but it's eggnog time now!  I love those, too!  I've gotten to try the Silk Nog at TCBY and the Eggnog at Sweet CeCe's now, too!  Like eating a cloud...(as I go back to edit this, I can now say that I have gotten to try the marshmallow!  YUM!)

Because of post season races, we have had to change our Christmas decorating plans.  We always used to spend all day the Friday after Thanksgiving and some of the weekend decorating the house!  Now we aren't home at that time, so

I've been eating lots of bananas lately.  At least one a day if not more! 

I have been addicted to banana and almond butter quinoa.  I ate it almost every day for two weeks during the end of cross country season!  Cocoa powder makes a great addition, too.

Squash is one of my favorites, so I'm branching out to varieties other than butternut.  Acorn squash is okay, but I think it looks better than it tastes.  Butternut is still my favorite, but spaghetti squash is cool because you can cut it up or string it so easily!  I have fun with my food.

Handheld pencil sharpeners are usually crap, but this one is the best I have ever used!  Thank you Mrs. Porter!

Now that the regular season is over, it's time for the banquet.  We all get to dress up and have a buffet and get all sorts of awards.  Since we never get to eat pasta...sarcasm...the banquet is a pasta buffet.  We got salads, too, and the dessert buffet table was the best of all the gatherings we've had!  Three flavors of pudding, cheesecake, and pies! 

Coach Owens and Burroughs are over there trying to look all cool.

        

 

Me, Katlyn, Maggie, and Ana down one side of the table

Farmer giving his thoughts and feelings

Elizabeth and Abby on my other side!

We're all so goofy!  Especially when it comes to meal time!  We are almost always around a table or something with food when the team gets together.

       

Every year we get to watch a slideshow and video of highlights from the season.  Parts are exciting, sad, sweet, heartwarming, intense, and funny.  The bloopers and terrible face sections are hilarious!  Here we have a road run on the left, me coming in at the end of one rep of a mile loop speed workout, then a prerace chant.

  

Even though it is now December, there still has not been a day to match this low temperature!

 

I am following the RunFurman blog, and enjoy following how they perform throughout the season on instagram, too.  I know some of the runners from camp and racing against Emma last year, but others I just follow on instagram.  Grace Tinkey is one of those!  One of the RunFurman blog features was on getting to know her, and I loved reading about it.  Not only is she one of the top runners out there, I respect her even more for her attitude and spirit for the Lord!

 

One of my favorite starts to the Christmas season:  Operation Christmas Child!  My mom helped me find which age group got the least "attention" and that's what we bought for, the middle age boys.

Post season regionals and nationals started pooping up about every weekend. I am so glad Iive down south!  This was the conditions they day of the Nike Northeast Region. 

I made this bookmark to use during the fall.  No matter what the circumstances, we can choose to be joyful. Joy depends on having Christ, no this world. Joy is also an acronym for Jesus, others, yourself, so that's why it is squared!

Pugs and coffee all in one picture!  When it's cold out (and inside) during the winter and some fall months, I make a cup of coffee last all day to help keep me warm. 

Another thing that is great during cold weather is chili and soup!  This is a heaping bowl of chicken tortilla soup.   I also added some cornbread and extra veggies.

My friends mom have me this gum as a little surprise on day!  It's the little things that bring genuine smiles to faces. Remember that as you go out today!

Our school has been under construction, as is everything else in East Tennessee. This is a painting of our principles on the wall blocking the entrance to where the new freshman academy will be. 

How cute is Woodstock dressed up like a turkey!?

Allie Ostrander is an amazing runner!  She just recently has become big on the stage, because she is from Alaska and never really had any competition. A couple weeks ago, she won the Nike National title. She is also point guard of the basketball team. And tiny, like me!  Milesplit is doing a mini video series on her, and it is very cool to see the sights from where she gets to train!

I was really excited to finally wear these socks that I got at the beach last year. 

The NCAA national championships were just recently, too, and I was looking up how some of my prospective schools were doing. This map divided up te regions for me, because I didn't know who went where. 

Chick-fil-a does awesome Tuff around the holidays!  They made a decoration with fall muffin cups that the staff wrote down things that they were thankful for. They also provide Operation Christmas Child boxes for anyone to pick up and fill to give. 

I love Luna Carrot Cake!  The Larger Cluf version is great, too. I like to use them as dessert. 

I found a new cool protein!  Tiny shrimp!  They are so tiny, they are no bigger than a fingernail!  I was so fascinated. 

Chick-fil-a also has it's downsides. Since they switched to the new coffee, it doesn't quite taste the same, and the cups are crap. They're paper instead of styrofoam, they leak, and they sit have a cover for the hole you drink out of. 

My friend Katlyn sent me this. I need this sticker!

Yes, I live with a stress test, too, my mom. Don't worry, she would say the same about me. 

This is a joke with our family, as my dad is not exactly the most technologically savvy man when it comes to smartphones. Once he tried to take a picture of me and a lady cold basketball player, but kept saying he couldn't see us. He has the lens up to his eye looking the wrong way. 

We had a festive sock day at practice without even planning it!

One morning, we actually got a little snow!

I also finally got to try the apple pie flavored coffee that I got from the Apple Barn last month. It's pretty yummy!  I like to use my hoot hoot mug during the fall. That's also some more almond butter banana honey quinoa!