Long Hours, but Short Time

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Long Hours, but Short Time8:59 AM on Saturday, May 26th

The day seemed to go by so quickly, but it was actually drawn out so far. I ran and luckily missed the rain again. It was off and on all day. I somehow got distracted before I took a shower and missed the opportunity to take a nap. It started when I put away some freshly washed running clothes and decided to pick out the clothes to take on my trip. I've saved up a lot of my new/nicer running clothes for this beach trip, and I get strategic with my color coordination! I have different stacks of various outfit options with each color combo. I am so happy to be healthy and getting even fitter! It just feels better to wear new clothes, too. I never want to wear my new things or use new products, etc because I am always waiting for "a better time," but I've come to realize that there really is no "better time" than now, because time flies by, and I end up with so many things unfinished. "Make the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:16 This summer I am heading back into a new lifestyle with really running cross country, back to being more social, joyful, and sharing my life, so the time is now! It's already the end of May! Agh!

This is one of my favorite snapchat stickers with the cute little egg, and this Saturday I was really excited to try a new egg scramble that I thought up! It wasn't much special, but it was good and things my body needs after a run! I also needed to finish a bag of roasted chickpeas, so that helped, too. Egg, chickpeas, coconut oil, onion, and honey.

(I'm all about the free things. Yes, I take packets from restaurants.)

And of course to feature some highly relevant comics...

Before I knew it, it was time to go into work. Our hours have stretched out, so my shift would inevitably be later than it already is. We had a lot of customers, which is good, but it is also hard to train a new employee when we are having to serve people all the time. However, I plan my later nights when I will take a rest day the next day, so I am more at peace with being there late as well as taking a break the next day! This was the latest that I've been there, though. It could've been later, but we got just enough done to get by with having enough cones for the mall the next day.

Of course, Mom and Dad were already in bed when I got back, but I went in there and sat because they were watching one of our favorite funny movies: Dumb & Dumber! I was tired and just wanted to go to bed, but I know I can't sleep well if I'm too hungry, so I still ate some...making bed even later, but I know that's how these days go!

I know it's good for me to not be so strict about my timing and just go with the flow and "live a little," but I have gotten into a really late night habit all the time, and this is making my days hard when I have a lot to do or have to get up super early! Sometimes I get naps, but I need more night hours so I can get up early. Work and workouts and projects and summer fun need my time and energy! #PrayersPlease

Caught up on Comics-Summer's End through Halloween

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Over fall break I finally read through all the comics that I'd stacked up over the past couple months!  These were some of my favorites, so if you don't like them all, here is the "improved" comic section.
These are from the end of summer through around Halloween.

With Coach Farmer in mind.

Fall flavors:  pumpkin...maple...peppermint not far behind

Some puns from Frank and Ernest
And a true statement.  Commercials are ridiculous.  Even if you do find a decent show, you'll probably still get caught by an inappropriate commercial.

Cats are stubborn creatures.
I leave hangers all over my parts of the house, piled up til I can't hang any more or until mom runs out of hangers for the clean clothes.
Ice cream is good.  Just look at my other posts, social media, or freezer.  Sometimes, though, even I can eat too much.  I've learned my lesson a couple times! 

My mom Googles literally everything we bring to question at home.  We even make a joke about it now.  She also loves cheese.
And I love waffles.
Common scenario of humans:  we want something, but always search for a way to get someone else to do the work for us.

The pizza for mom, pumpkin spice [coffee] for me.

This far left comment by Hammie literally cracked me up.
cute snippets
A complement that I'll give to my mom

Exactly!  No holding back!  Enjoy this life while you've got it!  That's my goal right now.  Make the most of every opportunity that God has given me!  Whether it's doing something big, like going to a national race, or something small like "putting unwashed blueberries on your oatmeal," do what makes you and the Lord happy.  You'll be glad you did.

Another reference to wanting something, but not willing to work for it.

Mutts has some of the cutest, simplest comics.

They really make me smile!

pumpkins:  common
street smarts:  no-so-common

Short.  Sweet.  To the point...and very good advice!

Sad thought...yes, we love our big new things.  Even Morristown is getting tons of new shopping and eating!  But remember how much enjoyment comes from things that exist on their own. 

AMEN!
I'll let Toby Mac take this one:
"If we gotta start somewhere, why not here?
If we gotta start sometime why not now?"
Natalie Grant:
"Calling all hearts, Calling all hands
Calling all feet to take a stand
Why sit around and wait for a miracle to come
When we can be one, When we can be one , When we can be one"
Mandisa:
"We could be that shining light
To show the heart of Christmas time
People need love
And we all are able
So take some time and start today
To give some joy and hope away
'Cause you might be
You might be
Somebody's angel"

Embrace the daily challenges.

Beware of impulse buys!  It happens in stores, too, especially with all the cute, seasonal, limited edition items for Christmas.  But do you really need it?  I have to ask myself that so often!  Christmas shopping is my weakness.

1) That's me with a bad singing voice.
2) That's about 95% or more of America with a bad attitude.

Another one for Coach Farmer. 

This is how my evenings go when I'm stressing over school.  Even when it's not school, I'm always multitasking.  Luckily this year is so much easier, but this is exactly how I was the past couple years!

When I set my mind on something, good luck trying to change it.  Even I have a hard time changing my own mind!  When I start something, I want to finish it!

Why yes, I like these things, too!  (Not cherry.  Ew.)

"...certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth."  1 Timothy 4:3
Whether it's a homecooked meal, sit-down restaurant, fast food, from a box at home, healthy, indulgent, meat, veggies, dessert--whatever it is--God provided the ingredients to go into it.  Be thankful for the food that you have!  Eat it with good intentions and appreciation; enjoy it.

My house would understand this one.  Sometimes it smells.

A final food for thought, actually kinda including food.  Want, want, want.  That's what we do.  We even want from things that obviously can't satisfy those desires.  When Christmas comes, we all think of wish lists and receiving presents, but there is so much more to enjoy than getting stuff.  I'm talking to myself, too, but let's remember to relax and enjoy the simple things during this season, too.

What's New

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School has started, and that means change.  There are a lot of new things going on, so here is a look at some of them!



Last year, I parked in this spot almost every day after I started driving to school. It's like they remembered!

Saturday, we were supposed to have a team car wash to help raise more money for cross country, but the weather forecast was terrible, and we cancelled. That was actually a bad idea because our weather tends to be wrong. It was. Hot, humid, sunny. Oh well. I got to check another thing off of my bucket list since I had the morning free!  Every few Saturdays, my CrossFit affiliated gym does a free easier class, and I headed over!  Afterwards, I rode a stationery bike. 

 

What a mouthful: National Society of High School Scholars. I am a member!  I doubt it will ever mean anything besides a Tshirt and something to write on resumes due to my extracurricular activities and the locations of meetings, but it's still an honor!

That's what I say. I never look at my watch on runs, except to know distance.  I just go as fast as I feel like going. 

Having teammates to push me and enjoy runs with is something I am extremely familiar with!  I had to share this article with them. 

After some Sunday afternoon exercising, I propped my feet up I the railing and relaxed a bit to get some recovery blood flowing. 

Another new thing off my list, a class at the Main Loft fitness studio downtown!  The class I took was called Pound, where we worked on some core stuff to music. I got a pleasant surprise of seeing a church friend here, too!

After that, I went over to the good ole Haas house (my friend Katlyn again) to ride their new stationery bike. In-place things get boring, so I was glad I had her to talk to (and take this picture).  Interval/fartleks also help things go by faster!

The day before I made this delicious dessert bowl was national s'mores day, the day for me. S'mores are one of my favorite flavors!

Cliche white girl with her Starbucks. Not. I kept the cup and put my own protein shake in it!  Frozen coffee cubes and a coffee house shake. 

After a crazy practice full of changes and new speed workouts due to weather (rain and storms), I got to see a rainbow as I did my cool down strides, drills, and stretches. 

I am so lucky!  Blessed, I would actually put it. I have an online class first block, which means that I do not have to go into school until 9:20 or 9:35 depending on the day. This gives me opportunities to sleep in, work, run, and other things!  After Bible Study, I got to study at Chick-fil-a. 

Yum!  Protein fuel snack to go with lunch!  

This sounds like my family. I would love chicken and onions on a pizza. Dad loves mushrooms. We never can agree on food!

One of my best friends that I share my struggles with tagged me in the caption if this, and I love it!  I know I'm small, but hey, God made me that way!

Check out that neon coordination!

Every year, the team takes a trip (not required) to just across the border into NC to Big Creek Campground for a trail run and cookout. 

Here is the view of all the parents circled up!

My dad totally jumped in the background of this unplanned. It's cute, though!

At church, we have a fall and spring sports Orange and Blue Sunday for our local college,Carson Newman, sports teams. The football team is the main fall team, and they fill the place up!

ITS CANDY CORN TIME!

The life of a runner. 

I'm really excited, because I recently found the official Peanuts Instagram and twitter accounts. 

This reminded me of Chantal and Cherie's party, because it was a sleepover with friends and a campfire!

YES. Even. Though it's nt really a break, it's better than nothing. I need a break!

The twins and I are the queens of finding change. 

This time at Chick-fil-a, I spent my extra time in Bible study and song. I believe that music is a powerful gift God has given to uplift us!  I'm not very good with words, but I love getting into worship/contemporary Christian music. The words can be so applicable and are so beautiful. If it weren't for music, my spiritual life would not be near as strong. 

I set up a lab at my computer in the Astron yearbook room. We aren't doing much right now, because there isn't much to put in the yearbook yet. This helps me tremendously, as it gives me extra time to do homework and study. 

This is an awesome team picture!  I love action shots, and what better to have an action shot of than pre-race prayer?