Three Things Thursday

#1 The Nightingale

 

A coworker let me borrow this book to read and I haven't been able to put it down since Monday! The book recounts the time frame of World War II in Nazi occupied France. It follows two sister's stories and all they did to help refugees of war. It is fiction, but the author is such an amazing writer, you feel as if you're there. If you're a history fan, this book is right up your alley! This book truly opened my eyes to just how blessed we are. Simply having food to eat, shelter over our head, and clothing to wear is a pretty huge deal. You don't realize just how blessed we are until you hear what someone else (in this case, lots and lots of people) had to go through.

#2 And the rain rain rain came down down down....

So, we felt like Winnie the Pooh and the blustery day here yesterday. It rained and rained and rained and rained some more. Roads that never flood were flooded and I almost didn't make it home from work. I am not in a flood zone at all and was amazed at how high the water came around my neighborhood.

This pretty much sums up yesterday...

Source

#3 Tone It Up Challenge

Last Monday (April 24), I joined in with the Tone It Up Girls Spring/Summer 8 week Challenge for their annual Bikini Series. So far, I've been up early every morning (except Sunday...I took Sunday off) for either a HITT workout, toning, or Yoga, keeping my normal running routine in the afternoons. 

I didn't think I would still be going with the morning sessions at this point, but I'm happy to say that I am! Overall, I feel better and am working muscle groups that haven't been used in a long time. It's incredibly satisfying!

That's all for today! Happy Star Wars Day, by the way! :)

Have you read any good books lately? Any recommendations?

Fitness Friday–10/25

Happy weekend, friends! Another week has come and gone – it’s hard to believe at this time last Friday, I was driving to New Orleans for a quick Disney trip with friends. In turn, I have absolutely nothing exciting or thrilling going on this weekend, apart from cleaning out my garage (parrrrtay, right?).

Here’s a recap of my workouts this week:

Currently training for: Woman’s Half Marathon - December 8, Louisiana
Rock N Roll New Orleans Half Marathon – February 2, 2013, Louisiana

Saturday – 6.5 mile run around The Boardwalk/EPCOT area 
Sunday – Rest Day/Travel Day
Monday – Cross Train, lots of squats and lunges
Tuesday – 2 mile quick run with Madalynn
Wednesday – Ran out of time to workout – busy day 
Thursday – 3 miles with Jason 
Friday – Plans for cleaning out my garage…wahooo!

This weekend, I’m attempting a solo long run because my friend Heather is running the Marine Corps Marathon and my friend Kelli’s husband is doing a Half Ironman! I’m so excited for both of them, can’t wait to hear how their races turn out!

In other non-working out news (which is totally not a Fitness Friday but whatever), I began reading the Divergent trilogy 2 weeks ago. I wanted to wait until it was close to the release of the third book, Allegiant before I began the series. I have to say, I loved the first two books…LOVED them. I was really digging the third book, until someone pointed out the negative reviews it was receiving on Amazon. Uhoh.

I’m the type of person (always have been) that spoils the end of books for myself. As a teenager, I used to get about halfway into the book, then become impatient and flip to the end to see what happened. I know I’m not the only one out there because my Aunt-In-Law told me that she does the same thing. Anyone else feel me on this one?

I won’t spoil the book for you, but I will say, about 10 chapters in to Allegiant, I flipped to the end and skimmed the last page – I felt ok with the ending, everything seemed fine. Then came the Amazon reviews. Whoa. Obviously my “skimming” at the end of the book left a lot of details out.

Despite knowing the ending, I’m still going to continue reading the book, although that question was debatable last night. However, I am VERY glad I know ahead of time what happens and the warning of what is to come. This is going to be interesting, I’ll let you know my thoughts once I’m finished with the book.

Any other Divergent trilogy fans out there? Have you finished Allegiant? If so, what are your thoughts?

Fitness Friday–It’s Summer!

Happy First Day of Summer!! If you are out and about this weekend, I hope you remember to wear your sunscreen! :0)



Here’s how my week looked:

Saturday – 6 mile run with Kelli
Sunday – Rest Day; Squats, Lunges, and leg exercises
Monday – 3 mile run before work
Tuesday – 4 mile run before work
Wednesday – Rest Day
Thursday – Squats, Lunges, and leg exercises (I had planned on running but my grandfather is back in the hospital…it’s just one thing after another).
Friday – Hoping to make up Thursday’s run sometime after work

This weekend, I have very few plans (yay)! I’m going to run with my friends on Saturday morning. I also have plans to watch Safe Haven sometime this weekend.

Also, I picked up my Kindle again (thanks to my fabulous new cover that I LOVE) and am having a hard time putting it down. There’s nothing like getting yourself lost in a good book. I’m a huge book nerd and always have been so when I get involved in a book, I find it hard to tear myself away from it!



Paisley meets Pink is my absolute favorite Vera print.

Yesterday, a classmate’s mother passed away. I attended a very small private high school and we were all very close and knew each other’s families very well. Her mother was young and had cancer. Absolutely breaks my heart.

Also, my grandfather is back in the hospital due to infection in the surgical site of his toe. It does NOT look good to me at all and after lengthy discussion with the primary physician yesterday, it doesn’t sound as if there’s much hope for his leg. :0( My poor grandfather has had one setback after another. His only desire was to get better so he could go home and now I’m not sure how realistic that request will be anymore. Our bodies are an amazing thing. During his time at the care facility, I’ve seen Alzheimer's patients who are not with it at all in their mind, but are able to walk around on their own and complete normal activities of everyday life. On the other hand, my grandfather is completely with it in his mind, but his body is failing him.  Breaks my heart to see such things. So sad.

OK I did not intend for this Fitness Friday post to turn into such doom and gloom! Regardless of the situation, we should be grateful for each day that is given to us, for we never know when it will be our last! My thoughts yesterday are what prompted this post on Facebook:



So there you have it…enjoy each day because each day in itself is a gift! :0) Have a fabulous weekend!!