January 20, 2017 the Three F's...

So it's already January 21st as I sit down to type this tonight, but for a good reason.

I worked hard on my focus goal of Finances tonight. Tonight was my first Uber driving experience, which with my first trip managed to hit on Faith as well.

I started the app on accident leaving work today, and thought to myself oh why not, not really thinking anyone would be looking for a ride between post and my house. Turns out I was wrong. I picked up one of my neighbors from her work and took her home (about a block from our house). The nice thing was that it led to a conversation about Faith, as she was frantically trying to reach the hospital in Charleston where her dad has been inpatient for three weeks. They called her twice right before she was getting off of work, and didn't leave a message, so she was in panic mode. Her dad was released to the nursing home today, and the nurse was calling to give her a "this is what his vitals were when we released him" update. However, he and their family need our prayers, prayers for peace to be accepting of the things that the didn't see before his health issues became urgent, and prayers to understand where God wants them to be led now with his health.

After coming home and unloading the car, I drove towards downtown just to see what happened with the app. My first trip on this segment was two teenage boys who wanted to go to the basketball game, whose momma said take an Uber, I'm not driving. And then she gave them tip money, Go Momma! Dropped them off and drove further into town, where I picked up a nice couple heading to the concert downtown from an AirBnB. They were in town for a wedding tomorrow, but could only get the AirBnB for two nights so decided to make a weekend of it by adding in the Lee Brice concert. After that it was mostly USC co-eds, mostly girls who didn't want to walk in the dark between apartment buildings or dorms. USC's campus is pretty spread out around downtown Columbia and even into Cayce and Rosewood, so I can't say I blame them. I know if either of the girls went there I would tell them to Uber it rather than walking through some of the areas between sections of campus. As the night went on the conversations got more and more interesting. However, everyone was very respectful. The only thing? College kids don't tip, which I figured, but where have we as parents failed our kids, when they don't think about things like that?

Tonight I learned, not to head to the college quite so early, but also which area to be at early in the night and which to be at later (like when they are heading to the bars). As with all college campuses there is one group of dorms/apartments (upper classmen) that is the pre-party, if you know what I mean.

Faith-I know I touched on this already a little bit, but I've got some more to add.
1. Once I had faith that I could do this Uber thing and have success, it started coming easier.
2. One of my school babies and their family needs prayers, and lots of them. I don't know any of the details other than it has been rough, and I don't need to know them. I just know that they need people praying for them.

Fitness-Day 5 Rest Day! No walking/run today... but I did lug in the cooler with 40 pounds of ice 6 quarts of half and half, rock salt, etc. etc. etc. into my classroom from the far parking lot (I had the cart, so don't go freaking out that I tried just carrying it), and back out (almost empty) again.  I also hit my 10,000 steps for the day.

One additional thing about finances... I'd like to point out to President Trump, Betsy DeVos (Secretary of Education Nominee, who I really don't feel is qualified!), and all of the Senators, Congress members, governors, and state level people who set the "tax breaks" for educators at $200 a year. It is January 20th, 2017, and I have already spent that and then some on school supplies for my classroom.... because:
a) The American public doesn't spend enough on education to where we as teachers aren't spending our own money. So there isn't money for us to go and request science experiment supplies, unless it is something we plan a year in advance, and had better not be something that you are going to need tomorrow, or even next week.
b) Some of our resources are so out of date, the only way to teach our kids up to date information is to use things like Teachers Pay Teachers, or order our own curriculum supplements (and in theory I work for a well funded school system!)
I know I could spend less on my classroom, but I want my students to have the best of the best, and since it's my first year back as a classroom teacher, in a while, and my first year having my own second grade class and not a long term sub, there are just things I feel I need to best educate my kids.

Random Musings of my Three F's 1/19/2017

Finances: Today, I made my first purchase for my LulaRoe Room. I needed to go by Goodwill to drop of some of Declan's clothes that he has outgrown (and that have been in my car for weeks), so I decided to run in and see what they had. It's just two wicker baskets, for a total of $6, but they sure made me smile. It's going to be a long 6-8 weeks waiting on that call! I really love the Valentines holiday leggings that people are just starting to get in, and I have a pair on order, but I am trying to be good and not order anything else until after that call, so that I can save all the money I can for when the call finally happens.

The other news of the day is that I have been accepted to drive for Uber. I'm going to try it out this weekend and see how it goes. I am really wanting to pay off as much as we can, and a second and third "job" will really enable me to do this. The good thing about each of these "jobs" is that I don't really see either of them as a job, and I can do them on my schedule, that can be as flexible as I am willing to let it be. I know I will have to put in the work to reap the rewards, but I am willing and able to do so. I also figure if Uber works out, then I can do it and save the money until LulaRoe kicks off good (everyone says that will happen fast.)

Fitness: I managed to get dinner in the oven and go out on my walk while it was cooking (frozen lasagna). Another 4 miles in the books, for a total of 18 this week. The training plan calls for a rest day tomorrow, but it will depend on my step count. Today's stepcount is almost 18,000 steps, by the time I go to bed, it probably will be. No more lazy couch potato for me!

Faith: I listened to "The Message" on Sirus XM both this morning and this afternoon, and tonight I watched 3 devotionals dedicated to Facing the Faith. What I found most interesting about this is that when I went on to Pintrest for some other things, the Serenity Prayer was one of the first pins, and then when I did a search for devotionals (without pinning it) it came up in three different formats (same working, pictures, and backgrounds were different.

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I can not change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. 

Living one day at a time, enjoying one day at a time, accepting hardships as the pathway to peace.

Taking this sinful world as it is, not as I would have it.

Trusting that He will make all things right if I surrender to his will.

So that I may be reasonably happy in this life and supremely happy with him forever in the next. 

Yup, I need to live that... 

Finding my focus...

3.3 miles done tonight, making for 18 in the last week.

I didn't come home and go straight out like I should have, which translated to not having the motivation to go. It hasn't been a good week mentally, and I was just tired.

Then I realized that I hadn't hit my step count goal for the day, and I have a decent little streak going. So I set out specifically with that goal in mind, knowing I needed at least a mile to hit it. Once I hit my step goal, I was at 1.30 miles, and decided I was almost 1/2 way to my daily marathon training goal, so I just needed to finish.

While I was out walking, I was having a talk with the Almighty, asking for guidance, asking for strength, and thanking him for what I already have. Suddenly, I remembered the sermon Steven Furtick preached on Sunday. Aim you Arrow, Find your Focus, and use the Power of Precision. That we have to view the victory as already being won, to stop looking at the limitations and start looking and grabbing the possibilities, everything we need is already within our reach.

I have three arrows for this year and I have to keep them shooting at the prize. Fitness (Marine Corps Marathon), Finances (reduce our debts to as low as possible, and being out of debt besides my student loans by December), and Faith (returning to the word).

My walking/running every day is that arrow aiming for and declaring victory over running, and finishing the Marine Corps Marathon in October. I'm joining a new workout group in late February/early March to build up my endurance and strength, it's an expense that I know could go to paying bills, but I need accountability, and I need assitance from a real live coach.

The arrow aiming at our finances is paying off one bill a month, and snowballing that money into the next bill. I've already seen the power of doing this, by paying off one bill with my last paycheck (except a little bit because we owed a little more than I was completely spending out of my check, I was worried if I did it, I would use the card to buy groceries or gas because we didn't have it in the checking account), and moving the rest of the usual payment amount to another bill. Doing this will put the second bill within a month of being paid off. It has been pretty eye-opening to actually sit down and look at.

The arrow aiming at my faith, includes attending small group weekly, reading my Bible, and listening/watching devotionals daily.

I know that I can't give up, and I can't quit when I am tired. I must keep fighting the battles that have already been won. I have to just keep my eyes on that victory.

Faith, Trust and a Whole Heck of a Lot of Pixie Dust

To say that it has been a trying couple of months would probably be an understatement of huge proportions. Things haven't necessarily gone the way that I would want them to. I've had to fall back on my faith and trust that everything will work out in the end, even if I had to make some decisions and have some conversations that were hard to have.

There have been a couple of bright spots of course.

This fall I got the classroom position that I have been wanting ever since the end of my first school year back in DoDEA. I am now teaching second grade, and loving every minute of it. This means my school life is busier than it has been in a few years, but I don't mind in the least.

Natalie and Trey got married in March, in a lovely ceremony at our local state park. Jerry, and both of our moms were able to be here, which was important to Natalie, and made it a true family affair.

In April, Trey left for basic training in San Antonio, followed by tech school in Witchta Falls. Now they are stationed in Oklahoma City, and seem to be enjoying it. They spent a couple of days over Christmas in Iowa with my grandparents, meaning they had their first real taste of winter and snow driving. 

Jerry is still working in Saudi Arabia, some days he likes it well enough, others not so much. 

Kelsey has taken over Natalie's job at the vet clinic as the receptionist.She is still taking pictures and enjoying life. If you need a photographer, let me know, she does a great job. 

Declan is in seventh grade and is a typical pre-teen boy. There are days when I think people who said boys are easier are liars who lie. 

I am starting to run again. I was supposed to run the Marine Corps Marathon this past October, but was injured and deferred my entry to this coming fall. My first half for the year is in March up at the Biltmore in Asheville, followed by the Publix Half in Savannah in April, and the Marine Corps Half in Fredricksburg VA in May. After those three we will have to see where the road leads. I know I will do at least 3 more leading up to MCM in October, but the where and when is still up for decision. 

Now for the faith, trust and pixie dust...

In December I was introduced to LulaRoe by a friend. Of course, I had heard about the company before, but I thought it was just leggings, and really didn't see the point. Then I went to a multi-consultant popup that was held on the other side of town, where Kelsey and I both found outfits that we could wear both casually and at work. We attended another multi-consultant popup the following week and an in-home pop-up, followed by my joining several Facebook groups, starting with the groups for the ladies I had bought from, and then extending to groups that people suggested, or these "loop" giveaways. Through one of the groups that was suggested to me, I "met" Whitney and Jon. Something just clicked and I found myself looking for their live sales, and following their page more than any of the others. 

I looked at becoming a representative for the last month, but honestly the startup cost scared (still does) me. However, I was almost obsessed with the thought of doing it, and was trying to find ways to make it work. 

Then yesterday's sermon was talking about working your window. Meaning taking the opportunities when they are presented to you, and to keep going even when the going gets rough. About the time the sermon was wrapping up, I got a message saying that Whitney and Jon were going to do a live Q & A about becoming a consultant, which I missed by being at small group, but knew I could watch when I got home. When I got home and started watching, I realized they were answering all of the questions that I had thought about over the last month. I asked them a few more questions, and they added me to a Facebook group that caters to people asking questions and getting more information. I just felt like the sermon series, and yesterday's sermon in particular, was telling me that I have to have faith and trust that this will work. Jerry and I had a conversation about it, and he told me if I have the faith he does too. 

 So I am stepping out on that trust and faith and have joined the "que" to become a consultant. It's about a six to eight week wait to get the call saying you can place your first order, and then another week or two until you get your first order in. So I am looking at late March to early April before I can really count on getting started, which gives me time to save the money for the "extras" like hangers, racks, business cards, and a sticker for my car. 

I know that I can rock this, and I know this will help us achieve all of our family goals.  I can't wait to get started. 

Wreaths Across America Fort Jackson National Cemetery

Declan's Scout Troop volunteers every year to help at Wreaths Across America at the National Cemetery (as well as other events held there). If you ever have the opportunity to volunteer or just attend one of these events, please take it. It was a very moving ceremony and experience. 

These are just a few of the pictures I took on Saturday. 

Cheese head... It was really a beautiful day, even though since it is averaging in the upper 70s it doesn't feel like we are 10 days to Christmas!

There are over 4,000 service men and women buried at Fort Jackson. 

The Patriot Guard 

Honor Guard members waiting to lay the wreaths. 

Presentation of Colors

Waiting to pass out wreaths to family and friends of fallen service members.

So beautiful.

Wreaths Across America~Meeting Our Nations Heroes

Yesterday at Wreaths Across America - ​ Fort Jackson National Cemetery​ I was standing by two of the gentlemen in this picture and their spouse(s) during the ceremony.

  The one woman started feeling not well in the heat of the day (80 degrees in December), and had to be attended to by the medics, so one of the volunteers offered to sit with her while the gentlemen went to pay their respects. She was worried about getting pictures for them, and was rather upset that if she didn't walk down with them no one would take a picture, so I volunteered to go, as Declan was passing out wreaths. I had a nice chat with the men as we walked down to section where their friends have been laid to rest, including talking about my daddy.

The secretary of their group Mr. Rolf gave me his e-mail address and I put it in my phone, however between there and home my phone glitched, and I thought all was lost. I sent an e-mail with my fingers crossed that I remembered correctly, and then reached out to my friends at Team RWB Columbia, SC​ for suggestions as to how to find them. My friend Linda​ suggested the Lexington County VA office, and low and behold Mr. Lundeen already e-mailed me back that he knows them! However, the best part is... When I was checking the rest of my e-mail, Mr. Rolf had emailed me back as well! I am so glad that Declan and I were able to go help at this event with FortJacksonPack89/Troop89​, and that I got to meet these amazing heroes! 

The year of the half...

At the beginning of 2015 I decided that this was going to be the year of my half marathon journey... 9 states and 11 half marathons, 3-10Ks, and countless 5Ks later, and it looks like I am done for the year (even though I would really like to get a December half in).

This is how my bling board looked like at the beginning of the year....

My season started off with the Smiths in Florida for the Enchanted 10K

And the MGC Long Run here in Columbia

 Then March was the Run Hard Half. The Gervais Street Hill at miles 10-11 was a killer but the joy of having it done was amazing!

And the Five Points Get to the Green 10K

April started my Rock and Roll Half Marathon Journey with Raleigh

Once again a great course, with a few changes from last year. My favorite mile is always mile 11, the Wear Blue Mile, it always slows me down a little, because I bawl my way through it. This year was no exception especially since Pat's placard was the first one that we saw as we entered the mile. 

And because they released this:

I decided that Nashville was a must do.

Let me tell you Nashville was hilly as all get out. However the crowd support was amazing! Saying there is music every mile is an understatement! 

May was 

Sunset Beach

Sunset Beach was a well run, small half. Quiet streets through coastal NC, and you start and end on the beach! Miles 3 and 11 are the bridge from the mainland to the barrier island so as long as you are prepared for that you are in good shape!

Wear Blue's Memorial Day Run, this was our local shadow run put on by my local group. We had about 70 people join us at Riverfront Park this year. Always a good time to remember those that fought for our freedom. 

And San Diego, where I met Meb (OMG!), who by the way was so nice. He was supposed to be on his way to give a commencement speech, but stayed around to meet those of us in line. 

June was National Running Day at Fleet Feet

The Cape Fear River Run Half where my friends and I agreed to be the pacers. Since I had just done San Diego, I said I would be the sweeper. ;-) 

July brought my hottest half of the year Chicago. However it was one of my favorites because Jerry got to go with me. Jerry ran the 5K.  

 Plus I got to meet Derek Mitchell, and run the finish of the 5K with him, and go out to brunch with a bunch of the Misfits! 

 The guy in the orange shirt is the founder of Charity Miles, which is an app that you put on your phone. They have sponsors that donate an amount per mile that you run with the app going. Between meeting Derek and meeting Gene, I was in amazement the entire meal. Both of them and their stories are incredible.

Jerry was my saving grace during the half! It was hotter than I thought it would be that day, and I didn't take my camelpack on the plane. Jerry found me at about mile 5.5 with water and walked with me until almost mile 7. Then he found me again about 12.5 and went to the finish with me. 

August, I drove over to Atlanta to run the Alien 13.1, another small local half marathon. This one was hot as well, but most of it was ran after dark, which was a first for me. 

I had my first ice bath experience after this one in the hotel. About mile 11 a car coming towards me temporarily blinded me and I stepped off the sidewalk and twisted my knee. I don't know how the professional athletes do those! 

 September was Virginia Beach for my birthday weekend and my Roadie! I got to meet up with Derek again. I did the Mile in the Sand with Derek, plus brunch and the Team RWB dinner.

 Then another Hot half!

My favorite guy on almost all of the RnR halfs! Usually when you see him, it means you are more than half way! 

On the 11th I ran the Run for the Troops 5K with my Team RWB Chapter.

 Later in the month I did the Stephen Stiller Tunnel To Towers  with Natalie and Reanna.

 October was once again a busy month! First I flew to Brooklyn and did the half there!

Then I flew to Philadelphia and did the half there! 

Talk about amazing experiences! I had never been to either city before, so I enjoyed getting to run through the cities and see all of the sights while running. Rock n Roll really does a good job working with the cities to make sure that everyone is safe and gets to experience a lot! Both of these trips I stayed at Air BnBs. Gene from Charity Miles talked about his great experiences with the site when we met him in Chicago, so I thought it was worth a try. Both of my hosts were amazing people, and very helpful. 

 November was a slower month, due to my dad's illness and passing. I ended up passing on my race entry into the Lexington Half to a friend, because I was in Arizona. The week before I flew home to be with my parents though I did get to run Savannah with Reanna for her first half, and my eight track!

 I saw Eric running by us as he was finishing the full and made him stop for a quick picture.

The day was humid as all get out, but the city and Rock n Roll made a good call by shortening the full.   I think Eric said that he had 22 miles instead of the 26.2. 

Reanna and I did the 5K on Sunday, love the Remix medals! 

So here are the pictures of just my Rock n Roll Medals from this year. I can't quite get pictures where you can actually see all of the medals from this year, so I figured this gave you an idea. ;)

As of right now, I don't have a December half scheduled. I did register for San Antonio but I cancelled my hotel when dad got sick, and had never booked air, so it worked out. There are a couple this weekend within driving distance, but we already had plans with Declan's Scouts so those are off the table. 

2016 right now I only have the Walt Disney World Half Marathon in January. I would like to do Raleigh, and DC's Rock n Rolls, as well as the Mike to Mike.