Age is JUST a Number!!

Age IS just a number!! As I watch the days of April, literally, fly by with activities I am amazed that on my up and coming birthday I will be 44 years old. No way!! I feel like I am 34 but the truth is what it is so, as I have done since the magic day of turning 40 I am setting my goals of celebration for the big day.

Cute right?

A few past goals have been running my first 10 miles, running my first 13.1.... This year I am adding a year of celebration. Why celebrate all year? Well turning 44 means that I am celebrating, every day, living 45 years of life. I THINK this is a big deal so yes, I am going to celebrate daily.

Part 1:

Rob also is turning 44 in June so, together, we are going to run 4 half marathons together AND run our first 30k in September. Yes, the crazy lady has invited my dear husband into my crazy, obsessed world of running. I hope we grow old running trails together but for now we just need to survive these races.

(A few years ago Rob and I spent New Year's Eve with our dear friends The Smocks. We were highly intoxicated and I still pray no one secretly has video of us..... but we made resolutions. Mine was to be "happy" every day. Julia gave me some time and I came up with a plan. Happiness is a choice not just some smile you paste on your face as you jump out of bed each day. I spent 10 months of 2010 choosing happiness.)

Part 2:

Celebrating all year I will to choose to be happy every day. This is the plan.

1. I am going to write down 5 things I am grateful for every day. (before I did 10)

2. Do one act of kindness to pay something forward daily.

3. Find one inspirational quote that reflects my day.

This will begin on my birthday and I vow to journal it daily and "try" to blog it. I am hoping to have a complete life full of written proof of my choice to live a happy life to share on my 45th birthday. Ending my year, or beginning, how ever I choose to see it, there will be my first 26.1 race.

Now to clarify, when I made my grateful list before, I had simple things on the list like "I am grateful my children fight, because it reminds me I HAVE children." I also found it enlightening in many different ways....

Very few people read my blog but what do you do everyday to live a happy life? Do you choose the negative or look for the positive? Do you celebrate your age or do you dread your birthday?

Shawna

 

I don't do "sick"

Well, this week has been the longest, yet the fastest week of my life. I have not been ill enough for antibiotics since 2009 and Sunday all hell broke loose in my body. I went to bed with chest congestion and woke up with a fever and completely incapacitated. WTH?? I am a busy woman with 3 kids, yard work, house work, and running to do. THIS CAN'T BE HAPPENING. Well it did and after 2 trips to the doctor, a shot in the ass and 2 different antibiotics I am officially on the mend. At least today I can function around the house, still eating soup, and "resting" although I still can't break through this low grade temperature which  has refused to break.

Any one who knows me and the Crazy Lady knows I must be on my death bed before I rest. Needless to say this sucked. I have missed 7 days of running. YES, 7 days. Rob filled in on kid duty and I am trying my best to suck it up and take care of myself. The weekly list of spring chores will have to wait until next week. The laundry is done, the house relatively clean and the guilt lightens from yard work because of a week of rain.

Why is it the mom's feel such guilt when they are down? Why can't we just accept help and rest. Relax? I rarely do that.... I am sure after a weekend of "rest" I will be up and running as usual.

For all those who judge us SAHM's as being lazy... well I won't defend it but you SAHM's totally know how the house, schedule, meals, laundry can fall into shambles when Mom is down. Here's to a healthier weekend and a Happy St. Patty's day all.

Shawna

Idaho Native

This is new to me but I am stepping out of my 40 year old box and attempting a creative outlet. I am an Idaho native. Born in North Idaho on the Idaho/Montana boarder. I have lived in CDA and have been in Boise for 9 years. Boise is hometown for my 3 children and I could not ask for a better way of life. We enjoy our life of skiing, hiking, biking, swimming, and somewhat of a small town feel with opportunities not found in other small Idaho towns. We have seen an influx of outsiders moving to Idaho for reasonable housing, better schools, and to some, less crime and more family stability. Being an Idaho native is rather strange because even my husband is from New Jersey. My in-laws relocated here 4 years ago, also from New Jersey. My history dates back 4 generations to Idaho Mining in the Silver Valley. It is somewhat disheartening for people to proclaim or brag about living in Idaho when they don't realize North Idaho is not McCall. That the Panhandle runs to Canada. Central Idaho has the history of Lewis and Clark. I am so proud to call all of Idaho my own and hope to share my family stories, travels, and good fortune. Who knows what I may have to say. I yet who may care...new to blogging!