Rodeo Run 10K Training

3 weeks ago, I started training for a the 10K Rodeo Run on February 26th.  Last year, I did the Rodeo Run 5K at the end of February and ran the whole thing even though I had never run more than 1.5 miles.  So this year, I decided to go for it and try to train for the 10K.  The Rodeo Run is a 10K and 5K race that benefits the rodeo.  And its just fun to be a part of.  I remember saying at the end of it last year, "Next year, let's do the 10K!" and then we all laughed!  But alas, here I am.   

One thing that really helps is that Ben is training and signed up to run it with me.  He is a great runner and encourager.  It was a little scary actually signing up and paying and not just saying I was going to do it because then I actually have to go out there and go the 10K distance whether I'm ready or not!  I looked for several different training programs and found this really good one for a 10 week training program.  It started me out very slow and easy - the first day I only had to run/walk 15 minutes.  Then it just pushes you a little bit each week and every Saturday you do your longest run of the week.  Today was my first run that it didn't allow me to walk at all and it was tough but I did it and ran 30 minutes straight. 

Now I'm sharing this with you to tell you that there is a 7-week program on the same site that you could start THIS MONDAY!  If you can already run about 2 miles, and it doesn't have to be a comfortably run 2 miles - I'm still pushing myself to get to 2 miles - but if you can do it, you could start with me right now and do the last 7 weeks.  Let me know if you're doing it and we can encourage each other.  

These are my new running shoes I got for Christmas so that I could feel like a "Real Runner" :).  Accessories and new clothes always help motivate me!

T-shirt Quilt Part 1

This weekend while Ben was golfing, I finally had time to start making my t-shirt quilt.  I've cut up all my old Maroon Out shirts, Grace retreat shirts, and Doulos shirts into 14" squares.  It was a little hard to cut the first shirt...I'm very sentimental...but once I got going, it was no big deal.  So now I've prepped everything and the next step will be the actual sewing!  If you  have any old Grace or Aggie shirts you were going to just throw out anyways, give me a shout!  I'm just a few short.  Here's what I did....

First, I cut 14" squares out of my t-shirts.

Next, I ironed on Pellon interfacing on the back of the t-shirts.

Carlos and Polly are always right there ready to help if necessary.  And ready to sit on anything I'm working on.  I can really count on them.

Finally, I cut out 14" squares of maroon flannel and also 13" or so squares of batting.  These 3 layers (t-shirt then batting then flannel) will then be sewn together to make one of the quilt squares.  And notice again Carlos' tail and Polly's little paws.  Right there.  All the time.

Stay tuned for Part 2...

Christmas Marathon 2010

Christmas is so much more than 1 day, its more like a week of celebrating (and that's not counting all the days of prep!).  We are so thankful to all the family we have to celebrate with and consider ourselves tremendously blessed by our families. 

Christmas #1: Ben and Lynn Christmas, December 22nd - Ben and I enjoy having our own special Christmas apart from all the bigger family Christmases.  We exchanged gifts and stockings, had a special, although healthy, Christmas dinner and topped it off with a movie.

Christmas #2: Keith Family Christmas - This is an annual Christmas celebration on Christmas Eve with my Mom's side of the family.  We eat Christmas lunch together and then we do a food gift exchange with the stealing "White Elephant" type game.  So fun!  In other years we have acted out the Christmas story and sang Christmas carols. 

 Marisela and I after the exchange - notice the cream cheese ring I got in the game!

8 year-old Bliss: Dr. Pepper, Sour Gummy worms, chocolates and a huge peppermint stick (this is my nephew Zach)

Christmas #3: Pulliam Christmas #1 - This Christmas includes the guys making Pinch-me Coffee Cake, exchanging gifts with my brother Keith and his girlfriend Marisela as well as Mom and Dad. 

 This wins my heart - Dad and Ben cooking the coffee cake

Merty was with us the whole time under the tree

Christmas #4: Kalinke/Cooper/Pulliam Christmas: This is my entire immediate family Christmas.  We eat Christmas breakfast together and exchange gifts and spend the morning just talking and playing with new Christmas toys. 

 The Ladies - Marisela, me, Mom, and Anne

 Keith and Marisela being funny

Me and my Dad - how blessed we are by him.

Christmas #5: Cooper Christmas - There are 3 Cooper Couples - Ben's parents, us, and his brother Luke and wife Cherish.  As the tradition goes, Ben's mom Pat gives the girls Christmas purses and the guys get some sort of manly gift.  Also this year, they gave us a trip to Gulf Shores in the summer!

Cherish and I with our Christmas purses! (mine was a travel bag this year...close enough to a purse)

Ben and Luke

Christmas #6: Cooper Extended Family tour of Mississippi - Christmas night, we drove to Mississippi to pick up Ben's Grandparents and then drive North with them to visit Ben's aunts and cousins.  On our drive though, we could only find one place open - Waffle House.  I had never eaten there...it was quite the experience :).  Anyways, we spent time with both Ben's grandparents and his sweet aunts and cousins.  We were spoiled and enjoyed our time so much!

Pa, Amanda, Pat, Ben, Miller, and the back of Claire's head at lunch

 Marin (Ben's 2nd cousin) and Pat (my sweet Mother-in-law)

 Another ladies pic - Mimi, Aunt Judy, Pat, me, and cousin Claire

Oh those boys - Ben, Clayton, and Miller, such sweethearts

And that ends our tour of Christmas...and lest you think this tired us out and that it was just too much, I leave you with one last picture to convey how we feel about all of our wonderful Christmases...

Power Shopping

Today, we were power shoppers.  We had a plan, a mapped out route and a list that would impress you.  We went to...get ready...

Mardel, Target, Macys, James Avery, Pottery Barn, Williams Sonoma, Cobblestone Cottage, Ya Ya Club, Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby, Mimosa Rose, HEB, a few old town Katy antique stores, and of course Chick-fil-A.  We were going to go to Old Navy and Aldo but I forgot my returns in the middle of the living room floor (don't you hate that!?).

Ben was an excellent driver.  He would drop me off so I could get started shopping and then park and come in, or just stay in the car and wait.  And he kept me from getting too stressed by periodically semi-tackling me, hugging me, or suggesting ridiculous gifts.  Overall, we were a great Christmas shopping team. 

One more week of school, then another week of rest and family fun and then Christmas!

Calling all Cookie Recipes!

This Sunday, I am going to my very first cookie exchange.  I love cookies.  They are my weakness.  And I'm going to a party for COOKIES!  But I want to bring a really yummy, fun cookie.  Any suggestions?  I'm sure I can find a good one somewhere, I just am sure that one of you out there has an amazing cookie recipe that is your all-time favorite.  So, if you have one, I'd love to have it.  Or if you don't want to type out the recipe, you could just tell me the name of it.  Thanks!

Sew Committed

Today, I finally committed to a sewing machine.  My sweet family gave me money to buy a sewing machine for my birthday.  Exactly a month ago.  So I've been searching and thinking and reading reviews and talking to people and thinking some more.  I just couldn't decide!  You see, I don't know a ton about sewing yet (I've taken one Intro to Sewing class and I made a pillow!) and so it made me nervous to buy one without knowing much.  Anyways, after much debate that bordered on obsessive, I picked one.  It's a Brother and seems like one I can grow with but also it is not too fancy for my beginnerness.  My first project is going to be a t-shirt quilt of all my Aggie and Grace Bible Church shirts.  I can't wait to make it!  And thanks to Aunt Cheryl for giving me step by step directions on how to make one!

Top 10 ways it FEELS like Christmas

So, I'm a Feeler, at least according to the Meyers Brings Test Thing.  Ben would easily describe me as a "feelings" person.  I go by my feelings a lot...to my detriment at times I'm sure and also to my joy.  Anyways, sometimes things just aren't real to me unless I feel like they are.  Hence the forth coming post.

Often around this time of year, everyone beings to say, "Can you believe it's November?!" and, "It just doesn't feel like it should be November yet."  Well, I thought, and said, the exact same thing UNTIL today!  Today, it finally feels like November and even feels a little like Christmas.  Let me tell you why.

1. Today at church, the choir sang an amazing Christmas song that they're going to perform at the Celebration program.

2. I had a gingerbread latte at Starbucks recently and plan on having a Peppermint Mocha soon in a red cup.

3. The house is cold even without the air on!

4. I heard "All I want for Christmas is Yoooou, Baby" today in Old Navy.

5. I wanted to quickly flee Old Navy because it was insane and messy and insane.

6. Same goes for Gap and Bed, Bath, and Beyond.  I do not plan on returning on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon until February unless I have no choice (you really know I'm going to anyways, right?)

7. I wore my camel colored boots last night to a party for the first time this season.

8. I ate turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, dressing, ham, corn casserole, and many pumpkin flavored sweets last night at said party.

9. Every group I'm a part of has a Christmas celebration coming up.

10. And finally...Christmas and Thanksgiving plans are in the works and I can't wait to spend the time with my family and friends!

What makes it feel like Christmas to you?