The Book of Love (and Respect)

I am currently reading a book, For Women Only, which is designed to help women understand the mind and emotions of men.  There's also a book titled For Men Only, which helps men better understand the female species.  Phil is reading that one.  Don't worry!  Our marriage isn't in trouble!  This stuff just interests us, and since love is knowledge, the more we know about one another, the better.  Much as a physically fit athlete continues to work out, a healthy marriage continues to grow and improve when both spouses put in the work required.  

7QT: Run, Dance, Eat

It's Friday!!!!  We are heading to our kids' school's Halloween dance and Haunted stage tonight.  Andrew and his 8th grade class have been working hard on the stage, and I'm excited to get frightened!  Linking up with Kelly and the other ghouls, mwahahahaha :)

1)

Marathon training has begun!  Guys, I still really, really can't picture myself running 26.2 miles in February.  Realistically, I can see myself running another half-marathon instead.  But!  I will try and follow this training schedule, and see what happens.  So far, so good...I mean it is one of the lowest mileage weeks in the whole plan, and I've had two rest days already ;)  But tonight I'm getting my first long run done before the Nor'easter comes tomorrow.

Book, Cook, Look - A Review of What I'm Currently Reading, Eating, and Wearing {October Linkup}

UPDATED:
This will become a new monthly linkup!  Add your October post of Book ~ Cook ~ Look below.  Thanks!

Happy Feast of the great Pope Saint John-Paul.  Also known as my boyfriend.  I tell my family that IF I ever make it to Heaven, they will know where to find me because I'll be perched next to JP2.  

Is my crazy showing?

Anyway...

I don't know if this will become a regular segment around here, but I have a couple of good books in my stack, some yummy recipes we've been eating, and an outfit inspired by Walmart!  Please feel free to post your own Book ~ Cook~ Look and link up back here!  Can't wait to check you out!

7QT: Spirit Week, Macron Madness, and Crazy Calendars

Happy Friday!  What a week!  (Do I say that every week?  I'm like the girl who cried wolf!)  Linking up with Kelly and the betters...

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Phil's birthday was last week and I never mentioned it!  

He's the third birthday within two weeks at our house, so he basically gets nothing even though he deserves EVERYTHING.  Love him so much.  We had swimming and soccer and basketball to drive the kids around to, but did manage to fit in a little homemade pizza and cake.  The kids made him sweet cards, and I got him some gifts (pizza stone, Redskins joggers,  a Catholic Journaling Bible, and a book he wanted) and then we went out to dinner the next night and between the birthday deal from the restaurant and a gift card, we only spent $6.  Talk about a cheap date!!  Happy 38th bae!

2)

#postcardsformacron has been my favorite way to find some awesome ladies on the grams this week.  What was that guy thinking to upset all these well-educated women who are raising a lot of future voters??  Educated women aren't defined by the number of degrees they hold, and Moms aren't defined by the number of kids they have.  If you disagree with Macron's statement, send a virtual postcard.  Thanks!

Our Daily Bread

We can say the same prayer since childhood, grow so accustomed to its rhythm that we can't hear the words anymore, until one day, it's like a certain phrase is glowing with a message meant just for us.  Today, that message for me is in one of the simplest prayers, the Our Father.

The line that glows for me today?

GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD

Apple Picking 2018

I'll just let the photos do the talking...

7qt: Fourteen, Sleep Apnea, and a Winner!

Happy first Friday in October!!  What a lovely month it is, let's play a little 7 Quick Takes Friday with Kelly, shall we?

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Andrew turned 14 on the feast of St. Francis of Assisi...since he was little, we've told him he HAS to pick Francis as his Confirmation name...mostly because I still feel guilty for not using Francis in his name #catholicmomfail.

He asked for pizza and ice cream sundaes for his birthday dinner, which was late because he had soccer practice first and this sports fanatic couldn't skip a practice!

Running After Pregnancy (and Pregnancy After Running)

Do you know what it’s like to get an injury that prevents you from running, sidelines you for months, and once you finally heal, you have to start from level one of your fitness journey?  It’s one of the most frustrating experiences for all athletes. 

Now imagine doing that again, and again, and again.

(and again)

That’s what pregnancy can feel like to the life of a runner.  Although pregnancy is a natural and healthy occurrence, and not an injury, the whole process is very much the same.  I always feel like I get into great running shape, get pregnant, have to start from scratch, rinse and repeat...

Read the rest over at Catholic Women Run :)

Uncommon Goods: A Review and Giveaway!

Over the summer, I went into a little shop with my mother-in-law and could have perused for hours.  The shop was full of little odds and ends from jewelry to household items, apparel, children's toys, to magnets and games and knickknacks galore.  There were so many beautifully crafted handmade items, and I kept thinking about this little shop, wishing there was a way for me to shop all of it's goodies online.  One day out of the blue, I got an email from Tom at UncommonGoods, and I realized this was it!  This was an online collection of handmade items you would find at your local shop or craft fair...all in one place.  I chose a few items to review, and honestly y'all (can a northerner say y'all?) it was hard.  It took me a couple of weeks to choose because I wanted everything!!! I decided to focus on things to make entertaining more fun - and here's what I chose...