Sunday, April 17, 2011

Running...and other things.

I have finally started working out again. It's been awhile since I've made a consistent effort into actually scheduling it into my day. I find that life, as wonderful as it is, is always going to be busy, and wether I am working one job, two jobs, or no jobs...there is ALWAYS an excuse to not make excersizing, or my health a priority.

Over the past few months, (since January to be exact) the Lord has really impressed upon my heart the need for balance. It is so easy for my life to get out of balance in all areas, that eventually, everything gives way and I have a melt down. Since then, I have been implementing all sorts of "healthy" choices into my day to day routine. From dietary, to spiritual, to personal. It has been difficult, but awesome. It amazes me just how faithful the Lord is in my life...in our lives. I love how he loves me, simple as that.

So, here I am...adding another item to my day. Sometimes it amazes me just how much I do...I don't say this to brag or pat myself on the back...but I really do alot!! Being married and taking good care of a home and all the chores that entails, two pets and a husband along with working a bit more than full time...then adding in alone time, friend time, husband time, excersize, quiet time and on and on. And I don't even have kids yet...sheesh. Woman are amazing...mothers especially!!

Back to running- I started three weeks ago...5 times a week. Two weeks ago, I started (with an official conditioning guide) training for a 5k. So here I am, heading into my fourth week, and it has been AWESOME. I feel better, look better, have more energy and am loving it. I love conditioning my body. I love to see how strong it really is. Today I picked up a book on running called "The Complete Book of Running for Women". Here are just a few benefits I have learned since opening it up...

-Running is the quickest and most efficient means of weight loss
-Running reduces your risk of cardiovascular disease, the number one killer of women
-Running lowers your heart rate and blood pressure
-Running reduces your risk of stroke, the second leading killer of women
-Running lowers your risk of breast cancer (yes and amen!)
-Running enhances your immune system
-Running helps keep your intestinal tract in good working order
-Running enhances your respiratory system
-Running may reduce the symptoms of premenstrual syndrome
-Running improves your health and well being DURING pregnancy
-Running may reduce the symptoms of menopause
-Running prevents muscle and bone loss that occurs with age
-Running is good for your joints
-Running helps prevent a decline in reaction time
-Running leads to a long and happy life

So, the question is...why NOT run!? Well, it's still early in the game...but getting healthy makes me feel so good. Part of my motivation to begin with was to be nice and fit for our move to Maine...because once there, being actively outdoors will be a part of most, if not all of my days. So much to look forward to...cheers to a good run, and the future:)

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Friday, April 30, 2010

Old Journal Entry

Acadia National Park, Maine 09.14.09

I was rummaging through one of my journals, and found this entry. It's less than a year old, but still, the time seems like it was an eternity ago. When I read it, it made me so happy...it's simple, but again, the Lord's faithfulness is why I was able to be in this place, and to write this entry.

September 14, 2009
I am sitting on a boulder that is perched atop an entire coastline of boulders and rocks...looking out at the amazing, vast ocean. I am in Acadia Maine, with my family, on a trip that is an answered prayer. My heart feels so alive in this place, being in nature, exposed to unquestionable beauty at every turn. The sound of the ocean and it's pounding waves...the rich hues of blue and green in the water, topped with accents of white foam. The seagulls calling out to each other, and the solitude of being alone to fellowship with the Lord and enjoy His beauty. Thank you Jesus for this day.

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Sunday, April 15, 2007

Maine...The Land of Remembered Vacations...


Ok, so again, old post. However, I still feel this way. The irony of this whole post and Maine, is that shortly after I started pining to be in this amazing state, and plotting my move. My brother Andrew (in Iraq at the time) lets me know he will be stationed there when he returns from Iraq. He is there now and has been for about 1 year or so. I think it's kind of funny, the timing of it:) I'm still a little jealous.

I want to move to Maine. This thought struck me as I was driving around the other day, and a car with a Maine license plate pulled in front of me. As soon as I saw it, I thought "Who lives in Maine?" I mean, it's probably one of the least thought about states right? So un-thought of, I wonder, is it still a state? Anyways, I decided I would follow them because I thought, to have come from Maine, they have to be pretty cool and I wanted to talk to them...well, they ended up going exactly where I was going anyways. Sad story, once we got there, there was no parking, so we both went our separate ways:( Here are some facts about "The Pine Tree State," possibly my future home:)


Eastport is the most eastern city in the United States. The city is considered the first place in the United States to receive the rays of the morning sun.

In Wilton there's a cannery that imports and cans only dandelion greens.

Maine is the only state in the United States whose name has one syllable.

Maine is the only state that shares its border with only one other state.

Bath is known as the City of Ships.

Joshua L. Chamberlain born in Brewer received the only battlefield promotion to General during the Civil War. He was also the last Civil War soldier to die of wounds incurred in the War.

The White Mountain National Forest covers nearly 800,000 acres, the forest covers a landscape ranging from hardwood forests to the largest alpine area east of the Rocky Mountains

Aroostook County at 6,453 square miles covers an area greater than the combined size of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Approximately 40 millions pounds (nearly 90 percent) of the nation's lobster supply is caught off the coast of Maine.

Maine produces 99% of all the blueberries in the country making it the single largest producer of blueberries in the United States.

Maine's earliest inhabitants were descendants of Ice Age hunters.

Portland was first temporarily selected as the state capital. In 1832 the capital was moved to the centrally located site of Augusta.

In 1641 America's first chartered city was York.

Acadia National Park is the second most visited national park in the United States.

West Quoddy Head is the most easterly point in the United States.

Augusta is the most eastern capital city in the United States.

Mount Katahdin is the state's highest point at 5,268 feet above sea level.

Togus was the first Veteran's Hospital in the United States. The facility was founded in 1866.

An unsuccessful attempt at establishing a permanent English settlement in the New World was at the location now known as Popham Beach. Sir George Popham led the expedition in 1607.

90% of the country's toothpick supply is produced in Maine.

Portland is the birthplace of poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.

Senator Margaret Chase Smith stood up in the senate and gave the famous Declaration of Conscious speech, speaking out against the McCarthy era. Senator Smith was the first female presidential candidate.

Author Steven King is a resident of Bangor.

Former President George Bush has a summer home in Kennebunkport.

Freeport is the home to the L.L. Bean Company.

The skating scene in the movie "The Preacher's Wife" was filmed in Deering Oaks Park in Portland.

The chickadee is the official state bird.

Maine lies farther northeast than any other state.

Maine's nickname as the Pine Tree State comes from the pines that once dotted the state's forests.

With a total area of 33,215 square miles the state covers nearly as many square miles as the other five New England states combined.

The state flower is the white pine cone and tassel.

The coastline boasts so many deep harbors it is thought all the navies in the world could anchor in them.

Maine lobsters have won international fame for their flavor and contribution to the culinary world.

The Penobscot Marine Museum in Searsport houses numerous historic buildings and marine memorabilia.

Fort Knox erected in 1844 is a state historic site originally built to protect the Penobscot River Valley from British naval attack. The fort was constructed from granite from nearby Mount Waldo.

Numerous lighthouses dot the Main coast including Fort Point Lighthouse at Fort Point State Park in Stockton Springs and Grindle Point Lighthouse on Isleboro.

The Sailor's Memorial Museum in Isleboro features displays depicting life at sea.

Located in Thorndike Village, the Bryant Stove Works and Museum displays an eclectic collection of antique cast iron stoves, parlor heaters, roadsters and touring cars. In addition, the museum features antique layer pianos, pipe organs and music boxes, calliopes, nickelodeons, and hurdy-gurdys.

Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was considered the most influential poet of his day. The writer was born in Portland, on February 2, 1807. His most popular works include "The Courtship of Miles Standish", "Evangeline" and "Hiawatha".

The nation's first sawmill was established near York in 1623.

York became the nation's first incorporated city in 1642.

The first ship build by English colonists in Americas was launched on the Kennebec River in 1607.

The first naval battle of the Revolutionary War was fought off Machias in 1775.

Maine was admitted to the Union as the 23rd state on March 15, 1820.

Maine's blueberry crop is the largest in the nation.

The honeybee is the official state insect.

Maine contains 542,629 acres of state and national parks.

Edmund S. Muskie became the first Democratic United States senator ever elected by popular vote in Maine. He was also elected governor for two terms. He was born in Rumford.

Eastport is the only United States owned principality that has been under rule by a foreign government. It was held from 1814 to 1818 by British troops under King George following the conclusion of the War of 1812.

Maine's government entities are comprised of 16 counties with 22 cities, 435 towns, 33 plantations, 424 unorganized townships and 3 Indian reservations.

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