Pleasurable Work

Here are a couple more photos of the Chipping Sparrows...



This one is the mama on the nest.












And these are the babies.

This one taken on 6-03-12

Look at that little mug.... so funny...









Well, yesterday the weather was pretty nice and so working in the yard was a definite.... The flag pole was kind of calling my name...  Since we had so much rain, the ground was diggable, workable.  A bit easier?  Oh my, by the time I was finished I could hardly move... But I dug up all the plants- saved some to replant, collected all the bulbs and cleaned up all the weeds and waste.... Then my husband helped me screen out the rock from the soil...

As soon as we finished he said OK now let's go for a run... Are you kidding?  I can hardly move my legs... My hip and buttocks hurt from driving the shovel with my foot... I was out here for 5 hours working.... Then I thought about him... He works hard like that every day and even when he is tired he will accommodate my wishes... So I said OK.  Changed my clothes, put my hair up and we went to the bike path... Ran 3 miles... Now I haven't ran in months... Three miles nearly killed me in my weakened (digging) condition...LOL  But about 20 min afterwards I felt pretty good....

My body really hurt last night... Every time I rolled over, I woke up... Soreness, aches and pains.... Youth is wasted on the young... I always heard that... Now I believe it!

Today I am looking out the window at my flagpole planter and I will have to finish it up... That means getting a load of garden soil to fill it up and then replant the bulbs and flowers.... and then mulch it.

I also need some garden soil for a potato patch.  Just a small one.  The ones we grew last year were so tasty... I love having a garden...

Coming up in the garden now are Pumpkins, Corn and Jalapeno Peppers.  Of course I haven't been out there this morning so there could be more...

Gardening is hard work sometimes... But it brings pleasure and I hope glory to God who created every creature and all things!

It's Mental

Running

For me it's 99% Mental

Today I went to the gym and hit the treadmill.  Met Carolyn there-  poor thing is nursing a knee injury- I am praying that it improves and she can get back 100%.  She is an amazing encouragement.... inspiration.... She looks great and says that she feels amazing and like me has become addicted to running.

I have a love hate relationship with my treadmill.  It is a nice machine but has a mean streak.... See I think it is out of calibration.  I do not like to run outside when it is cold and so I stay inside on the treadmill.  I like to watch TV... Usually The Biggest Loser on Netflix.... but the speed on the darn thing is killing me... If it says 5.0 that is a 12 min mile... and I am struggling to run one on that darn thing... but when I run outside- boom- I run about an 11.5 min mile.... and today at the gym I was at stinking 6.0  for one song (without feeling like I was going to die).... It makes me crazy... Why does that number bother me so much... I know that it is not quite right... but it messes with my mind... and I focus on it.... and feel unsuccessful during my run.... still feel amazing afterwords though.

So I play this running game.... 

Run for fun.  That really never sounded possible.
I do not like to run.  Never liked to run. 

Running is hard.
Running is painful.
Running is work.
Running is time consuming.
Running is not fun.  

That's what I used to say-

Jay and I started running on the bike path a couple summers ago.... Running was so hard in the beginning... my heart felt like it would beat out of my chest, I couldn't breath, I felt like I was going to cough up a lung after I was done..... it took all the way home to recover..... sad state of health... LOL

Then I noticed that it wasn't taking as long to recover and I was able to increase my duration.... little by little I was making progress.  I absolutely LOVED the way I felt about 40 min after a run... whether is was 1, 2, 3, miles.... 

I lost weight... because here comes more the mental junk.... If I am going to take the time and effort to run for 30 min then there is no way I am going to eat something that will undo that effort.   

I find if I get dressed, find my shoes and headphones and stuff...  that is more than 1/2 the battle.  Then doing it is the easy part... Remember the Nike slogan from the 80's,
"JUST DO IT"

I feel like I accomplished something when my run is over... and now I am ready move forward and to do something else-  

My legs feel super skinny after running... I know that's in my head... but they do feel strong and skinny. 

I also have less back pain and stiffness when I run... so that's worth the effort in itself.  

When I run outside I am so thankful to God for the weather, the ability to run, the beauty around me...When I started I was just thankful to finish and for my husband who encouraged me and gave me tips.  He never teased me about my red faced recovery. 

Today talking to Carolyn I remember encouraging her to start running, now she's encouraging me to get back to it.  So we are both addicted.  It is a good addiction.... Looking around the gym today we looked like the youngsters of the group.... and that made me laugh... I hope my effort pleases, He, who gave me the ability to run- not necessarily to win any races but to share joy with others and be an encouragement to whoever needs it- and an example of  His love.

Maybe I am not supposed to be inside on that treadmill.... 

Running = Joy

     Again I'm dressed for running, but will I find my running shoes and get out the door.  I know I can't do the treadmill... and it is a beautiful day.  It will help my stress and Blood Pressure.... and I think today I will do it... coffee first and conversation with my wonderful husband...

     The Boys, my son and an exchange student from China, are still sleeping.  It is Easter Break this week.   My daughter is away at college.... and I look forward to her arrival home for the summer in 36 days.  

     It is a gorgeous day and regardless of all the stress and turmoil of the past weekend I will enjoy it and move forward.  It is almost Easter and we will be celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus and how he died for us, for our sins.  God's loving grace and we need to give others that same grace...... I am trying....but I am not perfection like Christ was and is.... 

    I'm going for my run... for my health and my sanity.  I know it's going to hurt today because it has been too long since I ran... but I will feel accomplished afterwards.   God created this world for us to live in and enjoy.  So today I choose to find joy and be happy.... the best I can.