Results at Last...

As you may or may not be aware, I've started the 'From Couch to 5k in 10 weeks' running schedule earlier in September. I am now at the end of week 7 and today I've finally noticed a substantial shift in weight and BMI. (body mass index)

I was never even close to being overweight to begin with, but things were starting to get 'flabby' so to speak. Now things are not so flabby anymore and I can now run almost 2 miles (= 3.2 km) which I find just absolutely amazing!!!  {big smile}

I still have a ways to go though, but at least I'm through the rough part, i.e. actually lifting your feet and starting to run!

So, after feeling really good about myself and my body this morning, I decided to wear my new dress today (the one that I showed you yesterday) and you know what: the size Medium is too big! (Ha!) It still looks very cute though, especially with these amazing shoes that I bought at Value Village a little while back. I'm hoping to wear them (the shoes at least) to our school's Auction (big fundraiser) in November...

Inspiration...

Master C. is running right at the front here...

I'm inspired! This time I don't mean creative inspiration but physical and mental inspiration. Just look at all these high school students run!  This was last week's Cross Country race (3miles = 5k) at Magnusson Park in Seattle. Our team (in the dark green shorts and white shirts) all started off right in the front, what a sight.

Master C. on the right battling it out with one of the fastest 
runners in the league.
(he didn't make it in the end, but he tried!)

Every time I see Master C. run he makes it look so effortless and graceful. And every time I see him I think to myself: I wish I could run like that...

Now I have to remain realistic and no, I will never run like that. But oh boy, I am actually running every other day and every time I go out I can run longer and it feels better and better! Yesterday I ran 7 minutes in one go, then walked for 3 (to catch my breath) and then I ran another 2 1/2 minutes all the way home. That was almost 1 mile!!! (= 1.5 km) Wahoo!!!!  {big smile}

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Last weekend we had a taste of early Fall and we had to wear jeans and sweatshirts all of a sudden. In the mornings at least, because in the afternoon the sun would come out and everything was quite peachy again. The temps are right around 70F / 20C these days and it is just lovely.
I will be wearing a light fleece jacket today to Little Bit however, since things are always pretty chilly in the barn. Now with all the running I've been doing, I feel a lot better at Little Bit again also since a lot of walking (and schlepping of heavy saddles etc) is involved. 

Oh, before I forget: look at this fabulous find I found on the side of the road the other day: (the rack)

Yes, there is the wii-fitness balance board in the foreground.
I use that for about 30 minutes after every run...

"Nazdravja" Carla!
(little inside joke between myself and my sister)

This postcard rack only cost $15 (about 10 Euro's), it fits a ton of cards and it actually rotates! {smile} Now I just have to find a good spot for it...

Well, that was it for now. Not much blog- worthy- stuff going on over here, but I just wanted to check in with you to let you know I'm still here and still reading all your blogs of course. (always the best source of inspiration) Toodles!

Breathing...

I'm in the middle of designing a Senior Yearbook page for Master C., which means going through all the pictures from these past 18 years. All these memories evoke a lot of emotions. Remember to keep breathing...

I've picked some fresh spearmint from the yard and have brewed several cups of tea. Keep breathing...

To keep the mind calm I've sewn a new tablecloth and some matching napkins out of an old sheet I found at Value Village last week. Inhale ~ Exhale...

Macro & Thrifty Finds...

The other day I zoomed around the yard with a couple of Macro lenses attached to my regular lens. I found this beautiful bee on an Echinacea flower (= Cone Flower)...

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For our wedding anniversary last Sunday  we went shopping at Value Village (romantic isn't it?) <wink> and Mr. G. found this fab mixer that actually works! He was very excited...

And I found, among other things, thee very cute 60's looking boots! (they come about half way up your calf)

I found this metal shelf stand a few weeks ago and the enamel pot on it last weekend.

And I'll leave you with  a photo of our dining area early this morning.  I found these old paper lanterns a while ago and finally hung them up. 

Half an hour later two of them have already crashed to the ground, scaring the birdies like crazy! I guess I will have to find another way to secure the lanterns. Let me ponder on that one...

Thrifty Finds Of The Most Excellent Kind...

Oh yes, this week I went thrifting not only once, but twice!  {big, big smile}

But first a beautiful Lily from our garden to start off this post with...

The first time I visited our local Value Village and found this cute little lammie (or poodle?) ceramic planter, the cross-stitch cookie jar and some fun fabric (no pics of that, I 'm sorry). Quite the little successful trip...

But then yesterday Tif  and myself finally got together after not having seen each other for a couple of months. She is an extremely busy lady as most of you know, especially now that she is in the midst of writing another book (called Granny Chic) together with the lovely Rachelle from Ted & Agnes. 

We first dropped off an old sofa at the Goodwill and at that same place I found the find of the century; a most excellent recliner chair for a whopping amount of... wait for it... $12.99!  That is twelve dollars and ninety nine cents people!  <wink>

I am a very happy person right now. To top it all off we are now experiencing temperatures in the 80's which will be rising to the 90's (= 32C) this weekend. Summer is still here!  {smile}

Value Village 'V'inds...

(I meant 'finds' of course but I liked the triple V's in there...)  <wink>

So last Monday was Memorial Day here which meant 50% off of all clothes, shoes and accessories (I don't think that is the right spelling but don't want to look it up right now) at Value Village, one of our second hand stores.

The morning started  great already with the link to a concert of "The Specials", live at Pinkpop (Dutch rock festival) that was sent to me early that morning by a friend of mine. I immediately was in the mood for my two-toned Dr. Martins and a rockin' hairdo:

Mr. G. and visited two stores, one in Ballard (in Seattle) and my other regular one closer by. Look at all the bounty:

Some of the Amsterdam Canals are depicted on these egg cups. How cool is that?

A vintage sheet for some sewing and a vintage bedspread that fit exactly on our guest bed!

It is fabric, not a painting...

I bought some clothes as well but not too many and no pictures. (yet)

After all that hunting we were rather peckish and so we stopped at a fabulous Taco Truck called 'El Camion'.

Look, the Space Needle has been painted the original gold color to commemorate its 50th year of existence.
It looks more orange to me...  <wink>

What a fun day out together!  {smile}

Return Of The Mojo!

See, I told you yesterday this 'lack of mojo' lark wouldn't take long?!  <wink>

After I wrote yesterday's post I kicked myself in the behind and went shopping at Value Village. (= second hand store) Major score! Look at all the fun goodies I found:

Fun paper lanterns to add some festive cheer around! (and yes we could do with some of that with all this cloudiness around...)

We have a wedding to attend next month and I thought these shoes would be perfect, they will go with whatever I will choose to wear. Yes, they look like shoes my Oma could have worn but I felt that added some charm. The most important factor though was how comfortable they are! If you look closely you can see that they have padding inside: Yay!

And then I found these two pillow cases that I just couldn't resist...

And a huge piece of sheer rose fabric. Not sure yet where that will go but that is not important isn't it?  <wink>

And then quite a few never been used sewing patterns, mainly from the Project Runway line for Simplicity: Yay again!  {smile}

Tomorrow there is a big Memorial Day Sale at Joann's (fabric store) where they will be selling patterns for $1 each (!) so I will be adding a few more to my collection this week. (and very probably some new fabric as well, just what I don't need)

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And as you might or might not have noticed, I've changed the layout and background of the blog a teeny tiny bit.  I was inspired by Ouchflower's template and she so kindly sent me the link of where she found it (Dessign). I checked it all out but was a little bit 'afraid' to go for such a drastic change so I decided to design my own and use Blogger's templates. I likey!  {smile}

OK, the sun is peeking out just a little bit so I think I might go out for a stroll in the back yard and see how much the weeds must have grown. With all this rain they grew a foot for sure!