Run? hmm sure..

A while back, I tried to become a runner. It did not work. Running is not my idea of a fun thing to do.. now, Zumba or Step Aerobics, those are fun, more like dancing than just pounding the pavement - BUT they cost some extra moolah. So running it is.

Melissa Anne found this great iPhone app for me. It's called Get Running - Couch to 5k. So this is how it works: run 3x a week rest at least 1 day between runs and eventually you can run a 5k without stopping. Hmmm. I'm not so sure, but I think I'll give it a try.

Week 1
warm up: 5 min walk
1. run 1 min
walk 1.5 min
2. run 1 min
walk 1.5 min
3. run 1 min
walk 1.5 min
4. run 1 min
walk 1.5 min
5. run 1 min
walk 1.5 min
6. run 1 min
walk 1.5 min
7. run 1 min
walk 1.5 min
8. run 1 min
cool down: 5 min walk then stretch

Week 2
warm up: 5 min walk
1. run 1.5 min
walk 2 min
2. run 1.5 min
walk 2 min
3. run 1.5 min
walk 2 min
4. run 1.5 min
walk 2 min
5. run 1.5 min
walk 2 min
6. run 1.5 min
cool down: 5 min walk then stretch

Week 3
warm up: 5 min walk
1. run 1.5 min
walk 1.5 min
2. run 3 min
walk 3 min
3. run 1.5 min
walk 1.5 min
4. run 3 min
cool down: 5 min walk then stretch

Week 4
warm up: 5 min walk
1. run 3 min
walk 1.5 min
2. run 5 min
walk 2.5 min
3. run 3 min
walk 1.5 min
4. run 5 min
cool down: 5 min walk then stretch

That's all I'm going to list so far. There are 9 weeks total and you are supposed to be able to run for 30 min by the time you start week 9. I want to see how far I can get, I think it is do-able but I just have to do it. We shall see how well this turns out :) went on my first run since May today and just about died, I'm thinking I need to do it earlier in the day so it's not so darn hot! Well, here we go! Good luck to you if you give it a try yourself, leave some feedback on how it's going :)

Camping Prep

The time has come for our Labor Day weekend camping trip! We are heading east to good old Leavenworth to camp along Icicle Creek :) Usually we camp with friends but this will be our first time out on our own.. could be interesting. I planned a menu, but we never seem to want to eat what we have planned for a specific day so I just made a list of breakfasts, lunches & dinners that we could pick and choose what we want each day. I also made a list of everything I would need to pack. Now, my 'thing' when going on any sort of trip is to write lists so that I cannot forget anything. This helps keep my stress levels/headaches at a minimum. Here are my lists, feel free to copy and use :)

MENU

BREAKFAST: FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY & MONDAY

Cereal, Milk

OJ, Hot Cocoa (Creamer), Tea

Pancakes w/butter and syrup

Hash Browns

Eggs & Bacon/Sausage

LUNCH: FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY ... THURSDAY/MONDAY: eat on the way

Cold Cut Sandwiches (Meat & Cheese.. lettuce/tomato/mayo)

Frito Bag Chili

Chilidogs

Orange Slices

Carrot/Celery Sticks

Soda/Water

DINNER THURSDAY: Scott and Amy Anniversary- marinated steak skewers?

DINNER: FRIDAY, SATURDAY, SUNDAY

Homemade Chili w/cheese topping, pre-made cornbread

Chowder and nice bread

Baked Potatoes w/cheese, butter and left over bacon cut into bits

Soda/Water

SNACKS:

Trail Mix

Fruit - grapes, apples, oranges

Veggies - carrots, celery

String cheese

DESSERTS:

S’mores: Chocolate, Grahams, Mallows

Banana Boats: Bananas, mini mallows, chocolate chips

Homemade Chocolate Chip cookies

CAMPING PACKING LIST

SHELTER/SLEEP

__Tent
__Tarp
__Extra stakes
__Rubber Mallet
__Mat for tent entrance
__Dust pan/brush/broom

__Sleeping bags/Pillows
__Sheets/blankets
__Air mattress/Air pump
__Repair kit (tent/mattress)
__Tent light/fan

PERSONAL

__Shoes/boots/sandals
__Jeans/shorts/belt
__T-shirts/tanks
__Socks/extra socks/undies
__Hat
__Sweatshirt/jacket
__Sleep clothes
__Rain gear
__Swim suit/towel
__Laundry bag
__Towels/washcloth
__Soap/shampoo/conditioner

__Face wash
__Tooth brush/paste
__Deodorant
__Comb/brush
__Razor
__Feminine products
__Toilet paper
__Personal wipes

__Personal medications – take extra

__Sunscreen/chapstick

__Sunglasses

__Watch

__Aloe Vera

COOKING

__Large water jug/bucket
__Coolers/ice
__Stove with fuel/propane
__Long stem lighter
__Firewood
__Dutch oven
__Campfire grill/BBQ grill
__Fire starters/newspaper
__Tablecloth/thumb tacks/clips
__Plates/bowls/paper plates/bowls
__Silverware/plastic silverware
__Measuring cups/spoons
__Aluminum foil/plastic wrap
__Paper towels
__Trash bags
__Cooking oil/Pam spray
__Food Containers/ziplocks
__Potholders
__Pots and frying pans with lids
__Spatula, tongs

__Cooking Knives & Spoons
__Skewers/grill forks
__Can opener/bottle opener
__Pie irons/Hot Dog/Mallow sticks
__Mugs/paper cups
__Mixing bowl
__Cutting board

__Dish pan/soap/sponge

__Dish rags/towels

__Clothes pins/line

__Seasonings/sugar/condiments
__Potato peeler

__Drinking Water 

MISCELLANEOUS

__Lantern w/Fuel/Mantles

__Extra Batteries/Bulbs

__Bug Repellant/Candles

__Books/magazines/iPad/Bible

__Maps/directions
__Misc. tools: hatchet
__Backpack
__Camp chairs
__First aid kit
__Tissues
__Park map/guidebooks/trail maps
__Collapsible drying rack
__S’mores
__Flashlight/batteries/headlamps
__Pocket knife
__Plastic grocery bags
__Water bottles
__Bungi cords/straps
__Cards/games

__Frisbee
__Duct tape/electrical tape
__Notepad/pen
__Cell phone/car chargers
__Small shovel
__Safety pins
__Money/ID/credit card/quarters
__Hand wipes
__Drinks/snacks
__Small sewing kit
__Hot chocolate/tea bags
__Scissors

Latest Project - Baby G's blanket

Work has been a bit slow lately and earlier this summer my best friend, Melissa Anne, told me that she and her hubby had started to officially try to make a baby. In mid/late July or so, I decided that I needed to start doing something productive with my time at home (besides cleaning & laundry), I decided to crochet a blanket for this future little one. Last time I tried to make a baby blanket was for my sister's baby, Lincoln, and it took me more than 11 months... Here's a picture of Lincoln and his blanket, isn't he just the cutest baby boy in the whole world? :) I just love him so much!

  So this time I decided to start early. I texted Melissa Anne.. she was slightly confused.

so I came up with this pattern for her: 

approx 12x12 inch squares in this checkered print to become about 3x4 feet.

Turns out that I must have had a 6th sense because she was indeed pregnant when I sent her that text! Melissa's last name starts with a 'G' so we call him/her "Baby G" :) We even made a pinterest account for Baby G (yes, we are pinterest addicts..) Anyway, she loved the pattern and this is where I am so far:

It's coming along much faster than Lincoln's blanket.. I think because I had to start over about 3 times.. it looked ridiculous those first 3 times but I think it turned out pretty great :) 

(It was my first crochet project ever, have to learn somehow, right??) 

Now, just the other day I received news that my good friend Stacy had a baby girl and what am I to do? Make a blanket for dear Baby Sophie! I am so excited to actually make a blanket that is not gender neutral. Though she will be receiving it pretty late, I decided to get a big head start on Baby G's blanket before I tackle this new pink one. My big sister (her name is Melissa as well, but I call her Melissa Kate) suggested trying a Chevron pattern for that one... I'm not sure I have the skills for such a different kind of stitch but I will give it a try. Here's the pattern I drew up and the yarn colors that Stacy picked. 

I think I am going to follow a YouTube video series for this one.. It's called Crochet Along: Grannie Ripple Part 1 - I think there's around 7 parts to her tutorial, it will be interesting trying something new but here goes!