Why I run

Now, I don't really like talking about my workout routine, because I'm always scared people will take it as bragging or something. I don't know if that's true, but I'm going to do it anyway.

When I'm jogging I'm constantly asking God for help. I tell him I can't do it on my own, and I thank him for getting me where I am. I always have this wish to tell people why I run, but that's not a question one's usually asked. The usual reason would probably be for fitness or leisure, I suppose, but I run only because I can.

Tara, my wonderful college roommate probably understands better than most. Sophomore year I gave up sleeping in my bunk bed because I couldn't climb down in the morning. When I woke up it would take me many minutes and lots of pain to get down the hall to the bathroom.

Long story short, I was never diagnosed with arthritis, but from everything I experienced that's my best suspicion as to what it was/is. I was put on an anti-inflammatory for awhile, and my sleeping patterns DRASTICALLY changed. That's probably what helped more than anything else. If I get very little sleep still, I can feel my feet starting to ache. Unlike most people, my feet tell me when it's time to go to bed.

What this has to do with running is: I couldn't walk. I missed classes sometimes because I couldn't walk to them. When I heard the word "arthritis" I thought I was doomed for the rest of my life. Then, maybe a year or two later, I had no pain. I could run, so I did.

Sometimes I feel like I may be living in the past, but when I'm nearing the end of mile two and feel completely exhausted, I try to remember how much pain I had then, and mile two is nothing. I remind myself that God has shown me he can take away my ability to walk. He's shown me that walking is nothing but a gift. I don't have to deal with foot pain, it's completely gone. I can run now, so I do.

I'm Monica.

I never would have pegged myself as a Monica, but every day I see it more and more. Everything needs to be just so, and everything needs to be meticulously clean. My poor husband can't keep up. I've also been doing a lot more cooking (a Monica thing), and I think I'm getting better! 

Here's my little kitchen. Believe it or not, it's got about twice the counter space as our last one. 

And while I've got the camera out...

I made oatmeal chocolate chip cookies tonight. I accidentally got mini-chocolate chips instead of regular. Best mistake to make; chocolate in every bite!

Every meal I make, whether it's an exotic new recipe or grilled cheese, I use a wedding gift. I think "Ah, Sera's family gave me this bowl. I love this bowl!" or "My aunt knew what she was doing with this cook book." or "My tortillas sure are staying warm." I just wanted to say thanks again! Everyone went so above and beyond. It's a sort of freedom to know I can make absolutely anything I would ever need to. (and that's a challenge)

Tomatoes-to-be

I've never successfully grown anything before, but I'm hoping for big red tomatoes one day. Maybe about the same time my mother comes to visit! I've just got to keep Lincoln from gnawing on anymore of them. This is one of those topsy-turvy-upside-down tomato planters. So far, definitely worth it, even without tomatoes.

One week ago

One week ago I lived in Sullivan, Indiana. I was up to my ears in boxes and completely stressed about having it all packed in time. Now I'm up to about my knees in boxes and completely stressed about finding a job and applying for grad school. My closest acquaintance is 900ish miles away. The weather here is amazing. Humid, hot, and everything is green. My tomato plants are sprouting, and the cats are chasing each other around the apartment. I'm going to be an aunt and a bridesmaid. Life is beautiful. Every time I move I'm glad I did. I'm sad about being away, but there's more to life than geography.

In case you're wondering...

We're in GA

We're here. Everything's in the apartment. My dad left this morning to head home :(
We've been unpacking a few hours, and we've made a huge dent. Sadly, it's just a dent.
The next big thing on the list is applying for school and finding a job.
Happy Easter!

Computer Trouble and so much MORE

My computer has been dead for a couple of weeks now.
It's working again!!!!
I'm reminded of why Apple is so great. It's not just the product, but the customer service. For sure!

Now, because it's been awhile, I have things to tell you.
We're moving to Georgia! We're leaving tomorrow or Saturday.
My dad's coming to town at this moment to help us move.
John's got a new job at the Albany Herald in Albany, GA. He starts Wednesday.
We've got a new apartment waiting for us, all we need is the key.
John's on his way to the airport right now, and I'm going to pick him up in Indianapolis in a few hours.
The house is packed. The cats love boxes.
I'll let you know when we're settled in GA.

Back to School

I'm thinking about it.

I toyed with the idea of going back to school a few months ago, but just gave up on it because I couldn't find a program I really liked. Well, recently I've looked into it some more, and now I'm really excited about it. I've still got some more thinking/researching to do, but if I decide to apply, I'd apply for the spring of 2012.

I've spent my entire life (it seems like) counting the days until graduation. But this would be different, right?

The program I'm looking at is the Master of Library and Information Science at Valdosta State University. John and I have plenty of things to look into before then, but I'll let you know. The scariest part is applying. I never applied to a college I was nervous about getting into.

Throwing Eggs with M

The following's a memory or set of memories I've pieced together. It may not have happened exactly like that, but that's how I like to remember it happening.



I'm 5 years old, and I love my brother, but you'd never guess by the way he ignores me when I follow him around. Mom and Dad talk to my grandparents, M & D, about things we don't care much about, so we wander off to explore drawers that might be filled with things like crayons and books. It seems like hours have gone by, and Richard's reading and won't play with me anymore. I go back to the den and Mom and M are still talking. Dad's reading his book and D's listening to the radio with the weird voice that tells him the weather. I love coming to the farm, but it always reminds me how boring my family can be.

Mom gets up, and I get so excited. I follow her into the bedroom and she tells me she's just going to lay down. Too bad. As I head back to the den, Richard's still reading, M's digging in the fridge getting ready for supper, D's muttering to himself in his chair, and Dad's reading. I climb up into his lap, and he hugs me.

M comes in and asks me if I'd want to go on a walk with her. Of Course I Would! She helps me put my shoes on and makes me put my jacket on. I run outside and have to wait for her to get ready. I swing on the rusty green porch swing until she comes out. She's stuffing tissues in her pockets and carrying a carton of eggs. I ask her what the eggs are for, but she just says I'll have to see.

Sometime earlier D had pulled the four-wheeler out. It's bright red and it always reminds me of M's hair. She puts the eggs in the basket. "Are we going to ride it?" I ask, barely containing myself. She just smiles at me and asks me to open the gate to the pasture. I run across the yard and do what she asks. She pulls through and stops so I can shut it. She helps me onto the four-wheeler and makes sure I know to hold on really tight. It always seems kind of foreign to see my petite, soft-spoken, grandmother driving the four-wheeler. She takes me down by the pond dodging cow patties the whole way. We circle around it and head toward the woods. If I were alone, I'd be scared of the cows, but not now.

She has all the paths through the woods named and tells me stories about each one. She shows me the stump where the snakes live and makes sure I know never to go near it. She shows me the path where the cows walk and how they've worn it down to the dirt by walking in a line.

We come out of the woods on the other side, and she stops and helps me off. She takes out two eggs and hands one to me. She says, "be careful not to drop it," then she throws hers at a tree! I don't know if I've ever seen her throw anything in my life, but she hit the tree dead on and the egg goop splattered and is dripping down into the grass. I throw mine at the tree and miss. She hands me another egg. HIT!

Before I know it she's saying that's all, and I'm so disappointed. We ride back to the house and I open the gate for her. I can't wait to brag about throwing eggs with M!

egg on a tree in 2009

True Love

This is a story of true love.
Once upon a time there was a cat. His name was Lincoln, but his friends called him Link.

One day this cat met a little red pompom. To the naked eye, this pompom just seemed like an everyday, average pompom. To the keen eye of a cat in love, it was so much more.

To this day, the two cannot be separated.

The End

Valentine's Day on the 22nd

My mom sent flowers! They weren't here in time for Valentine's day, but WHO CARES?! Flowers are always good, and even better when they're not expected. Plus, she sent tulips, she obviously knows her audience. The only sad thing... we have to keep them up in a high windowsill or our sweet little cats will tear them to shreds. It's worth it.

Ice Storm

Valentine's day

I would say it was nothing special, but then I'd be taking for granted things like dinner being made for me, flowers, and Hershey kisses. I've always loved Valentine's day, even though until now I've never really had a Valentine. I just like all the pink and flowers and heart-shaped lemon squares (I made for John).

PLUS ...

Spring is in the air here, and it's beautiful. I was able to get in two jogs already this week with the upper 40s. I've been taking my jogs through the cemetery in little Sullivan, and it's so pretty. It reminds me of so many things and people that I'm thankful for. Just a few years ago I could barely walk down the hall, and now I'm running. That's why I like to run, because I can.

Snow day!

No work! (but only because it's my day off.) No snow, either, but only because it's all ice! 

John will come home early, because everything is cancelled! 

I keep waiting for something big to happen in our lives so I can update you, but life is made of little things. 

New Year

Christmas came down, and just in time for 2011.

Last night John said, "This year went so fast." I said, "Are you kidding?!" I think back to January of 2010, and I was worried about graduating. Everything I did or thought about somehow contributed to the impending senior show and if I'd be done in time so I could graduate. That seems like years ago. After that was all said and done, everything I did revolved around the wedding. I moved all my stuff to Indiana, and had dress fittings and hair appointments. After the wedding and our trip to Seattle, the next couple months I had to look for a job while unpacking, and getting a new SS card, driver's license, bank, proof of address, etc. I went to weddings, was in a wedding, and now everything has calmed. Once I got a job everything settled. There's routine in our lives again. As of December 31st I have read the Bible in a year, and John and I are starting together January 1st.

Whatever 2011 brings, God will provide. He definitely did last year.