Thursday, September 26, 2013

Go to a coffee shop and write....or not

Thursday, September 26: Go to a coffee shop. Order a favorite drink. Write about what makes you happy and what makes you sad. Or write about anything you'd like! Bonus points for including a photo from the coffee shop. (I recommend downloadingOmmwriter and bringing headphones along!) *if you can't make it to a coffee shop, at least leave your usual space and write someplace new.

Umm, yeah so this didn't happen, either, like the last couple of Blogtember prompts :(

I do plan on catching up on one of the prompts - to review a book, place or product (day 16) because I HAVE to share with you and everyone the place I went to last night - 2 Chicks with Chocolate! It is TO.DIE.FOR!!!
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Monday, September 23, 2013

Life Lately

Day 15 of Blogtember: life lately. Days 13 & 14 slacked due to packing and traveling for the World Championships in Killington, VT

Life lately...has been busy and occupied with climbing a few mountains - literally! September has been the busiest month obstacle race wise for us. The 7th was the Tri-State Super in Vernon, NJ, this past weekend the Spartan World Championships, and this weekend coming up the Spartan Race at Citizens Bank Park. 
Photo courtesy of Manda Pierce
After seeing this my sunglasses are WAY too big for my face!





Wednesday, September 18, 2013

Only photos!

Today's Blogtember prompt is only photos! Bear with me on the iPhone photos.

Parker

Sophie 





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Tuesday, September 17, 2013

A Letter & A Memory

Since I slacked yesterday and didn't get to this.

Day 10 Blogtember topic for the day: Write a public love letter to someone in your life. (It doesn't necessarily need to be romantic.)

Dear Ron,

I know we say "I Love You" many times throughout the day but I don't often tell you just how much I appreciate you. You mean the world to me. Without you I wouldn't be the person I am today. You motivate me and because of that I am stronger and more confident than I have ever been. I am more willing to try new things, even if it's because you shove a fork full of who knows what into my mouth.

In two short weeks we'll be married for three years! Time surely does fly when you're having fun. I know we've had our ups and downs and gone through trials and tribulations; but there isn't anyone else that I'd want by my side to go through it with.

I love you!

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Day 11 of Blogtember is simply a memory you'd love to relive.

A memory that I'd love to relive is the day Ron proposed. I'm fortunate that it was recorded, by a dear friend. It was also done VERY publicly. The one thing I wish about that day is that I heard what he was saying. See for yourself.


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Friday, September 13, 2013

Self Portrait + Tri-State Spartan Super

Today's Blogtember topic is simply a self portrait. This is from shortly after I got my DSLR.



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Tri-State Spartan Super

Last weekend we tackled the Tri-State Spartan Super held at South Base, Mountain Creek in Vernon, NJ. It was my second time running with Team Braveheart. Team Braveheart is an amazing group of people. Right from the website:

Team Braveheart’s mission is to develop and promote healthy awareness, goal setting and team building. Our ultimate goal is to motivate the world by sharing our life experiences. We encourage others to change their mindsets & do something new.

It was approximately 8.25 miles up and down the mountain. Lots of trails and fairly even placed obstacles - OUT, 7' and 8' walls, Spearman (aka Spear Throw), Log Hop, Tire Flip, Barbed Wire Crawl, Inverted Wall, Rope Climb, Traverse Wall, and Fire Jump. I may be missing something but covered most.




I know many people who did this race last year were somewhat disappointed that it was about three miles shorter than last year and both the cliff jump and a rope traverse were eliminated. The cliff jump we found out was tossed due to mud clogging the water park's filters, so that most likely wasn't Spartan's doing but the park saying no.

Anywho, overall I thought it was a good race. I did fairly well placing around the 50% mark for racers on Saturday. I finished in 3:20:07.2. I was happy with my time and finished quicker than Ron anticipated. After racing I was volunteering and my shift was from 2-10pm, he figured I'd finished right around 2pm, nope finished about 12:45pm! 


I only failed three obstacles - Log Hop, Spear Throw, and the Rope Climb. I'm kicking myself because I made it half way up the rope and my body just felt spent; I probably could've made it all the way up. I was super happy that I conquered the Traverse Wall - I hadn't been able to get it since the Fenway Race. I excitedly said "F**k ya!" once I hit the bell. The volunteer who offered to hold my Camelbak was like LOVE IT! 


It was my second time volunteering for Spartan Race and I would highly recommend it. Both times I've done course volunteering - in Tuxedo, NY at the Barbed Wire Crawl and in NJ at the Spear Throw. You meet the staff and the other racers (including some of the elites, like Andi Hardy, which feels like meeting a celebrity), plus you get a free race! It really is a great experience! Spartan Race is more than just a race, it really is a community.

Next up in racing for me is the Sprint at the World Championships in Vermont. For anyone interested there is still time to sign up for the race September 28th at Citizens Bank Park - use my link www.tinyurl.com/kzsrdiscount and get a 15% discount!
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Thursday, September 12, 2013

How has social media changed you?

Day 8 Blogtember topic: Discuss ways that blogging or social media has changed you.

I'm still fairly new to blogging so I can't say that has changed me too much, yet. Social media on the other hand has definitely changed my life in many ways.
Our very first picture together - pardon the quality I had to go find it on MySpace

If it weren't for MySpace I'm not sure I'd be married right now. You see I met this guy at a NJ Devils game and we started talking after I saw that we were in the same Devils Fan group. So because thanks to MySpace I connected with the love of my life.

via

via

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Wednesday, September 11, 2013

Favorite online places to drop some moola!

Day 7:  Share links to your favorite online shops, preferably with a few photos of your favorite items in each shop. Here are a few I've purchased from and others that I'm looking to purchase things. Happy shopping!

Paradise Sweets//The most delicious cookies you'll ever taste!


Fashionative//I don't own one yet but some great bracelets can be found here.


Firedaughter Clothing//Another one that shop that I have save in Etsy and pinned on Pinterest.


Lululemon Athletica//Now this one I do own a few pieces from. I'd love more but my wallet just isn't that deep.



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Tuesday, September 10, 2013

Blogtember Day 6. Describe a distinct moment when your life took a turn.

OK after having this rattle around in my head most of today to try to think of "a distinct moment", and I know there are definitive moments that have changed my life in some way, shape or form, but which or what did I want to share.

This isn't a "distinct" moment but I'm going with when I stopped saying "I can't". I can't run, I can't survive a spin class, I can't [fill in the blank]. It truly is mind over matter. You can do anything you put your mind to!



Growing up I was the child that always did what I was told. Sometime during fifth grade I woke up one morning and couldn't walk - they diagnosed me with arthritis. From that point on my mom would tell me what I couldn't do. In high school, I wanted to go out for Cross Country running - mind you I'm the girl who would walk the mile in gym class. There were other things I said I wanted to do that I was told I couldn't (that could be a post for another day).

Anywho, over the past few years I've started running and doing other things, spin and competing at obstacle course races, in someways to prove the naysayers wrong. I like pushing myself (athletically) to see just what I CAN do and how far I CAN go.

Don't let anyone say you can't, especially yourself, because truth be told, if you put your mind to it you can!

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Monday, September 9, 2013

I'm an INFJ, what are you?

Day five of Blogtember! Take this short personality test and respond to your results.

Hope everyone had a great weekend! I'll be sure to post about the Tri-State Super Spartan that we completed Saturday soon.

According to the personality test, I'm an INFJ, which for the most part I agree with. Like Jenni, who is hosting Blogtember, I looked it up on Personality Pages to see a bit more about what it all meant.

Here's what they had to say about INFJs:

The ProtectorAs an INFJ, your primary mode of living is focused internally, where you take things in primarily via intuition. Your secondary mode is external, where you deal with things according to how you feel about them, or how they fit with your personal value system.INFJs are gentle, caring, complex and highly intuitive individuals. Artistic and creative, they live in a world of hidden meanings and possibilities. Only one percent of the population has an INFJ Personality Type, making it the most rare of all the types.INFJs place great importance on having things orderly and systematic in their outer world. They put a lot of energy into identifying the best system for getting things done, and constantly define and re-define the priorities in their lives. On the other hand, INFJs operate within themselves on an intuitive basis which is entirely spontaneous. They know things intuitively, without being able to pinpoint why, and without detailed knowledge of the subject at hand. They are usually right, and they usually know it. Consequently, INFJs put a tremendous amount of faith into their instincts and intuitions. This is something of a conflict between the inner and outer worlds, and may result in the INFJ not being as organized as other Judging types tend to be. Or we may see some signs of disarray in an otherwise orderly tendency, such as a consistently messy desk.INFJs have uncanny insight into people and situations. They get "feelings" about things and intuitively understand them. As an extreme example, some INFJs report experiences of a psychic nature, such as getting strong feelings about there being a problem with a loved one, and discovering later that they were in a car accident. This is the sort of thing that other types may scorn and scoff at, and the INFJ themself does not really understand their intuition at a level which can be verbalized. Consequently, most INFJs are protective of their inner selves, sharing only what they choose to share when they choose to share it. They are deep, complex individuals, who are quite private and typically difficult to understand. INFJs hold back part of themselves, and can be secretive.But the INFJ is as genuinely warm as they are complex. INFJs hold a special place in the heart of people who they are close to, who are able to see their special gifts and depth of caring. INFJs are concerned for people's feelings, and try to be gentle to avoid hurting anyone. They are very sensitive to conflict, and cannot tolerate it very well. Situations which are charged with conflict may drive the normally peaceful INFJ into a state of agitation or charged anger. They may tend to internalize conflict into their bodies, and experience health problems when under a lot of stress.Because the INFJ has such strong intuitive capabilities, they trust their own instincts above all else. This may result in an INFJ stubborness and tendency to ignore other people's opinions. They believe that they're right. On the other hand, INFJ is a perfectionist who doubts that they are living up to their full potential. INFJs are rarely at complete peace with themselves - there's always something else they should be doing to improve themselves and the world around them. They believe in constant growth, and don't often take time to revel in their accomplishments. They have strong value systems, and need to live their lives in accordance with what they feel is right. In deference to the Feeling aspect of their personalities, INFJs are in some ways gentle and easy going. Conversely, they have very high expectations of themselves, and frequently of their families. They don't believe in compromising their ideals.INFJ is a natural nurturer; patient, devoted and protective. They make loving parents and usually have strong bonds with their offspring. They have high expectations of their children, and push them to be the best that they can be. This can sometimes manifest itself in the INFJ being hard-nosed and stubborn. But generally, children of an INFJ get devoted and sincere parental guidance, combined with deep caring.In the workplace, the INFJ usually shows up in areas where they can be creative and somewhat independent. They have a natural affinity for art, and many excel in the sciences, where they make use of their intuition. INFJs can also be found in service-oriented professions. They are not good at dealing with minutia or very detailed tasks. The INFJ will either avoid such things, or else go to the other extreme and become enveloped in the details to the extent that they can no longer see the big picture. An INFJ who has gone the route of becoming meticulous about details may be highly critical of other individuals who are not.The INFJ individual is gifted in ways that other types are not. Life is not necessarily easy for the INFJ, but they are capable of great depth of feeling and personal achievement.
Jungian functional preference ordering:
 
Dominant: Introverted Intuition
Auxiliary: Extraverted Feeling
Tertiary: Introverted Thinking
Inferior: Extraverted Sensing


I highlighted some of the points I agree with. I can be like Rosie on the Fritz (think Jetsons) and like things to be "in their place". I'm definitely more introverted till I get to know someone. Just ask Ron about my stubbornness. I'd say I'm like my mother in that aspect although she says she's just "determined". I am a perfectionist when it comes to things. And am definitely protective of those I love.

What did the test reveal about you?
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Friday, September 6, 2013

Falling

Day FOUR of BlogtemberA story about a time you were very afraid. 

Nothing really sticks out to me of a time I was very afraid, except for more recently at Superhero Scramble with the Leap of Faith obstacle. You see I have this fear of falling and I'm not even sure where it came from. I do recall being younger and every night as I fell asleep having that feeling of falling that jolts you awake - every.single.night for I can't remember how long. It's odd because I don't have a fear of heights per se and I do like being up high to see the out over a large area. It's just when I feel like I could easily fall. 

Anywho, I climbed to the top of the obstacle, two cargo containers high with a platform a bit above and that's where I froze. Ron tried talking me into it, along with a friend of ours and other racers. I wasted spent a good 20 minutes trying to psych myself into it and when I was just about to do it I panicked, shook, and began to cry. Not my proudest racing moment!  Although everyone did love the shot the photographer captured.


I will also tell you that the first question out of my mouth when I volunteered at the course build last weekend for the Spartan Race this weekend was "are you using the cliff jump this year?" I'm happy to say I was told no - thank you sweet baby jesus! Now here's to hoping they didn't fib.
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Thursday, September 5, 2013

Pennsylvania Spartan Sprint

After the somewhat downer of my previous post, I thought I'd share with you the pictures that I FINALLY found of myself from the PA Sprint.  Forewarning sometimes racing isn't pretty!





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Day 3: Useful advice

Blogtember Day 3: Thursday, September 5: Pass on some useful advice or information you learned and always remembered. 

Hmmm....useful advice or information I've learned and always remembered - this one is a toughie! I guess I'll go with what I learned after my miscarriage (a story for another day). If you are one of the 1 in 4 women who have unfortunately miscarried a child you know that people will say all sorts of things to you. While many started with the I'm sorry it seemed like they felt the need to say more. A co-worker of mine (since I had to have a D&C) went with I'm sorry but you'll be pregnant again in no time since they cleaned you out. That one still stands out in my mind. Or there is the you're still young you can have another.

So this, I guess, is more so for those who are fortunate to have never had to go through a miscarriage. If you aren't sure what to say, first off don't not say anything knowing you know is already the elephant in the room, just leave it at "I'm sorry". That simple phrase can really say so much. Most importantly just be there for your friend, family member, or whoever it is.
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Wednesday, September 4, 2013

What I would do with three months off

Continuing on with Blogtember: Wednesday, September 4: If you could take three months off from your current life and do anything in the world, what would you do? (bonus points for fun photos from Pinterest, but don't forget to cite the source!)

I would most certainly travel!!!














There are many more places I'd like to see but these are just a few that I've pinned!

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Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Who Am I?

The first day of Blogtember: Today's prompt asks that you describe where or what you come from. The people, the places, and/or the factors that make up who you are.

Where - I was born and raised in Rutherford, NJ - I guess you'd consider it a suburb of NYC. It is a small town that holds good memories. I lived in the same house my whole life till I got married. I have fond memories of playing with the other kids on our street. The time when you'd just go knock on their door and play till my dad got home and called us to come in for dinner from the front yard. I went to the same grammar school from Kindergarten to Eighth grade; not something that happens these days. I can still remember the layout of how the school was when I went there.

What - I come from a middle class family. Mom is a nurse and Dad was a mechanic, and then a carpenter. He was always good with his hands building things. They were both always there for us, my brother and me. Mom would work evenings or nights so that she was there during the day and Dad worked about a mile from the house and was home shortly after 5pm. For the times that Mom worked 3-11 either my aunt/godmother or my father's co-worker's daughter (follow all that?) baby sat us.
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One other person who strongly influences who I am is my husband. Not only does he love me unconditionally, even when I'm sure at times I may not be that lovable but he motivates and supports me. I am a stronger person both physically and mentally because of him. I can't thank him enough for all he does for me- love you!

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