Motivational Monday ~ I need some ~

So I had a BIG weekend!!!
LOTS of goals accomplished and I feel pretty good about it

But for some reason - It's ALL Monday around these parts.  My chipper usual sunshiny self is still sleeping at home in bed....... (with all the spring breakers!)

So I'm looking for a little motivation around here.....
In hopes of inspiring myself...
I thought I would start by sharing some good news...
LOTS actually!

First of all - I ran another 5K this weekend.  It's my second one EVER and the first one that I ran was 4 years ago!!  I didn't even train for this one.  My time 4 years ago was 36 minutes.   The one I ran this weekend was 32 minutes!!!  YAY!!!! I'm soooo proud.  And yes - I realize 32 minutes is not breaking any records.... but for me, an inexperienced runner and power lifter, I'm GREAT with a 32 minute 5K.   Plus it was a COLOR (fun) RUN.  I don't know if any of you run or care to, but it was a pretty cool experience and I will probably do it again.  Other than it being cold (I'm a weenie), and we had somewhat of a delayed start time (I'm impatient) - it was really fun - and proceeds went to a good cause!!
Thanks Teri for planning it and signing us up as a team.  And thanks Farrah for running it with me!!
Here are a couple of pics of me and one of my best friends before and after the race!!

BEFORE the race.....

And AFTER!!!

Second - even after running on Saturday, Sunday night was gym night.... heavy squats.   My hips were sore as CRAP from running the day before.  But I sucked up some pre-work out and headed out....
on a MISSION.
and I hit yet ANOTHER PR on squat!!  (Thank you CUBE!)
And I feel like I left a little in the tank so I can shoot for a BIG PR when I go to our "mock meet" with Brandon Lilly and crew!!!
I remember when I was struggling SO hard to squat plates.... now I sit at 160!!  (for NOW....)
Here's another video!!!

In other news.... if I haven't already told you all - one of my best friends is having her baby BOY OR GIRL in like 7 weeks!  *if she makes it that far*   I'm soooo excited!!!  And so happy for you Kevin and Mel!!  Can't wait to meet baby W!!

And another one of my besties is getting married...... in like 3 weeks!!!  Congrats to Farrah and Jeremy... this has been a long time coming!!  (it's about time GERMY!)

HOLY COW!!!
I mean - it's good news all around.

These are my "sex in the city" girls...... These are my "10/4", "Druggie David", "cougar", "spit dip out the window", "aquasocks", "I'm getting a divorce" MARTINI MADNESS girls!!!!
I don't know if you followed my blog WAY BACK...... but we've been through alot together...
It's funny how we used to be the BW's crew hanging out late nights watching basketball, catching up on local gossip, making fun of people....and boy watching...
NOW - we occasionally have a girls breakfast get together and/or shopping excursion and then we're ready for a nap!!  ha ha
Discussions now consist of savings and retirement and wedding and baby shower planning.
MY how things have changed.

I have another birthday just around the corner....

And I am BLESSED!
I am WAY too close to 40, but I have memories to share and blessings beyond measure for every one of those years!!

I know I get to celebrate it with the best friends, the best boyfriend, the best family and the BEST son a girl could ever ask for.

Mopey Monday is over....

Have a great week everyone.
When you're feeling down - remember to count your blessings!

5K equals way too much time to think today!

There are soooooooo many things I want to share with you all today!
GOSH - I haven't been on to really blog for like a day now and I feel like I'm about to bust...
I have SO many blogs started that I want to talk about today - but instead - because I can't choose which ONE I want to put all my focus into.....I'm just gonna do the usual.....UNLOAD RANDOMLY on you all!  LOL
(thanks for listening - big smile!)

First of all......I completed my first 5K today!!!!!  whoooooo hooooo YAY!!!!  This is something I never thought I would ever ever be able to do or want to do.  But I did and my time was like 36 minutes or so (won't know exact time until tomorrow)  which is not to shabby for my FIRST race ever AND considering I really just started even exercising not even 5 months ago!  Anyway - WOW what a freaking rush and what a freaking feeling.  It was amazing...  (see, I have a blog started about the race, but I can't focus on one thing today)  So after the race, while doing some riding around today, I got to thinking about ALOT (thus the need to unload)

Ok - so I started this blog in order to turn over a new leaf in my life and learn to appreciate "the life I never expected".  Today I had one of those moments.  During the race & continuing after the race, I got to thinking about my life, where I am and how in the world I ended up here.
Hello - I ran a 5K.  Who would have ever thought?!?!  How did I get here?  I want to first of all thank my friend Denise =)   She is my friend/aunt/sister/mom/everything all rolled into one.  Months ago, she decided to start going to the gym and recommended I join her.  I eventually did and look how far we have come.  My friend Denise ALSO ran the 5K today...it was kinda on her bucket list  =)   Amazing!

This one little thankful thought to my girl Denise sent me spiraling out of control...LOL
Now I have spent hours today thinking about all the people in my life.  I don't have the time or energy to sit and type about each of them individually - nor do you all want to know THAT much about me OR my insane family and friends!  haha
So instead......I wanted to spread my joy that came from my thoughts today!

I have come so far in my life.....and alot of times (way more than I should) I talk about how strong I am and how I'm a single mom and I do EVERYTHING all by myself.
This is SUCH a lie.  I mean - physically yes it appears that way - right?!?!   But let me just say - without all of the love and support that I receive from my family and friends - I could never do and acheive the things I have accomplished in my life.
For some people who don't know me - I mean the REAL me, on the outside looking in, they see me.....stable, accomplished, successful, driven, relentless, etc.

But let me tell you this - all of those things and more would never be possible without the people in my life and so many times I forget to take the time to say thank you and really really appreciate how lucky I am.  but don't mistake me as that girl who has it all together and who has had life handed to me on a silver spoon!  SURE I want everyone to see that on that outside - we all do......and yes - that may be the image I portray to those people I meet on this crazy journey we call life.  But make no mistake, I'm a crazy, spontaneous, hangin by a thread train-wreck some (most) days.  And if it weren't for all the great people God has put in my life - I don't know what I would do OR where I would have ended up.
Sometimes we try to control our lives way too much and we worry that we can never do enough or we get down on ourselves for not being where we thought we would be.  A very good friend of mine recently reminded me "Tammy, NO ONE is where they thought they would be when they thought they would be there, and if they tell you that they are - they are lying!"  He's so right.  I'm soooooo not where I thought I should be at age 33 - I mean NO WHERE - not in any aspect.  BUT - thing is, I'm right where God WANTS me to be and today I took the time to thank HIM for bringing me through everything I have been through and giving me the shoulders of my friends and family to get me here.  What would I do without them?!
I ran a 5K for God's sake!
Who knew the power of living and loving the life you never expected.
Let go of the reigns and let God guide you!  and when you finally let go, sit back and be so thankful for all you have come through and all the things you HAVE accomplished, even though they aren't the things that are on your list.....a 5K was never on mine & I could name lots more that weren't, but that doesn't make me any less thankful for them!

In conclusion - for ALL of you out there who have been a part of my life - THANK YOU for being you!  Thank you for listening and giving advice & allowing me to be a part of your life too!
(my new blogger buddies - you guys have been a bigger part of my life and thoughts than you may ever know...your encouragement and prayers and random emails are a very unexpected new road in my life!!  And again - for that I am so thankful!)

Sorry if I've been a bit rambly today - it's been a crazy emotional weekend and though I was at a loss for words in my last blog - I seem to be overflowing with them today!  hee hee

XOXO
HAPPY HALLOWEEN - I'm off to get ready  =)