A non- creative post // Some thoughts on running

I have always wanted to run. Over the years I would try to start running, but it was hard and I never kept at it. This past fall however I was able to start running and actually make it a habit! Sometimes it is still hard to run, but I've gotten over my difficulties and enjoy running most of the time.

Here are a few things that I've learned about running. I hope this will help you if you're a beginning runner!

• You can push yourself harder than you think you can. Several people have told me that running is very much a mental thing and it really is. Your mind has to be stronger than your body and tell your body not to quit when it is begging to be allowed to stop. Obviously, if you are really having a serious problem you need to stop running, but you can usually do harder things than you might think you have the ability to. Remember - no pain, no gain!

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• You need to have a goal. Shortly after I started running seriously a friend called and told us about a local 5k race coming up. A 5k was what I wanted to work up to so I figured out how I needed to progress in order to run that race. I needed to add one third of a mile each week and I did it! Having a goal helped me be consistent with my running and also helped me push myself and become stronger.

                                       

• It helps to occupy your mind. Listen to music, audiobooks, and sermons. Pray. If you can get you mind off your feet hitting the pavement, how you feel, or how much longer you need to run you'll be surprised at how much better you'll do.

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This Is My Niece Elsie

I remember the first time I held her, marveling at God's creation and at the fact my sister was a mommy. She had strong sparkly eyes and loved to look all around. Now she is such a big girl with hair long enough for two french braids! She knows all the words to many songs and makes us laugh with her funny ideas. One afternoon, I followed her around with the camera as she played outside and stuffed pecans into her little pockets.  

"Are you coming, Asalin?" I love how she says my name and how her face gets so serious when she asks a question.

"A pecaaan!"

"Maybe we should take them inside and eat them!"

Refashion Friday//How to Refashion a Big Ol' Ugly Sweater

Do you find a lot of old sweaters that have a pretty design, but are way too big and have strange shapes? I do. I decided to try refashioning one and I like how it turned out. Here are a few simple steps for refashioning a sweater.

First turn your sweater inside out and lay a top you like over it, then mark the new size with pins. You can actually try the sweater on at this point just be careful not to get stuck!

Using the pins as a guide, draw a stitching line with a black sharpie. Sew over the lines using a stretch stitch. Trim seam.

Now cut the sleeves to your desired length. I made three quarter length sleeves.

Cut the cuffs off the sweater leaving about 1/4 in. extra above the cuff to provide a seam allowance when you sew it back onto the sleeve. If the cuffs are too loose you can trim them to make them smaller. You will want the cuffs to be a little smaller around than the sleeve.

Stitch the ends of the cuffs together, then pin them onto the sleeves stretching the cuffs to fit. Lastly sew them on.  

I also refashioned the corduroy skirt I'm wearing. Before, it had stuck out strangely at the hips. So I took that in and hemmed it shorter. Although I didn't particularly mind the length, the skirt was pretty narrow at the bottom and was annoying to walk in.

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