Trust me on the Sunscreen

THIS my friends is the first true marks of summer (and the worst sunburn of my life!). 

Let me start out by saying that this may not look too bad, but my entire body looks like this! I look like I'm wearing a white swimsuit! 

I do not (usually) burn. I am half Mexican and overestimated my dark complected skin this weekend. Guess what!?! It does burn! It burns bad!!

I feel as though my body is radiating enough heat to trigger the air conditioner in my office.  My head has been killing me all day and I'm convinced my brain is burning up as we speak!

To all my fair complected friends out there - I feel your pain! And I am so sorry for all the times I half-heartily offered my sympathy for your sunburns. 

THE ONLY good thing about this sunburn is the activity it took to get it; I spent yesterday at the lake!  It was a great day full of SUN and cold refreshments.

I have learned my lesson the hard way and my poor skin is paying the price of my neglect. :(

never, ever, again...

Trust me on the Sunscreen!

     One in a Million,

              Jaimie

Running through my Crazy Mind

   
                             

The pictured books above are headed my way! This is my latest order from my amazon addiction. Any guesses on what is on my mind??

That's right, I have a full Marathon in my sights. Knowing that I have completed 3 half's prior without keeling over might make this new goal not seem too out of reach...BUT if you know me, then you know about my trouble with training. 

The thing is I am pretty good at listening to my body and while I do somewhat train for races, I do not train correctly.  It is very, VERY difficult for me to follow a training regime. Sure I reference a lot and do my research, but when it comes down to it I have never completed a running schedule (not even the one I created and adapted to my uncommitted self!) 

I was able to get by with my sub-par training with half marathons. I mean 13.1 is nothing to take lightly, but I knew I could at least finish one (running, walking or crawling).  A full marathon however, is another beast.  

I know a full marathon will require me to be more dedicated to training and take longer than a month or two to prepare.  I know my body and I knew it was strong enough to endure 13.1 miles. I also know my body is not able to complete a full 26.2 miles as is.

I am proud of myself and my past races, but I'm ready for the next test. The test that I can't possibly succeed at without proper training. I want to push my limits and feel the utter joy of completing something  I never thought I could (like my first half) again.    

I might fail a million times before it's checked off, but this is now on my bucket list and I'm researching races in the late fall! 

                                                                                                                                               One in a Million,

                                                                                                   Jaimie

Rock me...

Good Morning!

So despite the letdown of coming back to work, I am pleasantly surprised to witness rain outside my office window. It is soo dry down here in Texas!  I also find myself smiling at my computer screen thinking of the great weekend I had.

I've found when we start our weekends with a Fun Friday night, the weekend always seems longer (must remember to partake every Friday night) which is a big win in my book.

Friday night we headed to the 'big' city (only big compared to the tiny towns in its 200 mile radius) to listen to one of our favorite bands play.  We had little adjustments to make since the weather was unseasonably cool and the concert was planned to be outdoors. No huge complaint though (expect I really wanted to pig out at Olive Garden and instead had to opt for drive through tacos).

Alas, we successfully made it to the new location and began getting into character with a few cold ones.  Old Crow Medicine Show came on about 9:30 (original start time 10, new start time supposed to be 9, good thing I'm a meet in the middle kinda girl).

We had a great time! If you have the chance to watch Old Crow live, I highly, HIGHLY, recommend you do.  They were so entertaining and played for 2 hours straight!  The lead singer even did his research of the unfamiliar Texas town and was able to incorporate the knowledge seamlessly; Of course, winning over the crowd.

Here's a pic of the night with the husband and photo-bombing brother-in-law.

Saturday we 'recovered', drove home and I began working on getting some things done around the house. While the husband nursed a hangover I even found time to get a run in! Go me!  I then watched him rope a few head with his buddies and called it a night.

Sunday consisted of: Church, more sanding and painting, and my weekly house cleaning duties. (And I sneaked in a redbox movie and a quick pedicure!)

Overall, it was a very successful weekend of relaxation, productivity and fun. There's that balance thing again! I'm getting pretty good at balancing the million things these days!

Hope your weekend Rocked as much as mine!

                                                                    One in a Million,

                                                       Jaimie

PS. No disrespect to Darius Rucker, but Wagon Wheel 
is best enjoyed by the original band Old Crow Medicine Show.

Another Approach to Healthy Living

As I've mentioned, my running mojo has been missing for some time now. I have been able to force myself out on the road about once a week for the past month or so, but have not had any 'good' runs.  You know, the runs that make you feel powerful, healthy, and keep you from chugging wine by the box full (yup, box wine fan here, no shame).

So I've really been missing my runners high and have been dabbling with some at home workouts lately for the convenience of morning workouts. This week however, I had a small revelation.

I actually looked out the window before pushing play and was able to see the street! This meant that the sun was now up when I was! This opened up the door for morning runs!

So this morning I strapped on my brooks and headed out the door for a refreshing run in the 55 degree weather.  It was so much better! I even believe I witnessed a glimpse of my mojo on this run. Here is a short list of the reasons why:

1. Down here in TX, morning temps are way more accommodating for a runner (especially one who sweats at the mere mention of a workout, it can get ugly ya'll)

2. No one is out there to kidnap judge me. (I saw one older couple, but was not threatened because I knew I could out run them :)

3. It is peaceful.  Even with my headphones on, I could here the birds signing the entire time! (even the doberman pinscher on the loose today was peaceful, whew! I had my pepper spray ready just in case.)

4. I like working out first thing in the morning and since running burns more calories than my JM workout...I'm able to indulge a little more for breakfast. (hello, grape nuts with sugar and coffee with creamer!)

5.  It's just better.

I will continue to try and roll my sleepy butt out of bed for these early morning runs because I truly do feel 100% better.  I may even try taking this guy with me next time!

                                                                        One in a Million,

                                                                       Jaimie

Decisions? Problem? Perfect?...

I have a problem.

It's an indecision problem...and it's kinda a big deal. (at least in my life)

Since I can remember, I have been second guessing myself and spending hours in the grocery store contemplating what brand of cheese to buy.  I just don't want to make the wrong decision, you know?

My problem exceeds the grocery store though, and appears numerous times daily if I'm not careful.  What outfit to wear? Which shoes look best? Should I wear my hair up, down, curly? It really is quite exhausting.

It took me hours to decide what to even name this blog! And after naming off a million different ideas, I just had to settle for one because I was tired of trying to think of The.Perfect.One.  

Speaking of perfect, I think this is were my problem really stems from.  I am a people-pleaser by nature.  I want people to like me. I like when people like me (vain, I know, but still true). Now don't get me wrong, I'm not a brown-noser, or suck up. I'm just the quiet girl who tries to please everyone and make the best decisions based on all those involved...All the time. Is that really such a crime?

Maybe not, but it is draining. As much as I'd like to be, I know I'm not perfect, but it doesn't keep me from trying to be the best ME possible.  What I think I need to realize is that the best me and the perfect me, don't always equal each other.  

I would like to think that my husband thinks I'm perfect (or at least did at one time), but the truth is, he loves me for my imperfections and flaws just as much as my perfection.  It's time I start doing the same.

I am so afraid of disappointing myself or others that I let myself get hung up on the most insignificant things.
Life has enough tough decisions, why worry about the simple things?  

 One in a Million,

               Jaimie

Fitness Journey

I think it's time for me to touch on something very near and dear to me - my health.

My fitness has not always been a top priority, but mainly because I didn't always have to make it one.  I grew up with 3 brothers and playing outside and being actively involved in sports was second nature to me.  I have always been stocky and somewhat muscular so I never really harped on losing weight or toning up.

I admit I fared pretty well in college and to this day have only put on about 15 pounds from graduating high school 9 years ago.  While it doesn't sound like a lot, on a 5'2" stocky frame, 15 pounds can make a huge difference.  I can no longer fit into anything from college and have finally succumbed to gathering all my left over size 6 dress pants, readying them for a garage sale.

It is difficult to realize that I may never be as small as I once was, but I also have come to pretty good terms with that.  I keep reminding myself that my body, much like myself in general, have come a long, long way since squeezing into 4's.  It's okay. I don't need a small number on the scale to feel confident. I need a strong body in the mirror.  My goal is to be the best me, not a size #.  I want to be healthy, and a positive example for others.

All that being said, here is a little more recent fitness background. For Christmas last year I asked my husband for a treadmill and he complied (gasp!). It truly was what I wanted and I credit him for fulfilling my wish despite other outside advice. This ignited my inner runner that I previously thought retired, along with my cheerleading days of high school.

Although I'm currently going through a running slump, I know that running will be something I continue to do for as long as I can (I'm aiming for my 70's).  I don't push myself to the point of burn out and don't set myself up for an impossible running schedule I'm sure to fail (and then feel guilty about). I run when I want and as long as I'm not training for a big race-I'm happy with that. I have successfully finished several 5k's, a 5 miler, 10k, 2 half-marathons, and a half-marathon trail run (definitely the toughest).

On top of running, I've been experimenting with some at-home workout DVD's. Specifically, I have completed Jillian Michaels' 30 Day Shred (loved it!) and am starting 6 weeks to 6 packs this week.  These get me moving without having to think too much, which is ideal since I wake up an hour earlier than normal every morning to workout and shower before heading off to work.

I have found that working out gives me confidence in my body, perfect or not.  I know that I worked for it.  I will always be self conscious of certain parts of my body, but I think that's just human. So, my advice on fitness, is to do yourself a favor and Do Something! Don't compare yourself to the other fitness gurus-just do what works for you....and experiment with different types of fitness. There is bound to be something that clicks!

Strong Body = Strong Mind

And because a picture's worth a million words, I'll leave you with a few of my race pics!

First 5k/race ever!

Color Me Rad

Race for a Cure

Metro PCS / Dallas Marathon

Crazy Desert Trail

                                                            One in a Million,

                                                               Jaimie

Baby Fever

There's something about spring (my husband says it's all the spring calves) that puts me into baby mode. He assures me I will someday be a fellow 'spring calver' as well (lovely, right?). Not exactly the way I picture it, but I'm sure I will be tipping the scales and looking like a heifer. At 5'2" there's only one way to make room!

We will someday get around to starting a family and I secretly wish for twins. Think about it...Two for one! And anyone who knows me, knows, I'm all about bargains! Not to mention the plus of cutting down on the post-baby slim downs that I'm already dreading.

I mean, look at this cuteness.

These are my brother's 5 month old twins. Did I mention, it runs in the family? I have a twin brother and my husband's dad is a twin. Watch out world, cause this girl may someday be eatin' for three! (but call me a spring calver/heifer, and I'll punch you in the face)

There are a million reasons why I look forward to being a parent, but for now, I'm happy with the life God has blessed me with.  So, I will continue to drink to my little heart's content and spoil other's babies when I get the chance!

                                                   One in a Million,

                                                               Jaimie

A Million Different People (snapshot of my life)

'I'm a million different people from one day to the next'...

You know the song. Good 'ol Meredith Brooks said it best in her only best hit song, "Bitch." 

Well, it's kinda my life theme song. So, as a quick introduction of myself, I've put together a few pics that represent me and a few of my many hats (bitch pic not included). I could write and explain them all, but that will come and after all, a picture says a thousand (or in my case million) words, right?! 

I'M A:

 A Wife

Sister

Daughter

 Auntie

                         

Pizza Lover Wine Drinker

 Beach Bum                                  Runner
                                             

Hunter / Fisher 

Book Lover

Pretend Party Girl                  

Adventure Junkie

 Mountain Hippie at heart

                                                                            Flatland Dweller :(




Well, there you have it! A few of the MILLION things I use to describe myself.  

Although I often feel the tug of these things pulling me in different directions, I wouldn't want it any other way.  I believe life is all about balance. That includes learning to balance out all the things that matter most in your life.  

                                                       One in a Million,

                                                      Jaimie