My Thoughts After the Disney Princess Half Marathon

I am sitting down this afternoon to write down a few thoughts that keep running through my mind.  Today it is cold outside with a little snow.  My kids are out of school so our house is busy and loud.  My laundry room has been in constant motion today as I play catch up from the weekend away.

Since July of 2014, I have been anticipating, with my 2 friends, Feb 22, 2015, The Disney Princess Half Marathon.  We signed up just an hour or two after registration opened in July.  The race filled up so quickly (something like 6 hours or so).  It is so hard for me to believe that it is all over.

Today I am sad.  I know that sounds funny.  But if you are a distance runner, I think you will get it.  Or if you have ever set out to accomplish a goal, trained for months, completed it....and then sat still the days after....there is somewhat of a sadness in your heart.  One of my running partners said, "I keep thinking what am I going to do now?"

I keeping playing back in my memory the days after the 2004 Disney Marathon (my one and only one to run)....and I vaguely remember this same feeling.  And I think I even shed a few tears back then as well.  My running days started with a wild ambition to run a marathon.  I was not a distance runner.  I had never run a 5K or a 10K but I trained and ran a marathon.  Eleven years later, I can not even believe it, and man do I feel every bit of 11 years older.  These past 11 years have held some pretty big milestones: falling in love, marriage, dogs, birth of 3 children in 3 years, moving, new jobs, new church, new friendships......

I really never dreamed I would run distance again.  I didn't know if I had it in me.  I didn't know when I would find the time.  I didn't know how I would run all of those training runs where I live (I mean the area is full of hills)!!!! And I sold my treadmill last spring, so I definitely would be forced to run EVERY training run outside.

And then came a text from a friend who wanted to train for the 2016 DPHM, and I being the crazy one, said how about 2015?  And the rest is history.  There is something about the challenge, something about the drive, something about the runner's high, something that just keeps calling me back to the distance.

And so I sit here today thinking....what is next, because I can't imagine stopping now or having to work back up to this level.  Last night I pulled out my marathon medal and put it around my second child's neck.  I pulled out my 1/2 marathon medal and put it around my first born's neck, and then something inside of me said...."now you have to go get one for the baby"!!!  Who says that?!  I guess someone who has fallen in love with running, with the challenge, with the willpower, determination, fight, thankfulness that embodies running.

I know running is not for everyone....heck for me....I laid it to rest for the last 11 years.  But, I know deep inside everyone of us is a desire to accomplish something.  To crush it! To defeat it!  To be able to say.....I did it!  I hope this post will challenge you and encourage you to RUN WITH IT!  Whatever it is....RUN WITH IT!  Chase your wildest dream.  DEFEAT what you never thought you could.

There is NO WAY,  I could have met this goal on my own.  I owe insurmountable thanks to my husband who changed his schedule in crazy ways to watch our kids while I ran.  Some nights they would play at the park while I ran the loop over and over again.  Some nights we would eat sandwiches or breakfast for dinner because it was the easiest thing to do after a long run.  On my last training run....it was 24 degrees outside, snow was falling, the wind was racing at 20mph and the trees were coated in 1/2 inch of solid ice.  I was nervous to run by myself.  My husband sat in the parking lot just so I would know someone was close.  The last mile was the hardest mile I have ever trained....my face freezing the wind howling and the snow rushing in like a blizzard.  I just kept telling myself over and over and over again  "Quitters don't get a medal!" "You have birthed three babies naturally....this is nothing!"  "I am a Mighty Warrior!" "Do NOT RETREAT!"  "Crush it!" "Defeat it!"  "Run it for everyone who wishes they were healthy enough to run it!"  "Be Thankful!"

And so I sit on this side of it today, a little sore, thanking God for the fuel, the drive, and the opportunity...and greatly anticipating......THE NEXT!

Here are a few of my most favorite things for running!

Nike+ App (perfect for tracking run, shoes, training plans, track friends.....)
Sweaty Bands (my friend told me about them....I can't do bands they slip.....these DO NOT)
UnderArmor ColdGear (run with this in below freezing weather and stay warm with thinner layers)
UnderArmor HeatGear (run with this in the hot Georgia summers!)
UnderArmor Infared Headband  (husband bought one like this for me....I NEVER had cold ears ever)
YurBuds (best invention for those of us who iPhone ear buds won't stay in! LOVE!)
Tune Belt (if you can't run with an arm wrap this an awesome belt for your phone, etc...)

Green Well Salad

This salad is a MUST MAKE!  Last year I read Shana Niequist's book Bread and Wine and I posted a tiny little review here.  I have made this salad several times for friends and it is ALWAYS a hit.  Please invite some friends over and make this!  They will think you are a cook whether you are or are not!

(via: incourage.me)

Salad:

1 pound mixed greens 2 onions, thinly sliced 1 T butter 2 sliced pears 2 cups of red grapes, halved 1 cup dried cherries 1 cup walnuts, chopped 1 4 oz container crumbled goat cheese

Maple vinaigrette:

1T maple syrup 1T Dijion 1/4 c balsamic vinegar 1/2 cup olive oil Salt and Pepper to taste

Begin by caramelizing the onions. Slice them thinly and cook them on medium-low heat in a tablespoon of butter until rich, dark brown, about 45 min.

For the vinaigrette: add all of the ingredients to a mason jar and shake it up! Taste and adjust for seasoning.

For the salad: Toss the greens with half the vinaigrette, then add the rest of the ingredients, the rest of the dressing, and toss again.

If you like a more substantial main-course salad, add 2 cups or so of sliced cooked chicken. All I did to season my chicken was sprinkle these things on the chicken: sea salt, white pepper, black pepper, oregano, parsley and then bake.

DIY Book Page Wreath

I posted this photo on @thetealegg on Instagram right about the first of the new year.  And I got several comments on the book page wreath on the far wall.  There are HUNDREDS of book wreath tutorials out there.  I mean HUNDREDS!!!  I think that I made my first one 3 or 4 years ago.  But, here is what I know.....they are TIMELESS.  They are always beautiful.  And I NEVER get tired of them.

They are pretty cheap to make and don't take long at all.  In fact, I made and took all of these tutorial photos while watching an episode of FixerUpper on HGTV.  Do ya'll know about FIXERUpper?!?!!!!!  If you don't just trust me and GO watch it whatever way you can get it.  It will make you want to move to a TEXAS and live on a ranch in a big old farm house!

Anyhow...as promised....

BOOK PAGE WREATH

1 Straw Wreath (mine was 10")

1 package of silver straight pins

1 old book (bought mine at Goodwill for $2)

 1.  Rip all of the pages out of the book 

2.  Roll a page up from bottom to top (not side to side, unless you are going for another look)

3.  Fold the rolled paper almost in half (but not quite)

4.  Push a straight pin through the folded paper and into the straw wreath 

5.  I start at the inside of the wreath and push paper in all the way around around 

6.  Then I start a second row and continue the pattern all the way around 

7.  I start a third row and really try and fill in any gaps along the way.  And if you need a fourth row...by all means do it and fill that bad boy in. 

The fuller the wreath the better it will look completed!

ENJOY and tag @thetealegg on Instagram if you make one of these and post.

I would love to see how your's turned out.

And in case you would like to see this in video form...
Click Here.

My Favorite Beauty Products

I don't have a ton of time to spend searching for the perfect "beauty" products.  But there are a few things that I have stumbled upon over the last several years that have become staples in my bathroom.

|| LUSH Dream Cream ||

{It's their #1 BEST SELLING product}

I have posted about LUSH before.  It is one of my most favorite stores ever!

Everything is handmade and made out of real stuff.

There has not been one product of their's that I tried and did not like.

And I say that with the utmost honesty.

I am a nurse and my hands are always super dry.  

The number of hand washings and foam that I use on my hands in a 12 hour shift

is sometimes out of control.  My hands suffer greatly from this mandatory practice.  

But not only is this cream great for hands, it is great for dry skin all over.

It does have a bit of a smell.  Not sure what to call it.

To me it smells clean.  And full of yummy goodness.

It comes in this large sized pot that will last you a good amount of time.

Because a little goes a long way.

|| Bobby Brown Shimmer Brick ||

{in Rose}

My mom and sister have been spoiling me with this little treat for years.  

I am not sure who found it first.

I can tell you it beats out all of the drugstore competitors.

It is well worth the $50 price tag.

And it lasts a long time (mine last up to a year, at least)

Just a really pretty way to add a slight shimmer to your cheeks.

The one I use is the rose one.

Just. Beautiful.

MRS. MEYER'S HAND SOAP

{Radish Scent}

I. LOVE. THIS. HAND. SOAP. 

I know it is not really a "beauty" product....

but.....it is my soap. 

Mommy's soap.  

It sits on my kitchen counter and no kids are allowed to use it!

Sometimes it is just nice to have something to call your own 

when you share everything all day long with 3 little peeps.

The radish scent is BY FAR my most favorite. 

I love clean scents....probably because I rarely feel like my house is clean all at once.

It makes up for the shortcomings=)

You can purchase this product and scent at Target.

I'm sure other stores carry it as well. 

Target is just where I grab mine. 

LUSH GORGEOUS 

{facial moisturizer}

If you can believe this, I don't wear makeup most days that I am home. 

I really only wear makeup when I go to work and church. HA!

Or a date with my husband or if I need to go to something and not scare everyone!

I would say I wear makeup 3 out of 7 days a week.

It is only since having multiple children that I became okay with this idea.

Honestly, most days I just don't have time to get it on and out the door.

But this moisturizer....I AM TELLING YOU is THE BEST!!!!!

A small little pot of it was given to me at Christmas by a very thoughtful person.

I had never tried it before.  I am not sure she had ever tried it before.

BUT OH MY GOSH!  THE BEST STUFF EVER.

So I stopped by lush and found out that a little bit larger pot is $89.00

YES, you read that right.  BUT I am telling you....This stuff is amazing.

Feels like a heavy moisturizer when you first put it on but then it transforms into this light weight amazing stuff.  It is like your skin just drank in a TON of moisture.

I didn't purchase the pot that day...I decided to come home and save my pennies.

And use sparingly what I have until I can go back and make the purchase.

This would be an awesome Valentine's gift to ask for from the hubby.

The lady at LUSH tells me that an $89 pot should last 3 months.

And while I know that is a lot of money,

I am telling you....your face will thank you.

Especially if you are makeup less most days and it needs some protection from the elements!

AMAZING!

My Favorite Cleaning Products for a Fresh Start on the New Year!

It is UNREAL to me that I have not written ONE entry on this blog since August of 2014.  That truly is because my shop www.etsy.com/shop/thetealegg has taken off!  I am enjoying creating fun festive banners, garlands and more there.

I thought I would start off the new year by letting you in on a few of my favorite cleaning products as of lately.  My kids have been gone for almost a week and there has been a TON of cleaning in our house this week.  Christmas came down earlier than I have ever taken it down before but I knew I have to move while the little ones are away.  Does anyone else think it is hard to clean with kids in your house?!

So here are my favorites in no particular order......

{via: www.honest.com}

Honest Company Multi Surface Cleaner

I use this to clean my kitchen counter tops.  A little goes a long way.

The smell is clean and non-offensive.

The trigger puts out a great amount of product.

It leaves my counters feeling crumb and sticky free!

{via: www.methodhome.com}

Method Wood Cleaner

I do not like wood cleaners that are oily and leave a greasy film on my furniture.

I decided to take a risk on this product last month and I LOVE IT!

I have used this to clean all wood furniture surfaces in our house.

A little goes a long way.

The smell is fresh.  

Honestly you could just spray it in the air 

and you would feel like your entire house had been cleaned.

This one has a great trigger as well that puts out a great amount of product.

No greasy residue left on my furniture and no streak marks either!

{via: www.walmart.com}

BONA Wood Floor Cleaner

I have definitely posted about this product before but I can not say enough about it!

It does not have a smell....so your house won't smell clean.

But, it is so safe for your little ones and pets who are in close contact with your wood floors.

Costco had a sale on it last January and I was able to get a HUGE bottle and refill for right around $10.00 (which depending on how often you clean your floors....could last you up to 1 year).

This cleaner leaves my floors clean, beautiful, rejuvenated, and feeling awesome to bare feet!

There you have it! 

 My VERY FAVORITES right now!  

It just feels good to start off the New Year with a clean slate!  

Happy Cleaning!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!