The morning after Day 1 of the Shred...

Ugh, I was right.  I really didn't want to get out of bed this morning.  I actually had a terrible night of sleep because I was hurting so bad.  I ended up getting up in the middle of the night to get some Aleve.  I am just  plain sad!

This morning everything seemed like a chore.  It hurt to sit down to use the bathroom.  Going up the 2 flights of stairs at work nearly killed me (not to mention going DOWN the stairs).  I'm normally a really fast walker...well, today my pace has slowed down considerably.

I haven't felt this way since after the first week of basketball practice in High School.

I like it.  I can't wait for Day 2 tonight!!!

Day 1 of 30 day Shred

So, I just finished my first workout for the 30 day shred.  I heard about this workout DVD on http://www.milspouse.com/.  All the girls were saying how much it kicked their butts.  Well, they were right.

As I type this, I'm laying on the couch.  My body is hurting.  I am tired.  I can't wait to see what I feel like tomorrow.  I have no doubt that it will be hard to get out of bed.

Ok, this is how it works:

First, you need 3 things:  the DVD (available on amazon), a yoga mat, and some hand weights.  For some reason I purchased 5 lb hand weights.  After this first workout, I'm realizing that may have been a mistake.  I think 3 lbs might have been a better choice.

On the DVD, there are 3 different 20 minute workouts.  Each work out consists of a warm-up, and then 3, 6 minute cycles, then a cool down..  Jillian utilizes the 3-2-1 concept: 3 minutes strength, 2 minutes cardio, 1 minute abs.  The 3-2-1 cycle is repeated 3 times, with different exercises. 

Let me tell you, it is intense.  It really gave me a good sweat!  I really wasn't anticipating that.

I'll update tomorrow...that is, if I can get out of bed...

Getting to know YOU!

Ok, here is something fun I found on mannland5's blog....

The questions..

1. Are you superstitious? 

Yeah, I think at times I can be superstitious, but not overly superstitious.  I think I'm just plain OCD about things sometimes.  If I don't do them a certain way, I think something will go wrong.





2. If you were an animal..what kind would you be?

Being an Anthropology dork, I'd have to say a Mountain Gorillia.  I just love them.  I think they are sooo beautiful.  I'm a huge primate fan.

3. You would never catch me wearing.........?

Anything that represents Notre Dame, Ohio State, or Michigan.  Yuck.  (GO STATE!!!!)

4. If someone posts a VLOG..do you watch it?

Of course!!!!



5. Have you ever waxed your girlie/manly parts..or any other part of your body?

I am just not that brave!  I have had my eyebrows waxed....but not in the last two years.  The last time I went, the lady ripped a whole bunch of skin off under my eyebrow.  Not only did it hurt, but it looked REALLY bad for a long time.  Now I'm a brow plucker.



6. Are you a spender or a saver?

I think I fall somewhere in the middle.  Yes, I save, but I'm also not afraid to spend.  I (usually) keep things within limits ;-)



7. If you were starring in a movie..who would you want to play your leading man/woman?

Oooooo....good one!  I have always wanted to star with Scott Speedman...haha  Does anyone even know who he is??  (He was in the show "Felicity")

8. Smoker..never smoked..social smoker..or smoked back in the day?
 
I have NEVER smoked a cigarette.....not even once.  But, I have had a cigar or two during some sorority celebrations...haha

Josh Turner - The Longer the Waiting

I absolutely LOVE this song. Makes me cry everytime I hear it!

Another beautiful day!

It has been such an amazing weekend!  Not only do I have off from work, but the weather has been out of this world!  This morning my parents, their dog (Jasper) and I went for a walk and Jasper went swimming.  So much fun!

A beautiful day for a hike!

It was GORGEOUS here today!  I was visiting my parents, and decided to take their dog, Jasper, for a little hike over to my grandparents' house.  I normally take a lot of pictures, but JS has specifically requested that I take more "nature" pictures to send him.  He has never experienced my home town in the Spring/Summer, and wants to know what it looks like.  Here is some of what I captured today:

Who is going to marry us now?

Since I was a little girl, I always had a vision of who would marry me.  I had the same Pastor baptize me, give me my first Communion, and confirm me into the Church.  He also married my parents.  He was my Pastor up until a year and a half ago, when he left our congregation to be the Pastor at a retirement home. 

After he left, we got a "temporary Pastor".  Since this new Pastor came to the Church, I have had this "blah" feeling about going each Sunday.  I did not feel inspired.  I was not happy to be there.  So, I basically stopped going.  I maybe go 4 or 5 times a year, but that is it.  This is strange for me, seeing as I went nearly every Sunday growing up and while in college.  I would rather not go than go and sit in the pew and not be happy about it. 

When JS and I got engaged, I knew immediately who I wanted to marry us.  I told JS all about my beloved Pastor, and he was all for it!  I didn't want to put him on the spot, so I simply emailed my old Pastor and asked him to marry JS and me.  After waiting two weeks, I finally received a response today.  It was not what I had hoped...

Unfortunately I'm finding out the Evangelical Lutheran Church of America (ELCA) has some weird rules.  When a pastor leaves a congregation, he can not be involved with any "pastoral services" (ie baptisms, weddings, funerals) with any members of the congregation.  An excerpt from the ELCA synod states:

"Congregations and pastors need to understand the professional ethics of ministry relating to former pastors, interim pastors and current pastors. A pastor who resigns or retires from a congregational ministry setting no longer serves as pastor to members of this congregation. Former pastors should not agree to pastoral responsibilities that rightfully belong to the current pastor of the congregation."

When I read this email from my (former) Pastor, my heart just sank.  I know he must follow the rules put forth by the ELCA, but it just doesn't seem right.  I'm not sure who will marry us now.  Although, this email may have pushed me to withdraw my membership at my Church, and search for a new Church.  Hopefully I will make a new relationship with a new Pastor within the next year who wants to...and is able to...marry us.