My FleetFeet Experience

What a beautiful weekend it has been here in Lexington!  I know most enjoy the snow and everything else cold that winter brings, but I LOVE this warm winter we have been having!

A week ago, Alex and I were having dinner with Chris and Anna and they told us about The Human Race.  A 5K walk or run put on by The Greensboro Volunteer Center.  The Human Race is all about helping local non-profits and Triad Ladder of Hope is participating.  The cool thing is that when you register for the 5K, you choose which non-profit you want any money you raise to go to.  Needless to say, I signed myself and my friend Jill up.  That's right, this non-running girl is running her first 5K on March 31st, only giving us right at 30 days to train.

I'm sure all my runner friends out there probably thing that I, someone who hasn't ran a mile since 8th grade, is crazy to sign up for a 5K with such a short training window, you are correct.  I am crazy, but I am excited about the opportunity to raise some funds to help end Human Trafficking.  Please consider donating $5, $10, or whatever you can to help Triad Ladder of Hope.  You can find my donation page here.

Anyone who knows me knows that I don't do anything halfway.  Running a 5K meant time to get some new gear and where else to go other than FleetFeet.  Don't know what FleetFeet is, well let me explain.   FleetFeet is as their website says "so much more than a running store" and that they are.  Yesterday morning Jill and I headed to Huntersville so I could get fitted for my very first pair of running shoes.  The process begins by taking off your shoes and socks and a fitter looks at your feet.  Right away based on the location of calluses on my feet, Mark was able to tell me that I am a pronator, and right he was.  Pronating is when your feet roll to the inside when you walk.  He then watched me walk about 20 feet and finally measured my foot.  There is a 1/2 size difference between my left and right foot.  After getting the measurements he was off to the stock room to pull me different shoes to try out.  The first pair I tried was a pair of New Balances (not sure what style), they fit well, but my foot felt like it was slipping out when I walked/ran.  Mark then told me because my foot was so narrow that I needed to be tying my shoes using the bunny ear method.  Who would have thought I was tying my shoes wrong all these years.  This bunny ear method isn't with tying, but just how your shoestrings are looped through each other before tying, securing your foot in the shoe.  After trying the New Balances, I  tried a pair of Sauconys.  I didn't even bother trying to run in those, they didn't fit my narrow foot well.  Lastly I tried a pair of Aesics.  They fit like a glove, they were snuck around my arch as well as my toes.  I went for a short run in them, but my foot was still pronating, so we tried out some insoles.  Now, I know there are people out there who have the thought process "If you buy a good pair of shoes, you shouldn't need insoles" which is great if you have a neutral foot, but I'm a pronator.  My foot wiggles around in shoes trying to overcompensate for its rolling.  We put in an insole to hold my heel in place and the shoe was now perfect.  I went for a run and my foot no longer rolled inward.


**Disclaimer: the next section is about being fitted for a sports bra, I will not be offended if you choose to skip ahead :) **

Now that I had my shoes, insoles, and I picked up some wicking socks, I was almost ready to leave until I was told they would fit me for a sports bra.  I was very excited about this, because being larger chested has always been a set back from running.  It's painful and when I already have a back that is in pain 95% of the time, I didn't need or want the added stress.  Did you know that when running the breast naturally move in a figure eight pattern?  I had been a fool buying sports bras before, I thought the best kind were the kind that sucked you in just a compression sports bra, you know the tighter to your chest the better off you are.  So not true.  Compression sports bras are only ideal for B cups and smaller, and for someone quite larger than a B cup, this is just not acceptable.  Just like a regular bra, the support from a sports bra should come from the band, not the pressure or the shoulders.  I tried on an Enell brand and it really fit perfectly.  It would take some getting use to the tightness, but it did fit well.  However, it was not fashionable at all.  It had about 20 clasps in the front and a full back, but after years of searching for "cute" bras, there really isn't much offered for us over a C cup.  I wish I could say I purchased the bra, but at $65, I couldn't quite get it after my other purchases, but I do know what to be looking for today when I go shopping for a new one!

**End of Disclaimer**

After all was said and done, here were my purchases:

Aesics 2170s

Superfeet Berry Insoles

Balega DrynamiX socks

SweatyBand - not in this pattern though

I am super excited about my purchases and about running for such a good cause.  Please consider visiting my donation page and helping out Triad Ladder of Hope.  Any proceeds raised go directly to them, no covers or percentages are given to the Human Race.  

And for those of you wondering what my time goals are for the 5K, I don't have one.  I just want to finish.  With only a a month to train, I doubt I will be able to run the whole way either.  I want to finish and not feel like death.  Two weeks after the Human Race, I will be running another 5K in Lexington, and I will have a better idea of what my goals will be.  Check back to read how my training is going!

Currently

I saw this on a blog I like and thought I would indulge myself. 

 Current Book:

After recently finishing Safe Haven and The Vow, both were excellent.  The Vow was nothing like the movie, seeing as how it was a true account of how Kim and Krickett Carpenter truly depended on God to fall in love after a horrible accident.  I recommend both.  I am just now starting Not a Fan by Kyle Idleman.  I think it is going to be very challenging and worthwhile.  Here is a website that was built around the book.

Current Playlist: 

Alex and I have both been going through old mix CDs from high school and I'll have to admit my current guilty pleasure is Nelly's Country Grammar album.  

Current Food: 

I just finished eating leftover pizza from dinner last night.

Current Favorite Color:

Red, of course.

Current Favorite Show(s):

Sadly, I have way too many.  Take a breath:
Gossip Girl, Hart of Dixie, Pretty Little Liars, The Lying Game, Switched at Birth, Grey's Anatomy, Criminal Minds, Big Bang Theory.
My newest favorite: Are You There, Chelsea.  It really is hilarious.

Current Needs:

A new pair of running shoes.  I currently have a pair of Brooks Cascadias and I love them, but they are more designed for trail running.  Since I am running my first 5K at the end of the month it is time for something more suitable!

Current Bane Of My Existence:

Students who insist on talking even after you have asked them, nicely, 15 times, to stop.

Current Celebrity Crush:

Due to seeing The Vow, it is back to Mr. Tatum.

Current Indulgence:

Weathervane's Blue Norther a complete blueberry wine that is AMAZING.

Current Outfit:

Dress pants and a light sweater.

Current Excitement:

Pedicures after work with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law.

Current Mood:

Content and excited today is Friday.

Current Favorite Verse or Quote:

Colossians 3: 12 - 17.
Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Current Favorite App:

Police Scanner +; it allows me to listen in when Alex is working.  I never thought I would want a scanner because I wouldn't want to worry while Alex was on the job, but now that I have this, I love it.  I love being able to hear Alex's voice, especially when he works nights, and if he goes on a dangerous call, I can send up a specific prayer for his safety.  I also listen about an hour before he clocks off so I can see if he gets an important call that would put him getting home later.

February Already?

As I was just reading through my goals for this year, I realized I missed the whole blog at least a couple of times a month.  It's amazing how after a long day at school I just don't feel the need to come home and blog.

Here is a quick update from January.  January is one of the best months out of the year.  Why you ask?  It's my birthday month.  There wasn't too much excitement this year.  Most of the month was spent preparing students for exams and EOCs and then jump starting the new semester at my new school.  Things at South are going well.  This semester has been going smoothly due to a fresh start and some new students.  I really am enjoying getting to know these kids.  The last weekend in January was spent celebrating my birthday.  My parents came up on a Thursday evening and I cooked for them.  I fixed a poppyseed chicken casserole (compliments of Alison Ingersoll) and we pretty much devoured it, as we always do.  Alex and I were off on Friday and we all spent the day in Charlotte.  My dad has been looking for a classic car to be able to take to car shows and we checked out some places while there.  It was really interesting being able to see all the cars and experience that with my dad.  Then Saturday we went to Lazy5Ranch.  It was a drive through zoo with over 200 species of animals.  The animals would walk straight up to your car and stick their heads in your windows.  It was more fun than what I thought it would be.  I honestly can't wait to go back when it warms up.  (I'll post pics when they are updated to my computer from my iPhone).

February consists of Valentine's Day (as well as my parent's 30th anniversary) and Alex's 25th birthday. This year I planned a surprise party for Alex's 25th.  Nothing big, just some friends and family getting together to celebrate his life :)  He keeps telling me he really was surprised so I hope he was.  The party was last weekend as well as the Greer annual trip to the circus in Greensboro.  This year was definitely not a disappointment, they even had a great dane come out with miniature ponies.  I am so blessed to call Alex my husband.  He is so supportive and loving and caring.  I am blessed beyond words.

Well I'm currently having issues getting my computer updated with pictures from my iPhone so I will try to update with some pics later this weekend!

Happy New Year

It is so hard to believe that 2011 is over and we have moved in to 2012.  Since I've been a horrible blogger, I'll recap you on 2011.

Early in the year, Alex and I went to Black Mountain to celebrate our birthdays.  We spent the day shopping around downtown Black Mountain and Asheville.  It was a great get-a-way to just spend time together and focus on each other.

February marked a year from our engagement and a year that we bought out house.  We were fortunate enough to qualify for the first time home buyers tax credit.  The kicker was we applied for the credit in April of 2010 and had been waiting for the credit since then.  Like clockwork, we received a letter from the IRS stating that they were reviewing our case and we would hear from them in 30 days.  Finally, Alex called and found out they had made an error while processing us and that we would be receiving the credit and would be hearing from them "soon".  Our plan was to take the credit and put it directly on our house to take a good chunk out of our mortgage.  Come April, we still hadn't received anything.

Spring brought a broken ankle for Alex on Good Friday.  I was at a photo shoot and Alex was mountain biking with Chris.  I got a call that he was in the ER waiting for xrays on his ankle.  I left my shoot and met him and Chris at the ER.  He had a hairline fracture in his ankle and had to be put on light duty at work for 6 weeks.  The Lord was so sovereign to us during this time.  Alex's job was able to flexible with his hours so I could take him in before work and pick him up in the afternoon.  He didn't have to have a cast, just an air pump cast that he could remove in the evenings.  Soon enough, the bills started coming in and we did not have enough in our accounts to cover the costs.   The biggest shock was right after the bills started coming in (and I was freaking out about how we were going to pay said bills) was our tax credit came in.  We had totally put it in the back of our minds, we had forgotten about it.  I just opened it and started crying.  Had we received that money any other time it would have gone straight into our mortgage, but the timing was so perfect.  We were able to pay off all of the doctor bills with no worries about how we were going to pay the other bills.  We truly were blessed during this time and I was shown to really lean on the Lord during our time of need.

June finished out my first year of teaching.  I learned so much during my first year.  I made some amazing friends and I wouldn't have changed anything from my first year.

July was spent driving back and forth to my hometown for our friends Chris and Anna's wedding.  The girls spent a weekend at the beach for Anna's bachelorette while the boys did a weekend at Kill Devil Hills for Chris' bachelor party weekend.  Once the wedding was past, Alex and I got to focus on our one-year anniversary.  God really blessed us in our first year of marriage.  We spent a weekend in Charleston, SC.  It was filled with the final Harry Potter movie with my project roomie, Mindy, good food, shopping, and being tourists :).  We really enjoyed spending time with Mindy and James, but were not huge fans of Charleston.  I think we would enjoy it more in the off season.

August started back another school year at LSHS.  I had some great kids and an awesome team with the other freshman math teachers.  In November I heard about an opening at another school.  I didn't really want to leave during the middle of the school year.  I didn't want to do that to my coworkers or to my students.  I began to pray about the position and the Lord led to me call about the position.  I called and they set up an interview for that afternoon.  I wasn't exactly sure about all of this, but I gave it over to the Lord.  After 2 weeks, I found out I received the job.  I was so sad to leave LSHS.  I loved my kids and coworkers, but I knew I had to move on to where there Lord was leading me.  I accepted the position and started at South Davidson High School the Monday after Thanksgiving.  It was definitely a difficult transition.  I was used to things at LSHS.  I knew just about everyone, we were a family.  I was now the new person again and coming in half way through the year with students who have had 3 teachers was not easy at all.  I didn't know any of the policies or procedures, I didn't know the students, I didn't have keys to the building or my room (and 2 months later, I still don't), it was all different and new.  Now that I've been there a while, I'm really starting to enjoy it.  I love starting the day earlier and being done at 3.  Since there is a remedial period built in to the schedule, there isn't much need for staying after school for tutoring, so most days I am home by 3:30.

November started travel time again for Alex and I.  My brother's wedding shower was the week before Thanksgiving so we went home for that special occasion.  We went home for Thanksgiving, since Alex was off.  The first week of December was spent in Marathon, Florida (in the Fl Keys) for my brother's wedding.  It was such a special time to spend together with our family and getting to know Kris' family.  The week after coming home, we went back east to celebrate Christmas with my parents and brother.  It was the only time the 6 of us would be able to celebrate Christmas together.  Dad fried a turkey and we just enjoyed spending time together.  Back home to work the last few days before Christmas break.  Alex had to work Christmas Eve and Christmas Day this year (again) so I went back to my parents so I can see my grandparents and aunts and uncles for the holidays.  (Thankfully, next year Alex has Christmas Eve and Christmas day off.)  Christmas day, I left my Mama's around 3 to head back to Lexington to celebrate Christmas with Alex's family.  Although I hate the travel, I feel very fortunate to be able to celebrate Christmas with both my family and Alex's.

New Years Eve we got to hang out with the Smiths.  Chris and Anna have made the big move to High Point, NC (just 25 minutes from us) and his family came up to visit this weekend.  We met them at Hanging Rock near Winston to do some hiking, followed by dinner at Mellow Mushroom.  It's so awesome having great friends so close to us that enjoy doing some of the same things we do.

This year was definitely a year of celebration.  We had numerous friends get married this year.  Jenny and Bridgman were married in March, Lauren and Jim in May, Chris and Anna in July, Brooke and Marvin in December.  Alex and I (as well as other friends) celebrated our first anniversary together.  I was so excited to find out Alex and Mary Beth are FINALLY engaged after what seems like an eternity.  We are so excited about what the Lord is going to do in their lives.  Enjoy this time of engagement, it is so sweet and enjoyable and passes by so quickly.  Marriage will definitely look good on you two!  I am also very excited to become Aunt Gigi in August (no, not my brother).  One of my best friends from college is expecting her first child.  I was so excited when she called and told me her and Jim were expecting.  I am looking forward to getting to photograph the growth of this child.  Lauren and Jim, y'all are going to be great parents and your child is so lucky to be yours.

I have really enjoyed my time off for Christmas.  I have had the chance to really get my house cleaned some and just relax.  Alex and I have both spent a lot of our break playing XBox 360 Kinnect (an awesome gift from Mom and Dad), eating dinner with friends and family, and just relaxing.  I know the dogs have really enjoyed their free time since I've been home every day.

I thought (after this ridiculously long post) I would post some goals for 2012.

First and foremost, I want to spend more time in prayer and the scriptures. We also really want to get more involved in our church.
Blog more, at least a couple of times a month.
Paint the following: kitchen cabinets, entryway to house, dining room, finish painting master bath, guest bath, and trim work
Declutter and organize and get rid of our extra junk, clothes, etc.
Continue to be crafty due to Pinterest :)
Take more pictures of Alex and I (this always gets pushed aside due to my photography) and post said pictures.
Decorate my house and make it more homey
Work more on my photography

I also hope to post monthly goals (hoping that this will help with the whole blogging more) to help us keep up with things in our lives.

Well, I think I'm going to hit the kitchen to get our dinner going in the crock pot.  Hopefully you'll be reading from me soon!

Happy 2012!

Dessert for Two

I've been meaning to blog the last few days, specifically on my most recent adventure with Weight Watchers, but that will have to weight (haha, small joke).  However, WW does have a small part in tonight's post.  Weight Watchers changed their points system at the beginning of the year (want to know more, just ask Jennifer Hudson).  On the Points Plus system all fruit is zero points, therefore increasing the amount of fresh fruit I have been eating.  The last week, I've been into peaches.  I have peaches just sitting around everywhere.  Alex brought some home from his grandpa today and I decided I would have my go at a Peach Cobbler.  I've never made a peach cobbler before, so I tried my luck at google for a recipe.  I found a couple, but decided the best place to look would be Pioneer Woman's Tasty Kitchen blog.  I stumbled across a great recipe as well as a great website.  Dessert for Two's Peach Cobbler.  Christina, a Texas native has taken southern dessert recipes and scaled them down for two.   My cobbler is in the oven now and I can't wait to try it out!  I'll let you know how it tastes!

One Year

Time really does fly when you are having fun.  This past weekend Alex and I celebrated our first anniversary.  It's so crazy to believe this time last year, we were on our way to Pigeon Forge, TN to celebrate becoming husband and wife.  Here are a few pictures from the honeymoon.

Our cabin

In a church in Cade's Cove

Hiking to Abram's Falls

Picnic lunch at Abram's Falls

Us in Gatlinburg

Sunset from our cabin porch

Playing Putt Putt at the Hillibilly Golf Course

Our honeymoon was such an amazing and relaxing time.  After a year of living anywhere from 2 - 4 hours apart, we were finally able to be together.  We spent our time shopping, relaxing, eating, and hiking.  We highly recommend Pigeon Forge as a place to get away.

To celebrate our anniversary, we decided to spend the weekend in Charleston, SC.  This was my first time to Charleston and it was very nice.  Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2 came out as well and of course Alex and I viewed the movie with my good friend Mindy and her boyfriend James in Mt. Pleasant (outside of Charleston).  We went to the Cinebarre, a cool theater where you can order actual food and drinks during the movie.  There is one in Asheville and in my opinion would be worth going if you are ever in the area.  Also while in Charleston, we were able to shop around downtown and go to the market.  It was a very relaxing weekend, especially after a very busy summer of camp, weddings, and traveling.

Downtown Charleston

Anniversary Dinner at The High Cotton

Taken on the dock

Mindy and I after drinks

Four Poster at our B&B

Window peering into the bathroom

Our B&B: Plantation Oaks Inn

We ended our anniversary trip at home.  Alex and I cooked dinner together.  We grilled NY Strips, made green-bean casseroles, and had freshly shucked corn.  It was better than any restaurant we could have gone to!

Although we were only able to get away for a few days, it is so nice to be back home.  We've decided to stay put for the next month, no leaving Lexington.  Ever since school let out in June, I've been gone at least 3 days each week and it has been tiring.  We are looking forward to our cruise to Jamaica in September with two other couples as well as my brother's wedding in December.

Long time, No read?

Well, hello there.  It has definitely been a while.  I am quite ashamed and embarrassed, but it will be okay.  On my way back to Lexington yesterday, I decided it was time to begin blogging again.  Although, I imagine everyone who did read this has probably forgotten about us by now.  So where have we been since Christmas?  We started out 2011 in Greenville.  We went to the movies with Mike and Gayle Rowell and Tim and Tracey Baker.  Later that day, we went to my papa's 75th birthday party.  School started back and we ended out the fall semester and started the spring semester.  I only had one class change, the rest of my students were year long.

Towards the end of January, Alex and I took a trip to Black Mountain.  We stayed in Bed & Breakfast, shopped, saw some sights, and just relaxed.  It was a great getaway and may even become a tradition for our birthdays!

Alex and I have finally found a church that we are starting to call home.  When we are not out of town, we attend High Rock Community Church, although with all the festivities that have been happening, our attendance is still sporadic, but I love that we can listen to the podcasts online!

In March, Jenny and Alex were married.  I had to attend their wedding alone, since Alex had to work.  It was a beautiful ceremony and I am so excited for them.  The weddings have been crazy because after the Bridgman wedding, we had two weddings in May.  One of which was Jim and Lauren Berry.  I was so excited to be able to watch as Lauren and Jim became husband and wife.  Those that follow my photography blog may remember that Jim and Lauren are the two that started it all when I ask to do some engagement pics for them!  Please check out their blog here.

After the weddings were finished it was time to prepare students for exams.  This was a very high-stress time for me.  There was tutoring, remediation, preparation, meetings, calling parents, trying to get students to make up time, etc, etc.  I couldn't have been more glad when school was out.  I am thoroughly enjoying my summer off.  Since I've been off, Alex would say I've been a world traveler.  The week after school let out, I was in Black Mountain for Cragmont, a Christian Camp.  It was a wonderful time of fellowship and growth.  I had high school girls and they were amazing.  We had a ton of fun together.  I hope to do a post about the week in the (near) future.

As soon as I returned from Cragmont, I headed east for my best friend's bachelorette party.  A couple from her church let us use their beach house at Emerald Isle.  We (Anna, Brooke, Mary Beth, Jenny, and  me) spent a day on the beach and just enjoying each other's company.  It was great to get away and just spend time with the girls.  I can't believe she gets married NEXT weekend.  I am Anna's matron of honor and have to work on my speech for the reception.  Oh boy!

That pretty much catches you up on the happenings around the Greer home (at least for me, Georgina).  I will share that the Lord has truly blessed us and we see his blessings everyday.  Alex broke his ankle Good Friday.  We spent most of that day in the emergency room in Greenville.  Thankfully, he was only put in an air boot, but still had to be off of it completely for 6 weeks.  He was able to take a light-duty position in the sheriff's office during that time and still work.  They worked with us to allow his hours to be similar to mine so I could take him and pick him up.  Then the doctor bills started to come in and his insurance didn't cove as much as we would have liked.  Again, the Lord provided by finally sending us our first-time home buyer's tax credit that we had been waiting a year for.  The amount covered all the doctor bills.  We have truly been blessed.

I will try and post some pictures soon!