On My Way To A Better Run

Why did I ever stop running! M and I took it nice and slow around a 2 mile loop last night, just enjoying the evening and simply running...It was humid out but I was super eager to try out my new shoes! However, during and after we finished, I was noticing some knee and shin pain *nothing major* but still more then I ever noticed before, with my first pair of Mizuno's. I brushed it off, thinking it was a new brand and that maybe they needed breaking in. So wanting to test it out some more we took off for a brisk mile walk right before bed. MORE knee pain...Something is definitely wrong! Even now, after a full nights sleep, I'm feeling tender down there...So I got up this morning, after a night of tossing from the ache, and looked at the soles of my new and old shoes and what did I find? Looks to be underpronation instead of what I have been being fitted for, which is overpronation! It really makes perfect sense, after getting on the Internet and doing some research. Come to find out, under pronators need cushion shoes instead of support shoes which is what I have been in for my last two pairs! Both pairs I have noticed aches and pains and that has been so irritatingly frusterating! I never had this problem before with my first pair...The biggest frusteration was that no one could explain this to me. I guess the lesson learned here is you just go with what works even if it doesn't make sense...However, I am glad I figured it out to avoid needless waste of money and time in the future. So I am headed back for a return today; this time going with what I know works and hopefully I'll be blogging about comfort, pain free runs soon!

Sister Dear

Loving all of the excitement over my recent post and new blog! Y'all never fail to make a girl feel good and encouraged:)

Today is going to be a great day. My sister M is finally moving to Georgia!!!

We've had this in the works for weeks where M has drove down several times looking for work, going to interviews and helping us move. The hold up has been finding a job really, however, last week she landed one! Yay, for a no stress move:) Basically M is a rambler and wanting some change. So whats better then new scenery, new town and job yet still keeping family close by! She truly is one of my best friends, so having her around for the next year is going to be awesome, especially with R working those 16 hour days:( I will definitely be asking her to guest blog a few times on here, because M is simply the funniest most silliest, uncoordinated, yet very endearing person I know!

Another great part of today will be when R gets home and we go shopping for my new running shoes! Who else here loves that first run in new shoes? I bought my first good pair last year when I started running, Mizuno's, and have since replaced them once. But I loved those shoes! They were so super light and comfortable. I seriously could have ran forever in them *if my legs would have held up* and felt no pain. However, this most recent pair hasn't really impressed me much, and in fact has left my knees and feet aching more then before...So my question is "What brands/styles of running shoes do you ladies use?" I am looking into Brooks, which I hear wonderful things about, and Asics...I am a moderate over pronator so I do require some support...I'll listen to any recommendations/suggestions you might have because fter all, I am and do feel like a newbie again:p

Still Not Telling, But Meet Piper

I'm just too excited about life these past few days, which is awesome! I think it has to do with a personal challenge/goal I've set for myself...I'll give you a hint. Its something that I used to do and really loved! In fact, I am so excited about it, that I have decided to change my blog design again and rename it entirely to fit the new me! So keep checking back for the unvailing:) In the mean time I'll leave you with this...

This is our newest addition, Piper...She is a little German Shepherd, Boxer mix and so full of life. Just like Bella, we also rescued Piper. She was dropped off in some generous families lawn; So small that she had to be bottled fed for the first two weeks. This family has three dogs of their own and could not keep Piper. But lucky for us, we wanted a sister for Bella:)

Exciting News To Come!

Something really new and exciting in the works for this blog! Stay tunned...

Five Great Days Of Vacation...

Where I did absolutely nothing but shop, unpack and bond with our new home! But first, y'all are so awesome for helping a girl out on my last topic. I really appreciate you taking the time and being honest because I was really lost, ha! I decided to go with what felt more comfortable and right. Keeping Bella off of peoples lawns altogether seemed the thing to do...It really hasn't been that bad. She goes potty before our walks and its been so hot down here that we don't walk far, so she doesn't really have to go again before we get back! Problem solved for now..

The house is coming together, now that our plumbing is fixed and I've since gotten everything put away. Lucky me had five days of vacation to burn before June 19th or I lost it. Perfect time for a move if you ask me:) Two items that I'm excited found permanent residence in our home is, this beauty! Gotta love Fathers day sales...


And this!

I've been wanting a treadmill for sometime, but there was really no need while we were living at the apartment; They had a gym of their own...So this is a dream come true ladies! I love it already. We bought the LiveStrong treadmill which, with every purchase, a percentage goes to the Lance Armstrong Foundation for the fight against cancer...Always a good thing:)
But more selfish reasons for loving it, is because of the wireless heart rate monitor, built in fan and AWESOME speakers that has an Ipod hook up! No more sweaty ear buds falling out at that crucial I think I might die any second moment where if the music stops I WILL crumble and quite:) I'm really looking forward to pulling a (Cesar Millan) and getting Bella on it as well! Might just have to make a video of that, huh?!?

Today is my last day of vacation and already the phone calls are rolling in from work...I always hate when its time to be an adult again after several days of sleeping in, playing and not having a care in the world...However, not making that steady paycheck also sucks so we deal with it! I've slowly been making my way around to your blogs and commenting where I can, and I have to say its really good to be back!

HAPPY FRIDAY!

The Suburbs and Proper Etiquette

Hey everyone! I know I've been gone super long this time, but I do have an excuse...I've been moving into our new place! On top of that, I have been assigned the temporary store manager position, at work, which means crazy amount of hours...Between that, the move and spending time with R before he goes back on the drill trail , I have had no time to do anything extra! However, tonight is a quit(er), night and I happen to have a craving for some couch, computer and me time...

Well, we finally made it into a real house with a real fenced in backyard, two car garage, and our very own, roll out to the curb every Wednesday, trash can! Lol...Its the simple things that get me...Heck, I'm even excited that I have a lawn to mow! Crazy??? This is our third night here and I love it already...Even though it hasn't been all peaches and creams...The down side is, shortly after moving our stuff in, we started noticing issues with the house...The biggest ones being small bug like critters all over the house and the backyard infested with even more...This had to be addressed immediately y'all! I do not do spiders and cockroach's, ick...However, the most inconvenienced issue would be that of our plumbing...The second day here, I was doing some loads of laundry and started noticing our toilets bubbling....Hmmmm, okay...Then came this awful stink...W.E.I.R.D...Looked over into the tub and noticed sewage waste pouring into it through the drain...It was happening in all the bathrooms and showers! Needless to say, I called our landlord...There was a scare that fixed its self this morning. R and I were getting a nervous feeling that our landlords didn't want to fix the problem properly after the plumber gave them the estimate. Apparently we have a collapsed pipe underground that is going to cost a whooping $5,000 to replace! Obviously, we would not stay here without the use of water and our drains...So last night I got on the computer looking for a back up plan, just in case they asked us to leave because of lack of funds...It didn't come to that, however so, Phew! We are settled in now, and just waiting until Monday until we have the complete use of our house again....For now, it means trips back to our apartment for showers...Thank the Lord we have its use until the 19th when our lease runs out!

I've been making trips to Target, TJ Maxx and Ross's looking for house goodies and have found several! I cannot wait to start decorating and making it look more like a home...I promise to post pictures as I get the rooms done...You seriously do not want to see pictures right now...The place is full of boxes and white walls...Going from a one bedroom into a three bedroom, you tend to be lacking in "filler" items:)

I hope everyone is having a lovely weekend full of sun and laughter! I will leave you with this, as I honestly do not know! I was walking my dog in the neighborhood on our first real day here and it struck me that I do not know proper etiquette for walking my dog in the suburbs!!! Is it okay to allow your dog to walk in other peoples lawn, just on the edge??? Bella loves to do this as the pavement is hot down here in Georgia! Also, is allowing your dog to pee and poop in someone elses lawn taboo even if you have a doggie bag handy to pick it up? Please be gentle if you're reading this and cannot believe that I even have to ask...Lol...I have always lived in apartments with my pets and never in the burbs...So, lets have it, but gently:p

Edit: I just realized that I spelled etiquette as (edicate) and am so embarrassed! I even put it in the title for ALL the world to see:p Lol...Thanks J.L.S for spelling it right, allowing me to take notice! I knew it didn't look right! Lol...

You're Appreciated!

Hello blog land!

This is going to be quick, but wanted to drop in and say hello to all my followers, new and old! It continues to amaze me how people like what I write and, more so, that ya'll stick with me through my long absences! Ya'll make me smile, truly, and are very appreciated!!!



Life here in Georgia has been hectic and not so fun this past week...I don't really want to say much because I'd love to write a decent post on it and get feedback from you all...You all take the time to really search yourselves and give good advise so I can't wait to get it posted and live for your reading! More to come...



I mentioned sometime ago that the hubz and I are wanting to rent a house for the remainder of our time here....After two months of hard looking I think I've found the place! We dropped off our application yesterday and are waiting for the green light...So pray we get it!

Exciting news here! One of my older sisters who I'm very close to is moving down here! We've had this in the works for severel weeks and its finally coming together...This is another reason for the house...She is moving in with R and I and we couldn't be happier! R likes it because I'll have someone for the next year while he is off playing big bad drill sgt:p I love it because I miss my family so much! It will be nice to have a sister with me:)

Also, I know this is very late, but I wanted to wish all of you mothers out there a very happy belated mothers day! I hope it was a relaxing and beautiful day full of being appreciated!

I'm going to try and write a few more posts before things get crazy with moving, but if not, definitely expect to hear from me in three to four weeks after we're in our new place!

Caio!

MilSpouse Blog Hop!!!

I found this Milspouse Blog Hop today over at Riding The Roller Coaster and thought What a neat idea! So here I am saying "hello and welcome!"

My name is Becca and I have been an Army wife for 16 months! My husband and I are currently stationed in the deep south, however I cannot wait for our first PCS to some place truly outdoorsy and grand! We have no children yet but I am a proud momma of two fur children, Bella our dog and Peanut our cat. I work for a very large gaming company as an assistant manager, but am going back to school in September for my bachelors in elementary education!

I love to laugh and be active and am, presently, in pursuit of the perfect butt;) I LOVE all things girlie that smell of either summer or warm vanilla! Flip flops ARE my shoe of choice 365 days of the year, without fail...I am addicted to all things directly and indirectly related to electronics i.e my cell phone, google search, Facebook, Ipod, spell check ect...I'm terrified of wasps and coach roaches. I HATE when its gorgeous outside but aunt flows comes to visit...Usually this means I am in a VERY unmotivated and sad mood. It makes no sense to waste such a beautiful day on being a debbie downer but stupid hormones say otherwise... I cannot tan to save my life but try every summer, ha!

My blog is very randomly written;) I blog about anything I want to really...I started it becuase I wanted to connect with fellow Army wives while my husband was a way and have done that, so score!!! I'm not the best bloggy buddy out there by any means of measure, meaning I don't always comment or I forget to click that follow button on a blog that's been following me, but beat me up enough and I promise I'll be "clicking" before long! I am still finding that balance between real life and being true to my lovely blog gals. I have to watch, because I can become really obsessed with staying connected and reading EVERYONE, EVERYDAY...When you have over 100 blogs, thats not really possible unless I want to be at my computer 24/7...In that case my husband might step in and do more then give me the evil eye!?!?

I love meeting new followers so don't be shy, say hello and thanks for stopping by!

Moment Of Insanity You Might Say...

Take a seat and stay a while because I have figured something huge out about myself, and when I say huge I mean huge! Also, do not judge me on how many times I use the word "struggle" in this post! You thought I was going to say huge, didn't you:p

I'll begin by saying that for the past few months, off and on, I have been in a bad place...Nothing deep, dark and scary, but bad none the less!

I've realized that since I got married in December 08', I've been feeling empty, lost and without purpose...To the point where I have gone into what I'm embarrassed to say depression...There really is no other word for it! I can't blame it on being pregnant and hormonal, because while I might be hormonal, I am certainly not pregnant. Nor can I say its from lack of sleep, even though I do not sleep well. I really cannot blame it on my job although it isn't helping the feelings of being stagnant...And it most definitely has nothing to do with my absolutely perfect, sweet and caring husband...Trust me, we are still "puke worthy" in love! In fact I think the former me, of three years ago, just threw up today watching us make kissie faces:p However, do not burn me at the stake for saying this, but it turns out being married isn't a fix for complete happiness...*gasp* I know...

Getting married I had no expectations that my husband would "complete me" and that I would no longer need to pursue inner joy. But then I'm asking myself why am I so surprised that I find I still have to work at it???

I stated above that this feeling started shortly after I got married, so I'm going to clear that up for you. This actually came to me yesterday while eating lunch with the man of my dreams:) Before I married R, I was a struggler. I struggled with most everything in my life from money to relationships to God and the list certainly goes on and on...I was raised Amish in a not so Amish friendly environment i.e the world outside of a community...I fought to graduate with even a GED when my mother, out of pure exhaustion and lack of time gave up on mine and my siblings home schooled education. We were given the books and supplies but ultimately it was up to us whether or not we used them. There was literally no consequence to being lazy in our studies. Doing such was only hurting us and no one else. This was all at the age eight. I was also in the work force at the age of 9, struggling along side my folks, trying to help make ends meet. So with all of this, why was I upset when my first taste of romance was five years of nothing but hard times?!?! I am positive I'm not the only sob story out there, even in just this blog realm:p I am only telling you this because it is so ironic...The reason I've been unhappy is because I no longer struggle! Being married has really made me realize that. *okay, you can throw one rock, but just one* The best way to explain it is I have had a life full of tremendous growth because of struggling and now that I'm married, now that I have someone to share my life with who makes life so easy, I feel there is no need to struggle and that makes me feel lost...I apparently don't know how to function without that element in my life! Sad huh??? Not really...I was constantly fulfilled because of life and how damn hard it could be...And I know that most people would praise the day it all ended, but not me... I recognize the value of life and its struggles too much...It truly is the direct link to inner joy...Be honest, we are all happy when we are growing in some way! It really sucks when your in the eye of your own personal storm, but the beauty you see when that storm clears is breath taking...Its earth shattering...You feel invincible...This is not to say that I want a big crappy pile of struggle on my door step in the morning, I just want to have something that requires a little work in my life again...

So how about it? I would love to hear about a personal struggle that made you a stronger person:) I mean, I just bared my soul and said that I would rather struggle then have a perfect life! Who does that???

I'm Back With A Vacation Re-cap!

You probably didn't even know I was gone, but its not your fault because who can keep up with my absenses vs. vacation...lol...However, I was on vacation and it was so major and relaxing! However, like with all things, it had to come to an end:( So we're back in Georgia doing our normal thing of work with play, when we can...

To re-cap about our 3 full days in Gatlinburg, we had BEAUTIFUL weather minus the crowds of tourists for spring break. Life couldn't have been sweeter! Our first night we just settled in, went to the grocery store for yummy snacks and make it up as we go meals, then hit the liquor store for some seductive tasting wine, Mmmm...That, paired with the hot tub and the fresh night mountain air, spelled heaven our first evening.

The first full day wasn't that eventful, but it was nice! We slept in until 10:00 then headed into a neighboring town to buy hubby's birthday gift; Verizon's new rugged phone the Brigade...I was able to upgrade the day before and decided on the Droid Eris. I couldn't be happier with my choice! But moving on...Traffic was INSANE the whole day so we didn't get to move around much. However, R and I decided that a day inside the cabin was fitting so that's exactly what we did! We had a pool table which was perfect. So with yummy sushi near by, cream soda in chilled glasses, and some good tunes on, we shot the breeze over several games of pool...Might I add that I won the very first game...Ha! My victory grin:)

The 2nd day, our big adventure was white water rafting! Neither R or I have been so this was something fun to share together for the first time. Take a look!

This was so much fun... We had class 3 and 4 rapids, but by the end we were craving bigger ones! This was a three hour activity that whipped my butt. All that beautiful sunshine and water sure made for a lazy me on the drive home...That evening we decided not to brave the local eatery's and grilled juicy steaks instead...Exhibit A-

Day 3 I was bound and determined to get out and do the tourist thing even though masses of people were out...Ripley's has taken over Gatlinburg with an aquarium, museum, 2 mini golf courses, a haunted house and a mirror maze. We did them all thanks to a very generous military discount of 80 percent! The haunted house was my first. I'm sure my husband was completely embarrassed as I squawked, squealed and screamed the entire way and I'm also sure that the kid in front of me wasn't appreciative of my fingers digging holes in his shoulders...What do you think?? Later, we drove the very steep 3 miles up to Ober Gatlinburg where we went ice skating, and ate a yummy lunch complete with the best tea I've had in years!



We also threw in some go-karting, home made fudge and the new movie "Clash Of The Titans" in there somewhere:) Not to mention, our last night I took the husband to a really nice steak dinner to celebrate his promotion. I about cried when our waiter told us that we had no check to pick up...Apparently the table next to us had paid our entire LARGE bill after over hearing R was in the military and the reason we were out for the evening...They never even said hello or made their selves known...So, to whoever you are, my husband and I felt your gesture and appreciation deep in our hearts and want to thank you!

Well, that about sums it up! I hope all of you had a wonderful Easter week as well and are enjoying this awesome weather!!! My next post will be all about my BIG news, I promise!