oof it's chilly.

fall temps are certainly here. This past Saturday it was over cast and cool, with temps hovering in the mid 40's. Toward my turn around in Morristown, I was actually running in sleet! This by FAR was the most enjoyable long run I've done in the recent past, though. The week before had high, dry winds and was about 82. I was SO dehydrated and tired that I ended up walking a good part of the second half. This Saturday is the Big Woods 10K in Nerstrand State Park.
Looks like it's going to finally rain and be about 60. Should be some good memories:) I love to run in the rain, i just hope it's not freezing!

Then a week from Sunday is finally the Makato Half Marathon. I think I'm ready, but I never really know until afterward. I've been doing pretty well at sticking to the training program, which was also pivotal in my Manage-Your-Depression-And-Anxiety Program;) I think one of the best parts is that I've lost weight, and one of the best parts of that is that I now have a new wardrobe again! I kept all my jeans and pants and now they are starting to fit again. awesome. Plus I feel so much better. if I actually cut out all the sweets I eat, I'd probably lose more weight. But seriously, when your mom makes Pumpkin Bread Pudding with caramel sauce, who's going to pass that up!?

I've got other irons in the fire, if you will, such as leading worship for the church youth group, junior high  youth group, Christmas Dessert Theatre...It's all very satisfying now that I'm starting to manage my self better and with more confidence:)

canning & leaf crunching!

Tomatoes are IN! I had planted a garden at my parent's house at the beginning of the summer, but like most of the country, the heat & dry weather wreaked havoc on the crops. UNTIL I realized
that all was not lost! Those hearty little tomatoes grew anyway, without a lot of lovin. So I'm on batch 2 of tomato sauce. I'm a little sick of peeling tomatoes, my fingers are super dry and a little orange-y, but the house smells So Good. I feel accomplished & happy that I'm canning:)

tomato skins, tomatoes awaiting the stripping, 2 pots in process with herbs, onions, garlic, evoo:)

Running is going so well. I did my 8 miler on Saturday. This picture is me after 5 hours for orphans. I ran to Elysian with Corine in the jogging stroller, then Andy & Carly picked me up. It was a great run, and a great cause! My runs have changed in the matter of the month since this. The trail is full of crunchy leaves already, probably due to the dryness lately. Everything still smells spectacular and will only get better as fall continues. I signed up for the Big Woods Run today. It's a 10K through Big Woods State Park in Faribault on October 13. I wanted to do it last year, but what with a new baby & all...:) I am noticing myself starting to fit into clothes from a couple years ago (!) so I'm pretty happy about that. I'd still love to lose a couple more pounds to be more comfortable in my skin, but progress is progress! I've lost about 22 lbs since the beginning of the year. When I wean Corine, I'll feel better about losing more.

 Now to figure out what to make for supper. It will probably involve tomatoes.