13.1

That is my new goal: 13.1 miles, also known as a half marathon. There was a time that I thought that was crazy and also impossible. However, that changed my senior year of college when I had too much time on my hands compounded by my best friend becoming a commuter student so I couldn't hang out with her in M'boro anymore. I was bored and a little lonely and I wasn't sleeping very well. The bored part came from loading up all of my previous semesters so I could have a fun and laid back senior year-guess I got what I wished for-huh? So one day, I, like Forrest Gump, just started running. I ran and ran and ran until I was tired. That night, I slept. I kept up the running because it seemed to tucker me out so I could sleep. 

Not too much later, two of my friends from church had decided to join Team ASK (Athletes for Special Kids). They were going to train to run the Music City Half Marathon to raise money for Special Kids, a not-for-profit that offered therapy services beyond what insurance would provide for special needs children. I was in! I figured if I was running, I might as well run for a cause. That was when the impossible became a reality for me. I loved it and I was addicted! I ran every step of the half marathon and lived to tell about it. That was nearly 7 years ago. Unfortunately, I graduated and "real life" started and there hasn't been nearly as much time for running as I wish there were.   

So, when there is not much time, there is a simple solution: just sign up to run on your company's team so that there is pressure to not back out! Forced running-even better! I have only had 3 training Saturdays, and I am up to 5.5 miles-yahoo!!!! I will keep you posted, as I hope to run every step of this one, too. Just one problem, I have started training almost 3 months later than I did the first time-yikes! Might not leave too much time for crafting, so my blogs may become the trials of the runner instead of the braggings of a crafter!
Speaking of crafting, here is some embroidery (what you didn't think I was actually going to write a blog without showing some of my creations, did you?)!

My parents bought aprons for my brother and his girlfriend and gave them to me to embroider.

My friend bought her niece a lunch bag, and I made it personal. The dots were something new for me.

Finally got around to embroidering my Mom's beach towel-getting a little more daring with graphics (the dots gave me the courage to try an image)!

Bought these dish towels at the IKEA in Westchester, Ohio. Great, quick gift and cheap, too! Gave these to Dad to put in Mom's stocking-he needs all the help he can get! Going to stock up on dish towels for shower/housewarming gifts.

hooked

My lunch buddies and I have been working to expand our crochet resume. We have finally learned to make some sense of crochet patterns, but instructional videos are still the best teaching tools for us so far. In addition to potholders, hats and flowers, we are now crocheting cowls. Also known as a mobius, as I was taught the other day. The exception, however, is that a mobius has a twist in it and my creations do not, so I think I will just keeping referring to mine as cowls. They are a cinch to make and rather cozy during this CRAZY, snowy weather we have been having here in Tennessee. Here is my first cowl:

I think it is a little long, so I made the next one a little more snuggly (I don't care that it is not a word...it just fits):

I have also been busy the past few months making many more hats for Christmas presents and I even sold a few...cha-ching! I am sure Brannon is glad to see some return from my expensive hobbies. Actually, I can't really say that crocheting is expensive, it's just that I seem to be hoarding yarn now in addition to my fabric hoarding that I mentioned in previous blog, but I digress... So, back to the hats, this isn't all of them, but a sampling:

 

I even started trying to make hats for kiddies, too. Although, not having children myself I have no idea how big to make hats. Good thing I found this guide:head size chart. I also started to add ruffles to my little girls' hats.

 

 Don't you just love my little models!