Running Sucks

Remember the new year series I shared with you about starting & stopping one thing this year? Well I shared the one thing I stopped with you last week - Diet Coke. The one thing I started? Training for a 5k. I am not a runner.  When I say I'm not a runner I'm not trying to be cute. I really am a bad runner.

Running is for crazy people. My friends told me running is all mental & they were so right.

A 5k is only 3.2 miles. No big deal. Ya right. I had my first ever 5k Monday night. 3.2 miles sucked my security right out of me.

I wish I could be all, "Woo-Hoo! Running is the best!!!" I'm working on it. In the mean time I'm shopping for a new running shirt.

Running sucks. That is all.

xoxo- Mrs. Montgomery Looking for a Plastic Surgeon Like...

New Year to Start Something

Craig Groeshel's latest series is called, My Story. It is fantastic. His premise is this,  one day we're all going to tell a story about our lives. The decisions we make today will determine the story we'll tell tomorrow. In the series, My Story, we learn to live a story worth telling.

Here are a few questions that got me thinking & I want to share with you.  1) Do you feel you're living a story worth telling?          Why or why not?  2) What do you think you calling is for your life?  3) What's one thing you need to start doing today? A discipline or habit.          What’s your next step? 
It is amazing to think how the next year or chapter of your story will read. And that what we do today will affect/determine tomorrow. I love the idea that we are on page 16 of book 2013.  What have you started this year? Working out, forgiving someone, spending more time on something or someone, loving more. Whatever your "resolutions" may be this year see if you can apply Craig's idea & start just one thing that will change story.  Nothing is by accident, it starts with a decision.

What will you start?

À tes souhaits,

Mrs. Montgomery

Working on My Story Like...

New Year Traditions

Happy 2013! How is the new year so far? Take a peek at mine -

Yes it was crazy. 
Crazy fun. 

What are your new year traditions? 

Do you make resolutions, eat black eyed peas, do the Polar Bear Plunge or go on diet? 

I don't make resolutions.  

I like to review the year & see where I can improve. 

I love black eyed peas & must have them new year's day. My Great Grandmother started the black eyed pea tradition.

Not sure about the diet thing, however I do like the idea of a fast for a clean start to the new year.

A family tradition we started a few years ago is choosing a family verse for the year.

We have been discussing what our family verse will be this year. 

Our youngest son has been the most vocal this year. 

He likes Proverbs 3 - the entire chapter. Dad likes 1 Timothy 4. 

I always go for the verses on learning from past mistakes and love.

We will see what we choose.

We found a cool Esty site a few years ago. They sell life verse designs. Check her out, Life Verse Design. 
Do you have a family verse or quote? 
If so, please share. 

Many Blessings to You & Yours, Happy New Year!

xoxo- Mrs. Montgomery Kicking off 2013 not like...

Admitting is the First Step...

Do you make New Year's Resolutions? I recently read a quote by F.M. Knowles, "He who breaks a resolution is a weakling; He who makes one is a fool."  I'm so glad I read that BEFORE January 1st because it saved me a lot of regret.

I've never been a die hard at making resolutions or even setting goals, for that matter. Yes, I probably should be more of a goal-setter, but it just sounds like too much work. The years that I actually did make resolutions never panned out anyway. Imagine that!?

January does seem like the perfect time to resolve to be healthier though. I mean, for me, I'm so bloated and still full from Thanksgiving and Christmas that none of my clothes fit right. Maybe if I didn't wear sweats the whole Christmas break I would know to stop eating when my jeans felt tight. Sweats are a necessary evil!

I bet you think I'm getting ready to tell you I've resolved to lose weight for the new year, huh? Sadly, no. I'm not saying I'm not going to try and lose weight and exercise. I'm just not setting myself up for failure - AGAIN.

What I am going to resolve to do is become more organized. I want to purge my house, garage, and life of junk. Stuff and some people can really weigh you down, if you let it.

I really would like when I open the garage door to not feel embarrassed if someone is driving by or pulling up in our driveway. I also would like to open my kitchen cabinet without feeling like a drugstore is staring back at us. I kid you not, this is actually one of our kitchen cabinets. *hanging head in shame*

I've been looking on one of my very favorite sites, Pinterest, for organizational tips. What I'd really like is to be able to afford for someone to come in and purge my home and organize it. Sadly, this isn't going to happen so I must do it myself. Here are a few ideas I've found on Pinterest...

Source: blogs.babble.com via Megan on Pinterest

Don't you think this might help my cabinet situation? I do too.

Source: Uploaded by user via Dawn's Diversions on Pinterest

Source: infarrantlycreative.net via Kate on Pinterest

Source: 1.bp.blogspot.com via Jody on Pinterest

Do you think I'm on the right track? Admitting I have a problem is the first step, right?! And, wouldn't this research I'm doing on Pinterest count as setting a goal? Okay, I know, I'm reaching. Hey, speaking of Pinterest, Mrs. Hart found a Declutter Challenge she shared last week when she posted about her 20 in 2012. Thanks, Mrs. Hart. This may be quite useful!

Source: mysimplerlife.com via ShaRhonda @ The 4-Crow's on Pinterest

Did you make a New Year's Resolution? Or do you resolve to be unresolved? Have you already broken your resolutions? Do you have any organizational tips you could share? What about a suggestion for my cabinet situation?! Seriously, that cabinet situation causes me anxiety every time I have to reach into it for a cup or my Xanax.

~Mrs. Albright
Sitting comfy in my sweats as I search Pinterest for organizational tips, like.....

20 in '12

Source: typeverything.com via ShaRhonda @ The 4-Crow's on Pinterest

Happy 2012!

Did you make any resolutions? 

I made a few 20 goals and notes of what all will happen and what I hope will happen in 2012 in my neck of the woods and I certainly hope you did also and will share a few with us.

(these are not in order)

1. Lose 20 lbs in '12! I have maintained a 20lb weight loss now for over a year and its time to kick it back into gear. I plan on using MyFitnessPal and C25K as a few apps to help me along. Won't you join me in this journey?
2. Buy a new house.
3. Stop drinking DIEt Coke- please pray for me, m'kay!
4. RUN not walk a few 5K's and maybe even a 1/2 marathon.
5. Coach my daughters t-ball team again, I loved volunteering at The Boy's and Girl's Club with those 4 & 5 year olds.
6. Finish my CDA- Child Development Associate Certificate, and get a raise.
7. Visit my parents more. 4X a year is not enough when we live in the same state.
8. Read. 
9. Attend church more regularly.
10. Host 4 parties this year. Including one on 12/12/12 when my son turns 12!
11. Make a new recipe at least 3x a month.
12. Get my craft on a minimum of 2x a month. I love Pinterest. If you aren't using it yet you should tell us we will get you an invite.
13. Take my kids on a REAL vacation.
14. Go to my High School Reunion- It's #20 in '12. Class of 1992 rules forever!!!
15. Play more. It's really okay to let the dust settle and the let the dishes soak.
16. Declutter Challenge. Have a garage sale or just haul it off.
17. Take a photo a day. Use Instagram to document using #366Challenge.
18. Listen more. Complain less.
19. Remember that saying NO is okay. 
20. This one is silly but on December 22, 2012 when the world HAS NOT ended and I am 20lbs lighter, I will run outside in my underwear/honeymoon bikini and laugh like I have never laughed before!

 And here is the great thing to remember about any resolutions or goals...

Source: anditslove.tumblr.com via ShaRhonda @ The 4-Crow's on Pinterest

What is your 20 in '12?

♥Mrs. Hart♥
Keeping it Real with 20 in '12 like