Update

As you can see from my latest purchase at Sam's Club I would not be a very good recovering alchololic. That bag is 40 oz.... OUT OF CONTROL. I told you, I am like a drugged zombie when I see them. They end up in the cart no matter what. HELP!

Our Newest Business!

Go see my money making video HERE!

The devil itself

I am not stretching the truth at all when I say to you that I have ate 5 bags of these in the last week or so. It's really actually embarrassing to admit this but as they say...

"My name is Kari and I am a mini egg- aholic."

They are the devil. They call to me. I can't resist them. I dread even seeing them at the grocery store because they are like drugs calling. Remember that line of the 80's movie Mannequin, with Hollywood and the donuts. Amen to that. I can surpass most anything but not these people. You'd think I would get sick of them huh? Not so. They are killing my efforts to race! MUST FIND A SOLUTION!

However, on a more positive note- I ran my sprints for the first time yesterday with out stopping or slowing down.... YES! Also, the roads are clear so I ventured outside for a run today. Yes, I was supposed to crosstrain and my legs are SORE as heck from plyometrics all week in PE but I couldn't surpass the clear roads. So, I bundled up the girls, pumped up the tires and dragged Dave out for an evening run. It felt wonderful! Maybe I burned off 1/2 a bag of chocolate.

And of course Dave gave the kids a thrill by running them in and out of snow banks.

Training really does mean training

I think this is the first time I have REALLY been following a training guide for a race. It is humbling at the very least. It has made me realize I am going after a challenging time (sub 90 min) and every workout is going to require me to push. Especially since this is the longest i will have ran since suffering with such persistant ITBand issues.

Mon- 4 miles, easy pace, focusing on upper body form + core strengthening
Tues- 1 mile warm-up followed by 3 X 1200 meter sprints running each lap in under 88 sec. 400 meter recoveries between each one. I mile recovery + 20 lower body strength
Wed- Cross train
Thurs- 8 miles in under 1 hr. + 20 minutes of upper body strength (i.e. push-ups, pull-ups, curls, rows, etc.)
Fri- 5 miles medium pace
Sat- 90 minutes of continuous running- following by 5X 20 sec footwork drills downhill working on turnovers + abs
Sunday- Rest

Tuesday sucked- bad. Those sprints were so unbelievabley fast. I couldn't get those yet. Suprisingly the long day felt the best- I ran 11.2 miles in 90 minutes, which is great progress toward the 13.1 I need in 8 weeks. And I love long runs- they just feel so good when your done, plus I just read an interesting article on how long runs rev up your metabolism (although they supress your immune system for 72 hours). Love long runs.

If you don't run, RUN! It really is a healthy addiction.

First Real Coupon Experience

So I experienced my first real "good deal" at Albertson's today. My sister is becoming the queen at this so with her help I have been able to dip a little here and there. Today has me convinced that I should do more than just dip.

Here is what I snagged

10 cans of Progressive Soup
8 Boxes of Cake Mix
3 Pillsbury Biscuits
2 Boxs of granola bars
2 bags of Chex mix

and the grand total... $10.88 What a steal! And it was fun- mostly because I had the nicest check-out lady. She rocked!

My receipt stated I had saved $59.76.

Financial Makeover

Dave and I, or more so I am reading this book by Dave Ramsey.



I know he offers classes and some of you are taking them but we decided to save the cost and time of taking classes and read the book and do what we can on our own first. Finding an empty night to go seemed impossible. So my question is who out there has read this and what do you think? Or maybe more important....

What are some of things your family does to be financially sound? What is your greatest saving tips?

We are welcoming all suggestions.

You have to love snow living in IDAHO!

I would much prefer warmth, but because I live in Idaho I have learned to embrace the cold. Last week I chaperoned the school ski trip and tried something new- snowboarding.

SO FUN!!

I don't think I have ever had so much fun in the snow. I could actually get down anything on the hill FAST! I am completely convinced that boarding is much easier, and funner than skiing. Sorry Dave. I know you are disappointed. But hey, look at the bright side- now i might be able to keep up with you on the mountain.

And the verdict is out...

On whether the changes Dave and I spent hours on will make our life easier or not.

Change #1- The girls have shared a room their whole lives and most recently been in bunks. Due to EXTREME arguing and Sadee not being able to go to bed reasonably for all-day school drove us to give up our extra room and split the girls up. Sadee has been thrilled and extremely proud of "her room", keeping it exceptional clean and organized (something we didn't think Sadee had in her). Ava on the other hand has mostly been disappointed, complaining she has the "same old room", with lots about missing her sister.

Sorry Ava, keeping Sadee up at night because YOU still take a late nap just takes priority over sister bonding right now.

So now we have this....


and this...



Change #2

I love the Apple but am REALLY tired of having to drive there and back(20+ min drive) in winter weather just to use a tredmill. If Idaho would have more than 4 months of warm weather this wouldn't have been issue, but alas, that is what it is so I we broke down and bought one. I admit it was joyous that my 50 min run only took 50 minutes! Not 90 minutes. Plus I watched my kids play while I ran. Way nice. It will also help me when Dave leaves town for weeks for work. HOWEVER, I still look forward to nice roads to run outside, which I think is FAR superior to a machine.
But until then, I must get crackin'. My friend that I would run with in Utah accomplished OUR goal from 2 years ago- a half marathon in under 90 minutes. I have yet to. I would love for that to happen THIS YEAR.



Seems like we made some positive changes.... hopefully. :)

Are you?

I could never write or express all the emotions I experienced while watching this film so I will just say to all of you... WATCH IT. I think everyone, young and old, married or not, should watch this movie. I cried like a baby (something I NEVER do in movies) and couldn't sleep having it's impact in my mind all night.

Wow.

Fireproof. You need to watch this.