Another meaning for D-Day....

So much has been going on lately and while this "self-induced" stress is MUCH better than the stress I would have been complaining about a year ago, it's still STRESS! The girls at work have been giving me a hard time about school (I am, in fact, attending the same university that I work at, so I guess I deserve it) and about my impending "D-Day"...which is why I vote that we come up with a new meaning, because the butterflies in my stomach definitely don't need any additional work! That being said, I am nervous and excited about it all. I hope that through this whole graduate school endeavor that I also become better at time management, planning and organizing my day, and not being so..ahem..lazy when I AM at home. I know, rest is important, but sometimes I use the fact that "I need rest" as an excuse not to do the piles of laundry, dishes, and vacuuming that need to be done in my home. I believe in living by a spirit of excellence, but you might not know that if you walked into my home today. So, now that you know, don't be offended if you drop by and we sit in the front yard, HA!!!

In addition to the above mentioned stress, I am forcing myself to start running again. While I have continued to work-out this summer, I really haven't lost any pounds, and before anyone tries to explain how "inches mean more than pounds and muscle weighs more than fat" don't bother...I still have 20 POUNDS I want to lose, regardless of the previously mentioned statements!! SO I am adding RUNNING back into the mix...I really don't LIKE running, I just know it produces results. I am nervous about this too...I haven't run more than a mile here and there since the 5K I did in May..wow, it's NOT going to be fun for the first couple of work-outs. I am easing back into it but I still haven't forgotten how hard it is at first! The good news is that I got some AWESOME new running/aerobic shoes. It's like they were made for ME! They are the New Balance 1224 and they feel great on my feet, they are made for people with...ahem..."fallen arches" and have added heel and arch support not to mention the stabilizers on the upper part to help with my "overpronation" problems (also caused by my "fallen arches"). I hope they feel as awesome when running as they sound on paper and in reviews. I used them in my group classes yesterday and did have a little numbness, but I am not giving up. It may have been user error. They are 1/2 size larger than I normally wear (apparently that's recommended with this particular shoe) and because they are wider than I am used to around my toes, I may have tied them too tight to overcompensate. I am not used to my toes having so much room in a shoe...I guess, subconsciously, it bothered me?!?! If it happens again today, I will let you guys know. I know there are some of you who have far more experience than I do with this and can either, tell me what I am doing wrong...or tell me to take my "otherwise awesome" shoes back :-(

I am looking forward to this year. There are so many awesome experiences awaiting me (grad school, Missions trip to the Philippines, learning more about international adoptions, etc...) that I am almost giddy with excitement AND nervousness. I am trying to transfer my need to be perfect over to a "spirit of excellence" in everything I do. That way, I can still "kind-of" suffer from perfectionism and instead, give God the glory! How exciting is that!! It's a win-win situation as far as I am concerned!!!

Ultimately, I needed a "D-day" to get me moving back in the right direction...I just wish it had a happier connotation! Any ideas????

Finally, a great reminder to us all. These are TRULY words to live by.

"Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble."

2 Peter 1:5-10

We may not be able to NEVER stumble...but less is good :-)

With Love, Ash.