the unperfected perfectionist

It's Thankful Thursday !! As I was thinking about what I was thankful for this week, I decided that the most fitting thing to be thankful for was simply… Today .   I am thankful that I was given yet another day at this thing that we call life.  It is so easy to get caught up in our lives and lose the appreciation for the moments and experiences we have on a particular day. 24 hours seems to slip away so quickly and I know that I, myself, am guilty of letting the entire day and night slip by me and not really considering the things that I may have experienced or the blessings that may have been bestowed upon me in that period of time. One. Single. Day.  This is something that I was reminded of, after a local young man passed away unexpectedly.  A guy who had everything going for him and had a great future ahead of him that was cut short, without warning, because of an enlarged heart that he was never even aware of having. ...

Do you ever have those days in which you just feel you need a bit more inspiration than on other days?  I had one of those days today!  I prefer to be the one to offer up some inspiration to others but, there are many occasions that I must go searching for some of my own.   Its really ironic because as I was thinking I needed a dose of inspiration, Emma had turned on the T.V. and would you believe inspiration was staring me dead in the eye.  The Ironman World Championship was showing.  I don't watch much T.V. but, this really captured me today.  I watched the well trained endurance athletes compete in this event and amongst them were also people that had never competed before.  They told stories of several competitors.  A woman that used to be very overweight, a woman that was diagnosed with cancer and endured treatments at the same time she was training.  There was a man with no legs and a man in his eighties.  While watching th...

Good afternoon to you!  I hope that you all had a great weekend and a positive start to your week.  This morning as I was brainstorming my post, I just couldn't seem to pinpoint exactly what it was that I wanted to focus on.  I feel as if I am stuck in somewhat of a rut lately.  Not with my blog posts but, just in general.  Like I told you last week, this blog is real.  I won't sugarcoat things, only write the honest truth. If you are human, the chances are pretty darn good that you may have even felt this way yourself, in some way or form.   The last month or so, I have felt as if I have been either running on a treadmill to nowhere or treading water.  It has just been one of those seasons in my life that, no matter how positive my outlook seems to be, things just haven't been going how I envision them.  My daughter has been sick for what seems like weeks and as a result, has missed many days of school already, and it is only Oc...

Friday has arrived my friends!  Sometimes, I honestly have mixed feelings about the weekends.  I love that it gives me time to spend with my family that doesn't involve my husband going to work or my daughter going to school.  What makes me uneasy about the weekends sometimes, is the lack of structure, or specific plan.  Sounds pretty sad and weird, huh?  This is something that I continue to work on regularly.  I need to be more relaxed and be able to "go with the flow" and just be content and happy with it. Unfortunately, so often the lack of a plan for the weekend leaves me feeling anxious.  I hate that I experience anxiety. It is  really a most uncomfortable feeling that makes me feel the lack of control of my own body and its reactions.  For me, running has been a wonderful answer to helping to ease any anxiety that I may be experiencing.  It is not a wonder why so many people take up running at any age, young or old.  I hav...

Good Morning! Here in Michigan, I woke up to a morning that was dark as night, cold and very rainy.  You know, the type of morning that you would rather pull the covers over your head?  I still was trying to be positive, despite the fact that my sweet dog got wrapped around a tree in the backyard.  Him doing so, required me to go out in the rain and darkness, hoping that I didn't step in a pile of fresh dog poop.  I was so happy, and I am pretty sure that it was lucky for my dog as well, that I did NOT step in a landmine of his. Lord forgive me for the unkind words that I muffled under my breath about my dog. I was simply irritated and in an instant, it got the best of me. He is such a good dog and I love him, he just makes me crazy in times such as these. Yes, this is going to be a great day!   It is Thankful Thursday  today! Today, I am writing the post that I had planned on last Thursday. Last Thursday was the first birthday of my blog. Today,...

It's the weekend!  And an absolutely gorgeous one too!  I feel so very lucky to be able to take in all the beauty of the changes of fall and have the temperatures of summer.  I could not ask for much more.  I plan to take in every single second of this incredible weather this weekend.  I hope that many of you are able to do much the same. Enjoy the outdoors, enjoy time with family or doing something you love.  The possibilities are endless. Today, I just have  a quick and simple video to share.  This video is just to remind us that we are capable of so very much.  Anything is possible.  We CAN do anything.  It may not always be easy and it may take much work and dedication but, we can do it! You know how it is so often said... Anything worthwhile takes hard work and effort. Yes, I have to agree.  Things would never be as rewarding if we didn't have to give it our all. So, here you are.... Have a wonderful and...

Oh my goodness, we have been having absolutely picture perfect weather this week and I can't stop smiling.  After last weeks gray and dreary weather, this is fantastic!  The sun is bright, the skies are clear blue, and the temperature has been in the seventies!  Not too hot, not too cold.  Absolutely perfect, if you ask me.   Please forgive me for bragging about my weather, especially if you are not having these great sunshiny days.  The reality is, that soon enough, here in Michigan, I will be most likely in tears because we have had to endure months and months of cold and dreary.  Not my cup of tea.  I don't fair too well without the cheery brightness of the sun.   Although, when I woke up today, it seemed darker than it has been, and the chill was in the air, I knew it was going to be a good day.  My husband has been so busy this week, that I have barely talked to him for more than five minutes at a time.  So sweet this ...

Have you ever felt alone, lost or overwhelmed? I know that there have been more times than I can count on one hand, that I have felt this way throughout my life. Everyone has their ups and downs.  Everyone gets discouraged.  In times that we may feel this way, it is not always easy to see the light at the end of the tunnel and remember that there are times of brightness that always follow the hard times. We must just take each day one step at a time. We all have our struggles of some sort or another.  We are simply human. Some of us are just better at hiding our feelings or showing what may be really going on inside ourselves.  Thank goodness, we are blessed with a new beginning as we rise each day.  We are the ones to choose how that day will unfold.  Will it be filled with positivity or will we allow negativity to sneak in and take over? It is Friday...you must be thinking, "Where is the inspiration in this today? This seems awfully  dark and ...

Welcome to the weekend!  This week seemed to sneak by me!  This morning I sat here doing my normal searching for inspiration routine.  After finding a few that I liked, I kept getting sidetracked and would end up jumping from one topic to another.  You know how it goes, similar videos are linked and pop up as you view them.  No good for someone like me that is so easily distracted!  I searched the broad topic of "inspiration" and this is where the trail left me.   So, finally, this is my pick for you on this Friday. I hope that this wisdom from the well known, Mother Teresa, will leave you stepping into your weekend on a positive note.   Have a fantastic weekend!  

I stumbled upon this as I wanted to begin my day with yet, more positive inspiration.  I, again, woke up tired and needed some motivation.  After viewing just a few videos, I saw this, and I simply could not have said it better myself.  I am certain that I will keep referring back to this post, just to view this again and again.  I love what it says and its simplicity.  Very well done.  I hope that you enjoy this as much as I did and it provides you with some motivation for your day as well.  Have a wonderful Tuesday!

Happy Friday afternoon to you!  I am so happy the weekend is here!  I have been feeling a bit sluggish as we fall back into the school routine again.  I just keep telling Emma, each morning, not to worry, we will get used to the early mornings soon enough.  I am very confident that after next week we will be all back into the groove of things again.  This morning already, I feel more energized and productive.  I got Emma off to school,vacuumed, straightened up things around the house, met a friend for breakfast, stopped at the Verizon store( I am still thankful for technology, but, my phone completely turned off and was black screened and lifeless! Come to find out nothing was wrong and they just had to reboot it some other way that I was not knowledgeable about...& I am back in business again!), got the car washed and vacuumed all before the clock struck noon!  I am feeling pretty great about this too!  The weather is forecasted to...

Happy Tuesday to you!  I hope that you were able to enjoy some great times with friends and family over the last weekend of the summer.  I know that I certainly did!  It seemed to fly by in a blink of an eye!  It is hard to believe that summer is over already.  I fought back tears as I put my daughter on the bus this morning to begin her first day as a third grader.  I am not, and never will be one of those moms that looks forward to the day that school starts up every fall.  I fully enjoy my time with my daughter. It feels like part of me is missing when she isn't here. Today, I just can't wait for her to come home and share, in full detail, all about her day.   Well, as I promised, I am going to share with you today about my weekend and most importantly...my half marathon!   Friday afternoon, we headed south to Indianapolis for my big race.  I was a complete mess!  I was sad about leaving Emma home and knowing she would...

Happy Saturday to you!  I hope you have been able to enjoy your day doing something you love.  I actually had no plans on blogging today but, sometimes I either have experiences that I want to share or ideas just pop into my head.  Today just happened to be one of those days that I experienced something that I needed to share.  This morning was another one of those beautiful mornings that made me want to get out of bed and be happy to start my day.  It also happened to be a morning that would have my last long training run awaiting me.  I did not sleep well at all last night and certainly could have used a dose of energy.  I had my breakfast and got myself ready to head out for my run. I usually run at the same place and that shouldn't surprise anyone, as I am a very routine being.  I knew that my drive to my favorite running path would allow me to get my mind pumped up and ready for this run.  You know, when you are driving by yourself and...

Today, I woke up to the sun shining through my blinds and it brought a smile to my face. What a wonderful way to welcome one of the final weekends of the summer!  If you have ever read any of my past posts, you know how the sun gives me happiness.  It is simply amazing how something such as the sun can boost my mood and energy and just make me smile.  I am thankful for each and every day that we are blessed to see the beautiful, warm sunshine!  For anyone who happens to live in Michigan, you know exactly what I am talking about.  After yesterdays, extremely long post, today I simply am leaving you with a quick little video with a bit of inspiration and perhaps a few things to put into the back of your mind as you enter your weekend.  I went searching for just a little bit of inspiration to share with you and this is the one jumped out because it was simple and sweet.  Anyone who knows me, even just a little, knows that I love inspirational a...