I’m not sure where my focus will actually fall within the big picture of life.  But everything within life is important right now and I don’t want to miss any of it.  I want to remember how I am feeling during this journey.  And who knows how much more time I’ll actually have to make memories here on earth?!

I definitely feel that this blog is changing.  It may no longer be all about photography, though photography will always be a passion of mine.  But it’s only a part of who I am.   And my mind is noisy with other things to share because I’m living my life.  And life is busy.

Where is this going?  I have no idea.  Life as a whole is very out of focus as of late.  I struggle daily with what God’s plan is for me.  I try to just live in the moment and trust only in Him and the knowledge that He will take care of everything.  So I’ll continue to just blog about what’s happening or what is currently inspiring me.  It may or may not be photography, though I’ll try to throw some of that in, too.  I know things are more interesting to read when you break it up with things to look at.  ;)  Change is good.  So hang with me as my life’s journey turns a corner and I continue to create myself.  Because I’m so not done yet.

 Or maybe the title should be “struggles” of a new runner.  I’m not sure which is more appropriate.  Maybe both fit this post rather nicely.  Last week, I cleared a major hurdle.  I managed to run 20 minutes straight.  Without stopping.  Or dying.  I’m sure all you seasoned runners are laughing at this.  20 minutes is absolutely nothing to those of you that have been doing this a while.  But for someone who’s just starting and not in great cardio shape…. Well, I can’t tell you how very proud I was of that training day.  I felt a sudden shift –  this might actually get easier rather than harder.  Let’s be clear:  I’m not naive enough to think that 5 weeks into training, I was a pro.  Far from it.

When the run started, I was completely focused.  My eyes were forward.  I was doing everything I could to stop thinking I can’t and start thinking I can.  I     had a new running playlist with fast beats.  And I don’t care what you think of Lady Gaga.  Her music is FAB to run to.  My mind was on any and all inspiration I could think of at that very moment:  things I’d pinned on Pinterest, other blogposts inspiring others to get healthy, and mostly the people that have been my cheerleaders from the very beginning.  You know who you are.  I didn’t want to let anyone down.  Including my kids.  They’ve been watching me from the beginning as well.  And who wants to quit in front of their kids?  Especially when you are setting a good example?!

I started slow and allowed my body to find it’s own rhythm.  For the first time, I found myself lost in the music, in my own thoughts rather than completely focusing on the clock.  I was only vaguely aware of my pulse beating like a base drum in my ears.  And soon, even that began to fade.  And something I never expected happened.  I found words swirling around in my head.  Like I was writing/journaling in my mind as I was running.  I suddenly had all these ideas forming and I couldn’t wait to finish so I could write them down.  Totally caught me off guard.  But it was awesome.  I wish I could have taken a picture to show you all the thoughts that flowed into and out of my mind while I was pounding that treadmill, pushing one foot in front of the other.  I was completely inspired!  And before I knew it, the run was over.  I’d done it.  VICTORY.

And then there’s Monday’s run.  Pure disaster.  I’d not ran since last Monday thanks to a nasty sinus infection.  I’d debated on running yesterday – still not 100% and so very tired.  Completely uninspired.  I somehow managed to talk myself into my running shoes and furthermore, onto the treadmill.  If I’m completely honest with myself, I had no intentions of running.  I thought maybe I’d just walk to say I’d done something.  And before I even knew what was happening, I’d pulled the C25K app up on my phone and was attacking the next workout – a walk/run.  About halfway through the workout, something was rubbing the inside of my arm raw and I was having to either not swing my left arm or hold it away from my body rather awkwardly.  Then about 3/4 through, my shoelace came untied.  I probably should have paused everything and tied my shoe but I wasn’t so sure I’d have the energy to start again after stopping so I just kept going.  (Kids, don’t try this at home).  I tried to look down and watch to make sure I didn’t trip myself but that only caused me to become unsteady.  All in about 3 minutes, I was painfully aware of ever single ache and pain, every breath, every beat of my heart and every single drop of sweat.  And time seemed to stop altogether.  A far cry from last week’s victory.  But not a complete run fail.  I did finish the workout.

Truthfully, it was harder after the week long break; however, I did feel some of the same things I felt last week – a change in attitude, somewhat inspired (which lead to this post) and a feeling of accomplishment at the end despite the disasters that seemed to keep throwing themselves into my path.  I was able to overcome each one and keep my mind on what was important:  Finishing.

By the way, this cracks me up but is totally how I feel:

Can anyone else relate?

As I mentioned before, I’ve had many cheerleaders along this new journey of mine.  A couple of folks who’ve been instrumental in encouraging and inspiring me are my old and dear friend Alison who blogs at Nursing the Run.  Ali and I have known one another since second grade.  She’s a pro at running having been at it for years and truly inspirational – a great writer as well.  The other is Courtney at A So-Called Runner.  Courtney started out just like me not so long ago and she documents her journey as well as shares some wonderful healthy recipes on her blog.  Both of these ladies are encouraging and very willing to offer advice.  I hope you’ll check out their blogs if you’re a runner or considering becoming one.

Hope you all have a great week!

1. You do NOT have to have an iPhone to participate. Any camera phone will do the trick.

2. Please link back to Perfect Imperfections somewhere within your post so others know where to go to join in the fun.

Off we go!

My first & only run of the week. Journaling. More rain. SNOW.

Valentine’s Day cupcakes. Lunch at Keegan’s school. Beautiful roses.

Selfie. My sweet Valentines. Grungetastic app fun. A spot of sunshine.

New book that I’m reading. More rain. And more rain. Art fair – Proud artist!

new Yogurt Mountain!

Another busy week but good some good memories made. Hope you all have made some yourselves. So show me what you’ve been up to and let’s enjoy our 50th iPhoneography link up! Open all weekend. Y’all have a great one!

I just finished “The Help” and LOVED it.  I am very anxious to get the movie now.  I’m a big fan of Patricia Cornwell and her Scarpetta series.  I’ve read all those books with exception of the last few new ones.  My grandmother gave me my very first Nicholas Sparks book – “A Walk to Remember”.  I have wanted to read all his books and just never have picked another up.  Found this particular one in the bargain section at Barnes & Noble and snatched it up quickly.  And “Water for Elephants”….. I’ve heard the movie was wonderful and I just have to read the book before the movie.  When I saw this marked down at Target, I snagged it as well.  So which book did I choose to crack open next?

I went with “Water for Elephants”.  I’ve been anxious to read this one for a while now and wanted to see the movie also.  I started it last night and I was completely engrossed before I even hit chapter 2.  I’m itching to get the book back in my hands now, though I have tons to do regarding preparing this house to sell.  So my book will have to wait til tonight.

If you love to read, I hope you’ll check out Goodreads.com if you haven’t already.  It’s a great way to see what your friends are reading, read and write reviews on books, compile a “to read” list, etc.  I just love my Goodreads iPhone app.  If you sign up, be sure to find me!

Now I know this shot isn’t original but I had never captured a shot like this and thought it too perfect – Valentine’s Day just passed and to express my love of reading and books.

Do you love to read?  What are you reading now?  What’s on your “to read” list?  

Come back tomorrow and link up for iPhoneography.  See you then!

Hope you all had a wonderful Valentine’s Day!  Ours was good – lunch at Keegan’s school  and then dinner out.  I so meant to get a pic of the hubs and I and the day was just so busy we didn’t really have time.  I did get a few pics of my two sweet kiddos though.  The only down time we had was while we waited for Daddy to get home from work so I snapped some pics.  This was my absolute favorite….

I did take several iPhone pics but those will have to wait until Friday.  :)    Hope y’all have a great day!

Okay, so I may have gotten a little carried away.  I’m feeling extra loved this Valentine’s Day and I hope you are as well.  Show some love today and be a blessing in someone’s life.  God bless!

I snapped these moon pics a couple of nights ago.  The first is what the naked eye saw – a haze around the moon.  This is what initially drew me in.  And the others are what I saw through my camera after adjusting the settings to capture more detail.

I think adding to my mood this AM is the news over the weekend.  I’m sure most of you have heard about Whitney Houston’s death.  And then her 18 year old daughter being rushed to the hospital for stress & anxiety.  I usually don’t get so heavy hearted over celebrity deaths.  After all, I don’t personally know them.  And death is a part of life.  But I keep thinking about her daughter and it just makes me downright sad.  I hope the world will let her go in peace so her family can have peace.

I really enjoyed the Grammy Awards last night.  I was definitely routing for Adele and thought she did an amazing job.  The Foo Fighters were another favorite of mine as well as Kelly Clarkson with Jason Aldean, Katy Perry & Rhianna who I thought looked stunning.  Jennifer Hudson’s tribute to Whitney was well done.  While I get I’m from a different generation, I have to still say that I don’t get the whole mouse thing.  What was that?  I was disappointed that Chris Brown was obviously lip syncing.  I’d rather see someone stand still and sing than dance & lip sync.  Just my opinion.  It is, after all, the Grammys.

Anyhow, I’m going into hibernation now until the weather warms up.  Y’all have a great week!

1.  You do NOT have to have an iPhone to participate in iPhoneography.  Any camera phone will do.

2.  Please link back to Perfect Imperfections somewhere within your post so others know where to go to join in the fun.  Feel free to grab a button under “blog flair” in the menubar.

I didn’t take very many pics – not like usual.  I did, however, realize that I took a few more artistic pics this week as well as several of Keegan and none of Presley.  Guess that’s just the way the cookie crumbled this week.

It’s been a very wet week in Memphis.  Keegan was a good boy last week AND won his bubble gum word races – Bubble Gum King!!!  New book – LOVE.  Keeping track of my 5K training.

More rain.  Only pic I snapped during the Super Bowl.  More 5K training.  Keegan filling out his Valentine’s Day cards for school.

Instagram fun – Favorite Instagrammers tag game.  Morning coffee & journaling.  5K training.  Pic day at school!

So that’s what we’ve been up to this week.  Busy, productive….. such is our life these days.  But life is good.  Can’t wait to see what all of you have been up to this week!  LINK UP!  Linky open all weekend!

More than once I’ve thought myself crazy.  Me run a 5K. Laughable.  I only run if chased.  And as far as I know, no one is currently chasing me.  And let’s go ahead and be honest.  I’ve never really given any sort of exercise regimen a fair chance except walking.  I hop on the latest trend only to fall right off the wagon a few weeks into it.  I’m currently five weeks into training for a 5K and every day that I get on that treadmill I surprise myself.  Another training day behind me.  Though talking myself into it was pure agony.  Just do it, I’d say to myself.  Get up and do it.  But looking ahead to the workouts still yet to come, I’d find myself thinking… there is no way I can do this.

The first time I had to run for 5 minutes straight I thought I might die.  Just pass out on the treadmill and smash into the wall behind me.  Or maybe vomit.  But I did do it.  And I continue to do it, though I allow nasty thoughts to creep into my mind and tell me otherwise.  Now, don’t get me wrong.  It ain’t pretty.  Sweat is pouring from every direction soaking whatever I’ve managed to throw on that day and I’m gasping for every breath.  It’s as if someone with giant, strong hands has taken a lung in each and is squeezing every ounce of air from them.  And while I struggle to strategically draw air back into them and avoid exhaustion and those pesky side stitches, the air in the room seems to have disappeared.  And that clock.  I can’t stop watching it.  I long for the day I can get lost in my own thoughts, music, SOMETHING else besides that damn clock.  The minutes seem to drag on.  But red faced and exhausted, I keep going.  Maybe at a snail’s pace but I’m still moving.  And when it’s over, accomplishment washes over me.  Suddenly, I have a new attitude.  My mood is better.  I feel good.  I feel strong.  And I’m thrilled that I need a shower.

Outrunning the demons of “I can’t”.  Yes, I can.

Fact:  I am a 37 year old mother of two.  Not exactly a spring chicken.  But I’m in fairly good health – not great health but good.  There is no physical reason I can’t do this.  It’s all a mental game.  I can do it.  I can run the 5K, get the healthy body I want and fall in love with running.

Fact:  I’m much stronger mentally & physically than I give myself credit for.  I can accomplish almost anything – if I’d just do it.  Get up and do it.

I’m not a runner.  Yet.

]]> http://www.onemomsperfectimperfection.com/photography-2/not-a-runner/feed/ 15 http://www.onemomsperfectimperfection.com/photography-2/frost/ http://www.onemomsperfectimperfection.com/photography-2/frost/#comments Wed, 08 Feb 2012 12:00:44 +0000 Courtney http://www.onemomsperfectimperfection.com/?p=4917 And I’m back in wifi land!  WOOT.  Thank goodness because I was about to lose my mind.  Comcast finally came out and we not only got one successful appointment but two in one day.  Hopefully, our problems are solved.  By the way, if you ever drop by here and see that I’m MIA you might head over to my Facebook page.  I post there regularly as much as possible to keep you guys in the loop about what’s going on.  And if you’re not a fan, please head over and “like” me know.  And if you “like” me and see the posts pop up in your status updates, please comment or “like” a post so you’ll continue to get those updates.  Please and thank you.

Now I can share what I’ve been up to the last couple of days!  Memphis temps have dipped a little bit and we had a mild frost yesterday morning.  Before then, we were starting to see some green, some little buds and blooms here and there – spring arriving early even for Memphis.  However, I think spring went back to bed for a bit.  Looks like it’s going to be cool around these parts for a while longer.  BOO HISS.  Anyhow, I had some fun with my macro attachment and the morning frost.  Some of it was already starting to melt by the time I got my wimpy tush outside.

And then I hightailed it inside to get warm.  BRR.  So not a fan of the cold.  And I’m moving 3 hours north of here!  Sheesh.  Thought I’d be moving further south.  ;)  Such is life.  Hope you all have a blessed day!