I Did It - 5K Challenge

This is for one of my "50 things to do before I'm 50."  I need to change that to - "50 things to do AT 50" as I am only half way there.  

27.  Run/Walk a 5K:

Justine, Anna and I signed up to do a 5K.  This one was a trail run/walk 2K, 5K and 10K in Sturgeon Bay, Door County, Wisconsin.  

About 6 weeks before, I started the From Couch to 5K app on my phone.  That app and the training was one of the keys to my success in completing this challenge.  

This event gave out some very nice prizes.  I don't have a picture of it, but once you crossed the finish line, you were handed a potted shrub too.  Now I can wear one of those shirts and actually have done the race.  Also, since we were in Door County, cherry capital - we were treated to a local creamery's ice cream topped with cherries and granola!  Trust me, I was thinking of that while I was on the race...lol.  I'm so motivated by food...

While we were waiting for the race to start, there was a lady wearing a t-shirt that said..."if you are reading this, you didn't train for this race either" on the back.  Funny as that was, I didn't want to finish after her.  I did actually train - the best I could.  She did pass me right away, but fizzled out around 1.5 mile mark.  I passed her up.  I'm not going to lie, I was the "biggest" person signed up for the 5K...trust me, when you grow up chubby, you make mental notes of these types of things.  There were other "big" ladies, but they did the 2K.  I'm so happy I challenged myself to do the 5K.  

My goal was, just not to be LAST.  I was anticipating finishing in about 90 minutes with my trotting and walking.  I found an older lady who was doing the same as me, trotting, walking - mostly fast walking.  I just kept up with her.  At about the mile mark, I said to her..."this is my first race, all I'm trying to do is keep up with you."  Her husband was right behind me.  They were in their late 60's, they were from Chicago.  They told me I was doing good, really encouraged me.  She was wearing something that told her how fast we were going and how far we were.  

Somewhere between mile 2 and 3,  I said..."I don't mean to be a baby....but, how much longer...."  "Oh, just around the corner, we are almost finished..."  Ya right!  It wasn't, but she really helped me.  Honestly, I might have sat down if it wasn't for them.  As they crossed the finish line, they waited for me and gave me the "high fives" - bless you both...you will never know how much your encouragement helped me!  Justine and Anna were so surprised to see me...when they did...as they didn't think I would finish that fast.  It wasn't fast - but, I'm so proud of myself!  

Here we are at the end of the race.  

It was actually a very fun challenge.  The girls and I stayed over night and after the race went swimming in Lake Michigan - it was cold!  We actually want to make this a mother, daughter tradition....those who know me well, know I treat exercise like a 4 letter word....but, if it means my spending precious time with my girls...I'll do it!

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

50 Years Old - I've Been Blessed

As I woke this morning and opened my eyes, it hit me, today is my birthday - 50 years.  My first thoughts were of my mom.  I thought of me as her last baby - you know I was a blessing (smile) - as child number 6.  

My second thought was, I sure hope Al bought me a Dairy Queen frozen birthday cake...(he did!)

Then it hit me...today, I can have coffee! 

26.  I gave up something I "loved" for a year, this was one of my "50 things to do before I'm 50."  I am enjoying a cup as I write this.

My 10th birthday:  I was invited to a sleep over at my friend Michelle Koplitz' house on June 4.  It was the last day of 4th grade.  Our school district had made changes in the districting of the grade schools and most of us weren't going to be in the same school the next year.  She had an end of year party and sleepover.  Her older brother, Brian and his friends told all of us girls "if you fall asleep, we are going to spray you with the garden hose."  We all were afraid and stayed up most of the night.   We played the morning away and I was so tired when I got home that I took a nap.  When I woke up, I ran into the kitchen and said "it's my birthday."  My mom said, "no, it isn't, you slept through your birthday." 

My 12th birthday:  I rode my own new 10 speed bike home from Carl's hardware.  I never had a new bike - always hand me downs.  It was probably the best birthday gift I received as a child.  My parents made a financial sacrifice for me to have such a nice bike.  It was tan with orange and yellow designs on it.  I can still see it - I loved it.  

My 18th birthday:  graduation from high school 

My 20th birthday:   my friends Kathy, Michelle and Kevin share a birthday with me.  Same year too.  We had planned a huge party and we had a competition to see who could get the most kisses.  We each were up to well over 100.  Kathy won - she is cute - everyone wanted to kiss her.  (smile)

My 21st birthday:  Al gave me my engagement ring.  

Sweet kisses, cards and homemade gifts from my girls fill the next years and decade.

My 40th birthday:  I spent at the Marshfield hospital.  For those that don't know, our daughter Anna had pediatric bladder cancer.  Anna had her port removed that day.  Best birthday gift to date!

My 49th birthday:  I spent at the Lima, Peru airport with our daughter, Justine...waiting to come home...it was a long day/night of delayed flights.  In fact, that is where I came up with my 50 things to do before I'm 50 idea.  

So here I am today, my 50th birthday.  What a blessing it is to be this age.  I can't help but think of so many of my classmates and friends who didn't make it to their 50th.  My childhood friend Michelle Koplitz, in the story above, Lori Lucht, Matt Hahn, Marlin Sonnentag, Keith Schultz (read about it here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2013/05/memorial-day_4508.html
Liz Foley, Chuck Allen, Jim Buska, Kathie Coates, Mark Falkowski, Steve Hansen, Chris Wendel, Jodi Brinkman and Lynn Sillars.  An image of each face came to me as I typed their name.  Some a younger image as our paths didn't cross since high school.  Others, like Jodi Brinkman Miller, an older face - as she and her girls were in our 4-H group.  

I am blessed, truly.  50 years is a gift!  Yes, it is a "big number" and a new decade of opportunity is before me.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin

Couch to 5K

One of my 50 things to do is a 5K.  My daughter, Justine, told me about an app called "From Couch to 5K" - in my case, it literally will be.  

I recently listened to a message from Dr. James Dobson where he shared a story of his running in a race.  He didn't do any training and as you would guess, the story wasn't one of success.  I surly, don't want that to happen to me.  I want to do this, even if I only walk.  

So, this week I finished week 1 of training with the Couch to 5K app.  Much to my surprise, I actually like it.  I am able to keep up with pace so far.  The voice tells you when to walk, when to run (I trot...lol) and walk again.  It goes by so fast.  

After you complete a session, you can share it on social media.  I tweeted one and another tweet about doing my first 5K at 50 (#first5Kat50).  I could not believe all the favorites and retweets I received from others training, the app itself and Dove..the soap..they have a #SpeakBeautiful about yourself campaign.  So encouraging.  

I will keep you all posted with my progress.  If I can do this, anyone can.  The From Couch to 5K app is free and I would encourage you to give it a try.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

50 Things to Do Before I'm 50

I  haven't posted to the list lately, so here goes.  You can also read 1-17 here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2016/01/50-things-to-do-before-im-50.html

18.  "Thelma & Louise Trip" (girls adventure):  We drove to Waco, Texas.  We  had a blast!  Most nights we fell asleep laughing.  I discovered some new things about my friends.  Jackie is the calmest person I know that doesn't take meds.  She is cool as a cucumber.  She drove home through Dallas and surrounding areas...I had my eyes closed.  Lisa, doesn't travel much, so it was fun to watch her excitement and taking pictures.   She exercised some independence and I'm proud of her.  I would highly recommend going on a trip like this with your friends - even if it is just for a weekend.  

19.  Drive to Texas:  I am not the best driver.  I actually get anxiety while driving in stressful situations.  I can now say that I drove over a large bridge, through a large city (Little Rock, AR) learned to trust the GPS and mastered some mad speeding skills in Texas.  

20.  Visit Magnolia Market at the Silos - the reason for our trip.  

21.  Stop at a weird roadside attraction in each state:  I actually planned our whole trip down based on these roadside attractions.  Chester, IL - the home of Popeye, was our first night.  They have cement statutes of each character.  The lady at the hotel told us that the writer of this comic grew up there and each one of those characters were based on a member of the community.  I asked..."who was the old sea hag?"  Yikes.  In Arkansas we stopped for lunch - in a plane.    Our second night was in Paris, TX - where they have their own Eiffel tower.  On the way home we stopped at the location of 3 states.  It was fun!

22.  Blog Recognition:  My blog post was read on the radio.  The Jerry Bader show is based out of Green Bay and his listenership covers most of Wisconsin.  You can read about it here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2016/03/my-post-was-read-on-air.html

23.  Teach a Seminar:  I was excited when Jackie from the UW Extension office approached me to teach a seminar for a fundraiser for the HCE club.  You can read about it here:  http://dickybirdsnest.blogspot.com/2016/04/what-to-keep-what-to-sell-what-to-donate.html

24.  Start a New Business:  My friends Lisa, Jackie and I decided to start an estate sale business.  All of us have years of experience.  It has been fun.  To date, we have conducted 3 sales, have 2 for June and possibly 2 in July.  So, we have been busy.  Here is our face book page:  https://www.facebook.com/EstatelyYoursCW/

25.  THEME:  I wanted to be open to new opportunities this year regardless of my reservations.  In order to do so, you need to take risks.  I was asked to be a part of a periodical shop called THEME.  We rented an old brick building and I hosted one of my pop up sales there in April.  Each month, one of us will be brainstorming an idea or "theme" sale.  This month it is "Sweet Spring Time."  Here is link to face book page:  https://www.facebook.com/THEME-120979434964827/


I'm half way there, with less than a month to go.  I decided to give myself though my birthday month of June to complete these.  Some of my hardest ones are left.  I might not be able to complete them, but at least I tried.  I decided to take off a few...too risky...like skydiving...Al said "we might break something when we land."  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Magnolia Market, Waco, TX - Fixer Upper

I made it, 1,260 miles (give or take a few) from Ringle, Wisconsin to Waco, Texas - just to go to Magnolia Market at the Silos.  I enjoy watching HGTV's Fixer Upper and this shop belongs to the hosts, Chip and Joanna Gaines.

I did read several blog posts about "tips if you visit" type things, that helped prepare me for what to expect.  So, I thought I would do the same and share my tips.

We planned our visit for a week day - I've been told that weekends are very busy.  We arrived over an hour early and did not have a problem finding parking.  We were in the first 30 or so in line.  They opened the gate about a half hour early and it was a good thing as the line was getting quite long.  

I follow the hosts on Instagram and Twitter and knew that they had just filmed a segment about the bakery.  There was a crew working on the building on the corner, which I knew was going to be the bakery, so I took a few pictures through the door...sneaky...

While in line, I tweeted Magnolia Farms and asked if they had appearances planned for that day.  They replied and said that it was "barn raising day."  Chip and Joanna were there early and filmed before the crowds were there.  The cameras were set up the whole time we were there with a live stream of the event.  So, rumor was that they would show up again around 11:30.  They didn't, but we enjoyed the tutorial that Homestead Heritage group did as they worked on the barn raising.  Was a great day to be there.  I can't wait to see that episode.

Now on to more pictures of the shop and grounds:  

The grounds has a green space with games, swings, toys and bean bag chairs for kids to play as you visit.  The garden and grounds were amazing.  

We also knew that the grounds had food trucks.  We ate lunch as the men worked on the barn.  The weather was perfect, the food awesome and I left filled with inspiration.  Thanks Chip and Joanna Gaines for the experience you offer your fans and the support you give to this community.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Ringle, Wisconsin to Waco, Texas

Well, I made it.  I drove the whole way down from Ringle to Waco - about 1,260 miles (give or take a few).  I wanted to do this as part of my "50 things to do before I'm 50."  I will admit, my route by passed St. Louis and Dallas.  I decided on a more scenic route - some roads were actually only 2 lanes.  I am so happy we did too, as we found some interesting places to stop and met some really nice people.  

The picture above is actually the cock pit of a plane that was a restaurant in Walnut Ridge, Arkansas.  One of the roadside oddities we stopped at.  

I thought Missouri was the prettiest.  We drove through the south east corner on a twisty, curvy road with lots of views.  However, Texas is more my speed....fast...the speed limit is 75 on most roads - even the 2 lanes.  Well, they are 2 lanes, but have a wide shoulder of the road that people drive on too.  I tend to have a lead foot - so, I was in my element.  

Today, we happened upon the day before an absolutely huge flea market in Canton, Texas - First Monday Market.  However, the market starts on Thursday before the first Monday...confused??  Us too, but we drove in and shopped.  We found some great items.  We were a few of the early birds.  We had to unload and reload the van to make room for all our treasures.  

All in all, we are having fun.  Tomorrow we are going to Magnolia Market and Silos.  We also have a few other spots see in Waco too.  

Well, thanks for following along.

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.  

Waco, TX or Bust

My friends, Lisa and Jackie and I are leaving this morning for a trip to Waco, Texas.  Like many other HGTV fans, we are headed to Magnolia Farms.  Fixer Upper's, Chip and JoAnna Gaines along with their children, have captured many a fan's heart.  We have no reservations, no concrete plans - just driving the roughly 1,260 miles.  On the way down, we will be taking more back roads, hitting a few roadside attractions along the way.  If you wish to follow along, check out my instagram account.  It is a bar link in the header of my blog page.  Well, we are off...I will post along the trail.   I will be crossing off many of my "50 things to do before I'm 50" on this trip.  

Blessings from Ringle, Wisconsin.