(Almost) Wordless Wednesday

Am I Crazy?

Read a Book. Check.

If you recall, I made an adventure list a few months back. My very first goal was to finish reading a book. Just one. That's all. I made it my first goal because I considered it to be the easiest. However, it turned out that actually finishing a book was more taxing on me than training for and running an 8k.

But I did it! (Here's where you applaud, please.)

Interestingly enough, after starting a number of books, the book that I actually chose to finish was "The Shack" by William P. Young. I received it as a Christmas present this year and when I picked it up, I vowed to myself that I would finish it.

Here is where I step out of my comfort zone a bit. I do not consider myself a book critic. But I thought I'd stretch myself and give it a try. Here goes. Clears throat...

I did not like the book. I like a book that makes me like it, and this one did not. It wasn't even about the theology (although I often disagreed). It wasn't about the fact that God the Father was portrayed as a black woman named Papa (which frankly, just felt a little strange).

The best way I know how to describe it is that I got the same feeling reading this book as I do when I watch a Hallmark made-for-tv movie. Do you know what I mean? That feeling you get when the plot is too contrived, the characters are under-developed and sickeningly sweet, and every single issue must be completely resolved? Yep. That feeling. (My apologies to those who enjoy Hallmark's Hall of Fame. I am, admittedly, a big fan of their commercials.)

All that being said, I'm glad I read it. It has become a marketing phenomenon and has scores of people singing its praises and saying it has transformed their life. I'm glad I read it, so I can better understand what fascinates our culture. That's the kind of thing that fascinates me.

So, let me ask you. Why do you think this book has been such a success? Why are so many people in love with this book?

Oh, and while you are at it, I'd love a few suggestions on what to read next. Something that I like so much that I can't put it down and it makes me neglect my children, please.

Run a 5K. Check.

Well, not really a 5k. It was actually an 8k, but I think that works.

About a week after this post about my adventure list, my brother-in-law Tim called and asked if we wanted to come to Buffalo for Thanksgiving. And then, on a side-note, he added that if we did, he and I could run an 8k on Thanksgiving Day together.

Well, how could I say no? Afterall, I could get points for two things: getting back into an exercise routine and running a race...numbers 3 and 5 on my list.

And so I did. I started off well with the training, but toward the end, I changed my training strategy: I didn't. That way my muscles wouldn't be sore. Made sense to me.

So, on Thanksgiving morn, we joined over 10,000 people running the streets of Buffalo. We were surrounded by people in a variety of costumes, including a flock of flamingos and a 19 person turkey. And although the turkey train finished before us, I was happy with our finish time considering my aforementioned training strategy...and did I mention I just had a baby?

By the way, this is a great way to justify stuffing your face later on in the day...not that I've ever needed a reason.

my adventure list

I think this newborn thing has affected my competitive bone. I am typically a highly competitive person. Case in point: When I was in labor with Griffin, I lamented over the fact that I was not surrounded by other women in labor because then we could have a contest. I was sure that would be enough to spur me on to a very short labor.

My current complacency has been revealed to me by a contest that I am currently involved in and have put forth zero effort to win. It's just not at the top of my priority list. Wait...I don't even have a priority list.

Well, it's time for a change. (No, that statement was not meant to be a political reference...politics are even lower on my pseudo-priority list.) Here is the situation in a nutshell:

I am involved in a monthly moms of preschoolers meeting called MOPS. We are all taking part in a contest this year, in which the participants can earn points for carrying out various good deeds such as making a meal for another mom, bringing a guest to MOPS, attending events, etc. The table with the most points at the end of the year will all go out to eat, while the table with the least points will watch their kids. Should be motivation, right?

There is a fun aspect to this contest that I've been pondering for a while. It's called the adventure list. We were all encouraged to write a list of activities or accomplishments that we would like to conquer over the next year. We would then earn points for each as we checked them off the list.

Lincoln was only two weeks old when we were first asked to create this list. At that point, my list looked like this:
sleep
shower
change out of my pajamas
sleep some more

Adventure held a different meaning during that very foggy time in life. Even still, I earned very few points.

Now that the fog has started to lift, I feel like it would be fun to create a true adventure list for my upcoming year. I like challenges and by putting them into writing, I may actually accomplish a few. And occasionally get out of my pajamas.

So, here goes. I thought I would categorize them by the amount of effort required, starting with the least and ending with the greatest.

1) Finish reading a book. I currently have three in process. Or is it 5?

2) Begin journaling again. I miss that.

3) Get back into an exercise routine. Walking to the mailbox does not count.

4) Sew covers on those throw pillows I bought two years ago. Wait...does this require learning to sew?

5) Run a 5K. Who wants to join me?

6) Get away for a night with my husband. Yes, this requires more effort than running a 5K.

7) Plan another get-together with my L.U. girls. Whaddya say, Beckie, Leigh Anne, Kelley, and Sarah?

8) _______ _______ _____ ____________. This one I'd rather not post for all the world to see. Oooh...don't you wish you knew?

9) Attempt to get something published. Attempt being the key word. And pressing 'publish post' does not count.

10) Buy a house. I better get extra points for this one.


So, there you have it. My goal is not to accomplish all, but to motivate myself to accomplish some. I'll be sure to keep you posted!

Wait.
11) Share cute pictures of my children with the world.

These gotta be worth some points.