Friday, February 19, 2010

Gorgeous Sunshine

I've added some more bling to my sidebar, thanks to Susan at Family Formula who gave me the Gorgeous blogger award, and to Tara at Colorado Runner and AJH at Age Groups Rock who gave me the Sunshine Award! Thanks chickies!





For the gorgeous award, I'm supposed to list six things about myself. I've gotten some new followers recently, so I thought I would just write about why I started this blog.....



I used to work in advertising sales for a newspaper in NYC, and I loved it. It was nice to be living back where I grew up, with my family and friends around me. I worked with great people, and I surprised myself at how successful I was at sales. I've always been active, I played field hockey in high school, was a cheerleader, and love tennis and riding my bike. You can read the story of how I became a runner here.

After Luke was born, I went back to work, and something changed in me. I didn't have the drive I once had, I was 32 and wanted to take a break and raise my son. So when he was a year old, Mike and I moved upstate, to his hometown. We bought a house that we had only seen on the internet, an ice storm prevented us from driving up for the open house, we knew if we didn't bid on it we would lose it. We saw it for the first time after the closing! I absolutely love my house and neighborhood, it worked out so well I truly think it was meant to be.

After I had Eliza, and as she grew, I started to feel a little unsettled. It's hard being a stay at home mom, and it's hard to adjust from running around to meetings and having a big social life, to days where the highlight might be to play in the basement instead of the family room. I would remind myself that I would go back to work at some point, and that I was lucky to be with the kids during these formative years.

When Eliza was five months old, I started training for the Boilermaker 15k. I was so happy to get back into running. Fast forward a year and a half later, and I developed tendonitis in my hamstring. That sidelined me for a good seven months, I had to go to physical therapy, and I gained weight. Which sucked.

I love to cook, and I love to eat. Always have, I thought about going to culinary school and still think about opening a restaurant. I love everything about food, shopping for it, reading about it, cooking for others, going out to eat. I plan my days around it. That can be a dangerous thing, so I try to find balance in what I eat and drink. I eat fruit and veggies, but I also eat cookies. I drink milk in smoothies, water when I'm thirsty, and wine or beer or a dirty martini when I want it. I'm a meat eater, but never order steak when I'm out because I think Mike grills them the best. I'm happy to eat vegetarian meals, which I do often. My mantra is Balance. I can't be extreme in one direction or the other, because it would drive me nuts.

Now I'm vigilant about stretching before and after runs, and icing my hamstring. I've run the Boilermaker three times, have a half marathon under my belt, and have my marathon plan set. I'm getting closer and closer to my "wedding weight" which is my ideal size, but I'm getting stronger overall. I still struggle at times with motherhood, but I think everyone does. I still miss my family and friends and NYC, but I'm grateful for where I am now. I started my blog as an outlet for all that goes on in my head on a daily basis. Like the top of my blog reads, I'm just trying to figure it all out.

Back to the awards, I'm going to pass these both along to these blog friends of mine, and I know some of you have received them, but I'm doing it anyway:
Susan at Family Formula
Nicole at Wanna Be WAHM
Girl with the Flour in her Hair at Peeling an Orange with a Screwdriver
Katie at Fit to Wed
Blue Violet at Nut in a Nutshell

34 comments:

Mary Poppins in Heels said...

I really enjoyed this post, Molly! But for the bumps (and who doesn't have some of those?), it sounds like a nice life.

Lisa said...

Great post! It's fun to learn about fellow bloggers. I don't think it matters how long you've read someone's blog, you can always learn something new!

Katie said...

Aw thanks for the nod! I enjoyed reading this post. What you described is how I envision myself feeling once I have children. I've worked hard for my career but at the end of the day family is what matters.

Suzy said...

Thanks for the award! Going from working to family can be quite an adjustment. Next up for me is going from SAHM to working mom...change is in the air.

Allie said...

I love reading more about fellow bloggers, great post!

Pining for Pinterest said...

AAAWWW! Thanks :-) I loved reading all of the things about you! I think it is all about balance too. I hope that you have a wonderful weekend.

Brad said...

Thanks Molly, cool that you think your hubby makes the best steaks (but who makes the best pizza?). We have a lot in commen, I've always wanted to go to culinary school but the time and investment is big so blogging is a way to compensate and be creative.
Thanks for all of your inspiring posts, looking forward to more. Back to the treadmill...

Mrs. M said...

Thank you! ;)

Janie B said...

So sweet! Thanks, Molly!

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing all the great links - I love discovering a new place to hang out :) Good luck with all your marathon training - You're an inspiration to me!

Kristin

Tara said...

Yay! I love being tagged!

I have always wanted to go to culinary school too! There is absolutely nothing that relaxing me more then to come home from work and cook dinner. Not even running relaxes me as much as cooking. Not sure what it is. Now...I didn't say that I was a good cook, but that I just really enjoy it!

Never go back to work girl! I'm just kidding; I'm just jealous. The older I get the less that I want a career. I would be very happy staying at home and raising a kid or two. May or may not be in the cards, but we'll see.

I loved this post. I love to hear more about my blogger friends then just running. Have a great weekend Molly!

Fiona said...

Lovely to learn a bit about you!

ajh said...

Thanks for the award! I loved reading some new things about you. I can't imagine buying a house I had not seen. You are very brave. You are so right about the balance in things. I will get to this award because I AM ON VACATION!

ajh said...

And yes, I wish they could bottle the smell of the ocean. There is nothing like it!

Julie said...

Hi Molly,
Thanks for sharing so much information about yourself!! I love learning about people and their personal stories:) I think going to cooking school would be great....Julie and Julia again comes into my mind:) If you ever open a restaurant I will be one of your first dining customers!! Molly, I hope that you have a fabulous weekend:)

Jill said...

So fun to read that. I am a SAHM too and it can be so hard. I run to have some "ME" time and to survive. I love your paragraph about food. I so relate. I am no cook but I love food and think about it too much.

Jen said...

Congrats on the new awards, great post!

Happy Saturday Sharefest!

danita said...

stopping by from sits--that's amazing about your house!

Helena - A Diary of Lovely said...

stopping by from SIts, again :)
Congrats on the awards, I really really enjoyed this post. Have a great weekend

Susan Fobes said...

Molly, I enjoyed getting to know you through this post! Congratulations on all the awards and for the nod in my direction...

heather@actingbalanced.com said...

Stopping by fro SITS - congrats on your award!

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on the awards...to you and to those to whom you've passed them. This was a good post.

Mandee said...

Congratulations on your awards! :)

Tiffany said...

From SITS -

I loved reading your story. Going from a great job in the city to being a SAHM to finding a balance of "you" in there. Totally a goal of mine!

Melissa B. said...

Congrats to you! Just the thing to brighten up a chilly sunday, huh?

Theta Mom said...

Congrats on the award!

Anonymous Fat Girl said...

Congrats on the award! I'll have to check out your list of blogs. And I agree with you on the stay at home mom thing. It's a hard adjustment if you're used to working in a professional environment.

Chelsea Talks Smack said...

wow, awesome- i'm excited to read some of these bloggers I havent heard of!

Serenityville said...

Great to read a bit about your history. I always hated running growing up - even though I played sports year round, including in college. And when I say hated, I mean DESPISED. I dreaded runs or sprints - made no difference. Now that I'm older and more 'me' I am finding I actually *choke* like it!!! I enjoyed this post!!

I Love Pretty Little Things said...

I truly admire runners. I can walk for miles, but when I run it is more like plodding.
Enjoy your babies. You blink your eyes and they are taller and, Ha Ha, "Smarter" than you. Some of those stay at home days are really hard, but they are worth it!

The Ludwigs said...

Congratulations on your blog awards!

Mommy cannot imagine buying a house sight unseen - you are a brave (and LUCKY) lady!

Luschka said...

It seems like we started blogging for much the same reasons! Just a place to sort it all out - I do find that since I became a mom, my days tend to blur in to one - sticking to a post schedule (or trying to) seems to help me seperate one day from the next! Thanks for responding to my tweet - I enjoyed your story!

Felice Devine said...

Just getting caught up -- THANK YOU!!!!
Loved reading your story recap.

yonca said...

Congrats on your awards and thanks for passing on to me!