Hey Everyone!
I have been somewhat of a ghost the last few weeks…I realized today that my last blog post was posted over TWO weeks ago! Hopefully this post explains my lack of writing/tweeting/reading blogs:
- There has been a lot going on in my personal/running life. I will go into more detail early this week (just too much to write all in one post) regarding this topic…I am not purposely creating a cliffhanger (I promise)!!
- Two weeks ago, I finished up the redesign of my blog. I have been itching to have it redone since December, but could not bring myself to lay out the large amounts of money I was being quoted by various web designers. My blog does not provide me with an income yet, so spending upwards of $1,000 to “make it look pretty” was not a justifiable expense. Thankfully, a friend on twitter recommended Blog Genie, a fantastic company that offered the same services at a fraction of the cost. And to save myself even more money, I put on my creativity hat and redesigned the header!
- AJ and I spent last week in Adams, TN (about 45 min outside of Nashville) visiting two of my closest and dearest girlfriends. My freshmen year roommate, Annie, lives in TN with her daughter, husband, and two dogs. My roommate for the remaining three years, Lauren (who was tennis teammates with Annie), was in town with her husband and son. They are the type of friends that I can go weeks, sometimes months without a real phone conversation, yet when I am with them, it feels like no time has passed and that we are back at West Point, having dinner, going on spring break, or just chatting about our families.
Five of my closest friends from West Point...getting our class rings
Of course, there are occasional email exchanges and text messages, but it’s hard to find the time to synch our schedules these days for a long phone chat. Their children are slightly younger than AJ (10 and 4 mo) and are juggling being single moms a good portion of the time. Both of their husbands are still serving on Active Duty with the US Army and have many deployments, training exercises, and trips that force them to single parent for weeks, sometimes months at a time. I had made the decision to “unplug” last week – I didn’t check twitter, get on Facebook, blog, read/comment on blogs, etc. I wanted the week to be uninterrupted time with my girlfriends and their sweet, adorable little ones.
Enjoying the 80 degree weather in TN!
Do you have those friends that you can go long periods of time without talking to and then when you do, you feel as though no time has passed?
Did you do anything fun for St. Paddy’s Day??
My little leprechaun
I missed you too! I agree that taking the time to unplug is much needed. I definitely know what you mean about old friends. I just had one of those weekends with one of my best friends. We’ve known each other since we were 15. We don’t talk all the time but it’s so comfortable when we do get together and catch up. Love that feeling.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf recently posted..So You Want to Learn to Surf – What Do You Wear??
Thanks, Christine! It’s what I needed…especially since I just didn’t feel happy when I would sit down to blog. I knew that I just needed a bit of time away from all social media for a while. Sometimes it can get a bit overwhelming, you know? Glad to hear that you just had a great weekend too =) Best friends are the best!
LOVE the new blog design! I’ve heard great things about blog genie, must check it out!
Also hope that things are a-ok in your life – sounds like a lot is going on and hopefully it’s mostly good!
Jess recently posted..Running, rockstar-style
Thanks, Jess…everything is good!! I wasn’t trying to be cryptic…just not the time to talk about things yet =) I would definitely recommend Blog genie =) She was fantastic!!
Hi there! I started following your blog when you were featured on Another Mother Runner. And today I realized what a small world we live in when I saw that you are friends with Annie! My husband also went to WP and played lacrosse with Annie’s husband! Small, small world
Lisa @ Lisa Runs for Cupcakes
Lisa Pokorny Couch recently posted..What a difference a year makes!
No way!?! How crazy is that?? I didn’t know your husband personally, but definitely recognize his name from Annie mentioning him before! I’m glad you reached out to me…I love following runners who have a military connection – I feel like I can relate =) Thanks for reaching out to me!!
I will definitely keep following your running journey! Glad you were able to relax and enjoy some time with old friends. It is so important as we have these major changes, like babies, in our lives
Lisa Pokorny Couch recently posted..Week 1 COMPLETE: The "Mummy Tummy" Diaries
Happy to hear you were off enjoying yourself with family time. And your blog looks awesome =)
AmyC recently posted..Half of Quincy
Thanks, Amy! I’m super excited with the way it came out =)
Welcome back! I missed your posts! and I must say that I love the new layout! I hope to do something new with mine this summer.
Your son looks adorable in his St. Paddy’s day get-up!
Tia @ Arkansas Runner Mom recently posted..Marathon Recovery and Weight Issues
Thanks, Tia!! =) Definitely look up this company – affordable and very user friendly!
He kept the hat on about 30 seconds! LOL. Oh well – it was long enough for my sis to snap a picture! Haha
Welcome back! Hope everything’s ok! xoxo
Welcome back! I think unplugged time is fantastic time and none of your readers will go anywhere, I’m sure. Spending time with old friends like that is the best. I have a friend I grew up with who lives in Pittsburgh. We don’t see each other nearly enough, but when we do, it’s so easy to fall right back into pace with each other. Those are the best times!
misszippy1 recently posted..Call me the skee ball queen
Hope all is ok. Been wondering where you’ve been!
Heidi @BananaBuzzbomb recently posted..Stop The Self Hate!
Glad you had fun with your friends – I love those kinds of visits!
The new site design looks great – I’ve been trying to figure out how to do mine without spending a fortune. I’ll have to check out Blog Genie!
Michelle @ Running with Attitude recently posted..Pre-Race Randomness
Definitely check them out! Super affordable =) And she offers a few different options to suit your needs =)
Great site. Looks beautiful. Of course- all of us moms have those friends. We don’t have time for socializing like we did previously. IT’s all worth it though. I would love to meet you at the park one day! I’ll make some Hilltopper plans!
I too am just back from a week of being unplugged. Did you miss it too? Your blog header looks great; thanks for the link to your designer. I need a fresh look as well!
Tamara recently posted..Things you might have missed while I’ve been away
I’ve missed you! Glad you had fun with your friends! Welcome back and love the new design xoxo