Finished products of October

October has one busy month for me.

I finished my first half marathon yay! The Portland marathon was quite the experience with 10,000 other runners, and running on pavement (yuck!) I am glad to say that I have one under my belt. I am hooked! My goal was to finish under 2 hours and I was kind of bummed I didnt but I have a goal for my next one. I must also mention I was sick for a good whole month where I trained a total of 10 days maybe. It was awful, my fear was that I wouldnt be able to finish the half but surprisingly I ran my miles faster than my training times. Woohoo!

With that under my belt I am hungry for more 1/2 marathons. I dont have any desire to run 26.2 miles. Why would I put myself through that pain, agony, and exhaustion. I know that I have ability and can do it if I put my mind to it but I think I enjoy shorter runs. I dont plan on ever running a race where its all on pavement, my shins are still mad at me even after stretching and hot steambaths.

A couple of friends of mine also made the trip which was amazing. Not to mention there were 30 other Bethel folks running the half and the full marathon. Here are some photos from the week of awesomeness.

On top of spending a week in Portland with amazing friends I returned home to busy, busy, busy! I have been busy sewing like a mad woman! Busy making Halloween trick or treat bags for my stinkiest neices and lap quilts to sell. Check out my latest projects!

With each project I grow hungry to create more fun things. With scrap quilts you can be as creative and colorful as you want. I really enjoyed making these and glad my hoarding paid off in the end.

With the upcoming cold, dark, winter months I am trying to discover ways to cut costs. As you know living in Bethel in the winter can be costly with heating fuel and any possible way I can cut corners I take those opportunities. I discovered with my employee badge I am able to cut back on my heating fuel from $6 something to $5.63 which if you add it up in the end I am saving quite a bit. Also I was able to jimmy my way out of paying $480 extra a year on my step-sons cell phone bill by removing a data plan that they say is “policy” when we are unable to even utilize that service. Also with my employee badge I can cut my gas from 20 cents a gallon. Every penny counts especially in Bethel.

I am discovering myself as a homemaker and testing my limits, and reaching out of my comfort zones to be more creative on the sewing machine. I scored some awesome fabric from IKEA for a coat that I hope to finish next weekend at a class.

As an individual I am discovering my limits, when to ask for help, and when to say no. I am trying to better myself as a person for me, my family and my friends. I am understanding that friends come and go. Friendships change. And there is nothing that I can do about it. Learning to let go of my mother and let her be. Through writing I find that I am able to express my feelings, use it as an outlet when it comes to my mother and share my creations. This is my kind of therapy that I need to keep up with.

I must return to sewing, sewing, and more sewing. Sew S.