Pursuing Optimism.

Apparently there is some legal definition out there about pessimism.  It seems to be one of those things that really stood out to Mr. Wendling in law school.  He still reminds me that next to this definition (my simple summarization); “the thought that if things are bad, they will continue to be bad,” my picture should have been tacked to that ridiculously expensive law book.  And said husband makes a good point. I do often think like this; “Awww Thursdays are awful therefore Thursdays shall remain awful until the end of time because they aren’t hump day and they are definitely not Friday!”

But, I’m trying to change my ways because I’d like to get my face next to something way cooler in a law book.  And I’ll let you know what that might be once I figure it out.

So, here I go pursuing optimism...

The Monday after a four day weekend doesn’t suck.  It’s just a reminder of how nice it is to have relaxing days off!

Running a half-marathon is awesome even if you did run it in exactly two hours.  Be thankful that you pushed it that last mile rather than wishing you pushed it even harder to run it in under two hours!  After all, it was a personal best and you did get this sweet medal…

Thanksgiving is glorious.  The food, the wine, the lack of guilt in consuming three days worth of calories in just a few hours.  We kept it pretty low-key this year.  With our sights set on the running we have been doing, we looked up a few recipes in Cooking Light and had great results.

The reflection of me through my husband’s eyes is something to be thankful for even when it isn’t the super skinny, tan, perfect reflection we all wish for.  It's one of those things that continues to make me thankful for the life I lead.  It’s the power of the relationships we surround ourselves with that allows us to be our best selves.

And as I reflect on this last holiday we’ll spend away from our friends and family, I treasure my young marriage and this quiet time we have together.  I am thankful for the days that he points out my pessimism as much as I am thankful for the days that he points to my overbearing need to continue to grow as a personal strength.

On Saturday, we got up to watch NASA launch a ROVER to Mars.  It will take this thing 8 1/2 months to reach its destination.   I can't help but wonder where our lives will take us in that amount of time!



NASA Launches Sophisticated Rover on Journey to Mars.

From Miami to Iowa and Back Again.

It's been a busy few weeks so I'm going to give you the CliffsNotes.

We had a great opportunity to visit my {Aunt} Misty down in Miami Beach at Canyon Ranch Resort so we jumped on it and it was an amazing time full of plenty of max relaxing, good food and laughter!

And because it was a last minute trip, we drove from Miami back to Melbourne just in time for me to catch a flight to Iowa in order to work for a week.  And although I won't miss this pace when I move back to Iowa - work, work, work, visit friends, see family and work, work, work - there is an excitement to it that I enjoy.  And I will miss the early mornings of putting on makeup and chatting with my sister.

But you know it's time to head home after a long month of traveling when you are trying new beers and you send this picture to your husband...

And he replies with this picture...

Ahhh yes, true love is simultaneously {and without a word} choosing the same new beer that your spouse does 1300 miles away.

NOLA

I had only previously driven through New Orleans until this weekend and I have to admit that my first impression wasn’t great. I didn’t quite “get it.” I’ve heard the quote that you can live in any city but New Orleans is the only city that lives in you and now I understand.

We were honored to be a part of a special day, celebrating close friends in a wonderful city and it all clicked. New Orleans holds history. The buildings weren’t put up yesterday and we weren’t the first friends to hold hands and laugh through them. They, like the friends we celebrated and spent time with, have a story to tell and are linked together by more than stone and stucco. They, like great friendships, have been through things; they’ve had water wash over them and then were rebuilt.

And so celebrate we did. We celebrated a beautiful family. The love they share and the future they’re building. We celebrated friendships – new and old! We celebrated this moment in all of our lives where we've outgrown our past, are appreciating our present and building our futures. We celebrated the likeness of our roads and the differences. We laughed, cried and ate and drank with more than a nod to the soul of the city that brought us together and the couple who danced through the streets with jazz in the air and love in their hearts!

CONGRATULATIONS BRIE, FLIP AND BABY BO! 

The Other Shoe

We spent last weekend in Iowa and it was such a great weekend that my husband delayed his return to Florida.  We enjoyed a day unlike one since our wedding - surrounded by every one of our brothers, sisters, parents, nieces and nephews.  Amongst friends and family – and beautiful weather, gorgeous trees and color all around – the smile on my husband’s face was more genuine and my contentment more obvious.

Oh, Iowa, you really were convincing us to move back, weren't you?

But the air was full of change.  The colors in the trees were a constant reminder that days can’t stay like this forever.  Eventually we have to board a plane back to our home and the joy that we felt can only continue on as memories.  And it’s in these moments that a character flaw reveals itself.  I have a hard time shaking the feeling that says one day soon the other shoe will drop.  That life can't really be this great and that something must certainly be around the corner.

And drop it sometimes does – friends lose jobs, partners, loves and lives that they were certain they were going to lead.  Family moves far away making these days more infrequent.  But I'm learning the secret is that life just wants to remind us that “it’s not what happens to you, it’s how you react.”

So, change is on the horizon for the Forsyth / Wendling / Caley clan.  See if you can spot one change that I am welcoming with open arms below.  And if you spot it, FYI she is 16 weeks and still asking to keep it quiet on Facebook!

*I did a heinous job of recording this weekend in photographs so I apologize.  I think I was too drunk on joy!

Why I Run.

We started this weekend’s training run around 7:30 in the morning to beat some of the heat and were welcomed by a relief of the humidity we’ve come to expect. We are lucky enough to live across the street from Wickham Park, a beautiful city park that has a wonderfully flat four mile radius. Our run this weekend consisted of various loops around this park totaling nine miles.

I’ve said for some time that one of my favorite things about running – especially in the mornings – are the friendly faces and waves that come from fellow runners and walkers. But, on this run it dawned on me why. With each wave and smile, I realized that I had no idea where these fitness peers were on their journey. And by that I mean, I didn’t know if they were at mile one, ten or more. And further, I had no idea why they were out there – whether it was to work through a tough life decision, lose weight, become healthier or ultimately to experience the joy of solitude. What I realized is that I respected wherever they were, without judgment, because of our thread of mutual experience.

And, after a long week – one that was full of reaching inside my own heart for the maximum amount of empathy and sympathy to give out to friends – what I had been searching for inside myself came without effort on my run. The way I attempt to live my life, is the way I run with ease.  The glimpse of the "me" I strive to be is what keeps me going back even when it hurts and my shirt is soaking in sweat. 

In other news...

Got to practice what I preach... "no judgement!"

Another successful new recipe.  This one is wonderful the night before a big run!  (Ok, before the run replace the wine with water!)

Sausage, Tomato and Arugula Fettucini (click the link for the recipe)

Andy:  8.4

Amanda:  8.5

We're both traveling for work and fun this week so we'll try to check in.  Until then, CHEERS!

Inspiration

So, I admit it, I was slightly more inspired in Oregon.  When we left Iowa a year ago, Andy and I were ready to go.  With a U-Haul full of goods, and good friends in tow, we were fully prepared to conquer the West without the expectations of the familiar and more importantly, the responsibilities of law school. 

And so we conquered.  But along the way, we fell in love with an area of the country.  When we left, a few tears were shed and since that day, I think we have been looking back more than we have been looking forward.

So, this week I made a conscious effort to look around and get inspired.  I found purple flowers on an 8 mile run and a little girl in a pink ruffled swimsuit putting her toes in the ocean for the very first time.  And around my house I have been inspired to really make this place our home and fill the walls with all the places we have been so we can begin to see what is ahead – and let’s be honest in Florida that’s not hard because it is flat, flat, flat.

Some inspiration...

A wine barrel cork board filled with many wine memories.

A husband hanging pictures of places we have seen!

A morning ritual of coffee made by a loving husband and one hell of a to-do list found on Pinterest!

And finally, an inspiring recipe worth sharing:

Herb and Goat Cheese Stuffed Chicken Breast (Follow the link for the recipe.)

Amanda's Rating: 8
Andy's Rating:  7

A Mind Dump.

Our hair is getting lighter and our skin a few shades darker...  we are officially becoming Floridians!

Our house started vibrating on Saturday and as Andy and I looked around, I ran to the computer to see if I could figure out what it was.  Oh, of course, that was just a rocket taking off to the moon. 

Welcome to the space coast!

NASA GRAIL launch ( Red Huber, Orlando Sentinel / September 10, 2011 )

We have a new challenge in front of us these next few months.  We will be running the Disney Marathon in January.  So, we have been training and after a slight breakdown of mind and body last week, I had a good run this week.  A good run, like it started with a rainbow in the sky...

...and ended with Jack Johnson really talking to me.  Talking me to the point of just playing him again and again!

Who's to say
I can't do everything

Well I can try

And as I roll along I begin to find

Things aren't always just what they seem

Finally, what is it about an AWESOME Cyclone win that makes me feel the need for more wine?

Cheers!