Chasing My Ninja Warrior Dreams

My husband Jay and I do our best future-casting on road trips. Driving back home on New Year’s day, we discussed our goals for 2017. Vacation, finances, fitness – we left no stone unturned.

Currently {April}

Listening to:
Twelve Ordinary Men by John MacArthur. In this {audio}book, the author individually explores the lives of the 12 called by Jesus as disciples. I’m less than halfway through, and already I’ve learned more than I expected.

Currently…

Reading…
A few weeks ago, I started and finished Lincoln’s Treasure by Chris Schultz in one afternoon. While Jay was doing yard work, I built a fire in our fire pit and settled in for the story. Part of the novel is set in Gatlinburg and the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and I enjoyed reading about familiar places as the backdrop for a treasure hunting mystery.

Race with Me?

Much like my “training” for the half marathon tomorrow, this blog post hasn’t taken up a whole lot of my time as prep is concerned. I’m composing it on a friend’s couch in my Darth Vader joggers.

See?

But I did want to give y’all the chance to join me as I travel 13.1 miles. These miles I’ll be slow going and I would love to have you along for the fun. Comment below to claim a mile. Could be your favorite number, or just a random choice.

I’ll also ask you let me know if you have a prayer request you want me to lift up. If not, just let me know if you are an encourager or a butt kicker. I’ll need both along the way!

Trail Report: Little Brier Gap

For Valentine’s Day, Jay and I headed into the Great Smoky Mountains National Park to log some more miles on our quest to earn our Hike 100 pin. The pin is in honor of the 100th anniversary of the National Park system.

Trail Report: Abrams Falls

Our weather here in east Tennessee has been all over the place. We started winter crazy warm, then had a snow day, and then went back to crazy warm. While moods wings of this variety are common at the ole homestead, our weather tends to be a bit more stable.

My friend Melissa and I decided to take advantage of the weather before mother nature changed her mind again. Having never hiked with Melissa or her husband, I chose a moderate hike with a big payoff at the end.

Winter Fun: 5 Ways to Keep the Home Fire Burning

Election season can be hard on a marriage, or at least, it is for me. My darling and I don’t have a Jim Carville/Mary Matalin type relationship – and thank goodness! I’m not sure our strong opinions would survive combat every 2-4 years!

Instead, imagine a battle between Wolverine and Captain America. One is passionate, the other defensive. One an aggressive, the other trying to deflect blows with the power of the shield of truth. Wait…am I mixing up Marvel and the Bible?

Fresh Travel – My First Taste of New Experiences in Europe

I daydream about quitting my job and becoming a travel journalist. The blogging version of Rick Steves. Of course I’d not only have my travel expenses paid for my journeys but also earn a fairly impressive wage as well.

I returned from Europe 5 months ago, and I’ve yet to put fingers to keyboard and write out my journeys. Perhaps I should rethink this daydream?

Trail Report – Middle Prong #OptOutside

For Black Friday my friends and I decided to forego the lines and stores and hit the trail instead. We are fortunate enough to live in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and try to take advantage of it as much as possible.

Ghosts of Halloween’s Past