Rain Barrel

Water is such a valuable resource. I feel that people should collect rain water, especially if they have plants that they water on a regular basis like I do. I water the garden, grape plant, citrus tree, strawberry plants, and all of my herbs on a regular basis. I didn't want to keep paying for city water if I could collect and use rain water.

On March 5, it was raining here. Mark and I decided to get a rain barrel to collect rain water. When I checked the rain barrel the next morning, there was only maybe an inch or two of water in the barrel. I was upset because I really wanted to collect rain water to use for watering plants.

On Wednesday [the 9th], we had a major rain storm here - complete with tornado and flood warnings. In the morning, I looked outside just to see the rain barrel and make sure it was okay. When I looked at it, it was on the ground, on its side. I ran outside real fast and stood it back up so it could collect some rain water. When I checked the rain barrel the following morning [yesterday], this is what I saw:

I was so excited!! It makes me so happy that the rain barrel was pretty much full!!

This morning, I used some of the collected rain water for the first time. I was very happy to use the rain water to water my plants.

life is good.

The title of this post pretty much says it all. One week into the new year, I feel beyond amazing! I have been working out, eating mostly organic foods, drinking tons of water, and getting some pretty good sleep. Also, I've been doing some good things for other people. I don't know about you, but doing good puts me in a great mood!

Before we went home for the holidays, I was running a little bit. I tried to run three times a week, but that didn't always happen. Mark had told me a route around here that was about a mile. Every time I would go for a run, I would use my stopwatch to time myself. I figured I was running a 12:00+/mile pace. That kind of sounds a bit pathetic. I tried to not discourage myself because at least I was able to run some distance. When I started running in the summer of 2009, I couldn't even run a quarter-mile. I was still discouraged because I felt like I was running so slow. I want to run a marathon this fall with one of my uncles, and I don't want to be running so slow! Since I want to run said marathon, I got a Nike+ sensor for my Nike+ running shoes and the little insert for my iPod to use every time I run. I have used it twice this week, and I am hoping to go for a run tomorrow so I can use it again. On Tuesday, I ran 1.63 miles in 16:27, with a pace of 10:04/mile. On Thursday, I ran 2.13 miles in 21:50, with a pace of 10:15/mile. So either one of two things happened: (1) Mark told me the wrong route distance or (2) I really picked up the pace in less than three weeks. Somehow, I'm going to assume that Mark told me the wrong route distance. I just don't see myself being able to drop about two minutes/mile without having gone for a run in over two weeks. But I am quite happy with the times I have right now! Running with a pace under 10:30/mile makes me confident that I will be able to achieve my goals more easily than if I was running as slow as I thought I was last month. I can't wait to get my pace under 10:00/mile! That is going to be so awesome - at least to me!

I have been doing Pilates 2-3 times a week lately, too. I love Pilates! It really shows me how strong or how weak I am, and I like knowing what I need to work on more. One thing Pilates is great for is your core! I feel that my core is as strong as it is due in part to Pilates.

Before we went home for the holidays, I was going to the gym on Saturday mornings for a Yoga class. Now that we're back and classes are now running, I am going to take Yoga tomorrow morning. I missed taking the Yoga class when I was in Ohio and last weekend [no class last Saturday, New Year's Day]. Yoga is such an amazing workout! I love it because it does so much good for my body! My posture is better, I am more centered [both physically and mentally], I am stronger, I am more flexible, and my stamina/endurance is much better. I am so happy that I tried Yoga more than just once back in 2008! I always thought Yoga was something weird people did because they were too lazy to do a real workout, but I found out I was wrong! Yoga is some serious business!

When we were home in Ohio, we got an XBOX 360 and Kinect. Best decision ever! I use the game Your Shape: Fitness Evolved 3 days a week. It's a lot of fun and really nice to have a "personal trainer" right in the house. Another game I play often is Dance Central. Now that game is so much fun!!!!

I must end this blog entry though and get ready for bed. I have to wake up bright and early for Yoga class at the gym. I can't wait!