this calls for oatmeal

My long, CHILLY run this morning–8.5 miles thankyouverymuch–certainly did.

Just FYI, it flurried here yesterday. So, just because I got to run Friday morning in a t-shirt, doesn’t mean we’re out of the woods yet. But almost. This morning, it was sunny, but COLD. Sure doesn’t feel like we’re just days away from May around here…

I’d had thoughts of splurging on the granola Andrew put in my Easter basket (with the amount of sugar found in many store-bought granolas, I find it hard to justify it as an ‘every morning’ breakfast), but I needed something WARM.

Obviously, oatmeal was the ticket. But how to top it?? I’d already eaten a pre-run banana, so another one to sweeten the bowl wasn’t appealing. Biscoff spread was sounding good, but what would serve as my protein? Well, let’s just say the concoction I whipped up may have been the best yet! Here’s the breakdown:

-instant oats in the microwave (after many old-fashioned oats on the stovetop bowls, I think I’ve finally realized I like the texture of instant better. plus, I was hungry!)

-1/2 tbsp each dried cranberries, golden raisins and crystallized ginger

-1/2 tbsp Biscoff spread

-1/2 tbsp chopped coconut-flavored almonds (Emerald brand–fantastic!)

After mixing with 1/4 C vanilla Silk soymilk (can I just say that I am beyond-words excited that Andrew is a fan of this? post on that coming soon…), it looked a little more like this:

Terrible picture, I know, but at least you see the whole thing. The soymilk gave it just a bit of sweetness, just the way I like it.

I suppose those of us up north still have a few days to enjoy our warm breakfasts before spring really gets here…if it ever does!

I’m IN

…the coordinated program, that is!

After applying, writing a bio sketch, having recommendations sent, sitting for two interviews and then waiting for weeks and weeks…the acceptance letters were in.

Fifteen minutes before our giant test in advanced nutrition.

After much deliberation (OK, like two minutes), we all ran across the way to the dietetics building to pick up our letters. I had said I was going to wait until after the test to open mine, but who was I kidding!? I tore that baby open and breathed a huge sigh of relief to see the word ‘congratulations’ at the top of the page.

Many of us were all smiles returning to the test, and at least I was a little less anxious during knowing I had something to celebrate. Speaking of celebrations…

Andrew and I went to McDonalds (of all places) to celebrate since we waited to long to go to Kone King.

For MONTHS we’ve talked about the nice dinner we were going to go to once I got accepted, (IF I got accepted) and he gets deathly ill at just that time! Oh well, there is always the weekend 🙂

And we had a little adventure sitting together enjoying our Micky-D’s treats. It was like we were on a college date again. And I guess we kinda were.

(At least now I know I only have two more years instead of three!)

falling apart at the seams

When it rains, it pours.

At least it did in our bathroom last night. Water was bubbling up behind the paint in two spots–we were experiencing heavy rains–and when Andrew cut them open, water trickled down the wall. Andrew did some ‘exploratory drilling’ and sure enough, he found wet drywall and wood. Thankfully, it does appear localized to a small section of the bathroom and Andrew thinks he’s identified the problem: our crappy aluminum roof.

Fantastic.

Andrew’s already looking at roof work and siding for this summer…and that’s in addition to the mandatory garage project so we can actually PUT our cars in there.

And just when I thought the dust was (mostly) confined to the downstairs…

…it managed to get INSIDE my medicine cabinet when Andrew was dealing with the wall. Because I needed MORE dust in my life right now.

And this happened MOMENTS after Andrew said to me, “Let’s just get this house moved into and hang some pictures and finish the pantry and kitchen and really make you feel like this is your home.” Well, add the bathroom to the list!

I’ll be honest; the house isn’t just falling apart at the seams (it’s not really); Andrew and I are in a tough spot right now. Between runny noses and tears, we went through an ENTIRE box of tissues just the other night during a ‘discussion.’

If you’re praying folk, we’d appreciate some liftin’ up. Andrew is still feeling the affects of his head cold and mine won’t go away, Andrew is really feeling the pressure of these house projects and planning for our upcoming Italy trip, and I passed my stress limit awhile ago. School is at an all-time high in terms of tension–we find out about our acceptance (or not) into the coordinated program any day now–tests and finals are coming up, the house has been FILTHY lately, the animals are making me crazy and I ate my weight in Easter candy last week. So, let’s just say my already low stress threshold was reached.

All that to say, it’s a bit tense around these parts.

Please pray for Andrew to have wisdom and strength for the things ahead–both projects and otherwise. Pray for patience (I know–scary!) for me, and that I would find joy despite my burdens. And for healing! This silly little head cold has killed my motivation and all I need is REST, yet it is so hard to find.

Can this week be over already??