Miracle Miles for Kids

The Coastie and I completed a 10k run!

The run entitled Miracle Miles for Kids benefited the Family Care Network, Inc. a local organization that focuses on strengthening families with children & youth with mental health issues, behavior issues, and provides foster support and training to foster kids and foster families.

I am not a natural athlete, so this was VERY big deal! I had never run more than 5 miles in one session, and that was only a couple of weeks ago! I wasn't sure how I was going to do the last 1.2 miles (10k = 6.2 miles). Somehow, I managed to dig deep and finish with a pretty good time for a novice runner.

Did I mention we were running on the beach?

Yep, we ran the entire way on sand. This run was from Morro Rock in Morro Bay to the Cayucos Pier in Cayucos (pronounced ki-U-cus).

The best part of the run was seeing 2 baby whales just off the beach. Only in California do you get to enjoy such amazing animals and a beach view while on a jog!

Enjoy a few photos from our race:

So many people on our little beach!

Representing Tennessee!

See how pretty our run was!

Team Preston at the finish line!

Thankful Thursday

I've been doing a lot of self-work lately. Too personal to get into on a blog like this, but suffice it to say that when an obstacle or disappointment comes my way, I like to take the opportunity to learn from the experience. I've had several of these opportunities lately. Not with the Coastie, of course, he is wonderful. He is #1 on the Thankful Thursday list as usual! But seriously, I am trying to learn, grow, acknowledge, and accept more of myself and more of life's wacky circumstances.

So, this week, I am thankful for:

My Coastie

Our small group at church

My mom's recent visit

How the Coastie took care of my during my recent bout of homesickness

Buttercup & Mr. McGee

Our local library

Organic wine

The growth I see in myself when I hear, accept, and move beyond news I didn't especially want to hear

The sweet babies coming into so many friends' lives

The first watermelon of the season

Sunny, warm days (so rare here in Mayberry!!!)

Surprising myself with a 5 mile run

Naps

A new, precious friend here in Cali

The safety of my family and extended in-law family in Boston

Two lovely ladies in their hats!

Be thankful today!!!

Gardening Attempt #2

Welcome back to the Coastie life! I have been pestered asked to update this blog with more recent posts and information. Unfortunately, California living is exactly what it appears to be - easy, slow, simple. Not a lot happens out here worthy of blogging. But I will post about my mom's visit (coming soon!) and our next attempt at gardening.

My first attempt at gardening in a new coastal area was a bust. I only grew 1 stalk of broccoli and 3 squash. This was probably my only crop because I forgot to water on a consistent basis hoping that it would rain here like it does back home. Strangely, it only rains here once every few months. We're entering another 6-7 months of no rain, so I've really got to buckle down and water these veggies!

Gardening Attempt #2 consists of spinach, carrots, snap peas, and broccoli. I was promised these veggies were easy to grow and low maintenance. We'll see!

We also bought new patio furniture so we can actually eat outdoors and enjoy God's creation. (Please ignore our weed-filled grassy backyard... we don't own a mower and we were shocked when something started to grow in what had been only brown sandy dirt!)

Snap Peas

Spinach

Table set for two!

Happy Gardening!