A few of my favorite things

It’s been a tough week.  Some weeks are like that, bad news on the business front, days when you don’t feel well, worries over trivial and not so trivial things.  Some days a diamond, some days a stone. You know, you have those days/weeks, too.  Everybody does.

But, today I woke up refreshed and renewed, light hearted and free from worry, ready to face life.   Love how God works; allowing the storms of life, then reminding you through people, events, Bible study, even dreams that He’s walking with you through the storm, holding your hand the entire way.

I’m a believer in rejoicing in simple pleasures.  Living a life of gratitude, always looking for the good.  I sometimes fall down on that, but usually manage to pull myself up and choose joy.  As I was reminded by Joyce Meyer this week, misery is an option.  We can choose to be happy, even in the most trying of circumstances.

So, I started making a mental list of some of my favorite things.  Reminders of God’s blessings, large and small, and I thought I would share some of them with you.

The first ones are favorite running things, the stuff I never run without.  There are other things that fade in and out of my runs, but these things go with me every time.  Keep in mind, I’m not sponsored by any of these companies (although I’m open to that 🙂 ).  Well, except the first company, which doesn’t really sponsor me, but offers me lots of perks.

Fleur de Vie lipstick

I hate dry lips when I run, and I used to carry Carmex or chapstick with me. That is, until I fell in love with this stuff. I’m not a woman who runs in make-up, but you’ll never see me on a run anymore without this lipstick on. It’s like coating my lips with silk. I don’t coordinate with my outfit, just pull out the one that’s on top in my purse. LOVE it! You can check out their website here. And, yes, my sister is one of the co-founders. Believe me, I wouldn’t endorse a product that I don’t love, even though I love my sister. Their entire line of skin care is second to none, but the lipstick is one of my favorite products. At least for running.

I never run in anything but a skirt

I love running skirts. That came about for me after running in shorts over compression shorts and having to continuously pull and tug to keep them in place.  Compression shorts are essential for me to avoid chafing (or chub rub), but I’m kind of into keeping my assets covered, so skirts have become just the thing.  My favorite skirts come from Skirt Sports, with the skirt and the shorts all in one. I have other brands, but the Skirt Sports skirts stay in place, hold up to long runs, many washings, and come in really loud & splashy colors. Which I love. If I can’t be fast, I’ll just be loud.

Support your girls

Love my girls. But, they need big girl support. My go to bra for years has been Moving Comfort’s Fiona bra. Even if you don’t have big girls, a good running bra is essential. I HATE to see women running without support. It’s painful to watch. For me, anyway. The guys may like it. Notice I didn’t offer a picture of me in my running bra, but gave you their product photography.  You’re welcome.  Just protecting my assets. 😉

The final must have in my line up involves my feet. I have funky toes. If you’ve been a runner any length of time, you probably do, too. Mine are extra funky in that they touch each other in weird ways. TMI, I know. Anyway, to prevent toenail blisters and toenail loss, my secret weapon is Injinji toe socks .

Happy feet

Other non-running things I love:

Getting my hour back when daylight savings time ends; my Tempurpedic mattress and 1600 thread count sheets; a good hamburger; a glass of red wine savored on my deck at sunset; the way my coffee tastes in the morning; the smell of cinnamon; fresh flowers on my dining table each week; spending time with my daughters; coffee with an old friend; being on a boat (any boat) with my man; the beach any time of year; the color of autumn; Seinfeld and Big Bang reruns; a good book on a lazy afternoon; Marvel comic book movies; seeing the sunrise at the end of a run; waking up next to the same amazing man for almost 33 years.

Focus on what you love this week.