As if getting married and blending a family wasn’t enough to cause me to have a little stress in my life, we have had major life changing events happen since that perfect day.  Running, cooking and writing have been what have kept me sane over the last few weeks.  And I have done a LOT of all three.

Day 9 of my run streak is officially in the books.  Although I have been running short distances, I feel myself getting stronger every day and I am feeling great.  With everything in my head, it feels so good to just tie up my new Brooks and hit the pavement.

I’m enjoying keeping track of my run streak on Instagram.

My only struggle with my running is that I am only running about a mile and a half a day (although I walk more) and since I used to be a real runner, it is disheartening to not be able to run the distances that I used to run.  A couple of days ago I did a route that I used to do a lot the summer before last and it depressed me that I had to stop and walk quite a bit on the 3.5 mile route.  So that is my new goal – to be able to run that route nonstop soon.

It feels like while I am out running, all I am thinking about is my breathing and my blessings and the beauty of the greenway… I am not thinking about Joe’s mother’s new diagnosis or Joe’s stepdad’s advanced Parkinson’s or my son’s struggle with the change in our home or my brother’s upcoming reality television show.  My focus is on me… which doesn’t seem to happen often in our home anymore with our party of six.

Whew… hot afternoon runs.

Joe & I enjoy our quiet time to run together when the kids are not home.  We can chat about our day and really enjoy our time together without outside distractions.  It’s the same with the kids.  Two days ago I took both girls with me on my run.  They rode their bikes and I ran.  It was so nice to hear them talk and laugh and sing while I ran huffing and puffing behind them!

Cooking has also been a major source of comfort and strength for both Joe and myself.  While the kids were gone last week, we were cooking fools.  We just turned the music up, poured a drink and COOKED.

I LOVE to make the collard greens recipe from Magnolia’s restaurant in Charleston.

Just in the past few days we have made smoked chicken, goat cheese and sundried tomato pasta salad, corn dip, chocolate cake, roasted vegetable orzo, homemade peach ice cream, chicken pot pie and collard greens.

Yummy corn dip from Pinterest… Our girls ADORED IT.

Thank goodness we are on a run streak or else we would both weigh 216!

Finally, my last favorite stress reliever is my writing.  I enjoy sitting at my laptop and just typing.  The amazing support of so many of my Facebook friends has encouraged me again to do what I love.  I cannot tell you how many private messages and wall posts I have received over the past year telling me what an inspiration I have been to friends I was not even aware were really following me on Facebook.  People would send me messages asking me to write about certain topics.

Overwhelmingly my friends are reaching out to me for advice and help on co-parenting and how to choose your battles, etc.  I am thankful that I have this knowledge so that I can offer guidance to all of my sweet friends who need it.  After I posted a picture of my daughter, my stepdaughter and me at my ex-husband’s house swimming in their pool on Facebook yesterday, I received two messages asking me how in the world we “make it work.”  I’m thankful that I can help you with my own experiences.

The funny part to me is to know how many people out there are experiencing the exact same situations I write about.  I get messages often that ask, “Was that story about me?”  The examples I use in my writing are compiled from many messages and stories that others have told me.  These issues in divorce are obviously common, so everyone can relate.  I tell them because they are newsworthy to my audience.

I am looking forward to writing more about the new ideas that I have received in the last few days.  Thanks again for keeping me WRITING!!!!!!  My book will be published before you know it (thanks for your love and support)!!!! xoxox