What is in a Name?

A rose by any other name. . . would probably still smell just as lovely. Regardless, someone probably took some time into figuring out that a rose should be called just that--a rose. Similarly, I took time in determining what to call this blog because I wanted it to reflect myself and what I would be writing about. Now, as I am pleased enough with my holiday creations (suspense building yet?) to put my name on them in the form of a label--the dilemma of a name haunts me. As a result, I am soliciting the help of my followers (assuming anyone out there reads this). The labels I like have room for two lines so I could have a title and then my name under it. For instance: A Running Stitch with my first initial and last name below it. Then again what about MJ Designs? MJ's Private Collection? MJ's Creations? Please, please let me know if you have ideas. Here is a webpage that specializes in these labels with examples: http://www.wevelabels.com/order1.php
Also, here is a friend's label to view as a sample:

Holiday Snow

Since I can't post photos of my December projects until after Christmas (just wait for that post), what better than some fun photos of our recent snow--mind you it is still snowing. It appears we have about 10 inches or so of accumulation, but we can't tell due to the 35 mph winds. It is certainly a high mound of snow with the snow is up to Otis' belly. He LOVES the snow. If he isn't romping in it with his friends, he is chasing snowballs and questioning where they go (throw it Dad throw it), or eating it (note the mustache). HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Break on Through. . .

Ah, I believe I broke on through to the other side of winter today. After days of rain and cold temps in New England. . . I crashed through an iced over puddle early into a morning run resulting in filthy lake filled shoes and freezing toes for another hour and twenty minutes! Luckily, my running club companions also had cold wet feet and kept on going with me so we talked and got our mind off our feet.

I hope to knit under a huge pile of warm blankets the rest of the day taking a break to work on some Christmas presents at the sewing machine. The scarf I am knitting is a redo of a merino wool scarf that just wouldn't stop curling into a tube scarf and is coming along nicely. More details on the Christmas presents (and photos) once they are delivered:)

Here is a photo of the annoying curling scarf that I "frogged," a.k.a. ripped out, and the progress on the new scarf:

Mill City Relay Race

With the first snow/winter mix in the area occurring today, I also enjoyed my first relay race--The Mill Cities Relay (http://www.millcities.com/). My running club was able to receive an invitation (yup, this is only for running clubs and by invitation only) and had 8 teams out of 193 teams!! The race totaled 28.3 miles, covered two states (MA and NH), had five legs of different lengths (2.5-9.5 miles each), and took place in slick and snowy conditions this year. I ran the 9.5 mile leg of the race along the river and crossed multiple towns--so fun running by those town signs. Total time for the team: 3 hours and 50 minutes. My leg: 1 hour 22 minutes (8:38 pace).

The 40 Wicked runners headed out of town at 5:45 am and started the adventure(s) at 8:00 am. We managed to fishtail our runners from one running exchange to the next with tons of laughs. My team of 5 ladies, a.k.a. the Wicked Good Glendas, certainly shared many laughs and Dunkin Donuts stops for coffee (seriously, these New Englanders drink Dunkin like water:)). Each leg was successful and we each ended with a smile after running on highways, though small towns, and even on a quaint stretch along a river with a beautiful dam/waterfall. Did I mention the snow??? What a pretty run until you were wet, cold, and freezing when you stopped running:)


I will definitely run another relay race with this team and especially these four amazing woman. One teammate's daughter even circled back with water for me after she drove by cheering me on and I asked for water--what a great group of people.



Lessons learned:
1.)spread all amenities between all cars involved
2.)have good maps for routes from any 1 leg to another
3.)notify each other when handoffs occur for better timing estimations (and to avoid running out of a port-a-potty to start a leg of a race)
4.) Thank my Dad again for teaching me to drive any car--including manuals and in any weather

Most Memorable Moments:
1.) Watching people slide down the hill in front of the starting area and questioning our sanity (what does it take for a weather delay?)
2.) Watching my teammate turn the bend like lightening in a tiara fully sporting the Wicked Good Glendas!
3.) Having people drive by screaming your name and "Looking Wicked Good"!!
4.) Getting to know new friends through car rides and fishtails



Who says Winter in New England keeps people inside?