My Top 5 Favorite Things About the Samsung Galaxy S4!

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Ambassadors SE Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

I've had my Samsung Galaxy S4 for about a month and a half now and I'm absolutely loving it! I've always been an iPhone lover and wasn't sure I would like an Android phone. But I will tell you that I LOVE it! It does so many things! I want to tell you about my top 5 favorite things about this phone!

#1- Swype

Swype is the coolest thing! It makes texting, writing emails, posting on Social Media, etc. so much faster! What is Swype? You basically enter words on the keyboard by sliding your finger on the first and last letter of the word. You only lift your finger in between words. I thought it would take me forever to get used to Swype but it didn't. I LOVE it! Now when I use the keyboard on any other device I try to Swype...and then get frustrated when I realize it doesn't use Swype! 

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#2- Huge Screen

I love the bigger screen on the Samsung Galaxy S4! I thought the screen on my iPhone 5 was big but now when I look at it it seems so much smaller. The bigger screen makes looking at things on the phone so much easier! And since I'm getting older and my eyesight isn't as good as it used to be...the bigger screen is great!

#3- Widgets

Widgets are so awesome! They basically show an at a glance view of an app's most important info. Widgets customize your home screen panels. I have several set up on my phone. I love the Bible verse of the day, weather, Facebook Status, Twitter, and Calendar widgets!

#4- Back Button

I love having a back button on the phone! Instead of having to go back to the home screen first...all you have to do is touch the back button and it takes you to the last thing you were looking at on the phone! 

#5- Camera 

The camera on this phone takes amazing pictures! It has 13 megapixels! I love that you can use voice commands (smile, cheese, shoot, capture) to get it to take a picture. There are also several different picture modes you can use: Auto, Beauty Face, Best Photo, Best Face, Sound and Shot, Drama, Animated Photo, Rich Tone, Eraser, Panorama, Sports, and Night! It's a lot of fun to play around with the different modes!

So there you have it! My top 5 favorite things about the Samsung Galaxy S4! Of course there are tons of other things I like about the phone! One of them is that it is so fast! Of course that is probably due to Verizon's awesome LTE 4G service!

I know there are things that I haven't even discovered about this phone! I'm having fun learning it all!

QOTD: What kind of phone do you have? What is your favorite thing about your phone?

13 in 2013...Complete!

Hey everyone! I will be back with The Weekly Chase next week! Today I want to recap my running for the year. You may remember that one of my running resolutions was to run 13 races in 2013. These races could be official races or virtual races. They could also be a variety of distances or one distance. I chose for my races to be a variety because I knew I'd be running several different distances this year.

First off I want to say that the first half of the year was amazing! I ran strong and was so proud of that! The second half of the year wasn't as good...I got set back with a hip and knee injury. Luckily, I only had to miss one of my scheduled races.

So here's a rundown of all 13 of my races this year! You can read the original race recaps by clicking on the name of the race.

Race 1: Resolution Run 5K!

This was a virtual race to start off the new year! I was excited to begin this new challenge of 13 in 2013!

Race 2: Walt Disney World Marathon!

This was my second full marathon! I was super excited to run it in my favorite place on Earth...Disney World! And some of my best friends ran with me! Disney races are my absolute favorite! This race was so much fun! I loved seeing the characters for 26.2 miles!

Race 3: Tackle the Miles 5K!

I did triple duty with this virtual race! I ran my 5 by the 5th race as well as miles of shame for my Superbowl team losing. It was fun getting three goals done with one run!

Race 4: Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon!

This race was supposed to be run with my friend Paige but her babysitter got sick with the flu so she couldn't run. Luckily I had a few other friends running and I ran with them. I took it easy this race because I had another half the next weekend. Running in New Orleans is always fun! This was my third time running this race!

Race 5: Seaside Half Marathon!

This is probably my most memorable race this year! It was freezing cold but that made for some great running weather. I felt amazing the entire race and PRed!

Race 6: Azalea Trail Run 10K!

This race is my favorite local race! It was also my very first 5K and I remember thinking I would never be able to run the 10K! This was my second time running the 10K! We always dress up for this race. This year I was Wonder Woman!

Race 7: St. Patrick's Day Virtual 5K!

This race was run in new shoes! They helped me go pretty fast and I ran the fastest 5K I had run in a long while. And...I loved my green outfit! ;-)

Race 8: Crescent City Classic 10K!

This was another race in one of my favorite cities...New Orleans! I'd always heard how fun this race was but had never run it. Me and Paige had a blast with this one! And....it was the first 10K I had ever run where you also got a medal!

Race 9: Gulf Coast Half Marathon on Pensacola Beach!

This was one of my toughest races this year. The day before I was a zombie in the Zombie Run and all the sprinting I did after the runners made for some super tired and super sore legs. So I ran and walked and ran and walked and didn't worry about my time. I ended up having fun despite the run being tough!

Race 10: Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Mandeville, LA! 

This is a race I run every year...this was my third time! My hip had just recently started hurting....and to top it all off....my knee started hurting during this race. This began my hip and knee injuries that I dealt with for the remainder of the year. The race itself was great other than the pain.

Race 11: Senior Bowl Charity Run 10K!

This race was more of a test for my knee. I had just started treatment with my chiropractor and he allowed me to run the 10K. Unfortunately my knee hurt for most of the race. I kept having to stop and stretch it. It was very discouraging.

Race 12: St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon!

I had been looking forward to this race for a long time. I had fundraised for it as well as working hard to get my injuries well. Unfortunately an ice storm in Memphis caused the race to be canceled. So we came home and ran the race here at home for the kids of St. Jude! It was an unforgettable experience!

Race 13: The Biggest Loser RunWalk Half Marathon!

I just ran this race yesterday! It was one of the most inspirational races I've ever run! It was so awesome meeting past contestants from the show and hearing their stories! The race was one of my slowest but I had a blast...and I never hit a wall! I ran with my friend Paige and we had so much fun! It was a great race to end the year with!

So my goal of 13 races in 2013 is now complete!!! I wasn't sure I would make the goal when I got injured but with the help of God and many prayers...I did it!!!!

QOTD: What resolution did you keep this past year?

Runner Spotlights #68

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I know we did! It was just awesome to relax with the family! And we all racked up with Christmas gifts. I'm so very blessed!

This morning I am in Panama City Beach with my friend Paige. We are running The Biggest Loser RunWalk Half Marathon! I'm so excited! This will be my 19th half marathon and my last race of the year! Wish me luck!

Now it's time for another runner spotlight...my favorite time of the week! I love reading other runners' stories about their running journey! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com! I'd love to spotlight you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! ;-)

Today I'm spotlighting Angela from Happy Fit Mama! I love that she is a mom like me who still manages to make the time to run! Keep reading to learn more about her!

Name: Angela

State: New Hampshire

When and why did you start running? I've run off and on since high school. More for exercise/weight control. I didn't get really serious till after my kids were born in 2010. I didn't have a gym membership anymore and running was a good way to stay in shape. I soon found running is much, much more than exercise. It’s my sanity keeper. My alone time. My happy place. My time to push my potential.

What is your favorite race and race distance? My favorite race is the Seacoast Half Marathon. I've run it almost every year since it started. You just can’t beat the scenery along the ocean! The half marathon distance is great too. You still need to train but it doesn't exhaust you as much as full marathon training.

What is your race day routine? Wake up, eat a piece of toast with almond butter and banana, drink water. With two 3 year olds fighting for my attention that’s all I can fit in!

What is your most favorite piece of running gear? My Garmin 405. Not so much for seeing pace but for seeing distance. I love that I can just wander, get lost and still get my distance in.

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your running? I try to eat the most nutritious, whole foods to fuel me.  You can’t expect your body to perform at its top potential if you are eating garbage all the time. With that being said, I also don’t deprive myself of treats. Moderation works for me!

What do you wish you’d known when you first started running? Never, ever judge the first mile of a run. Even after all these years of running, the first mile is always the most awkward.  

What is your fondest running memory? Oh that’s a tough one! So many! I’d have to say spontaneously grabbing my son (and my daughter refusing!) to run across the finish line with me during a race this past summer. This picture makes me one happy mother runner!

What is one thing that most people do not know about you? Hmmmm…I think I've spilled most of my secrets since I've had a blog. 

Here are all the different ways you can connect with Angela!

Blog: http://happyfitmama.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/happyfitmama

Facebook: http://facebook.com/happyfitmama

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/happyfitmama

Instagram: http://instagram.com/happyfitmama

Thanks so much for sharing with us Angela!

QOTD: Any New Year's Eve plans?

Christmas Snapshots!

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas! We sure did! Andy's parents and sister and her husband always come on Christmas Eve and spend that night and Christmas night with us at our house. We LOVE this tradition and always have so much fun being together! Here are some snapshots of our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day! Enjoy!

QOTD: What is your favorite Christmas tradition?

Edge Up With Verizon!

Disclosure: I am participating in the Verizon Ambassadors SE Voices program and have been provided with a wireless device in exchange for my honest opinions about the product.

Are you one of those people who likes to have the newest and greatest technology? How about the newest and greatest smartphone? I know I am! I always want the latest model because I know it does something cooler or something my current model doesn't do. But I hate having to wait two years before I can upgrade my phone! So much happens in two years!

Here's where Verizon comes in. They have a new program called Verizon Edge that I can't wait to tell you about!

So...what exactly IS Verizon Edge?

Verizon Edge is a program that lets you pay for your phone over 24 months rather than paying for it all upfront. You only need to pay the first month’s installment at the time of purchase, from then on you’ll make a monthly payment until your phone is paid off completely. Or, after six months, if you've paid 50% of the balance due and after meeting the eligibility requirements, you’ll have the option to “Edge Up” to a new phone without any upgrade fees.

There are 3 basic steps to the Verizon Edge program.

Step 1: Pick a new phone. The full retail price is split into 24 monthly payments, and added to your usual monthly bill.

Step 2: Enjoy your new phone. After 6 months, with at least 50% of your phone's price paid off, you're eligible to Edge Up. 

Step 3: Edge Up. Trade in your existing device and select your new one. 

What are the eligibility requirements for Verizon Edge? Existing customers must be eligible for an upgrade. Customers with accounts less than 6 months will need to go through an internal e-credit check. If you are a new Verizon customer that wants to be eligible for Verizon Edge you must pass a credit check. Unfortunately, prepaid accounts are not eligible for Verizon Edge. 

There are two more reasons why you should take advantage of the Verizon Edge Program:

• Free Activation- New customers who sign up for Verizon Edge, will receive a credit back for their $35 activation fee. WOW!
• One Edge Payment Free- All customers new to Verizon Edge, will receive a credit back for one month's Verizon Edge device payment. WOW!

Verizon Edge doesn't require a service contract. Customers will be on a month-to-month service agreement and device installment agreement. There is no fee to join the Edge program. 

All Verizon Wireless smartphones and basic phones are eligible for Verizon Edge. Other devices, such as tablets and mobile hotspots, are not eligible at this time. 

Sounds awesome right? I'm pretty excited about the Verizon Edge Program and the opportunity to upgrade my phone in six months! 

QOTD: What kind of phone do you have? Are you ready to upgrade?