Jingle all the way!!!!!!!!

I made it. Without being mowed over, thrown in a ditch or passing out. And all my thanks goes to Susan Cloninger. She pushed me to places I didn't know I could go. There is something to be said about having someone at your side for these things.

It was amazing. I got up at 6:30 this a.m. This was after staying awake half the night thinking and worrying and wondering what the heck I was doing. Me, Donna Logan, out on the streets with all those "runners". What was I thinking? Had I totally lost my mind? Sure I could walk 3 miles in my neighborhood, but run/walk a 5K with all that pressure? No way. Then I would roll over and remind myself that I had wanted to do this for years. So, I showered, dressed, ate half a banana, checked my items to take 12 times, (you know, just to make sure they hadn't jumped out of my purse) and wandered aimlessly about the house until time to go.

I was to meet Susan at 8:15 in front of the steak house on Battleground. I arrived a few minutes early and walked up and down the street. Well, other people were doing sprints, stretching, etc., so I decided it must be what I should do. When Susan arrived, I felt a little better. At least she knew me and what I was or was not capable of. And I was not one of those experienced runners. We stood around and chatted with other people and really had a great time just talking. I think that helped calm my nerves. That and going to the portajon 6 times. Yes, 6 times. I'm certain it was just nerves. Nobody has to go to the bathroom that much. It was funny, everytime I went and got in line, the same women were there.

It was finally time to take our place in line (after a 30 minute delay). My idea was to go to the very back. I mean the absolute very end of the line. But no, Susan thought we should be up close to the front with all the excitement. So, that it is where we started out. Now my other idea was to start off a a nice steady walk. Nope, Susan thought we should start off at a nice steady run. By this time, I was about ready to ditch her. But, once again, I gave in.

The race started and off we went at our nice steady run down Gold Street. Now, we are nice steady running and about 5 thousand people pass us. Go figure. We then took a left and headed (steady walking) up "Killer Hill", which, in reality, was not that bad. I have learned to always look at the ground when going up killer hills. Next we rounded the curve and headed down toward Marion Street. More steady running. Then steady walking, then steady running. All this time Susan is monitoring our speed with her fancy little watch thingy and tells me we are right on target. Two days earlier, she had informed me that we needed to cut 4 minutes off our time from our practice trial. Who the heck was she kidding???? The only way I could see us/me doing that would be to cut some area off the route. you know, that little road at the end of Marion that connects to Hillside? Just saying. I would never do anything like that. Not with all those people around and they had spies along the route. But anyway, she was monitoring our speed and we were doing a lot better this time. Next, we headed around Hillside Drive pass the Boy Scouts. Sweet little guys with water cups. I opted to pass on the water. (no bathroom breaks on the route.) Susan had been giving me gum and that helped. (She is wonderful. She knows all the tricks.)

Next we rounded to the left down Sims Street. Steady running down the hill and almost all the way to Gold Street. At this point, the 10Kers began lapping us. Hmmmm. Show offs. Well, not really, I was really impressed. These people were serious and hauling it up that hill. Next, we turned left on Gold Street to nearly the end.

We turned and headed back up Gold Street. The final stretch. We were now able to see all the people behind us. Hundreds. So, we really weren't doing all that bad. I was drained at this point, or so I thought. Susan, still monitoring our speed, kept encouraging me to slow down my breathing and keep it up. "I" encourage her to go on and leave me to die. But when I saw all those other people, I just kept going. Surely I could make to the end.

When we topped the hill at Goforth, I could see the light at the end of the looooooong tunnel. Still a far distance, but not as far as it had been. I think I can, I think I can.

Then, the last and final stretch.......The finish line well in sight. All those people cheering us on. The sign that read "my mascara runs faster than you". All this helped to push me across the finish line. The announcer said our names and I looked at my time "46:13"....WOW super WOW. We had not only shaved off 4 minutes from our time, we had shaved off 9 minutes. AND finished..

Now, yes, I know most people finish in less than 30 minutes but that's ok with me. I finished. Like Susan said, "You got out of bed this morning and did it."

I really don't know how to describe exactly how it felt. When I saw that finish line, still in the distance, I felt something amazing within. There it was, something I had thought out of reach, now a reality.

I feel inspired. Inspired to try harder to run more. Inspired to walk stronger when not running. Inspired to keep at it.

So, my "Road to Jingle Bell" was pretty long. But, I got there.................

T minus one

One more day and then it's on. Susan and I walked the route today. Still not real sure how I feel about it. I do know with absolute certainty that I felt better having her with me. It sure did seem like a loooooooooong way. There were lots of other people out doing the same thing. Most of them running. Whatever...good for them.....All those skinny little girls in their tight little spandex pants. humph.

OK, enough negativity. I am excited. That first hill is deadly but after that, it wasn't really that bad. We actually ran down Sims Street and up the little hill and finished in about 55 minutes. Susan, my inspiration, says we will probably finish faster on Saturday with all the other people around. Well, all I had to say to that was that she might but I am not real sure about me. I am 50, you know. Never done anything like this before in my life. I have heard of lots of people doing things they never thought they would do when they get my age. Things like skydiving or getting a tattoo or buying a cutsie little red sports car. So I guess a 5K is a conservative way to enter this stage of life.

Anyway, I guess we'll see how it goes on Saturday. Everything I have read says to rest up the day before and get a good night's sleep. Good luck with that sleeping thing. And dangit, I want a hoodie.....

well, here goes nothing....

Well, I did it. I registered for the Jingle Bell Run. After 4 years, I finally signed on. I have a friend who has volunteered to walk with me. Yes, I did say walk. I am not a runner. Oh, I can run from one mailbox to the next and then walk to the next, then run two mailbox lengths and walk the next two, etc., but that is where my running ends. I just can't seem to get any further in the running process. Maybe I am not trying hard enough. Or maybe I just was not cut out to be a runner.

I am semi-excited about the JBR. BUT, I think I am more anxious than anything. I really don't know what to expect. Here are a few things I am concerned about:
(1) Where do I go? Me and my friend are walking the route tomorrow afternoon so maybe that will help. Knowing me, come Saturday morning, I'll forget my own name and have no clue as where to go.
(2) How many people will be there? Not that I really care, but are we going to all start out neck and neck? Will they all just slide right by me and leave me at the rear? Or, worse than that, will the run over me like a bunch of cows in that bull run thing in Mexico or wherever? I can just see it now, me, splattered face down on Gold Street.
(2) Will I be able to make it? Well, I have been walking 3 miles or so these days so I should be able to finish. Key word here is "should". I'd hate for my friend to have to call 911 or my husband to come get me off the side of the road.
(3) Hills???? Heck yeah. I know the area and it is up hill all the way there and back. I will probably pass out. 911
(4) Will I be properly dressed for the occasion? Too hot too cold?
(5) What if I have to go to the bathroom? Believe me, this is a real concern for me. I have to go a lot.
(6) Did I sign up too late to get a hoodie? Dangit, I want one.

Oh well, after reading of this list, I realize that some of these concerns are not very important ones (except the bathroom thing). Oh, and the being mowed down by the mob and the killer hills. I bet some of these people are a lot more serious about this race thing than I am.

Which brings me to my final point about the Jingle Bell Run. This is for me. It is only important for me to me. I just want to start and finish. Oh well, prayers please.and if you don't ever hear from me again, I died trying....

Wow!!! I haven't blogged here in 10 or so months. I have been walking and have not really decided if I am up to the Jingle Bell Run in a couple weeks. A couple weeks????? It sounds closer when you type it than when you say it. I really, really do think I could handle the 2 mile run/walk. I mean, seriously, who couldn't. I just have some reservations. First, what if I fall. I have this fear running down Maner Road absolutely everyday. No I am not really a clutz but I do have moments when I feel like my feet are not quiet fast enough for my body. It might be because of the spare tire I carry around my middle. I am, however, working on ridding myself of the spare. The walking is helping and the starvation diet (not really. Is hashbrown casserole and a chocolate cookie I had a church this morning part of a starvation diet? Just asking.) appears to be helping too. My family doctor has "requested" that I lose 18 pounds. Yes, 18 pounds. This, on top of the 10 I had already lost before I would face him at my routine appointment, puts me at losing 28 pounds. Oh well, it doesn't sound so scary since I only have about 11 more to go...Woohoo. Oh, but that is not the end. That is just where the doctor wants me to be. I have bigger plans for myself.

Ok, back to my reservations. Second, I haven't a thing to wear. Seriously. What does one wear in a 2 mile run? On my daily excursions I simply wear my capris sweat pants and an over-sized sweat shirt. Not very comfy but I refuse to wear spandex leggings and a sports bra and tight fitting shirt. Spare tire, remember.....Anyway, I must consult my fashion guru, aka Liz Eagle, if I want to step out, or walk/run out, in proper fashion attire. Then there is the shoe issue. I am in desperate need of new running shoes. But $100.00 on a new pair of running shoes for myself this close to Christmas seems selfish. North Carolina lowly paid public school teacher here.

Third issue. The foot thing. Oh, I did have major surgery to remove the culprit last week. (Not really major surgery in a health care sense, but anytime someone comes at me with a sharp object, I consider it major.) But the little bugger is coming back already. I don't know what the next step is. I guess just keep going back. Lane says to go ahead and try the "you didn't fix it right the first time" thing and see how that works. But it did seem to be "fixed" last week. It is probably the spare tire putting too much pressure on the poor thing. You'd think my big eight point fives would be able to hold up all this weight sufficiently. Guess not.

Fourth issue. The 3rd is Catherine's birthday. Since she has moved away and become, as we refer to her, "The Duchess of Sumter", I want to be able to spend the week-end with her. She is supposed to be coming home so I could still do the run but if not, (and you know how kids, especially mine, change their plans at the last minute) I want to go to Sumter. Where the heck is Sumter anyway???? I don't think I have ever been there. I hear it is a beautiful little town. She seems to like it there..

My fifth and final issue is this. How stupid will I look out there. Oh, I know, I really shouldn't care how I look. I mean I am the one who is on the streets with no makeup, hair unkept, stained shirt, etc., but there will be millions of people at this thing. Well, maybe not millions but hundreds anyway. They will all pass me from the beginning when the gun fires. (I will probably jump out of my skin and fall backwards and be trampled to death by the mob anyway.) Seriously though, I walk/run for no other reason than to please myself and make me healthier. I don't really need to have anyone track my run and see how fast or, in my case, how slow I am.

I love, love, love my daily outings about the neighborhood. I'm not really sure how far I am up to these days because most days I just keep going and going...I usually walk about 50 minutes to an hour. My pace does vary and sometimes I stop to chat or look at something on the road or admire someones flowers or pick up some treasure along the way or simply meditate and admire the beauty around me, even on cold or rainy days. Will I be able to do that at the Jingle Bell? On second thought, maybe I don't need the Jingle Bell. Maybe I need to just continue doing what I'm doing. You know, just for me.....

Bronco Bill...I mean Donna

I am affectionately referring to this past week as "Bronco Donna" week. No, I do not ride horses but I do like western movies. I think I missed out by not living in the days of the wild frontier and living off the earth. That would have been great. Anyway, my Bronco is a 1983 to 1985 (can't remember the exact year) Ford. My hubby, bless his little heart, bought the Bronco, the first time, about 15 years ago. He has since bought the Bronco two more times. Yes, he bought the same car 3 times. He sold it the first time to a guy who worked for him. They guy got it stuck in a creek and decided he didn't want it anymore so hubby bought it back from him. Several thousand dollars later, it was as good as new. Next, he sold it to my cousin in Georgia for their 16 year old son. She then decided that a vehicle without air bags was not a good idea for her son. I agree. So, hubby bought it back from them. 3 times. I have threatened to divorce him if he sells it again. I know the DMV is bound to get a kick out of him.

I didn't work Monday or Tuesday but on Wednesday I had to go in., Now, I was not about to move my new car any where so I was left with no choice but the Bronco/dog taxi. My hubby uses this vehicle to take his dogs places. He has a secret place (well, I know where it is) that he takes the dogs on Sunday afternoons and he uses the Bronco as the taxi. Said vehicle is a magnet for dog hair. It is totally covered on the inside in dog hair. And did I mention the seat belts are crazy and I am a seat belt stickler. I had to put an extra-large beach towel in the seat and fight the seat belt for 20 minutes before I could even start the thing. Oh, and did I mention that the Bronco is a straight drive? Straight drives do not scare me. I learned how to drive on a tractor and a pick-up truck in the country so I can handle it. AND, when I was in high school, I drove a straight drive school bus. Can you believe they used to let students drive buses? I shudder at the thought. I wouldn't let my kid get on a bus with me if I was 16. Whew..scary....

After two days of Bronco Donna, I had hubby to dig out my car. I only drove to school and to Cat's salon. Avenue 427 Salon, 704-739-6955 (just saying). Gold Street was a little scary and my street is still scary. But, I did survive the week of the Bronco.

I missed three days in a row of walking/running. And boy could I tell it!! I hope I don't have to do that again. It is hard to go back to where you were after missing that much time. I thought I was going to drop dead on Wintergreen on Thursday but I made it. And today seemed harder. I don't know. Hopefully tomorrow will be better.

Now, to the cute, skinny, blonde with the perfect hair, legs and whatever, please stay off my street when running, especially if I am out there too. Why don't you just stay out of my neighborhood, better yet, go run in another town. You really didn't have to pass me three times AND talk to me when you knew I couldn't breath much less talk. Matter of fact, why don't you just take your perfect little cutsie self to another state.....hmmmmm??????

Anyway, hope the weather holds out so I can make up for lost time this week.

running in the rain

There are a few things that I have come to realize since beginning my new program. They are as follows:

1) If you take your leggings out of the dryer because you had to wash them in the morning before you went to school because the cat slept on them and they had hair on them and they are the only ones you have and you know you will need to wear them because it is going to be cold and rainy, make sure they are good and dry.

2) If you are running down Maner Road in the rain and cold and your glasses get wet, do not take them off and try to dry them on your hoodie because your hoodie is going to be wetter than your glasses.

3) Do not run with your eyes closed no matter how exhausted you are on that last stretch.

4) Do not believe your husband when he is outside fixing a sled for granddaughter in anticipation of a big snow and says he will keep the dog from following you because half way up Wintergreen Court you will look down and there will be the crazy little canine and you will have to turn around and take the crazy little canine home and start all over.

5) If your neighbors stare at you as you walk/run past, pay them no attention. So what if you haven't brushed your hair (and maybe your teeth) and you have on no makeup and your panting like you are about to die. Your out there to feel good, not look good...So there....

6) Always keep your head up. They do park port-a-johns in the road at new house construction sites on Wintergreen Court and you will run into it.

7) Don't spit..Someone is always watching...

OK...I think that's all I have learned. I am still doing 4 to 1 mailbox lengths... and am very proud. What will I do if it snows? I am really worried about missing a day. I was thinking that maybe I could do sit ups or something in the house. But I feel like I need to do something for 30 minutes since that is how long my outings take (more if I have to bring the dog back) and I don't think I can do sit ups for 30 minutes. Probably not 30 seconds. Oh well, I'll figure something out. It is amazing how good I feel these days. Giving up the diet cokes (almost totally but still have to have some in the morning) has made me drink more water and I am not having any trouble going to sleep and staying asleep. Wonderful. I even get up earlier. Why am I still getting to school only seconds before the bell rings?????

Until next time......

Today's adventure was absolutely wonderful. I started out at exactly 5:00 and was back in at 5:27. Now, I don't know if that is good or not, but I did hustle. My running is getting so much better. Instead of running from one mail box to the next and then walking to the next and so on, I was able to run 3 mail box lengths to 1 walk. It wasn't too bad. When I got home I figured that I had done half a 5K. Could I double that? Probably.

Liz promises me that at this rate I will definitely be ready for the NoDaween 5K in October. She thinks I might be able to do a 5K before then so the Jingle Bell Run is definitely a possibility this year. I hope so. We'll see how it goes and how the hip holds out. So far, I haven't had to take pain meds before or after but the old(and I do mean old) hip is a little achy tonight.

The temperature was around 40 but with my new black leggings, it was not too bad. Actually, on the return trip, I had to roll up my sleeves and I was sweating when I came in.

I have decided that the way I have been able to build up my running endurance is to think of something totally away from the actual running. On Monday, I planned my seating chart for the computer lab at school and today I planned out some poetry lessons for a couple weeks for now. Robert Frost will really get you moving.

I have actually lost 7 pounds in the last two weeks. Yippee. I'm not really focusing on weight loss here but it is a nice perk. I'm also sleeping better. I think that has a lot to do with the drastic reduction in my diet coke addiction. I have been downing water like crazy (which I should do anyway) and have steered clear of the diet cokes. They don't even interest me that much anymore.

I want to get a treadmill to put upstairs in front of the window. That way, when it is rainy or snowy or whatever, I will have an alternate plan. I wouldn't use it everyday, so I am a little hesitant to invest the $$$$ in it. I'm going to give it some more thought before I do anything.

I want to be a runner.....:)

No resolutions here.....

I do not make New Year's resolutions. I think when you do you are just setting yourself up for failure. If you don't lose that 25 pounds or quit that bad habit or whatever, you just shrug it off and give up. Setting goals is much better for me. And I have set several goals, most of which are personal but some I will share. I tried to choose goals for all areas of my life. Physical, mental, educational, and, of course, spiritual.

My physical goals - Walk at least 3 days a week and run the length of Maner Road. I didn't set a specific date to reach the "Maner Road Run" but I will get there. I set the walk 3 days a week goal a week before the new year and have exceeded it. I have even managed to run more than I ever have. Today I ran from the top of Maner Road to the entrance to Hall Crossing. Then I walked to the first mailbox and ran to the next and repeated this alllllllllll the way home. Yippee for me. Never done that before. I was so dang proud of myself. I called Liz (my role model) and shared. Another physical goal is my diet. I will not give up bread but will make better bread choices in type and quantity. Bread is my weakness. I wish I hated it. Too bad. I love it!!!!
I also need to keep a check on my protein intake. Not eating meat causes me to lack some in the protein area and I need to be careful about this because my body knows when I need it. I also need to slack up on the diet coke addiction I have.

My mental goal - Don't worry so much. Easy to say. The only way I can reach this goal is by putting things where they need to be. God's hands. Hopefully with my new spiritual goals, this will be achieved. I also want to spend more time just thinking. I want to learn to respond appropriately to challenging situations and I believe that thinking and evaluation my thoughts will help with this. I also want to have a better attitude toward my job. Yes, I sometimes have a bad attitude. The kids aren't bad and the people I work with are great, but still, I sometimes have a bad attitude. I am so lucky to have a job. I have great benefits, get off early, have lots of time off, so I need to have a more positive attitude. I'll never get rich teaching but I don't expect to be rich. I have everything I need and almost everything I want. Actually, I can't think of anything I want that I don't have. So there....I'm good.

My educational goals - Well, I do have some credits toward my master's but I really don't see me finishing that. Not in the mood. Too lazy or something. But I do need to read more. Oh, I read all the time for school but I want to read things I have never read and really don't need to read. The classics. I want to read "Gulliver's Travels" and "David Copperfield". May add more to the list as time goes on.

My spiritual goals - These goals are most important to me. I want to read the Bible all the way through. I started with a new program January 1st, last night. I have started many times before. I am almost 50 and really need to do this before I die. My dad reads it through about 3 times a year so surely I can do it once this year. I also want to spend more time praying for others. I am a big prayer person but I need to improve in my prayer life. I also want to serve others more. God has been so good to show me many areas in which to serve and I need to continue to be open to these opportunities. I also want to be more active in my Sunday school class. I have already started planning a Valentine's party for our group.

So there.....that's my goals or some of them. Not impossible goals but realistic attainable goals. And goals that I feel mean something for my growth in all areas of my life....

On the Road Again

OK...If anyone saw some crazy woman walking down Maner Road with her pajama pants hanging out from under her jogging pants(technically, not literally jogging anywhere) with her husband's black toboggan pulled down over her ears, that would have been me. The temperature at the time of my outing was 36 degrees but felt like minus 13 with the wind blowing. The one consolation was that only one side of my face was freezing on the way and the other side didn't freeze until the return trip.

This is my second day in a row. Yippee for me!!! I decided to start my New Years resolution a few days early. It kinda haunted me to get out there. I got inspired at Omega Sports buying new shoes for Liz for Christmas. All those shoes and socks and sweat pants just did it to me. Whatever it takes, I guess. Anyway, if my calculations are correct, and I am not a math teacher, I have 341 days to prepare for the Jingle Bell Run, if it is held on it's typical first Saturday in December of 2011. That's a long time, right? 341 days.....I CAN DO THIS.

The day of the run this year, I woke up feeling so sad and disappointed. I should have been there. I could have been there. Next year I would be there. I also want to run in the NoDaween 5K next October with Liz. In that run you dress in a costume. Liz and I are going as Dee and Dumb. Not saying who will be whom..... Surely if my daughter who had just giving birth a few weeks earlier can do this, so can I.

Aside from the cold yesterday and today, my outings were wonderful. I only went on my 1.5 mile trek. It was so nice to walk around and see the snow and feel the cold and hear the peace. It is always peaceful when it snows. Sunday morning I enjoyed sitting out on the back porch in the cold just watching the snow fall and listening to the quiet. In the words of a friend of mine, Kate, God had painted a beautiful scene in my own back yard.

I do need to purchase some of the little black long things(well, not really little) but those things you wear under your pants to keep you legs warm. My PJs didn't work too well; my legs are chapped.

I did run a short distance on the way back down Maner Road. A very sort distance, but I did run. I am so excited. I just hope I can stay inspired with this terribly cold weather.

Confessions and Disclosure

I just returned from the most amazing "vacation" ever. Better than the beach, the mountains, or anywhere you go that has a lot of sites to visit and places to eat and hundreds of things to do and see.

Hubby and I took the Hornet and parked it down at the KM State Park Campground for the past week. Now, I know this probably doesn't sound very exciting to most (remember you either love camping or you don't) but it was totally WONDERFUL....No phone, no boat, no motorcar (well, i did have my car) not a single luxury (I did have a microwave, 26" flat screen, indoor plumbing and my cellphone). This allowed hubby to go to work and we were close enough to get to church on Sunday. And with the anticipated birth of my second little angel, we didn't want to be too far away but we needed a break from the summer stress. Yes, summer stress. I think we teachers try so very hard to pack so much into our summer, that we become overworked. Now, this is not say that I don't love summer vacation from school. I DO!!!!!! It's just that we seem to work our hineys off and go, go , go.

I found a wonderful two mile path for walking. I made sure I tackled lots of hills. Since I am determined to participate in the run this year (I'll probably be walking) I try to do a lot of hills at home and didn't want to slack of this week. I did have a few concerns about my path. Are there bears in the state park? What about Big Foot? A serial killer on the loose? That wolf hubby swears he saw one night? Rattle snakes? Oh well.....

Over the past several years, I have been keeping a journal of our camping adventures. I just write down things about the particular trip, where we go, who goes with us, what we do, those types of things. In my journal this weeks, I did this but I also made a list of words that provoked various thoughts. Here are a few of those words followed by a few explanations: vicious squirrels, tomato pie, apples, sewage, rainbows, rocks, quiet, wolves, retired people and thunderstorms...

Squirrels hate people as much as people hate them and they will attack you. I found this out one morning while walking my discovered two mile path around the campground. I wasn't anywhere near Mr. Vicious when he ran out of the woods and directly into my right leg. I had heard him and seen him working away diligently at some task, but I didn't bother him. Scared me to death. It took me an hour to get my heart rate back to normal.

I cooked all our meals while away. Well, the evening meal, that is. I had come home one day to water my flowers and such and had gathered tomatoes and decided that I would make a tomato pie back at the retreat. Every year I make tomato pies. And every year I hate them. I love tomatoes, I love mayo, and I love cheese. So, why do I not like tomato pie? I try to like them. Must be the crust..I don't know.

One afternoon while walking, I noticed a shiny red apple abandoned on a picnic table. No, I didn't take it. I didn't even want to. But I kept thinking about that apple as I continued my walk. It was so perfect and so undisturbed. Just sitting there. I decided that apples must be the most beautiful and amazing fruit ever. Richard Gere said in a movie once(I'm not really a big Richard Gere fan, ok, maybe I am) "Food is the only art that truly nourishes". I must agree that food is artistic. Either naturally or they way it is presented. I love pretty food. Tomato pies aren't that pretty.....

Another word I wrote down was rainbow. I drove through a rainbow....Actually it seemed that the end of three different rainbows touched down together right in my path. It was awe inspiring. What did that mean? Hmmm. Still thinking about that one...

Miss Priss spent the night with us the first of the week. Now, that little angel loves everything and she makes everything seem perfect. For example, thunderstorms. We actually sat outside during a thunderstorm on Sunday afternoon. Rainwater poured off the end of the camper awning and I decided that that was too good to waste, so I ran inside grabbed two towels and the shampoo and conditioner and guess what Miss Priss and I did? We washed our hair in the rain. She loved it!!!! No, we didn't get struck by lightning.....

It really was an amazing week. Hubby left around 7:00 every morning. So I read a lot and walked a lot and watched movies and actually slept till 10:00 one day. Don't judge me....There was nothing to wake me up!! Absolutely nothing..I did here a helicopter one morning and ran outside to see it just above me. It seemed so out of place out there in my quiet world..

There are few places in the world where we can experience quiet..And this week I found one....."Be still and now I am God" Psalms 46:10.....

Anniversary

The Great Out-of-Doors....

You either love it or hate it. There is absolutely no in between when it comes to camping. Hubby and I have been camping for over twenty years. We bought our first little, tiny pop-up the summer before daughter no. 1 was born. For those of you who do not know, a pop-up is a camper you pull that folds down in to what looks like a flat shoe box. At your chosen site, you pop it up and slide out the two ends which are beds. We have been through several of these over the years. There was one brief era of insanity when we tent camped. After my experience with the lizard, that ended. About four years ago we upgraded to an 18 foot travel trailer with a bathroom, microwave, cable hookup, refrigerator and lots of storage. About a month ago, we upgraded to a 30 foot trailer with a 12 foot slide. This slide is on the side and goes out about 3 feet making a large sitting area and a large dining area. We love it. And this week-end is our second voyage in the Hornet.

We came to a campground in Swannanoa after hearing about it from a stranger in the Wal-Mart parking lot. He came up to hubby enquiring about his truck and asked him what he pulled with it. After their 45 minute conversation while my ice-cream melted and my frozen veggies thawed, he said this was one of the greatest campgrounds he and his wife had ever been to. (Apparently, they don't get out much.) I mean it's ok but I have definitely been to nicer campgrounds.

This morning I was up at 7:30. I slammed truck doors, camper door, called Tobi, loudly, asked hubby and couple questions from outside. Why did I do this? Simply to get back at the people camping beside us. Yes, they kept me awake till the wee hours. They were slamming truck doors, repeatedly, laughing, playing loud music and talking loud. To me 12:00 is the wee hours and every time I just about dosed off, they would slam their door or go in to some fit of laughter or turn up the music. I'm not really sure I bothered them. They did smile at me at one point this afternoon.

After my act of vindication, I headed out for a nice morning stroll. I headed around our area and then ventured across the two bridges that lead me to a beautiful lake area. Two swans were bathing themselves (or it could have been some type mating ritual, who knows) and ucks and geese that numbered about thirty, played in the shallow area apparently in anticipation of a morning meal. I headed on around the lake as people were beginning to stir and the smell of breakfast being prepared out doors wafted in the air around me only to be interrupted by the smell of stale campfires.

I continued around the lake until I came to a gate that was locked. There appeared to be a small community within it's confines so I rounded the cul-de-sac and came back around. To my right there was a rather large path and so, before I started thinking about lions and tigers and bears, I headed down the path. It reminded me of Frost's The Road Less Traveled. It wasn't until I was a 100 yards or so down the path when I heard a noise to my left down an incline. That's when I began to think of lions and tigers and bears, Oh My....I turned around and high tailed it out of there and headed back toward the two bridges. I'm not sure how far I walked but it was better than nothing. I'm guessing 1.5 miles.

I've done pretty good this week and I'm determined to keep it up and get back to where I was in the fall.

Until next time....

What to expect when your child is expecting and you weren't expecting it....

This morning, after sitting on the back porch realizing how beautiful the morning was, I decided to walk before getting ready for church. It was so peaceful and so perfect for walking. I really have to get back into my routine and get in shape for a 5K. I am determined to do one by October. Surely I can be ready by then...

Today's walk inspiration came, as usual, from God and His amazing gifts to me. Observing nature always inspires me. How can we look around us at all His creations, and not be awe struck at His power and grace. While I was walking, I began thinking of all God's gifts. Well, I shouldn't say all, because there are entirely too many to ever be able to count. But I was thinking about some of them. The rabbit that ran across my yard, the humming bird at my feeder, the beautiful veggies growing in my garden and the maggots in my paper box where baby birds once were. Yes, there were maggots in my paper box this morning. Apparently, there was a bird nest in there and for some reason maggots got in there after the birds left. Yes, hubby took care of the maggot infestation after church.

I then began thinking of babies. I, of course, have the greatest granddaughter in the history of such, but in the past week, I have heard of so many pregnancies that were not expected. Now, I am no psychologist, doctor, counselor, or pastor but I do have first-hand knowledge of the feelings of the parents of those who are about to bring life into the world and have decided to offer unsolicited advice as follows:

1) Go ahead an cry.

2) Go ahead and ask these questions,
a. What the heck were you thinking?
b. Do you know what birth control is?
c. What happened to the "Until I say I do" card you've carried around since 7th grade?
d. Are you going to marry him/her?
e. Does he/she plan on getting a job to support this child?
f. Where will you live?
g. What about the future I had planned for you?

3) Worry....(because, regardless, you're going to anyway.)

4) Pray (If we really were thinking straight, we would do this first.)

5) Accept that God does have a plan. He will handle everything in His way.

6) Start buying baby things....

7) Be prepared for the experience of a lifetime.

I was talking to two such expectant grandparents just this evening and we have decided that for some reason kids have the timing all wrong. I have noticed that most of these unexpected blessings do usually work out for all interested parties.

I wouldn't change my unexpected blessing for anything in the world and for those of you who this advice is intended for, neither will you. This, my friends, you can bank on......

Crime Doesn't Pay

We live in the best little neighborhood. There are 9 houses on our little street with a cul-de-sac. We are all pretty friendly and we get together on occasion for pot luck suppers and cookouts in the summer. We watch each other's house when we are away and feed each other's dogs. We take food when someone is sick and I even keep popsicles in my fridge in the garage for the neighborhood kids. They just come by when I'm outside and ask for one. We are all so very different, though. Some have kids at home, some don't have kids at all, and some, like us, have grown kids. There are a couple nurses, two engineers, a military recruiter of some kind, a business woman, a city employee, a home inspector, a househusband, and then there's the infamous plumber and his wonderful school teacher wife. (Better known as Bonnie ad Clyde)



Well, today I broke proper neighborhood etiquette. I stole a Papa John's cup from a neighborhood yard. I really tried to justify the crime by reminding hubby that the house was a vacant house and not technically in our neighborhood. I still feel bad, sort of. But he is an accessory to the crime. He drove the getaway car. I made him ride around the neighborhood on our way to eat with Miss Priss until I found one I could easily get. They were all over the place. Apparently they had only been delivered a short time ago. I found the perfect stop for my deed. Hubby stopped the get-away-car/truck and I jumped out and retrieved the object. Thief!!!!

Then came the worst part of the whole incident. Miss Priss asks me, "Gamma, what's in that bag?" My response? "Trash". LIAR!!! I had just lied to my precious granddaughter. What kind of role model have I become? I don't lie to other people, why would I lie to the most precious little girl in the world? Do I want her to grow up in a world where we steal stuff and then lie about it? Do I want to be the one responsible when she can't trust anyone because they lie? How horrible I have become. So after giving it some serious thought and realizing I did not want to introduce my precious baby to a world of crime, I then changed my response to, "Oh this? It's a cup," and immediately changed the subject.

Crime does not pay. After the big heist, things were down hill from then on. Our evening meal sucked. Miss Priss was a terror (probably because her gamma is a thief or because she is a two year old who hadn't had a nap and was hungry because no one had cared to feed her since breakfast). Dear God, I hope Liz doesn't read this. We'll never see her again. She will probably put her in the witness protection program and move her to Siberia or someplace. Anyway, after dinner, Clyde and I decided we had to stop at Walmart to pick up a gift for a birthday party I was taking Miss Priss to. Let me just say that Walmart will never be the same. Miss Priss was certain that a one year old boy needed a bicycle and bracelets for his birthday. I thought I'd never convince her to get the little truck. Clyde finally distracted her with a new toy of her own (that she desperately needed) while I picked out the present. Miss Priss was adamant that she ride in the back of the buggy with my eggs, bread, and other grocery items. Not a good idea. For the eggs anyway. The ride home was no picnic either.. Miss Priss would usually have fallen asleep by this time but with new toy in hand and broken egg gunk on her foot, she was not a happy camper.

So you see???? Crime does not pay. Karma. That's what is. I promise to never steal another Papa John's cup and I promise to eat there sometime in the near future and I promise never to lie to Miss Priss again. I Love You, Papa John's......

My Mother

I am sooooo turning into my mother. I think it is something all us girls do or will eventually do. Fortunately, I have a great mom and would consider it an honor to turn into her. However, there are some things I do or have done that mom would ever do. No. 1, my mom would never go to bed with her kitchen dirty. No. two, my mom would never throw a biscuit across the back yard that was hard enough to knock out a yellow finch and my mother would never drop an entire cheese cake down the side of her cabinet and perfectly onto the floor. Never happen...
My mom would never go to the grocery store braless, my mom would never leave her bed unmade for an entire day, my mom would never tell my dad to pick up his dirty socks, and my mom would never, ever, ever sleep past 8:00.

But according to my children, I even sound like my mother these days. Oh, I've noticed it too. I'll say something and then think, 'Gosh, I heard my mom say that', or I'll do something just like my mother would do. Anyway, beware girlfriends, it will happen to you too.

No, I didn't walk today or yesterday. I know, the two most beautiful days of the year and I didn't walk. Yesterday I had Miss Priss all day and today I worked 1/2 a day and hit the couch the other half and it is almost humanly impossible to walk while on the sofa. Hubby and I then decided to go to the yellow stores and shoe shop. Now, I have decided on two definite things: 1) for every pair of shoes we buy from now until Thanksgiving, we will do a shoe box for Samaritan's Purse, and 2) A normal person only needs 4, yes 4, pairs of shoes. One great pair of running shoes, one pair for dressing up, and 2 pair for work, one brown and one black. That's it....4 pair. OK, 5, a pair of Rainbows. But that's it.....no more.

Why do we need shoes that match every outfit we own? Face it people, we don't. My mom tells the story about cutting out cardboard at night to put in the bottom of her worn shoes and they would last and last. I'm trying desperately to convince myself that shoes are not that important. I have been searching for the perfect two pairs of work shoes since November to no avail. I have shopped everywhere and just can't put my hand (or foot) on them. Tonight was no different. Oh, hubby did manage to find a pair of Timberland's on sale but me??? No luck. Ok confession, I did find a pair of cowboy boot looking clogs by accident. They were on the bottom of the clearance rack at some shoe store and I just slipped my foot into them and fell in love with the comfort. Yes, I got them even though they are not really appropriate for work, definitely not dress-up and nope, I can't run in them. I know, I know, not one of the 5 essentials. I guess I'll follow mom's lead and keep using my black permanent marker on my favorite work shoes to cover the scuffs and keep going....

Anyway, weather permitting, I will hit the pavement tomorrow and do better about my commitment. I must......

Wednesday - 4 to 6

I just found out today that someone very dear to me is very sick. His heart is so damaged that it cannot be repaired. He is not a candidate for a transplant and the doctors told him today they he could possibly live 4 to 6 months. I was there....I heard him say it.

That statement has resonated in my mind since I heard it. I thought about it all the way home from the hospital in Spartanburg and still can't get it out of my head. 4 to 6 months. That's May to July!!! Summer time. The time of awakenings and prosperity and life and fun and living. Not dying.

He is only 65 years old. ONLY 65!!! We hang out a lot. We eat together at least twice a month and just enjoy each other. He and hubby are hilarious together. They can tell some amazing stories that would have you in stitches. Never a dull moment together. But today I saw him cry. A first.

The doctors say his heart is just worn out. He has never smoked, never been a drinker and never chased wild women (that he will admit). He had a heart attack about 3 years ago and just did not do what the doctors told him to do. Hine sight is 20/20.. Whatever. Would any of us have followed doctor's orders? Maybe, maybe not. Would the outcome of today's exploration have been any different if he had? Who knows?

4 to 6 months. What would I do if it had been me in that bed today? It very well could have been me. What if it had been me in Haiti this week? Why was it not me? What makes me so fortunate? I guess the one true and final answer is God. He is in control. He makes the decisions. He rules.

Week 3 - Sunday

Today is supposed to be a rest day.. Good thing 'cause I feel like crap. I'm going to try to stay in all day. I need a Wii and that way I can stay inside a do stuff. I have lost some weight, thank goodness, and my thighs are smaller. I didn't really pay that much attention to it until my daughter crashed at our house last week and made some crude comment about my hiney and thighs. And, I have gone down two pants sizes. I found two pairs of my favorite pants hanging in the back of my closet after Christmas that I had put back there a couple years ago when I out grew them, hoping I'd be able to wear them again because I do love them. I tried them on and they fit. Yippee......Then, I had a pair of them on when Catherine was coloring my hair and got hair dye on them...so much for that. I can still wear them if I wear something long over them. My luck....

One thing fun about this time of year, when it's cold and you can't do anything but sit around and wish for warmer weather and springtime, is that we start planning our summer vacation. Last year, like most every year, we went on a family vacation to Myrtle Beach. We camp at Pirateland Campground. We have been doing this for 20 years and have wonderful memories. The past couple years we have taken both our campers so there would be plenty of room for our growing group..Mom and dad came year before last and we had a blast. This past year was horrible. I always make final reservations in February. I got a commitment from the kids and their significant others, and made reservations for the week after we got out of school. Lane and I were to go on Tuesday and the others would be filtering in on Wednesday and Thursday evening. Our self contained camper is perfect for me, hubby and Tobi. That's why we bought it. Our pop-up will sleep about 50 and has plenty of room for the others. We felt certain Miss Priss would be sleeping with us, and that is fine. We can really sleep more in our camper, but are selfish and greedy and want it all to ourselves. We did let mom and dad sleep with us and Ryan and Liz stayed with us once when she was pregnant (A whole different story. Heard of the Exorcist??) Anyway, it turned out that Miss Priss went with us on Tuesday, fine with me, youngest daughter and boyfriend decided to stay in his little vw station wagon and not bring pop-up. (Remember, back in February I had paid for two sites for five nights.) Son-in-law couldn't get off work (forget about that commitment back in February) and Liz decided not to come until Friday and only stayed one night with us in our camper.

We had fun but things just didn't work out the way I had planned. I really thought things would be different. I thought the four kids would all stay, harmoniously, in the pop-up and Tobi would stay nicely in his kennel and not scream and bark and chew up everything he could get his teeth on when we left him alone. WRONG...

I had, back in the planning stages, decided to get doggy valium for Tobi. He is a nervous little creature when riding and when at a different place. He hates everybody. Including Miss Priss and she just loves him. Poor thing. He likes to be at home on his couch or in his/our bed. If I stayed in bed for a week sick, he would stay in there with me. He'd probably never go to the bathroom...Catherine and I had to sneak to drug him because hubby was afraid he would get addicted. He was afraid he'd come home from work one day and there'd be Tobi, sitting up on the couch, drinking a beer, smoking a cigarette and watching MTV with a bandanna wrapped around his head. So we'd give him a whole pill and lie and tell hubby we had only given him the recommended 1/4 of the pill. He was fine, just kinda laid back. It didn't really work, though. He managed to chew up a blanket, a rug and a bath towel by reaching them through the kennel and we could hear him baking on our way back from the beach. We had to go out to eat in shifts so someone could dog sit. But, I do love that dog.....

Sooooo, this year hubby and I have decided, to heck with all of them. Oh, we are still going to the beach and if they want to come, they can. We'll probably take Miss Priss but the rest of them can make their own plans and we are only staying maybe 4 nights and only one site. There!!!! But the fun trip we are planning is to Massachusetts. We are still in the initial stages of planning but we're working on it and will make our final reservations next month. Good thing I didn't make any reservations yet, I was looking at things on the internet last night and realized that the week we had sort of decided on is "Gay Pride Week" in Boston. Hubby is not really in to that and I do want to go to Boston. I want to see the Old North Church and the Charlestowne River and Robert Frost lived there once. Cape Cod and Martha's Vineyard are on our list too. Anybody know any good places to eat there? Oh, and who wants to keep my dog????

Week 3 - Wednesday

Well, compared to yesterday, walking today was like taking a stroll in the tropics.. sort of. It was still cold and windy but not like yesterday..I added a few blocks to my treck today..Why??? Not sure.. I was even able to walk most of the way without my hood and therefore able to make the following observation. CHRISTMAS IS OVER PEOPLE!!!!!! Even the twelve days of Christmas are over. Take your decorations down. At the very minimum there is no reason to still have a wreath on your front door. You walk by it every day so you can grab it and at least throw it over in the corner. And those wire deer with the lights on them?? Put them in the garage.

Now the following statements will probably get me a little flack but I think it needs to be said. There are some decorations that need to be permanently stored or better yet, taken to the Margrace trash dump. Aluminum wreaths.. In any color. Gota go.....Icicle lights, so 90s.

After making these few observations in my neighborhood, I headed on up the next road. I must have hit it just right for heavy traffic time. I guess the high school kids were a little late leaving or were on their way to their part time jobs or something, because they sure were in a hurry. Do they know how to slow down? Do their parents know they drive like this? When you see old people walking, you a) slow down or b) at least move over a little. There is only so far the walker can get over without being on the front porch of some stranger. And most people really don't want walkers in their yard. I know I don't.

I'm really a very nice person. Seriously, I am kind, considerate, understanding, patient, compassionate (dang, I sound good.) but there are a few things of my you just don't mess with. My family, my money and my things....My things include my front yard and my grass that we have spent a fortune on trying to get just right. One day I came home from work and there was this big truck parked in front of my yard and the men were cutting down a tree across the road. Now, the truck parked on my side was a little annoying in itself but the worst part was the idiot changing the oil in the chainsaw in my yard!!!! That's right, in the grass in my front yard. Who the heck did he think he was? I immediately came in the house and called hubby. He couldn't come help me so I was on my own. I very sweetly walked down to the man and kindly asked him to get the heck out of my yard with his nasty chainsaw work. He just laughed at me. I turned around and went back in the house, as my blood pressure began to slowly rise. 10 minutes later he was still there and I repeated my request. Finally, I saw the name of the company on the side of his truck and called the company. The man I talked must have though I was some kind of idiot because he had the nerve to tell me that the state had so much right a way to my yard..I then asked him that if that was the case, did that mean I could come over to his house and have a picnic in his front yard.? He hung up on me and the man left my yard.

Anyway, my walk was good and I did manage to get a little running in. That is one sure way to warm up your legs, run.......

Week 3 - Tuesday

OK..... I battled the elements and walked my three miles today..And let me tell you mister, it was COLD.. My head still hasn't thawed out.....

I have decided that you can always tell when someone is going to run over you from the rear by the sound of the engine being gunned. No, I didn't get run over today, but I certainly decided to be very much aware of the noise from the rear. I was so bundled up that I couldn't turn quickly to watch from the rear so my sense of hearing had to step up a notch. And, it's a good thing I didn't fall or anything because I don't think I could have gotten myself up. When you are bundled as I was, you are not very aware of your surroundings. I felt tlike that kid, Randy, from "A Christmas Story". In the beginning, I was walking with my head covered tightly with my scarf and my hoodie and just keeping my eyes on the curbing as my guide. That is until I walked right in the path of the high school driver's ed car. OOOPS!!! Sorry!!! Well, I guess I was contributing to the driver education of some poor 15 year old. Now he knows how to slam on breaks to keep from hitting one of his former teachers. I'm not sure who the driver was but I did recognize the poor terrified kid in the back seat. As a matter of fact, I can recall that same expression of horror from enduring some of my lessons. Oh well. Live and learn.

I knew it was going to be cold and I had planned how to dress for the event. Never mind if my turtle neck didn't match my pants, or that my hoodie didn't match my turtle neck, or my scarf didn't match my hoodie, or my gloves didn't match my scarf....BUT I did have my lipstick on, by gosh...

My mom was to meet me at my house at 4:00 this afternoon..WIMP...she decided it was too windy for her..You'd never catch my mom in a hoodie that didn't match her sweatpants. Oh wait, you wouldn't catch my mom in sweat pants either. I guess when you get to be 71 years old you can walk or not and not answer to anybody. So I walked alone at a very, very fast pace. I did run some of the way home. Simply to stay alive...

Until next time.....

Vol. 2 - Week 2 - Saturday

I feel like such a failure...haven't walked the past two days. Too cold. Maybe it will warm up this week and I can get back out there. It's hard to believe that the holiday break is coming to a close. Back to work on Monday...I guess I'm ready to return to the routine of work and home..I might as well be ready..





Over the past couple days I have been thinking about all the goodbyes that have crossed my mind and lips. Of course there are the obvious goodbyes...2009, Christmas and it's decor, holiday food. But it's the other goodbyes that have had an effect on my psyche. Daughter and son-in-law have moved to Charlotte and I have had to say goodbye to that cute little house on Dilling Street Oh, we still own it, but others are moving in soon. I won't be able to just drop in and walk around the old yard and of course, they will be gone. After a visit to my aunt and uncle in the nurshing home yesterday, I had to say goodbye. They don't ever want anyone to leave. It is very hard to say goodbye to them, almost tearful....


Saying goodbye to Addie after her week-end visit is always hard, but now that they have moved, it's even harder. My sister and her family left for a week cruise today...Goodbye..


Had to say goodbye to my favorite sleep shirt today.....and I managed to somehow crack one of my favorite casserole dishes in the oven yesterday..goodbye. My most comfortable shoes had isues on the toes...goodbye..Goodbye to friends who came to visit from out of town..Goodbye to lazy days home alone.....Goodbye to sleeping in in the middle of the week...Goodbye to Christmas music on the radio...Goodbye to Christmas hymns at church....Delicious pumpkin spiced latte..goodbye...Christmas shows on t.v...bye..

Goodbye...