O.k. my crossroads, and I'm not talking about Brittany
Yes, Adam and I did rent Crossroads, starring Brittany Spears. We also saw Glitter and Madonna's flop. I think we enjoy looking for something good in what other people label garbage. By the way we own the American idol Kelly and Justin's movie. If you care to borrow it. I dare say it was pretty good if you enjoy listening to good SINGERS. I will not defend one terrible dance and song scene with the protagonist.
Anyways, MY crossroad is that my mom who really shouldn't have, sent us a check for Christmas, and I don't know if I should cash it. If I don't cash it, I think it would bother her. My parents aren't made of money, and I know they could use it for more useful things. Now my mom wouldn't send it if she hadn't set it aside in the checking account to give it, but I really want to just go spend it on either a bike trailer for the kids to ride behind me, when I have to give up running or for a trampoline for their upcoming birthdays which are only 2 weeks apart. The check wouldn't cover either purchase, but I have a rebate check and two one day side job checks that would just about cover both purchases. Am I being selfish? The trailer would really be for all of us because we could all go out for a ride together as a family, and the trampoline although they have asked for one and enjoy using them when they've had a chance, is just a luxury item that they totally don't need. I also have had water in my ear for about three months. It doesn't hurt. Adam wants me to go to the doctor. I probably should use the money that I worked for to see a doctor, and maybe buy the highly probable prescription. If anyone knows a really nice doctor, that would be great info to leave in the comment section. We don't have insurance currently, because our insurance was a scam and didn't pay for anything $360/month 8 months into payments. The only discount we recieved from the necessary visit Sebastian had was a physician's visit discount card savings, which we kept, but I am finding that it's probably just the savings you receive by paying cash. I sure don't like going to the doctor, and insurance is such a scam. It's too bad that so many people are so stinkin' sue happy, and that doctor's have to charge so much to be the guessing, mechanic's of the medical world. Don't get me wrong I understand the sacrifice they make in their education and time away from their family, but if they didn't have to carry so much darn INSURANCE, then we wouldn't have to carry so much, to make health care affordable.
Ginger, woman's best friend
I love my dog! Ginger is my dog's name. Did you ever wonder why some of the most loyal creatures we have on earth are dogs, and whoa, O.K. you've probably heard it before, but spell dog backwards. Ginger ran 10 miles with me today. She has run up to 7 miles with me before, but 10 was a long one for her and she was great. She spurred me on. When I was tired she ran faster, to make me feel really slow, and well it worked. I ended up doing the first half of my run today, the 10 miles she ran with me in less than 1 1/2 hrs. I was shooting for running my 20 today in less than 4 hrs, and I ended up finishing in 3:25:52. I really didn't push myself to any extreme and I feel pretty good other than the over stretched by my husband after my run muscles. Anyways, I finally registered for my marathon tonight, which I would really like to run, since I can NOT get a refund, and because I was trying to be cheap and get a coupon I missed out on the $70 registration and had to pay $80. Marathon running isn't cheap. I love running, but I fear that besides the creaking in my knees that I couldn't afford to run more. So, I will be running starting at 8 a.m. on Sunday, January 30th, from the Gold Strike in Jean to Sunset Park down the old highway.
I have to write about my blockbuster guy today. He rocks. Adam and I rent a lot of movies from blockbuster. There really aren't many movies worth seeing that we haven't and if you have a suggestion bring it on. Anyways, back to our blockbuster guy, he pulled two quarters out of his own pocket so my overpriviledged children could have a piece of bubble gum. I thought that was so sweet. He always remembers there names, and sents greetings to the other half when only one of us (either Adam or myself) are alone. He also shares his life with us. We are priviledged and enjoy the friendship we have with our blockbuster guy. I wonder if I have ever besides when Passion came out talked to him about my Father. I know the time will come, when it should happen, but I want to be sure that I am listening to my Father, for even the faint whisper, when there would be anyt hing He would ask of me. I should probably be praying for our blockbuster guy, and he does have a name, and I know it, Father please, be with Jon and if he does not know you, may I be a bright shining beacon in the darkness of this world that he would see your light in myself or my husband and know that we are here as his friends praying for him.
Merry Christmas On The Way
Well, it's CHRISTmas eve. No matter what the media says and Adam then tells me about, because I find the media just about useless, I still think most people haven't forgotten that it's Christmas and not just the holiday season for no particular reason. I do enjoy seeing the faces of those I love opening gifts. Gift giving is such a gift. Although I try and give all throughout the year it's always easier to give during Christmas. Sometimes it's a second chance at a friendship renewal or a way to make up for being a jerk at other times of year. I almost cannot wait until morning! Victoria is 4 and really grasps the idea of asking for something you really want and hoping that maybe it will be under the tree tomorrow morning. She has been asking for a guitar with a stick for about 4 months and for a violin for a little over a month now. Our awesome friend Caitlin has lent us her violin for which we are grateful, because it was generous and it allowed us to discover Victoria's passion for wanting to learn the instrument. She has been practicing daily. Sebastian is kind of excited, but next year will definately be better for him. However, I know that when he opens up his Superman and Batman that there will be a battle between two allies like never before. I am expecting some battle scars right from the get go. He has enjoyed playing Superman and watching it, now he can create scenarios on his own and play both the good guy and the bad guy. I am curious who will be the bad guy. I am counting on Superman being the ultimate hero. Goodnight my friends, and when you wake may there be gumdrops and sugar plums, whatever those are, awaiting you, or maybe a nice, freshly brewed pot of aromatic coffee. I don't think I will be sleeping much tonight, I may need a cup myself.
tonight I celebrate my love for you
Apex, is a group of people that I call brothers and sisters. I love simply BEING with these people. Our gathering began with a song sung and played by a friend that I thought might have written it, until I asked his wife and learned that it was a Dave Matthew's song that I am obviously not familiar with. We sang a candlelit Silent Night together, and a friend of mine that I wish I knew better gave a rendition of the Bethlehem story set in a more modern day in Bethlehem, KY. There was an awesome set of songs sung that filled my heart with cheer, and they were sung by four gentlemen that I enjoyed worshiping with, and simply listening to, worshiping in reverence without making a sound myself, which is so unlike me. A friend read a poem that I enjoyed as much as I could absorb between loving on my children, but because he is my friend I know that I can ask if I could read it if he didn't post it in his blog site. As a family we made Christmas ornaments and decorations with our kids, while eating chili and cookies. I even got to try some yummy raspberry hot chocolate. I had the pleasure of meeting a family that joined us for the first time, of which I hope there will be more to come. I love to meet new people along the road, and hey even if they never come back maybe I or someone else's words that they heard tonight were encouraging and will have spurred them on. After we met as a larger group, a smaller group of my friends went and had dinner at BW2's. Our children that were able to eat for the most part on their own, sat at their own table right next to ours. Our hodgepodge (however you spell it) round-square-square-round conglomeration of tables held 13 of us. I was so excited to see a young couple, (I think I can call them that,) who were not able to go to the larger gathering, that joined us for dinner. Dinner, food wise was not much to talk about, but our server was descent and what mattered was the quality communion time I was able to share with my peeps. Yes, my peeps. I love you all, thank you for making the life God has blessed me with, not because I deserve it, but just because He loves me, so blessed!
Christmas cards
Christmas cards are another chance to reconnect with someone you may not have gotten to know better throughout the year. It's kind of like putting the ball back in their court to see if they would like to play with you ever again. I love every friend God has placed in my path. I do wish that the neighbor dog would quit barking for a few minutes so that I could gather myself and collect my nerves, but I'm sure my dog has annoyed others in the past. I just hope that I can keep her from annoying to many more people in the future.
Up and Adam
Up and Adam has a whole different meaning for me than most. I woke up and looked at my darling husband, who was in pain from falling of the bunk bed ladder he had propped up against the wall in order to reach a particular bear from the pot shelf for Victoria. Unfortunately, as you can imagine the ladder slipped and Adam fell. I ate a quick fuel breakfast and tried rubbing the pain out of his back before my run this morning. He is so sweet! I told Victoria that while it was very nice of daddy to get the bear down that we would no longer be doing that.
I had a decent run this morning. It wasn't as good of a run as last night though. Maybe it was that I pretty much doubled my route that was fresh and new last night minus the extra mile or so I added on an outside corner of my route.
I just figured out how to down load pictures off of the camera, and then down load them to a CD. I am hoping to now go to Sam's Club and make prints for $.20 a piece. Technology is both a pain in the butt and a money saver at the same time. We were able to take our own photo which we usually do anyways, but saved on developing a bunch of crummy pictures, not to mention we didn't have to see them other than the moment before I pushed delete on the camera. If all goes well I should get most of our Christmas cards out today. Boy it sure is a good thing that I was up and Adam at quarter to 8 this morning!
Today we received our annual cards from Adam's Grandma, who has some of the best sayings. She taught me we have two eyes, two ears, and one mouth for a reason. Another gem is believe none of what you hear and only half of what you see. She is a pretty cool lady. She send the kids each a five dollar bill. Victoria said, "Daddy, look I got a dollar." She then ran to put it in her piggy bank. Sebastian said, "Daddy, look cash." He then ran to gather the coins from his piggy bank, and carried it around until the five dollar bill was wadded up almost beyond what I thought could possibly be unwadded. I was wrong. It unwadded for Sebastian so that he could fold it nicely and put it all in his squirrel bank, (it's not a pig.) He is one of the only 2 1/2 year olds I know that would call it cash.
I have run the race.
O.K. maybe that sounds a little too biblical. At least I didn't say that I finished my coarse. I simply completed one insignificant road race. That's right I ran and completed my first 1/2 marathon this morning, which I couldn't have done alone. Adam and the kids got up early, drove out there with me, and camped out in the van. They were one of 2 or 3 vehicles that drove the loop, while we ran it, that actually cheered. They would stop whenever there was a pull out and wait for me to catch up. They rock! Their smiling faces and encouragement was all I needed. Many runners mentioned either how cute the kids were or how nice it was to have some cheering. It was an awesome start to the day. I hope next time that I won't be so nervous and maybe I will get a better nights sleep. I ended up finishing in 2:00:53 (that's 2 hours and 53 hundreths of a single second.) I was so close to braking 2 hours. However, it was only my first 1/2 marathon, and I am satisfied with my finish time. Most of the more experienced 1/2 marathoners said this was a more dificult run than some, with all the hills. I didn't mind the hills though. I was only concerned about the downhills, but God really heard my prayer. I didn't have any knee or muscle problems. In the end my calves were a bit tight, but that might simply have been from the 13.1 miles. I really enjoyed this race. It was the first 1/2 marathon that Redwood Trails has run at Red Rock, and they are going to run it again next year on the same weekend, the 2nd Saturday after Thanksgiving. Adam really enjoyed himself, he said it was really exciting! I encourage anyone to join us next year either as a runner or spectator. It was a really nice low key race. There were only a little over a hundred runners, from 17 different states. There were awesome refueling stops, and hot soup, with snacks both healthy and not so much at the race finish. There were awards given out to the top finishers in each age catagory. I did go home with my t-shirt and some samples. Hopefully next time I won't require such a long nap afterwards, but that probably directly relates to the lack of sleep I had the night before. I plan to sleep well tonight! So, goodnight, sleep tight, and don't let the bed bugs bite.
Butterflies and goosebumps
Have you ever had to go out on stage and perform and felt almost sick. I have and it never gets any easier. It doesn't matter how prepaired or unprepaired I am, I still get butterflies in my stomache and goosebumps. I must burn a bunch of extra calories! I also usually have to go to the bathroom. Holy cow, nerves are a pretty powerful thing. I can't imagine commiting some kind of crime and trying to seem cool and collected about it, it's a good thing I haven't taken up a life of crime. I probably couldn't live with myself. I would be miserable. So, your probabaly wondering what production I am a part of, to which I would answer, none really. I am suppose to run, God willing, a half-marathon and everytime someone asks me about it or I even briefly think about it I get a bad case of the performance jitters. Wow, I have never really trained for a race like I did for this one, but holy cow am I nervous. I keep telling myself, worst case scenario I don't finish because I am undertrained or injured, and neither would kill me. I followed a training regimen that was provided by someone affiliated with the race coordinators. I hope it will have been enough. I really enjoyed the training so I am trying to look at this as the prize for making it through the training uninjured. I am definately excited and nervous more like when you head to Disneyland for the first time, but I can't wait until I am running it and passing the 7 mile marker when I know I am more than half way there.
Sebastian's wisdom
Last night after reading Victoria to sleep, I crawled down the ladder to say goodnight to Sebastian. Adam was finishing up the book I read to Victoria first, (we switched.) Anyways, Adam said goodnight, gave his hugs and kisses, and then it was my turn. I got a great big Sebastian hug and a kiss that will someday turn into a peck. He then asked for me to read him the Pooh book. Adam told him that Ginger, the dog would read it to him. Sebastian said, "Ginger can't she doesn't have hands!"
I sure do love my children! They are the sweetest human beings on the earth. I am so blessed to have them in my life. I only pray that I can with God's help, be the best mother they could ask for.
