I am not sure which is more painful...
A hip stress fracture
Not being able to run during this unbelievable weather
or
Receiving a race confirmation card for the now sold out San Antonio Rock and Roll Marathon the day after I've canceled my accommodations
Definitely the latter.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Friday, October 24, 2008
On a lighter note...
I surprised Lem this morning with a pair of tickets to see High School Musical 3! It was a great movie, which surprised me. I enjoyed the music, the dancing, and the outfits. Joelle brought her girls as well. We had a great time and laughed an awful lot.
***Disclaimer*** I am a sucker for a sappy, happy-ending movies complete with nerd factor all over it.
Going out on a limb
I don't usually feel comfortable posting about my political decisions on a running blog. It's not because I'm terribly secretive about where I stand, I think it is pretty obvious being a Catholic mom of 6 kids. It's more because I'm not full of wit and wonderful words about the current state of our election process. I am definitely not a political pundit by any stretch of the imagination.
I have been the recipient of several nights without sleep thinking about the type of country my children will be living in. The bottom line is this. As much as we'd all love to believe that they can, NEITHER of these candidates is able save our country. The Savior has already come and until He comes again, we will continue to battle the sin of our world. The Good News is that He left us with a wonderful road map on how to live. If only we would follow it.
There are many issues to be concerned with during this time in our country's history, and I do study as much as I can to understand them, but in the end, there is truly only one issue that determines where my vote goes. I vote Pro-Life. (surprise, surprise) That of course means that Mr. Obama will not be getting my vote. I am not excited about McCain, but he is willing to defend the right to life, and from where I stand, if there is no life, there are no other "issues" to worry about.
I recall Obama talking about his daughters during his acceptance speech. He stated that he would not want his daughters punished with a baby if they "made a mistake." He is saying, without any misunderstanding, that he would approve of the abortion of his grandchild.
Remembering that his mother was a single mom and raised him with the help of his grandparents, I wonder if she ever felt that she had been saddled with a mistake? And if she had had the legal option, would she have chosen to abort him? And if she did, would we be looking at the possibility of electing the first Afro-American into office this year?
Yesterday, Mark mentioned to me that 50% of Catholics are voting for Obama. I know many other people of the Christian faith that are voting for him as well. I understand the frustration with the government. I wish I could vote a real change in. But the only real issue, again, is the issue of life.
The Bishops of the American Catholic Church issued a document last year called Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. I encourage all to read this. It is 42 pages, but worth the time. It helps to guide the Christian voter through this maze of decisions that we must make.
The Bishops of Dallas and Fort Worth issued a letter this month during the Respect Life month. You can read the joint statement here and while the letter has drawn some negative criticism for "attempting to endorse a particular candidate", I believe it is an attempt on the behalf of the Church to educate the faithful in what exactly our baptismal call obligates us to do, and that is to reject the "intrinsic evil" that attacks human life.
The letter from the Bishops states:
The document Forming Conscience of Faithful Citizenship states:
So while I agree that things are a mess in Washington and we do need a change, we also need real HOPE. The hope of life. The hope that all life is protected, especially the most vulnerable and the most unable to defend itself.
Some will call me a one-issue voter, and I suppose I would have to agree with them. However, after reading this letter and the document issued by the Conference of Bishoops, I have a better understanding of why this "one-issue" is the most important issue. If voting on this one issue causes me to pay higher taxes (which I doubt it will) it is a price I am willing to pay. It is certainly less of a price than that which 48 million innocent lives have paid since 1973.
I can't wait for this election to be over. I have been sickened by what I have seen from both parties especially over the last few years which are now coming back to haunt us. My biggest hope is that some of them, and I can not which party they are affiliated with, stand up, accept responsibility for the mess they have created and set their hearts and minds to fix it.
I promise to get back to running soon and hopefully that will inspire some running posts again.
I have been the recipient of several nights without sleep thinking about the type of country my children will be living in. The bottom line is this. As much as we'd all love to believe that they can, NEITHER of these candidates is able save our country. The Savior has already come and until He comes again, we will continue to battle the sin of our world. The Good News is that He left us with a wonderful road map on how to live. If only we would follow it.
There are many issues to be concerned with during this time in our country's history, and I do study as much as I can to understand them, but in the end, there is truly only one issue that determines where my vote goes. I vote Pro-Life. (surprise, surprise) That of course means that Mr. Obama will not be getting my vote. I am not excited about McCain, but he is willing to defend the right to life, and from where I stand, if there is no life, there are no other "issues" to worry about.
I recall Obama talking about his daughters during his acceptance speech. He stated that he would not want his daughters punished with a baby if they "made a mistake." He is saying, without any misunderstanding, that he would approve of the abortion of his grandchild.
Remembering that his mother was a single mom and raised him with the help of his grandparents, I wonder if she ever felt that she had been saddled with a mistake? And if she had had the legal option, would she have chosen to abort him? And if she did, would we be looking at the possibility of electing the first Afro-American into office this year?
Yesterday, Mark mentioned to me that 50% of Catholics are voting for Obama. I know many other people of the Christian faith that are voting for him as well. I understand the frustration with the government. I wish I could vote a real change in. But the only real issue, again, is the issue of life.
The Bishops of the American Catholic Church issued a document last year called Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship. I encourage all to read this. It is 42 pages, but worth the time. It helps to guide the Christian voter through this maze of decisions that we must make.
The Bishops of Dallas and Fort Worth issued a letter this month during the Respect Life month. You can read the joint statement here and while the letter has drawn some negative criticism for "attempting to endorse a particular candidate", I believe it is an attempt on the behalf of the Church to educate the faithful in what exactly our baptismal call obligates us to do, and that is to reject the "intrinsic evil" that attacks human life.
The letter from the Bishops states:
Forming Consciences for Faithful Citizenship clearly teaches that not all issues have the same moral
equivalence. Some issues involve “intrinsic evils”; that is, they can never under any circumstance or
condition be morally justified. Preeminent among these intrinsic evils are legalized abortion, the promotion
of same sex unions and “marriages”, repression of religious liberty, as well as public policies permitting
euthanasia, racial discrimination or destructive human embryonic stem cell research
The document Forming Conscience of Faithful Citizenship states:
“There are some things we must never do, as individuals or as a society, because they are always
incompatible with love of God and neighbor. Such actions are so deeply flawed that they are
always opposed to the authentic good of persons. These are called ‘intrinsically evil’ actions. They
must always be rejected and opposed and must never be supported or condoned.
So while I agree that things are a mess in Washington and we do need a change, we also need real HOPE. The hope of life. The hope that all life is protected, especially the most vulnerable and the most unable to defend itself.
Some will call me a one-issue voter, and I suppose I would have to agree with them. However, after reading this letter and the document issued by the Conference of Bishoops, I have a better understanding of why this "one-issue" is the most important issue. If voting on this one issue causes me to pay higher taxes (which I doubt it will) it is a price I am willing to pay. It is certainly less of a price than that which 48 million innocent lives have paid since 1973.
I can't wait for this election to be over. I have been sickened by what I have seen from both parties especially over the last few years which are now coming back to haunt us. My biggest hope is that some of them, and I can not which party they are affiliated with, stand up, accept responsibility for the mess they have created and set their hearts and minds to fix it.
I promise to get back to running soon and hopefully that will inspire some running posts again.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
PERFECT!
That is the only word to describe this beautiful weather! So what can one do when one isn't running...
We go visit Thomas!
These pictures are for Tiggs... A future cupcake maker??
Let me just say, these tasted awesome!
We go visit Thomas!
These pictures are for Tiggs... A future cupcake maker??
Let me just say, these tasted awesome!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Huntsville Half
What a great day for a race! Lem and I headed out this morning to help at the Huntsville Half Marathon.
It was a bit chilly this morning and I couldn't help but say a big "Thank you" to the man upstairs for great temps for my running friends.
We were placed at Ave I and 14th Street to help direct the runners around the prison yard. It was a bit spooky when we first got there. Lem had never seen a prison before nor a guard tower complete with an armed guard. I convinced her that we were completely safe and had personal body guards watching over us.
There was an abandoned building on the opposite side of the street which apparently had a very bad smell coming from it. Lem and I couldn't smell it thanks to being on the good side of the downwind, however, I saw many runners covering their mouths and noses as they passed by. It must have been bad!
The runners were so awesome! I loved seeing the determination, the smiles, the effort that they had. Runner #1 had the appropriate bib number, #1. I don't know yet if he won overall, but I would bet that he did. He was so fast! Of course Adrienne was certainly amazing and a true inspiration to watch! That is one quick lady!! Lem was totally impressed! I wonder if she'll get the running bug again.
Pete was burning up the road and I believe he broke his own personal PR! Way to go, Pete!
I saw so many great folks today. In no certain order, Jon, Bill, Evan, Debbie, Misty, Joe M., Carlos O., Norman, Lavonne, and of course, Ken. I know I am leaving someone out, so accept my apologies if I have.
I was certainly renewed with the fever to run watching the race today! I can't wait to get back to business, but I am not going to rush it. As much as I would like to start next week, I am going to obey the rules and hold off at least one more week before I start up again. I have had lots of time to re-evaluate my goals and I am looking forward to setting up a new schedule of races that reflect quality running instead of quantity.
Lem and I had so much fun today. It was a great experience for both of us and we even got to have a nice breakfast afterwards. In a house with many siblings, having one on one time is hard to come by, so I treasure these moments very much.
Thank you to all who put the race together and those who ran it. Your spirit is amazing!
It was a bit chilly this morning and I couldn't help but say a big "Thank you" to the man upstairs for great temps for my running friends.
We were placed at Ave I and 14th Street to help direct the runners around the prison yard. It was a bit spooky when we first got there. Lem had never seen a prison before nor a guard tower complete with an armed guard. I convinced her that we were completely safe and had personal body guards watching over us.
There was an abandoned building on the opposite side of the street which apparently had a very bad smell coming from it. Lem and I couldn't smell it thanks to being on the good side of the downwind, however, I saw many runners covering their mouths and noses as they passed by. It must have been bad!
The runners were so awesome! I loved seeing the determination, the smiles, the effort that they had. Runner #1 had the appropriate bib number, #1. I don't know yet if he won overall, but I would bet that he did. He was so fast! Of course Adrienne was certainly amazing and a true inspiration to watch! That is one quick lady!! Lem was totally impressed! I wonder if she'll get the running bug again.
Pete was burning up the road and I believe he broke his own personal PR! Way to go, Pete!
I saw so many great folks today. In no certain order, Jon, Bill, Evan, Debbie, Misty, Joe M., Carlos O., Norman, Lavonne, and of course, Ken. I know I am leaving someone out, so accept my apologies if I have.
I was certainly renewed with the fever to run watching the race today! I can't wait to get back to business, but I am not going to rush it. As much as I would like to start next week, I am going to obey the rules and hold off at least one more week before I start up again. I have had lots of time to re-evaluate my goals and I am looking forward to setting up a new schedule of races that reflect quality running instead of quantity.
Lem and I had so much fun today. It was a great experience for both of us and we even got to have a nice breakfast afterwards. In a house with many siblings, having one on one time is hard to come by, so I treasure these moments very much.
Thank you to all who put the race together and those who ran it. Your spirit is amazing!
Thursday, October 09, 2008
Small Steps!
I have been relatively pain-free the last two days. No need for Advil. No running in close to 4 weeks.
I drove the stick shift today with no pain. Maybe next week, I'll take the legs for a small spin around the block. We'll see how the weekend goes.
I am hoping to help at the Huntsville Half this Saturday. Maybe I'll see some of you there.
JD... I can't access your blog. Have you gone private?
I drove the stick shift today with no pain. Maybe next week, I'll take the legs for a small spin around the block. We'll see how the weekend goes.
I am hoping to help at the Huntsville Half this Saturday. Maybe I'll see some of you there.
JD... I can't access your blog. Have you gone private?
Tuesday, October 07, 2008
Finally!
Finally, something I CAN do!
I was able to contact my Financial guy today and let him know that we will be canceling our life insurance policies with AIG. I figure 60 - 85 billion of our money is enough. No more monthly premiums.
Then I found this...
Living Large At AIG
Dorks.
I was able to contact my Financial guy today and let him know that we will be canceling our life insurance policies with AIG. I figure 60 - 85 billion of our money is enough. No more monthly premiums.
Then I found this...
Living Large At AIG
Dorks.
Monday, October 06, 2008
I HATE CANCER!
I am feeling kind of beside myself tonight. Not sorry for myself, because I know my life is so full of blessings. But here it is, Breast Cancer awareness month, a month that I could be training to run for those who are fighting not only breast cancer, but all cancer.
A young mom in our homeschooling group had a double mastectomy today. Her mom and grandmother died from breast cancer.
Everyday, it seems, I hear of someone else that is taking on the cancer fight.
I know I can pray, and believe me I do, but I am the kind of person that needs to DO something. Even if it doesn't really "help", kind of like sweeping the floor when dealing with a family crisis, it doesn't help the crisis, but it does help feel like I am doing something.
If I can run and raise money, raise awareness, offer my physical discomforts on behalf of someone else (the Catholic in me), I feel like I am doing something.
I don't really know what this post is about other than being a vent of sorts. I just want cancer to make like the stupid politicians in Washington and GO AWAY!
A young mom in our homeschooling group had a double mastectomy today. Her mom and grandmother died from breast cancer.
Everyday, it seems, I hear of someone else that is taking on the cancer fight.
I know I can pray, and believe me I do, but I am the kind of person that needs to DO something. Even if it doesn't really "help", kind of like sweeping the floor when dealing with a family crisis, it doesn't help the crisis, but it does help feel like I am doing something.
If I can run and raise money, raise awareness, offer my physical discomforts on behalf of someone else (the Catholic in me), I feel like I am doing something.
I don't really know what this post is about other than being a vent of sorts. I just want cancer to make like the stupid politicians in Washington and GO AWAY!
No running, lots of time to think about 700 BILLION!
Are you kidding me??
I read this today on Yahoo News.
The gist of the article is this:
1. Richard Fuld, exec of Lehman Brothers was paid 350 million dollars in salary between 2000 -2007. This is when the company was having their troubles. Do ya think they could have cut those salaries a bit and saved the company? No... that wouldn't have been the right thing to do because this man DESERVED all of that cash for all his hard work, investing OUR money!!
2. He and his cronies also spent several days coming up with millions of dollars in severance pay for some company executives while at the same time, asking US and the GOVERNMENT for HELP for his POOR LITTLE COMPANY!!?? And he also whines, "Till they put me in the ground, I'll never understand why we didn't get the help but the others did." Wah. Wah, wah, wah. Get over it buddy. Go spend some of that 350 million you've made in the last 7 years and feel better. Invest in our dying economy. Imagine.
I am really trying to work on my peace of mind whilst not running. This political stuff isn't helping. Obama's plan will put my business in the toilet and McCain has gone from Maverick to Marshmallow. I want a do-over!
I read this today on Yahoo News.
The gist of the article is this:
1. Richard Fuld, exec of Lehman Brothers was paid 350 million dollars in salary between 2000 -2007. This is when the company was having their troubles. Do ya think they could have cut those salaries a bit and saved the company? No... that wouldn't have been the right thing to do because this man DESERVED all of that cash for all his hard work, investing OUR money!!
2. He and his cronies also spent several days coming up with millions of dollars in severance pay for some company executives while at the same time, asking US and the GOVERNMENT for HELP for his POOR LITTLE COMPANY!!?? And he also whines, "Till they put me in the ground, I'll never understand why we didn't get the help but the others did." Wah. Wah, wah, wah. Get over it buddy. Go spend some of that 350 million you've made in the last 7 years and feel better. Invest in our dying economy. Imagine.
I am really trying to work on my peace of mind whilst not running. This political stuff isn't helping. Obama's plan will put my business in the toilet and McCain has gone from Maverick to Marshmallow. I want a do-over!
Saturday, October 04, 2008
The weirdness is starting to take over
Almost three weeks with no running. The insanity is starting to take over. I was up until 2 am shredding files that were over 10 years old. I am also having lots of crazy dreams and I am starting to let some curse words slip...
It's getting ugly...
It's getting ugly...
Wednesday, October 01, 2008
Leadville
I had hoped to run in Leadville, but it wasn't to be this time. Maybe one of these days I'll be able to.
We did a walking tour of the quaint little town. It was a great trip. We ate at a great restaurant, The Golden Burro Cafe.
Here are a few shots of the town.
The local watering hole.
The Tabor Opera House
I am not a big fan of giving sugar to my kids, but these lollipops really did give us all peace of mind during the long drives!
We did a walking tour of the quaint little town. It was a great trip. We ate at a great restaurant, The Golden Burro Cafe.
Here are a few shots of the town.
The local watering hole.
The Tabor Opera House
I am not a big fan of giving sugar to my kids, but these lollipops really did give us all peace of mind during the long drives!
A few more pictures from Colorado
Since I have some time on my hands, I thought it might be worthy to put up a few more shots from our trip to Colorado. These are from our trip up to the Summit of Pike's Peak. I was pretty freaked out most of the trip up and down because of my intense fear of heights, and my brother-in-law's obsession with driving too fast, but once I was on the Summit, I was strangely calm, as long as I didn't look over the edge or get close to it...
Notice the SLIGHT hint of FEAR in my expression?? I think it looks like I am in a small engine aircraft rather than an SUV!
This view made the day!
The girls, Bean and Lem. Lem is holding snow. I was holding my breath hoping they didn't step backwards!!! I get queasy just seeing this picture!!
I've seen Pike's Peak from the Garden of the Gods several times. This was the first time I was able to see Garden of the Gods from above. It looks so very small!
Bean, Foo, and Fish at the Summit. Boo was in the car asleep and Lem was playing with the snow. I was getting hot chocolate and donuts!!
Notice the SLIGHT hint of FEAR in my expression?? I think it looks like I am in a small engine aircraft rather than an SUV!
This view made the day!
The girls, Bean and Lem. Lem is holding snow. I was holding my breath hoping they didn't step backwards!!! I get queasy just seeing this picture!!
I've seen Pike's Peak from the Garden of the Gods several times. This was the first time I was able to see Garden of the Gods from above. It looks so very small!
Bean, Foo, and Fish at the Summit. Boo was in the car asleep and Lem was playing with the snow. I was getting hot chocolate and donuts!!
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