I Ran!....AND I loved it!

I trained, sweated, worried, doubted.....I FINISHED!

Out of 6500 runners, that was a bit overwhelming, I finished as the 774th woman.  It was really fun!  Have already run a second, thankfully much smaller, race.  My friend and I finished 49th and 50th.  Going to run early on Thanksgiving Day and a couple of days later at night through our lit up botanical gardens.  Trying to get the hubs to run with me....that may take some convincing and maybe a bribe or two.

My advice.....lace up those shoes and GET MOVING!

Am I a runner?

I have always wanted to be a runner.  I wanted to run the Boston Marathon just once in my life.  However, wanting and doing do not always co-exist.  I tried on my own, but it really is so much easier to excuse yourself from hard work.  I work with a woman who started running/walking seriously a year ago.  She invited a number of us to do some "fun runs" with her that a local business sponsors during the summer.  First, summer in the south is smotheringly hot and humid.  Second, I am no longer considered a spring chicken.  Third, did I mention summers in the south suck?!?!  I do not do well in the heat; cramps, headache, nausea.  I usually hide with the a/c from April through September.  This year, nope!  I strapped on my Sketchers in mid-July and started with a 3-mile "fun run".  And, surprise!  It was fun!  I missed the next run because of vacation bible school, as director, I kind of had to be there.  But every Thursday since I have run/walked.  Then, oh my, I decided to get into training for a 5k race in October.  Who would have thought?  Well, I did, but having someone every day encouraging me and running with me, has been a huge help.  So now, three days a week it's interval training, two days of swimming, a rest day, and a 45 minute walk day.  I have always been a all or nothing kind of girl....and this time, I am all in!

 

Annie is learning to be my running buddy!

Anastacia Noelle is heartworm free!

My precious Annie is heart worm free!  She is so happy to be able to play again!  Annie is FULL of energy, she loves to run.  The cost financially was a bit overwhelming, but I feel worth it.  She is definitely my best canine friend.  She is still afraid of just about everything, but we are working on it.  Today she did really well during a thunder storm.  We haven't done any formal training, but may start that soon.  I wrote down a list of commands that a couple of authors suggested.  She has gotten down a few, sit, out, back, leave it, let's go, get dressed.  The "get dressed" command is supposed to help me get  her harness on....she tries to help a bit too enthusiastically!  The hubs commented on how she is always in such a good mood, he was a bit jealous, I think.  :)

~Melissa

Update on Annie

Annie has been through her first heartworm treatment.  She is doing really well, not complaining too loudly about the extra time in the crate.  We spend as much time on the couch resting as we can.  I don't want her to think I have abandoned her.  She goes back on the 6th of May for the second, and hopefully final treatment.  I am encouraged by how well she has done thus far, and hopefully by June we can start getting her back to normal. 

 

My eldest child brought her new puppy by today, Annie responded really well. She usually wants to eat dogs she doesn't know. But "Vader", whose name will probably change to "Mater" because of grand #3, is small and non-threatening. Puppy tried to bark at Annie, too cute!  I was so busy playing with puppy, I forgot about my camera.

The Lost Princess Anastacia

This is Anastacia, Annie most of the time.  She showed up on our front porch the second week in November.  She has been a joy!  Such personality, sweet disposition, loves to play!  We found out yesterday that she is heart worm positive.  We were going to get her vaccinated and fixed.  Because she is a stray I am not sure my husband will want to go through the expensive treatment, I hope so.  Yesterday was such an emotional day for me.  Annie and I spent a good part of the day on the couch. She shows no signs, heart sounds good, so hopefully a good candidate for treatment.

Annie at Thanksgiving, with one of the grands.  Annie is awesome with the girls!  She has made herself at home, on the couch, and in my heart.

Moving on up!

I teach two year olds.  When they turn 2 1/2 they move into the next class up.  Today two of my children moved up, and two more moved into my room.  I was excited about one moving in, the other worried me a bit.  No worry necessary!  I had never heard him talk before, only whine...alot!  But, oh my, he can talk...well!  This week we are learning about snow and ice.  We made snowmen out of three paper circles.  Shapes, color, counting, order, size, location...covered.  :)  They really seemed to like gluing the circles down.  The snowflake stickers were definitely a hit!  Tomorrow I am bringing my ice shaver...we are gonna play in the snow!!!  Here in Alabama, snow is never a sure thing.  And if the weathermen dare mention the "S" word....milk, bread, and toilet paper fly off the shelves!  LOL  However, this week, in the two year old's room, we will have snow, and enjoy it!

Have a beautiful day!
Melissa
Be still and know that I am God.  Psalm 46:10

Happy New Year!

Today did not start out wonderfully.  My upstairs bathtub drain is leaking into the downstairs bathroom.  A funny side is that the drip is is landing in the cat's litter box.  Aside from that drama, we brought in the new year quietly, just the way I like it.  I spent the evening on the couch with my youngest granddaughter and our latest canine addition, mostly listening to football.  We watched the Rose Parade this morning.  My faith in parades restored.  I did not enjoy the Thanksgiving Day parade that Macy's put on.  Rose Parade much better with the focus on floats, marching bands, and history.  Will be watching the Rose Bowl later, not sure who I will be rooting for.  I am waiting patiently for the BCS Championship game....ROLL TIDE!

I have been spending way too much time on pinterest lately.  But, I am intrigued by all the "make your own" cleaning items.  I will be trying a "make your own" laundry detergent.  I hope it works the way the claims say it does!  I have most of the ingredients, just not in the proper quantities.  I have also used so many of the kids craft ideas at the daycare.  My two year-olds have enjoyed them so much.  I made a felt Christmas tree, with the felt ornaments for them to play with.  Lasted less than 24 hours on the wall.  I do have seven, yes 7, VERY active two year olds though.  So, maybe, that was a long time? 

I have made a few "resolutions" for 2013.

1.   Learn to juggle
2.   Learn 12 new songs on piano, must include at least one David Nevue song
3.   Gatlinburg often
4.   More weekend day trips with Hubby
5.   Continue counting grace
6.   Stress less, laugh more (especially where leaks are concerned)
7.   Make cookies more often
8.   Use my china, all the time!
9.   Learn and use the word "no"
10. Throw/give away stuff I will never use (hard one!)
11. Hug my kids, who are all grown, more

I am sure I will think of more things I would like to accomplish this year.  I always do.


I hope you have a blessed and joyful New Year,
Melissa
Be still and know that I am God - Psalm 46:10