The Headricks

Wonderful Fall

2011-10-31T15:03:00.009-05:00

Fall is definitely in the air!! The crispy-ness, softly falling shadows and beautiful flowers and foliage at this time of the year are great. Guess the only thing I'm not too crazy about is the wind. Yep, winds begin to kick up bringing in the temps trying to maintain it until winter arrives.

This weekend was wonderful and busy AND windy...VERY windy! Winds were 25-30 mph with no telling what the gusts were and there WERE gusts!! You could hardly walk without it trying to trip you up.

The music, as usual, is so wonderful. It really prepares your heart to receive the message Bro. Lloyd has prepared for the people. Messages of hope in the middle of despair and love in the middle of an unloving world. Nope, it wasn't about that. But he does direct our minds and hearts toward the One who loves us in the middle of a mixed up world which surrounds us with depressing and hopeless messages. When our world has been turned upside down, whether from outside circumstances or bad choices, Jesus is always there for those who have opened their hearts up to Him. God is awesome and there is none other!!

A Pumpkin Festival was held Sunday afternoon in the church parking lot. There were so many things for the children to do, they surely couldn't get bored. When we first walk into the area, the smell of popcorn filled the air and, of course, off we went into that direction. Here he goes...

So out comes my camera to begin the show. With lemonade in one hand, a bag of popcorn in the other and smiles on our faces, we settle down at one of the lovely decorated tables.

There were so many games for children to participate in including pumpkin decorating, face painting, pony riding, petting zoo, pennies at the end of the rainbow, and many, many others.

There was also an excellent band entertaining us while we ate frito pies and slices of pumpkin pie. A cake contest was held representing anything "pumpkin" as well as a couple of old cars and several cool looking motorcycles. Lots and lots of blow-up jumps. There were some of the cutest children I've seen and the cool air just made everyone happy!

Oh, yeah, there was the cutest child riding one of the ponies: blonde naturally, curly hair and the sweetest little face. Actually, I didn't know if it was a girl or boy...just happy! Then there was another cute little boy trying his hardest to decide on which pumpkin he wanted to decorate. It was such a relaxing and perfect Lord's Day.

Have a Happy Fall and blessed harvest season!

Until later...Kent & Robbie

Hit & Run

2011-10-24T15:15:00.003-05:00

I want to redefine the term "hit and run" because that was exactly what happened to me earlier this morning. Halfway through my long run, I saw a vehicle at the Hardee's exit going to turn into the highway. I watched and watched and watched and there was NO traffic for him to wait for but he continued to sit still. So, I thought he saw me and was waiting for me to pass on in front of him as there wasn't any other way around...his vehicle was close to the hedges in Hardee's driveway and my only way was to cross in front of him. I cautiously approached watching to see if he was going to move on out but he didn't. Then I decided he was waiting on me. As I got dead center in front of his car, he begins to pull out into the highway hitting me!! It caused me to fall against his car though I kept my composure as best as possible. I was shocked!!! Is this man an idiot, blind or totally unaware that the highways and driveways are for ALL people and not just for him?? I had not been able to catch his eye before this because of the glare off his windwhield from my angle but he could see me perfectly. Coming from a stand still kept this from being a bad accident. When it happened, I looked up into his older face framed with glasses that had dropped down on his nose, and saw that he was wrapping his sausage and biscuit to hold while he drove...yeah, like THAT'S a good idea now!! Both hands, mister...at least! He hit my left side where my left knee has given me trouble since the marathon earlier this year. I was so angry that he was so incompetent AND with a license. I'm glad I am a defensive runner because I had been watching him. But even that was not on my side this time. If I had not been aware, as he was, I may have fallen into the road where traffic was now flowing.

I'm glad to report that after about another mile and half, I was able to regain my composure and run normal. My knee got alright and my fear level dropped, trusting drivers again. I was in the middle of a 14 mile run. At the end, I was able to maintain a better pace than I ever had for that distance. As a matter of fact, I beat my best half marathon pace by several seconds...even with all the hoopla of the hit. My watch kept running during this time so it recorded even those slow moments of my run.

All I can say is that angels DO exist and takes care of me when I can't do so. Thank you, Lord!! Words cannot describe how much You love us...us mere humans!

This 'n That

2011-09-02T17:01:00.001-05:00

This has been one busy year for us and it's almost over with tons more to do. Seems we hardly turn around good before we're pulled this way or that way doing something else. But I wouldn't have traded it for anything else in the world. I'm thankful that we have the time to do it all as exhausting as it's been. This may sound a little like fussing, but on the contrare, we've experienced many new and exciting things. Some things have had to be put on the back burner and wait for a while and others have snuck ahead to take precedence over previously first place things. Time with the grandchildren have been fun and a lot of pictures have been taken...of course!

On the other hand, I've experienced very bad allergy attacks worse this year than in years past but I'm plowing through it. Severe headaches have put me in bed several times. Odd enough, they have been different from any I've had with the problem of meds not working at all. Thankfully, I had a breakthrough about 2 weeks ago and new OTC medicine is helping just fine. Being a runner, this has really been a difficult summer for me as I've been limited to my running...even putting a halt to it for a while. There was a time that I could not even get enough air in my lungs to run. Never had this happen before so I know it had to be the heat and humidity even in early morning hours (starting at 5:30). BUT, I'm getting back.

My stamping is one thing that has been put on the back burner. I made many cards at Crop Connection in July and have even taken pictures of them but sadly have not had the time to sit down long enough to gather my thoughts to write them up and post them. And, of course, the buying hasn't slowed down much...blush, blush!! I have sooo many new things I can hardly wait to use...such neat things. One of my newest toys is my Cricut!! Just got it in and can hardly wait to use it. I've put off getting one for a long time but decided to get one when it went on sale two weeks ago. It arrived a couple of days ago.

All in all, with school back in session, camper issues repaired/updated, fall in the air and running back up and going, it's gonna be a great autumn! I love the shadows on the ground as fall begins to make its appearance. There's just "something different" about it even if the temps haven't changed much yet. It's a sign that it won't be long. I can hardly wait to sit outside and gaze into our fire pit and watch the stars. It sounds like such a waste of time to some, but to us, it's one of those relaxing moments, watching the fireflies light the sky feeling the nippy air, that many just take for granted.

Time's A Flying...

2011-07-02T07:00:00.003-05:00

Where does the time go? With longer days here and the sweltering heat bearing down on us, it's hard to find the energy to do the things we're called upon to do and yet time never stands still. I guess it's good that some things push us out of the house or we'd stay inside where it's a cool and lazy lifestyle.

This summer is filled with new things for us. While our camper is getting a good check out and updates, 7 Year Old All Star Baseball has kept us on the road. We've really enjoyed the games. Landen is doing great and he's just the cutest little boy...ahem, man. These little guys play well together and support each other and I'm very happy with the coaches. They are great guys! They do not put the boys down when they've not done well nor do they push them beyond their means by screaming and yelling at them and yet the boys perform well. Good going, coaches! We have one last series (as far as we know) that will be played next weekend for the state championship. Below is a picture I took and will be my favorite for quite a while. Landen sliding into home at the Oak Grove tournament!

Much on the schedule and much to do. Gotta run for now...Later!

Who Are You?

2011-05-18T10:07:00.003-05:00

I receive Proverbs 31 Ministries' devotion every day and am blessed by the ladies that write them. But today especially hit a note in me. I would like to take this time to paste part of the message here. I hope you will be blessed by it as much as I was. The key: read it slowly and let it sink in. If you do not have time to do this now. Wait and read it later when you do. Think about it. Let God have His way with you. Be honest with yourself and dig deep into the depths of your soul. Though these devotions are geared to women, it's not hard to place any gender or age in its place for today's message. For more about this ministry, you can go here.

"May 18, 2011

Becoming the Real Me
Renee Swope

“For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 (NIV)

What do you love to do? If finances were unlimited and failure was unlikely, what would be your dream?

The facilitator of our team-building activity asked our small group to answer these questions. I didn’t have an answer. So I decided to start praying we’d run out of time before it got to me. But just in case I had to answer, I listened to everyone else describe their dreams, hoping to get ideas.

One wanted to be the first female president of the United States. Another friend said she’d always wanted to sing in a Christian rock band. I knew I was in trouble.

Here I was, 32-years-old at the time, and I didn’t know who I was or what my dreams were. Eventually everyone looked at me for a response. I stumbled over my words. Then I finally admitted I didn’t really know what I loved to do.

I didn’t have a dream. I’d never taken time to think about or answer those kinds of questions. Instead, I had always tried to be who others wanted or needed me to be. But honestly, I wasn’t very good at it. I often had this uneasy feeling in my heart and a sense of just not being happy. And I was a constant candidate for burn out.

I wasn’t living out the truth held in our key verse today: “[God] created my inmost being; [He] knit me together in my mother’s womb.” (Psalm 139:13, NIV)

I was not designed to be who others expected me to be, or even wanted me to be. I was created to become all that God planned for me to be. But I was lost in the process of my becoming.

After I fumbled around looking for an answer during our team-building time, our facilitator encouraged me to ask God what His dreams were for my life.

I took her advice and started the process of becoming the “real me” who had gotten buried in the busyness of life and people pleasing.

As I read books that talked about discovering our passions, gifts and personality traits, I started to identify what I liked. I recognized strengths that came natural for me, and learned what I needed emotionally to encourage my heart.

For the first time, I realized there was an important reason I was who I was — with my passionate preferences and mixed bag of emotions. Instead of wanting to be like women I knew and admired, I sensed God wanted to use the unique way He made me.

Isn’t it easy to neglect ourselves to meet the needs of everyone around us, and call it self-sacrifice? It sounds godly. But in doing so we risk shutting down a place in our soul where God’s dreams and gifts are waiting to be revealed.

So, how well do you know the real you? Have you ever taken time to think about what you like to do? What would make your heart come alive if you had the confidence and resources to do it?

Although it might feel self-seeking, it’s actually God-seeking to take time to get to know the woman He created you to be. Remember God had a plan in mind when He made you. When you surrender your unique passions and personality to Him, God will use them to guide you towards His dreams for your life.

Lord, I want to know the woman You had in mind when You created me. I don’t want to grow old and never know Your purpose for my life. Show me Your dreams for me so I can offer what You want to give to those around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Related Resources:
This devotion is taken from chapter 8 of Renee Swope’s upcoming book: A Confident Heart: How to Stop Doubting Yourself & Live in the Security of God’s Promises."

May you be blessed today, my friend.

Easter Blessings

2011-04-24T17:13:00.008-05:00

From us to you...we hope you've had a blessed Easter today.

This has been a wonderful weekend! God is soooo good but, of course, it doesn't matter what I think, for He IS!! I'm so thankful that He reveals to us His goodness. That He allows us to bask in His blessings. That He opens our eyes in ways only our hearts can know. That He reveals the secrets of His ancient Word to us at appointed times and opens our understanding. He "wants" to have fellowship with us...yes, mere human sinners! I don't understand why. All I know is that He loved me before I began to love Him. He knew what I am capable of in my best and my worst. He knew that I would sin after I came to love Him and yet He still wants to hold me in His arms, draw me close to Him and say "it will be alright" confirming in my heart that He knew of my failure all along and sweetly says "I am glad you are back". The difference in people who are saved are that they are remorseful and regret those things they have "chosen" to do against God and others and those who are lost in their sins have no conscious, bask in their deeds and don't see a real need for a Savior. A true saved sinner hates their sin. We are all people for whom sweet Jesus died for. And, no, my friends, nothing can separate me from His love...nothing!

He lets me enjoy the smiles and giggles of children...nothing can lighten your heart like the joys little children express, the excitement that they just cannot contain. Christ says to come unto Him as little children and I think He wants us to be unaware of any condemnation of others, fear of being foolish, and just express the joy in our hearts for Him without any trepidation. When was the last time you opened your mouth and laughed like your heart really feels? As adults, we learn to "contain" ourselves. And when it comes to praising our wonderful God these things ought to fall away. Into your closet, I say, into your closet where you are at the most wonderful liberty to be who you really are in His presence. And when you exit, others will KNOW you have been in His presence.

There was an Easter Egg Hunt Saturday morning at the Park. The little ones were so cute. Carrying baskets bigger than they were and wearing their little sunglasses you couldn't help but put a smile on your face and become as a child as you watched in excitement when they would find an egg. Here are a few pictures I took. Hope you enjoy the moment it takes to look at them.

We began our morning early today. We arrived at the beach at 6:00 a.m. for the sunrise service. We got their early not knowing if there would be enough seats or places to park. Wearing our shorts and sandals with our Bibles in hand and sunglasses on our heads, we saw the beautiful beach with the Lord's presence all around us. Here is the sunrise.

There were about a couple hundred people that attended. We were amazed that so many showed up. They must have been Baptists because a chunk of them showed up right at the appointed time or a little later. There were hardly any seats left and many brought chairs.

After service was over, we headed back to the camper to change clothes and get to First Baptist for their early church service. I'm so glad we did! We love the music there and it didn't disappoint today. As a matter of fact, we thought the last song they sung could have ended service (well, not really)!! The church was full as it has been every time we've gone. Oh, my...the power of God filled the sanctuary! The message was good but all we can talk about was that beautifully inspired last song. Oh, yeah, the name of it is "Something's Happening". You MUST hear it...it will bring you to your knees and your heart to God. Praise Him for this has truly been a glorious day!!

Missing Everyone!

2011-04-17T19:10:00.005-05:00

We've been having a great time...a great, refreshing time. I wanted to share a few things that bring joy to us. First and foremost and the most recent, we went to church today and experienced a wonderful service. It began with music that prepared our hearts for the wonderful sermon we heard by Rick Stanley, Elvis Presley's step brother. His message was so refreshing, encouraging and embracing! I am so glad that we were able to attend. The Spirit was cleansing and wooing. We truly felt the presence of God in the service and among the people.

We've been running quite a good bit and enjoyed it all, soreness and injuries. Here's a picture of Kent getting his award for a race and another picture of me coming up to the Finish Line at the half marathon I ran.

One afternoon while we were sitting out the sky changed. It was a beautiful day, practically cloudless...is that a word?? And it was a gorgeous blue! There had been no rain nor was there any forecasted. Then a few wispy clouds collected and all the colors of the rainbow came together. It was only in a small part of the sky. Kinda of like there was a message somewhere in it. It was so beautiful! I felt like God was telling us that He is the giver of fresh starts, newness, beauty and hope! And, just as quick as it came, it disappeared. I really felt like it was a message to those that saw it. God is so good and there is not enough praise for the Creator of this world!!

And, finally, I leave you with a picture of my Sweetie taking it easy one day after lunch.

We are so thankful that we have the chance to spend quality time together.

This & That

2011-02-28T05:04:00.003-06:00

Well, our big race is over. Being a first long distance for us both, we didn't know what to actually expect and we're pleased with the outcome. All the hard training has come to fruition and now, for me, I'm in my recovery period. I'm feeling my body do things I've not experienced before and am learning just what all I put it through to run over 26 miles. I must be good to it so it can be strong and healthy for me.

Spring has sprung and everything has been touched with God's hand in the beauty all around us. Our Bradford pear trees were in buds two days ago and yesterday when we woke up they were in full bloom and gorgeous! How can one even question there is a god when we have One that is almighty, loving, and always wooing us closer to Him? Even when we've elected to not be as obedient children as we should be, He's still there with open arms. Springtime is a wonderful reminder of His love for His children.

I have decided to memorize a Scripture passage this spring but haven't selected it yet. I've always enjoyed when Bro. Jeff would put us to the test to do this each year. And, it wasn't just to us; but he'd memorize huge portions himself, even reciting it during a service. Memorizing is scriptural as God has told us to "hide His Word in our hearts so that we might not sin against Him". So when sin does creep up and overtakes us at times, God still loves us and uses our memory to bring us back to Him and the position we were before. He is so good and nothing compares to Him. The last couple of years, we've been slack. But I've always known the importance of Scripture memory and was thankful that he challenged us to put God's Word in our hearts for a closer walk with Him.

This time of year also brings to mind another special time. It reminds me of the beginning of the preparation of Summer Day Camp at church. I absolutely LOVED this time of the year. There was excitement in what all I wanted to do for the children in the summer. All the calls to fun places I thought the children would enjoy. Getting things in order such as: cleaning, registering, hiring, placing orders for shirts and crafts, and daily planning for the summer. Every year, all things were complete before the doors opened for business in May. Having things prepared allowed me the blessed opportunity to enjoy every day with the children. I am thankful that God allowed me to work with such good Christian ladies who loves children, a wonderful husband that did so many things for me (I cannot begin to list these nor even pay him for all he's done) and a pastor that helped me with church related issues and assisted me when I first began. I couldn't have enjoyed and done the work God led me to do without the people He sent my way. These were truly great blessings. I REALLY miss it in the spring and it brings back such wonderful memories.

Have a wonderful day today and look for Him in all things this spring!

There's A Lot of Training Going On...

2011-01-24T15:07:00.003-06:00

Though I've not posted here in a while, we've been busier than bees. We are both focused on new running goals right now: me for my first marathon and Kent for his first half marathon. Once we've finished our running for the day we're both a little tuckered out. Mostly because training of some kind has been daily. We will be running in the Rock 'n Roll Mardi Gras Races. It won't be long now before it's here. I think I'm more excited about it then he is. He has discovered that he doesn't care for long distance running. I've found I really like it. I think I can say that I enjoy running the distance of half marathons (13.1 miles) and see a lot in my future. Love the distance of 13-15 miles. Today I ran 12 miles and thought absolutely nothing about it. Ran at an easy pace and it was close to my best half marathon race pace. I hope to improve this time this year. I feel a lot stronger running than ever before. This week begins our step down before the race. It takes place on February 13th. In other words, our distance begins decreasing three weeks prior to the race in order to not over-work our legs. My partner and I have run up to 20 miles (yeah, running) and they say that that is enough. I feel that we need to run further, but I've seen in several places and have talked to several people who run marathons that if you can run 20 miles you can run 26. Guess it won't be long now before we will find out if this is true.

Sooo much, sooo long ago!!

2010-12-16T20:19:00.005-06:00

It has been quite a while since I've posted on this blog. There's been so many things with traveling, holidays, etc. that I've not had the time to keep up. With all of that in mind, let me start by saying we had a great camping trip in November. We ran all three Saturdays we were gone ending up with a half marathon Thanksgiving weekend. We, also, had the opportunity to meet my nephew's wife. He is stationed outside Washington, D.C. right now. They are really a sweet couple. That's them in the middle.

And here's one with me and my handsome nephew:

On to the campground...we've seen signs warning of impending alligators, but this is the first time we've actually seen one. Actually, for a few days in a row, there was one sunbathing at noon...and these babies were NOT small!

Here's the sign that these creatures were determined to disobey. Notice the part "seldom seen at midday"...yeah, right!

There was a short trail that ran alongside this swampy marsh where the gators were seen. Now, mind you, that didn't occur to us when we ventured down the trail. We just headed out like no one's business.

Look how welcoming the paths look.

And a final note on the half marathon. Here is me crossing the Finish Line. I was very proud of my time since I wasn't trying to beat my best time. This race was used for training for a full I'm preparing for.

And, finally, by utter shock and surprise, I received 2nd Place in my age group!!! I never thought in my wildest dreams I could place in any half marathon! This was my last race before my birthday and last time to run in this age group. Kent ran in the 5k race. We loved the race and look forward to doing it again next year.

Homecoming & Baseball

2010-11-12T09:50:00.008-06:00

A couple of weeks ago we went to see Shelby in her school's Homecoming Court at the game. We got there quite early so we took advantage of the walking track and made a couple of loops before going on over to the field. As a Maid, she chose and was escorted by her handsome brother, Spencer. She is so beautiful and deserved to be the Queen. She IS Queen in her family and a gorgeous one at that! Spencer was such a good brother to escort her. The one thing I loved about the court is that they were the only brother/sister duo! Though it's nice to have your Dad escorting you, I thought it was so special to have your brother do the honor. We love you both soooo much!!! After the court was presented and the Queen selected, we left and went to our sweet Landon's last baseball game. He is a natural in baseball. He has the stance downpat as well as playing offense and defense; even his running is great. Could I just say that I could eat him up, he is so cute!

This was a fabulous night. We loved every minute of it and wouldn't give a million dollars in exchange for 10 minutes of the night. Thank you, Lord, for blessing us so much with our family. Here are a few pictures we took. Hope you enjoy looking at them. FYI-the picture of shoes was Spencer's. They were talking about how big his feet were. Actually, he's growing up soooo fast! Too fast...

Thanks for visiting our blog...we love each and every one that comes by.

Busy, Busy, Busy

2010-10-13T17:30:00.002-05:00

I don't think the word "busy" actually defines our lives in the last month. Mom had thyroid surgery and is doing well. My stepfather's aunt died in Florida (he was close to her).

We began preparing for a garage sale that included cleaning out, throwing away and separating items for the sale. It has been 2-3 years since we've done deep cleaning like we did in the last month. I probably could have had another couple of days to go through more things inside the house. It's really good to discard, share or sell things that we no longer care to own. Our building is nice and clean and it is actually not scary to go inside, ha!

We had a wonderful opportunity to visit with a cousin and his wife almost daily while they were in from Colorado. We enjoyed good ole southern home cooking and eating out, too. His old college roommate and wife ate out with us and it was nice hearing old stories. It was a great time making really good memories on a positive note and not surrounding a funeral or something negative.

And on top of that, we've kept up our running every day through all of this and have run in a couple of races. Another decision made during this time is that I've decided to run in my first marathon. This was a major decision! Kent, also, signed up to run in his first half marathon. I knew I was going to do the half but I've really been wanting to try a full marathon. This course is flat and shouldn't be so challenging. Thought it would be a good "first" one to do. Once that decision was made, it was like a cloud lifted off of me; fear kinda had me in its grips but no longer has its stronghold on me in this area. Now, I can't get enough reading and perusing first-time marathon articles. I have friends that have run them and now I feel I am qualified to enter the stadium, so to speak! It's exciting and scary all at the same time. For more information on my running, go here.

And there's more that was quite time consuming but I won't go into all that. Can I say again, "we've been busy!!" Then I wonder why I am tired and give out. Whew!! Isn't it great to be spent? Hope you've had a good fall beginning.

Visit

2010-09-08T10:20:00.003-05:00

Last week we got the chance to visit with my parents. It was so nice. The day was a perfect temp and everyone felt well. We took them out to celebrate their anniversary at one of their favorite places to eat, Royal Buffet. This is one of the largest Chinese buffets we've gone to and has a great variety to select from, even if you don't like Chinese food. We always leave there stuffed. When we got home and rested some, Mom fixed a fruit plate that was so delicious. Just plain ole fruit. There was cantaloupe, honeydew melon, peaches and mango. We've never tasted mango and fell in love with it. It is one of the sweetest, fragrant fruits we've ever had. Needless to say, we'll be adding it to our "wants" (like fresh cherries) when they are in season. Here are a few pictures we took. I can hardly get Mom to smile but the one with her and Harry is one of the best pictures I've taken of them.

Kent always takes a perfect picture.

Great pic, you two!

S & S (Snake & Style)

2010-08-27T15:43:00.005-05:00

Kent went outside a couple of days ago to get in his car and something caught the corner of his eye. He turned around to see what it was and there was a snake crawling up the door facing of our Storage Room on our carport!! For some unusual reason, the shovel was by the lawn mower. He ALWAYS puts it up. Guess God knew he was going to need it. It was at least two feet long! Here are some pictures upon death.

Does anyone know what kind it is?

Okay...on to something less invasive! I went to have my hair done today and decided I wanted to see what it would look straightened. So she played with my hair and this is how I left the salon. I think I like it...now, if only I can get it to look like this on my own. That will be the test to see if it will stay straight or go back to the curl!

What do you think?

Rambling

2010-08-23T09:02:00.004-05:00

I haven't posted much on this blog lately but there HAS been a lot going on this summer. Our running blog stays quite busy as does our time running. It has been so hot that we're hoping all the hard work we are "trying" to do will pay off this fall. And, my diet has gone to pot! My stamping blog has been updated but not as often as it could be. It will be updated more in the days to come.

This time of year, also, brings back such wonderful, yet sad, memories of directing Day Camp at our church. I have missed it so much but, honestly, I don't know how I could have "fit" it in these last two summers. The last year I worked I had all the kinks worked out, state issues resolved and church members pretty much satisfied that things would work as usual with minor changes during these two months. I left it to run practically by itself and that was pleasing for me. The sweet children kept me wanting more and more and there wasn't a year that went by that I didn't cry because it was over!! I'm not just "saying" crying but actually crying! And, the first and hardest year, some of the children and parents SAW me crying...I couldn't hold back. After it was over, I would browse through that year's photos and reminisce...then I would look at them again seeing how much they had grown from the year before or even from the inception of Day Camp. Don't get me wrong...there's work involved-lots of it...but it never superceded the love I had for providing a fun summer for the children. And after a month's of rest, I could hardly wait for it to start again...call me crazy, I guess. I loved each child like a mother would and treated them as such. I remember many church members coming up to me when it was over and saying "aren't you glad it's over" and with tears welling up inside, I would emphatically say "No!" Truly, I don't believe they understood. Okay...nuf said on this subject!

Keep cool and I'll try to post a little more often than I have been. Now, off I go to get in a good run. Preparations for another half marathon will be rounding the corner soon. Once I healed from my fall earlier this year, the heat set in and my running distance has suffered. But I can hardly wait to get started again. Yay!! I love doing these!!

Fun Frenzy w/Fabulous Friends

2010-07-19T05:30:00.002-05:00

We took our camper to Timberlake Campground at the Ross Barnett Reservoir so I could participate in Crop Connection's Summer Crop at Pearl Lower Elementary School. The first night we saw a most wonderful sunset. The sun was large and each moment it took setting was breath-taking. This was taken at our campsite with the reservoir waters between us and the sun.

Now on to the crop.

Amanda and Tiffany come all the way from the Mobile area. Tiffany has been so ill lately and I was glad to see she felt well enough to come. I hope you are completely well soon! Thanks, Amanda, for convincing her to come with you. It's always good to see you. Love you, girls!

Here's a look around a quarter of the room.

A lady (or two) showed up at the Crop with a great scrapbooking organizer, per se. And if you know anything about croppers, you'll know that all of us own many organizing things to "help" us put things in their proper place (oh yeah, that's where they stay). Once word got around, everyone wanted to get one of those chests. Yes, I said chest because that's what it is...a man's tool chest! It is a heavy duty tool chest on heavy duty wheels that lean back and rolls as a dolly. It stands hip high and when it opens up it slides back and reveals different levels of storage compartments. It's a dream! AND gotten at Lowe's. So two ladies across the table from us, Tammy and Boo (from Saucier), left and went to get them one. When they got back, more of us saw it. Shortly, two ladies behind me disappeared and went to get them one...the last Lowe's had! Many ladies were just beaming and so excited for the "deal" they got. After all, had it been classified as a scrapbooking item, it would have been double or triple in cost. Guess they knew a man wouldn't pay that kind of money.

Now on to the picture above...Valerie wanted one real bad, too. As a matter of fact, we talked about it off and on throughout the day and all of us were getting convinced that we couldn't live without one of these. So the next day came and when she showed up, she had one of them trailing behind her! She went to a different Lowe's and got her one. She was just tickled to death. See her showing it off to another lady just like it was a newborn baby. Just wait, Valerie, there may be more of your table mates with one when you see us next. *Ü* The good thing about it is that she began packing her toy...in essence cleaning out her stuff. All of us received such fun things so she could make room in her new scrapbooking, I mean, chest. Oh, yeah, we still love ya!

Back row: Valerie, Elwyn, me and Dawn. Front row: Nadine, Andrea and Deanna

Back row: Susan, Vana, Pat and Tammy. Front row: Barbara and Debbie (I hope I got your names straight, ladies.)

Finally, a picture of Dawn. She's already been shopping once with her $100 win. She's just beside herself. I'm so happy for you...AND jealous!!

Lazy Spring Days

2010-06-08T11:07:00.004-05:00

Okay...you just thought our "lazy days" were in Gulf Shores...well, NOT! We were busy a large part of our time there. The days just flew by and before we knew it, it was time to come home. Being home and the temperatures heating up have really been putting us in a lazy mode. Though there are things to do (oh, yeah, there are things to be done), it's easy to say, "I'll do it later".

One good thing we've been determined about is our running. We've had to adjust our time to do so but have kept up with it pretty good. So we set our clocks, get up and "try" to get on the road around 6:00 a.m. Sometimes we do, sometimes we're around 6:30...almost too late by then. Anyone, wanting to read our running blog, please feel free to do so.

Have a wonderful day!!

Home Again ...

2010-06-01T08:17:00.004-05:00

I know you probably don't understand, but we already miss Gulf Shores. As a matter of fact, on the way home, we were in denial that our trip was already over! We decided that we've claimed it as our home and when we leave it's like we're going on a trip and will be back soon. Our 30 days just flew by!! Where had the time gone? It makes no sense but it seems like the things we did when we first arrived were done months ago.

With a tear in our hearts and sandy feet, I'm signing off for now...just waiting until we can pack up and hit the road again. I'm so thankful we both love this adventure!!

What A Blessed Day!

2010-05-23T14:47:00.004-05:00

The sunrise this morning was absolutely gorgeous! There was a low fog hanging over the ground early and the sky was lighting up beautifully from the sun making its appearance. So I went inside and grabbed my camera and began taking pictures. I'm glad I did. I chose pictures that I thought you would enjoy looking at, as the sun came up. It began by making its appearance in Slide 4. Look closely and you can see the tip of the top of it in this one. You can see how the fog seems to change with more and more light and reflection. In Slide 7 it looks like the sun was burning off the fog pretty fast. But in Slide 9 the fog gives the appearance of being on fire and not burning. It is amazing how color and light has its way with earthly elements. This was so beautiful I just had to share it with you.

Now take a look at a little visitor we had waiting for us in the awning track. Isn't he cute?

This morning was wonderful! There were 15 people at our RV Park's church service. This is the most we've ever seen. Sometimes it is just us and one or two others. There was a family of seven dressed for the beach but yet taking the time out of their morning to worship God. Another man asked if he could give his testimony and it was quite touching. He was basically raised in a bar with all types of unseemly people around him as a child. He had been a heavy drinker (that was all he knew) and court martialed 3 times when he was in the service and yet God reached down and touched his heart. He is now a Gideon and for those that know Gideons, you know that every chance you get you share the Gospel. He is very happy now and loves to give his testimony as to how God saved him.

Afterwards, we went back to the camper and changed from our shorts to church clothes and went to First Baptist Church for their later service. They were so friendly and nice. It was very good and we were so glad that we took the opportunity to worship with them, too. We followed that with a very nice buffet at a Chinese Restaurant. Now, we are full (of everything blessed) and laying around the camper taking it easy for a while. God is so good and I am glad that He loved me so much that regardless of how much I fail, He still loves me and has faith in me. My heart is tender thinking about His amazing grace! Have a blessed day today because we have already.

Beautiful Sunrise

2010-05-20T09:04:00.002-05:00

Today we got up early to see the sunrise. Unfortunately, we were just a little late, like 20 minutes; but still got some good pictures. We took these on an early morning 8.5 mile bike ride. Hope you enjoy them.

The Hangout Music Festival

2010-05-19T13:46:00.002-05:00

This past weekend, May 14-16, was The Hangout's Music & Art Festival. The tickets were expensive ($75 for one day and $179 for the weekend). The RV Park we're staying is so close to that area we could hear most of the bands from our site. Parking anywhere closer than where we were was $20! A couple of blocks north of us the price dropped to $10...still outrageous to us. So we rode our bikes to the beach (free). So many things were added for this event. There were dozens of palm trees planted along the shore (lit with colored lights at night), huge stages built from one end of the area to the other and even grass planted in a large sandy area. To tell you how large this was, it covered the area from the Pink Pony pass the main boardwalk area at the end of the highway pass the next pavillion almost to where the condos began! It was a huge undertaking. They fenced off the area and had the fences covered so you couldn't see inside. Sand sculptures were built that werwe so intricate and gorgeous.

Friday was country night. We rode our bikes down there to hear Alison Krauss. We stood outside the fence and was about as close as we would have been had we been able to go inside...all free! We were not familiar with the other bands but a different band played every hour on 4 different stages for many hours.

Saturday was a VERY busy day for both of us. Doug and Amanda B. came down for the weekend and we had the opportunity to eat dinner with them on Friday. Meg and John came down later. Saturday the men played golf while I had a Healthy Woman's Conference throughout the day beginning with a 5k March of Dimes Race and a banquet that night with Ali Vincent speaking. Go here for details. It was such a busy day. Sunday morning it rained very hard and we just knew the Festival would be cancelled and bands would leave before it was suppose to be over. But the sun came out, the rain stopped and the show went on as scheduled. The hard rains tried to destroy the sand sculptures but didn't destroy them altogether. They were built so well.

That afternoon they opened the Festival to anyone, free of charge. When we found that out, we had to go check out all the "secret" things inside this huge gated area. We liked the bands MUCH better than Friday. It was more in tune with our likes, namely rock. One band we really liked was from South Carolina named Need to Breathe. I loved them!

We couldn't believe how orderly yet laid back everyone was...SOOO different from what we are use to in MS. On top of that, we never heard cursing or knew the color of underwear the male population was wearing! Everyone was cordial and polite. And the number of people that were barefooted was amazing...no way could we do that, we're so tenderfooted. There were many food booths and even a trailer by Play Station that had numerous video games anyone could play. They were on the outside walls of the trailer as well as both sides inside the trailer. Real cool. Day Camp kids would have LOVED this! There were fireworks every night with a grand finale on Sunday. Now let me leave you with a slide of pictures we took inside the area. Hope you enjoy them.

Healthy Woman's Conference

2010-05-17T11:27:00.005-05:00

Saturday was a great day beginning with a March of Dimes 5k Race. Ali Vincent, winner of the 5th Season's The Biggest Loser (TBL) Show, was speaking at the Healthy Woman's Conference that night. She and Roger Shultz, also from the 5th Season, participated in the race. TBL is one of our most favorite shows on TV now. We like the challenges, health and food tips, workouts and weekly weight loss part of the program and that's why we watch it. I've always kept aware of my weight and tried to exercise some throughout my adult years, and though I've never had to lose much weight, TBL has been such an encouragement to me to do what I KNOW I should do...and that is to eat right and exercise regularly. I HAVE to share my picture with them as it is very special to me.

There were vendors and clinics throughout the day until the banquet that night. The things that interested me were the health stations. I had my blood sugar tested and an osteoporosis test. Everything was normal. I take advantage of these every time I can as I don't want anything to sneak up on me ever.

The banquet was beautifully decorated with shades of pink. The centerpieces of each table were either white, light pink and dark pink flowers in a beautiful long vase. It seemed so elaborate.

The lights were turned down VERY low for the main part of the program so this picture of Ali is about as good as it got. (And, no, I wasn't censoring part of her...she was decent, ha!)

And, lastly, here is my picture at our table.

(NOTE: For details on the 5k held that morning and lots of pictures, go to our Run 4 It Blog.)

First Beautiful Day

2010-05-05T16:03:00.005-05:00

Today was a fantastic day in Gulf Shores! We weren't sure it was going to start out that way but it wasn't long before we knew we were wrong. Plans were to get up early, ride our bikes to the Gulf State Park Pier and watch the sun rise. When we woke up fog had infiltrated the area...thick and heavy. So while we were deciding on whether today would be the day we would begin riding bikes as an alternate exercise to running, I saw these amazing scenes and began taking pictures. I hope you like them, too.

In a short time, the sun had burned off the fog and we were able to do our ride. For more details, go here.

After we got back from the ride, we rested a few minutes and re-mounted our bikes and headed out for lunch. A local restaurant has different plate lunches each day. Wednesday is chicken and dumplings and Kent loves them. I love their fried green tomatoes.

The day was so beautiful that as we finished our lunch, we decided to ride down to the beach (about a block away) and check it out. Soon we headed back to the camper, donned our swimsuits, gathered our beach stuff and went back to the beach. At first, I thought it would be wasted time since it would be after noon before getting out there; but it was perfect. We stayed an hour and half and had a great time. We finished with a cool dip in the pool at the Park followed by a "wonderful" shower. Doesn't it just feel great to shower after being greased up at the beach?? A wonderful kind of clean.

Now, off to sit outside to enjoy the afternoon before it gets too late.

So Excited!!

2010-05-03T14:04:00.002-05:00

I have been able to get registered in the Healthy Women's Conference in Gulf Shores in a couple of weeks. There's limited seating and I was so happy to be able to get in. The whole day is one for encouraging women to be healthier. It begins with a 5k Race/Walk and 1 mile Walk followed by health screenings, information, booths and a fashion show. The Race/Walk benefits the March of Dimes which is a great reason to get out and move those legs and work that cardiovascular system.

At 6:00 is the main event/dinner. The keynote speaker is one of my all-time favorite people, Ali Vincent!! We're huge fans of The Biggest Loser and she was the winner a couple of years ago. I love the program because of its stamina, commitment and deep desire to take care of your body the way it is suppose to be. Ali was my most favorite because she is soooo pretty and wasn't a thorn in anyone's side during the showing. I hate that part..."the game"...to me that's NOT what the show is about. I love to learn how to eat better and learn new ways to workout. I'm so impressed with all the hard work that these people do and pull for every one of them (that are not hateful, that is) to lose more and more weight. So for now, it's work, work, work on running better for the race.

Oh, I hope I can get my picture taken with Ali...what a real treat!!!

Pensacola

2010-04-19T15:35:00.016-05:00

We were so excited about going to Pensacola for a week and could hardly wait to get there. When we got to Lucedale, our truck began running very hot. There are no words to explain how we felt. We weren't close to halfway. When we stopped, Kent turned the gas on so the refrigerator would stay cold until we could get on the road again. We were in the middle of nowhere. Thank goodness for Good Sam's Emergency Road Service Plan! We called them and they sent someone out in 30 minutes. After checking the truck over, the nice man left to go get the correct part. When he came back he said that they didn't have the part in stock and that it would be 3 days before they could get it in!! He had a couple of clamps that he put on tightly and said that he thought it might hold until we could get it fixed. We didn't know what to do...go home or continue to Pensacola. Not knowing whether "until we could get it fixed" meant in a couple of hours or when our trip was over, we decided to continue on and take our chances. Where is my stepfather?? He can fix anything! Thankfully, nothing else occurred and we made the trip there and back home without further incidents. Thank you, Lord! It had to be You that helped us.

Our Trip:
We had a wonderful time this week. Though we lean toward RV Parks, we stayed at Ft. Pickens Campground (for the first time) and really liked it. It had only been open for a month. One of the hurricanes that swept through the area tore up everything and they are just now getting the park open. This was the smaller section that we stayed in. The larger part of the campground will not be available for another month or so. We were about 50 yards from the beach! And the best part of it is that the cost was only $70 a week!! You just can't beat that. I mean who can stay ON the beach (Florida's beautiful sugar sands) for even one night at $70?? You can't. Who can beat camping? It's the best evah!!!

Everything was perfect except for the wind. It was very windy but with little to no humidity. We slept comfortably with the windows open every night. With the warmer temps and beautiful days, we could take the wind. The only thing was that it was practically impossible to lay out at the beach but we'll be back to the beach soon. I would rather have it this way than rain or cold. I'm so sick of both of those! See the wind here....this was taken after a race, so we weren't too pretty, ha!

Here are a few sunset pictures.

The area was very conducive to running. A couple of days we took the truck to the "Pensacola Ball" and ran to the Ft. Pickens' gate and back. It was a little short of 2.5 miles one way; not as long as I would have liked.

A few days we ran from our campsite, through the park, down to the fort, and to one of the Batteries. I don't understand all of this lingo but Batteries are all over.

Below is our camper in Site A7. It was VERY close to the trees. As a matter of fact, we couldn't let out our awning...but couldn't anyway because of the wind. The worse part was that the hard leaves from these two trees fell on the roof every night at 3:00 like clockwork for at least an hour! It was soooo loud it would wake you up and be difficult to get back to sleep. Our sleep was poor at this site. BUT we would go back just stay in a different site.

Here are a couple of pictures of the sunrise the day we left Ft. Pickens. There's nothing like sunrises and sunsets in a beach area!

Our camper just before we left. With the slide out, it extends to the left edge of the pavement. Here the slide is in, the bikes are on and Kent has unhooked the power. And a picture of us...We're ready to head back out on the road again.

The way I want to be every day..........

Beautiful Day!

2010-04-03T09:26:00.003-05:00

Yes, it is beautiful to me! It is raining right now and I'm listening to soul soothing, distant, low-rumbling thunder! It is good that the pollen will be washed away soon and the freshness of springtime will shine through displaying soft colors of flowers and warmer days. Praise God for His love and all He has done!

Some Family Time

2010-03-21T19:13:00.005-05:00

You know, as you get older you realize that there are things more important than those that are directly related to you. In other words, it's not just about what you want, the clothes you wear or who your friends are, which had been important for 25-30 years. Your children and grandchildren seem to be the driving force and you will do whatever it takes to see them or please them. This week Kyle came from south Florida to see the kids and spend some time with them. Since we hardly see them, our days were rearranged in order to visit, too, though we were out of town.

Everyone seemed to have a good time being together. The kids are really growing up and it won't be long before time with them will be few and far between. We love them so much and are sad that we don't seem to be with them as much as we'd like. We are very proud of them and see that they are maturing into a good young man and lady. Their love for the church is something that means so much to us. We pray it will always play an important role in their lives.

Spencer had a game late that afternoon and these pics were taken afterward. He went fishing all day with a friend who he played the game against. Real sweet boy. His parents were cordial and very kind. The man fileted a couple of the fish for their Mom to take home and cook, even giving her a recipe to prepare them. We declined to take any with us since we were a good hour and half away; we thought it would be better to have it refrigerated before we could get back.

One of these redfish is Spencer's. They were huge!

Spencer was tired by this time but got him to let me take a couple of pictures.

The sweetest granddaughter in the world...Shelby...and me!!

Feeling Great!

2010-03-15T10:00:00.003-05:00

Things are starting to look up! Whew! Seems like I've been in a hole for a while. The days are embracing Spring. Warm days, cool breezes, birds singing and great camping.

I'm healing from my accident from two weeks ago: hands are not a raw mess (though still tender), walking/running is slowly coming along, pain in left side is waning, sleeping is better, etc. Though needed, my MRI was quite stressful. I had a severe anxiety attack that overshadowed the test itself. After two doses of sedation, the MRI was finally accomplished. Results will be in soon. I am so thankful for the most wonderful husband who has cared for me during this time. I have been filled with pain and frustration and he has helped me through it all.

Tip: Even the poor can give a smile! It may make someone else's day and the blessing may very well be yours!!

Your Prayers!

2010-03-11T08:55:00.001-06:00

For those that pray, I would ask for your prayers. I am really down. The fall I recently experienced has caused problems that seem to consistently pop up. An MRI is scheduled tomorrow for my left side. Not sure what is going on. Still painful. Am afraid of more trauma. Can't do much and yet there is so much planned to do. i really want to run and can't yet. Need the meditation time. Thank you for your prayers!!

What's Going On?

2010-03-06T11:37:00.002-06:00

A quick note as to what has been happening with us. We went to participate in the Rock 'n Roll Mardi Gras Half Marathon last Sunday and our lives have entered a new dimension...not really, but you will see. A lot happened during and after the event. For those who would be interested in reading my report, please go here. Praise God we have Someone looking over us when things are out of our control!!

Spring is on the way!

2010-02-21T20:21:00.004-06:00

At least I hope it is! Though it is still quite cold for this area, I see more birds at our feeder and hear them chirping even when I can't see them. It is a sound I love to hear. The buds on trees are beginning to show themselves. These sights and sounds of spring make me happy and want to clean out stuff I "thought" I needed to keep.

It is also a time of year we begin straightening the camper and look forward to some great camping trips, even if they are short. Along with these thoughts, we've begun to arrange our camper more in line to our needs. We found a couple of individual chairs that swivel, glide and rock with accompanying gliding ottomans! These are smaller than ones you would have in your home. Perfect for what we want. So we removed our couch and replaced it with these. I can hardly wait to use them. On top of that, they match our decor perfectly. This is something Kent has wanted since purchasing the camper two years ago. We have struggled with the seating arrangements for him from the beginning. He has rarely used the couch and we have had different chairs inside that are awkward, uncomfortable and annoying to store to say the least.

Everyone have a Happy Spring!!

Valentine's Day

2010-02-16T16:56:00.003-06:00

Being at the Crop all day for the third day, you'll never know how surprised I was to enter our camper late on Valentine's night to find such sweet gifts on the table. The first thing that caught my eye was the pretty Valentine balloon with "I Love You" on it. In front of it on the table were 3 roses in a pretty little vase, some marshmallow Peeps (I love those!) and an iPod cover for attaching to my shorts/pants for running! And the best of all was the most beautiful card Kent got me! I just melted with all the sweet things he did. He put a lot of thought into this. We are very practical people and do not make a lot out of all the holidays that come down the pike. Our birthdays and anniversary are about it. I love doing and getting things because we "want" to not because we "have" to. So though this was a holiday, it wasn't a norm for us. We do exchange cards but this one this year was very touching. Thank you so much, Sweetie. I love you with all my heart!!

Snow in Jackson

2010-02-16T12:19:00.003-06:00

South Mississippi has had its share of cold weather this year! But I can happily say that I'm glad that we experienced a beautiful snowfall before winter was over. On Valentine's weekend there was a Scrapbooking Crop in Madison, MS. Our plans were to leave on Friday, the 12th, but the forecast kept saying "snow" and a lot of it! With common sense in hand, we loaded our camper a day earlier and headed north. What a great decision!! Once we got settled in, we were prepared for the weather. The bad part of it all is that I had to leave at lunch on Friday to go to the Crop. The only good thing about that was it had quit snowing around lunch. Having no wind made it easy to be outside without a coat. It was really comfortable. The only trouble we had was walking. During the night, the snow had frozen and had become icy in some areas...like our camper steps!! It was sooo dangerous and difficult to go up or down them. You really had to pay attention to each step you made. It was the same way around the truck. Our feet got "wet" from the snow and made them quite cold. As you can see, we had wonderful, beautiful snow! Hope you enjoy the slide. It was a gorgeous day!

Tee-Hee

2010-02-12T07:56:00.003-06:00

Snow, snow, snow!! Okay, I still agree with the last post about wintry weather; but it is completely different when you can experience the fresh, clean, beauty of snow! It is snowing very heavy as I write and can hardly get any thoughts together except ... tee-hee!! Looks like we're up to 3" right now. Just got word that the snow will be picking up intensity in the next two hours!! The only thing is that it looks so dangerous outside my window. The roads look icy and slick. Will be updating as the morning goes with some pictures.

Will It EVER Go Away?

2010-02-08T12:15:00.004-06:00

I'm soooo not a winter person! I use to not think much about it until this year and we actually had a REAL winter here in south Mississippi. We've even had several episodes of light snow. The only thing I can say I like about it is that sunny days are crisp and clean feeling. You can breathe better and that is nice, especially for those allergy sufferers like myself. But not liking to wear a coat, it is hard for me to even get dressed in the mornings. I want to stay in my warm home in my warm pj's and drinking neverending hot coffee!

Well, today I must don my running clothes and head out for my long run. It's today or not this week at all. At least it is suppose to get warmer this afternoon. I now leave you with wishes for a nice warm day with plenty of sunshine and fresh, clean air. Can't you just feel it now??

2010-01-22T09:39:00.003-06:00

The second gorgeous day we've had in quite some time!! Beautiful sunny day AND wonderful warmer temps. Perfect solution to the winter doldrums. Now get outside and get moving. Do something, go somewhere you haven't been in a while or sit in the warm sun with a good book. A great day to brush off that summer grill and cook something healthy. Here's wishing you all an amazing God-given day He has provided for you, His unique creation!! Thank You for loving me, warts and all!

Sad Family Reunion

2010-01-04T07:08:00.010-06:00

As most everyone knows, when your family grows it becomes harder and harder to reunite with your core family. Except for Christmas and funerals, and sometimes births, it is hardly done unless you live close enough to your loved ones to drop by occasionally. Even then it seems closeness is taken for granted and still not taken advantage of until sickness or death strikes a heavy blow. On December 30th, my husband's family lost a precious member in his life struggle. Uncle James "Foxy" Roberts went on to be with the Lord. Kent spent many hours with him and his aunt in the last few months and I'm glad he made some precious memories of reminescencings and laughter before he got so ill. Once I took my camera with me when we went to see him and his son, Ronnie, but was too shy to take it out of my purse. Regrets are not worth a cent!!! It was a good day for Uncle James. All three men laughed and shared many moments in their lives and photos would have been a great thing to have; but alas, none were taken.

So in light of this, I decided to take my camera with me after the funeral as we partook of a "family" lunch provided by their church family. Though it was awkward to ask them to pose, I do NOT regret doing so. It would be so shameful if I had let another moment pass of capturing everyone because I was too scared to ask. Soooo, out came the camera and in light of my poor ability, pictures were taken. If not at the time, I know the family will appreciate these in the future despite my pitiful efforts.

Theresa, Aunt Billie Rose and Susan

Pete, Jeanette, Judy and Bobby

Pam and Jackie

Katie, Chad, Ronnie, Aunt Billie, Judy, Betty and Alyssa

Katie, Chad, Ronnie, Judy and Alyssa

Katie, Chad, Ronnie, Aunt Billie, Judy and Alyssa

Happy New Year!

2009-12-31T08:21:00.004-06:00

Kent & I want to wish all of you out there a very Happy New Year with a healthy new outlook on your life! 2009 brought many new experiences: good and bad, happiness and sadness, new and renewed friendships, hurts and grace, diet failures and fitness achievements. Many things have happened: new adventures, closer relationships, hard work, relaxation, stress, and peace. As with everyone, we all experience things, people, and events which come and go in our lives. We all have resolutions...I mean...things that need changing about ourselves, an ability to accept the undeserved, and an outlook as a child. But I guess the best thing of it all is that there is always newness, excitement and love. As you enter this new year, we pray that you will look at circumstances in the eyes of understanding, difficult people with open arms and God as your Best Friend. Love as you have been loved, forgive as you have been forgiven and seek to understand as you have been understood. May you encounter everyone with one of your beautiful smiles!

2009-12-29T07:57:00.005-06:00

All signs of Christmas is now put away and a newness surrounds us. Looking back over the hecticness I want to share with you a few family photos; then off to a brand new year and all the wonderful blessings that await us! (It's obvious I've got a learning curve with my new camera as not all pictures taken came out clear; these were the better ones!!)

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T06:12:00.003-06:00

This year's Christmas has been very busy, different and exciting! There's much to post and much left to do with more places to go. "Flurring" just doesn't happen to snowflakes, but our time, too. Got lots to do, got lots to do!!

May everyone have a very "MERRY CHRISTMAS" and for those on the road, a safe one, too!!

Time's Flying

2009-12-13T05:14:00.003-06:00

Where does the time go? I mean, it seems like it was yesterday when it was Labor Day! With fall comes a lot of camping, traveling and races. Now before we knew it, Christmas is knocking at our door. At first, I was not going to put up a Christmas tree since we were going to be in and out so much. Then it got sad because it felt like we were being left out of the best season of all...Christmas! So while I was out one day, I saw this cute little tree and decided that this is what we'll use. Instead of our usual tree, we went with a table tree. We rarely use our dining room table except for throwing things on anyway, so why not use it to our advantage...brain storm approaching! Though all the gifts wouldn't fit on the table, they are placed around the dining room to give the whole area a festive feel. There are several underneath the dining room window. Here's our little tree with over 20 gifts around it. There's still a few more to be wrapped and purchased but you get the drift. The second photo shows the lights on the tree a little better. Enjoy and have a wonderful Christmas season with your family and friends!

Great Weekend

2009-12-07T05:35:00.009-06:00

I did not realize it had been so long since I had posted on this blog. We had our grandchildren this weekend with no schedules to keep up with. So it was all about what we wanted to do and, boy, were we busy.

Saturday morning we woke up to some snow. Okay...for all of those that know what it really looks like, no comment here. We knew it was suppose to snow and could hardly wait to get up...we wanted it so bad. But disappointedly, it wasn't much at all.

We went on to the Kiwanis Pancake Breakfast at First Baptist Church. Though the line was VERY long, there was hardly anyone eating. What's with that?? Boy, was it good. Reckon the taste had anything to do with having Spencer and Shelby being with us....naaaahh!!

Then on to the Christmas Parade we went. It was pretty cold and the wind kicked up some but it was a gorgeous day! I never put a hood on but it was a Godsend today as well as the gloves.

After all of this, we enjoyed a day of making snowman cupcakes (seen here), stamping projects, and playing Scrabble Scramble. Shelby made meatballs for our spaghetti and we had corn on the cob and French Bread to go with it. Yum, yum!

The next morning I let the kids sleep in. We don't get to be with them much and wanted to be with them as much as we could before taking them home. Shelby finished up her Peppermint Bags for her friends and made three Christmas cards...WOW!! That's a lot. You can go here to see them.

Thanks for letting me share these with you!

November 6, 2009

2009-11-12T06:18:00.003-06:00

Here's the final sunset slide. Everyone is so different, colorful and beautiful I just had to share these with you. I hope you enjoy them. The photo numbers are left on them so you can see the sequence of the sunset.

Don't forget to check out the "Gator Siting" slide below. It's amazing!

November 5, 2009

2009-11-12T06:10:00.003-06:00

Sunsets...aaahhhh! Well, I know you're probably tired of seeing my sunsets and sunrises. But I must tell you I believe we've seen the prettiest ones we've ever seen on our trip this time. The reflections on the Bay made it gorgeous to say the least! I hope you enjoy this one and the final post after this.

Is it real or not??

2009-11-12T05:29:00.002-06:00

You know I've always wondered about those warning signs you see at a water's edge saying, "Do not feed or aggravate the alligators." Was the sign REALLY meaning what it said or was it something to keep you out of the water? We've always thought it was the later...UNTIL we got up one morning to see the sun rise and saw this! Yep, a real gator. And he was at the water's edge close to the campground. I kept the photo numbers on each picture so you could see the sequence. Check out #2736! His eye is shining as he watches us! You'll also notice that the closer or the more he noticed us, the more he sank into the water. We backed off a little and got real still and it is in the later pictures that you see that he doesn't see us because he's rising to the top of the water again. A couple of the last pics were a little blurry but I wanted to show you how comfortable he was as he rose to the water's top again.

Spooky!!! I really can't believe we saw this. Oh, and by the way, this is the third time we'd seen him! Once early in the morning like this but my camera batteries quit on me and he got out of sight before I could get to the camper and reload. The day before this slide was taken we were watching the sunset (can you tell we love these two times of the day?). He was on the other side of the bay where it came to the water's edge (you have to watch that area folks because it seems that's where they love to be!!!). He was too far away for pictures before the light was gone.

What Can I Say?

2009-11-04T07:26:00.004-06:00

We have been so blessed to experience some of the most beautiful artwork by the hand of God on this trip! Here I want to share with you our first sunset over Mobile Bay (Alabama). I thought these scenes were so beautiful until we were walking away from our camper after taking them. It was then I saw the most vivid, awesome colors in the sky. It turned rich coral and the camera was not with me!!! Boo... All I could say over and over was how I hated I didn't have it with me. Thought the show was over; but obviously it was just beginning. I do want to say that the pictures you are about to see are still beautiful and I could only wish that you were here to experience it. If you want to stop the slide, place your mouse over the picture and it will stop until you move it away. So with that in mind, sit back and enjoy these gorgeous views. Can you imagine what these would look like if I had better equipment and training to take these??? Erin, I need you!!

Stephen Foster CC Park

2009-11-04T06:17:00.007-06:00

After a great weekend of fun and friends at Faith's stamping retreat, we went through the Stephen Foster Folk Cultural Center State Park and took some photos. Infomation and pictures on the stamping retreat can be found on my stamping blog. I'm so glad that I did. It was one of the prettiest parks and campgrounds we've been to. Beautiful trees with Spanish moss graced the park. It was a great place for running, too. I did not realize what a great man Stephen Foster was until we went through the museum and bell tower. The bells, with the largest weighing 426 pounds and 12.5 feet long to the smallest weighing 69 pounds and 3.5 feet long, toll every 15 minutes and on the hour rang out a familiar "concert" of his songs. There were many beautiful pianos throughout the museum along with dioramas depicting some of his most known songs.

He wrote so many songs and was a great muscian. We picked up a sheet with all of his songs listed and it was written in tiny print, three columns, and a FULL page. The Suwannee River runs through the park and he is the one that wrote that famous song, "Way Down Upon the Suwannee River". Little did I realize the artist had never seen the river! He lived in Pennsylvania. Other familiar songs he wrote was "Jeannie With the Light Brown Hair", "Camptown Races", "The Merry, Merry Month of May", "Nelly Bly", "Old Folks at Home", "My Old Kentucky Home", and "Oh! Susanna". Mr. Foster died at a very young age of 37. He had a high fever. When he got up to go to the bathroom, he fell (from the fever) and hit his head and bled a long time before he was found. Though he was alive when found he had lost so much blood he never recuperated from the loss.

Here are scenes of the park. All the buildings were painted a soft yellow; very stately looking. A couple of the photos are sideways but wanted to share them anyway. Place your mouse on the top of the picture for it to stop so you can see it better. We hope you enjoy them.

Another Gorgeous One ...

2009-10-26T14:56:00.003-05:00

I have to share another beautiful only-God given sunrise. We woke up Saturday morning to this most vivid orangey-pink sky. For those that love to sleep late, they do not know what they missing. When the sun actually rises is way too late and today would not have warranted a glancible look. Though it is a miracle for the sun to rise and set, the colors were already gone. I hope you enjoy this. If you do, please stop a moment and give God the praise and glory He deserves.

Mullet Run Pictures

2009-10-26T11:09:00.003-05:00

You can see our pictures in this link. Kent's number is 472 and mine is 473. We're in a bunch at the starting line. Look for me about 27 and him around 30. It was hilly as you'll read in this post.

A New "Do" ...

2009-10-24T20:36:00.003-05:00

You may have noticed from the last post that I look a little different from the last pictures. I got my hair cut a lot shorter than it was. The one with me in black is when I just finished the run...not cleaned up yet.

The last one is a self portrait and inside the camper and doesn't show my true hair color. The first one is much truer to life.

So what do you think?

Running in the Streets ...

2009-10-24T19:39:00.005-05:00

What a beautiful day it was today. The air was clear, crisp and cool. We went to Fairhope again for another run. This was the second year for the run. You know, you'd think a beach town would be flat; but I don't think they have a flat street there! We ran many of the streets that we did last weekend. The run was mostly up a steep grade...at least for 2 miles straight. We were excited to see many young, healthy families running. More children and teens ran than I believe I've seen. As a matter of fact, the first woman that came in was 35 years old with a time of 22:54 (7:22 pace) and get this...pushing a double stroller with two of her small children in it!! Can you believe this?? There were even THREE 5-year olds!! Yeah, they ran the 5k, NOT the one miler that followed. I love the name of the run, Running in the Streets, and the shirts are just so cute.
This is the front.

This is the back. The image was so cute, too. Sponsors were listed underneath the picture but I cropped them out.

Page and Palette Foundation put it on. They are a book store that reminds me so much of the one in "You've Got Mail" with Meg Ryan and Tom Hanks. Remember The Shop Around The Corner? Anyway, later that afternoon they had Dancing in the Streets, which they've done for a few years now. We did not stay for that. It cost to partake and several hours away. Kent won first place in his age group and I won second place.

The awards were prints ready for framing. Right above the grill of the truck is printed 1st, 2nd, or 3rd Place. Check out the rifle on the gun rack behind Pete, the driver; and the deer head image on the back window. On the right front fender is written "Country Boys Can Survive".

It's Here

2009-10-17T17:49:00.009-05:00

The cool, or may I say, cold front has arrived in Gulf Shores. Night before last it was 95 degrees heat index at 9:30 pm and yesterday morning it was already in the low 70's. This morning it was in the low 50's when we got up. Now that ought to do a number on your sinuses! Along with it has come 20-30 mph wind gusts...all day long!! These gusts, being cold, would slice right through you. But the good thing is that the temp is perfect for running. The day was beautiful. The sun was shining and the air was clear and crisp. Just a gorgeous day!

We participated in Fairhope's 5k Mullet Run this morning. The run was organized very well and it was only their second time to do it. Great job!! Runners received great looking long sleeved shirts. It was quite chilly at first but only because of the wind and once you got started it was just perfect. Don't think I even broke a sweat...no, really. Kent and I both ran very well. We ran through the historical district and it was so pretty. I probably would have broken my PR except for the fact that the entire second to third mile was all uphill! That was hard. But we really enjoyed the run very much, challenge included. Kent won 3rd place in his age group and I won first place in mine. The awards were beautiful clay pieces made by a local artist which was signed on the back. The first place one is larger. Here they are:

At the end of the race everyone enjoyed fantastic sausage jambalaya, fried fish with cocktail sause and grits with bacon, cheese and green onions to top it. This was a little strange to us-having grits; but not to the locals. It was one of the first things to empty. It wasn't our cup of tea with it being so cold, maybe if it had been hot, but not cold. Publix was a sponsor and they had lots of bananas and all kinds of donuts. Every race we've been to where they were involved, they've done an excellent job. The race was in conjunction with the Art Festival. So we went downtown to see what all they had. The exhibitors were real artists. We saw some beautiful art!

As I am writing this, the sun is going down. It is so beautiful. It's hard to believe that each day can be so very different. A few minutes ago the sun poked its head out of the middle of heavy, dense clouds and made the sky so pretty. Today was no exception to see God's hand at work. A gorgeous sunset...yea and amen!! What a blessed way to end such a great day!

Another Gorgeous Sunrise

2009-10-14T15:41:00.003-05:00

I hope you take a moment to see what we saw early yesterday morning. I believe it was one of the prettiest sunrises we've seen. God is so good and He constantly gives us reminders like this. Hope you enjoy it.

One more thing ...

2009-10-11T17:55:00.002-05:00

When we returned from the Festival today we were greeted by an unwelcomed guest. Just as I got to the camper steps, something unexpectedly moved wildly. It was a snake!! It scared me so much I screamed and honestly I can't begin to tell you what color it was. I think he was as scared of us as we were of him. Kent sprung into action. He chased that blooming thing all over the concrete pad. The first move made got that thing to squirm underneath our freezer! "Oh, Lord, please don't let it get in the motor part" was all we could literally say. We were furious and dancing all around trying to get the broom handle under the freezer without getting too close. Finally it came out the back side around the tire. It was long enough that Kent could pretty much reach it from either side of the camper with the broom handle. He must have hit that thing 25 times before it finally died. And the broom??? Let's just say it's on our list to replace.

Shrimp Festival 2009

2009-10-11T11:20:00.008-05:00

We've had a real nice time at the Shrimp Festival this year. A cool front came in Friday night and made the weekend much nicer than what we've had in the past week. The breeze was cooler making the sun more enjoyable. We were the spiffiest couple there.

On Friday night Lee Ann Womack performed. This was the best picture I could get. There were soooo many people. This was taken from a neighboring hotel parking garage. You couldn't make out if it was a notable person or a neighbor performing, ha! But I hope you can tell.

Foghat performed on Saturday night but we were too tired to go down. We had been there from 7:00 that morning until late that afternoon...a really busy but great day.

I decided to purchase a piece of art from an artist, Sean Corner, from Wichita, Kansas. I've looked at his work for the past few years. They are very thought provoking and faces are in every piece which seem to emerge from his creation. This one is called "Grow and Discover". Each one is hand sculpted and titled which makes them all unique. You can find more of his work here. Here is my piece.

We were fortunate to meet a fantastic artist, one who most in our area have seen his work. Deadened trees left by Hurricane Katrina on the Mississippi Gulf Coast are now seen in shapes of beautifully sculpted marine life and birds. They are breath-taking. He is a family man, happily married with five children. You know he donated all of his time to leave such masterpieces? Guess the thing I liked about Marlin is how humble he was. You can find his work at The Gulfport Galleria of Fine Art in Gulfport, Mississippi. You can visit his website here.

Well we ate until we couldn't hold any more.....4 times we had huge meals, once each day!!! Got to get back on our running schedule, ha! This is one of the meals we had. It was a grilled chicken-on-a-stick meal. It had rice and one other side: I had fried eggplant and Kent had onion rings. Yummmm!!! The last day we had homemade ice cream in a waffle cone. It was great!

We enjoyed the sand sculptors, too. Here are the participants:

And, finally, here's a picture of my Sweetie waiting on me to go out the final day of the Festival.

Riverwalk 5k

2009-10-04T11:45:00.003-05:00

We went to a race yesterday in Milton, Florida, about an hour away. Call me Sappy, but the one thing that drew me to this one was the cute shirt! It's whimsical, fun and colorful. I loved it and wanted one. What do you think?

It started at 4:00 p.m. and was hot and humid. There was a little breeze at first but when we started, it took off, too....in another direction! Didn't feel it again the entire race. The first mile was basically all uphill. When I saw the 1-mile sign I was gasping for air and thought I'd have to do some walking with this one. It sapped our strength. The heat and humidity took about all we had and threw it into the river. People passed me I never thought would. I'm thinking, "am I in THAT bad a shape?" Then I convinced myself that they were familiar with the course and probably ran the streets all their lives. As it turned out, that was probably true. But the end did come...whew!! This was the worse race time I've had in over a year! Kent's was not good either. After the race, we were just so happy we finished and re-hydrated. I think we both drank close to a half gallon of liquid before we felt okay. About an hour after the race we discovered that sausage, red beans and rice and chicken pot pie was being served. We got the very last of the RB and rice! Wished we had known about this earlier. A local restaurant did the cooking and both were homemade and delicious! With all of that said, we went to look at the race results board before tucking our tails and leaving. To our surprise, Kent and I both received First Place in our divisions! We were sooo excited. The first woman that came in was in my age group; this is rare at best. Most of the time it is a 20 year old. BUT that was good for me. Kent and I were two of the three people out of state that won an award. Aren't the awards cute, too?

Kudos to Ms. Williamson, the race director!!! This was their first year to have the run and it was run excellently! She did a fantastic job. The course had many turns and it was marked clearly. Traffic was closed in specific places. There was more than enough water and sports drinks as well as bananas and oranges. They never ran out. There were many snacks, too. Radio and television stations were present. I would recommend that the course be straighter and photos taken for the awards presentation. They were hoping to have 100 participants but as it turned out there were 301 runners/walkers! An exceeded expectation! Thumbs up!

A Day of Rest

2009-10-04T10:06:00.007-05:00

We had a full day yesterday and are looking for some down time today. It was World Card Making Day (that's for me) and we ran in a race. Since you have until midnight tonight to participate in the challenges on Splitcoast for card entries, I decided I would do this during the day today. I will be posting new cards soon on my blog. Would love to have you visit.

We've also encountered a "challenge" with the camper! It seems the converter has gone out!!! One is to be ordered Monday and should come in in the next couple of days. For now we are having to depend on our battery for major assistance. But in order to do that, we had to purchase a battery charger to help sustain it until the converter comes in. So, now where does this come into the budget??? Hmmmm...it doesn't!! Our 5k race was more than an hour away and by the time we returned to the camper (home) we see that our lights are VERY dim. Kent checked the charger and it read that the battery was fully charged. What is happening? It is near 9:15 and having been home 10 minutes all lights went out and the refrigerator went off. We could have done without the lights being late but we have to have the frig. So off we go to Walmart to get a battery. When we hooked it up everything worked fine.....all night long. We left our battery there and they charged it up. He talked with them the next morning and the battery was more than fine. So, is there a new problem?? For now, we have our original battery back and in working condition; lights and refrigerator are working properly. Hopefully, the converter will be here soon and real soon couldn't be fast enough.

2009-10-02T20:35:00.004-05:00

What a paradise! I guess anywhere there's beach, it's paradise for me. The sunrises and sunsets mixed with fluffy white clouds are more than amazing in the fall. The brilliant oranges and golds just can't be described. Running along the beach is so nice followed by quiet moments sitting on a bench dolphin gazing. Lazy days, sipping smoothies, and daily swims are what it's all about! It just can't get much better than this. Thank you, Lord, for great refreshment and peace and enjoyment of Your creation!

Flutterflies

2009-09-29T13:12:00.005-05:00

On our first day we were welcomed by AND inundated with tons of butterflies!! They are all over the flowery ground cover, sometimes 6 or 7 in a picture's view. I tried to get a picture of a bunch together but as soon as I would click they would flit about 2-3 feet away and move out of view of the picture. There are more small brown ones (which aren't photogenic mixed in with this ground cover), then orange, then yellow ones (which don't stay still long enough to get a pic of). But I still want to show you just how beautiful they are.

I went inside for a few minutes and within an instant we were bombarded with dragonflies! I mean hundreds of them! We've never seen so many before in one place. For about 30 minutes they were everywhere. Then as fast as they came, they flew off. Just look at the gorgeous sky in the first picture. You may have to look a little close (you can click on a photo to see it closer) but you need to see the dragonflies in these pictures.

A cold front came in last night and it was a perfect temp of 62 when we got up this morning. The day is gorgeous. The air is a little warm, the breeze is cool and the sky is gorgeous blue with white clouds. We ran 4 miles and enjoyed every minute! God has given us a beautiful first day.

2009-09-25T14:23:00.000-05:00

For the first time since Sunday, I got out and ran this morning. I am so very glad I did. It was real foggy but not smothering. As a matter of fact, I ran 5 miles! I haven't run that long in a while. My pace was slower than usual but I really didn't care. I wanted my pace to be slower to achieve a good calorie burning run instead of speed one.

Kent ran a while (for time, not distance) and worked out at the pool afterwards. I usually run longer than he as he can do his swimming and be ready about the time I've finished. I was glad to see my lady friends when I went inside to be with him. They are the sweetest ladies and we seem to have a kind of bond. There's one in particular that I always look for and she does me, too. She is in her 80's and has arthritis real bad. I don't know how she makes it there sometimes due to the pain. She still drives and is very faithful to the water aerobics class. These ladies all seem to watch after one another and check on each other if they don't know why they aren't there. It is so nice to know that women care for another as they age. I hope I will be blessed with friends like these when I reach those decades. It is truly a blessing from God!

Hot & Muggy

2009-09-18T11:50:00.000-05:00

I don't know how he does it but Kent can get out and run when you can hardly draw a breath! I have not run in the last couple of days because it was like someone stepping on my chest when I went outside. But he is faithful......guess more than I ever will be. This is encouraging for me and hope I will get on that dratted treadmill sometime today and do "something"!! I feel so much better when I run but days like the recent ones have been difficult at best! Hope I overcome this "monster" that's got me held down. Have a good one all of you out there that are so consistent...keep up the good work and great examples for others like me!

Surprise Visit

2009-09-18T08:36:00.002-05:00

Last night we were surprised by a visit from our niece in Baton Rouge! She had come through Laurel from working in Alabama. We were so excited to see her and get a chance to visit with her. It's funny how when you grow up and begin your own family how visits become few and far between, especially when you're living in different cities and states. We talked and talked and talked and never seem to exhaust our conversation. Before we knew it, it was late. I certainly hope this will not be the last visit but only a preview of others to come. We love you, Leslie!! Be safe going home!

Chattering

2009-09-15T09:02:00.005-05:00

It has been so busy lately. First one thing, then another. Races have picked up and we've enjoyed participating in them. We've also taken the camper out and got away a couple of times here and there...well, the time just gets away from you. Daddy's stroke added to the "get aways" and thankfully he is doing better now. Where does the time go? Sometimes there is not a way to account for it all. We really miss church and the end is not near. We have fantastic plans for the fall and can hardly wait to enjoy them. I have had such a yearning to make cards but only a couple have emerged which you can see at this blog. Soon I will be able to focus more on this, but for now I miss it so much. A couple of dear friends (who live away) and I have been trying to "connect" but with something one day and something else another it has been a struggle to say the least to visit. Hopefully, it won't be long before we can do so. So, to reiterate, we have just been plain ole busy! It is good to have something to do with your time. I don't know what we'd do if we were confined to home.

JCJC Run

2009-09-13T06:26:00.000-05:00

We participated in the JCJC (Jones County Jr. College) 5k Race yesterday held on their campus. It was different, at best. It was difficult for me as it seemed like I ran uphill the entire way until I got to the stadium where we ran almost a lap around the football field. This uphill tromp was hard on me and it seem to wear me down within the first mile and half. My time was horrible! Guess I met my challenge, huh?

There were over 200 participants! I knew there were a lot but couldn't believe that many were there. It was suppose to be 70% rain, but we only felt a couple of drops before the run started and no more. As it turned out, Kent won 3rd place in his age group and I won the Women's Grand Master! Beautiful fruit was served and it was real refreshing after a hard run. We really enjoyed the fellowship with other Pine Belt Pacers after the race which was a great way to end the morning.

First off are our awards. The first one is of the RRCA State Championship Grand Masters Award from the Labor Your Legs Run on Labor Day. I wanted a close-up picture of it as it is so pretty. (See the previous post for details.) I'm so proud of it and still can't believe I won it!! What an honor!

Here's Kent at the Awards Ceremony. Also, is a picture of his medal. I thought the stop watch embrazoned on it was real unique. Well, both awards were quite snazzy!

Here's me with my award and a close up picture of it.

Me & Neil...Grand Masters Winners

Us after the race

Candid Shot of some Great Pine Belt Pacer Runners

Janis, Charles and me

Labor Your Legs Run

2009-09-07T14:54:00.000-05:00

This was a great Labor Day for me! Kent & I ran in the Labor Your Legs Labor Day Run in Hattiesburg this morning. At first, I thought it wasn't going to be a good day for me. It was foggy, muggy and a little hard to breathe...and on top of that I hadn't run since running the Trek the Trace last Tuesday - a week ago!! So I hesitantly went out with the mindset that I was going to do the best I could and not worry about any times or anything. The road race was flat and a very good one; one of the best I've run in in quite a while. It only had one hill that was very close to the 3 mile mark. BUT...and I say, BUT...it turned out to be a great race for me! None of the elements above bothered me at all. My splits were good and I felt so rejuvenated which inspired me to run faster than I thought I could. Of course, the excitement of a racestart kicks in some adrenalin and helps, too. When I made my last turn going into the last tenth mile I was able to speed up a good bit and run hard. I'm so glad that I did. My finish time was 26:17! That is an 8:27 pace...yay!! I was way beyond excited! When the results came in, I found myself holding the RRCA State Champion Grand Masters bevelled mirror award! It is so beautiful and I could hardly believe it.

This was the largest number attended in Hattiesburg history! Congratulations to all of the winners! And, by the way, everyone is a winner. Any time you get out and run in a race, YOU are a winner. Just being out should inspire you to do YOUR best regardless of what that is. And for those that might need a little extra push to get off the couch and run or walk, just check out this "little" incentive ...

Number 134 is a 3-year old running the 1-mile race! Hey, I said 3 years old!! Thanks, Sweetie, for inspiring me!!! I look forward to seeing you for a LONG time...

Last Trek the Trace

2009-09-04T05:31:00.000-05:00

We were able to attend the last Trek the Trace event of the summer. It was held at the USM Longleaf Trace Station. This run entailed predetermining your end time for 2 miles. You could not use your watch (of course) and should not go over the time you estimated. It did not matter who crossed the finish line first only who came the closest to their guessed time. You were to shoot for a Personal Record time on this course. I have been using my daily training course as my best time but in this case, but this was a documented course time. My time was 17:24 with a pace of 8:41 per mile. Now, I have a "real" time to start from. I came in 26 seconds better than my guess and Kent came in 35 seconds better. It was good for both of us.

Our faithful race recorder: Nestor, doing a fantastic job!

Page 1 of the finishing times.

Page 2 of the finishing times.

After the run we enjoyed great food. I'm glad you couldn't see our plates!!

The Smell of ...

2009-09-02T09:12:00.001-05:00

FALL! I love the cooler mornings and the changing shadows. Can't you smell fall approaching? School is in the air and shortly it will be the cooler feel of the County Fair. Whether you go or not, that's another thing but you can "feel" it in the air. And, if you drive by...wow...the smells of cotton candy, corn dogs and grilled veggies, as well as the sights and sounds of the "carnival" bring back fun childhood memories.

There are other smells that bring back memories or gives you that comforting sense. One of those is coffee brewing early in the morning. But, of course, I enjoy coffee anytime of the day and with anyone that will enjoy it with me. Along with this, the smell of bacon cooking is great. When I was a little girl (and I mean little) I remember slowly waking up from the night before...early in the morning, smelling these two foodies wafting through the house. My Mom would be making breakfast for my Dad before he went to work. Ohhhh, how wonderful were these smells.

Another long time smell is one of honeysuckle blooming. If you have never experienced this sweet fragrance, you don't know what you are missing! Early morning scent of this bloom will tantalize your odiferous senses. This past year I've had the pleasure of enjoying this particular smell when running at the Sportsplex early in the morning. It almost hypnotizes you and forces you into another time and place.

I hope everyone enjoys this wonderful Fall season while it is approaching.

More Trek the Trace Pics

2009-09-01T09:53:00.000-05:00

Here are a few more pictures of us at the Trek the Trace last Tuesday, 8/25. Don't know who took them, but we appreciate them. For more details of the run and more pics, please see the August 27th post below.

Prior to the Race

Preparing for our Pilates class

Ready to Trek

This was a lot of fun!

Week of August 23rd

2009-08-31T16:05:00.000-05:00

Last week was a very good week. I ran 5 out of 7 days. I had a total of 23 for the week. I achieved an 8:41 pace per mile on Saturday. My PB is 8:40. This is 1 second off from my best running time!
_____________________________

Got a call this morning that my Dad had a stroke and was sent to Jackson. Not sure when we can get back to running...on hold for now. I covet your prayers.

Great Tuesday - UPDATED 8/27/09

2009-08-27T05:25:00.000-05:00

Kent and I decided last week that we would join the other Pine Belt Pacers at the Longleaf Trace in Hattiesburg to do a "partner run". It was different from anything we'd done. Having a race to train for is one thing, but we thought this would put a spark in our running. Unfortunately due to the weather reports forecasting rain, it was postponed to the following Tuesday (this week). But since it didn't rain but many of the locals still got together. Kent and I practiced running together once last week and then again the actual day of the run. (I added a couple more miles to my run while Kent swam. This made 6 miles for me and 4 for him for Tuesday.) Prior to the race, Christy T. taught us some core exercises (Pilates) which is especially good for runners. It builds abdominal muscle strength which are the ones that actually "move" your body. I thoroughly enjoyed these. I do a few core exercises myself but took advantage of learning some different ones. Thanks, Christy!

The rules of the run were:
1. No running watches.
2. No iPods. (This one was hard for me!)
3. Must run with your partner AND cross the finish line together.
4. Predict your running time for the partnership.

The object of this race was to see who could come closest to guessing how long it would take them to run the two miles together, so it didn't matter who crossed the finish line first. How cool is this! We put our prediction on the chart and off we went. As with any race, we seemed to start out faster than our norm, but we stayed together. Since it was held at 6:00 p.m. and with the recent cool front gracing our area, the temp was great.

We couldn't believe how close some guessed. The winning partners came within 3 seconds of their estimated run time! I believe this is correct. WOW...great job ladies! Here are the winners:

I'd love to do this again...how fun! After the run, we enjoyed some delicious food. Pizza was brought in and some brought complimentary foods. There was a great black bean and corn salad and a wonderful squash casserole brought...yummy!! I could have eaten these all by myself, but resisted...kinda! Frank B. was kind enough to take our picture...eating, of course!!

We really enjoyed the evening and loved the fellowship. Everyone is so nice. They encourage you whether you are a seasoned runner or a novice. What great people! To see all of the pictures, go to the Pine Belt Pacers web site.

This is the end of the summer and I think next week is the end of their weekly Tuesday runs. I hate that we didn't participate in more, but there's always next year and something to look forward to.

Good News for the Tight Budget

2009-08-25T05:14:00.000-05:00

Today I'd like to share with you an article on great staple foods to keep on hand that are cost effective for those on a tight budget. If you do not like most of these, remember you may have to make an effort to change your "likes". Your body will always crave what you've put in it for years and for most of us, that's unhealthy things. Our tastes change in different stages of our lives, so keep this list handy for your next shopping trip and be adventurous. Remember the old saying: "Try it, you might like it!"
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Top 10 Budget-Friendly Foods (Healthy Ones!)

Tightening your belt these days? You don't have to cut back on healthy foods as you're trimming your family food budget! Here are 10 top picks for economical and delicious healthy foods.
By Joy Bauer

With the economy suffering and food prices rising, your family’s grocery bill might be in need of a few budget cuts. Unfortunately, because of the misperception that healthy foods always cost more, nutritious foods like fresh produce are often the first to get bumped from grocery carts. But there are plenty of ways to save money without sacrificing the quality of your diet. Here are 10 of my top picks for healthy foods that won’t break the bank.

1. Oats
Oats are one of the cheapest healthy breakfast options around, and, as a member of the whole-grain family, they’re loaded with healthful nutrients. One serving of oatmeal (made from a half-cup dry oats) doles out five grams of protein and four grams of fiber, while setting you back only about 30 cents (and 150 calories).

Buy plain, dry oats in the big canisters rather than the (often presweetened) individual packets, which are way more costly. This way, you’re also in control of the added ingredients, sugars, and total calories in your breakfast. Great mix-ins include fresh or dried fruit (such as diced apple, sliced banana, berries, or raisins), peanut butter, chopped nuts, or a few teaspoons of preserves.

2. Healthy Frozen Mixed-Vegetable Blends
Bagged frozen vegetables are one of the greatest values in the grocery store (generic versions are typically cheaper than the popular name brands, unless there’s a sale). And because mixed-vegetable blends (such as stir-fry or California-style varieties) contain up to seven different vegetables in one bag, they are an incredibly easy and cost-effective way to incorporate a colorful variety of healthy produce into your diet. You’d spend significantly more if you bought all those veggies individually in their fresh form and would be much more likely to have the extras go to waste.

Frozen vegetables really are just as nutritious as fresh. They’re picked at their peak and flash-frozen, locking in all their healthful nutrients. Use frozen veggies just as you would fresh — in soups, chilies, casseroles, pasta sauces, omelets, stir-fries, and side dishes. Just make sure you don’t select blends that contain sauces, salt, sugar, or other unhealthy additives.

3. Fresh Fruit: Bananas, Apples, and Oranges
Refilling your fruit bowl every week can cost an arm and a leg… but it doesn’t have to! Make affordable fruits like bananas, apples, and oranges your weekly staples, and save more costly options like pineapple, pomegranates, melons, and papayas for special treats.

Bananas in particular are a bargain hunter’s dream. Select green, relatively unripe bananas at the store so they last all week. Don’t worry about them going to waste either; if they start to turn black and squishy, toss them into a plastic storage bag and freeze for later. Use frozen bananas in healthy fruit smoothies, or mash them up and mix into oatmeal, low-fat muffins, or pancakes.

Don’t forget about those oranges and apples — they’re kid-friendly, easy to tote, and stay fresh longer than most fruits.

4. Lentils
Lentils really are the king of legumes. They’ve got it all: fiber, protein, folate, iron, potassium, and a host of other trace minerals. Plus, they’re super-affordable and surprisingly easy to prepare. Unlike dried beans, they don’t require presoaking and they cook up quickly. Simmer lentils with diced tomatoes and seasonings for a hearty side dish, or add dry lentils to soups or stews to increase protein without relying on expensive meats.

5. Beans (Canned or Dried)
You can’t go wrong with these little guys. Like lentils, beans are packed with protein, making them an economical alternative to meat, poultry, and seafood. Plus, they’re healthy — loaded with fiber, which, among other things, maintains digestive health, reduces cholesterol levels, and keeps blood sugars under control.

Stockpile these pantry staples when they go on sale; dried beans will keep for up to a year, and canned beans last twice as long. If you choose canned beans, buy low-sodium whenever possible and be sure to thoroughly rinse before using to remove excess salt from the canning liquids.

Substitute beans for ground meat in chilies, tacos, soups, or burgers, or add them to cold salads. Pureed beans can even be used as a healthy, low-fat alternative to butter or oil in baked goods.

6. Peanut Butter
Peanut butter is a concentrated source of protein, as well as heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, vitamin E, and B vitamins. Of course, it’s also a concentrated source of calories, so make sure you limit yourself to no more than two tablespoons per serving (two level tablespoons are 195 calories).

Your money will be better spent if you choose natural peanut butters without added sugars or other additives. For a thrifty, wholesome breakfast, enjoy peanut butter spread on whole-wheat toast. Or squirrel away the cash you’d normally shell out for an expensive deli sandwich and have a “grown-up PB&J” for lunch — a real comfort food — by substituting sliced fresh fruit (apples or bananas work best with the bonus of being among the cheapest fruits) for jelly on your sandwich.

7. Canned Salmon
The healthy benefits of eating omega-3-rich fish like wild salmon are clear, but the price of fresh fish can be hard to swallow, especially if you’re feeding an entire family. Canned wild (Alaskan) salmon is a much more economical way to get your weekly fish quota. If you’re willing to spend just a few extra minutes removing the bones and skin yourself (rather than buying the boneless, skinless variety), you can save yourself even more money.

Canned salmon is perfect for cold salmon salad and warm salmon melts, and it makes great salmon cakes when mixed with egg, milk, and whole oats. Kids will love its mild flavor, too. Of course, canned salmon provides a hefty dose of sodium, so you’ll want to take that into consideration if you’re watching your salt intake.

8. Fat-Free Yogurt
An easy protein- and calcium-rich snack or breakfast option is fat-free yogurt. If your family members are big fans of this dairy favorite, consider buying the large 32-ounce tubs instead of the pricier individual cartons. Purchasing yogurt in portable six-ounce containers is convenient, but your wallet will be rewarded (you’ll save at least 20 percent) by taking a few extra seconds to scoop out an individual serving into a plastic container or bowl. Since the 32-ounce containers come in only a limited number of flavors, keep plenty of fun add-ins such as fresh fruit, raisins, and flavored extracts on hand to add some variety.

9. Eggs
Eggs are another low-cost, high-quality protein source. When stored properly in the fridge, raw eggs last about three weeks in the shell, so stock up when they’re on sale. Also consider buying one of the trays of 18 or two dozen that are available in some grocery and club stores to save a few more pennies. Use eggs to whip up cost-effective, meatless dinner entrées like omelets, frittatas, low-fat quiches, and egg sandwiches. Replace some of the whole eggs in these recipes with egg whites to lower the calories, fat, and cholesterol.

10. Sweet Potatoes
Our list of cheap eats would not be complete without the humble potato. For an added boost of nutrition, try replacing your regular old white potatoes with sweet potatoes. Like white potatoes, they are one of the richest sources of potassium, but ounce for ounce, sweet potatoes deliver more fiber, vitamin C, and beta-carotene than their pale cousins. These nutritional powerhouses don’t have to be limited to Thanksgiving dinner, either. Turn sweet potatoes into everyday favorites: Use them to prepare oven fries, mashed potatoes, and stews. Or, for a super-easy side, pierce a whole sweet potato with a fork, wrap in a damp paper towel, and microwave for four to five minutes. Top with nonfat Greek yogurt… or salsa for a little kick! One medium-sized sweet potato provides about 200 calories.

For more diet and nutrition advice, visit Joy Bauer's site.

Week of Aug. 17 Summary

2009-08-24T18:51:00.000-05:00

By the end of the week, I had run more often than I had in a long time. This week I had put in some slower runs to build up my stamina. My plans are to do this off and on before adding more miles in an individual run. I ran 5 out of 7 days with a total mileage of 19 miles. (Wish I had known I was so close, I'd have done an extra mile somewhere to equal 20.)

Tuesday we planned to run a 2-miler at the Longleaf Trace. It was a partner run and Kent and I wanted to do something different. After training on Monday to see if we could run together easy, we were ready; but the weather had other intentions. A front was coming in and the run was postponed Tuesday. It is to be rescheduled next Tuesday.

Saturday, the 22nd, Kent and I ran in the Oak Grove High School 5k. This is the first race we've run since May and the first time I'd run hard since my hip started hurting. So far, so good...no pain! I won my age group with an 8:46 mile pace. I was real excited to run so well. This gives me a good starting point to work from. The awards were real nice and made by High School students. They were ceramic in the shape of the state of Mississippi with different things written on them. A hole was made in the top where a black ribbon was tied through it. The one I chose was simple and had the school name, 5k, 2009, and the "warrior" Indian marking on it. The school is Oak Grove High School Warriors. The state was golden yellow with the edges painted black; these were their school colors (the same as USM.)

Encouraging Words

2009-08-21T10:22:00.004-05:00

I wanted to share with you a devotion from Proverbs 31 Ministries everyone should read. I hope you will be blessed by it.

Honestly
by Lysa TerKeurst

"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." I Timothy 4:15 (NIV)

I think we all get to a place sometimes in our life where we have to honestly assess, "How I am doing?"

It's not really a conversation I have with a friend or family member. It's one of those middle of the night contemplations where there's no one to fool. There's no glossing over the realities staring me in the face.

I know certain things about myself need to change but it's easier to make excuses than tackle them head on. Rationalizations are so appealing:

I'm good in every other area.
I make so many sacrifices already.
I need this comfort in this season of life- I'll deal with it later.
I just can't give this up. The Bible doesn't specifically say this is wrong.
It's not really a problem, if I really wanted to make a change, I could - I just don't want to right now.
Oh for heaven's sake, everyone has issues, so what if this is mine?

And on and on.

But excuses always get me no where fast. This is especially true for me in the area of healthy eating. Even if that's not your issue, I suspect this same script of rationalization has played out in your mind over other things.

So, the cycle continues day after day, week after week, year after year.

A whole lifetime could be spent making excuses, giving in, feeling guilty, resolving to do better, mentally beating myself up for not sticking to my resolve, feeling like a failure, and then resigning that things can't change.

And I don't want to spend a lifetime in this cycle.

Nothing will change until I make the choice to change . I have to want it, spiritually, physically and mentally. The battle really is in all three areas.

Spiritually: In Colossians 3 1-5 we are told to set our minds and our hearts on things above. In order to do this, we have to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature which sets itself up as an idol in my life.

Idolatry is trying to get my needs met outside the will of God.

Bingo. Can't deny it. This described food for me at times. Again, it wasn't a huge problem where I was medically in danger. But, any idolatry, no matter how small is a problem.

Physically: According to an extensive study done by Northwestern University, calorie restriction is the key ingredient for managing weight issues. (The link to see this study can be found on Lysa's blog today.) Of course, they state that exe rcise is also important but good nutrition is crucial.

Bingo. Can't deny it. It does matter what I eat. My weight is a reflection of what I consume.

Mentally: Don't settle. Don't compromise. What happens when you cut the "com" off of the word compromise? You're left with a "promise."

We were made for more than compromise. We were made for God's promises in all areas of our life.

Honestly. I am made for more than a vicious cycle of eating, gaining, stressing - eating, gaining, stressing...

I am made to rise up, do battle with my issues, and using the Lord's strength in me, defeat them - spiritually, physically, and mentally - to the glory of God.

Dear Lord, help me be courageous enough to speak honestly to You and to myself in those areas I'm giving in to compromise. Show me how to rely on Your strength for more self-discipline in my life - not for my glory but for Yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Do you know the One who can help you overcome?

Application Steps:
So, how are you doing spiritually, physically, and mentally?

Decide today to set your mind on things above and ask God to reveal to you an area in which He wants to usher you to victory. It will take prayer. It will take faith. And it will take the encouragement of a friend.

Reflections:
What issue do I have that consumes way too much of my mental energy and produces stress in my life? Why not start tackling it today?

How might I apply the insights from this devotion to my particular situation?

Power Verses:
1 Timothy 4:16, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (NIV)

Philippians 1:25-26, "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progres s and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." (NIV)

Psalm 27:8, "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." (NIV)

Encouraging Words ...

2009-08-21T10:06:00.000-05:00

While it may have seemed I was a little hard on you about weight issues. I want to take a moment to share with you a devotion that WILL encourage you in this area. Making choices is the bottom line, but there is also a mental issue to deal with, too. I pray you enjoy this! [This is taken from Proverbs 31 Ministries.]

"Honestly" by Lysa TerKeurst

"Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress." I Timothy 4:15 (NIV)

I think we all get to a place sometimes in our life where we have to honestly assess, "How I am doing?"

It's not really a conversation I have with a friend or family member. It's one of those middle of the night contemplations where there's no one to fool. There's no glossing over the realities staring me in the face.

I know certain things about myself need to change but it's easier to make excuses than tackle them head on. Rationalizations are so appealing:

I'm good in every other area.
I make so many sacrifices already.
I need this comfort in this season of life- I'll deal with it later.
I just can't give this up. The Bible doesn't specifically say this is wrong.
It's not really a problem, if I really wanted to make a change, I could - I just don't want to right now.
Oh for heaven's sake, everyone has issues, so what if this is mine?

And on and on.

But excuses always get me no where fast. This is especially true for me in the area of healthy eating. Even if that's not your issue, I suspect this same script of rationalization has played out in your mind over other things.

So, the cycle continues day after day, week after week, year after year.

A whole lifetime could be spent making excuses, giving in, feeling guilty, resolving to do better, mentally beating myself up for not sticking to my resolve, feeling like a failure, and then resigning that things can't change.

And I don't want to spend a lifetime in this cycle.

Nothing will change until I make the choice to change . I have to want it, spiritually, physically and mentally. The battle really is in all three areas.

Spiritually: In Colossians 3:1-5 we are told to set our minds and our hearts on things above. In order to do this, we have to put to death whatever belongs to our earthly nature which sets itself up as an idol in my life.

Idolatry is trying to get my needs met outside the will of God.

Bingo. Can't deny it. This described food for me at times. Again, it wasn't a huge problem where I was medically in danger. But, any idolatry, no matter how small is a problem.

Physically: According to an extensive study done by Northwestern University, calorie restriction is the key ingredient for managing weight issues. (The link to see this study can be found on Lysa's blog today.) Of course, they state that exe rcise is also important but good nutrition is crucial.

Bingo. Can't deny it. It does matter what I eat. My weight is a reflection of what I consume.

Mentally: Don't settle. Don't compromise. What happens when you cut the "com" off of the word compromise? You're left with a "promise."

We were made for more than compromise. We were made for God's promises in all areas of our life.

Honestly. I am made for more than a vicious cycle of eating, gaining, stressing - eating, gaining, stressing...

I am made to rise up, do battle with my issues, and using the Lord's strength in me, defeat them - spiritually, physically, and mentally - to the glory of God.

Dear Lord, help me be courageous enough to speak honestly to You and to myself in those areas I'm giving in to compromise. Show me how to rely on Your strength for more self-discipline in my life - not for my glory but for Yours. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Do you know the One who can help you overcome?

Application Steps:
So, how are you doing spiritually, physically, and mentally?

Decide today to set your mind on things above and ask God to reveal to you an area in which He wants to usher you to victory. It will take prayer. It will take faith. And it will take the encouragement of a friend.

Reflections:
What issue do I have that consumes way too much of my mental energy and produces stress in my life? Why not start tackling it today?

How might I apply the insights from this devotion to my particular situation?

Power Verses:
1 Timothy 4:16, "Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers." (NIV)

Philippians 1:25-26, "Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progres s and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." (NIV)

Psalm 27:8, "My heart says of you, 'Seek his face!' Your face, Lord, I will seek." (NIV)

Being Fat = Choice

2009-08-18T12:31:00.000-05:00

That's right, I said it. If you are looking for excuses for the excess weight you carry around, you are looking in the wrong place. There's a low percentage of people who can attribute their weight to something "substantial" other than pure out lazy, selfishness. Since it's beginning, I've watched The Biggest Loser (TBL) and with as much as they have to lose, everyone eventually came to the realization that it began with poor choices.

There are reasons we make bad choices but if we're honest most are due to laziness or lack of self esteem. God never intended for us to be fat but to take care of the bodies He has given us. If you belong to Him, your body is His temple for residing within you. As with anything else, our priorities (another name for choice) take precedence. Unless you are sitting with another person due to illness, are bedridden, or you are taking medication that is known to cause weight or fluid gain, YOU ARE IN CONTROL of your health.

Exerpt: A tribute to my Grandmother: She was bedridden for many years due to muscular dystrophy. She had her right mind until she went home to be with the Lord. But up until the very end, she always exercised. That's right. She found innovative ways to exercise/move her arms, legs and even her eyes. She even watched what she ate because others had to lift her many times in the day. She had plenty of excuses but CHOSE not to use them. Wow! What a testimony! I look at it this way. You can put forth effort to do something about it or you can take the easy road, which is a wide busy one, and be lazy and fat! It's your choice!!

Now, getting back to TBL...if they can do it, there's absolutely no reason whatsoever for you not to be able to. It can be done!! It doesn't matter if you are 20 pounds, 50 pounds, 100 pounds or more than 200 pounds overweight. Success starts with a choice. You can wait until it is out of control or you can do something about it while it is manageable.

When I began Weight Watchers a year and a half ago, some would tell me that I didn't need to go on a diet. And, actually, I never did nor do I now nor will I ever advocate a "diet". I WILL advocate eating right! To me, DIETS = FAILURE. If you do not believe me, try this exercise (no, not the sweaty kind). Listen to those who diet say how much they hate salads and are not losing (or even gaining) weight or hate working out/exercising or all they do is drink diet drinks, eat carrot sticks and are hungry all the time? Ding, ding! They're doing it wrong! If you hear this or have said it yourself, look at what kind of salad you are eating or look at how much soda you are drinking or what kind of exercises you are doing and for how many weeks did it last. Salads are not the answer. Neither is a gallon of diet drink. If you fill your body with what it needs to function, you'll find that it is all you need. In Bible times, people ate many kinds of grains. This spells fiber...which in turn spells full with energy to boot.

Learn to like different foods. There are so many available to us now from all over the world and the options are huge. We're not confined to manna in the wilderness, you know. It will take some adjusting and discipline to drop fried foods and sugary treats. I know, I've been there. Remember, there are great fruits out there for your sweet tooth.

I do believe in eating correctly and keeping our bodies in good working order (exercise of some type). The kind of exercise I enjoyed usually depended on another person to be involved; i.e., racquetball (my favorite!), softball, etc. Since a "buddy" was not available (and had not been for quite a while), I made up my mind to LIKE something that only depended on me. This way no one or nothing else could be my "excuse" not to maintain a program. Please read carefully - I MADE UP MY MIND! This is the key.

I knew after carrying around the weight I had for a while that it wasn't going to get better with age. I mean, I'm not cheese or wine! (No comments about the age, please.) Though I've never been heavy, I've always been able to drop the pounds pretty easy. I like being active and doing things for exercise as oppose to going to some boring, stinking weight room. But this time, the weight wouldn't drop. So, I stepped back and took another look at "me" to see what was going on. My fast path to out-of-control obesity was coming at me strong. It scared me and I knew I had to do something about it. Then it came to me that I needed accountability which in turn enforces discipline. We all do when it comes to doing something we may not stick with whether it is eating correctly, exercising or even reading our Bibles daily. This is one thing I am so high on with Weight Watchers...accountability. Weighing in at the meetings. NO!!! You cannot do it at home. You'll cheat or not weigh. We all love ourselves and will do whatever it takes to protect us even if it is to play psychological games. We're weird, aren't we?

When you start feeling better you won't want to go back. And just think....you may even drop medication if you are using any! What a great perk! So the bottom line is, do you want to live until you're 50 "fat and sassy" or do you want to live until you're 85 and leave this world when God chooses to take you home? Again, the choice is mostly up to you. I beg you...choose life!!

Insights ...

2009-08-17T17:04:00.008-05:00

It's funny how some people are comfortable with who they are. Some are quite arrogant in their ways in the face of others (whether good or bad). Some are just downright selfish and make no bones about it. And some people are quite critical when others don't respond the way they think they should. The time has past when it was of high integrity to show faith, humbleness and truthfulness as prime characteristics of a person. It is a pity. Lessons could be easier taught not because they had "gone down that road" but trusted the One and True God who brought them through rough times while living right, respect was highly, quietly bestowed and not demanded, and a man's word was an honor and not according to his circumstances.

I feel that you should NEVER be comfortable with yourself. Can you think of a time when you "have arrived" at a certain level or reach where you feel you should be, sitting back in your comfortableness (I think this is not a word but mine) not needing improvement on anything in your life? I'm not saying walk around with low esteem; but I am saying in order to have a healthy self esteem, you must walk humbly before the Lord and KNOW that you have a purpose...and it's not to do what you want or to have what you want or to be where you want...but to acknowledge that God has a reason for you to be right here at this moment. This purpose can change week-to-week, day-by-day and sometimes even hour-by-hour depending on how sensitive we are to His Spirit and His guidance in our lives (I'm not referring to the calls that last a lifetime). Once you've discovered your mission and obeyed Him, then it's on to the next thing He has so lovingly planned for you and only you to do. But whatever it is, remember that God can change when He wants and however He wants. He does not need our approval!

We must be oh so careful that we do not get caught up in the "doing" of our Christian work, but in the being. We are human beings, not human doings! Being humans we are born in sin with a tendency toward sin; but through the grace of God He touches our hearts to let us know that He loves us individually and wants to walk by our side. It is up to me to let Him do this!

Now, we must be careful when we blatantly "speak" for Him. I've heard people say that God says this or that flippantly and irreverantly; but I think unless God directs us to speak as such, we can lay claim on an issue speaking out of His untimely will and causing more damage than we may know. Remember, Satan knows Scripture better than we ever could but takes them out of context and/or out of His timing to present a case that betters himself. Some people even hurt others because they speak "truth" at an inopportune time or unacceptable manner and cause irrepairable damage to one's life. Oh, we must be so careful if we choose to "speak" for Him.

I know these are mixed up thoughts and they weren't laid out in publication form, I'll do better in the future; but I wanted to share what was on my mind with you. I have so much I want to say and will be sharing them from time to time. I thank God that He forgives us our mishaps and I pray He will bring those who choose to go their own way back to His fold soon. May we ever be mindful of Proverbs 3:5-7 to always acknowledge Him, regardless of our reasonings, so that He will be free to direct our paths.

I love you and may God be close to your side today.

A Great Dinner with Family

2009-08-14T20:18:00.003-05:00

We had a very nice time together last night as we celebrated Spencer's 13th birthday, which is on Saturday. We went to the Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant and ate all we could possibly hold. But better than that we talked and laughed and shared such sweet memories, new and old. I love my family and I miss them so very much. Seems we hardly get together any more except for a quickie at Christmas. I hope, with God's help, we can do better about our visits before this life passes us by...and it's going by so fast. Spencer and Shelby are growing so fast. It only seems like yesterday when I held Shelby as a newborn and kept her for the first month of her life. Where has the time gone? Please treasure the moments you have with your children. There's no better time than the present. It's God's blessings for you to own; but like manna in the desert it has to be enjoyed now...it will not be there tomorrow!

We have the best grandchildren in the world. Oh, and Dad and Aunt are jewels, too!!

It's Home!!

2009-08-13T06:07:00.002-05:00

Our baby's home!! We've missed her soooo much! Yep, our camper is our baby. We picked her up yesterday and I could "feel" her smiling and trying to roll up to us when we pulled into the lot. She missed us, too!! It was like we're all together now and everything's going to be alright. I felt like a scene out of the movie "Cars". I knew she missed us, too.

After being in the shop for 5 weeks and 2 days, we were quite anxious to get our camper back home where it belonged. She's given us soooo much joy AND freedom to go and be places we love...and she's been right there with us all the way making our memories rich and full. We're going to give her a good bath...I mean, wash it...today and make it all better and ready for our next trip, which by the way won't be long. Today will be a re-packing day. We took a lot of things out of the camper before taking it to get repaired. So after her wash, I'll begin filling her back up. Yay...we're all together again!!

What's Happening

2009-08-09T17:13:00.004-05:00

Our camper is STILL in the shop!! We are quite disappointed that it has taken over 5 weeks (so far) to get it repaired. When we called about it last week, the lady was so surprised to hear that they had had it for that long. She's been on vacation a lot this summer and wasn't there when we brought it in, nor when we called to check on it. Kent told her that he was going to pick it up next week that they had had plenty of time to get it ready and she said okay. With having it this long and it being a new camper, I think they should pay for that month's note.....what do YOU think?? I mean, it's only right since we cannot use it AND it's still brand new. Okay...got that off my chest!

We are wanting to go camping so badly, we can hardly wait to get it back, even if it's for only a couple of nights. We are presently planning our next big trip this fall. Don't know if it's because of being camper-less or we like this new adventure of longer stays, but we're hoping to do another 3-4 week stay. I have a Stamping Retreat planned and we're going to tack on a longer stay either before or after it while we're gone. Tee-hee!! Big happy grin here!

My right hip seems to have gotten well and our running blog is updated with that information. Also, I was able to do a few card challenges this week and my stamping blog reflects that.

I Needed This ...

2009-08-08T10:19:00.000-05:00

I decided to go to Weight Watchers this morning to weigh in. My reason to start it initially was to be accountable. Since I've been on the "lifetime" status having to weigh in only once a month, I've taken advantage of it and been quite slack. Last Thursday, July 31, was the last day that month I had to weigh in. This gave me a reason to start being serious again. My weight had dropped about 3 pounds before going in so it was a good start.

Today, I went to weigh in again since I had the chance to run often this week as I wanted to see what progress I had made. My weight fluctuated at the beginning of the week 3 pounds a day sometimes. All I wanted was to have dropped at least a half pound from last week's weigh in and I would be satisfied. But I really felt like I had done better because I "felt" better. So, I donned my "weigh in" clothes (you know, the lightest weighted ones you can find) and jumped on my WW scales to see how it would compare to theirs. I always do this and sometimes it is as much a difference as a pound! Hey, that's a lot when they count in half pound increments. Anyway, I got my figure and off I went. When I got on the scales I was happy because I knew I had dropped at least a pound and half and was excited about that. BUT, to my surprise, I had dropped 3.5 pounds in a week!!!! WOW!! I was so elated and happy to see that my running and diligence in feeding my body better had paid off. Next goal ... keep it up!

Weekly Summary

2009-08-07T12:33:00.000-05:00

My run early this morning was great! My goal was to do a slow, calorie-burning run. So I donned my iPod and began my listening with the songs I have set up for a half marathon...slower paced. It worked great. I am so influenced by the beats and rhythms of songs as I seem to run accordingly. Most every run is followed by an abdominal, weights, core and floor workout. This week I had a total of 22.5 miles clocked. The following shows the day, miles run, time of run, pace per mile and comments. [Hope you can read it, I'm struggling and I wrote it!]

Mon...3.5 mi...35:24 min...10:06 pace...Right hip still sore
Tue...4 mi.....39:51 min....9:57 pace...Hip better
Wed...4 mi.....37:13 min....9:18 pace...No pain!
Thu...5 mi.....46:37 min....9:19 pace...Two days with no pain!
Fri...6 mi...1:00:00 hr....10:00 pace...Slow, calorie-burning run

Ever Wonder What They Look Like???

2009-08-07T12:25:00.000-05:00

Have you ever wondered what a 100 calorie snack looks like in your favorite candy? Here's the low-down:

1/2 Kit Kat bar
2/3 cup mini-marshmallows
29 M&M's
10 Peanut M&M's
1/3 Snickers bar
1/3 3 Musketeers bar
1/2 York Peppermint patty
A good way to ensure you only eat the size listed above is to measure the serving out and freeze it (okay, not the marshmallows ).

When you get the urge pull out a piece. It will take a bit longer to savor since it's frozen.

Resource: ~~100-Calorie Snack Cookbook by Sally Sampson

Weight Watchers Alert: Just because it is 100 calorie doesn't mean it is WW worthy...be careful!

Only One Way To Go ...

2009-08-05T09:34:00.000-05:00

I think I'm on the way up!! Yay!!! I am feeling so much better and am beginning to run a little more like I ought to. With another half marathon bouncing around in my mind, the need to train is a constant reminder. Though I like to froze to death at my first one, I can hardly wait to do another; I guess just to see if I can do it again. Of course, I better be sure I can do a 10k first, huh? Oh well, it never hurts to have goals!

This is the third day in a row that I've run with the past two days being very slow runs so I don't overstress my hip. I ran 4 miles this morning and felt fantastic! No pain!!! Whew! I was getting discouraged over this whole thing. Not sure if it was my new shoes or if I had overworked my right hip, laying off for 5 days or so has definitely helped. So, I'm back to my old shoes. Since I'm not sure if they were the problem I hate to take the chance on these beautiful babies. Guess I'll invest in another new pair and can now say I have great looking walking shoes.

I have picked up about 6 or 7 pounds and am now excited about getting them off. Knowing I can run now should take care of this. Though it doesn't seem like much to most people, if you don't watch it, it WILL be a problem before you realize it. I know...it happened to me. And although I was never "fat" or "obese" according to the standards of today, I was heavier than I had ever been in my life and was well on my way to being in that group. To see my progress, go HERE and scroll to the August 26th entry. There's no reason to wait to do something about how you live and eat. If you wait until you are fat, you have more than an obstacle ahead to overcome. Don't let it happen to you!! Weight Watchers is a life saver...try it and see the results! Eat better and feel better...start today!

New STATs

2009-08-05T09:30:00.000-05:00

For those of you that might think that the words "light", "healthy" or "low fat" are things to go by, please go HERE and scroll down the page for the Dear Dining Out" section for some shockers.

2009-08-04T11:16:00.000-05:00

Well, I've taken it easy on my hip in the last week and a half. I think it's paid off. I truly hate to say that since my luck is that I will prove that wrong subconsciously :(

I ran once last week on Tuesday and my right hip hurt every step and was glad that it was over. Man, was I!!!

We got back from Orlando late Sunday and my hip was feeling so much better, even with all the walking we did at the Convention Center. So yesterday, I ran very slow and took my time. Though I could "feel" it deep it did not hurt, even all day long. My run was 3.5 miles with a pace of 10:06/mile. Today I thought I would follow suit and try it again. My goal was the same as yesterday with hopes of doing 4 miles. As it turned out, 4 was achievable with a slightly faster pace of 9:57. I can hardly stand to hear this pitiful pace! BUT I don't want to get hurt and ruin my running for months.

I've picked up about 6 pounds since all of this began and I'm sure carrying around this extra weight is more taxing on my body than it was use to a month ago. I am such a creature of habit and do not function well without it. My life has been anything but consistent since May. Adjusting is hard but I have to focus to get re-routed on the right path. I am determined and hopefully not over-determined!

An Amazing Time

2009-08-02T19:29:00.002-05:00

We got back from the CHA (Craft & Hobby Association) Convention this afternoon and it was the best time I think I've ever had. It was just way too much fun! I'm so glad that my husband insisted that we go. It was a last minute decision but we did it. We decided on Tuesday night to go and we needed to be there Thursday night! I've never packed so fast in my life and, can you believe it, I didn't leave a thing?

I am updating my stamping blog with the details. One little tidbit...I personally met several notable celebrities while there and had my picture took with them. These people are well known in the craft world and most have been on the Carol Duval Show many times; one of them had her own show! And there were even a couple of folks that had their own show on HGTV just walking around. Yep, got in there with them to get a picture, too. (Pictures will be posted on my stamping blog soon.) This truly was an amazing trip!! Nine to ten hours of travel each way made this trip quite tiring but I wouldn't trade it for anything.

Please click HERE for the convention news which will be updated in piecemeal form. Your comments are welcomed.

Slowing Down

2009-07-25T13:03:00.000-05:00

I selected not to run last Thursday and Friday because of my right hip pain. It gets better, but will begin to hurt again when I run. I'm a little confused that this is happening but Kent says that this is normal as much as I have run in the past 9 months. Personally....I do NOT like it!! Yesterday afternoon I felt like I could get out and run slowly today, but then night came. I have always had a tendency to get cramps in my calves and feet for as long as I have been drawing a breath in this crazy old world. But they have subsided in the last few months. It's been quite a while since I've gotten them. Well, last night I was plagued with severe calf cramps! It hurt really bad. So much so that not only is my muscle extremely tender, I was hardly able to walk this morning. Sooooo disappointing!! I really wanted to run. I'm missing it a lot. Now, however it is to be done, I'm gonna have to rethink all of this.

If there is anyone who can share how they have handled this kind of situation or have read about what one can do, PLEASE share it!! I'm real desperate and don't want to put away my running shoes for at least another 10 years ... Thanks for your help ...

Ready To Go

2009-07-25T10:50:00.004-05:00

Our sister blogs seem to be up and running. Everything is going well. So, if you're looking for running or stamping posts, you'll need to go to one of these other blogs. Thanks for being patient. See you around!

What's Up??

2009-07-23T09:41:00.000-05:00

Running has been strange for me this week. One day my hip hurts and the next, it doesn't. I pulled out the shoes I wore before getting the Nike+ ones. At first, I thought it was going to help; now I'm not sure. Don't know if I'm going through a readjustment time to get my hip back to normal or whether there is really an issue I need to address. Yesterday, I woke up really wanting to run. And I did so with enthusiasm. But after running a short distance, the pain resurfaced and hurt constantly. It was a gradual pain and not one that would tell me to 'STOP NOW'. So, today, I've decided to take off...it felt better this morning; but I felt the same way yesterday. We'll see. Maybe it's just overuse! Yikes!

2009-07-20T11:41:00.000-05:00

For the past 2-3 weeks, my right hip has hurt. I feel it when I walk and definitely do so when I run. Can't figure it out. Today, my right groin muscle 'stretched', if you may. In other words, it didn't completely pull as it quit hurting a couple of hours later. Don't think it actually pulled, but it hurt some right after my run. Kent and I talked about it and are wondering if my new Nike shoes are the problem...that'd figure!! They are the new Nike+ that house a chip that finds its home in the left shoes and records your running stats when it 'senses' the piece that goes into your iPod. It's kinda cool and am still learning. It has a lot of neat things it does to include selecting your playlist you want to hear while running, choosing a Power Song to play at any time, choosing your distance like 5k, 10k, half and whole marathon (as well as customizing your own mileage), choosing a time you want to run, etc., etc.

There IS a dilemma for me ... we were talking this morning after our wonderful (or should be) run and we noticed that the shoes look to pronate!! My feet are normal and my stride and foot strike is normal. The shoes were not advertised to be anything but normal. So, I'm going to test this theory tomorrow by using another pair of shoes and see if I feel different.

You do realize that I will be sick if this is the case...all the money down the drain for them to include the chip and sensor which are extra! BUT, I don't want to be hurt and that's priority. We'll see at the end of the week just how things are going.

Participating in Challenges

2009-07-19T05:45:00.000-05:00

Well, for the life of me, I cannot understand why my link to Nike does not work so my viewers can access the challenges I wrote about in the previous post! Before I publish EVERY link, it is checked, checked, and then re-checked to be sure it is working properly. But for some reason, this link is not working well. [Thanks Ginny for letting me know!!] Maybe Nike is having problems...don't know. I will be checking on this today and leaving an update as soon as I have one.

Some Challenges

2009-07-18T11:24:00.000-05:00

I've signed up to participate in some challenges at Nike+. I'm hoping it will be goals I can achieve and keep me going throughout this hot, hot summer. You can go to Nike to see and participate in different kinds of challenges, even to set your own goals or make your own challenges for yourself and/or others to join you.

My first one is joining other Mississippians in charting your accumulated miles for this year. The challenge is against other states. I thought this would be fun to see how we (the fattest state in America) stacks up. So far, there are only two of us signed up. So, Mississippi Runners get up off your booties and join the fun!!!

The second one is a personal goal I made to run 60 miles in 30 days. Now, I know you say this is not much; but I wanted to start out slow. Once I have achieved this, my next goal will be a little more 'challenging' to meet.

The last one is an Age Run Challenge where others your exact age document the number of miles run in 365 days. Of course, I'm starting halfway through this year, but I thought it would be fun to jump on this train.

Whatever it is, don't let the heat get you down. It's too easy to give in. I know, I am weak here, too. But if we band together and start making some 'accountable' goals, it will be the push we might need to keep us from getting lazy and bogged down in our cool offices and homes sitting behind a computer all day constantly putting something in our mouths that we don't need NOR want. Again, I KNOW, I do it all the time.

If for some reason, you cannot or do not join the Nike site, still go and make a chart on paper or on your computer and keep up with it yourself. Yes, you CAN do it and you must take care of yourself. No one else will do it for you.

See you on the road!!!

Welcome

2009-07-17T08:43:00.000-05:00

To our new site and come on in...

My husband and I run quite often and participate in races when we can. We, also, try to improve our eating habits (at least on a regular basis). Don't get me wrong, we love to eat out and sometimes we toss everything we know to be true and good out the window and just jump in and eat like it's our last meal. We ARE human and we love to fellowship with family and friends! This summer has actually been that way and definitely to our disadvantage. But we're trying to get back on schedule to what we know to be right and begin to feel better again by running more consistently and taking better care of our bodies. So, this site is dedicated to running and healthy living. And we are grateful that you chose to visit us.

This site will have our running goals, race pictures, healthy living and favorite recipes to name a few, as well as our disappointments. Look for our favorite links to these, too. We want this to be true and a good site to come to for encouragement and reference.

Again, welcome to this site and please feel free to e-mail us or leave your comments. Our other sites are listed in the sidebar.

Some Separating Is In Line

2009-07-15T10:57:00.006-05:00

I'm critiqueing our blog and have come to the conclusion that I need to separate our family life with our hobbies. Therefore, I am in the process of creating a running (health) blog and a rubber stamping/card making blog. For those that visit our blog now, this will help you see the things you want to see without having to go through posts that are not of interest to you. The present blog will contain things as our family, travels, and church.

I, also, feel that this will help me be more productive in the two additional blogs. My running has not been up to par and maybe by having a blog committed to this one major area of my life, it will help me stay on track. There are links I want to post on this blog alone that will be of interest to those that are wanting to see just running and health articles.

My card making seems to be the first to take a back seat. I absolutely love doing this and find myself putting it on the back burner a lot. So, in doing this, I'm hoping it will encourage me to stay on track, be more creative and participate in more challenges. Practice makes perfect and there has been very little practicing lately. Again, there are links I plan to put on this blog that will only interest those wanting to see this hobby.

There will be links on our family (main) blog to the two new ones. That way, if you want to see anything else, it will all be where it was to begin with.

Now, to get cracking on making these blogs. Please be patient as I begin creating them. After all, I just decided to do this in the past day or so. [Notification on this blog will be made when these are up and running.] Please feel free to leave any comments now or at any other time.

Oh, These Hot Summer Days

2009-07-12T05:37:00.010-05:00

Boy, is it hot here! You want to do nothing but stay inside with the air conditioner blasting right in your face. It's made running difficult at best and makes your 'want to' not want to!

We went to a friend's home to celebrate the 4th of July. It was really nice and the food was great. I think the smoked ribs were our favorite. They were so tender and delicious. There was so much brought to eat that hardly anything looked like a dent had been made into it when it was over! Rebecca had everything decorated so festive. The homemade ice cream was the 'icing on the cake' though. It sure was so refreshing and welcomed with the heat bearing down like it did. A new little baby graced our presence and she is so fresh and adorable. And can you believe it...she never cries!! Aint's she just the sweetest? Don't know which is smiling more Rylie or Bro. Jeff.

Here is our picture:

The following week we took our camper back to the dealer to get a few things repaired. The air conditioner gave us some trouble while in Tampa and this MUST be fixed!!! Of course, this is the primary job. On our way home, a very kind RV brother came up to us while we were getting gas and said that our bumper was coming off and the bikes were dragging the ground! What??? I've never heard of this happening before...and this is a brand new camper!! The bumper had come unwelded on BOTH ends of the camper and had almost torn completely off. It looked to be rusted and this bothered me greatly. Again, this is a new camper and NOT cheap!! Needless to say, this is another primary reason to take the camper back in. What do you think of the pictures? See the rust?

When we dropped the camper off, we continued on to see my parents. It was so good to visit with them. We went to eat at Panda Palace which we decided is our favorite Chinese restaurant now. We rode in a beautiful yellow vintage convertible cadillac which Pop completely restored. [He's the greatest at these things!] It was so cool!! I loved how the wind blew in my hair; just so free! Don't know how we looked to others, but I pictured how it would look if we were looking at someone else...and that would have been envy to the nth degree!! My greatest regret is that we didn't take a picture of us while we were in it...never crossed our minds. Oh, well, we'll have to get one the next time we're there. While we were eating, I saw a good friend I use to work with at the Power Company. Joe, an electrical engineer, filled us in on what was happening in his life now. It was so good to see him. He was promoted several years ago to the Coast Office. I enjoyed working as his Engineering Assistant. Great guy and overall a great visit!
Here's a picture of Pop and Mom:

And, here I am with my favorite Mom - tee-hee!!!

Sea World & Busch Gardens

2009-06-21T21:25:00.018-05:00

What a great time we had at Sea World on Friday and Busch Gardens on Saturday! The days were perfect. The sky was blue and the clouds were pure white. You can't imagine how great these parks are. We went to many shows that were done in Disney manner. Guess our favorites were the 'Shamu' show and 'A'Lure Call of the Ocean' show at Sea World. The second one was a type of Cirque de Soleil. The kids had a great time. So many things for them to play on and ride.

Kyle and the kids and us.

Here Shamu is splashing the crowd. The picture is deceiving...the splash went about 15 rows up into the crowd!!

Shamu with his trainer. This pool was 36' deep and very cold! I'd hate to pay THAT power bill!!

The kids with Shamu (kinda). Don't remember where Bailey got off to when I took this picture.

The end of the day. Boy, were we tired!

The next group of pictures were taken at Busch Gardens.
Out in the crowd was a mother peacock and two chicks. Beautiful tropical birds and flamingos graced the streets with us.

This is a huge playground that was netted on both floors with a big yellow air mattress floor underneath. As big as this was it didn't hold a candle to the one at Sea World!! That one was at least 3 times larger with a picnic area and large sandbox where the yellow air mattress was in this picture AND 3 stories high!! Adults and children alike played in it. For some reason, I didn't get a picture of it. Guess I thought I did.

The roller coasters would definitely leave you with "WOW" in every breath and eyes wide open. This was the typical expression from exiting riders. Spencer and Shelby rode every roller coaster; some several times!! No, thank you, I'll watch from the ground. Here were their favorites, Sheikra and Montu.
Can you see the tiny car at the top of the track?

And Montu:
The coaster goes underground here.

Don't remember the name of this roller coaster, but it went underground (as so many would do 3-4 times), come back up in a loop and when it would soar downward, would hit water and literally soak anyone in this area. The splash was HUGE. Many bystanders would unknowingly get soaked to the skin. See the car on the right side leaving the scene of the 'accident'?? The splash area was actually about where the car is. The picture does NOT capture that area, only the splash about to make landfall. It was funny watching...and, oh, by the way, the riders never got wet! How'd they do that??

At one store, colorful candies were displayed with such beauty and awe. You just wanted some of it all!

And finally the stars of the day beginning with a beautiful Clydesdale horse...

Pleasantville??

2009-06-18T09:53:00.003-05:00

While getting ready to run this morning, I realized I had misplaced my running watch. It was used at the pool yesterday and was sitting on the table, but I guess it fell off the table or something when packing up to leave because it can not be found. Not too smart, I know.

After our run on the fantastic sidewalks early this morning, we took some Fishhawk Village pictures and are in the slide below. There is a great skateboard park! All I could think about is how much the Day Camp kids would love it! The Osprey Club is where we went swimming yesterday. In it is a large gym area and theater as well as several tennis courts. Across the street is an elementary school where they have Summer Camp for 2 weeks in June. The kids walk across the street to go to the pool at the Osprey Club. One of the pictures show how safe it is as there must be 100 or more bikes parked in the front. As a matter of fact, most all children walk or ride their bikes to school. There are many, many ponds throughout, some with pretty fountains in them. There is a small downtown area for village shopping. There is a large amphitheater where they hold free concerts every Friday night. Last week they had Jimmy Buffet. Most are known artists. There is a large area where water fountains shoot up from the ground. Kids love to play here. The odd building is actually a bathroom!! This gorgeous piece of architecture is a bathroom...Wow! Also, in this area is a sitting area where you can watch movies by a fireplace on the weekends.

Sidewalks wind throughout the neighborhood. There are many miles of them! Most of them are shady and all are wide. There is never a time that you do not see adults and children walking or riding bikes. No matter where you went, you could not find a blade of grass out of place and absolutely NO weeds. The grass is golf course quality; you sink down into it when you walk on it...BUT there are so many sidewalks, there's no reason for you to disturb the grass. I took pictures of a few of the homes. There are no words for Fishhawk - or anywhere we've been including Tampa. Everything is in order and spotless. Every single person we met on the trails or in a store were soooo nice and actually smiled because they want to!! As much as we've been around, we've never heard a cross word spoken to a child or a child to an adult. Absolutely NO disrespect, wild acting, or misbehavior! Pleasantville??? I'm not sure. But I can tell you this...we would love to live here!!!

Pool Pics

2009-06-17T18:17:00.004-05:00

Here are some pictures from our pool afternoon today. Everyone had fun and the kids are adorable.

And for a final goofy face.

Beachy Day

2009-06-17T08:02:00.005-05:00

Yesterday started out with a wonderful run through Kyle's neighborhood. It is filled with miles of sidewalks with a lot of them shady. We are still trying to get use to the humidity, but I think I'm getting more adjusted than Kent is. It's kinda tough this time of the year.

When we finished running we went to Kyle's then headed out to Tampa Beach. It takes some time to get there and back, so we didn't stay that long. All Spencer could talk about was fishing, so we took all of "that" stuff. The day was gorgeous to say the least! Shelby and I stayed on the beach...or rather in the water. There were seashells all along the shoreline that had washed up. The sandy bottom returned after a few feet into the water. It was fantastic! We stayed in the water neck-deep playing in the huge swells...the water was so clear you could see your feet at times. We loved it!!

The first picture and second pictures were taken from the fishing pier. The hotel on the right was huge and beautiful with many of the suites having outside balconies.
A beautiful boardwalk went alongside the beachy sand. Notice how clean everything is.

Check out these beach babes! (Shelby and me)

My wonderful family. The kids are growing up so fast!!

Me and my new friend.

When we left there, Kyle took us by the Tampa Bay Buckaneer Stadium and New York Yankees Spring Training Camp Stadium. We, also, saw the Devil Rays Baseball Stadium. I know, I know, this is all sports, but it's what the guys like. The kids stayed in the camper with us that night. We ate pizza and watched the CMT Country Music Awards. It was great!

Florida - Yeah!!

2009-06-14T07:21:00.008-05:00

We've finally arrived!! We got to Lithia (outside of Tampa) yesterday. Boy, what a trip! It took us 3 days to get here with the camper. I must say the first couple of nights (traveling nights) were NOT good. And yesterday after we set up, the air conditioner kept tripping the breaker! No air! Hey, it is south Florida...in June...and hot and humid are not the words to describe how hot it is here. Thank goodness, we spent the afternoon with our family. I enjoyed it soooo much. It is good to have family and we have the best! I love all the children around, playing, laughing, and living...actually, I just love kids. Maybe that's why I loved Day Camp so much. Anyway ....... we prepared for a warm night with a fan on us. Kyle begged us to stay with them in the a/c, but we thought we'd try it knowing we could pack up and be there in 10 minutes if need be. As it turned out, the air worked fine with no breaker tripping. Go figure! I'm still afraid that there is an issue to deal with. I mean electricity isn't a female where it is fine one day and not the next. So, we're on guard.

I miss running soooo much! After a minor procedure, I was told not to run for 5-7 days. Boy, do I miss it and time is almost up and I'll be able to run again. There are gorgeous places to run here. Paved sidewalks are everywhere: on the road as well as in the subdivisions. Kyle lives in a fantastic neighborhood. Kids are everywhere and it is a "happy" place to be. Everyone seems to get along well AND most everyone are in their 30's and 40's!! People are kind. It is wonderful! It's alive! And there's hope for a great future!

We went to church this morning and loved worshipping with our family. It was such a breath of fresh air! Everyone WANTED to have kids around and they were such a delight as they behaved so well, actually everywhere we went - not just church. All I could think about is how much Jeff and Rebecca would have loved being a part here. The children's department was outstanding! It's call "The Wave". Our daughter-in-law, Myssey, does a fabulous job working with the children and staff. Everything was done in an underwater theme with deep blues and vibrant colors. There were fantastic murals (done by someone who had worked on Disney and Pixar films), flatscreens in every room (including the nursery) where lessons were taught on DVD's, and tables and chairs for hands-on projects. There's lots of interaction. Nursery children were "checked-in" and "checked-out" via computer labels with parents having an accompanying label.

Services were different from ours in order and format. They had greeters like us but that's where the similiarity ended. Their "bulletin" was totally non-traditional with the name of the church on the front, pastor's name, and church's mission statement. Everyone dressed casual and relaxed. Services started out with an alive music segment. With the use of a screen and videos, the music was active, happy, and full of praise. After a couple of videos and songs, the pastor announced it was time for "Cafe". So all was dismissed to go to the foyer where tables were set up with different types of coffee, lemonade or water and some cookies. You were encouraged to bring your food and drink back to your seat when you returned. Members took this time to welcome visitors, meet-and-greet, and fellowship. Members wore name tags. Music began playing to signal it was time to return to your seat for the sermon. The message was very inspirational and even Spencer recalled different points a couple of times later today. Bro. Galen and his wife are very nice. We look forward to the next service.

After church, Myssey prepared a wonderful meal for us. We had a fantastic roast with mashed potatoes and gravy...soooo good!! Thank you, Lord, for a great and wonderful day!