The Marathon of Life

I have gotten out of the habit.  The habit of running.  The habit of eating (mostly) healthy on a daily basis.  There are always excuses.  It's too hot.  I'm too busy.  I don't want to.  I need new running shoes.  I'm tired.  I could go on and on with the list of excuses, but the truth is, I've just been plain lazy.  

This past February I did something I never ever thought I could do. I ran a marathon. Yes, that is 26.2 miles, 4 hours and 23 minutes of running. I learned some things along the way. I can do whatever I put my mind to, but it has to be something I want to do. Training was hard and time consuming.  I ran 4 times a week for 5 months.  Many times I didn't feel like spending 3 hours of my Saturday running. 

I ran in the rain, in the heat, and in the frosty cold. I ran up hills and down hills. I ran over 400 miles training for this one day. I had to remind myself why I was doing this.  I set a goal and I was determined to reach that goal.   Running a marathon is alot like living life. Sometimes it's fun, sometimes you are miserable and just want to quit. Sometimes you are just enduring the pain.  But when you finish, when you cross that line and you are done, you have such a sense of accomplishment.

Living life is much the same. You have to make time for what is important. You also can't do it all by yourself.  Sometimes you need someone to run with you (or in my case, ride a bike beside you thank you, honey) to cheer you on, tell you you're doing great.  Someone to carry your water bottle and energy bites.  In life it's the same.  You need others to help you through the bad times, encourage you and celebrate the good.  My brother-in-law Arnold bought me new running shoes and paid my registration.  My sister-in-law Susan paid for my hotel room.  Without the support of others it would have been way harder than it was, and I appreciate everyone who helped make this a reality for me.

You don't become a marathon runner by wishing you could, or just thinking about it. It takes dedication and time. You have to get up and do it.  You have to want it. It's the same with life. You have to do the hard stuff to enjoy the good stuff. You get out what you put in. 

You have to take the time to refuel yourself.  Eat some good food, read a book, enjoy your accomplishments and take care of yourself.  Play a game with your kids.  Do something challenging just to prove you can.  Do what makes you happy.

Don't forget the people who make your marathon possible.  Your running (or bike) partner, your friends, parents, kids, whoever is special in your marathon of life.  Without them it wouldn't be nearly as fun.  My Sweetheart helped me through many miles on his bike right beside me.  Sometimes we talked, sometimes we were quiet, but he was there, and that made the difference.  I don't think I would have gotten through the training without him, and I know I wouldn't want to go through life without him.

My cousin, Angie, was there for me during the race.  She fed me gooey things full of potassium and electrolytes, we talked, we were quiet, she told me I was doing great when I didn't think I could take another step.  Without her there I probably wouldn't have done as well as I did.  Oh, I would have finished (I think), but the encouragement she gave me was invaluable.

Here are a couple videos of the finish for your viewing pleasure!

Right now I'm starting it all over again.  I'm starting training for a 1/2 marathon, then hopefully continuing on to another full.  I know what to expect, and I know I can do it.  What have you done lately?

Yes, I'm actually here!

     So the last time I posted to this poor neglected blog was October last year.  Alot can happen in 8 months!  Since then Sam has changed jobs, lost his job, we have remodeled a house and moved, we spent a month in New York State, visited Niagara Falls, Amanda spent a week at Summer Camp, Lily had 6 puppies, we got rid of 4 puppies, we got chickens, Lily ate the chickens so we got rid of Lily, traded Sam's truck for a different truck and a camper, went camping, went to Carowinds, and right now I can't think of anything else to add to the list, although I'm sure there is more.  
     The summer is almost over already, but I don't feel like I'm ready to start school in just a few short weeks.  The boys are signed up and ready to start football season this coming Monday.  I have been making some Fig Preserves and they are so good!  I actually had some with my pancakes this morning for breakfast.  My pancakes with whole fig preserves and fig syrup was so good.

      

Whole Fig Preserves, Mock Strawberry Preserves and Fig Syrup.

I got both recipes from the Bayou Woman here and here.  

I have lots to share with you about our latest adventures, so stay tuned!  I hope it won't take another 8 months to get back here!

50 Rule for Dads of Daughters

I came across this post on another blog today, and thought about my husband and daughter.  I'm glad I can say he already does or did most of these things already and is a great dad to all three of our kids.  Photo credits and the original post can be found here. 




1. Love her mom. Treat her mother with respect, honor, and a big heaping spoonful of public displays of affection. When she grows up, the odds are good she’ll fall in love with and marry someone who treats her much like you treated her mother. Good or bad, that’s just the way it is. I’d prefer good.
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2. Always be there. Quality time doesn’t happen without quantity time. Hang out together for no other reason than just to be in each other’s presence. Be genuinely interested in the things that interest her. She needs her dad to be involved in her life at every stage. Don’t just sit idly by while she add years to her… add life to her years.
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3. Save the day. She’ll grow up looking for a hero. It might as well be you. She’ll need you to come through for her over and over again throughout her life. Rise to the occasion. Red cape and blue tights optional.
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4. Savor every moment you have together. Today she’s crawling around the house in diapers, tomorrow you’re handing her the keys to the car, and before you know it, you’re walking her down the aisle. Some day soon, hanging out with her old man won’t be the bees knees anymore. Life happens pretty fast. You better cherish it while you can.
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5. Pray for her. Regularly. Passionately. Continually.
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6. Buy her a glove and teach her to throw a baseball. Make her proud to throw like a girl… a girl with a wicked slider.
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7. She will fight with her mother. Choose sides wisely.
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8. Go ahead. Buy her those pearls.
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9. Of course you look silly playing peek-a-boo. You should play anyway.
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10. Enjoy the wonder of bath time.
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11. There will come a day when she asks for a puppy. Don’t over think it. At least one time in her life, just say, “Yes.”
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12. It’s never too early to start teaching her about money. She will still probably suck you dry as a teenager… and on her wedding day.
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13. Make pancakes in the shape of her age for breakfast on her birthday. In a pinch, donuts with pink sprinkles and a candle will suffice.
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14. Buy her a pair of Chucks as soon as she starts walking. She won’t always want to wear matching shoes with her old man.
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15. Dance with her. Start when she’s a little girl or even when she’s a baby. Don’t wait until her wedding day.
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16. Take her fishing. She will probably squirm more than the worm on your hook. That’s OK.
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17. Learn to say no. She may pitch a fit today, but someday you’ll both be glad you stuck to your guns.
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18. Tell her she’s beautiful. Say it over and over again. Someday an animated movie or “beauty” magazine will try to convince her otherwise.
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19. Teach her to change a flat. A tire without air need not be a major panic inducing event in her life. She’ll still call you crying the first time it happens.
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20. Take her camping. Immerse her in the great outdoors. Watch her eyes fill with wonder the first time she sees the beauty of wide open spaces. Leave the iPod at home.
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21. Let her hold the wheel. She will always remember when daddy let her drive.
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22. She’s as smart as any boy. Make sure she knows that.
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23. When she learns to give kisses, she will want to plant them all over your face. Encourage this practice.
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24. Knowing how to eat sunflower seeds correctly will not help her get into a good college. Teach her anyway.
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25. Letting her ride on your shoulders is pure magic. Do it now while you have a strong back and she’s still tiny.
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26. It is in her nature to make music. It’s up to you to introduce her to the joy of socks on a wooden floor.
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27. If there’s a splash park near your home, take her there often. She will be drawn to the water like a duck to a puddle.
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28. She will eagerly await your return home from work in the evenings. Don’t be late.
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29. If her mom enrolls her in swim lessons, make sure you get in the pool too. Don’t be intimidated if there are no other dads there. It’s their loss.
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30. Never miss her birthday. In ten years she won’t remember the present you gave her. She will remember if you weren’t there.
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31. Teach her to roller skate. Watch her confidence soar.
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32. Let her roll around in the grass. It’s good for her soul. It’s not bad for yours either.
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33. Take her swimsuit shopping. Don’t be afraid to veto some of her choices, but resist the urge to buy her full-body beach pajamas.
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34. Somewhere between the time she turns three and her sixth birthday, the odds are good that she will ask you to marry her. Let her down gently.
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35. She’ll probably want to crawl in bed with you after a nightmare. This is a good thing.
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36. Few things in life are more comforting to a crying little girl than her father’s hand. Never forget this.
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37. Introduce her to the swings at your local park. She’ll squeal for you to push her higher and faster. Her definition of “higher and faster” is probably not the same as yours. Keep that in mind.
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38. When she’s a bit older, your definition of higher and faster will be a lot closer to hers. When that day comes, go ahead… give it all you’ve got.
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39. Holding her upside down by the legs while she giggles and screams uncontrollably is great for your biceps. WARNING: She has no concept of muscle fatigue.
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40. She might ask you to buy her a pony on her birthday. Unless you live on a farm, do not buy her a pony on her birthday. It’s OK to rent one though.
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41. Take it easy on the presents for her birthday and Christmas. Instead, give her the gift of experiences you can share together.
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42. Let her know she can always come home. No matter what.
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43. Remember, just like a butterfly, she too will spread her wings and fly some day. Enjoy her caterpillar years.
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44. Write her a handwritten letter every year on her birthday. Give them to her when she goes off to college, becomes a mother herself, or when you think she needs them most.
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45. Learn to trust her. Gradually give her more freedom as she gets older. She will rise to the expectations you set for her.
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46. When in doubt, trust your heart. She already does.
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47. When your teenage daughter is upset, learning when to engage and when to back off will add years to YOUR life. If you succeed in doing this, tell me how.
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48. Ice cream covers over a multitude of sins. Know her favorite flavor.
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49. This day is coming soon. There’s nothing you can do to be ready for it. The sooner you accept this fact, the easier it will be.
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50. Today she’s walking down the driveway to get on the school bus. Tomorrow she’s going off to college. Don’t blink.
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Lazy Saturday

As I type this, it's 9:45am, and I'm still in my pajamas.  The kids are still asleep, so it is very quiet here.  Sam and Harry went to Beaufort to work on my sister's heater and get a few things from storage over there.  Soon I will be getting Sammy and Amanda up.  Sammy has some schoolwork to get caught up on, so he can't sleep all day, even though I know he would love it!

I have decided I'm going to run the Myrtle Beach Marathon in February!  My "official training" starts on Monday, the 31st.  Lately I've been "training for my training" if that makes any sense!  The requirements are that you have been running consistently for 1-2 months and can run 30 minutes without stopping.  Right now I'm up to 5 miles, so I'm good to go.  My problem now is that there is no flat ground around where I live.  No matter what direction I go from my house, it's hilly in every direction.  My legs and lungs don't like the hills, but I suppose I'll get used to them.  Come race day, I'll have an advantage on the flat course!

Since I really don't have anything important to say, I'll leave you with a couple pictures of Amanda and her sweet friend, and a picture of me and my sweet friend, who happens to be Amanda's friend's mother.  Got it?  

My Football Hero!

I must admit, I've never been a fan of football.  It looks like a bunch of guys throwing each other on the ground, and just jumbling up in a pile.  When Harry said he wanted to play football this year, I was like, yeah right!  He has always been the dramatic one about everything!  But we signed him up, and I must admit, he impressed me right from the start.  He always gave 110%, came home bruised and battered and went back for more!

Turns out his team was short on players, and he ended up playing some key positions on offense and defense.  I won't try to name them, because I'm not even sure what they are.  What I do know is that he ran the ball alot and scored some touchdowns for the team.  Last night they played their "Bowl" game and won! 

Congratulations to the White Knoll Wolf Pack!

You guys are great!

Monday Night Football

My son Harry is playing football for the first time this year.  Well, the team was dealt a bad hand right from the beginning and were at a big disadvantage.  But these kids are great.  They've practiced hard and played hard, and it finally paid off!  They lost their first 6 games, but hallelujah, they won this week's game!!  Here is a video we put together for my boy.

 

Stay tuned for next week's sports update:  White Knoll vs Swansea where cousins Harry and Brandon will face off on opposing teams!!  It's sure to be exciting!!!

GO WOLF PACK!!!!!

What am I doing today?

Today is just another ordinary day.  Here's a glimpse of what's going on around our house today.

 Every day is laundry day around here.  Is laundry every day at your house, too?

 School is happening; not at the pace I'd like to see, but it is slowly getting done!

 Banana Nut bread, fresh from the oven.  It smells so yummy!

Trying to sort and put away coupons from last Sunday!

What's happening at your house today?