Equal Footing

My new running shoes

I have decided to run the Cellcom Green Bay Marathon in May.  26.2 miles.  (This will be my second marathon and I'm looking forward to going the distance again.)  The training program started two weeks ago and is VERY well attended by over 200 people.  It's surprising that so many people will show up every Saturday morning from January to May to run through snow, cold, rain, (hopefully) sunshine and heat.  You'd think the US Postal Service would show up weekly to recruit from this hardy bunch, but so far I haven't noticed them milling about.

On Saturday we ran six miles.  There were people strung out for blocks ahead of me and as far as I could see behind me.  There are people there of all ability levels.  Some are seasoned and in great shape - for instance one friend has run over 50 marathons and several have qualified and competed in the Boston Marathon.  On the flip side there are people there who have never participated in an event of this distance before.  In fact they may not have ever been in a distance event at all.  They are brand new to this sport and they come in layers of sweatpants and warm clothes with a strong determination as they tackle this feat before them. They have set a goal to accomplish something that will take much time and preparation over the next five months.

I take my hat off to them and cheer them on.  Every single one of them.  Both the ones it comes easy to and the ones who struggle.  The faster ones and the slower ones.  It isn't about the clock, it isn't about how long it takes, it's about DOING it.  They are all out there moving and doing it and that gives them equal footing.

Salud!

Sock T. Pus

Today we had a baby shower for my grand-belly.  Mason is expected to arrive the middle of February, and a whole houseful of female relatives gathered today to shower Erich and KT with cute and useful baby things like the "Sock T. Pus" pictured here.  Isn't it adorable?  (I'm particularly fond of the polka dot socks.)  

It was really very cool to look around at all the smiling faces, listen to the laughter, smell the delicious food, and feel the love that filled this house until it felt like it was bursting at the seams.  Just like the Sock T. Pus, families are wonderful creatures.  Families are made up of many different textures, colors, directions and shapes.  And when you tell them a brand new baby is coming, the family smiles a big, ear to ear grin that spreads from one side of the Sock T. Pus to the other. 

To Bulgaria and Back

I had lunch today with one of my favorite teenagers.  Mallory and I have literally travelled around the world together.  To Bulgaria and back.  Twice in fact.  We danced authentic Bulgarian dances together,  we took a bo-jillion silly pictures of us on airplanes together, we chased around the Detroit airport looking for clues in a scavenger hunt together (fun story for another day), we tested (and I bought) hula hoops together, she came cruising over to show me her slippery teeth the day her braces came off, we sold booyah, cookies and hamburgers together, cried a few times together and most certainly laughed a lot together.

 
Mallory helped fill a space in me that felt empty after my own two daughters left for college and for that I will always be thankful.

She left a few months ago for that place they call college, as a lovely young lady with much on her mind and I believe holding  questions in her heart as to just exactly how she fits into this huge world.  What I saw at lunch today was a lovely, confident young lady who is enjoying the journey of finding her way.

She's going to be fine.  Just fine. (As long as she can get her mashed potatoes.)

Erich's Birthday

Today is Erich's birthday!  My son.  My firstborn.  Every year since they were young children I have taken my children out for breakfast on their birthday.  Somewhere near the beginning I started telling them about the day they were born.  They each have a very unique and exciting story, as I'm sure all births probably do, but I like to think their births were especially unique so I usually recount the story for them every year.  (I'd be happy to share all three exciting stories with you, just let me know if you'd like to hear them.)  This year Erich and I chatted about many things but never got around to the story of his birth.  

I like talking to Erich.  He has always been a deep thinker and a very thoughtful person.  He's smart and funny and he likes playing nerdy games with his friends.  He has a technical job and is very good at bringing complicated technology into an every day usable context.  Needless to say, I'm very proud of him and I love seeing the young man he's become.

Happy Birthday son, you are a joy in my life!  

In love with the ocean

Harry and I had lunch with Peg Leg Pete

'Nuf Said

The white dots are jelly fish

Gotta love the ocean

 Harry grew up living by the ocean and it's an integral part of his very being.  When we are near the ocean I comment on the gorgeous vistas, the sounds of the pounding waves and birds flying overhead, the feel of the sand between my toes, and the refreshing coolness of the water.  


Harry is quiet.  Soaking it all in as I chatter away.  And then he always comments on the wonderful smell of the salty air.  The sea air.  The breezes filled with the salt of the ocean depths.  


He absorbs everything about this place that fills him with peace and joy.   His love for the ocean runs deep.      

Simply Delightful!

Today we spent an absolutely grand day at the beach in Pensacola.  This beach has the whitest sand of any beach I've ever been on.   The water was clear and cool, the area was clean and felt untouched, we meandered, wandered, sat, strolled, ran, napped, read, and chatted all day.  

It was delightful, simply delightful.

The joy of tears

Yesterday I received an email that made me weep.  I was moved so deeply and had such a gambit of emotions flowing through my very being that all I could do is sit and sob.

This morning I received a text that included a very funny "auto-correct".  I laughed and laughed with tears spilling down my face.

Oh, the cleansing joy of tears.

Skooch over for a schmooch

Some words are definitely more fun than others.  They just bring a smile when I get to use them so therefore I find myself working them into the everyday as often as possible.  For instance:

Dollop - "Lindsay, you look so elegant as you flick your wrist to get just the right size dollop of cool whip on top of that jello pudding!"

Skooch - "Harry, skooch on over so I can sit next to you for a schmooch."

Taradiddle - "Matt's tales of adventure are filled with tongue-in-cheek taradiddles and obvious fabrications."  (This is a new one for me and I'm quite enjoying it!)

Smidgeon (aka smidge) "I'll have a smidgeon of that ooey gooey carmelicious goodness please."

Chockful - "This blog is chockful and bursting with joy!"


What are your favorites?  Please share!

Murray Christmas (part II)

The movie trivia contest at Murray Christmas has become as well loved as the food and the crazy gift exchange.

It all started a few years ago when my older brother's love of "Christmas Story" inspired this fun trivia competition.  After laughing for years at the antics of Ralphie and his desire for a Red Ryder BB gun, Mike wrote out several easy (and not so easy) questions about the fun, holiday classic.  It was a hit!  We have since expanded the competition to cover other movies and this year the questions were about "Elf".

To get you in the mood, I'll set the scene.  Picture this.  Everyone is gathered around the island in the kitchen where all the food lays untouched during these energy-charged moments.  The questions are fired away and many times the answers are shouted out even before the sentence is finished and the question mark inflection is heard.  This year it took a strict school teacher and a tough cop to keep things in line.  Careful small children!  This is one tough event I'll tell you!

It just so happens I have a knack for recalling the answers quickly and shouting the answers faster and LOUDER than the others, so I tend to do quite well.  In fact last year when I took first place, I got a bum rap as a cheater!  A schiester.  Someone who doesn't play by the rules.  Believe me - those untruths are spurned by jest and roguery.  Surely they are taradiddles and it makes me and Baby Jesus cry to hear it.  I'll readily admit... I watch the movie several times.  I google trivia about it on the internet.  I study.  I cram.  I prepare.  Hmmmmm.... A schiester?  I think NOT!

Thus I am the champ and took home the kick butt first place trophy.  Sweet!  

Murray Christmas (part I)

For the last dozen years or so our family has met at my older brother's house to celebrate Christmas in an event that has been dubbed "Murray Christmas".  (Our family name which conveniently sounds like "merry" I might add.)  My sister-in-law, Shannon, is an excellent cook and we all contribute to the food-fare as well.  Needless to say the eating is abundant and the spirit of the day is filled with much merriment and glee.

In a rare unposed moment I snapped this shot of my son and daughter with their spouses.  Ah, but how I love family Christmas time!