Setting: Car on Sunday afternoon at a major intersection
Me: Things are so bad. At least we aren't standing on the side of the road with a sign asking for work.
Whitney: (and she is dead serious) Where do the homeless poor people get their cardboard and markers?
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Sarcasm - My Spiritual Gift
Been feeling pretty down lately actually told my husband the other day that that was just one more reason it sucked to be me. (I know, Newspring, I heard the sermon on being a victim, I’m working on it. It’s okay for you to feel sorry for me. Compassion is a good quality. Self pity is the sin.) Instead of hearing what I deserved from that comment, he listed several things that were good about me. I say he’s the number one reason it’s good to be me. Some of the things he said I’m good at are not things that people want to be good at, and some I’m not willing to share, but it reminded me of the episode of Friends where Monica is upset because she finds out she doesn’t give good backrubs until she finds out that she gives the worst backrubs which makes her the best at bad backrubs so she is excited to be the best at being bad.
I think of the scripture in Ecclesiastes 9:10-11 “10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. 11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” (KJV)
“10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave,[a] there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. 11 I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.” (NLT)I love the last line of verse 11 in the Message “Sooner or later bad luck hits us all”.
We are told whatever we do, do it with our might, do it well. And we are told that the strongest and fastest don’t always win. (I particularly love this). And a college degree doesn’t necessarily guarantee a successful life. This comes from Solomon’s wisdom, thousands of years ago. I wonder, who decides whether we win? Who decides if we’re good enough? Of course, God does, not going to debate that. But here, on this earth, who gets to tell me I’m not good enough, that what I do doesn’t matter? Anyone who has the guts. BUT I DON’T HAVE TO BELIEVE IT. When I run 5.5 miles in 51:53 and it’s the best time I’ve ever had, only to have my 16 year old nephew tell me he ran his 5.5 miles in cross country conditioning in 35:32, that doesn’t take away from my success (I know, comparing myself to a 5’11” 16 year old boy is a ridiculous, however true example), it just makes me proud of him. And I will go and watch him run cross country this fall and cheer him on. And comparing myself to the lady that had gastric bypass and lost 100+ pounds in less than a year while I’m still working my 80 off after 3 years? Good for her, but it doesn’t diminish what I’ve done. I need to remind myself that God doesn’t expect me to be better than someone else. He expects me to do it mightily, to do it well, to the best of my ability, not try to keep up with or outdo everyone else. God has given me unique and special gifts. I sometimes think I have the kind of gifts your crazy grandma with Alzheimer’s gives. The crocheted doll that covers your toilet paper. A card for your 16th birthday with a clown holding a balloon that says “For the birthday girl” and there’s a dollar inside. The pierced earrings that weigh 6 pounds each that make you look like an African goddess after wearing them for 10 minutes. I have unique and special (crazy???) gifts. I’m not sure what to do with them. I still haven’t figured out what Steve meant when he said I was good at sarcasm. I do joke that it’s my spiritual gift, and I know that my warped view of life has probably kept me off anti-depressants for the last 6 years. I am not alone with my uniqueness, I have a friend who told me her calling was to be the “Junior Holy Spirit” which I found hilarious, and offered to make her a cape. Do you have a unique gift? Something you are good at that might seem odd to others?
I think of the scripture in Ecclesiastes 9:10-11 “10Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest. 11I returned, and saw under the sun, that the race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong, neither yet bread to the wise, nor yet riches to men of understanding, nor yet favour to men of skill; but time and chance happeneth to them all.” (KJV)
“10 Whatever you do, do well. For when you go to the grave,[a] there will be no work or planning or knowledge or wisdom. 11 I have observed something else under the sun. The fastest runner doesn’t always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn’t always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don’t always lead successful lives. It is all decided by chance, by being in the right place at the right time.” (NLT)I love the last line of verse 11 in the Message “Sooner or later bad luck hits us all”.
We are told whatever we do, do it with our might, do it well. And we are told that the strongest and fastest don’t always win. (I particularly love this). And a college degree doesn’t necessarily guarantee a successful life. This comes from Solomon’s wisdom, thousands of years ago. I wonder, who decides whether we win? Who decides if we’re good enough? Of course, God does, not going to debate that. But here, on this earth, who gets to tell me I’m not good enough, that what I do doesn’t matter? Anyone who has the guts. BUT I DON’T HAVE TO BELIEVE IT. When I run 5.5 miles in 51:53 and it’s the best time I’ve ever had, only to have my 16 year old nephew tell me he ran his 5.5 miles in cross country conditioning in 35:32, that doesn’t take away from my success (I know, comparing myself to a 5’11” 16 year old boy is a ridiculous, however true example), it just makes me proud of him. And I will go and watch him run cross country this fall and cheer him on. And comparing myself to the lady that had gastric bypass and lost 100+ pounds in less than a year while I’m still working my 80 off after 3 years? Good for her, but it doesn’t diminish what I’ve done. I need to remind myself that God doesn’t expect me to be better than someone else. He expects me to do it mightily, to do it well, to the best of my ability, not try to keep up with or outdo everyone else. God has given me unique and special gifts. I sometimes think I have the kind of gifts your crazy grandma with Alzheimer’s gives. The crocheted doll that covers your toilet paper. A card for your 16th birthday with a clown holding a balloon that says “For the birthday girl” and there’s a dollar inside. The pierced earrings that weigh 6 pounds each that make you look like an African goddess after wearing them for 10 minutes. I have unique and special (crazy???) gifts. I’m not sure what to do with them. I still haven’t figured out what Steve meant when he said I was good at sarcasm. I do joke that it’s my spiritual gift, and I know that my warped view of life has probably kept me off anti-depressants for the last 6 years. I am not alone with my uniqueness, I have a friend who told me her calling was to be the “Junior Holy Spirit” which I found hilarious, and offered to make her a cape. Do you have a unique gift? Something you are good at that might seem odd to others?
Monday, July 27, 2009
Sponge Bob vs Sports Center
I sit here on my couch with the laptop while my 17 year old son has the remote. We are surfing back and forth between cartoon network and ESPN. This is a lifelong affliction. This is the boy that became a Longhorns fan because he watched the college baseball world series when he was 6 and liked the logo and the burnt orange color. I like these two channels for him. They may have some objectionable material on them, but mostly they are suitable for his age.
On the other hand, last week I read one of the blogs I frequent and the writer was talking about letting bad stuff into your heart and mind through the television shows you watched. This kind of pricked a little, because while I'm careful, I CAN always do better. But then later that afternoon I plugged into my IPOD and tuned in one of my IPOD preachers. Guess what his sermon was on? Movies, TV, etc. that is not good to watch. He used a specific example of running into two ladies from his church that were going to see a movie that was hilarious, for the second time. He said maybe he would take his wife to see it, and their response was that he shouldn't see that movie. Of course if he shouldn't see it, neither should they. I have seen that particular movie, and in all fairness to the pastor, he shouldn't see it, and neither should I.
This sermon was from February. I download a lot of sermons, and I can't keep up with all of them. God thought I needed that reminder to be careful what I let in to my heart and mind.
So Nate has gone to bed, I have the remote, and I'm watching I Dream of Jeannie followed by the original Mission Impossible. I'm really hoping for sleep soon, but after Mission Impossible, I get the Honeymooners. If that don't work, I'm trying Whitney's method of QVC. That's what she watches when she suffers from insomnia. So my prayer for all of you this week is a great week of sleep. Because I would love that myself.
On the other hand, last week I read one of the blogs I frequent and the writer was talking about letting bad stuff into your heart and mind through the television shows you watched. This kind of pricked a little, because while I'm careful, I CAN always do better. But then later that afternoon I plugged into my IPOD and tuned in one of my IPOD preachers. Guess what his sermon was on? Movies, TV, etc. that is not good to watch. He used a specific example of running into two ladies from his church that were going to see a movie that was hilarious, for the second time. He said maybe he would take his wife to see it, and their response was that he shouldn't see that movie. Of course if he shouldn't see it, neither should they. I have seen that particular movie, and in all fairness to the pastor, he shouldn't see it, and neither should I.
This sermon was from February. I download a lot of sermons, and I can't keep up with all of them. God thought I needed that reminder to be careful what I let in to my heart and mind.
So Nate has gone to bed, I have the remote, and I'm watching I Dream of Jeannie followed by the original Mission Impossible. I'm really hoping for sleep soon, but after Mission Impossible, I get the Honeymooners. If that don't work, I'm trying Whitney's method of QVC. That's what she watches when she suffers from insomnia. So my prayer for all of you this week is a great week of sleep. Because I would love that myself.
Sunday, July 26, 2009
Week 8
I had what I considered an extremely successful week. After running 16 miles on Saturday, I was able to run again on Tuesday, 4 miles, and 5 miles on Wednesday. The fact that I had legs for running again that soon thrilled me. Now, don't ask me about my Wednesday run where Steve gave me a headstart on my 5 miles, passed me, ran 6 miles and passed me on the way home. That always ticks me off, but not at him. I did my strength training with Steve also, which always lends itself to sore muscles for a couple days. Thursday I didn't feel well, and this lasted through the weekend, and because of this I halved my long run on Saturday and ran 9 instead of the 18 I had planned on running. Will have to attempt that next Saturday.
The other thing I have attempted to do is get rid of my horrible tan lines. I have major tan lines from my t-back running shirt and tan lines from my ankle socks, my below the knee running shorts, my running shorts, and my running skirt. I went to the pool today to try and even out my lines a little, had a great new book to read. For some odd reason, I can run for 2 hours in 90+ degree heat and love it, but sitting at the pool and sweating was torture. Sitting in the cold water does seem to help rejuvenate my legs, and since I can't get any sun in my bathtub, the pool works better for that.
I am 12 weeks away from the marathon. I feel pretty confident with the 15 mile and 16 mile runs behind me. I am hoping I stay healthy, and that my legs and feet continue to feel good. I have some aches and pains after I run long on Saturday, but they don't last more than the next day, and they don't keep me from any activities that evening or the next day.
The other thing I have attempted to do is get rid of my horrible tan lines. I have major tan lines from my t-back running shirt and tan lines from my ankle socks, my below the knee running shorts, my running shorts, and my running skirt. I went to the pool today to try and even out my lines a little, had a great new book to read. For some odd reason, I can run for 2 hours in 90+ degree heat and love it, but sitting at the pool and sweating was torture. Sitting in the cold water does seem to help rejuvenate my legs, and since I can't get any sun in my bathtub, the pool works better for that.
I am 12 weeks away from the marathon. I feel pretty confident with the 15 mile and 16 mile runs behind me. I am hoping I stay healthy, and that my legs and feet continue to feel good. I have some aches and pains after I run long on Saturday, but they don't last more than the next day, and they don't keep me from any activities that evening or the next day.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Conversations with Whitney
Setting: undisclosed location, people watching
Whitney: That's a really ugly shirt she's wearing.
Me: Yes it is.
Whitney: Where do you think she got it?
Me: Maybe at a place where they only sell ugly clothes.
Whitney: I think she made it.
Me: Why?
Whitney: Because no one would sell clothes that ugly.
Whitney: That's a really ugly shirt she's wearing.
Me: Yes it is.
Whitney: Where do you think she got it?
Me: Maybe at a place where they only sell ugly clothes.
Whitney: I think she made it.
Me: Why?
Whitney: Because no one would sell clothes that ugly.
Monday, July 20, 2009
Dream Big
I'm not one to dream of what I would buy with my lottery winnings, to win you have to buy lottery tickets. Today as I stood in line at Kwikshop waiting to pay for my .49 fountain drink I did think about what I would've done with the $50 the man in front of me spent on lottery tickets. I could've gotten a new dress for me and running shorts for Steve. Probably a pair of running shorts for me too. Or dinner and a movie. For all four of us. Yeah, like my kids are going to dinner and a movie with me. If I'm gonna dream, I'll dream big!
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Week 7
After last week’s struggle, this week went well. Monday ran 4 miles, kind of hard, but did it. Tuesday ran 4.5 miles with Steve and it felt almost good. Thursday ran to Nate’s baseball game, the last summer game of the season, which made me kind of sad. I will miss running that 5.5 miles to his games. I enjoyed that 5 o’clock run more than I would have dreamed possible. Saturday’s long run was 16 miles and Steve ran with me. We drove 16 miles across town dropping off bottled water and skittles every mile or so and then ran home. (I don’t know how runners could not be Christians, because in a 16 mile run if you don’t already know Jesus, you will find him). My legs are sore today, but not because I have hurt something, just sore because I ran for 3+ hours yesterday. That always makes me tired and makes my legs ache for a day or two.
I talk about Steve’s and my trail runs and rides, wanted to share a few pictures so you will know why I brave the varmints to run and ride this trail. It feels like stepping into a different world.
It was a week of personal records for me, Tuesday night's trail run was the fastest 4.5 trail I've run, Thursday's pavement run was the fastest 5.5 I've ever run, and Saturday's 16 miles was the longest distance I have run. We also ran through a thunderstorm for about 25 minutes which was a first. We didn't melt or suffer any adverse affects from it, which is good to know. And, my weekly running total was 36 miles. That's a first too. Hopefully this week will go as well as last week.
Today Steve went for a 10 mile trail run and I rode my bike, carrying a backpack of water. I rode 6 miles and my front tire went flat. I kept riding, because 4 miles is a long way to walk and push a bike. With 2 miles left, the other tire went flat too, so I got to enjoy a 2 mile walk pushing a 24 pound bike. It was a different workout than I'm used to, but it was exercise, so I'll just consider it additional cross training.
I have lost 5 pounds in the 7 weeks of training (YAY!!!).
I talk about Steve’s and my trail runs and rides, wanted to share a few pictures so you will know why I brave the varmints to run and ride this trail. It feels like stepping into a different world.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Conversations with Whitney
Setting: Setting: my living room, Wednesday night at 8:45 p.m. (I should tell everyone that Whitney is an animal lover, can’t decide between being a vet or a zoo keeper or a professional sand volleyball player)
Whitney: I’m watching “Your Worst Animal Nightmare” on Animal Planet
Me: um hmmmm
Whitney: MOM!! Look at this! This guy is getting eaten by an alligator and his son is watching.
Steve: Cool!!
Me: (Speechless, too disturbed for words.)
Whitney: The one they showed earlier, this guy was on a fishing trip on an island and when he went to sleep that night a snake got in his sleeping bag and bit his face and his neck and he had to go to the lighthouse to get a signal on his cell phone and call 911 and had to be airlifted out and then he had nightmares for years and would wake up in the middle of the night and check his room with a flashlight looking for snakes in his room…and….
Me: I’m never sleeping again.
Whitney: I’m watching “Your Worst Animal Nightmare” on Animal Planet
Me: um hmmmm
Whitney: MOM!! Look at this! This guy is getting eaten by an alligator and his son is watching.
Steve: Cool!!
Me: (Speechless, too disturbed for words.)
Whitney: The one they showed earlier, this guy was on a fishing trip on an island and when he went to sleep that night a snake got in his sleeping bag and bit his face and his neck and he had to go to the lighthouse to get a signal on his cell phone and call 911 and had to be airlifted out and then he had nightmares for years and would wake up in the middle of the night and check his room with a flashlight looking for snakes in his room…and….
Me: I’m never sleeping again.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Fruit, storms and fried green tomatoes
Last week we had a major hail storm in Wichita. Didn’t have any damage at my house, but many cars were pounded, windows were broken out, roofs were ruined, we suffered some of all the damage that severe weather can bring. My mom called and asked if I wanted some green tomatoes. I love fried green tomatoes. Unfortunately I wasn’t going to be home that night to use them and they needed to be used right away. The storm had knocked the tomatoes off the vine. The fruit wasn’t ripe, wasn’t ready to be harvested, but an unexpected storm took the fruit off the vine early. For some of us, this didn’t make the fruit unpalatable, in fact, we looked at it as a special treat. It also didn’t render the tomato vine useless, it’s standing back up straight again reaching towards the sun covered with new tomatoes.
John 15:1-5 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
We produce fruit, it’s meant to be consumed. It’s not meant to stay on our branches. The branch needs to stay attached to the vine, it can’t produce fruit without the vine. But the fruit shouldn’t stay on the branch. It should be shared. And just because I think my fruit is a little green, who am I to judge that? If God says dip my fruit in milk and cornmeal and fry it up, than he thinks it’s ready. I just wonder if I’m holding on to my fruit and not sharing so God has sent some storms my way to knock it off the branch?
John 15:1-5 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. 5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
We produce fruit, it’s meant to be consumed. It’s not meant to stay on our branches. The branch needs to stay attached to the vine, it can’t produce fruit without the vine. But the fruit shouldn’t stay on the branch. It should be shared. And just because I think my fruit is a little green, who am I to judge that? If God says dip my fruit in milk and cornmeal and fry it up, than he thinks it’s ready. I just wonder if I’m holding on to my fruit and not sharing so God has sent some storms my way to knock it off the branch?
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Week 6
After three big successful weeks in a row, this one stunk. After the 15 miles last Saturday my knee hurt, and I was tired. Also had a very emotionally draining week that made it hard to sleep so I was doubly tired. I do have to say that God provided a miracle that I desperately needed, and the emotional stress was lessened late in the week. I ran 3 times, and never made the distance I was trying for. On Saturday, the day of my long run, I ran 3 miles and my knee started hurting so I walked the 3 miles home and then rode my bike on the trail and followed Steve on his run. So I did all my cross training in one day. I did an hour of weights with my muscle man, and my legs and chest and biceps hurt for two days. Gotta quick slacking off in that area. Today I decided to try my long run again, twelve miles. Turns out my knee pain is what I suspected, Iliotibial Band Syndrome, and my patella band keeps it from hurting and I know the stretches to get it fixed so that's not a major setback, just a minor inconvenience.
We waited till later in the afternoon to run, it was still hot, but I planted plenty of water along the path, so we weren't in any danger of dehydration or heat stroke. I ran (walked some) three miles with Steve before I told him I was returning home. My twelve miles ended up being six of the hardest I have run yet.
I did some research this week of other training plans, and I'm adjusting my training. The marathon I want to run is in 14 weeks. I'm well on track for that. We decided not to run in August, lots of reasons, my brother we were going to visit decided to come home Labor Day so our trip there would overlap his visit home. Then add finances of enrollment, back to school necessities and both my kids birthdays are in July and August, it was a bit of a relief. It also takes the pressure off my training, although I didn't have to run then, I would have.
The training changes I'm making are fairly simple, Jeff Galloway trains runners to run 24 - 26 miles before a marathon, not 20 as Hal Higdon does. Steve has been saying all along that it didn't make sense to him that if you can run 20 you can 26. Six miles is a long way. So we are continuing on at the long distances we've already run to attempt 24 - 26 before the marathon. He also talks about the benefits of walking BEFORE YOU FEEL THE NEED TO. The benefits are that you will have more energy to finish the race if you take very short walk breaks. He said many marathoners shortened their times by walking according to his formula early in the race and had more energy to finish. The best benefit though, is it helps recovery. I make every effort to do my best, and I realized this week that in doing my best last Saturday, my life suffered the next few days. So my best on a twelve mile run would include having the energy to take care of my family and my house the next couple days. I think my body told my mind that it needed a break. My body won. I was pleased with my sweaty run today, and looking forward to next weeks training. Got another 15 mile next Saturday.
Hope everyone has a great week! I'm still running!
We waited till later in the afternoon to run, it was still hot, but I planted plenty of water along the path, so we weren't in any danger of dehydration or heat stroke. I ran (walked some) three miles with Steve before I told him I was returning home. My twelve miles ended up being six of the hardest I have run yet.
I did some research this week of other training plans, and I'm adjusting my training. The marathon I want to run is in 14 weeks. I'm well on track for that. We decided not to run in August, lots of reasons, my brother we were going to visit decided to come home Labor Day so our trip there would overlap his visit home. Then add finances of enrollment, back to school necessities and both my kids birthdays are in July and August, it was a bit of a relief. It also takes the pressure off my training, although I didn't have to run then, I would have.
The training changes I'm making are fairly simple, Jeff Galloway trains runners to run 24 - 26 miles before a marathon, not 20 as Hal Higdon does. Steve has been saying all along that it didn't make sense to him that if you can run 20 you can 26. Six miles is a long way. So we are continuing on at the long distances we've already run to attempt 24 - 26 before the marathon. He also talks about the benefits of walking BEFORE YOU FEEL THE NEED TO. The benefits are that you will have more energy to finish the race if you take very short walk breaks. He said many marathoners shortened their times by walking according to his formula early in the race and had more energy to finish. The best benefit though, is it helps recovery. I make every effort to do my best, and I realized this week that in doing my best last Saturday, my life suffered the next few days. So my best on a twelve mile run would include having the energy to take care of my family and my house the next couple days. I think my body told my mind that it needed a break. My body won. I was pleased with my sweaty run today, and looking forward to next weeks training. Got another 15 mile next Saturday.
Hope everyone has a great week! I'm still running!
Friday, July 10, 2009
Conversations with Whitney
Setting: Dillons meat department. Whitney is holding a full chicken against her forehead.
Whitney: What is the square root of 16?
Me: Huh?
Whitney: What?? It’s a “smart chicken” (brand name of chicken).
Whitney: What is the square root of 16?
Me: Huh?
Whitney: What?? It’s a “smart chicken” (brand name of chicken).
Thursday, July 9, 2009
You Are Not Alone
Don’t tune out, this is not about Michael Jackson, although it may appear that way at first. I have not followed the circus that has been going on since his death. Didn’t watch the memorial, however saw a few clips while I was waiting for my diet coke in McDonald’s. (TV in McDonald’s?) I saw the one where his daughter spoke about him. I wasn’t blown away by a child telling the world she loves her dad and that he was a great dad. My kids say that about Steve on a regular basis. I would say it about my dad. I think that is normal. Why is it so earth shattering that a child loved her father? And Jermaine, getting choked up singing at Michael’s funeral? I sang at my Grandpa’s funeral and I was emotional. Again, I think that is normal behavior. What bothered me about this circus, or at least one thing that bothered me about this circus, is:
WHERE WERE ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO LOVED MICHAEL AND THOUGHT HE WAS THE GREATEST THING EVER FOR THE LAST MESSED UP YEARS OF HIS LIFE?
I don’t remember Brooke Shields standing by his side through all the charges, court trials, etc. I don’t remember hearing Smoky Robinson publicly telling the world how great Michael was and he couldn’t have done this terrible stuff. What I remember seeing was a sad lonely man surrounded by people he had to pay to be on his side. I thought about the price of fame. We have seen many instances of the high price, OJ, Brittany, and Lindsay to name a few. And this brings me to my point.
Do the people in your life that you love know you love them? Do they know that you support them? Do they feel like they can come to you with a problem and get good advice and dare I say, even some help? I think many of us live our lives closed off to the world because we don’t want to admit we have problems. Our kids are rebellious. We don’t have enough money. Relationships with our parents are strained. We have health issues. Worse than these, how about a personal struggle that can be seen as a failure or a weakness? Eating too much, shopping too much, watching the wrong stuff on television, having bitterness against someone; and then feeling like you can’t break the cycle on your own but being afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to be able to say that its okay, or everyone does it or pretend it’s not sin. But wouldn’t we all love to have a friend that when we say I’m struggling with this in my life, and it’s not pleasing to God and it’s making me miserable and I know it’s wrong and I need help, and then get help? And have them still be your friend. A friend who understands struggling and says I’m on your side, I’m here to help, You Are Not Alone (sorry, couldn’t help myself, this is my favorite MJ song). We got to get this fixed, but I’ll help you. I’ll Be There, Just Call My Name (sorry). I’ll help keep you accountable.
I want the people in my life to know how wonderful and special they are while they are still alive. I want them to know they brought joy to my life while I can still tell them. I want them to know I appreciate their generosity, their weird sense of humor, their listening to me go on and on (and on) about my problems and still coming back for more of me. I want everyone I love to know that I love them. I don’t want people I love to live lonely and feel like no one cares because I didn’t take the time to tell them while they were alive. I don’t want them to feel forgotten. SIDE STORY: One of my dearest friends in the world grew up in the same school and church with me and lives 3.5 miles down the road. Our parents are friends, our daughters are friends, even though they don’t go to the same school, or church, and there is a year’s age difference. Sheila told me one day her daughter came home from school after a particularly rough day, getting queen bee’d, and said “At least Whitney is still my friend”. I want to be that friend. When something bad has happened, or even if you have done something wrong and feel really bad about yourself, you can say and believe it that “at least Patsy is still my friend”. I should be, because God knows there shouldn’t be any judgment coming from me. I have made a mess of my life, I’m Bad (again, sorry) and in addition, life has knocked me around on a lot of things that are out of my control. I really should be the friend that gets it.
Want you all to know, I’m just a blog comment, facebook message, email or phone call away. They all come to my blackberry and I’m never without it. I promise, I’ll be there.
WHERE WERE ALL THESE PEOPLE WHO LOVED MICHAEL AND THOUGHT HE WAS THE GREATEST THING EVER FOR THE LAST MESSED UP YEARS OF HIS LIFE?
I don’t remember Brooke Shields standing by his side through all the charges, court trials, etc. I don’t remember hearing Smoky Robinson publicly telling the world how great Michael was and he couldn’t have done this terrible stuff. What I remember seeing was a sad lonely man surrounded by people he had to pay to be on his side. I thought about the price of fame. We have seen many instances of the high price, OJ, Brittany, and Lindsay to name a few. And this brings me to my point.
Do the people in your life that you love know you love them? Do they know that you support them? Do they feel like they can come to you with a problem and get good advice and dare I say, even some help? I think many of us live our lives closed off to the world because we don’t want to admit we have problems. Our kids are rebellious. We don’t have enough money. Relationships with our parents are strained. We have health issues. Worse than these, how about a personal struggle that can be seen as a failure or a weakness? Eating too much, shopping too much, watching the wrong stuff on television, having bitterness against someone; and then feeling like you can’t break the cycle on your own but being afraid to ask for help. You don’t have to be able to say that its okay, or everyone does it or pretend it’s not sin. But wouldn’t we all love to have a friend that when we say I’m struggling with this in my life, and it’s not pleasing to God and it’s making me miserable and I know it’s wrong and I need help, and then get help? And have them still be your friend. A friend who understands struggling and says I’m on your side, I’m here to help, You Are Not Alone (sorry, couldn’t help myself, this is my favorite MJ song). We got to get this fixed, but I’ll help you. I’ll Be There, Just Call My Name (sorry). I’ll help keep you accountable.
I want the people in my life to know how wonderful and special they are while they are still alive. I want them to know they brought joy to my life while I can still tell them. I want them to know I appreciate their generosity, their weird sense of humor, their listening to me go on and on (and on) about my problems and still coming back for more of me. I want everyone I love to know that I love them. I don’t want people I love to live lonely and feel like no one cares because I didn’t take the time to tell them while they were alive. I don’t want them to feel forgotten. SIDE STORY: One of my dearest friends in the world grew up in the same school and church with me and lives 3.5 miles down the road. Our parents are friends, our daughters are friends, even though they don’t go to the same school, or church, and there is a year’s age difference. Sheila told me one day her daughter came home from school after a particularly rough day, getting queen bee’d, and said “At least Whitney is still my friend”. I want to be that friend. When something bad has happened, or even if you have done something wrong and feel really bad about yourself, you can say and believe it that “at least Patsy is still my friend”. I should be, because God knows there shouldn’t be any judgment coming from me. I have made a mess of my life, I’m Bad (again, sorry) and in addition, life has knocked me around on a lot of things that are out of my control. I really should be the friend that gets it.
Want you all to know, I’m just a blog comment, facebook message, email or phone call away. They all come to my blackberry and I’m never without it. I promise, I’ll be there.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
E-mail me!
This week I have received two disturbing e-mails, (I have received these multiple times in the past). I don’t forward these things, and wish I wasn’t on the receiving end. I don’t only use e-mail for business, I have fun. I found a 2009 St. Louis Cardinals Baseball trivia calendar on clearance for $1 this year and being part of a family of Cardinals fans, I didn’t know who to give it to. So it’s on my desk and first thing every morning I e-mail the question to both my brothers. And if I forget, they ask for it. It is eerie how much useless random knowledge they know about their team. What was my point? Oh, yeah. Got this.
Dear God:
The lady reading this is beautiful, classy and strong, and I love her. Help her live her life to the fullest.
Please promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most, and let her know when she walks with you, She will always be safe.
Now you're on the clock!!!! In 9 minutes something will make you happy. ;-) But you have to tell 9 sisters you love them, including me. Go!!!!
I much prefer a heart felt prayer, not an e-mail circulation. I also want to somewhat believe that you know Christ on a personal level, and you don’t just think this is cool. Beautiful, classy and strong? Really? Me? Live life to the fullest? Honestly, can’t I just go back to bed? Help her shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. If you are praying for me, PRAY I DON’T HAVE TO GO THERE! And the last two sentences, it’s relative to your knowledge and relationship with Christ. I believe God protects me at all times. But I need him the most AT ALL TIMES, there is never a time I don’t need him, and I try to always walk with Him, don’t want to do this life on my own. But I know I may not always be safe, because God is more concerned with my internal character than my external safety or health. And boy has he been sifting and burning me lately (there are Scriptures to back up these references, I’m not really on fire). I do have to say, 9 minutes later, I got a diet coke and that made me happy. (I have low expectations), even though I didn’t tell 9 sisters I love them. But if there are 9 of you that read this? I’ll say it now. I love you guys. I do pray for you. I pray when I post God will bless everyone that stops by and reads it. I usually pray something fairly specific regarding that days post. Like physical strength on my training days. Child rearing wisdom on Whitney days.
The other one was simply this picture
Dear God:
The lady reading this is beautiful, classy and strong, and I love her. Help her live her life to the fullest.
Please promote her and cause her to excel above her expectations. Help her shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. Protect her at all times, lift her up when she needs you the most, and let her know when she walks with you, She will always be safe.
Now you're on the clock!!!! In 9 minutes something will make you happy. ;-) But you have to tell 9 sisters you love them, including me. Go!!!!
I much prefer a heart felt prayer, not an e-mail circulation. I also want to somewhat believe that you know Christ on a personal level, and you don’t just think this is cool. Beautiful, classy and strong? Really? Me? Live life to the fullest? Honestly, can’t I just go back to bed? Help her shine in the darkest places where it is impossible to love. If you are praying for me, PRAY I DON’T HAVE TO GO THERE! And the last two sentences, it’s relative to your knowledge and relationship with Christ. I believe God protects me at all times. But I need him the most AT ALL TIMES, there is never a time I don’t need him, and I try to always walk with Him, don’t want to do this life on my own. But I know I may not always be safe, because God is more concerned with my internal character than my external safety or health. And boy has he been sifting and burning me lately (there are Scriptures to back up these references, I’m not really on fire). I do have to say, 9 minutes later, I got a diet coke and that made me happy. (I have low expectations), even though I didn’t tell 9 sisters I love them. But if there are 9 of you that read this? I’ll say it now. I love you guys. I do pray for you. I pray when I post God will bless everyone that stops by and reads it. I usually pray something fairly specific regarding that days post. Like physical strength on my training days. Child rearing wisdom on Whitney days.
The other one was simply this picture
So I get to look forward to losing my job, my family, or the death of one of my children if I don’t hit forward. But if I do, I will win the lottery. Except I have never purchased a lottery ticket. God is not able to be manipulated by a chain e-mail. He cannot be manipulated by anything. So if you really want to send me something in my e-mail tell me you are praying for me, or find something like this. At least I’ll get a laugh.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
July 7, 1992
My son turns 17 today. We are celebrating later this month when all four boys (him and his 3 cousins) have a day off from baseball. (It’s genetic). Seventeen years ago on the 5th I was at the movie “A League of Their Own” (how fitting) when I had my first labor pain. At this point I was 5 days overdue, and there was no doubt even as a first time mom it was the real thing. So I looked at my watch to time them. 45 minutes later at Chi Chi’s restaurant I had the second one. Finally went to the hospital the morning of the 6th, stopped for donuts on the way. I was starving. Nate entered the world big and strong, he was ten pounds (9 lbs 15.5 ozs, 21.5 inches long). Lifted his head and shoulders up off the bed in the delivery room at 3 hours old. The nurses laughed when they had to go pediatrics for bigger diapers and socks, he was too big for newborn sizes. They fought over him in neo-natal (chemical pneumonia) to see who got to feed him. He ate 6 ounces his first feeding. They had to give him a second bottle. (You notice that my delivery story contains food twice after my labor started and tells how well he ate in the nursery). Here are some things I love about him.
1. He sits with me in church. When something funny is said, he writes “LOL” on the note pad and passes it to me. He doesn’t use this in text, or talking, this is the only time. Makes it funnier.
2. He is kind hearted. He doesn’t want to be, he wants to be tough and macho. But see him with his 12 year old sister, he’s kind hearted. He is nice to kids no one else likes, because “Mom, no one wants to get treated the way they deserve, we all want better than that”.
3. In kindergarten he asked me what Seinfeld did. I said actor. He said, no, when he stands behind the microphone and everyone laughs at him. I said comedian. When asked at school what he wanted to be when he grew up, he said comedian. All the adults laughed, and we have been laughing ever since. He has also wanted to be a nuclear physicist, Supreme Court justice and major league baseball player. Now he wants to teach pottery and marry well.
4. His friends parents speak well of him. This is good for a mom’s heart.
5. He does the hard stuff for my parents. Goes to Lowe’s to get supplies and hauls them to and from the car for them. Saws their fire wood. Pulls ups old flooring. Mows. Takes care of his grandparents.
6. He still loves his childhood cartoons and animated video games. And I mean Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog and Starfox. Kid at heart. He asked for a birthday cake with Sid the Sloth from Ice Age.
7. He told me the other day he was born in the wrong era. He should have lived in the 1950’s. He felt like he was Beaver Cleaver.
8. He beat me in 18 out of 20 games of Connect Four Friday night. I don’t love losing, I love a 16 year old boy that played Connect Four on Friday night with his mom. (ALRIGHT! Little Blonde Girlfriend was in Colorado for a softball tournament, but I can pretend he wanted to be there with me).
I mostly wrote and posted this so I could show you my Sid the Sloth cake. It's my favorite chocolate sheet cake, drew Sid with a toothpick. What is so amazing about this is the cake. It's delicious.
1. He sits with me in church. When something funny is said, he writes “LOL” on the note pad and passes it to me. He doesn’t use this in text, or talking, this is the only time. Makes it funnier.
2. He is kind hearted. He doesn’t want to be, he wants to be tough and macho. But see him with his 12 year old sister, he’s kind hearted. He is nice to kids no one else likes, because “Mom, no one wants to get treated the way they deserve, we all want better than that”.
3. In kindergarten he asked me what Seinfeld did. I said actor. He said, no, when he stands behind the microphone and everyone laughs at him. I said comedian. When asked at school what he wanted to be when he grew up, he said comedian. All the adults laughed, and we have been laughing ever since. He has also wanted to be a nuclear physicist, Supreme Court justice and major league baseball player. Now he wants to teach pottery and marry well.
4. His friends parents speak well of him. This is good for a mom’s heart.
5. He does the hard stuff for my parents. Goes to Lowe’s to get supplies and hauls them to and from the car for them. Saws their fire wood. Pulls ups old flooring. Mows. Takes care of his grandparents.
6. He still loves his childhood cartoons and animated video games. And I mean Mario, Sonic the Hedgehog and Starfox. Kid at heart. He asked for a birthday cake with Sid the Sloth from Ice Age.
7. He told me the other day he was born in the wrong era. He should have lived in the 1950’s. He felt like he was Beaver Cleaver.
8. He beat me in 18 out of 20 games of Connect Four Friday night. I don’t love losing, I love a 16 year old boy that played Connect Four on Friday night with his mom. (ALRIGHT! Little Blonde Girlfriend was in Colorado for a softball tournament, but I can pretend he wanted to be there with me).
I mostly wrote and posted this so I could show you my Sid the Sloth cake. It's my favorite chocolate sheet cake, drew Sid with a toothpick. What is so amazing about this is the cake. It's delicious.
Sunday, July 5, 2009
Week 5
I DID IT! A first for me, a new distance, 15 miles. Because of the running partners I had, I did it faster than I have ever done a long distance. More about this at the end...
This week I ran 5 on the trail with Steve on Monday night, which was a victory in itself, because up to this point a 13 mile run would have me sidelined for a week. But after my 12.5 on Saturday, I did 5 with Steve in 53 minutes on Monday and then on Wednesday ran 5.5 with hime in 52 minutes. I did my cross training and strength training workouts too.
The 15 mile, I ran the first 9 with a friend from church who is training for a marathon in October. Steve and Marlo let me set the pace, and I set one that was fast for me, I guessed about a 10 minute mile and I was really close, we finished at roughly 90 minutes. The thing was, I knew Steve and Marlo were running slower than they would on their own. The last mile, they both could've kicked into high gear (and I was already in high gear) and left me in the dust. Steve did comment in the last quarter mile that Marlo doesn't need anyone to help her make her distances, she will be fine. She did an amazing job for her first 9 mile, up to that point, she had run 7. (And on top of that, she is so dang cute, even when she is sweating.)
Steve ran the next 6 miles with me, at a comfortable pace for me, 75 minutes with a few recovery walks at the top of hills. The total 15 miles took 165 minutes, 11 minute miles which is good for this girl.
I will say I was discouraged. To feel that I was working harder than both Steve and Marlo and still holding them back was not a good feeling. There is a little bit of pride involved, and the competitive nature that put me on the tri-state volleyball team in high school is still inside me. Steve told me on the second half of our run he was concerned that I would be able to keep that pace for 9 miles.
I am tired. Fatigued even. My legs hurt, not in a pulled a muscle or shin splints way, just in a I ran 15 miles way.
Next week I get to run a 6 mile, 8 mile and 17 mile run, strength training, cross training, and I used my rest day today, so it's all out starting tomorrow.
I have been called crazy, insane, weird, and that may be true, but I am very proud of myself, once I got over being discouraged yesterday. Now I'm going to go eat pizza and ice cream cause it's my free day.
This week I ran 5 on the trail with Steve on Monday night, which was a victory in itself, because up to this point a 13 mile run would have me sidelined for a week. But after my 12.5 on Saturday, I did 5 with Steve in 53 minutes on Monday and then on Wednesday ran 5.5 with hime in 52 minutes. I did my cross training and strength training workouts too.
The 15 mile, I ran the first 9 with a friend from church who is training for a marathon in October. Steve and Marlo let me set the pace, and I set one that was fast for me, I guessed about a 10 minute mile and I was really close, we finished at roughly 90 minutes. The thing was, I knew Steve and Marlo were running slower than they would on their own. The last mile, they both could've kicked into high gear (and I was already in high gear) and left me in the dust. Steve did comment in the last quarter mile that Marlo doesn't need anyone to help her make her distances, she will be fine. She did an amazing job for her first 9 mile, up to that point, she had run 7. (And on top of that, she is so dang cute, even when she is sweating.)
Steve ran the next 6 miles with me, at a comfortable pace for me, 75 minutes with a few recovery walks at the top of hills. The total 15 miles took 165 minutes, 11 minute miles which is good for this girl.
I will say I was discouraged. To feel that I was working harder than both Steve and Marlo and still holding them back was not a good feeling. There is a little bit of pride involved, and the competitive nature that put me on the tri-state volleyball team in high school is still inside me. Steve told me on the second half of our run he was concerned that I would be able to keep that pace for 9 miles.
I am tired. Fatigued even. My legs hurt, not in a pulled a muscle or shin splints way, just in a I ran 15 miles way.
Next week I get to run a 6 mile, 8 mile and 17 mile run, strength training, cross training, and I used my rest day today, so it's all out starting tomorrow.
I have been called crazy, insane, weird, and that may be true, but I am very proud of myself, once I got over being discouraged yesterday. Now I'm going to go eat pizza and ice cream cause it's my free day.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Conversations with Whitney
Setting: my living room, Tuesday night at 11:45 p.m.
Me: What are you watching?
Whitney: Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmeran
Me: Huh?
Whitney: It’s on the travel network.
Me: What?
Whitney: They just ate a hamburger with peanut butter and mayonnaise on it.
Me: Ewww.
Whitney: Now they are eating puffin. It’s a bird.
Me: Ewww.
Whitney: I just go done watching “World’s Deadliest Venom” there was this snake…and they showed what it does in your blood and how quick you shut down and….
Me: What are you watching?
Whitney: Bizarre Foods with Andrew Zimmeran
Me: Huh?
Whitney: It’s on the travel network.
Me: What?
Whitney: They just ate a hamburger with peanut butter and mayonnaise on it.
Me: Ewww.
Whitney: Now they are eating puffin. It’s a bird.
Me: Ewww.
Whitney: I just go done watching “World’s Deadliest Venom” there was this snake…and they showed what it does in your blood and how quick you shut down and….
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