The last day of the year

How are you going to spend your day today?  How about tonight?  Will you be celebrating the old and ringing in the new?  Yeah - the latter isn't gonna happen in our home.  Don't get me wrong.  We'll ring in the new but it'll be about 8:00, if we're lucky.

As I reflect back on this year, we were so blessed.

The Runner competed in four off-road marathons (three first places and one third place in his age division) and four off-road 50Ks (two first places, one second place and one third place in his age division) and one 55K (third place in his age division.)  He is a MACHINE!

We went to three parties, several city-sponsored concerts and celebrated our 21st wedding anniversary.  The daughter visited from Chicago to celebrate Mother's Day with me.

I went on seven retreats and one all-day crop at a friend's home, five scrapbook conventions and helped two friends organize their craft rooms.  I work in my playground almost every day and I cannot even begin to tally up all the cards and craft projects I worked on or all the flowers I made.  Just know there were oodles!

I continued to enjoy volunteering with the fire department: Super Bowl Sundae, badge pinnings, retirements, monthly meetings, station tours, scholarship committee, bake sale, spaghetti dinner, TLC cards to honor firefighter's birthdays and anniversaries.  And I can't forget all the deviled eggs (in excess of 200) I made to take to different events.

I joined forces with Vicki to help the beautiful children in Uganda.  Can I just say I am in awe!?!  The generosity of so many will help these children tremendously.  We have collected over $2,000 in cash as well as over $200 in Walmart gift cards.  Neither Vicki nor I ever - in our wildest imaginations (and hopes) - expected to receive donations of this magnitude.  And the craft supplies - oh my goodness.  I have boxes and boxes and boxes stacked in two different closets.  Just after the first of the year, I will go on a shopping spree that will beat all others.  My cart(s) will be filled with clothing and shoes for each of these children as well as hygiene supplies, toiletries, book bags, school supplies and toys.  In about one month, everything will be shipped to them.  Josephine promised to take pictures - and you know I'll be posting them.

You know you gotta take the good with the bad, right?  Well, here's the not-so-good stuff:  Tendinitis in my ankle which meant wearing a boot for two weeks and three bouts of sinusitis.  But if that's all the health issues we have, I'll take it.  We are so fortunate!

As you look to the new year, hold onto what is GOOD.  Let go of what is BAD.  It is really just that simple.

A 50K

Not a runner?  Not familiar with what a 50K is?  I am not a runner but I do know that a 50K is 31.1 miles.  Not just 31.1 miles, but 31.1 miles of off-road running.  That means on dirt trails.  With rocks, tree roots, poison ivy, animals and all different weather conditions.

I created this for my friend, Kristi, to give to her cousin, Jordon.  I have a feeling he was completely taken off-guard but I'm sure he'll cherish this mini album for years to come.  Rockledge Rumble was his first 50K and he did very well!

Here he is - all ready to begin!

This picture makes me laugh every time I see it.  I'd love to know what this runner has wrapped around his ankle!

And they're off!!!!  Yes, even The Runner was in this madness.  See him?  He's wearing print shorts and a blue shirt and blue cap on the right side of the picture.

Jordon's got a lot of energy ... and a few more miles to go.

My thought is you have to LOVE running in order to participate in this sport!

After days and weeks and months of training, it all comes down to RACE DAY.

It's always a good thing when the son cheers you on!

Yes, Jordon did go the distance!

Yes, I suppose it does teach you that.

What??????????  I can't hear you.  "Cheer a little louder" is what Jordon's telling his wife and daughter.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh the official after-race beer.  Yes, he's got "spirit!"

Always, always hydrate after the race.

Rick was is reliable partner every step of the way.  They crossed the finish line together.

Ahhhhhhhhhhh - such a nice feeling and so glad it's behind you.  Now to train for the next one.

Open here for the results ...

Congratulations, Jordon, on a very good race and excellent finishing time.

Yep - here are three dedicated runners: Jordon, Kristi and Rick.

Kristi and her sister support their cousin in this post-race party celebration.

Will we see you out there next year?