Thanksgivng

With Thanksgiving coming up soon, I've been reflecting a lot.

So many of my friends have lost someone, human or animal, that they are so close to this year. It's heartbreaking. It made me realize that this will be our second Thanksgiving without my mom. That...makes me very, very sad.

It seems that during all of the holidays last year, all of the "first without mom", my attitude was "You just have to get through today".  This year, especially with Mother's Day, it was "Well, I don't have any Grandmothers or even a mom to send a card to or even call!". The other holidays as a whole, weren't too difficult for me.

When I was sewing a costume for my oldest, I had a couple of tough days because sewing was TOTALLY my mom's thing. I could actually hear her voice advising me on a better way to do things. Hearing her voice was tough, as it just made me miss her more.

My youngest wanted to do a Thanksgiving Tree like we did a couple of years ago, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Probably because it was one of the last things I remember showing to my mother.

I'm considering putting it up for the day, making leaves & having everyone write 4 things their thankful for this year. This way she still gets to do the tree, but I don't have to look at it for a month. Then next year we can return to the daily adding of the leaves. 

This was also the year I showed the kids how to make hand turkeys. It wasn't the prettiest of trees but it was more important to the kids than I had realized.
The oldest one has her hand turkey from this picture hanging on her bedroom door.


I have much to be thankful for.

Here goes my list in no particular order. It won't be as long as a novel, but it may be lengthy.

I'm thankful:

I married an amazing man that is such a wonderful father & is so very supportive of me. One who understands my struggles & knows when I need that extra "push" or that extra "hug".

For two smart, sassy, honest, loving & strong willed girls. They push my buttons. They support my efforts in health & they love me always...as I love them.

For that fact that my Dad is still on earth with us. Ultimately, he didn't just give up as I had feared he might after losing his wife of 48 years. I cherish him even more than I did before.

For my siblings. They may not always be physically close to me, but they are always in my heart.

For a couple of pretty fabulous sisters in law & an awesome brother in law. My spouse & siblings are fortunate to have you in their lives.

For my mother-in-law. I know she loves me & always has my back...even if it's from 1500 or so miles away.

For Weight Watchers & my leaders Gail & Sue. They gave me some tools. These tools I use daily on this journey I started. Sometimes it was a talk, sometimes a bravo star & sometimes it was just a hug. It was always just what I needed.

For a local gym with a monthly meeting with a trainer included. My trainers Kelly & Brad are fabulous. Their workouts challenge me, without being impossible. I know with their guidance I'll to get to a healthy BMI, weight & body fat percentage eventually.

For my friends that do these fun runs with me. Holly, Twyla & Kelsie,  I haven't forgotten you guys telling me to go ahead & go at my own pace when I was getting ahead of you because I was in a rhythm. I also didn't forget that you didn't leave me in the dust when you easily could have. It made the Color Run more fun for me & it forced me to push myself. You guys are awesome!  

For the usual things, like having a home, food on the table, clothes on my back & a van to drive. These are things I was reminded that I take for granted when that tornado hit Washington, Illinois.

That my Aunt Lora & my cousins Sarah & Erin were spared & were safe during that same tornado. I'm not super close to them, but they are still family, no matter what.

For Aunt Beth & Lisa, you two have ALWAYS been amazing to me for as long as I can remember. Thank you.

For my ladies on the LC board. I've been "talking" to them for nearly 12 years now but I've only met three of them. We as a board have shared so much with each other & we're always there for each other. It's hard to explain to someone that isn't involved with the board, but it's such a special group of women that I've grown to care about deeply over the years. I'm thankful each & every one of them.

For my two 14 year old sister cats. They came into our family shortly after my 21 year old Adagio left this earth. They needed a new family & we had the space in our home & our hearts for them.

There are plenty more, but these are the ones I've chosen to list this year.

Enjoy your Thanksgiving holiday & remember to keep those that are less fortunate than you in your thoughts (& prayers).

Have a blessed Thanksgiving




 

Who I Run 4

I've been waiting to be matched with a special needs child & on Halloween night as I was finishing up trick or treating with my kids & friends, I got the e-mail I'd been waiting on. I had FINALLY been matched!

I don't have permission to share details here, just know that I'm excited & that I can hardly wait to get to know this precious child & her family. I'm PROUD to be running for her!

I  posted this picture on the I RUN 4 Facebook page & was shocked by the positive response I received. 

I'm aware the form on my plank probably sucks. When I tried to do them in may 2013., I couldn't hold a plank position at all! As I continue to get stronger, my hope is that my form will improve as well. I AM holding up the weight of 2 adults after all!

Imagine my surprise when the fonder of I Run 4 asked if he could use the picture of my workout in his first promotional video!?!?! I was both surprised & honored that he asked. Even if my picture had not been included, I'd still be including the link to this wonderful organization on my page. 

WHY do I do this? Watch the video & see. We dedicate our workouts & runs to our matches. We run & workout for those that cannot. We do it for those that are struggling...in some cases just ...to survive. In return, they push us & inspire us to work more often, to work harder & not to take our abilities for granted.

If you have a special needs child or special needs adult that you think could benefit from a buddy...then check it out. If you're interested in becoming a runner for a child, then check it out.

http://animoto.com/play/Tt16E5zANPMo5oiWh15N2Q

 

Join the most inspiring group on facebook @ www.whoirun4.com and www.facebook.com/groups/irunformichael

I'm back!!!!

I've been having major computer issues the past few weeks, but just because I've been absent from my blog, doesn't mean I've been absent from my workouts!

In the past couple of weeks I've had a MAJOR personal breakthrough as far as fitness goes.

I actually JOGGED THREE HILLS for the first time EVER!

I was on a fast walk when I turned a corner & saw a hill that I previously had to walk up slowly & zig-zag up it to reach the top...being completely winded when I got there.

This day I jogged up & down the first hill, only stopping to take these 2 pictures. On the third hill the GREEN dot was the starting point. The YELLOW & ORANGE dots were my 2 minute breath catching breaks & the PINK dot was the finishing point. I JOGGED it! It was HARD for me, but I did it!

I was very, very proud of myself because I didn't give up. I just deceided I was going to do it, so I did! 6 months ago I had looked at those hills & KNEW I wasn't in good enough shape to tackle them. This time I looked at them thought " I'm jogging up those, no matter how many times I have t stop & catch my breath dam it!"

I've gone to the gym 3 times per week & as of this post, I'm bumping it up to 4 times per week.