Twihards

One of the things we got to do over Thanksgiving break was go see a movie! Now to many this seems so mundane but it really is a rare treat. Jim picked our last feature film so it was my turn and off we went to see the latest in the Twilight Saga.

The books were better and nobody will be up for an Academy Award for their work in the film but in spite of the teenage girls sitting in front of us that giggled and commented throughout the entire movie I still enjoyed it. The reason I even write this post is because it seems crazy fans of this movie are pretending to be engaged so they can try on the knock-off of Bella's wedding dress - article here. You can even purchase replicas of the engagement ring and her hair comb! (Too bad I actually like this necklace.)


Maybe I am not all that far removed from these creators target audience after all?! I tore through the Harry Potter books (plus would like to have the DVD box set), then gobbled up Twilight and now am about to start reading The Hunger Games. It has been on my radar (and in my Kindle cart) since a college buddy dubbed it one of her favorites. I hate to admit it, but the movie trailer is what motivated me to finally click purchase. I just don't find time to read anymore but I have until March to read one book - I can do that!

Once I get back in the swing on things, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo is on deck. Any other suggestions? Read or watch.

Black Friday

Just got dressed up to do a little online shopping?!  (Parental Reminder: Monkey See, Monkey Do!)

Hugs from our family to yours!

Thank you to Scott of Simulacra Photography for what will end of being this year's Holiday Card. I love it and don't you know this was one of the first images he snapped. (Feeling on top of my game for once.) I am so very thankful for these two turkeys today and every day!!!

Thankful

For family

For time together

For good food (and the loving hands that prepare it)

For my health

Greensboro Gobbler

This year's race was not the same family event as it has been in the past - we lost Lane and Adele & Molly decided to run the dog jog leaving me and the boys to tackle the 5k. I gave everyone a hard time (because that is what I do) but by splitting up it was nice to cheer each other on and be cheered for. Everyone did great and it always feels great to "earn" the fabulous spread and spirits that awaited us.

L to R: Tom, Adele & Piper, Jim, me, Molly & Marlowe (Sorry Teva!)

Even ran into some of our favorite folks & fellow Rabid Dogs after the race!

L to R: me, Ryan, Allie, Glenn, Jim, Ashley

Bonus: It was my first time making the newspaper - 13th female finisher and 3rd in my age group - that is a PR!  Didn't know and didn't stick around to get my "trophy" but before it would have become a play toy it certainly would have been placed on the mantel!

Reason, Season or Lifetime

It is amazing how people can affect your life in different ways. Whether it is the people you are very close to, those you hardly know or one of the many in-between. I am learning that you cannot take any of those relationships for granted and honestly believe none of them are by chance.

People come into your life for a reason, a season or a lifetime.
When you figure out which one it is, you will know what to do for each person.

When someone is in your life for a reason, it is usually to meet a need you have expressed. They have come to assist you through a difficulty; to provide you with guidance and support; to aid you physically, emotionally or spiritually. They may seem like a godsend, and they are. They are there for the reason you need them to be.
Then, without any wrongdoing on your part or at an inconvenient time, this person will say or do something to bring the relationship to an end. Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away. Sometimes they act up and force you to take a stand. What we must realize is that our need has been met, our desire fulfilled; their work is done. The prayer you sent up has been answered and now it is time to move on.

Some people come into your life for a season, because your turn has come to share, grow or learn. They bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh. They may teach you something you have never done. They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy. Believe it. It is real. But only for a season.

Lifetime relationships teach you lifetime lessons; things you must build upon in order to have a solid emotional foundation. Your job is to accept the lesson, love the person, and put what you have learned to use in all other relationships and areas of your life. It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.
— Unknown

Tomorrow I will be attending the service for Leslie Richardson Carman. I am not trying to say Leslie taught me some great life lesson or that in her death something in me was awakened but I couldn't help but think of that poem. All I do know is that my heart aches for the dark place she was in and it breaks for the two sweet girls she left behind. I will think of her in the morning when I get up to run in the dark and I will smile every afternoon when Addie asks for a "poppie". (I credit her with both!)
 
Leslie, I pray that you found peace and that you are able to watch over your hurting family and friends. Lord, give Brian the strength to pick up the pieces and help him find peace so he can begin to heal but mostly I pray for Olivia and Taylor and all the pain and unanswerable questions they have ahead of them.

G.O. H.A.R.D.

Today is Globally Organized Hug A Runner Day (aka G.O. H.A.R.D.)! Just one of the many fun facts that I have learned while looking up material for the Harris & Harris Express YMCA's facebook pages.

Thank-you Molly for the good laugh and Amen to the sentiment! I know I don't look as great as I feel and have seen many official race pictures to back it up. With this in mind, I warily checked Brightroom's website for this past weekend's race photos, and actually discovered what might be the least ridiculous I have been captured.

Fingerpainting Fun

Thunder Road

My ankle injury, a topic I was too upset to previously blog about, kept me from plenty this fall! I had to drop out of 2 soccer leagues, miss the Salem Lake 30k and lost 2 months of training which knocked me back from the full marathon to the half. With that, it was still a personal record and more importantly that time was 5 minutes faster then Jim's top finish! Don't get me wrong I am excited about my time (1:43:20), but it also makes me crazy to think what I could have done had I not gotten hurt! Completing a full marathon is still at the top of my "Bucket List" and a new plan/2012 race schedule is already being formulated. On the immediate radar is the Greensboro Gobbler... look out Tom, I am ready to take your title away now.

A special thank-you to my wonderful cheerleaders today who managed to catch me 3 times along the course. This little one was a great sport. She danced along to the band at the finish line while mom & dad enjoyed a post-race beverage but only after insisting I hold her for a little while. Who can resist that?