And the race is on!...........GO DAY'S

GO DAYS!

Are we ready! I ran Sunday and walked on Monday and that's been it. Hopefully I'll do okay tomorrow. I'd love to do around 36. I ate pasta at lunch and crackers for supper.

spent the night, 6 - 10, in the emergency room with John. That was a mistake, should have went to Urgent Care. His "sternum" was hurting again. they did an ekg and xray so decided it was an inflamed sternum again and gave him some steroids.

anyway, I imagine we will post our results tomorrow, otherwise you can check

http://www.louisvilletriplecrown.com/results.asp

I believe we are having lunch in louisville this week. at mr gattis.

My exciting week!

I got a flat tire this morning....
and were leaving for New Orleans in 7 days!

I got my wisdom teeth pulled last week. Thats about it. :)
Hope everyone is doing okay!

Reporting In

It looks like everyone has slowed down on writing. Deb, don't do too much and get yourself worn out. I'm better now, it seems like I had about of day of mild sore throat, day of head cold with a nonstop running nose, day of severe coughing and aching from all the coughing and now has settled in my chest with just a tiny bit of sore throat and sometime coughing. So I have basically been in bed since I got back to Florida. Paul is golfing at noon today, so I think I will go sit out in the sun today since I haven"t been in it for a couple of weeks.

Flea market tomorrow, only 2 more before we leave. Seems like time has went so fast. Hope the weather warms up there at home. Have fun planning for the engagement party.

How is everyone?

Being sick really messes up training. I went two weeks doing nothing (but coughing...and still doing that some). I made myself walk/jog for 90 minutes tonight. Walking mostly, so I only got in 5.38 miles. At least it is a start. I actually walked on Monday for 3 miles also. I still have two more weeks before the 10k. I think I can get my time doing better. Adrenalin should give me the rest of the mile. I just need to step it up a notch for the mini.

Not much else going on. Haley finished cheerleading so I'm waiting for soccer to start. They will both be playing so I'm excited. Although their first game is the same as the 10k :( then we'll miss the Easter weekend game. Have they decided on a time for the engagement party?

Eryn got us a room at the Hyatt downtown for Thunder weekend. So if anyone is there and needs a break from the festivities, we'll have a place without having to go all the way home.

The House

Charly and Ryan, Loved the house. I'm so glad we were able to stop by today. Ryan, please tell your Mom thanks for cleaning Reese's shoe and sorry about her stepping on the paint can lid. When I saw it in the floor I just knew she would step on it. It could have been the only thing in the floor in the whole house and she would have found it. Again, sorry.

Charly, you may have to fight Reese for Ryan. She has become quite attached. I can picture her at the wedding saying I Do when the minister ask do you take this man. She will probably think she is suppose to hold his hand as well. Lets just hope she finds another crush by then.

Looking forward to the party. If you decide to cook rather than cater let me know and I will be glad to fix some things for it.

Update

Hey all...I did take pictures of the house the other day, now I just have to post them. We are going to start painting this weekend I think! After going to dinner the other night with some of the family, me and Ryan have decided to have our engagement party on the Saturday before Easter, the 22nd I think. I know this is soon, but it works out the best for us, and hopefully some of the family will be here!! I am going to send out invitations this weekend, but if you all who are coming from out of town could let me know when you are coming, I can decide to have it in the afternoon or later that night!
Congratulations to the Nolan's. We are all growing up!
Also, Ryan, mom, and me went to put the deposit down on the reception hall at Kyes and you all aren't going to believe this, March 7th of next year was already booked! I guess it just means that we are supposed to get married on Friday, March 6th...We put the deposit down so everyone save the date, it would mean a lot for us if everyone could come!! Love you all!

Top This!

As long as we're on a roll, I might as well let everyone know Alan won the lottery a month ago - just hadn't said anything yet, getting our finances figured out and everything before all our family starts hounding us to "share the wealth". You know we would love to, but our "people" suggest we just keep it all for ourselves. (I'm just glad he's willing to share it with me!) Enough for now. As we get our priorities in order, will keep you posted! Roar! Roar! (The sound of my Jag!)

Just when you thought he would settle down...

My first post too - like Laura I haven't had a lot to update about until now either. I've just been slowly adapting to work and my new place here in St. Louis (no running, no houses, no engagements) and I figured that just wasn't exciting enough, so I decided "Let's go to Italy!" Actually, whats going on is that we still have suppliers for the 787 that are struggling and need help (similar to the one in Winnipeg), and I figured I'm still in a decent position where I can pick up and fill a one-year assignment that's open there, so that's whats going to happen. The length of the assignment is a little intimidating, and I think the only Italian words I know are foods (at least I won't starve), but I'm excited about the opportunity and I should get a few return trips throughout the year to break it up a little.

It'll be in a city called Foggia which is about a 2 hour drive from Naples and a little over 3 from Rome. I'm sure I'll be pretty busy when I'm there, but I should get some good opportunities to travel around a bit and see the country, and the idea of working on a new product in a foreign country should keep things interesting at work. I don't have word yet on when exactly I'll be leaving, but it should be relatively soon, these suppliers need as much help as they can get as soon as they can get it. So it looks like St. Louis will just have to wait another year.

My first post

I've been reading this for a while, but I haven't posted yet. I just never seemed to have anything worth posting. But I finally do!

On Saturday Alex surprised me by showing up at my apartment! I had no idea that he wasn't still in Georgia- although I was a little upset that he hadn't been answering his phone all day. And not only did he surprise me with a visit, but he proposed, too! (And the ring is gorgeous, by the way.)

This doesn't really change plans- I still have three more years of school, and the Army still owns him for quite a while, so it will be a pretty long engagement. We know that we'll get married as soon as the circumstances work out for us, and we wanted to make it official- even if that means being engaged for a couple years.

Anyway, I have a test in about an hour, so I really have to go study!

Race 1 down - 4 more to go

I did the FrostBite 5k with Mike and a couple people from yesterday. Except for parts of the 3 hills I ran it all. I did it in 39:20 according to the person calling out time, but there weren't any chips so it was a little less, not much, not that many people were there. I'm happy with myself though.

Cheryl and Jeff, how was dinner?

Heather, the Valentine's card was very cute. I have it hanging at work and it has gotten comments.

Well, trying to get the kitchen cleaned before the Daytona starts.

Terri, you have to do 10k (6.2 miles) with us. I think that is one the Birmingham folks are coming up to in addition to the mini.

Has anyone figured out why some of the names and posting are orange and sometimes they are blue?

Reese .vs. "The Steps"

Well Reese just fell down the basement steps. She was sitting on the second step from the top playing with Chance when she fell and ended up at the bottom. Last night we told her not to play on the steps but you all know how she has a mind of her own. She has a nice rug burn below her left eye. I have been trying to keep ice on it to keep it from swelling any more but she doesn't seem to like it.

Nice time for this to happen since we will be seeing the girls tomorrow. I have to wonder what will be made out of the fall. Jeff said maybe we could come up with some reason not to have dinner with them.

Gourmet Scoop-N-Bake

Hello all, I am ordering some cookie dough from Reese's school and wanted to see if anyone else wanted any. It's a 3 pound tub, makes 48 1 oz. cookies. Last for up to 1 year frozen and can be refrozen. It comes in Snickerdoodle, Chocolagte Chip, Chocolate Chunk, Oatmeal Raisin, Sugar Cookie, Peanut Butter, Candy Cookie w/M&M's, Chocloate Mint Chip, Double Chocolate Brownie, and White Chunk Macadamia Nut. It is all $13/tub. I will place my order by 2/27 and it will be in about a month after that. If anyone is interested, let me know and I will order yours with mine.

Reese was very excited about Valentines Day. She had her party at school today. The class was all on sugar overload when I picked her up.

Heather, thanks for the picture. Reese looked at it and said "look how cute Mom". She actually wanted to know why her picture wasn't on one as well.

We have dinner with "the Girls" tomorrow night. Anyone interested in going with us? It's sure to be interesting and Jeff isn't looking forward to us going alone. I guess he is thinking there is safety in numbers. My Mom and a friend were suppose to be coming down today so they would have went with us but they had to cancel due to our friends father having a stroke yesterday.

I've learned my lesson.......the hard way!

Don't mess with your meds! and, hormone treatment is not necessarily bad. I had the 2nd worst migrain of my life Tuesday thru Wednesday. I will not miss my Estadiol pill again. It started on Tuesday, I made it in to work, stayed for about 15 minutes and left. Stopped by the Urgent Care place. (I don't have the medication anymore since I haven't had a migrain for two years. which it's a good thing I didn't have it, since Imitrex doesn't mix with other medications I'm on). I got a shot (and a bruise) in the bottom for pain and prescriptions for Estadiol and Lortab. This relieved the pain to my normal migrain pain level so that I figured my head was no longer going to explode. I got the prescriptions filled and took my Estadiol and, well, a Lortab also. And a few hours later I took another Lortab. and the next morning another estadiol and, well, another Lortab. So then I went to my regular doctor (already had the appointment for another reason - brusitis in the hip). The regular doctor gave me a shot (no bruise this time) on the other side for nausea and refills for my estadiol.

So here it is Thursday night and I am finally feeling better. I am a little concerned that the eurologist gave me a prescription of lortab for whenever my kidney stones decide to act up. If they don't stop a migrain will they help the pain of a kidney stone?

Well, isn't this an exciting post.

CONGRATS TO ALL

First of all, it's no fair that Heather looks like a model after running 13 miles! 

Just discovered that when you click on a posts title you see the comments - who knew? I was always clicking on the tiny little number at the bottom.  I'm slowly learning this stuff.

I've slacked off a bit in my "training" - missed 2 days last week and didn't go today (usually only take off Sundays) but my knee really hurts for some reason (think it all just goes back to the flat-foot "pronating" thing)  I'm very glad I've already got Conner's flat feet into orthotics - maybe he can avoid these problems. So anyway, maybe a day off is good today.  

Hope everyone is enjoying a nice Valentines day - looking forward to seeing pics of the new house Charly!

Cam got a letter from the "who's who" publication because he was nominated to be in the middle school edition of the book - I know it's really just a play to get parents to buy the book - but we still had him fill out the biography to see if he gets in - told him even if he didn't make it that it was cool that someone nominated him. Always good to have a little ego boost at his age! (or any age I guess!) 

I gotta go do a puzzle with Cole - just wanted to check in.  Looking forward to seeing everyone - though it sounds like we'll all have our fill of each other come April with possible engagement party, race, and first communion - looking forward to it all though!

Uncle Charlie

Joyce called me yesterday afternoon. Said Charlie had to have a cathether put in and they have started giving him morphine now. Thinks it will be just a matter of days now. They have a hospital bed set up in their dining room. I did get to talk with him Sunday for a little bit, but Joyce said that since last Thursday when she saw him, that he has really gone down. Going to check airines to see if there is any kind of emergency ticket that I can purchase if the time does come while I'm here. Will need transportation from the airport if I do and a place to stay as I think I have necessary clothes here that I won't need to go home. Will see. Luv to all

Charly ...

Do you have any house pics you can post? Did you say you've actually moved in, or just closed?

marathon pictures

Here are some of the picture I took. Heather I tried to send them to you on that site but could only send one . I have more and will get them to you. The last one is my favorite. love to all.

Congrats to all!

I don't know who to congrat first. Charly and Ryan on your first house, Heather and her great running time or Madam President Mel. You all have so much to be proud and greatful for. All of you keep doing what you are doing and life will be sweeter.

Reese is sitting in the corner. She has to be there for two minutes without talking and it's really hard for her. Her time is up and she just told me she took a nap while she was there and she feels good. She is such a mess. We have to do her valentines for school in a little while. She wanted to go out and make snowmen, snow angels, and snow cream but it's to wet and icy. She was so excited when it started snowing yesterday.

I took Reese to the Dentist last Tuesday and she had to have upper and lower plates made. She will have to wear something like a retainer for at least 9 months to expand her bone structure so her teeth will align properly. Hopefully there won't be any problems getting it approved by the insurance and we can get moving with it.

We heard from the attorney last week, the petition papers had been returned to the court saying undeliverable. I have been in touch with the process server and he will start looking for the biological father once he is aproved by the court. We are going to have dinner with the girls on Saturday. They haven't seen her since September. She probably won't have much to do with them like she did the last time. We still need to keep them in the picture until it's all over just in case we need them in court on our side.

Debbie I will get the pictures and receipe to you. I will also include Mels card which was returned.

Pat, if you find clogs for $5 get any color you can find. I will pay for them when you get back. I have found them here but not in an 8 or 9 and they have been $8 and up. Thanks in advance.

Take care everyone.

House! and other stuff

Well we closed on our house yesterday! It is finally ours, now the work begins! It is exciting.
Heather, awesome job on the race, that's awesome.
My mom wanted to give me and Ryan an engagement party like she did for Drew. However, I talked her into having it a dad's house since a lot of the people there would be from dad's side of the family. We were wanting to have it kind of sooner than later, but we want to make sure Granny Pat and Paul are home, so we were thinking about April. Ryan and I are coaching most of the weekends so we are either looking at April 5, 6, or 20. also, having it at dad's he might need a little help with food and stuff :) Just keeping you all updated,
Talk to you all soon!

Me again

Its great reading everything that is going on with everyone. I have trouble with leaving comments, They don't get posted. So I'll just do it this way.

Little Bit, although I did talk with you before the race, I wanted you to know that I thought you did a wonderful race, and your time was as far as I'm concerned was "awesome". I don't think I have ever used that word before. Especially since this was your first one, and I'm glad you had so many there to cheer you on. Keep up the good work, and I do know that it is work.

Eryn, I hope you and Mike had a fun time on your sleds. Thanks so much for calling.

Jackie haven't seen anything posted by you. How are things going, and how is Garrett doing. Hope everyone is well. So much of strep going around and the flu bug.

Mel, I think its so great that you were chosen to be the "PRESIDENT' And you will soon be over with all your classes. The best thing is you are doing all of this on your own.

Luv to all

Congrats Heather!

We're on a delay schedule this morning so my 9:00 meeting is canceled. It did snow but it's not too bad out. What you just did amazes me - I know how hard it is to do what you've done and that was not easy. Your time was awesome (that's exactly what I'm hoping for but I don't know if I can do it!). We're all proud of you and I'm so happy you had a great support group there in your mom & Barb, Rob, Haley & Will - we were all with you in spirit. It would be great if you could do the mini here - I'll try to keep up with you! I like the picture of you crossing the finish line with the clock behind it - its good to have the proof since you looked too good afterwards . The kids & Rob look great - I'm sure they'll remember what mommy did as they grow up. Thanks for the inspiration and keeping everyone motivated. Hope to see you guys soon.

You were awesome Heather!

Congratulations! Here are some of the photos I took.

I'm pumped and ready to go. I guess I use the Nordic track instead of going to the Y. I just don't like to drive if I don't have to in this stuff. I know, there isn't much out there, but it's enough for me. Heather looked great before hand, and didn't even look like she broke a sweat afterwards.

I DID IT!!

"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ..." I kept reminding myself today. But, after 3-4 months, this girl who coudn't run a mile in Sept, ran 13.1 miles in 1:58:44 (a 9:04 pace!) I am pretty pumped about my time - I expected a 10 min mile, maybe 9:45 - I guess it was the adrenaline and the course was not as hilly as the route I've been training.

It was very emotional and spiritual - that may sound corny, but this is truly something I did for myself - not as a mom or as a wife or friend or daughter - but because I set a goal for myself and had to prove to myself I could do it. Having Rob, Mom, Tom, Mel and Aunt B and my babies there meant much to me. Haley cheered me on - Will did, too, but there was just something about hearing Haley's "Go, mommy, go" that made me tear up. Then I got in the car, and they had surprised me with flowers and I told both of them they can do anything they set their minds to.

So, I will admit I have not signed up yet for the run in April. I knew one of two things would happen - I would run yesterday and mark it off my "bucket list" and never do it again - or it would get addicting! So ... I'm going to sign up :) It felt great, and will be awesome running next to my family :) Oh ... and after lunch, Rob went and bought some running shoes .... :)

GOOD LUCK, HEATHER

Hope your race goes well - really proud of you! 

love,

Aunt T

AND THE WINNER IS . . .

 . . .not Conner's team! and definitely not Conner.  On the day of the game he got sent home from school with a temp. and has been sick ever since! He really wanted to go to the game so we pumped him full of advil and went to watch - wasn't good.  Feel bad that he didn't get to play in his last game  with OLMC, but life goes on.  Wyatt is sick now, too - the whole headache, cough, sore throat, fever - guess that's  the flu? But they each threw up, too - didn't think that was a "flu" symptom - but could be from all the coughing? Whatever it is it's running rampant up here - I heard over 100 kids were out from one of the middle schools and 40 high schoolers were sent home in one day!   

I ran to the mailbox the other day and didn't get nearly as winded as I used to - so feel like there must be progress being made!  Love hearing about everyone's news - bummed we won't be playing at Providence after all - but will see you all soon!

I'll Try To Be Brief......

Yeah, right....Me be brief....(Say THAT three times...)Heather and Meliss, I love that you are blogging - hearing about the day-to-day stuff (let alone the big stuff) is what I miss so much! Congrats to Mel and good luck to Heather. Don't get enough of it (the poop, that is)! "Poop" - meaning "information" is actually in the dictionary, and was in one of my crosswords once - loved it! Don't get enough "poop" from the New Albany cousins either, come to think.... (Glad to have your "Update" Charly - your wedding - your day, your way! Excited for you about the house - big step! I'm still without a couch, so I feel for you a little. I bought a great lamp for $7 at the Hospice shop the other day for Laura - complete with lightbulb! I didn't see any microwaves, but they did have some neat little tables!) And the Metzger boys - they'll all be off to the NBA or UK (it sounds like yuck for a reason, boys!) or to the moon before we know what's happening there. By the way, T, results from Tuesday night's game? Don't leave us hanging! Win or lose, sounds like it 's been a great season! Has David finished his freshman basketball now, too, and healthy and whole again? Sorry to hear about the strep, Eryn, and Haley's scarlet fever - wow! - Laura thinks she might be getting the flu. Bad timing, with a couple "killer weeks" of class coming up and the "Eye Ball" this weekend (there never is good timing for the flu - hope that's not what it is...and you bounce right back, dear!) Alan and I will be visiting Jim this weekend in St. Louis - swapping cars back - Jim's had Alan's truck since Christmas, and time for Alan to go buy drywall....(Xavier plays SLU tonight - I predict the "Power of X" will eat them up! I taught Reese about the "Power of X" - Jeff, make sure she remembers how! At least it's better than teaching her to hit herself in the head and say "Doy!" How many cousins remember that??) Jackye are you running? Angela said she saw Mike at the Y the other day, and Alan runs in to Chip occasionally at his workouts. I need to get motivated (the "Friends of Fairview" don't like the cold weather, so I haven't been back to the cemtery for a while - I need to stop in just to run, maybe....I really did like it there. Go figure!)

New paragraph....Mom, saw Merlin the other day - he's trying to identify some old K of C pix - Alan's Dad was in one, so he asked if he might be able to identify anyone. We spent a bit of time talking, I always enjoy seeing him! You will also be proud (?!) to know I woke up Alan the other night we had the storms - the tornado warning sirens had gone off twice (which he slept right through), and they were issuing a tornado warning for all of Floyd county, and I was thinking it might be smart to go downstairs, but what to do with Alan, so I went in and told him, and he picked up his pilllows and went downstairs just like that, didn't say a word at first, I wondered if he was actually still asleep...then he turned on the TV downstairs, and after about 10 minutes realized the worst had already passed, and went back upstairs to bed. So I am now "My Mom" - even though I didn't call any of my kids to tell them to go into the basement (it WAS 12:30 at night, and only Gary has a basement...but I'm not even going to worry about that....). Love you, Mom!

I actually went back to read what I just wrote, but I rarelly will edit out - I only want to add more, so it's better if I just keep going.... I did go back and highlight Gary's name, though, just so he won't call me out on it later, but he knows I love him best, so really no problem there.....

Hello

Alright here I am writting on the blog. I get on all the time to see how everyone is doing and I have to say i am very proud of everyone. Does running after sixteen preschoolers count as running :) I am so excited to see Heather race this weekend. I am so very proud of her and know she will do excellent.

Anyway I told mom and she said to tell on the blog. My advisor/teacher at school asked me to join the Early Childhood Advisory Committee for the child development department. I attended my first luncheon meeting today. They also started a child development club - its for students to join and we have guest speakers for them, do fundraisers and things for the community. Well she asked me to be the president of the club. Thought that was kinda cool. Only one semester left :)

Charlie I think it would be awsome to have a night wedding. If that's what you both want go for it.

I hope everyone is doing good and keep up all the hard work on your runnings.

Update

Joyce called and said that Charlie was being put on different medicine that should clear up the problem with his memory, etc. Said his blood pressure being so low and medication that he was taking was making him act the way that he was. Also said they were told that he would last longer than what they thought(2 to 3 weeks). Hopefully they are right.

Charly read your blog, glad to see that you are on. Its your wedding, so you should have it when you want. I will probably fly home for it. Grampaul will probably stay here so we won't loose our room for the month of March next year. Congratulations on getting your first home. Hope all goes well for you.

Heather know your nervous about your run coming up. Follow Mike's advice and you should do great, no matter if you don't win. At least your trying. I think its great. I guess Haley went back to school today at least that is what your mother said that she was suppose to be able to.

Just got back from church. Had to get our ashes. Beautiful day out, suppose to get to 83 today.
Good luck to all.

Hey Everybody!!

Well, I am finally joining the blog, I have heard a lot about it, but I haven't had the time to sit down and actually join. I was running pretty well, but have not been doing it consistently like I should, but reading all the blogs really gets me motivated to run!! Good luck on your race Heather.
There are a lot of things going on right now. Ryan and I were planning on getting married and having the reception both at Kyes in Jeffersonville, but we have changed our minds. We are going to get married at Sacred Heart in Jeff then have the reception at Kyes II. We spoke to the priest there and he said that if we wanted it for Saturday then we would have to get married around 2, and we both decided that we didn't want to get married in the afternoon and then be done with the reception and everything around 7. We talked and we really want to do it on that Friday night, March 6 around 7 or 730 and then have the reception around 8. We really wanted a night reception. However, Dad says I need to think it through, so what do you all think? We are planning on reserving the date later this week or next week.
About our house - I dont know if everyone knows but me and Ryan put an offer in on a house in Jeffersonville in Oak Park and we are supposed to close on Monday Feb 11 if everything works out, fingers crossed!! So if anyone has any extra things laying around, you know like a bed, a refrigerator, microwave, etc :) let me know!! Well I think that I finish my first blog, I have a lot of stuff to say, but it would take forever. I could tell you all about my mental health/psychiatric rotation at school, but thats very interesting!!! Hope everyone is doing well!! Love you all

THANK YOU!

You don't realize how much encouragement it was to log on this morning. Uncle Mike - how did you know so much about the course! Rob and I were going to drive it this past weekend, but with Haley sick, we ended up at home most of the weekend. He's taking off Friday to go with me to pick up my packet, etc and drive the route, but I feel better already knowing the first 5 miles are pretty flat. The hardest miles for me are always the first 1 and 2 - I guess just getting myself into the rhythm then. I'll need to see the hill for myself first to mentally prepare.... mom's neighborhood is pretty hilly and I haven't avoided them .. expect for the monster hill, and I've only done it 3 times .... but I know I'll hear my family in my head pushing me up it - I won't let the hills beat me.... It's good to know about the placement signs for pace - I hope they have it - that will be a big help.

Everyone, I'm so proud and encouraged by you! Keep moving!! Five months ago I could not run more than a couple minutes and I can't believe I'm actually ready to run this race.

On other notes, YEA, CONNER! I hope he wins the next game to make it to Clarksville. How cool - wish we were there to cheer him on.

Good job on your test Aunt B! T/F always get tricky ...

Say some prayers that we all stay healthy. I just talked to Haley's teacher and 6 of 16 kids are out today - Haley is one of them. Apparently it's like that in just about all the classes - flu and strep are going around like wildfire. She will be ready to go back to school tomorrow, but now I'm a little nervous.

Hugs to all!

Who'd thunk it!

We were lazy "behinds" when we were youngER and now we are all trying to run.

GO HEATHER!!!!!!! I can't wait to hear about your experience. So much of running is mental. I think your Uncle Mike just ran the course for you. It sounds like he's done this one before. How neat that your first medal is going to be the Mercedes Benz symbol.

I don't know what time you think you are going to do it in, but you can compare that to last years finishers and then place yourself in the pack accordingly. I think the race is staged, meaning they will have big signs for a 7 minute pace, then an 8, 9, 10. Not sure how high they go up but they just lump everyone else into a group. I usually get about 2/3 of the way back. People get really excited and start off really fast, so somehow try and ignore everyone else and get into your pace. Just try to run in a straight line until the crowd thins out. Don't make any sudden turns. Alpha told me to tell you something but I forget. Something about the only tricky part is the first turn because it is still crowded at that time. You'll probably be surprised by the number of people who end up walking most of it.

Well, I was really proud of myself tonight, until I read Terri's times. Terri you are doing really good. Actually, I'm still proud of myself. I even sweated. I believe that is unusual for us. At least it is for me. So, I made it to the Y tonight (got there at 9:00). I did the first 0.13 at 3.7 to warm up then went to 4.5 mph until 1.13 then I went up to 5 mph until the last 0.25 miles. So I completed 2.27 miles and I ran all but 0.13 miles of it.

They've already picked up the tree limbs today. Not sure when John's friend is going to take the stump pieces. I'll be a little anxious to get something else planted there. Even thought I got some good blinds, it is Anna's room that is no longer shielded from the street.

I got a B on my first Stats test. I missed mainly T/F questions. A little confusing double negatives. I'll have to sit down and walk through them with Mike.

Terri, the race in Indy sounds good. I'll have to look at my schedule tomorrow.

Mom, I'm sorry to hear about Uncle Charlie. I hope he can make it until you get home.

Good Luck Heather xxoxoxxoxoxoxoxox

Here's to Heather this weekend at the Mercedes Mini - you'll do great!!! You're a winner for having the spirit to even try. All the Days will be rooting for you. I want a picture of you on the blog crossing the finish line - you'll inspire everyone else to keep going.

Pick up your packet on Friday or Saturday and pick up any freebies at the Expo. Go to be early and get up early - you have to get some carbs in (sports drink/fruit) before th erace so you'll have energy. Since you'll have a timing chip to wear around your ankle (don't forget it or your race number Sunday), you might want to start nearer to the back because it's so crowded up front. It doesn't hurt to start in back since your official time doesn't start until you cross the Start line. Don't get caught up going too fast when you start out - there's a tendency to start out too fast when you're in an actual race. Just settle in at a nice comfortable pace you know you can handle. The first 5 miles are pretty flat - you'll do fine on these. But make sure you take water at all the stops - grab a water and walk while you take a couple of drinks and then start right back; if you can the key is not to walk except at the water stops and then only for a couple of sips. Don't be tempted to keep walking or start walking between stops. Water stops will probably be every two/three miles - and you can run for that distance.

Get tough when you turn onto Green Springs Avenue - be mentally prepared to make it up this hill, keep your head up and just be like the "Little Engine That Could" - you know you can, you know you can (you make it to mile 6 and you'll have it licked). It's only five blocks up to 21st Avenue, take it one block at a time - keep running. You know when you make the turn at 21st you're at the top and it's all pretty level again for a couple of more miles. You got a short little hill at 9.5 - but that's no problem since the next 2 miles is straight downhill (you can even roll down if you have to!) The last 1.5 miles is all flat and you can start thinking how nice it will be because in about 15 or 20 minutes you'll be siting down enjoying a drink & some fruit. You might not feel like it, but make sure you get something in you right after the race to help you recover. Smile when you cross the finish line - we're all proud of you! Love, Unc Mike

OOPS

So exciting I sent it twice ! (Maybe it was the super bowl cocktails - sorry!)

An exciting finish!

Conner's team had a great game today - neck & neck against St. Jude (our good friends from the old college days have a son on that team, so that was cool) It all came down to 13 seconds left - St. Jude had the ball - game tied, figured they were gonna win it or have overtime.  They shot and we got the rebound with 4.3 seconds left -  we got the ball down the court and passed to one of our guys under our basket - he put it up at the buzzer and we won by 2! It was so exciting.  They play again Tuesday night for city championship.  If we win Tues. we play down at Providence on Sunday, Feb. 10th - so we hope to see you all soon.  Keeping our fingers crossed! 

An exciting finish!

Conner's team had a great game today - neck & neck against St. Jude (our good friends from the old college days have a son on that team, so that was cool) It all came down to 13 seconds left - St. Jude had the ball - game tied, figured they were gonna win it or have overtime.  They shot and we got the rebound with 4.3 seconds left -  we got the ball down the court and passed to one of our guys under our basket - he put it up at the buzzer and we won by 2! It was so exciting.  They play again Tuesday night for city championship.  If we win Tues. we play down at Providence on Sunday, Feb. 10th - so we hope to see you all soon.  Keeping our fingers crossed! 

Charlie Updte

Talked with Elaine again today and she said Charlie is really going downhill fast. Said his blood pressure been droping down and he is having trouble with his memory. Getting things mixed up and doesn't always seem to know people. Talked with Joyce also today and she and Donnie are going to go there to see him tomorrow, Monday. Joyce said that she didn't believe he had much more than 2 or 3 weeks. Don't think Elaine is getting much sleep at night, so Joyce is going to try and get her to take a nap while they are there. I never talked to him this time because he wasn't at his best to talk.

Sorry to hear that Haley has Scarlet Fever. You don't hear about that too much anymore. I thought it was a little bit worst than strep, but I could be wrong. Hope she feels better soon.

Terri hope Conner makes it to Clarksville. I don't think I will be home then, but if I was I"d be there. Keep up the good work on the runing/walking.

Barb, the pictures were cute. Glad you all was able to help out. It looks like you all had good weather to do it in. That was really cute of Reese.

Hope everyone is doing o.k. , miss all of you. Just got back from super bowl game party that wew had downstairs at Joanne and Jerry. She had us down for supper earlier. Going out tomorrow with them and several other couples for supper. Then about 8 of us girls(women) are going to Don Caesars (the pink hotel) at St. Pete for lunch. We do this every year. Its really just for the rich and celebrities, but we like to pretend.

Luv to all

Vertigo

Well, I had gotten myself psyched up to get back on track today, and woke up with vertigo. It's a mild case and I just took some dramamine so I'm hoping to be okay to run later this afternoon. Less than 12 weeks to go.

I wish I'd been there to help with the tree, I miss doing those kinds of things. At least I know I'll be up there two weekends in March and two more in April. Tom wants to come up for Thunder so we are trying to find a decent hotel close to the action. We figured traffic would be awful and it would be a lot nicer to be able to just walk back to the hotel when we (or any other family member who goes) wanted a break.

We were surprised the other day when we read the Helen City News that gets published bi-monthly. There was a nice little section about houses decorated for Christmas and we were one of the houses pictures. They got our street number wrong, but the rest was okay. We added the Peanuts and Winnie the Pooh groups this year. Next year Tom says he'll get the lights on the rooftop. I think that will really set it off.

I can't get my pictures to upload, seems they have been having issues since November according to the help site. Maybe next time.

Indy Update & New Race Info

Hey

I haven't been able to check this for a while (then I couldn't post because I had to sign on again and couldn't remember any of my password stuff and it was pretty much more of a headache than it should have been- but I'm back - aren't you all thrilled!)

To get you all up to speed on the Indy branch -  I am still working out regularly with my friend Deedy - we would be up for a mini type thing (mainly walking though - we are not near up to the level the "training schedule" has us at - my body just doesn't "run"! )   We go everyday, but Sun. and do treadmill interval with 4 being our min speed and 5.5 being my max - I know that's a "whimpy speed" but it's all I can handle right now - and I think we're supposed to be up to 8 min of running with 1 min of walking for 3 times - HA! I think it ends up 3 min of running with 1 min. breaks and do that for half an hour.  

So what am I doing wrong that I can't run for longer than 3 min? Is that okay - the "walk" part is a fast walk.  Guess I just need to push myself? That's not exactly a character trait of mine, though! Maybe a race is the motivation I need to kick it up - was so bummed we'd miss the April one - but I see that there is a new race being held on May 17th up here - do you "Pros" want to check into it and see if we could all do it - I know nothing about them. I think there is info at www.geisthalf.com.  Let me know what you think.

Anyway - Conner's CYO team plays in the final 4 today (Yes - on Super Bowl Sunday!)- if they win they go ton city finals on Tues. night.  If they win that (a lot of "ifs") they would play for state down in CLARKSVILLE the next Sunday! Oh I hope they make it  - it would be so neat if any of you could come.  He doesn't play a lot - size does matter! ;-)  but in the last game he got several rebounds and had 2 three pointers.  The team has a lot of freakishly huge kids (bigger than Todd - no kidding) so their strategy is always just get it into the big guy  - it works for 'em, but doesn't allow for a lot of "big moments" for a small point guard like Conner.  But they are a fun team to watch - will be weird with them all going to diff. schools next year, they're a great group of boys.

Everyone else is good - Cam's CYO is done (got knocked out in Final Four) and Wyatt has been playing on a "Fieldhouse" team and starts OLMC in-house basketball this week.  He made his first reconciliation last Sat. and breathed a huge sigh of relief after confessing all those 8 year old "sins".  Cole is just "Cole" - he taught himself to do cartwheels after seeing his friend Olivia do them and now he cannot seem to go 5 steps without doing one - does them all the time -EVERYWHERE -  apparently at one of the games I missed he was out there at halftime having the crowd cheering him on doing his  cartwheels! I can't tell you how many people comment on how good he does them! 

Love being able to keep in touch - good job on the tree removal! Let me know about this new mini.  Thanks.

Race Day Questions

I know several of you have ran/walked in a race before. I admit "race day etiquette" is the most intimidating. So ... any words of wisdom ... or just stay the Heck out of everyone else's way!

Awesome Brothers and in-laws too!

The tree wasn't so terrible, except for lots of little limbs. Both chainsaws lost their chains at the same time, but they got them fixed. Reese made us potato chip soup, carrots and tea (she played with some of Anna's toys while we cut up the tree).

Beth I think the scaffolding will work. Sounds like you all have a lot of work to do.