Came into find this creation at my son’s Lego table.
I took my little plastic block designer by the hand and went to the computer.
I showed him this…
I told him of an architect named Frank Lloyd Wright who designed homes, furniture and museums.
And then my son saw this..
Any suggestions on how to create the Guggenheim out of Legos?
It's obvious I don't have a scanner -- but this picture sums it up.
Today is Oprah’s birthday. My daughter turns another year older as well.
She was born 10 years ago.
I wasn’t there. I was supposed to be — but that is quite another story. A story of tears and grief that felt like death. But that is not today.
My daughter is adopted. And though that is a wonderful part of her life’s journey — it’s not something I think about often, so I wasn’t even going to write anything about it today.
Until I read my devotional for January 29, Hold on to Your Dreams.
The moment pictured (the day we met our daughter — 5 weeks after her birth) was the culmination of a dream that looked for many years like it was never to be.
I still wasn’t going to write about it
for it is a personal story
and though you might think I look at my life as an open book (literally), there are somethings too private to share. Then I read the scripture selection for the devotion,
“For this child I prayed, and the LORD has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the LORD. As long as he lives, he is lent to the LORD.” 1 Samuel 27 – 28.
That scripture hangs in her room. A hand-painted gift from a women’s bible study I was in at the time.
So I wrote this today.
Because I will be ever grateful to the Lord.
Dreams do come true.
Whatever your deepest desire. Whatever the Lord has placed in your heart that other scoff at…that others say will never come true. When worldly circumstances align making things seem utterly impossible…
Believe and pray.
Keep dreaming deep, deep into the bedrock of your soul.
Holding on with all your mind and strength and spirit.
Almost a month into my “Year to Push the Through the Comfort Zones,” I’m constantly looking for ways to shake things up a bit — whether learning to rollerblade, eating a vegetable a day (not including ketchup) or memorizing lyrics to the entire ABBA library. So last week, I pulled my fingers off my laptop and headed up to the Madison Fitness Center Blood Drive
.
I often head up to our local fitness center to work out.
Last Friday I did for another reason. I went to donate blood.
Meet my new friend Patty…
She’s sitting there ready to dig into a great-looking burger with her daughter Jessica.
I used to see Patty lots at the Madison Fitness Center working out. But last Friday I saw Patty at the Fitness Center for another reason. There was a blood drive in honor of her daughter’s successful bone marrow transplant this fall.
Alright, as I am always honest on this blog…I’ll admit that Patty is one of those people I looked at in the gym from afar. (Nothing uncomfortable mind you) She is just a mother in midlife like me. Who seems to be doing it rather spectacularly. So the new “Push out of the Comfort Zone” me wanted to know about this inspiring woman.
Hi Patty…What do you do professionally?
I’m the office manager for BRECO Realty. Hmm. This must means she’s very organized.
Tell us about your family life?
I have two daughters. Jessica is my oldest and her younger sister, Tabby is 20 years old. This was Tabby’s first time donating blood and she was able to overcome her fear by putting the need of her sister and others before her own fear. Way to go, Tabby. That’s when we truly start to live — by pushing through fears that are holding us back from what we feel called to do.
David is my husband. He is the girls’ step dad and they have a great relationship. He was recruiting men at the gym to donate the past few weeks. Robert Moon is the girls’ father and he was at the blood drive all day Friday. And as engineer at Georgia DOT, he was recruiting men at the DOT office in Madison.
What are some of the statistics from last Friday’s donation?
42 units were collected at the Madison Fitness Center. Out of those 42 units, there were 6 units of just red cells — a process that takes the whole blood from the donor and runs it through a machine that pulls just the red cells from the blood and then returns the white cells, platlets and plasma to the donor. Wow. Now that is cool.
We had 47 donors to sign up to give. These ranged in ages from 17 to 83 — with 20 first time donors. Twenty first time donors. That’s awesome!
How has the importance of blood donating impacted you personally?
We were casual donors prior to Jessica, our oldest daughter, being diagnosed with leukemia. And then when we experienced the need for platelets (the clotting factor in blood) we became regular donors and worked at recruiting others to give.
The need for blood is so great and the process so relatively simple and painless that you’re really only committing to give of your time; nothing more than your body will replenish in a short time. Something that is so easy for us to give is a matter of lif an death for those who are needing the gift of blood whether because of treatment needed for cancer (as was in our case) or those involved in accidents or surgery.
Patty gave me some more interesting facts…
* The number one reason donor say they give blood is because they “want to help others.”
* The most common reasons people cite for not giving blood. “Never thought about it.” and “I don’t like needles.”
* Red Cross donors are 50% male and 50% female.
* One donation can save the lives of up to 3 people.
* People with O – are the universal donors. Their blood can be given to people of all blood types. And is often used in emergencies before the patent’s blood type is known.
* People with AB+ type blood are the universal donors of plasma, the liquid portion of blood. AB+ plasma is often used in emergencies, for newborns and for patients requiring massive transfusions.
* Donated platelets must be used within 5 days of collection — new donations are constantly needed.
* Less that 38 percent of the U. S. population is eligible to donate blood.
That last statistic makes me realize how important it is for those of us who can give — to give. For more facts on blood donation check out the American Red Cross site.
* If you are healthy, you can donate every 56 days.
Thanks Patty for taking the time to educate us on this most important subject. I must admit to letting the busyness of life and my own preoccupations get in the way of donating. Now that I have a better understanding of how critical it is to keep the blood supply up — I hope to become a regular donor.
A young woman after my own heart. I've never met an onion ring I didn't like either.
Now…because I couldn’t help but ask, (like I said she looks fab in our Pump-it-Up workouts) I asked about Patty to share her workout and diet habits…
I work out about four times a week. I try to take evening classes at the gym but I am also self-motivated enough to workout alone. My husband and I are pretty healthy eaters. We’ve eliminated processed sugars from our diet along with eating very little fat or processed foods. We drink anywhere from a half gallon to full gallon of water a day. What if you drink a gallon of coffee?
And we eat primarily fish or chicken (very little read meat) and never fried. Not even oysters..at the beach? Lots of fruits, vegetables and salads. No wonder you look so great.
Thanks so very much Patty for taking time out for this e-conversation. Your family will be in our prayers. Everyone is so thankful for Jessica’s good health. You and your family are an inspiration to all by staying strong in adversity and giving back to others.
I wish that being too busy to eat was my problem.
It’s not. It’s stopping to make time for a child.
You see, I’ve been very busy trying to make up time that I lost having kids home during all those snow days.
I do plan on posting my thoughts about why running and long distance running matter so much to me. It’s all up in my head, but I haven’t had time the last few days.
This morning was one of those Single Mom mornings. My husband was at bible study.
The kids were bickering. Fighting about everything. I ended up yelling at everyone to quit yellinng.
UGH.
Fast forward to the primary school car pool line.
My 7-year-old asks, “Mom do you have to work today?”
“Yes, but it’s not like there is a deadline.”
“Can you come eat lunch with me?”
First, I did have lots of work to do and …laundry and things that have come up. But secondly, I couldn”t believe he was asking me since 20 minutes earlier I was the incarnation of well, you fill in blank.
“Yes…I will.”
Did that just come out of my mouth?
It did and I went. Now don’t get the wrong impression, I love to got sit with the children at lunch — I really do. It’s just a sad fact that when stressed I often let emotions rule my head.
Today, I let my head remain in charge.
I mean when do I not feel behind? I better get used to my lot in life. There always will be more things to do than I have time or energy.
See..head over heart.
Things run better that way. I like me better that way. I seem much more kind, sane. A person who has faith in a God in whose strength she can do all she’s called to do..even if she’s not sure at the moment.
Could this be a day I grew a bit on the inside?
Though not an attractive habit to admit, I’ve always chewed ice. I love ice neatly lining my freezer’s compartment or crushed ice nestling to the brim of a 64 ounce cup.
Ice coating everything else in creation is another matter entirely. Until last week, I never stopped to consider what it would be like to step through C. S. Lewis’ Wardrobe’s door. Honestly, a few mornings I walked outside and strained to see Aslan’s furry mane bounding to the rescue. (more…)
I had done the Disney full the past two years and missed all my son’s away football games because it’s hard to return home at 12:15 on a Saturday morning only to arise five hours later to run an 18 mile training run.
So the half was a given for me this year — by choice. Having to shuffle through it with a beautious black Ace bandage with flabby thigh skin pooching over its edges was not.
Undeterred, (mad but undeterred) I sent an email to friend Michelle and asked, “Will you walk/run Disney with me?” She agreed. And I will love her forever for it.
4:30 race morning meeting in the Epcot parking lot.
Here’s a lady who’s completed 8 marathons and 22 half marathons — and tons of triathons. She’s even rollarbladed a half marathon! Good grief, woman.
Michelle’s Words of Wisdom for a newbie runner?
You got to love that.
We got there and after my annual teeter tucked in the darkened scrub of Central Florida..
(Why on earth would anyone wait in line for porta-potties while it is still dark, there’s a billion people in line to enter a dark, stinky stall and a billion people walking into the woods? I’m following the billion out into the pines.)
We were off!
We started and for the first time ever I took my phone and snapped away…
Okay -- not so great to take pics while still moving. Learned that lesson.
Why do you run?
oh my! I think that “oh my” was after looking at my emailed questions….
I started running because when I walked my first Triathlon I knew I was too slow. Now I run for fun and to keep moving. Very soon I will be facing a different kind of marathon, between my mom, M-i-L, and sister, so I know I need to stay strong and take advantage of “me” time while I still have some. Michelle’s younger sister, Lynette, is an amazing inspiring woman who has spent the last five years in a wheelchair fighting MS. Lynette, a mother and wife, is truly heroic.
How many marathons/ halfs have you done?
I’ve finished 8 marathons: Disney, Marine Corps, New York, Jacksonville, Atlanta, Richmond, Jacksonville Beach (Breast Cancer), and Melbourne Beach. I also have 4 DNFs, and a few that started out as full marathons but I turned off at the half.
Halfs… 22 by my count, notable are the More half in Central Park (NYC) Want to do that one, Pittsburgh (one of the abbreviated fulls) 2 x Daytona Beach, 3 x Space Coast and 3 x Disney.
I also ran one marathon relay,Tampa Gasparilla, that was lots of fun. Argh. A pirate’s life for me…that looks too fun. I want to do that one.
What do you like/dislike about each distance?
I like the 15k and half marathon distance best – can fake it without much serious mileage and without hurting afterwards. Marathon training is draining on my marriage which is why I think I may stop at 10. That’s an unconsicous amount of races — I know you’ve done 3x as many 10ks and 5ks.
Mile 5ish? Made it to Main Street. Can't tell but I'm still holding my Hand Warmer packets.
You listed all the Disney races you’ve done during the race — what were those again?
Disney races: Triathlon – Danskin years 2000 – 2006, Trek in 2009.
Disney Marathon weekend 5k, Race for the Taste 10k (4 or 5 years), Tower of Terror 13k, Minnie 15k, GO Red weekend (5k,15k), half marathon, full marathon, and the infamous Rollerblade 1/2 marathon. You’re a machine. And I just laughed remembering your telling of the Rollerblade Half trauma. We just were leaving the back lot of the Magic Kingdom.
A little bit after here...That guy is one dead-ringer for Johnny Depp. Uncomfortably so.
What was that challenge/goal — the swimming one you’ve set for yourself?
My goal this year is to swim a 5k – “open water swim” was a new Olympic event in Bejing – will hopefully do 10 crossings at Lucky’s lake or find a real event, otherwise it’s the pool. A three mile swim. Now that’s a challenge.
These two were within a mile of finishing. I stopped because there was no line (who would stop a 1/2 mile before ending) and I knew my 7yo would be amazed.
Thanks Michelle.. you made it a wonderful experience.
What I love about Michelle is that she gives back to running. Looking over that spectacular list of all the events she’s completed — she’s volunteered for just as many (or more.) The day after she got up at 2:30 to drive to Disney to meet me, she got up the next morning on Sunday meeting her Orlando running friends to hand out the Mylar blankets at the finish of the full.
She’s already signed on to hand out water for the Princess Half Marathon this Febraury. Another friend Cindy Padera Rutz is traveling down from Hershey, PA for that.
Michelle has started the Disney race as a guide with a woman from Texas (I think) suffering from MS. This particular woman tried at Disney twice — and was unable to finish both times.
I admit with running I’ve always been a taker.
She inspires me to rethink my taking….
Thanks Michelle. Last year we ran the Winter Park 10k and 2k together. This year, I don’t think it concides with any of our school breaks. 🙁 You need to get up here for a triathon this summer.
Take care. I owe you one. Our journey will rest in my heart forever.
Tomorrow’s post will wrap up with a short muse with my thoughts on…
Why do I keep wanting to do these races? Even when I’ve done these distances. Even when I should be doing nothing but swimming and biking — or rowing. Anything but training to run 26.2 miles.
Side-by-side. We did it!
Now that bubble is too small for me to have written what she’s really thinking which would be….
Okay. She’s probably not thinking that. That’s what I’m thinking. For you see, Kim was my running buddy till last September 30 when I popped the expletive out of my knee.
But this post is not about that. This is about her…and since we used to meet most every morning to run, I can speak with authority from her example — that a person can be a consummate professional at work, have a fulfilling marriage, be a very involved loving mom, give of her time at church and in the community, keep her house lots straighter than mine, have a kick-a garden, freeze and store all her produce (This includes pickling all that okra that you can’t possibly eat — and not letting go to waste like some people.) Okay, I’m going to stop this because it’s making me feel bad…
Her boys keep her busy.
No. It’s just making me miss checking-in with her life — morning after morning — running through the dark streets when most everyone else is sleeping.
Kim approached me early last summer and said she wanted to find a running partner to help her train for the Peachtree Road Race. I said great. For I was having a sinking spell in my enthusiasm about lacing up my shoes day after day.
So she started showing up at my house three to four times a week. This was at 5 a.m. days she had to report to hospital for her position as mammographer. We’d sleep-in and run at 5:30 a.m. on the days she didn’t. (This was in the summer, people.)
So funny thing was she got the running bug big. She wanted to train for a half marathon — 13.1. Her husband Dennis, also got bit by the bug and wanted to do the same. They both have done awesome. In October they ran the Atlanta 13.1, which I was to run with her and that’s when the knee thing happened. Just days before. Double :p
So Kim’s had to find other partners. And she’s come so far. She’s right at two hours for her 13.1 time. AWESOME
When did you start running? How much do you run a week?
I started running in high school with a friend. I run on average 20 to 30 miles a week when I’m not training.
When did decide to start signing up for the longer distances?
A half-marathon was just something I had always wanted to do. So two years ago I decided to give it a try. It just seemed like an obtainable distance. I also wanted to commit to some kind of exercise, so I knew if I signed up for his — I had to do it.
The purty running couple.
What do you like about the half marathon distance?
The half-marathon to me is a great distance. I just feel good doing it. As an added bonus, all the training you do prior to it is a great way to keep in shape. I have only done three half-marathons (the other was the Chickamagua Battlefield Half — which is supposed to be an awesome race BTW) and would eventually like to train for a full marathon. I have enjoyed running with other people to help us stay accountable to each other. That is key for me.
What was special about the Disney race…any specific memories?
This was my favorite race by far. It was our first trip to Disney. We took the whole family and made a vacation out of it. My husband was able to run this one with me. It is just fun to have an exercise thing we can do together. I loved running through the Magic Kingdom and all the people. It was Magical!!
Thanks Kim, so glad you enjoyed it. It is a fun party. You are proof that with a little discipline even someone with lots of commitments — family, work and social — can do this. But having someone waiting on you at five in the more does get you out of bed. Doesn’t make it easier…but once you meet up and start running, it’s really a fabulous start to the day. Hope I can heal up and join you soon.
Tomorrow, I’m going to recount my half experience with another grade school friend Michelle Trimble. Having reconnected on Facebook, she agreed at my begging to accompany me in my slower-paced 13.1. And you know, it was terribly fun. So if the idea of walking/running a half interests you…read on tomorrow.
This year for the first time, I chilled out a bit (kind of had to) and took pictures along the way.
So until tomorrow, hope you go have a great run for me. Miss our mornings, Kim. Lots of hearts your way.
This is another friend..Christine Fankhauser Bonham.
Now Christine went by Chris in high school. Can’t imagine someone changing their name like that — going by one name as a girl, another as an adult — but she’s so darn cute who cares?
Having reconnected on Facebook like most of the world population, it’s been fun to get to know those old friends who like me have discovered a passion for running in mid-life.
When I heard that Christine was headed to Disney for the 2011 marathon, I had to see what fueled her passion to train for and run the distance.
Where do you live now Chris…I mean Christine? And tell about your family.
We live in really, really rural Appalachia — East Tennessee — about 12 miles away from the North Carolina state line, almost in the Cherokee National Forest. My husband is Jon and we have three kids. Sam who is in college in Lousiana. Jack who turns 16 next week — driver’s license! And Julia who is 14.
I homeschool the two youngest. Christine, I have to confess that I remember where we where standing in the Dubsdread Country Club almost five years ago at a WPHS reunion when you told me you home-schooled. I think of everyone who homeschools as super-saint and super-enforcer all rolled into one. I really can’t wrap my mind around it.
Why do you run? How much to you run in a week?
I started running because when we moved to rural Tennessee I faced culture shock, sort of like Green Acres. To keep depression at bay, I had to do something physical. Now, it’s my sanity. Homeschooling and the isolation of the country would drive me otherwise. I run about 20 – 25 miles per week.
Why the marathon? When did you decide to make running 26.2 your goal?
BACKSTORY…a very dear friend of mine, Lynn, died of breast cancer about four years ago. It was her second recurrence and when it was discovered this time, she only lived another three weeks. The year before she died, she finally lost the 86 pounds she’d wanted to lose forever. She rode a bike to lose it, with the goal being to complete a triathlon.
A group of us decided to honor that goal and we did the Danskin triathlon at Disney the next spring. After they discovered the cancer the first time, my friend decided to really live — to do the things she had put off. She wanted to challenge herself to live her best life. Hence, the weight loss.
Lynn’s death, but more importantly, the way she chose to do those daunting things really impacted me. Before her passing, putting myself through the brutality of training and running a marathon seemed pointless and stupid. Afterward, I wanted to do what she did — challenge myself to live well. Now, I have a goal to do difficult things for the rest of my life. Things out of my comfort zone, because who knows how long life really is?
You’ve run other marathons. How was your Disney experience different?
Last year, I did the 26.2 with Donna also known as the National Marathon to Finish Breast Cancer. Many of Lynn’s friends ran the half. Her son ran the full. I knew I could run the 13.1 but 26.2 was the challenge.
That race was so emotional for me because everyone had those “I run for…” or “I run in memory of…” tags on their backs. It was a wonderful first marathon, because the City of Jacksonville Beach came all out to support the runners. So many of the runners were like me — running for someone.
Around the halfway point there was an elderly woman sitting in a chair on her lawn. Next to her was a sign that said, “Thank you for running for my daughter.” It was hard to see that but I felt like there was a purpose for me running that one.
This one was just for fun.
…if it can be said that about a marathon. (Weird thought, but I feel the same way.) Before I did the first, I’d always thought if I ran one it would be the Disney or the Marine Corp in D.C. This year I opted for Disney, which also meant that I wouldn’t have to keep training through another grueling winter month. This one I just tried to enjoy the experience.
Advice for those thinking of attempting 26.2?
Go for it and remember it’s called training for a reason. Most people, myself included, think before they ever register for that first one, 26.2 is an unattainable goal. But you start small and work your way up to it.
Then when you’ve done it, you have enormous confidence that you can do something most people consider impossible. If for no reason than to learn to trust and believe in yourself, I would encourage someone to take that first step.
Is this an awesome picture? Yeah...you did it.
Thanks so much Christine. I loved learning about Lynn. Pushing through walls we erect for ourselves.
Tomorrow, we’ll look at one of my running partners’, Kim Sitzmann’s, first Disney Half Marathon experience. Kim works part time as a mammographer, is a household budget-dista, mother to three boys — explemplary wife (at least compared to moi)…on and on. She rises at 5 a.m. most mornings to fit her running in her packed, wonderful life.
So until tomorrow….how about finding those running shoes?
Sometimes you get lucky in life. Sometimes a best friend ends up being your hero as well.
Meet my friend Karen….
Wow. Looking at the picture her teeth are so much whiter than mine. (Curses! All that coffee.) And she’s a much better athlete than me. (Oh well, not much either of us can do about that.)
Looking at her you’d never know she was made of steel — or iron. She’s been through a lot the past few years, but she still rocks on..
The weekend before the snow rolled in, she was down at Disney World completing her second Goofy Marathon and a Half Challenge. This is signing on to run the Half Marathon on Saturday and the Full Marathon on Sunday.
I’ve never done this…but I’ve seen lots of Goofy finishers walking around with those prized Goofy medals around their necks.
If you run all three...you get all three. Pretty cool huh? Well, I think so.
Special K, how long have you been teaching?
I’ve have been teaching for 12 years. I stayed home with my two girls till they were in school. I teach 4th grade math and science.
What do you find fulfilling about your job? Your life?
Teaching is very fulfilling. So much so that I am out of sorts when I am not in my classroom. The best part is the children. They are amazing — each and every one that has ever walked into my classroom all these years. (I can honestly say that she loves teaching. Each year she gushes about her students.)
The children’s outlook on life is refreshing. They learn so quickly and are eager students. They teach me what is important. That leads me into what is fulfilling in life…
It is relationships. All kinds. With my students, my family, with my friends and co-workers, but mostly with God. I am very driven with my relationship with God. I do nothing without Him involved. I know God gives me all that I need to get through everyday, work and even a race. He is my confidence.
After a triathlon a few years ago.
What have you done athletically in life?
My life has been centered around sports. Competition is as natural to me as breathing. I have played about every team sport; basketball, volleyball, soccer, softball, swim team, tennis. Growing up between two brothers you had to be competitive and play like a boy. Or as Dad would say, “Karen you need to play better than a boy!”
I know she's in there somewhere.....If I remember correctly, this is leaving the Animal Kingdom mile 17 -- 18 or so.
What is it about the endurance sports that keep you coming back for more?
Endurance sports are what I call grown-up sports. They are a great way to compete as an adult. Endurance races that I have been involved with are mountain bike races, triathlons and marathons. These events are where it’s really just you competing with the clock.
What keeps me coming back for more? Those great little chemicals called endorphins. They keep me happy and sane. (I completely agree.)
How did you train for this year’s Goofy? Was it different that your first time?
This year’s training was different from my first one. In one word…alone. I spent a great deal of time on that white line on the side of the road alone. It was okay, because it became a time to sort out life.
This whole training season was spent working around huge life events. My husband, Rick’s, health became a serious issue again and there was a move. Losing a house and moving 10 years of stuff to a smaller place in short period of time took priority. But it worked out. I was blessed all the while.
I remember crossing the marathon finish line with you a few years ago and you said at the time you had checked the Goofy thing off your list — once was enough. What changed?
I did say that one Goofy was enough but after I did the 1/2 Ironman last year, I wanted to do the Goofy Challenge again. Something about those silly endorphins.
What is your takeaway from this experience?
Most memorable moments were running with my oldest daughter, Annabeth, in her first half marathon. Also, in the marathon the next day seeing my family cheering for me at mile 18 and 22. And running with a new phone in my jacket, that allowed me to get messages from a friend who cheered me and followed my progress the whole race. I was not really alone at all.
Karen with her husband, Rick.
(Rick, Karen’s husband, after getting clearance from his Duke Docs did the half with Karen and their daughter, and he ran 13 miles of the marathon (miles 1 – 5 then miles 18 to the finish) with his wife the next day. Unbelievable. No — with IronRic I believe.)
Do you have any counsel for someone dreaming of signing up for an athletic challenge — either half marathon or full?
My advice is to “Go for it.” You can do it. It is all about pace and training. Get a friend to commit to it with you. Then find someone who has done it before and talk with them. The best training advice comes from experience.
Our biggest challenge is ourselves. You would not believe what your body can do. Don’t ever get comfortable. Push the envelope. Grow up and old and be one of those people that others want to learn from. Experience as much of life as you can…Approach challenges with a positive attitude and hold on for the ride of your life.
Love you lots K.
Tomorrow check out a Q & A with Chris Fankhauser Bonham. This fun marathoner, home schooling mom, who now lives with her family in the beautiful mountains of Tennessee, went back to Central Florida to run 26.2. And she looks exactly as she did in high school. Good grief.
