Happy Independence Day, Really?

Jack has taken the kids to Anna, north of Dallas to see his family. I was originally supposed to go but the kennel was booked and Molly is to big to travel with the whole family. So I said I would stay home. We all have to make sacrifices.
I had a list of things to do today. Study for my commercial drivers license was first. I read parts of the book and answered the questions dutifully. Why you ask am I taking this test? No idea, except that I think it would be fun to say "Hey, I can drive that bus". Really.
Second was to get a little work done. Clean a little house. Just piddle around. I spent the day in silence.
It is hard for me to spend a day in silence. None of my days are ever silent. My brain can't function in all this quiet. I took a nap. That helped.
I sat on the porch in complete silence and watched the Cardinals keep the Painted Buntings from eating. I kept waiting on something to break the silence.
I was sure, when it was decided that I would stay home, that I was going to get a lot done today. But really all I have discovered is that it would take weeks for me to get used to the silence. Then I would be able to get things done. But for now, this one day of independence for me is a little too quiet.
Even the dog and the cats have done nothing but sleep.
Have a huge track workout in the morning. I'm sure I'll rest quietly tonight.
Tomorrow when all of the noise and chaos returns I'll feel better.
Until next time...keep running.

It Worked!

God heard our prayers!!! It rained 1.5" at my house yesterday and this morning! After our Community Prayer for rain God took pity on most of the state yesterday and gave us rain. Some didn't get a drop but we are still praying. I am thankful beyond words and my plants are very happy too.
Temps have dropped into the 89s which is also VERY nice.

God is good...All the time
All the time...God is good

Track workout tonight...hope I survive

Until next time...keep running

Community Prayer for Rain

A few weeks ago my running friend put a notion in my mind. She thought we should have a community gathering with the sole purpose of praying for rain. Milam county is in a terrible drought and the triple digit heat has come earlier than normal. The ground is scorched. The wild life are looking for water in ponds that are drying up. It really is bad.

So I ask my friend if I could take her thought and organize it. She was happy to let me. I made a few phone calls and sent a few e-mails. Greg Spears with the Milam County Cowboy Church jumped on board and really helped. They brought out cold water and a sound system. I brought the prayer, schedule and keyboards.

The event started off with Rising Star Baptist Church singing Open the Flood Gates of Heaven. WOW! They are really good!

I would guess there were 100 people there. The local newspaper came out and took pictures.

I stood in the pavilion with sweat dripping down my back and listened to Becky Booker-Marek deliver an extremely sincere opening. The music and the prayers were awesome.

Now we wait for God to hear our plea and send us rain.

The gathering was awesome. I truly feel blessed to have been a part of it.

Polish Pickle Run

When last I traveled to Bremond for the annual 5K Pickle Run I was, unknowingly, pregnant with the twins. This year I decided that I had to go back. It's a good run and a good time. The only race I'm aware of that offers beer, sausage and watermelon at the finish line. Winners receive cash and a jar of homemade pickles. I was lucky and fast enough to finish 2nd in my age group this year, no pickles for me. I ran my fastest 5 K yet. When I stopped running 5Ks Bremond was my last and fastest. So it was fitting for me to go back there for a little speed work today. So now it is still my fastest with a 24:22 chip time.

This year they chip timed for the first time. After working a few bugs out the timers needed a hug and a beer, for sure.

The twins ran in the children's 1K fun run. The only thing I would change about that is to split it in two. You can't ask 4 year olds to compete with ten year olds. Both girls ran really well. Vivian ran the entire distance smiling and waving the whole time. Bessie ran/walked. She looked at the horses, a dead snake in the road and some trash that was blowing in the ditch. She is very observant. I asked her how the run made her feel and she said " a little excited". I totally understand that. Lots of people took their pictures and they always smiled nicely.

Bremond is so well organized and you can stay all day. Parades, bbq cook off, street dance, vendors, you name it. It's a fun time for everyone.
What a blast of a morning. Lunch is over and it's time for a quick nap.
Until next time...keep running

Mouse Story Continued

I never thought in a million years that I would have more to add to the mouse story. As many of you read in my blog on May 8th Madison and I had a chance encounter with a mouse. Of course I received many comments about our adventure and I still laugh when I think of Madison standing on the commode shrieking. Well believe it or not a few mornings ago Madison shrieked again.

This time I was not in such a big hurry to come to her aide. I mean I had shown her how to bravely and calmly take care of any situation so this should be no problem. Setting good, calm examples for your children is what we live for as parents after all. So I calmly strolled across the living room and toward her bathroom. Leaping over the dog took some effort but for the most part I kept both feet on the ground.

Madison beckoned me once again to her bathroom and asked me to look in her commode. "Your kidding right?" I asked. She just gave me that look that says "Mother!". So I gingerly slid sideways toward her toilet. I had no intention of lifting the seat cover. What if this was a joke? What if she was just trying to gross me out. Then logic spoke, only the boys would try that and they weren't home, so I figured I was safe in that respect.

What if whatever was in there decided to make a break for it when I lifted the lid. I could be in harms way. So I looked around and planned my escape route, just in case. I would head for the tub.

I carefully began to lift the lid and bend my head down so that I could see in. At first I don't see anything so I am forced to lift the lid higher. At this point I turn to look at Madison to make sure she isn't sneaking up behind me for a good scare and a good laugh at my expense. Madison is still standing a safe distance away, at the door.

I continue raising the lid and lo and behold there is a mouse swimming in the toilet! Swimming with just his little head poking out of the water! Picture this please! A MOUSE swimming in the commode!!!! How did it get in there and what is the point of having two cats!!!!!!!

What to do, what to do. Close the lid and flush. See ya! Please do not turn me in to PETA. I ask, what would you have done?

Ran eight miles this morning. IT band beginning to act up again. Boston still on my mind.

Until next time...keep running!

Summer Fun

The Wisdom of Teeth

I don't know why the teeth in the very back of your mouth are called wisdom teeth but I do have a theory. It seems dentists have figured out that we will pay whatever they ask to have those darn things removed when they start coming up. Very smart on their part.

Madison's "wisdom"teeth started bothering her while we were on vacation in Santa Fe. I took her to the dentist as soon as we got home. He charged me $125 to tell me her wisdom teeth needed to come out. Now I already knew the darn things had to come out, that's why I took her in. So I paid him to tell me something I already knew. I'm not that smart you know.

Then the very sweet lady at the front desk with the awesome smile proceeded to punch all of the air out of my gut while she smiled. I had no idea it was going to cost over a thousand dollars to pull 4 teeth. There was a time when people had teeth pulled because they could not afford to have them fixed. So the dentists got together and decided that clearly they weren't charging enough for something that my dad used to do with a string and a door knob! Like I said I'm not to smart.

We made the appointment, after I caught my breath, and took my darling Madison in this morning to have these mean awful teeth removed. Of course the fact those wisdom teeth were threatening all the work the orthodontist had done spurred us on. I don't even want to talk about the money those guys are raking in!

Madison was a good patient and brought all four of her teeth home in a bag. I have no idea why she would want them, but she has them. She is zonked out on the couch looking more lovely than ever. Poor thing. We have stocked up on yogurt, Popsicles and pudding. So far only the twins and I have been eating that stuff.

My training is getting harder and harder but so far I refuse to quit. I told you....I'm not that smart.

Until next time...keep running!