tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6592236700145518222024-03-05T03:05:00.978-05:00A Million Good IntentionsFinding ways to do good in this crazy world, figuring out life as I live it, reflecting on lessons learned and showing gratitude every day...even the hard ones. Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.comBlogger1026125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-66807857688763925792019-05-08T17:12:00.000-04:002019-05-08T21:15:07.628-04:00Running Broad Street- 2019<br />
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When I found out I was pregnant, one of the first things I
thought about was this year’s Broad Street Run. I was immediately resigned to
the idea that I’d have to sit this one out, and that I’d be a cheerleader on
the sideline. It took just a few moments for me to realize that wasn’t going to
work. I wanted to do the fundraising. I’ve vowed to continue raising money and
running until there is no more Cancer, so how would I just not do it? I decided
to sign up, commit to raising the money and staying active. I accepted
that I may be told at any time by my doctors I couldn’t run. The plan was to run
unless it would put my baby at risk. Little did I know, we were about to lose
Charlie to cancer not even two months later. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49ZH9ZUDknbotUNzHSKZdQ5_h1VjD54HiJ8vyrK26ODHZAVD5riPlQ36c2bqo2jFlI6eFy9wzLQIMHtRRvq_QUPz-yhbtIOGY5QvDPjZH2b2XhAIXmcy9GS1IKO9y0nwlarSn4w5Fzg6S/s1600/charlie.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="675" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh49ZH9ZUDknbotUNzHSKZdQ5_h1VjD54HiJ8vyrK26ODHZAVD5riPlQ36c2bqo2jFlI6eFy9wzLQIMHtRRvq_QUPz-yhbtIOGY5QvDPjZH2b2XhAIXmcy9GS1IKO9y0nwlarSn4w5Fzg6S/s320/charlie.jpeg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Saying goodbye to my baby. </td></tr>
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After Charlie died, just getting off the couch was hard for the
first couple of weeks. It was because I was committed to running Broad St. that
I knew I had to stay active. Andy was training for a half marathon, and we’d go
to the gym together. Back in January, running was still pretty easy (in hindsight
anyway.) I remember one of the things that became difficult early on was breathing
correctly, and of course, the feeling of having to pee the <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">second</i> I started running.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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As the months went on, I became increasingly worried that I’d
need to use every damn porta-potty on the ten-mile route. There were four of us
running together and certainly didn’t want to have to make a lot of stops during
the run. The last three times I ran it, I didn’t stop once. I knew (and accepted)
this time would certainly be different. My pace slowed <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">way</i> down, and I found myself walking more than running. I was trying
to make sure I was getting miles in, but never really stuck to my training
program. I most definitely wasn’t running the miles I should have been, the
most I even got up to before yesterday was five miles, two weeks ago…<o:p></o:p></div>
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When we were all but certain it was going to be raining
again this year (just like our first time in 2016), I wasn’t thrilled but knew
I’d prefer rain over heat. Although I wouldn’t choose to run in the rain, at
the temperature it was yesterday, I knew it wouldn’t be too cold. I didn’t run
with a poncho or any other special rain gear in 2016 and I didn’t plan on it
this year either. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pre-Race dinner after accepting Top Fundraising award on behalf of Team CMMD</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ready to go for the morning. </td></tr>
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Saturday evening we attended the Team Determination pre-race
dinner, where we were reminded on so many levels why we run, who we run for,
and what the fundraising money provides to cancer patients all over the region.
When we got back to the hotel we attached our ribbons to our shirts, laid out
everything we needed for the morning, and checked the forecast one last time.
100% rain at 8am, there was no doubt it would be raining from the second we
left the hotel until well after we were finished with the race.<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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I had the worst night’s sleep before a race ever, I was up
at least every hour. I woke up thinking about names I needed to add to ribbons
in the morning, what I was going to eat in the morning to hold me over for at
least five hours, songs I wanted on my playlist that I had forgotten, and I checked
the weather for fun a couple of times (just in case it had changed, haha.) We
got up a little after 5:00 and left for the subway around 5:40. We got on an
express subway around 6:15 and thought we had plenty of time to get to there
for the team picture. Dressed in full-length garbage bags, bags around either
our feet or sneakers, and shower caps for the girls, we were doing this thing!<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98slvszp0_uv2YGVqxMNXIyI9lwiusEd_qewlXkYbDnGsBeKTuBwwcjT_wJOxlOnbp-0X0fKM6d2jSX1IHzROnGd80EQJsjpLfLNmFavYrjWIe8b_0bnL4eqjn7d9-UVQsubCbVc9vTHs/s1600/20190505_065745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi98slvszp0_uv2YGVqxMNXIyI9lwiusEd_qewlXkYbDnGsBeKTuBwwcjT_wJOxlOnbp-0X0fKM6d2jSX1IHzROnGd80EQJsjpLfLNmFavYrjWIe8b_0bnL4eqjn7d9-UVQsubCbVc9vTHs/s320/20190505_065745.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's just a little bit of rain! Waiting for the subway...</td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I never had a true moment of “I don’t know if I can do this”
until we were on the subway, stopped because of another train. It was at least
15 minutes, it could have been longer. I started to feel nauseous, overheated,
and an overwhelming desire to “<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">get the
f*** off that Subway</i>.” It’s the closest I’ve ever felt to a panic attack- I
started to doubt myself and was thinking maybe I wasn’t going to make it
through this run. I knelt down and just started bawling (not abnormal these
days) and then I told myself to get it together. I was doing this thing no
matter what, and all I needed was some fresh air. We eventually got to our stop
and I felt much better as soon as we got outside.</div>
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<br />
<o:p></o:p></div>
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When we arrived at the Team Determination tent I was so
happy to see my friend Erica (one of my heroes!) She just finished another
round of chemo a couple of weeks ago and hasn’t been able to run much, yet she
showed and up and was going to find a way to get through the 10 miles. She is
who I’ve thought about time and time again when I wondered if I could do it
this year.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNdYBcyRwe_7-sXnWyp219IS0Amm6Iy1NzQXldpYm3RFuKK-NalrKBUkB0NCSscxFHbWxYDDpmmNWvB2n33ENtt0wTDetoTi41Re2JcXTXw0zO3JHTQKQb1Muco612kmOejCBEXqUomnf/s1600/20190505_080459.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYNdYBcyRwe_7-sXnWyp219IS0Amm6Iy1NzQXldpYm3RFuKK-NalrKBUkB0NCSscxFHbWxYDDpmmNWvB2n33ENtt0wTDetoTi41Re2JcXTXw0zO3JHTQKQb1Muco612kmOejCBEXqUomnf/s320/20190505_080459.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">With Erica before the run started. </td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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After about a half hour wait, our corral was called and it
was time to go. Here are my thoughts about the run…<o:p></o:p><br />
<br /></div>
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* I was so happy to be running with
my three girls. Erin, Stacey & Erika promised me no matter how many times I
had to use a porta-potty (it ended up only being 2!) and how slow I had to go,
they wouldn’t leave my side. For months, this was hard to accept. I didn’t want
to be the one to slow anyone down. Deep down I was so happy I could count on
being with them the whole time no matter what happened. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOW_xHRHRlO4Es4nNSVVY7WEA-y8GrwFyYJoVJowxAVZLpDlEUJmnj9_k675e_tETDZYHr7cCoF7Iym2RPZfw4CMZ9Xxvef9tAhHoAQcYxcPZMriRrC6RlPPqp6AJSh4mwEJWYYeaQWiU8/s1600/FB_IMG_1557077567573.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOW_xHRHRlO4Es4nNSVVY7WEA-y8GrwFyYJoVJowxAVZLpDlEUJmnj9_k675e_tETDZYHr7cCoF7Iym2RPZfw4CMZ9Xxvef9tAhHoAQcYxcPZMriRrC6RlPPqp6AJSh4mwEJWYYeaQWiU8/s320/FB_IMG_1557077567573.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting through it together, mile by mile. </td></tr>
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<br />
* The rain really wasn’t a big deal- maybe
it helped that I’ve already done this run in the rain, or that it was warm and
it actually kind of helped keep my body temp down. I used body glide on my
feet, wore the same exact model sneaker I wore in ’16, and had my feet wrapped
in doggie bags (you may laugh but they’re thin, I couldn’t feel them, and they
helped keep my feet dry.) The leggings I wore did a great job repelling water
and didn’t start to feel drenched until about mile 7. I got rid of my garbage bag and long sleeve t-shirt right away, and ran with the shower cap for about the first
mile (what a look, haha.)</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<br /></div>
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* I still need music to run. I was
the only one who ran with headphones. I kept the volume lower than I usually do
so I could talk and take in all of the cheerleaders and musicians, but I needed
the distraction during our runs. (We intervaled 3-minute runs, 1-minute walks.)
My playlist planning was poor and I think I listened to the same 15 songs several
times. <o:p></o:p></div>
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The crowds were awesome this year!
I remember being amazed in ’16 by all of the people who still came out and
cheered for hours in the pouring rain. Then there are the musicians and DJs who
set up their gear and under tents. They show up, just like we always talk about
with running. The cheerleaders matter, and make such a difference for runners-
especially the ones who don’t feel ready, or well trained, or confident about
getting through the race. This was the first time in the four that I’ve run
when I felt like that and the cheerleaders made such a difference! <o:p></o:p></div>
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* I literally felt like I had to pee the
entire time. Every single step. I knew it was more of feeling like I had to versus
really having to go, so I made it a goal to get to at least the third mile. The
lines were long and I didn’t want to have to wait so I pushed it to four. I
decided to run into a Wendy’s and hoped they’d give me pregnancy pity. No one
was in there and the man who was working in the front was so nice! He came to
the door and said “let me give you the code.” I was happy to only delay us a
few minutes instead of waiting in a long porta-potty line. By the time we got
to mile eight there were no lines (because normal people just want to finish the
run by then) so I was able to go in and out real quick. Overall I was very
proud of myself! On my training walks/runs, I’ve had to stop every mile or two.
In the four times I’ve run this race, this was the only time I’ve ever stopped.
Yay for running while pregnant!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
* Approaching City Hall never gets old. I LOVE seeing it come within my sights and then knowing once we get there we're halfway done. I have a picture at that point from each year I've run.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WtO3AdTzKLwSyX3O6UuEi1U5pxG23lsqrjqHhZE75UUqyGOk4DCNwNgDPWyckVTHzSqDSUR6b8RbnYuGRlT8QeRoAmh9Kia8o21eKuL_QTfrdBwMh0yibp3J7MuDnzwN_GwhuFe8i6CW/s1600/FB_IMG_1557077610757.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5WtO3AdTzKLwSyX3O6UuEi1U5pxG23lsqrjqHhZE75UUqyGOk4DCNwNgDPWyckVTHzSqDSUR6b8RbnYuGRlT8QeRoAmh9Kia8o21eKuL_QTfrdBwMh0yibp3J7MuDnzwN_GwhuFe8i6CW/s320/FB_IMG_1557077610757.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We were still pretty far away from City Hall here, you can hardly see it!</td></tr>
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* If you ever want to run a race,
know that training is KEY! The last three times I trained pretty well for the
race and never felt like there was an “easy part” and a “hard part.” This time
was <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">much</i> different. Like I’ve already
mentioned, I only ran up to five miles (once) and walked eight (once, back in
March.) So, let’s just say I didn’t get the miles in beforehand. By the time we
got to mile 6 my legs were burning. I remember saying “but my feet are fine!” At
mile 8, my feet were no longer fine. Although I didn’t have blisters, they were
hurting and tired. The last few miles we <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">hard</i>.
I knew I’d get through it, but I just wanted it to be over.</div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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* The finish line…oh, I’ve never been
happier to see that Navy Yard sign that tells us “not done yet.” That sign does
mean “you are almost done” though. We started seeing the photographers taking
end-of-race photos, and that feeling of “you did it” came over me. All of the self-doubt,
the questioning my decision to run, the wondering if I made the wrong decision…it
all faded away. I ran this race, in the rain, largely untrained, thirty-one
weeks pregnant, with three amazing friends by my side. A few hundred yards
before the actual finish line I saw Andy on the left, phone in hand taking
pictures of us finishing. He had finished nearly ninety minutes earlier and
waited around for us. It meant the world to me. We crossed that line together,
the four of us. I was so happy it was over, and that I got through it, and
mostly I was happy I didn’t sit this one out!<o:p></o:p><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjLnuqFWdCRQZCC1kz4lALnTSBHZH9YJ6i0rwqm1KPRr_ghbAFn1AacgkJ1sNDi_22lcTNEUpWmoc-XJOdAHe3qC-XQrcrpBWD5baVc4jNWmBHpOjfrEUCLbVJKgIdDRU1ZtuV6cYMtq-/s1600/20190505_110112.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSjLnuqFWdCRQZCC1kz4lALnTSBHZH9YJ6i0rwqm1KPRr_ghbAFn1AacgkJ1sNDi_22lcTNEUpWmoc-XJOdAHe3qC-XQrcrpBWD5baVc4jNWmBHpOjfrEUCLbVJKgIdDRU1ZtuV6cYMtq-/s320/20190505_110112.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almost there!</td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqh0G_fp7d5rtCz6Xv7SUmvLCMGvlzZn-HkVP9paYFFHzcCenVto4k2YKgS7pJ8eP8CRqoHgUX-JbUvxoTp2FBfZeRjTiRtQgSILWgNUGfdaf-6sRmi8nRI0Bi8zhE5vE47WfDvCNpTGlB/s1600/20190505_114753.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="648" data-original-width="476" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqh0G_fp7d5rtCz6Xv7SUmvLCMGvlzZn-HkVP9paYFFHzcCenVto4k2YKgS7pJ8eP8CRqoHgUX-JbUvxoTp2FBfZeRjTiRtQgSILWgNUGfdaf-6sRmi8nRI0Bi8zhE5vE47WfDvCNpTGlB/s320/20190505_114753.jpg" width="235" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We did it!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vPlUpuQZt6-F2T_U5zbCFnxL88Vh9yzMAuacqDp0BtoUV82UTVUpNPqiY4OpcVFByz4vMlEqv2Q_JIsx6l25T38PtxmstAx08WuLRDp_z9atkh7bH1vgCx-FC2CbOCcdB3qnVraJbhvG/s1600/20190505_192339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="838" data-original-width="571" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6vPlUpuQZt6-F2T_U5zbCFnxL88Vh9yzMAuacqDp0BtoUV82UTVUpNPqiY4OpcVFByz4vMlEqv2Q_JIsx6l25T38PtxmstAx08WuLRDp_z9atkh7bH1vgCx-FC2CbOCcdB3qnVraJbhvG/s320/20190505_192339.jpg" width="218" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sending Andy a kiss right before we crossed the finish line. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5xaWF_dyTx2wtn1cXPf5Q3e8ANHGJDffRIeaOVZ1AOhvUZzWximrEuTPsrkWc5YDcrByQewEaAZBPYBLuHzIzc663vbGPTw1c9M8lMxZ5cKmcfSgbXlwmGftFAUN8J5a-_TZLlQLp54y/s1600/20190504_213613.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjU5xaWF_dyTx2wtn1cXPf5Q3e8ANHGJDffRIeaOVZ1AOhvUZzWximrEuTPsrkWc5YDcrByQewEaAZBPYBLuHzIzc663vbGPTw1c9M8lMxZ5cKmcfSgbXlwmGftFAUN8J5a-_TZLlQLp54y/s320/20190504_213613.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cancer stole him too. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tSirgKz_BNsvyeOCS9ib8ufeaFo2XmtWgskXpfDdg0djlhDeP_yJBrtQR7XUSaKl4fqKa3SefGlCJCE6Et9JvTaXkOZ3wDpvNbkATl48LS9A-HET7UoAatfqMtP99z63ivas_OEn6jDB/s1600/20190505_111925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tSirgKz_BNsvyeOCS9ib8ufeaFo2XmtWgskXpfDdg0djlhDeP_yJBrtQR7XUSaKl4fqKa3SefGlCJCE6Et9JvTaXkOZ3wDpvNbkATl48LS9A-HET7UoAatfqMtP99z63ivas_OEn6jDB/s320/20190505_111925.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our only picture from after the race. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Each year, Andy & I run this race with more names on
our ribbons. This year, we had to add our beloved dog Charlie to the list. We both
miss him more than words can say. We raise the money, dedicate miles, and run
this race to honor all of the people we know and love who have faced cancer. We
also run for those we don’t know. There have been times over the last three
years when I wondered what kind of difference it really makes. It seems like
cancer is more and more vicious as time goes on, yet we know the money we raise
is used to help cancer fighters live longer, gain access to treatment and
clinical trials, and so much more. Most of all, we give them hope and sometimes
it’s what they need most. <o:p></o:p></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09KBz1231MadQf7__6_FEQAkTD9LsdldOd5NzCaZqa6ycqBbdwiFWrS4XiwJiwf4JHqUqqIQpXrjE1ZRDuWhIeo-2_YtV2syr4iEzANXzUKQfdaEZYRPClvcUKFPxkWjHHZy_wZ0VCMyR/s1600/20190505_164400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg09KBz1231MadQf7__6_FEQAkTD9LsdldOd5NzCaZqa6ycqBbdwiFWrS4XiwJiwf4JHqUqqIQpXrjE1ZRDuWhIeo-2_YtV2syr4iEzANXzUKQfdaEZYRPClvcUKFPxkWjHHZy_wZ0VCMyR/s320/20190505_164400.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sometimes you need a reminder not to quit.<br />
Proud to have my 4th BSR medal to add to my collection. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-68179371669702322682016-12-03T14:13:00.001-05:002017-02-22T23:41:50.522-05:00The Run- 5/1/16<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQT7KhrWMh-xe9VdV27YS9xBRHgaX6tXget_9tp_yk1nSozZf1YfmyDZZ8UM4cTdWJtKUHQ7K6K-e6pQoneloPx6YA9sO6NFQcbaDumnaxG0y9_F0Fwt0mIkHR01zXal8QGstrnyTzSxe/s1600/collage2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQT7KhrWMh-xe9VdV27YS9xBRHgaX6tXget_9tp_yk1nSozZf1YfmyDZZ8UM4cTdWJtKUHQ7K6K-e6pQoneloPx6YA9sO6NFQcbaDumnaxG0y9_F0Fwt0mIkHR01zXal8QGstrnyTzSxe/s640/collage2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-weight: normal;"><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">I've known from the beginning of
this journey, that I wanted to write about it. Like with so many other things,
I wish I wrote more along the way. But now, almost two weeks after the actual
run, I sit here and try to put exactly what the last 6+ months have meant to me
into words. (I wrote down some notes about the race immediately after so I would be able to remember it mile by mile.) I had no idea how many people my deciding to run this race would
touch. How much it would mean to those who have been affected by cancer. How
doing something so small could end up being so big. I am a better person
because of it all, and I also proved to myself I can do things I never thought
I could do.</span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></i></span></div>
<h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">This is my story, my race day experience, told with as much detail as I can remember. To be honest, a few hours after the race, I couldn't even really believe I did it. It felt like it didn't happen, but it did...in the cold, wet, pouring down rain. I ran 10 miles down Broad Street.</span></div>
</h2>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Race Day:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">5:30am- Alarm goes off, surprisingly
I actually slept pretty well. I had the "I have to get to sleep now"
anxiety last night. So worried about not sleeping, worried about oversleeping,
that I thought there was no chance I would actually...sleep. It could have to
do with the lack of sleep over the last week. Whatever it was, I feel pretty
good as I wake up. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">6:00am- We're ready to leave the
hotel. We stayed at The Hyatt at the Bellevue in Center City. It's an easy walk
to the subway so that's good. But yes, it's raining already. It's also cold. I
tie two grocery bags around my sneakers and pray they stay dry until it's time
to run. I'm thankful I bought the coat on clearance from Old Navy yesterday,
but I'm worried I'm not wearing enough warm clothes for the three hour wait I
have until it's go time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrpv-6iJr6wimf7Ij4ARodAfy7xUO956S1HM9xWV73L2YWlH96wtzB2Wxs7lWYM7RjKv1udpNu8AdsmS16TqKK2PtVufgKEXLUM9wqdIDv3aVNgUhtnNA0-_UXRY4tlY6kgRYlVMkDl2p/s1600/20160501_060620.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitrpv-6iJr6wimf7Ij4ARodAfy7xUO956S1HM9xWV73L2YWlH96wtzB2Wxs7lWYM7RjKv1udpNu8AdsmS16TqKK2PtVufgKEXLUM9wqdIDv3aVNgUhtnNA0-_UXRY4tlY6kgRYlVMkDl2p/s320/20160501_060620.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting in the subway station at 6am</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">6:05am- The subway station is filled
with Broad Street runners. Everyone is dressed with ponchos over their clothing,
or garbage bags if you weren't lucky enough to get a poncho. Some people have
two pairs of sneakers, some of their sneakers duct taped, or wrapped in bags
like mine. You can sense the energy building, but also the disappointment that
weather is in fact as bad as they predicted. For a short time last night the
forecast gave us some hope that the rain would hold out until later in the
morning. No such luck. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">6:10am- An empty subway train pulls
into the station. I feel immediate relief. I was nervous because several people
insisted we were risking it by taking the subway. We were told they are usually
full and pass through Center City without stopping. Maybe we were just early
enough or just lucky...either way, it was good to know we'd be able to get
there with no problems. With Broad Street being shut down, it would have been
tough to find a cab. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">6:30am- We get off the subway and </span>immediately<span style="font-size: 12pt;"> see Ben. We hang out in the subway station for a few minutes since
staying dry is the goal at the moment. 7:15 is bag check cutoff at the Team
Determination tent so we know we have to get moving. With bags still wrapped
around my sneakers and ponchos on, we're off to find the tent. As we step
outside and I realize just how cold and wet it is, (it was in the 40's) I
feel grateful to have a tent to go to. Most people do not. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxLdmtpYdTw20t2JhoaT6lMyv9ytthoypWajFP97WB5JD1sz4uCwFkm7CxSw1NoNNj6A7tjod-8dyslMjFFl2yKFfBkxTQ4h5Jw0lGTAgOEQkpoNi0pPf_kuUNoGK39s8i5b5lXsYnapG/s1600/20160501_070856.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLxLdmtpYdTw20t2JhoaT6lMyv9ytthoypWajFP97WB5JD1sz4uCwFkm7CxSw1NoNNj6A7tjod-8dyslMjFFl2yKFfBkxTQ4h5Jw0lGTAgOEQkpoNi0pPf_kuUNoGK39s8i5b5lXsYnapG/s320/20160501_070856.jpg" width="180" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">7:00am- We find the tent and check
our bags. I feel more relief when I see a large box of safety pins (we didn't
know they didn't come with the bibs) and Team Determination ribbons (there were
none left at the dinner last night.) This is getting real. I pin my bib onto my
Team CMMD Broad Street tank top. We find a spot at one of the tables and I
start writing out my ribbons. I've kept a list of the people I dedicated the
miles to during my training. There really are a lot more than those listed, but
at this point this will have to do. I know in my heart I've been running for
them all. There are too many, way too many. Too many family members and
friends. Too many parents or spouses of friends. Too many children. JUST TOO
MANY. It all kind of starts to hit me. This hasn't just been training for a
run, or proving to myself I could actually run 10 miles. This has been about
the nearly $3,000 Andy & I raised for the American Cancer Society. It's
about Andy's cousin who passed away from melanoma at the age of 32, or my two
uncles who have battled aggressive forms of cancer in the last year. Or the
messages I've received from a friend who is fighting cancer for the second
time, and just started aggressive chemotherapy. It's about the messages from a
friend who lost her mom, and then her best friend to cancer, all within a few
years. It's about so many people, too many, that I can't write this without
crying. I started writing out the names on the ribbons and realized there was
no way I could give each person their own ribbon. I literally didn't have
enough room on my back. So I fit as many names on each ribbon as I could, and I
still had 15 or so filled. It made me really appreciate what it means to run
for those who can't. Those who aren't here anymore, and would do anything to run
10 miles anywhere, those who have lost their hair and their sense of self as
they go through treatment that is literally poisoning them, those who question
whether or not they will ever have enough strength to walk a mile again, let
alone run 10. I ask Andy to put all of the ribbons on the back of my shirt, and
I hope they stay on through 10 miles of running in the pouring rain. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">7:45am- The "elite
athletes" are lining up at the start line. Our tent is off to the side of
the start line so we can see everything. The race is starting, it's still cold
and raining, and I have while to wait until my corral takes off. I am so
thankful to be under this tent, I'm still pretty dry. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">7:50am- Andy leaves to go to his
corral (he is two in front of me). I learn that one of the Team
Determination captains are walking us over to the appropriate corrals, and
things are behind schedule. I decide to wait until they call my corral to line
up even thought it's passed the recommended time. My thinking is the longer I
can stay dry the better. I text one of the girls I'm supposed to run with and
she's already left. I don't really know anyone, but I figure I'll find my group
while we wait, once we walk over.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTeUKIm6VY3fTzw-QbpwDcB9dRrCsTNgbmIdNEy4yfxDDbiX5RpGheAiSrtEGhJoHtmQ7tsI1X9B1kSkqCiPP1I1Ua57K_9uSa7t7pPD86aVSqh-nBoT_qWCBXW4ZyMQoz3ISbC7LuinH/s1600/leoratext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlTeUKIm6VY3fTzw-QbpwDcB9dRrCsTNgbmIdNEy4yfxDDbiX5RpGheAiSrtEGhJoHtmQ7tsI1X9B1kSkqCiPP1I1Ua57K_9uSa7t7pPD86aVSqh-nBoT_qWCBXW4ZyMQoz3ISbC7LuinH/s200/leoratext.jpg" width="200" /></a><span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">7:55am- I receive this text message
from Leora. Her husband passed away from cancer early last year. I dedicated
miles to him, but really, I'm running for her too. I love that she remembered
it's race day.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">8:22am- One of the Team
Determination captains yell "Yellow"- that means it's my turn. I
don't see anyone I know leaving the tent. As I start to rip the grocery
bags off my sneakers, I ask a group of Team CMMD runners if I can run with them
since I've lost my group. They tell me they are running intervals and I
definitely do not want to do that (I tried running intervals during my training and I am convinced running that way cause my shin splints.) So, I guess I'm running by myself. We didn't
even end up going to the actual corral. It was really weird, she just kind of
dropped us off before the start line and said "start running now before
the next group gets going". I have no idea if we were before or after the
actual yellow group, but I was at the start line, so it was go time. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">8:25am- The beginning of the race is
a blur. I was disoriented because I thought we were going to be waiting for a
few minutes to start. I thought I was going to run with a group from Team CMMD
who run at my pace. For the last six months all I've heard about is how much
fun it is to run with a group. The laughs, pictures, encouragement, sense of
team---everything that makes our team special, that's what you experience
during Broad Street, together. I start out with the coat and poncho on, but
quickly ditch the poncho. One of the coaches said last night "you don't
train with a poncho, don't run Broad Street with a poncho". There was no
way I wasn't going to be soaking wet so I just decided to get rid of it in the
beginning. I kept the coat until I warmed up and then ditched that too. (All
clothing thrown on the streets is donated to local homeless shelters). I don't
know if there is a "correct way" to start a race, especially your
first one longer than a 5k, but if there is, I didn't do it that way. I felt
unsettled, kind of thrown into it, and alone. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mile 1- Thank God for good music,
but it can/will make you cry. After the first few minutes and ditching the
poncho/coat, and realizing I was going to run this thing alone, I settled in.
It hit me, I'm running a 10 mile race right now. The last month has been rough,
I've been sick and only ran three times (6 miles, 9 miles and 3 miles). I'm
thinking "Am I going to be able to do this? It's ok if you have to walk,
let go of expectations. Just make it until mile 5 and then walk if you have to.
Take it all in! They keep saying take it all in." <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Empire State of Mind comes on (kind
of weird a song about NYC comes on while I'm running the biggest Philly race of
the year). For some reason that song gets to me, and .6 miles in the tears
start. I just can't believe that I am doing this. All of the people standing in
the pouring rain cheering us on (in one of the worst parts of the city), women
with megaphones outside of a church with their children. All of the names on my
back. The whole thing feels completely overwhelming. As the tears mix with the
raindrops I tell myself to get it together. There is a long way to go, right
now is not the time to get emotional. Right then I decide I'm running this
thing, I'm doing what I set out to do. I'm not stopping, I'm not walking. I've
worked my ass off to build up to this and I need to show myself I can do
it. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mile 2- As I start running the
second mile, a girl in front of me is wearing shirt "I used to be 280 lbs,
if I can do it, you can do it." She looked amazing. I'm actually feeling
pretty good and I'm not cold at all. I also feel like my feet are ok and I pray
for no blisters. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mile 3- I see a sign on the sideline
that says "If Trump can run, you can too." You're damn right about
that! There are a lot of great signs and they help push me along. I know the
crowd is thin because of the crappy weather, but those who did come out really
help with morale!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mile 4- Next sign that resonates,
"Pain is temporary, Internet stats are forever." This one reminds me
that I've worked for months to get to this point. I can do this, I can do this,
I will do this!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Halfway there, in front of City Hall</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mile 5- My exact thought "Holy
shit, I'm at mile 5 and I feel great. I can keep going, I don't need to
walk." It's raining hard now. I'm soaking wet, but my feet feel good and
I'm not cold. I also don't feel like I have to pee, which was another worry I
had. I didn't want to have to take time to use porta-potties along the route.
Maybe I'm dehydrated, who knows? All I know is I'm halfway done and I'm feeling
better than I ever thought could be possible. Since I'm running alone, I don't
have any one to take a picture of me in front of City Hall. I stop real quick
and attempt a selfie but everything is so wet it's hard to get one. I try to
"dry" of my phone with my soaking wet shirt and quickly ask a
spectator to snap a picture of me.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;"> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This is the only time in my life,
other than when I played softball, that I can remember wearing a baseball cap.
This was given to us the week before the race during my company trip to the
Bahamas. I never even thought about wearing a hat during the race but it was
recommended last night to help keep the rain out of our eyes. While it may not
be the most fashionable accessory, I am so glad I had this hat. I kept it on
until mile 8 and then donated it by tossing it onto the street. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mile 6- As I'm trucking along, a man
comes up to me and asks me about the ribbons on my back. With everything being
so wet it's hard to see and he was wondering what they were for. I told him
about Team Determination and Team CMMD. I told him about the ribbons and the
fundraising we've done since November. He then tells me he's a survivor, and
that he never thought he'd be able to run another Broad Street again. He's
happy to be back. I give him a hug and tell him I'm glad he's back too, and
that Mile 6 is now dedicated to him. What a moment, as I tell myself "no
tears."<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mile 7- Somehow I'm still feeling
pretty good, it really is a miracle. I knew Ivo (one of our Team Determination
coaches), and a bunch of Team CMMD cheerleaders would be on the left side
cheering us on. I cross over so I'd be on that side and give them all high
fives. I start to believe I'm really going to do this without walking. I'm
almost there! They say Mile 7 is when it starts to get hard. The crowd thins
out and there are still 3 miles to go, but I'm ok. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mile 8- Ok, I'm ready for this thing
to be over. My feet are starting to hurt, they're soaking wet but thank God I
still do not have blisters. I'm starting to feel pain, nothing specific, just
an all over kind of pain. There are large puddles everywhere and I finally land
in not one, but two of them during Mile 8. Let's just say I'm glad I've avoided
doing that until now. I keep telling myself "just 2 more miles" but
it does seem like an eternity. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">Mile 9- The end is near and I know
I've got this! The crowd starts to thicken as we approach the Navy Yard. I text
Andy and tell him I'll be finishing in about 10 minutes. I try to pick up
my speed a little knowing it's just one more mile and I want to finish strong.
I've only had a couple of sips of water so far and I grab Gatorade from a
volunteer, take a gulp and throw the cup down. I can't even find the words to
explain what the last quarter mile felt like. I could see the finish line, and
I remember running faster, passing people, just trying to finish as strong as I
could. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">The Finish Line- Bam! You cross that
thing and the world stops. There are people above you taking photos, people
yelling "keep moving" trying to help with the inevitable bottleneck.
All I know is I crossed the finish line alone, just like I ran the whole race.
Most of my training I did alone too. I did this thing, and I did it (mostly) on
my own. It was a little disappointing to finish without anyone around cheering
for me. However, it was also a very empowering moment for me. I realized it
didn't matter if anyone was watching me finish, I know I finished. I know I ran
that whole thing without walking at all. I know I did something I NEVER thought
I could do. I know the training and preparation I put into this for five months
is what got me through, even when the last month was concerning because of my
being sick. I carried all of those people I've been running for in my heart,
their names on my back, as I ran across that finish line. If you would have
told me year ago I'd finish running Broad Street in 2016, I would have called
you crazy. 10 miles down Broad Street, thousands of dollars raised for the
American Cancer Society, and countless precious moments throughout it all. What
an incredible experience this was. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyIAm-dX24-951NJoddajlVrJF5TGtJBndONJrSC8Cw_wAOMTg9tPyr3RaqdPLWBD6fiLxO3eeFecLfOYIm9Md5YvUTRN47Wjej9uvUWuRCLPCMFn8vR0vBPB4pphKNcllQx8n5F6r0a4/s1600/finish-blurred.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEyIAm-dX24-951NJoddajlVrJF5TGtJBndONJrSC8Cw_wAOMTg9tPyr3RaqdPLWBD6fiLxO3eeFecLfOYIm9Md5YvUTRN47Wjej9uvUWuRCLPCMFn8vR0vBPB4pphKNcllQx8n5F6r0a4/s320/finish-blurred.jpg" width="229" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF2GIlmliIlicbY7OmlAmwluLm6MoFxR71KFWVivWqqoI6Br98CwwX3jfIHhTfWfL58WO8hLyNuW2EYyXx_rdecO8L94I_swvXMAcDu2ub-xcGP6_BFupTjhkIsQSFGOtsBtS-7JatLeO/s1600/finish-thumbs+up.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsF2GIlmliIlicbY7OmlAmwluLm6MoFxR71KFWVivWqqoI6Br98CwwX3jfIHhTfWfL58WO8hLyNuW2EYyXx_rdecO8L94I_swvXMAcDu2ub-xcGP6_BFupTjhkIsQSFGOtsBtS-7JatLeO/s320/finish-thumbs+up.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , "sans-serif"; font-size: 12.0pt;">After- No one tells you about after. How you can actually feel almost numb during the first few hours after the race, or how you can feel a depression of some sort in the days after. I felt both. We had a pretty long and wet/cold walk back to the subway from the Team Determination tent. When we got back to the hotel, I took a hot shower. I'm not sure I've ever felt more thankful for warm water. For the remainder of race day, I kept saying and thinking "I don't even feel like I just ran that race." I really didn't. It was so weird, and still is to me now. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">I took the day after the race off, not knowing if my body would hate me after running 10 miles in the cold rain. It was the right thing to do, because I mentally needed the day to recover as well. I found myself in tears more than once, overwhelmed by the fact that I did actually accomplish this goal, and kind of sad it was all over. I wrote down the key memories I had about the race so I could, at some point, write this story. I know there will never be another Broad Street run like my first, because now I know I can do it. Next time, I'll aim for a better time, and maybe to have a little more fun. Because now that I've ran this run once, I'll definitely be doing it again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial" , sans-serif;">Thank you to everyone who donated, you helped Team CMMD donate almost $300,000 to the American Cancer Society this year! Together, Andy & I raised almost $3,000, well beyond our initial goal of $1,000.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4h56gj8UuQjIAtmYoNGMtBtOEhw4R8jnbZtpvkGN8BBMwTNZG_1SJ0ENzvdVw1oV3Cq6ZUyDwTI6Mk4gFHmF8IlvJMxHNwWlRXkIb3c1NUv3Wcy4mevmSzf8R4SarRDbyYmUVUNSkiSPd/s1600/determination.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4h56gj8UuQjIAtmYoNGMtBtOEhw4R8jnbZtpvkGN8BBMwTNZG_1SJ0ENzvdVw1oV3Cq6ZUyDwTI6Mk4gFHmF8IlvJMxHNwWlRXkIb3c1NUv3Wcy4mevmSzf8R4SarRDbyYmUVUNSkiSPd/s320/determination.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My certificate from ACS- the other half of our fundraising $ was in Andy's account.</td></tr>
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FUNDRAISING FOR BROAD STREET 2017 HAS STARTED. IF YOU FEEL INCLINED, PLEASE CLICK <a href="https://teamcmmd.kindful.com/broad-street-2017/christine-andrew-raising-to-fight-cancer-one-mile-at-a-time" target="_blank">HERE</a> TO MAKE A DONATION. NO AMOUNT IS TOO SMALL! </div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-68825850204215022932016-01-23T16:20:00.004-05:002018-10-24T20:31:16.911-04:00It's Personal!Too many people I know personally have been affected by cancer. It feels like I think of someone new almost daily. I pray every day that in my lifetime, the cure to cancer is found.<br />
<br />
As I continue to train for BSR'16, each mile I run will be dedicated to someone who has fought, or is fighting cancer. When I run on May 1st, I will wear a shirt with each person's name on my back. I am running for them...<span style="text-align: center;">If you feel inclined to make a donation to the American Cancer Society, please click </span><a href="http://main.acsevents.org/goto/AC_Roth" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="text-align: center;"> to do so through our fundraising page. Thank you for your support!!</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-align: center;">If you feel inclined to make a donation to the American Cancer Society, please click </span><a href="http://main.acsevents.org/goto/AC_Roth" style="text-align: center;" target="_blank">HERE</a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;">to do so through our fundraising page. Thank you for your support!!</span><br />
<br />
I will keep the list of miles and names here...an (*) indicates the person listed is now an angel above us who lost their battle with cancer.<br />
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<b><u>DEDICATION MILES:</u></b><br />
<ol>
<li>Melissa Sicola*</li>
<li>Gary McTague</li>
<li>Scott McTague</li>
<li>Jean Dayton</li>
<li>David Haas* (Leora Haas)</li>
<li>Tommy DeVito* (Mary DeVito)</li>
<li>Cindy Chmielewski</li>
<li>Lori McClure</li>
<li>Judi Thompson</li>
<li>Adelaide Ruess* (Jill Harris & Kate Furda)</li>
<li>Laia Drendall-Pugh (Julie Drendall)</li>
<li>Dave Monsour</li>
<li>Harry Mansmann*</li>
<li>Joseph Flok* (Laura King)</li>
<li>Russ Thornton*</li>
<li>Bill Keenan* (Kelly Keenan)</li>
<li>Sebastian Raclaw (Ian Ashley)</li>
<li>Les Cooper* (Althea Cooper)</li>
<li>Christine Groden* (Jess Nardone & John Groden)</li>
<li>Heather Frantz</li>
<li>Diane Willan</li>
<li>Karen Cole (Michelle Cole)</li>
<li>Alberta McGeehan*</li>
<li>James McGeehan*</li>
<li>Cathy Paradiso (The Giordonello Family)</li>
<li>Leo Paradiso* (The Giordonello Family)</li>
<li>Rosemary Copeland* (Lisa Moser)</li>
<li>Stefania Wojnarowska* (Lisa Wojnarowski)</li>
<li>Katie Koebel* (Lisa Wojnarowski) </li>
<li>Denise Gallardo* (Lisa Wojnarowski)</li>
<li>Donna Pitko (Rich Schnabel)</li>
<li>Anne Woodrick* (Naoma Green)</li>
<li>Katie Manning (Naoma Green)</li>
<li>Joan Natale (Jennifer Stiefel)</li>
<li>Brenda Fay* (Heather Nardy)</li>
<li>Kristen Dellaporta* (Heather Nardy)</li>
<li>Lalit Patel* (Rupal Patel)</li>
<li>Joey Clayton* (Laura King)</li>
<li>LaVonne Green* (Tessa Schatteman)</li>
<li>Baby Basil (Team CMMD)</li>
<li>Steve Porreca (Bethany Porreca)</li>
<li>Andy Reddick*</li>
<li>Mary Bates (Craig & Debbie Willoughby)</li>
<li>Michelle Keller</li>
<li>Sam Richberg* (Valerie McKinney)</li>
<li>Barbara Richberg* (Valerie McKinney)</li>
<li>Vania Medwid</li>
<li>Lt. Sebastian Raclaw (Ian Ashley)</li>
<li>Brecklynn Allgood (Team CMMD)</li>
<li>Randi (Momastery)</li>
<li>Walter Fontenella (Dr. Andrew Fieo)</li>
<li>Rose Fieo (Dr. Andrew Fieo)</li>
<li>Jeff Leavitt (Neely Meals)</li>
</ol>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-4860969527539374442016-01-16T22:10:00.002-05:002016-01-16T22:24:33.062-05:00Broad Street 2016<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 15px; outline: none; padding: 0px; widows: auto;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #003663; font-family: Arial; font-size: 13px; font-weight: bold; line-height: 13px; text-align: start;">Our first race together- Run From the Sun in memory of Andy's cousin Melissa</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Running the Blue Cross Broad Street Run is something we have talked about doing for years. We decided 2016 is the year we WILL run it, and we've opted to join a team that raises money for the American Cancer Society. Here is our why...</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As we talked about running the race, and learned of a fantastic foundation and team in our area (Team CMMD), a list started forming in our minds. We do not want to see this list grow longer. We do not want any more of our friends and family, or their friends and family, on this list. We don't want people we don't even know on this list either, because they are someone's friend or family. This list brings us to tears because it is too long. Unfortunately we are not the only ones with a list like this. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The list is every person we know who is fighting cancer, has fought and over come cancer, or has lost their battle to cancer. Millions of people every year walk, run, bike, swim or whatever else, while raising money to help fight cancer. This is what we can do...we can make the commitment and continue to raise awareness and funds until there are no more people added to that awful list. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I never thought I could run 10 miles, I've never ran more than 4. I am nervous and excited and anxious and all of those things you feel when you commit to something you're not so sure you can do. But then I think about how lucky I am to be healthy, and I find it easier to commit to this challenge in honor of those who don't have that option due to their illness. I will run the 10 miles for everyone I know who has been affected by cancer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Please help us reach our goal of $1,000, no donation is too small. $1, 5, 25... it doesn't matter. We know that many small donations will add up to something extraordinary. Knowing we have your support would mean the world to us as we set out to do something that will make a difference in the fight against cancer. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Thank you...and if you live in the area, we'd love to have you come cheer us on in Philly on May 1st! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><span style="color: red;">PLEASE CONSIDER DONATING THROUGH OUR <a href="http://main.acsevents.org/goto/AC_Roth" target="_blank">FUNDRAISING PAGE</a>! ALL $ RAISED GOES DIRECTLY TO THE </span><span style="color: #351c75;">AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY</span><span style="color: red;">. </span></b></span></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-87076597938652281392014-04-26T23:54:00.000-04:002014-05-02T09:29:33.738-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">* a beautiful morning for driving across FL. I dropped John off at the airport around 8:30 and headed to Port St. Lucie. The drive was </span><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 19.9999942779541px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">gorgeous</em><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 19.9999942779541px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">! </em><span style="line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">It was a lot like the country part of our drive from Jacksonville to Ft. Myers. Beautiful open farm land, more cows than you can imagine and no traffic. I listened to my iPod on random (25,000 songs) so I heard a little bit of everything. </span><br style="line-height: 19.9999942779541px;" /><span style="line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">* finding a cute place with an outdoor patio to meet Melany for lunch in Port St. Lucie West. It was pretty incredible to see her after all these years (15)! It felt like no time had passed, and now I regret it took me so long to reach out. We have, and always have had, so much in common. I think it's pretty cool after so much time, we were able to talk about real-life things with each other. We are hoping to get together when she comes to NJ in June. </span><br style="line-height: 19.9999942779541px;" /><span style="line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">* an easy hour and a half drive from Port St. Lucie to Cocoa Beach. It was cute when I got there, the kids didn't know I was coming so they were surprised. </span><br style="line-height: 19.9999942779541px;" /><span style="line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">* drinking wine and hanging out with Jeff & Megan. We had black bean nachos and guacamole for dinner. It was really good and I'll definitely try making the same thing at home. Of course I'm telling myself I have to do a few weeks (at least) of clean eating before summer starts. </span><br style="line-height: 19.9999942779541px;" /><span style="line-height: 19.9999942779541px;">* Jeff being ok when he fell of the top of the car trying to get on the roof "because the view is so cool". I'll pretty much do anything but it didn't seem like a good idea to me. As I was going to check it out he fell and I was really worried he hit his head. He didn't and he was fine---he was very lucky.</span></span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-33623359143785382972014-04-10T22:15:00.001-04:002014-04-10T22:47:24.101-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Brooke writing back to me about the "It Works" wraps, I'm thinking about trying them out for the beginning of summer. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* booking my return flight from FL. I'm excited it works out for me to visit Megan and the kids for a few days. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* emailing with Jillian about this weekend. We're so excited for them to visit!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a great phone interview with a company I'm really interested in. It's in a new industry and I really hope it works out. I have another interview next week! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* beautiful weather today! I ran some errands before yoga and actually enjoyed driving around and getting in and out of the car. Thank God winter is over!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* talking with Kerry for a few minutes before class started. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* the restorative yoga class I went to tonight at Spirit of Yoga. It was so relaxing and calming, I loved it. I will definitely try to go again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* posting some fun pictures on Facebook for TBT and "Siblings Day". I have no idea if it's a real thing or not but all of the pics people were putting up were fun to look at. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_KXtBz3p1Nnhap44_rwkUjBJsq3WBMEAyVaSsAclUHjVqd240m-VtyZtzNEGZT57IEloD5HSoc1hvgN_wSGHQgcdhjBe3Ve7uX8197VKblBbaOkVPtVws31u10iIcK7c_Y5GxZohVKjb/s1600/chris.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_KXtBz3p1Nnhap44_rwkUjBJsq3WBMEAyVaSsAclUHjVqd240m-VtyZtzNEGZT57IEloD5HSoc1hvgN_wSGHQgcdhjBe3Ve7uX8197VKblBbaOkVPtVws31u10iIcK7c_Y5GxZohVKjb/s1600/chris.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My "TBT" picture- Nursery School Picture Day 1984</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXWVogxySXElD0jxuDF8P6GTeN4b2IFsrkZ17FUgKTZsGKODvgCUaHjayGzQ4r9HXGoAcQsf5XF8p16MjX1wRBsFreKD_-hDPAyxaqpTLAO5Uvubh41zJW3rg9Uxf1JzH_Izi8mVtCxex/s1600/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCXWVogxySXElD0jxuDF8P6GTeN4b2IFsrkZ17FUgKTZsGKODvgCUaHjayGzQ4r9HXGoAcQsf5XF8p16MjX1wRBsFreKD_-hDPAyxaqpTLAO5Uvubh41zJW3rg9Uxf1JzH_Izi8mVtCxex/s1600/shoes.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sisters!</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* watching Parenthood tonight (without DVR'ing). I couldn't wait to watch until tomorrow. Best show on TV!</span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-63352340573834920462014-04-09T22:33:00.000-04:002014-04-10T10:35:22.601-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a bagel from Bagels N Cream for breakfast. Still the best bagels I know of!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* talking with Ian for a while on my way to Long Island. It was a pretty easy drive---very little traffic and it was nice to see the sun!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* thinking of Mom-Mom as I passed the exit for Syossett. I wish she was still here. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a great lunch with Jenny, Linda, Steven & John at Miller's Ale House. We discovered there are a few locations in PA and I'd definitely like to go back. The desserts were <i>amazing</i>! Steven, John & I talked for a while after the girls left about what's going on with ICORP. I'm just telling myself everything will work itself out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* no traffic on the way home from Long Island!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* picking up the table from Pier 1 I ordered last week. I can't wait to put it together and finally have the area in the foyer decorated. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* getting an email from Jess---she had the baby!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* making myself do the elliptical and then doing some strength exercises. I ate a lot at lunch today and felt lethargic and full when I got home. The workout helped! I've been watching "Minute to Win It" on mute and listening to loud music and I've loved it. The show is fun to keep me occupied and you can watch without listening to the sound. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Andy making dinner- tacos and fresh guacamole. By the time I worked out and showered, I was actually hungry. We watched American Idol after the Phillies gave away their game...again. It's going to be a long season!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* chatting with Megan and confirming my visit for the end of the month. Woohoo!</span><br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-52974946708036066772014-04-07T16:06:00.005-04:002014-04-07T16:24:21.668-04:002014<div style="text-align: center;">
<u><b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Best Picture Nominees:</span></b></u></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">12 Years a Slave</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">American Hustle</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Captain Phillips</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dallas Buyers Club</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Gravity</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Her</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nebraska</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Philomena</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Wolf of Wall Street</span></div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-59469832187406237682014-04-07T16:06:00.002-04:002014-04-07T16:24:08.913-04:00Mission Possible?<div style="text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Last month, during the Academy Awards show, I realized we (I) had not seen one of the best picture nominees. I feel like every year during the awards show I vow to watch all of the movies nominated...and then never do. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the last few years, with DVR and Netflix, we've watched fewer and fewer movies. I don't really enjoy going to the theater (uncomfortable chairs, uncomfortable temperatures, noisy people and their eating of popcorn, wrinkling of candy wrappers, etc.) and we're almost always into watching a show. It takes a lot less commitment to watch an episode or two of a show on Netflix than it does to watch a 2-3 hour movie. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">However, there is something about getting lost in a movie. To me it's not as good as getting lost in a book, but it comes close. Once the movie grabs your attention, time flies by. If the movie is any good, it will leave you with intense feelings and thoughts and you will feel like it was 100% worth your time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year I decided to make an effort to start watching more movies. I thought it would be fun to keep track of my progress here. The plan is to start with 2014 best picture nominees, and work backwards through previous year's nominees.</span></div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-72692932709885948772014-04-03T23:28:00.000-04:002014-04-05T23:28:59.510-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* getting an email back from Precision Kettlebells saying they would extend my Groupon since there's no way I'll use 18 classes by May 11th.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* getting the house cleaned up this morning before Megan & El got here.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* watching last night's Nashville episode. I guess that show is my guilty pleasure because it's definitely soap opera like, but I love it anyway!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a great afternoon with Megan & El. We stayed here for a while catching up and shared a bottle champagne. El brought chips and dip and I put out some fresh salsa to go with them. They filled me in on all of the Park Power drama and how bad it's gotten there. It really is crazy to me how quickly things fell apart there, and I am really glad I decided to move on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going to lunch at Han Dynasty. I've wanted to try it since Erin mentioned it last week. It was pretty good---not the best I've ever had (they're ranked in CNN's Top 50 Chinese Restaurants) and definitely not as good as YangMing. Nevertheless, we had a good time continuing our conversation about everything that happened at Park Power and had some good laughs too.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a fun time at the Flyers game with Andy tonight---they lost which was a bummer but we saw Jeff Pilcicki and had some good bad-for-you stadium food.</span><br />
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<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-49336237423246881302014-04-02T23:04:00.000-04:002014-04-05T23:04:55.201-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* working on job search stuff most of the day---there are a lot of positions out there that I think I am qualified for. Now it's just a matter of figuring out what the right one is for me. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Jenn L. telling me she'd pass along my resume to her boss at Genex. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Phil Phil announcing summer tour dates for this summer with O.A.R. Excited to see him in July!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* talking with Jeff about the comp with the company I've been interviewing for. I am grateful for opportunities that are coming my way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going to another class at Precision Kettlebells. Today was a great workout and I liked the instuctor. I'm a little intimidated when I go there because everyone knows each other and I'm the smallest (and probably weakest) person there, but I know I'm getting a lot out of it so I'm going to keep going. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* picking up <u>Book Yourself Solid </u>&<u> I'd Rather Be In Charge </u>from the library today. I am looking forward to checking both of them out. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* using the chicken already made from the weekend for chicken quesadillas, and Andy made guac. We watched the Flyers game and American Idol. </span><br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-21783562869001601962014-04-01T22:34:00.000-04:002014-04-05T13:34:46.497-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Mom telling me she booked the house for Thanksgiving in Holden Beach. Glad to know we're definitely going this year!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Martha sending me info on an opening at her company. It took over an hour to apply on-line but hopefully listing her as a referral and reference will help my chances of hearing from them. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* connecting with BJ on LinkedIn. I haven't talked to her since I left Comcast but she is someone I'd love to catch up with. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going for a walk around our neighborhood before dinner. I walked for 45 minutes, looked at all of the different houses, saw some deer and listened to music. It was nice to feel the sun shining and to breathe in the fresh air. When I got home I went in the basement and did some planks and strength training. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* the sirloin coming out really good. I marinaded it overnight in raspberry wine walnut dressing (or something like that) and then seared it on the stove top and cooked through in the oven. I roasted asparagus and made quinoa as sides. Everything was excellent!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* being able to get DMB tickets through Warehouse Instant Ticketing for Steve.</span><br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-25387406992801357622014-03-31T23:39:00.000-04:002014-04-04T15:40:33.495-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* talking with John this morning about the magazine and what I can start working on. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* L'Occitane extending my 20% off coupon and giving me the discount on the products I ordered last night. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* catching up with Megan this afternoon. I'd really love to get back down there. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Andy coming home for lunch---we finished up the lunch meat and rolls from yesterday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going to Pier1 Imports in Paoli to check out the side table for our foyer area I found online last night. Finally, I think I found the one! I really liked it in the store and ordered it. Hopefully it looks great in that space. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5FDrlMec4tZnvGo59TZjm5QfQO4ZwRvLdldKZ7gFj4KHRM48Gzz9yfuzlso0LHafXEwmBkZ4hLukfTCd71Pnbkulsgg_MiQEXqPjiizNi9e6BSDjcazr97gNP_Xp7TheLkhHlqgdO_7w/s1600/table.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5FDrlMec4tZnvGo59TZjm5QfQO4ZwRvLdldKZ7gFj4KHRM48Gzz9yfuzlso0LHafXEwmBkZ4hLukfTCd71Pnbkulsgg_MiQEXqPjiizNi9e6BSDjcazr97gNP_Xp7TheLkhHlqgdO_7w/s1600/table.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Could this be the one?!?</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* making plans with Kerry to watch the HIMYM finale tonight. I've been so excited for the finale and I was happy to be able to watch it with them. I made a chicken taco dip to bring with us. We got there around 8pm and had pizza and the dip for dinner. Around 8:30 we started watching. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My thoughts on the finale:</span></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I think it was exactly what it should have been. No cheese, and brought everything together. I loved it and can't think of asking for them to do anything else. For those who "hated" it, what would have made you happy with the ending assuming you can't undo the other episodes this season that were less than stellar? They let Barney be Barney, (the George Clooney analogy was perfect.) They also showed Ted loved his wife fiercely before she got sick and died. He waited 6 years to tell his kids the story, and they saw how much he loved Robin. I can't think of anything I would have wanted them to change. What ever you think about this last season, it was a fantastic show and it will be very hard to replace. I feel the same way I felt when friends ended."</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">This is a show I am so happy Andy & I started watching a few years ago on Netflix. It gave us many laughs but always managed to pull at your heart strings just a little bit as well. I am glad we were able to watch the last season in real time. I thought they did a great job with the ending, and I've been surprised by all of the backlash. I typically expect to hate the ending of shows after they've been on the air for so long, but I believe they got this one right. I really am sad to say goodbye to this show. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* the end of March finally arriving. So over this winter, cold weather, dry skin, clouds and being cold all.the.time. I am looking forward to walks outside, outdoor concerts, BBQ's, enjoying our new house, backyard and neighborhood, and not having the heat running constantly. Good riddance March, hello April!</span><br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-45611166018570334592014-03-30T23:43:00.000-04:002014-04-03T11:08:37.848-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* no problems dropping off Jeff's car at the airport. We tried going to Total Wine in DE but it didn't open until 12. Oh well...We stopped by Andy's mom's house to pick up our mail and ran some errands. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Giant carrying Liscio's rolls. They make any sandwich better!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* great NCAA games today. Both MI teams lost which sucked because Andy would have won his pool, but at least they were good games. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* doing the P90X yoga workout. I was impressed myself that I was able to do it because I've heard it's really hard. It was definitely challenging and a great workout. I'll definitely do it again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* making a simple dinner with grilled chicken and sauteed spinach & roasted red peppers. It was so late by the time we finished exercising, I wanted something light. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* ordering some new products from L'Occitane. I love that brand and look forward to trying the things I ordered. </span><br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-65910168966804012462014-03-29T23:12:00.000-04:002014-04-03T10:08:52.210-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a BLT for breakfast to cure my "I drank too much good beer last night and now I have to go out and see a bunch of people I haven't seen in 10 years" situation this morning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* getting the house cleaned up before I left for West Chester in case people were coming back here after. Although no one ended up coming over, it was nice to have the house straightened up for when I got home. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a really nice time at Timothy's in West Chester. Jenn Forman put it together because she was home from FL. I loved seeing everyone, but seeing Amy Brown was so great. I've always wondered what happened to her, where she lives, etc. Jenn tracked her down and it felt as if no time had passed. Same thing with Melissa. Ali was there with her adorable kids and then some of the girls that I see pretty regularly (Kossler, Beckman, Steph, Abby, Lori). I hope we all do it again soon. I also tried to initiate conversation with A, although she was very clear that she didn't even want to make small talk. It makes me very uncomfortable and I wish things weren't the way they are. It's been three years and my stomach still turns when we end up at the same places. I try to remind myself I've done everything I can do to make things right, and it's just something I have to let go. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezsmpllLX9lbAsO9rONkeEYw4fbeDwxA2yADoAzk2yBY3IjlygcufzgFRTSzdJaVhmiCy7j8ZJe2eCh1jRmNgxdC2yRXdlNhgzJM0JxUm2de2ngcQw1HYwANqY6PIz9uJ37DpGHbwFFo-/s1600/IMG_9341.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgezsmpllLX9lbAsO9rONkeEYw4fbeDwxA2yADoAzk2yBY3IjlygcufzgFRTSzdJaVhmiCy7j8ZJe2eCh1jRmNgxdC2yRXdlNhgzJM0JxUm2de2ngcQw1HYwANqY6PIz9uJ37DpGHbwFFo-/s1600/IMG_9341.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The one lonely picture I have from our Timothy's reunion.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* watching basketball and relaxing for a bit when I got home. I was so tired from staying up late last night! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* making chicken piccata for dinner, it came out really good!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* the basketball games going Andy's way for the pool, now we just need both Michigan teams to win tomorrow!</span><br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-78743107027041959642014-03-28T23:59:00.000-04:002014-04-03T09:56:37.300-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* talking with Francine this morning. She really helped me see that it's ok to be going through <i>another</i> transition period, and that I am being a little hard on myself. We talked a lot about the Book Yourself Solid program and the possibilities of me becoming a coach. I really enjoyed me conversation with her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* catching up with Steven this morning and getting a bunch of stuff done for ICORP.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Andy picking up a pizza from Rocco's for dinner before we headed out to Ardmore. We took the train to Tired Hands brewery to meet up with Popejoy, Lauren, Becker & Ben. Their beers were awesome! I loved the atmosphere and will definitely go back. It would be a great place to go when we have visitors in town. After Tired Hands we went to McCloskey's for one more beer and music on the jukebox before it was time to catch the train home.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDWkZBhbPU_0e3wsfRxxcXUGb0GDcCsoXVvwgfLLmpK6WOATo2h762UQNvvBvUl7-gAAh-98zTPen6tIxboDNh8Xmllp4aMVXwnKGEoqmUOsPo-_ZkiTra-lgjlSZb0q3gPeRhSNKHw4U/s1600/March14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpDWkZBhbPU_0e3wsfRxxcXUGb0GDcCsoXVvwgfLLmpK6WOATo2h762UQNvvBvUl7-gAAh-98zTPen6tIxboDNh8Xmllp4aMVXwnKGEoqmUOsPo-_ZkiTra-lgjlSZb0q3gPeRhSNKHw4U/s1600/March14.jpg" height="320" width="247" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Good times in Ardmore.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* talking with Kelly as we were talking to Tired Hands from the train station. She told me her spring break is in April so we're trying to make plans to maybe visit Vanessa. It was good to catch up with her. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* listening to music and watching the end of the basketball game wen we got home. It was fun playing DJ and dancing around the living room/kitchen. </span><br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-79672505795747210992014-03-27T22:01:00.001-04:002014-03-27T22:35:15.708-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* John calling me this morning to tell me that I've impressed him over the years. Everything he said meant a lot to me, especially because I've been feeling kind of crappy lately. I keep telling myself everything will work out, but a sign that's actually true would be nice!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* deciding to send a message to our close group of friends from high school to collect donations and send something to the Mansmann family. I haven't been able to stop thinking about them since I found out the sad news yesterday. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Andy coming home for lunch- we did our standard Mexican with fresh guac and chicken quesadillas. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Jenn B. sending me some info about open pharma positions. I also found a few positions I would be interested in on LinkedIn and applied to those. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* talking with John a few times today about ways I can sell for the magazine while I'm figuring everything out. I also got some good work done for ICORP today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* having the courage to go to the kettlebell "boot camp" class tonight. Holy shit it was hard! I thought my heart was going to pound out of my chest. I was so close to just going to the body pump class at Unique Phyzique, but I told myself I was going to start using my Groupon classes at Precision Kettlebells today. Even at 5:15 (class started at 5:30) I was teetering back and forth. Now I know I can get through it and I will improve as I continue attending the classes. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Andy making dinner tonight- steak, salad and sliced potatoes. He made a red wine sauce to go with the steak and I sauteed a bunch of spinach in garlic & olive oil. It was very good and so nice to have someone make dinner for me. I pretty much do all of the cooking so it was a treat. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* catching up with Tara and Lisa D. It's been so long since I've seen/talked to either of them but it was nice to email back and forth a little today. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Andy telling me about the new ride at Great Adventure---now I just have to get my dad to agree to a visit there!</span>Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-71902959018798915832014-03-26T23:43:00.000-04:002014-03-27T23:00:36.609-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* waking up to an email from Francine asking if there is anything she can do to help me. I found it pretty crazy that I haven't heard from her since Feb. (when I said I'd call her and never did.) Then, the morning after I spend an entire night with Lori, she emails me.Weird!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* spending this morning thinking about a bunch of my high school friends after learning Mr. Mansmann passed away. Although I haven't seen TJ in years, I was so sad to learn of this news and felt so bad for him, Kristin and Mrs. Mansmann. Our group lived at that house during the second half of high school and so many great memories came back to me. I hate knowing news like this will continue for years to come as all of our parents age. :-(</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* talking with Dad for a little while when I got home from Lori's. I didn't talk to him this weekend so it had been over two weeks. It was nice to catch up and hear his voice. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a really nice experience at Scott Honda today. I took the Infiniti in for an oil change and they were very friendly and there were no issues at all. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* being able to laugh when I walked up to the SS office and it was closed...again! Last time I went I didn't know they close at 3pm, this time I went I didn't know they close <i>even earlier</i> on Wed. (at noon)! I was annoyed because I though I'd get the oil change and name change stuff done at the same time since they're 3 minutes away form each other. Oh well...now I have all of their hours memorized so I won't screw it up again. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going to the Level 3 yoga class at The Spirit of Yoga. I liked it the most out of the classes I've been to there. I'm not really loving "the space" in general, compared to other studios I've been to. I don't know why but I just don't like it. The class at least challenged me so that was good. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* talking with Kerry (finally) while I made dinner. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* watching American Idol after the Flyers game tonight. I'm not liking it as much as I thought I was going to in the beginning of the season. I don't think they ended up with the strongest singers in the top 13. I like a few of them a lot, but there's not really a stand out at all. I guess my favorite is Alex because he's the singer-songwriter in the group. He doesn't even come close to Phil Phil though. </span><br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-57551523452581648202014-03-25T23:25:00.000-04:002014-04-03T11:20:37.742-04:00<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* remembering Erin. 17 years, impossible to believe.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHajI5mj7Gl4GjmfTPOAEYAUWsnPJtCyL2IKzs-oNnqp4NKzVzEpFeZqushuCOil97uuCWC0peQjpN2RGJTcq-xit_FtsGqkvgC5InPxzmdBkGo6ZUxpMU-hHE7n4jowbKBGORxBzL3iR/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuHajI5mj7Gl4GjmfTPOAEYAUWsnPJtCyL2IKzs-oNnqp4NKzVzEpFeZqushuCOil97uuCWC0peQjpN2RGJTcq-xit_FtsGqkvgC5InPxzmdBkGo6ZUxpMU-hHE7n4jowbKBGORxBzL3iR/s1600/IMG_0001.jpg" height="200" width="160" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I always loved this picture of her. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* spending time on job stuff this morning. I found a position on idealist.com that I would love.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* getting a fair estimate for lawn cutting service this spring/summer. Ed B. also volunteered to come out and look at the electrical situation for hanging a TV above the fireplace. He told me we'd pretty much have to cut up the entire wall so I'm guessing we'll have to go with putting it on a stand.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* attempting to make a new dessert, kind of like a knockoff pecan pie. Instead of a pie it is made with a cookie like crust and then a topping made with brown sugar, honey, butter and pecans. It ended up being a little too sweet for me but it looked and smelled awesome!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going to Lori's for dinner and deciding to sleep over. Every time we get together we always feel like we run out of time. She picked up some chicken and sides from Wegman's, which were <i>awesome</i>! We drank wine and talked and talked and talked. I told her how I've been feeling about all of the job stuff, and my feelings of uncertainty and disappointment. We also talked about Michael Port's books and program, and her experience with giving a speech a few weeks ago. She is certainly a friend I am extremely grateful for.</span><br />
<br />Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-11759005833517165732014-03-18T23:57:00.000-04:002014-03-21T17:19:26.251-04:00<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* hanging out with Megan, Erilin and Lindsay for a little bit this morning. It was nice to talk with Lindsay for a little bit, she is the kids' babysitter and they all love her. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going over cleaning stuff with Megan and making a plan for this summer. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* spending time outside on the iPad working on job stuff/LinkedIn/follow-up. I also caught up on some personal emails. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going with Megan this afternoon to pick up with boys. I got to see their adorable school. After we got home I played baseball with Jeffrey in the backyard (was pretty impressed with myself, I was able to hit the ball really well. It brought me back to the days when I played softball.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going to baseball practice for Jeffrey. We played with Erilin on the playground while James went to the skate park and Jeffrey went to practice. I really don't think I've ever met a little kid with a personality as big as Erilin. I absolutely love that girl!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* an absolutely amazing yoga class tonight with Catherine. I really like the class last week and wanted to make sure I went again this week. It was a (very) hot yoga class. I think I lost 5 lbs. in water weight tonight. I felt strong and able to do everything she instructed. I even did a headstand (almost on my own). It really inspired me to make sure I keep up with practicing yoga at least 3x a week. Tonight was one of the best classes I've ever been to. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* making a pretty great dinner for Megan and myself. I made brussels sprouts with onion, garlic, s&p and bacon bacon with quinoa and a salad. I had a little bit of grilled chicken to go with it. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* talking with Andy for a few minutes tonight, catching up on the blog and watching a few episodes of 'About A Boy'. It's a cute show.</span></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-41204633300459903842014-03-17T23:59:00.000-04:002014-03-21T17:21:53.646-04:00<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going to the 9am yoga class with Jill. It was a nice class, not heated, but I got a good workout. I've really loved going to yoga almost every day and plan on keeping up with it when I get home, even if I do it on my own in the basement.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* spending some time outside listening to music and looking on-line for home gym equipment before it started raining. I found two sets of bands for P90X and risers. Still would like kettlebells, medicine balls and a bosu ball. </span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* signing up for a new meditation class with Oprah & Deepak Chopra. I signed up for the last two or three but didn't do them. The one starts mid-April and I plan on completing it!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Counting Crows announcing a summer tour. They are playing at the Borgata in AC!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Amazon.com- they really do have everything! I ordered a couple pairs of yoga shorts and a nail mat. I've read about them for some time, we'll see how I do with it. I also ordered Andy a pizza peel so he can start making homemade pizzas again. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* taking a walk with Andy on the beach before it was time to take them to the airport. We walked about 2 miles. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Tim trying to get the shithead kids that stole my flip-flops to return them to me. They ended up lying to his face, saying they didn't take them, even though they were laughing/yelling at me when they saw I couldn't find them. Tim's wife told me they don't have a mom and their dad is on drugs, so I actually felt bad for them. Obviously they have a tough life and they were just being bratty kids, but I still appreciated that he tried to teach them a lesson. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* no traffic going to the airport---it was pouring rain but I didn't hit traffic either way so that was good. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* playing Skateboard Madness with Jeffrey. It was nice to have some one on one time with him. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* hanging out with Meg for a while, talking and drinking wine, after the kids went to bed. We stayed up til about midnight. I feel like this trip is going by so fast!</span></div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-51727241737505631552014-03-16T23:43:00.000-04:002014-03-21T17:23:37.501-04:00<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span></div>
<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going to the yoga class this morning. I didn't realize it was a yoga nidra (yogic sleep) class. It doesn't really make sense to me to have a nidra class in the morning. I misread the schedule so I was surprised and had been expecting a workout. I decided to make the best of it and was able to relax a bit. The part where I had to cough, knowing it would interrupt the entire class, wasn't so fun, but overall it was a nice class. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* stopping at the farmers' market on the way back from yoga. I picked up lettuce, Brussels sprouts, peaches and tomatoes. Everything looked amazing, and it's all local. The prices were fair too. I wish we had something like that at home. I love Produce Junction, but none of their stuff is ever local. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going for a walk/run when I got back from yoga. I was disappointed because I didn't feel like I had a workout at all. I did 3.2 miles in 45 minutes, in 5 minute intervals of running and walking. Not great, but at least I did it. I haven't ran with any sense of consistency in months. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* spending some time on the beach this afternoon. I took Erilin down before everyone else came and we played in the sand and built sand castles. The boys went surfing/skinboarding again and we all made the best of a very windy day on the beach. Andy took some great pictures! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* hanging out in the backyard for a while after the beach. I read a few issues of Shape magazine and the kids played. The weather was beautiful at the house (no wind), but the lovebugs were ridiculously annoying! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* their flight being cancelled tonight. At first it was delayed until 11pm and then shortly after than notification they found out it was cancelled. Yay for one more day of fun in the sun for my honey. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going with Meg to run errands Dollar Tree and Publix. We found some fun stuff at Dollar Tree. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* having a few Blue Moons and snacking on guacamole and bruschetta while the kids ate pizza. Everyone was happy the flight was cancelled and we had a fun time with them. Eventually we ordered Slow N Low and had dinner while we watched Revenge. </span></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-60636562687107967582014-03-15T23:24:00.000-04:002014-03-21T17:33:19.461-04:00<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* everyone sleeping until 9am this morning. Megan, Jeff & I were up until after 4am singing, listening to music and drinking wine. We had such a good time but it wouldn't have been fun if the kids got up at 6. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going to Jeffrey's baseball game. It was so cute to see him in his uniform and trying so hard when he was up to bat. He is one of the youngest and smallest on his team but he definitely can throw and he didn't get frustrated. It was gorgeous out.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* stopping at Publix on the way home from baseball to pick up groceries and Andy's fried chicken. I don't know how long it's been since I last ate fried chicken (a long time!) but we got some because he kept telling us how great it is. We had some for lunch (it was tasty, although I felt so gross after) and then went to the beach. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* walking with James to the beach, oh boy. He was so focused on collecting lizards that he was not paying attention at all. When we got to the street I had to scream his name because he was in space land. That kid definitely makes me laugh. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* playing with Erilin in the sand making castles and drawings. Jeffrey & James surfed and skinboarded.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* watching last week's Parenthood while Jeff & Megan put the kids to bed. Love that show so much!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* grilling burgers for dinner. We all ate at different times and just relaxed---talking and watching TV in the living room. </span></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-25627767863086419682014-03-14T23:59:00.000-04:002014-03-21T17:30:07.080-04:00<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* spending a lot of the day reading "Gone Girl". I finally finished it! Excellent book, but the ending really annoyed me. It was interesting to me when I googled the book/ending. I found an interview with the author, and she said she never tried to make people mad with the ending, it was the only way she felt it made sense to end it. I thought she was setting it up for a sequel, she said that's not the case. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* a really great phone interview this afternoon with a company I am becoming more and more interested in working for. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* going to the Happy Hour warm yoga class at Sundari. I really love that place. The class was more crowded than most others. It was a great class!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* making everyone dinner tonight. I grilled chicken and added it to pasta with tomatoes, garlic and white wine. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* spending the evening drinking wine and talking about all kinds of stuff. Eventually Megan, Jeff and I ended up in the laundry room (yup, that's what you do when there are three sleeping kids and it's a one story, small house.) We played all of our favorite songs and sang and talked and polished off a couple bottles of wine. I could not believe it when it was 4am! </span></div>
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Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-659223670014551822.post-69225441746569112812014-03-13T23:40:00.000-04:002014-03-21T17:41:02.964-04:00<div style="border: 0px; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have gratitude today for...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* finally getting to sleep around 3:30am this morning. What a crazy night last night was with Andy's flight being so messed up! We woke up because of all the commotion early in the morning but moved back to one of the bedrooms and got a few more hours of decent sleep. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* spending a good part of the day outside reading "Gone Girl". I'm really loving this book! It reminded me I need to read more novels.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* watching the kids while Megan went to pick up Jeff from the airport. They were really good. We did puzzles and played games and watched Dora. It's been so great spending so much time with them!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">* Mexican for dinner when they got back from the airport. I made guacamole and tacos. It was a calm night and we just enjoyed talking and hanging out before everyone was tired enough to go to bed. </span></div>
Christinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00376635689405428137noreply@blogger.com0