NOW I CAN GO BACK TO WALKING...

thank goodness!  I never thought running was good for you and still am not sure...but about 5 years ago when I wanted to jump on the OKC Marathon bandwagon with the rest of my family I started running on the flat parts of my walk.  I did relays for a couple of years, then the last two kicked it up a notch with half-marathons.  This year I ran 6.2 (yes, I have to include the point 2) on a relay team due to recuperating from my surgery.  And it felt good.  I felt STRONG.  Thank you, God!

Now for the other marathon stories (and if you stick with me you'll get a real goody at the end)!  This was the first year I ever road the shuttle bus back to the finish line...and I survived.  Pretty much everybody on that bus was in a daze, like me.  But I did find this old friend, Kim!  She doesn't look old at all, though, does she?  Just as cute as ever and her hair isn't even messed up...not fair.  Anyway, our daughters were in elementary school together 15 years ago at Washington Irving!

Then there's this crazy kid... he ran the half-marathon with NO training.  It wasn't planned, another friend's Dad had to bow out due to a back injury and gave him his registration.  Although he has run Cross Country in the past, he did not enroll this year due to the coach expecting too much (in his opinion).  Thankfully he had a good time and didn't suffer any injuries.  But by the look on his face when got into the car, I hope he learned something!

Another cool thing this year was one of our Team OC shirt sponsors is a good friend of ours - they donated in honor of their dad, Tom, who passed away recently.  

And now, what you've all been waiting for...the goody.  Or maybe TMI for some of you!  Let me just say that they should put some porta potties at the shuttle drop off locations!  After running my leg of the relay and recovering somewhat on that bumpy, lurching bus, I needed one fast.  But unfortunately I had to walk several blocks, and you guessed it, lost it about 20 feet away from the door.  I almost made it!!!  So anyway, the rest of the morning waiting for my husband and son to finish the half-marathon, I had to go commando...

Every marathon has a special story!

I AM A FAN...

of this book!  I got it Wednesday and I'm already half-way through it.  Yes, it's an easy read but with really good thought provoking stuff!

It's also on sale this week for $5.  Maybe I'm easily swayed but I don't part with my money easily!  I usually can wait and get on the waiting list for books at the library...yeah, I'm old school that way.  But I went into Mardel Wednesday looking for another book which they didn't have, and two spirit-led moments happened.  One was I bumped into a minister's wife at our church.  We chatted and she was telling me they leave for Africa in 6 days and how crazy busy and unprepared she felt - even though they've been many times.  She said she hadn't even picked up some little gifts or school supplies for the kids there.  Well, that's a no-brainer for me - I love to shop!  I told her my Bible class would take care of it.  Neat to have opportunities from the Holy Spirit given to you like that!  Also, a friend of mine, sweaty from her workout, buzzed past me with 5 copies of this book in her hands.  She explained it was such a good book she was buying them for her girlfriends since they were $10 off the regular price this week.  So after not being able to get the book I wanted, I looked it over, and bought it.

And it's good.  You might want to hurry and get one before they're gone!

FINAL FINALS...

It's really hard to believe this is it - she's graduating!!!  Seems like just yesterday we dropped her off at college!  I sent my daughter her last "Finals Fuel," a spin-off of boxes of goodies and encouragement I have made before at Moms in Touch.  Universities sell something similar through some group usually, but I like to make my own.  I usually put in some homemade bread, some favorite goodies and scriptures of encouragement.

I was thinking about how I should continue this for people who are sick or just need a lift!  Hmmm...got my wheels a turning now! What little goodies do you send to students or others needing an "energy boost?"

BLINGY WEDDING...

It's that time again!  The weddings are picking up and we have plenty to attend!  We went to a good friend's wedding this past weekend and I was especially excited because I knew she would be displaying wedding gowns from their family!  Here's a few pics:

Edgar Cruz playing at the wedding and reception - Awesome classical guitarist!

 BLINGY brooch bouquet!  (Wow, I wish I wouldn't have fumbled this and forgotten the flash!  I hated to keep the bride waiting, tho)  I think these bouquets are so incredible and  hers is the first one I've ever seen.

The giant "T" signed by guests, displayed at the reception.

This is what I mentioned earlier...both mothers and 4 grandmothers of the bride and groom had their wedding gowns displayed!  I was really just blown away at how well preserved they all looked!  There were pictures of the brides just to the right of this display so you could tell whose was whose.

More BLING on the wedding cake!  She also had faux crystals in the table decor but it wasn't overdone.  The whole thing was just really neat and fun.  My friend obviously should be a wedding planner - such attention to detail!

YOU MAKE BEAUTIFUL THINGS...

                                      You make beautiful things out of dust

                                            You make beautiful things

You make beautiful things out of us....Gungor

                    Praise to our God, the Master Artist and maker of beautiful things!

NOT TODAY, NOT EVER...

                                                          YUCK

KENDALL'S CHICKEN WITHOUT KENDALL...

We had our last college dinner for a while last night.  One of my son's roommates, Kendall, had talked about some chicken I made last year, which I couldn't even remember what it was!!! I think I had tried a new recipe but didn't hang onto it.  Anyway, a few months later he was raving about it, so I thought I'd make something like it last night.  We had what I dubbed Kendall's Chicken, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, carrots, cantaloup, Grandma's orange jello salad, rolls with herb butter, Oreo Ice Cream dessert, and Lemon Bars for the non-chocolate eaters.  Unfortunately, Kendall didn't make it, so I made sure all the others will let him know:  Kendall's Chicken was purty good!

What an exciting, scary time of life!  Some are working this summer, some hope to be working, some have internships, some are engaged to be married!  Prayers for all these college kids as they head off for a few months.  Speaking of engaged:

My nephew and his bride-to-be are getting married in December!  They are highschool sweethearts and it will be so much fun to have another great girl in our family!