Today I got my NYC Half Marathon official photo in the mail. First of all, I got a free 4x6 because I ordered a 4x6. This would be a great deal if I knew someone who wanted the other 4x6. I could send it to the lady who is walking beside me, but I don't know her name or address. So I guess that sometimes free is not so great after all.
Second, the picture is mostly of Times Square, with a tiny little me somewhere near the bottom. This is good, because it highlights Times Square, and lowlights me and my bulgy belly under my sweat-water-gatorade-soaked shirt. So I guess bigger is not always better - at least in terms of your part in a picture.
The question remains - why did I order one? It simple - I wanted proof that I actually was there (and not last); I thought it was a cool picture of the whole event; I wanted to remember my unknown buddy who helped me get through the middle, hot, agonizing part of the race; and I keep a race scrapbook.
Besides, what else would I blog about today? ____________________________________________________________________ Gifts that make today special: Panera delivered by Maribeth and Molly; race pics; phone chat with Marilyn
This evening, Steve and I watched Disney's "Planet Earth" on DVD. The photography was beautiful, and there was much to like. However, there were also the predator scenes where we had to watch the "circle of life" as one animal hunted down another in order to sustain life. I get it - I just don't like to watch it. There was no blood and guts involved, but it didn't make the whole thing any more palatable for me. I understand it's the way nature is - it still makes me sad.
I read on the news that Patrick Swayze died today. He entertained us with his talents, and inspired us with his fight against the cancer that would eventually take his life. In recent months, it was obvious that he wasn't doing well, and I guess the world knew this day would come. But it's still sad that he's left this world.
My junior high band director died today. Mrs. Mac was a woman who was like none other in my little Southern hometown. She knew what she wanted and pursued her own path, encouraging me to do the same. She's been very ill for several months, and today her body finally just gave up the fight. Even though I haven't seen her for many, many years, today I feel a profound loss for a woman who inspired me so much. And while I know she's at peace and rest, I still wish she were here to enjoy her family a little longer.
I don't like death. Many times it's so unexplainable and seemingly unnecessary. Sometimes it's a welcome relief for a painful illness, but still bittersweet. Sometimes it's a part of this life and just happens. But it still is painful to me to witness, no matter how I come across it. I guess I have to realize that death is only a small part of this life, and it's the life lived that matters in the end. It's the life that enriches and encourages our own, it's the life that we recognize will create a void in our own, and it's the life that we realize we valued - almost too late.
Maybe that's part of the lesson that death teaches us - to see all the life around us and practice a little more love and appreciation on those lives. I believe that God has another life out there for us - but He wants us to see the gift of life that we have here.
Tonight I'm thankful for all the lives that surround me - especially yours, if you're reading this. I'm thankful for your love and support and friendship. I'm thankful for you and your life. And I'm thankful that I didn't wait for death to remind me of how blessed and thankful I am. _______________________________________________________________________ Gifts that make today special: Edythe's McArthur's impact on my life; watching Disney's Earth (well, most of it)
It's taken awhile, but with a little help, today was the day for this month's 100 Things. My goal was to rid my attic of 100 things - if I could first unload the ENTIRE attic to get to the 100 things. Being summer, it's not the best time to scrounge around in an attic with no insulation. The roof dudes left quite a bit of roof giblets when installing the ridge vent, so in other words, it was a mess. Heat plus mess equals I Don't Want To Do It.
But, inspiration came in the guise of Molly's friend Michaela, who was up for a challenge, especially since yesterday I roped her into cutting down a tree in Molly's front yard. Michaela came over, I shoved her into the attic like the a witch throwing Gretel into the oven, and she commenced to pulling containers and boxes out of the great abyss.
What a disaster. Junk in the attic is nothing - until you pull it out and start going through it. It's mostly a bunch of stuff being saved - for no really good reason. Here are a few of the "treasures" that I uncovered:
There are toys that my children played with - so why am I keeping them? Yes, I will be having a granddaughter in a few months. But I hope I can afford a few new things for her to play with. Besides, all the stuff my children played with when they were little are probably now outlawed by the Toy Police as being dangerous.
There's the cake topper that was on my wedding cake. I think I hoped that varmints would chew it up because of the cake giblets that were left. Cake topper is intact - but now it's brown. I don't think anyone will be interested in using that!!
A few baby clothes - again, I think I can afford a few new togs. New ones without the stains on them. Maybe I'll just force them on Lynnette and let her get rid of them!!
Halloween and Easter decorations. I don't decorate for either, so out they go.
Six billion frames with no pictures in them. Out they go. My new plan is to get the picture FIRST, then go buy the frame. This "I'll hold on to the frame, maybe I'll need it for a picture" isn't working so well.
Containers of every size and shape. What can I say - I like to be organized - even for stuff that I don't physically possess. I believe that if I possess fewer things, then I don't need the containers to organize them. I'm smart like that.
American Girl dolls and accessories. Maybe it's time to return custody to their mothers.
So, in the next few days I will put the remaining treasures back into the attic. I'll still keep my wedding dress (that I keep an a shoebox) and the Christmas decorations (the one holiday I do decorate). After all, something's got to go in the attic!! ____________________________________________________________________
Gifts that make today special: Attic clean out; dinner delivery by Steve; napping
So have a nice weekend! ________________________________________________________________________
Gifts that make today special: Last day of boot camp - for a week, anyway; CPK with the Ms; Whole Foods cooking class with Maribeth; Sawing down the tree with Molly and Michaela
Today I got my NYC Half Marathon official photo in the mail. First of all, I got a free 4x6 because I ordered a 4x6. This would be a great deal if I knew someone who wanted the other 4x6. I could send it to the lady who is walking beside me, but I don't know her name or address. So I guess that sometimes free is not so great after all.