24 Days ~ Love Austin

“26.2 Miles…I’m looking forward to regretting this”

All marathon runners have a story.  Most all can remember what they were doing at a particular mile marker in a particular race.  Since there are 24 days until the Austin Marathon, I’ll share a story about mile 24.

In February 2000 I ran my first full marathon.  It also happened to be in Austin.  I felt like I had done well most of the way.  Following Mom’s advice, taking extra care to hydrate.  There was something happening in Lubbock so Mom and Nene couldn’t be there; but that was ok.  Donnie and I were both newbies, him to being a support group and me to running anymore than 10 miles at one time.  Mom had given him advice as well, things like, “make sure each time you see her on the course talk to her make sure she’s not disoriented.”   I met Donnie at mile 18, I couldn’t have felt better.  A hug and a kiss and I was back on the course.  Five miles later I was in tears, I was hitting the wall.  By the time I got to mile 24, I was crying, hardly walking, and wondering why I had done this.  God answered my prayers, at that very moment, and brought Donnie to the course to see me.  I was able to gather enough strength to walk over to him and say, “I wanna get in the car and go home.”  For the rest of my life I will never forget what he said to me,he said, “You can’t I’m parked two miles away you might as well finish.  You’ll finish before I get back to the car.”  Ronnie: ”BLAAAAHAAAHAAA!!! YOU DON’T LOVE ME ANYMORE AND WANT ME TO DIE!!”

unfortunately for both of us, Donnie was right (again).  I finished the marathon that day, and he missed seeing me because after he got to the car he was stuck in traffic.

Couples who run are just like us.

This weekend during my recovery run; I found myself thinking how I wished Donnie was a runner.  Donnie and I have friends that run together.  I always find myself thinking, “How awesome they both run, and run together too.”  The funny part of this is, as most of you, my family, know, Donnie and I work together.  So outside of my running, we pretty much spend ALL our time together.

Well he’s made it very clear he is not a runner, and God only gave him so many steps to take in this life he says he isn’t going to waste them all running around in circles.  So back to my long run:

I found myself running behind a married couple, and again thinking, “How awesome that they run together, I wish Donnie ran with me.”  They stopped briefly to check directions that were printed on a small piece of paper.  As the wife handed the directions to her husband, he looked at her in frustration and said, “YOU KNOW I DON’T HAVE MY GLASSES, HOW DO YOU EXPECT ME TO READ THAT?”  She quickly, said, “Oh, I’m sorry I forgot.”  She read the directions to him and kept on going.  It was then I knew what we would look and sound like if we both ran.

Running, Solace, HEY THAT’S A STOP SIGN!

People have different outlets for stress.  Some people dance and others laugh; for me it’s running.  Yesterday while running through my neighborhood, I came to a 4-way stop.  I consider myself a courteous pedestrian, so as I approached the stop I waited until I was given the signal by drivers that I was acknowledged and it was safe for me to cross.  I was in the middle of the intersection when a vehicle, ignoring all other stopped vehicles, blew all the signs that a pedestrian MAY be crossing.  I am obviously sooooo small that the driver could not see me    HA!

     I wanted to scream, “I was in the zone! Me and Elvis singing Burnin’ Love” I survived crossing the intersection, but continued to mumble under my breath how much I dislike running where people aren’t courteous drivers.  A message from me to ALL who read my blog; Thanks for sharing the road with me, and my fellow runners, walkers, cyclists and motorcycles. Thanks for taking the time, to put down your cell phone, put your make up on at home, and leave for your destination on time.

Have you ever…?

Have you ever walked into an empty restaurant, sat down to order, and then watch the restaurant suddenly get busy?  I have, and I thought, “How lucky was I today?”  Or drive up to a busy parking lot and find a big fat Suburban size parking spot just waiting for you, in the front?  These things don’t happen to me often, but when they do, I should remember them, especially when I have a day like yesterday.

Yesterday I walked into a outdoorsy kind of store to purchase a GPS watch, only to find out from the sales person that, “darn, I’m sorry ma’am I just sold the last one just before you walked in.”  Well gee whiz, sonny I’ll guess you just popped the last piece of gum in your mouth too.  I left the store frustrated.  I went to the giant discount store, salesperson: “Garmin who?  I think he’s on break.”  I walked away counting to 10.  I went to one more store, “Garmin watch? You might want to check in jewelry or auto parts.”  Hahaha, [sarcastic laugh].  Ronnie, just move away calmly, no one here wants to get hurt.

I came home watch-less and frustrated.  My kid even called me mean…all I know is, it’s a conspiracy, or an evil plot hatched by the watchmakers of the world pressing me to purchase a ipod nano.   Mom, please buy me one. (This tactic worked for Kayla.)

Cruisin According to My Mom

OK …so I went on this 4 day Cruise. It was suppose to be relaxing and fun…Don’t get me wrong IT WAS….I ran on the top Deck on the jogging track (pretty neat being surrounded by water) Ate at all the fancy Dinners, went to several Cooking Classes, attended a WINE AND Food pairing class ,had a massage . I even went Disco dancing ( since nobody that really knew me was there)  Went to to Cozumel  and was initiated by the TEQUILA girls .  I never got seasick either.  The Group I went with did, and they have all gone on cruises before ( don’t know what that was all about)   NOW>>>>catch…..I am on serious detoxification and will have to eat very carefully for months.  Nobody warned be that when I go home  I would not fit through the Door.  Oh my gosh  I am appalled at myself.  I had to go into the storage closet and get out FAT clothes…Oh well it was FUN.

Merry Christmas from the Family

There are many Christmas “anthems” where certain families can relate; but none like this one.  As I listened to the song I thought of Christmas’s past.  I remembered making the pilgrimage to Rosebud from Petersburg.  Christmas at Aunt Lucia’s house, Santa coming through the front door, which by the way, was the only time I remember the front door being opened.  All I knew was Santa had to put his weight behind that door!  He’d stumble in saying “HO HO HO, MERRY CHRISTMAS!”  Then after the presents were opened he’d celebrate, drinking a few beers with his brothers.  I can’t tell you who Santa ever was, but I think Aunt Lucia always knew.

Then there are the stories I would hear about how fortunate we were; we got real toys to break, Grandma and Grandpa got fruit in a sock.  Now our kids get gift cards to go buy their own stuff to break.  Still Christmas only comes once a year, and there’s one more thing that hasn’t changed; everyone still spends an entire year saying, “ooh, I want that, I’m gonna put it on my Christmas list!”

What’s on your Christmas list?

What’s wrong with this picture?

For the past 3 years we contemplate skipping the Christmas light ritual.  Although, the thought of being excommunicated from our block usually changes our mind.  We do, after all, live next door to Clark Grizwold, and it just wouldn’t seem right to have the one dark house on the block right next door to a house that looks like it marks the beginning of the Vegas Strip.

This year Donnie decided that the boys would put the lights up; after all, they are 16 and 17 and we trust them enough to operate a motor vehicle.  Well, I don’t need to say anymore.  Here is the result:

Something isn't right about this

Don’t miss a thing

Check out all the pages & LEAVE COMMENTS.  Just click “comments”.  Scroll all the way to the bottom

If you missed the dance last night; then DANCE RIGHT NOW! While your checking out the pics.  Nikki this is for you

Love to everyone

Ronnie

You Make Me Smile ~ Rosie & Gilbert’s Pride & Joy

These pictures speak for themselves!

 

Another Halloween Story

Every year Donnie and I used to have a Halloween party.  It was/is Donnie’s favorite holiday.

He always seems to play whoever he dressed as, well.  One year he was Herman Munster.  He looked so funny I couldn’t even dress myself.  I, of course, was supposed to be Lily.  Anyway, by later in the evening his “stitches” were smeared and everyone at the party were trying on the bolts.

Again, call me cheap, that was the same year that Zack decided to be Jethro Bodine.  The best part; he BORROWED, Donnie’s Bubba teeth, he used a rope for suspenders and stuffed a pillow inside his shirt for a belly.  He came back with more candy than Michael and Kayla put together.  What is it about bad teeth and the need to give a kid who has them, MORE CANDY?  Someone help!