Ready for March

 It pays to have clever, talented friends. My BFF made me this darling St.. Patrick's Day planner. I am an old school, paper and pencil kind of gal. I make notes for every day, who I need to call, where I need to go and what I need to do. These planners (she makes me one for most holidays) are essential to my daily organization.

I couldn't live without my planner....OR my BFF! Thanks, Jo!!

 

Mads

Maddy Moo...our first! She is growing into such a young lady. Some parts scary...some parts wonderful. Further proof that time stops for no man....or grammie...or child! She has a thought and opinion for just about everything! She is a master at the eye roll! It isn't easy being the first kid. I was the first and so was my husband. You are the experiment, to some extent. You grow up together with your parents because, no matter what age or stage you are in, it is a first for you AND a first for them. It's bound to have some rough spots. That's when it's good to come and hang out at Grammie and Pa's house.
There's always ice cream!!!

Heavy Medal

I did some redecorating in my office today. Previously, all my medals from races were back in the weight room where I seldom go. I decided to move them to a wall in my office that I stare at every day. Bed, Bath and Beyond curtain rod, with a coupon, of course, and a handy husband and his drill and here we are! As I slid each one onto the curtain rod, I recalled races. Some of them made me smile and others made me shudder!
When I told a friend today what I was planning on doing, she said, "What a good idea! Those are all earned, not given! You should display them where you can see them."
The good news is, there is still room on each end for MORE medals. Can't wait to add to my collection.

I Am the Tortoise

It's an age old story and we all know it. The hare and the tortoise run a race. Of course, the hare is faster and should be the inevitable winner, but it is not to be. He was cocky and let the tortoise slowly, steadily cruise right past him.
I have often said I am the tortoise in my races, especially the half marathons. After so many, I know the value of pacing myself. I know what my body can do. I know if I play it smart and keep to my plan, I will finish. And, that, for me, IS the whole idea. I never want it to say DNF (did not finish)after my name in the race results. So far, so good.
Yes, I want to do well. I am only challenging myself, nobody else.  As I age, I will get slower. It is a fact of life for most runners. The mind is what tells the physical body what to physically accomplish. Before anything is done physically, it is previously enacted as a mental process. I see people running next to me in races that don't look anything like a runner. In fact, many are overweight and struggling, and, yet, at times, they are ahead of me in the pack. They have told themselves they will accomplish this and the body follows. They chose to be there and finish, no matter what. I say bravo to them!
As I get older, I realize more and more that celebrating the finish line is just as important as celebrating the finish time.
Cheers to many more finish lines!
Biggsuzi

Childhood Friends

"Childhood friendship is the most beautiful memory that cannot ever be replaced."
It is such a joy to watch our grandkids develop special friendships at such a young age. Little do they know what a precious gift it is to have a few people in their lives that will, hopefully, be there forever. As parents, you can't force these bonds. They are created by feelings of caring and love that, as a young child, they may not even understand. All they know is, when they are around their friend, they feel happy. They can't wait to see them the next time. They can't wait  to tell them something that happened. They can't wait to laugh and make more memories together.
What a blessing!