Boys and Girls Club 5k Run

I need goals, milestones, small accomplishments.  Make it to the mailbox.  Good job.  Okay, now make it to the telephone pole far ahead.  You can do this, just watch your breathing.  I'm good with goals.

I've been wanting to get back into running road races for some time now, not really wanting to go it alone, but unable to find someone to 'run' with - and by 'run' I mean, go thru the motions with me because I can't talk or keep another's pace while running, so it's not for the companionship just the motivation. :)  I ran a few races in my day around four years ago!  The two (out of three) I remember are:

1)  March 2006 - St. Patty's Day 8k with Julie and Mike, took approx 50 mins (not too shabby); I enjoyed this course since it would bend upon itself (essentially, the persons ahead of you would pull a you-ie and run against you, which gave me motivation to keep going - if they can do it, so can I).

2)  April 2007 - Fodderstack 10k with the bro (a smoker and a drinker, still beat me!), don't even remember my time, very long hard course that didn't bend upon itself at all! with hills too; one hill so bad, there was an ambulance at the top to help people.  I walked part of that race, but did finish the last mile running.

Fast forward three and a half years...

3)  Oct 2010 - Boys and Girls 5k, time: 38:54.  I am happy with that time seeing as I haven't played soccer in three years and haven't been working out hardcore to prepare for the race.  Here's some pictures...


Crack of Dawn, Sun Oct 24th - Before the race (time stamp is wrong)


Don't I look tired??  Oh man I was but also jazzed up/nervous for the run!  I actually received the leggings as a 'favorite gift' from my friend Jodi the evening before (the pretty one in blue in the attached post on Joy's blog; Jodi is a hardcore runner so I thought it was perfect)  :)  Jay came with me to the race and would sneak up at one of the hills or corners when I least expected him - a pleasant surprise pushing me to give it my all as to not dissapoint him or myself.  This course was full of HILLS as it wound thru downtown Warrenton. 

I made it though...near the back end and I definitely walked a chunk of it, but I finished it while running still!  I got done and cried.  I always do after a road race - the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment, knowing my two legs took me the whole way, I didn't give up, the relief of it being over - all those emotions run through me and I always cry! :) I'm silly that way...

I ate an orange and a banana, had some water and stayed until the last runner came thru for the 10k (basically you run the course twice) cheering them on.  I didn't place or receive a medal, but I got this snazzy t-shirt. 

My next race is a 5k race tomorrow in Marshall at the Coleman Elementary School.  I'll be huffing it alone since Home Depot is coming out again but I know The Husband is there in spirit cheering me on!  Will let you know how it goes... 

Bunky's New Home

Some of you might remember this story from a few years ago; others might not have heard it yet.  In honor of Veteran’s Day and a community that came together, I have to share it again…

A dear friend of mine and one of my brother’s best friends, Bunky is an Army Ranger who left for boot camp right after high school in 2001.  He was the lead in his battalion and was the first to go into a location and scope out the scene; he is a Ranger, one of few elite and held the position with honor and pride.  He was less than a month shy of coming home after two tours overseas when a sniper shot him from behind.  The bullet came in the back of his neck and out his jaw, paralyzing him from the shoulders down.  Even being hurt, he didn’t want to leave his friends, his ‘brothers’.  He was transported to Germany for a short while before being transferred to Walter Reed Hospital.  I visited him at Walter Reed and was amazed at how positive he was, even in his condition at the time.  It was overwhelming…his fellow soldiers came to visit him that day – they had been there when he was shot and came from all over the states to show their support and love.  Bunky was released and Front Royal (our hometown) embraced him, raising money with a Bachelor Auction and Food Drives, helping to buy a much needed van and wheelchair.  His parents helped to take care of him, splitting their time between two houses. 

Homes For Our Troops heard about Bunky’s story and decided he needed a proper home.  Three of the largest builders in town decided to help, along with friends and citizens of Front Royal.  My brother and his friends first and foremost…  The town and local companies donated their time and money to build him a gorgeous home in the mountains of Browntown!  My dad’s company, Heartwood Solid Surfaces, donated the corian for the bathrooms, shower and tub surrounds.  The official key ceremony was last night, when Bunky first saw the inside finished product.  I had the priveledge to be there last night, missing the ceremony, but being able to see Bunky and his gorgeous house.  It gave you chills just walking in the front door – seeing the possibilities ahead for him and knowing that Front Royal helped to build this for him.  He absolutely deserves this home and all the memories that will be made here!  Happy Veteran’s Day!

Here are a few articles and videos to commemorate the event:

Northern Virginia Daily - May 2010

Fox Five News - Nov 2010

Northern Virginia Daily - Nov 2010

Winchester - Nov 2010

Bunky and I - 2001 - Last day before shipping off to the Army

Baby A

Our dear friends Joy and Kevin are parents!  They have a tiny baby boy, Owen Charles, as of Sunday morning.  I am beyond thrilled for them both! 

Joy called yesterday morning and passed along the wonderful news.  'Hey Sue, I have some good news...I'm a Mom!'  Even over the phone, I could hear the smile in her voice.  She said everything went well, he has a full head of dark hair and they were excited to get Owen home to settle in together - their new family.  I wonder how Skylar is doing with the newest addition??

They are parents - Mom and Dad...  I know we are at that age, but the magnitude of that change is amazing to me still - I'm not sure if that will ever dissipate.  This new, tiny little bundle is all theirs to love and cuddle and teach and protect. 

Jay and I are hoping to go visit this Sunday...can't wait to meet the little guy! :)  Gotta get working on this quilt...

Try Again Friday

I live in Warrenton and work in Reston.  Jacqui** lives in Fairfax and works in Rosslyn.  We are always trying to meet up and catch up after work.  When the stars align, we usually sit outside 'Bucks (as she lovingly calls it) and talk for hours, literally - her with a fancy coffee drink and me with my extra whip hot chocolate.  It's wonderful! 

Most evenings we play the try again game... I'll shoot her a text when I'm close to leaving work or she'll send me on when she's on the metro, but the usual responses are 'Already home, will try again', 'Still at work, will try again' or 'Have plans, will try again'.  So we've dubbed it the try again game and get a slight kick out of the numerous weeks where we try to meet up but it just doesn't work.  One of the best parts is that neither of us gets upset if it just doesn't work one evening because we understand busy and know it will work out eventually.

Alas, we have a solution - better than we've been doing at least.  It's called, you guessed it, Try Again Friday.  Every couple of Fridays, we meet in Gainesville after Jacqui has taken the train home and at times after I've been home to feed and take care of the zoo.  I love Jacqui for meeting me half way in Gainesville after she's been at work, on the train and in traffic.  It makes me feel not so far away!  Depending on timing, we'll grab a quick bite or just 'Bucks then it depends...tonight we walked around Target for well over an hour - didn't buy one thing (yay us!) - and I had a great time!  We toured the store basically - starting out in home goods, venturing to the pjs and sweatpants, the candle section (I think we sniffed every candle they have - Home Goods brand is nasty and Yankee still wins every time), clearance Halloween, Christmas (can't believe it's around the corner!!), scarves, hats and finally socks :)

I can't wait for our next Try Again Friday!

**Jacqui and I met once while at Mason - she lived in the same building as Megs and Sallie.  I'd see her occasionally at the Pourhouse, but not often.  Fast forward five years, Sallie is getting married in St. Thomas (gorgeous!) with Jacqui as a bridesmaid and myself as a guest; we happened to be on the same flight.  I stayed at her place and Stephanie took us to the metro which led into Reagan Airport at o'dark hours.  We were sitting on the plane, excited to start the trip and over the intercom comes '...everyone traveling to the Islands needed to leave the plane due to a delay on the runway...' and we wouldn't make our connection.  Our luggage stays and off it goes - no delay, pretty much took off immediately!  We catch a later flight that leaves us in Miami with a six hour layover - that is where our friendship blossomed...sitting outside the Miami airport, smoking cigarettes and eating pizza and bananas, missing all the fun, wishing we were in St. Thomas! We finally made it later that evening and had a fabulous time.  But that trip solidified our friendship - I wouldn't be the person I am today without her.  Over the years she's sat and listened to my crying over broken hearts, broken families, the excitement of buying my first home, new jobs, Halloweens and Valentine's Days, road trips, finding love and being a bridesmaid at my wedding.  I can't imagine my life without her in it... Love you girl!

Switch!

This room I'm sitting in right now has evolved since we've lived here...  It originally started out as the dining room - easily decided when we first moved in with the only problem being we don't use the dining room much - I don't even have pictures of it being used as a dining room!  During the week with our opposite schedules, we fly solo for meals at home.  We needed a better use of the space...



After some rearranging of rooms last winter, it became our Office.  It was a nice bright alternative to the extra bedroom, which we turned into the playroom for Erin and Bailey.  This is when we first rearranged in February. 

Where did the dining room go, you ask?  We put it in the study (I guess that's what you'd call this room) off the kitchen.  It's now perfectly placed at arms reach to the kitchen.  Only downside is when the table is fully open, it's a tight squeeze to get around, which might even be an understatement!  We bought the chandelier you see in the picture above for the dining room table, so that was moved as well and a ceiling fan took it's place.  Here's a pic of the dining room...

Wow, this picture is OLD!  We now have the chandelier on the ceiling and a large armoire where the dresser is, which is a close matching set to the table.  And yes, the walls are that ugly peach pink!!  I need to paint it badly...

The office space is similar still, yet evolved to an even better situation - we added a library. :)  I absolutely love (love, love, love, love, love) the idea of floor to ceiling bookcases with so many books to get lost in!  Thanks to my friend Jacqui and her spending spree, I picked up four well-loved white bookcases she no longer needed.  I finally got my 'library'...

I like it best this way...eventually we might close off the door to the kitchen and add french doors between the office/library and the living room.  Paint is next...gotta pick a color...

She Sees... He Sees...

She sees...unpainted walls without any color.
He sees...perfectly fine walls for the time being.


She sees...the perfect piece of furniture to hold towels and bed linens.
He sees...a bathroom that needs to be remodeled.

She sees...the temperature is dropping fast!
He sees...a chimney that needs to be cleaned before using.

She sees...a back screen door that is letting in a draft.
He sees...the need to switch out the screen for the glass insert.

She sees...the beautiful backyard view from the dining room windows.
He sees...drafty windows that need some insulating curtains.

I was running through this exercise in my head tonight on my way home realizing that in many situations we see different needs.  At first this struck me as alarming - how are we going to get through this journey when we don't see the same thing? - but then I came to the conclusion that it's okay that we don't see eye to eye on everything.  Opposites attract...the yin and the yang...I guess you'd say, I'm the dreamer forgetful one and he's the practical one.  He keeps me grounded and on my toes at the same time. :) 

We do see eye to eye on the important things...

She sees...our children growing up in this house.
He sees...this house growing old with us.

She sees...us enjoying a fabulous view on the front porch swing holding hands.
He sees...grandchildren laughing in the front yard.

She sees...a hound dog curled up beside us.
He sees...a hound dog laying on the front stoop.

She sees...a loving husband standing beside her who will never give up on her.
He sees...someone who will always love him unconditionally and stand beside him, regardless of the situation.

Wallpaper and surprises...

I truly despise wallpaper!  Why did it have to be a 1980 fab?  Each room of our house has some sort of wallpaper on the walls...professionally done wallpaper!  Most of it is hideous, except our guest bedroom which has dainty yellow and orange flowers that I love, but that too will come down someday.

Jay and I started to tear down the wallpaper in the foyer last winter - first room you see coming into our house.  We borrowed a steamer from his friend Lisa and went to town during all the snow.  We initially tore off all the top layers in the foyer and the hallway, then used the steamer for the backing.  (Side note - I am going to frame a piece of wallpaper from each room as we tear it apart as a reminder of what was there before us.)  It was slow moving at first trying not to burn yourself or the other person, but eventually we got into a rhythm - one person steam, the other go behind and scrape the backing.  It moved pretty quickly and we were done.  Part A, check.  But then it sat with the foyer walls plain for months!

Part B - clean and spackle.There was a large anchor hole in one wall that was too big to patch, so I bought a patch plate but it was too noticeable.  After taking a free Home Depot 'How To' seminar I was told to cut a square in the drywall around the hole and then cut a new piece of drywall to fill that hole and add a 2x4 behind it in case you want to hang a picture later then spackle it up. It was all quite daunting but I was pretty sure I could handle this...'Okay, I can do this' was what I remember telling myself.  Hahahaha - crazy girl!  I bought some drywall - that was interesting - and took it home...cut out my hole in the wall and to my surprise found this...

Yep, that's a PBR bottle in our foyer wall!!  Pretty sure it's from when they built the house in 1977!!  Hahahaha - still makes me laugh remembering my astonishment and wondering what else was in our walls.  That was eventful...  (Side note - We saved the PBR bottle...it now sits on our dining room mantle.  I might put it in a shadowbox one day with the piece of wallpaper I saved from the foyer.)  I trudged on, cutting my square out and a similarly sized piece to fill the hole then spackled around to secure it.  It didn't turn out very good - lumpy, noticeable and nasty.  Luckily Jay fixed it while I was out of town for work (he was getting annoyed with staring at it I think) which thrilled me to no end!  It's still a bit noticeable with the glossy paint, but it looks like the perfect place to hang a picture!

Last winter, we never got to steaming the backing from the hallway...fast forward eight months and it's finally done!  I did it tonight and am so glad it's over.  It bothered me each time I walked down the hallway and I'd make comments shortly after the foyer was done, but no bites from The Husband.  So, I sucked it up... I was steaming and scraping as one team and the process moved along quite efficiently.  Honestly, as I got paper stuck to my feet and glue on my fingertips, I felt accomplished but I wanted Jay to be there to help, to help make this house into our house.  I realize there are other ways we can make this into our house together... So now, this indecisive girl, gets to choose all the paint colors since this husband of mine doesn't paint either! :)