THANK YOU, GOD, FOR DEAR FRIENDS

I was totally amazed yesterday when 10 of us showed up to run at 5:30 on a Saturday morning. I have been reflecting how God has placed these remarkable women in my life and how blessed I am by their friendship. We laugh, we cry, and just generally fellowship together. There is much cumulative wisdom among us and there seems to be not too many dull moments. What started out as an effort to workout together has turned into wonderful friendships. I can only imagine what someone driving by at that time of the morning thought when they saw this parade of women running down the road. Probably thought we were nuts, and so we are.

When I think of friendships, I am always amazed how God has brought so many wonderful believers into our lives. BC and I have a very long term relationship with the Thompson's. We have grown from infant Christians to what we are today together. We have raised our children together and spent more vacations and Thanksgivings together than I would have ever believed. We have a wonderful small group that has grown into some of our dearest friends. Who would have ever believed when we started in The Cardwell's living room that we would have grown into what we are today. Friends that you can rely on to pray for you, share you joys and sorrows, and grow with you in a search for spiritual maturity . We are so blessed and so grateful for each and every relationship that God has placed in our lives. The best part is realizing that God is not through with growing us together and looking forward to all of the tomorrows we have united in our common purpose to glorify Him.

I am praying unceasingly for each of you, Dear Friends!

On a much lighter note, first week of marathon training is over. Let's see that means I am 1/18th of the way through. If you say it fast, it is not too bad. I have run 21 miles, including the 11 mile long run and walked 21/5miles in addition to lifting twice. FUN FUN FUN! My toes are suffering a little as you will note.

The big toe does not hurt at all, but the second toe has a blister under the toenail is is pretty sensitive. Not the first time this has happened, and probably will not be the last. Sonja suggested I might need to get "walking" shoes. I don't think I will tell Mr. C that I need to buy another pair of shoes, since my closet in currently over-running with running shoes.

Boys, Don't Make Me Come Down There!

I had two phone conversations with son #1 & son #2 today. Son # 2 is moving to Austin to be where Son # 1 and his family live (loves those nephews). #1 calls me today to tell me that when he drove into Baton Rouge this week to help #2 move this weekend, there was only 4 boxes of books packed and everything else was in a mess. He was not very happy with # 2 and reported to me of the lack of push by #2 to get this job done. He told me he had called # 2 everyday for the 2 prior weeks and told him to have EVERYTHING packed up when he came in and they could just load it up. Well as you can imagine-HE WAS NOT HAPPY with Little Brother.

I then called # 2 to ask, "Do I need to come down there and pack you up." The same question I asked two weeks ago. He proceeded to tell me that # 1 showed up at his apartment Wednesday to spend the night and got up the next morning yelling at him and telling him he was going to call Mom since he had not done anything to get ready. I once again asked, "Do I need to come." He then told me that he was packed and ready and would be cleaning the apartment tonight and pulling out tomorrow.

Somewhere more in the middle are the facts, but # 2 has a REAL TENDANCY to procrastinate. When I was helping my mother move after my step father died, I went over to find her listening to records. I asked, "Momma what are you doing, you are supposed to be packing." She then told me that she was listening to each record to decide whether to keep it or not. Sounds like # 2 may have inherited his Mammaw's habits. I am not sure if he read all of those books prior to packing to make a decision, but I suspect he at least read the forwards.

Shades of growing up days! I will have to say that "Little Sister" received plenty of help packing and unpacking from Mom. What is with the I am going to call Mom Deal-I must be the "Big Bad Wolf". BC is never a treat-it's always I am going to tell Mom.

Today was Friday. As I have said in the past- I LOVE FRIDAYS. The old body gets a rest day before long run day tomorrow. Dread this humidity already! I spent half the day hydrating and the other half in the bathroom.

NO PAIN-NO GAIN

Started the day with a POWER walk with "The Iron Woman" Mrs. Sandra. We were cruising, but still only finished our 5 miler in l 09. This is a difficult route, but thought we were going faster than that. I am sure I was holding her back. Went to the weight room following that little warm up and lifted a few of my favorite weights.

Then the fun really began! Went for a "deep tissue" massage by a masseuse that specializes in athletes. Now when you think massage-you probably think-

Oh yes, the wonderful relaxation massage. Soft music, soft lights, gentle long stroking rubs. FORGET THAT! This was more like a medieval torture chamber. The object was to rub until you found a knot and then you take you thumb and press down as hard as you can. If you don't get the knot out doing that, then you resort to putting all of your weight into it with your entire forearm pushing into the knot. It seems I am pretty TIGHT. Many knots and MANY sore pressure points. After and hour and a half of finding these sore tight muscles and going through this torture, I SURRENDERED! He then told me that next week (OH YEAH-SUCH BAD SHAPE I'VE GOT TO TO BACK) we would do the true sports massage, which he said was really painful. OK-I've been doing my Lamaze breathing techniques through this entire ordeal and next week the REAL pain comes?????

At the very end of the massage, he goes to my feet and tells me this is the most important part for runners. He then proceeds to find EACH AND EVERY knot in the sole of my foot and do the press thingy. This may sound relaxing and really great to you, but I challenge you to find the knots in the bottom of your feet (we all have them) and then using your thumb apply as much pressure as you can. NOW WASN'T THAT FUN???

We never even got to why my hip is hurting and sore, but he did tell me he has a good idea why and he will know for sure after next week's torture, oh I mean sport's massage.

When he kept talking about athletes and what these techniques do for them, I needed to tell him, "I'm just a wannabe." After I got up from the massage table, I noticed my rear was sore. I am sure it was from the death grip I got on that table each and every time he bore down. My kids and husband told me a long time ago that I was too uptight. It turns out they were right.

RUNNING WITH THE BIG GIRLS!

Now this morning was a LOT OF FUN! Babs had a doctor's appointment, so I am on my own with "The Wolf Pack". The first part of the run was not TOO bad-I actually kept up the first half. Then things start to get out of hand. To begin with these people do not stop and drink water. My personal philosphy is if there is a hydrant handy-YOU STOP! Oh No-they must be camels! By the time I finished I still had a couple within sight, but Sandra and Larry were LONG GONE. After that 5 miler, we walked another 3.5. I am trying to get the legs to be able to walk fast, if I have to at the end of the marathon. I have been coming up with the additional miles to add to our route as we begin to inch our way up to that magical 22-where we stop and hope for the best on the next 4. One HUGE consideration is Houston will be flat. You would think hills are horrible, but they give you a chance to rest when you are going down them. You just put it into G L I D E- and coast your way down. Flat routes require the same muscles to be used OVER AND OVER-NOT A GOOD THING. We will probably plan to go to Monroe a few times to run on the flat surface over there and get a little used to that.

I am off to the church to greet all of the sweet kiddos as they come to M&M's, which is our answer to Wednesday Prayer Meeting. All this requires is opening the door, high fives & hugs. I THINK I CAN HANDLE IT!

Tonight is our first meeting of our "Small Group" for the year. I am really looking forward to that. LOVE THOSE PEOPLE and love serving and growing with them. Mr. C has a "Georgia is so dry" joke I KNOW HE CANNOT WAIT TO TELL. GOOD TIMES!

"I saw you walking"

There seems to be some conspiracy going on. You can run for MILES & MILES and never stop, but THE MOMENT you stop and walk-even for a few feet-here comes a parade of cars filled with every person you have ever know. This leads to the above comment the next time you see them. After a while you get tired of defending yourself and wonder why you need to defend yourself, but you still feel the need to explain you had only walked 6 steps in a ten mile run. They just look at you-like-yeah, sure. This could prove to be some theory of unlikely probability or something like that. I should apply for a grant from the federal government and do a study!

I spoke with Camille this afternoon to get a report on her trip to Chicago this weekend to be a bridesmaid in a Baylor friend's wedding. I know I am TOTALLY BIASED, but Camille was the prettiest and sweetest bride I have ever seen. Look at this picture-AREN'T THEY GOOD LOOKING! What a blessing to have your favorite daughter married to a Godly man who treats her like a queen! All weddings are beautiful and all brides are lovely-but I will never forget the sweet tenderness of my precious daughter's wedding.

Unfortunately Camille became sick while in Chicago. She did have the good grace to wait until the reception to throw up. I know you have seen those videos where someone in the wedding party throws up in front of the entire church. Camille has a long history of not tolerating ill-health well. My personal motto when feeling under the weather is take two ibuprofen and push through it. Camille prefers the whining and moaning approach. She loves to push those sympathy buttons, because NO ONE has EVER felt as bad as she does. YOU GOTTA LOVE HER!

We walked 5 this AM in the pea soup that some call fog. If I had been in a closet sized room, it would have been called a sauna. Went to lift weights following the walk and that ended the working out for the day. I have spent the remainder of the day in a "Super Fizz". I could be the "Queen of Fizz". I should have know someday I would be a fizzer when I was getting pinched and spanked for squirming when a was a little girl.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER-FLOCK TOGETHER

That famous old saying-"Birds of a Feather-Flock Together". The above picture is a perfect example of how we runners seem to flock whenever in a room together. While in Austin, at Cade's birthday party, one of the mother's was a runner and ALSO a CPA. We immediately convened a meeting of the OCD Club International. After much discussion about training, injuries, races, etc. etc., I learned she had also run several marathons. Well to be perfectly truthful one of the first things in your conversation with a fellow runner is the distance inquiry. She had run in marathons in California, Boise Idaho, and 2 Austin's. We had a lively discussion including trading injury tips and training miseries. For some strange reason, runners seem to congregate and love to trade "war stories". Quite an enjoyable discussion.

Austin, Texas has to be the exercise Mecca. You would not believe the runners and cyclist. Scott & Caroline live off of 620 which is a loop around northwest Austin. It is a nice wide highway-or should I say racetrack-with a large shoulder for cyclist and runners. THEY ARE LEGION! All sizes, shapes and genders are out on the road at all hours of the day. I actually did not see too many out at night, but that is very understandable considering how dangerous the road is. The cyclist tend to be in flocks with brightly colored jerseys, not unlike a flock of birds streaming past. WHAT A SIGHT! This area is on Lake Travis and is in BIG TIME Hillcountry, MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN I HAVE WORDS TO DESCRIBE. No wonder you have so many exercisers. The scenery is truly inspiring!

Today began Marathon Training! It was hot and humid, which was a disappointment after being promised cooler weather. Oh well-it will come! We ran the 5 mile loop from Tech and I paid for missing the past week. I did make it until the last hill, where I had to walk the last 1/3 the way. We then walked 3 miles on the hilly route around the stadium complex. OK-GREAT- I have finished 1/7th of 1/18th or the marathon training. Let's see that is 1/126th. NOW THAT IS A DAUNTING NUMBER!

Our sweet, adopt a college students, are back from their summer break. AH GRACIE AND MERIEDTH. They lead to many good stories which I will blog about during the school year. We try to feed them once a week and they come and wash their clothes occasionally. Gracie is from Kenya and Meriedth from Shreveport. They have very different personalities and are lots of fun to be around. Gracie is an engineering student and Meriedth is in journalism and graphic design so they are busy young ladies. Look forward to "The Adventures of Gracie & Meriedth" for there is never a dull moment!

THE EYES OF TEXAS

Do It Again & It's My Turn, Poppa Bob

Arrival At Inflatable City

Pizza & Cake For The Gang

Dad, Mom & Birthday Boy Playing

HONEY, I'M HOME! And I am glad to be home! Long trip-but delightful weekend. We birthdayed at this place that is FULL of inflatables. All had a great time and were sweating before the morning was over. Pizza and birthday cake rounded out the festivities. WILD AND WOOLY-boys. I think BC is probably sore from them crawling all over him and playing with him all weekend. The both are growing and when you don't see them except every 3 months are so-they really look bigger. Both boys have started school and seemed to be pretty happy with the first week. They are full of life and ALL BOY! They may be the death of their mother!



It was a U of TX home ballgame so we were in a "Sea of Orange". These people take their football SERIOUS! It maybe is not quite as crazy as Baton Rouge on home game weekends, but they are definitely big time into it.



One of the highlights of our weekend was riding through 60 miles of fields blooming in white. This was as pretty as the bluebonnets were at Easter. I am looking for the flower, but it may be a bull nettle. It looked like fields of snow for a distance. QUITE A SIGHT!

This does not do it justice, but gives you a good idea.

Tomorrow will be back in the real world. Anytime I have a week off from running-the next week I pay BIG TIME! This is also the first week of marathon training. Well I'll think about that tomorrow!