Where do I start??? :)

Well, summer is here!!!! Thank You, Jesus. We are LOVING it. My 7th grader received the Math award for her grade & we could not be prouder of her. She is an amazing person, in all ways, but to me, her heart for Jesus is what truly takes my breath away. We got our 6th grader’s Stanford scores & were BLOWN AWAY. Some of her scores TRIPLED, even as she was compared to other Catholic school children! Amazing. Quickly, within a couple of days, I told hubs that originally I wanted the scores to show the Academy that she is smart and deserves to be there. But after praying on it, I realized that her scores improved because of what WE did. Why mess with that? So we aren’t going to! We are going to homeschool again next school year! Yay! SOOO grateful for the chance to continue what we have started. And now, with a year under our belts, I know what I will tweak/do differently, etc. Sigh. Relief. Good things. Even Science went way up!!!! What??? That’s what I was worried about! I guess we did okay!

Insanity – has started. That is some crazy, crazy workout, y’all! I am not kidding. And it is GOOD!!! I can definitely see how it will improve my fitness and dare I say it, get me a little closer to Boston! Oh, BTW, I didn’t get into to NYC. Boo. But, I did speak to someone at NYRR and I am indeed assured a spot in the 2014 NYC 26.2 due to this year being my 3rd consecutive year of denial. So, that’s super-cool. And I will be able to plan accordingly. And NYC in early November? Are you kidding me??? GAW-GEOUS!!!! Can’t wait! Anyway, yesterday was my first off-day for Insanity – I took it. I have been running along with the program – happy about that – I thought it was kind of frowned upon. But, I read somewhere that Insanity + Running = totally cool if you can do it. The run just makes me happy. I don’t care if I am lumbering along with tree trunk quads, I just need that fix at some point once every 24 hours. South Louisiana summers are beautiful; they are hot & sticky, usually, but some days/evenings suprise me & that’s what I just don’t wanna miss out on. But, yeah, yesterday, I took the whole day off of anything physical – aside from what moms do physically anyway, which is a LOT, but I am digressing again – me & hubs took our daughters to a “double feature” – 42 & Star Trek. Well, 42 was engaging & moving and thought-provoking. Star Trek – well, I would have taken a nap, except that I had consumed, a box of Milk Duds & a box of Snow Caps & TWO large WATERS BY MYSELF. I’m not proud. So, I was sugared up & making runs to the restroom. I did notice that the Star Trek dude reminded me of my son. The handsome guy, not Spock, who reminded my husband of a much-loved nephew.

Anywho. Focused on decompressing & catching up – I cleaned up my car, 2 flower beds, had a 5 mile run & Insanity this morning. I am also slowly going through some drawers & cleaning out those, too. My closet looks fab. My tupperware drawers & cabinets where I keep my beloved mixing bowls/bakeware, etc., looks great!

Okay, find a good Novena, say a Rosary, listen to a Rosary, go to Mass, be thankful. Do something to make God happy. And don’t forget to say your prayers when you are going to sleep & as soon as you wake up. If you already do, then awesome. If not, TRY, okay? Just TRY. God knows we all have struggles & doubts. But He’s still right there, you know, He doesn’t move; we do. And He loves you so much.

Peace.

:24 minutes

That’s all I’m giving myself – :24 minutes – cuz it’s 2:36 in the dang morning and there is no reason for me not to be asleep – seriously – hubs is snorin’; I have changed rooms, even Fat Boy aka Robiespierre sleeps quietly next to me. So, :24 to tap away ony iPhone in the dark.

Let’s see. What is up

Trying to wrap up school; 7th grader has last exam tomorrow. I’m trying to figure out what I can do to wow her class…we are hosting the end of the year party & our house/pool are quite suitable for those things, thank you, hubs, for all your nancing about the garden, I love those girls & always want to reward them extra special for another year of their hard work.

Ok, I’ll figure it out. Y’all I ordered Insanity. I follow a wonderful little lady in Dallas who runs, embraces fitness with open arms & always talks about Insanity for runners! BUT. Ok, well, she offers lots of support – in the form of groups, etc., for those who need accountability & support when undertaking a lifestyle change. Well. I adore her encouragement but I’m much more of a lone wolf when it comes to my fitness. Wait, y’all – why do I hear birds chirping At this hour???? Wth?!?! I thought they were supposed to sleep till the sun started to shine & I promise you, nothin is shinin around here at 2:47 in the blasted morning! Global warming, I guess. Or aviary domestic violence – they are fighting perhaps & it just sounds oddly melodic to me – hmmm.

Anywho. So I’m not officially in training for a long run, so I figure why not mix it up a bit & try something new? And let’s face it – I haven’t qualified for Boston. YET. Who knows when I might stumble over the workout to help me do just that? I have been trying to regularly schedule speedwork & magic miles into my running. I know tradmills aren’t the favored equipment for speedwork, but my Landice has a pretty sweet, kick-butt, hill/speed routine built in – I did it today.

I also got myself some swim literature – shows workouts, etc., for the pool.

My shoulders are a little achy. I am also planking a lot more these days! Just trying to mix it up…

Okay, I pray all is well with all of y’all!! Peace!!

Pics include – sunset on my evening run; meditating fat cat; hubs & daughter in New Orleans; the sweetest beagle ever ❤; oh, and reading time in our class – my daughter was reading to the beagle!

it doesn't matter where you start, but where you finish...

Reblogged from Southernrunningmom's Blog:

...LOVE that...heard it so eloquently put at my son's 8th grade graduation by Father Russo.  Those words have stayed with me since and it's been 4 years.  those words come in handy.  when my children feel like they have fallen short, i remind them of those words.

yesterday, i reminded myself of those words.  not to bore, but long story short - cruddy smoothie (note to self:  always OMIT granulated sea kelp from normally sweet drinks:) followed by a run in scorching heat and humidity left me walking! 

Read more… 411 more words

This post seems to be the most popular one that I have ever written. I enjoy revisiting it...seems like no matter where I am in my life, this post rings true...and said kiddo is now 20 - still beautiful on the inside & out - still a very thoughtful, insightful young man...he makes me proud.

Mother’s Day rundown. quickly.

Let’s work backwards. Granddaddy still deathly ill. Still, Mother’s Day is here. We went to Mass yesterday, which was beautiful. We had crawfish for dinner last night out by the pool. Fabulous. My family was amazing today. I got a great text that brought tears to my eyes from my step-daughter. My step son gave me one of his signature hugs last night & wished me a happy Mother’s Day before he took off to be with his mom. My son has been here all day with the rest of us. Just wonderful. We spent most of the day lounging by the pool. Mother Nature visited me today. That’s all I’m gonna say about that. But my children & hubs swam and that was great. We had a great lunch downtown at Don’s. Hubs & daughter picked me a bouquet of flowers from our yard & placed them in my mom’s vase. She’s in Heaven, and I surely do miss her. My son gave me a Ninja-everything!!!! I can’t wait to use it! Juicer, processor, blender, dough mixer, etc.! He also gave me a Starbucks card. Yum!!! That will have it’s first use tomorrow morning, in the form of a Venti Black! My hubs & daughters gave me the Proform Tour de France bike!!!! I can’t wait to get that! I’ve been looking at it for over a year, a la the kid in “A Christmas Story” looking at his beloved bb gun…I can’t wait for that to get here. I’m pretty amazed at hubs & what he was able to do for me today, considering all that he is going through and dealing with AND working, I might add. Plus, I got a great dobache cake from Poupart’s. DIvine. mmmmmm.

I ran 10 miles yesterday. I was gonna do it on Friday, but halfway through, my daughter texted me, “Mom, my throat is burning.” I high-tailed it home & brought her to the doctor. Strep. Yep. ZPac, here we are. She’s terrorizing the cat; she’s sassy; I think she’s better.

So, that’s that. I’m full. I’m bloated. I’m not exercising today. I have energy. I’m washing clothes & cleaning. I’m wondering if my new housekeeper is gonna cut the muster. mmmmm, not looking promising. I just miss Lisa. sigh. She was the bomb. Like a big sister who knew me so well AND kept my house clean! The way I like!

Peace out, y’all. And the Lord’s peace, not just any peace. His peace rocks.

Stinging toes:)

Stinging toes
Make me feel alive
With each foot strike.
Burning ice
On just a few of them,
Half of them really,
Spread over both feet
Throb…
No matter what I do,
No matter how I lay,
No matter what I think.
Lightning blue energy
At the smallest part of my body
Welcomes
Mother’s Day
With a thankful, strong
Heart
❤

quick

As I stood at the top of the stairwell, packed hamper behind me, waiting to be washed, I was happy that I decided to raid my daughter’s Halloween candy (sadly, you read right), instead of taking another FREEZING dip in the pool. I popped the giant Lemon-Head into my mouth, began the descent, carefully, with said hamper, and was immediately reminded of the crisp fall evenings that we enjoyed where the light was bent just like it is now…softly hued, not even kissed with humidity. I’ve been working out hard – running hard. Cross-training hard. Living hard. By 9, I am WHOOPED. Ready to crash. We are, sadly, experiencing family difficulty – my father-in-law is not doing well at all – he’s only 79. It’s hard to rejoice completely in life when someone we love is in pain and probably looking at the end of his life.

I find myself even more introverted these days. It doesn’t really bother me; it’s just something that I notice. Just a phase of life, I tell myself.

My son, who made me a mother, turns 20 tomorrow. He just got his first role in a small production. He is as happy as he can be. He has a dry sense of humor – reminds me so much of his namesake, my dad.

Anywho, it’s all good. Lots of praying, lots of thinking, lots of thanking, not enough writing.

Peace, y’all.

happy heart

okay, so it’s been awhile. Divine Mercy Sunday was amazing. there are no words to adequately describe what a moving experience that day/event is…let me just say – receiving the indulgence for Divine Mercy Sunday means going to Confession, which is just hard for most people. i mean, who wants to do this? but it is a beautiful Sacrament in our faith and is certainly not used enough. i’m a pretty transparent person, i think. in other words, what you see here on the blog is pretty much me. i think more curse words than i say. i speed at times. so, when i went into the confessional, knowing that, i think, anyway, my sins to be confessed weren’t THAT bad, i thought i was ready. i was overwhelmed and i was trying to read the Act of Contrition because i couldn’t remember it. i was crying. a lot. and it was the strangest sensation – i wasn’t crying because i was ashamed. i was crying because i truly, truly felt the presence of Jesus right there in the confessional with us. i can only describe it as saying i felt like i was near the “biggest” presence i had ever encountered in my life. it took my breath away. He was there, just like we are taught. The funny thing was, though, it was hard for me to explain this to the priest, who was surely waiting to hear some pretty bad sins, with all the crying i was doing!

all of our children were with us for Divine Mercy Sunday, except for our daughter in New Orleans.

the next day, i got up as usual at 5:40. i did what i do every school morning. after i dropped off my daughter at the bus stop, i was walking through my dining room, which was all dark. the only thing that had light was my gold cross that i have on my sideboard. it took my breath away. i will try to add a picture. i grabbed my camera because i was so blown away. it was just beautiful. a good friend suggested that the light was from Jesus thanking me for spending the day with him on Divine Mercy Sunday. I will take that. I check that cross everyday now and it hasn’t happened again. And I certainly never saw it happen before that!

okay, gotta run. i’ll see if i can upload a picture from my phone. peace!!!

As you can see, everything else around the cross is pretty dark. It was such a beautiful thing to see. There is a story about that cross – I will share that later, but I’ll just say that I bought it around Christmas several years ago – my son’s grandfather had just died – he was a very wonderful person and a great influence in my son’s life. Also, my step-children suffered the loss of 2 family friends – a father/son in a private plane they were flying – so, i bought this cross to put on my mantle that year – i guess I shared that story!