I DID IT!!

3 hours, 3 minutes



I am seriously proud of myself... I plan to write more about this later-- but for now, I MUST sleep!

M-I-C... Cya Real Soon! K-E-Y... Why? Because Apparently I'm INSANE!

My horoscope today: Your energy gets brighter as today goes on, so it's a great day to start something.

HMMmmmm... What shall I start? Suggestions?

I got up early today to watch local meteorologist Mike Witcher talk about my students on the AM news. He came and spoke yesterday-- the kids loved it! He is very animated and fun. It was a great shout out for the school and 5th grade-- esp for our own "meteorologist" Logan.

Afterschool I dashed to Target for some last minute 1/2 marathon trip items, plus some Easter stuff for Henry & Mae... for once I will be early with my gifts-- my plan is just to give it all to Jess in FL. :)

Now I am just waiting on Josh to wake up so we can hopefully get some food before he takes me to the airport... Tomorrow should be fun... Race Expo followed by exploring Disney village or whatever it is... My students can't believe we don't plan to go to the park. Seems silly for 2 people in their 30's and their 50 yr old aunt to ride rides @ Disney World... but who knows! Perhaps we will.

I am really nervous about Sunday. I think I will be fine. My goal is only to finish in (preferably) one piece. More on this tomorrow...

OK, off to pack up the laptop and a few last items... More from FLA!

My Horoscope Told Me To!

Well yes, I have been MIA lately... things have been hectic and crazy both at school and home. Just checked my horoscope (also for the first time in AGES)... and it said:

Take some time to focus on you today, whether writing in a journal or starting a new exercise plan. This may give you a new outlook on your life and people will notice a difference in your demeanor. Today's not a good one to make quick financial decisions. Tonight, you may want to relax and go to bed early.

So... this is my "journal" and I am writing in it... (CHECK)

Start a new exercise plan... well, Sunday I went with Josh to the gym where he works out. The guy there gave me a 2 wk. membership. It really isn't convienient @ all... but they are supposed to be building a new one near us (fingers crossed)... so we shall see. But anyway, Sunday I did about 4 miles total... not "running" per se... but 2 miles was on the eliptical machine... and the other 2 at a fast pace.

Went back tonight... did 4 more miles... actually ran part this time :) I know, I know... gotta get my a$$ in gear before March. And it is COLD here now-- making it less likely I will get myself outside and moving. SO... at the end of my 2 weeks, I may have to break down and get a membership... and hope this new gym near the house opens soon.

So, new exercise plan (CHECK)

Along the same lines, I am registered for another 5K in a couple weeks. Gonna see if I can improve my time. Surely I can.

Relax and go to bed early.... WHOOPS!

32 is the Year of Accomplishments New

So I made it another year. I have survived another birthday. It's funny because I have always been the "Birthday Fairy"-- making a huge deal out of everyone's birthdays... decorating, baking cakes, planning parties... and I've always made big plans for my birthday... but after 30, that feeling has faded. Perhaps because it is damn hard to top a trip to Vegas with 15 friends... perhaps because it is past the dreaded 3-0. Though I must say, I think I am way happier now that I was back in my 20's. Each year seems to get better... and I think I am braver and more comfortable being myself NOW... more so than I ever have been.


So BRING IT ON third decade!

This year was a crazy birth day weekend-- part of the fun having a b-day right @ Halloween. Friday Josh and I drove to Nashy for Justy's party... Saturday we headed back, followed by Justy for my birthday shingdig @ the Crown and Goose.

We had a blast! I even got birthday spakings from a nun! And let's not forget the Hannah Montana cake! (Thanks Josh!)













After leaving the Crown & Goose, we decided to head to Pete and Heather's for some porch time. On the way we stopped @ Gabe's apt-- he was having party also. Well... like I said, a benefit of having a b-day near Halloween is that people are still dressing up... Gabe was no exception:






No lie, we had been there 5 mins when there was a knock on the door... "COME ON IN!" I yelled... well, turns out it the Resident Assistant... lol... crazy college housing. She takes one look @ Gabe and says, "Obviously some drinking has been going on this evening...." She goes on and on... said she will be back in 30 mins to check that all alcohol is gone... blah blah.... The whole time Josh, Justy, and I are trying our hardest NOT to laugh... No doubt I am 10 yrs older than this silly RA lady... but I used my best behavior-- I certainly did not want to be "written up" for supplying underage kids with alcohol-- which I DIDN'T!

On to Pete's... Sam was excited to see us and to meet Justy...

We all enjoyed a midnight champagne toast on the porch before heading back to watch David Cook (drool!) on SNL... Nice of him to arrange to be the musical guest for my birthday! :)

Sunday-- my ACTUAL birthday-- I awoke to discover that @ 32, your ankles no longer work-- at least not first thing in the AM. So my mom always said you should spend your birthday doing what you want to be doing for that whole next year. I guess it was fitting that the Run for Ed 5K was on my b-day this year. I met up with Lacy and we ran/ walked the 5K. Last year I finished in 45 mins I think... This year we finished in 39 mins! WOOHOO! Progress! We also ran the first 1/2 mile straight-- also progress! AND... at Justy's request...I ran in a birthday crown... hahahhahaha...

To round out my busy weekend... dinner Sunday night was with Dad, Mary, & John... as well as Josh, Julio, and Chessie... oh yeah, did I mention my dad wore a top hat? Seriously.

So here we are. Blue Artichoke and Leigh make lists of new things they are going to do for that year... so technically I should have 32 things on my list. I am going to try that this year... Let's get started:

1. Tap dance DIVA (yeah, technically I started taking lessons again at age 31-- but I am going to really practice and take it seriously! I am enjoying tap, but it is HARD!!)

2. RUN! ( I started 32 with a 5K... I'd like to do some more of those, improving my time. And of course, that 1/2 marathon in March is looming... luckily I have several people ready to help me train. Lacy and I even ran/ walked yesterday-- 3.5 miles... WOO!)

3. Sky Dive? (I told Leigh if I survived the 1/2 marathon I would skydive with her... What did I just say??!!!)


SO that's what I have so far... suggestions? Ideas? Help me make some plans!

MORE BIRTHDAY PICTURES

Run, Wilson! RUN!!

Last weekend while I was @ Autumn & Justin's house meeting Mr. Micheal, we watched part of Forrest Gump. Man, I love that movie! I hadn't seen it in ages... of course, one of the most notable (of the many) quotes from the movie is "Run, Forrest! RUN!"

Who knew that I would soon be turning those words in on myself. Oy! I have never been a great runner. I ran track in middle school-- but nothing serious. Of course, various knee and ankle injuries in the last several years have thrown me out of commission a few times.

So back in July we were at my aunt's in VA... she had seen an ad for the Disney Princess 1/2 Marathon. My cousin, Jessica, was all for it. I would **LOVE** to be able to tell people that I have accomplished such a feat... I just don't know how REALISTIC it is for me to think I can do this. Well. I am doing it. Offically registered as of today.

"This is FANTASTIC!"

Here is what truly motivates me to do this: The race takes place on March 8th. That will be the 8 yr anniversary of my mother's passing. I always like to do something special and motivating on that day. So... this will certainly qualify for both! And yes, it will certainly get my ass in shape... which has been a goal for how long now?

This will be a great weekend, no doubt... aside from the 13.1 miles of tortuous running... It will be a girl's weekend-- hence PRINCESS... Me, Aunt V, Jessica... and possibly Aunt Liz and Mae to cheer us on...


So here is what I am asking in return-- PLEASE encourgae and motivate me for the next 5 months! Cause boy howdy! Will I need it! Feel free to tell me I am crazy and insane as well... but do it with a smile, please... Perhaps it will ease the pain....

PS-- CONGRATS to Leigh who ran her first marathon today in San Francisco!! (She was probably even wearing lipstick!)