pink-slips- not the pretty kind...

it has been awhile since i visited this space, not good for keeping up a really sad hit-counter-

the economy is mess- the mister was pink slipped for the coming year...it isn't permanent until May, so we will see. missus could be back full-time, and that is okay...what isn't okay- is attempting balance the budget on the backs of kids and teachers while the federal gov't bails out multimillionaires...

today is the fifth anniversary of the war in Iraq- we are almost to 4000 dead Americans. it makes me sad in a way I can't articulate.

it is also the anniversary of the day i lost my aunt and godmother- i miss her every day. she was such a reader and she taught me to play cribbage- i adored her!

even with all that is so topsy turvy in this world- we are healthy, we have a plan for lean times and my two youngest are reading together on the couch- we are so blessed!

a shout out to the girls

just a note to tell the ladies of ford- you rock!

restless

it is a beautiful day in the neighborhood! once again, i am blogging from the back patio and enjoying winter sunshine...
i keep changing the layout and colors- they are making me discontent-whatever!
we now have an eleven year old
and a baby who can wear pigtails!
also, apparently, a child old enough to date, even if we aren't ready

blogging the half-marathon

The Palm Springs Half-Marathon was this weekend and my running buddy and I took to the streets...

highlights:

spotting a shooting star on the way to the course

a small friendly crowd

watching the elite runners head to the finish before we were halfway done

the older gentleman who told us he was glad we passed him cuz he wanted to watch our buns for awhile

jim's green drink- to make it all better

my kids and hubby cheering for me at the finish

as always- kath's reassuring, positive, enthusiatic presence. she kept me going when I wanted to stop. i lost my stuff at mile 12 and she was awesome

up next- IRONGIRL in June...my personal goals- start strong & stay strong, be a better partner for Kath, get a bit faster...

cathleen- sweet sis in law

Cathleen is my sis-in-law and she is:
loving
creative
beautiful
fashionable
smart
savvy
lovely

happy birthday, cath!

monday, monday

except it isn't- it is tuesday, tuesday, but yesterday was a day off school and there is no song title that says tuesday...you get my point.

unbelievable weather here- i am sitting outside enjoying peace and quiet and some new transition lenses in my glasses...

all is well in our corner of the world. baby c. is a genius- just ask her and she'll tell you so. dr. said not to bring her back until well after her 2nd birthday as she has many, many words, sentences, phrases and expressions. he is decidedly not worried about her speech devleopment. she continues to surprise us each day with new words and is able to express her desires quite clearly- eggs, please...let's play a game, rock your baby, and on and on...so 18 months is a great time for us!

valentine's day is this week- not a holiday that chris or i worry much about, but i am sure a certain teenage boy will make an effort to do something nice for his girl.

okay- geese just flew right by me- love it!

tonight we will watch the election returns and proudly wear our Obama pins, make some tacos for dinner, go on a family run and GRADE PAPERS- YUCK!

Countdown to Palm Springs Half Marathon: 5 days- makes my stomach queasy just thinking about it!

take care and enjoy the week

YES WE CAN

This is an inspiring video put together by supporters of Barack Obama- please take a look and PLEASE make sure you vote on Tuesday It is time to change the world and you are part of that equation!

monday morning five miler

this is our morning run- I should be posting the TEN miler we did on Sat, but isn't the 5 even more meaningful, now that you know that we ran TEN just two days ago?!?