What Saying Goodbye Looks Like

I didn't even have time to brush him clean...

He made me smile like the sun...

He was afraid of the wind and blowing tall grass.

He loved carrots and apples, of course, but he also had a taste for Doritos...

It wasn't his back end you had to stay clear of, it was his mouth - Jess was a biter...

He did not make a good first impression on my family - he tried to bite Bran's face off...

I financed him...did you know you could do that...

He and a buddy escaped from the farm one day and took a joy run through the neighborhood, with Brandi and I running after them (picture that - it's good for a laugh)...

He never had to befriend another horse or dog, they always came to him...

If I could've bottled his smell, I would have done it a long time ago...

Everything he wore was black and/or red...even my truck and his trailer...

In the summer, he never went out until the sun went down...

When we first started riding together, I spent more time on the ground than I did on his back - which made me often question the investment I'd made...

In our younger days, we were excellent jumpers - I have ribbons to prove it...

His barn name was "Jesse" as in James; he was a registered Appaloosa with the name "High Hat Blue"...

Jess, Bran and I grew up together...I had Jess for 21 years...21 years

He brought me complete joy...complete happiness...

He would literally and gladly open his mouth to accept his bit...

He had a custom made tack box and storage trunk - because Jess and I were both loved that much...

He hated having his face washed and broke countless cross ties whenever I attempted to do it...

He loved having his belly brushed...

He was my buddy and I loved him dearly and today I don't know what to do to fill this life-sized whole in my heart...

And What A Beautiful Day It Was

It had been way too long since the Gal Pals had been together. Boy, did we hit pay dirt today when we met for lunch at Fearrington Village.

Here's some of how we spent the afternoon...

Ain't that the truth!

Cathy and me :)

There was no choice but to model the $198 Chapeau!


Linda and me :)

Everyone can use a little David Yurman, huh?

Can you believe his naturally curly hair?!

And how sweet is this little fella?

A lovely gift shop in Fearrington, "The Dovecote"

"The Granery", where we had lunch - al fresco!

Where Cathy had shrimp & grits, a southern "delicacy" (I'll pass, thank you)!

Linda had a delicious omelet and I dined on the ice berg lettuce wedge - YUMMO!

The view from The Granery.

McIntyre's Books (one of my favorite places in Chatham County) where us girls met today.

More shops, including Vietri, the overpriced custom pottery maker.

I couldn't think of a better way to spend the first day of Spring!!!

Thanks girls!!! See you in May!!

My Butt Jiggles When I Run

And if you've ever had the misfortune of driving behind me, you're already aware of this little known fact. But I'm okay with it (usually and most of the time).

I'm sharing this because recently, I worked with a nurse whom I'd never met before. In making general chit-chat and exchanging pleasantries, the subject of children came up. I knew what was coming when I shared with her that I had one daughter. "How old", she asks. I pause in order to put on my "Go ahead...I know what's coming next" face and softly and proudly say "27". She, in turn, gives me the perfunctory pause as I can see her attempting the math in her head. "How old ARE you?!". "What, were you twelve when you had her?!". I share my age with my new co-worker and suddenly our conversation shifts.

Apparently, "Monica" will be turning 40 in a few short weeks and is stressing terribly over it. She asked me my opinion on being in my 40's. Wanted to know if I suffered any deep depression when I hit the big 4-0. As I thought carefully about my response, I looked her squarely in the face and said, "I am finally happy with being me. I'm a little like some others. But mostly I'm just me".

I'm okay with my crooked smile and slightly too-large nose. I mean, when I look in the mirror I see the female version of my father and what could be better than that? And while my hips are a little larger than I'd like, I'm not willing to take on an eating disorder or hope for a terminal illness in order to slim myself down.

And as I set off 3 days a week for a rejuvenating run, yeah, I feel my butt jiggle. But only in the beginning. After a few hundred yards, I picture myself long, lean and sculpted and press on and never give my cellulite another thought.

...until I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror as I'm getting ready for bed...

Will 50 bring absolute certainty?

I Had No Idea!

A few months ago (January, I think), Mom, Brandi and I went to see "Lovely Bones". 

How did I miss it???  I am a HUGE fan of his after witnessing his performance in "Julie & Julia".

I can't remember if I heard on the radio, read it on the Internet or saw it on Good Morning America but early last week I learned the weird neighbor and murderer in "Lovely Bones" was, in fact, played by Stanley Tucci!

I must pay closer attention.

Back to the Oscars! 

49 Years

Forty Nine years.  What does that mean to you?  Have you even been alive for 49 years?  Think back to what's happened in the last 49 years.  Think what our world will be like 49 years from now.  Have you had a friend for 49 years?  Have you been going through your same routine every morning for the last 49 years?  Have you had the same job/career for 49 years?

Forty Nine Years...that's how long my mom and dad have been married.  They celebrated forty nine years of marriage on Thursday February 25.  And I told everyone who would listen to me.  I bragged.  I gloated.  I was proud and prejudiced!

I've never asked my folks what their "secret" is.  I don't have to.  I don't think there is a secret to their successful marriage other than they respect the sanctity of it.  They made a commitment to one another and it was just that simple. They've lived up to the expectation of the union they made so long ago.  And they have been ideal role models for our entire family.

Please share in my excitement for these two.  They are my world, my comfort zone and just what I want to be like when I grow up!

Happy Anniversary Mom & Daddy (aka Mema & Papa)!!

Part Deux Of My V-day Weekend

I don't know that I've ever shared with you, Internet, that my son-in-law is a vegan and my daughter is a vegetarian. And while it's extremely difficult for me to cook for these two, I respect the way they've chosen to live their dietary lives. It's also a challenge when I visit them because, well, let's be honest...I'm not a fan of Tofu and bean sprouts! However, after seeing myself in those running tights in the photogs on the last post, I may want to rethink that relationship!

After a strenuous day last Saturday morning, Brandi and I headed out on a mission to find that wonderful Lavender spray that our hot yoga instructor used after our class Friday night. We thought it would soothe our souls and make her house smell good! The most obvious place to look was The Heritage. The Heritage is located near the oceanfront and offers everything you need to be naturally healthy. This is JC's favorite place to shop. Think "Chatham Market Place" and you'll have a good idea - only on a much grander scale.

It did not disappoint. Brandi hit pay dirt with the Lavender spray and I came home with some intoxicating-smelling "display only" bath soaps and a Burt's Bees lip stain that I've been trying to replace for months! And while browsing each and every aisle, we came upon this display...

"Zum Mist" and "Yum Mist". The Yum Mist is doggie spritzer...

...which will "kung fu the pew"! Bran and I were hysterical. On the floor laughing. I don't know what kept the staff from asking us to leave other than the fact that our reaction was typical to this display!

We also stumbled upon candles. I thought, oh, look at those pretty candles. They'd be nice as part of a pretty table setting. And then I heard Brandi say, "oh Mama...these are great! JC and I have used these before. They're for cleaning the wax out of your ears." Huh? What? Wouldn't pouring hot wax down you ear defeat the purpose AND hurt a little - I thought... About that time, a 50+ year old, average, "normal" looking (you know, not vegan and someone who shaves under their arms) woman opened the jar of candles and took out at least 6! She assured me that the candles worked, she used them frequently and I should give them a try. I smiled nicely, said thank you and whispered under my breath, "wow, I never would've suspected you were one of them".

Needless to say, I was talked into it and we went home with a pair of candles for each of us. Picture this...

Yes, that's my daughter with a taper in her ear. It was here that I had a flash back...I was pretty sure I remembered telling her "never stick anything in your ears or up your nose".

And if that weren't enough...

I stood by and watched and allowed her husband to light the thing! What kind of mother am I???

Then I took a turn!

This holistic stuff's kinda' cool! Hey, if you don't want to beat them and you're not really interested in joining them, just hang out with them once in awhile - you'll do things, smell stuff and taste oddities you'd NEVER thought you would!

Those crazy kids...oh how I adore them!

Grab A Snack...You May Be Here Awhile

Remember me mentioning this event a few weeks ago?  It finally came to pass.

First, a little background info.  I travel to Virginia frequently; about every 6 weeks.  Specifically, Northern Virginia.  About 12 miles outside of DC.  I also occasionally travel to Virginia Beach to visit my daughter.  And to run in the many foot races this fun city hosts, which is what took me to VA Beach this weekend.  And while I have a very comfortable, reliable vehicle, she is carrying close to 350,000 miles on her back.  Yes Internet, my American made, 1997 Mercury Grand Marquis is an anomaly.  And I couldn't be more proud.

But I don't like to ask too much of her these days.  So, I rent a car for my long weekend excursions.  This week, I hit pay dirt!!!  Just look at this little beauty...(it was almost a sexual experience!  ha!!)

A black, 2010 Dodge Charger

I arrived in VA Beach violation free late in the afternoon on Thursday.  A quick stop at Holland Oaks Veterinary clinic to visit my daughter at her place of employment and then I was off to a hair appointment that Brandi thought was much needed!  I left there with my locks a good 4 inches shorter and blown dry straight.  You'll have to get your own visual of this my friends because the chances are pretty good that you'll never see it in real life! 
Then it was home for evening where I finally got to hug, rub and kiss my grandcats...

Beannie

Free

and Baby Bebe

Friday was a treat.  All day with Bran all to myself.  We ran a quick 3 miles together in order to get ready for my big day Saturday.  Then it was off to downtown where we hit a mall, Cheesecake Factory for lunch, Dick's Sporting Goods and finally the Sadler Center for Performing Arts for race packet pick up.  It's at these packet pick ups that the butterflies set in for me.  Being handed that bib and official race number just makes me feel there's no turning back!  We ran back to the apartment to change and then we were off again.  This time to a hot yoga class!  Words cannot explain the pure bliss of this experience.  I don't know what I liked best, the warm heat on my body after so much cold these last few months, the soothing scent of lavender in the facility, the 125 tea light candles that surrounded the circumference of the room or the mesmerizing tone of the instructors voice.  Regardless, I left there limber and completely relaxed and anxiously awaiting my next visit.

The big day finally arrived...with winds averaging a steady 30 mph and - SNOW SHOWERS!  Yep, that's right, snow showers.  With early morning temps barely reaching 30.  These are not optimum running conditions to say the least.  But there was no turning back.

We headed out early and made our way to the Sports Complex and Verizon Center where the race would start and end. 

Oh yeah, it was all happiness and giggles in the beginning...

...especially in the heated event tent!

My biggest fan...my little bitty

My cheerleading team..I'd be completely unmotivated if not for these little people.  My cup runneth over.

I slowly made my way to the start line...it takes awhile to push 3,000 people through an arch.

8.70 miles and 1:32:50 later, I ran through that arch again!

It made it a little easier to finish knowing there was a medal, a flower, a bean burrito and a cold glass of Yuengling waiting for me!

Stay tuned for part deux of my fun-filled weekend.  I don't want to overload you tonight.

Happy Valentine's Day, my blog buddies!  Happy Valentine's Day