1000 Miles!

Today was the day! I crossed the 1000 mile mark on my running total for the year! This is the fourth year in a row that I have hit this milestone and it's always exciting to me. (I know, I know, very strange...)

It takes me approximately 1700 steps per mile. So that is One MILLION, Seven Hundred Thousand steps!! Here's a graph with the totals broken down by week (click to enlarge). I am right on pace to meet my goal of 2600 miles, with an average of 50 miles per week! A new high for me!



I've gone through about 4 pairs of shoes in these 1000 miles. This is what my shoes look like brand new:



This is what they look like after a couple hundred miles:



I've often heard it said that "living for God is like a marathon." But a marathon is a one day event and then it's over. Life is day after day after day. Just as I didn't reached 1000 miles in a day, it will be many days of consistency that will get us to our ultimate goal of heaven. Keep running!

Shopping Success

Six hours at the LA Fashion District...


We visited The Alley, Santee Alley, and The New Alley...


Lori tried to decide if Doug would prefer a red suit or pinstripe...


I found my own shoe store...


Shopping bags for all...

The find of the day was long jean skirts for $15 each...


Yep, the day was a success!

Happy Birthday, Lori!

It is a rare occasion that a friend from Tennessee celebrates her birthday in California, but that is what is happening today!

When Les and I went to Brent and Alicia's wedding in March, we stayed with Doug and Lori. Doug mentioned that he might be taking a business trip to California in May. The dates would include Mother's Day and Lori's birthday. Being a wise husband, it didn't take much convincing for Doug to bring Lori and Danielle along!

The Longs flew in on Sunday and we met for brunch in Marina Del Ray. While Doug has been working, Lori and Danielle have been enjoying some California sunshine! I'm meeting them today to go to the Los Angeles Fashion District (formerly known as the Garment District!) Woo Hoo!! Shopping trip! Our course, Lori is like me - a browser, not a shopper. But you never know what treasures we will find... Doug's work is suppose to be finished today or tomorrow, so the Longs will be staying with us through Sunday! Fun times ahead!

Although Lori and I grew up across the country from each other, we have some funny similarities. We discovered most of them last year while we were on a cruise together. We both need "down time". Even on a cruise ship, we found places to be on our own to just read or "veg". We don't like soggy cereal! We love to laugh and usually end up in hysterics when the four of us are together! Our husbands have the same birthday - August 19th! Of course she is one of Les' long time friends - all the way back to youth camp days in the 70s and the "Children of Light" music group that toured in Tennessee back in the early 80s!

One more tidbit about Lori - she's the voice on "Should I Tell This?"

Happy Birthday, Galina!

Today is the fifth birthday of my only blond-hair, blue-eyed niece!! Galina, along with her sister Leksi, will also be celebrating three years of living in America later this month!

Here she is in the Russian orphanage:


Us, being blonds!


Happy Birthday, Galina! Uncle Les and Aunt Kathy Love You!!

Modesty At Work

I got this little tidbit via email:

The Florida Power and Light crew putting in lines for an addition to the Orlando International Airport found the following in a culvert they were using...






The gator is/was 18 feet, 2 inches long. The rattlesnake roundup totaled 87.

Gators and rattlers give me the willies. But you know what I noticed first? The lady in the first picture - she's wearing a hardhat and a SKIRT! You go, girl!

The Faces of Mom

Happy Mother's Day to all moms reading today! After yesterday's post, I thought I would show some pictures of Mom in her various roles.

High School Band Member
I love the look on Mom's face in this picture. So happy and alive!


Young Bride
Ah, so sweet!


Contented Mom
Looking into the face of her youngest child.


Gentle Grandma
Touching one of the twins while they were still in the neonatal unit.


Mother of the Bride
This was at my bridal shower.


Grandma of Twins
She had no trouble holding them both.


Feeder of the Family
She preferred making cakes, cookies and candies, but she could put on quite a spread, especially for the holidays.


Thrilled Grandma
Her hands and heart were full!

Brave and Valiant Cancer Fighter
Mom is totally bald in this picture, but she put on her "Bad Hair Day" hat and gave us a smirk.


Patient Teacher
It was Mom's 50th birthday, but she patiently let the twins "help" her open her gifts.


Loving Mom
Oh for another of her hugs!


Wonderful Wife, Mother, and Grandmother
Never forgotten, greatly missed, especially on this day when we celebrate moms.

Just a Mom?

This was in our church bulletin for May and I wanted to share it here.

A woman, renewing her driver’s license at the County Clerk’s office, was asked by the woman recorder to state her occupation. She hesitated, uncertain how to classify herself.

“What I mean is,” explained the recorder, “do you have a job or are you just a ….?”

“Of course I have a job,” snapped the woman. “I’m a Mom.”

“We don’t list ’Mom’ as an occupation, “housewife” covers it,” said the recorder emphatically.

I forgot all about her story until one day I found myself in the same situation, this time at our own Town Hall. The Clerk was obviously a career woman, poised, efficient and possessed of a high sounding title like, ’Official Interrogator’ or ’Town Registrar’. “What is your occupation?” she probed.

What made me do it? I do not know. The words simply popped out. “I’m a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations.”

The clerk paused, ball-point pen frozen in midair and looked up as though she had not heard right.

I repeated the title slowly emphasizing the most significant words. Then I stared with wonder as my pronouncement was written, in bold, black ink on the questionnaire.

“Might I ask,” said the clerk with new interest, “ just what do you do in your field?”

Coolly, with out any trace of fluster in my voice, I heard myself reply, “I have a continuing program of research (what mother doesn’t), in the laboratory and in the field (normally I would have said indoors and out). I’m working for my Masters (first the Lord and then the whole family), and already have four credits (all daughters). Of course, the job is one of the most demanding in the humanities (any mother care to disagree?) and I often work 14 hours of a day (24 is more like it). But the job is more challenging than most run-of-the-mill careers, and the rewards are more of a satisfaction rather than just money.”



There was an increasing note of respect in the clerk’s voice as she completed the form, stood up, and personally ushered me to the door.

As I drove into the driveway, buoyed up by my glamorous new career, I was greeted by my lab assistants— ages 13, 7, and 3. Upstairs I could hear our new experimental model, (a six month old baby) in the child development program, testing out a new vocal pattern.

I felt I had scored a beat on bureaucracy! And I had gone on the official records as someone more distinguished and indispensable to mankind then “just another Mom.”

Motherhood! What a glorious career! Especially when there’s a title on the door.

Does this make grandmothers "Senior Research Associates in the field of Child Development and Human Relations" and great grandmothers "Executive Senior Research Associates"? I think so!!!

I also think it makes Aunts "Associate Research Assistants".

- Author Unknown

Don't Forget Mom (or Grandma)!

Unless you've had your head in the sand, you are aware that this Sunday is Mother's Day. If you're looking for gift ideas, feel free to reread my Valentine's Day Dos and Don'ts. But if your mom is like mine was, gifts really aren't what she wants.

Believe me when I say, just spending time with your mother is the most precious gift. It is a gift to her for the present and will be a gift to you in the future. I think Mom loved it most when we would spend Mother's Day in Fresno. Just having Les and me sitting with her in church brought a big smile.

While thinking about all this, I thought about Mom's mom - my Grandma Luella. She absolutely loved having her family in her home. When we were kids, our family made the trek from Fresno to Visalia (and later in the day to Woodlake) on many, many Saturdays. As soon as Mom would call Grandma to let her know we were coming, she'd start planning her menu. Something would be cooking when we walked in the door and we always took something home. Grandma was a Coupon Queen when coupons weren't cool! She had a pantry full of items that she'd paid pennies for - cake mixes, sugar, flour, canned goods, whatever you were looking for, it was probably in Grandma's pantry.


Oh, the stories Grandma could tell! She was born in Oklahoma in 1919, one of eleven children, so you can imagine the tales! She stayed with us for about a week one time because Mom was in the hospital. It seemed every evening she had a new story to tell. Looking back, it wasn't the stories, but Grandma's way of telling them. TRUE STORY - One time she was telling a story, all of us kids sitting on the floor in her living room listening, and she got so tickled her false teeth came out!!!


Grandma also kept track of tons of details. She kept a notebook in the end table next to her chair. There were dozens of notebooks through the years. If you asked when so-and-so had done such-and-such, Grandma would pull out her notebook and give you all the details! Usually, with some of her own commentary to go with it.

Grandma passed away October 15, 1998, one day after Mom's funeral. There have been many times when it just doesn't seem real. We were all still hurting so much over Mom, that Grandma's passing and funeral were a blur. But her love and stories are not forgotten.

Of course, Mother's Day should not be the only day you do something special for your mom, but definitely make the effort this weekend, she's worth it!

Happy Birthday, Dad!

Today is Dad's 71st birthday!

I can think of so many "Dadisms" - his little sayings and the way he said them -but the thing that comes to mind is his great love for his family. An example is when Rod broke his femur when he was about 11. Because of Rod's hemophilia, the doctors could not operate to put a pin in the bone (they may have not even done that back then), so he spent about 6 weeks in the hospital with his leg in traction until the bone could begin mending (then another 6-8 weeks in a body cast). Dad would come home from work every night, hurriedly shower and eat dinner, then we'd be off to the hospital. EVERY.NIGHT. No matter how hard he worked that day, how tired he was, he wasn't going to let his little boy spend the evening in the hospital by himself.

Dad has rescued each of his kids and granddaughters when we've had car trouble, ran out of gas, or locked our keys in the car. He was a truck driver for many years, so if you need directions to anywhere in California, ask Dad! You will not get lost IF you follow his directions. The day of Kim's wedding, we were all there except the twins. They called Kim, not sure where they were. The phone went to Dad. After a few moments of listening (another thing he does well - he listens), he told them exactly how to get to us.

For my entire childhood, we always had donuts on Saturday morning. It was one of our traditions. Dad would go to Eddy's Pastries in Fresno. Being kids (and picky!) all four of us had our favorites and Dad would make sure we each got our desired donut(s). As kids we were always up before he went to get them, but as teenagers he'd come wake us up to get our order. Our teenage response to "Do you want a donut this morning?" was usually, "No, I want more sleep!" But when we would finally drag ourselves out of bed, our usual orders would be there!

Dad, thank you for your love through the years! I love you SO much and I'll always be your Kid. Hope this is your best birthday ever!!

If you've been keeping track, my entire family has now celebrated their birthdays for 2009. We start with Mom, Rick, and Ryan in January. Rod, Krysten, and Lauren in March. Kim and me in April. And finally, Dad in May! Les' family is much more scattered!

Thoughts From a Triathlete

The last page of my latest Fitness magazine featured Laurel Wassner. Laurel is a professional triathlete - she runs, swims, and bikes. I cannot imagine excelling in all three areas. I run, but don't even excel in that! She is also teammates with her twin sister, Rebeccah.

What really makes Laurel special is she is a cancer survivor. Nine years ago, when she was just 23, she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. There were several of Laurel's quotes in the article, and I thought I would share these two:

"At my sickest point, all I wanted was a ponytail. I would dream about having that ponytail - it was a symbol of health and regaining a more normal routine."

I remember Mom losing her hair. Hats, scarves, and an occasional wig, took the place of her glorious hair, which she had kept in a ponytail for years. But it's not just cancer patients who long for normal routine. When our world gets rocked, it's the simple things that sound pretty good. In a world that is anything but normal, I'm so glad there is a God who is the same yesterday, today, and forever!

"Fitness is the reason my cancer doctors say I responded so well to chemo. The stronger my body, the better my chance for beating this disease."

Oh what I could say about that quote! My soapbox is calling! But I will resist and only say, "TAKE CARE OF YOUR BODY!" I've stepped down now... have a great day!

The Open Toed Shoe Pledge

It is now May. Time to pull out sandals and flip flips. Put all boots and galoshes away. Free the Feet!! Although there are some feet that should not be set free...


I confess that running hundreds of miles every year contributes to rough heels. And I go barefoot A LOT. I've tried numerous products - gone through my share of pumice stones, files, lotions, and soaks. But last week, I picked up Dr. Scholl's For Her Smooth My Sole Micro File and I'm impressed! It sloughed off my ugly, dead skin in minutes! After just one use, my feet were looking good and after several uses I think I'm 2" shorter! (Not really, but my heels are so much better!)


I have used Flexitol's Heel Balm for years and it was so much more effective after getting rid of the dead skin. So if you're looking for relief from ugly feet, give it a try. I'm sure whatever foot lotion you use will be that much better if you get rid of the dead skin first!

And finally, may we all take The Open Toed Shoe Pledge! I did not write this, it's been around a while, but it's worth renewing!

As a member of the Cute Girl Sisterhood, I pledge to follow the Rules when wearing sandals and other open-toe shoes:

I promise to always wear sandals that fit. My toes will not hang over and touch the ground, nor will my heels spill over the backs. And the sides and tops of my feet will not pudge out between the straps.
I will sand down any mounds of skin before they turn hard and yellow.
I will shave the hairs off my big toe.
I won't wear pantyhose even if my misinformed girlfriend, coworker, mother or sister tells me the toe seam really will stay under my toes if I tuck it there.
If a strap breaks, I won't duct-tape, pin, glue or tuck it back into place hoping it will stay put. I will get my shoe fixed or toss it.
I will not live in corn denial; rather I will lean on my good friend Dr. Scholl's if my feet need him.
I will resist the urge to buy jelly shoes at Payless for the low, low price of $4.99 even if my feet are small enough to fit into the kids' sizes. This is out of concern for my safety, and the safety of others. No one can walk properly when standing in a pool of sweat and I would hate to take someone down with me as I fall and break my ankle. (Uh hmm... I am guilty of this - not jelly shoes, but kids shoes since I wear a ladies size 5!)
I will be brutally honest with my girlfriend/sister/coworker when she asks me if her feet are too ugly to wear sandals. Someone has to tell her that her toes are as long as my fingers and no sandal makes creepy feet look good.
I will promise if I wear flip flops that I will ensure that they actually flip and flop, making the correct noise while walking and I will NOT to slide or drag my feet while wearing them.
I will promise to go my local nail salon at least once per season and have a real pedicure (they are about $25 and worth EVERY penny).
I will promise to throw away any white/off-white sandals that show signs of wear... nothing is tackier than dirty white sandals.
Don't keep this to yourself - pass it on to other sisters.