The Cruiser

OK -- I know how much Schopp loved the last time I did this, so this one goes out to him. It's hard to label this blog "feminine" when it involves this subject matter!
For recent readers you'll remember my 76 Toyota Land Cruiser just a few weeks back when it looked like this:

And now after the recent paint job and all the touch ups it's back in mint condition. Deep forest green with black bumpers and stainless steel trim and wheels. The cargo area was specially designed for hauling tools, hot babes, (their names are Cherie and Sofie) guitars, and other manly stuff. Saweeeeet! ...And that's probably my last blog ever! Come out for a few mountain 4 Wheel Drive trail runs soon -- Ryan

26.2

This is the dorky hat up close that I bought at the expo while registering. Holds all the gel and stuff you can stuff in it. I am such a running dork. OK doesn't this smile look like I am going to chomp someone's achille's off? EEEAAASY.
Testing out the hat, running in place. Can you say NERDO?

This is my friend Amanda who went with me to the race. She is fast, so we stuck together the first 15 miles and then I sent her off into the wild blue yonder, she ended up finishing the race 15 minutes before me. The first 8 miles of the race were uphill, but not bad. The race then was downhill and we really kicked it up for about 5 miles, cruised. Beautiful course, and pretty enjoyable. There were great aide stations every couple of miles, and then as we were running down the hill into the city, with the moutains behind us, there were hot air balloons ascending. Here we are at 4:30 in the morning, we were up at 4 am. The race started at 5:30, and we had to be at the bus by 4:45. We have to get up about an hour or so before the race to eat and get the caffeine in us and also, accomplish bodily functions. Nobody wants to squat and do THAT behind a bush.
After the race just before we were on our way home. It seemed weird to be there without Ryan cheering me on. He was home with our babies, and I missed them. By the way I finished the race in about 4:36-4:40, won't know til they post the final numbers on the marathon website.
Got her a butterfly outfit in Albuquerque. She loves the pretty dress up stuff, such a girl.
This is the first of many more bruises to come. This happened Friday morning under the watchful eye of my husband...... Sofie was in bed with me watching sesame street, Jack was in the bathroom with Ryan while he got ready for work. All was peaceful and quiet, enjoying my child and my coffee in bed. All of a sudden I hear Jack screaming bloody murder. Then, all of a sudden I see Ryan falling, with nothing on but shaving cream, and Jack in his arms. WHAT IN THE WORLD???? Both are now lying on the floor, my husband, like I said, nothing on but shaving cream, and Jack with this HUGE goose egg on his head. (Jack was trying to crawl in the bathroom and bonked his head on the track to the closet door). So Ryan, in a hurry trying to bring Jack to me, got his toe stuck in the bottom of the door and fell with Jack in his arms. Flippin shaving cream EVERYWHERE. Then Sofie starts crying because she sees her dad lying on the floor in pain and Jack screaming, LORDY. All this chaos at 7:30 in the morning. So this was the cause of all the commotion, the big goose egg.

I've Learned

Rya and his buddy Virgil are driving my Dad's mustang accross the country this week, here is a pic of that pretty car! Can't wait til he gets home, very tired.

I've learned.... That the best classroom in the world is at the feet of an elderly person.

I've learned.... That when you're in love, it shows.

I've learned.... That just one person saying to me, 'You've made my day!' makes my day.

I've learned.... That having a child fall asleep in your arms is one of the most peaceful feelings in the world.

I've learned.... That being kind is more important than being right.

I've learned.... That you should never say no to a gift from a child.

I've learned.... That I can always pray for someone when I don't have the strength to help him in some other way.

I've learned.... That no matter how serious your life requires you to be, everyone needs a friend to act goofy with.

I've learned.... That sometimes all a person needs is a hand to hold and a heart to understand.

I've learned.... That simple walks with my father around the block on summer nights when I was a child did wonders for me as an adult.

I've learned.... That life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

I've learned.... That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

I've learned.... That money doesn't buy class.

I've learned.... That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

I've learned... That under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved.

I've learned.... That to ignore the facts does not change the facts.

I 've learned.... That when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you.

I've learned.... That love, not time, heals all wounds.

I've learned.... That the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am.

I've learned.... That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile.

I've learned.... That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them.

I've learned... That life is tough, but I'm tougher.

I've learned.... That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss.

I've learned.... That when you harbor bitterness, happiness will dock elsewhere.

I've learned.... That I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away.

I've learned.... That one should keep his words both soft and tender, because tomorrow he may have to eat them.

I've learned.... That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks.

I've learned.... That when your newly born child holds your little finger in his little fist, that you're hooked for life.

I've learned.... That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain, but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it.

I've learned.... That the less time I have to work with, the more things I get done.