...and in running news...

Today's run was much like Monday's. I just couldn't get settled until towards the end and walked more in the beginning and sooner than I really cared to. My legs just wouldn't go and my breathing wasn't even. At least I was able to settle with about 8 minutes left instead of 5 minutes. It's not much, but it's a start. Covered 2.47 in 30 minutes today. Maybe Friday I'll come home and run instead of being out at the track.

Isaiah 29:13

The Lord says: These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men."

Praying my worship today is more than rules taught by men.

Hallelujah!

Clayton got a call today that he got the job he interviewed for this morning! His title is "Network Support Engineer." I don't know exactly what that means other than the fact that he will be doing computer related work. God is SO good to provide a job in the field that he is studying in now. Just one more hurdle to get over now.

Blessings through tough times (or things I'm thankful for...in the past week)

1. Spending time with Leslie and her family
2. Remembering a godly man and celebrating his life
   
3. Family waiting at the airport for me
4. Two hours at the beach on a gorgeous day
5. Brunch with 2 close college friends
6. Picnic at the lake with my church family
7. Seeing people I haven't seen in years
8. Helping someone in a time of need
9. Upgraded car
10. Three days off of work
11. Seeing God's hand in a difficult situation
12. Seeing a family pull together to make decisions
13. Being invited to stay even though I'm not related by blood or marriage
14. Phone calls with good news
15. Visiting with both grandmothers
16. Lunch with my parents when other lunch plans fell through
17. People in SC praying for complete strangers in FL
18. Being missed
19. No seatmates on the airplane (lots of reading!)
20. Comfort through God's word
    

Running and other things

So, I've been averaging a run about twice a week since school let out in May. I was hoping that when school started back (2 weeks ago today) that I could get back into my 3 times a week. No such luck so far. The first week I only ran once. My watch was dead that Monday, so I'm not exactly sure how long or how far I ran. I don't remember all the circumstances for the following week and why I didn't run again, but I didn't. The next run was a week ago today. It was decent, 2.51 in 30 minutes. Next was Thursday, in Pensacola and 85% humidity. Oh, how it was hard to breathe in that, but I managed 2.3 in 27.50. Surprisingly, the first mile clocked in at 9.40. I've NEVER done a mile that fast. NEVER. Maybe that's why the 2.10 to make 30 seemed like an eternity and I stopped. I got back out today and did 2.33 in 30. I was sluggish today. Couldn't get into the run even though I tried. I usually can do the first mile without much of a problem, but at 0.75ish I had to walk for a little while. The last 5 minutes were great. I got settled into the run just in time to stop. At this point, I'm planning on getting out again Wednesday. The morning weather has cooled off considerably (in the 60s!) so it's been really nice.

I'm working on a project in my bathroom. It needs to be painted. I took most of the wallpaper off one day last week. All that is left is what is behind the toilet. Also, the popcorn ceiling was falling over the shower, so I made the decision that I was just going to take all of it off. I did that this afternoon. It was easy, but VERY messy. I swept up what I could, vacuumed up more, and will have to mop to get the rest up. I'm planning on painting the ceiling a bright white and the walls the sage green that was supposed to go in Kristin's room before she was born. I've found a shower curtain at Target that is brown and has the same shade of green in it as the paint. I think I might mix and match green and brown accessories and maybe change all the drawer knobs from polished brass to chrome to go with the faucets. I would love to do something brushed, but we can't change the faucets right now. We just put these in less than 2 years ago. Project when this one is finished is to either paint the kids rooms or repaint their bathroom. Both need to be done...

Legacy

As I reflect over the activities of the past week, I wonder what kind of legacy I will leave. I had the privilege of reuniting with my best friend this past week. It's been 5 years since last I saw her. We picked up right where we left off. The circumstances were bittersweet. You see, her father passed away August 20th. He was a godly, easygoing man, yet firm in his beliefs. He and his wife produced 4 children and raised them to be godly people. They also raised them to know their own minds and to stand up for what they believe. That can get pretty interesting when they're not in agreement, but it's a credit to them that they can sit around a table and talk and work things out for the best of all involved. Mr. Parker's legacy isn't limited to just him. It fans out around him through his wife, his children, his grandchildren, his friends, his coworkers. Proof is in the people who drove 2 hours to be at the visitation and funeral Thursday night. Proof is in the crowded bottom floor of the sanctuary where the memorial service was held.

Some of my best memories were made with the Parker family, like the time we went to New Orleans for a day, spending the night in Biloxi on the way there. Or the time Leslie and JJ came to see me at college and instead of staying there, we went to Biloxi and water-skied and visited Boomtown Casino. Or the surprise birthday party for my 20th birthday. I love how I am considered family even though I'm not related by blood or marriage. How when no one but family was around Thursday night and Friday afternoon, I was there and welcomed and no one thought anything of it. 20 years is a long time to call someone your best friend. I've been fortunate to be able to call Leslie my best friend for at least that long. In high school, if you saw one of us, you most likely saw the other...even though we went to different schools. Trips to the beach and stopping at BK on the way home for Whoppers. Just hanging out and watching a movie. Yes, legacy extends to the family and to the memories made with the family. Bittersweet. Bitter because of the circumstances, but sweet because of the new memories made.

I'm leaving...

...on a jet plane. I'm flying out to Pensacola in the morning so I can be with my best friend and her family at her father's funeral services. I'm planning on meeting up with some other friends while I'm in town and have a day of relaxing at the beach (at least for the morning). I think I've only ever gone "home" once before without any of my family...and that was before the kids were born...and only for a couple days. I'm looking forward to some down time. I'm going to miss Clayton and the kids, though. I know they'll be well taken care of while I'm gone...they can take care of themselves and Pop and Nona will have the kids a couple nights.

Blessings

1. My husband - he's sending me to Florida for the funeral of my best friend's father
2. Airline ticket and rental car for less than an airline ticket costs
3. Weekends in Charleston
4. Scripture
5. Making plans to see friends from college
6. My children being back in school
7. Running
8. Music
9. Peace from God
10. Love and support from my Christian family
11. Handel's Messiah - how fun to learn!
12. Sleeping in my own bed
13. My MIL - willing to take the kids to school Wednesday and pick Kristin up Wednesday and Thursday
14. Prayer
15. Praying for others
16. Others praying for me
17. My parents
18. Conversations with my grandmother
19. Conversations with my kids
20. Conversations with my husband
    

Since last time

• My husband has resigned
• My kids started school
• My best friend's father passed away
• We've been to Charleston and back
• I've secured airline tickets and a rental car
• I've run/walked 2.5 miles in 30 minutes
• I've had good conversations via FB
• I've missed my church family
• I've run/walked about 2.25 miles in 40ish minutes
• I've watched Tangled...twice
• I've had really good seafood
• I've been in the Atlantic Ocean
• I've ridden in a Cobra Mustang
• I've have peace that passes all understanding
• I've been encouraged by brothers and sisters in Christ
• I've encouraged a sister in Christ
• I've believed that Christ holds all things together
• I've missed choir rehearsarations

Quick post

School starts tomorrow, thus a new schedule starts tomorrow. I'm looking forward to getting back on a regular schedule. (The waking up early, not so much...) Alarm is set for 6 so I can get up by 6:30 (I know how I work) and can get the kids up and moving. Hoping to leave by 7, but a little after won't hurt. Since tomorrow is the first day, I plan to walk the kids in and take at least Kristin to her class. After that, I'm heading across the street to the track to get a run in. I'm hoping to run more than I walk and to last 30 minutes.

Special scripture

Over the past 3 weeks, I've read or been given scripture that is encouraging to Clayton's work situation: Psalm 118: 15-18 and Proverbs 18:17 are the 2 that stand out at the moment. Many, many people have been praying for us and we have been at peace with the entire situation and whatever the outcome may be.

Playing catch up....maybe

I'm going to attempt to play catch up with the blog tonight. Not sure if I'm going to be able to word things just how I want to or not since there's been a lot going on. The following is in no particular order of importance or even sequential...they are listed as they come to me.

• Clayton and I celebrated 12 years of marriage on July 24 by spending the weekend in Gatlinburg, TN
• Same weekend, Clayton was put on paid leave for allegedly beating up someone in his custody; he's still on paid leave and we are waiting for the situation to be resolved
  
• Kids are registered for K-4 and 3rd grade
• Clayton passed a HUGE certification test for Network Security (he's been in school for a year and has about a year to a year and a half to go)

Those are the big things that have happened over the last month. Other, inconsequential things have occurred, too. I've been running on the treadmill off and on this summer. I don't particularly care for the treadmill. It's boring. My leg hurts when I use it. I have to remember how far I ran in what distance rather than just uploading my run from the Garmin watch. I'm stuck at a set pace unless I manually change the pace. On the upside, I have gotten back to almost a full 30 minutes of running and am back up to about 2.6 miles. The kids go back to school Monday, so I plan to be at the track right after I drop them off so I can get used to running outside again and getting back on a regular schedule.

Weight loss to date: 26.5 pounds.