I VOTED FOR KEN

Hey everyone if you haven't read Ken's blog yet please do so.

On the right side of my blog (not left LOL a little inside joke)

there is a link to vote for Ken for a deserving award. I think Ken

highly deserves this award for having the best blog about running.

He is a great mentor and friend. He is always ready to help a fellow

runner out. He gives great advice when you need it.

I think coach Kathy rocks in this department as well but since there is

no smackdown between the two of them then I have to toot Ken's horn

for this award.

I voted and so should you, so please click on the link and vote.

MY SUNMART ADVENTURE

You've heard all about Bobby & Ken's adventure at Sunmart
now here is my adventure.

Friday, the day we left for Sunmart I enjoyed caravaning with
Ken & Dana. The drive was pleasant and the weather wasn't
that bad either until we hit the dreaded Dallas traffic.


The traffic was horrible it was bumper to bumper and cars
zipping left and right all over the place. I don't know why they
have speed limit signs posted as no one there follows it. I guess
drivers ed there they teach you how to drive like a maniac. I was
a nervous wreck and ended up keeping my eyes closed all the way
through it. Finally we were out of that town thank goodness and
on our way to Houston to pick up everyones packet. When we
arrived in Houston as you all heard we had to go on a journey first
to find Bobby's vespa. I was getting a little creeped out by the area
we were in and wondered if we were going on a drug deal instead.

Now tell me if you would be a little leary buying Vespa from here.
We braved up and decided to go inside of here. The inside was a
little junky and creepy but the guy there was nice and wished
everyone luck on their race. When we left I thought to myself we
might ought to hurry in case the police come and raid us thinking
we were buying drugs. Everyone was out on their porches in this
seedy area and looking at us as if we were some junkie needing a fix.
Oh well I guess that is the fun of traveling and making memories
as you go.


We finally arrived at the Sheraton for the packet pickup and the
yummy pasta dinner. The buffet of all kinds of pasta and salad
were scrumdillyishis. We finally decided to head toward our hotel
and thankfully Roman, Brian & Kathy texted Ken ahead of time and
told him there was a traffic jam on the interstate so thanks to Ken's
GPS in his jeep he found an alternate route to get us there.


The day of the race we all met up at the state park and waited for the
race to begin. I couldn't believe how many people were there and how
beautiful the scenery was. The weather was quite chilly and my hands
were very cold. When everyone got headed out on their race Roman,
John (Ken's nephew) & myself decided we would go sightseeing and
shopping while we were waiting for them to finish. We knew we had
plenty of time for our own adventure. So we loaded up in our rental
car (Roman & I teased John about driving Dana's Jeep but he said she
would get mad since he didn't have a license yet. I don't think she will let
us babysit him anymore LOL.) and headed first to the Sam Houston
visitor center and monument park. On our way to the monument we
drove by the Texas penitentiary and was joking around about stopping
and visiting someone just out of random. WE then passed a tatoo parlor
and joked about getting a tatoo and also joked about seeing if the
penitentiary would let us buy their orange jumpsuits and when everyone
came back from their race we would be there with our orange jumpsuits
on and donning our tatoos. That would teach them to leave us alone
while they were out playing in the woods LOL.

You could go inside and browse in this building but it was closed
when we were there.

Me standing in front of this huge statue.

John (Ken's nephew) & myself standing on a bridge in a wooded
area of the visitor center.

Me standing on the porch of the visitor center.

This cat was sitting on the hood of our car when we were leaving
the visitor center. I guess he was the centers guard cat but he was
very friendly and cute.

We loaded up in the car and went to IHOP to eat breakfast and kill
some time before we headed onward to our next stop.

We drove about 25 miles south of Huntsville to Conroe to do a little
shopping at the outlet mall. I had only been to an outlet mall one other
time in my life and I was so excited on how big this mall was and all the
good deals I was getting. We were having a good time and then Roman
thought we better put a little speed into our shopping since it was getting
close to everyone starting to return back from their race. So once again
we loaded up in the car and we decided to go to sonic by our hotel which
was five miles north of the park. We decided to take this road that we
thought we took previously from the park to head back to the park and it
was never ending and we never saw the turn off for the park. I kept
driving and driving and driving and I told Roman if we end up back in
Conroe I was going to cry because mind you that was 25 miles south of
the park. We finally found a turn off toward the interstate that we
needed and luckily we were only 5 miles south of the park. WE returned
just in time to see Lisa, Jason, Jenni, Janeen, Bob (Janeen's dad), Bobby,
Dana, Ken & Kathy finish. Brian & Jeff (Ken's nephew) had already finished
by the time we got there.

These 2 silly girls decided they wanted to pretend like they were doing
snot rockets while we were waiting for everyone else to finish. You have
to be silly to belong to our group LOL.

We soon feasted on this huge spread of hamburgers, hot dogs, potato
salad, beans and brisket. We decided to head it toward the hotel but first
Dana fell in love with this santa.

They had the park all decked out with Christmas decorations and
at night time it was a wonderland.

When we got to our rooms Bobby & I relaxed a bit while watching
OU play that great game. During half time we decided to join some
of the TATURS at this mexican restaurant that was within walking
distance from our hotel but when we were heading toward where we
thought it was we couldn't find it so Bobby was starting to get grouchy
and demanded that I go inside the dairy queen to ask them where it was.
So I went in and had to wait to ask someone for directions and Bobby
came in all huffy because I wasn't being fast enough. I was getting
perturbed at him and told him not to take his grouchiness out on me
because I didn't make him run 31 miles. I know being a runner myself
that after a long run you do tend to be a little grouchy but your still not
ready to listen to it if it is your spouse that is grouchy. We had to walk in
the busy street with the crazy drivers at night and was getting honked at
so I am sure that didn't help Bobby's mood. We finally made it there in
one peace and still civil to each other and when we got to the table
Everyone was clapping for Bobby so that changed his mood
(thanks to all the TATURS for that help). We enjoyed visiting with
everyone that was there. WE decided it was time to call it a night and
found a closer way to go back to our hotel without having to play in the street.

Sunday morning it was time to head it home so we loaded up the car and
decided to stop at IHOP for breakfast.

We finally hit the road toward home and when we got to Dallas thank
goodness the traffic wasn't quite as bad as it was coming. While we were
traveling along We had the company of John (Ken's nephew) riding with us.
WE really enjoy him and his twin brother Jeff which I have a hard time
telling apart but by the end of the trip I knew who was who. These boys are
a joy to be around. They are very polite and very helpful. I think they take
after their uncle Ken and aunt Dana in that department. I told them I was
going to adopt them since I need a son of my own.

While we were traveling home we seen this huge fire at a barbeque place,
which we figured barbeque was out of the question then. later there was
this car totally engulfed on the side of the road and there were firetrucks
and police cars all around and as we went by something under the car
exploded and threw something in the air toward us and that was a little
scary. I prayed that no one was in the car at the time it caught on fire.
That is the only thing I hate about traveling is that you sometimes see
all sorts of things along the way.

When we finally got into Oklahoma we stopped at one of my favorite
places which is Robertsons smokehouse. They have the best smoked
ham sandwiches. I got some smoked turkey and smoked bacon to bring
home and it too is yummy. So if you are ever traveling toward Texas
and you see a sign for Robertsons it is worth it to stop.

When we finally arrived in Tulsa we had to meet Roman at RunnersWorld
to drop off some of his luggage because they didn't have room in the other
vehicles for it. Roman & Kathy woke Bobby & I up early that morning before
they left to see if we had room for it so they got to see us at our finer
moment of sleepy eyes and bad hair LOL.

Now you know my Sunmart saga and all the fun I had so with all the eating
I did while there I need to go on a diet and run more.

ED BEWARE !!!!!

Ed Beware!!!! Today when I opened my front door guess what
those sneaky people left me!!!!
(Drum Roll Please )

That's right they are at it again! They tiptoed quietly to my

front porch so I wouldn't hear them and left these beauties ,

at least they got the hint and changed the color of the bags.

Ed you should like the orange look for the OSU color even though

OU will win this weekend LOL. They were so sneaky even my dog

didn't hear them I guess they knew I would try to make them take it

back. I don't need these so maybe Ed you will take them off my hands

to go with your collection. So be looking for a phonebook coming to your

front porch soon.

MY CRAZY EIGHTS

Ok. Since I was tagged by Ken here is my crazy eights list.

8 SHOWS I LOVE TO WATCH

1. Survivor
2. Dancing with stars
3. Greys anatomy
4. Amazing race ( I still think Kathy & Roman should do this )
5. Private practice
6. Desperate housewives
7. Celebrity rehab
8. Two and a half men

8 PLACES I LOVE TO EAT

1. Chimis
2. Golden Palace
3. Steak and Ale ( I wish they were still in business)
4. Outback
5. Charlestons
6. Jasons Deli ( I love their ruebens, potatoe soup & salad bar )
7. Napoli's
8. Arnolds
9. I would have put at home because I love my cooking but I don't cook much anymore since it is only Bobby to cook for LOL.

8 THINGS I DID YESTERDAY

1. Showered
2. Worked in my daughters place since she is sick
3. Cooked cabbage soup for dinner
4. Watched t.v.
5. Loaded dishwasher
6. Reserved a car for Sunmart trip
7. Read magazines
8. Went to bed

8 THINGS I LOOK FORWARD TO

1. Thanksgiving
2. Christmas
3. Spending time with my granddaughter & daughter
4. Sunmart
5. My 30 year Anniversary in January
6. Bobby coming home from work
7. Running with our group
8. Going shopping

8 THINGS I LOVE ABOUT FALL

1. Holidays
2. Eating more soups & Chili
3. Snuggling in my blankets
4. No allergies for awhile
5. Drinking hot teas
6. Watching football
7. Eating more especially at Holiday time but anytime really since we need the extra pounds for warmth.
8. Not having to do spring cleaning.

It was hard to find 8 things I liked about fall since Fall and Winter are not my favorite times of years. I don't like the cold, I miss all the sunshine and warmth of the sun since I am a person who has to have sunshine everyday to function well. I don't like running the heater because it dries my nose out.

8 THINGS ON MY WISHLIST

1. For my daughter to get to feeling better
2. More grandkids but I know that won't happen
3. Spend more time with my granddaughter
4. Another 30 + years with Bobby
5. My heart to be fixed ( I know that God can perform that miracle )
6. To run better
7. Go to Greece with Our running group
8. Quit taking all the meds I take ( I will have to trust God on this one too )

I am like Erin my life is complete and happy so I don't have alot that I wish for. I have a great husband, I have the best daughter and granddaughter and I too get to

stay home ( for health reasons) so what else is there that I should want.

I NOW TAG :

1. Bobby ( I know he doesn't like to play these games but it is worth a try )
2. Alicia
3. Aunt Julia
4. Deon
5. Ed
6. Lisa
7. Russell
8. Christin

I hope you all get as much fun from this as I did. Have a blessed week and a Happy Thanksgiving.

ANYBODY NEED A SLIP-NOTZ ?

I have the greatest multi talented Aunt in the world. I adore her so

much and she is so full of love and positiveness and would do anything

for anyone. She lives in Round Rock, Texas which is a suburb of Austin.

Round Rock is a good place to visit if you haven't been there. Round Rock

has the best donuts ever next to Krispy Kremes so if you ever are in the

neighborhood you have to try them. I unfortunately don't get a chance to

visit my beautiful Aunt very often but I do get so much positive energy

from her when I do visit or even when I chat with her on facebook. Like

I said she is multi talented, she is a fabulous artist, she makes the best

cookies ever and she did have her own cookie business at one time but

now she makes cookies for the firestation in her neighborhood, she is a

songwriter and did live in Nashville for several years and sold her songs

to famous country singers and I am sure you probably heard them. She

moved from Nashville to Round Rock to be close to her grandkids and now

she has just invented and patented the slip-notz.

What is a Slip-Notz? Finally, a product that keeps your dust ruffle in place!

No more shifting, bunching or movement while shoving the mattress back

into place when initially dressing the bed, changing the bedding or simply

making the bed.

This product has just been marketed by a famous store which she hasn't

released the name yet so for now you can go online at

http://www.slip-notz.com/ to order as many as you like.

They would make good christmas gifts or just for yourself. They come in

all bed sizes. I know if I had a dust ruffle I would be buying this for me.

I know how frustrating it is when you are changing sheets and the dust

ruffle moves all over the place.

I know you guys out there think this is not for you but I bet you would

score big time with your wives if you bought this for her alongside some

jewelry of course.

So take a moment and browse at her website it will tell more about it

and how to use it. I will have to go out and buy me a dust ruffle so I can

have one. She always posts thoughts for the day on facebook and I look

forward everyday to reading them and it gives me so much inspiration

for the day. So this is what she posted today.

Thought for the day: There's joy in everything I do.

So I hope everyone will get some joy out of reading this and Aunt Julia

if your reading this I hope you enjoyed it and didn't mind me bragging

on you a bit. I know you have more talents than what I listed so forgive

me for not mentioning them all.

Maybe next time I will post about me being the second cousin to

David Gates the lead singer in Bread for those that are old enough

to remember them.

QUARTER MARATHONERS UNITE !

I am truly proud of us Quarter marathoners for running a good race at the
Route 66. We set out to run a good race and break records for ourselves
and we did. I wanted to do atleast a 1:30 but did come in at 1:35 so I am
happy since I did break my last years time of 1:49. I don't think that was
bad for this old lady with all the health issues I have. I felt good during the
run keeping myself in a zone and happy that I got to have my music to keep
me going. I enjoyed seeing Candice, Joye, Glen & Christin along the way
cheering for me. I also was happy when I spotted Coach Kathy cheering for
me as well because when I seen her that gave me the inspiration to keep
going and try hard to push myself to my goal. When I was coming into the
finish line and I looked over in the crowd and seen Kathy there cheering
and smiling at me I knew I had accomplished my goal (even though I
missed my time by 5 minutes) with her help and encouragement.

I enjoyed visiting afterwards with Meg who did awesome also in the Quarter.
I tried to find Sandra also afterwards to give her my congrats but couldn't
find her so last night at our run I seen her and gave her a big high five. She
is so inspiring to me as well.

I enjoyed the lovely delectable undercooked hamburger (Yummo) that they
were serving to us. Did anyone else get to try these yummy selmonilla on a
bun? I like my hamburger a little pink but it was a little too raw for my taste.
I later seen people with pizza and thought man I wished they would have
had that for us quarter marathoners instead. I guess I should be thankful
for what I did get.

I was so proud of all the halfers meeting their goals and of course all the
marathoners as well. I had fun getting to cheer all of them in but the
straw that broke the camels back in the emotion category was when I
seen Bobby coming in and how alot of the group united and ran in with
him and when I got to cross the line with him. I was so proud of him.


Back to the reason why I titled my blog "Quarter Marathoners Unite!".
You know after all the hoopla is over with and you start to settle back
into your everyday routine some people including me start having negative
thoughts (which I try not to be negative) about their accomplishments and
that voice in your head tells you that since you have done the half before
then the quarter is not that big of an accomplishment but I quickly shook
that feeling off because it is a huge accomplishment for all of us that did do
the quarter. WE did succeed because we were out there running and not at
home like alot of people are sitting on the couch.
I succeeded my expectations by being able to run again since my illness. I
was telling someone later about these feelings I was having and someone
overheard me and said "Oh well what matters is that you were there
cheering all the halfers and marathoners in." Yes I know cheering for your
fellow runner is very important and exciting but gee don't kick a quarter
marathoner when they are down please give us some encouraging words
as well. I am more determined than ever now to go for the half marathon
once again in OKC if God willing, heart willing and Dr. willing will allow it.

I am having a wonderful week because my daughter and granddaughter is
back home from Florida, I am getting to spend time with all my
RunnersWorld friends, I am feeling good and I am going back to my positive
mode and having peace within myself what more could I want
"LIFE IS GOOD!"

DEPRESSING WEEK BUT LOOKING FORWARD TO THE ROUTE 66

I know we all have had those weeks when everytime you turn around something depressing happens. Well I guess this is my week.
first my daughter and granddaughter are gone all week to Florida to go to Disney. I know they are having a good time but I miss talking to my daughter everyday this week. I will be glad when they are back home safe and sound.
second depressing thing that happened is our neighbor across the street from us passed away at home suddenly. She was just 76 and I know she wasn't in the best of health but she wasn't expected to go anytime soon. She was a sweet lady and will miss seeing her out and about. We have had so many neighbors pass away in the past few years and sad to say we still have a few more that probably won't be around a whole lot longer but I guess that is what happens when your neighbors are your elders that Bobby has grown up with.
This morning my mom called me to tell me that my dad had a fall in the bathroom and she had to get her neighbor to help her get him up. My poor little dad is very feeble and not in the best of health and I worry alot about him. I went and spent time with them to make sure he was ok and to help my mom with him. I hate it that our parents have to get old and rely now on our care. I don't mind taking care of them and I love them dearly but I just want to hold onto the memories of when I was young and they were in better health and taking care of me.
I hope I didn't bum you all out too much but I just had to vent a little hoping it would make me feel better. Now on top of having a depressing week I did have a few good things go on.
I am still reflecting on my joyous time I had with everyone that was at the mother road race. I had such an amazing experience that I am ready to do it again. I know Ken & Kathy aren't in no big hurry for that.
I enjoyed Thursday nights walk with Candice & Lindsay. I also enjoyed seeing the beautiful Aiden. I appreciated all the hard work that Kathy & Brian did to throw the pizza party. The food was good but visiting with friends was priceless.
I am now focusing on (I am not going to say only) the quarter marathon. I was so hoping to do the half this year but there is always next year for that but maybe I will be in Greece at that time who knows. I am looking forward to the challenge and all the excitement that goes along with it. I will be at the finish waiting and cheering all the half and full marathoners in. I found out I am good at this cheering thing. I can't wait to go to the expo tonight to pick up our race packets because that makes it more real and now we have to go through with it no backing out.

hopefully everyone will eat well and get plenty of rest and I will see you Sunday.