2009 Motto

Cleveland legend, Steve Hartline, use to make up slogans and email/text them out at the stroke of midnight for the New Year. In fact, he probably still does it and I've just been deleted from the list, but I digress...I guess I was sort of inspired, as Steve does so well. So, a few years ago I started to attach a Bible verse to the new year. This is a bit more meaningful than Steve's slogans that were sometimes a bit too cliche ("Staying Alive in 2005" for example). It was my way of proclaiming God' promises over the coming 365 days. Mostly prompted by current situations/obstacles, I would identify the verse in my Bible and write the year next to it.

2005: "If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land." Isaiah 1:19
2006: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
2007: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful." Joshua 1:8
2008: "No eye has seen no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" I Corinthians 2:9

Each year has a special lesson or breakthrough attached. If you know anything about my 2008, you know that the year was unbelievable but such a blessing in the things God has prepared for me. So, I have been in search of the 2009 promise I want assigned. This last week I realized what it would be:

"Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him." Psalm 34:8

I have sown a lot in the last few years and experienced both joy and heartache. Although at the time of disappointments I found it difficult to see the good, I have learned that those moments help me to recognize the blessings. I have been committed to my faith, persevered in the valley, and found refuge in my Lord. I am proclaiming His blessing over my life this year and believing that He will indeed exceed my expectations. This is the year of my harvest!

A Taste of Home

I am going to admit to you that I can be a bit voyeuristic in my interweb surfing. If you put it on Facebook, then you want me to know, right? Well, I stumbled on an old friend's page and found her blog. I want to encourage you to read it. You will find the link to the right, Big City Bare Feet. Missy and I go way back growing up in church together. Her family was the one that welcomed all us kids into their home often. (I guess she's an adult now and goes by Melissa, but she will always be Missy to me.) Anyways, she has crafted the greatest blog entry I have ever heard/seen. You MUST go see it. She talks about my home and growing up in a small town. It is so perfect and those of you that have spent time in Cleveland, aka Cleve-Vegas, will appreciate it all the more. Watching and hearing her took me home for those few minutes and those were the best few minutes of my day!

20k Success

I've been running consistently for the last 8+ years. It was only in the last 2 years that I decided to get really serious about it and train for long distances. I am currently training for my 3rd half marathon.
During the training season, I have good runs and I have bad runs. I am just beginning to pinpoint how to make them all good runs, weather permitting. My last half was from the pit of hell. I hated it. I blame the 97% humidity and the nervousness I always get pre-race. Nonetheless, I keep going. This training season has seen more bad runs than usual, or so I think. I attempted a 10 mile run a few weeks ago and got sick around mile 8. I had to make a stop in the Visitor's Center and attempted to run the final 2 miles. It just wasn't going to happen and so I fell short of my goal. BOOOO! That was the last long run before this morning.
I have been a bit nervous all week for this 20k since I hadn't successfully completed a double digit distance yet. However, I did it and felt really good. I mean, the 2 sets of hills weren't my favorites and I honestly thought I was going to die on the last one, but I did it! Time wasn't my best, but it wasn't slow either. And, I have no ITB problems, which is typically an issue 12+ miles for me. So, I'm very encouraged for the half in a few weeks.
So, what makes a good run, good? I think I have narrowed it down to a few things. One thing I can't control is weather. I don't mind cold but I don't like windy. Today was about 30ish degrees when we started, but the sun was bright. That made a world of difference. Another thing is food. I mean, I know what I should be eating but sometimes I fall short. I specifically planned for my Friday night meal not to mention wisdom in my breakfast and lunch options that day. Also, I have a routine pre-run that works. Today I spiced it up a bit and I think that helped. I always eat a piece of bread with peanut butter and try to eat an entire banana. I usually don't finish the banana but leave the rest in my car so I can eat the last bite or so when I return from the run. I've been over peanut butter for awhile, so today I added a little bit of jelly. Mmmmm! It helped me to stomach it. :o) The final thing is rest. I have gone to bed early every night this week so I was sure to be completely rested come Saturday morning. I know I looked rough this morning. My running partner asked me when she saw me if they were keeping me up but I did feel rested. I just took a little longer to get stirring.
The Shamrock will be less than a mile more than what I ran today, so I know I can do it. I may even beat my PR in a few weeks. I'm not holding my breath on that one though. Finishing strong like I did today without any ITB problems will make me extremely happy.

Bright Eyes Tour 09

The Bright Eyes formed at a Benefit Cosmetics counter at Tyson's Corner in 2004. We had just attended W's 2nd Inauguration (75% of us were together for Inaugural #1) and were preparing for our first political party with the National Review editors and readers. I guess the excitement of the event and the nervousness of meeting some of the most brilliant pundits made us fantastic targets for aforementioned cosmetics counter. We were suckered into buying what was described as a life changing product, Bright Eyes. I guess you can say, our lives haven't been the same. Here we are in 2004 with John O'Sullivan.


During that trip, we made a pact to gather together every 4 years. If the GOP wins, we meet in DC. If someone else wins, we take a trip. We decided NYC was the destination this time.

I drove up to Karin's place and we were going to leave the next morning to scoop the girls up from Newark. I was a bit embarrassed when I took my suitcase, aka Bertha, out of the car. You see, Joanna had convinced me to bring a big suitcase for "just in case" purchases. Thankfully, Jo's bag was almost as obnoxious...but not quite. (I brought my own pillow since I had so much room. I think they were jealous once they saw the flat options in the hotel room.)
For Christmas this year, Karin bought us all "Ms. Bright Eyes" tees. We decided that we would wear them to travel in. Yes, it is very dorky to do such a thing, but who cares. It was funny.

(L to R: Me, Joanna Key, Nikki Ritterspach, and Karin Kramer)

We pretty much did everything we could in the few days we were there. Isn't it amazing how you can pack in activities but still feel like you didn't even scratch the surface? I plan on returning very soon.

We took care of the most pressing and important reason for NYC first thing - "designer" purses. What an event that turned out to be! We laughed alot and Joanna and I both bought purses out of pressure. I honestly wasn't sure I even wanted the bag I bought, but the Asian lady insisted I make a decision fast. So, I did! After that we had to hit a Dumpling House. That event started our eating extravaganza.

One exciting part of our trip was learning that Nikki had gotten engaged. So, once we went through the usual "Who is this guy?" questioning, we started to help her make plans for the big day.

Another highlight was Rockerfeller Center. We weren't interested in ice skating and more interested in seeing others try it. Lo and behold, we saw a gem of entertainment. This guy looked like he just got off of work, was by himself, and skating/dancing his little heart out. I haven't laughed that hard for that long in a very long time. We all took out our cameras to capture the moment. Joanna's version is much better. I thought it was funny to watch later, but also enjoyed the commentating Joanna and I had to offer...and the giggles.

We were able to see Phantom of the Opera, eat at Carnegie Deli, and visit the Empire State Building. We saw the WTC site, Wall Street, and Times Square. We met the blue M&M, shopped our little hearts out, and walked until we couldn't walk any longer. It was an absolutely awesome time.

While there, I was able to hook up with Lee University friend, Shelley Duoros. I love Shelley and I think she may be the sole member and President of my fan club. She has always given me a hard time about how cool she thinks I am. She's a mess, really. But she was a great hostess for our evening of Smores.

I am definitely looking forward to the next Bright Eyes Tour. We have decided that midterm elections also afford an outing.