My Favorite Memories at the Beach

So different!

SeaBrook

We are spending the weekend at Seabrook with Jim, Katie and Ava. Here are some shots from today. These are the ones from the beginning of our trip to the beach. The ones on our way back are not as full of smiles. Audrey needs some warmer water. She was playing in the surf and tripped in the water.....not so pleasant in 57 degree windy weather and 48 degree water.

Chambers Creek

We have all been under the weather for the last week. We took the morning to get some fresh air and a good walk.

Marathoners

My big Brother and Sister in Law ran The Napa Valley Marathon yesterday. They did amazing!
Congratultions you two!

Results are Typical

This picture is from last summer. I bought this shirt for my first 5k. I wanted to go pink, The front of the shirt says Fierce. I could pull that off. When I got home is when I saw the back. Needless to say, I did not wear this shirt in my race. Truth be told I only wear this shirt when I am running (it is long and covers my belly) and when I have a sweatshirt covering it. Me be what you want to be??? Ah ha ha.........I don't know if I will ever "own" this shirt, but it would be fun to try.
I was watching the biggest loser last week. Koli was having a difficult time thinking he deserved to be there. Bob said " I need you to see yourself though my eyes....." Wow, that hit me! Sometimes I get so focused on what I am not doing that I don't see all the good that I have done. People comment a lot about my weight. I like the compliments.However, I still see how much I have to go, and how long it is taking, not what I have accomplished. I need to start seeing myself through other eyes. Am I what others want to be.
Am I becoming "Results not Typical". What does that mean? Why aren't the results not typical? When I first started WW that little line through me off. I know it is needed for legal reasons, for the person who says " I am going to WW and now I am going to look like Jennifer Anniston, and then sues WW for not losing the weight or keep it off even though that person did not do the work to get the desired results. I wondered at one time if I should lose the weight because most people just put it back on with friends later, should I make the effort when most people fail. The thing is Results are typical for the amount of effort invested. I have been trying to lose weight for a very long time. The first year I did pretty good, the second year I started playing games. I started walking.....slowly and hardly trying.....I did not lose but a few pounds that year. Year three was tough. I finally quit WW and proceeded to put on five pounds, joined WW and lost that five pounds and a few more. Last year was incredible! I stopped toying at it and got serious. My first 5k was tough, the training was harder. It wasn't about the running last year, it was about the accomplishment, the growth. I have been telling my husband for 14 years that I don't run...will never run...am unable to run. OOOOOOPPPPPPSSSS. Never say never and always try. I love to run.....when it is over. I dislike the during part, but the sense of accomplishment afterwards is incredible. It feels awesome to be slimy with sweat, for your eyes to burn in the shower because of the salt running into your eyes, the feel of your legs getting stiff the next day. It is awesome to look forward all day to getting into workout clothes knowing that you are going to accomplish something good for yourself today...not tomorrow...today.
I am training for a Half Marathon...wow did I get in over my head. I feel like I have jumped head first into a pool without knowing how deep the water is. Here is the thing, I wouldn't change my decision though. I am not typical, I am me. I look at an obstacle and hope that someone tells me I cant do it ....why? Because I want to prove them wrong. However it is easier for someone else to dare me than me to dare myself. I don't know if I will be able to run the whole thing....but I know I will finish. I don't know where I will place (my last race I placed second to last in my age division) but I will place. So I am going to continue being not typical, and show my heart to everyone and see myself as others see me. I am daring myself....to succeed! I am daring myself to "Own" this shirt....or get another one that says
"Results Are Typical"

Appendicitis

Mister Spence had an exciting weekend. It started Friday night after eating pizza. It started with a stomach ache. He was sick all night and into Satrurday afternoon. We thought he had the flu.....when his stomach started to hurt more I took him to urgent care, who sent us to the emergency room.
After much deliberation, (he failed all of the appendix tests...you are not supposed to be able to jump or hop...or smile. He did all of the above. Several nurses told him that he must not be hurting that bad because his humor was so good.) His white blood count was 21750 and CT scan showed enlarged appendix .



The surgery lasted 45 minutes. The Doctor's and Nurses took great care of our little man. Spencer kept his smile through the hole evening. This picture was in recovery. He had been awake for about 5 minutes. He got to see his surgery by photograph and I am sure his classmates will enjoy as well.
He broke a recovery record. From surgery to discharge less than 12 hours. And still left with a smile. He got to be wheeled out of the hospital by an orderly who loved to race wheelchairs. While Shannon was getting the car he got to race around in the Lobby. His favorite part. He has decided that hospital stays aren't that bad. Room service, and full control of the remote was "AWESOME!"
He was definatly ready to come home though. He did not really like all the wires that were attached to him. I was ready for my own bed. He is doing great at home and is comfortable.....enjoying the extra attention!