Just Because

 

Showing I care, it can be a challenge for me at times. The words are there, on the tip of my tongue – words that parade caring, concern, or sympathy. But somehow I’m not able to articulate them, fear perhaps? I don’t know what to say or what to do, especially if I hope to send some cheer and uplift someone’s spirits. I want to express that I care, just because.

Then there are times when I simply wish to celebrate – a special friendship. It’s not a birthday. It’s not a holiday. It’s merely sprinkling around some kindness, just because.

So I sit down with my journal in tow, and to my amazement my writing, my words they parade across the page.

I smile when I see you

just because…

I keep you in my thoughts

just because…

I tell you I’m hear to listen

just because…

I give you a hug

just because…

I offer you some chocolate,

just because…

I wrote you this poem,

just because

I don’t have the words

to let you know

how much I care.

~~~~~

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Friendship Friday

friendship

|ˈfren(d)SHip|  noun

people who share common feelings,

emotions, trust, and support

over an extended period of time.

As in: Meeting during the 6th grade

camping trip in 1982,

when we were 12.

Friends through junior high

and Miss Maylock’s English class.

Oh, Miss Maylock’s English class,

We still laugh about it today!

Listening to our favorite bands in our high school years:

INXS, Duran Duran, Tears for Fears.

Dreaming of the day we’d visit England or Australia.

Sleepovers, staying up late,

asking the Oujia board who would be our date.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As in: Drifting apart after high school,

a casual call here and casual call there.

Nicolle leaving for college,

me starting a career.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As in: Reuniting in the best year,

the magical year of 1996.

The blessing of a baby girl for her,

and a baby girl for me.

Moving into new homes,

just minutes apart.

Celebrating husbands who are friends.

Going out to eat,

or a carefree cookout by the pool.

It’s the 35 years of memories we made,

and many more we will create.

Nicolle & Me

~~~~~

Looking for some writing ideas for the SOLSC? Click here.

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races, races, races!

In August I raced…

who was there: Livvy & Me

what was my time & pace: 1 hour, 25 minutes, 42 seconds @ 8:37 pace

where the race was: York County Heritage Rail Trail

when did the race happen: August 27, 2016

why the race was awesome: I clinched 2nd place for my age group! I won my very own 2nd place beer glass. It’s kind of funny since I don’t even drink beer. And, this was a 10 mile personal record (PR) for me.

how many miles: 10 long, flat miles

In September I raced…

who was there: Sandy & Me

what was my time & pace: 25 minutes, 13 seconds @ 8:04 pace

where the race was: New Hope, PA (Run Now, Wine Later)

when did the race happen: September 18, 2016

why the race was awesome: It was a *short* race and we were served wine and o’dourves after our race. I ran this race last year and both years I had the exact same time. Just think that’s kind of interesting.

how many miles: 3.1 miles (5K)

In October I raced…

who was there: Sandy & Me

what was my time & pace: 1 hour, 49 minutes, 25 seconds @ 8:20 pace. Yes, I crushed it!

where the race was: Hershey, PA

when did the race happen: October 16, 2016

why the race was awesome: I set another 1/2 marathon personal record (PR) for myself and came in 13th for my age group! The course was hilly, but I pushed myself and can’t even believe I achieved another PR.

how many miles: 13.1 miles (1/2 marathon)

And in November I will race again (Turkey Trot 5k),

but in December I will rest!

~~~~~

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the best ever!

Absolutely, positively, hands down, bar none! If you have had the opportunity to run in any of the Nike Women’s Half Marathon series races, I bet you know what I’m about to share. Yes, the best finisher’s medal necklace EVER! Compliments of Tiffany & Co.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I paid for that finisher’s necklace in a round about way, but it’s the only medal necklace I ever wear. Nike was pretty smart, I thought, when they paired with Tiffany & Co.  What girl doesn’t want a piece of Tiffany jewelry that showcases her favorite sport and passion, running! Drum roll, please!

We Run DC 2013 & 2014

And then there was the Nike Expo.  My BFF & BRF, Holly, ran Nike with me in 2013 & 2014 and when we were at the expo we were like, TAKE.MY.MONEY.NOW! I mean who can’t resist a pair of these awesome sneakers. Not me 🙂

Run DC

Oh So Pretty!

Honestly I’ve run my share of 5k’s, 1/2 marathons, and marathons, but nothing compares to the Nike races I was fortunate enough to run in Washington D.C. You can read the race recap here.

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While I’m on the topic of extremely impressive race swag, I can’t help but to mention the Baltimore Running Festival.  Their UnderArmour race shirts are the best and they never, ever disappoint!  I have several half marathon shirts and a 5k shirt.  I just need the marathon shirt to round out my collection. I may, just may, earn that shirt this fall but I’m truly on the fence.  I would love to run Baltimore again in the fall because when I ran the half-marathon last fall, I came home with this:

Yes, I’m a sucker for commemorative race jewelry and chances are if Pandora is going to show up in Baltimore, I’ll be there too in some fashion.  In the meantime, I’m headed to the beautiful city of Pittsburgh on Sunday to run the 1/2 marathon.  Who knows what I’ll bring home from there, but I’ll be sure to keep you posted!

~~~~~~~~~~

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Marcia’s Healthy Slice

MCM Mama Runs

To Bonk or To Bounce Back?

I was ready.

I was even excited!

A 12 mile run was about to be dust, a memory of the past, checked off my list. Complete!!!!

So Here Was the Plan:

Matt & I were going to head out to the Rail Trail and bang out 12 easy miles…bam!  Been there, done that!  It didn’t matter that the temperatures had been below freezing the past few days and there had been light snow.  We would be fine.  We.Are.Runners!

So Here Is What Happened:

When we arrived at the trail there was one car, just one, parked at the mile marker.  Hummm…that seemed a bit peculiar. Sometimes we need to squeeze our Jeep into the last tiny, tiny space that is left for all the eager runners ready to pound the pavement. Not today. No, not today.

Gray sky overhead, light wind, and temperatures in the upper 20s, but workable for die-hard runners like us.  And off we went, for a 1/2 of a mile.  Then it was hello puddles, hello slush, and hello ICE! And more ICE, and more ICE!!!  Turn around we did, and by the time we got back to the car we had just one measly mile complete.

~sigh~

Eleven more miles to go, so why not just run through the neighboring neighborhoods: up and down fractured sidewalks, intersections & stop signs, and cramped streets with cars parked cars on each side.  Yep, we ran through decrepit neighborhoods with trash flying here and debris laying there to neighborhoods with stately homes and well-manicured properties.  We added a few miles here and a few miles there.  I pretty much felt like a mouse running in a labyrinth wondering, “When will I ever finish this run?!?!?!?”

~insert inappropriate language here~

So when did we finish that 12 mile run?  After I bonked, and bonked, and bonked again, but we finished!

And, here is the text I sent my BRF (best-running friend) as I sat in the car ready to cry!

I bonked!

Yes, I grappled with that run for the rest of the day. The funny thing is that Matt said he kind of enjoyed the change of scenery and the run. Gotta love him, he’s a great hubby to put up with my drama.

~to bonk or to bounce~

Despite that one and only ghastly run, I had so many fitness/exercise highlights. Here’s a recap:

• I had an awesome BODYPUMP strength training class on Thursday.  The class was packed with 26 enthusiastic bodypumpers + 1 virtuoso instructor ready to get their fitness on.

BODYPUMP Strength Training Class

• I actually worked on rewarding my body by attending a BODYFLOW class.  This class is a Yoga, Tai Chi, Pilates workout that builds flexibility and strength and leaves you feeling centered and calm.

After the BODYFLOW Class

• I sat down on Sunday to review my stats and finish my fitness journal entries for the week and found out I met *all* my fitness goals for the week and I added in one extra that I did not have scheduled.

My Fitness Journal

My Weekly Journal Stats

For the week, I exercised 7 times, ran 24.35 miles, worked out for 6 hours & 46 minutes, and burned 2,685 calories.  If that’s not a reason to bounce back, I don’t know what is.  That 12 mile run, it’s a moment of the past.

So, to bonk or to bounce back?

I choose to bounce back and I hope that when you are faced with the decision to bonk or to bounce back you choose to bounce back, for life is too short to focus on bonking! 🙂

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Here We Go Again!

What girl wouldn’t love another piece of Tiffany jewelry or a pair of extra special Nike sneakers?

Well, good news was in the air last week.  I am excited to share that once again I will have the opportunity to participate in the Nike Women’s Half Marathon in Washington, D.C.  It will be my first “big” race for 2014.  And, what makes this race extra special is that my daughter will be running it too along with my best running buddy, Holly!

You can read about my race in 2013 here.

Nike Half 2014

This One Is for You, CM

As I reflect upon my life, I can certainly acknowledge that there are people who have shaped me as an individual and impacted my life in a positive fashion.  This poem is a tribute to one of those individuals.

This One Is for You, CM

***

It was twelve years ago

when I started my career

nervous I was,

but you stood behind me,

so I had no fear.

***

Third grade was my calling,

so off to NHE I was sent.

SSE was your Yellow Brick Road,

and that is where you went.

***

Fast forward to 2005,

and once again we met.

But the years flew by

and before I knew it,

you said,

“It’s time for retirement!”

***

Although this is good-bye,

I am sad to admit;

the memories that were made

I will never forget.

***

May I leave you with these words

that say so much,

as they speak to the lives

you have brilliantly touched.

***

I wish you the best,

because you deserve no less.

And, may your retirement be blessed

with nothing but happiness!

A Tribute to You, CM

My Weekend in Numbers

Homecoming Weekend: Friday, October 12, 2012  

• Homecoming football game: Central 54, South Western 13.  Yay Panthers!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

• Woke up at 4:45 am
• Drove 60 miles to the Baltimore Running Festival
• At 8:00 am, watched my hubby start his 26.2 mile marathon with 3,020 runners

Baltimore Running Festival
2012

• At 9:45 am, joined 10,207  runners to get in place to run 13.1 miles

Me & My Running Buddy

• Ran 13.1 miles in 1:54:05 at an 8:42 pace!
• Congratulated my hubby on his 26.2 mile personal record of 4:13!
• Drove 60 miles home
• At 3:45 pm stepped into Rockin’ Mom mode and joined 2 great kids for 1 great Homecoming celebration

Two Great Kids
One Great Night

Sunday, October 14, 2012

• Read 50+  pages of Gone Girl
• Did 5 loads of laundry
• Watched the Ravens win:  Baltimore Ravens 31, Dallas Cowboys 29

Way to Go, Ravens!

I hope you enjoyed your weekend!

Stay tuned for my race recap!

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Love It or Loathe It?

Two weeks ago we visited Nissley Vineyards and attended an open-air lawn concert with some friends.   The evening air was cool and the weather was quite delightful.

This was the first concert we went to at the vineyard, so I didn’t know what to expect. The band that was playing was called Uptown band and they sang a wide variety of music.  There truly was something for everyone’s listening enjoyment.  Groups of people gathered around tables embellished with candles and flowers…ours was lacking the flowers, however the candles were a nice accent. The evening was relaxing and a great way to spend time with good friends!

But, let’s talk about the food!  Each couple brought an item of their choice to share, and of course, there was an abundant amount of cuisine.  I decided we were going to bring tomato caprese sandwiches to share and Matt was going to make them because, well, I pretty much am a disaster in the kitchen and his cooking, well, it is magnificent.

Since I’m new to blogging, this really isn’t a picture of the sandwich he made.  It’s just one I found on Google images.  The key though, according to my chef, is crusty Italian bread, fresh tomatoes, and fresh basil.  Don’t forget the mozzarella cheese, olive oil, salt, and pepper.  All of which we had.  And they were oh so good!  A perfect summertime food!

But, we didn’t take just the sandwiches.  At first I thought there was going to be just four of us, and then I found out that there was going to be a total of twelve people.  Twelve people!  Okay, I decided that we needed to bring something else.  I hated to ask Matt to prepare something else so I decided that I would make an item to take along.  My usual standby is brownies, but I remembered my mom telling me that deviled eggs are usually a good choice because they are easy to make and there are no leftovers.

Surely I could do this! So, I googled a recipe for deviled eggs, (yep, I need a recipe for deviled eggs), and got out my trusty old automatic egg cooker.

Now my egg cooker only makes six hard-boiled eggs at a time so I made two batches.  I usually love this little egg cooker, but not this night.  That’s because I managed to burn myself from the steam that comes out of the top of the cooker.

First of all, Matt couldn’t believe that I used an egg cooker to make hard boiled eggs and second of all, he couldn’t believe I burned myself.  Really!  Not only was that a disaster, but so was getting those eggs out of the shell.  The eggs were broken and torn, and I even think some had tiny, tiny pieces of shell stuck on them.  Everyone needs a little extra roughage, right?  Oh well…what was I to do?  My deviled egg tray has slots for twenty-four deviled eggs so all those bad boys were going on there no matter what!  Well, needless to say, I was quite frustrated. I never did use that recipe because Matt ended up making the filling for the eggs.  Sadly enough, this is a typical, typical kitchen experience for me.

So…

Nissley Vineyards: Love It!

Preparing hard boiled eggs:  Loathe It!

Food for Thought:

What is your experience in the kitchen?  Do you love it or do you loathe it?