Can't catch me, I'm the gingerbread...uh...woman...

I did it!!!! I ran for 30 minutes without stopping!! I know, I know, you crazy cross-country people (Bobby, Jana, Kiana...) are shaking your heads laughing, but seriously, that is a big deal for this athletically challenged female. Give me a flute and stack of sheet music any day! (In case you were wondering, I gave up sports when I made a basket for the opposing team during a PE basketball game when I was in second grade...YES, I still remember it and the accompanying humiliation, because I was SO excited I had made a basket...talk about bitter irony...hence why I stick to being a soccer spectator)

Oh so on my run today, I saw two potbellied pigs (yeah Lisa, I think they are domesticated, they were grazing in the same area as last time), numerous rabbits, and a little striped snake (I googled it later...a Gulf Coast Ribbon Snake)...who was a bit too close for comfort, but at least he wasn't poisonous...(no, I didn't take the picture)

One of my friends sent me a link to this guy's blog. He took a three month flying trip in a Super Cub around Alaska. The pictures are AMAZING. Check out his blog.

An Uneventful Weekend

So by this title, you can tell that this won't be a nail-biting, gut-gripping, sweaty-palm tale, unlike my usual blogs (ha!). After two very long and crazy weeks at work, I woke up Saturday morning and went running. I am thinking that I am training for the Houston half marathon in January. I say "thinking" because my rheumatologist told me flat out that he cannot endorse? condone? me running it, but I promised I would go slow...starting with a 5k next month, and see how I feel. The websites I have read on training say you should be able to run at least 30 minutes without stopping. I ran 15 minutes yesterday and about died (ran about 1.3 miles though...), so I went out this evening and slowed my pace down a bit and ran for 25 minutes (no idea what distance). So I think by the end of this week I should be able to hit the 30 minute mark, and I'll go from there. I don't think the 5k will be problem, but we'll see how I do in a 10k...

So after my run yesterday, I had a bagillion dozen things to do, but I was like "I just want to sit on my butt, and read, and do nothing." So I did. My friend Moose had recommended a series of books (Elm Creek Quilters). The first one was excellent. And then I watched a Back to the Future and worked on birthday cards for my friends with October birthdays.

Today I went to the Smythes after church for lunch. They have three children, Matthew (14), Sarah (12) and Katherine (8). Sarah and Katherine helped me to build my Build a Bear (his name is Morris Alexander :) ) a couple of years ago, so I take him over to visit his "playmates" whenever I go over there (unless I forget, which happens quite a bit). We had a great time playing Little House on the Prairie with the stuffed animals. They have such great imaginations. Good food, good company. All in all, a very relaxing, albeit unproductive weekend. Sometimes, you really just need one of those.

Prayer Request

Hey all, I have a prayer request for you. My Aunt Laurie (the one I saw in April for the Nebraska wedding) was just diagnosed with ovarian cancer. It has spread to her colon and liver. She starts her first round of chemo soon. She and my uncle are in good spririts, especially because now they know what they are fighting and have a game plan. Please say a prayer for them to have strength and encouragement, and for God, in His will, to heal her completely. Thanks!

Seattle Trip

So my trip to Seattle (well, technically Tacoma) began and ended with me running to my gate at the airport. For some reason, I just can't seem to get to airports with ample time to meander to my gate. This mornings race to the gate consisted of me taking my shoes off (they were hard to run in) and hauling butt to the gate (got there about 4 minutes before the gate closed!). I even beat the little golf-cart thing. All's well that ends well, right?

John Michael finishing up his lunch (he'll be 9 months on the 17th)

Bobby, me, John Michael, and Monica in Alki, with Seattle behind us (John's a little camera shy, so I don't have any pictures of him)

On Sunday we took a trip to Snoqualmie Falls.

John and Bobby went out at night with some of John's co-workers and Monica and I caught up on our chick-flicks (Catch and Release- didn't like, The Holiday- liked) and ice cream. Then on Monday evening we went to the spa (which is now a tradition for us). Good times. I can't wait to see everyone again at Christmas!

Birthday Invitations

So I am calling these my first official order of invitations. A friend of mine is announcing her pregnancy by sending out birthday invitations with her due date. Isn't that a cute idea? Here's the final product. And yes, the mama-to-be contributed some elbow grease.

The outside

The inside (don't worry, I posted these with her permission)