Dupont Half Marathon

Training since the end of January finally paid off. I completed the Dupont Half Marathon Saturday! Dupont is a National Forest in the area, so I'm pretty proud I was just able to finish the 13.1 miles on trails! I could really care less about my time, but was glad I did it! My brother asked me when my next race was going to be. My first response was are you crazy?!, but today has come and almost gone and I might just want to find another one to run. I hate to feel this good about life and not continue. I agree with my mom in the statement that I run for the social aspect. However, when I really think about this I usually am with people at the beginning of a run and at the end. So, I think I'd like to work on speed versus distance right now. Well, that's how I feel right now at least!

As I was lying on the ground I said, "Let's do this again...today!"

A Little Nature

Book Club

Book: What Alice Forgot

Easter

The Whole Side

Good Friday, the Gribble family joined together. We celebrated the upcoming 85th birthday of Grandma Gribble complete with an egg hunt, dinner at the K & W (birthday girl's choice), followed by cake and ice cream. Here are some of the highlights:

Dear Dad

(I was having troubles uploading yesterday so I'm trying again today.)
I would like to wish a happy birthday to my dad yesterday, April 14th.
"A dad is someone you never outgrow your need for."

facelift

If you notice, the blog got a little bit of a facelift. If you hover the mouse over the black boxes on the right side of the screen, you will be able to click past posts and links to other blogs. Of course knowing the way I change purses, ideas, and decisions I might head back to the orginial setup before long. Probably just when you get used to the new layout! For now...enjoy.

eggs

I don't own a ladder and didn't feel like borrowing one from the neighbor's just for a picture. So, these were taken from the inside looking out. Also, this window is painted shut, so it's really like you're looking through the screen.

the view taken yesterday (Monday):


the view from today (Tuesday):

Me

Well, I haven't traveled too many places, haven't written a book, haven't designed anything, haven't yet discovered my talent, or haven't been the best dressed.
I haven't gotten married, had children, or owned my own house yet.
Here is what I am though:
*I can entertain and teach five year old children for 180 days a year for 7 hours a day, five days a week.
*I can keep parents happy and can make them at least think I really am checking on each bite their child has taken during lunch. (This was a real request)
*I am the head coach of 15 3rd-5th grade girls for a 12 week program, giving my time for an hour and half two afternoons a week...no extra pay included.
*I am one of the trainers at my school for a nationwide program being implemented in our school systems next year.
*I am a runner...well, a jogger.
*I am a reader.
*I am a dog owner to a energetic, loving Pattie girl.
*I am a friend, a listener, a shoulder to cry on for others.
*When you get me alone or in a small group, I can be quite the talker. In larger groups, I become quite the listener.
*I have loving parents who don't always get the credit they deserve from others.
*I have a supportive and loving big brother who I still look up to.
*I was blessed with patience.
*I love listening to music.
*I have a nephew and niece that I just adore. Yes, they can be loud at times or sometimes shy, but isn't that what a kid is supposed to be? Having fun often times is shown by laughing, talking, and playing loudly. Even the loudest children in my class become quite and shy when meeting new people. It's normal.
*I have a wonderful sister-in-law. Some people never talk to theirs or can't stand each other. At least we like each other!
*I love mowing the grass (most of the time)
*I love flowers..planting them, pulling weeds, etc.
*I am blessed to have a loving extended family.
*I am blessed to be healthy.
*Others tell me I am always positive, always smiling. I don't always feel that way, but I'll take it!
*I am still searching for my place in life.
*I wish I did more with my life: sew, knit, play the guitar,taught myself new things...
*And yes, sometimes I can be down right lazy!

But, it's me. It's who I am. I didn't write this for sympathy or empathy. I didn't write this so others could see what I do with my life and how busy I am or not busy I am.
I wrote this because it's me. It's time to get real. Life is not always rainbows and flowers. I am tired of feeling inadequate. I am tired of feeling lost. I am 33 years old, fast approaching 34, and I am searching. A friend at school once told me to "put it out in the universe. Write it down and send it out." I thought she was a crazy old hippie. That was three years ago, and I think the time has come for me to express my thoughts. The only bad could be people might think I'm crazier than they first thought!
I suppose one is always searching in life. Always wondering what the next step will be. Well, I'm ready to wonder what the next step will be with a more positive attitude. I'm ready to at least feel adequate with my life. So, here I am! Now it's time to smile with each step of the way. Maybe the right man will come along and we'll have that American dream of a cute little house, with cute little kids, and our cute little white picket fence. Maybe I will find that cute little house and live alone, but I need to be okay with that. I'm ready to be okay with that...so here is my smile!
**I really am not depressed. I just think it's at least five years of worrying. Probably worrying over nothing!