It's a "super" weekend!

Saturday afternoon I participated in the Superhero 5K. It began (and ended) at a local pizza and brewing company where the real prize was a slice of pizza and a beer! I found these great socks that came complete with their own cape which I'm pretty sure helped me run faster! ;)






Sunday after church I made my way over to Jon and Caitlin's house to meet sweet baby girl Marlo! She was a great snuggler!

Turn It Up!

You're gonna want to turn up the volume! Rockin' out!

humbled

This morning I met the church I have been attending to help feed the homeless breakfast and share in communion. Since May, I have been attending this church with my friends Maggie, Justin, and their three children. It has become part of my "auntie" time. I drive to their house by 8:45 Sunday morning, jump in the van, and we all ride together for the 9:15 service. I have felt welcomed since the moment I stepped foot in the sanctuary. This church gives true meaning to "love thy neighbor". I have been challenged to step out of my box since I began attending. I grew up in a church where you sat down in your pew, didn't talk during the service, didn't really get to draw during the service, and was expected to pay close attention. The first few times I attended, there were numerous children out and about in the aisle or playing in the "rocks" under the windows. It was quite a distraction and I felt myself thinking this is not how we worship! Once I focused back on the service, I looked around and noticed several same sex couples. This only distracted me temporarily as I do live near Asheville! As I have continued to attend, I have grown to enjoy seeing the many cute children who mostly just occupy the pews these days. Many of the members participate in the service through scripture readings, taking of the offering, or helping prepare the food for the gathering time after each service. I do miss having a choir to hear but the messages delivered each week are well worth attending. After my first month of attending I already had a name tag and I'm not even an official member!
Maggie and Justin were unable to attend today and I haven't been ready to attend without them...until today. I woke this morning right on time (except it was 6:00 instead of 7:00) and knew I had to go help. Again, I was stepping out of my box. Not only was attending without my friends nerve racking, but going to feed the homeless is something I had never done before. I have always wanted to, but never made the effort. I arrived, spoke to a few people, and breakfast serving began. We met in the park where the drum circle is held and the homeless lined up for biscuits, hard boiled eggs, fruit, yogurt, coffee, and juices. We made hygiene kits back in the summer and they were sitting out for the taking. I saw people heading that way, so I walked over and began speaking to each person that arrived. I gave them my biggest smile and perkiest good morning. I realized after the third or fourth person that my nervousness had disappeared. No one wanted to share stories, but each one greeted me back with a smile and good morning. I'm not real sure if anyone's life was truly affected today, but I know it made me really stop and think. Each one of those people that came today for breakfast and to share in communion is simply that, a person. Not matter how they got there or where their life is taking them next, they are each children of God.

Parkway

After meeting Ann for a "short" run, we headed up the parkway to cheer on Brenna. She was running the shut-in race which is an incredibly steep 17+ mile trail run which I'm pretty sure I will NEVER participate in! The other girls in the cheering section are thinking about running it next year. I told them I would be there with my camera, some posters, noisemakers, and champagne for the finish line!
Here are a few pictures from the race and as we climbed the parkway...in the car!

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Maya meets Book Club

Maya was born to Amanda and Jeremiah the end of September. We have all been over to meet Maya and take food; but Maya had never met Book Club. So, Thursday was her lucky night. Or maybe it was our lucky night.

Fall Is In The Air

Shower

So, he is my cousin:

And this girl wearing "a hat", what we call in the south the practice bouquet, is going to be my cousin:
And these are all the gifts they received, which at an extremely rapid pace still took over an hour to open!:

**Thanks to Laura and Maggie for being such gracious hostess! From the knitting lesson, to the shrimp n' grits dinner, to the fireworks, to the hot tub time I'm thinking you might should never stay at my house. It will never compare!

Tazapawlooza...take 2

For the 2nd year in a row, I participated in a day full of trail running, "mountain biking", bb gun shooting (which I was 2nd overall in for guys and girls combined!), axe throwing, obstacle course, and closest to the pin. We began our adventure at 9:00Saturday morning and wrapped up with the awards ceremony around 10:30 that evening. This year Eugene made medals for 1st-3rd places for both guys and girls. I won 2nd for the girls only trailing by 10 points from 1st place! Whew...what a day!

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Charleston continued...

The rest of the long weekend was devoted to hanging with my dear friends Anna and Blair. Our friend Jen rode down with me, so we enjoyed some much needed girl time while Blair was working. He was able to join us for evening festivities.

It's a Charleston Wedding!

Thursday evening I went down for Mandi and Ryan's beautiful wedding! After dating for 11 years, they finally decided to make it official. Since they were getting married on a Friday at 4:30 I was going to have to take the day off from work to make it in time. So, I offered to help if needed on Friday. Well, I became the wedding decorator! I met at 10 that morning to begin the transformation; then went back to meet the florist at 3:00. By the time I made it back, the flowers were all set and the cake was no where to be found! By this time it was 30 minutes late. After the bride arrived and had her pictures taken, I got a little worried. I got the number and my most direct voice ready and demanded the cake be delivered since it was now an hour late. I informed them I would be calling back in 15 minutes if it had not arrivied. Lucky for them, the cake arrived with 2 minutes to spare. Of course, the florist had to leave for another event so I became the cake decorator placing flowers on the cake as directed. For awhile there I felt like Martha Gribble, the wedding director. Maybe we should get together. We could be on to something here!

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Fall Is Here

flower

words to live by

saw this on someone's page today and thought it was worth sharing:

Brewgrass

Brewgrass is just that: brews and bluegrass all wrapped up into 7 hours of Saturday fun! Since we're older now, we only spent 5 hours in the sun but enjoyed every second. We sampled beers from breweries across NC, SC, and GA while enjoying some tasty food from local restaurants. Hanging out with friends was just what I needed.

Wedding Shower

Last weekend, we gathered for Mandi and Ryan's wedding shower. It's hard to believe that after 11 years of dating they will finally tie the knot on September 30th!!!

Labor Day

Spending time in the Cary/Apex area with friends was a great way to enjoy the weekend. The Hogg family drove down from Michigan and we were all able to visit. Our small group of 7 has now grown to 15! My visit was cut a little short when I learned Saturday that my Pattie girl decided to take a little tour of Rural Hall. The leash came loose and chased her through the streets until she was found wrapped around a tree. Thanks to mom, dad, and Uncle Dave who helped on the rescue. Especially dad who left the golf course just as he was teeing off on the 17th hole. So, now we know Pattie is spooked by trash bags, balloons, mirrors, and retractable leashes chasing her! Sorry to mom who practically had a heart attack. Hopefully they will still keep Pattie again one day! I left Sunday to come check on my girl. The good news is she got enough exercise to last for the upcoming week and I won't have to clip her toenails for a long time! It's all good!

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And so it begins...

As I begin my 11th year of teaching, there are a few things I am reminded of:
1. The first days of Kindergarten are much like herding cats. Have you ever tried herding cats? I don't think it's possible!
2. Days of long, relaxing summer lunches are quickly replaced with quick 10 minute stuff your face lunches while giving "the look" to avoid having to get up
3. 5:45 is just plain early
4. It's okay to be tired and ready for bed by 8:00 for the first few days
5. If you thought I talked a lot before, you should hear me talking during the school days
6. No matter how much they drive you crazy they are only five and just need some guidance
7. 23 "little ducklings" following you makes for a long line
8. Take 2 steps, stop, check line, repeat. No wonder it takes us five minutes to walk down one short hallway
9. You're guaranteed to laugh by what you learn from children. You just never know what is going to come out of those mouths.
10. Remember these days now because they will grow in so many ways by December and especially by June.

Here's to patience, patience, and more patience! Oh and being able to learn with the children.

Ohio

I headed up to Ohio to help celebrate Sawyer's 6th birthday. Seriously 6?! I remember heading back to school armed with a huge smile and stack of pictures showing my brand new nephew. Wasn't that just last year?!

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It's growing...

or at least it was! I swear each morning I walked outside there was some sort of change to the garden. It was such an enjoyable way to start the day. When I got back from my week long trip to Bryson City and then on to Ohio the garden wasn't looking so good. I believe a rabbit must have enjoyed some tasty greens and tomatoes while I was gone. At least the beans are growing, the lettuce is growing, the carrots are sprouting, and there are still a few tomatoes left.

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Saying Goodbye

My dear friends Anna and Blair are off to Charleston, SC for a 6-8 year adventure. Although it is heartbreaking to see them go, it is such a wonderful opportunity for Blair. He will be working at the National Weather Service down there going from measuring snow to measuring water levels from hurricanes I suppose. At least I know it's only a "until we see each other again". Charleston is only a quick trip down the road and what a great place to visit


!

Woo Hoo!!!

I am proud to be a Clear Creek Club and work with such amazing teachers!!!
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