Thanksgiving on Friday

Lily

School has begun!

We started school the Monday we came home from taking Luke to Gateway. What a trip, very nice time with Candy:) and enjoyed being with Cindy the way down and back. Thanks for the free hotel stay!!! Our family is trying to adjust without Lucas, some days are hard but we have skype. What an invention, if you have it send me your link and we can talk. We talk to Lucas almost every day.

Luke is fine and adjusting to college, it's much different than home school. He is working at the school 4 hours a day and doing a great job at that.

Isaac finally has the green boogar (Luke's old Honda) fixed. Dad fixed it this week and now I have the wonderful job of teaching him how to drive a stick - oh what fun...

Sarah goes for her permit the first week of October and life marches on. We are planning a trip, but I'm not sure where and when. Rose needs a break.

We finished our big project in Ellsworth and God has truly blessed us this year. He knew we needed it with Luke in college, Isaac's grad present, and Sarah's drivers ed. Does it ever get cheaper having children?????

Love you all, miss you all, and please keep me posted on what's going on.

Road Trip

We went on a roadtrip to Tennesee this past week to visit with the McCauslands. It was quite appropriate to spend our anniversary with them since Randy assisted in our wedding.
Ron preached there on Sunday AM and did a great job and that evening we were with Calvin Grimm and his wife in Johnson City TN which is about 2 hrs from Oakridge (where Randy and Sue live.)
Calvin has been in Johnson City for 10 years after spending 14 yrs in West TN assising. He started out in an old liquor store and now has a beautiful church recently built in view of the interstate. It is very modern and comfortable. Ron also preached for them. Calvin plays his bass during song service and has a church that really knows how to worship and move in the spirit. Ron and I are so proud of him ---who'da thought!!!!
We spent 4 days on the road to spend 3 days in Tennessee but we still had a good time.--Oh yeah ,We were able to see T.J. and her husband Luke as well as their 3 girls. What a precious family.
Well I am back to work now and at home I have started to do some fall cleaning. That is what I am calling at least.
What's up with everyone else???

This blog is not working???

Just checking to see if I can post anything new becuase I can't make any comments to any of the other posts. Is anybody able to use the blog?

Let me know!!!

Miss you all

Hello......

Is anyone there????

Lily's 1st Birthday

Well, Lily turned one on June 14th! Her party was last Friday at a local park. It was nice because it was really low key with only immediate family invited. I considered doing a great big party and inviting all our friends, but I decided since she wouldn't know the difference, why not just make it small, stress free and peaceful? So, that's what we did. Of course, with me being the way that I am, there was still a little stress. I can't ever relax about anything! The wind decided to blow everything off the table and I had a mini freak-out. Oh well, it was still a wonderful time. Lily and her cousins enjoyed themselves while playing on the playground and all the adults had a great time watching them and pushing them on the swings. :)

Next Race

Memorial Marathon Starting Line

I found out today our youth retreat is the same weekend as the Portland half marathon (Oct 2).  What about Sept 11th, in Allentown, PA?  Race start is about 15 miles from my house. We would run from Bethlehem to Easton, a lot of the course along canal tow paths beside the Lehigh River. Cost is $55. There's still openings. 13 weeks to train.

Race Homepage


We can go to Rita's after the race!

How Ya Doin'?

Sooo, are you still running?  Not for almost two weeks here. I've had a huge shift in responsibility at work and when I get home, I'm worn out, but I have still have to sew. I know I will get back on track this month.  I'll be off from work and in Germany from June 23rd to July 7th. Baby Thomas arrives soon!

I have a new record-a-book, as they let me exchange for another title, "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". Who knew it had so many verses! Bonny will record this week, Nicci the end of this week, and then we'll mail it out to IL, on to OK, and back here again.

Luke and Eli are rebuilding a guitar amp, so Bonny will be here with her boys (Sarah has to work) on Monday and Tuesday. We will be missing all the rest of you!

:) :) :)

Pranka had surgery yesterday on his aneurysm ... 90 years old and came through with flying colors! God is good to us! We have been told that an aneurysm measuring +5cm is normally cause for emergency surgery ~ when his was first discovered it was already 5.2cm and had grown to +7cm ~ amazing that it hadn't burst. We are so thankful :) In recovery he looked like a million bucks and was drinking apple juice and eating toast and joking with the nurses that couldn't believe his age! One more obstacle to overcome with the colon cancer, but it's looking like that isn't in an advanced stage either ~ so hopefully they will be able to just remove the tumor and it will go as smooth as this surgery did.

Thanks to all for all of the prayers ... we appreciate it :)

The Funeral

Went to the funeral for Wes Strout today and it was very sad! The Strout Family is as well as can be considered. Bro. Linder from N.C. did an excellent job reminding us that even though we don't have answers to some of the questions we do have answers to the ones that matter. The Lord loves us, knows us and will be there for us. He quoted appropriate scriptures and you could feel the Lord's healing hand. SO MANY PEOPLE we know...LaKings, Arsenaults, all the Mainers, Chris and Marie...WOW. I had a walk down memory lane. The most important thing I remember today is that we were all together and had a wonderful time. I'm very glad my sisters are still alive and well.
Sorry for the mushy stuff, love you all!

The rain was a blessing

Rhonda and I went for a short little run of 2 miles today and Rhonda said she almost fainted. It is 94 degrees. We are both pooped and agree the weather last week was so much better. Yay for rain!!!

Crazy ?? !! ... maybe ...

So, I've been searching for Half-Marathons in Maine and found a few, but have also found that we are limited to register for only two of them. If anyone else finds others, please let everyone know! The MDI Half is full so registration for that is closed as well as the Blueberry Cove 13.1. The two that I have found to be available are the Portlandhalf that is held in Freeport on August 14th. Registration is $59.96 and the website is http://portlandhalf.com .... the other is the Maine Marathon, Relay & Half Marathon 2011 which is October 2nd and is held in Portland. That registration cost is $43.65 and the website is http://www.mainemarathon.com.
I don't know if everyone is up for another round, but thought I would do some looking around just in case. Also, if anyone finds others that are still open for registration, please share :)
What does everyone think? I'm hoping that Candy gets good news & would be able to join in all the fun if we decide to do another!

Sigh.....

I hate saying goodbye. It's the worst feeling. I'm so thankful for the time I had with my family though. Love you guys.

Getting Close :)

Thursday will be here before we know it!! Dad and I will be in OK at 9:00 Thursday night ... wondering when everyone else arrives ~

Lily's First Easter

My Heart

I just saw the option for placing a new post so if you want an update on my heart condition from my appointment yesterday...look under the most recent Trudy comment. Thanks

10 big ones

Today was my day to do 10 miles. I bought a new pair of running shoes and wore them for two long days at work so I felt pretty confident that they would be ok today but my Rt foot started to hurt at 3 miles. So I slapped on another bandaid and loosened the shoe strings and everything went well from then on. It was in the mid 80's I think and really windy at times. I clocked in at 2hrs 40 mins. Then I went in, ate one piece of pizza and went to church. Needless to say I was inwardly groaning the whole service. So it's bedtime for me. Btw.... I bought plenty of ibuprofen and Tylenol :)

AAAAAhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm going nuts with anticipation! There are only two other times that I can think of that I've been this excited about upcoming events. Those were the weeks leading up to my marriage and giving birth to Lily. The next few weeks are going to be so awesome for me! I will be all done with work next Thursday and then you guys will be here a couple weeks later. SO EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :)

Progress

Well I did only 8 miles for my long walk this week. It was supposed to be 10 but I didn't have enough sunlight left and I won't walk outside after dark. I am just gonna flip flop weeks cause my schedule says to to do 8 next week. So now I just have to house clean and buy groceries. Can't wait for " ya'll " to be here.

All Better!

I told you I'd keep up updated so here goes. I got back into my regular routine last Monday and felt good enough to run 3 times and do 2 work - outs. Still coughing but nothing bad. Today I did my longest run and will NEVER do that again (I hope). I did the mileage for the past "long" runs and was only doing 11. I thought I was up to 12 already. So...when I saw how far 2 more miles were I was doubtful I could do it in the time alloted. I had a hard time on a "big" hill but other than that I finished ~13 in 2 hrs 27 min. That means I'll be over my time I put down because I need another 1/2 mile. Oh well, it will have to work. Next week I'll reduce each long run and be ready for the 1st.

Only 19 more days!!!

I want to learn how to sew.......

I figure I am in the right family, considering almost everyone of the Williams women sew plus Grandpa I think. It's time for me to learn. I have tons of ideas and no way to produce them because I don't know how. Luckily I already own a sewing machine. When everyone is here, could I solicit some help??? Please, please, please! With sugar on top!

Just Keep Running, Just Keep Running

Did 3.5 miles in the rain today.  My first run of the week. I started a new job (part-time for now), still have classes, and also picked up an account with a dry-cleaner, doing their alterations. I've been gone from sun-up to bedtime all week, until today.  So it snowed, and rained, and I put on my running shoes and went anyway. Feel so good!

Sick and Not Happy about it!

Since last Friday I've had one thing or another. I only put in 3 miles this week and a short work-out in on Tuesday. I had the flu Fri - Sun, then ran Monday and in the middle felt a chest cold coming on. WOW, what a cold - this one knocked me down. I feel O.K. today and hope to run next week. I'm ahead for the 1/2 marathon so I think I'll be fine. Prayer could help:) Will keep you up to date next week. Love you all!

Rock On!!!

I put in my notice at work yesterday! My last day will be April 21st. Just in time to spend lots of time with my amazing family the next week!

Better

I timed my run on Tuesday (short distance day). 3 miles in 35 min. Better than I thought, and the first half was against a head wind. Long run coming on the weekend.  I will report!

WOW

8 miles-2 hrs,8 mins.--- hurting.....But feel satisfied.

My daughter the fish......

Lily loves the water. Bath time is always a happy time in our house. :) I've been telling her that water aerobics is for old people, but she continues to try to climb, stand and crawl in the tub. I have to keep my arms ready to grab her at all times. It sure is fun though. I LOVE being a mommy! :)

31 years

I do believe today is the 31st anniversary of our collective name change!!!!!!!! 31 years ago today we were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins . His name was forever applied to our lives and we became a part of the family of God. I still get so excited and moved when someone is baptized I just want to run and jump in again. The fact that I was buried with him in baptism and that I was washed as white as snow still has me in total awe . I am so thankful for what Jesus has done for me. I praise him for I am fearfully and wonderfully made!!!

Progress

I'd like to hear how you all are doing with training. I did 7 miles yesterday. I was even able to run in between 2 and 3 miles of the seven. I finished in about 1:45.

DAD IS CONFIRMED :)

I just got off the phone with Dad and he is confirmed for Oklahoma City ... leaving Maine April 28th and returning May 2nd. SSSooooo happy that he said yes. It will be very fun for him I'm sure.

:)

I don't have anything interesting to write today, but I just wanted to say that I love all of you very much!

How You All (Ya'll) Doing?

I had the craziest week last week and only ran ONE day! Yuck, yuck, yuck. Back on track today. To infinity and beyond (at a 46 year old jogging pace)!

FYI:  I invited Elizabeth to contribute to the blog today. Her time zone is 6 hours later and this will give her a chance to keep up with all of us even when she can't get through in real time.

Blah

Today is boring. I want to go home. Just felt like whining.

I think I might be crazy.......

So, I have a good job that pays well at a company that really cares about me. BUT, that doesn't mean a thing when it's 7 am and I'm leaving Lily again knowing I won't see her for the next ten hours. So, after a lot of prayer and crunching numbers, Phillip and I have decided that I should quit my job. I'm nervous about it because we will have to be really "creative" to make it work. But that's just with our resources. Thankfully, I have a God who owns the cattle on a thousand hills. All the gold and the silver is His. He cares for me and my family and will provide. We wouldn't make this decision if we didn't feel like it is what He wants. So I guess we are going to take a step of faith. I would appreciate your prayers. Phillip and I have always been very blessed in our finances. We have never had a huge abundance, but we've never had many struggles either. This is going to be new territory for us, but I know God is in control! So to sum it up, I'm freaking out and I can't stop smiling. :)

Bonny's Challenge

I found this photo (it's a couple years old) - cool huh! Remember when we used to blow bubbles like this? The kids didn't think I could blow one that big - yeah right with a Dad like ours Hubba Bubba was our best friend. Bring on the cavaties. Here's my challenge...blow a bigger bubble and post the results. Oh by the way, it's Saturday after a complete week with teen agers - can you tell. I'm totally wiped and really feel my age. Had a good time and they all got "spiritual" for a minute or two.

Life With Lily

Lily did something funny tonight. As I was tidying up the living room she was playing with a laundry basket. Next thing I knew she was crying and when I went to see what was wrong she was trapped completely underneath the basket. I don't know how she did it, but it looked like she was in a dog kennel. Of course I immediately "saved" her, but I was wishing I would have had a camera in hand. It was really funny! :)

Behind Bars

Prayer

Today when I read Cindy's comment on FB about Simon and Liz flying off to Germany I was quite overwhelmed with emotion. Actually, I confess, I wept. I've not had a child move away. So I took it to the Lord in prayer. Then I prayed for us all . We need God's protecting hand upon us despite our zipcode. I just want you to know that I love you all. I pray that God guides you each through lifes struggles and gives you wisdom along the way. Doesn't the book of James tell us that we can ask God for wisdom and he will give it to us liberally? I just love the book of James. There is so much good advice! So,my sisters, I will endevour to be more faithful in prayer on your behalf . Love ,T

Love Love Love

Sending all my love to my ladies.  You are wonderful, and I love you!

Hello!

Hi Everyone,
I'm am so excited about this blog. I asked Aunt Cindy to send me an invitation, I hope no one cares. Please let me know if you do. Anyway, I just wanted to say hi to everyone. I will post more later, but it's waaaaaay past my bedtime. I have to be up in five and a half hours, so nighty night! XOXO

It's a Boy!

Liz & Simon found out the baby's sex today.  It's a Boy McManus arriving on my birthday (or sometime close to it)! Interesting that Liz has believed it was a boy for some time now. I didn't know with any of the girls, but I knew it was a boy with Eli, even though we did not find out with ultrasound.

Now I know how to shop and sew!

Walking

Well I guess I have runners knee or I just can't increase my mileage like when I was younger( and more in shape.) WHATEVER! So what I have been doing is walking as fast as I can and avoiding pain. I can complete 2 miles in 35 minutes . I actually ran about 5 minutes tonight. I am trusting that I will get stronger cause I really would like to run but I am willing to embrace my limitations and go with it. I will do this despite my challenges. So my plan is to propell myself in whatever fashion for the prescribed amount of time for each workout and just not sweat it. No pun intended.

For Luke

Run, running, jogging, trotting, speed walking, and jiggling down the street. Let us be distracted with all our talk about running (said it again) and we'll have less to say about taking out the trash! (And yes, you should run to do that when asked or reminded!)

Didn't run yesterday because there was no place to run. We had about 3 inches of snow, and then an inch of ice. Everything is clear along the roadways today and it's back to work (whereas the last 2 days I was off from the Y because the kids were all home from school).

Liz left this morning, and I won't see her again until I go to Germany in June. Belle & Anna followed her down to Kentucky to spend the weekend for her birthday--Liz paid for gas as their birthday gifts from her.

Simon's orders have changed again, and they fly to Germany on Feb 13th, only 11 days from now!  Please pray, pray, pray for Simon's safety, as he will deploy to Afghanistan the week after they arrive in Germany.

Emotional week.  Miss you all. (Nicci-sorry we missed you when we were in Maine--hope your arm is feeling better!)

Random factoids

Well today I had to go to work despite the unplowed streets. I was the only one on staff that did not spend the night at the hospital and was very happy about that. We took only 5 additional minutes enroute. I spent a good day with great co- workers and am now back home in my pj's. We got about 10 plus inches and it is below zero. :( The hospital would not allow anyone to go until there were staff members sufficient to care for our patients. I lucked out this time.

Today I ate a free breakfast provided by the hospital, then leftover meatloaf for lunch and then had breakfast again for supper. (pancakes this time. Look Luke -food facts.

Lily comes to visit tomorrow and she has learned how to do her version of the crawl. She still couldn't manage crawling last week so here we go!!! Ron and I went thrift shopping last week and bought about $50 worth of toys for 7 bucks and bought a nearly new stroller for 10 dollars. However, we will not be taking a walk tomorrow!

Look Luke ,not one mention of locomotion by way of quick exchange of bilateral lower extremities along a street, pathway or treadmill :)

Some Random Facts

Luke wants to know why we are all talking about running!!! He said, "why can't you talk about some random facts like eating or something?" So, here goes...I haven't eaten yet, it's 13 degrees out, snowing really hard and I can't run. Oops I put run in here. Church will once again be cancelled and Rose asked me to begin a 7 week series on Bible Parenting. I told him every time he asks me to speak church is cancelled. What's that saying. All is well in Detroit on the Bragg Road!!! Love to all 4

Rah Rah Candy!

Candy told Bonny yesterday that she plans on doing this marathon with us, even though she will be walking.

Rah Rah Candy!  You go girl! That's the attitude of a Merle's Girl!

We love you and are praying for your health and for a miracle of complete healing.  -C.

Progress

This week according to my 1/2 marathon app. I was to run for an hr. and cover at least 5 miles. My guidelines were to run 10 mins. Walk one and repeat for the duration. I decided I would just continue till I needed a break. I ran for 1:10 and only walked for 1 min. and 15 secs. I covered just over 5 miles. I used the gu nutrition gel at about 57 mins and did feel a boost of energy for my last mile. I am sure I will pay for this one but feel good about this. This is the longest I have ever run.

@ Candy- I am so glad you are at home and feeling better. My Sunday school class prayed for you . I love you !!

So Exciting!!!

Bethany just called me with some exciting news. She and Phillip have been attending the UPC church in Del City for about 7 months. So of course their pastor Bro. Paul Sharp has been feeling them out to see what they are like etc. I guess he has been impressed with what he saw cause he asked them to be their youth pastors. Beth said it is so well organized with a 5 person youth committee . They have a separate building for the youth and I think a gym. Wow!

On another note there was just a "marathon minute " on Ron's sports show that mentioned that there are expected to be 25,000 participants in this years Memorial Marathon!!! Yay!

LSD baby!!!!

So today the long slow distance (LSD) kicked my butt. I ran 4 miles in about an hours time and only walked about 5 or 6 minutes of it. My heart and my lungs are up to the challenge but my hips are not. This was the first time outside and real running is a bit more of a challenge at the first compared to the treadmill.

I have been told once you start training for more than an hours time you should consider nutritional supplements. My marathon running friend gave me some "goo". I will let you know what I think.

Here We Go!!

Well ... 2 miles on Tuesday, 2.25 miles yesterday -- not really sure what for today, but 2.5 I'm thinking. Not running it all though ... somewhere along the line my knees got older than I am!! I'm sure it will be fine in time -- 16 weeks seems like enough. I hope it proves to be.

Has anyone heard if Candy is in or not??

My weekly challenge

I was challenged by Bonny's 3 miles in 28 mins. At this point I know I can't run at an increased tempo for more than 2 miles. So I was able to do 2 miles in 26 min.30secs. I walked for only 1.5 mins. I feel satisfied with this for now. The furthest I have run/walked is 3.77 miles in 62 mins. Can you tell I track every run.....walk:)

On another note- @ Candy and Cindy- Did you see Rhondas pic on FB. She got in excess of 20 comments from teens to 80 year olds haha. @ Nicci and Bonny- the pic was of Rhonda with her lips swelled up big from an allergic reaction. Funny and not all at once. The pic was after a trip to the ER. We still don't know what she is allergic to.
Love "y'all"

It's a Date

I had my monthly Women of Purpose planning session today, and talked with the other 2 leaders about the opportunity to do this race-sister-thing on May 1st, and how it overlaps our retreat dates.  They wholeheartedly endorsed skipping the ladies' retreat to do the "sister retreat" instead.  I'm free to come and sooooo glad.

And sooo sore.

I'm Doing It

I found a 16 week training schedule, tweaked it for my schedule, printed it on a card, and started yesterday with a 2 mile run. All things considered, I feel pretty good. Tomorrow, 2.5 miles.

Honestly, I felt like I was cheating, running on the treadmill inside the Y.  I usually run here at home, with the wind and the hills, and level running is comparatively easier. But I am looking forward to running outside, especially the longer runs coming up in a few weeks.


Yup. I'm doing it!

Plenty of Time to Prepare

If you are taking Trudy's challenge, click here.

An invitation and challenge

This is an invitation to all four of you to join me on May 1st to run a half marathon. May first is the Memorial Marathon held each year as a way to remember those that lost their lives on April 19,1995 in the bombing. I am not sure if I can run the whole thing but I am sure with even moderate training I could cover the distance run/walking it.

I have a family room and a spare bedroom so there's plenty of room. At the very least we could do a relay team and cover the marathon route with 4 runners. Curt said he would be willing to do that. I am doing the half which is 13.1 miles no matter. So tell me what you think.