Three Things Thursday - a little early!

1. The picture above is from the Jingle Bell Jog back in December. A friend of mine runs this race in memory of a loved one who passed away due to Alzheimer's. It's a wonderful race! My time this year was 26:45. I barely made it to start due to a school function, but I was there and even made it across the finish line with a gift. There are gift stations along the course. If you can make it across the finish line with your gift, you get to keep it. The catch? They are wrapped, so you have no idea what you are getting when you grab a gift. I got a Rubix cube, but traded it with my friend Sarah:) for a set of Disney Princesses dominos for my niece Karrah. Overall, a good race. And the prizes for age groups were adorable! I got first in my age group and the prize was a hand carved ornament with Al, the Jingle Bell Jog signature reindeer. And I just realized that in this picture, I'm carrying my Garmin in my hand. My watchband broke and I hadn't had time to fix it. I had a perfectly new watchband at home, just hadn't taken the time to do anything about it.

2. I am a guidance counselor at a middle school in the city in which I live. I taught music for eight years and this is my first year as a guidance counselor and I love it! More than anything, I love seeing students that I once had at the elementary level growing into wonderful young men and young ladies. It makes my heart happy to see them grow into well-rounded individuals. I received an email from a former parent today. Her daughter is now a sophomore in high school. The high school is having an intersession week in February and the students were given several options. One of the options given to them was to shadow a teacher for that week. She chose me! I love knowing and hearing that I'm doing a good job from my superiors, but it means so much more to me that one of my former students wants to shadow ME because she thinks I'm a wonderful teacher! What a compliment!

3. My dog, Jack, cracks me up! As I sit here writing this post, my husband is in the recliner. His feet are hanging off the foot rest and my dog is strategically placing his butt up against my husband's feet. It's a nightly habit for Jack (named after the most prominent golfer of all time). It's like he automatically thinks that if he pushes his butt up against your feet that you will naturally start rubbing him with your feet. He honestly will stand there for an hour waiting for you to rub him on the butt.

In an online class...why not blog?

I'm sitting in an online class for my second Masters, so why not blog while I sit here and listen, right?

Well, ran 8 miles on Sunday, not as fast as it should be, but I'm not worried about that right now. I haven't run since then, but both of my knees have been severely swollen since then and I don't know what's wrong with them. I think it's highly bizarre that both of them are swollen in the same spot. Usually when you injure something, you only injure one of them, not both of them. Completely confused!

So, I put on my clothes to run today...didn't get to leave school until 6:15, still had to cook dinner, eat dinner, spend 5 minutes with my husband, and be in class by 8:00. I decided since I'm still swollen, I would put running off one more day. I WILL RUN TOMORROW! No doubt about that.

On a completely different note, a few years ago, my best friend moved to Columbus, about 5 hours away. I had a really hard time with this due to the fact that we've always been together, ALWAYS. Life just hasn't been the same since she left. I was used to being able to see her whenever I wanted to, and now I can't. Anyhoo...I woke up this morning to an email from her saying that she is still having a hard time with it also, and we need to do something about it. Well, we've decided that probably once a month, we will meet halfway for lunch, a movie, a pedicure, whatever...I'm so excited!!!

Not to mention...I get to have lunch with my college roommate and her husband this Sunday! I haven't seen them since my wedding, two years ago! It's a good day for old friends!

Life is so blessed! Have a blessed day bloggers!

Five for Friday

I've never done a Five for Friday, so there is a first time for everything...

1. I never did a race recap on the Santas Hustle the Smokies 1/2 marathon in Sevierville, Tennessee. But, I will today because I actually have time to do it. But, as a little sneak preview...here's a picture for you.

2. Hopefully I can catch up on my blogging today because it's a SNOW DAY! That's right...the Danville Schools are out of school today. WOO HOO! I normally don't like snow days because I would rather get out of school on May 10th, but hey, what's May 11th, right?

3. My favorite feeling? I love life! There are so many great things in life right now, that I feel like I can't stop smiling! :) I am so grateful for all the wonderful friends and family that I have, for my wonderful, fabulous husband, and for just being able to run. I know we want to get down when we don't have a good run, but I always tell myself, at least I can run.

4. It's high school basketball season! That means my fabulous nephew, Micah, is starting his final season of high school basketball. We enjoy watching him play so much! Yes, it makes for a busy week, but it's totally worth it! Lincoln County at home tonight! One of my favorite games of the season!

5. I know that this year is going to hold lots of blessings and great times! I'm so excited for this year to be here. I know life isn't candy and roses all the time, but I'm excited for all of it. I feel that good times and not so good times are, together, what makes us resilient people!

Thank you all for being such loyal readers!