tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-211206992024-03-07T14:41:04.474-05:00Thinks By MeI'm not transparent, but I am authentic.JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.comBlogger600125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-52680866845710952682021-04-26T10:08:00.001-05:002021-04-26T10:08:10.876-05:00My Boy, A Husband<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-QV2F15Hh5cReEbXUXcbeXJSBvwmn9PSaJ-pQ99zccc9CmuiMwK0dSxLMEpfHEQb6aDdqaYozSa8OfCDpuMbOMVu73upYD7rKflxn4VJme0mYb1NkmfEAtsuK7elo2G4S8Fv/s2048/SE1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz-QV2F15Hh5cReEbXUXcbeXJSBvwmn9PSaJ-pQ99zccc9CmuiMwK0dSxLMEpfHEQb6aDdqaYozSa8OfCDpuMbOMVu73upYD7rKflxn4VJme0mYb1NkmfEAtsuK7elo2G4S8Fv/s320/SE1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Since the day I became his mom, my son has been what I would consider to be a "contented soul." As a baby, he was intent on his surroundings, but was pretty chill. As a little boy, he could entertain himself for hours with toys or books. He never nagged us to buy him things, he was always happy with a couple of close friends and he had just a few interests that he was devoted to. I often worried that he would be so content, that he would go through life alone, not desiring to have a life partner. He always responded that if he ever found someone he liked, he would pursue a relationship, but he didn't need the social aspects of dating and companionship. My therapist once told me that was a sign of a healthy strong relationship with parents, and in moments of mom-guilt, I've revisited that.<p></p><p>We were all thrilled the day a beautiful young woman walked in to our church on a Sunday morning, thinking she had been invited there. She had mistaken our church for another, but I'm confident it was all part of the master plan for both their lives. A friendship was struck and eventually a relationship. To say that mom, dad and sister were thrilled is an understatement. We love this girl who loves our boy and she is who we have prayed for long before we knew her name.</p><p>I think I've prepared him well. I've tried to impart without hovering. I've tried to encourage without pushing. I've tried to challenge without criticizing. I have utter peace at this step he is taking. He is ready, he is excited and he is my gift to her. I completely trust that she will love him well, and that he will her. I love you both fiercely. </p>JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-16928175926720299612021-04-23T07:33:00.000-05:002021-04-23T07:33:15.979-05:00Better than I imaged<p> Once upon a time, someone got offended by something I posted in jest, and I stopped blogging. I tried again once or twice, but the joy just wasn't in it. Thirteen years later, life has evolved, and although it's vaguely familiar, our kids are grown, and we are empty nesters besides the menagerie of animals we've adopted in order to cope with our incessant need to hover over some living being.</p><p>In one short week, our Emergency Room RN daughter (who can no longer be called Little Chic) will be flying home to stand up at her brother's wedding (who still rightfully could be called Brainy Boy), to a girl who we would have picked ourselves if the choice had been ours. These days, I'm working full time in a school district and spending my free time divided between trying to be helpful to others and also trying not to get old.</p><p>Looking back, my life these days is not at all what I imagined when I was in a 20-something newlywed. But I don't think you ever predict a clear picture of what contentment, satisfaction and happiness looks like before you arrive.</p><p>I am settled, I am hopeful, I am grateful. If you are reading, hello, again.</p><p><br /></p>JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-71963890146507280092013-08-26T18:28:00.003-05:002013-08-26T18:28:34.696-05:00Hey, Again!Life has moved along as it always does, and lately it's been dragging me along behind it. This spring, with Senior years of high school and then college looming, I decided to make a job change.<br />
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I got lucky and found my dream job at a local hospital, as the coordinator for their large volunteer department. I've always fancied myself talented in the realm of concierge, and that's kind of my role--matching people up with their skills to fit needs within hospital departments. I could also describe myself as a guidance counselor, but believe me, it brings on a whole new meaning when you are dealing with "Seniors" in the literal sense of the word. In addition to the hospital gig, and at about the same timeframe, I found a second part-time job at a local attorney's office, right around the corner from the hospital. Initially, I anticipated taking one job or the other, but as it turns out, my poor judgement took over and I accepted both. <br />
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Truthfully, I like each of them equally well, and the 2 part-time statuses allow me more flexibility than 1 full-time job would. This summer has been a bit of a transition since my kids have been home without me. But my big guy has his own car, and has been a champ at chauffeuring his sister around, so it has worked out quite well.<br />
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We are taking off with the adventure of Senior year in high school, and I'm sure to be sobbing the whole live-long 180 days of my boy's last months as a kid. JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-77078290901562213822012-11-26T18:09:00.002-05:002012-11-26T18:15:06.856-05:00It's Better To Give<i><b>“It's not how much we give but how much love we put into giving.” Mother Theresa</b></i><br />
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Pictured above is a car that a co-worker of mine has offered to our friends that had the car accident on their way to our house on Thanksgiving afternoon. You can read details in the post below, but they were coming to our house to bring us a pie for Thanksgiving ::sob:: It has been gratifying to see how our family, friends and neighbors have stepped forward to help us raise the money to provide them with a new car. We are collecting money to pay for a few repairs, purchase new tires and get the vehicle inspected and on the road. Since Friday evening, we have already raised approximately $650 of the $1000 that we need, through the generosity of those who felt impressed to give. Every gift has value and we are so humbled by the willingness of everyone who has given what they can.<br />
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We visited our friends Sunday afternoon so that John could check on their wounds from the accident and make sure that they understood all the discharge instructions from the hospital. We were able get better acquainted with them to hear what it was like for them living as a Khurdish family in Iraq. It was sad to hear about the life and job they left behind and their struggle to establish their life in the U.S. They were amazed at how our community of relationships has stepped forward to help strangers.<br />
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In this season of thanks and giving, know that there are people that you can bless beyond measure. If you don't have a giving opportunity already chosen, we would be honored if you would join with us in helping our friends obtain the transportation they desperately need. We would like to be able to complete the repairs and DMV registration process and deliver the car to them by this weekend. Any money we raise above the $1000 that we need for the car will go to pay for a $625 bill that they received from the towing company that hauled their destroyed vehicle away. If we receive more, we will purchase 2 cords of wood for them to burn this winter, as they use a wood stove to heat their home.<br />
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There are several ways to give. First, you may donate via credit card or Paypal through the Paypal link below. If you prefer, you may send us a check directly. If you would prefer your gift be more personal, we can provide you with the home address of the family. Feel free to share this post, as we never know who is looking for an opportunity to give.<br />
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For anyone who donates directly through us, we will be sending an accounting of how much money we raise, and specifically what it has been used for. It will be gratifying to relate to each of you how we have come together to bless this family.<br />
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Blessings on each of you, and blessings on our friends whom we have grown to love.<br />
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JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-3788676141357228212012-11-23T20:33:00.001-05:002012-11-24T21:14:21.115-05:00Blessings Through Raindrops<span class="userContent">Thursday afternoon about 2pm, just as we were putting the
finishing touches on our Thanksgiving dinner, my sister glanced up and saw a car
coming down the road in front of my house. It slid, flipped
twice and landed on its roof. Thankfully my hubby is a medic and my
mother is an RN and they rushed out and began helping the family. We quickly realized that the victims were friends; my son wrestles with one of the boys in the car. Dad, and three of their five sons (including a 2-year-old toddler) were </span>coming to
bring a pie to our family for Thanksgiving to thank us for driving their son back and forth to wrestling practice with our son. <br />
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Their family is about as different from mine as can be--we are Christian; they are Muslim. They are a family of 5 boys and 2 parents; I have one son, one daughter. They are a Kurdish family who fled Iraq about a dozen years ago during the war with Saddam Hussein; I have lived in in the US my whole life. But we also have much in common. We live in the same community, our children attend the same school, we each love our families and children, we are each grateful for the blessings of friends.<br />
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Thankfully, God was watching over them
all; there were no life-threatening injuries. However, this family is
going to face challenges in the upcoming months with the loss of their
only car, medical bills from the Dad's crushed hand and time off work. If you are looking for someone
to bless this holiday season this would be a great family to give to as they are hard workers, loyal friends and grateful recipients of lives spared from death as a result of this frightening accident. It reminds me of the Laura Story song, Blessings, that says "What if your blessings come through raindrops, what if your healing comes through tears." I want to be a blessing to this family.<br />
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I have located someone willing to donate a vehicle to this family, but we need to raise approximately $1000 for some repairs, new tires and inspection. If you would like to help in a practical way during this holiday season, hit the "Donate" button, and we will gratefully put your donation toward the expenses to provide a new car to this family. Any money raised above the car expenses will be given directly to the family in cash or gift cards for food and living expenses.<br />
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JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-38483437166817486042010-08-26T19:16:00.000-05:002010-08-26T19:16:10.979-05:00Three Things Thursday1) I took my Chickadee and a friend to the Carousel mall today to spend some of her hard-earned babysitting money. One good thing about her wanting to shop alone with her buddy was that she didn't ask me to buy her one.single.thing! Well, except lunch--that was only because I told her she was paying for her own if we didn't eat together ;)<br />
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2) I skipped running for the 2nd day in row - partly because of time constraints (the mall was out of town) and partly because I am still nursing a stiff neck/back since my 5-miler. Tomorrow I'm running regardless, so hopefully it will work itself out before then.<br />
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3) "You have been entrusted with an incredible pain"...MaryBeth Chapman in <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Choosing-SEE-Journey-Struggle-Hope/dp/0800719913/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1282868092&sr=1-1"><u>Choosing to See</u>.</a> I sat in Borders book store for about an hour and read several chapters of this book while Chickadee was shopping with her pal. I was embarrassed when I started laughing out loud and then had to hunker down when I started to bawl...definitely one of the best books I've read in a long, long time. I will always think of my life hurts in a different light after reading about her experiences. She's a lot like me.JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-71213694038613618882010-08-24T14:25:00.000-05:002010-08-24T14:25:58.235-05:00Two Fer TuesdayAlthough it's been a while since I've posted, believe me, life has continued to move in a forward direction!<br />
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1) My girlie and I volunteered on Saturday to work at the first annual ALS Walk to Defeat Lou Gehrig's disease. It was awesome to have my daughter work alongside me and along with some other good friends.<br />
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2) I ran my first 5-miler since my half marathon back in April. I have really slacked off this summer and confirmed to myself that need goals and a plan in order to stay consistent. I did 3 5Ks this summer, but I didn't run much more than a 3-mile training run once a week until this week when I resumed a more regular schedule. I was happy to cross a 5-miler off my list--it was a mental hurdle I had been avoiding. I have a 10K scheduled for Oct 2. This will be the first 10K race I've run--it's going to be a challenge because it's a very hilly course.JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-16234189670684421572010-04-11T19:05:00.010-05:002010-04-11T19:24:56.464-05:00Half Marathon Report<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe8GryfWZ2jnCARbwUzftxe0qi_IqLX56BqdRapD12tL0Qs_DECM7dBwNgDRv9wSOe4K6pgHqtguAiUXX_k7CMYi8zHDPjSNa5f1e1HsPFDz5bduq55TyO5giWqldGye6kDRYT/s1600/running.jpg"><br /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0np49kOgIa2mXrMPb4tgFWaYy3WWCKwyuwPVqODK_2Hkc53oLfB6W3VasPhhIdu7FWfNzpsUcl6fbBFx9Glf0x6zDl9lQ1h2wOdXqHI5WH2n-eAcLIWuVlHcMPxKuxXZd7aSy/s1600/Before+race.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0np49kOgIa2mXrMPb4tgFWaYy3WWCKwyuwPVqODK_2Hkc53oLfB6W3VasPhhIdu7FWfNzpsUcl6fbBFx9Glf0x6zDl9lQ1h2wOdXqHI5WH2n-eAcLIWuVlHcMPxKuxXZd7aSy/s400/Before+race.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459039579934821730" border="0" /></a><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Well, the half marathon is over, and I am still alive and kicking! I owe so much gratitude to each of you who offered moral support and financially helped me reach my fundraising goal to support World Vision. I found out a few weeks before the race that I was in the "Orange Laces Club" and I received a pair of bright, neon orange shoe laces to wear in my shoes on race day - for raising over $800. In fact, m</span><span style="font-family:Calibri;">y goal was to raise $1000 and I am happy to report that I exceeded that goal, raising over $1,060 for clean water wells to be dug in Africa. </span> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">John and I drove with our kids to New York City on Friday, April 2 and headed straight in to the heart of Manhattan to a running store located in the World Financial Plaza to pick up my race packet.</div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> In the envelope was my race number to wear on my shirt on race day and my racing "chip" which is a tag that you loop through your shoe laces to clock your individual race time. I also received my orange laces to wear in my shoes, for reaching a fund raising milestone of $800. After picking up my packet, we headed over to our hotel, located near LaGuardia airport and Flushing Meadows Park, where the race was located.</div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The kids were able to enjoy some pool time with some friends, as I was racing along with three other girls from my town and two of them had brought their families along as well. By dinnertime, my aunt had driven up from Washington DC with a friend of hers to stay overnight and support me while I ran. We had a nice dinner out and then headed to the hotel for an early bedtime.</div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">Unfortunately, besides pre-race jitters keeping me awake, we had some unruly hotel neighbors, and even a 3:00 a.m. call to the front desk didn't quiet them down. I got up around 7:00 a.m. without having more than a few winks of sleep. I had brought my own breakfast along, and this allowed me to get dressed and eat while John took the kids down for breakfast. Our hotel offered a shuttle service over to the race site, and we all caught the bus and were in Flushing Meadows Park by about 7:45 a.m. At 8:15 a.m., we met at the World Vision tent where we got race instructions, and a team picture. We also were able to walk together with other World Vision racers and our friends/family to the start line. It was such a blessing to have family and friends there to give encouragement and support since I have done all of my training alone.</div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">My one goal for the race was to be able to complete the whole 13.1 miles without having to walk. My pace is not fast, but I figure if I'm moving faster than I can walk, then I am technically running <img style="position: static; margin: 0px; float: none;" title="Winking smile emoticon" tabindex="-1" alt="Winking smile emoticon" src="cid:6F4FDAE1B1ED47A88306651D6C22ED5B@Jenworklaptop" msnnonuserimageoremoticon="true" /> My "ideal" time goal was to finish in 2 hours 30 minutes, but I figured it would take me closer to 2 hours 45 minutes since the temperature was unseasonably hot and the race was several hours earlier in the morning than I usually do my long training runs.</div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I got off the starting line with a friend of mine who has been running for a few months longer than me, and stayed with her till about mile 7, even though we were going quite a bit faster than my last few training runs had been. It was great having someone to run alongside, but about mile 7, I reverted to my usual pace to make sure I would be able to finish the race running. Around mile 10, the heat and fatigue began to set in and fortunately, my sweet husband was at the sideline with a fresh bottle of water and lots of encouragement. I also began to review the long list of names of people who donated to the race in support of me, the many emails, text messages and phone calls that I had gotten to wish me luck and it was just the thing that really boosted me through the last few miles.</div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">The course was set in the beautiful Flushing Meadows Corona Park, the site of the US Open & the Mets stadium. The weather was sunny and breezy and there were a lot of areas that had tree shade. The real bonus that the course was virtually flat, except for a bridge or two that had a bit of a rise going up and slope going down. I was able to finish the race in 2 hours 32 minutes and I was very happy that I met my goal of not stopping to walk. I was also pleased that I was very close to the finishing time that I wished for myself!</div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;"> </div> <div style="font-family: trebuchet ms;">I want to thank each of you again for the encouragement and support that helped make April 3rd a day that I won't forget.</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXV6qiUfyai-xwFIUt-H8PlwQyE2-5G89mVtEJbOj_VVRxwysHY0eaYNeIpLN_bDEUxoLqp0uG8pEyv5GoTbwyQUHqgzxTX_2jIuQsZX6sJZVXUhZCvhQgDW5Yv17IZT4w25T/s1600/Finish+line.jpg"><img style="float: left; margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUXV6qiUfyai-xwFIUt-H8PlwQyE2-5G89mVtEJbOj_VVRxwysHY0eaYNeIpLN_bDEUxoLqp0uG8pEyv5GoTbwyQUHqgzxTX_2jIuQsZX6sJZVXUhZCvhQgDW5Yv17IZT4w25T/s400/Finish+line.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5459039723347193074" border="0" /></a>JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-70586987634818033162010-03-28T20:18:00.003-05:002010-03-28T20:33:48.358-05:00Countdown<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMWGFAC3Ln3pAeRHGXZ8NOaBNykeFhEv2WIeCJmVWFq3hbtF353mS8xt7ZDPHGVzNf0Xkkg0oEQRgCbtKoRtGubs55R7Gr0OYiRMp6tUisKpVwom9ZeqnNv6hKJeuLSGmFuiL/s1600/NewYork131Marathon-logo.png"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 129px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMWGFAC3Ln3pAeRHGXZ8NOaBNykeFhEv2WIeCJmVWFq3hbtF353mS8xt7ZDPHGVzNf0Xkkg0oEQRgCbtKoRtGubs55R7Gr0OYiRMp6tUisKpVwom9ZeqnNv6hKJeuLSGmFuiL/s200/NewYork131Marathon-logo.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5453860315779740914" border="0" /></a><br />It's almost here! One week from today, my half marathon will already be over. I began running in earnest in September, worked up to 3 miles, then 5 and then started a training schedule in January to get me ready for the half marathon.<br /><br />So far, I have done long runs every weekend, my longest being 12 miles. I thought it was gonna kill me, but I survived, and I'm sure I will be fine on race day. The jitters have definitely set in and I am worrying about everything from whether I'll get a good night's sleep the night before to whether I'll have to stop and use the bathroom halfway through ;/ Most people probably don't need to fret the way I do, but I can conjure up a myriad of things to worry about. <br /><br />When I chose this race, I decided to join the official fundraising effort for World Vision. There is no minimum requirement for an amount to raise, but I decided to try for $1000. I truly didn't think I would come close to raising $1000 but I am thrilled to report that I have raised $940 as of this morning! I even qualified for the Orange Laces Club - I will be given a pair of neon orange shoe laces to wear on race day if I want (anyone who raised $800 or more qualifies).<br /><br />I am most excited about having my family on the sidelines to cheer me on. I have walked in 2 half marathons and run a 5K but I've never had anybody there to watch. I am so thankful to my hubby for picking up the slack in our household through these months when I've been preoccupied with training and/or exhausted, and I'm blessed that he thinks it is important to come along to see me accomplish this goal I have set for myself.<br /><br />My one goal is not a time limit...I simply want to be able to run the whole course without needing to stop to walk. If my times from some of my longer runs are any indication, I won't be fast. But I just want to keep moving at a pace that is faster than I can walk!<br /><br />I'll report back in when I'm finished!<br /><br />PS--If you decide you'd like to help boost me to the last few dollars of my fundraising goal, <a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://twv.convio.net/site/TR?type=fr_personal&fr_id=1090&px=1014521&bpg=list&pg=personal"><span style="font-weight: bold;">click the link to my personal fund raising page </span></a>and you can donate on line.JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-56888211836916308312010-02-14T21:53:00.003-05:002010-02-14T22:01:03.080-05:00Half Marathon training for weeks 4 & 5<span class="BlogBody">What a busy two weeks! I started a new job as an administrative assistant, but have been working at my former job (in the Principal's office at a school) for the last two weeks as well! It has been a real challenge to fit my training runs in, and I've had to do quite a bit of creative scheduling to make it happen. I will be spending my last week at my school job and that will be ending on Feb. 19. After that, I will be back to a more manageable schedule with my new job offering quite a bit of flexibility and the opportunity to work at home some if I really need to.<br /><br />Week 4 of my training brought a hill workout and a couple of short, speedy runs (short being 3 and 4 milers). I had to do the hill workout and one of the short runs on a treadmill because of frigid temperatures (blustery and in the teens). Week 4's long run was 8 miles, which was my longest run to date. I was pretty happy with how I felt at the end--tired, but not completely exhausted. At least I was able to function for the rest of the day--doing fun stuff like laundry & grocery shopping. In between my running, I also did strength training with a trainer on Tuesday. I enjoyed a gift certificate for a massage on Friday evening...that could really become a habit!<br /><br />Week 5 was a bit lighter of a week. I had another hill workout which I did on the treadmill again due to very messy, snowy, wet weather we've had around here. I had a couple more 3 and 4 mile runs and my long run yesterday (Saturday 2/13) was back to 7 miles. I felt good during my run, but I was dreaming of another massage after--especially since I gave my hubby a gift certificate for a massage for Valentine's Day. I also strength trained on Thursday with my personal training small group.<br /><br />My time has been so packed that I've copy & pasted the last couple of posts from my Team World Vision training page--perhaps I'll be able to offer a little wit & wisdom when things calm down a little. I keep standing amazed at myself that I've actually been pretty religious with my training schedule, haven't dropped out and am making steady progress. I've never done anything this challenging before and I have a tendency to "rethink my goals" when things become "not fun" anymore. I have to say that I'm pretty proud of myself, especially because I have not found myself to be a real lover of running. I do love the effects of it, and the sense of accomplishment that I'm getting, but I can't say that it would be in my top picks of riotously fun things to do. Out of 25 runs (in 5 weeks) I have only missed 3 3-mile runs. Two were due to kid-scheduling issues and the third was because of a pulled muscle in my back which I decided to rest before my long run the following day.<br /><br />All in all, things are coming along, and I can actually see myself running a half marathon in 7 more weeks.<br /></span>JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-58256816613135357222010-01-31T18:26:00.002-05:002010-01-31T18:31:11.391-05:00Week 3 of half marathon training<span class="BlogBody">This week brought very cold temperatures that caused a challenge for some of my runs. It is almost impossible for me to stay comfortably warm when it gets below 20 degrees. I did my first hill workout, which is meant to strengthen a different set of muscles and increase your speed. I did that on the treadmill on Monday because the weather was dangerously wet and we were in a flood state--I decided not to risk getting drenched by passing cars.<br /><br />The rest of the week had runs ranging between 3 and 5 miles. My week culminated with a 6 mile "long run". I had to put that off on Saturday because the temperature hovered around 14 degrees, and the weatherman promised a balmy 20 degrees on Sunday!<br />I really don't like running on Sunday--it is a full day of church and family dinner and activities and I am usually too pooped out to take a long run. But I planned carefully, took some extra snacks to church to keep fueled up, and headed out the door while my sweet hubby fixed lunch for the kids.<br /><br />In addition to my runs, I kickboxed for an hour on Monday and did hour-long strength training classes with my trainer on Tuesday and Thursday. I noticed on one of my 3-milers (that was particularly hilly) that my stamina was not what it usually is--I even stopped to walk one-tenth of a mile. I have not done that since I started running! It was a bad idea too, because it has been a real temptation on the rest of my runs this week--to just stop for a minute or two. I find that I have a very hard time re-starting though, and it's just better for me to grit my teeth through it when the going gets tough.<br /><br />I am so very thankful for the support my husband and kids have given me in my training - never complaining about my Saturday revolving around getting that run in. They are a bunch of keepers!</span>JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-47661778294537309102010-01-27T21:37:00.003-05:002010-01-27T21:59:20.730-05:00Sweet RiotI won! THESE!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FfGUC1m20_PuGQkFeX9JbBLVt9wGqseG6IiL06BKtcI3GRyULjRDs8kl8oAfMFbffZ_bMkvQWdmQJKsw4YNRdAuBwamheIPjCWl56tBCUKFXGkbEajwKzLShFMw4SZgZ5yjG/s1600-h/sweetriot.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 149px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1FfGUC1m20_PuGQkFeX9JbBLVt9wGqseG6IiL06BKtcI3GRyULjRDs8kl8oAfMFbffZ_bMkvQWdmQJKsw4YNRdAuBwamheIPjCWl56tBCUKFXGkbEajwKzLShFMw4SZgZ5yjG/s200/sweetriot.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5431615216616667730" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://imasleeperbaker.blogspot.com/2010/01/sweet-riot-of-giveaway.html"><span style="font-weight: bold;">From HER!</span></a> I can't believe my luck, because I had never even heard of them and had no idea they were my dream come true!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.sweetriot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sweet Riots</span></a> are itty bitty little nibs of chocolate covered cacao, one of those natural wonders full of antioxidants. Each teeny tiny nib has only 1-2 calories, but I tell ya, it was all I could do to keep myself from flipping the top and dumping the whole container in my mouth.<br /><br />I tasted <s>one<s> </s></s>several of each (just to thoroughly test each one) and so far, my favorite is the 50% chocolate. I will be routinely re-testing though, and I will be sure to post if I change my mind ;)<br /><br />For now, all three packets are safely hidden in my glove compartment (or my large purse, as my husband likes to call it) for emergency purposes -- I do routinely have chocolate-related emergencies while driving hither and yon. And for safekeeping (from 13-year-old son who would NOT refrain from dumping an entire carton in his mouth--and who routinely sniffs out my top-secret hiding places for all things decadent).JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-33306054392139609672010-01-17T13:43:00.004-05:002010-01-17T14:13:10.984-05:0013.1 New York - April 3, 2010Last September, after doing two half marathons (one in Nashville for my 40th birthday and one in Syracuse, NY) and walking half of one and all of the other, I decided to begin training to run an entire half marathon. I started in the middle of September using the<a href="http://www.coolrunning.com/engine/2/2_3/181.shtml"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> Couch to 5K </span></a>program since I've always been more of a kickboxer and strength-trainer rather than a runner. I finished the Couch to 5K program and ran my very first 5K, the Interlaken Steeple Chase in October.<br /><br />I also began searching for half marathons and was thrilled to find that a favorite charity of mine, World Vision, was sponsoring the <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.131marathon.com/13_1_New_York.htm">13.1 New York</a> race in April 2010. After some convincing of the hubby, who was determined to come watch wherever I chose but detests large cities (especially ones named "NYC") I registered for the inaugural event of 13.1 New York. Joining this race gives me an opportunity to<a href="http://twv.convio.net/site/TR?type=fr_personal&fr_id=1090&px=1014521&bpg=list&pg=personal"><span style="font-weight: bold;"> raise support for World Vision</span></a> and also is a chance to participate in the very first race that they hold in NYC. My particular race is giving assistance in Africa providing things like wells for clean water and food. If you want to support me in my race, simply click on the link above and you can make a donation right online. You can also follow my progress as I journal about my training each week.<br /><br />Once I had completed my 5k training, I began to work up to 5 mile runs and officially started my half marathon training on Monday, January 10. It was exciting to complete my first long run (6 miles - the furthest I have ever run) wearing my <a href="http://www.worldvision.org/content.nsf/getinvolved/teamwv-train-shirt%21OpenDocument&Click="><span style="font-weight: bold;">super-cool, neon orange Team World Vision shirt.</span></a> Lots of people reportedly spotted me running around town.<br /><br />Especially in light of the tragic earthquake that occurred in Haiti this week, I am thrilled at the timeliness of my race and the huge presence that World Vision has in the assistance of disasters like this. If you have been thinking about ways that you can help, or organizations that you may want to support, visit <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.worldvision.org/">World Vision</a> and consider making a donation.JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-70076045382448534932010-01-14T17:21:00.002-05:002010-01-14T17:45:36.258-05:0010 Things<a href="http://runningonmytime.blogspot.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Suzy, over at Running on My Time</span></a> (who, incidentally, I found through the Freihofer's Run for Women, which, I plan to participate in this June) tagged me to list 10 things that make me happy. I haven't blogged in a while, so I thought it was due time to share a bit.<br /><br />1) My relationship with Jesus Christ.<br />2) The fact that I'm a mom (which I didn't think I wanted to be until I was).<br />3) Muh Main Man (who reaffirms that he's The One for me with every new day).<br />4) Coffee (Starbucks grande, non-fat, no-whip Cinnamon Dolce Latte, to be specific).<br />5) Running gear (like my new <a href="http://teamworldvisionstore.epromo.com/product.i?sku=WVT20"><span style="font-weight: bold;">World Vision running shirt, in neon orange</span></a> for the half marathon in NYC on April 3).<br />6) My 2-hour-a-day job at an elementary school office (it's like parenting on a mammoth scale sometimes!)<br />7) Having a goal and achieving it (like in November when I ran 5 miles for the first time)<br />8) The smell of clean sheets.<br />9) Volunteering at my kids school.<br />10) Summer (the hotter, the better).<br /><br />I'm such a blog-slob lately that I don't even think 10 people read anymore--so no sense in tagging anybody else, but if you read and want to participate, it's a good exercise in reflecting on life's blessings!JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-27711599002781690512009-11-29T19:35:00.004-05:002009-11-29T19:52:24.760-05:00Thanksgiving 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDdTJs3v8JXtdai5dMXBycYb6h5Mj9NMoJN6lnls4P0ZZQRNUc1wQ4vAJqcSV8GRTnM3HOn6i2KOtWrdUh1Vp8YEIoWtqI_zYqKBRG9Fs_skd9CO0vSuqyDSrofHc9iGuruE9/s1600/100_1107.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiDdTJs3v8JXtdai5dMXBycYb6h5Mj9NMoJN6lnls4P0ZZQRNUc1wQ4vAJqcSV8GRTnM3HOn6i2KOtWrdUh1Vp8YEIoWtqI_zYqKBRG9Fs_skd9CO0vSuqyDSrofHc9iGuruE9/s400/100_1107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5409692990073805954" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />We had an awesomely good Thanksgiving week - although it was just the four of us. We stayed home as we have travel plans for Florida during Christmas week, so we stayed put for Thanksgiving. It was laid back, calm and completely stress free. I underachieved a bit and didn't even get my tree up--although I did get some Christmas shopping done.<br /><br />My workout schedule was -<br />Sunday - Ran 4 miles (10:51 pace)<br />Monday - kickboxed 1 hr.<br />Tuesday - strength trained with personal trainer 1 hr<br />Wed - off<br />Thurs - Ran 4 miles before dinner (10:33 pace)<br />Friday - strength trained with personal trainer 1 hr<br />Sat - off<br />Sunday (11/28) - ran 4 miles (10:32 pace)<br /><br />This week I'll add .5 miles and make my runs 4.5 miles. That will officially be the furthest distance I've ever run without stopping for a walk break. Once I get to 5 miles, I have a pre-training schedule I'll do for about 4 weeks before I start in on my half marathon training regimen.<br /><br />Thanksgiving dinner was yummalicious. With just the four of us, I got approval from the fam to do cornish game hens rather than a turkey. They seemed to like having their own chicken, all except for Little Chic who needed me to take it off her plate and bring her the meat--she didn't like seeing where the head used to be attached ;) We did all the traditional trimmings including sweet potato casserole, and a new glazed walnut cornbread stuffing that I swear I'm going to make every year from now on. Fortunately the last of the leftovers are gone so I can begin running the 3 lbs off that I put on in the last three days!<br /><br />Menu for this week:<br /><br />Sunday - Stromboli<br />Monday - Mexican layered bake<br />Tuesday - Ham & potato casserole<br />Wed - BBQ ribs<br />Thurs - Spaghetti with meat sauce<br />Fri - Chicken & whole wheat pastaJenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-80589562855887195532009-11-17T18:49:00.004-05:002009-11-17T19:00:43.109-05:00Interlaken Steeple ChaseI did my first 5k race on Saturday, Nov. 14 a few miles outside Ithaca, NY. It was only slightly nerve-wracking. I got up early, drove up all by myself and ran, not knowing a soul. Fortunately I have been to two other races(though not alone) so I did have an idea of what to expect. I had to leave my cheering section at home--the race was too far away to leave the kiddos at home for hubby to come along, and our wrestler had practice, so I couldn't bring the whole crew. The stakes were high -- the other two races I've done involved a lot of walking...,my goal for this hilly course was to run the whole thing.<br /><br />Happily I met my goal of running the whole way, -- not fast, but with toenails matching my running gear (it actually wasn't planned!) My time was 33:38 though I would have preferred a time of about 3 minutes faster. Hubby obliged me with a picture, but I think he was a bit anxious to get out to the tree stand for hunting--thus the blur.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxu6sR-XUUY_Je_esAs9nYqSaQ728jbAm1ZZB708DVMZXpCAUSKWXWT2ujFW0IYUW9tCiJ8uJppaXyNNbeD-irA3hpMHaU_YtZ21RYMdZ87rC0NM8mt_PCwWeCyGfFUfsTmxp/s1600/DSCF8705.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcxu6sR-XUUY_Je_esAs9nYqSaQ728jbAm1ZZB708DVMZXpCAUSKWXWT2ujFW0IYUW9tCiJ8uJppaXyNNbeD-irA3hpMHaU_YtZ21RYMdZ87rC0NM8mt_PCwWeCyGfFUfsTmxp/s200/DSCF8705.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405226063770937250" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6yS8CIyZsMnEQw-tyZG6T8n51_vl90vap3uMZiieoIoDHaHppln56ijwhohnil5dcuwFCPiME7GLKQ2seCMcMogAT_2-H61YrNClM0vHcjTLr7OJOaKouaAvQ6WmeNoryzX9/s1600/DSCF8703.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI6yS8CIyZsMnEQw-tyZG6T8n51_vl90vap3uMZiieoIoDHaHppln56ijwhohnil5dcuwFCPiME7GLKQ2seCMcMogAT_2-H61YrNClM0vHcjTLr7OJOaKouaAvQ6WmeNoryzX9/s200/DSCF8703.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5405226688821538194" border="0" /></a>JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-3305360156614942082009-11-08T20:44:00.007-05:002009-11-08T20:55:32.614-05:00Weekend Warriors<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERV30ye_qw9YFwvQr6MBNEi238uvBk8K7qNSxvxaXUS2rXyn-BFFw0HURdN3sYutzBaVm51A6ODLlUm5H-Sv14dniqz5h3pQ6nmVIIpoNvxe7EvnipkdGYVFFncFRQZhBYG5p/s1600-h/DSCF8695.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgERV30ye_qw9YFwvQr6MBNEi238uvBk8K7qNSxvxaXUS2rXyn-BFFw0HURdN3sYutzBaVm51A6ODLlUm5H-Sv14dniqz5h3pQ6nmVIIpoNvxe7EvnipkdGYVFFncFRQZhBYG5p/s200/DSCF8695.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401914906967544194" border="0" /></a>We've had our washer and dryer off our kitchen since we built our house, but we have sorely missed having a proper coat/boot closet, especially in the winter time, since you enter right into our house. We don't have a mud room or entry where we can take off boots and wet clothes. To solve the problem, we moved our laundry to our basement and my sweet hubby installed all sorts of shelving and a coat rack for me. He gets extra brownie points for doing it in the midst of deer season! Little Chic and I painted the walls before he got started.<br /><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUFuE3kevk6IGGBb2bXW_q6qP99E7iRCWMQxJN-PwyVnp0ZSLNyOuxIhWJtVCX4mNg38AEv4_TTtyxvaRqHpoLd-S7z5KOfsdQ9oeNoDfvIRZor5fDAuo6TvPK0p2m_QIL2iz/s1600-h/DSCF8696.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtUFuE3kevk6IGGBb2bXW_q6qP99E7iRCWMQxJN-PwyVnp0ZSLNyOuxIhWJtVCX4mNg38AEv4_TTtyxvaRqHpoLd-S7z5KOfsdQ9oeNoDfvIRZor5fDAuo6TvPK0p2m_QIL2iz/s400/DSCF8696.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401915099327001906" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCw4GOqOSYsQWzAwxg8SpOdZUZZFWZ1tBzQvevNhhHEzOyZd6WB5-PPEpDuAdhkbEeZfMpgN-4FPPaOicfG2O-v6EIzs1gWgX4VTG4gh-I7E7H22vzRt_DTSkVVK-5eNs_sBJ/s1600-h/DSCF8697.JPG"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCw4GOqOSYsQWzAwxg8SpOdZUZZFWZ1tBzQvevNhhHEzOyZd6WB5-PPEpDuAdhkbEeZfMpgN-4FPPaOicfG2O-v6EIzs1gWgX4VTG4gh-I7E7H22vzRt_DTSkVVK-5eNs_sBJ/s400/DSCF8697.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401915415457033138" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbQWI0A35yOKVSVvRYwuI6Pi305OybnVmh-T_F5hEkRt3Jd5eQyxNiP3yxXlme7ElcXliejVwuLh4iO3U4nPUKPwT7qHi5tubmJGKxXC5qwHXTv5W5zktpEq3RVUjvtr0_zn1/s1600-h/DSCF8698.JPG"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbQWI0A35yOKVSVvRYwuI6Pi305OybnVmh-T_F5hEkRt3Jd5eQyxNiP3yxXlme7ElcXliejVwuLh4iO3U4nPUKPwT7qHi5tubmJGKxXC5qwHXTv5W5zktpEq3RVUjvtr0_zn1/s400/DSCF8698.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401916528548867650" /></a>JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-42584819668267275492009-11-07T22:16:00.003-05:002009-11-08T20:57:52.289-05:00Week ending 11/7<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Workout schedule for this last week</span><br />Monday kickboxed & ran 2.75 mi<br />Tuesday 1 hour strength training<br />Wednesday ran 2.75 mi<br />Thursday 1 hour strength training<br />Friday kickboxed<br />Saturday ran 2.75 mi (hit my best pace 9:55/mi)<br /><br />I'm excited to run my first ever 5k this next Saturday, 11/14. Since is so blasted cold around here, the running season is pretty much over, so I have to drive past Ithaca to do it, but I've been looking for a race, and this is pretty much all there is to choose from. It's the Interlaken Steeple Chase put on by a church in the small town of Interlaken<br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Menu for next week:</span><br />Sunday evening dinner-Chicken parmigiana (my kids' favorite meal)<br />Monday-Beef & Broccoli soup, Sandra Lee<br />Tues-Tortilla bake, Kraft Food & Family (PTA meeting night, 6:30pm)<br />Wed-Chicken linguine with creamy pesto, Sandra Lee (Choir practice night, 6:15pm)<br />Thurs-Mac & Cheese with salad (Leadership team meeting night, 7pm)<br />Friday-Stromboli (Wildtree Herbs party, 7pm)<br /><br />Because of adding running to my workout schedule, my grocery routine is all goofed up and I keep having to go on Saturdays (like today). I have to figure that out because that's a pain.<br /><br />This week starts Brainy Boy's wrestling practice. I pick him up every day at 5:30 after I drop Little Chic off for musical practice at 5:00. Then it's back to get her at 7pm. Luckily her musical is over on the 19th!<br /><br />Little Chic gets to take her babysitting course at the American Red Cross this week. Wednesday is Veteran's Day and the kids have off school, so she is going to spend 9:00-4:30 learning all about taking care of kids. She has been bugging me for ages to sign her up, so she is gladly sacrificing the day off to be in a classroom.<br /><br />Lots going on this week--the District Superintendent is coming Monday night to spend the night to hunt with Muh Main Man on Tuesday, I have PTA and Leadership meetings as well as choir practice and I'm hosting a Wildtree Herbs party Friday night. Then Saturday morning I'll be up bright and early to drive to my 5K. I'm beginning to wonder why I do this to myself!JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-74746423601417409692009-11-05T18:33:00.002-05:002009-11-05T18:38:59.336-05:00Long Lost AmbitionIn lieu of not blogging at all, as I've been prone to do for the last year I'm toying with the idea of using my blog to indulge myself for a while in journaling the current happenings of my life--though they won't be of much interest to anybody else, I'm sure.<br /><br />I will probably keep things like my weekly menus, perhaps my workout schedule and progress log and maybe some other riffraff that only I care about. You're certainly invited to snoop about, although the fodder won't be very compelling. <br /><br />It will, however, give me something to look back at when I'm old & decrepit (you know, like old picture albums and remember the "good old days" ;)JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-75621192425302023172009-09-10T21:24:00.004-05:002009-09-10T21:35:55.114-05:00Team Crystal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqkBSJCbpDDUBicCBT0gGuv_Fzs4gO70Av1kenUY3LZGWjWOwQSDzCCYKz29d0dtgN5KnO4FziMWMMalwlP7Vl5XKiwJx_7W9DLx5gDiQhVV9oI47gJGaUfPEbLrB2Hnj6K7h/s1600-h/TeamCrystalLogoColor.png"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 309px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYqkBSJCbpDDUBicCBT0gGuv_Fzs4gO70Av1kenUY3LZGWjWOwQSDzCCYKz29d0dtgN5KnO4FziMWMMalwlP7Vl5XKiwJx_7W9DLx5gDiQhVV9oI47gJGaUfPEbLrB2Hnj6K7h/s400/TeamCrystalLogoColor.png" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5380031471768970274" border="0" /></a><br />My friends, Angela & Sue and I will be at the <a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://www.arcon.org/events/arc-race-info-1.cfm">ARC of Onondaga County's Half Marathon</a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;"> </span>on Saturday, September 12, 2009. I'm participating in memory of my sweet friend, Crystal, who had wanted to join in the next time I did a half marathon. When we talked about it back in April, I certainly thought we'd be doing one together more than just in spirit. I had found this race and was contemplating entering, but I hadn't even had a chance to ask her to join me before she died. I decided to participate the day I found out about her death, in her memory. Thanks to my sister, of <a style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;" href="http://camiedesigns.blogspot.com/">Camie Designs</a><span style="font-weight: bold; font-style: italic;">,</span> for providing this cute logo for me to wear on my shirt.JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-14878606786352435952009-07-08T11:37:00.003-05:002009-07-08T11:52:35.457-05:00Goodbye, My Friend, Crystal<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdXT_ck8xd9n6W6rcTGf_Se_7JWBcdgvGPCe38mOjAe5qSvt-z-7pClvvz7Tbm2vJ6_pP1AeNfDD5NFYDaNOnHeyL-lruT1nliqScFYVWSIPhpJrg7LxVSAFnTIyH_okRU3mj/s1600-h/momstalking.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSdXT_ck8xd9n6W6rcTGf_Se_7JWBcdgvGPCe38mOjAe5qSvt-z-7pClvvz7Tbm2vJ6_pP1AeNfDD5NFYDaNOnHeyL-lruT1nliqScFYVWSIPhpJrg7LxVSAFnTIyH_okRU3mj/s400/momstalking.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356129669480267202" border="0" /></a><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;"><br />Crystal & Jennifer chatting it up at Jackson's Pumpkin Farm, Fall 1999.<span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><br /><br />Crystal has been one of my best buds since we met and immediately hit it off in February of 1999 when I began attending Owego Nazarene Church. She was eight years younger than me, but we had so much in common: we lived on the same road and had kids almost the exact same age, and her personality complimented mine to a "T". We quickly began hanging out every day, doing fun stuff with the kids by day and scrapbooking or crafting by night. <br /><br />It put a big dent in our face-time when she and her husband moved several towns away but our friendship endured and we regularly found a way to get together and kept in steady contact as our kids got older and we moved on through our stages of life.<br /><br />I was heartbroken when I learned this morning that my good friend, Crystal, died in a car accident. She was driving with her youngest boy, Ethan, when another driver hit her head-on. We are praying for Ethan to fully recover from his injuries and for her other two kids, James and Madalyn. Crystal also left behind her husband Thad, who she always described to me as "the love of her life."<br /><br />I'm sure I will always have a Crystal-shaped hole in my heart.JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-74706285677932109262009-06-02T21:11:00.002-05:002009-06-02T21:13:57.813-05:00Seems Like Just YesterdayHappy 20th Anniversary, Sweets! Thanks for lettin' me marry you!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnvAtcWuN0T8_Aa7gCdfCUEWRFOZLpcSicRulN-1uh7pWTsTUGqUVcO_nH0ZqBqHwM2LOigNMeml7YUKxRfPnGtfRVOZ3wIuUQ66hC7zRpI0e39f-yqUL4UqhUuaoJf5bneT5/s1600-h/Wedding+Shower4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 261px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJnvAtcWuN0T8_Aa7gCdfCUEWRFOZLpcSicRulN-1uh7pWTsTUGqUVcO_nH0ZqBqHwM2LOigNMeml7YUKxRfPnGtfRVOZ3wIuUQ66hC7zRpI0e39f-yqUL4UqhUuaoJf5bneT5/s400/Wedding+Shower4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5342918647975875746" border="0" /></a>JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-59579603717209083542009-05-18T20:44:00.005-05:002009-05-18T20:54:41.469-05:00Happy Birthday to a Pretty Fantastic Guy<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gsCCPjk5MD3YchiMYpjHOxrdcq8G57GacBZccRN7eArwpOKIg-t5FkgFNbJr35QArK33ZvkEY7PnoXkVUGXyWGelkokQGwoJ0ru_xx8ykznCA8VXLj6cTVWpKAz_EH5YbTeP/s1600-h/100_1848.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-gsCCPjk5MD3YchiMYpjHOxrdcq8G57GacBZccRN7eArwpOKIg-t5FkgFNbJr35QArK33ZvkEY7PnoXkVUGXyWGelkokQGwoJ0ru_xx8ykznCA8VXLj6cTVWpKAz_EH5YbTeP/s400/100_1848.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5337347325802280642" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Muh Main Man turned 45 today, and Little Chic wrote a special poem for him. It was so sweet and we both got quite a kick out of it, especially since she inherited her dad's creative spelling.<br /><br />FAUTHERS...<br /><br />Fauthers fix broken hearts<br />Fauthers fill our brains with smarts.<br /><br />Fauthers wipe away our tears<br />Fauthers ears can always hear.<br /><br />Fauthers know just what to say<br />Fauthers make all the sadness go away.<br /><br />Some are sweet and some are kind<br />Some are cruil and wack your behind!<br /><br />Daddy, you'r the best<br />And you beat the rest.<br /><br />She's a daddy's girl, that one! And fortunately she also inherited her mom's love for the proper use of an apostrophe.JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-18187831292477187522009-04-12T15:16:00.002-05:002009-04-12T15:17:56.279-05:00Happy Easter 2009<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinYoUQZQ8g9y0mhfacsgYZuNmJVskYxzVCUF0b31aHC6ACSjeLjMweF2kUMg8TjE3hDIiC0OQkGZXFde3Myd-NEdhBQdjALeLcM1yhzBJVlJPAER6ExyodU8_iGIz699oEZ3s/s1600-h/DSCF8476.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjinYoUQZQ8g9y0mhfacsgYZuNmJVskYxzVCUF0b31aHC6ACSjeLjMweF2kUMg8TjE3hDIiC0OQkGZXFde3Myd-NEdhBQdjALeLcM1yhzBJVlJPAER6ExyodU8_iGIz699oEZ3s/s400/DSCF8476.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5323901690854237490" border="0" /></a>JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21120699.post-84727226340145585082009-04-08T16:22:00.002-05:002009-04-08T16:29:46.596-05:00Little Chic's New Do<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFNYICZTx65VpAhW6giKsV8pWI0CnMTC0VZfyH6k9n_imo12s5A-GMcNosOR4R4o3nAA0lk7z31bzr_JRLCAKDY3fVqMbBFkBaWYcb9VL8FDZo290KT1WabBUMvRvY9jeni06/s1600-h/100_1982.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSFNYICZTx65VpAhW6giKsV8pWI0CnMTC0VZfyH6k9n_imo12s5A-GMcNosOR4R4o3nAA0lk7z31bzr_JRLCAKDY3fVqMbBFkBaWYcb9VL8FDZo290KT1WabBUMvRvY9jeni06/s400/100_1982.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322435799085428850" border="0" /></a><br />I have been bugging Little Chic to cut her waist-length hair for a long time. She did take about 4 inches off it about two months ago, and ever since, has been toying with the idea of something drastic and cool. Today was the day! I love it, but it's a little sad too--seeing how it makes her look all mature and teenager-ish.JenLohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12335549553791444287noreply@blogger.com4