Light the Night

Tonight 30 of us are walking in memory of our dear friend James. Tonight we are "Jogging for James"! We should have great weather for this and it should be a great night! Say a prayer or think good thoughts for us tonight!! Thanks! 

Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end

In Semisonic's song "Closing Time" a recurring line is "every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end" I've always liked the song but it never really hit me how true it was until recently.

James last Halloween

On July 1st my dear friend and co-worker James lost his battle with Leukemia. He fought valiantly for a year and died days shy of his 50th birthday. His loss hit me hard...he was like a brother to me. He had supported me both personally and professionally and he was dear to me. We have been hurting as a staff and as friends of this amazing man.

His office and position are still empty. The search for his replacement will be a ways down the road still but we are talking about moving our new Director of Children's Ministry in to his office. She was our part time Preschool Director and with the death of James and our Nursery Director leaving, her job evolved into a full time job that covers preschool, nursery, and children's ministries through elementary school.

It is logical to move her into his office since many of the children's ministry supplies are in there. I was even the one who suggested she move into that office. But what I wasn't prepared for was the fact that her moving into his office would bring a final closure to James' death. I know we have to move on and I know he would want us to do so. But it doesn't make it an easy thing. And I know emotions will be there for a while. It is time to start moving on. And as we start a new chapter I'm reminded of this song.

Birchbox Favorites

I've seen Birchbox on a couple of blogs but I hadn't really investigated it until recently. I've received two boxes so far and I like it. It is fun because it is a box of samples it's kind of like going to Sephora with a personal shopper. My most recent box had two big time favorites for me. I've actually ordered the full size package of both. The first on is Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25+. I have sensitive skin and sometimes foundation/moisturizers irritate it. But this product is great! It gives nice coverage without being heavy or irritating and it seems to brighten things a bit.

Loving this

The other one is Vasanti BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator. Again with sensitive skin it is tricky to find a gentle enough scrub. This is it.

And this!!

I highly recommend Birchbox. It is very reasonable at $10 a month and it can be set for just a few months.

Paws for the Cause 5K - Follow-Up

Me and the SPCA Dog

Saturday morning I woke up around 7:00 am and took care of the dogs. Then I headed down the road to the start of the Paws for the Cause 5K. I liked this one because it was close to me and it didn't start until 9:00 am. I got there, got signed in, got my bib and my goody bag. I was going to change into the shirt but they only had a port-a-potty and I just didn't feel like that was something I wanted to deal with so I put the goody bag in the car. We stood around for a bit waiting for it to start. It wasn't too big a crowd. Then they told us to get to the start line. I got to the back since I walk and the runners took off. 98% of the group ran only 3 or 4 of walked. I ended up at the back but I was cool with it, I had a beautiful day, my iPhone, and I could go at my own pace. The path was a bit hilly and it had a LOT of potholes since it was a dirt road which was a bit of a challenge. I was doing good until a little after the turn around point where a couple in front of me decided that I shouldn't finish alone so they waited for me and talked to me. It was fine except I was kinda in a zone. But I will admit it got a bit strange when the husband suggested the wife and I hold hands and cross the finish line. I politely declined. It was my first race of the season and I enjoyed it.

Paws for a Cause 5K & 10k

source

On Saturday I'm doing my first 5K of the season. I'm excited because I enjoy the camaraderie of it but I'm nervous because I haven't been training as much as I should and I'm feeling out of practice. I know I'll be fine and it will all work out but there are always nerves for me on the first one back. 

And I'm supposed to have done fundraising but with the weeks I've had recently I haven't so here is what my fundraising page looks like goal=$100...raised=$0...not too good. But I plan to make a donation on site so I'll be fine.

The really good news is the weather should be nice 83 degrees is the high but I'm guessing it will be more in the 70s in the morning. No rain is predicted...knock on wood!

If you want to see more about my races...check out My Race List

International Talk Like a Pirate Day

My hubby is the one in the black shirt

In honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day! Arrgh!!

I Will Thrive: Taking Ballet

Source

Early on in the deployment I made a Deployment Bucket List and as I've gone through this deployment I've added a few (and removed a few) well next week I'm taking on one I've added. Ballet Classes. Now I should say I've NEVER taken ballet classes a day in my life but it has always been something I've wanted to do. So when I heard that the local dance studio was offering an adult ballet class and my friend was taking it I decided to jump and take the class. I admit I'm nervous and excited all in one. I'm excited because I've wanted to take a class like this for years but I'm nervous because I've never taken one. Also I know some of the people in the class are very experienced so that is a bit intimidating. But I think the draw of the fun outweighed the fear. So here we go...