Monday, December 31, 2012

so long 2012

there have been a few good things happen during this year, but for the most part i'm ready to say goodbye to 2012 and look forward to a better 2013.

the year started ok - getting sideline passes to a few bowl games with jim from terrell daily photo.

but then mid-january my grandma had a few small strokes. she was in the hospital for a week and a nursing home for a week. her health steadily declined following the strokes, and she passed on january 31st.   it was tough losing her, especially losing someone so close.


my grandma was a marine's wife and she loved everything about the marines.  so shortly after her passing, i signed up to run the 37th annual Marine Corps Marathon in DC.  my longest run prior to this was a half marathon, 13.1 miles - so the full marathon distance of 26.2 really seemed a challenge for me. kind of a long-off, far-away thing that i didn't understand how hard it was going to be at first.

the marathon was october 28th, and it followed 4 months of training. running 4-5 times a week, with one of those being a long run on the weekend. it took a real desire and dedication to keep up with the schedule, but knowing this huge thing was looming at the end also forced us keep at it. we skipped a few practice runs, but not many. it was a tough goal and a real challenge to run the 26.2 - and it's definitely NOT something i'd do regularly or every year.... but it was a great experience that was life-changing in a way. to push your body to its limits and have the mental power to continue was amazing. i feel i can work at any goal and achieve it now.

so i suffered a big loss at the beginning of the year. and enjoyed a tremendously rewarding, personal achievement at the end. and to commemorate the long hours of training and preparation, and eventual completion of the marathon, i got a tattoo - a 26.2 on the back of my leg.

so here's a toast to grandmas and 26.2 tattoos.

and a fond farewell to 2012 and wishes for a prosperous and joy-filled 2013 for us all!




Sunday, December 30, 2012

looking back in 2012

i tried out a beard in 2012... never had one before =)  it started out itchy - i liked it, but as the weather got hotter it was a little much running with it in the hot afternoons.

Saturday, December 29, 2012

old pics

today's photo was taken around 1971 or 72... another pic of my brother and me. this was taken on his first day of school, and he's holding a bag of school supplies.

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

oh, sadie

my mom's cat sadie... she was very interested in all the dangling ornaments =)

Tuesday, December 25, 2012

silver trees

an oldie of my aunt... i remember my grandma having a silver tree like this when i was a kid too =)

merry christmas to all!!

Sunday, December 23, 2012

old times

my brother greg on the left, mom and me on the right =)
circa 1973 or 74

Wednesday, December 19, 2012

one little light

one little christmas light laying on the ground...

12 days left in the year... can't believe it's gone by so quickly!

Monday, December 17, 2012

looking back

Christmas time is a good time to look back and reflect on the year... look thru old pics and create a collage of pics for keepsakes =)