Carpal Tunnel Surgery...hmmm...not what I expected. I went in at 5:50 am, was home by 9am. Can't believe how quick it was. I think the thing that took the longest was to nurse trying to find a vein for the IV. Yeah, so apparently I have floating veins that like to run and hide when a needle is about to peirce them. Come on now can you really blame them? So after 3 nurses trying 3rd time was the charm when the anaesthesiologist DR. had come over to try to put the IV in. There was one in the right hand and one to be put in the left as well. OUCHY!!! Once they were both in place the nurse injected something into the IV, and it was nightie night lights out for me. Snip, sew, done, and sent home.
Then came the 3 days of pain. I'm talking about quite a bit of pain. Then on day 4 they removed the soft cast, covered the stitches with a large band aid & put on this cool, stylish, black hand and arm brace. At this point the pain is not too bad, but I am pretty limited in what I can do when it comes to pinching, grasping, pulling, and lifting with my left hand. Glad I am right handed.
On my first day back to work I was pretty much useless. Well, for the whole first week really. I was not allowed in the concession stand because of the stitches still being in. Something about open wounds and food or something. I tried tearing tickets for the usher, but that was extremely painful. Tried selling tickets in box, and that was better but still hurt. So I just stood around looking pretty like only I can do. :)
I went back and had the stitches removed, now I am going through some physical therapy. Things are getting easier, but I still have my moments where the pain creeps back in. Once the left hand is healed, then comes having the right hand done. Oh Joy, that one will be fun.
That is all for this update.
Till next time my friends
Run for you, Run for Love Run4Life
Angi
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
My weight loss Journey has begun with the PbRc Biggest Loser Challenge
It's a horrible 4 letter word. I hate hearing it and yet here I am about to start yet another DIET! This time I am going to make this one more of a life change than a diet. I have a little extra motivation. I'm competing in the PbRc Biggest Looser challenge. After all what better motivation than a little money, right?!
Let's back up a little. I have pretty much been on diets all of my adult life. When I was younger I was always a little on the chunky side or at least I felt like I was. Looking back now at pictures I realize that I really wasn't that big. I just let others convince me that I was. I wasn't the stick thin preppy girl or the rail thin popular crowd type. I was just me. The girl who had a few friends, but, mostly stayed to herself. I was active in school for the most part. I was in color guard for the first 3 years of High School. This kept me at a reasonable weight. Looking back now I see it as reasonable, but at the time I thought otherwise. I was "big Boned" as my Dad would tell me. Beautiful on the inside my mom would say. Yet, I believed the cruel kids that made fun of me or didn't let me be a part of "Their Crowd". The numbers on the scale were not that forgiving, because truth be told my Dad was right. I was big boned. I had a frame that was bigger than most females, but try telling this to a 15year old girl.
In my early 20's I still felt overweight, in my had I was twice the size of every other girl out there. People would say oh you look good, but to me I was a tubby mess. There are not too many pictures of me from those days because I would not let anyone take my picture. The other day though I found one and when I looked at it, I didn't realize at first it was me. It couldn't be me. I was never that thin...or was I?
After having children though the weight seemed to just pile on. Partly from not loosing "the baby weight" as it is so often referred to, but mostly because I had a bad self image. Partly because I was in a relationship where I let someone tell me I wasn't good enough. It was a verbally and physically abusive relationship that convinced me that I was worthless, and I would never be wanted or excepted by anyone else but him. My spirit and self esteem had been beaten so low that I actually believed all of this. Why even bother to try, it's just a waste of time. Eventually I broke free of him, but the damage to my self esteem was almost permanent. I spent many years trying to loose weight only to just give up the moment it got tough. Convinced that I would never be able to do it, and I wasn't worth the effort anyways. I yo yo dieted with just about every diet out there. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, slim fast, Adkins, low carb, no cab, the grapefruit diet, protein diets, shake diets, fruit diets. You name it, I probably tried it. Problem wasn't the diet, it was me. I would give up on everything because I had really given up on myself. I had no motivation The numbers on the scale wouldn't move fast enough and I felt I wasn't worth the effort anyways.
Then along came CANCER! I pretty much gave up at that point.Why would the God that I so believed in let me be such a failure. Why would he let me have to face such a difficult fight. What was there worth living for? One day when I was at the lowest point, God hit me with the answer. It was right there all along. Mike, Dawn-Marie & Tyler. My greatest accomplishment in life The three beautiful children that God allowed me to bring into this world. THEY were worth it. They were worth fighting for.
I'd like to say at this point everything got better and life was all Sunshine and roses, but the reality is that it wasn't. What changed though was me. I changed just enough to fight against cancer, and win. I'll save all the details of that story, as you can always go back an read about how running saved my life at this point. Just go back to my first post and read from there. This tale is about what had not changed yet. My weight.
So, what is different this time, why do I suddenly think I can do this? Truth is, nothing. I don't know if I can do this. I may just fall flat on my face like all the times before. This time is different because I know that I can push myself to do anything I set my mind to. How do I know this, because I set out on a journey in January 2012 to complete my first 1/2 Marathon at the Disney Marathon Weekend. and I DID IT!.. Not only did I do that one, but I went on to prove to myself that I could continue to stay focused on something and completed 2 more 1/2 Marathons a 10 Miler, a 5 miler a 10K and 7 5k's in one year. This person that never finishes anything she did all this.
So now, I will head out on a journey to lose weight. With the support of my family. The support of my friends. The support of my PbRc (Pacebook Running Club) friends and my fellow runners who also know what it is to commit to something and to push yourself past your comfort zone. Most of all, with the support of myself. I know that I am worth the effort. I know that I can do ANYTHING I set my mind to.
That is why I Run4Life!!!!
Till next time..Run for you, run for fun, Run4life!
Angi
Let's back up a little. I have pretty much been on diets all of my adult life. When I was younger I was always a little on the chunky side or at least I felt like I was. Looking back now at pictures I realize that I really wasn't that big. I just let others convince me that I was. I wasn't the stick thin preppy girl or the rail thin popular crowd type. I was just me. The girl who had a few friends, but, mostly stayed to herself. I was active in school for the most part. I was in color guard for the first 3 years of High School. This kept me at a reasonable weight. Looking back now I see it as reasonable, but at the time I thought otherwise. I was "big Boned" as my Dad would tell me. Beautiful on the inside my mom would say. Yet, I believed the cruel kids that made fun of me or didn't let me be a part of "Their Crowd". The numbers on the scale were not that forgiving, because truth be told my Dad was right. I was big boned. I had a frame that was bigger than most females, but try telling this to a 15year old girl.
In my early 20's I still felt overweight, in my had I was twice the size of every other girl out there. People would say oh you look good, but to me I was a tubby mess. There are not too many pictures of me from those days because I would not let anyone take my picture. The other day though I found one and when I looked at it, I didn't realize at first it was me. It couldn't be me. I was never that thin...or was I?
After having children though the weight seemed to just pile on. Partly from not loosing "the baby weight" as it is so often referred to, but mostly because I had a bad self image. Partly because I was in a relationship where I let someone tell me I wasn't good enough. It was a verbally and physically abusive relationship that convinced me that I was worthless, and I would never be wanted or excepted by anyone else but him. My spirit and self esteem had been beaten so low that I actually believed all of this. Why even bother to try, it's just a waste of time. Eventually I broke free of him, but the damage to my self esteem was almost permanent. I spent many years trying to loose weight only to just give up the moment it got tough. Convinced that I would never be able to do it, and I wasn't worth the effort anyways. I yo yo dieted with just about every diet out there. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, slim fast, Adkins, low carb, no cab, the grapefruit diet, protein diets, shake diets, fruit diets. You name it, I probably tried it. Problem wasn't the diet, it was me. I would give up on everything because I had really given up on myself. I had no motivation The numbers on the scale wouldn't move fast enough and I felt I wasn't worth the effort anyways.
Then along came CANCER! I pretty much gave up at that point.Why would the God that I so believed in let me be such a failure. Why would he let me have to face such a difficult fight. What was there worth living for? One day when I was at the lowest point, God hit me with the answer. It was right there all along. Mike, Dawn-Marie & Tyler. My greatest accomplishment in life The three beautiful children that God allowed me to bring into this world. THEY were worth it. They were worth fighting for.
I'd like to say at this point everything got better and life was all Sunshine and roses, but the reality is that it wasn't. What changed though was me. I changed just enough to fight against cancer, and win. I'll save all the details of that story, as you can always go back an read about how running saved my life at this point. Just go back to my first post and read from there. This tale is about what had not changed yet. My weight.
So, what is different this time, why do I suddenly think I can do this? Truth is, nothing. I don't know if I can do this. I may just fall flat on my face like all the times before. This time is different because I know that I can push myself to do anything I set my mind to. How do I know this, because I set out on a journey in January 2012 to complete my first 1/2 Marathon at the Disney Marathon Weekend. and I DID IT!.. Not only did I do that one, but I went on to prove to myself that I could continue to stay focused on something and completed 2 more 1/2 Marathons a 10 Miler, a 5 miler a 10K and 7 5k's in one year. This person that never finishes anything she did all this.
So now, I will head out on a journey to lose weight. With the support of my family. The support of my friends. The support of my PbRc (Pacebook Running Club) friends and my fellow runners who also know what it is to commit to something and to push yourself past your comfort zone. Most of all, with the support of myself. I know that I am worth the effort. I know that I can do ANYTHING I set my mind to.
That is why I Run4Life!!!!
Till next time..Run for you, run for fun, Run4life!
Angi
Recap- Color Run 5k 1-13-13
I might actually be getting caught up on my blogging. I've been recovery from Carpal Tunnel surgery and typing one handed has been a bit of a pain. So here it is 1/28/13 and I am finally getting around to updating everyone on the Color Run that I did a couple weeks ago.
This was probably the funnest race I have ever done. I think I laughed every step of the way. By the time I even made it to the 4k mark my entire face hurt from smiling and laughing so much. A big part of the fun was that there was absolutely no stress. No minimum pace requirement, no balloon ladies, no bus, just a few friends, some color and a ton of fun.
While on the subject of friends. I went to the race with 1/2 of my Team Aries friend Deb, her daughter Rachel and another good friend Patrice. Once we got there though I picked up a few new friends. I had joined the Color Run Orlando page and met some great people and it was so much fun to get to meet them face to face at the race. Lori & Heather and their families where so much fun, even though we ended up getting separated right at the start of the race, it was nice to at least get the chance to make new running friends. You get to meet so many people as a face on a page and you forge amazing friendships with them, but nothing is better than getting to know them in person. I may have even picked up a new running buddy in Lori!
OK, back to my race recap. When I signed up for this race, I had NO idea what I was in for. All I knew was that I would be doing a 5k where they threw some sort of colored powder at you when you reached each 1k mark.
First up was Red, Plan of attack walk on through right down the center. Not so bad, didn't get very much color, but sure did inhale a bot of it.
Next up Yellow, this time we chose to dance through it. right down the center again. We were a little more colored but again nothing like we expected. We looked around and saw other with tons of it on them, hmmm..What were we doing wrong?
Deb realized that we were attacking the zones from the wrong angle. For maximum color you needed to go through it either to the left or the right, NOT down the middle. That was where all the volunteer were lined up to squirt you to your hearts desire.
Her came the 3k mark, and Blue. This time we decide to boogy our way through on the right side. Oh yeah we got plenty of color this time. There was this really cool tree on the left side of the road that had every leaf covered in blue power and it was very surreal looking.
4k...ORANGE...and the entrance to Oompa Loompa land. What better way to get through it than to do the ole Wizard of Oz skip, and that we did.
At the finish line it was a blast of every color. Powder was coming at us from all angles. It was amazing.
Even though we had crossed the finish line it was not even close to being the end. There was a huge stage set up and lots of fun loud music, and every 15 minutes or so they would do a massive color throw. As part of your race entry you were given a color packet and this was your chance to throw it up in the air.
To finish the day off you were blown off by a man with a leaf blower to remove any loose powder and then head on home.
As I drove home, I had the biggest smile on my face. I had just had the time of my life, and I wanted to do it again.
Now once home I had the fun of getting all the color off, and to my surprise it really wasn't that hard at all. A nice hot shower and a little baking powder added to my body wash, and I was back to normal with only my pictures to prove that I was crazy enough to run a 5k and let complete strangers throw colored cornstarch at me, and enjoyed it.
Till next time my friends... run for fun, run for you...RUN4LIFE!!!
Angi
This was probably the funnest race I have ever done. I think I laughed every step of the way. By the time I even made it to the 4k mark my entire face hurt from smiling and laughing so much. A big part of the fun was that there was absolutely no stress. No minimum pace requirement, no balloon ladies, no bus, just a few friends, some color and a ton of fun.
While on the subject of friends. I went to the race with 1/2 of my Team Aries friend Deb, her daughter Rachel and another good friend Patrice. Once we got there though I picked up a few new friends. I had joined the Color Run Orlando page and met some great people and it was so much fun to get to meet them face to face at the race. Lori & Heather and their families where so much fun, even though we ended up getting separated right at the start of the race, it was nice to at least get the chance to make new running friends. You get to meet so many people as a face on a page and you forge amazing friendships with them, but nothing is better than getting to know them in person. I may have even picked up a new running buddy in Lori!
 |
| FB Friends |
OK, back to my race recap. When I signed up for this race, I had NO idea what I was in for. All I knew was that I would be doing a 5k where they threw some sort of colored powder at you when you reached each 1k mark.
 |
| Deb & I BEFORE |
First up was Red, Plan of attack walk on through right down the center. Not so bad, didn't get very much color, but sure did inhale a bot of it.
Next up Yellow, this time we chose to dance through it. right down the center again. We were a little more colored but again nothing like we expected. We looked around and saw other with tons of it on them, hmmm..What were we doing wrong?
Deb realized that we were attacking the zones from the wrong angle. For maximum color you needed to go through it either to the left or the right, NOT down the middle. That was where all the volunteer were lined up to squirt you to your hearts desire.
Her came the 3k mark, and Blue. This time we decide to boogy our way through on the right side. Oh yeah we got plenty of color this time. There was this really cool tree on the left side of the road that had every leaf covered in blue power and it was very surreal looking.
4k...ORANGE...and the entrance to Oompa Loompa land. What better way to get through it than to do the ole Wizard of Oz skip, and that we did.
At the finish line it was a blast of every color. Powder was coming at us from all angles. It was amazing.
Even though we had crossed the finish line it was not even close to being the end. There was a huge stage set up and lots of fun loud music, and every 15 minutes or so they would do a massive color throw. As part of your race entry you were given a color packet and this was your chance to throw it up in the air.
To finish the day off you were blown off by a man with a leaf blower to remove any loose powder and then head on home.
As I drove home, I had the biggest smile on my face. I had just had the time of my life, and I wanted to do it again.
Now once home I had the fun of getting all the color off, and to my surprise it really wasn't that hard at all. A nice hot shower and a little baking powder added to my body wash, and I was back to normal with only my pictures to prove that I was crazy enough to run a 5k and let complete strangers throw colored cornstarch at me, and enjoyed it.
 |
| AFTER |
Till next time my friends... run for fun, run for you...RUN4LIFE!!!
Angi
Thursday, January 17, 2013
Recap of 2012 and planning for 2013
Well, I had originally planned on doing 2 separate post, one being a New Years Eve Edition Blog, where I recapped all the amazing and maybe not so amazing things that happened in 2012. The other a New Years Day edition listing all the exciting things I have planned for 2013. However, LIFE got in the way like it always does. So here it is 17 days into the new year, and I am finally getting around to a blog post. So with that being said, I guess I'll just throw them all together right here in one post.
2012 in Review!!!
2012 was an amazing year for me, full of ups and downs, good times and bad times, but heck isn't that just the way it always is?? 2012 started off with me making yet another New Years Resolution. One that like many in the past, I wasn't sure that I would be able to complete. Honestly thinking back over the past 42 years, I don't think that I have ever completed any news years resolutions ever!
This time though I committed to completing an average of one race a month for the entire year. That would mean 12 races. After all I was training to complete my first half Marathon in a few weeks, that would be my January race, so it couldn't be all that hard right?!?!! So here is the break down of what happened.
January
First 1/2 Marathon the Disney Half Marathon. 1-8-12
Chip Time : 4:02:56
February
Lady Track Shack 5k 2-4-12
Chip Time 54:24
March
Zimmerman Sutclife Winter Park 10 K 3-24-12
Chip Time 1:44:20
April
Run 4 God 5k 4-7-12
Chip Time 52:09
IOA Corporate 5k 4-12-12
Chip Time 50:02
May
I Drive 5k 5-12-12
Chip Time 50:15
Teal Ribbon 5k 5-13-12
Chip Time 49:58
July
Beat the Heat 5k 7-9-12
Chip Time 51:35
August
Celebration of Running 5k 8-18-12
Chip Time 49:44
September
Cancer Warrior 5k 9-23-12
Chip Time ???? Unsure
Tower of Terror 10 miler 9-29-12
Chip Time 2:56:33
October
Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon 10-14-12
Chip Time 4:12:19
November
Disney Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon 11-10-12
Chip Time 3:49:25
That's it ...New Year resolution Complete!!! 13 total races. I never thought I would do it and I did. FIRST EVER New Years Resolution Complete!!!!
As for my health in 2012? Well, no since in going over all that again. You can go back and read about my cancer journey and all that if you want. I'm actually kind of tired of it. CANCER SUCKS!!! That's about all there is to it and I BEAT ITS ASS!!!! Enough said.
What did I learn this past year?? That I can do ANYTHING I set my mind to. That no matter what life puts in my way, I can get through it. That family and friends mean the world to me and that if you just never stop looking you will see new doors open every time one closes. There are always new friends out there waiting to meet you. Just keep your heart and your eyes open.
As for 2013
I again have resolved to complete 1 race a month average this year. My Dr has put me on a limit of 10k or less with 5k being the longest that he would prefer I do. So no 1/2 Marathons this year, BUT who know what 2014 will bring...maybe my first FULL Marathon?? Yeah never know. I guess you will have to just keep on watching my post to see what happens next.
Till next time my friends...Run for fun, Run for you, Run4life!!
2012 in Review!!!
2012 was an amazing year for me, full of ups and downs, good times and bad times, but heck isn't that just the way it always is?? 2012 started off with me making yet another New Years Resolution. One that like many in the past, I wasn't sure that I would be able to complete. Honestly thinking back over the past 42 years, I don't think that I have ever completed any news years resolutions ever!
This time though I committed to completing an average of one race a month for the entire year. That would mean 12 races. After all I was training to complete my first half Marathon in a few weeks, that would be my January race, so it couldn't be all that hard right?!?!! So here is the break down of what happened.
January
First 1/2 Marathon the Disney Half Marathon. 1-8-12
Chip Time : 4:02:56
February
Lady Track Shack 5k 2-4-12
Chip Time 54:24
March
Zimmerman Sutclife Winter Park 10 K 3-24-12
Chip Time 1:44:20
April
Run 4 God 5k 4-7-12
Chip Time 52:09
IOA Corporate 5k 4-12-12
Chip Time 50:02
May
I Drive 5k 5-12-12
Chip Time 50:15
Teal Ribbon 5k 5-13-12
Chip Time 49:58
July
Beat the Heat 5k 7-9-12
Chip Time 51:35
August
Celebration of Running 5k 8-18-12
Chip Time 49:44
September
Cancer Warrior 5k 9-23-12
Chip Time ???? Unsure
Tower of Terror 10 miler 9-29-12
Chip Time 2:56:33
October
Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon 10-14-12
Chip Time 4:12:19
November
Disney Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon 11-10-12
Chip Time 3:49:25
That's it ...New Year resolution Complete!!! 13 total races. I never thought I would do it and I did. FIRST EVER New Years Resolution Complete!!!!
As for my health in 2012? Well, no since in going over all that again. You can go back and read about my cancer journey and all that if you want. I'm actually kind of tired of it. CANCER SUCKS!!! That's about all there is to it and I BEAT ITS ASS!!!! Enough said.
What did I learn this past year?? That I can do ANYTHING I set my mind to. That no matter what life puts in my way, I can get through it. That family and friends mean the world to me and that if you just never stop looking you will see new doors open every time one closes. There are always new friends out there waiting to meet you. Just keep your heart and your eyes open.
As for 2013
I again have resolved to complete 1 race a month average this year. My Dr has put me on a limit of 10k or less with 5k being the longest that he would prefer I do. So no 1/2 Marathons this year, BUT who know what 2014 will bring...maybe my first FULL Marathon?? Yeah never know. I guess you will have to just keep on watching my post to see what happens next.
Till next time my friends...Run for fun, Run for you, Run4life!!
Sunday, December 2, 2012
Dad!
DECEMBER 2nd
That is a really tough day for me. Followed by Fathers Day and June 20th. Why are these days so hard. They all remind me of my Dad.
Fathers Day because he is my Dad, June 20th The day he was born and December 2nd the Day we lost him in 1988.
My Dad was an amazing man. It's hard to just say one thing that I love about my Dad. For those of you who new him, you truly understand what I mean.
My Dad always knew how to make you smile. He was fair and honest, and loved everyone, and was loved by everyone. He was tough when he needed to be but you always knew he loved you. He was strong, kind, and touched the lives of all those around him.
He had just the right amount of smarts mixed with a little bit of smart ass. LOL!! And man could he cook!!! He always knew how to make me feel better when I was sad, he made me believe that I could do anything I set my mind too, even keep up with my 5 older brothers.
He taught me values about family and friends and how to be a person to be proud of. I miss him more and more every year. you would think that with time it would get easier, but it doesn't. It just seems like that space where only a fathers love can fill just grows larger and larger.
So I will get through today just like I do every year at this time. By crying, remembering, and missing the one man in my life that loved my so unconditionally that I knew I could ALWAYS be myself, and speak my mind and NEVER had to worry about seeing a look of disappointment in his eye. I was and will always be Daddy's little Girl..his Angel of Hope!
I miss you Dad!!!
That is a really tough day for me. Followed by Fathers Day and June 20th. Why are these days so hard. They all remind me of my Dad.
My Dad was an amazing man. It's hard to just say one thing that I love about my Dad. For those of you who new him, you truly understand what I mean.My Dad always knew how to make you smile. He was fair and honest, and loved everyone, and was loved by everyone. He was tough when he needed to be but you always knew he loved you. He was strong, kind, and touched the lives of all those around him.
He had just the right amount of smarts mixed with a little bit of smart ass. LOL!! And man could he cook!!! He always knew how to make me feel better when I was sad, he made me believe that I could do anything I set my mind too, even keep up with my 5 older brothers.
He taught me values about family and friends and how to be a person to be proud of. I miss him more and more every year. you would think that with time it would get easier, but it doesn't. It just seems like that space where only a fathers love can fill just grows larger and larger.
So I will get through today just like I do every year at this time. By crying, remembering, and missing the one man in my life that loved my so unconditionally that I knew I could ALWAYS be myself, and speak my mind and NEVER had to worry about seeing a look of disappointment in his eye. I was and will always be Daddy's little Girl..his Angel of Hope!
I miss you Dad!!!
Saturday, December 1, 2012
Family
Hmmm...Topic of the Day?? I don't know let me go to my handy dandy magazine & pick a random page and see what I can put my finger on.
DRUM ROLL Please!!!! The word is...FAMILY!!!!
Wow, that's a great topic because I never seem to talk about my family enough. After all I wouldn't have any motivation without them. I post on health and running and my odd crazy thoughts but truth of the matter is that without my amazing family I would have nothing. My rock & Inspiration. Their love and support are the cornerstone of all that I do.
God is my top support. My family though make up the remaining tent poles of my crazy circus of a life.
Mike
My first born! The first little gift & my comfort pole. He watches out for me from a far. He is so loving and supportive and Strong. He is always there for me with a strong shoulder if mom ever needs one. He is 21 now which really makes me feel old. He is now a man of his own. I am so very proud of the man that he has become. I know that he will make some women proud someday. Funny how I can picture him with a wife, but still find it odd to watch him while he watched football with a beer in his hand. lol
He like to cook, and I might say he is pretty good at it too. Just don't ask him to make something that he has to follow directions on.; he is much better when you just let him create his own amazing dishes. He took culinary in High school and then went on the culinary after that. I think he wants to go back to school and get more into the restaurant and hospitality management end of things now. He could do it too. He has a knack for it.
Dawn-Marie
My mirror image. She was a surprise from the start. **background on that: She was supposed to have been a boy. Dr. told me right up to delivery that it was a boy. All ultra sounds said BOY! Then surprise of all surprises out pops this amazing beautiful bright eyed little girl*
Now when I say she is my mirror image I mean in more ways than one. She does seem to look like me, at least that is what everyone always tells us. besides the outward looks, she is me all the way around. Strong willed stubborn, intelligent, kind hearted and determined. She has all my traits good and bad. I think that partly came from the incredibly close bond that we shared as she was growing up. She was my right hand my partner in crime. She my Rory to me her Lorelei (Gilmore bond). The down side to that is as she grew older she also grew more head strong and independent. As history often repeats itself she moved out of the house at 18 just like I did and it wasn't on the best of terms.
We are currently working on rebuilding that bond. We still have a relationship that is what matters most. It's just distant at times and that can be harder sometimes because i really miss the closeness we once shared, and having her there as my best friend and confidant.
I have hope though, because just like with myself and my mom that bond can be rebuilt. She just needs to discover what life is about and realize that sometimes you just have to let go of the anger and pride and make the first move to be the one to say I'm sorry for whatever the misunderstanding was & I would like to just move forward. She is 19 now and entering college after taking a short break. I am fully confident that she will do great things. She has a good head on her shoulders & I know she will be OK.
Tyler!
My baby boy. He's 15 years old and every bit his father. He was my mom's little man. She spoiled him rotten. From the time he was 2 weeks old until we moved here to the Orlando area in 2001 she took care of him while I worked. We even lived with her for a few years so that I could get back on my feet. So, being completely and utterly spoiled by Grandma and being the youngest you can only imagine how he is now. Plus add in the fact that he is now a teenage boy. Oh yeah we have our moments with him. We struggle with him on daily basis when it comes to school work and being respectful, and he can be a little defiant at times. But remember I said he is like his dad. Get ALL that from him.
He did get some of my traits as well. He has a huge heart and is full of kindness. he loves to help others. He is strong willed just like me too. I know once we get through these tough teen years he will be OK. He's still young and learning about life. He is super smart too. honestly of all three of my children he is probably the smartest. He has a high IQ and loves computers and video games, and hope to go into the Air Force one day/ Yeah he will be OK, he will do just fine in life. I love him with all my heart.
MOM!!
Remember I told you wee hit a rough spot when I was younger. I look back now and I can see that two things contributed to that. ME! and my stubborn independent streak, and the death of my Dad when I was just 18. My Dad was my rock, my everything. I was every aspect of daddy's little girl. The youngest of 7 (one sister, and 5 older brothers) I was his little Angel & man did I eat that up. Life changed for me at that point & I felt things would never be the same. I didn't appreciate my mom at that point I was too consumed with the lose of my Dad.
As I grew older and had kids of my own and faced the many hardships along the way my mom was always there for me. She took me & the kids in when we needed it. She has helped me financially, emotionally. She even came all the way here to take care of me when I had to have surgery. She continues to always be there whenever I need someone. She is an amazing women and I don't think I tell her that enough sometimes. She is where I get my loving heart from.
She raised 7 children of her own & even now she still continues to help all of us when needed. She's there for her children, her Grandchildren, and even her Great Grandchildren. She is every aspect of a MOM.. I love you so very much!
Larry
The last support beam in my life is my fiance Larry. Although the road we have traveled together has been one of rocky paths and so many crossroads. Crossroads where we have not always chosen to take the right paths on. They even lead us down a path that caused us to travel apart for a while. Somehow we landed back together. Even though life is never easy and circumstances seem to get in the way more than they should, I always know that he loves me. He was a gift from God to help see me through. he is kind hearted and stubborn and old fashioned. He loves me with all his heart and all that he has and makes me know it in the little things that he does. For instance every morning he always makes me a cup of coffee. He seems to always know right when I am about to get up and there it is a nice hot cup of coffee waiting for me on the night stand.
We may not always see eye to eye, and he may not always know it but my love for him is forever and as long as he is by my side I feel like I can get through anything.
My Dad had a lot of impact on my life too but I'm gonna save telling you about him for another post.
So that's my family. May not be perfect and we may not always be bubbles and roses, but it's MY family. It's why I breath, why I fight, and why I live.
Till next time...Run for fun, Run for you, Run4life!!
Angi
DRUM ROLL Please!!!! The word is...FAMILY!!!!
Wow, that's a great topic because I never seem to talk about my family enough. After all I wouldn't have any motivation without them. I post on health and running and my odd crazy thoughts but truth of the matter is that without my amazing family I would have nothing. My rock & Inspiration. Their love and support are the cornerstone of all that I do.
God is my top support. My family though make up the remaining tent poles of my crazy circus of a life.
Mike
My first born! The first little gift & my comfort pole. He watches out for me from a far. He is so loving and supportive and Strong. He is always there for me with a strong shoulder if mom ever needs one. He is 21 now which really makes me feel old. He is now a man of his own. I am so very proud of the man that he has become. I know that he will make some women proud someday. Funny how I can picture him with a wife, but still find it odd to watch him while he watched football with a beer in his hand. lolHe like to cook, and I might say he is pretty good at it too. Just don't ask him to make something that he has to follow directions on.; he is much better when you just let him create his own amazing dishes. He took culinary in High school and then went on the culinary after that. I think he wants to go back to school and get more into the restaurant and hospitality management end of things now. He could do it too. He has a knack for it.
Dawn-Marie
Now when I say she is my mirror image I mean in more ways than one. She does seem to look like me, at least that is what everyone always tells us. besides the outward looks, she is me all the way around. Strong willed stubborn, intelligent, kind hearted and determined. She has all my traits good and bad. I think that partly came from the incredibly close bond that we shared as she was growing up. She was my right hand my partner in crime. She my Rory to me her Lorelei (Gilmore bond). The down side to that is as she grew older she also grew more head strong and independent. As history often repeats itself she moved out of the house at 18 just like I did and it wasn't on the best of terms.
We are currently working on rebuilding that bond. We still have a relationship that is what matters most. It's just distant at times and that can be harder sometimes because i really miss the closeness we once shared, and having her there as my best friend and confidant.
I have hope though, because just like with myself and my mom that bond can be rebuilt. She just needs to discover what life is about and realize that sometimes you just have to let go of the anger and pride and make the first move to be the one to say I'm sorry for whatever the misunderstanding was & I would like to just move forward. She is 19 now and entering college after taking a short break. I am fully confident that she will do great things. She has a good head on her shoulders & I know she will be OK.
Tyler!
He did get some of my traits as well. He has a huge heart and is full of kindness. he loves to help others. He is strong willed just like me too. I know once we get through these tough teen years he will be OK. He's still young and learning about life. He is super smart too. honestly of all three of my children he is probably the smartest. He has a high IQ and loves computers and video games, and hope to go into the Air Force one day/ Yeah he will be OK, he will do just fine in life. I love him with all my heart.
MOM!!
As I grew older and had kids of my own and faced the many hardships along the way my mom was always there for me. She took me & the kids in when we needed it. She has helped me financially, emotionally. She even came all the way here to take care of me when I had to have surgery. She continues to always be there whenever I need someone. She is an amazing women and I don't think I tell her that enough sometimes. She is where I get my loving heart from.
She raised 7 children of her own & even now she still continues to help all of us when needed. She's there for her children, her Grandchildren, and even her Great Grandchildren. She is every aspect of a MOM.. I love you so very much!
Larry
We may not always see eye to eye, and he may not always know it but my love for him is forever and as long as he is by my side I feel like I can get through anything.
My Dad had a lot of impact on my life too but I'm gonna save telling you about him for another post.
So that's my family. May not be perfect and we may not always be bubbles and roses, but it's MY family. It's why I breath, why I fight, and why I live.
Till next time...Run for fun, Run for you, Run4life!!
Angi
Update
Wow, it's been a little bit since I've blogged. i don't know where to start. Hmm...I guess I'll start with a health update. i did the radiation Therapy & I am now sort of in a limbo...latest biopsy & blood work show that I am currently Not at a Pre-cancerous state. However my DR. does caution me that it could change at anytime. So i will go back every 2 weeks for the next 2 months and then in Late January, early February we will schedule a date for removal of the tumor.
Like me, you are probably asking Why wait? Why not just get the darn thing out now. Good Question. One that I asked too. the answer I get is always full of technical bull that I have no idea what it means but what it all boils down to is the position of the tumor is in a place that could complicate removal fully. Since it is not growing they want to take a wait and see approach. So as of now I am dealing with the oddest symptoms. It presses on my sinus nerve and tells my brain from time to time that my sinuses need to be cleared (even though they don't) so I end up with post nasal drip which is irritating the back of my throat causing me to cough and at times hack up a lung. Of course all that coughing is making my throat sore and my back and lung hurts from coughing so much. The worst part is that taking anything really doesn't help much because my brain still thinks those sinuses need to drain.
OK so that's the health update!!
Now what about the race world!!??
I completed the Disney Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon on November 10th with my son. I even PR'd I finished my first half at Disney in January in about 4:09, and I finished Nike in 4:17 in San Fransisco with all those HILLS. Well, I finished Wine & Dine in 3:49 and it wasn't easy.
I really thought I would do it in 3:30 but I was so exhausted after mile 10 that it became hard to keep up any sort of pace. Those radiation treatments really did zap a lot of my energy and endurance out of me. Overall though it was a great race and an even better weekend. I am so very proud of my son for doing this with me as well.
What's Next!?!?!
That's a really good question! I'm really not sure. I am taking a break from anything that involves fundraising for a while. I am a little burned out on that right now and to be honest it really has to do with how hard I had to struggle to reach my fundraising goals this time around. As of right now my son is still about $300 short of his fundraising.
I'm not going to let this stop me from running and completing races though. I have a goal for 2013. I will complete at least 1 race a month 5k, 10k, what ever. I already have 2 in January. The Orlando Color Run January 13th and The Base Camp 10K January 18th.
So that's my update as of now.
Till next time
Run for fun, Run for you, Run4Life!
Angi
Like me, you are probably asking Why wait? Why not just get the darn thing out now. Good Question. One that I asked too. the answer I get is always full of technical bull that I have no idea what it means but what it all boils down to is the position of the tumor is in a place that could complicate removal fully. Since it is not growing they want to take a wait and see approach. So as of now I am dealing with the oddest symptoms. It presses on my sinus nerve and tells my brain from time to time that my sinuses need to be cleared (even though they don't) so I end up with post nasal drip which is irritating the back of my throat causing me to cough and at times hack up a lung. Of course all that coughing is making my throat sore and my back and lung hurts from coughing so much. The worst part is that taking anything really doesn't help much because my brain still thinks those sinuses need to drain.
OK so that's the health update!!
Now what about the race world!!??
I really thought I would do it in 3:30 but I was so exhausted after mile 10 that it became hard to keep up any sort of pace. Those radiation treatments really did zap a lot of my energy and endurance out of me. Overall though it was a great race and an even better weekend. I am so very proud of my son for doing this with me as well.
What's Next!?!?!
That's a really good question! I'm really not sure. I am taking a break from anything that involves fundraising for a while. I am a little burned out on that right now and to be honest it really has to do with how hard I had to struggle to reach my fundraising goals this time around. As of right now my son is still about $300 short of his fundraising.
I'm not going to let this stop me from running and completing races though. I have a goal for 2013. I will complete at least 1 race a month 5k, 10k, what ever. I already have 2 in January. The Orlando Color Run January 13th and The Base Camp 10K January 18th.
So that's my update as of now.
Till next time
Run for fun, Run for you, Run4Life!
Angi
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