A jog down memory lane...

This has been a long busy week. Yet, I made it a priority to get my training runs in all week. I have discovered that when I am most stressed and busy that I need that solitary run to clear my head and calm my soul.

So, Wednesday was one of those stressful days. The day started off normally. I had my son take my dog Tippy to the groomer for his "regular" shampoo and trim. On my lunch, I drove to pick him up and dropped him off at home. I went back to work. When I left for home I had a strange message from my son telling me that Tippy was acting strange. When I got home and saw him, I got worried. He wouldn't even let me pick him up. I got the doggy carrier and put him in there and headed to our regular vet (who is CLOSED on Wednesday). So, we headed for an Animal Hospital nearby. After almost 2 hours, we saw the doctor who claimed that Tippy seemed to be physically ok and just exhibiting some emotional upset about his grooming experience....all normal! So we went home. My husband was out to dinner with his dad and there was no one else at home and it was almost 6:30pm. I needed to go run!

I changed and headed outside. I love the cool crisp night air. As I walked the first few minutes, I pondered which route to take. The river bed would be dark and dangerous so I opted for the neighborhood residential streets--avoiding the busy boulevards.

As I started my Garmin, I jogged slowly and headed toward our first home. It was strange to run by it and peer inside the kitchen window...the same cabinets were there. I loved that kitchen! It was a BIG kitchen. So many memories there. I wondered just how many bowls of cheerios I must have poured for my 4 kids...how many school lunches made as I looked out that same window....the family dinners around our little table. Cristina's high chair in the corner.

I was then nearing the end of the block and headed towards the elementary school...Ah, more memories. The boys and Cristina all went there. I tried to count how many Back to School nights and Open Houses...That many? I wondered.

Going the other way I headed toward home and made another turn up the street where Cristina's Preschool was...preschool....was she ever that little? I have pictures and memories to prove it but as of today, my little girl is all grown up and waiting patiently for her college acceptance letter. Can it be that she will soon be leaving home? I can remember picking her up at the preschool and at how happy she was to see me.

Turning back down the street I headed toward the elementary school and passed by Carol's house, the day-care lady who watched all 4 of my kids for a long time. A pair of white socks was on the lawn....Hmmm....a little late in the year to be playing socks, I thought. But then again, my kids used to love that game!

Yes, I was running in circles and staying close to home for this 70 minute run. On the way back, I went by the boys' high school and reminisced about them there. Jeff and I had to split into 3 and follow 3 schedules for the Back to School & Open Houses. I will never forget the last one for Phillip...I cried all the way home (we live close enough to walk).
Tonight, the parking lot by the music building was empty and quiet. The marching band parades, trips, performances...loading and unloading the buses. I stopped for a moment and closed my eyes and I could see the scene from when Phillip went to Hawaii and Steven to BC.
Saying goodbye then was hard I thought. I've said harder and longer goodbyes since then and I survived?

Bigger goodbyes await me around the corner of life....that was nothing way back when.

Time. Time has flown, I thought, as I was nearing my 70 minute run. I decided to walk and collect my thoughts and caught my tears before they fell. I was feeling so emotional and exhausted. My Garmin said 5 miles. Time to go home and shower.

I live so close to so many places that have special meaning to me and the family...and that night, I was able to appreciate them all once more, even though I felt a longing for those times again.

12 miles + tennis + salsa dancing +school = A long day!

I woke up before the alarm clock (a first!) It was 4:35am. The thought crossed my mind of staying in bed for a few more minutes but I decided to get up instead. I went through my quiet ritual of every Saturday morning as I got ready to head out to Venice for another 12 mile training run. I got my garmin watch, fuel belt, shoes and headed downstairs to the kitchen to prepare my 3 bottles of Amino Vital. As my bagel toasted, I picked 3 Gu packets: Plain, Vanilla and Strawberry Banana. The bagel popped up ready and I spread some honey on both sides and wrapped it in some foil so I could eat it on the way.

I headed to my car and felt the cold morning air against my face. As I warmed up the car I turned on the "bun warmers". I went to pick up my 2 running buddies and headed for Venice.

We made it in plenty of time for the 6:30am pace leader meeting. When we were done I took off my warm jacket and left it in the car as I headed to the strand. Our group was already there and stretching. The cold air lingered but the sky was already promising a perfect day to run.

I started our group off since our leader was gone today and 45 people followed behind me. It's an awesome feeling to hear 45 sets of footsteps running behind you along with the initial hard breathing. We run 3 minutes and walk 3 minutes so today's 12 miles took us about 2 hrs. 49 min. We got it done!

After meeting some friends for breakfast, we headed back. I was trying to make Cristina's final CIF Tennis match at 1:30pm. I made it right on time and sat with my hubby near the courts.

Cristina won both first matches and was due to play the #1 girl shortly. The air was crisp and the sky blue and dotted with white clouds. I sat there thinking about how fast 4 years of high school had gone by. Today would be the last time I saw Cristina play on these courts. My husband took hundreds (if not thousands) of pictures...recording the moments.

Cristina's final match was unbelievable! She played some of the best Tennis I have ever seen her play. She already is amazing but today....she was flawless! The girl she beat had gone undefeated until she faced off with Cristina. Well, Cristina beat her 6-4! At one point there were so many ?deuces that I lost count. What mattered most to me was watching how happy she was to end her high school tennis career on such a sweet note. I know I will never forget this last match!

By the time she finished it was almost 4:30pm and Jeff and I had to be in Fontana by 6pm for dinner! I rushed hometo shower and get ready. We left shortly after 5:30pm and Phillip came with us. We were going to Ally's mom's house for a family gathering. At first, I did not know what to expect but we were greeted warmly by all of her family. The food was amazing Peruvian food!

Ally has 3 cute dogs who were all dressed up for the occasion! After dinner, Ally's mom Cecilia played some salsa music and she danced with her hubby Sal. The 2 of them are amazing dancers and soon most everyone there began to dance too (except for Jeff and I) I was feeling tired from my early morning wake-up and 12 miler.

Sal eventually convinced me to get up and dance and I ended up doing my own version of Latin dancing! Jeff joined me and we danced like 2 crazy people...we had fun! You know how they say that time flies when you are having fun? well, fun we were having and when I saw the clock, I stared in disbelief that it was past 11pm! We ended up leaving since we had a long drive home. I ended up driving because Jeff was tired. As I drove, I was trying to figure out how many hours I'd been up but I couldn't do the math so I gave up. I was thinking about my online class and how I had one more post to write before the deadline. We got home after midnight and I got on the computer. I finished my project and headed to bed.

I prayed and thanked God for the amazing day He gave me and thanked Him for all He had provided for me. I knew I had to get up early to teach Sunday school...So I set my alarm and dozed off deeply.

What do 400 meatballs and Tennis have in common?
Well, my sweet daughter "volunteered" to host her Tennis team's end of season dinner at our home. At first, I was a little apprehensive because of time and school. Still,I agreed because I love her so much!

I got home early from work and began the "sauce"! Yes, I am famous for this particular pasta sauce. I never have to measure anything and it always turns out perfect. While the sauce simmers, I start on the meatball rolling.
Today, I ended up rolling almost 400 meatballs. I did make one the size of a tennis ball for Cristina. (I'll post that picture later!)

Soon, the house smelled of garlic, onions, and shredded carrots with rosemary...it's a smell that will make anyone's belly growl in hunger. Cristina and a few of her friends arrived early and immediately commented on the smell! The rest of the team arrived later as did the coach. I like it when there's a ton of people in the house and food is cooking. Cristina did the honors in draining the 4 pounds of spaghetti rigati.

What an awesome night it was...the girls are so sweet! We finished with an incredible ice cream cake! (I didn't run today so I skipped on dessert.)

Soon, most of the girls left and it was just my hubby, Cristina, her friend Jenny and the coach sitting in the family room chatting about college...and how quickly time was going. I tried not to think of it too much because it makes me sad. Soon, my baby girl will be leaving for college.

Ahhh...I am choosing to stay in the present and focus just on today and to relish each and every moment with her.