It's A Beautiful Life! - Ace of Base

Okay! A week and a half to go. And guess what I saw yesterday as I was driving into a parking spot at my apartment? TWO Beagles!! TWO!! They were spies, I am sure of it. The never looked me in the eye, but I knew what they were up to. They casually sauntered past me, never looking at me. (No, it just so happened that there wasn't any owner nearby.) I walked up the walkway to my apartment and at the last minute before turning out of sight, I looked back at the imposters. In an instant, the one looking at me quickly turned his head and continued as nonchalantly as he had passed me. You know what? I think that Basset Hound is scared. He knows I have been out there pounding the pavement, sucking wind and passing gas...don't act like you don't do that too!...and I think he realizes that I am not playing around.
So far, I have ear plugs and body glide on my list of things to pack. I might add some chiklets and some suspenders to round out the list after I'm all done.

I had a lady that works in my building ask me, "You've lost a little weight,haven't you? Yeah, I could tell your face has thinned out." I just smiled and nodded and thought, 'where have you been?' I don't consider 20 pounds little considering the reactions I've gotten. Then I remembered. In the year that I have been working there, she has lost about 60 lbs. 20 pounds doesn't seem so great. She didn't mean any harm...I don't think.

I had intended to shop for a new pair of running shorts to make up for the one my thunder thighs wore a whole through. They didn't have the kind I liked, but I did find these shirts with pockets in the back, so I don't have to buy those shorts with the pockets. Then I decided I needed to buy a pair of jeans. It's amazing how dellusions of grandeur are exposed in that narrow mirror in the dressing room. Still not the size I 'mentally' feel. That said, I calmly upped the size and dealt with the snug fit. I am trying to dress more my age and not like a fifteen year old. (At my guitar practice, a young girl was already there learning the piano from my teacher's wife. I sat, listening to her. Once she ended, she spoke about having such a busy schedule and how she had drama club and auditions and no time for a movies on the weekends. Then, without missing a beat, she turned to me and asked me what grade I was in. Mind you, it has been years since I had been asked that question. I must say, I was rather... charmed by this young girl's perceptiveness. Unfortunately there was a knowing witness in the room, so I confessed to 'having been out of school for quite some time.' I do hope she fairs well in all her endeavors...) After making a short story long; I bought an outfit for Chicago that I can't run in, but may look like a 30 year old in case I am carded at a restaurant.

One more short run and I will soon make this 'Marathoner' title official. I use to think that I had lived a boring life because I had not done anything that remotely defied death. Looking back now, I see it differently: I was born in a foreign land, lived in three different countries, visited three others - and hopefully more, carried the title of U.S. Marine and now a Navy Seabee, learned how to evacuate a plane in case of fire or crash landing, make a mean bloody mary or a skinny latte with extra foam, change a bed and bathe a person while they are still occupying it, and I've even handed out water to marathoners once. Now, I can create keepsakes for lifechanging events and by next weekend, add running a marathon to this list. My life has not been boring. Challenging, though I didn't always plan it that way. I can't complain. I won't complain.

I don't plan on having kids...not everyone is meant to be a parent...but after you read this, tell your kids you knew a person who did all these things and more by her 31st birthday and that she never gave up at learning or trying something new. And that the most important thing to remember through it all, is to believe in themselves. That alone can take them anywhere.