2:56:18

So, we finished our 3rd 1/2 Marathon this past Saturday!!! I could believe how amazing the weather was. They were predicting horrible weather like crazy...but we had a window of good weather open up and we got to run rain free!!!

The morning started off a little crazy because they ended up starting the race 15 mins ahead of schedule. So we rushed to get down there and had a few minutes until it was our turn to start. But the atmosphere was so hectic because everyone was all messed up due to the early start. We ended up going with corral #21 but because they weren't allowing a lot of time in between each start it got crowded quickly.

Seeing all the people at the start line is amazing!

I was amazed by the weather and the first part of the race went really smoothly. All the way down Broadway was great and even working our way up the Demonbruen hill wasn't that bad, but once we got to Belmont and fairly close to my house my knee really started bothering me. My house is actually on the course at the 10k marker, so we ran in there for a quick bathroom break and continued on a little more refreshed. The sun popped out a little then, but thankfully didn't last too long.

As we got through mile 8 Mom and I were really looking for a little pick-me-up and hoping to see Larry and James around Edgehill and Music Row. Well, Edgehill came and went and no guys to cheer us on :-( We reached the Round about and headed towards the Gulch. Our knees where bothering us, but knowing the hill down into The Gulch was one of our last ones we decided to pick up the pace again and run it. As we were headed down, right at mile 10 I spotted the yellow hat I had been looking for and saw a blue shirt and knew the guys were ahead! We were so happy to see them and that really gave us the energy to get through those last 3 miles.

Last year due to the heat, the last 3 miles were torturous. This year they weren't bad at all, I was just bummed that I was in too much pain to run. We finished the race by running down the Woodland Street bridge and into LP Stadium. It was wonderful to cross the finish line with Mom at 2:56:18 and have the guys right there waiting for us! We made our way through the corrals of food and out to where the guys were just in time for the down pour. Walking in the rain to the car wasn't that bad, but getting in the car all wet and sitting for 45mins in the car was pretty miserable. But that hot shower once we got home was amazing!

I am so glad the race is over and all the training is over, but it was really a wonderful event! I definitely want to participate again next year and hope by then to figure out my knee issues.

We will be ready for APRIL 30th, 2011 !!!

This Is What Goes On At Our House...

Bailey does a little tv watching:



Bill and Bailey do a little wrestling...well a lot of wrestling:

Happy Birthday!!!

Today is my Dad's Birthday!!! I am very thankful for him and I look forward to seeing him this evening and getting to celebrate with him this Sunday with the rest of the family in White House!








This past year I got to do a lot of cool things with Dad from hanging out at the cabin, going to the river, CMA Fest, celebrating Birthdays, to making a trip all the way to St. Augustine, FL.

Our 1st Trip to the Cabin in January

At The River Celebrating Billy's 3rd Birthday

Our 2nd Trip to the Cabin after our Long, Long Hike




Eating at Joe's before CMA Fest

Eating at Joe's before Big Bang for my Birthday

Our Long, Long, Long, Canoe Trip...I mean Long



Swimmin in the Ocean with His PawPaw...Billy's Favorite Thing
Our Trip to St. Augustine, FL

Thanks for everything Dad!
I hope you have a wonderful day!
I love you!

2 Days!!!!

Mom and I have two days til the race this Saturday. I am a little worried about the hills and the weather, and of course just making it though those 13.1 miles. Can’t wait to see how we do! Say an extra prayer for us, we will be out there bright and early Saturday morning...rain or shine. If any of you go out and watch…just letting you know the spectators and cheerleaders are so encouraging!!! They really do keep you going and keep your adrenaline going. If it wasn’t for them and the bands it would be so much harder.

These Girls Were My Favorite Cheerleaders Last Year!

And if you never have watched the race before, it is awesome. The course goes by my house and I watched it the last few years and I just think it is the coolest thing. Seeing all those people running all at once is just really cool. I’d also like to give mention to the volunteers. The people out there passing out water and sports drinks and oranges are so awesome. My friend Liz is volunteering this year and we are also very thankful to them…they are so wonderful. And finally, I am sure there are more people I know running but one of my co-workers, Pam is also running. She is really good, I know she will do great!

Good luck to all!!!

2010 ACMs!!!

So the ACMs were this past Sunday. I didn't get to watch them live but thanks to DVR I didn't miss them and I got to watch them without the boring commercials!!!! Anyway, I wasn't particularly impressed by any of the performances but I was actually really surprised by the winners this year. It nice when its a bit of a surprise who is gonna be up there saying thanks, or at least a close call between a few.

What was so surprising this year was:

N-O
Rascal Flatts
N-O
Keith Urban
N-O
Taylor Swift
N-O
Sugarland
N-O
George Strait

Lady A and Miranda Lambert seemed to be the lucky ones this round. I was really happy for all of them!!!!

One thing I think is new or relatively new is the way they do the "New Artist of The Year" Awards. I am not sure how I feel about this, but they have 3 nominees for each of the following three categories: "New Solo Vocalist", "New Vocal Duo", "New Vocal Group". Then they take the winner of each of those and put those final three in the category of "New Artist of The Year" and then there is a final winner from that who is recognized at the show. I know they are always trying to cut things out to keep things from being so long at the show but this really makes it hard for those new comers. I guess if they win their original category they do get recognition, but not at the show, which is really a cool part of it. Anyway, that's all I will say about that. Overall, I thought it was a pretty good awards show!

Paint + Canvas = A Fun Night

This past Friday Cheryl and I went to a painting class in Lenox Village, off Nolensville Rd. The place was called Paint + Canvas. The concept is not to learn how to paint necessarily for future projects, it is really about creating something right then and having a good time. If you have any artistic background you would probably take away more from the class than someone going knowing nothing. But it is really just 2 hrs of an instructor saying do this, mix this and making the painting your own. I have absolutely no back ground in painting and can’t draw at all so I was pleased my painting didn’t look like a kid did it. It was really hard for me to learn how to mix enough paint once I new the color I wanted. That is something I think I could do better next time. But, it really was fun and a great experience. I was so glad to be able to go to the class with Cheryl and have such a good time and walk away with a pretty cool painting.

There is also another one called Sips and Strokes that I would like to try out as well. They have a class in Hendersonville and Franklin. I would definitely recommend trying it out. It’s a fun thing to do with a couple of friends. I suggest grabbing a bite to eat before hand with a drink to relax you though, it is a bit stressful. Both Cheryl and I left feeling the tension in our shoulders and backs. If anyone wants to go let me know I’d love to go back…I can’t wait to sign up for another class!!!!

Welcome Back Home!!!!

This past Monday the 12th James flew back to Nashville!!! Billy, Bailey and I were all so happy to have him back in town, 12 days away is a long time. I think he had a really good trip to California though and got to do a lot of fun stuff. Good food, snowboarding, he got to see the beach, and the best part visiting with family and friends!

One thing that was really fun was I got to pick him up from the airport as a SURPRISE!!! He was not expecting me at all and it was fun to surprise him. I don't think I have ever surprised someone at the airport really, it was fun to plan that and be just a little sneaky ;-)

So glad he is back home!

Oooops! I Forgot Easter

Easter 2010 was an absolutely beautiful day. Billy and his kids + Lindsey and Mom and Larry and I all gathered in Orlinda to visit Mama Helen and Dada Gene to celebrate. Because is was so nice outside we were able to eat lunch and visit on the porch and play a few games of corn hole. It was really nice to get together and just visit. It had been awhile and I think everyone needed the family time.

Here are a few pictures of everyone having fun, relaxing, playing corn hole, or just throwing the football. And by the way the baby you see in the pictures is a baby doll. Blake's gf Lindsey had to keep the doll for a class...it was one of those that really cries and everything. Anyway, Mama Helen loved the doll and definitely thought it was real...but no worries no new babies in this family just yet ;-)

Finally, we did get a good group picture. We were definitely missing a lovely lady in this picture. We love you Sharon!

Party Crashin'

Last night I went with my Dad to see my Nephew Michael play Baseball at BGA. While enjoying the beautiful weather and the game my friend Cheryl and I were texting and I realized that she was at a Birthday Party of a common friend of my Dad's. He hadn't seen the Birthday Girl and her husband in awhile and I knew he would enjoy it. So, after a little talkin...it didn't take much Dad and I decided to stop by and crash the party.

I was really, really glad we did. Dad got to see some friends he hadn't seen in awhile and he got to meet a friend of mine :-) Thanks Cheryl for making it an extra special night...and Happy 50th Birthday Kathy!!!!