a time of firsts

Hope everyone had a lovely break!

Mine included many firsts:

• My first time to be given yellow roses :)
• My first tattoo 
• My first buck 
• My first time to cook deer.. (Pretty good. Need to work on the recipe a bit)
• My first time to try homemade, baked sweet potato fries. (Delicious!)
• My first broke-down-on-the-highway experience (didn't cry though. Thanks Nicole!)
• My first time to NOT shop over the Holiday (due to above)
• My first time to see my mom be inappropriate and crazy.... bahaha.
• And, my first peppermint mocha. (Also delicious!)

(aren't they beautiful?)

It also included much needed time spent with those that I miss and love very much.

Happy Day of Thanks

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

This is the time to;

eat too much, sleep too long, and play too hard!

I plan to do all 3 :)

If there's one thing I love, it's a hilarious commercial. I believe this is Super Bowl commercial material. Enjoy friends. And again, happy turkey day!

Support

sup·port
tr.v. sup·port·ed, sup·port·ing, sup·ports
-To keep from weakening or failing; strengthen. 
 (see picture below)

(thank you all so incredibly much. this was truly a moment and day I will remember and cherish forever)

Here We Go....

 

2009 Williams Route 66 Marathon Registration Confirmation

Dear Samantha,

This email is the official confirmation of your entry in the 2009 Williams Route 66 Marathon.

It's time friends... can't believe it's here. I just want to say thank you all so much for your support throughout this whole thing! Once again, I am so blessed.

Race Number

I will be wearing this race tag on Sunday! (however different name and number, no where does my name contain  "barrie")

The colors on each participants tag represent the event they are competing in. Marathon, half marathon, 5k's, etc. For your first marathon, your color is blue. And it even says, "my first marathon on it". I love this!

I found this article on the Route66 website  and it really meant a lot.

My First Marathon Numbers 

"Participants who pre-registered that are participating in their first marathon at the 2009 Williams Route 66 Marathon will receive blue race numbers. We highly encourage you to give them special recognition when you see them. They have all worked very hard to get to the start line. Training for and completing your first marathon is truly a life changing experience and disserves special recognition."

-Not, sure about the special recognition part (every participant is conquering a goal) but the rest of the article was really touching!

Oh. My. Gosh.

So, a new friend of mine that attended the Naval academy (where the video is shot) shared this clip with me and I was in awe the entire time. These girls are AMAZING and I know the video is long but trust me, it's worth it to watch the whole thing... It's mind blowing!

ps-- I loved the audience (who mostly are all tough-guy, Navy boys) reactions to the performance... PRICELESS.

R&R

There are a few things on the agenda for the weekend; the last long run of my training, dinner and a movie, Razorback football, but I mostly plan on getting some serious R&R! This upcoming week will be extremely busy but still VERY exciting. Rest will be much needed... So, I plan to read, sleep, and watch The Office as much as possible.


I realized I have yet to introduce you to my three wonderful living buddies. So here they are, the ladies that make my day, everyday!

Ma (Meagan-but we call her Ma)

Meg

and Jaime

Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend.

Oh Al...

As I am on my Albert Einstein kick... Here are some words to consider and ponder on. 

"Everyone should be respected as an individual, but no one idolized."


"I am a deeply religious nonbeliever - this is a somewhat new kind of religion."


"Few are those who see with their own eyes and feel with their own hearts." 


"I never think of the future - it comes soon enough."

To Those I Love- Here's To You!

I just want to dedicate this posts to all the wonderful people in my life. I realize more and more just how lucky I am to have the amazing support system I have. I feel so blessed every day that I get the privilege to call these people family and friends. Just when I am about to come undone.. They are all right there, in their own little ways, putting me back together! 

I pretty much fell in love with this quote...

 (.c is for charmed)

Weekend Recap:

Surprise Momma for her birthday- check

Fix the hard drive crash on my computer.... for free???- check (such a blessing, thank you Apple)

Spend much needed time with Nicole!- check

See Phil at the Something in the Wheel show- negative :( I'm still sorry friend.

Get the last long run of my training session in- check

Have a great weekend-- CHECK, CHECK!

100 Days -- 2010 Winter Olympics

It is officially 100 days until the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics! Woo Hoo! I am partial to the summer Olympics myself, but only because I know more about those sports. I am still VERY excited for the winter games nonetheless. The display of athleticism and world unity during both Olympics is undeniable!

See you in February Apolo! (aka, the best thing about the winter games)

Thought this was adorable, Enjoy :)

Beautiful People

"The most beautiful people we know, are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known loss, and have found their way out of the depths. These persons have an appreciation, a sensitivity, and an understanding of life that fills them with compassion, gentleness, and a deep, loving concern.
Beautiful people do not just happen."
-Elizabeth Kubler-Ross