A Little Observation from Alabama

WOW! Has it really been 2 years since I posted on my blog?! Well, it's time to write again! I started this a few weeks ago, but never got finished. So here goes!

Football in Alabama is exciting! Although I am not a huge fan, I so enjoy observing the rivalry of Auburn/Alabama football. We had our rivalries in Mississippi, but I've never seen anything quite like this. There is fun and excitement in the air during this season. While walking in my subdivision on a Saturday a few weeks ago, I passed a house where an Alabama fan lives. There was no doubt about! The huge blowup Alabama elephant and Alabama flags flying gave it away!


It starting me thinking just a bit. What is it that makes Alabama/Auburn football rivalry so exciting? I observed 3 things: (1) The fan is definitely identifiable, even without the blowup symbols or flags. They walk it, they talk it, they live it out during this season! (2) The fan is loyal. Although some may pull for the "other" team when they are not playing each other, on Iron Bowl weekend, there is EXTREME loyalty, and only something of critical importance could keep a fan from watching that game. In fact, if you are not a football fan, it might be a good day to go on a shopping trip. The stores are pretty empty! (3) The last observation, but certainly not the least, is that the fan is excited! Folks who are commonly very passive become quite animated during this season.


All this observing made me think even further and I concluded that those same 3 characteristics should be observed in the life of a Christian. (1) A Christian should be identifiable. No, I don't mean a big blow up Jesus in your front yard, but the walk, talk and life of a Christian should point to the fact that they are a Jesus fan. (2) A Christian should be loyal and devoted to Christ. (3) A Christian should be excited. We should talk about Christ and be so excited about what He has done for us that we share enthusiastically with those we come in contact with. After all, what He has done for each of us is the ultimate gift.

So, with all that said...

"War Eagle" to my Auburn friends!
"Roll Tide" to my Alabama friends!
"Praises, Honor and Glory" to my Savior!

A GOOD TIRED

OK – so I’m really tired today, but it is a good tired. Know what I mean?!

Yesterday, me, my siesta friend Sharron, and our 2 hubbies set out after Sunday School on a road trip. Sharron and I were so excited that we could hardly contain ourselves. Lots of “whoo hoo whoo hoo hoo’s” were shared each time we saw each other Sunday morning before we left.

So, I know you can’t wait to hear where our road trip took us. (Singing) . . . “On the road again, I just can’t wait to get on the road again! The life I love is making music with my friends, and I can’t wait to get on the road again!”

I had to take that little detour in song. You know me. I like me a good song to go with the situation.

Well . . . we were actually going to make music with our very special friend, Travis Cottrell, as he recorded a live CD/DVD at FBC Woodstock, Georgia. It was awesome! When we talked this morning, Sharron described it as a magical evening! And that it was! Travis, the praise team, the FBC Woodstock choir, Beth Moore – everyone was really pumped and the music and worship was incredible! The place was packed and Travis said he was afraid only a few people would come!!! Puleeassee!!!

Travis, Praise Team, and FBC Woodstock Choir

We got to meet up with our Southern Siesta friends and visit with them a few minutes before the concert. Then, I had the privilege of meeting and getting my picture made with BooMama!!! How awesome is that?!

BooMama and me

Me and Siesta Sharron

After the concert, we made the 3 ½ hour trip back home, arriving around 11:15 p.m. and guess what?! I couldn’t sleep. Not one teeny tiny itty bitty bit! I think the excitement was just spilling over, and no matter how hard I tried, sleep wouldn’t come. So I’m a little bit tired today. But it really is a good tired. AND I am facilitating a Bible study tonight! Lucky participants!!!!

So after Bible study, Gramster plans to go directly home, put on pj’s, then night night, sleep tight, don’t let the bed bugs bite!

Warm Fuzzy Sunday

I would have to classify yesterday as one of those warm, fuzzy kind of days.

Scott wasn't scheduled to work, so we had the entire day together! Our Sunday School lesson was from I Thessalonians about "When You Started Out." Several of our SS family shared about their salvation experience. The lesson prompted great discussion as we talked about loving others and about what kind of example we are to those around us. We were reminded that there are actually people imitating us! Our actions and behaviors are so important!

Then, I actually got to sit with hubby in worship, since the choir didn't fill the loft in the morning service. We had a great afternoon together and returned to church in the evening to be part of our choir's annual Christmas program. The choir dressed in 1800's Christmas caroling attire and sang traditional Christmas carols and it was a wonderful time of worship together. The children's choir sang with us in part of the program, and it tendered my heart to hear their sweet voices singing.

The perfect ending to a perfect day happened at Taco Bell of all places! After church, we headed there to grab some tacos to take home. We went through the drive-thru and the line was sooooooo long. We were trapped - people behind us and in front, so we just had to wait. Even though it was irritating to sit in a drive thru for 30 minutes, it gave us opportunity to sit and talk awhile.

As the young lady in front of us was picking up her order, I remember that she looked so bubbly and happy. When we got to the window to pick up our order, the man told us that she had paid for our order. I asked the cashier who she was. He said that he didn't know, and that she didn't know us. She told him that she just wanted to do something nice for someone since it was Christmas! WOW! It made us both feel so warm and fuzzy. It wasn't an extravagant gift, but such a kind expression of love.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (I Corinthians 13:13)

It really is contagious. We can't wait for the opportunity to pay it forward!

Thanksgiving/Christmas/Birthday Celebrations

Thought you might enjoy a pic of my family at our Thanksgiving/Christmas/Birthday celebration! I was taking the picture and don't get many photo opps of the whole family together. I think they are absolutely wonderful!

Living Waters 5K and Sacroiliitis

Since many of you have asked when I plan to post again, here goes! As for half-marathon progress, there really isn't any. I took a rest after the shinsplint episode. The first time I tried to run after my resting period, I had a backache for about a week, so more rest! I was getting a little anxious since my daughters-in-law and me were going to run in a 5K on Thanksgiving weekend.

Thanksgiving was wonderful as we celebrated my birthday, one of my daughters-in-law's birthday and my granddaughter's birthday, along with Thanksgiving and Christmas. You see, my son and daughter-in-law from Missouri rotate Thanksgiving and Christmas every other year, so they can share those holidays with her family. So, on the year they come for Thanksgiving, we celebrate Christmas as well, since we don't get to see them again at Christmas. After stuffing ourselves with turkey, ham, and all the fixings, we opened birthday presents and Christmas presents. It was so much fun.

Later that evening, Addie and I decided to take a practice run to get ready for the 5K on Saturday. We took the 3-mile path I use in my neighborhood and I actually ran at least 1 mile of the route. It felt great to push through again, but the back pain started again within an hour. It was so bad on Friday! Addie had to drive her old ma-in-law around and help me in and out of the car. A little shopping humor: my cell phone rang while we had stopped in a thrift store and it was my mother. Apparently I was talking very loud, since Addie had to shush me up. She commented that not only was I incapacitated, but apparently had also lost my hearing. We had a big laugh with everyone around us in the store, and I told my mother I would call her back when we were out of the store. I love the relationship I have with my daughters-in-law. We really laugh alot when we are together - mostly at me, but that's ok.

Saturday morning rolled around and I was determined to do the 5K with my girls in spite of my pain. I planned to get up and wash and curl my hair, since hardly no one ever sees me before I do that. The girls said we were running a race and I wasn't allowed to do that, so here you see it and surely understand why I don't let anyone see me this way. This was at the end of the 5K and we all did just fine. Not one of us took last place and I actually achieved my goal of finishing with better than a 15-minute mile. My time was 41:29:1 even with an injury. Whoo hoo!!

Addie, Mary, and me!

So I was pretty much down in my back the rest of the weekend, but we did it! I went to the doc on Monday and the diagnosis - "sacroiliitis". That's a funny diagnosis for a funny lady, right?! The verdict is that I can't run for awhile. I have to take steroids, anti-inflammatory and do some exercises to strengthen my back.

The half-marathon in February is off, but that doesn't mean we can't do another half-marathon when I am well and able to train again.

OK - that reminds me of a song. Are you surprised?

"I'm trading my sickness, I'm trading my pain

I'm laying them down for the joy of the Lord.

I am pressed, but not crushed; persecuted, not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.

I am blessed beyond the curse for His promise will endure and His joy's gonna be my strength."

Everybody sing along with me now.

That's it for now! Stay tuned for more in the continuing maladies of Gramster.

Setback Saddens Sheila

I have had a small setback in my half-marathon training. For the past week, I have really had a hard time running. I have only been able to run about 2 1/2 minutes tops, then walk, then maybe a minute running, then walk, etc. with a fair amount of pain near my shins. It almost felt like my legs were cement, and it even hurt when I was walking. Diagnosis from my marathon running daughter-in-law: shin splints! She recently experienced the same condition; therefore, advised me to take a rest for 2 weeks to heal my shin splints and do some cross training on my eliptical trainer and exercise bike. No pounding the pavement for a few weeks. That, in addition to the arthritis in my toes! Agony . . . delayed training . . . sad Sheila!

Sheila is my chihuahua and running partner, and it makes her so happy when I put on my running shoes. By the time I grab my iPod and her leash, she is jumping with joy all over the place. Sheila just didn't understand when I went out to Scott's workshop tonight and got on the eliptical trainer. She knew I had on the shoes and the iPod, but where was the leash??? Sadness, confusion, depression!!! I tried to explain to her what was going on, but she just doesn't get it!



Hopefully, these 2 weeks will pass quickly for her and we can hit the running trail once again. I sure hate to disappoint my trusty running companion. After all, my daughter-in-law and I are signed up to do a 5K in Decatur on Thanksgiving weekend and Sheila knows I need the training badly.

Rails to Trails 10K

OK - this is the moment you have all been waiting for. On Saturday, October 4, I did my very first running (walking) event. It was the Rails to Trails 10K in Elkmont, Alabama. Did you hear that? 10K - that means 6.2 miles!!! I entered with my boss, and since I didn't feel prepared to run just yet, we agreed to mostly walk and just run a little as we were able. We were very pleased that we averaged around a 12-13 minute mile and I finished in 1:27:30 and she finished in 1:26:?? I hung around for the door prizes and then headed back home with great certainty that I did not win any awards.


Imagine my surprise this morning when, at the end of a staff meeting, my boss called me to the front and placed a medallion around my neck, announcing that I had won 3rd place in my age division. She didn't say how many were in my age division and I'm sure I don't want to know that!! How exciting to win a 3rd place in my first event. And my boss won a medal as well. We felt pretty good about our accomplishment.


Of course, we got no respect! Comments ranged from lots of "Congratulations," to "There must have been only 1 or 2 people in your age group so they had to give you 3rd place to be nice!" to "So which special olympics did you run in?"


The following e-mail was sent out concerning our accomplishment:

"Congratulations to Dianne and Melanie! Both were medal winners at this past weekend's 10K run in Elkmont.We have no documented evidence for Melanie's participation, but we do have a reliable witness who verified Melanie also won a medal.

It is reported Dianne has not taken off the medal since Saturday.

This nation needs more role models! Congratulations!"


Then they took the following picture of me running in place and showing off my very first medallion!! Whoo hoo whoo hoo hoo!!!! We had such fun with this at work today!