Monday, June 6, 2011

“For today and its blessings, I owe the world an attitude of gratitude.”

Officially, this is post #200. Pretty fancy, eh?

When I started this blog 18 months ago, I was not a runner. I was just a working mom, trying to be responsible, live as an example to my kids, and build a happy life in a new place.

I toyed with frugality (still dislike). I cooked things. I started going to the gym. (But then I stopped). We toured my kitchen (thrill a minute). I tried (and failed, but kept trying) really hard to suck less. I became a little bit of a hippie, and started making my own laundry detergent and stopped using shampoo.... We took some trips to Big Bear, Joshua Tree, Yosemite. Played around with vegetarianism, a few times. I became a wedding photographer and florist (yes, I made the bouquet. I know, it's lovely.). We went camping. Twice. I reallllly sucked at meal planning.

I ran my first 5K. The race that started it all.

That's a lie. I was pleased to be done. And didn't run again for 3 months.

But then I did.

And I ran my first "serious" race. Okay, it was a Turkey Trot, but the first race I took seriously. And I did okay.

There was all of this... That really sucked.

What didn't suck? The $2000+ that we raised for Pediatric Cancer Research. That rocked.

I ran the Princess Half. That also didn't suck.

I ran another half, a bit later. That one kind of did suck. What didn't suck was the 30 minute PR.


It's been an interesting 18 months.

It's been a supremely challenging 6 months.

I've been kind of... funk-ish lately, as per my last few posts. I'm spending a lot of time in my head being disgruntled. I am sad at what Gabby has to go through. I'm annoyed at #1 and #2 acting out a bit, and annoyed that I'm annoyed at their understandable and justified reactions. I'm angry at the financial situation this put us in. I'm bummed about all the things we're missing out on, all the trips we had planned that we can't take.

My head has not been in the game.

However...
I have three beautiful kids.
I have a supportive H.
I am HEALTHY and ABLE to run.
I have a job that provides food, water, shelter, and clothing.
I have tapped into a fantastic, supportive network of funny, inspirational, and compassionate people.
I live in a place that I love.
I have access to amazing doctors and a fantastic oncology team.
I live in a fantastic school district that challenges and engages my kids.
I have good friends.

I am grateful, for so many things. I might forget that, sometimes, but I am.

I am also grateful for the people who read this nonsense. All 154 or whatever of you, plus google reader followers :D.

So....


A 200th Post Giveaway!


I've got an Allied Medal Hanger to giveaway, plus a Mystery Box of Awesome Things. What's in the mystery box? I'm not telling. But I may give you a hint as the week goes on... I promise it will be fun, useful, and unisex!

Here's how to enter....

1. You must be AN EXISTING FOLLOWER OR READER. IE, this can't be your first time wandering through and pretending. We'll go on the honor system here, but since this is a giveaway for existing readers, please be honest :).

2. Tell me what YOU'RE grateful for. 1 comment for each, 1 entry for each... how many things can you come up with?

It's a challenge, that will hopefully brighten your day and get your head back in the game.

Giveaway ends next Friday, June 10th at midnight.

Ready, set... GO.




92 comments:

  1. I am grateful that I can run. I won't always be able to, but that day is not today (I stole that from who knows where).

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  2. I'm grateful that my husband not only tolerates my exercise whims, but seems to find them charming.

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  3. I'm grateful to have such a wonderful family and to have a good relationship with my parents and brothers.

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  4. I'm grateful to have a job, and a home, during a time when many people are struggling to keep both.

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  5. I'm grateful to have amazing friends, who challenge me and make me laugh.

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  6. Beautiful post. You have grown so much, and faced so manyy challenges and triumphs.

    I follow you!.

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  7. I am grateful God gave me the gift of physical activity. Each movement is a blessing...even when I want it to be over!

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  8. I am grateful for blogging. Really. How would I met other like-minded peeps? I learned something daily. And, am always thankful to get lost in the internet vortex!

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  9. I'm grateful to have such an awesome network of people that support me and A through all our struggles.

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  10. I'm truly grateful for my wonderful husband.

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  11. I'm grateful for my family who loves me unconditionally.

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  12. I'm grateful that I'm able to run relatively pain-free again.

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  13. I'm grateful that I have a job, even though I don't enjoy it every day.

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  14. I'm grateful for the "blogging community" and people like you. Seriously.

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  15. i LOVE this post. (I follow you!!) =)

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  16. I am grateful for my ability to run, not matter how fast or slow... =) (after an injury I'm grateful to get out there and run without pain, no matter the pace)

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  17. i'm grateful for my amazing family who have helped me get through crazy moments in life that i never would've been able to get through on my own.

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  18. i'm grateful for all of the amazing runners i've met, follow on twitter, who follow me, whose blogs i read and who read my blogs, all of their support means the world to me!

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  19. i'm grateful to everyone fundraising to find a cure, whether its for cancer, autism, diabetes, aids, or anything else, these people (including you!) are rockstars!!!

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  20. I am grateful to have found running and now triathlon. Total saving grace.

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  21. I am grateful that my crash wasn't worse and that I am recovering so quickly.

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  22. I am grateful for all the support in my life, virtual and not.

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  23. Are we really supposed to comment multiple times?

    I am a follower - I don't do the blogspot followers thing but I got 'ya in my Google Reader.

    Grateful? Lots of things. Running related, I am grateful to be running injury free.

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  24. I have been reading your blog for about a month now! And i am a follower :) COngrats on 200 posts and all of your accomplishments along the way.

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  25. I am so thankful for my family. I have a handsome hubby and 5 awesome kids! I am one lucky Momma!

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  26. I am thankful that I am healthy!

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  27. I am grateful that, despite weighing way too much, I have still been able to start to run

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  28. I am grateful for air conditioning in is 95* heat

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  29. I am grateful for running shoes and socks which do not cause blisters

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  30. I am grate for the love of my life and all of his support in this new journey of mine

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  31. Oh yeah, I am grateful I can be a follower

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  32. I love following you girl. I just wish you did not have to go through so much. I hope Gabby is doing good.

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  33. I am thankful for my two awesome boys.

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  34. I am grateful a wonderful family and great husband.

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  35. i love this post. its so genuine and YOU! I am happy to be a follower and can't wait for 200 more posts.
    I am grateful for hard times, they make you stronger. Just need to peservere!

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  36. Great post Giraffy. It's just not easy sometimes and you definitely have reason to be disgruntled.

    Thanks for the quote - love it.

    I'm grateful for my friends. Always. Couldn't go through all the hard times without them.

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  37. I'm grateful for people that keep such a positive outlook in life. Bless you.

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  38. I'm thankful for my kids and husband, all my friends and family. oh, and the dog : )

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  39. I'm thankful for my wonky feet and legs, and that they let me run.

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  40. I'm thankful for coffee, wine, chocolate, and french fries.

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  41. I follow you! In fact, you are the only one I officially follow!!

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  42. I am thankful for my 4 beautiful kids.

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  43. I am thankful for my fertility, despite the unexpected blessings it means!!

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  44. I am thankful for an online community of slower paced runners so I don't feel like I'm wasting my time chasing after all the fast runners.

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  45. I am thankful for the ability and tenacity that keeps me running!

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  46. I am thankful for my husband who supports my running and makes sacrifices so I can!

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  47. I follow you - and you're in my Google reader, too. =P

    And I have you on FB and CB. Maybe I should say I stalk you.

    And I hear you about the whole screwing with the finances thing. I've been grumpy about this lately, too. So good on you for making me count my blessings.

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  48. I'm grateful everyday that my kids are still breathing - and that I don't need a heart monitor to verify that anymore.

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  49. I'm grateful I can stay at home with my kids and for the hard work DH does to make that happen.

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  50. I'm grateful for the place we live, and the access to many things to do, and the great schools in the area.

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  51. I'm grateful that both cars are paid for and running - though I hesitate to say this for fear that I've just jinxed them.

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  52. I am super grateful for this post…i just spent the last 20 minutes chilling and reflecting on the many wonderful things in my life. I rarely take a little personal time-out like this. So necessary…i need to remember this :)

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  53. I follow you and I'm grateful to have found you!

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  54. I'm grateful for a healthy body that can run 1/2 marathons, climb stairs and hug friends!

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  55. I'm grateful to be my own boss even though the challenges of owning your own business are sometimes overwhelming!

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  56. I'm grateful for a family who loves fiercely and unconditionally and who has supported me through many ups and downs this past year!

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  57. I'm basically grateful for every day - during which I usually make myself laugh at something, love something and consume stupid amounts of coffee! Congrats on your 200 posts!!

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  58. Of course I follow you, I enjoy your blogs.

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  59. I am grateful for family and friends.

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  60. Thanks for sharing this special post and memories, as I haven't followed since the beginning. Very cool!
    I appreciate your posts funk or no funk, young lady, but hope that some of the troubles are lifted off your shoulders.

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  61. I'm sorry you're funkish! Having recently come through one of my own, I don't envy your journey. No way but through the sum bitch..gratitude or no. I'm grateful for sunny days!!

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  62. I am grateful that I have a home and job.

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  63. I am also grateful for a wonderful support groups of friends I have.

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  64. Been a follower for a while!

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  65. I am grateful for my wonderful kids.

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  66. I am grateful to have an amazing husband.

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  67. I am grateful that I love my work.

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  68. I am grateful that I am running injury-free these days!!

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  69. I am really thankful to be healthy and strong enough to pursue the things I want to

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  70. I'm grateful for my 5 year old, Sage, who is graduating kindergarten tomorrow!!!

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  71. I'm grateful for the opportunity to stay at home!

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  72. grateful that my hubby has a wonderful job!

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  73. grateful for my 2 year old daughter, Macy

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  74. grateful for my health & ability to run!

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  75. grateful for a super FUN running partner!

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  76. grateful for my sister who helps me pay for a gymb membership!

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  77. grateful for the tv as an occasional babysitter :)

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  78. Brace yourself. You won't believe this .... but I follow you!

    Ya - true story!

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  79. I'm grateful for blogging! Without blogging I would have never met such awesome people like YOU!

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  80. I'm grateful for that iFitness belt I won from you. Seriously - I love that thing! So much better than my Spibelt I think, although I like both. I love having two pockets so that my phone doesn't have to make out with a bunch of sticky little gel type things. Plus it is cute, comfy and PINK!

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  81. I'm grateful for my pets. They are my little pals. We are a quiet little family, with our quirks, but we work. I'm certainly never lonely while living alone since I have my two girls always at my side!

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  82. I'm grateful for that little star you can use in blogger. I'm trying to not comment from work (obviously I am now. Ssh!) so my new method is to read things in google reader. Star them. Mark as unread. Then go home and comment. Phew - relief. I was getting all twitchy trying to NOT read blogs. It just wasn't working for me!

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  83. Ooh, I am grateful for KT Tape. Someone commented on my blog that it is like voodoo - you don't know how it works, but it just does. I completely agree! I might be able to be a runner again sooner than I thought, thanks to this mysterious and expensive tape!

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  84. I am also grateful that the Internet enables me to read all of the responses from this wonderful group

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  85. I'm a reader subscriber. And I'm grateful for my humungous calves that make me a fast and happy runner

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  86. Seeing this a bit late, because I'm on vacation, but I've been a follower for a little while!

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  87. I'm grateful that I can run when so many others cant :)

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  88. I'm grateful for my great support system. My family and friends are so important to me in all areas of my life!

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