Black Sheep...?

My little sister is getting married in a few weeks,

so we wanted to make sure her fiance felt welcomed to the family.

In his own little corner with his sad little Dell. ;)

.... WELCOME TO THE FAMILY!

- You COULD say we ganged up on him -

When compassion comes back to bite ya...

Today I went to pick up Gracie from my x-inlaws. On my way to the side door I was surprised to be greeted by the cutest little mouse I've ever seen. We'll call this mouse Jerry. Jerry was so tiny, I questioned for a moment if he was even real. I quickly realized he was and then I realized how strange it was that I wasn't screaming or looking for a chair to stand on. (Isn't that what I was supposed to do)? He was in the cutest position, sitting on his hind legs with his wee little arms pulled up under his chin. As I looked closer I could see that he was shivering. Only then did I notice the cat. They were no more than a foot apart, just staring at each other. It struck me as so odd.

I realized immediately what was going on and my heart went out to poor little Jerry. I couldn't bear the thought of him being helplessly tossed about, and becoming a cat's favorite new chew toy. I knew at that moment that it was up to me to save him. Sure I could have just shoed the cat away, but that would have been far too easy. Instead, my compassion took over and I instinctively reached down to pick the little guy up, expecting that he would just hop into my hand and I could happily release him in the nearby field (I could already hear Chariots of Fire playing in the background). It now dawns on me that perhaps I've watched a few too many feel-good movies... because I quickly learned that that's not how it works. .... AT ALL!

In a split-second's time I was left startled and confounded as adorable little Jerry betrayed me. How did I not see it coming? He bit my finger and latched on for dear life as my reflexes flung him to the ground. "Little punk!" I yelled. I quickly went in the house, leaving him to fend for himself. That'll teach him.

As I was recounting the story to my x-inlaws I realized just how "smart" I had been... and I have the battle wounds to prove it. I have now asked my family to keep a watchful eye on me, incase I go into convulsions or start foaming at the mouth. What was I thinking?

I was telling a friend the story when he replied, "Women are blinded by compassion sometimes. Much more of a blessing than a curse. Sometimes it does come back to bite you though." Such wit!

Ode to Health

I was sick last week. Very sick. 103 fever, chills, congested, achy body, coughing, vomiting... the whole sha-bang. It never ceases to amaze me, the gratitude that is born out of such circumstances. Can I just say how wonderful it is to have my health back!?! It's one of the many blessings I take for granted daily - but certainly top of my list of "things I would never want to live without." In fact it may be my #1.

And so my body is recovering. I didn't get in any exercise last week because I was lucky to laugh without hacking up a lung, yet alone RUN. My body felt it and last night my legs were screaming for a good workout. This morning I gave it to them.

What is it about running that feels so good? There's something about pushing myself to the limit and then, right when I think I can't go anymore, pushing myself a little more. I just got done with a rewarding 6 mile run and am stretching as I type. Stretching, texting, typing and playing on the floor with Gracie. What can I say - I'm all woman. ;)

And so I find myself pondering just how far I would be willing to "push" myself. Dare I do a marathon? Of course I "dare"... and I have no problem with the endurance, but I hesitate because, simply put, I'm slow. Slow and I know it. I have my sister to compare to. Angie is a born runner. She has great endurance and keeps a 7+mile pace for an entire marathon. Me? Not so much. So maybe I won't be winning any medals. Maybe I won't be breaking any records or even providing a competition for the girl running next to me. But that's ok. I think it's time to do it. I'm in a new place in life. A place where I get to grow, stretch, and push myself beyond every limit I've ever known. It only makes sense to carry that into my physical life.

I'm committing. I will be doing a marathon in 2010. Anyone else up for the challange? When and where I don't yet know, but don't you worry... in a month you'll get a big beautiful list of goals more specific than you anything you ever cared to know about. THE NEW YEAR IS AHEAD AND I'VE ALREADY STARTED MY GOALS!!!

Now I'm off to fill up my water bottle, eat a little oatmeal and enjoy breathing clearly through my nose.

Isn't health is a beautiful thing!