where the heck have you been?

i'm back (i'd say "i'm back and better than ever" but i'm not making promises).

so what's new with me since you last tuned in - A LOT but most of the people who read this already know the life changes that have occurred since my last post (in september). in any case here's a snap shop - new jobs, great races, good health, socializing enough and sleeping very little. my family is great, my dog is the best, all and all no complaints.

that's pretty much it for me - now the important stuff. Hunter - you all know her - my patient partner and inspiration. it makes me ecstatically happy (and thankful) to say she is D-O-N-E with cancer! on JUNE 24th she reached the finish line after a longer than long run. i think i can speak for all of us DFMCers that the thought of the "long run" is what gets us out the door... especially this winter. for me, with the life changes above, the thought of our young and not-so-young friends and family with cancer, makes getting out in 18-feels like 4 degree weather more than just bearable, it makes it necessary. when all is said and done we won't remember the crappy weather or how tired we were after long days at work or all of the other personal emotional crap we have going on, we will know that we are steps closer to that ultimate finish line. DFMCers i am proud to be teammates and friends with all of you (even the ones who incessantly give me crap about this g-awful blog). good stuff. keep running.

SO what else can i tell you - oh yeah - i'm selling shirts again (look right). get them whole they are hot hot hot!

that's it for now (new beddy awaits). yes, i'll blog some more, but as i said to Les on the left coast, don't go holding your breath waiting for the next installment of twentysixpointtoomany miles, we need you on April 20th.

signing off.

RUN (jog or walk), stay healthy and for crying out loud celebrate yourself.

one last thing - look at this post-race photo... are you kidding me... crazy beautiful!

kcuf you recnac!

A new year...

I'm kicking them off, when do you think they'll notice? Yeah, probably never. If you do get the blog alert - shhhhhhh, don't tell.

More later. I will try to be better in 2009.

a note from a stranger

i wanted to share this a while ago, but i wasn't sure if i should (i'm not sure why). back in early april i got an email (and a donation) from someone who had found me through Hunter's caringbridge site.
april 5
hi Laurie, I 'know' of Hunter and her family through a close friend here in Franklin, from time to time I see Katie with the girls out around town. Quick story: During summers in Franklin, the school system holds little classes in fun subjects for the young children. I was rushing to 'Creative Chef's' on day one, my 5 yr old decides to tell me he has to pee - NOW. My 7 yr old yells at him, I yell at both of them - no parking spots of course. Drag everyone across the stupid parking lot to the stupid school for stupid summer class. Ugh. I am really needing Starbucks and a break. Then I spot Katie. She was walking in with one daughter and carrying a sleeping, bald Hunter. Calm and content, all of them. I felt one inch high. I look down at my fighting children and despite biting my tongue, the tears start. How could I be so selfish and foolish all at once. Lump in my throat, I kiss my girl goodbye, and off I go with the boy. I never held his hand so tight. I never wanted to get back for pickup so quick. I KNOW all the things about being grateful and thankful and not sweating small stuff. To get caught off guard by a moment like that -Took my breath away. I thank God for those moments, and I have carried that one around since. In the midst of her illness, Hunter teaches all of us who barely know her. In the midst of being her mother, Katie teaches those of us who look at her with awe and wonder and unending hope. So thank you for doing what you will do on that Monday. Please accept my donation and all the thoughts and energy that go along with it. I will be working at the marathon that morning while you are stepping off in Hopkinton, (I'm a police officer in a nearby town). I will think of you all and again, like every year, I will ponder ... 'hmm. maybe next year I will actually DO this thing!!!". So take good care of yourself, and rock it hard!!

amazing, right...

after the marathon i got this one.
april 23
Best of luck to you in your life, your job, your world! What you do is wonderful for those affected by that horrid disease. I know all that good karma you give will be coming back to you over the year!

i responded back for ALL of us and told her we would continue doing this until we can't, but what i should have said was that we will continue to do it until we don't have to. thank you CMR, please keep in touch!

april 20, 2009 isn't that far away friends.
hmmm, maybe i'll go for a run tomorrow.