...slipped up

Here's a confession.
I slipped up.
I said a word during a conversation.
It was accidental.
It wasn't nice. 
I corrected myself immediately.
It hit me, 'Nancy, you should not use that word...'



Then today, on another blog - I watched this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1iSlok6muY0&feature=player_embedded

What a timely message.
I am learning.
And, I wish everyone else would learn too.

October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month


...I am aware that I am the ignorant one...

...life happens

Hey strangers.
Sorry I quit blogging temporarily.
I've been busy...


I went to Cancun.
I ran a bunch.
I worked a whole bunch.
I bought a car.
I took my parents somewhere new (reference the 'to do' list).
I started a new class at church.
I helped a dear friend with a fund raiser.
...and tomorrow, I go camping! :-)

I love being busy!
Promise, I will blog again - I miss it...
~Nancy

...because it was my day

I decided I get to have another post for my birthday (which was now, 2 days ago...)
Cause it's my blog.
Look at my flowers... :-)

And, here is my post work birthday fun....
Friends and fun.

I am a blessed girl.
Very blessed.
:-)

...the big one

So - I've been tri-ing all summer. ;-)
More than tri-ing, achieving!
I faced fears.
Put my heart in to something.
Worked hard.
And, I impressed me.
Do I have some fancy trophy or prize - nope.
What I have is more precious than that - I have confidence.
You can't take that away!

But, the big tri of the summer was last weekend.
And, I did not register.
I know me.
I know my limitations (today's limitations...)
(Yes, I just left the door open for tomorrow).

The Rocketman was last weekend - I was NOT ready.
1.5k swim, 40k bike, 10k run
Not this girl.
Not this year.
Instead, I volunteered!
And I so glad I did....

The morning started early, 6am.
My job, ooh so important - hand out the timing chips:

500 competitors.
Wow...I was humbled.
I was proud for them!

After that job was over, I walked to the river to see the first leg....

I was so thankful I did not register.
It was too far, and there were far too few boats, buoys, and safety folks in the water.
I would have freaked out and not even started.
I would have beat me, before I let the water do it.

So, on to the next area...
My friend and I got to log everyone as they came in on their bike ride and transitioned to their run.
:-)
And, to do this - we got our very own time machine!!!!!

It's not every day I get to play with a time machine!!!!
hahaha....
I had to give it back.
:-(

Anyways, I called numbers and she entered them in.
I tried to cheer for almost everyone as they crossed our path.
I made a lot of people smile.
Some people...probably didn't appreciate my chipper attitude - but for the most part, my sense of humor was appreciated.

All in all, it was a GREAT day.
I am inspired....
to volunteer more and train harder!

maybe next year I can be a rocketwoman!
~N

...today is my day

And I am feeling the love!

So much better than last year.
No tears.
Only joy.
Hugs.
Cards.
Gifts.
Flowers.
Calls.
Visits.

I.am.loved.
I.am.blessed.
My.life.is.good!

On my day - thank you God...You have loved me, watched over and protected me. You have helped me through tough times, and showed me my value. You are patient with me when I am stubborn. You let me learn things at my pace and help me keep my eyes open to your beauty and awe. You have blessed me with family and friends. You made me. And, I know you make beautiful things. Amen

(my video loader is hosed...but go listen to this)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oyPBtExE4W0&feature=related

Have a blessed day!
~N

...sick girl

So much has happened in the past week.
The first disciple class.
Volunteering at a triathlon.
A funeral.
A birthday dinner with friends.
A visit with my sister and her littles.
Planning a family reunion.

But, today...

I am sick. :-(
It rarely happens to me.

But, when it does - it throws me for a loop.

I'm not the 'lay down and rest' type.

I'm a pitiful sight.

...on the couch

...tissue box within reach

...tissues scattered

I decided to share some pretty things that make me happy...

Pretty posters:

Soon I am going on vacation.

To Cancun.

I am ready!

Here's where I will be:

Sun, fun, water, rest...

Another margarita?

Yes please!

Today, I feel yucky.

Tomorrow I will feel better.

And, I will appreciate it more...

...the charm

You know what they say about the 3rd time?
Well, Saturday was my 3rd triathlon.
And - I will not say it was 'a charm' - but I was absolutely charmed all day! The triathlon was just a small part of what ended up being my most favorite and excellent day that I can remember in a very long time.

When you start your day like this:

You should just know - 'today is going to be my day'. As I drove to the triathlon site, I watched the sun peaking in and out of trees and from around buildings. Then, when I parked the car - wow is the only word to describe. This picture does it no justice - it was glorious!

I lined up for the tri.

This time, it was a backwards: run, bike, swim...

This time, I was alone. No friends were able to register...

This time, I was not nervous at all...

The horn sounded and off we went. They released us in groups of 100, 8 minutes apart. I was in the first group. It really was fun to hear the horn sound as I ran and know another wave of people was coming. Then, yes - even though I had an 8 minute head start over the second group - people began to catch me, pass me, and leave me in their dust. And to be completely honest, there were probably a couple people from the next wave that got me too. Oh well - I stayed my course/my pace. The run was on a trail. It was shaded. It was fun. Three miles down... I enter the shoot for the end of the race, to grab my bike and take off. I hear 'GO NANCY!!!!'. Standing together, with smiles and signs - two dear dear friends were there for me. To show me love. To cheer for me. To add to my already wonderful day...

See how great my friends are...

After 6 miles on the bike, I entered the pool.

I was not scared.

I was ready.

Me being me, I stayed close to the lane divider. If I got kicked or hit, I knew I could reach over and catch myself. Most of the time, I did the back stroke. It felt faster. And stronger.

Exiting the water, there stood my friends. Cheering for me still.

How blessed I am.

Later I checked the results. I WAS NOT LAST! In fact, I was 17th out of 21 in my age group. Overall, I was ~120s out of ~160 females. Seriously people, this is excellent for me. :-)

The rest of the day was rounded out with my parents, sister, and her children. Homemade lasagna and homemade ice cream shared with family was excellent.

If you can't tell, I am running out of blogging steam tonight...

I will end with, I started my Bible study last week and I have homework to do tonight.

After meeting my classmates, I am quite sure I'll have many stories to share in blogland over the next months!

Good evening friends, Nancy