Mini- Fundraising Friday Update

Running update J

Monday: I suppose it goes without saying that Monday was a lot cooler then today’s temperatures.  I should have ran 20 miles on Monday to carry over the rest of this week’s hot temperatures J  I did just want to change up my routine a little bit once I got running and decided a little hill workout might be interesting to throw in the mix.  I kinda wanted the sense to be sore and feel pain (weird I know)..but I just wanted to “feel” like I was pushing myself in the mix of things.  I went to a cemetery a little bit down the road from our house.  I ran about 15 minutes prior to going there…mind you it was a smaller hill (I don’t want to be stupid here)..and I chose to do 7 hill repeats… why not…it’s our lucky number and it sounded good J  So I did those while cooling down with the loop around.  I than ran about 15 minutes to cool down to make a total run of about 40 minutes.

Tuesday:  Ran about 5 1/2 miles, and yes my legs are sore J  I suppose I was successful in that venture. 

Wednesday:  Ran about 5 miles (same old same old) J  I wish I had thought to take my running stuff with me as I was in Charleston for a work event and a chance of scenery with a run along the river would have been so nice!

Thursday:  Mom came to visit J  We went out to dinner and enjoyed the evening.  Mom and I walked for about 3 miles on the road, so I suppose I’ll have to let this day slide for a running day. 

I OFFICIALLY got the registration number to sign up for the marathon…so its official….My name is on the roster for the NYC marathon!  (Yikes..I’m nervous)

We also heard from our Team Fox Coach this week….they have an 18 week training scheduled put together for us to help us with our training effort.  It officially starts July 2^nd, so I’m really looking forward to someone now telling me what to do.  (can’t you tell I’m a coach’s kid?).  Hopefully I have built a little bit of “base mileage” and ready to feel like I can do this again and use the actual word TRAINING.  One of the first things too we are looking to do is get a “GOAL” for finish time for the marathon, I almost don’t even know how to approach it…so we’ll work on that. 

To keep with the “Fundraising Friday” theme I introduced awhile back ago…I did want to give a little update. 

Our Total on the Fundraising Page right now is:  $2829.84

I am currently in 4^th place for the NYC marathon Team of Team Fox….so we are in the midst of getting some plans set!  I have more details to come…. But have completely ran out of time today, but wanted to check in with everyone! J

Check back on Monday for some more updates!  

I hope everyone has a great weekend….and get out there and do something….

(well…when it cools down) J 

Run/Train for Any Race Conditions :)

Ahhhh It’s Monday, and Monday’s ALWAYS arrive too quickly after a weekend.  I’m sure we all hear that every Monday, but it’s true J

I’ve realized I slacked a little bit towards the end of last week on the blog, so I have some catching up to do.  I have been on a running spell, so it’s been nice to feel like I’m getting somewhere with all this. 

Wednesday- I had this day off of work (Due to a state holiday in WV)..So I was excited to be able to run at a different time in the day to switch up my routine.  However, I got myself out the door around 9:30am and it was already HOT (I believe temperatures topped around almost 100 degrees this day)….  So a battle of the heat was on.  Mom said I was crazy when I was talking to her on the run, however when she told dad he didn’t pick a side of who was right (Me or Mom) about running at the time…he knows better by now to pick sides. J  I ran about 6 miles today just for the pure mental power of saying I ran 6 miles in heat of that sort.  (Yes I’m well aware some refer to that as stupid)

Thursday- I held off running till later this evening to beat the heat for 2 days in a row.  I didn’t add the extra “Loop” this evening so the run was probably only about 5 ½ miles.

Friday- I took this day off… honestly I have a knee issue that still tends to act up at times from a stress fracture in college…so I don’t want to flare it up this early on and it was really bothering me this morning, so a little ice pack it is.  (Oh the college injury excuse) J

Saturday-  Back at it…and ran about 6 miles and looped around to get the mail down the road a bit to add a little bit more to this run.  It was another little bit hotter of a day, I suppose it makes you feel like your accomplishing more with the extra challenge.

Sunday-  Brock road the bike with me today so I was hoping to get just a little bit more in today with the extra time we had.  It’s funny when I find myself talking to myself in my head about wanting to turn around and then making myself go “one more tree” up before turning around just to think I pushed myself a little further than I first thought.  I ran probably between 6 ½- 7 miles today.

I promised myself on the cold days I wouldn’t complain about the hot days…so I’m zipping my lips.  I suppose that’s one blessing of living in an area of season changes…with this journey taking time, I’ll be battling the best of all seasons.  I have to laugh…there are many moments I find myself in a “head game” with my own self.  I think I wanted to run during the not recommended times of the day sometimes just to prove to myself I did it even when it was a little hard.  Dad always said (and many other famous people/quotes) You never know what race conditions will be one day, so you have to train for all elements.  Now, me saying the word “race” scares me a little bit.  I’m trying to tell myself to complete this marathon, not race it…..as soon as it becomes real competitive I know I can obsessively get involved with it to want to be the best and for this, I’m just wanting to focus on the journey.  I guess I still feel a slight panic as if I won’t be ready…as if this race is coming up next week.  I even get nervous seeing the ticker on the blogger page and even though it says 131 days till the race, I feel like it’s coming up sooooo soon.  I feel like I should be running 15-20 miles each day already. 

I remember when we were in high school and a group of us decided to run the Parkersburg Half Marathon.  With cross country being in season many told us not to “race it”…just “get the run in”.  So we decided we’d pretty much run the race together…but we wanted to embrace the atmosphere as if we were “fast”.  We kept sneaking up further and further into the mile pace time at the start of the race to see if we could get close to the Kenyan’s who were the race winning contenders (and to try to make it on TV).   I think we goofed off part of the race just enjoying the miles.  At one water stop I remember us laughing about something and some lady being mad and saying if we had that much energy then we should pick up the pace and run faster.  (I think she was just hitting a wall at the time maybe) J  Most other runners whom we were running next to would strike up a conversation and ask where we were from and exchange a little conversation before moving along. 

I do have to say, I’ve always loved the “runners world”.  I’ve played my share of sports, and it is within the world of runners there is an unspoken level of respect.  We may be competing against one another, but to be at the stage of competing against one another we realize how hard we both had to work to get to that level.  I think when it was runners vs. runners I pretty much was friends with the groups who was usually in the packs with us (high school as well as college).  Now basketball…. Not so much J  In high school basketball was a bit of a rivalry a little bit and some players seemed to not like the others no matter what as much….but in college I think it’s safe to say my coach would tease and tell me to use my running ability to run the other way from a few rivalry’s between schools and player positions.

 It’s all in good humor, but running is what taught me the most self discipline.  I know if I didn’t log my miles, it would be myself that would suffer the most.  Getting up earlier in the morning on vacation to get your run in before the day activities got started (as well as the heat), morning runs, late night runs.  There were always sacrifices to be made, but you had to determine first what we wanted to achieve out of life and make the sacrifices according to that, otherwise maybe it isn’t worth it to you.  Dad had lots of those talks with me through high school.  There were many times there was something I thought I was really missing out on because I had a AAU tournament or game one weekend, but I realize everything always worked out and there was a good balance of goals and play.  I’d met some of my best friends through AAU basketball who had a lot of the same dreams I had and a group of girls that were going through the same sacrifices as me that helped me understand it is worth it.

So thank you dad, for helping me realize that my life wouldn’t end because I missed something at the time I thought was the biggest event ever J  Values change over time, but we keep learning things from each stepping stone.  I’ve realized so much through this that not every tiny thing has to be perfect….because in life…..things could always be worse, I just wish it didn’t take this battle you fight every day for me to realize it.  Some people never realize just how good they have it till they realize someone so close to them has it so much worse.  I think twice now before I complain about something to second guess if it’s really worth complaining about.

Dad with some of his high school football teamates at a reunion...Sherman High School
(Dad is the one on the far right 2nd row, blue t-shirt)
Dad went on to earn a scholarship to WVU to play football as well as later transferred to Glenville to play Football & Baseball on a scholarship.
Through high school dad made many sacrafices to get to practices etc so he could give himself the opportunity to attend college and play sports.

Happy Fathers Day!

Happy Fathers Day (Belated)

Running Update:

Friday- sadly I slacked this day; I had traveled to Hocking Hills to meet up with some of my friends from OH and didn’t get a run in.

Saturday- I ran a little bit in the morning and then we spent the day canoeing so hopefully that accounts for something J

Sunday- We spent the day visiting dad and the family so I didn’t get home till after dark, which means I have a lot of catching up to do with some miles this week!  One of my next longer runs I hope to do soon is from my “hometown” house to my grandma Nelson’s.  She always hated when I did that in high school because she said it made her worry….so I’ll just not tell her and surprise her one day with arriving all sweaty for a visit J

Monday- I changed my evening run around a little bit, I was still on the road but made a few different loops etc.  I ran for about 45 minutes and the rain didn’t release any of the humid in the air, which caused for a rather hot evening. 

I have to admit, I’ve started this blog post a couple times and been at a point where I’m not sure where to go with it.  Being as it’s a day to focus on our fathers….as you’ve read I focus on my dad a lot.  We visited dad and dropped off some Amish Country Cheese that brought a smile to his face which made the day for me.  (Brock proudly displayed his pictures that showed his catch of frogs from the opening weekend of Frog Gigging knowing well that dad would appreciate it)… Dad was having a bit of a rough day and seemed extremely tired and struggled at being able to respond much.  However a smile and his eyes lighting up makes it a little better.  We had a cookout at my grandparent’s (Nelson) so being surrounded by a family, laugher, sunshine and food of course made for a great day. 

I’m blessed to be able to call my inspiration in life, my favorite coach, and my best friend…”dad”.  Over the years we’ve had ups and downs in regards to learning experiences and perspectives on “life”.  I’d folded up my basketball uniform a few times in high school and set it on his bed saying I quit to prove a point J  I’ve even pretended to be asleep on a few occasions to avoid talks about what I needed to practice on, or should have done differently upon follow up game nights. (He may not actually know that, but I’ve admitted to mom) J  There have even been some life moments where I know he may not have agreed with me on what I chose to do, but he knew enough to let me figure it out on my own, and for that I’m the stronger person I am today for it. 

Dad receiving award at LKC Night of Champions

People always laughed about me never being but a few steps away from dad growing up.  There were always jokes about dad’s big blue truck he use to drive, and he’d be behind the driving wheel and I’d be standing up in the middle seat right next to him.  (Apparently that displays my age as seat belts weren’t required at that time nor the exposure of importance yet)  My number was always #7 from T-ball to Little League because that was dad’s football number. 

I always knew if dad didn’t fully agree with something because he’d ask “are you sure” at least 5 times.  If anyone knows me, I’m never SURE…..I’d rather make business decisions all day and leave the easy everyday decisions to someone else :)  I’m certain I’ve rolled my eyes several times in my lifetime of speeches J  I’m certain I didn’t always agree at that point and time whatever dad was trying to teach me if it really was going to teach me anything….but even if I don’t remember exactly what it was that particular taught me, I’m certain when I look back at specifics it lead me to understanding somehow the place that I’m at.  Dad knows how stubborn I can be, I mean to this day I’ve never been wrong (and if I was trust me I have a justified reason as to how I’m not 100% wrong) J  I was a perfectionist, (still am to a point but I’ve learned to loosen up a little)  Dad even tried to talk me into missing a day of school once for no reason, just to learn to lighten up a little but I couldn’t stand the fact of not having 100% attendance.  I remember being so sick during Cross Country one time dad literally made me go to the vehicle to sleep followed by a visit to the ER because I never really admitted to much pain which meant something really was wrong.  Dad would sometimes ask me why I was so stubborn but I think I usually just stared at me as if he’d asked a rhetorical question that deep down he knew the answer was looking right back at him. 

I suppose that stubborn gene is why dad has put up such a battle with his fight against Parkinson’s.  He’s never let any of us give up at anything.  All the right people who embrace his guidance will learn from all this and take everything they possibly can from it and be a better person because of it. 

Like I’ve said before, I’m not always the best around dad on his bad days.  It’s hard for me to see the strongest man I’ve ever known to struggle.  This journey is helping me deal with some of all this to feel like I’m fighting this with dad in some way.   I asked him on Sunday….”Dad I’m getting beat by 2 people in fundraising that’s on the NYC marathon Team with me…I know I’m not suppose to look at it like that because it’s all for a great cause….but it’s your fault I’m so competitive and can’t stand to lose…is it alright if I make this a competition?”  He shook his head yes and I’m certain he knows it was going to turn into that…and like I said….it’s his fault J

Dad with his 3 Girls

Dad isn’t just my dad....he’s a father to 3 outspoken and loud girls J; he’s a grandfather to Sophie and Carter,  He’s a “dad” to all of “Terry’s kids” from his involvement with coaching…. So for Father’s Day and Everyday…. Thank you dad…just doesn’t seem to justify the level of appreciation for all you’ve done.

Dad and Sophie

Dad with Carter (2009)

Fathers Day 2009 at Mammaw & Pappaw Nelson's

Sorry Dad...no grandkids from me yet...so your stuck with the dog as a grandkid for awhile :)

"She thinks we're just fishing"

Before I get too involved with this story….

**I did run yesterday evening (A little 5 mile run) while stopping to visit a neighbor I always wave at and wanted to at least check in….long story short….he ended up being from Boone County (where dad is from) and we know some of the same people…go figure….funny what a small world)

I heard this song on my way home last night and it seemed appropriate to blog about.  It kinda brought some tears to my eyes as the personal meaning it means to me.  Also, like many other days, the timing seemed funny after my blog I posted, maybe that’s why it caught my attention as much as it did.

A few trips ago back when I was at home visiting…we all were talking about fishing.  I had showed dad the pictures through the TV from my camera of kids at the reunion fishing and all the fish they caught.  We couldn’t help but tell the story of “the one that got away” at Crystal Lake.  You know we all have “that one” that makes a true fishing story exaggerated enough to think it possibly was the biggest fish you’ve ever seen “around these parts”. 

I meant to go through some pictures last night and try to find some photos of fishing when I was younger, so I may need to come back and update some later. 

I have some really fond memories of Crystal Lake (for those of you not from around here, it’s NOT the one from the horror movie Jason)

Dad Being able to fish Shortly after his Brain Surgery procedure (at Crystal Lake).  He was able to get around better for a short while after that.

As kids I was either running laps around the single lane black top path, walking around fishing in all the right spots, laps of riding bike, swimming, in Ryan Jones’s case falling into the lake, soaking up some sun, etc.  It goes without saying as soon as darkness crept up you could find us on the dock setting up camp for a night full of catfishing (don’t forget the chicken liver, my secret hot dog bait, and whatever bait someone mentioned the night before they caught some with).  Sometimes one of us may have taken a break to make a lap around the lake to see how everyone else was doing, but I usually stayed put to show off our catches upon anyone passing by our dock because we had a reputation to keep (ok actually at the time I was too young to drive) J  I think catfishing is a contributor to the lesson of learning patience.  It’s just too tempting to reel a little bit of the line in to see if you just might feel a little tug at the other end, or worry maybe your bait was gone.  Sitting there in our chairs, with our flashlights handy, surrounded by whatever disgusting smell of bait we chose maybe isn’t for everyone, but for me and dad…..it was perfect. 

Now…the one that got away….One day Rick and Isaiah were there for the day visiting (thank goodness they were so I had some witnesses) and I was on the dock casting away.  Upon reeling in one cast I got a bite…a big one…you know one that makes the pole jerk and pull and bend which induces panic and probably a few slight squeals.  Of course quickly followed by the screaming of “DAAAAADDDDDDDD”.  I’m certain those butterflies in my stomach added to the pitch of my voice which created panic to dad and Rick that something bad happened and they came running down the steps.  (Honestly speaking I don’t blame them; we usually were up to something)  This fish jerked, pulled, swam in, swam out…dad kept telling me to let it wear itself out and I kept wanting to reel it in.  We finally fought the fish for what seemed like 3 days….(hence the true fisherman exaggeration here)….  Now…here is where the story goes bad…..  I handed the rod to dad….  Regret #1 (or maybe no regret at all because now I get to place this blame on him).  I was probably driving him nuts upon my way of handling the fish so he decided he better take over.  We finally got the fish close to the dock and dad started to pull it up and it was bending the reel really bad, so Rick decided to reach down and see if he could pull it up.  (It was a bass)  Well Dad thought Rick had a hold of it, so he jerked on the line to do I don’t know what, however that resulted in the hook coming out of the fish and as all big fish stories go….the fish wrestled away and swam off without us getting it out of the water completed to see just how big….But I do promise you it was at least 12-15 inches “halfway” out of the water……  As I type this I feel the disappointment creep back….ohhh thank goodness it was dad holding the pole J

I do think there were a few days of silence between us and I’m almost certain I didn’t allow him to touch my pole after that.  Even though that fish probably would have broken the line far before that if I had been holding the pole, but those are just minor details in the midst of this.

Still Love Fishing :)

Just a little Catch for the Day....notice the 2 chairs sitting on the dock...they always say, try to find a man who reminds you of your dad....(don't worry I reel in my own fish now) :)

Carter's Fish, my nephew, (We may need to stretch the truth on this one when we tell pappaw what we caught in his pond)

Sophie's (my niece) Pretty Fish to tell pappaw About

I treasure all those talks we shared waiting on a pole or bobber to move (even just a little jiggle to stir up some hope) all those nights.  I’m certain that’s where dad and I became best friends. 

Now…I suppose I need to go looking for the next big catch to stir up a good story.  As the saying goes…

“Nothing makes a fish bigger than almost being caught.”

Country Roads...

I have to say…. I’m so glad to be living back closer to home.  This weekend we had my cousin’s wedding and it was so nice to feel “closer” for such a family event. Since moving back to West Virginia, I feel like I’ve seen my family more in a year then I’ve been able to see combined in the last 6 years.  I am a few days shy of “Officially” being back/living in WV for a year J  As the song sings…”Country Roads Take Me Home, to the Place I belong…”  I suppose as my Dayton friends (and college friends in Pittsburgh) tease, I’ve always been a little bit country J

As for the running updates….

Friday:  Ran 6 miles… Tried to have a few intervals of extending my stride just to change up the pace a bit to alter my run a little. 

Saturday:  Ran an easier 4 miles today. 

Sunday:  Ran about 4 ½ miles at a little bit of a steadier pace.  Brock ran with me this evening so it was nice to have some company along the run. (I"m sure this goes without saying with both of us being too competitive for our own good a nice little sprint was added at the end...I won't reveal the results) :)

Monday:  Took this evening off, was ready to go for a run but the weather didn’t look very good, a lot of rain and thunder etc.

Tuesday:  Raced home to try to beat the storm that was looking to take over the area. Of course it decided to get ugly when I was getting off work and during the day it was beautiful as I had to be stuck inside.  I didn’t want to get trapped inside again like last evening so I figured I’d take the chance. I told mom I felt like I needed a ignite start button this evening as my feet where moving, I just didn’t feel like I was going anywhere.   Ran about 6 miles.. on the way home the storm clouds were rolling in so I assume it goes without say my sprint back was a bit of a faster pace than usual.  Nothing like some thunder and lightning to make you speed up a bit.

Congrats Betsy on a Beautiful Day and Wedding!

Aunt Kay made sure we went home with food for dad to enjoy (she spoils him with some of his favorites she makes him) and making sure dad got to share in the day that way.  She obviously knows the way to dad’s heart (well stomach for that matter) J

Speaking of being gone a year, I’m really looking forward to seeing some of my girlfriends from Dayton this weekend.  I didn’t realize the timing of this would be so close to the one year Anniversary J  I’m still debating on who I can convince to go for a run with me while we are there. 

Dad….thank you for teaching me to love the outdoors.  We've spend many days on the banks of the lake fishing and anywhere else we could find.  This time of the year I appreciate so much of loving having anything to do with being outside enjoying the sunshine and cool evenings.  I look forward to bombfire nights, s’mores, and roasting hot dogs on an open flame, even if my city friends are confused at growing up on 72 acres and not being “farmers” J 

Mid Ohio Valley Sports Hall of Fame Induction Memories

Running Update:

Wednesday:  What better way to get over your slump than run till you just decides to turn around?  It was National Running Day….so I got home and easily got into my house (since we fixed the lock situation) J… laced up my shoes….and decided I’d run further down the road and turn around point then I have yet.  So as Forrest Gump would say…”I just kept running”…..  (However I didn’t run as far as him)…but I will J  I ran a few little turns in the road further than I have before…turned around….and even decided to run the flat loop before heading back up the hill….  Today’s run was probably 9-9 1/2 miles (give or take a little)

Thursday: I ran about 5 miles this evening, however I lost track of about 2 of those…somehow I must have been in a trance of thought because when I got to the turnaround point I’d assumed I would turn at I really had forgotten how I got there.  I wish I could say I ran record timing in that little straight stretch…but I don’t think that was the case J  I’ve been researching some apps I may be able to use as a GPS tracking/training for compatible with my Blackberry to become a little bit more “tech savvy” in my training. (Yes I know I’m outdated and need to get with it) J  Any recommendations would be great!  I’m thinking that may help change things up a little bit and start to push me now that my mileage base is getting settled.

Tomorrow marks a ceremony that dad was a part of 2 years ago.  I have seen several articles in the paper recently highlighting the upcoming Mid Ohio Valley Hall of Fame Induction Banquet and it makes me smile to know that 2 years ago dad had such a wonderful turn out of supporters show up to watch him be inducted.   Ritchie County had several tables filled showing their support thanks to a lot of help from Kathy Carpenter. 

For those of you who want to see a little view of dad’s induction speech, you can click on the link below.

MOV Hall of Fame Speech

Dad’s speaking abilities (if any) have been limited due to the effects of Parkinson’s, so you can see my mom here giving the speech.  We look to celebrate that day as it was a great day for dad, and one we know means a lot to him.  Always find the moments to celebrate as it’s too easy to find the moments to bring us down. 

This is just another thing to show just how much dad means to not only me, but, my sisters, my mom, my extended family, his athletes, and more…. knowing the lives my dad has influenced that continue to remember and do great things because he chose to invest his time in their life.

The Family With Dad

Dad with Coach Dave Mossor

Me and Dad

Dad Receiving the Award

Dad with Aly and Kathy Carpenter

Phyllis Haught and Clinton Hardman

Family at the revealing of plaques at the Mall

Angie and Brittany Sellers

Ritchie County Rebels :)

For those keeping up with the Fundraising Friday News…here is your update: 

We’ve had a little bit of a sluggish time as for the donations amount increase…BUT….I’ve been a little in and out with things that is part to blame.  I’ve been working on the organizational part of some ideas…so I know when those happen we’ll have some bigger bumps in amounts J  Let's set a goal to be at $3,500 by the end of this month!  To be at the $10,000 goal by November we'll need to get some events together to help. :)

Fundraising News:

I've been told several times as another goal for our Dollars for Dad project is to get $1 from every county in WV....so who's up for it :) WV has 55 counties I also know which counties we have covered so far from my list....so for WV Pride I think we can do that as well. 

Does anyone want to be in charge of this project? :)  I have always said I need to learn to be a better delegator  :)

 

The states we have represented and donations arrived so far are (It keeps growing!):

Please note also I am still finalizing where some of the online donation people are “Located” to show representation of their location for this project.

(Also please note Canada has been represented) :)

• West Virginia- Counties of (Wood, Raleigh, Boone, Ritchie, Jackson, Marshall, Doddridge)
• Connecticut
• Alaska
• Hawaii
• Colorado
• Ohio
• PA
• Virginia
• Vermont (thakn you for the decorated envelope) :)
• California
• Pennsylvania
• North Carolina
• New Jersey
• Michigan (We met a Faily on our Amish Country trip and after telling them what we are doing they donated)

The address to mail Dollars for Dad Project is:

Team Spangler

Attention: Missy Spangler

P.O. Box 403

Ripley, WV 25271 

Our Team Fox Official Website Has Donations as of now for: $2,579.84 

We are a little over a quarter of our way to our Goal of $10,000!!! We can do this!

The Website for it is (You can click on this link directly and donate via online):

Click here for Team Spangler for Team Fox Donation Page

I will be submitting Dollars for Dad funds & Greeting Cards once we get in $50 increments or after specific events.

We are planning a Scrapbooking Crop in Charleston as a fundraiser with my cousin that will be held in Early October.  I’ll have more details on that soon.

If anyone would like a “Pennies for Parkinson’s” coin jar to display to have people drop in their change, just let me know and I’ll arrange to get you some we are making. Every penny counts!

If you are running the Parkersburg Half Marathon or 2 mile, send me a note at MissySpangler22@yahoo.com. I will add you to a list to update you on any plans we have to do for the day and as a “Team”.

If you would like to write a check and mail it directly to the Team Fox Please Email me at: missyspangler22@yahoo.com and I will email you a form you can use.

 So there is your Friday Fundraising Update J   Thank you too ALL those who have messaged me with projects you are working on to help, comments, goals, suggestions, and so forth.  This is my way of feeling connected with trying to make all of this better…and know how much

We appreciate it!

“Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain”

Alright…I’m sitting here feeling guilty for my semi-rant yesterday and the negative-ness revolved around it (Yes I know some things could always be worse, but some days I find myself just wanting to be grumpy I suppose).  Apparently God wanted to entertain me a little bit and make me “think” about things…so after visiting my Grandparents in Charleston we came home to a house we were locked out of for several hours until a Locksmith was able to get us in J  The spring in our doorknob had broken loose so the door itself wouldn’t operate.  By coincidence too our neighbors had driven by to drop off some no-bake cookies (don’t tell dad because it’s quite possible they won’t make it long enough to share) J and it was nice to have company while we “waited the storm out” to re-enter our home.

I somewhat caught myself off-guard upon walking back into the house and showing my neighbors a few things we got in the Amish Country a frame I had on our mantel with the quote “Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain” I suppose it was a little bit of a slap in my face for my “bad attitude” J 

I did hear from my “mentor” for the Team Fox “team” who has ran the NYC marathon 3 times, and training for a triathlon for Team Fox now….her father also has Parkinson’s so I’m really looking forward to exchanging training suggestions, ideas, and having someone so similar to work/talk with.

I had to “blog” today…as it’s National Running Day! Info Website: http://www.runningday.org  So I’m looking forward to going home (and getting into my house) J…lacing up my shoes and going for a long run to get back on track J  If you have a chance today…..it might make you feel better ….go out even if it’s for not very long…but run to feel a part of something! J

If you’d like a fun project…I’ve become “twitter friends” with a new program/app called Charity Miles…if you have an Android or iPhone you should really check out this app. Their website info is: http://www.charitymiles.org/  (I’m debating upgrading my phone just to get it)…you can download the app for FREE…choose a charity…and they give you so much $ per mile walked, ran, biked to the Charity of your choice. (Bikers earn 10¢ per mile; walkers and runners earn 25¢ per mile, all up to our initial $1,000,000 sponsorship pool.) Team Fox is a top 10 on their site which of course I’m biased too…BUT you can choose whatever you’d like!  It’s an easy way to get movin’ and make a difference!

Also…if anyone wants a “TEAM FOX” sticker to show your support let me know!  I just got some from Team Fox and I can mail you some!  I’m going to stick them on lots of things I send out.  I have a friend working on Team Spangler’s logo to do some T-shirts, Tanks, and Window Decals for us to take orders on so we can tackle running race season as a team J  Just email me: MissySpangler22@yahoo.com if you’d like some stickers.  Also…you can stick them on a jar to help promote “Pennies…loose change” for Parkinson’s….I have a bank who will count the coins for us and write a check to the foundation on our team’s behalf.

I suppose I should sign off today with a typical “team huddle” to kick off National Running Day and motivate us to do something! J

(This picture is prior to the state meet my senior year…I will call out Meghan Walker as to motivating us so much to make us cry prior to the race! Haha….  I think dad shouted “There’s no crying in cross country) or something to make us stop being "girls" :)