[ Happy Homemaker Monday ] -- #chapter65 on 4/20/20

It's My BIRTHDAY and #chapter65 in Life !

I had been hoping for 'some' kind of celebration, but alas with the Corona stuff going on it will just be another day....with quarantine guidelines.

Looking in the mirror at the older me I see wrinkles,

the young me sees them as laugh lines,

the older me see age spots,

the young me sees freckles highlighted from being active,

the old me see my hairline riddled with gray,

the young me sees the opportunity to wear the newest headband/visor as a way to pull up the curly locks I still have,

the older me see the aging/crepe skin from batwings developing,

the young me sees the arch of toned muscle when I lift.....

the older me made many mistakes, raised hell, drank to much, made poor questionable choices, married and divorced 2X, came close to financial ruin, was a single parent to my daughter, and ''fostered'' many other daughters,

the now me is amazed I managed to pay off a [High] five figure debt, 

the now me has an amazing Adult daughter but is still my baby girl as well as my ''foster'' girls,

the now me has Grand Children,

the now me found love and got married to someone who has the same life goals,

the now me craves the structure of Faith, of organization, of schedules,

the now me is Mama Ruby to road athletes...LOT's of road athletes,

the now me has No regrets..None..Zilch..Nada from the before's,

the now me is looking forward to this next #chapter65 

Now onto Happy Homemaker Monday and linking up with Sandra

The Weather:

          It's Crazy here in Kentucky...temps are up then down...we've had great Sunny days, Gloomy overcast days, Rainy days, it even Snowed last week... Luckily today was a fairly sunny day..

My Feelings Today:

          Happy to be as Fit & Healthy for someone age 65...did I mention it's my Birthday today!

ThoughtsToday:

          I'm beyond grateful for so many blessings... #chapter65

What I'm Reading:

   getting ready to start this book. Thinking we would have a colder more difficult winter I'm glad I had stocked up on reading material last December...[ stupid Corona virus ]

Menus for the week: 

       Leftover Sweet Teriyaki Chicken w/rice

       Stuffed Sweet peppers w/ green beans & small potatoes

       Meatloaf patties w/ veggie side dish

       Pot Pies

       Sweet potato, veggie pack, cottage cheese & sliced tomato

       Spag

       Pork Loin w/alfredo noodles

       

House chores:

       Every day Basics get done, ie..sweeping, bed made, dishes,

TV this week:

       Night time soaps = anything RH on Bravo

       we have lot's of movies DVR'd for late night viewing.  

This weeks Project:

        Raised garden bed completed this morning for my niece and her family..Wood we had on hand, 60 bags of top soil, 

   

Week Goal:

        Get some kind of activity Daily

        Complete a Virtual 5K

        Blog at least 1 more post

Prayer/Devotion:

        1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

       " always be joyful. never stop praying. be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus "

Hugs, Kisses, Be Safe Wishes !

A Starr is Born~Literally~HappyBirthday Starr!

As Promised working my way to update the blog with races ...but first I want to Show Case one of my Runner "Kids" Starr Gantz...

 

*****But first here's some important info on my ShowCase Runner*****

 

Starr retired after 42 years, having worked in Adolescent Medicine in Pediatrics and Young Parents Program in OB Clinic as a Registered Dietitian at UK. One door closed, and another one opened, she decided to become a Team leader for the March of Dimes/ March for Babies, and strongly believes in their programs to prevent preterm deliveries and that they are making a difference. March of Dimes provided research funding not only for the polio vaccine, but many more for babies.

This year her Step Challenge raised $1200! Friends and family donated to the March for Babies and then attempted to outstep her for a week. There were only 3 that did, Marcus, Tommy, and Mindy. Fifty eight people participated, and everyone received a prize.Last year she raised $1800. I agree with Starr, babies are our future and deserve a fighting chance.

Meeting Starr was by chance after a race that the Kid was doing in Lexington...this is where we have met Many of my Runner Kids....About 6 years ago, Starr decided that after walking 10,000 steps per day for years she decided she could get her exercise done faster by running. It was a disaster. Which led to her having to use an inhaler after only running past 3 houses along her street. Starr like all runners I've met didn't give up, and kept adding more distance to her attempts. She eventually found a trainer, Larry Jackson at Synergy Inc. Through her training she was able to build her strength and endurance. Her mileage now can average from 10-30 miles per week depending on what she is training for. Quoted from Starr "Running is something you do for yourself, not for anyone else". "And yes, I do run for the bling!" and Oh the Bling they all have acquired....

 

She enjoys  running by myself or with friends. Along with the friendships (shout out to the Flamingos {there are Four Original Flamingos} and Weekend Runaways) made through Running, traveling, and so many fun experiences is really what Running is all about. I've witnessed not just her but most of the runners like running all the various distances, and though she 'says' come June this is really going to be her last marathon referring to the first in Kentucky Women's only Filly Half-Marathon.

She joined Bluegrass Runners because of wanting to be part of putting on the Thoroughbred Classic on Thanksgiving, as it was great way to give back to the community.

 

Those of us that Know and Love Starr also know her love of Chocolate!! Last year the kids competed in 3 Hot Chocolate races. It was fitting then for her to become a HotChocolate Ambassador....a Perfect Fit indeed.  As Ambassador she shares her 'code' for those that want to also enjoy in the fun and of course CHOCOLATE! So those who want to do a destination race to Nashville use code NASHSTARR19 for extra swag in your bag.

 

Starr turned 65 this year and OMG is More out of Control than ever before...it's the hormone patch

so it was fitting to have a Race Birthday party Flamingo Style...

She IS one of the original Flamingo's More on that later.

 

During this years Quarter Horse Relay at White Hall in Richmond the Kid and her buddies put on a Lavish "tent" flamingo style surprise Birthday party before, during, after the race.....talk about pink galore, I'm not as fond of the color but have learned to go with it as I too am part of the original Flamingo's. There were flamingo blow ups, cut-outs, banner, water bottles, thermos containers, lawn deco,

 

 

as well as a Flamingos cupcake Cake from Sweets by Cindy (she did amazing as always)..

The Race itself was The Most Miserable I've been too EVER!! Rain, Sleet, Snow, Snow with Sleet, Cold, Wind you name it [only in Kentucky]....the Worst! But it was Birthday Girl weekend and the kids pulled through to make it a day Starr would remember...

Starr & Bobbie aka the 'Kid'

 Maggie Tibbles & the Kid

the Kid & Lori MacGregor

Starr & Lori

 

The next day, March 25th, after going through Cold, Rain, Sleet & Snow...she did her 'official Kick-off' Birthday Walk of .65 miles in her neighborhood which by the Grace of God is was Sunny and only slightly cool {again crazy Ky weather} the Kid and I went to help celebrate and get some steps in...she mapped out a course through her neighborhood, had a water stop, and also had a Beer, Wine, snack stop before finishing at her home where you won prizes for completing the walk A~N~D more food!

So Here's to you my Starr, and one of my Star performers...I will see you at many more races to come as well as share many more hotel rooms during the Weekend RunCations!

 

 

Hugs, Kisses, Run Safe Wishes!

 

a Runners Mom & More





 



It's my party and I have NEWS to Share!!!

Well Hello again....It's me the long lost wayward Blogger. After a few difficult months things are looking up Finally!!

I recently had another Birthday and I'm proud to say I made it to Life Level #63....

yes folks this chick made it to 63 and love it.

The space I will be occupying in the paper will be show casing a 'Featured' Road Athlete, I will be playing catch up with several races I've been involved with so far this year, but, as the Blog Title states I'm MORE than a runner's Mom. I hope you take time to enjoy some of my endeavors as I continue to go through this thing called my Life.

To start off let me tell ya a bit about me...I'm the oldest child, have 1 brother who still lives in Indiana {yep Hoosier by Birth--Bluegrass Babe by choice} Type "A" personality that has got me into trouble more times than not...'cause unless you Really don't want to know don't ask....you may not like my answer. I'm named after my GrandMa Ruby and I feel like I get a lot of my heathen traits from that side of my family. I'm now married to my 3rd hubby{and Last}, there will be more on him later, I retired from my 'For Real' job 2years ago encouraged by the Hubby {he Loves me}, I have 1 daughter who thank the Good Lord is not exactly like me but can be if need be {you will see/hear more on her later} she has 2 daughters and has been with the same man for 27 yrs now....more on him later too.

Both of my parents are deceased, but I have my Step-Father still here in Ky and grateful for his love to all of us.

Since my retirement, again I'm MORE than a Runner's Mom..I've managed to keep busy with a number of things, as a Walker I do several 'virtual' 5K races during the year {this year I'm doing 1 a month}, I'm partnered with Lexington based RaceRise Timing group doing race photography as well and help plan several Lexington/Louisville races  (my Runner Daughter is a Ambassador for them) we also travel to different locations for races, member of Lexington Ave Baptist Church, I have a fairly sizable group for the Get Moving challenge and have set up WednesdayWalks for those that want to attend (there's also prize drawings from me), I'm a active volunteer for GABBF, Boyle Co Trails Alliance, on the Board of Directors for Dash for Danielle, planning committee for Brass Band 5K, MOPS volunteer when in session as this takes care of my Grand Baby fix since mine are grown, I help organize the local WildernessTrace Run/Walk series, the Campaign GURU (as in 'I do it all') for my husband Steve who is running for 5th District Magistrate, I'm Ambassador for SOXYFEET - BondiBand - and just recently accepted as a Just Strong Ambassador, do to getting the yard in shape after the LONGEST Winter weather I can remember I haven't gone to the gym this week but will resume my KettleBell, RIPPED, and Zumba classes.

So here I am 'A Runner's Mom and More'....I will submit to my Sports Editor and he can decide if I get published or not I already know and understand local sports will come first {as it should} and we'll go from there... my first Road Athlete is not only a star to me but her name is Starr as well!

Stay Tuned there's more to come!

Hugs, Kisses, Run Safe Wishes!

 

It's no Big Deal!!

58 years old - That's me!!
Good Lord where has the time gone?
But more importantly what have I done?
I've managed to raise one fantastic daughter who surprised me by becoming a runner,
and is quite good at it,
She has been with her high school sweetheart for 21yrs and have blessed me with 2 grand-daughters,
I have 2 other 'daughters', SIL's and grand children that I wouldn't trade for anything in the world,
 I'm with the man of my dreams and will be married in October,
I've managed to lower financial debt from past divorce and have a small amount saved for a
what if day,
I was published this year and now can be considered a
'sport' photographer
(thank-you runner daughter),
I'm still at the job {36yrs} that my mother said I wouldn't last a week at because I was too spoiled,
I'm a cervical cancer survivor,
I'm working at becoming a Blogger!
 

 

 

arunnersmom~~that's what I am!