Blog 365 ~ Happy Homemaker Monday 3-27-23

Popping in this Monday and joining in the Happy Homemaker Monday series with Sandra at Diary of a Stay at Home Mom 

The past couple of weekends have been jam-packed filled with race/run events for my RaceRise team and I'm Loving every minute of it....even when it means I get round face 'wind burn' from wearing headbands. Read about them Here  and  Here.

Last year I told the team 2023 was for sure going to be EPIC for all of us, and so far so Good. I gained another group I'm helping with promoting/advertising/influencing/ambassador for. I'm a 'New' Chamber member which gave me the opportunity to meet the local paper President & Publisher who then invited me to start submitting race photos to the paper again [something I've missed doing] and get road athletes recognized for their achievements. A Runners Mom and More Radio Segment is going Very Well, some locals are even acknowledging my info from the show when I'm out and about. Physically I fell I'm in decent shape considering my age and beyond grateful to be able to do all the things I want w/o many limitations...Thank you Jesus! My Gal Pal groups are phenomenal, I'm truly blessed to have each and everyone one them in my life. Enough of this stuff as I'm starting to feel like a braggart!

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** The Weather **

It's starting to feel More & More like spring....I even did a ''top off'' mowing in the front yard yesterday.

 course the hub's reminded me that once you start it's an every week chore...😵well it's added to the #todolist

** As I look outside my window **

It's 🌞sunny, no wind, Birds 🐦 chirping...can't wait to get out in the yard later this afternoon.

 ** Right now I am **

Working on this post, waiting on the hub's to get home from hand re-hab & eye Dr appointment. We both have a lunch meeting to attend before getting 3 PurrBoys from the vet's office.

** Thinking and pondering **

How Lucky I am! [now I'm going to Brag] Spiritually Blessed, I have and amazing hubby, a great Life, comfortable financially, Great Friend's, a devoted wife/mother/grandmother. [sigh] Life is Good...busy, But Good!

 

** What I'm reading **

 'A Flicker in the Dark' by Stacy Willingham [pleasure reading],

Daily Devotions [spiritual],

Still plugging along with Atomic Habits [business/self-improvement] 

** TV Shows this week **

Anything new on regular CBS - guilty pleasure RHO & Vanderpump Rules on Bravo

** Menu Plan **

Options carried over from last week [?] Veggie Bowls, Hot Dogs w/slaw, Tortelli Alfredo, Chick Parm, Pork Loin w/scallop potatoes, Veggie Soup, Fish sandwich w/swt potato fries, Cauliflower Bake, **New Options**Meat Loaf Patties, Frozen Pkg Meal, Grilled Chick Breast, Ham slices w/mashed potaotes & gravy

  

** Goal/To Do List **

All...The...Things...

** Around The House **

Basic household chores daily ie; sweeping, kitchen, make bed, bathroom.

** Project this Week **

Clean off dining room table as it's become an Office Desk😒, get more organization to office..

** Todays Motivation **

** Favorite blog post last week (mine or other) **

Kristen @Going Country 

** Something fun to share **

** Looking forward to this week **

Several meetings this week, Bible Study, Gal Pal meet up, Silver Sneakers, tilling up raised beds, Lunch Ladies meet up, Coffee w/Friends Friday, 

** From the camera **

Took the 3 older PurrBoys to get teeth cleaned because Proper Pet care is a Must for this Pet Parent!

L-R Roadie, PunkN, & Goober

** On my prayer list **

Our Country

** Bible verse, Devotional **

1 Peter 5:7 

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.

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Blog 365 ~ Race[s] Re-Cap

 

As I mentioned on last night's post I 'Bandit' photographed a race prior to the one my team RaceRise hosts.... I can't leave well enough alone, I just don't have it in Me!! And because I hope runners know what was going on, on 'our' side of the course I posted this on my social media.....

View photos Here---> Bandit Photography

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Now onto the Looong Day of race photography...First of all the Wind...Was...Brutal !! I felt sorry for the runners. But once they all got settled in camp style spots around the start/finish line area, they got their bibs & shirts we were ready to get rolling! 

 Numbers were down somewhat this year not exactly sure why, thinking a Brainstorm session needs to happen soon. 

Bob got the first wave of runners going, only 13 signed up for the Solo 26.2 Marathon, the rest were relay teams of 4-8.... and we had a few Jumpers...

      

    

I was Thrilled to see so many of my regular runners kids and it fills my heart everytime they want a selfie with 'ol RunMom... 

     

Of course though I try and do my thang all during the race, dancing, giving high fives, encouraging words as they pass me or when they're finished, the ⭐STAR⭐ of the show was Maisie ! Kim's Boston Terrier 

 she got a medal just for being So..Stinking...CUTE!! Almost makes me want one...almost 😏. But when you have cats that DooDo bigger than she is, well you should get the picture...

As I mentioned the Wind was Brutal....Look at the Kid's hair.

I'm glad she wore glasses to cover her eyes...

Her team name was Danville's Finest and was the Ponies division Winner...

[L-R] Robin, Shana, Bobbie aka the Kid & Lori

Everyone that finished got a medal & gloves, all the winning teams received a Quarter Horse water bottle along with medals & gloves.

Again, a Very...Looong...Windy...Day! Bob sent me home after 6hrs of doing the best job I could do taking photos, being the RunMom for all who needed me or wanted me.

My apologies to Nicholas Chandler #546 I wasn't there when you finished - I did however get you several times before!

1600+ photos later I decided to make 2 links for sharing....of course they are always FREE to download, and hopefully they will Like - Follow - Share my FB page.

Photos can be viewed HERE---> Set #1  and HERE---> Set #2 

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Blog 365 ~ Looong Day

 It's  been a very Looong day filled with "Bandit" photography & 6 hrs of photography covering Quarter Horse relay....

Blog 365 ~ Feline Friday ~ Friday Feels

 

Thinking this photo of our PunkN is just too Cute! It's like he's saying 'what'cha doing Mom?' He and the other 2 older boys won't be happy with me next Monday though....taking them for teeth cleaning. I Know!! Why are we doing this. Well they are 11yr, 6yr, & 5yr....it's all a part of pet care parenthood.

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Friends Friday with coffee at 'our' local spot Dry Stack this morning. The hub's didn't go today though. He had a bad night with his hand. Something we [I] learned during his recovery from leg surgeries is when the body is finally at rest, your nerve endings are better able to ''talk'' to each other and ''reconnect'' for healing. ...UNFORTUNATELY... IT'S WHEN YOUR BODY IS A FULL REST MODE!! Guess What ?? It's during the Middle of the Night!! So, around midnight he's rummaging around the first aid tub looking for ointment and tape...[it was right there in front BTW]. Then at 3am he's looking for pain meds...he refused to get anything too strong so 500mg Tylenol is all there is.. 😩 ..OMG! Yes it was a difficult night for him, but it was for me as well. Rehab starts Monday morning, there's no telling how painful that could be for him. 

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It's been raining hard most of the day here in central Ky. Our race tmrw is a looong one as it's a Marathon/Half-Marathon relay OR you could choose to go either distance on your on. The Kid has a team [Danville's Finest] and I'm looking for to not just them, but all the other teams coming, so far there are 29 teams signed up with anywhere from 4 - 8 runners per team. I'm just hoping the rain clears up. At any rate I did go and get a few clear plastic drop cloths & clips to make sides on the pop-up so at the very least we [the Kid & team] can stay warmer & dry..🤞..

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Back home to get a few daily household chores done, balance the checkbook, update online bill pay, balance the rental house acct., update race calendar, read my Devotional, and a chapter in my reading pleasure book, 2 loads of laundry, and worked in the office a couple of hours. Luckily dinner is leftover roast/potatoes/carrots/grn beans...and luckily the hub's doesn't mind! 

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Charging my camera batteries, planning breakfast on-the-go for in the Early:Thirty morning tomorrow, along with portable lunch of wrapped mozzarella cheese sticks, Then settling in for the evening. Hope everyone has had a Good, Dry Day! 

Blog 365 ~ What am [was] I Thinking??

 2022 Flying Pig event....Not quite sure What in the World I was thinking last year ?!? All I know is I [apparently] got caught up in the moment after my runner girls finished their race last year and decided I was going to tackle my first Half Marathon at Flying Pig..🐷.. WTH am I Thinking?? I've participated in the 1 mile and 5K...but signed up to include the Half Marathon for this year!! 

See this crazy look on the PIG above?? Yeah, that's going to be me!

Or most likely this ...

Sooo, have I been training for this ?? 😬Ummm, NO! And the race is a little over a month from now..... Craaap! [sigh] So I did finally go out for a 'walk' to enjoy some of the unexpected great weather & temps, deciding OK let's go for a long one and see how we do....about 3miles in I got thinking to myself 'this is Stupid! and Why did I sign up for this?' and then I see this....

That's the sign I needed today....

With that I took a couple of my Honey Stinger Chews and continued on. Deciding to do a 'longer' walk on a whim is not something I would suggest anyone do. I texted the kid and told her the rest of our little 'girl gang' that's going can go take showers and come back for me 😄and I'm ok with wiping off in the car coming home, 'cause I'll probably be about 5hrs to my finish...verses their 2.5!  I did stop a few times and stopped my watch while getting a drink, to answer a text and when I stopped at the park bathroom....

there's no stopping the watch during the race, I have 43 days to get my 💩 Craaap💩 together. Get my ARSE in gear and get some miles logged. But for today I have 6.3 complete!

Thank goodness I started dinner in the crockpot this morning, I'm showered and going to relax for a while, Line Dancing with the gang tonight....[geesh I'm a glutton for punishment!]

PS: I still have 2 blog post to do for Monday & Tuesday 😵

Blog365 ~ (2 drafts to finish) Wordless Wednesday today

 

Blog 365 ~ Long post Ahead...Grab something to Drink & maybe a Snack

Weekend Re-Cap of Triple Crown Races.....

Starting on Friday evening I went to a 'new' to me race location. One of my runners is a volunteer at the YMCA in Paris Ky and was helping to organize their 1st 5K. I couldn't pass up to opportunity to help her & them...

OMG it was Cold !! And to think I drove 1 1/2 hours 😀 to be out in the middle of NoWhere...but, for those that showed up to run it was so worth it to see them cross the finish line.  The Paris-Bourbon County YMCA has served their community since 1913. The Y is in the business of nurturing the potential of children and teens (Youth Development), improving health and well-being (Healthy Living) and motivating people to support their neighbors and the larger community (Social Responsibility).

Several supported the Paris-Bourbon County YMCA by participating in the Shamrock Shuffle 5K Run/Walk or Fun Walk on the beautiful cross country course in Bourbon County Park. The 5K course was almost exactly the same course used for the 2022 KHSAA State Cross Country Championships! How cool was This!! 

Starting the race coming 'down' a hillside and not in a orderly line-up was very different and wasn't expected, getting photos was challenging!

Photos from the race can be viewed HERE---> YMCA Shamrock Shuffle

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After getting home and trying to get a few hours sleep it was EARLY:THIRTY on Saturday morning for Lucky Leprechaun Half-10miler-5K event. 

This event was postponed from earlier this month due to the storms/tornado we had. We didn't end up with the attendance like we normally would have, [many choose virtual option because of other races] but we still had about 350 runners show up. so all in all it was a good turn out. The weather was a 'Brisk Cold' first thing, and I did add an extra layer of gear. I Always get to the race events early to assist if needed for packet pick-ups [race bibs, shirt detail etc] and Saturday was no different. I was able to help 'my' local kids by getting their stuff and having it ready for them in my car...it doesn't sound like a lot but  you'd be amazed how great it feels to sleep an extra 30 minutes knowing your not going to stand in line to wait. 

A little about the race: The RESCHEDULED 6th Annual Lucky Leprechaun Half Marathon, 10 Miler & 5K in historic Versailles, Kentucky was originally planned for Saturday, March 4th but was postponed due to the severe wind storms/tornados in Central Kentucky.

WE REOPENED ONLINE REGISTRATION FOR A LIMITED NUMBER OF SPOTS IN THE 13.1, 10 MILER & 5K.

Race shenanigans will start and finish at beautiful Falling Springs Recreation Center in Versailles and feature a scenic course on country roads passing through the heart of horse country. The race will benefit The Foster Care Council of Kentucky and The Woodford Humane Society. 

              

From the First runner in .. to the last runner to finish 3 1/2 hours later I'm there!

This RaceRise produced event is PERFECT PREP RACE for Run The Bluegrass, Derby Half/Full, Flying Pig, or Horse Capital races.

Photos from the race can be viewed HERE---> Pre-Race & Start line and HERE---> Finish Line

Results are HERE---> RaceRise.com

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Dance Blue was another event going on that I was originally going to but well you know postponements happen....

Details about the race are Here---> DanceBlue 2023 Results are Here---> RaceRise.com

Back Home to get photos loaded and get a few household things done then it was time to meet the 'R-Jong Tribe' for dinner with the hubby's. This was the first time ALL of us have met for a night out and it was Amazing! My poor hubby, I've put him in so many social situations. Early in our relationship I warned him it would happen. I'm a severe Type-A, him not so much. But, he had a great time just like I knew he would. [ No pic for the first outing, we'll get the guys on board for them next time ] Afterwards he said 'Roob you realize we're the peons of the group...😮 well I didn't know what my friends hubby's did, all I know is all are retired except one. So our group has broadened to include a retired Corporate Lawyer, retired AT&T Electrical Software Engineer, retired Government D.E.A. agent, and a Pumanologist that is ranked in the top 5% in his field locally and in our region. We're a diverse group for sure!

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Finally, Sunday morning and off to church to take new 2023 Board photos...

I'm still having a spiritual struggle at FCC, but I'm going to finish all my commitments then most likely start attending FBC on a more regular basis. The hub's is a board chairperson and has a longer FCC commitment than I do. We'll just be a split household for a while.

Left church and headed to my final Triple Crown race event The Burke 5.74K.

This event is a favorite of mine. It honors one of the police officers that was killed in the line of duty. The out pouring Love & Friendships he had was amazing! 

About the race: This event is being held in Memory of Officer Burke Rhoads of the Nicholasville Police Department. It was an honor to be able to have this 5.74K in remembrance of him. We are thankful for the FOP and Nicholasville Police Department for hosting this event. The community has shown such tremendous support for our family and the officers of NPD. We are grateful to be able to give back to the Fraternal Order of Police and the Nicholasville Police Department with the proceeds from the run that will support the community programs in Jessamine County and the City of Nicholasville.

WHY A 5.74K?

Simply put, Officer Burke Rhoads was a unique and rigorous individual and his badge number was 574. The Nicholasville Police Department retired his badge but it only seems fitting to bring it out of retirement to make an event as distinctive and challenging!

 This canine wasn't gonna be cold!

and we had one officer who ran with his pack!

Review photos HERE ---> The Burke 5.74K View Results HERE ---> RaceRise.com

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Tomorrow is a Brand New Day AND First Day of Spring! Hope you have a great rest of the night.