and i don’t want to hear any noise about how overdue this is.  Read the rest of this entry »

i just purchased my birthday gift and am very much looking forward to it.  this was the conversation with hubby earlier this week: 

me:   i know what you’re getting me for my birthday!
he:   are we doing birthdays this year?
me:   yes, and you’re getting me a fabulous present so thank you very much! 
he:   do i get to know what i’m getting you?
me:   you’re getting me tickets to a cirque show!!!  i love you!

i’m excited.  we’ve been to la nouba three times and it’s a little different each time and always excellent entertainment.  i haven’t gotten to see any other cirque shows so when i heard one of their broadway series was coming to our little town, i could barely contain myself. 

*while i’m doling out birthday love, i should also wish a very HAPPY one-day-late BIRTHDAY to my BRUDDER whom i love very much.  i already called and assaulted his ears.

i have [finally] gone back and added pix to my marathon recaps.

my cousin just finished her very first marathon in 7 hours exactly. She ran victoriously across the finish line and settled into a tired walk.

across the finish line - i was blinded by the sun and totally missed the shot

victorious wave

It’s beastly hot out here so I can’t imagine how hot and tired she truly is at this point. She finished 26.2 miles within the official time limits! You rock, cousin!!! I’m so proud of you!!!

and now a word from our coke sponsors...

my cousin - the marathoner!!!

UPDATE:  i don’t think that i mentioned that bl (my friend who’s name was on my cousin’s back as she ran), my dad, your MIL, and my SIL all called our phones to check on you and send you mental encouragement during your run.  bl said you were an inspiration.

I have not had much luck with Internet this morning but it has been an exciting time. I’m exhausted from watching all of these runners! We arriveded in time to see my cousin enter the magic kingdom at mile 10.

first sighting - unloading on sherlock

She looked great and was at a 14:52 pace.

my cousin approacheth

happy to finally see us

obligatory castle pic

running in honor of bobbert and jackie - both battling lymphoma

We then met up with Sherlock and made it back to catch her coming out of of the castle.

out of the castle and doing the YMCA???

off she goes!

Us three then caught a seat on a nice, air conditioned bus over to animal kingdom.  While we were on the bus, she called Sherlock to let us all know that she had passed the halfway point and was feeling great!  When we arrived at Animal Kingdom, we knew that it would be a little while before she ran through so hubby and I bought some overpriced Disney muffins (we hadn’t yet had breakfast) and found an empty spot along the runners’ path to eat and cheer. I felt hateful glares from the hot, tired, and starving runners while I consumed my pastry.

waiting for our marathoner

We cheered my cousin through the animal kingdom parking lot, which was just short of the 18 mile mark for her.

continuing with the YMCA in animal kingdom

"am i done yet?!"

She quickly took a gulp of Sherlock’s coke and continued on her way at a roughly 16 minute pace. She’s doing great but is ready for a pizza! We then got on another air conditioned bus to come back to epcot. We are sitting in the shade next to the finish line awaiting her arrival. We expect to see her in less than an hour. Unfortunately, we are unable to keep up with where she is at since her phone seems to have died or been turned off since her 13.1 mile call.

my cousin just called me to let me know she has been running for an hour and a half, 6.4 miles, but we’ve only just arrived. I really would have liked to have been here for the start but since we’ve still got a six hour drive ahead of us, that just wasn’t happening. Now to find Sherlock and get over to magic kingdom to see our runner!

would be the total lack of sleep combined with getting out of bed at the crack of the-sun’s-not-up-so-why-am-i to join my cousin for her morning run.  i struggled today.  she’s gotten much faster than last time we were here when i didn’t have any trouble keeping up with her.  today, i got way behind on the walking minutes and had to catch back up on the running minutes but at least i did it.  if only i could drag my sorry-butt out of bed that early to run back home.  all total, hubby and i did approximately six miles in seventy-eight minutes.  not too bad.  now i’m tired, headachy, and hungry even after eating.

but work has been busy and i’ve been having a good time hanging out with family and friends.  i promise to start posting some pix and recaps in the next few days.

welcome to 2009, folks! My wish for this year is that it is free from tragedies and funerals. It’s really been a rough few years in those department. Here’s to a year of joy, prosperity, and fun for all of us!!!