Merry Christmas to all

I hope everyone has a wonderful and beautiful Christmas holiday! Santa's elves have been busy around our house the past few days in preparation for Santa's arrival. My kids are soooo excited.

I'm going to sneak out after breakfast and get a short 3 mile run in while I can. My knee is still aching, but hopefully getting moving will not do any harm and may help strengthen it  a little.

Have a magical weekend!

Arghhh! I must get organized!

Yikes, is it really December 21st? I need to finish my shopping, wrapping, write Christmas cards, oh and plan what to have for Christmas dinner, bake cookies - how will I get it all done?

Having to shop for a car last week and deal with the insurance company took up so much time last week that I couldn't really focus on my Christmas preparations. But, I'm happy to say we found a great used car for my son and I think it will last him a long time, unless someone else plows into him and we have to replace it. But I'm not going to think about that.

As for training - what training? Yep, haven't been able to do much of that either. I had a round of shots put in my knee last Tuesday and it is still sore and I can't see running on it for more than a mile. So, I'm hoping that will resolve itself soon and this weekend I'll be able to get in some sort of run. ING Miami is in about 5 weeks and I need to get back in shape so I can finish with a decent time.

Kids are out of school now until Jan 9th. It's nice not having to get up early and be somewhere. If I could only sleep late, but my knee aches too much that I don't sleep comfortably now anyway.

As for my fundraising goals, I'm at 40%. WooHoo!!! Please help me in my journey to end blood cancer. Donate today by clicking on the TNT link at right or follow my link http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/vancouvr12/jhearn.

Merry Christmas to all and a very Happy New Year!!

Schools' Almost Out

Okay, Christmas is a coming. Kids start early releases today, Monday and Tuesday and then it's winter break!!! Hopefully that will help it seem a lot more like Christmas. I like having the kids home this time of year.

Now for the not so good news. Jake's car - totalled. Yep, so we're looking for a used car now too.

Had another round of shots to knee, so I'm down for a couple of days, which is okay since I have so much going on at the kids' school so I'm tied up anyway during the day right now. But, next week, I'll be able to get on a real schedule. Miami ING is at the end of January, so I need to make sure I'm in shape for that.

I still have a long way to go to meet my goal. I've already raised about 32% of my funds, but really need your help. Please donate today at http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/vancouvr12/jhearn .

Have a great weekend everyone!

What a week!

I know it's been a few days since I posted.Sorry about that, it's just been a really crazy few days. First, my son was involved in a 5 car collision. He's fine - thankfully, but his car may be totaled. That brings us to the next interesting twist. The girl who hit his car isn't taking responsibility and is blaming it on the drivers in back of her, even though she was responsible for starting the chain reaction. So, we're having to go through our own insurance. Great! $1000 deductible - WooHoo! (note sarcasm). However, my biggest fear is that they're going to try and total the car. Since it's paid for and it's a Kia, the payout probably won't be enough to buy a suitable replacement, which, ugh - means more money to be spent when it wasn't even his fault. Oh well, it is what it is and we'll just have to see how things turn out.

Saturday my younger son had his Lego Tournament. They finished around the middle of the pack which was okay since it seemed to me a lot of the teams were made up of older kids.

Sunday, was peaceful and we didn't do a whole lot more than the grocery shopping.

Monday, well, more car drama. Had to go over to Orlando and help Jake pick up his rental. Still waiting for decision on his car.

Tuesday - today Sam's solar system project is do so he'll need to do his presentation. Turned out pretty nice. Although Katie says she wants me to help her with her solar system project next year because she knows I'll help make it "SPARKLY".  I can do that - no problem - love the glitter.

So, looks like a couple more of my donations have made it onto my site. I still have a long way to go. Be sure to help me reach my goal before February by clicking on the Donate now link at right or click http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/vancouvr12/jhearn to get you there.

Gotta go, heading out for a short run, then doctor appointment and volunteering at school. Thanks everyone. Have a terrific day!

'tis the Season

Today was a beautiful day in Florida. Went for a short and easy 3 mile run and then had to go to the craft store for supplies for Christmas projects the kids are doing at school.

Katie and Sam both placed 2nd in their categories in the Science Fair. Because Katie was in the "teams" category she gets to go to the district competition in March. I'm so proud of them both. I was really impressed that Sam placed 2nd out of 61. Awesome!!

Earlier this evening we went carolling at a local nursing home. Everything was going fine and then it hit me like a ton of bricks. I started crying and had to make a quick exit. I guess walking through the nursing home just brought back the pain and sadness of losing my mom this past June to cancer. Every now and again I guess I just need a good cry and it always seems to come out of nowhere. This Christmas will be especially hard as it will be the first without her. And, although my dad passed away many years ago, I still get teary eyed at the candlelight service at church when I think of him.

Well, on that cheery note - sorry - I think I'll call it a night. Lots to get done tomorrow! Sweet dreams everyone.

WooHoo!!

Class is over and I actually think I got an "A" in the class. Hoorah!! Spent some time at the kids' school too looking at Science Fair projects and doing some project work for teachers. Can't believe how close Christmas is getting. It just snuck up on me this year.

Now, I'm trying to finish up some of my fundraising letters to send out to people, called Belk about doing some gift wrapping and YEAH!! I see that new donations have posted. The donation made by me for $91 was actually money I received from bucket drops. Little by little I'm going to reach my goal.

Help me out here!! Thanks for listening. Peace . . .

Cookie Exchange, Science Fair, Lego Tournament, etc.

Yesterday was a fun, but busy day. We had a cookie exchange at church which yielded our family a huge box of cookies! And, what made it extra special was that my daughter, Katie, who is nine, made our cookies this year. They were funfetti cookies and she was so proud of them. And I must say they were really good.

Then after the cookie exchange, we headed home and had a nice family game night. This morning I was able to fit in a short run before heading to school and helping out the teachers with a couple of projects for science fair. Now, I need to fit in some time for studying for my final. After that, we have girlscouts, then more studying.

Okay tomorrow will be another busy day. My day will start with taking my final exam! Last day of my microcomputer class! Hip, Hip, Hooray!! Then I'll go pick up lunch for the judges of the Science Fair and then focus on my fundraising for Vancouver. I still need to finish my letters. And, my son still needs to prepare for the Lego Tournament on Saturday.

If you'd like to help me out with my fundraising, you can make a donation by clicking on the TNT - Donate Now link at right. Thanks everyone out there for helping make a difference in the lives of many.

Peace. 

Another One Bites The Dust!

So, the Magical Day of Giving has ended. It wasn't that successful a fundraiser for me today, but I did meet some really nice people. I met a man who was doing laps and his niece, Isabella - 10, just had her port taken out. She is doing great. I told him I'd add her name to my list of honored heroes I'll be running in honor of in Vancouver.

A lot of people out getting their Christmas shopping done. Hmmm, I guess I really need to focus on that too!

Now, I need to get cookies baked for a cookie exchange I'm attending tomorrow - Yikes! Better get baking. Bye for now . . .

Magical Day of Giving!

Tomorrow, the Merritt Square Mall is having a "Magical Day of Giving". There will be prize give aways, entertainment and different charities will have tables set up through out the mall. I plan on having a couple of raffle baskets. The LLS table will be near the mall entrance of Dillard's. Please stop by and say hello, make a donation, enter the drawing for the raffle basket and get  your $5 discount card from us. The discount card will allow you to receive all kinds of discounts from the various stores and restaurants.

Come out and get some of your shopping done!

Campaign underway

So, today I'm finishing up my letters to donors and preparing for a fundraising event on Saturday.

Which I might as well tell you about. I'm participating in a fundraising event at the Merritt Square Mall on Merritt Island, on Saturday, Dec 3rd from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. I will have a raffle basket(s) and will be accepting donations for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Please visit me and say hello.

Then tonight, I have a conference call with my Team to discuss how to get started in their campaigns to raise funds for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

Sometime I have to fit in volunteering at my kids' school and studying for my final on Tuesday.

My knee is feeling somewhat better than on Tuesday. It still has stiffness and the range of motion is limited, but it doesn't hurt nearly as much as the last round of shots I received. Thank goodness!

Have a great day everyone!

Space Coast 1/2 Marathon - Check!

Well, completed the Space Cost 1/2 Marathon today! It was a great day. I'm a little sore, which I guess I expected since I haven't been on a real training schedule. Overall, it was a beautiful day. It was warmer than I would have liked, but it was still not bad weather.

Now onto training for the ING Half Maraton in Miami. Now that I'm not working at Target and classes will be over soon, I can concentrate on my training again.

Have a great day!

I Survived Black Friday!

Well, I survived Black Friday. My BFF and I went out shopping at 6:30 AM. The crowds weren't that bad actually. But neither one of us was impressed by the sales and we were not pleased with the treatment we received from the salespeople at Macy's and Beall's. And our waitress at Cracker Barrel must have forgot about us and I had to send my eggs back because they were cold. It was actually rather a depressing day of shopping. But Leisha and I managed to have a few laughs and it's always good to hang out with your girlfriends. I got home around 1 pm and then had to immediately get ready for work.

Yes, I had to work 2 pm to 11 pm at Target. Thank goodness that was my last day. I have decided that standing on my feet for 9 hours on nights and weekends and earning minimum wage is not my type of job. I don't know how some people manage to survive on the pay they receive at some of these places. Don't get me wrong, Target is a great place to work. The people are great and they care about their employees. But if I was the primary bread winner for our family, we would not be able to live on that kind of money. It once again reminds me to be thankful and content with what we have as we are very fortunate to have a roof over our heads, meals on the table and clothes on our backs, not to mention all the extras we have.

Well, tomorrow is another challenge. The Space Coast Half Marathon! After that, I am really going to have to buckle down and get serious on my fundraising if I'm going to make it to Vancouver. Don't forget you can help me in my battle to end blood cancer by making a donation. Just click on the TNT link at right or visit my website at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/vtnt/vancouvr12/jhearn.

Thanks for listening to my ramblings on today! Have a wonderful weekend. It's absolutely gorgeous weather in Florida today! Another thing I am thankful for. I'll let you know how I do in the Space Coast once I get home.

Thanksgiving is almost here!

I love Thanksgiving. It's my favorite holiday.

I'm starting mine off with a traditional 'Lil Gobbler Run I started last year. My family and friends gather at my house at 7 am and we head out for a short run - about 5K. We finish at my house and toast the day with Mimosas and light snacks. It's the perfect start to the day.

In the afternoon, we'll head over to my BFF's home for dessert, a game of Scrabble, and then Leisha and I will plan our attack for Black Friday!

I can't wait! Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Gobble, Gobble, . . .

Doctor, Doctor - Help

Okay, so it's Monday, almost a week after having my first round of shots and my knee is still hurting. Not good - I have a race on Sunday and haven't been able to do any running for over a week now. Ugh!! Why me???

Well, guess I'll give the doctor another call. Hmmm, will post outcome.

Still down!

Well, I'm still down but my knee is feeling much better. I think I can try a short run this weekend - yeah! It'll be slow and easy, but at least I'll be back on the road. Space Coast 1/2 marathon is next weekend, so need to get off the couch and get some exercise.

Tonight is the talent show at my daughter's school. That should be a lot of fun. Two other moms and I are the back up singers for our girls.

Don't forget to donate what you can to the cause. Click on the TNT link on the the right. Thanks.

Down for a couple of days

Well, I started some therapy on my knee today. Got a bunch of shots to help heal ligaments and tendons. Hopefully it will only keep me down a couple of days. Space Coast Half is Sunday following Thanksgiving and I need to get a little more road time in before then.

Fingers crossed that all goes as planned.

Day to Rest

Another fabulous day in Florida. Beautiful weather. Have the windows open and gentle cool breeze. Awesome. Nice relaxing day, scrubbed floors, laundry, swept out the garage and then sat down and played some with Wii with my boys. Now my hubby's getting ready to grill us some steaks for dinner. Perfect ending to the day.

FABULOUS FLORIDA!

Today is why I love Florida. Sunny, breezy and 60! Awesome day to run the 520 Causway. Although I'm still trying to get over a cold, it was a great run. I can't complain. The view was great. I mean I'm guessing there aren't too many places you can run while watching dolphins play and windsurfers.

So, my training focus right now is to be ready for the Space Coast Half Marathon Thanksgiving weekend. Then I'll start focusing on getting ready for the Miami ING.

My run for TNT is in May in Vancouver!! Woo Hoo!! I have a fantastic team and we are all running with a mission - to find a cure for leukemia, lymphoma, Hodgkin's disease and myeloma, and improve the quality of life of patients and their families.