Please be patient...God isn't finished with me yet...

The title of this post comes from a pillow my mom needlepointed for me when I was a baby. Ironically, I don't think she ever finished the needlepoint...which brings me to my purpose for writing tonight. Sometimes I get impatient and want to feel "accomplished" in work, in family, in projects. But what does accomplished mean? Does it mean finished? Does it mean you stop there?

I certainly hope that is never what it means for me. I am slowly realizing that that is one of the purposes God builds into us - to always grow, keep changing, keep learning. There is never an "arrival". But strangely there can be rest and peace in moving forward and restless turmoil in standing still when you shouldn't be. I guess this will be a short post for tonight but this topic has been on my mind and I at least wanted to start to write about it.

Grandpa's Poem

He was quiet, like snow falling on a dark winter night;

But the twinkle in his eye revealed his soul filled with light.

Deliberate, he never said what didn't need saying;

what he did say caused smiles, relaxing and staying.

Patient, the man did not hurry.

The right words would come, he did not worry.

His days were filled with chores - he called it puttering.

Listen as carefully as you could, you'd never hear him muttering.

He repaired, he helped, raked, planted and mowed.

The tasks he did for others, that's how his love showed.

He had goods to sell, but sometimes he just gave.

His generosity during The Depression was some folks' big save.

His jokes and stories supplemented his wares at the store.

If you listened long enough, you'd want to hear more.

He moved in his own time with the needs of others as his gauge.

Only when you understood the story, that's when he'd turn the page.

Arthritis crippled his joints, but he wasn't moved by the pain.

He stayed silent, but passed on that his joints said it might rain.

If patience is a virtue, Grandpa had more than his share.

Its hard to say goodbye to a man so rare.

But now the time has come, Grandpa has moved on from this life.

I can't deny that I'm happy that he's again with his wife.

I knew I'd have to face this great loss one day;

I didn't know it would hurt this much but I'm glad he's on his way.

His joints were hurting too much, he couldn't garden anymore.

His eyesight was failing, he couldn't help, he couldn't putter, everything was too sore.

But now he's all healed, his fingers straight and nothing hurts.

I bet one of the first things he did was button one of his shirts.

He's in heaven with God, and not a second too late -

To greet his wife of 67 years, his other half, his soul mate.

Marathon and Catching Up

Hi to anyone who might be out there! I haven't posted in so long but just thought I'd write more in case anyone is still around :)

I'm a little nervous for my first full marathon ever which will be Oct 9th. I've been doing long runs on the weekend and I know I can do it - just don't know how fast I'll be. As you can see below I am running to help raise money for Tails of Courage. My best friend started this nonprofit and she and other volunteers have made so many people and dogs happy by finding the right match and loving homes for dogs that are in danger of being put to sleep. You can click on the chip in below if you care to donate, it is tax deductible. The picture is Caroline, a rescue dog who was adopted to a wonderful home. She even has her own car seat now :)

Its been so long since I checked in I don't know where to begin. I finished law school in 2008 and have continued working in the same court in a different position. It has enabled me to get more involved with volunteering at a nursing home and to run longer races. B is doing great at his job and we are enjoying the early fall activities!

Hello again to everyone and I hope you have had a blessed year, have a wonderful evening!

Running for Tails of Courage

I am running the Hartford ING Marathon October 9th to collect donations for Tails of Courage! If you would like to donate, please click the link below. Keep reading for more details about Tails of Courage.

Tails of Courage is a non-profit animal rescue organization committed to rescuing dogs from shelters. They are entirely funded by donations and depend on volunteers.

They do not have a shelter or boarding facility, but instead rely upon foster homes to shelter and nurture the dogs until a loving home is found. They are always happy to answer any questions about adopting a new pet and will gladly provide any support people may need throughout the adoption process.

In addition, each animal is tested, and upon meeting a series of criteria may be chosen for training as a therapy dog for a Soldier at no cost to the military member.

Their organization evaluates, tests, trains, qualifies and assists therapy dog/handler teams in order to provide loving, nurturing and compassionate visitation in nursing homes, hospitals and psychiatric facilities and other locations where emotional support dogs are needed for America's active and veteran military.

Christmas, Double Bridge Run and Catching Up

Spring is just around the corner - I feel it, despite the fact that the wind sounds like banshees gliding through the trees in our yard. Just wanted to post that I'm still alive! Been trying to keep up with job applications and just fell into a slump with not posting. Ever notice that even though February is such a short month the winter storms make it feel the longest?

I have the day off today and I'm going to my Grandma's for lunch, gonna make her some Chicken Marsala that she loves so this will probably be a rushed, very noncreative post. B has been away at training so my hermit self needs to get my butt in gear and stop staying home so much. I do have some pictures from Christmas again (never too late right?), the Pensacola Double Bridge Run. I met my friend Sara in Pensacola this past weekend for the run, its a 15k - its such a great time of year to do this run because it was about 70 degrees there and this is about the time I want to have a throwdown with old man winter if I have to get frostbite on my hands cleaning the inches of snow off my car one more time. So it was great to go outside without a coat and actually put my feet in the water. And it was so good to see Sara, in my old age I'm appreciating more and more the value of those close friends that you can trust with anything and that are like family.

Well, I'm off to make Chicken Marsala for Grandma! Have a blessed day!

Christmas decorating with friends

This is a quick post to get some more pictures up. B and I spend the evening tree-decorating and gingerbread house making with friends. Uh, as you can see, the men were extremely happy about the tree:

New York

Well, the dramatic results period is over - I passed the NY Bar too! Whew! I think the biggest impression I've felt is thankfulness that I never have to study for either Bar again and that all that time wasn't wasted. I hope to catch up on blogs and commenting - I have lots of reading to do :)

Now, on to -- what? I don't know, but here are some pictures from our trip to the city on Veteran's Day. We seem to be on a cycle - I think I posted pictures from the city around this time last year. I hope everyone is doing well and I will be writing something more interesting soon; just wanted to post these pictures and the Bar news! (Best quote of the day from B while in NY, at a fancy italian clothing store (after the pretentious but friendly saleswoman just alerted us to the fact that yes, the $5,000 suits are indeed on sale for a measly $3,000 to $4,000 here's B- - "I can't take it...between the smell (there was what must have been toxic amounts of fancy cologne wafting around every corner), the french rock and the retarded clothes, I have to get the F out of here.") I know, I don't swear but somehow the quote just isn't as funny if its not the exact words.