Training + Mimi

My half marathon training is off to a good start. It officially began on Monday of this week with some Pilates, followed by running, running, and more running. This weekend I'll be running. Today is a good day b/c it is rest day. A lot of people don't understand how good rest is during training. It's good to have your muscles rest so you have better long runs over the weekend and limit your risk of injury. So, I like Fridays. If you're interested in training for a half, I highly recommend Hal Higdon's programs. Last year I trained using the Novice program. This year I decided to step it up and try out the Intermediate program. I think I am going to really enjoy it and I hope to increase my race pace.

On another note, Happy 80th birthday (on Sunday) to Mimi! We will be celebrating Mimi's birthday tomorrow with the family. Here's a picture of Mimi and Bill. Aren't they the cutest?!?!

Recent excitements

I am excited about the following:

1. My birthday celebration with the Womacks (Josh's parents) tonight. I like it when birthdays last longer than 1 day.

2. The Biggest Loser. This is one of my favorite TV shows, besides Friends and The Office. I don't like to get into too many TV shows b/c of how much time it takes up, but I make time for 2 hours of TBL each week. Last night didn't let me down either. It is going to be a great season and I can already tell who I like. I definitely sobbed during Abby's story.

3. 78th Pioneer Reunion. This is a 4-day Clay County reunion in Henrietta, TX where Josh's parents grew up and where his grandma lives - population: 3,286. We'll be there just this Friday and Saturday, but we are both ready for a break from work and house work - no computers, no hammers, no cleaning rags. We'll go to the parade on Saturday then walk around the courthouse lawn where people set up tents and sell all things Brighton and Texas. We're excited to spend some time with his family.

4. Training for the Dallas White Rock Half-Marathon. This officially starts on Monday of next week. I just printed out my schedule that I keep in my purse. I like to cross off each day's "activity" b/c it helps keep me on track and motivated.

5. Keeping up with Aubrey Michael! Jenn started a blog so we can see Aubrey grow up and hear about her life as a Navy wife.

I am not excited about the following:

1. The lady who has stolen my locker at the Y. I think she is there to stay and I am not happy with this unknown person - I was very used to that locker and now have to find another one.

A big thanks to the Leifestes

Today I (Jamie) celebrated my 28th birthday, and I wanted to share the most meaningful card I received. It came from our bfs in Austin, Gretchen and Aaron Leifeste. It is hard to explain our relationship with them, but basically you know how when you talk or sing to your animals in private, you have different voices? Well, we know each other's different voices. Basically, we are just REALLY comfortable with each other. This won't be as funny to you, but I had to share it.

Here's the picture of the front of the card:

















Here's the card's message:
Once upon a birthday in a bright, delightful world...a happy dream come true was wished for you - the birthday girl!

And here's the personalized message Gretch wrote as Aaron narrated:
Dearest Big Chunk (lovely nickname I know) -
Thou arst the finest maiden in the land
Thou arst so fair and so enchanting
Thine hearts beat for your bosom
We wisheth you the gayest of all days of birth.
-Count and Princess Leifeste

P.S. Thanks to my wonderful husband and family for a great birthday celebration and to everyone for the birthday wishes. To the Womacks - I am excited to celebrate with you this week!

One Day

I am the type of person who has always thrown away anything and everything, if it had no meaning or no space in my room. My mom used to take birthday cards out of my trash can that my grandparents sent me. I am still like this today, and probably even more-so now that we have our own house. I am even this way on my computer - I only keep emails in my inbox that I need to address, and I try to keep that number low so that I can see all of them on 1 screen and I don't have to toggle down to get to more. You should see my folder organization. BUT, today I was going through my hotmail account and remembered that I started a Josh folder back in 2003, and I'd save an email from him every now and then. Some of them were sweet and gushy and I won't share those with you, but I found this one he wrote to Mark Cuban and thought it was worthy of sharing. It made me laugh, and it will make you laugh too, if you know my husband. The subject line was: One Day.

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Mr. Cuban,

Sure I am a 24 year old, 6'2" college (grad) student that never played college ball, BUT...one day I think I will play for you Mr. Cuban. My question was whether or not you have 'try-outs' for walk on players, and if so, when/where are they? My offense is streaky at times, but my defense is what I pride myself in. After watching my (literally your) team for quite a while, I have come to the determination that I can play better D than anyone we have on the Mavs. I am seriously saying this with a straight face.

So, when/if tryouts come, I'll be there and I'll show you. In my high school ball days at Coppell High School, we were taught that nobody comes in the lane for a 'free' bucket. The Mavs don't seem to grasp this concept. When someone comes in your lane, it should only be on the rare occasion that you just got shook, and if that does happen, your boys should be there waiting in the lane ready to punish the person driving. You make them not want to drive to the bucket anymore. That is how it should be. I can and will bring that mentality to the Mavs if given the opportunity. If this does not work out, then I'll fall back on my Auditing career with one of the big firms in Dallas, but I'll give that up in a second for a chance to make the Mavs better.

Thanks for your time Mr. Cuban,

Josh Womack
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Unfortunately, he did not get a reply and he did not try out...yet.