17

I've heard it said that people come into our lives for a reason.  We are led to those who help us most to grow if we let them and we help them in return.  I don't know if I believe its true, but I know I am who I am today because I knew you. -Wicked

I realize I've already done a shout out to my college girls, but there are some individuals from college who specifically will be mentioned.  Today is one of the greatest human beings I have ever met.

Sarah and I lived down the hallway from one another when we moved into college in the fall of 2000.  We didn't get to know each other right away--she hung out with a girl I couldn't stand who stole everybody's food all the time.  I quickly found out that Sarah was just too nice to tell that girl to get lost, and somehow, Sarah and I started kicking it.  She and I have laughed endless laughs and shed tears together.  She woke my rear end up every single day my junior year to make sure I got to Biology 101 when I slept through my alarm.  We would rollerblade on the Waverly Rail Trail and laugh at her inability to tell the difference between a cow and a horse.  She came out to visit me in March of 2010 and we got to road trip around the Outer Banks, NC--and this all after she was stuck in airports for 36 hours due to a storm that came through.  Sarah has always been a giver, taking care of those around her and in the past several years going on Mission Navajo, a trip organized through her church in which she goes to help out on a Native American reservation.  Sarah is one of the most dependendable people I've ever met and I know how lucky I am to have her in my life.

I'll be staying at Camp Sarah Louise during my marathon weekend.  It will be the first time we've seen each other since March 2010 (minus the 10 minute stop at the Albert Lea truck stop at Christmas last year) and I am beyond excited to hug that girl!!

Lou, every one of us who has become your friend knows how incredibly lucky we are to have you in our lives.  :) 

18

Someday I'll find a way to show you just how lucky I am to know you. -Faith Hill

Labor Day weekend of 2000, I stepped foot into a state, into a city, and onto a campus where I did not know a single other soul. After 4 years at good ol' Wartburg College (U rah rah rah), I walked away with the most amazing friends that had become more like sisters and less like friends. Though I live over a thousand miles away from each and every one of them, and some I haven't spoken to since Rebecca's wedding, I still am thankful every single day for them. They are now spread out throughout the Midwest (IA, NE, KS) and the world (Spain!), but I know that if I ever needed a thing from any single one of them, they would be here in the blink of an eye. I will get to see a few of them when I'm back for the race--I wish I could see them all. For my Vollmer Ground/Res 107/Res 204 girls, and to those who let me pretend I was Knights Villager, thanks for the years of companionship, filled with:

Singing with brushes & curling irons

Eucharist on Wednesday nights

Stealing bagels from the caf

Road trips to anywhere under the sun

Scary movie nights

Waking me up in time for class

Singing Sisqo & Kelis

Midnight breakfasts (those were so fun!)

Guitar jam sessions

You've got Mail

Bring it On

Big Bootie

Quote wall

And so much more.

Love you always, girls!!

19

A teacher has two jobs; fill young minds with knowledge, yes, but more important, give those minds a compass so that that knowledge doesn't go to waste.  -Mr. Holland's Opus

Today's blog is going to be short and sweet.  I could probably write an entire 5-paragraph essay about her, as she is the one who taught me to write them so well, but I'm afraid she would then send it back to me with corrections that need to be made. 

Kinka, ADBK, LLR, La

What I can say is that the phrase "When one door closes, another one opens" is evident in her involvement in my life.  Surprisingly enough, I was an arrogant fool in my younger years.  We wrote our first paper of the year in Advanced English 10 and turned it in. I got it back with a D.  Are you kidding me--a D?!?!  I had NEVER EVER gotten a D before, and I sure wasn't going to start now.  Surely my teacher had it wrong. I approached her and asked her if there had been a misunderstanding.  She explained to me that my expectations were much higher than before and that I was no longer going to be able to write a paper in 30 minutes the night before and expect a high grade.  I might have thrown a small tantrum as she clearly didn't know who I was and wasn't going to make exceptions for me.  She sent me home with a wounded ego and an offer to rewrite the paper for a higher grade.  When I got my returned paper back again with a B on it, she wrote "Don't give me anything less than this again."  Man, she was one tough cookie!!  More surprisingly, I was hook, line and sinker from then on out. 

This was only the beginning of the challenges she gave me.  My senior year, I took another class with her--one that typically students took just for an easy A, despite the amazing literature that was covered in the class.  Upon signing up for the class, she informed me that I would not be taking the same class as the other 20-some students, but would have an alternative syllabus with different/more challenging assignments.  She followed through on this and my expectations were twice that of any of the others, and I rose to the challenge.  On the less-than-educational side of things, she challenged me, personally, to really examine my life and figure out who I really was. 

ADBK, La, LLR

To this day, I still keep up with her, and plan my visits back to the Midwest so that I'm sure she'll be available to see me.  I can't believe that I haven't been her student for 11 years, and I still keep in touch with her--and her with me.  She was the ONLY person in life who ever challenged me to truly rise to my potential--until the past year or so when I began to challenge myself to do the same.  She went from being a warden, to a teacher, to a mentor, to a friend.  She will forever be one of the most influential people I've met in my life journey and will forever be indebted to her.  The guidance, safety, challenges, and caring that she offered were the window that opened when doors were closing, and I climbed into that window and held on for dear life. 

I look forward to seeing her face, the first familiar one I will see, when I get off that plane on October 12. 

20

Courage! What makes a king out of a slave? Courage! What makes the flag on the mast to wave? Courage! What makes the elephant charge his tusk in the misty mist, or the dusky dusk? What makes the muskrat guard his musk? Courage! What makes the sphinx the seventh wonder? Courage! What makes the dawn come up like thunder? Courage! What makes the Hottentot so hot? What puts the "ape" in apricot? Courage!  -Wizard of Oz

Naked baby Riah

As we are at the 20th day of the countdown, it seems only appropriate that it should be for my 20 year old sister, Mariah.  As I have never EVER called her by her first name, I will no longer refer to her as that for the remainder of the blog.  She does have over a dozen nicknames--but I will use the one I use most, Riah.

Riah & La in France--eating cheese!

She and I have had an indescribable connection since before she was even born.  I ALWAYS wanted a little sister.  I would go to the window at my house on University Avenue and peer out the window and recite "Star light, star bright, first star I see tonight, I wish I may, I wish I might have this wish I wish tonight."  I'd then squeeze my eyes closed very tightly and repeat "I want a baby sister" over and over again.  I was CERTAIN that this was the reason my Mom got pregnant in 1990--wasn't I surprised when the birds and the bees explanation came!!  Riah was due in late May of 1991, but like the 2 babies before, my Mom knew she would be late.  My brother and I were getting tucked into bed on June 3 and all of a sudden I knew it--the baby was coming.  I wouldn't get into my bed until I packed an overnight bag.  Despite my parents both encouraging me to go to bed, I refused until that bag was packed, even waking up my brother to tell him to do the same.  Finally, I was packed and I let my parents tuck me into bed.  Within the next hour or two, my Mom came in to wake me up.  "Why?" you ask?  Because the baby was coming!!  We got dropped at the sitter's house while they went up to the hospital.  The next morning, my Dad showed up at the school to get us to go up to meet the new baby!! 

The fam!

From that night forward, she and I have always seemed to have had a telepathic connection--the thing you read about that twins have, except we are not twins (although my Grampa can't tell us apart, so we might as well be twins!) and I'm 9 years older.  She and I have had endless inside jokes, memories, fun times, and times that we just had to get through together.  She's one of the few people I can actually argue/fight with.  She's also one of the only people I don't hold a grudge against after the fight is over (Riah--sorry for holding you down and spitting on you when you were younger--I hope ou can forgive me).  She's the worst person to share a bed with (bed hog, covers hog, and "breathes deeply") but I'd gladly share one with her anyday if it means I could see her.  She is great at car trips--even when I am forcing her to hold a bag of sliced watermelon when the bag has a hole in it--except when I let her run the radio and we can't agree on which playlist/CD to listen to.  She has more "Dorothy" costumes than a Halloween store (and in various sizes--and a basket with a Pound Puppy) and can recite EVERY SINGLE LINE of Wizard of Oz from beginning to end.  She's one of the most musically gifted fools I've ever met, speaks French fluently, appreciates the old cartoon Recess, and keeps every secret I ever tell her.  She's the only visitor I've  had in NC that has visited more than once (I think it is 3 or 4 times?) and my Mom and I are the only visitors she had when she lived in France all of last year. 


The French Fam--Riah, Fred, Titouan, Steph & Manon

And while the kid is only 20 years old (she loves being reminded of the fact that she's still a kid....or not....), she is one of the bravest and strongest individuals I have ever met.  My parents (bless their hearts---oh, the joys of southern terms) were less than thrilled about the idea of Riah going overseas for a year--and who wouldn't be?!  It is far away from home, she knew nobody there, and it was costly.  While this is an experience that most of us would love to have but never take because we are chickens, Riah took it head on!!  She had the best year of her life and found "family" in a "new home."  I suppose if I have to share my sister with somebody, they are the ones!  So this kid is no  Cowardly Lion, that's for sure!
So there you have it, folks:  Sister of the Year award goes to Ri.  Or, as we like to say it: Riah geth the thithter of the year award, folkth--yes, we think lisping is fun, but even more fun to type out!



Cousins!  Lexie, La, Riah, Spencer

I also should add that Riah is going to do a 5k on the marathon day and is coming down from WI to see me.  Even though she wouldn't come to Elkhorn to pick me up (JERK!), she's still the best sister ever.  Best one I've ever had, anyway!!  And yes, she is available for rent, but not until she gets her butt back down here to visit again soon.  20 days till our race, Thithter!  XOXO

21

When the night has come and the land is dark and the moon is the only light we'll see, I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid just as long as you stand, stand by me.  -Ben E. King

When you think about the vastness of this earth, the population of the globe, and the absolutely minuscule possibility that my life should cross paths with others--my head could nearly explode.  .00000014% chance that I should meet any one individual--much less the individual who has been my longest friend, Amy. 

Amy & La, Summer 2010

We met when my family moved to Elkhorn, so I'd say when I was about 4 or 5.  I'm fairly certain that our Moms were in a baby-sitting coop together and we went to the same church.  I remember playing with Amy when I was little, and I most certainly remember when her house burned down (her family reports that this did not happen, but that a neighbor's house had a fire....).  I also remember my Mother trying every angle to get me to eat vegetables (and I still won't eat them), including "You know, Amy eats her vegetables."  The best stories of us happened when we became much closer when we were in high school.



Amy & Brooklyn

High school is a tough time for every teenager, and I was no exception.  I believe my senior year, I had 6 of my 8 classes with Amy, so at least I had a reason to show up for class!  She and I also did choir together and the plays/musicals, as well as driving to school together and sitting at the same lunch table.  There are so many details of our friendship--most of which she documented and attempts to remind me of because I forgot to much, but the one that is the most important:  Amy is always there for me.  When I was younger, she'd give me her Nature Valley granola bars for lunch & remind me about every test we had coming up.  Now that I'm older, she picks me up at the airport when I fly into town & checks in (despite her insanely busy schedule) regularly with me & my running progress.  Amy has known me from beginning to now and despite the stupid choices I've made, the selfish times I've had, and the insanity I've exposed her to, she has never once let me down.

This year brought about a significant life change for Amy.  She and her husband had their baby girl, Brooklyn, who is the most miraculously beautiful little girl I've ever seen--in pictures.  Less from 3 weeks from  now, I get to see her live!!  I know how incredibly lucky that baby girl is because she has the most thoughtful, loving, and dedicated Mother that the earth has ever known.

Amy Danielle, you have always been the constant in my life and I hope you know how much that has always meant to me.  :)

22

Families are like fudge--mostly sweet with a few nuts.  -Unknown

Well now that we've covered the Wulff Pack, we will go onto "The Other Side," not to be confused with "The Dark Side." 

Tom, Spencer, Lexie, Nancy (and a Bitty Baby)

As far as relatives go on the Jones side, I have one uncle, aunt and 2 cousins (one of which is my God daughter).  They are an energetic and entertaining crew!!  But since I can remember, we have spent Thanksgiving with Gramma and Grampa at their house and all of my Mom's cousins have joined for this tradition, as well, so they are also a part of "The Other Side." Counting my great aunt and great uncle, their kids, kids-in-law and grand kids, there are a total of 22 of them--so if we have all of them, plus my first cousins, we'd have a house of 32 at Thanksgiving.  And of course, Gramma doesn't allow for any feasting to occur until we have counted off everyone in the room, joined hands and done a prayer of Thanksgiving for our meal, our family, and our safe travels.

Aunt Meridee, Morgan, Uncle Lea

Every single one of these relatives is great--the age ranges are from 82 (Gramma and Grampa) to 5, and everywhere in between.  Thanksgiving and Christmas have always been my favorite holidays--and not because of the gifts--not that there are gifts at Thanksgiving.  One of my favorite comedians, Jim Gaffigan, does a shtick about family traditions and holidays:

Thanksgiving. It’s like we didn’t even try to come up with a tradition. The tradition is, we overeat.
“Hey, how about at Thanksgiving we just eat a lot?”
“We do that every day!”
“Oh. What if we eat a lot with people that annoy the hell out of us?”

Curt, Jody, Ethan, Peyton & Brenna

Nancy, Riah, Ida

Fortunately, that was never the case for me!  Well--the overeating part was true--but not with people who annoy me.  Eh--I take that back--sometimes the kids can get annoying--but in general, it has always been fun.  Not only does our family Thanksgiving time consist of amazing food (the usuals:  turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, corn casserole, etc., in addition to some Norwegian/family favorites:  lefse, Swedish meatballs and rice ring!), but other fun activities:

Jean & Charlie on the left--
they saved this lady's life last year!

-Uncles debating whether or not the lake is frozen enough to walk on--and then watching one fall through, clearly losing his argument
-Playing Canadian Rummy
-The kids/Dads going outside to play football
-Watching Vikings play
-The kids nagging about wanting to go to the basement to play pool
-Tom telling the kids that the basement is haunted
-NAPPING
-A post-dinner walk


One of the best parts of Thanksgiving:
Seeing Nancy!

Since moving to the South, I have only been back for one Thanksgiving (it gets pricey to fly back, especially doing it 2 months in a row for Christmas and Thanksgiving), but I have committed to myself that I will do it every other year.  This year is an off year, unfortunately, but that'll make next year all that much better.  I just hope somebody saves me some rice ring.

So mile 22 is for the Jones & Dobberstein family!

23

I don't care how poor a man is; if he has family, he's rich.  -M*A*S*H

Zoe & Uncle Al

As I sit down to write today's entry, I laugh at the irony of it.  It is before 7:00 AM and I have corresponded emails with Uncle Al several times already.  Today's countdown post goes to that off (drum roll please)......

THE WULFF PACK.

Not everybody has a last name that is always misspelled, awkward to say (who puts an L and an F next to each other?  Germans!), but allows for a family title as beautiful as "Wulff Pack."  We are quite the crew.

Christmas 2010--Ugly Sweaters!!

My Dad is one of 4 boys and 1 girl.  In the South, my Dad would be described as "the nee baby," meaning second youngest.  All of the boys look alike--tall, bald, and have the same face.  And hairy backs.  All of my male cousins have that to look forward to.  Hey, Wulffs are hairy, what can we say?!  The entire Wulff pack consists of my family (Mom, Dad, Riah, me), 3 uncles, 4 aunts, 7 cousins, a cousin-in-law, and a brand new tiny baby boy!! 

Baby Jake & Baby Nate--did Jake remember his shoes
this year?

I did write earlier this week about the difficulty of living far away from family.  I grew up about 4 hours away from all of my MN cousins, and light years away from the VA cousins.   Despite this distance, I think every time I see any of my cousins, we interact more like siblings and less like cousins.  I'm the 3rd oldest of our generation--and the oldest girl--and the shortest of everybody (except the new baby--good thing he came along or I might have a complex!!).  The Wulff pack has developed some great family traditions--some of which have already been mentioned, but I think further detail is only appropriate.

"Up North" 2011

When my Grandparents were younger and their children were young, they began going on vacation "Up North."  For those who are not from the Midwest, "Up North" is a generic location meaning "somewhere in Northern Minnesota."  The brothers chose to carry on this tradition with their children, so summer after summer throughout my youth, we spent a week Up North with all of the relatives.  Every family had a cabin at a resort on the lake.  My Dad would bring the boat, Kev's family would bring the DVD player/VCR, Allan's family would bring the most amazing taco fixin's ever, Grandma would bring every condiment known to man in an old medicine bottle that she'd reused, and Ateen would bring the Mad Libs.  Every night, each family took turns hosting dinner, so we would rotate from house to house.  During the day, the adults mostly sat around reading or sleeping while the kids played in the water, knocked around a volleyball, and listened to Zoe whining (sorry Zo Zo, the truth must be heard).  The evenings were filled with bonfires, s'mores, ghost stories (Jake always told the best ones) and Mad Libs.  We all tubed, waterskiied, and spent an entire week with the family. 

Jenny--so happy!

Every Christmas has followed a very traditional meal--pizza.  Everybody would show up at Grandma's (and since she died, the uncles have taken turns hosting) and bring a few pizzas with.  Ateen mans the oven and hot pizzas are coming out every 10 minutes.  In the rare event that there is no pizza out, fear not!!  Grandma Penny's secret family recipe frosting has been placed upon delicious sugar cookies and these are eaten by the handful.  When Grandma lived at her old house, all the kids were to eat in the basement and the grown ups upstairs.  As a young child, I remember that we took turns opening gifts--but I couldn't tell you a single gift I got at Christmas because I was more excited to see all the relatives.  We always have a gas of a time.  In recent years, we have also added games to our Christmas Eve agenda, spending time laughing and enjoying games like Balderdash, Things, and always making time for a Holiday Mad Lib. 

Half of the dogs

As the Wulff Pack seems to mingle with its own kind, our family gatherings are also overrun with animals.  Between my Aunt and my Dad, I believe there are about 8 or 9 dogs at every family event--most of them collies, with a beagle & an Australian Shepherd in the mix.  Again--not a fan of these 4 legged beasts--but it wouldn't be a family gathering without them. 

Baby Zoe

When I moved down South, I had no idea how far away I would be from family.  Much to my surprise,  my VA cousins live less than 2 hours up the road.  My aunt's family has taken me in as their own, as well, and I've been lucky as can be to get to know this branch of the family that I've known the least because of the miles that had always been between us. 

Al, Jeff, Kev, Rusty & Andrea--Wulff sibs

My uncles are like having extra Dads--and hook me up with oil changes/car advice, free eye exams, and life advice.  And political opinions which provide free entertainment.  My aunts are like having extra Moms--Teresa even introduced me as her daughter at a volleyball game last year.  And as a whole, the entire Wulff pack works together as one, supporting each other in times of need, and providing laughter at every opportunity.

Nate, Riah, Jake, Zoe, Jenny, La, Mitch, Amy
Missing Aaron & Martha!

A couple of my cousins will be joining me at the marathon in Des Moines--and have even taken it a step further and registered for the 5k so they can also run that day. 

So if I have to get stuck with a last name like Wulff (double u-u-ell-eff as in frank, eff as in frank.....no double u U, not o, yes U, ell, eff as in Frank, eff as in Frank--yes, two effs,   yes a u--yes I  know it is an unusual spelling--oh you know someone who spells it like that?--well that's great--yes, we are German--yes, 2 F's....), I'm glad I can share it with my Pack!

Baby Aaron & Baby La

24

The greatest gifts you can give your children are the roots of responsibility and the wings of independence. -Dennis Waitley

I have received several emails/posts in response to yesterday's post, correcting me on a sundry of things.  Just to make sure I'm getting the truth out there:

I need to clarify your memory. The gals were arguing because they couldn't read the other's shorthand. Therefore, they were "quarreling" about cheating, which I thought was pretty hysterical.

Penny did not just volunteer for Meals On the Go until she died at age 85... she was the HEAD of it right up until her death!   When she got the news that she had pancreatic cancer, she was forced to back off for the last month of her life. Her phone was ringing off the hook with distress calls from people 15 years her junior wondering what was happening to the meal program.  She redefined (should I say clarified?) for me what greatness really looks like. I feed the birds every day now...

Today's actual post, however, is about my folks.  So--changing gears.

Riah w/ the folks
Note;  That s not me, it is Riah.

 Since moving to North Carolina, I have worked full-time as an Intensive In-Home Specialist.  In English, you ask?  My teammates (a team of 3) and I are assigned a teenager who has mental health/behavioral issues that are impairing his/her ability to function in the home, school and/or community.  As we all know, children are a product of their environments, so my teammates and I rotate through the clients, with one of us assigned to visiting them in the home each day for a couple hours.  Our time there is spent working with the child, the parent(s) and the family as a whole.  This job has given me enough crazy stories to write a book, but it has also given me the opportunity to really look at parents as a whole. 
Despite the significant malfunctions we see in these homes, I honestly see--in EVERY single parent I have met--noble intentions.  The Dad who beats his son, the Mother who has a new boyfriend every week, the parents who are more focused on Springer than on their kids--every single one of them has good intentions.  It has also allowed me to look at my parents in a whole new light.

Riah's return from France, 2008

They also, like my Grandparents, have been there since the day I was born--and 9 months prior to it, actually!!  Obviously, by default, it becomes their job to teach--well--everything.  How to walk, how to talk, how to read, how to ride a bike.  All of these tasks they were successful in....and I did learn cuss words (and used them on Gramma when I was 3) and the first time I rode a bike, I didn't know how to use pedal brakes and ran into the neighbor's garage. 

However, some of the most valuable lessons I actually learned were that of being responsible, that of being independent, and that of being understanding/open-minded.  One such experience of this was a family vacation (the only one we took) to Jamaica when I was about 14.  We were able to see extreme poverty, and happiness amongst the people we met there, showing us that personal belongings were absolutely no measure of one's worth, but one's worth was that of self-measurement.  We were always taught that we were nothing more or less than anybody else, so passing judgment upon others was an irrelevant idea--that there is no better/worse, only differences that can be appreciated and learned about.  And while I will forever be jealous of all the kids in the world whose parents pay for everything, I have met many-an adult who has yet to figure out how to take care of him/herself financially because he/she has never had to be responsible for him/herself.  Both my sister and I travelled alone internationally by age 17 because we had the confidence, independence, and support in doing so. 

Pau, France, April 2011

The other value that was instilled and will forever remain is appreciating those people I have in my life.  We spent summers on vacation with our extended relatives.  While we lived hours away from them, we got one whole week of each other, non-stop.  Not only did this allow for Mariah to eat 4 breakfasts every morning, but for all of us cousins to spend time together and with the "grown ups."  We spent every Thanksgiving and Christmas morning with the Jones family and every Christmas Eve with the Wulff family.  They even paid for me to go to France this year to see my sister because they understand the importance of our relationship. 

My Dad also attempted to teach me a love for animals--see the pictures of him on here with all of his weird animals--and that lesson failed.  I don't like them--in a box, with a fox,  here or there or anywhere, not in a car, not in a tree, so let me be!!  However, that passion for helping and caring has been foundational in allowing me to do my job, and do it well. 

Thanks, Mom & Dad.  See you in 3 weeks, folks!

25

Therefore, be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams; it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.  -Desiderata

This is part of a longer writing that used to hang on the wall at my Grandma Penny's house.  Today's countdown post is for her.  I'd like to say it is for her and Grandpa Russ, but he died when I was just a wee babe, so I don't remember him at all--thus, making it difficult to dedicate it to him.  I imagine that he is probably a lot like my dad and uncles, though.  They all look alike and have very similar mannerisms (but very different political views!!), so I imagine that's from Russ.  Grandma died several years ago, so she won't be at the marathon in TWENTY FIVE DAYS, but I can only imagine how proud she'd be if she were there.

Grandma Penny as a young child---Riah and I looked
exactly like that!

I was always jealous of kids who lived near their grandparents because they got to see them so often. I lived 5 hours away from both sides of Grandparents, which made for the longest car trip known to man as a young child (it was compared to lengths of TV shows--10 Mr. Rogers shows until we get there!).  I do know how lucky I was, though, that both sets of Grandparents lived in the same town.  My parents are  high school sweethearts and after they got together, both the Jones and Wulff Grandparents became friends--and my Grandmothers became best friends.  When Grandma Penny died, Gramma Bev was just as heart broken--if not more--as all of the Wulffs.  It was pretty great to have them be so close, and allowed for visiting not to be awkward--I never worried if I was offending one Grandparent when I went to the other's house.  They were friends and were happy to share!

Grandma Penny was a woman who gave more than anybody I've ever met.  Every Christmas Eve was spent at her house eating a buffet of pizzas (we Wulffs are classy folks--we also have fart machines planted all over the house) and drinking out of Styrofoam cups that she'd bought in 1985 and labeled with each of our names so we could reuse them every year--and we did.  One year, I saw an envelope lying on the table with some words and numbers written on it.  My Dad pointed at it and explained that it was a list--and a LONG list--of every charity she had given money to for Christmas.  She also volunteered time driving Meals-on-the-Go (like Meals-on-Wheels) for the hospital and was teaching an adult man to read.  I think she was probably in some civic organizations and volunteered at the hospital or library, as well.  She enjoyed spending all of her free time outdoors so she could enjoy her gardens and the birds.  And she played a mean game of Scrabble--except while falling asleep (courtesy of Narcolepsy) when she would create words nobody had ever heard of, but we never dared to challenge her because she had the vocabulary of Webster.com!   I am fairly confident that the only time in my life that I "roasted weenies" was at her house, and we had more than our fair share of s'mores while in her presence. 

Dorothy w/ the Wulff girls on vacation "Up North"

It would be wrong of me not to include her older sister, Dorothy, in this post as well.  For those of you who know Ding Darling (Google it if you do not), Dorothy was married to his son.  Her full name, we discovered during a family vacation in the 90's, was Faith Dorothy Evelyn Pennington Darling Powell.  Top that.  Dorothy and Penny talked on the phone regularly, though Dorothy lives in Florida.  Dorothy joined us on the aforementioned family vacation, and the 2 of those ladies (Penny, age 75 and Dorothy, 80) turned into competitive tweenagers.  In a game of pictionary in Grandma/Dorothy vs. all of the Grandchildren, the kids were getting frustrated because we were losing.  After several rounds of our butts getting handed to us, the sisters began to quarrel (as they would say).  The true story unveiled when they began to disagree about shorthand (also, if you don't know what this is, google it), and it then became evident that they were winning the game because they had cheated!!  In the pictures they were drawing, they had written shorthand to give away the answer.  Cheating in a game against children!!  Later that week, Dorothy also decided to go tubing off the back of the boat, to which Penny had no choice but to also do it--she was not about to be showed up by her 80 year old sister. 

Fall 2000, spent a weekend in Albert
Lea with the Grandmas!

While I have many memories of Grandma Penny, the most valuable ones are the ones I have from her final days before she died.  I learned a lot as we read through old journals from her sister, looked through boxes of old photos, and asked her questions about her life.  The value of the older generation is priceless.  I cannot fathom what it would be like to have grown up during the depression, but Grandma Penny did, and she told many-a-story about it.  She also lived like she was in it until her dying day--never spending excessively and saving every last potentially-usable item (and never throwing out any food in the fridge--that was the nastiest chore I've ever done!!). 

I wish Grandma were here to visit me next month and cheer me on--or heck, run it with me!  When I'm training, though, it never fails that I see a red cardinal on my run and I think of her.  I will never see a cardinal, a dew-covered cobweb or a chambered nautilus again without thinking of her. 

We miss you Grandma!!

26

There's no place like home except Grandma's. -Unknown

Pay no attention to the trash can or people in the door
How cute are they?

For those of you who have not had the pleasure of meeting my Grandparents, allow me to introduce them to you today.  Mark & Bev Jones of Albert Lea, MN have been my proud grandparents since the day I was born.  Gramma still has a pin hanging in the kitchen that says "I have a grand daughter born in Winona, MN" that she got from the hospital on the day I was born. 

There are few people more excited than I am for my upcoming marathon--and Gramma and Grampa are 2 of them.  They have already rented their hotel room and have RSVP'ed for the pasta dinner we are going to at Latin King in Des Moines.  When I called Gram to invite her and Gramp to the dinner, she was out of breath expressing her excitement, letting me know that she was "tickled pink!"   

Gram's house--all of my friends think it is haunted!
I, however, do not.  :)

One of the hardest things about living in NC is being so far away from their home.  I went to college less than 2 hours from their home (I grew up 5 hours away from it), so I could literally jump in the car and drive up to see them anytime.  Now, I have to buy a plane ticket--which is not cheap!  My first fall here, I was so down and out at Thanksgiving.  I got to spend the holiday with my cousins and their family in VA, which was fabulous, but I believe it was the first Thanksgiving I hadn't spent with my Grandparents--or at least the first one I remember (which makes it the first, right?!).  Check out their house here.  It was built in the 1860's by my great-great-great grandfather, Albert Wedge, and has been in the family ever since.  It is even on the historic registry! 

Grampa is a history buff, which is the only reason I know that about the house--or can literally draw a family tree for you going back to that generation.  He can also tell you anything there is to know about World War II, trains, and if you drop him in the middle of nowhere blindfolded, I guarantee you that he can point to north and find his way out without the use of a GPS.  The man IS a GPS--only he never has to recalculate.  He does not know how to make a cup of coffee or use a microwave, but when the man here's a good joke, his high pitched laughter is enough to make anybody join in.  He also checks the forecast every day where I live to know what kind of weather I am having.  

During the visit to NC

Gramma is the lovingest lover of them all.  It is impossible to pass by her without a hug or a pat on the butt, and don't even try to enter her house without leaving stuffed--she will make some sort of meal for you and send you with leftovers, in addition to whipping up a batch of cookies (we all prefer the Christmas wreath ones!).  She will also teach you anything there is to know about Norwegian culture (primarily food and the use of the phrase "Oof da"), table settings, and always has tabs on all of the family updates. 

Gram & Gramp came down to visit me last winter on their way back up to MN during their "down South" trip.  I had a bunch of friends over and Megan cooked dinner for everybody.  They were both so excited to see the house and meet all of my buddies here.  They also hosted several overnights with my friends in college when we would take a weekend to go up and stay for some G&G TLC.  Every time I talk to them on the phone now, Gram asks me about every single one of them that she met and how they are all doing.  How sweet is that?  And my Midwest friends, in return, text me each time they pass the Albert Lea exit to tell me they are waving at Gramma and Grampa for me. 

"Rue Beverly," or Beverly Street
in France--for Gram!

Last spring, I had the opportunity to go to France to visit my little sister with my Mom.  Riah and I made it our mission to ensure that we got a full report every day on everything we did, ate, and experienced so we could share them with Gramma and Grampa, who had given money to all of us for the trip because at 80-some years old, they are too old to make the trip themselves.  Upon returning, I put together a photo album with captions on every page so that they knew every meal we ate, every hotel we stayed at, and everything we did each day.  The voicemail I got from my Gramma at the end of it was priceless.

My Grandparents are the greatest ever--and the cutest ever.  If you haven't met them before, let's make it happen.  And if you have, you already know how great they are and how lucky I am to have them in my life.  They have supported me from the day I was born and still do today.  I am so glad that they will be in Des Moines for my race and will be thinking of them as I run!

Seasons of change

There is a harmony in autumn, and a luster in its sky, which through the summer is not heard or seen, as if it could not be, as if it had not been!  -Percy Bysshe Shelley

During my run on Friday, I realized that it was the first run in which I was crunching leaves under my feet.  I run all of my runs on a paved greenway or around a park, so it is tree-covered the entire way.  The signs of fall were all there--cooler temps (it was 54 when I was running--it is usually 80 to 100), leaves turning colors, leaves crunching on the ground, and entire day of being stuffed up afterward!

Fall brings such wonderful accompaniments.  Pumpkins, apple pie, warm colors, cooler temps, less lawn-mowing, Thanksgiving--all reminders of the changes of the earth.

With that in mind, these last 26 entries before my race will include some changes.  Today is not motivation Monday, clearly. 

In my plans and preparations for distraction, I have decided that I will focus each mile on a person or group of people who have impacted/supported me.  Rather than thinking about how my calves feel as though they could explode, I will instead think about that person/people.  In my last 26 day countdown to the race, I will countdown my "26-ers" with you.

Stay tuned for the fun!  And if you are making apple pie anytime soon, CALL ME--it is the tastiest part of the fall!!

The art of distraction

Any occurrence requiring undivided attention will be accompanied by a compelling distraction. -Robert Bloche

I've been asked by a few folks about how my 22-mile run went last weekend, so I figured I should respond--and tell you that the most important thing I learned about this run is the art of distraction.  While the IPOD was playing the entire time--until it died about 2 miles before I was done--I enjoyed various distractions, including, but  not limited to:

• Danced to the Zumba songs (Gimme Gimme was kinda awkward!!  JK!)
• Pictured the Power/Centergy routines with the corresponding songs
• Made a grocery list
• Recited old phone numbers I still remember
• Created a list of people who have inspired me throughout this training process
• Calculated how many miles to the nearest bathroom
• Counted down until I would get to the bathroom
• Counted how many steps I take in a single mile (about 1800)
• Recited Jim Gaffigan quotes in my head (if you haven't heard of him, watch his movie on Netflix)
• Wondered what EVERYBODY ELSE in my life was doing at various points throughout my run

I did find myself questioning at several points, but I knew I was too darn stubborn to really give up--and I pushed through and felt good.  I did have some cramping in the legs, but I stopped & stretched, and then kept going.  I did a lot of stretching & rolling out with "The Stick" -- then got up on Saturday and did the 5k (see yesterday's post).

Anyway--today is short and sweet--but there are some great posts coming in the next few weeks. 

I hope everyone got to enjoy their weekends!!

T Dolla Bill

I do not suffer from Autism, but I do suffer from the way you treat me. -Tyler Durdin

Today, a crew of us met up and did the 2011 Autism Walk.  Megan & Melissa stayed up late making t-shirts for "Team T-Dolla Bill" and making soup for some friends who joined us after the walk.  It was mid-50's outside and perfect walking weather.  We had a good time with all, and the pictures below depict it.

The T-Shirt design for team T Dolla Bill

The kids & Meg:
Jack, Damon, Tommy, Meg, Steph, Lilly

This is why we do the walk--cute kids like Tommy Lee--who clearly loves Preston (don't we all?). 

The whole crew!!  We were #5 in fund raising--
And behind large groups (schools & organizations)...
So the only team formed for just one kid!

Thanks to all who supported us--by walking, by donating, or by keeping us in your thoughts.  The challenges these families face are unimaginable, and the financial contributions from today's events will help kids/families from all over the Triad.  I hope you will all pick a walk/run sometime in the future that you can participate in.  Pick a cause that is close to your heart because it means so much more!  And thanks to Monique & her crew for organizing today's events.  See you all next year!

Gotta have faith, faith faith

Faith is not belief without proof, but trust without reservation.  -D. Elton Trueblood

As I sit in my bed telling myself I need to get to sleep so I am well rested for my 22 mile run tomorrow, I find myself experiencing, for the first time, anxiety and fear about my long run.  I knew I had 14 in the bag, which made me confident for 16.  18 came and 7 miles of those I did in tears because of knee pain.  I saw the chiropractor right before the 20 and that went off without much of a hitch.  Tomorrow is the longest run of my entire training.  To a non-marathon trainer, 22 miles seems impossible to comprehend.  For a marathon runner, 22 miles is 4 miles short of the race, so the big 22 doesn't scare us--as much.

It is at a time like this that I again review the best advice I was given when all of this started:  Trust the training.  I have added a second sentence to it, which is trust the trainer.  And undoubtedly, I trust both.  I have confided in my coach several times that I don't know if I can really do the whole race without having practiced running that full distance--and she has assured me that I can.  At those moments, I take a deep breath and remind myself that I trust her and I trust her training program.  It had me thinking tonight about the idea of trust and having the faith. 

I remember a song I listened to as a teenager that said something to the effect of "we cannot see the wind, only the effects of the wind, and that's how we know it is there."  This can be applied in various areas of our lives, but for myself at this very moment, I don't have proof that I can run 26 miles--or 22 for that matter.  And assuming I complete at 22 tomorrow, I still won't have proof that I can run 26--not until I do it.  I have 2 options:  Violate my Coach's training plan and choose to do all 26 just to feel confident, or follow the plan, as written, and have faith in the training--the trainer--and myself--that when October 16 comes along, I will knock all 26 of them out.  And while I'd love to do all 26, I know I would never EVER do anything other than what my coach instructs me to do....so I guess I've just got to keep the faith!!

As I will be doing my long run tomorrow, I will not plan to post tomorrow--but I will do a normal post on Saturday after the Autism 5K.  It is not too late to donate online or to show up in person to register for the 5k!  Hope to see some of you there!

Helping Hand

Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. -Hebrews 13:2

After a 4th and 5th stranger approached me today for assistance, I decided that it was clearly necessary for today's post to be about helping others.  The irony of helping others today was that at no point did I seek out others to help, which I often do.  Instead, I did nothing, but apparently was looking friendly enough to be approachable.  I did check at one point to see if I was wearing a name badge or something because it was so strange that it happened!!

I started the morning off at the gym--as I do most mornings, and 3 different individuals approached me to inform me that the class we were in was their first class.  I introduced myself to all 3 and reinforced that they would do just fine in class.  I remembered when I was a newbie in classes how nerve-wracking it was, and I gave these folks kudos just for showing up, much less seeking out help!  Throughout the class, I assisted them, provided positive encouragement and made sure that they were equipped, prepared and feeling supported.

I then went from the gym to the gas station to fill up--and while doing so, a car pulled up with 2 women who were lost and needed help.  I don't know my way around NC at all, but my handy-dandy Carmen the Garmin sure does!  So I helped them get back on the road and headed in the right direction.

By no means do I herald myself as a hero for helping others today, but I sure remember the experiences in which a stranger helped me and it made all the difference to me. 

I challenge everyone to do some random act of kindness to a complete stranger tomorrow--and recognize how your act impacts another!

Short & Sweet

Be not afraid of growing slowly; be afraid only of standing still. -Chinese Proverb

As I subjected you guys all to a rather lengthy post yesterday, I will keep it short and sweet today.  You are welcome!

"The Great Damien"

As a brief update to the knee report, I spent $40 and an hour yesterday at the chiropractor.  For any locals who have ANY injury going on, I highly recommend my guy, Dr. Damien Rudolfo at Healing Hands Chiropractic.  I'm evidence to the fact that his hands are healing!  I started with him on July 1 when my back hurt so bad that I couldn't go to yoga or pilates, and had to sit out of several of the tracks at my power/weights class because I couldn't bend, put weight on my left side--moving was a chore!  He's since helped me resolve that situation and focus on the problems that led to the back--my gait when I walk/run.  I call him every time I have any pain when running and he sorts me out.  I have been to chiropractors before, but his Active Release Techniques (ART) approach allows for the adjustments to hold longer, the soft tissue to be addressed, and in the end--progress to be made!!  He sent me home with tape on my knee, 3 exercises to do daily this week, an appointment on Friday before I do my 22 mile run so he can tape me and do any "tune up adjustments," and an assignment to go out and run.  Last night, I did 4 miles before it got dark, and 5 miles early this morning--pain free!!

I have had several friends approach me lately saying that they were working hard on whatever goal they had identified and felt like they'd "fallen off the horse."  My response--WE ALL DO and tomorrow is a brand new day.  The worst thing is to do nothing.  So having been to the chiropractor weekly since July 1, I can attest to the fact that change takes time (my gait is still not perfect or I wouldn't need to keep going in!!), and only slow and gradual changes are those that will last.

And for those who have not heard of it, tonight is the season premier of the show Parenthood.  It is honestly one of the best shows I've seen on TV--a little humor, a little drama, and all of it reality that we can related to.  I hope everybody tunes in--I've been counting down to this day since May!!

Have a good one, my friends!!

Motivation 101, Part 10

In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity. -Albert Einstein

We have heard similar quotes to this a million times, but do we ever take the time to really think about them?  To me, there is nothing worse than sharing with somebody that I'm having a difficult time and hearing in response, "Everything has a purpose."  While it may be true, it is certainly not something I want to hear.  Instead, I would benefit from being reminded of the strength I have gained through past hardships.  So today, a little self-disclosure.

My knee has hurt the last several weeks while running.  For those of you that somehow missed the memo, I am training for my first full marathon.  This includes running 4 times a week.  3 of these times are 3-5 miles long, and every other weekend alternates from a short run (7-13 miles) and the other week a long run (14-22 miles).  Last weekend was a short 10 mile run.  Yes, I know this is an oxymoron, but compared to the long weeks, it is a short run.  The weekend that I did my 18 mile run, I did the last 7 in pain and in tears/near tears for the entire time.  The weekend after was a 9 mile run, and it was fine.  Then I did a 20 mile run and 14 of them were good, 5 of them were sore, and 1 was near-tears.  This past weekend was a 10 mile run.  After less than a quarter of a mile, I was in pain and I knew it--I ran the first full mile, did a walk/jog combo for the 2nd mile and quit.  Coach Lynn has taught me enough about pain levels and pain types to know when I need to wave the white flag.  And that was it.

Again, for those who missed the memo, I am one stubborn fool.  So having to throw in the towel 8 miles early was a little rough on the ego & rough on me in general.  I know, I know--I can reason through it and tell myself that it is better to do that than to push through and cause greater injury.  Or that I've come so far and to be proud of the progress I've made.  Blah blah blah.  I mean--I thank you for all your kind sentiments, but I don't want to hear any of them.  I say that politely and as kindly as possible. 
I had to spend some time this weekend doing some headwork (which, by the way, is FAR more difficult than a 20 mile run)--and had to review some past situations of hardship that came unexpectedly and made me stronger in the end--buckle up, folks!!  This is a long one!!

June 2008.  Iowa had just experienced an F-5 tornado and it hit about 20 miles from where I lived in Parkersburg, Iowa, leveling the tiny town and throwing debris hundreds of miles away.  I went up to the Courthouse that Monday morning to apply for a new passport--I was going to be nannying on a cruise in a few weeks and would be headed to Canada.  As I drove up there, I saw people out near the river, shoveling sand.  While this struck me as odd, I didn't seem to pay attention.  When I arrived at the court house and processed my paperwork, the lady asked me if I was going to be sandbagging that day.  I had no idea what she was talking about, made some small talk and headed into work.  Once I arrived, people said, "You live near the river--you need to go home and get ready for what's coming."  Again--oblivious or stupid--you decide--I went home and hung out.  I watched some daytime TV, took a nap, watched a movie and enjoyed a free day off of work.  Lunch time rolled around and a co-worker called to ask if I was up for "a break" from everything.  I sure was--so a few of us piled into a car and headed up to "The Fainting Goat" for lunch (yes, that is a real place).  The traffic in this tiny little population-of-10,000 farm town was insane--traffic jams that backed up a couple blocks.  Once arriving at "The Goat," we found it was closed--with a sign that read "Closed so employees can prepare for the flood."  We drove all over town to find that Burger King was the only place open--and headed there (you can obviously tell that this is an old story cuz you'll never catch me putting that poison in my system  now!!). 
As we drove across the one-lane green bridge on the way home, I saw every house near the river with trucks, moving trucks, and boxes outside--everybody was emptying their home.  At this point, I thought, "hmph, I should maybe give some thought to this whole thing--apparently there is a flood coming?"  I called a few friends and had them come over to assist in bringing up some expensive things from the basement (washer & dryer), and moving some of the nice things to the attic (Grandma's table, computer, etc.).  The neighbors told me that this flood was going to be 2 inches more than the one in '98, and that the water didn't even come up over the curb of the house I was living in.  So I was going to be golden, but it was okay to prepare a little, I supposed. 

June 9, 2008--Green Bridge in Waverly, IA

That night, we gathered around the bridge and watched the waters rise to levels I had never seen.  The water rose under the metal bridge, and eventually began washing over where tires would normally drive--and over where I had driven just 8 hours beforehand.  At this point, the power was turned off in the city as the city couldn't risk fires.  Many neighbors had emptied their houses entirely--many had sandbagged in an attempt to keep the water from entering their home.  It was hot out--probably about upper 80's, and without electricity, there was not going to be any A/C or fans to keep me cool.  I decided to go to my buddy Michael's house, where his wife offered to make some hamburger helper and let us stay for the night.  I packed up a couple outfits--just in case--and headed there for the night. 
The next morning, I awoke with a text from a friend who said that the water had come up further than expected.  I was panicked--I had not prepared for the water to even get  into my yard--so what was going to await me?  My friends and I packed up and headed back into town--to find that there was no way to drive THROUGH town.  There were 2 bridges--one running North/South and one running East/West as the river took a bend in town.  I lived right inside the elbow of the bend.  You do the math--if the water is going to run over--where will it be worst?  AT THE ELBOW.

My little house on June 20, 2008

Against all warnings from others, I decided that "come hell or high water" (and it was high water), I was going to walk up to my house to see the damage.  I had moved a few things up a floor but not everything--and I didn't know if my house was even standing, as we knew some had been entirely washed away.  My friends--as supportive and as loving as can be--decided to walk with me.  Initially the water was ankle deep, then knee--then at points, waist high--and we weren't even in the worst area!!  As we got near my house, I could see that the water was CLEARLY up over the curb--and in the grass--and over the windows in the basement.  After a small near-death experience (sink holes are dangerous--apparently when they say it it dangerous to walk through flood waters, the dirty water is the least of the concern--sink holes, manholes that have floated away, and a strong current that can pull you under at any point are FAR more dangerous!), I made it into the house. 
I could hear the water rushing when I was in the house.  I opened the basement door--looked down and saw nothing but darkness.  I was so confused--how had the water not entered the house?  I grabbed a flashlight and pointed it down the stairs--and was blinded.  The darkness I saw was NOT a dark, empty basement, but was water all the way up to the rafters in the basement.  We made some quick moves and got everything worth anything from the first floor up to the attic, checked on the cats, and headed out. 

Looking down the main street--there is a bridge
down there that can't even be seen because
the water went right over top.

To spare you from many other details and another 30 minutes of reading this novel, the long story short was that this town went underwater. The Cedar river travels all through Iowa and into the Mississippi.  You're welcome to read more about the 2008 Iowa floods here.  2 dozen people were killed, 148 injured (most of which did not follow evacuation warnings).  9 rivers crested at record levees and 22 levees were breached.   83 of Iowa's 99 counties were declared disaster areas.  This was considered the 2nd worst natural disaster in American history (behind Katrina, obviously).

Now, I certainly will not cue the violins here and tell you how awful it was for me.  Clearly my house was nailed, and as a result, I moved out and was "homeless" for 90 days while I continued residing with Mike, his wife and their 1 year old son (and for this, I'm forever indebted to them!).  I was a renter, though, so I was off rather "easy" compared to others.  The neighbors across the street came home and stepped on their front cement step, and it slid out from underneath them because the ground was so wet--then later that day, their basement caved in.  Hundreds and thousands of people lost everything they owned--and important mementos--photos, wedding dresses, their children's baby clothing, etc.  In the end, yeah, I lost some items--and lived all summer on about 4 outfits.  But out of this, what did I gain?

Aerial shot of the city.
My house would be located on the right edge
toward the bottom.

An attitude that NOTHING can get me down.  The recognition that no possessions that I own are really THAT important.  And the courage to finally make some changes in my life.  I had been stuck in a rut, in a series of unhealthy patterns and a lack of belief at my ability to change my situation.  After the flood waters receded, my friends and I tackled my house and sorted through everything I owned and I was out within 6 hours.  And now that I was packed--I knew I could go and do anything I wanted to.  The next June, I would find myself packing up my little Lancer with all those items that I had not even unpacked after the disaster from the year before, driving across the country, and starting a brand new chapter of my life. 

I'm sure there are some other great life lessons in here too--like LISTEN to warnings when they are given, pack more than 3 outfits if you may be homeless for the next 90 days, don't collect so much junk in the first place, don't walk through flood water, etc.  But instead, we will focus on the strength that came through adversity!!
My knee--yes it hurts.  Yes I panic that I won't be able to run the marathon in 34 days.  Yes I get mad when I can't finish out my last 8 miles and I have to switch from running to spinning (which I am NOT a fan of, might I add).  And I appreciate all the kind obligatory sentiments that others share when they know I'm feeling frustrated/discouraged lately--ah no, I don't appreciate them, but I appreciate their intent.  But at the end of the day, I know that somewhere in dealing with this business of a bum knee, I will make it through somehow, that others have it far worse than I do in the world, and that I wouldn't be the strong individual I am today without the hardships I've experienced in the past.  If a little water couldn't get me down, a little IT band/knee issue won't either. 

And a shout out to all my peeps here--without whom I wouldn't have made it through then--and wouldn't do it now.  I may be discouraged with my current situation, but I know that to have faith and trust in the fact that something greater is coming, and relying upon my wise & loyal friends is the only way I will make it through!!
I hope you all took bathroom breaks during today's entry.  Whew!!

So now is your turn.  What hardship, obstacle or adversity have you experienced in the past that you were able to overcome?  What character did you develop from this experience?  And with this strength you gained, what were you able to later accomplish that you may not have been able to, otherwise?  Sound off, folks!!