"She's like the wind"

So today in Seattle it was just beautiful out. As I exited church I knew today would be a good day for a Greenlake visit. (For those not from Seattle, Greenlake is a 3.1 walking,running, biking path trail around a lake in the middle of the city - a must visit if ever in Seattle)

See my friend and I have ventured out into the unknown world of running. Both running/walking several times a week. Running has always been a fun thing for me. I love being "one with nature" as I run. Letting my mind wonder and just getting out into nature. My friend lives out of state but we chat often and the other night he told me about the Seattle half & full marathon this fall. Running a marathon is one of my lifetime goals. So before I even realized what I was saying I said "I'll do it with you"....not taking in the full toll of this adventure until the next day. When I awoke thinkin "What the heck???"

So I marched myself down to Barnes & Noble to do some research. (and one of the best places to people watch) I browsed through lots of books and runners magazines. Eventually purchasing a guide book for a female runner.

Then today I got around Greenlake in less than half hour walking/running...and so decided what the heck I'll go around again nuttin else to do this afternoon. As I am walking/running the song from Dirty Dancing .... "She's like the wind" is running through my head. Which by the way has nothing to do with running...but for some reason it is in my head...anyways....I finished up my two laps around the lake with an iced Passion fruit tea with sugar free vanilla from the great Starbucks! And then popped into Jock n Jill. A store created entirely for the runner..and they have everything u can imagine in there. Even letting you try on the shoe and run up the hill to see if it works for you.

So upon entering I meet a nice guy named Chuck who after several minutes I find out has been running for 25 years, is married with several kids, coaches runners, has run the Seattle Marathon several times and writes aritcles for Runners Northwest magazine. So feeling confident in my sales man, he has me run for him thru the store to see my "running stride". Then he helps me pick out a new pair of "running shoes" and tells me to stop runnning in my current ones - which offer no support for my "pronating stride" and even today rubbed a blister on my foot.

I leave the store feeling confident in my purchase and in my new adventure. Chuck offers me lots of support, encouragement, web sites to visit, and gives me free copy of the current Runners Northwest. Tells me to aim for the Half Marathon later this summer and get into some local 5k & 10k run/walks around the area this summer. Will keep you posted....as I am off and running.

A gulp of water

There they were all sitting there on the porch dried out and crying out for water. If they could speak I'm sure they would've said "where have you been all week?" My plants speaking to me now thats a crazy idea.

I planted them last weekend, but in my madness of life forgot to water them all week. So this morning when I awoke to the soothing sound of the rain I remembered them and rushed out to the porch. I moved them all out off the porch and into the pounding rain. Two of them had to remain partially under the porch awning as they are a little more delicate than the rest and the pounding rain would crush them. All while thinking.... "there now I wont have to water them".

It occurred to me in that very moment that my plants are just like me. I am that dying out plant that is in desperate need of water. By the end of the week life, work, friends, family have sucked me dry. I collapse on Friday night and wait for my "water" to fill me back up. It seems like this is how I feel more and more lately. I feel like one of my plants and am just waiting for that gulp of water to revitalize me.

I find it so amazing how God knows just how much water to give me and when to give it too me. He knows when I am just too delicate and only need a small amount. He never forgets about me even when I forget about him. And I am always in awe of His ablillities to satisfy my every need and come to my aid even when I think I am A-Ok. Through His word, a friends call, a song or as I attend to my neglected plants He pierces my heart and reminds me he is still in control.

Dating/Singleness is just crazy

So it seems like I am in this never ending dating/singleness craze of life. And sometimes its not all its cracked up to be. Its fun, but gets old afterwhile. I can only sit home on a Friday night for so long and when the movie store manager knows you.... "houston we have a problem".

So I've been trying this whole internet dating thing. Yes, people I have ventured into the whole online "cyberspace" unknown. And its not bad....its what you make of it. I've met some freaks, geeks and loners. But for the most part its been okay. Where else is someone in 2005 suppose to meet another nice person?? Bars/Clubs are out. And lets admit it, eligible/single men aren't hanging out anywhere I am. My hangouts are pretty much isolated to work, church, Starbucks (well sometimes), grocery store, gas stations (more freaks here than anywhere else.) etc..... And so far no luck at any of these places. Sometimes I think how great would it be if he just plopped down on my doorstep....whatever would I do?? Probably faint.

So anyways, this whole online thing has been good to me. Lots of dinners, coffee, walking around Greenlake dates. But nothing too serious. Its been fun, and thats what dating is suppose to be, right?

And then eventually you meet someone you enjoy being with. Then before you know it one thing leads to another and you find yourself married. Isn't that how it happens?

But now I dont even know where I stand on the whole marriage thing. Up till recently I thought it was this great thing and wanted to be part of it. But now it seems it has some drawbacks as well. Within 6months 4 friends marriage's have broken up. What is going on? Is it an epidemic? It sure makes me think twice about getting married.

So who knows maybe I'll keep up with this dating/singleness thing a little bit longer. Cant hurt me anymore than it has and it is fun. So who the heck knows. I will keep my blog updated with any new dating fun, stories, gripes/complaints etc....cause its nice to just vent to cyberspace.