June 24, 2008

Partners in Grime


Sometimes as you stand in the starting chute for a race, you start to ask yourself 'what in the world was I thinking when I signed up for this'! Saturday as we left Athens at 5:15am and the rain started coming down....I was definitely wondering what in the world we were getting into. But I have to admit, the Muddy Buddy is probably one of the funnest race events I've ever done. You and your teammate (partners in grime) share a bike for a six mile race. Throughout the race you alternate who is running and who is biking for each mile; at every mile marker and bike exchange station you complete a physical obstacle; and to get to the finish you and your partner crawl through a huge mud pit. It was a blast! Running in the rain was no big deal. But the couple miles I did on the mountain bike...on the slick trails...well let's just say I was a little scaredy cat! I was always glad to pass off the bike. This is definitely an event I would do again! Special thanks to my friend Chester for being my partner in grime.

June 15, 2008

My Dad...My Hero



Being Father's Day, I guess it would be quite appropriate to write something about Dad. And I know this won't be long because I already have tears in my eyes just thinking about how much my parents mean to me. I've always been my daddy's little helper as far back as I can remember. I even remember one time getting up and trying to get out to the barn before he did so that he thought I slept out there watching after a cow and calf (he's pretty smart though and knew that I was trying to pull a fast one). Even at 35, there's really no place I'd rather be than sitting next to him in a tractor, riding through the cows with him, or just doing his little dirty work. I know he's not perfect. And there are definitely times when I get mad at him. But I thank God every day for giving me the dad he did. I'm very proud to be his daughter and his little farm girl.

When I left for college in 1990, we wrote this poem on an index card. I put it on my college bulletin board and still have it today; it's one of my most prized possessions.
Sometimes I'm mean, Sometimes I'm rough, But you know I love you and I hope that's enough, So if you are ever down and blue, Just remember how proud I am of you. -Your dad and proud of it!


June 6, 2008

I am My Mother's Daughter


It doesn't take looking twice at my mom and me to know that I am her daughter. But what's even more scary, is that from time to time (well truthfully it's more often than that) I find myself saying things she would say or doing things the way she would do them. In fact, while at HenFest (on one of our many shopping sprees) I found a pillow that says Mirror, mirror, on the wall, I am my mother after all. I just had to buy it!

But in reality, I couldn't be more proud that I do things like my mom (and dad). Actually, I hope that as I continue to grow up I become even more like her. She's a hard worker and has a HUGE heart. I tell people all the time that she is one of the nicest people in the world. And I really believe that. I don't think I've ever heard her say a bad thing about anybody. She accepts people for who they are and doesn't pass judgment. Those kind of folks are really hard to come by these days. One of the reasons I'm looking forward to moving back to Iowa is that I can spend more time with her.