My Friends RUN!!

It goes back to when I first moved to Berks County.....I needed something to keep me sane..it had been a few years, but I missed running. Not racing, just going out for a jog to make me feel as though I had accomplished something and get my juices flowing. It did a little more than that, and for those of you that run, trot, jog...whatever, you know what I'm talking about. My endorphins go WILD. My husband enjoys every little bit of it and encourages me to run, whenever the time lets me and my body says "go"

I trained for a half marathon in Bermuda with Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma society. It was one of the greatest things I had ever done on my own.

I introduced running to my friend Dena...she took the bull by the horns and was determined to run her own half marathon in Virginia with my other friend Kim..I was supposed to Run with them, however a week prior to the race I gave blood and no one told me that you could not donate blood and run, ( I let out the fact that I passed out while giving blood)  Dena's knee gave out but she continued the race and finished, a half hour later we had her at the hospital in Va. and she came home on crutches..but had that medal around her neck. She ended up having knee surgery. Her running days were numbered. Kim continued meeting me at Grings Mill.

Grings Mill...the perfect spot to run with my husband while we dated...we didn't get much running in because we would stop at every tree to kiss. So, we turned over to bike riding instead!

Through the years I have had many different running partners. Michelle Dallago..It seemed every time we got into the groove she would tell me that her and Rich were having a baby!
Kim ...some days we have it, some days we don't!

2 of my friends who I never in a billion years thought would lace up their sneakers and RUN....Heather Smith, and Becky Holland.

Heather and Becky will be doing their very first 5k with me in October..Its so exciting to encourage one another. I have a nice little pack of runners for that day, yes we will all have our different paces. Its going to be fun and we are running the KYLE PAGERLY MEMORIAL 5k  Colette, Kim, Becky, Heather...Good Luck, wait for me at the finish line.

Mike Coyle.. Thank you for always encouraging me, Mike Dicello..seeing you run in Pottsville for the past 40 years is always a great incentive  and Joe Muldowny your book  RUNNING SHORTS  kicks ass. Beth Franco, for years you have been such great support and have always made me envy the way you take such pride in all of your runs and races. You are a blessing!!!!

You don't have to run fast...or run marathons..but trust me the minute you start "jogging" you will ask yourself why you haven't done it sooner!

Hey Becky...are you ready to run tonight???

BIG CHANGES

A Bigger chest...perky and firm. whiter teeth, a flat belly, hair extensions, colored contacts, and how can I forget...a little botox .  Oh yes please wave a magic wand and turn me into Kate Gosslin. Seriously? NO Thank You. She has NO personality, no friends and doesn't speak to her family. hmmmm.

Tonight her show comes to an end. I never met her personally, I have only seen the scowl on her face a few times on Penn Avenue. Does she have a body I would  LOVE to have at 42? Hell yes. Would I buy her book? Hell no! I do know of a person who bought her book and admires her. WHY? I have NO idea. In the time she has had her show, I gave her a chance...tried to get her on the morning show, but she didn't bite.

I feel for her 8 children and for the Nannies and her bodyguards, when you erase the perfection she is just like you and I. If I took advantage of all her perks. I would probably be just like Kate. I occasionally look at women with perfect nails and perfect hair....my problem is, I cant sit still long enough for a manicure...Thats my own battle.

I will say, I would like a one on one with kate, just so I could give her a fair chance because I dont really know her to judge her, only by what I see of her on TV.  She just has a certain bitch factor about her.  I need to know if she really has a good heart. I mean she has to with 8 kids right?

So, I will watch her final episode and this wont be the last we see or hear of her.  She should welcome her audience a bit more and maybe ask for help and not TAKE all the time, I want to tell her how to find balance. I would buy her a drink...something called an alligator bite, or go for a run. something, anything, I am dying to know if she is really the bitch she portrays, everyone deserves a fair shot. Im willing to let you all know. I wonder if she will change her hairstlye? start biting her nails? get a muffintop? grow wrinkles from staying awake for her teenagers one day? start sagging and wear a 18 hour bra, drink so much coffee your teeth start tinting?  If so.....you will then be just like me Kate! Maybe then you will grant me an interview, but if you dont. Remember I gave you a fair shot before you go and make another change.

End of a weekend...

The day begins with a prayer, just something simple so we may never have to go through the devistation as some did on 9/11 ten years ago. It begins with giving those who had lost their lives a thumbs up for being our heros and never being forgotten. It begins with watching all of those recordings from friends and family members who knew those individuals who were on the planes and New York  10 years ago.

I woke up for an early cup of coffee for a reason...to reflect. In silence, but also to get some distraction.

I did just that with a 40 minute ride to Pottsville, to run a race with one of my closest high school friends. Michelle Dallago.  We made plans to run the Sol-Lipton race. A 5k. We had not run together in 25 years. It was awesome. i got to see alot of great people there and have some good laughs...even brought home some hardware.

In closing, for those of you who took part in the status about the situation at church (not mine) yesterday.  thank you for your opinions. The Church is GOD's house, a priest or Monsignor are not GOD. I applaud my parents, my husband, Aunt Ellenor, my children and my friends for understanding how I felt. what it comes down to is there are people in my life who pick me up when Im down , listen when I need friend, have supported my marriage, gave me strength when I needed it no  matter what was going on. In other words you dont just sit around and WAIT to attack.  But when you dont have too much more in life to do, I suppose you feel the need to make someone as miserable as you must be.


There is so much more to the story...but in light of what we all remember for today I shall give more moments of silence where silence is deserved. I don't really enjoy the attack, on anyone. ever. Life is too short. Try and be happy, or at least happy for others.

Peace be with you.

jackie

September

I have no idea where the time has gone.....I already have Christmas parties on my calender! I have been busy dealing with back to school, teenage issues that sometimes have me thinking I am going crazy, but in the end it turns out other moms and dads are going through some of the same things...that's where I count on the support of family and close friends.

I have learned to let go of certain toxic friends in the past month, and that is a huge plus for me , I have a tendency to hold onto things that have no reason to be in my life.

Now, onward an upward!  Lets take things one week at a time.

Thursday night.....  Sept 8 Come out to The Goodwill Fashion Show Second hand chic 3rd Floor Designers Place at the VF outlet center. 4:30 happy hour, show begins at 6:30
I am so excited to show off the fashions that some of the clothes I already have first dibs on!! This is name brand clothing at a LOW LOW price.

visit  www.yourgoodwill.org for more information

Friday Sept 9  5-7pm  Happy Hour at Goodnights Lounge . Join Y-102 as we host a most excellent Thank Goodnights its Friday office party.

Sunday 9-11 A day to remember....and I will be at the Sol-Lipton 5k in Pottsville with a best friend of mine, we haven't run together since her ARMY days! Michelle Anthony Dallago!

Have a peaceful September, hope to you along the way.