i have a lot of catching up to do, but i can only remember as far back as last weekend.

sickness descended on our home so i ended up taking Margaret to her basketball game and Brian stayed home with the boys. the boys skipped their games on Saturday and rested up. i hosted a lingerie shower for my Jess friend that afternoon, so most of the morning was spent getting ready for that. the shower went well and it felt nice to be back on the entertaining circuit.

Brian and i were up and at 'em Sunday morning for a 13 or 14 mile run, our last hurrah before the Big Race. we got back and cleaned up and still managed to make it to early service at church and then Sunday School. Roger came over in the late afternoon to watch the kids and let the cousins play together so Brian and i could go out. Brian had a table for us at Eastside Cafe, our favorite. this is the coolest restaurant! what other place can you go for a top notch meal and superb wine list with a garden outback and chickens wandering the premises? even better is that it's in our 'hood. we lingered over dinner and a bottle of wine, just enjoying each other's company.

Monday - back out there running, trying to finish this marathon training season strong. having pleasant weather has made running much easier. i met Brian for lunch later that day, and then we went to look at new settings for my engagement ring. if you keep up with this blog, you may remember that the diamond fell out back in September, and i miraculously found it on the floor in the classroom where i teach Sunday school. Brian's Valentine gift for me was to get it reset.
Margaret and i did a Girl Scout cookie booth Monday afternoon with a fellow GS and her mom. we're nearing the end of cookie sales, and we've sold nearly three times as many as we sold last year, though the troop as a whole has sold much less than last year. ??

Tuesday - Brian took the kids to school, and i rode over shortly thereafter on my bike. i had been recruited to help with class pictures. never realized how much work that is! they weren't just doing group pics, but individual full body shots as well. my job was to pose each child, and the pose differed depending on the age. up and down, up and down. for three hours. then i helped with the 6th grade graduation pics, dressing the kids in their gowns and such. i was physically spent by lunch, but i rode over to Redeemer to spend the rest of the afternoon doing childcare for Classical Conversations. that evening i took Margaret over to Kealing Middle School to register for her classes in case she doesn't make it into the magnet programs. wow! that made her suddenly seem so grown up! then i took her to basketball practice while Brian took the boys to Boy Scouts. it was a busy day, and i was glad to crawl into my poofy bed at the end of it.

Wednesday - today was Walk on Wednesday, so i took the kids to Mueller Lake Park, about halfway between our house and Maplewood, and we walked to school from there. after getting everyone situated, i drove down to Lady Bird Lake and ran 4 and a half miles. i had my Meals on Wheels route after that. i can't recall what i did the rest of the afternoon, but i'm sure it was real important and life altering.

This morning i went over to the church and led my little class. i'm pretty sure i was rather grumpy and short fused with the kids. ugh. i had about 45 minutes between the time i got out of there and when i had to be back at the church to help decorate for Jess' wedding, just enough time to gobble my pb&j, drive over to Brian's office and switch out cars, and then run home to change outfits to something less nursery worker and more girlfriend. i enjoyed being there for Jess on this her big Day Before. the church is rather pretty in it's simplicity, so not much is needed to make a statement of subdued beauty. the candles and rose pedals will go far. i hung around until the kids got out of school. today starts a four day weekend for them!
this evening we all went over to the Y together since John had basketball practice. the rest of us played bball together on the outside courts. it was heavenly to be out there in shorts and tshirts. is spring finally here in Texas?
this weekend holds a lot for us. tomorrow i'm going to help Jess decorate her reception venue. i also need to pick up Brian and my race packets for the marathon. Brian's parents come in some time in the afternoon. then  Brian and i have Jess and Chris' wedding in the evening. GB and Nonny will watch the kids for us, so Brian and i can party hearty. or as hearty as you can when you have a marathon to run in the next 36 hours.

a dear friend died yesterday, Ruth Sassmann. she lived next door to Daddy all my life. she was 78. Brian and i will probably go her her funeral Saturday morning. then we have the boys' basketball games. and then nothing on the agenda but resting our legs.

Sunday is Samuel's tenth birthday. when did that little red baby get to be half a man? he's nearly as tall as me. i'm sure by this time next year he will be taller than me. he's a gem, and i'm so proud to call him son.
and then there's the marathon. i think i'm ready. i have added motivation as i'm running for Ricky. this little guy is a fighter. he's endured heart, spine, and brain surgery as he copes with a genetic disorder. and then there is this recent leukemia diagnosis. he's seen it all. and yet he carries on and is one of the happiest kids you'll ever meet. the response to our little grassroots effort to raise money for the family has been amazing! we've passed the $2K mark! praise God!
we'll be having a party for Samuel after the marathon on Sunday. if Brian and i are still in the land of the living.
well, i'm fading fast. hope you now feel up-to-date.