1000 miles, DONE!

I did it! I did it!!

I keep track of all my running miles, and a couple months back I realized that I could hit 1,000 if I put my mind to it. So I created a schedule and stuck with it, inching closer every week.

Then the week before Christmas, Mom lovingly gave me her bronchitis, and I was down for the count. Instead of pushing through, I chose to set aside my goal and get a couple days of solid rest, hoping to rally for Christmas and all its fun. It worked, and I felt pretty good for the festivities.

BUT... I still had about 35 miles to run. Normally, that wouldn't be a problem, but with Christmas obligations and out-of-town visitors (Hi, Jill and Maroof!), I didn't know if I could squeeze it in.

Well, today I laced up my new running shoes and hit the pavement for my final miles of the 2017:

And with the last 4+ miles:

WOOHOO!!

Santa Mickey was there to greet me as I finished in a light rain/snow: 

Looking back, 2013 was the year I trained for and ran three marathons. I easily surpassed 1,000 that year. Then 2014 was my Achilles injury and lower mileage. This year's marathon kicked up my miles, helping get me over the hump.

We'll see what 2017 brings :)

Nos. 53 and 54

I saved a couple books to read over winter break.

No. 53 was Murder in Ordinary Time by Sister Carol Anne O'Marie:

I've read her work before, and it's fun! The main character is a nun who lives in San Francisco and solves murders.

No. 54 was A Christmas Wish by Joseph Pittman:

I think this was on the free table at work, and I snagged it because it had snow on the front :)

The story was cute - a man raising his deceased fiancee's 8-year-old daughter. The writing wasn't very good, especially the little girl's dialog. Still, a nice story for Christmas reading :)

Merry Christmas!

About that time Caesar Augustus ordered a census to be taken throughout the Empire. This was the first census when Quirinius was governor of Syria. Everyone had to travel to his own ancestral hometown to be accounted for. So Joseph went from the Galilean town of Nazareth up to Bethlehem in Judah, David's town, for the census. As a descendant of David, he had to go there. He went with Mary, his fiancée, who was pregnant. 

While they were there, the time came for her to give birth. She gave birth to a son, her firstborn. She wrapped him in a blanket and laid him in a manger, because there was no room in the hostel.

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God's angel stood among them and God's glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." 

At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights,
Peace to all men and women on earth who please him.

As the angel choir withdrew into heaven, the sheepherders talked it over. "Let's get over to Bethlehem as fast as we can and see for ourselves what God has revealed to us." They left, running, and found Mary and Joseph, and the baby lying in the manger. Seeing was believing. They told everyone they met what the angels had said about this child. All who heard the sheepherders were impressed.

Mary kept all these things to herself, holding them dear, deep within herself. The sheepherders returned and let loose, glorifying and praising God for everything they had heard and seen. It turned out exactly the way they'd been told!

Luke 2:1-20 The Message

Peaceful protest and witnessing history

My first morning of winter break was spent exercising my right to assemble. 

The Electoral College met today to cast votes for the president. Across the country, demonstrators gathered at state houses to protest Trump's election. In Oregon, our seven delegates were pledged to Clinton. Still, we met to make our voices heard: We are united in opposition to Trump and all he stands for.

We arrived on the Capitol steps about 9 a.m. We stood in solidarity for more than an hour, the crowd growing steadily throughout.

 Lots of media:

We chanted and sang and heard from several speakers. It was awesome.

By the end, several hundred joined. 

About 10:15 a.m., Mom and I went inside the Capitol and snagged seats in the front row of the Senate Gallery to watch the proceedings. 

 Standing room only:

Waiting for the 11 a.m. vote: 

Here come the electors: 

Swearing in: 

Actually voting: 

Secretary of State Jeanne P. Atkins read the results: seven votes for Clinton and seven votes for Kaine: 

During the roll call, Elector Frank Dixon, Oregon Democratic Party Chair, made a statement calling for investigation in to Russian involvement in our election. The gallery erupted in cheers.

Of course, Mom was live streaming:

After, the electors gathered for photos and media interviews: 

I am so honored to be part of this historical event!

Nos. 51 and 52

No. 51 was Diane Mott Davidson's Tough Cookie. Another fun culinary mystery.

And No. 52 was David Baldacci's Memory Man:

Memory Man was the first in Baldacci's Amos Decker series - on audio. I'm waiting for the next one... LONG line in front of me. :)

Marathon pics from Mom

Mom took some pics at our October marathon. Check 'em out:

Waiting...

Warm and cozy:

Ready!!

Mom - where's my head??

Outside Montgomery Park, Mom and Dad were waiting with a dry towel!

People around us said they were jealous! Best support team ever :)

The hill before Eryn's knee gave up:

Right on target pace for now:

Look how cloudy it was!

The whole fam was waiting at the end of the bridge - including Ma and Pa!

Poor Eryn was freezing!

Chugging along in dry clothes:

Here comes the finish!

We did it!
(full race report here)

Christmas dinner with Grandpa

We had a great time last night, celebrating Christmas with Grandpa and some of the McKee side of the family.

Every year, Friendsview Retirement Center's memory-care area hosts a holiday meal for its residents and their families. We've attended the past few years, but this time, a bunch more family was able to join us!

Grandpa's doing so well - and so happy to be surrounded by family :) He'll be 97 in May!

After stuffing ourselves with amazing food, we had to get a family photo by the giant tree:

:)