Just a few things...

Hello dear readers!

I just got back from the YMCA in Tosa, and I was watching "The Biggest Loser" while I was running on the treadmill. The first part of the episode was home visits for the last four people. It's down to Danny, Amanda, Liz, and Rudy (who I want to win in that order - not including my favorites who got kicked off: Abby, Rebecca and Allen). It is so inspiring to see them running a marathon as their last challenge. I'm running a measly 2.5 miles, and they're running A MARATHON people!

For every time I think "oh, I don't know if I can do that," I remind myself that these people are getting fit and changing their lives! I'm so proud of them and I don't even know them. Then again, I've got like 3 degrees of separation from Abby through my friend, Kalie, who writes a fabulous blog (and you can find out about it here). She has an amazing story. Well, they're all pretty amazing, but Abby's definitely a favorite.

OK, so about my projects. I have two main things to say today. One, I'm a huge klutz. My grandpa says I'm a "go-go-goer", and that's true, but I'm also prone to falling down making me an "oh-oh-noer". For instance, this past summer I was playing on the St. John's-Tosa softball team and as I'm running to first base my shoe breaks and I fall ripping up both knees, scraping my left leg, spraining my left wrist and bruising my left shoulder. I was out before I even got to FIRST BASE! Geesh... More recently, just before Thanksgiving that is, I rolled my ankle running across the parking lot at work. And, no I wasn't late for work. I was running across it because I needed to get my phone because my co-worker's car was broken into. Still, it was only about 100 yards! Oh well, I'm back on my feet and hitting the Y.

The second thing I should mention is that I've decided to stop one of my projects. I hate to be a quitter, but it's just not for me. I hearken back to telling you a few weeks ago that I played 2 odd instruments, one being hand bells. Well, I thought this year would be the year I would learn to play the bagpipes (odd instrument #2). As a person of Scottish decent (along with a few other things), I thought how cool would it be to learn to play the bagpipes?! I somehow forgot that I am more of a percussion person. I can keep a beat like no other, but making notes and keeping time together are a lot harder. I will always love bagpipes and think that the sweetest sounds on earth are 1) the belly laughs of kiddos and 2) "Amazing Grace" played on bagpipes.

To all my neighbors, my roommate and my family who have listened to my dad and I practice, you are now free to take the plugs out of your ears. To my teacher, Dr. Paul, thank you for your time and endless patience. To my readers, I can only say I gave it a 6-month try and will keep you up to date on my future projects that join the running. To myself, keep ringing those bells and being a great audience member. It's ok, not everyone is meant for parades.