Sometimes we all need a little pruning...

When I go to church, sometimes, I am more attentive than others. Sometimes, I really concentrate on the message and other times, it's all I can do to try and stay focused long enough to get through mass. Tonight's sermon at church was awesome; it was all about the Gospel of John (Chapter 15, Verse 1-11) where Jesus talks about The Vine and the Branches. This part hit me in particular:

"I am the true vine and my Father is the gardener. He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful."

It got me thinking, "How many times in my life has God "pruned" me, whether it be through a sickness or some other life challenge to become even more fruitful?" I can think of a few times for sure.

Being diagnosed with MS was definitely one of those times. I always say that having MS has been more of a blessing in my life, than anything else. My diagnosis happened during a time of my life when I was not being particularly faithful to God - or much else in my life. I had grown complacent. I didn't have a purpose.

God  has a way of getting our attention and in my case, the message was LOUD and CLEAR! I have never felt like he gave me MS to punish me...but, rather as a wake-up call. He was saying, "I have given you so much and you're not even using it. Maybe I need to take something away for you to blossom."

Well, in the end, MS really has given me more that it has taken away from me. I don't know if I would have had a second child if it had not been for this disease. And, I can almost guarantee that I would not be running today if it had not been for MS. Losing the use of your legs, arms, whatever it is, even temporarily, has a way of spurring you into action!! My motto now is "Use it or Lose it!" I don't want to ever look back on my life and say, "I wish I had run when I had the chance." Everyday that I wake up and am able to get out of bed and run is a gift and I'll be damned if I'm going to turn that gift away. I know some people think I've gone a little overboard on this whole running craze but, honestly,  I just look at it as a second chance, a chance to give back and a chance to stay strong.

More than anything, MS has given my life purpose. I feel like having MS has given me a new perspective on life and has enabled me to offer support to others. Just like the words in the song that we sang tonight at church, "Where there is despair, let me bring hope." If I can bring hope to even one person, then my life here on earth has not been wasted. Amen.

FU, MS!

Every year, my friends and I turn out for the MS Walk. This year we decided to RUN it instead of walk. For one, we are all training for a half marathon in June and our training required us to do a 4 mile run that day. And, for two, well, I feel like it is my way of saying "FU, MS" anytime I step it up a notch or try something a little out of my comfort zone.

In the past, we've done the walk under the team name, "Margie's Girls" and have had lots of people show up to walk. This year, I decided to change it up a bit! I invited my closest friends and decided we needed a catchier team name!! Here's how I came up with our new team name...

At last year's walk, I had seen a family with homemade T-shirts at the walk and their shirts said ..."FUMS" on the back. I laughed to myself and felt an immediate need to go see what it was all about! So, I walked up to the older gentleman and said, "I LOVE your shirt!" He turned around smiling and pointed to the front of the shirt...saying, "It stands for Families United against MS." I smiled and said, "Sure, it does!" We both laughed. He introduced me to his 33 year old daughter, Alex who had just recently been diagnosed with MS. She was vibrant, a tall long-longed brunette beauty, a nurse and recently married. Her and I visited for quite awhile and as she talked, I couldn't help it; I started crying. Here was a young gal (same age as I was when I was diagnosed) who, just months earlier had received devastating news that could change the course of her life. And, she was smiling, surrounded by family, ready to walk for MS and do all she could to beat this damn thing. I was truly in awe.

Anyways, once I saw those shirts, I knew I had to steal their idea and somehow make it mine!! So, this year, I gathered my peeps and did a little of my own creative marketing!! I bought simple white shirts at WalMart...(originally, I was going to write on them with a sharpie, but decided these shirts were too cute to ruin!) so, I found a use for my old race bibs and turned them over, marking a black letter on each one! Turned out really cute!

Friends United against MS!

What? What did you think it stood for??

Run Like A Girl...

Want to know what is even better than me learning to run at the age of 45? My 11-year old daughter taking up the sport! Now, this may not seem like a big deal. But, let me give you a brief bio on my daughter. She has never enjoyed running, nor has she been interested in my newfound love for running. She is strong-willed and once she gets it in her mind not to do something, well...good luck trying to get her to change her mind. She has never felt like she was a good runner or had what it takes to become one. I have tried relentlessly to get her to sign up for a kid-friendly race with me to no avail. I see kids on the side lines of races, cheering on the runners and have thought to myself, "man, I wish she would do that." But, knowing all along she never would.

Well, I went away last night with my book club ladies and came home 24 hours later - only to find that my husband had turned my little girl into a budding runner!! He bought her, her first pair of running shoes. And, actually took her to the track to run with him. He ran 9 laps and she ran/walked 5.

By the time I got home, she was flying high on Cloud 9. She couldn't wait to tell me all about her afternoon with dad...grinning from ear to ear while she recounted her run. She wanted me to take her to get a pair of running pants, with an ipod pocket, because a girl has to have music when she runs! I was so excited that I would have probably bought her a brand new ipod if that's what she had asked for!!! So, I quicky wisked her off to Nike before her enthusiasm dwindled. On the way, she was asking all sorts of questions..."Mom, when did you know you liked running?" "Why did you first start running?" "When can we do a Fun Run together?" "When, we go to the beach for spring break, can I run on the beach with you?" It was all I could do to keep from crying tears of joy!! My girl was finally sharing my love of running and she was excited about it! My heart was literally overflowing with joy.

I have to hand it to my husband...How he was ever able to convince her to go for a run, is beyond me. Sometimes, it's good to step back and let someone else work their magic. I think I need to go on more girls' getaways so that my husband can perform more everyday miracles at home!

I am excited about the future and running many races with my daughter. I can only hope that she enjoys it half as much as I do. Lord knows, I wish I had started running sooner than I did. Thank you, Andrew, for taking control of the situation and just doing what you do...I am forever indebted!

Dr. Seuss was a pretty cool cat!

Last Friday, was Dr. Seuss's Birthday. It was a fun day at school...Kids wore pajamas (as did some of us adults!) and brought their favorite Dr. Seuss book to school. In kindergarten, the kids ate green eggs & ham, and wore fun red & white striped hats made out of paper plates and striped paper. In third grade, the kids got to bring pillows and blankets from home and sprawl out on the carpet during reading time and read their fave Seuss book. (It's days like these that I really love my job!!)

As I was reading "Oh! The Places You Will Go"...on the carpet with one of the kids, I came across a quote that I loved! I even asked one of the kids if I could borrow his pencil and wrote it down so I'd remember it, and perhaps post it on my mirror when I need a little extra inspiration.

So, here it is:

"You won't lag behind because you'll have the speed. You'll pass the whole gang and you'll soon take the lead. Wherever you fly, you'll be BEST of the best. Wherever you go, you will TOP all the rest. Except when you don't because sometimes you won't. I'm sorry to say so, but sadly it's true that Bang-ups and Hang-ups can happen to you!"

I love this!! It is so true. There are days that we fly towards the finish line, passing all sorts of folks on our way. And, then there are those days when we just can't seem to get our groove on, can't seem to get into a rhythm...and as good ol' Doc S. put it so well, so many years ago..."except when you don't because sometimes you won't!" Plain and simple.

I think this is such a great lesson for all of us, including our kids. They need to know that sometimes life won't go the way they want. "Bang-ups", "Hang-ups" and hiccups happen to all of us. One of my favorite things to tell my kids is: "We can't control what happens to us, but we CAN control the way we REACT to what happens to us." Kids need to know how to roll with the punches. They need to know how to get back up when they fall. Life can be tough but, attitude is EVERYTHING and the sooner, they figure that out, the better. And, who better to teach us that than Dr. Seuss?

Happy 108th bday, big guy!

I'm in an "ommm" state of mind...

I have heard for years that yoga is good for folks with MS. I have tried in the past to like yoga, but to no avail. Something about those crazy poses, balancing on blocks, twisting into a pretzel and just plain having balance issues of my own and being too self-conscious in front of all those amazing yogis...has always turned me off.

That is, until I discovered a Sunday morning class offered at my health club, called "Beginner's Yoga." I've been going faithfully for the past month and a half and I absolutely LOVE it. I pray that the time doesn't come where they kick me out and say, "Okay, you have been taking this beginner's class for 3 years now, it is time to move on to intermediate yoga!" Because I think I could take this class for the rest of my life. I am all about the basics.

The instructor starts with the very basic poses. Child's pose. Downward dog. Tree pose. She has the most soothing voice and uses words & phrases like "relax", "surrender", "breathe", "focus on the here and now"...all of which are great lessons for everyday life! At the beginning of class, she has us set an intention for our class - something we'd like to get out of it, something we'd like to let go of, something we'd like to do better. I love this idea and have begun setting a "weekly" intention for myself. She really pushes us to be our authentic selves, not comparing ourselves to anyone else in the class. She sets such a great tone for the whole class that I think everyone feels instantly at ease.

I also added yoga to my weekly workouts because I've read many times over, that it is the perfect compliment to running. It strengthens your core, stretches tired muscles and helps with balance. I now look forward to my Sunday morning ritual like I would a spa treatment. I feel like it is the one time each week that I devote to pampering my body inside and out. I savor that hour like I would savor a piece of cheesecake, a good book or a glass of wine. I love the way I feel before, during and after the class. It gives me a sense of empowerment and just leaves me with an overall sense of peace to begin my week. Not a bad Rx for anyone...MS or not!

So, don't wait to be diagnosed with a disease or get injured, to try yoga. It really is as good as people say it is. It does a body and soul good.  Just make sure you find a class that suits your needs and lifestyle.

-Namaste (which, for other fellow beginners, is pronounced Num-ah-stay and means "the divine in me honors the divine in you...")

Running and Chocolate...What could be better?

A PR, perhaps and possibly a ribbon!! Today, I ran a 5k with my running buddy, Rachel. It was so much fun...it reminded me why I run. It was a beautiful course, located in scenic Sunriver, Oregon. It was called "Run for Chocolate"...which means after the race, they treated us to an array of delicious chocolate treats (dark of course, 'cause that's the healthy kind!!) They had a choclolate fountain with all kinds of yummies for dipping (bananas, strawberries, marshmallows, graham crackers....you name it!) and pots of gourmet coffee, hot cocoa....biscotti, protein bars, chocolate milk (my fave post-run drink!) It was pure "post-race" heaven!!

The best part, perhaps was crossing the finish line at 29:40. A personal 5k best for both Rachel and I. At the start of the race, we had decided our goal would be under 31 minutes. Afterall, the trail was icy and even the race annoucer said at the start line, "Not a day to try for a PR!" Well, take that, race announcer!!

The funniest part was afterwards, as we awaited the race results and awards ceremony...I told Rachel, "I really think I may have placed in my age category!" I was a little excited thinking about the possibility. Rachel said she might cry if I did. As they read the Top 3 winners in each category...I was getting more and more excited! They read Rachel's age group, 35-39, ... Rachel won 2nd place!!! Woohoo!! Then, they skipped ahead to the 50-over group. I quickly yelled out, "Hey, you forgot the 40's". So, the announcer graciously apologized and went back and read the 40-over category winners. Well, call it karma (for yelling out) or call it like it is (40 year old women in Bend are a COMPETITIVE bunch!!) Because I didn't even make the top 4! No ribbon for me. The first place finisher in my age category finished in 24 minutes...Wow!

The really sad part was that I was all ready to run up and accept my ribbon. I had stepped out of the buffet line. I had set my plate down. I was in starting position to run up to the podium and maybe even give a little acceptance speech. I know, nobody does that, but why not start a new trend??

Well, my bubble burst just a little bit when I didn't hear my name called. But, Rachel and I got a good laugh out of it. We headed to the lounge and ordered a celebratory bloody mary and recounted the highlights of the run as we looked out at the snow capped mountains! I mean, we had achieved a Personal Best...so, that was worth celebrating!! Yay Us!!

There are a million reasons why I am a mess...but, menopause is NOT one of them!

I went to the doctor last week. I've been feeling, lately, like I'm starting to enter the "M-phase" of my life! Night sweats, mood swings, sudden flare-ups in my acne (it's got me wondering, "when in the world will I be able to stop stealing my 17 year old son's zit medicine?") Urgh.

So, I asked my doctor if he could order a hormone test...I guess it's called the FSH Test (Follicle Stimulating Hormone). High levels indicate that you are entering menopause. Well, I took the blood test and the results came back stating that I am not in menopause. Yet.

So, now what? I was hoping he'd give me some magic pill, hormone replacement or secret cream to make it all go away...and now, I'm left to deal with all of this on my own.

It's frustrating to say the least. Atleast when you know who the predator is, you are more able to plan your attack. You know what you're up against. Now, I'm just left to figure out what the hell all this means and how best to deal with it on my own...without drugs.

Wish me luck!!