What? October 7th? No!!

Many months have passed since the January Marathon post, why is that you ask? One small four letter word, life. Last school year I had a senior in high school, so the year was a blur. Now that hubby and I are the only ones in the house, I want to commit some time to Popcorn's Page, I miss it!

Not only do we have a college freshman adjusting to dorm life this fall, one of our daughters spent the month of September in Europe. He's doing fine and I'm happy to say that the traveler is back on American soil where she belongs...for now.

If you haven't visited the website Pinterest.com, you need to. It is a great concept and fun to browse around on. See you next post.

Marathon Memories

Running the marathon Sunday was awesome. The course took us to all of the prettiest and charming parts of H town. Amazing people came out to line the streets just to cheer us as we ran by. The weather was nice. All things considered, it was a fun experience and one I'll never forget. Thank you Mr. Popcorn and Popson for following me around just to wave and snap pictures of me and hold up encouraging signs. You two are awesome and your faces kept me truckin' through no man's land, the miles far enough out from the finish that your mind starts a stream of negative thoughts. Thoughts like, "Why did you think you could do this?", or "Why would any idiot run this far?". The closer I got to the finish line the negative thoughts turned more positive..."Mel you are actually going to run 26.2 miles!" ... "OMG you are almost there!" "Look at all these people that are so happy you are almost finished!"..."You aren't going to die after all so keep going and don't embarrass yourself! " "I see the 26 mile flag oh man!" I loved it and now have a memory to cheer myself with when I feel defeated, because for a day in 2011, I was a champion.

The Real Popcorn: Marathon Mel

This weekend I will run 26.2 miles in the Houston Chevron Marathon. Sunday at 7:10 to be exact. I've trained with my running friends since May with this goal in mind. Well, not this goal but a goal. At first it was to run the half, but Dec. 19 I decided to go for the whole thing. Staci, my pace running partner finished it in 2002 and kept encouraging me to give the full a go, as did our coach/running guru friend, Donna. So I did, I bumped up. I will probably never be this trained up again in my life so I'm going for it. The very act of training for a marathon is inspirational and I've grown more than just muscle through the months of early morning run chats with Staci. See you soon with sore but proud legs.

Popcorn's Poetry: Chairs from Williamsburg, Monticello, and Mount Vernon (and one from a special private collection...)

Ready for this??? Popcorns Celebrate 30 Years of Wedded Bliss

Yes, that's right. You heard me correctly! Thirty years of togetherness. Here's the stats: Married, half past seven in the evening, August 23, 1980. First Baptist Bellaire, Tx. Six houses, 19 cars, three babies/toddlers/preschoolers/elementary children/middle schoolers/TEENAGERS/young adults/softball players/soccer players/football players/baseball players/basketball players...Three dogs, four cats, aquariums full of goldfish, 1 gerbil (gross) Two Brownies and a Cub Scout. One church, 23 years of Wednesday night choir practice, GA's, RA's, and youth activities on the third floor. Anniversary trips to Salado, San Antonio, and Austin. 23+21+17 birthday parties. One sweet 16 party with 150 on the guest list, and one Sound of Music surprise party with 70 eating all German food and dressed in character...lots of nuns and even a couple of smiling edelweiss. Years and years and YEARS of fun, family, and friends. A CD and music video, New Year's trips to Epcot/Disney(with our besties and their kids who are our kids' besties!) and Times Square. Best of all, the sweetest day in /day out, we're a team, I've got your back, life long tete te tete with the man of my dreams. Happy Anniversary honey!

Anxiety Within

Today I'm nagged by the ever so slight gnaw gnaw gnaw of anxiety. I run, it's there. I eat, it's there. I wake, it greets me. I chat and laugh, it lurks. Oy.

Popcorn's Playtime..thanks rain

I have to confess that this week I was given the gift of do whatever I want when I want, even if it's nothing. And I have loved every last drop of every minute. During my busy comings and goings all the time, I have all these things at home that I would rather be doing. Things that bug me if they are left undone, which they always are, so I always feel a nagging sense of being annoyed and anxious to get back home to get on my projects. What kind of projects you ask? Organizing the garage is one biggy. I have wanted to get out there and tear into that thing for months. All spring when the temps were perfect for such a chore I always had something else to do, some sort of commitment. I'm not kidding! From the pretty days of fall all the way through spring, no time to take a couple of mornings to organize the garage. Same thing with my closet. I love an organized closet so much. But it seems like I live my life getting ready to go somewhere....church, choir, school, lunch, dinner, meeting. I know you know what I mean. So consequently the closet becomes increasingly....uh....well, disorganized. Sometimes to the point I can't even walk in it! So this week I've been able to tackle those two chores but for me it was blissful playtime. The garage needs one more morning, which will be tomorrow since it is conveniently trash day. My closet is now ready for the clothes hanging in it to be color sorted. I'm actually grateful for all this rain because without it I'd be getting ready to go somewhere.

Pretty Flowers At Glen Eyrie Castle in Colorado Springs

Long TIme No Blog

Wow. March! Has it been that long since I was inspired to write something on my blog?? Truth is when I started my beloved Popcorn's Page I was not really employed..well, part time at my cute little Magpies store (not mine really but mine to me). Once I started teaching full time again that became my creative outlet and this one took a back seat. Sad isn't it? It's just that I am prone to pouring my whole self into things and when you pour your whole self into teaching teenagers...the self is all spent once home again at 3:00 p.m. There's not any energy left to think much less creatively. I'm not complaining. NO! I'm embracing this season in my life. I feel blessed to have the opportunity to teach two miles from my driveway much less the subject that I love. So tonight I am here to encourage you to embrace the new season in your life. We all experience them one way or another. Your season might not be one you've chosen for yourself...maybe another person "shoved" you into the season. Or maybe your new season was brought on by a sadness or tragedy...it happens to all of us. Or maybe you did choose it, like I did, but the adjustment has been rocky. My advice? Look at it, accept it, know it isn't going to go away. Our lives have a certain fluidity that we cannot fight, if we try we're just miserable. I heard a sermon in Colorado Springs last week and the minister said that we can't stay here, we can't go back, and we must move forward. How simple! Psychiatrists charge big bucks for such wisdom. So quit looking back and get going with your new plan. I am! Where do you think I've been all these months?

March Madness, in a good way

No, I'm not going to talk about basketball or brackets or wins or losses. I just want to kvetch(in a good way) about how busy this month is. The build up to Easter is killing me. In a good way, of course. The Popcorns practiced for months on music for the presentation of The Passion, which we presented last Sunday. It was moving experience and it was a privelege to be part of such a beautiful production. But the intensity of the whole thing was exhausting. Then Monday night we were thrilled to be invited to a Seder dinner at the home of Super Church Lady which was so much fun and so meaningful. Really really enjoyed the evening. Last night was Popgrammie's birthday so we all met for dinner at her fav mexican food spot. Tonight was choir practice...we're now preparing for tomorrow night, Maundy Thursday service and Easter Sunday. Whew. Fun, but fast and furious! In a good way, of course. Happy Easter everyone.

Happy Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day Friends! Here are some vintage Valentines that were given to my Dad by his friends all through his school years spanning the years 1946 through 1954. That was elementary school which was 1st through 8th grade. They are so sweet! Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

Proud Popcorns

Popson was inducted into the National Honor Society tonight. It was a nice candle lighting ceremony that didn't last too long. We are so proud of him!

Blog Photog 2010

TIme for a Change, I Guess

The church I've been a member of for 21 years is planning to change it's name. Personally, I think it is a good but odd idea. The name of the church is perplexing to those who are new to the area and don't know our history or the reason for the name. It is the name of the street we were originally located on but have since built on another site on another street. Hence, there is sometimes confusion about where the church actually is and people get lost and frustrated. That's why the odd idea of changing the name of the 28 year old congregation came about. I like the new name better, some people do not. They don't like the idea of changing it, and they don't like the new choice of names. Hum. It isn't official yet, there's a "vote" soon. We'll see how that goes....interesting. Life is full of surprises.

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Popcorn's Prayin'

The carolers are still serenading us on the piano

My little Christmas village is still out

This nativity is still keeping us company in the entry

The patriotic tree is still standing proudly by the Constitution in the music room

We had a faculty meeting today about the possibility of no school in the morning. YIPPEE. I have got to get some more of the Christmas decorations down, sorted, and put away! It's embarassing that the whole project is in such a state of flux. But, (may I whine?) Popdaughter is still here and won't leave until Sunday and I just cannot spend my time obsessively sorting, packing, storing, and cleaning. So would I use tomorrow to complete the task? Maybe for a little while in the a.m. while she sleeps. Nevertheless, an unexpected free day is always a treat.

Nutcrackers are still standing guard on the little china cabinet in the dining room

Popcorn's Ponderings

Have you ever just wanted to be home? Home sweet home. On the couch. You're tired, you're cold, and you're hassled and you just want to hibernate. But the next thing you know you find yourself standing in line at the DPS office with your son because his license expired on his birthday~ in October. Or you find yourself behind a shopping cart at Kroger at 9:00 p.m because the fridge has no milk? I know there's worse things, like Tsunami's and such. I just wondered if anyone else just wants to be home but life often dictates otherwise. : )

Guilt RIdden But Warm

I'm sitting here by the fire feeling so bad. My daughter wanted so badly for all of us to go see Avatar~ and I bailed. I just could not go sit in a movie theater for three hours and watch so not my genre Avatar in 3D tonight. I didn't have it in me, not the night before I go back to school. Bad timing. Bad Popcorn. So here I sit guilt ridden but warm. First guilt of the New Year. Oy.