Not the Sharpest Pencil in the Drawer

Have you ever had an overly friendly neighbor?

Let me introduce you to our new neighbor, I've met her twice.

First time, I had the kids out in the car and it was on. I ran in for sippy cups and heard this knock on my screen door. My heart leaped as I thought, who just walked passed my perfectly gift wrapped car readily equipped with my most prized possessions? When you live near questionable characters you have to think these things. It was this neighbor announcing her unusual purchase of the home across the street for her 18 year old college kid and to avoid commuting from Wickenburg 3 days per week so her 10 year old can ice skate.

Next encounter? Today!!

It is not even 8 am. Little Brian has been prepared to walk out the door for school. I am still in my comfort wear. Let's be honest here, I'm in my underwear and I was certainly not poised for a social interaction!

Little Brian responds to the knock on the screen door as I dart to my room for clothes that would suit a face to face interaction. This little neighbor woman is speaking in her loudest of voices, "Can I use your pencil sharpener? We are trying to write on dry wall and we need a pencil sharpener."

Brian responds, "I am actually leaving for school right now."

So I poked my head around the corner to call out, "Sure, just a minute."

I rush back into my room, grab a shirt and pants, once the pants are on I am just moments from having my shirt on when I hear my neighbor shockingly close. Yeah, here she is near my bedroom door staring straight in babbling along about pencils and almost using a knife to sharpen them!!! Seriously, is all of this about pencils? I think, as I continue to put my shirt on while my neighbor watches.

I made a casual comment about lounging around in the morning. All the while pretending it did not shock the Hell out of me that this woman had barged in my home and observed me with my shirt off.

I can't help but wonder:

1. What person on the planet does not realize if the adult does not answer the door immediately in the morning they might be getting dressed.



2. Since when do strangers feel confident strolling into a door opened by a child?



3. Why haven't I taught Brian never to allow a stranger into the house?



4. Wouldn't you know the neighbor would pick one of the only 2 school days this year that I wasn't dressed at 7:55am?



5. Perhaps there is nothing worse than a friendly neighbor!

My final thoughts:

This day is off to an awesome start!

God Bless my in-laws for that swift electric pencil sharpener!!! Can you imagine manually sharpening 6 pencils after just providing a free show to your neighbor, who is close enough to smell your morning breath?

I Love to Tri

In November my cousin Dixie made a blog post welcoming all who might like to train, sculpt, and motivate themselves under her guidance to participate in a Triathlon Sprint to be held May 9th, 2009. My how the time has flown by. Five women answered her siren's call, through attrition we lost one. The remaining group consisted of 4 sisters, that are my cousins and me.

We have followed our recommended training schedules, we have been on group training missions. I have suffered one ugly ankle sprain and scraped the same knee twice, but the months flew by and training continued. As race day approached everything was in order.
My stamina increased quickly and I could swim a half mile. Strength and endurance multiplied and full 16-20 mile bike rides were achieved. I learned at my dad's heel as we rocketed from Alma School down 8th street to the great beyond of Greenfield and back again. He provided the cycles and the secrets of the trade. The first ride was nauseating, but safely completed. Soon I found it easier to ride at faster speeds for longer distances.

Running was mentally and physically taxing. Mental barriers were broken to increase speed and running longevity. One run at a time, I beat down the demons in my head tempting me to break my pace and walk. Though not always victorious in this war, there have been advancements on the battlefield.
We tested our fortitude. We swam in those sultry green waters of Tempe Town Lake. Cycled the bridges of Priest and Mill Avenue. Ran on the shores surrounding the Lake. The race culminated in a downhill run on Mill Avenue bridge. Though the view of the lake was beautiful, the image of the finish line was even more breathtaking!

Our families cheered us on. At pivotal moment's a jubilant cheer would burst from the crowd "Go Wendy!" As I would look a loving cousin, sibling, parent, friend or spouse would be seen smiling from ear to ear! People were placed all along the race shouting, "Good work. Keep it up. You go girl!" Ever so motivating. Always inspiring. Definitely appreciated.

My loving supporters at the finish line were the greatest reward at the end of this race.

As I began the run I was feeling the exhaustion. I had hardly drunk any water and blistering temperatures exceeded 100 degrees. A cute 25 year old girl hit the running path the same time as I did. "You can do it. Just keep running" she said. I heeded her call and kept trotting along. My beverage was a steaming bottle of blue Gatorade. Not the cool refreshing water I craved. She sprayed her cold water in my eyes to eliminate the burning and doused my top with water, effectively aiding my transition to the run.

As the first mile passed my body was rejuvenated, I felt at ease with steady continual pace. She had less training and running the rest was not within her ability. I encouraged and plead with her, "We're so close, keep going. You've got this." She said, "Keep running if you can, don't wait for me." I longed to stay and walk alongside her, but knew I had to keep running. I had come to far on this race and inside I knew I HAD to keep moving. She said her goal was to just finish. Mine was to do my best. As this realization became clear in my mind, onward I pressed.

So many parallels can be drawn between this experience and the life experience. As we are seeking to advance, there are people swimming along side us trying to grab our legs and push us down. They may even scratch us or try to go right over us. As we race down our roads of life, people may try to block us from our destination. They may hog the road and seem to prevent us from advancing on our desired path.

Yet there are so many more who are there to help, encourage, motivate, and guide us. They are the willing hands who lift us up when we are exhausted and dehydrated. They help us to refuel and continue on. There are people handing out the essential hydrating refreshment, the living waters. We are lifted by others, and have many opportunities to lift.

This will be a cherished life experience. I haven't challenged myself and set goals like this in years. What a sense of accomplishment to complete such a journey. The true benefit of this race is knowing that this is just one leg of my life race, and I now have even more tools to aide me in my quest.