I'm not very social. I usually joke that "I don't like people." While that's got a hint of truth to it, I think it's probably more fair to say that I am very choosy about the time I spend with people I didn't marry or give birth to. I figure, I am away from my family for at least 40 hours a week. Toss in the fact that two of my kids spend about half of their time with their dad, and my waking hours just got that much more precious. Hubby and I need time--I learned a long time ago how important that is, so this means I am very reluctant to use the rest of my time with other people--no matter how much I like them.
Today was an exception. My husband is one of five kids--he has three brothers and one sister. His older brother (one of my high school best friends whom I met at age 8) married a girl from our high school who I really like, and his youngest brother just got married a little over a year ago to a sweet girl we all enjoy. His sister was a year behind me in school, and she is one of the most loyal, good-hearted people I have ever known. Years ago, we started a tradition of a girls day in Seattle to do some Christmas shopping. We did it for a few years, but for one reason or another, we didn't go for the last five years or so. We decided that it would be a good idea to go this year and today was the day. We talked non-stop all the way to the mall--the trip felt like it took about 20 minutes. We had a great time looking in all the shops, and laughed and shared all through our lunch. It was a really good reminder to me of something I hadn't necessarily forgotten, but had lost track of, and it is this: I love these women. They are my family, they love all the same people that I do, and they mean the world to me. We vowed to make this more of a priority and are going to try to work something in our schedule for spring. It was a good day.
Okay, mushy stuff over--now let's talk about running. I have made a decision: I am going to do a half-marathon this summer. I found a 12-week training program, and decided I would give it a try. But since I'm kind of a weenie, I'm going to stretch it over 24 - 30 weeks instead. I put a lot of effort into being a beast, but even after more than a year at this, I usually want to die about 2 1/2 miles in. So wish me luck because now that I have said it out loud and put it in print, it's going to happen. I'll keep you posted.
