Reunion

We spent a couple of days in Nebraska in mid-October for a residency reunion. It was a blast to see everyone again. Scott was one of eight residents in his class. 7 1/2 years later, they're all still practicing medicine; all happily married; and all have more kids than we do!

Everyone was at the reunion, except for three children. When residency started, four of the residents were married, four were single and two couples each had one child. Now, all are married (two to each other!), and there are 21 children between us. One couple had two sets of twins - they're 3 1/2 and 15 months old. God bless them. They win.

Why I Run

I am not the world's fastest runner, by any stretch of the imagination. I do not have the best form. I have never won a race, nor do I aspire to do so. Running gives me a sideache sometimes; it makes me breathe too hard and I am unable to carry on a conversation (which makes me a terrible running partner, although Scott doesn't seem to mind). So why do I do it?

It started in high school, when my sister convinced me to go out for cross country. I have run on and off since then. A few years ago, my reasons were to get in shape to compete in a few triathlons and road races, just so I could say that, at one point in my life, I did a traithlon . Recently, my reasons were a little different; mostly to make my pants fit again.

There is one reason I run, however, that is a little less selfish. It's a great time for praise and worship for me. I put on my headphones, crank up the praise music and don't think about the bad form, the heavy breathing or the sideache. I praise God for the beauty around me that He created; I pray for the neighbors whose houses I pass; I thank God for my husband and children and the blessings in my life too numerous to count.

I am a creature of habit. My running route is around the lake. It's rural and quiet and reminds me a little of where I grew up. There is one place where I run on a path through a cornfield - you don't get more Iowa than that! That's where I say a prayer of thanks for my upbringing; a good, solid, Christian, midwest upbringing.

And then I get back on the road and get a little more selfish, and say another prayer to make my sideache go away.

Road Trip

I am writing this blog from sunny Arizona; it is glorious, I have to admit. The getting here, however, an entirely different story.

It started last week; Mom and I drove separately to Aunt Linda's (thanks for the hospitality!!) and spent the night there on Friday. I was feeling a little iffy at that point; bad cold, cough...but slept well and we were on the road by 7:30 the next morning...in spite of the SNOW!!

"It can't get any worse," we kept telling each other. But it kept getting worse. By Omaha, snowplows were on the road and the farther west we drove, the more snow and ice we were driving through.

After a quick phone call to a friend in North Platte, NE (who told us they had about six inches of snow and it was still falling!!!) we decided to head south and get off the interstate. Into Kansas we ventured; not so bad for awhile, then it started to rain. And then the temperature kept dropping. We drove in freezing rain through Kansas, through Oklahoma, through Texas and into New Mexico.

Those are icicles on the speed limit sign - I believe this was in Texas. After several phone calls to the "keeper of the radar" (my sister, graciously tracking the radar on her computer), we decided we had to make it to Albuquerque to get out of it. My cold was worse, my eyes were swollen, bloodshot and running constantly and it hurt to not wear my sunglasses (even though there was no sunshine in sight) so Mom ended up driving the majority of the way.

18 hours later, we arrived in Albuquerque, New Mexico; only to find out the Hot Air Balloon races were in town. By the grace of God, we found a hotel room, fell into our beds and slept. The next day, we headed southwest once again, this time in sunshine!! The brakes on our van seemed a little shaky, so going over the mountains was an experience, to say the least.

After we finally arrived at our destination, I took the van in to have the brakes looked at - "90 percent gone in the front" is what the brake man told me. It was quite a trip; one that made a lot of memories. And now Mom and I are in sunny Arizona, and it is, as I said before, glorious!!

My New Favorite Snack

Healthy & delicious! Roasted tomatoes.

Recipe:

Fresh tomatoes

olive oil

kosher salt

pepper

oregano

(You'll also need parchment paper -very important or they will stick)

Slice tomatoes, about 1/4 - 1/2 inch thick. Place on parchment paper lined cookie sheet (one with edges, otherwise juice will run all over your oven. Drizzle with olive oil (I use the olive oil cooking spray to get a nice light, even coat); sprinkle salt, pepper and oregano over tomatoes. Bake 30 - 60 minutes at 400 degrees, until juice is evaporated and edges of tomatoes are slightly blackened. Eat immediately; use in pasta, pizza; or freeze for later!