Crazy Summer

I can't believe school started this week and that I haven't made a post since June!!! I have had the opportunity to experience change this summer in so many ways. Our office moved to Salina after a change in ownership; our kids are quickly emerging as independent, unique, little people whose quirks are both adoring and maddening at times; my time on the road training has been reduced as my pace is quickening; and my mind has forever been changed after meeting an inspiring man named, Dan Keplinger, AKA King Gimp. Dan will be the primary focus of this post as he has come to mind almost daily since I had the fortune of hearing his incredible story at the National AMBUCS convention in Rogers, AR in July.

Dan has spastic cerebral palsy and has not allowed his disability to define him. He, who has vey limited control of his motor skills, has recently completed his masters degree in fine arts. He was the subject of an academy award nominated documentary film, King Gimp. There are many messages that come from this man's amazing life, but the one I was struck so fully by that I was not able to speak after sitting through his presentation for the emotion that overflowed from me is this: Do not let others define you or tell you what you can do in life. Seems simple, yet the impact of experiencing this man's artwork has changed the way I view many aspects of my every day world.

I work in the disability world and every day have the opportunity to interact with very special people. How many times do we who are "normal" make judgement about what those we have the ability to influence are capable of becoming? I've always considered myself as a positive, encouraging individual, but I want to be more than that. I want to follow those things I'm most passionate about and I want to inspire others to do the same. So that's that. Each day, I think of the man who literally trembles and yet his passion is expressing himself through painting. He has learned to do so with a brush attached to a headband. His art is raw, pure emotion. I encourage you to learn more about living your passion, whatever it may be.

On a side note, I'm thrilled to report I have achieved 11 minute miles in my training for the half-marathon. If I can shave 1 more minute off, I'll have reached my goal of 10 minute miles by race day. WOO HOO! Blessings to you - Lori

Trials

Well, this week has certainly been one of trials, both physically and mentally. I got off two days on my training schedule, so I ran my long run Monday morning and paid for it the rest of the week. The reason for the delay was that we moved our office from Assaria to Salina over the weekend. I usually think rest is over rated, but my tune is much different today, one week later. At work, we didn't have email access all week and that poses an interesting circumstance when your work is in 19 counties. We did survive.

Then last night, our church softball team played it's last 9:30 ballgame, which didn't start until 10:00 p.m. and that's my bedtime! Needless to say, I didn't get up this morning for my long run. I just made an attempt at 6 miles and made it about 3.5 in the 90 plus degree heat and 90 plus percent humidity. It's hot and muggy and I feel crazy for not having listened to my husband's advice of just waiting to go until tomorrow. Honey, I'm sorry!

I keep telling people it's not about the single miles, but the journey I'm on, so I'll chalk this one up to a bad choice.

Survived

I don't want to be a pessimist, but if I take as long as I did yesterday with my first five mile run in 8 years, it will take me three hours to run a half marathon. That's not exactly record pace. I guess I have something to strive for...more speed. Any running partner I've ever had will know that's not something I'm known for. I guess the better sign is that I had enough energy to help my dad stack wood from two very wet walnuts trees after the run and am ready to go again today. Feeling blessed...

On the road again

WOO HOO!! I'm on the road again heading toward my goal of a 13.1 mile race. The thought seems so crazy at this point, but I am unusually calm and so pumped up about the challenge. I am going through some kind of transformation right now. I feel God working in my life in so many ways, at work, physically, in our church. It is truly an awesome place to be right now. Everything seems in alignment, pardon my pun. This morning's run was so beautiful. It is a blessing to hear God's birds serenading me through the drumlike pounding of my feet and to witness the colors of the Creator's pallette painted across the sky. What beauty. Can't wait for tomorrow.

My daughter has her first baseball practice tonight and I can't wait to see how she does. Until later-

A physical challenge

I've been working to get my groove back. I know, that sounds sexy, but just ask my running partner, it's not. Last fall, I set out to get back into the running scene and thus far, it's not been an easy road. I fell in November and twisted my ankle, which took me out for three weeks. Then came our wretched slick and cold winter. Mid-February, we got serious again. Then two weeks ago, my two best friends from college put a challenge out there to train for a half-marathon and run it together on a very flat course in Wichita in September. This is just what I needed. A purpose! We found a training schedule that will help us build up to the first time run.

Then I went to the chiropractor, who told me I'd better put off running for two more weeks as my lower back is grossly misaligned. So I now am anxiously awaiting Thursday to get out and work toward achieving another thing off of my list of things to do.

I'll be journalling my experience, so I hope you don't tire of the trek.

Jayhawk glory

As a fan of Kansas basketball, I must say that I've been relishing this season more than ever. Two weeks after the victory over Memphis, this fan is still riding high of the waves of one of the most memorable comebacks that this game has has ever seen. Many accolades are extended to the young men who brought the national championship home to the hallowed Allen Fieldhouse. The pride and joy this most unselfish team has brought the Jayhawk faithful goes beyond what words can describe.

I will never forgot the 2007-08 season as I had the opportunity to witness not only my 1st game in person at Allen Fieldhouse this year, but a second came also. The latter being the sweetest Valentine I've ever received. A gift from my dad to attend the home game against CU in which they celebrated the 110 years of basketball at the hallowed university. It was chilling to witness the hundreds of players that remain committed to the program fill the wooden court and be recognized by the fans who so deeply love all that has come from the program over the years. Getting to experience the game with my mom, dad and sister was icing on the cake, as we've witnessed so many games together on TV, starting before the first national championship of my lifetime in 1988.

This team is a special one. There are several of the players who have the ability to do what Michael Beasley did for the Wildcats, but their coach, Bill Self, will forever be revered for taking those 15 players and turning them into a team to achieve undoubtedly some of the most impressive statistics in the history of basketball for team play. This is something we all should strive for in our day to day lives. Not individual recognition, but personal sacrifices for the greater good. And now we're left to savor the victory and look torward the building of another legacy of basketball in this great state. ROCK CHALK JAYHAWK!!!

Insurance crime

After a long fall of waiting and anticipation, January 1, I began in a new job as Human Resources/Communications Manager. This is a nice blend of my previous experiences and allows my some opportunities for benefits administation which I've never done before. This has been a challenge thus far, learning federal regulations with the insurance industry and experiencing major frustration with all of the bureaucratic hoops small business must jump through to insure our frontline workforce in the developmental disability world. We're talking about people helping people stay in their own homes and join in our community, making (at best) $9.20 per hour. The consumers of our state are being held hostage by the rising the expenses of medical care forcing families and individuals to make choices about whether or not they can afford to continue paying for insurance. Something has to give! I just wish I had all of the answers.

The Hawks Go Down

As I am unable to sleep because of the revolving bed occupants and cover swapping involved with toddlers having colds, I sit to write and post my mixed emotions about the loss of our beloved Jayhawks to our instate rivals, the KSU Wildcats. It struck me, as I watched the multitude of students and fans rush the floor, that the majority of students at K-State weren't even born yet before their last victory in Manhattan against the Jayhawks in December of 1983. Heck, I hadn't yet broken into double digits yet myself. What a streak! I guess I'd rather this be a motivating loss to catipult us into greater play through the end of the season than losing in the Big 12 Tournament or worse yet, the big dance. My hope is that we can rebound and use this loss to drive forward and win the Big 12 and make a good run toward the national championship! ROCK CHALK! Watch out CATS!