I can’t think of a catchy title for this blog… and since it will be a smorgasbord, I figured that “recap” is fine. Okay, disclaimer over with it! Let’s get started!
One of my SMART goals this years, under “Personal Betterment” is
I welcome January 2017 in as a sharp-dressed woman, as I have made an effort to be more presentable, and accountable in my attire and stepped outside the house always dressed for success.
Honestly, I really thought this was a good idea.
And I’m not ready to abandon it yet… but…
Yeah, that happened.
This month, we celebrated my mom’s birthday with a family gathering. Mr. T had to work, so he spent time with her and dad earlier in the day and had a pleasant lunch with his grandparents, but since I was busy, I wasn’t there and don’t have any pictures – so we’ll start with a picture I snapped of the two of them a few days prior!
They were having an intense discussion! Cassius, Lee’s boxer, came over for a visit, and if you look closely, even Shorty was taking part!
It was a fun gathering, and at the end of the night, it was time to take some pictures!
The best part was when Grammy wanted some pictures with her grand-kids. This is what we posted:
This is the behind the scenes of what all we have to go through in order to get just a few good shots! I am sure this is something most of y’all can relate to!!
Notice how we were all jumping in to help.
Yeah. Not so much. We are more of a sit-back-and-laugh family!!
Remember that I mentioned being busy that morning so I couldn’t join Mr. T during his visit with his grandparents?
Boom! First 5k of the year done! *happy dance* Heroes for Hope run benefiting St. Jude Children’s Hospital.
BA ran with me, and after we had cooled down, grabbed some food and water, I checked, and they didn’t have a computer set up for us to check our official times, but they gave me the site I could log onto later – and then pointed me in the direction of the guy that had the print out!
I did not medal.
Well, if I’m not getting a medal, then we could go. Not going to lie, there were 30 more minutes to go until the ceremony, and I couldn’t hang!
The next day I got on and checked the official time.
I did not medal, BUT…
I knocked 3 minutes off my race time!! 3 minutes y’all!! It was insane! I did start way too fast, and it came up and bit me in the butt at the 2.5ish mark, but again, I’m just amazed at the love of runners, I was struggling, and another runner came up beside me and slowed down, told me I could do it – and then stayed to run with me for a bit! She and I kept together for a good bit, and it felt good. I love the sense of community that has come with running, I really do!
As long as I was checking my time, I pulled up BA’s time.
And then I called him and asked “When I was checking the time sheet for me – did you happen to check it for you? I think you medaled.”
No, he hadn’t checked the sheet, so I contacted the race coordinator, and sure enough, BA came in 3rd place in his group! They are mailing his medal – it took several hours for it to really sink in with him, but all of the sudden, I think I can convince him to run with me again!
Did That Just Happen Blog 
I am enjoying your recap! I didn’t know what to call when I started doing one too. So I totally understand what you meant.
What an achievement on your 5k run! 3 min is a lot in running! I am getting motivated now. Except that I am doing brisk walk mostly nowadays 🙂
I walked for several years before starting running – and even this last weekend I went to run but ran into a neighbor and we did a brisk walk together instead, it was nice!
Glad you pointed out shorty, how adorable they are all about Mr. T. Happy birthday (late) to your beautiful mama and what a happy family you come from!
Thank you Traci! I do feel fortunate that we love having so much fun, both with each other and at each other’s expense! 😀
Well done on your race! And I love the photos. You are right, all family group shots have that “behind the scenes” story!
Thanks Nancy, I love the behind the scenes! 🙂
A very auspicious beginning to the new year.
Thank you! 🙂
Congratulations again on hitting a new PB! So awesome!
p.s. Your mom’s legs are gorgeous!
Thank you Nancy! And I’ll pass that along! 🙂
Lots of yummy going on and insights Kete. Congrats on many levels … and especially for being true to yourself. I love the family pics 💓
Ahh, the fond memories of dog slobber on my pants – I grew up with a boxer who did the same thing!
Oh my goodness but the boxer slobbers more than any dog I have ever met!!! LOL! And thank you 🙂
Looks like an awesome beginning to the year!! Love the family pics! Happy Birthday to your mum! And a massive congratulations for your 5k run!! Well done Kate 2016 is going to be an awesome year xxx
Thank you Diana, if our goal is to start like we want things to go, then I agree, my future is looking bright!! 😀
Woo hoo! Sounds like it was a pretty great month. Those pictures of you mom with everyone climbing all over her is awesome. 🙂 Congrats again on the PR- that’s awesome! And congrats to your friend too! Those first few medals you earn are extra special. 🙂
I’m not surprised you can get fit in a family with such lovely energetic kids 😉 good on you for improving your time!
Thank you so much! I laugh, though, because the next run I did was so super slow… I can appreciate the phrase “recovery run” so much more now!! 🙂
Wooooo! 3mins of your time is amazing! Well done! I am so proud of you X
Thank you!! I actually just got back from a short 2 mile, cause it was crazy windy, and I was feeling a bit of struggle… when I stopped my GPS, come to find out I had been running a minute faster than my normal not-racing pace! LOL. I think I’m getting stronger 🙂
That is so awesome!!!
Looks like you have a fun family. Love the smiles and laughter seen in the photos. Also, congrats on shaving off 3 minutes from your time! That is quite an accomplishment!
Thank you, my sister and I drive mom nuts being totally inappropriate, but it sure makes for some laughs! 🙂
Where to begin… I love, love, love the brutal honesty that you have regarding your goals. You do not hold back when sharing and that is so admirable! I was hoping to see a picture of your outfit that day, a little disappointed that we did not. As you know, one of my goals is similar to yours regarding being presentable and fashion fabulous (as fabulous as I can be living in Kansas)…but after my big win for sassy and classy yesterday I had a big fail when I had gotten home and the youngest told me that we were out of milk, bread, and TP – so I went to the little local grocery store in my pj’s. First time in my life that has happened!
I LOVE the picture of Mr. T with your mom and the dogs! It is so real! I’m also giving extra credit for the ‘bucks and Shorty being so typically chihuahua!
As for the pictures of the grands on your mom, let me start off by saying, I wish I had legs like hers! WOW! Next, I cracked up to the point of snorting at the picture of the baby mauling your mom’s face in what appeared to be a fingers up the nose moment, followed by what must have been a sloppy kiss! What isn’t to love?
As for your BIG accomplishment on running your first 5K of the year, I can only say that you are my idol when it comes to running. I have never been a runner and although I have occasional moments of delusion where I think I want to give it a try, I always talk myself down. Not only did you knock 3 minutes off your time, BA medaled, and you have managed to run a race in every month of the year so far! You’re batting 1000!
If the next 11 months of the year are anything close to the first one, you are going to set the world on fire with your brilliance!
✨🏃🏻✨
Mom had surgery today for carpel tunnel on both hands, but I can’t wait until I can tell her to come read your comment!
And I’m dying that after being so fashionable you went to the store in your pj’s!!! That is quite awesome in my book!! 😀
And thanks… I haven’t been able to run almost all week cause it is so cold, but I ran this afternoon, just 2 miles, but it felt good (once it was over), and I’m trying to decide how many race fees I can afford! There are some virtual races I’ve been looking into, it still supports charities so I’m very tempted! 🙂 I never thought about one race a month, but I like the sound of that!!
And thank you, for everything!
I always really enjoy your honesty Kate. The grandkid pictures were great, but even better was your comment that you are not a “jumping in to help” but rather a “sit back and laugh” type of family. It’s always good to know people’s limitations. Congrats!!! on the first 5K of the year! There is something about already having one under your belt ( at least it would be for me). Otherwise, we can sometimes talk ourselves out of thing. You continue to INSPIRE!
LOL, in reviewing the pictures on my phone, all was normal… but as I was putting those on the blog post, I realized that some people might have gotten up to help when the little one started rolling all over her grandmother… but nope, I sat and took pictures of it!!
And thanks, I’m super excited to have the first race under my belt!! I haven’t run since Monday, it’s been below freezing (and I have my limits!!) and I actually miss it!! 🙂 Happy Friday Kim!
Looks like “grandma’s” birthday was lively and full of fun
Congrats to you for knocking 3 minutes off your 5K run
And to BA for the 3rd place medal he didn’t know he’d won
To recap your January recap ~> Well done!
😀 Thank you Nancy!! I can’t tell you how much I giggled over BA placing – we both really had been so focused on me!
Love it. Also they were playing eye of the tiger on the radio this mornign and Iw as really close to open the windows to cheer some runners haha
hahahahahahaha!!! That is awesome Lisa!! I love it!!
Congratulations on the personal record!
I love the grandkid pictures. 😀
Thank you Holly!!
and thanks – those are my sisters kids and they all crack me up constantly! (probably cause I don’t have to live with them!) 🙂