Deeply Disturbed!!

So P and I went to the mall tonight to get her ears pierced. She has been asking and M and I agreed that it would be okay if that is what she wanted. So off she and I went. Well, I knew I wanted some place that would do both ears at the same time, because she might change her mind after the first one. We go into the store and are waiting and waiting. Then I realize why no one is helping us. The clerk caught a girl shoplifting. She had to be only 14 or 15. She lay out the items in her bag to reveal that she had taken from about 8 different stores. So the manager is calling security, the girl is making up all kinds of excuses as to why she has it. (It is not hers, some girl gave it to her, it is her friends bag of stuff) So sad for her and her family tonight. P is completely unaware of what is going on. She just wants her ears pierced. So we leave and go eat and then come back. They are still dealing with the issue. The girl is HANDCUFFED!!!! So crazy! Finally, we get someone to help us out. I am talking about what to get P, and she picks out the earrings that she wants. So cute, by the way. Then I am talking to the lady about the issue they are dealing with. She said it had been a very bad day. Numerous cases of this today. She also said this occurs on a daily basis. OH MY GOODNESS!!!! It just blew me away. Am I that naive to believe that people are honest? Well, P did great. They did both ears at once. She didn't even cry. She said it hurt, and that she didn't want to do it again. I am so proud of her for being so brave. However, the store event has left me wondering...when does all the bad come to a child? Because this girl is def. a child. I am sure her parents are going to be very upset and she is going to have a rough time. Goodness knows that I would be at a loss for words if I had to go pick up my daughter at the police dept. There is no guarantee that things won't happen. I just think of the scars that build a person both on the inside and outside. My hope to take this perfect little person and instill values that stick. Values that make her a good person. Values that help her make good choices. Life is SO scary! My little girl is growing up. Something as simple as getting your ears pierced is another example of the effects of our society. Choices a parent makes are scary!

More time...

More time is what I have. I still have to play catch up with stuff around the house. I am creating a mental list of all the things I would like to get done this summer and it is getting quite long.

First...I will be catching up on the things I love!!!! I signed up for a race in June. I have not been able to train for anything with class this year. I have been putting in my long runs and feel great about it.
Second....photography....I bought myself a new camera...it has been 5 years. My other camera is still good but this is my toy!!! I LOVE my new camera and can't wait to try it out on some subjects!!!! I have been working on some editing. I need to figure out the great stuff that I have. So I will have more time for that. So tell me what you think! I will attach one of my pics today that I have been working on!
Family...I am SO excited to be back with my family. I can't wait to get into things. So let me know if you want to get into something....we are up for it!

Moments

Oh the moments that occur on a daily basis. I drive in the car and hear my daughter say something amazing and my heart swells with pride or how she  can follow a set of directions correctly and I think, WOW! When did she learn so much? Then I feel sad because this moment as well as many more will quickly be lost in the everyday way of things. I will look back one day and think...when did she grow up? Of course, then there are moments when I want to scream because I NEED want a moment to myself. I want to scream, "Stop talking or stop whining! You are driving me bananas!" But then I think, you would be ungrateful because so many people can't have children or would give anything to have one more moment with a child they lost. Such a catch 22! It comforts me to know that I am not alone in my feelings of MOMENTS and the mixed emotions that go with them.
Sometimes I don't like feel like being nice. I just don't feel like acting! I act during the day for students and want to throw EVERYTHING out the window when I get home. I love to cook. I love my daughter. I love to workout. But wouldn't it be nice to just have a (dare I write it) no responsibility moment or just know then what I know now.
I struggle with an extra 5 pounds. Can we always be in control of EVERYTHING? I certainly am not. The food that goes in my mouth is sometimes impulsive. Darn it! I want the chocolate just because!!! Why is there ALWAYS a reason?
Many times I am running around in this crazy world and cannot make sense of it or it is an unorganized jumble in my brain. I don't know if this makes sense to anyone because it is running around in my head and not organized at all. Now that class is over and basketball is over...I look forward to an organized way of things again. Thank goodness! I wouldn't change a moment but I needed to throw somethings out there this evening!

Slacker....

So I know it has been a long time. I have thought of many things to write about but it is usually during my runs. I can't really type at that time. Lets start with ....my 10k. It felt SO good to get into the competitive part of running again. I actually pushed P and it was great. The others who were pushing their "babies" were a year old or less....so here is to 45 pounds of kid with the stroller on top of that. I felt VERY good about it. I was much slower...but it is not always about how quickly you finish but the processes of finishing too. Having her cheer me on was priceless. Although, she was done with the race by mile 4. UGH!!!
Here is the link of the elevation of the race. A tough one!
http://www.roxygraphics.com/fodderstack10k/Fodderstack_Color_Map_2-08.pdf

What else???? Work has been stressful. All I can say is that it is that time of year now. Needed a break but not before I got pulled over one morning on the way to school. So...I had bus duty...needed to be there early...I was driving and a sheriff deputy was ahead of me...I was talking to mom on the phone (I know awful). The deputy pulls over and I keep going...well he pulls me over shortly over. I pulled into a parking lot...well, I hang up with mom and get my license and registration....before he comes to my car...another sheriff deputy car pulls in behind him...I mean...I am SO THREATENING!!! Anyway, he asks, "Do you know the speed limit back there?" "Yes, at the sign it is 35." "Well, it is 45 up until that sign and I was going 45 and you came up on me fast." I am sitting there....ANOTHER deputy car pulls up...I mean SERIOUSLY....FIND SOMETHING TO DO!!! I was so embarrassed. Anyway...no ticket...just slow down. I was late for bus duty. But


Sunday...my hubby and I left for a work trip that he earned. I hate leaving our little one (who is not so little anymore) but it was easier this time especially when she was so excited to go stay at her Nana's house. So also told daddy one night when we called that he was interrupting her book and needed to get off the phone. STINKER! This place was beautiful.
Here is a link to the slideshow of the place. AMAZING!!
http://www.nemacolin.com/phototour/
It was rainy there...I really wanted to go for a long quite run with no time limit while M was at his meeting...so I just ran on the treadmill there. Then I got to finish a book that a WONDERFUL friend let me borrow. It was nice to just relax and not worry about anything or have to do anything.
We had a wonderful weekend here this past weekend. We hung out...went swimming, fishing, camping, and played. It was wonderful. It makes me long for the summer SO much! Only six more weeks and counting.
I have pondered other thoughts during my runs and may write about them soon. Hopefully, with my class finishing up, P's bball finishing up, and things slowing down as the school year approaches...I will have a few more moments to write my thoughts.  Until then...