Not my kind of town.

Been here for three days...only two more to go. Conference. It's hot - hotter than home. Have to run on a treadmill where people are literally lined up, waiting for their turn. It's too hot to run outside at any time of day. Meetings are not very good (read: Boring!) and the people...well, let's just say this isn't South Texas. I think Dallas needs a nice beach to brighten up people's attitudes a bit. A South Texas sea breeze would be an awesome additio. Can't wait to get back to Corpus Christi....

A Perfect Sunset

After six months without a DROP, Corpus Christi got rain yesterday. Everyone was so excited -- over rain?!! I actually dropped what I was doing at work to come home and watch it come down from my back porch. It was so lovely - the smells, the gentle rolls of thunder, and watching those precious drops feed the parched earth. Afterward, the air was scrubbed of the dust and dirt that had accumulated over several months of dry and very windy weather. And, when I peeked over my fence during sunset, I couldn't believe this sight that was, quite literally, right in my backyard-- amazing. Cool enough to open the windows and enjoy a wonderful evening. Blessed Beyond Measure.

Today I watched the sun rise

over Bali Park beach in Corpus Christi....

 and then this guy decided to stay for a visit...

It was, to say the very least, an incredible morning....

Fabulous June

               
June is awesome - I'm not teaching for the entire month, have to do some work that is manageable (read: my own projects) and more time to play. No more feelings of push-push-push to get out more publications. Consequently, much time is being spent at the beach. Working half days, playing the rest of the day...I could get very used to this lifestyle. I registered for the FULL Marathon in San Antonio in November -- more on that later --which means early morning training runs before the sun gets too hot. Ella is hanging in there too. And still singing in the choir - that will come to an end as June closes and we get the summer off. After the Fourth of July, I teach summer school - I have to admit I miss my students tons and am looking forward to seeing the summer class. Summer school is a whole different experience, and one that I enjoy-- but the challenge is keeping up energy as we cover a week of the regular semester at EACH class. Yeah. That's a lot of science to cover - but I'm up for the challenge.

After I get to spend some more time at the beach....

Visit to San Diego and Marathon/Half Marathon!

                                           Here's a pic of The Child From The Sea :)


Sooo much fun - it's been so long since all three of my children were in the same place at the same time. I was one thrilled Mom!! The weather in San Diego was perfect, the marathon a blast, time spent with family priceless. In short, it was a perfect trip full of many rich and emotional memories:

My first day started with a bird watching tour of Coronado Island (north). Here is a peregrine falcon captured and being relocated as they like to eat the snowy plovers (endangered) that are nesting on the beaches. The birding leader and I happened to come upon this wildlife biologist as he was removing the falcon from the trap. I asked to take a picture - started talking to the bird - and it struck this gorgeous pose. What a beautiful creature!

 Jen enjoying the Friday time she and I had together before everyone else arrived that evening - lunch, shopping....you know, what pilots do between work meetings :)

 Dinner time! Kevin and Maria Lyles striking a pose in the San Diego harbor...yes, smiling :)

 Kevin and Maria getting ready for CRAB LEGS!

 Scott and I before settling into some delicious seafood!

 The next day began with some beach combing by my sweet Audrey - who spent the night with me. Holding her dolphin and sea horse ---preciousness.

 So happy to be on the beach!

Maria and Audrey finding priceless shells and assorted treasures. (Note: Still holding dolphin and sea horse)

Saturday morning at the Expo Conference Center to pick up our bib numbers, swag, tee shirts, etc.--- you have to find your name and bib number out of 37,000 others. Annie and Jen trying to find Lyles and McCollough.

 The marathon is ALWAYS a sell-out! I registered to run the half (13.1 miles), Jen was undecided, Scott was going to run with me, Kevin and Annie and Jen's roommate Laura the full 26.2 miles.

 At the Expo Center - Daddy John giving Audrey a rest :)

 This was the first time all three of my children were in the same place at the same time for a LONNNG time. I was in heaven....priceless.

 The next morning - approx 5:00 a.m. Pre-race photo with Annie who ran her first Marathon.

 I felt like this hat said - it was among the best days EVER!

I put the camera over my head and took this shot -- yes, 37,000 people lined up, waiting for the start! The weather was perfect - sunny and cool. Everyone SO excited and READY TO GO!

 And somehow, Jen managed to find me in the starting corral - I was so happy to see her!

 I loved the back of this guys tee shirt -- starting out, in a walk, warming up for a long run....

 Scott found us along the way! Group shot -- all pics from here on out were taken by him. It was so great to run with JEN AND SCOTT!!!

 Brooks display - their slogan is "Run Happy" :)  Yes, I wear my ipod on my back. Less bounce and easy to grab when I want to play Black Eyed Peas (Dirty Bit - my favorite :)

One of the many bands that played along the way - this was a drum band - they were so cool as every song was choreographed. They were at mile 7 - and playing a perfect rhythm to stretch out and model walk :)  Scott joined me!

 Scott took this from a bridge where he SPRINTED to the top to catch us as we ran underneath.

 Sooo happy! It was an AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME day!!!

 A flag at the top of the mountain -- many reminders along the way of how lucky we were to be there.

 Scott posing with one of the Team In Training coaches. They raised 9 million dollars that day with all the runners who gathered funds/pledges running for Leukemia society. So awesome!

 Shuffling along - chatting, laughing, eating Jen's Goo (delicious!).

 Still shuffling - and looking forward to getting done because...

 the sun was getting HOT!

 The FINISH! Not pictured: Jen and I held hands as we crossed the finish line. It was such a great thing to share with Jen and Scott!

The post-race runners - we ended up at Sea World. Annie (full) , Jen (half) , Laura (full), Scott (half), Me (half), Kevin Lyles (full). We were happy to finish and all just wanted to SIT DOWN. :)

This was among the top 10 days of my life that I'll never forget -- sharing it with my kids, being happy and healthy enough to participate - making memories that will last a lifetime...truly Blessed Beyond Measure.

The Night Before The Race

It's hard not be excited --- Annie, Jen, Scott, Annie's dad-in-law (Pop-Pop Kevin) and me are all running the San Diego Rock and Roll marathon tomorrow. I'm doing the 1/2 (13.2) miles with Scott tomorrow. I've run my share of marathons and have decided I want to save my knees to still be able to do this when I'm 80...so, I will enjoy the time and the scenery. Scott and I will have a blast. We will have model walking at the half-way point - rehearsing tomorrow. There are bands all along the way. Gorgeous weather here - brisk and dry.

 Audrey and I have had much beach time and she has been my roommate. She started to cry at the thought of leaving tomorrow and I really had to try very hard to keep a brave face. But first, the race. Annie's first marathon. She has been training like a champ and I know she is going to do GREAT.  I am one ecstatic person to be part of this and to share it with all my children. Humbled, once again, by God's abundant blessings.

My Model walking will commence at the halfway point :)

Back on Coronado Island!

The airport in San Diego is a busier place than usual. 37,000 people are expected to gather here by Sunday morning for the Rock and Roll Marathon! Bands and cheerleaders at every mile, crazy people, fast people, slow people, Elvis impersonators, and all happy to be part of the event. The best part for me - Jen, Scott and Annie (and other family members!) will be here! AT THE SAME TIME! I can't remember the last time all three of my children were on the same spot together --- so excited! Of course, Audrey will be here too and we will have sleepovers for the next few nights. Another really nice part - staying on the beach at Coronado Island. We got a block of rooms ---I hear the helicopters flying overhead at the Naval Air Station.  I can't wait to see what treasures are within it's sands. Perfect weather, my family gathered in one place, Annie's first marathon and I plan to stop and take many photographs along the way. Truly Blessed Beyond Measure.

There is exploring to do....