I know I have already asked…but REALLY just one more time!!!

I know you have seen this blog post once…but TOMORROW 11/10, Jules will have the money taken out of her bank account if we can’t help her get the funds raised…do you have even just $10?  Anything would help!  And if you do donate…I promise you not one, but two pretty handwritten thank you notes…

In case you haven’t read it before:

As many of you know, I was unable to participate in this years 3-Day event that I had signed up for.  I was in a car accident last year and the doctor said I had to sit this one out.  That was not before my friends and I had decided to go to Washington D.C.  They went without me and did an amazing job walking 60 hard miles and now one of my comrades needs your help and mine.

You have to raise $2300 in order to walk.  Whatever you don't raise comes out of your own pocket 30 days after the walk.  Jules walked all 60 of those miles 4 weeks ago and is now short on her fundraising.  Please help her!  She walked those miles for me and for you to help end breast cancer forever!  Even $10 would help!  I just signed up to have $25 a month taken out for the next 4 months.

I would REALLY appreciate it!  And I would owe you :)

Jules, Anika & I last year in Atlanta!

When you go to donate...tell her I said hi and thank her again for walking for me and for you!

I love you guys!  YOU ARE THE BEST!!!

Janna

Jules donation page:

www.the3day.org/goto/amazonwalking

Thankful!

I love the blogging community…you make friends, get support, hear about good finds, get recipes…you get the idea!

Well my friend Mae had such a great idea…and she turned her great idea into a challenge! 

 

I am in…ARE YOU?

I have already signed up for the Turkey Trot…and I can’t wait to start out Thanksgiving the right way…

Catching Up…

There is A LOT of catching up to do…and I am going to work on doing that for the next few days.

All kinds of stuff has happened over the past few weeks…Some has been good, some has been great and some has been hard to deal with.  My life right now is full of ups and downs and I am doing my best to try and make the downs even have a positive spin.   I don’t always succeed, but at least I am trying.

Last week had quite a few events…

Monday- was my mom’s birthday…hoping they didn’t go celebrate as a family…cause if they did I wasn’t invited :)

Tuesday- my jr. high nephew’s football game…let me just say…it was EXCRUCIATING…Jr. High football is very painful!  But I went to support him and that is all that matters!

Wednesday- was a kind of a rest day to rest up for what was to come!

Thursday- My Jr. High Niece, Ashley’s volleyball game…where I got to see Teresa and Ashley…all at once!  I also got my first birthday gift from my parents…a butt cushion for the years of upcoming sporting events I will be cheering at.  I have lots of nieces and nephews…and they are ACTIVE!  (thank goodness)

Thursday was also the day I posted this on my facebook:

Remove

Janna Carroll Is it silly that I want a pair of cowboy boots?

October 21 at 4:30pm · Comment · Like

Seems like a lot of people had something to say about this…so I started looking!  And I found 2 pairs that I considered…(more on this later)

Friday- WAS SO MUCH FUN!!  I only worked a few hours and then left to go to an event with LuAnn and her girls from the shop.  It was Austin Woman Magazine’s 8th Anniversary.  We had a great lunch, got to listen to great speakers, and meet amazing women! 

I got to meet a local news anchor that has been on the news here for most of my life…When I was a young girl I remember seeing her in the mall and my mom wouldn’t let me go meet her…I told her the story and she thought it was HILARIOUS…she told me to tell my mom shame on her!  :)   I also got to meet an Austin legend…she would be a GREAT dinner guest…she had SO many stories!

Wilhelmina Delco and Judy Maggio

There might have been a trip to the boot store that afternoon as well…who am I kidding…I ran to the boot store!  I had to have them!

Followed by a trip to Sarah’s Volleyball Game…they didn’t do too well…but I had fun seeing Sarah anyway!

That night I watched the Texas Ranger’s clinch and then followed it up with Gremlins…it was a good night!

Leading up to Saturday…MY BIRTHDAY!  And with that…I will end this post!  But don’t worry…I will be back with more!

I am READY…

Ready to get my exercise back on!  My back is healing and although I couldn’t participate in the 3 Day, the doctor said I am clear to exercise. 

Yesterday I grabbed Reese and met my friend Amanda and her dog Weezer for a nice hike!  MAN have I ever missed just being active.  I have let my back be an excuse for way too long now.

It did kick my butt a bit…my asthma let me know it has been too long!  But I have to say today I am not too sore…and that lets me know that I am REALLY ready!

So to celebrate being ready…I signed up for a couple of events.  That will make me get after it…especially since I have friends coming in from out of town to participate in one of the events :)

This will kick my ass…and be fun all at the same time :)

Since I couldn’t do the 3-Day…I signed up for this :)

And the best Thanksgiving tradition EVER!

 

For the last 3 years I have done the Reindeer Run…and it looks like Austin won’t have one this year…but San Antonio will :)

And I think this year I will participate in this little run!

Next year…I am going to work on doing events that I have done in the past…and actually TRAIN for the events…

The Capital 10K

Bun Run

Rosedale Ride…I am SO ready to get back on my bike!

The Red Poppy Ride

The Danskin Triathlon

The 3-Day San Diego (although NOT a race…I can’t wait to get back to it!)

So there you have it…I am BACK!

Do you have any races, walks or rides coming up?

Happiness is…

Spending time with your family :)

On Friday I surprised my 15 year old niece Sarah at her volleyball game…the look on her face when she saw me was PRICELESS!  Do you see how BEAUTIFUL she is?  Blue Eyes and Red Hair…watch out boys!

On my way home I got to talk to my dad on the phone…he and my brother have been working 12 hours a day, 7 days a week…they are tired boys!  But I loved getting to catch up!  MISS YOU DAD!!!

Saturday I woke up and took Reese to see Thomas play soccer…where I got to see my brother (who doesn’t know I cried after he left… I didn’t realize just how much I missed him!)  I also got to see my SIL, my mom, my grandma, my uncle and Ms. Mallory…it was good for the soul.  I also got to say goodbye to my cat Zoe that has been around since I was in high school…she had a great life…but alas she hadn’t been good lately.  RIP Zoe…

Some fun from the game:

  Thomas was sly…and snuck his way into staying at my place for the night…we had a blast!  Little trip to the Pumpkin Patch…and now I have fall decorations!

All in all it was a great weekend…and just what I needed!

This by far was one of my favorite pictures from Saturday!  My little mini me…

A little Thanks…

What I didn’t need was for J to walk up behind me while I was outside with Reese on Sunday (a downfall of living in the same apartment complex)…but I was strong and stood my ground!  I need him out of my life and that is where he will be!  Thank you all for calling, emailing, texting and leaving messages…it means a lot to have so much support during such a difficult time.  I WILL GET THROUGH!

SO there you go…how was your weekend?

Thoughts/Suggestions?

I have been considering getting one of these lately...any thoughts?  Suggestions?  Recommendations?

Do you have an e-reader?  Tell me...

Back later with a post about the weekend...it was a good weekend!

If I were being honest…

Today has been rough.  Actually the last few days have been REALLY rough…

WARNING:  If you have nothing nice to say…then please don’t comment, call or email me.  I am hurting enough.

Today marks the end of my relationship with J.  Technically our romantic relationship ended in May of 2009, but our friendship that crossed many lines and boundaries, ends today.  I realize I have said this over and over to many of you, but today it is truly over.

There isn’t one straw that broke the camels back but many.  This time is really different because it has to be.  I have put up with so much and in the end I have nothing to show but a broken heart.  And my friends, I personally have never felt pain like this before. 

For those 2.5 years I gave him everything I had…knowing he was not in love with me.  Knowing that he probably never would be…I gave it all  in hopes that he would one day see just how freaking awesome I am.

The fault does not just lie with him…because it was me who put up with the lies, half truths, the disrespect.  It was me who put up with him never telling me I was beautiful.  It was me that made it ok to be the back up plan.  I let it be ok and he only took my lead.

All along I knew things that no person in their right mind would have put up with the things I did.  Most things he doesn’t even know I know.  I did things that I am not proud of…things that very few people know about.  I am ashamed that I would let myself keep going through this over and over.

I wish I would have moved on last May.  If I had moved on things would be so different.  Who knows where I would be in my life. 

This has been a rough year or so in my life…and I know sooner or later the tide WILL shift.  I deserve it.  I deserve better than what I allowed him to give me.  I deserve better than what I gave myself.

For this past year or so I have hung on to the fact that he was my best friend…what a crock.  A best friend would never ever EVER do those things to someone they loved.  He was not my friend.  I don’t know if he even knows what it means to be a friend.

I lost sight of what true friendship was somewhere along the way…and I have to get that back.

It is going to be SO hard.  I talked to him all the time.  I text him all day telling him about my day.  If something happens most of the time he is the first one I reach out to.  I eat meals with him, watch tv with him, sleep in the same bed…but that has all stopped.  I haven’t physically seen him in nearly two weeks.  Which is a hard task…since we live in the same apartment complex.

Everything in and around my life reminds me of him…

So I need help.  I need a new support system.  People I can call or text the silly things of everyday life.  I need to keep busy.  I need to make a life away from him.  I had that long before I met him and I need to remember that!

I am going to miss him terribly.  It hurts so bad to think of not seeing him.  He won’t be a part of my birthday.  Of Thanksgiving.  Of Christmas…he won’t be a part of anything anymore.

I know time heals…and it will take time…and tears…lots and lots of tears. 

It will take strength to not call, to not go over there, to not answer texts or phone calls.  I have to remember just how strong I am.

I have to remember just how great my friendships are…they have put up with all of this for 2 plus years…and they are still around and they still love me.

So there you go…it is really hard for me to look at the bright side of things…but I will keep trying.  That is what is important…that I keep trying!

I cried and cried over every time I listened to this song this weekend…because I knew it needed to be the song that would get me through.

A Little Bit Stronger lyrics

Sara Evans
Woke up late today,
and I could still feel the sting of pain,
but I brushed my teeth anyway.
Got dressed through the mess, and
put a smile on my face.
I got a little bit stronger.
Riding in the car to work,
and I try to soothe all the hurt.
There's a song on the radio,
stupid song made me think of you.
I listened to it for a minute,
but then I changed it.
I'm getting a little bit stronger.
Just a little bit stronger.
And I'm not hoping we can work it out.
I'm done with how I feel.
Spinning my wheels,
letting you drag my heart around.
And I'm not thinking you could ever change.
I know my heart will never be the same.
But I'm telling myself I'll be OK,
even on my weakest day.
I get a little bit stronger.
It doesn't happen overnight.
But you turn around and a months gone by,
and you realize you haven't cried.
I'm not giving you an hour, or a second,
or another minute longer.
I'm busy getting stronger.
And I'm not hoping we could work it out.
I'm done with how I feel.
Spinning my wheels,
letting you drag my heart around.
And I'm not thinking you could ever change.
I know my heart will never be the same.
But I'm telling myself I'll be OK,
even on my weakest day.
I get a little bit stronger.
Just a little bit stronger.
Getting along without you baby.
Better off without you baby.
How does it feel without me baby?
I'm getting stronger without you baby.
And I'm not hoping we could work it out.
I'm done with how I feel.
Spinning my wheels,
letting you drag my heart around.
And I'm not thinking you could ever change.
I know my heart will never be the same.
But I'm telling myself I'll be OK,
even on my weakest day.
I get a little bit stronger.
Get a little bit stronger.
Just a little bit stronger.
Little bit, little bit, little bit stronger.
Get a little bit stronger.

Lely & Alvin!

“Some of the most rewarding and beautiful moments of a friendship happen in the unforeseen open spaces between planned activities.  It is important that you allow these spaces to exist.”                                                                                               

As this is published I am driving to Houston and I am so excited about today…My friend’s Lely & Alvin are getting married and I get to be there and celebrate with them!

It also means I get to see a few of some of my very dear friends!  So I leave you with this…don’t take your friends for granted!  They are one of your very best gifts!

Some of my very favorite times with some AMAZING women!  Thank you WW for your message boards for bringing them into my life!  It will never be the same!

 

   

 

And for those that can’t be with us this weekend…we will miss you!  Have fun at the Plaza and the Cape :)  Let’s see who comes back with better stories :)

 

Happy Saturday!

October…How I Love Thee!

“Establishing goals is all right if you don’t let them deprive you of interesting detours.”

                                                                                     Doug Larson

I love the month of October…the weather really starts to “cool” off here in Texas :).  It is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.  I have no less than 20 friends that have birthdays in the month of October.  Everything is about Pumpkin :). College football is in full swing  GIG ‘EM AGGIES!   My mom’s birthday is on the 18th.  There are high school volleyball games…GO SARAH & GO BEARS! Thomas has soccer games…and what else?  OH YEAH…MY BIRTHDAY!

I am like a 2 year old when it comes to my birthday…I try to pretend like it is no big deal…but I love it.  I love seeing hearing and seeing things say October 23rd…that is my day!  I love getting messages on facebook, getting texts, getting mail…Is it silly?  TOTALLY…but it is my day and I love it!

Just last night I decided to celebrate 35 things about my life that I am grateful for, love, have accomplished…you get the picture!  I need to focus on the GOOD! 

  

 

So today…I am grateful for the fact that my legs…that at one point carried 105 more pounds than they do today, has completed 4 separate Breast Cancer 3-Days.  Dallas in 2007, Boston in 2008, Chicago in 2009 and Atlanta in 2009.

I am VERY passionate about this cause.  Thankfully it has never affected me or my immediate family, but it has affected people I love, the loved ones of people I love and strangers I have never even met.  It drives me to make a change in any way I can.  If walking 60 miles in 3 days gives even ONE person the chance to live their life beyond that diagnosis…then that is enough for me.

Why do I walk?

I walk for Dawn, Elizabeth, LeeAllan, Louise-Paula, Arthanise, Nancy, Dianne, Mary Ellen, Laurie, Delia's Mom, Amanda’s Mom,  and for any woman who has ever had to or ever will have to go through this horrible disease. I WALK FOR YOU!

I should give the thanks to Dusty for asking me that February morning back in 2007 to join her in this crazy adventure.  Little did I know that it would TOTALLY change my life and give me that push to FINALLY lose the weight…but it gave me something to be passionate about!

I am truly bummed out that I can’t participate in this years walk.  I was supposed to be in Washington D.C. next weekend  (8-10) with Anika and Jules…but alas my back and my doctor have other ideas.  But I promise you I will do whatever it takes to walk next year in San Diego. 

And for sure this year…I can handle walking in the Austin Komen Race for the Cure…want to join me?

What are you passionate about?

***FUND RAISING PLUG :)***

My friends Anika and Jules could REALLY use your help to reach their fundraising minimums…

ANIKA

JULES

So there you have it…day 1 of 31 complete!