Category Archives: Wordless Wednesday

Allana’s Compassion in Action

Posted on by Run DMT
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“Look, Mom!  My shirt matches the sign!”  Allana proudly exclaimed when she spotted wings on the Angel Crossing sign.

A few days before Christmas, Allana and I volunteered at the Metropolitan Ministries Holiday Tent.  It was a wonderful learning experience for her as she saw firsthand how our donations to the food bank help others.  Allana enjoyed helping the families and throughout the evening she often commented on the graciousness and cuteness of the children.

A couple weeks later, I realized just how much the experience impacted Allana when my friend made some remarks about her high school students’ poor their hygiene.  I didn’t know Allana had heard my friend’s comments until she chimed in, “Well maybe they’re homeless and they don’t have any running water.  Maybe they live in their cars.  You really shouldn’t judge, because you just never know someone’s situation.”

Our short time volunteering had a big impact Allana but at that moment, I learned something too.  My daughter is growing into a truly beautiful, compassionate human being.

Pink Prayers for Miss Sharon

Posted on by Run DMT
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Just before Christmas, I received some startling news about the girls’ preschool teacher, Miss Sharon.  Finding myself at a loss for words, all I could do was cry and pray for her to survive this.

Miss Sharon will begin the New Year with a double mastectomy.  Through it all she has maintained a positive attitude and her sense of humor, which we would only expect from this amazing woman.

Later this fall, when I when we run the Race for the Cure, we run for Miss Sharon without a doubt.

We are all sending you healing prayers for a quick recovery.  We love you, Miss Sharon.

 

Merriest Christmas Moments

Posted on by Run DMT
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Beautifully set tables with a bit of bokeh ready for loved ones to gather ’round.

Hubby preparing Christmas dinner while wearing his presents.

Grandma Mestanza proudly posing with her almost-as-tall-as-her grandchildren

Little Lion Man giggling on his granny’s knee.

One tired little boy tucking into Grandpa to sleep.

Cousins cuddling.

Sisters striking a pose.

Happy children loving most of their presents…

and exclaiming, “This was the best Christmas ever!”

Live, Love, TRAVEL

Magic Reindeer Food

Posted on by Run DMT
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The kids and I have been making Magic Reindeer Food as part of our Advent calendar for years now.  At first, the food was a mixture of old fashioned oats and glitter.  Then, I learned how dangerous glitter can be for animals or small children when ingested.  From then on, we made our reindeer food with only edible ingredients.  Of course, oats are still part of the mixture but instead of craft glitter, we use edible glitter like red and green cake sprinkles.

This year, we added a few more ingredients to make it more like trail mix.  After all, those reindeer have such a long journey and they’ll need the extra carbs and sugar to that fuel flight.

Emmalynn, Allana and I had fun searching through the pantry for snacks the reindeer might enjoy.  Along with the oats and edible glitter, we added raisins, dried cranberries, Peanut Butter Cap’n Crunch, Corn Flakes, peanuts, gum drops, mini marshmallows, Cheerios, pumpkin seeds and wasabi peas.  Wasabi peas might seem like an odd addition, but I thought the reindeer might like a little heat on the way back to the frigid North Pole.

After we combined our ingredients, we poured the mix into Ziploc bags and added the how-to poem.  This printable Magic Reindeer Food poem tag can be found here.

On Christmas Eve just before bed, the kids, Auntie Simone and I will sprinkle the Reindeer Food in the yard.  Of course, we always leave carrots for the reindeer next to Santa’s cookies and milk too.

Family Photos 2011

Posted on by Run DMT
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Just as I had expected, she did it again.  Kelly captured some gorgeous shots of my family for our Christmas portraits.

Funny thing, we didn’t have to travel far for our portrait session.  All of these photos were taken at the North Pointe Village in our neighborhood.  Upon a closer look, you may notice the Pasco office building, Residence Inn, Carrabbas, International Beer Garten or an abandoned Up the Creek Mongolian Buffet in the background.

If you love these photos as much I do,  please leave a comment on Kelly’s blog so I can win an 11×14 print.  Thank you in advance! :-)

A Christmas Flop

Posted on by Run DMT
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Our Christmas tree is up.  Well, it’s standing.  The lights have been hung and the garland has been festooned.  That’s it.

Our Christmas tree enthusiasm and skills seem to be lacking this year.  Typically, our tree is up before Thanksgiving, but not this year which just goes to show you how crazy busy we’ve been.  There is some serious Christmas procrastination going on in this house.

But a busy schedule and a missing tree didn’t stop me from ornament shopping because I bought this ornament just before Thanksgiving.  Originally I bought it for my online Xmas Ornament Xchange, but I found a better one so I decided to keep it.  Besides, flip-flops are so me since I wear them all the time outside of my running shoes.  It’s a Florida thing.

I suppose I should hang it on the tree instead of snapping bokeh photos and blogging about it.

I’ll do it later.  First, I have run.

Don’t miss out on this ornament exchange!  The linky party closes Sunday!

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“Have you decorated your Christmas tree? Share a favorite Christmas ornament.”

Mama's Losin' Itholiday bokeh party 2011 my3boybarians.comPhotography

Live, Love, TRAVEL

30 Days of Giving 2011

Posted on by Run DMT
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30-Day Giving ChallengeFor the third year now, I participated in the 30 Days of Giving Challenge.  The act of giving may not seem like a challenge, but it actually requires quite a bit of scheduling and planning.  Even with all the planning, situations pop up to cause a bump or two on the road to giving.

Some gifts are simple, like a mailing a card to a loved one.  Some things require more work, like preparing a meal for friend.  In the end, no matter how small or big, it’s the thought that counts and that gesture means so much to someone else.  The smallest gift can have the biggest impact on others.

“No act of kindness, however small, is ever wasted.”  – Aesop

Our gifts

    • Donated canned goods to a food drive.
    • Donated items to Goodwill.
    • Recycled my old running shoes to benefit the homeless through Fit Niche.
    • Filled shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child.

    • Brought gifts to a local animal rescue shelter.
    • Dropped spare change in the Salvation Army red kettle.
    • Donated items to Toys for Tots.
    • Bought a coffee for a frequent play date host in my moms group.
    • Sent coupons to a military base in Japan through Overseas Coupon Program.

    • Added a love note to my kids’ lunch boxes.
    • Planned a picnic lunch for my kids and enjoyed a “special” lunch together at school.
    • Planned a lunch date with hubby.
    • Baked cookies for the firefighters.
    • Volunteered at my children’s school.
    • Arranged guest speakers for the Great American Teach-In at my kids’ school.

    • Spent an evening with an old friend to catch up to give the gift of time.
    • Baked cookies for my running club and tossed $5 in the coffee fund.
    • Welcomed new neighbors of a 16 month old with a baby safety kit.
    • Sent a “thinking of you card” and Publix gift card on behalf of my moms group to a friend in need.
    • Mailed a set of hand drawn Angry Birds by Allana to Stacy Uncorked for Princess Nagger’s birthday.

    • Mailed a Thanksgiving card to my grandmother.
    • Mailed a get well card to my ill uncle.
    • Brought a home cooked meal to a friend at work.
    • Purchased meal vouchers for families in need through Groupon’s Feeding America program.
    • Sent $10 gift certificates to several friends via Restaurant.com’s “Feed It Forward” program.

Pssst!  Speaking of gifts….Don’t miss this one!

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Oh Lordy, Look Who’s 40!

Posted on by Run DMT
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Who knew that the Space Coast Marathon and I both turned 40 this year?!  I sure didn’t realize that when I thought about running the race.  But now that I know, it just makes the marathon that more meaningful for me, especially since I get this fancy bling bragging about my accomplishment at 40.

*Image borrowed from the Space Coast Marathon Facebook page.*

The Space Coast Marathon and I…looking good at 40!

By the way…if you want to track my progress through out the race, my bib number is 34.

The Few. The Proud.

Posted on by Run DMT
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Running a marathon requires an unbelievable amount of courage, vigor, discipline, strength, endurance, commitment and sacrifice.

Bring a Marine requires much of the same, if not more, while protecting our freedom and liberties with honor.

What if you’re a Marine that runs a marathon?

What if you’re a Marine that runs a marathon in the desert?

Last month, that’s just what these fine Marines did in Afghanistan.

When I heard my friend’s wife was one of these Marines who ran the Marine Corp Marathon while stationed in Afghanistan, I had to acknowledge her amazing achievement.  Tina and Paul are both Marines presently serving this country.  Both have served more than one tour in Afghanistan and every year they run the MCM together in D.C, except for this year obviously.

Through Facebook, I’ve followed their sacrifices which they both make every day to protect our country, as well as many other of my friends.  Every day I pray for their safety until our servicemen and women come home to be with their families again.

Today, I thank all the Marines and all the other military men and women serving our country, but the Devil Dogs will always have a special place in my heart since I have so many Marine friends.  More importantly, my dad is a Marine who served in Vietnam.

Once a Marine, always a Marine.  Semper Fi

God bless America.