Bike the Drive 2008

I did Bike The Drive again today. This is my third year. This is where they close down Lake Shore Drive and open it to bikers for 5 hours. It is right on the Lake Front and it is fun. I biked 33 miles , which was the total ride including biking to and from the train. There will be more to come (including video inspired by Bold's biking video), but I'm tired, I'm hurting (I'll tell that story later) and I have homework. UGH!!

Later my friends.

Please pray for Steven Curtis Chapman's family today!

Steven Curtis Chapman is a Christian Music artist who lost his 5 year old daughter yesterday. They live in a rural area in Tennesee and have a long winding driveway. Her brother was backing out of the driveway in an SUV and killed his little sister. She was the youngest of 6 children. She was the third daughter that the Chapmans brought home from China. They are big advocates of International adoption.

Please pray for the whole family, but especially her teenage brother. I cannot imagine what he is going through. This happened Wednesday around 5:30pm.

I don't know what else to write. I'm so sad. Whenever I hear about these accidents I get so sad. Please, please, please make sure that your driveway and street are clear of any children before pulling out. These accidents can even happen with the rearview cameras, naviagion systems, and rearview sounding systems. Just because you have these systems does mean these accidents won't happen. I found a statistic online that states:

"One third of children under six killed in motor vehicle accidents were killed ‘off road’ in yards, parking lots and driveways. Children aged one and two are most likely to be killed or injured in home driveways. The vehicle is usually moving slowly and is often being driven by a parent, relative or friend."


If you would like to read more on this tragic story you can read this link:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24766629/

Have a blessed day. Hug your little ones a little longer today.

Maria is sitting on her daddy's lap in the picture. She is the one that passed away.

Student Teaching

I got the call today with my student teaching placement. I let my college know that Wauconda was my first choice, but that I would student teach anywhere. Wauconda is where I live. The grade I would like to teach is 3rd grade. I got placed in Wauconda in a 3rd grade classroom at a school called Robert Crown Elementary School. The school is just 5 minutes from my house. It works out great because I still have to get home and get my 3rd grader off the bus. This really makes everything more real to me and makes me even more motivated to finish my homework.

Speaking of which . . . . I need to get going.

God is good all the time. All the time God is good.

Remember at the end of each day to think about how blessed you are not how stressed you are.

WW UPDATE and STARBUCKS UPDATE and PICKED MY 1/2 IRONMAN

Starting Weight: 306.2
This week's Weightloss: 1.2
Total Weightloss: 11.8 pounds total
Current Weight: 294.4

I am on my way!!

Well, today was my one month anniversary or studying at the same Starbucks. I love my Saturday evening crew. Tonight there was someone new that I hadn't met before. Ryanon (pronounced Reeannin. She is named after a Fleetwood Mac song) is a mom of a 5 year old little girl and a 1 year old little boy. She goes to curves and is working on getting healthy too. She really is a cool person to know and I cannot wait to get to know her better.

Regina is great too. She makes me laugh all the time. Tyler has the coolest Mom Tattoo that I have ever seen. Adam is one of a set of triplets. He is always wondering how I am doing and asks about my homework and remembers that I am watching what I eat and drink, so he tries to advise me on what drinks are more healthy (if you can even say that about Starbucks) and hooks me up and I'm starting to get to know Jeremy too. He also helps me pick out what to drink.

Tonight they were more than generous. They gave me a free drink of the mint chocolate chip frappacino. They gave me the smallest size and I couldn't even drink half if it, it was so sweet. Ryanon said she didn't like it, but I tried it anyway and I didn't like it either, but I will say it sure beats the Green Tea drink that Regina had me try a couple weeks ago. BLAH!! They also gave me some pastries that they were going to throw out. I took them home for the kids and Keith. They will be having scones for breakfast.

If you ever want free food from Starbucks be there on Saturday nights at closing.

Here is a poem that I wrote a long time ago about my favorite Starbucks drink evah!! They do not make it anymore, so I have to have a Raspberry flavored one instead of Blackberry. It is good, but not as good. :-( I miss you BBGT Frap.

BBGT Frap by Melissa Black

I learned about a product at Starbucks the other day.
It's called a Blackberry Green Tea Frappicino they say.

I ordered a Venti not realizing it was bigger than a Grande.
I walked out the door, drink in hand it was early Monday.

I got in my car and headed to work,
took a sip of my drink and my taste buds went berserk.

I couldn't believe this light green creation.
It was the beginning of a taste bud sensation.

I knew this was love at first taste,
so I savored every sip, I didn't drink it in haste.

I knew that something had just begun.
It was a love affair with this flavor upon my tongue.

BBGT Frap is what I nicknamed my new favorite drink.
"When's my next trip to Starbucks?" is now what I think.

I'd go everyday if I could,
but I'm trying to lose weight, so that's no good.

So, once a week is where I'm at, "
I'll see you next week my dear, sweet BBGT Frap."

I think that it is funny that my post is called WW UPDATE and STARBUCKS. I am working hard all week and allowing my treat to be Saturday at Starbucks. It's working for me. :-) I know by the sounds of this post you are all probably wondering if I ever get any work done. I do. Tonight I was there for about 5 1/2 hours and I wrote 6 essays ranging from 2-5 paragraphs each. I also read about 20-30 pages for another assignment.

I'm enjoying my recent weightloss accomplishments and my schooling. I am on a roll and cannot wait so see what's next.

May 25th I am doing a 30 mile bike ride called BIKE THE DRIVE. This will be my third year doing it and I cannot wait.

I decided that I am going to do the Cutting Edge 1/2 Ironman in Effingham, Illinois June of 2011. Go Me!! I'm scared to death, but totally pumped!! I was talking to my bestbud of 23 years about this and she might actually do it with me. We picked this one cause we like the name of the town and it is the only one in Illinois that I can find.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend. Count your blessings!!

BIG DECISION about triathlons

I have made a big decision. I have decided that in the Summer of 2011 I will be doing a 1/2 Ironman Triathlon.

For those of you who do not know that is a 1.2 mile swim, 56 mile bike, and a 13.1 mile run, which is a 1/2 marathon.

I know this may seem like a long way off, but it will be here before I know it. Here is my tentative plan.

Summer 2008 and the rest of 2008-drop as much weight as I can. That is about 7 1/2 months left. I want to get my back, neck, and ankles healthy. I will be doing some biking events,5k's, and volunteering at bigger events.

Summer 2009-I will be doing a couple of sprint triathlons (Approx. 1/2 mile swim, 15 mile bike, and 3.1 mile run) and my VERY FIRST Olympic Distance Triathlon (Approx. 1 mile swim, 25 mile bike, and 6.2 mile run). My goal is by summer of 2009 to run all my races. I do not want to be a walker anymore. I think that losing my access weight will help with that goal.

Summer 2010- I will only be doing Olympic distance triathlons and more running events.

Summer 2011- I will do my first 1/2 Ironman distance triathlon.

Obviously this is a ways off, but being 295 pounds makes me well aware that I have a long road ahead of me to get to the 1/2 Ironman distance, but I know I can and I know I will get there. I'm excited and cannot wait to see where this Ironman journey takes me.

As I go forward I will need a lot of help. Once I have a job (Estimated Fall of '09) I will be hiring a coach and taking private swimming lessons. Those of you that read my blog and do triathlons I will take all the help I can and once I am training for all of this I will need you all to hold me accountable. And I know you will.

Here's to a healthier me and here's to my 1/2 Ironman journey!!

Happy Mother's Day or is it?

Today is always bitter sweet for me.
I am a motherless mother.
That has been something that has been hard for me to deal with.
It has been eleven years since my mom's passing, but there are days that it seems like we just got the call.

Every year it amazes me what sparks what.
This year Keith's Grandma is sick. She is 93. She is not doing well.
Right before mother's day this year as part of homework I had to write about a character that was a motherless daughter and how this affected her life. This made me look at my life and how being a motherless daughter and a motherless mother have affected my life. I cried hard in walmart this year shopping for mother's day cards and for Keith's grandma. It was hard.

Since my mom's passing I have had to reevaluate what family is. I have great family memebers, but some of them live out of state and cannot be as involved as they would like. Some family I haven't really heard from since my mom's passing, so I have come to the realization that I was trying to hold onto ideals just because that is how it is supposed to be, but I have realized that family is not just blood. My kids have adopted grandparents in the area. My bestfriend is their AUNT and my aunt who lives in California is more like my Mom. And we are very blessed to have my brother and his wife and their 2 year old just four doors down. I take mother's day to honor those females who are a part of my life and who make not having a mom just a little bit easier. Thanks.

I could just stay in bed all day and play the poor me card all day, but the Lord knew that wouldn't do and he blessed me with the most precious children. Tricia is 10 and Parker is 8. They love me so much and show me in so many different ways. They hug and kiss me all the time. They tell me thanks mom all the time and they make me smile all the time. They even tell me I'm the best cook even when I just heat up a pizza. :-) They are my world and I love the title of mom. Yes, mother's day is hard and I wish I could celebrate it with my mom, but I am the happiest mom around today because I have my own children.

So the title of this post is Happy Mother's Day or is it? I answer yes it is.

For those of you that have lost your mom's recently I am here for you and I am so sorry. It is not easy at any age to lose your mom.
For those of you who want to be a mom, but can't. I am here for you.
For those of you who have lost childern, I am so sorry from the bottom of my heart.

For those of you who have people in these positions here is some advice:

-don't say to the person who has lost their mom. "We'll at least you are a mom. That's gotta make mother's day easier." It does, but it doesn't take away our pain.
-For someone that has lost their mom don't say, "It's been eleven years, aren't things easier now?" Yes, they are, but there is always something that sparks a new feeling of sadness."
-If you know someone trying to get pregnant don't say, " You could always adopt." They already know that. They don't need to be reminded.
-If they lost a child don't say, "At least you have more at home." They cherish the ones they have at home, but that doesn't lessen the pain they are feeling about losing the one.
-Just tell them you are there for them and will listen whenever they need a friend. Truly listen to them. Let them talk, cry, and offer a lot of hugs. If you don't know what to say it's ok to say, "I don't know what to say, but I'm here for you." In fact that is the best thing you can say.

Happy Mother's day to all my favorite mother's out there.
and Happy Sunday to my friends who are not mom's yet, but who mean the world to me.
I love you all and could not do the things I do without you. You all mean the world to me and I wanted to take a moment today to tell you that. Love you. Smooches.

Thank you Tricia and Parker for making me a mom. I love you both so much and am so happy that I am your mom. It is a happy mother's day and I love being a mom.

WW Update

Lost 1.4 pounds

Starting weight was 306.2
Today's weight is 295.6

Total weightloss is 10.6

GO ME!!

Homework Zone

I'm in the zone, the homework zone. When I'm not with the fam all I'm doing is sticking my nose in a book. I'm becoming friends with the local Starbucks Saturday evening crew. I spent 6 hours there yesterday doing homework. I get free food and free drinks. They know I'm trying to lose weight, so they make me skinny drinks. Don't worry I'm being careful and it's only on Saturdays. My friend Darlene came with me last night to do some work of her own. She left and brought me dinner and when she came back she went through the drive-thru and asked them to deliver it to me. Right before she pulled up I went up the the counter and asked them, "Hey has anyone delivered anything for me?" They were very confused and said no and then she pulled up and asked them to deliver it to me. It was great and they all had a good laugh. When you have a friend for almost 23 years you do crazy stuff together. Lake Zurich Starbucks Evening Crew YOU GUYS ROCK!! Regina, I'm not sure I'll ever like that Green Tea powder. We'll see. :-)

I will be sporadic with the posting right now, but know I'm doing great with my eating, ok with my working out, and awesome with my homework.

I will continue to give weight watchers and Ironman updates, but that might be it for awhile. You can email me if you want. I'll still be following your journeys. Keep up all the great work your doing, Keep on Keepin' on, Dream Big, Eat less, move more, Get well soon,Keep searching for God, don't kill anyone at work, and keep posting about those cute kids. YOU CAN DO IT!! I think I pretty much covered everyone's blogs I read :-) and the most important COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS. Have a blessed day everyone. Graduation here I come!!! For those of you who do not know I will be graduating with my elementary education degree December of this year. WaaaaHooooo!! Go me!!