Duluth - Grandma's 2019

I met Jeff Galloway at the expo!  What a treat!

Last year, our little family traveled up to Duluth, Minnesota so I could run in the 2018 Grandma's Marathon.  We had a fantastic time and truly enjoyed the Duluth community and great race event.  I was lucky enough to secure a spot for the 2019 Half Marathon this year, and was excited to return to Duluth.  Unfortunately, we didn't secure a hotel, and it ended up just being me for the trip.  I enjoyed the drive by myself and took the time to listen to a few audio books, rock out to my favorite music, and just sit in silence for a while...which is a treat with three kids!    

While the run wasn't my best, I am always thankful for the ability to move and use my body to extremes and finish a better person.  That is really the gift of running.  Regardless of where I am in my journey, I always feel welcome within the running community.  It is a powerful experience to stand at the start of a race and take-in all of the excitement, jitters, nerves, tears, pride, etc.  The unknown of the race ahead is never the same as the last time...but everyone knows what they had to do to get to the start.  While a lot of things become common after a while, taking-in the start is always something I appreciate being part of a group that consists of positive energy and passion.

The rest of my trip is really a blur.  The bed and breakfast was wonderful, and I savored some time to just sit by Lake Superior and allow my mind to wander.  By the time I returned home, I was eager to be with my family again and resume the life for which I am eternally thankful for.  

Made it back to Grandma's Saloon for another run!

Boat and bridge.

Windy day by Lake Superior.

Anchor.  It's heavy.

Despite the wind, it was fantastic to just walk along the lake and think about life.

Lock logs and lighthouse.

Lock you wish or dreams up.

Of course I had to order the Marathon Spaghetti at Grandma's Saloon the day before the race!

Original newspaper article.

Bought a couple jars of the Grandma's Marathon Marinara and will save them for a special spaghetti night at home!  

Enjoyed the Marathon Spaghetti by the lake the night before to carb up!

I got to stay in the Peach Room at this fantastic bed and breakfast in Port Wing!  The hosts were so nice and I enjoyed the quiet and peace of the surrounding forest.

A lovely evening in Port Wing.

Port Wing beach.

Driftwood structure in Port Wing.  

Lovely backyard at my BnB!

There is a special place in heaven for those volunteers who make sure all race packets include four safety pins for the running bib!  

A beautiful morning at the start of the Half Marathon in Two Harbors.

Watching the sun rise before the race starts.

Taking-in the energy at the start!

A happy finisher.

Got my Marathon Training Academy hat, finisher's medal, and chocolate milk (my favorite post-race treat)!

A close-up of my race bling.  They do a good job at Grandma's!

Snagged some beer on the way back for my good friend.  

Summer Begins

Cookies to help get my team through the last week of school!

Today is Sunday.  While I still have an institute day tomorrow, it now feels like summer.  On Friday we said goodbye to the students, and I have spent the weekend taking a step back and breathing deeply.  We have already had a couple fires in the fire pit, slept in until (gasp) 7:30, and watched a barrage of movies.  

The next few weeks will be all about finding the rhythm and routine of summer.  I am running again, and have my first half marathon in a couple weeks.  Today, maybe we will get a calendar and start mapping-out times, dates, and details for all of the events we know are happening this summer.  Things like visiting Alaska and driving to Minnesota give me excitement and happiness in the anticipation.  Getting to see my step-father and step-mother in July is going to be a treat!  Just a lot of happiness and family and friends this summer, which will be good for my spirit.

So, away we go...into the abyss that is Summer.  It is time to embark on adventures and exploration outside of school and work.  Books, movies, baking, running, events, music, naps....all await us as we propel forward into June.  News and updates to follow.  For now, though, I will try to decide whether to got for a walk or mow the lawn...

-a

At a South Bend Cubs baseball game with my brother-in-law, Mark.  It was a lot of fun!

Cool kids zone at the Cubs game.  

Met the mascots at the game!  Fun times!

Violet getting her brown belt!  So proud!

Hanging with Sam in the minivan.  Love this little guy.

This is summer.  

Violet and Sam playing in the grass.

Last day of school for these two.  Now we officially have a fifth and second grader!  

Smores = summer

Mother's Day and Life

Words escape me here.... 

This morning has started quietly, with coffee and some time on the couch before the rest of the house wakes up.  It is Mother's Day, and the girls will be taking Kim to a movie, and then a steak dinner will be awaiting them when they return.  I do not know what I did to deserve Kim in my life, but I am thankful each day that she is with me.  My children, my life in Illinois, my sanity (at times) are all gifts from her.  

Quiet pizza night in the Orelove household.  

We are nearly at the midpoint of May, and we are starting to check the calendar and contemplate plans for summer.  While we still have a little ways to go, it will be here in a blink.  We are poised to spend a lot of time on walks, running, going to the zoo, and our library, as well.  Besides seeing family, my other goals for summer include getting back into real running shape and seeing a few new minor league baseball teams in the area.  

Uncle Fred and Aunt Irene visited us!  We had a wonderful morning in Naperville, and are thankful for those few hours together!  

So now it is Sunday, and the family is waking up.  Kim is opening cards and gifts from the girls, and Sam is enjoying his milk and cereal.  A dog walk and morning run are on the horizon for me, and then the regular Sunday business of laundry and cleaning are in order.  It is nice to take a moment and look around the living room and see so many things to be thankful for. 

What a life.

-a

Sam and Davey!  Such characters.

Goofy guys.

Sam sporting his Chicago Cubs jersey in honor of Uncle Fred!

The Brothers Orelove.  Joel and Fred.

Zayde and his grandchildren in Naperville.

Uncle Fred chatting with Violet at Andersons Book Store.

Audrey and Sam playing with trains at the book store.

Aunt Irene and the Orelove kids at the Dr. Seuss statue outside of the Napervile library!

Coffee at Sparrow Coffee in Naperville.  We love this coffee!

Dad and girls go to Avengers at the Hollywood Palms theater!  

First fire of the summer.  Feels good.

We love our backyard.  So many memories...so many more to come.

Sam fell asleep in..on...whatever...at his chair.

Sam in the backyard.

We love fires in the fire pit!

Oskar demanding attention.

The girls found a dove hiding under our tree.