I'm doing a HALF-MARATHON!

The journey of thirteen miles (and a cure) begins with a single step...

That's what I'm telling myself anyway.

I'm not exactly sure how it happened, but I have registered to walk (not run) a half-marathon. The details of that night are somewhat foggy as I would never in my right mind decide to walk for upwards of four hours when I could quite possibly drive that it fifteen minutes. The meeting was all fun and everyone was excited about our relay for life and almost as if I was bidding at an aution, my name went on the list.

And here I am. Writing a blog. Again, I should probably have my tail on a treadmill, or be going door to door to raise money, but I'm not. So, let me share my story and idea.

I volunteer for the Relay for Life every year. Last year I served on the committee and designed my team's t-shirt. It was great. The event went off without a hitch. Simpson County exceeded our fundraising goal by a LANDSLIDE! It was amazing... And my t-shirt won best in class! YaY!

Of course this year I was super excited to serve on the relay committee again. I even recruited a new member for the committee. (Looking back, I think she's the one who really got me on board this marathon train, so I'm not sure if my recruitment was actually a good thing! hahaha!) At our first committee meeting, our wonderful relay coordinator, Debra, had all kinds of hand outs for us. Initially, I just stuck the little green marathon flyer to the side and wondered why she had even wasted that paper on us... At some point (it's all a little foggy now) we pulled out that same little sheet and before I knew it, I was not only signed up for the team but nominated to be the team captain! So now I'm on board and super excited about it all. New Orleans. Mardi Gras. Great friends. Great charity. What's not to love!

I initially became involved with the American Cancer Society in high school helping my mother the year she first volunteered. Some of you may remember, a month later, she was diagnosed with leukemia. Fortunately she is now cured. Thanks go to God above all for this blessing. So many others were amazing during this time and we are eternally grateful for that. I also know the American Cancer Society played a part in her fight. They are the largest non-governmental funder of cancer research. They have been involved in most all cancer breakthroughs in recent history. They also provide programs for cancer patients such as the “Look Good, Feel Better” initiative and other informative programs to help patients better cope with the disease. In addition, ACS is very focused on cancer prevention and spends much time and money on various awareness programs so that one day we can stop the disease altogether before it begins. It is an organization that I am so passionate about and I hope some of you will help me with the goal I’ve set!

My walk in New Orleans will be thirteen miles. My fundraising goal is $1300. My hope is to have you sponsor me in a portion of my walk in honor/memory of a loved one who has battled cancer. For example, you could sponsor me in a quarter mile for $25, half for $50, or a mile for $100. All donations will be tax deductible and go to this amazing organization. In return, my team and I will walk in shirts that bear your loved one’s name. You may send a check made payable to ACS to my address or donate online at http://main.acsevents.org/goto/paigejones . If you choose to donate online, please specify your loved one’s name in the message so that I will be sure to print it on our shirts.

They'll be styled similarly to this:


I would greatly appreciate your support in this endeavor. I realize, given the state of the economy, it is a tough time to give donations. This organization, however, depends solely on the support of its volunteers and donors and in difficult times it is even more important to do what we can even if it is just a small donation or word of encouragement. Thank you so much for your support and consideration.

Things I miss about college...

As the football season progresses, I think about college. When I think about college, I think about all the good times. When I think about the good times, I think I need to write them down, because I'm getting older and inevitably, I'll forget them. So here they are... My list. The things I love about college.

1. Game day. Football, basketball, baseball... Whatever. Football was definitely the biggest, but all were fun and exciting. Ohhhh the feeling! The memories make me smile.

2. Lack of major responsibility. There is something nice about knowing my bills would be paid whether I did anything or not. I didn't have too many huge committments. I was free. It was awesome.

3. Sleep. Not hearing the alarm clock at 5:15 every morning was great. I'll never complain about getting up at 7:00 ever again. In fact, most days I would call that sleeping in now...

4. The Sanderson Center. I loved the variety of options. The equipment. The classes. The state of the art facility. The fact that it was free.

5. Endless awesome times with friends. Staying up until all hours of the morning, riding and talking about nothing, or the same stuff over and over--I wish I could do it now. I miss them.

I know, I know. That sounds like college was the highlight of my life or the best time for anyone, but that isn't true either. For each thing I love about being in college, there is something good that comes from me not having that now...

1. Gameday--I can afford cable and regular tickets now so I can either watch the games with friends from the comfort of my home or pay for seats that are NOT in the student section where I had to risk getting drenched in alcohol as a result of some frat boys excitement from the game.

2. Responsibility--It isn't that bad after all. I like my work and it allows me to pay my bills. I obviously can't buy everything I want, but who can? I live by the saying, "do what you can with what you've got."

3. Sleep--Well, I really do miss it and it's hard to think of something positive for this one. I do have a greater appreciation of it now! I am so happy when I get to take a nap instead of being ill because I couldn't like I was in college. I'm not bitter about it and I guess that is good! :-)

4. Exercise--Not having the gym has made me explore new options, like exercising outside. Who knew it could be so pretty and pleasant (sometimes) in south Mississippi?

5. Endless awesome times with...--I still have good times. They are just with different people. Coworkers, family, and even sometimes in class with my students. The fun with friends is still there, just not as frequent as the college days. But that's ok too because it makes me appreciate them even more.

So that was really random and just for today, as my Dawgs play Auburn at home, I wish I was in college again to experience gameday in Starkville on campus, but the wish won't last long. Tomorrow I'll again be thankful that stage of my life is over, but today I'll just reminisce... Oooohhhhhh, the memories!

=P

If you believe in yourself and have dedication and pride and never quit, you'll be a winner. The price of victory is high, but so are the rewards.
--Bear Bryant

Yes, I'm Alive!!!

I’m thinking by blog roll call is down to about two readers now, and one is telling me I need to write something soon… So here I am. Busy. Overwhelmed. A million things to do. But here I sit writing a blog instead. Ah well… It is a great release and all that other stuff will still be here for me to do in the morning.

Let me start by saying I have accepted the fact that I have no clue about anything pertaining to my life anymore. Every time I think I have things figured out, God sends me a wake-up call. And these aren’t just small hints lately. They’re big. Bigger than big. Pretty much huge. And I’m sad it takes something so huge, but I’m not good with change I guess. Looks like He’s trying to teach me to get over it though. If you don’t have a clue what I’m talking about I’ll fill you in quickly. Since the last blog, the guy I was dating turned out to be a huge jerk. The job I had last year was totally eliminated. I found out old friends are the best and most dedicated ones. And life is too short not to be with the one you love.

Let me explain. The whole jerk situation—it doesn’t need explanation. It’s just scary and embarrassing. And I really thank God for getting me out of that situation in a timely manner before things got bad.

In the year of the budget cuts, many school districts were forced to cut back. Unfortunately my program was on the chopping block. I was upset because it was my first year here in that program and I didn’t even have a chance to really get anything going, but the students had done well at competition and on their end of year exam. Thankfully, the district found a place for me here at OG teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). I did not hold certification to teach that class so I had to take some tests and do some classes this summer. I was really nervous about teaching this because it is SO totally out of my element, but I have really enjoyed it. I teach with some great people who are so generous and helpful. For that I am thankful. God is good!

In late April or early May, a group of friends from high school got together again to plan another benefit for my cousin Travis. He had been having a very difficult time and had been in the hospital pretty consistently since March. We met on Sunday, and he had an appointment the following week. The news wasn’t good. They sent him home and told him there was nothing else they could do. Our next meeting was somber, but the news didn’t deter our resolve. The benefit would continue and we knew it would be a success. We all went to visit him that afternoon and his good spirit and attitude was amazing despite his physical condition. It brings tears to my eyes to think about it. Sadly, he “went to fly with the angels,” (as Addy, his two year old, says) June 9. Many tears were shed, but I know he is doing SO much better now and I have to keep that in mind. The following weekend Jamie Johnson, one of his favorite country singers, was playing at the coast. With broken hearts, Team Travis hit the road. We made the concert Saturday night and then went to a memorial service Sunday morning for Trav at the track where he raced. Old friends are the best… The benefit turned out awesome. Community support in a small town never ceases to amaze me. I love it… Again, God is good!

This is us at the beach before the memorial at the track Sunday morning.


That brings me to my last point. Throughout the time Travis was sick, Bo and I began talking again. He would call me to check on him and let me know he was praying for him. He was genuinely and unselfishly concerned. It turned into a daily prayer meeting via text every morning and it was so comforting. It led to other conversations with Bo about different things… The past… The present… The future… I’ll never forget one text he sent that said, “life is too short not to be with the one you love.” I knew it was true and I knew I loved him. We have been back together for several months now. It seems like forever and just yesterday all at the same time. It’s a lot different. He’s a lot different. I probably am too (or should be), but I’m way too stubborn to admit it. We’re a lot different, let me just put it like that. Things have changed... And change is good.

Love you guys!
=P

"Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.
— 2 Corinthians 10:17-18

I'm BACK!!!!!

HELLO MY BLOG FRIENDS! I have MISSED YOU!

I’m going to be quite honest (and probably ramble a lot). It has been SO long since I wrote a blog that I don’t even think about it anymore. Months ago my thought process was something like this. “Oh, that was amazing. I am definitely going to blog about it. And when I do I can work in ____________ and ____________ and begin with _______________ or ________________.” Then gradually my thought process became “Oh, that was amazing. I should write a blog about it. Maybe later I can plan out the details.” Recently my thought process has been this: “Oh, that was awesome… Now what was it I’m supposed to be doing or getting? Note to self—get notepad to make lists.” However, I don’t have a notepad to write that note, so do you think I’ve picked up that notepad yet? Absolutely not!

So, I’m having a bit of writer’s block so let me just talk about the thing that baffles me most lately: this CRAZY weather! What on earth is going on? I have seen snow more in the past four years than I have in the first 25 years of my life. And I have seen more snow this year than I did for at least 12 consecutive years. While I’m not crazy about the snow, I’m even less crazy about the drastic swings in between each winter mini session. I think Mother Nature is going through “the change!” I learned in. elementary school the seasons went in this order: winter, spring, summer, autumn (the fancy word for fall). No one ever told me that is not order of seasons in Mississippi. Through the years I’ve learned we still have the same basic seasons (with the addition of a rainy season), but they don’t only roll around once a year, and don’t always come in that order. Ours go something like this: Winter, Rain, Spring, Winter, Spring, Rain, Summer, Winter, Spring, Winter, rain, rain, rain, winter, winter, winter…. You get the point. Never a dull weather moment here folks! But I am tired of the winter weather and rain. Ready for spring at least ¾ of the time!

Unfortunately I don’t have any huge stories or life events going on that have kept me from blogging. I’m thinking the main reason is because I don’t have a laptop and going to sit in the coldest room to write the blog only to have to post it later (since I can’t get internet out in the sticks) just isn’t appealing at all.

So here are some random things that have been going on lately. I think the last time I blogged was in November, so I’ll try to start from then.

December—crazy crazy month
• I finished my first semester of teaching at OGHS. It, like any other job, has its ups and downs, but it still going well.
• I experienced the Christmas season from the eyes (and body) of a retail employee. OMG! I thought it was supposed to be a time of love and happiness and sometimes those customers were far from loving and anywhere close to happy was a stretch.
• This one is embarrassing. I have no pride though, so whatever. Here goes…………. OK, never mind, I just can’t do it. I started typing this one out and there’s no way anyone can understand it without way too much background info. The story pretty much ends like this though: I got stood up for Wal-mart on New Year’s Eve! Ba ha ha ha!

That brings us to January
• I turned 29… The age at which I will stay for several more years. I can pull it off though because I religiously use moisturizer with SPF, a great night cream, and have just become a fan of Bare Minerals—a foundation that gives me a youthful glow! And my students still think I look 24. I know they are just trying to flatter me, but I like to believe it nonetheless.
• After returning from Christmas break for one day, we were off for a winter weather advisory. Fortunately, it was not bad. We could have actually had school, but the day off was much appreciated.
• Joseph and I went to Nashville to see Vallery and her new house. We went to Dave and Busters, I got a new purse, and hung out with great friends. Does it get any better?

And February
• I got to hang out with Dana for a day. I saw sweet Caroline’s room, which for the record used to be MY room in Dana’s house… I’m not jealous at ALL about that one ;) We went shopping and had a fun GIRLS day. I miss all my girls :(
• I celebrated my one year anniversary with my blog… Not really, because I have terribly neglected it, but I did look back at old posts and realize that it’s been a year since I started it. I did also realize how much I enjoyed doing it and I have renewed my blogging vows. I will TRY HARD to do better.
• Friday, it snowed… A LOT. I mean, I think that was the most snow I have ever seen around here. And it was good snow. Not the cold, hard, frozen, sludgy crap that is kinda off white because it has mud and dirt all mixed in. It was fluffy and pretty and white. Don’t get me wrong. It was still very much cold. I tried making a snowman but had to quit after getting started because my hands were hurting. So then I just made snow balls and had a snowball fight. FUN!!
• I took a group of students to FCCLA state competition in Jackson. Ten students competed. Four got first, two got second, and one got third. I was SUPER proud of them!



I can’t believe it's now March
I can’t really think of anything eventful that happened yet. Oh, wait! I helped mom make some cupcakes the other night. Aren’t these the cutest little froggies you’ve ever seen?!?!?! I can only take credit for the cupcake... Though I did do more than one... My mom made the cute cake and others too!



And I had to make some stuff for sweet baby Caroline (even though she’s stealing my room).







Hopefully during spring break I can get some more projects done and get another blog posted!

Love you guys! Have a great weekend!

=P

Oh Lord, You are my God. I will exalt you and praise Your name, for in perfect faithfulness, You have done Marvelous things, things planned long ago.
Isaiah 25:1