May 10th I went to a Jazz concert with my Dad. We saw The Monty Alexander Trio in concert at the Folly Theatre in KC, MO. Monty is a very talented Jazz pianist. My Dad, Charlie Long, has listened to Monty for years and has many of his CD’s. Charlie and I go to at least one Jazz concert at the Folly each year. As a musician himself, who plays the piano and trombone in many bands and venues, Dad has exposed me to tons of Jazz and live music all my life. I am truly blessed to have the special bond of a love of music with my Dad. Thanks for including me in your musical legacy, Dad! I love you!
(See picture of Sharon and Charlie at Monty concert and a picture of Monty.)

Keeping in Touch is so Special!

My friend, Mary Helen, lives in Long Beach, California and I still keep in touch with her on a weekly basis. Since our parents are friends we have grown up together. While I have lost contact with many other close childhood friends who are off living their lives and haven't figured out how to keep in touch via email, text or phone calls, Mary Helen and I have made it work. My latest encounter with Mary Helen was by an incredible coincidence on May 18Th when I just happened to see Mary Helen, daughter, Lila and husband, Erik in Bolivar, MO. (See the picture of our meeting at right. Sharon, Ethan, Mary Helen and Lila.) Mary Helen is making plans to meet me in San Francisco, CA at the Nike Women's Marathon. Her trip to see me will be yet another motivation to succeed with my 1/2 marathon training and finish the race.

Fire Fighters are our second family

At 6 am the morning after the tornado we awoke to find KCFD Rescue 31 and Rob with his entire crew parked in front of our house ready to help out and check out our damage. Rob and the crew were up all night working in the neighborhood. They were walking from house to house in the subdivision checking to see if people were ok or needed help. They do that because that is their job. It is NOT their job to pitch in and help our family after they have been up all night. The moments after the tornado we had a visit from our good friend, Jason Maddux, who was off duty but was driving around after the storm to check on the families whose husbands and Dads were working that night. Ethan, who had been wanting to see his Daddy, was very glad to see Jason and hugged him when he came to the door at about 3:45 am. That is just one example of the caring that these fire fighters show us everyday. Two other fire fighters, Cado and Stark, came back as soon as they got off shift that morning and crawled up on our roof with Rob to help cover up what they could before the next rains came. Cade came over that afternoon to help check out our heating and air unit that had been turned upside down by the storm. Jason, Jennifer and Nick Maddux came back to check on us to offer more help or just a place to go with power. The Grundyson family called and offered for us to shower at their house. A couple of days after the storm Kalen Karbowski came over and helped Rob tip Ethan's playset back up to determine what repairs need to be made. All in all, the fire fighter families that we are connected with are very special people who sacrifice their time and talents to help their friends. Thanks guys!

Tornado damage in our neighborhood

These pictures are not of our house but of houses located about 2 streets to the Northeast in our subdivision. It was VERY close to us and we are truly blessed to have minor damage to our property.

see some tornado damage to our closest neighbors

The first house is Zack's house across the street from us. This view is his back master bedroom. All his clothes were sucked out of his closet never to be seen again. Zack also saw water being sucked up in the air out of his toliet when he ran in there to grab some shorts. The next house is Aaron's who lives one house away from us on our side of the street. The purple house is across the street next to Zack's.

F-3 Tornado hit our neighborhood w/ NO WARNING!!

On 5-2-2008 around 2 am, an F-3 Tornado hit our neighborhood unexpectedly. All the Muir's are ok...no one hurt. Grandma Debbie, Ethan and Sharon rode out the storm in the basement. Rob was working at KCFD that night and his crew was sent to our neighborhood to help out with rescue and recovery. Our house (and many other houses) were damaged. We will be getting a new roof and will have to repair Ethan's outside playset. See picture of the kids in the neighborhood who had fun on the broken playset the day after the storm. Ethan is on the back and top of the picture.

April 27th Kansas City Trolley Run is completed!

Well as many of you know my friend and Trainer, Mandy, and I have made it a goal for 2008 to run/walk at least one organized race every month. The picture at left is of the group from the April 27th Kansas City Trolley Run. It was a very cold Sunday morning on that 4 mile course but we all enjoyed the beautiful scenery in Waldo, Brookside and the Plaza. I'd like to point out some of the gal pals in the picture. In the middle in the green jacket is Mandy. She is such a positive person that I am so blessed to have in my life. Another buddy in the picture is Jennifer at the far right in black. Jennifer is a newly treasured friend and fellow fire fighter wife. She is also mother to one of Ethan's best pals, Graison. You will see more of Jennifer and Mandy in future posts. All in all, I have found a fun group of ladies who love to race and have fun.