Summer Sizzler 5K in Overland Park, KS

To stick with my goal of one race a month I did the Summer Sizzler 5K last Saturday, June 28th. It was a night race starting at 9 pm. A few gals and families from my Northland Walking/Running club were there. I rode with Vicki King who has become my faithful training partner on our early Saturday morning training sessions. Johnna Perry and her husband John participated along with Cathy Cole, Cathy's husband and her 11 year old crazy son, Brandon.

In the crowd I also ran into 2 Sprint co-workers, Brad Steil and Jim Leyba. After the race I was standing around with the gals and heard Johnna say, "Hey, Sharon is from Bolivar too." I found out that Cathy Cole is the daughter of Ken and Marylou Edmondson of Bolivar. I have known the Edmondson's all my life from church and they have been neighbors to my parents a couple of times. Because of the age difference between Cathy and I we did not remember each other. Cathy sure looks like her Momma. I'm am grateful for what my exercise goals have brought to my life...lots of new friends who enjoy striving for a healthy life. (Pictured from left to right are Johnna Perry who has lost 125 lbs., Cathy (Edmondson) Cole, Vicki King and me.)

Sharon's temporary insanity and Ethan's new haircut

Well, last night I plead temporary insanity because I let Rob and Ethan choose to give Ethan a mohawk haircut. Ethan has wanted this haircut for a while but somehow I have been able to hold him off. I gave in last night.

Training update

Last week I did 5 miles in my hometown of Bolivar and had a lot of fun waving at friends and family as they drove by me.
It is my week to plan the walk/run for my Nike Women's marathon team. We are going 6 miles on a tour of historic Liberty, MO. We will start at William Jewell Campus and travel a 6 mile loop back to the campus. The team is using mapmyrun.com to plan our training walk/runs. The real kicker is that we are doing this at 6:15 AM on Saturdays! I'll give my survival update after Saturday. See the link below for my route for this week.
Link: http://www.mapmyrun.com/run/united-states/mo/liberty/55077723

Pictures from Longs funeral/family reunion

SeePictures of Charlie Long, Linda Gothard, Paula Webb and Tim Long the 4 Long kids. Also see pictures of the 11 granchildren and 19 of the 20 great-grandchildren. Nick Long was at camp.

Nick Long wins @ Kanakuk

In the first week of June, my nephew, Nicholas Long, age 12 went to Kanakuk Christian Sports camp. This camp helps to guide kids in sports and also to guide them to live a Christian life. Nick chose to develop his baseball skills during camp and won the "Mr. Hussle" and "110%" awards. The "110% award" is given to those who have an excellent attitude and give the best effort. The main lesson taught at Kanakuk is to make God first, others second and I'm third. We could all apply the "I'm Third" principle to our lives. So Nick won awards but won more than that...he won a richer relationship with God. Yay, Nick! FYI, my 17 year old nephew, Blake, is at Kanakuk camp this week and 9 year old niece, Kennadie, will go to camp in July.

We will miss Grandma but the family lives through the children

Willa Jean Long (September 1, 1920 - June 1, 2008)

Willa Jean Long, age 87, of Bolivar, Missouri passed away at 7:50am, Sunday, June 1, 2008 at her home after a time of declining health.

She was known by many names...Willa Jean, Mrs. Long, Mother, Mimi, Maw Maw, Grandma Long but no matter what she was called she was always there with a sweet smile, pretty outfit, creative jewelry, delicous meal or a witty story about Grandpa, her 4 children, her 11 grandchildren or one of her 20 great-grandchildren. See picture of Sharon with Grandma Long in Jan. 2008 and see picture of Kyndall Payton who is Great-Grandchild number 20. God Blessed us with wonderful role models in Grandpa Paul and Grandma Willa Jean. I challenge the next generations of the Long's to carry on their shining examples of love and family.

Vacation with NO KIDS!

The last weekend in May, Rob and I had the opportunity to go on a trip to Lake of the Ozarks with our friends Ronnie and Amy Jones. We sent Ethan to Bolivar with Nana and Poppy and Amy's parents came from St. Louis to KC to stay wh Aubrie and Cooper. Amy and I did things like shop at the outlet mall, got a pedicure and did more shopping while Rob and Ronnie played golf. We plan to go back to the lake and take the kids later in the summer.