I could never have imagined....

that it would snow here in May...Well, it really isn't snow (and I probably didn't fool you) but the beautiful blossoms on our trees don't stay there long before they scatter around and look almost like snow.

Of course, I grew up in Ottawa, Canada, and I lived in Syracuse NY (can you say 'lake effect snow'?) for a number of years and I have seen snow in May!!!!

Anyway, Friday, I got up at my usual 4:30 AM and after some tea and internet, I headed to the gym. Now, two weeks ago, I had a really sore lower back and I could no longer attempt the cycling class (which probably caused my pain in the first place) so I decided to try running a bit. It was tough at first, but once I got my pace up, I could handle a little discomfort. (My dad worried about whether I should just rest but why sit and complain and feel sorry for yourself?) So, on the first day, I ran about 3 miles in about 35 minutes. I went back again a couple of days later and was able to repeat the 3 miles.

On days that I wasn't taking a class at the gym at 5:30 AM, I was trying to run a little bit further. I like to run on the treadmill where I can keep my cell phone handy (in case the kids need me), talk to gym friends if I want, and keep my self paced. Also, there is a bathroom handy in case (not something you will see in the 'wild').

I could never have imagined (in my life) ....

that I would be able to run 5 miles!!!! But I did just that yesterday morning (not a great photo- taken with my cell phone). And to top it off, one of my gym friends convinced me to come back in the afternoon to do a Body Combat class... and I did!! I could never have imagined that I would be in such good physical shape now (at 46!!!)!

When I run, I let my mind go and that morning as I got closer and closer to my goal (BTW I had to stop to get home and get the kids going to school), the idea for today's blog was born. We all need to pat ourselves on the back once in awhile- including YOU!

But for now, back to me....

I thought a lot about the things that I have accomplished in my adult life that I could never have imagined happening.

Like, I could never have imagined that I would have a Master's degree (in my former regularly employed life, I was a Speech-Language Pathologist) but I did it!

To top it off, I graduated from an American institution - who'd a thunk?- (that's the Carrier Dome in the background) where I met my hubby and even after returning to my 'homeland' for 2 1/2 years, I could have never imagined that I would live in the USA. But I met the love of my life and on June 1, 2001, I even became an American citizen!

BTW, I put that Canadian flag on my mortar board (that's what it is called, right?) so my family could see me among the 1000s of graduated on the Carrier dome floor.

I could never have imagined that I would be the mother of three great kids (Sloppy Sister, Messy Marvin, and the teenager with lots of stuff) but I am. They are great kids- we have our moments- but it is all great in the end! Life is full!

I could never have imagined that one of my children would face a challenge to her life and health, but on November 24, 2005, Thanksgiving Day, my youngest, the figure skater, Sloppy Sister, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. It was a shock and it has its challenges but it is now part of our life. I could never have imagined that I would be sticking needles into one of my babies but it had to be done! And she is a trooper. I have met so many wonderful people by networking with others who face similar challenges and I have learned how to be stronger.

I could never have imagined that the hobby that has consumed a lot of my adult life would help to raise funds for a large, international research agency... but I have made quilts for the past two years for our annual JDRF Gala and I have raised $5300...

2007 edition...

(Jan Mullen's churn dashez with some artistic license from myself)

and the 2008 model...

(Maxine Rosenthal's One Block Wonders using Elvis Blue Hawaii fabric).

I could never have imagined that the $100. that my paternal grandmother gave to me to purchase my first sewing machine at 13 years of age would spark a passion in me! I even started making some of my own clothing again this past winter!!!
I could never have imagined (in my wildest dreams) that I would be a landlord. Yup, I own a 6 unit apartment building. Truthfully, dh is the brains behind the operation but I pay the bills, collect rent, evict tenants (even went to court for the very first time last summer!), talk with contractors...

I could never have imagined having such great friends to hang out with but I do!!!! Blogless Deb, Blogless Laura, Janey, my SIL, and many others! I luv ya!!!!

And, I could have never imagined that the world of blogging would bring me so many great friends!!! I caught the blog bug in the Fall, 2007, and I am addicted! OMG!!!!! YOU all have befriended me, inspired me, taught me, consoled me, teased me, tickled me!!!!!

Yesterday, I stopped at one of our LQS because I know that they sell Australian Quilters Companion which I have come to adore (who could have imagined all the Australian stuff and people would be so great!? :-) )

I bought this one...

because I spotted some houses (somehow they ended up sideways, sorry!) and you know my passion for houses!

And I bought this one...

because I loooove this pattern! I am gonna have to try it soon!

I could never have imagined having so much fabric (hehe)!!!!
So, this weekend, with Mother's Day on Sunday (in North America, at least), don't wait for someone to tell you how great you are!!!! Look at all the wonderful things that YOU have accomplished, goals that you never could have imagined that you would achieve, and pat yourself on the back!!!!!!!!

Have a great weekend! I am off to our guild garage sale!!!!