I received a text message telling me to check out the Eastern sky

…so, I did.

After the boys discovered the box of magnetic words, little-boy-giggles were heard in my kitchen for nearly an hour as they pieced together nonsensical sentences. Giggles turned to squeals as the words all fell to the floor.

The picture above is THEIR idea of cleaned up. Currently, it’s MY idea of cleaned up too.

I actually have a vote-by-mail ballot. But it’s a lot more fun to head down to the polls to turn it in on election day. Especially when this cutie is along for the ride.

If you asked me at the start of the season if I thought the Giants were capable of going to the World Series I would have told you No Way. That isn’t saying much though. I really don’t know baseball.

I like baseball best when my kids are on the field and, even then, my attention span waxes and wanes.

In these past few of weeks, however, the Giants really caught my attention. Watching them in the playoffs and then in the World Series has been so awesome.

I’m happy to see them win but kind of sad that the games are over.

What will I do with my evenings?

Today, I had the honor of being the spectator and supporter for my dear friend, Mark as he ran his 2nd marathon. At my side or rather, leading the way, was my favorite spectator/supporter — the enthusiastic and handsome man who ran by my side during the last 5 miles of my Boston qualifying marathon. Having always been the recipient of such acts of kindness, I had a thing or two to learn on the art of spectating.

Our 1st cheer spot was from the road above the race course. A hooting and a hollering were we — wildly ringing our cowbell and making a scene. We arrived on time to survey the parade of runners (many in costume) who came through just ahead of Mark. He arrived right on time. It was like clock work, if you use the faster of the predicted pace we had for him.

We snapped a few photos, then were back on our bikes just as quick as I could load up the camera — faster even. It was at that point when I came to fully appreciate the enthusiasm of my superhero supporter. You could almost see the cape waving behind him as he jetted down the road toward the local park. We arrived just minutes before Mark ran though. He’d made good time.

With that, we were off again — peddling down the road towards cheer spot #3. I fought back my uneasiness with cycling amongst the cars and followed behind a huffing and a puffing — yet exhilarated and wondering if I too would earn a superhero spectator cape by the end of the day. I mean, the only thing I’d promised Mark was that I’d be at mile 17 with a banana when he ran through.

Several miles up the road, we arrived on time to see a whole new set of runners go through. Then, after a bit, the usual suspects began appearing. Superman, the Rockin’ Robins, Caveman, and a girl Running-with-Scissors were just a few of the familiar faces.

Then came Mark — looking strong and obviously feeling good. He sure seemed happy to see us out there crazily cheering for him.

I was both proud of him and thrilled to have been the one to push him into his first marathon — even if it meant him accusing me of “breaking his foot” after he ramped up too quickly on the first marathon training attempt. Just look at him now!

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