Thursday, April 29, 2010

Just Because

It’s snowing here today. Yes, I said snowing. Yesterday it was 80 degrees. If it snows on marathon day I’m going to bring a noose to the start line, find a tree and…

Snow is not out of the realm of possibility for the race. After all, it’s only 9 days out and the race starts at 6,108 feet. I’m no meteorologist (I can’t even spell it), but sometimes it snows up that high. If I understand correctly, we board busses at 4:30 a.m. at 4,981 feet and take a long and windy ride on up to 6,000 ft. I love it when you get to ride the course you are going to run so you can witness first hand how long it takes to drive 26.2 miles as well as every hill, twist and turn. It’s good for the psyche.

The race starts promptly at 6:00 a.m., which seems a tad early, but being Mother’s Day this should give me ample time to go out to brunch afterwards with the family and spend the whole time in the bathroom.

Yesterday was a damn good day around here. I had a 7.5 mile run in 30 mph winds. Lucky, (three legged Cocker) licked his balls a good part of the afternoon. My son’s baseball team got clobbered so much so that the good old slaughter rule was enacted and the game ended early. Aunt Flow came to visit in all her glory. I’m trying to stop drinking wine during the week, ‘nuf said. The Hills Season premier was on and despite her efforts, Heidi did not look anything like my daughter’s Barbie doll. Dammit. I was so going to have 90 plastic surgeries (and make sure Ken had them too)  if we could look like this:

nakedbarbie

Despite my sarcasm, let me tell you why it really was a good day. I had one of those “just because moments.” You know the ones. Where someone, stranger or otherwise, does something exceptional  for you with no ulterior motive, no hope for anything in return. Out of pure kindness. These moments stand out because they don’t happen that often. It’s the stranger who holds your hand on the airplane when you’re afraid (pervert!), or the friend who shows up unexpectedly at your door with a bottle of wine just because she knew your dog died (he licked his balls off).

What was my just because moment? Let me back up here. Tara from Loves Life in Colorado and I became blogger friends many months ago when we both realized we lived in the Denver area and that we were both running the Rock ‘n Roll San Antonio Marathon in November ‘09. Our friendship and commonalities further expanded when we both had to drop out of the race (me with a stress fracture, Tara with a pulmonary embolism – yeah, she always has to one-up me). We commiserated through recovery and both were able to start training again at about the same time. We discovered we had yet again both signed up for the same race: the Colorado Marathon. We met for one long run in Denver (with blogger Jill) and continued to keep in touch regarding training, etc.

Fast forward to yesterday when I got this in the mail from Tara:

 silvermaple

She has one too. This is seriously one of the best gifts I’ve ever received. It holds obvious sentimental value, is incredibly unique and was given just because. This necklace comes from a new company called Silver Maple. All jewelry is made with sterling silver and copper and can honor any occasion: a race, the birth of a child, or a special sentiment. Gorgeous stuff. Thanks Tara! Here’s hoping 5.9.10 is a good one for us with no nooses or snow.

What’s a just because moment you’ve had lately (or one you’ve given someone else)?

45 comments:

  1. Btw, If that's how the dog died, how did I ever manage to get through my teenage years?

    ReplyDelete
  2. I love Steve Q's comment!!! That is an awesome present to get in the mail.

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love those products from Silver Maple! Too cool!

    ReplyDelete
  4. snow? ew. it was cold enough here in new england to snow but luckily no precipitation. glad that yesterday had "just because" moment. too awesome about that necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  5. You gotta love the CO snow. It's not snowing where I live YET, but I know it's probably going to come...ughh! I really hope it doesn't snow for your marathon. I'm excited to hear all about it b/c I was originally thinking about doing that too, but then decided to do Rock-n-Roll in Nov.

    I think it's awesome that your friend got you that necklace! :) My "just because" moment will be this afternoon when I make choco chip cookies with my boys, just b/c I know they love them and they haven't had them in a really long time! :)

    ReplyDelete
  6. Aweome entry! Love it.

    Can't think of a moment right now... but I am sure I've had them.

    ReplyDelete
  7. What's the rule in Colorado..you're not supposed to plant until after Mother's Day? Screw that; my first year here, it snowed on the 4th of July. Is nothing sacred anymore??

    Love the necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I'll be running the Colo. Marathon too. My first one (gulp). If there is snow, we can be noose buddies! Good luck to you.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so glad you like that necklace! I love mine because it is a reminder for me of how hard I have worked towards this marathon. I'm so glad that you find it special as well!

    Here's to no snow on 5.9.10, but no matter what, we will both have a great race. I'm sure of it. And even if we don't, there's always the beer tent, don't think I won't hit that up.

    ReplyDelete
  10. i dont have any and now im beginning to think i have crappy friends and im a crappy friend. hmm.
    hey, just being a wiene here, but one day run a full at sea level or at least less than mt everest altitude... this is my trick. i find the easiest marathons there are and then run those.

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a sweetie! I have to check that site out - I love the necklace.

    A few weeks ago, I gave these earrings to a girlfriend, as a good luck charm :)

    ReplyDelete
  12. wow!! so sweet!! made me smile.

    and i'm so happy tara is recovered!

    ReplyDelete
  13. You are so going to rock the marathon. I have no doubts. What's a little snow eh?! :-)
    That is so sweet of your friend Tara. It makes me think I need to do something nice for my friends, or perhaps a random stranger. It's been too long.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Lovely necklace. I love silver.
    My just because moment happened, last week. I went to NYC and dined at Daniel. I ordered a 3 course tasting menu, which became a 6 course feast since I know the pastry chef. Initially, I thought they might by dessert or a cocktail. Turns out, my moment, was the entire decadent meal being on the house. I love my friends and moments of pure bliss.
    Enjoy your necklace--you've earned it!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I need to get in touch with Tara. That is amazing. love it. I love the way you write. fun to read.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Aww, that's a sweet gift from your friend. Hope you guys get good weather for your race. I can barely imagine doing 26.2, and certainly not in the snow. But you're a tough cookie!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I love your blog! Your sarcasm, wit and humor crack me up and make my day. Good luck on the big race.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Your entire post cracked me up! Um, except for the stuff that wasn't supposed to, like your nice frienship and that beautiful necklace. I am so sorry it is snowing, but look at it this way: it either won't be crappy weather the day of the marathon, or it will and it will really suck, but you can write about it here and get lots of sympathy and congratulations on how awesome you are for finishing it despite the conditions. Win-win.

    ReplyDelete
  19. THAT'S EFFING AWESOME! That's such a nice gift. Tara, you rock!

    Good luck to both of you at this marathon!!!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  20. That's the best thing I've read all week. Your posts never fail to make me laugh and think, two things that I need to do more of (so says my wife).

    ReplyDelete
  21. Awesome. And good luck. A while back, a guy at the 7-11 bought my coffee for me. He was in line ahead of me, and did it just to be nice. Made my day. People are good.

    ReplyDelete
  22. LOL on the wine during the week. I love it too... but it's not good calorie-wise, nor financially. Woe to me.

    ReplyDelete
  23. Oh keep up the big goals with the plastic surgery--Heidi is something to aspire to! ; )

    How cool of Tara? You guys will be bringing good karma into the race with you, snow or no snow.

    Hmmm, my only just because moment is probably more of a pay-it-forward moment--a guy gave me his parking voucher the other day as he was pulling out and I was pulling in. Made my day.

    ReplyDelete
  24. A coworker gave me an absolutely delicious pear ysterday-- on a day when i was out of fruit at home and needed a healthy snack :P

    What a pretty necklace!

    ReplyDelete
  25. Good LORD you crack me up. And yes, enough already! The snow is bringing me down...although, I'd take it over the horrible wind anyday. Your necklace is pretty!

    ReplyDelete
  26. That girl is awesome!!! You ladies are going to do great! I say it all the time, I wish I live closer to you guys! And don't worry, I ran my very first marathon in snow, on a fluke day in September in Lake Tahoe. I think it makes it more fun! HA! Who am I kidding! NO SNOW ON 5.9.10!!!

    ReplyDelete
  27. so sweet! And I love The Silver Maple jewelry, I'm hosting a giveaway for her right now. :)

    ReplyDelete
  28. I love the necklace!! I first saw the company through Tricia and I have to say, I've already hinted (strongly) (super strongly) (a lot) to my hubby about a possible Mother's Day gift from there. :)

    No significant "just because" moment lately. Actually, kind of sad that I haven't experienced any nor have I helped anyone experience any.

    ReplyDelete
  29. Bahaha good luck at the race and crossing my fingers for no snow - but I'm sure you'd have a blast anyhow. GREAT necklace, super jealous, totally want one...should ask for mom's day now that I'm a mom :-)

    just bc moments? none lately. I am so lame.

    ReplyDelete
  30. That is THE. BEST. gift EVER. How thoughtful, sweet, and beautiful! I love meaningful keepsakes :)

    ReplyDelete
  31. Cool necklace.

    LMAO at Ken and Barbie. ;)

    ReplyDelete
  32. Awesome necklace!

    Ugh on the snow! Did I mention that Dad Wonder is applying for a job in the Springs. I will not survive!

    Good luck on the marathon!

    ReplyDelete
  33. What a beautiful, meaningful necklace and thoughtful gift! You can wear that produly in another couple of weeks. Here's hoping for no snow on race day!

    ReplyDelete
  34. You are right - those moments don't happen very often. What a great and thoughtful surprise.

    I'll start praying for nice weather for your marathon. We had snow here today too!

    ReplyDelete
  35. I cant believe it snowed! That's crazy! I live in Wisconsin, and I thought we had crazy weather until I heard that.

    ReplyDelete
  36. Love the gift, it's really cool. Here's to nice weather for your marathon.


    I told a lady her yard looked beautiful this evening while walking through the neighborhood, but I secretly think it looks like a load of discombobulated crap. But, she was out there working so hard and it was just the nice thing to do and say. Her face lit up and she was so proud.

    ReplyDelete
  37. Yes, you can spell meteorologist.

    The snow should melt as quickly as it came (well, we can hope it will). Hopefully, it will be out of the way for your race.

    ReplyDelete
  38. My latest just because moment was a few weeks ago when an employee send an "Edible Bouquet" to me. Loved it.

    ReplyDelete
  39. I have two friends doing Colorado Marathon and Half Marathon. I wish I was able to do it too! I think the downhill would totally rock. Bundled up it's cold in the canyon for sure! You're going to be a speed demon, snow or not. Fingers crossed for no snow.

    Silver Grill for brunch after the race...cinnamon french toast is amazing!

    ReplyDelete
  40. Aww thats soo sweet!! Good Luck on your marathon!

    ReplyDelete
  41. Love the gift. Great idea!

    BTW, my brother lives in Ft. Collins :)

    ReplyDelete
  42. OMG you are funny. I think my comments say that every single time I read your post. Oh well. No one said I was original.

    Super sweet gift! It gave me the awwwws. But then co-workers looked at me funny.

    Let's see - oh I got a thank you card this week from some co-workers so that was pretty nice.

    ReplyDelete
  43. I love the necklace! I'm so jealous!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  44. Love the necklace! That was so thoughtful! I was visiting a friend in Colorado around the time of this post...it truly was some wacky weather. I thought Arkansas weather changed fast! I must say that I loved your state and want to go back already...especially Boulder...I heart the People's Republic of Boulder...

    ReplyDelete