The End of the School Year.

I dropped off the face of the earth, and was caught up in the land of school events.  April and May were both very busy months for us. 

We were blessed to have my Mother-in-Law, Karen, for a visit during Spring Break.  We had a couple of day trips to Lancaster, PA and Monticello, VA.  Did you know that the Amish can now use cell phones?  That was a shocker to us.  Jefferson's Birthday is in April and we just happened to visit on his birthday.  It was a crowded day at Jefferson's House!

Emelie was on the middle school soccer team, which takes up more time than we want to give.  With her having Gymnastics and music lessons too this took up a big chunk of time.  Emelie loves soccer, but she just isn't aggressive enough.  Gymnastics seems to be more of her sport, with her small size and great balance.

Susie is knee deep in Irish dancing.  She competed in her first Feis in May and place first in her category for the Reel and forth in the Light Jig.  Next competition is in 9 days.

Both of my lovely daughters made "A" Honor Roll for the year. 

What else have we done in the past few months.  Emelie has orthodontics, to include an Extender and bottom Braces.  This has taken around 7 visits in the past two months. We attended several banquets at the girls private school.  Many fun end of the year events at school, such as field day and an awards ceremony. We have also done many family hikes, and a few visits to our favorite kid friendly winery, Barrel Oak Winery. 

I can't forget about running.  I've been building my miles back-up and preparing for a fast pace 10 miler in October.  I also volunteered to coach cross-country at my girls' school.  Emelie will run CC this year, so I've been training with her too.  Emelie and I worked at an Aid Station for the MMT100 last month to inspire us to put more miles into our running.  We were very impressed with the wonderful runners at this 100 mile trail race. 

I'm sure I forgot about a few things, and I've been meaning to blog on many subjects.  Hopefully our summer doesn't get extremely busy.  I'm looking forward to a nice relaxing summer with my beautiful girls and husband. 

Emelie Forsberg Post-2012 Zegama Interview

Emelie Forsberg Post-2012 Zegama Interview

Dog Years

I found this web article on the real age of dogs and cats very interesting. I've known since I was a kid that the theory of every year equals 7 years of a dogs life was silly. Because a 7 year old person can't have babies, but a one year old dog can have puppies. The age scale in this article makes good sense and my dog Molly is 3 1/2 years old and is 30 years in human years. I attached the link below!

http://shine.yahoo.com/pets/old-pet-correctly-calculate-dog-cats-age-162200633.html

Anti-Girl Scout Movement.

American Heritage Girls is a group of Girl Scout haters? According to one woman in the organization 90% of AHG's were Girl Scouts first and left because on non-christian beliefs. If these 90% only want their girls around Christians than why did they join the Girl Scouts in the first place. I first joined the girl scouts in 1977 at the age of 6 years old and I loved meeting girls of different races and religions. I don't know a lot about the AHG, but this article to me made them look very judgemental of others and saying false things about the Girl Scouts, which violates the Eighth Commandment. Eighth Commandment is Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor, which includes talking negatively of others, judging others, and lying about others. It's funny how those that advertise that they are Christian, are those that breed hate into their children and break the Eighth Commandment almost daily. I wonder if these groups when they get together have issues with this group being Baptist so they can't hang around the Catholics? The Catholic girls might tell the Baptist girls that their mommies are sinners because they use birthcontrol. This isn't an issue with the Girl Scouts because they accept everyone. The Girl Scout's still have God in their pledge! False rumors from the Haters! 18,000 AHG's isn't much compared to the more than 200,000 Girl Scouts that will gather on the Mall this summer. Just like the Blue Birds in the 1960's and 1970's the AHG will most likely die out too. What ever happened to the Campfire Girls? See, No Girl Scout replacement has survived.

Here is the Article!

http://www.stltoday.com/news/local/metro/christian-based-alternative-to-girl-scouts-grows-in-st-louis/article_4a33c906-b33c-5507-8ee2-498992578e53.html

Valentine's Day Roots.

Many people see this as just a day of love, but a Martyr Saint Valentine died on this day.

http://www.ucatholic.com/saints/saint-valentine/

Money and Wasteful Spending

Facebook has given me a new view of our 20 and 30 something men and women in America. I've noticed that they want everything now, but they are wasteful when it comes to money. It's scary because they aren't frugal, and spend every dime that they make. They aren't thinking about the future or if they can provide for their kids. My husband and I have lived very frugal lives over our almost 17 years of marriage and our main concern since having our first child in 2000 is our kids.

Here are a few scary things that I've seen on Facebook.

Seeing parents or soon to be parents needing money just to survive. Then seeing a post a few days later with a new tattoo that either the mom or dad of that child received. They came into a little extra money and felt it was better to get a tattoo than to put it away for an emergency.

This issue is very common of young pregnant women. They are weeks out from having the baby and just decided that they need to start saving for daycare of the child. Really??? You had 8 months to save and now you're complaining that you need money for daycare.

Seeing people post that they have sick kids, but they spend the weekend running around town and shopping. Shouldn't the kid be at home resting and getting better? Can't you put off your plans until next week? Many of the same parents will complain that the kids have to miss school during the next week because they are now severely sick. Shopping, going to the movies and other money spending activities were more important than the sick kids. I feel very bad for these kids. One mom even had to hospitalize her 9 year old child in December, because they took him out in cold weather to Holiday parties and other social events that couldn't be missed. He developed pneumonia, but the mom doesn't believe it was result of her actions of dragging a sick child out of the house into the cold for 3 days. This is a mom that gets upset to have a kid at home sick during the school week, it takes away from her "Me Time" Yes, ME TIME! When you have a child, you gave up ME TIME. Good loving mom's don't have ME TIME. The ME TIME is usually for shopping.

I noticed today that my niece who has an 8 week old baby, is getting rid of all the clothes that her baby has out grown. Is she taking them to a consignment shop to sell them and buy bigger clothes? No, she is just giving them away. They live from paycheck to paycheck, with no savings. I pointed out that she should keep them for now, because she might have another baby. Our young adults figure they can buy all new stuff if they have another baby. The "I'm not having another baby" isn't a sure thing when you didn't plan on having the current baby. Money doesn't seem to be an issue, except when they paycheck that week isn't enough. I bought some clothes for her baby, but I'm not sure if I should send them. I spent good money on them and she'll just give them away in a few months.

Spending money on Movies, concerts, eating out and hanging out at bars, when you have money issues and kids isn't smart. You feel good for a moment, but then worry about debt and caring for the kids. We save thousands of dollars each year by not eating out or going to movies. My husband and I have a wine hobby, but we don't place that hobby before our kids needs. We have a savings account and we don't live from paycheck to paycheck. I also cut coupons and I save over $1000 a year. We are well established, so I don't have a need to clip coupons, but it is free money on items that I buy.

I was raised to stay out of extreme debt, and to only buy things I could afford. I have a mom that put her kids needs before her own, so I place my kids first too. I make my kids buy clothes off the clearance rack over 90 percent of the time. Do we have to do that? No! It makes sense to pay less for clothes if it is possible. I've taught my kids to be frugal, so hopefully they have a better sense of the value of a dollar than these current 20 and 30 something parents.

When I had my second child Susanna, I use to pack a lunch when I went to the mall. Once a week I took my girls to the mall and Emelie (2 years old at the time)and I use to eat PB sandwiches and drink juice or water from home for lunch. I would check out the clearance racks for clothes that was usually 70 to 90 percent off. Was this a sacrifice on my part? No, I still pack lunches when we go out sometimes, it just doesn't make sense to spend money on greasy food that doesn't taste good. When I tell some people who are living paycheck to paycheck my life of saving money, they see me as a cheap person, but I see them as an idiot that my taxes will bailout of debt several times in their lifetime.

I pray at times when it is family or close friends that are making these wasteful money decisions, that they will find guidance to a better life. Life isn't about what we have, it's about who we are and finding happiness in ourselves.

Even Susie Wants to Be a Teen

It's amazing how the younger siblings grow-up faster than the older siblings. I was the youngest of 4 kids and it seemed like the youthful fun ended as soon as the 2 oldest kids hit their teens. I look back on my childhood and realize that I became a teen around the age of 10. I had two older sisters and I started wearing make-up, curling my hair, and thinking about style at the age of ten. I fought growing up but gave in because I was expected to be like my older siblings. We no longer did the kid activities, like Zoos, Circus, and playgrounds, because the other kids were too old. I lost a few years of my childhood due to being the youngest child. I don't blame my parents for this issue, it happens in most American family households.

Susie wanted to go to Claires (hair, jewelry, and make-up store) yesterday, she walked in with her mind set on make-up. She had around 6 dollars in her purse and wanted to spend it on eye shadow. At first I was against this idea, and I knew my husband wouldn't want her to have the make-up, but I gave in. She is only allowed to play with it at home and can't wear it in public. She wants to keep up with her older sister and this is what happens in the family structure. I'm going to do my best to remember that she is just a 9 year old and encourage her to not grow up too fast. She is still 3 1/2 years from officially being a teen, so we'll keep doing the kids activities and visits to the park and zoos. We'll also keep Santa, the Tooth Fairy and the Easter Bunny around a little longer.

Climbing Back on the Horse

I'm finding that at 40 years old it is getting harder to climb back on the horse when it comes to running. I had a wonderful summer of running in 2010 and had a summer of injuries in 2011. I'm still recovering and very excited about getting back to running, but physically my body has weakened. I know I must build my body back up and I hope that my injuries are healed to the point that I can have a good summer of running. Mentally I'm ready to run for hours, but physically my body wants to give out after 45 minutes. I'm also nursing my left achilles tendon and I have to stop around every mile I run to stretch it. The plan is to slowly build myself back up and hopefully get a couple of half marathons in by November. I also plan to get my girls more active in running, by running a few miles with them twice a week. I'm starting off 2012 with strength training, hiking and slowly building up my running miles. Happy Running!

The Bark Side: 2012 Volkswagen Game Day Commercial Teaser

The Flirting Begins!

A father's worst fear happened this past weekend to my husband. His beautiful 11 year old daughter spent part of her Saturday evening flirting with an 11 year old boy at a party for my husband's work. As the mother, I found the flirting cute and sweet. This is just the beginning of her interest in boys, so as mom I just need to guide her on good choices. I'm not worried yet, because she isn't allowed to date until she is 16 years old. If you ask my husband, He'll tell you that she is never allow to date. This is just the beginning of our little girl becoming a young lady.

Glenn Beck's War on the Girl Scouts

Yep, they are the next big threat to America. Those cookie selling little girls will be out for the next few weeks selling cookies, but if you buy cookies you are supporting the Big Bad Liberal Machine called the American Girl Scouts. They might look cute and innocent but they are after your money to support a cause of brainwashing young girls to become Anti-American Feminist. This was the evil plan that has been in place for a 100 years and started by the Evil Anti-American Communist Juliette Gordon Low in Savannah, Georgia. Who would of thought that the home city of Paula Dean had so much evil?

Hopefully everyone that just read this paragraph knows that I'm just kidding around and making fun of Glenn Beck. Yes, he is after the Girl Scouts, which is very petty of him. He has to attack someone so he can get media attention and can try to keep his God status. The only media outlet to talk about the story is FOX, not a surprise.

It's going to be interesting going door to door selling cookies this year. I wonder how many people will display their hate of the Girls Scouts fueled by Beck and FOX News to my little girls. This will just show my girls how many people can be brainwashed by the Media, which was one of the points in the Girl Scout book that upset Glenn Beck.

I just want to point out that I'm a Conservative Libertarian, that is Catholic, and a Stay at Home Mom. I'm a free thinking Conservative!

Jamie Grace - Hold Me featuring tobyMac (Official Music Video)

Happy New Year 2012 and Good Bye 2011

It seems like 2011 is a year most people are happy to see it end, but for my family it was a good year. Nothing extremely terrible happened and we had some good moments.

Our year in review, with the good and bad.

In February, we took a family vacation to Disney World. It was a wonderful week of no crowds and little stress. Taking a vacation anytime during the year is one advantage to homeschooling. Jeff is not happy in his job and received a better job offer.

In March, my husband left a stressful job that required an extreme amount of travel, for a job with less stress, less travel, more pay and more benefits. He is happier and that makes his wife and kids happier. Emelie started Gymnastics lessons.

In May, my niece Lindsay graduated from high school and received an Army ROTC scholarship to Bowling Green State University.

In June, our homeschool year come to an end and I turned 40 years old. I celebrated my birthday with my best friend of 25 years Tina and her son Mikie with a trip to Virginia Beach and hiking in the Shenandoah National Park. I also hurt my Achilles tendon, which I'm still nursing and has limited my running.

In July, Jeff and I celebrated 16 years of marriage and to celebrate we bought a two year barrel owner membership to our favorite winery Barrel Oak Winery in Delaplane, Virginia.

In August, the girls and I spent quality time together and prepared them for private school. Susie started Irish dance lessons through a competitive school.

In September, Emelie turned 11 years old and declared herself a preteen. We celebrated at the American Girl Bistro. The girls started school at a nice christian school. It was very stressful for me to send them to school and not have the control of their education. I'm still currently worried about their education, because at times I feel that I provided a better curriculum through homeschooling.

In October, Susie turns 9 years old and we celebrated her birthday at the American Girl Bistro. Both girls ran in a school fundraiser Race for Education and out ran the kids in their grade levels. Emelie ran 5 1/2 miles and Susie ran 4 1/2 miles.

In December, Jeff received very positive feed back on his job performance.

What are our plans for 2012? I plan to get back to trail running. Hopefully start a career of my own. Jeff will receive his undergraduate degree. Susie will compete in her first Irish Feis. Emelie will join either the volleyball or cross-country team at school. We don't have any big plans for 2012, we mainly just live life. Hopefully 2012 is a good year like 2011.

Moses parting the Red Sea

Stealing Your Kid's Childhood

"Stealing your kid's childhood" something that is very noticeable this time of year. It's most noticeable during the Christmas season when many parents send out letters to friends and family. Many of these letters include comments on the advancement and maturity of their children compared to their peers, which is wonderful and delightful. What isn't wonderful is how some parents insist on these kids giving up their childhood just to prove to outsiders that the child is more advanced. Many parents push their kids to give up age appropriate toys, push them grade levels above their peers, and push them to be in activities that interest the parent not the child.

It seems lately that kids just can't be kids anymore and that after the age of 10 years old it's time for them to give up the toys. Yes, I've noticed this with my 11 year old's peers, many of my friends, and some teachers. When it comes to this age level of the kids, toys are out and video games, computers, socializing and sports are what they should do with their free time. I was even criticized by my daughters teacher for allowing my 11 year old to play with dolls. Playing with dolls makes my child immature, because the other girls no longer play with them. I homeschooled my kids for the last three years, so I had no idea that they gave up toys at the age of 10 years old. It's a good thing my daughter has intelligent loving parents because we believe in kids having a childhood, so we have encouraged our daughter to play with toys and ignore those that are more mature and gave them up in 4th grade. I feel bad for the mature kids that can no longer play with toys, because they have parents and teachers that discourage it. These kids have given up their childhood early and will regret it at some point in their lives.

The issue of advancing their kids grade levels above other kids the same age. This has become very popular over the past 15 years, and seems to make parents feel extra special to have an advanced kid. I know some people are questioning how do you advance kids a grade level? It's difficult to do in a public school, but very simple if you homeschool or have your child in a small religious private school. It was suggested many times while I was homeschooling to advance my oldest daughter Emelie because school was simple for her. She has always been ahead of her peers, she learned her alphabet at the age of 2 years and entered 1st grade reading at a 4th grade level. It was tempting to advance her, but my husband and I knew that we would be forcing her to grow-up faster than she should. We wanted her to enjoy her childhood and teen years hanging out with kids her age, not 2 years older than her. She will continue to advance in an age appropriate grade level, because she has parents that spend time with her and challenge her. We have no need to push her through school, just so we can brag to people that she graduated from high school early. That is what I'm picking up from parents that advance their kids, it seems to be more of a self-esteem boost for a parent that has always had a poor self-esteem. It's a chance to say look everyone I'm great, because my kid is advanced. I don't believe that the parent is a better person and I feel sorry for the kid that will graduate at 15 or 16 years old and be forced to be an adult to early in life. They could use those 2 to 3 years advancing the learning processes further and enter college at 17 or 18 years old with a stronger educational background. They can enjoy being a teenager and become an adult during their senior year like most kids. If a kid is advanced they will advance in life without being pushed up a couple of grade levels, and still enjoy their childhood.

This is another area that I've seen parents living life through the child. Parents place their kids in activities that they wish they excelled or participated in. I've seen little girls forced to be in dance, gymnastics and/or ice skating due to their mothers dreams and hopes of raising a star. I've seen boys forced to play sports or participate in other activities because they are expected to be like their dad. These parents are stealing their kid's childhood by forcing activities on their child. These parents had a childhood and they can't relive what they wish they had in a childhood through their child. Emelie decided 18 months ago that after 6 years of ballet she no longer wanted to dance. I would of loved for her to continue and go on to become a wonderful ballerina, but that would be very wrong of me to force her to continue to dance. She announced to her ballet classmates that she was leaving dance and was going to try gymnastics. One of her classmates questioned her mother on why she must continue to dance when she no longer enjoys it. That mother told her daughter because I want you to dance, and you will be glad I made you do it later in life. Really??? Her daughter is going to be happy that she had no choices in life as a child? She is going to be happy that she never participated in activities that she had an interest in because she spent most of her free time at dance lessons? I've seen moms place daughters in gymnastics as toddlers in hopes of them being the next Mary Lou Retton. I had both of my daughters in gymnastic just for fun when they were 3 and 5 years old. I had no plans of them continuing after the first 2 years. They only went for one year due to me not wanting my kids around these crazy mothers. One mom even told her 5 year old daughter to tell my 5 year old daughter that she was terrible at gymnastics. Yep, that is how evil a mom can be when she is trying to relive her childhood through her kid. This mom must of had a really low self-esteem to stoop so low and is now placing that low self-esteem on her kids. Emelie is back at gymnastics by her choice and seems to be with a wonderful group of girls. I was worried about encountering more crazy moms, but their 11 year old kids have been in gymnastics for 9 years and are at competition level, so I don't have to deal with them. Emelie is with girls who's parents waited until the child picked the activity and is supporting a healthy fun childhood. My kids will discover who they are with a little help from their father and me, and we will enjoy watching them live their childhood. We lived our childhood 3 decades ago and yes we have regrets, but I won't force my regrets on my kids.

I better end this crazy rant, because I could go on for days. I just ask parents to let their kids have a full childhood and not to steal it from them. I will enjoy reading the Christmas letters and I'll feel bad for the children that are growing up faster than they should be. I'm going to make sure my girls have an enjoyable childhood.

Endorsing Hate

I have a very nice girlfriend who started an email group to send out local stores and Internet deals. I thought this would be a great source of information on saving a few dollars, turns out many of those on the group list boycott most stores because of their hate of homosexuals. My friend who started the group isn't a hateful person, but in order to keep the peace she is apologizing for posting deals about stores that support homosexuals. They also boycott any companies that donate to Planned Parenthood. These ladies believe that Planned Parenthood encourages and funds abortions, which isn't true. Some of the same ladies have sent emails around that the Girl Scouts teach girls as young as 6 years old about sex. This is how sick and hateful many of these ladies are towards groups that don't fall in line with their religious beliefs or agenda. I will call these ladies the Breeders which is a good name for them since they also believe you should have a baby every year to two years and then they teach their children to also hate. Yes, they actually breed hate.

The Breeders hate homosexuals because their sexual act is a sin. We all sin, so shouldn't we all just hate each other? I'm still trying to understand why they are so threatened by homosexuals. How are a homosexuals harming them and their families? I personally believe that homosexuals are born gay, so God made them with an attraction to the same sex. They are a child of God too, so why hate them? How would Jesus treat a homosexual? I believe he would accept them as he would all his children. Jesus would be ashamed of the breeders, and would point out to them that they have no right to judge others. Hating and endorsing the boycott of stores that hirer and give family benefits to homosexuals is endorsing the hate of a segment of God's children.

My friend loves God and doesn't agree with these ladies, but she also doesn't want to be an outcast in the community. She isn't as vocal as I am about these subjects. I'm already an outcast with most of the breeders, because I married a non-Catholic and only have two kids by choice. In defense of the loving Catholics around the world, I moved to a town that is not normal when it comes to Catholics and other Christian religions. They are extremists when it comes to religion, and extremists no matter what their belief will fuel hate. Let's stop the hate against homosexuals and shop and support the stores and businesses that don't discriminate against them. I pray in the same church as these breeders every Sunday and I always pray to God to guide these ladies away from hate and toward acceptance of others and their beliefs.

The 5 Hour Drive to Grandma's House.

Yes, we are traveling by car with the millions of other people for Thanksgiving at Grandma's. Not really Grandma's more like Mom's house, but she is Grandma to my kids. I don't get home to often during the fall and winter months due to the mountain of snow that falls on Northeastern Ohio. No matter what the occasion is traveling is stressful for my family.

The stress level during travel will be high, both my husband and I hate traffic and dealing with all the people that shouldn't have a drivers license. Here are a few things drivers should remember. The left lane which has been referred to as the fast lane or passing lane is for drivers to pass slower drivers in the right lane. If you are in the left lane and cars behind you want to travel at a faster speed than you get in the right lane and let them pass you. Yes, I realize that you are traveling a entire 2 MPH faster than those in the right lane, that you are traveling the legal speed limit and that you hate to change lanes so the left lane is best for you. Be polite and use commonsense during the holiday travel times and just stay out of the left lane if you prefer to travel the speed limit. The police and highway patrol will be out in larger numbers, so let them deal with the speeders and just let the speeders pass.

Please use your turn signal when changing lanes. There is nothing worse than hitting the brakes because someone decided to change lanes without informing others with a turn signal. My kids don't need whiplash and should be able to play their video games uninterrupted.

I'm one of those speeders and I like to travel 5 MPH over the speed limit and you'll make my travel more pleasant. If the law enforcement officials have issues with me speeding they will punish me. You don't need to keep me and thousands of others from speeding by sitting in the fast lane.

Thank-you and have a nice Thanksgiving with your family!

My Return to Blogging

I'm back and hopefully I'll stay more committed to my blog. My Daughters are currently attending a nice Christian school, so I can pursue my dream of becoming a small business entrepreneur. I miss spending my days homeschooling, but the girls are enjoying their time at a small school. They both are beyond their current grade level. I'm not in a hurry for them to grow-up so they will remain with their age appropriate grade. The issue of parents advancing their children beyond their age appropriate peers is an issue I'll address soon in the blog. I'll also address many of the current political issues. I'll also update my current running plans. Hopefully I haven't lost my past followers and that I can engage with you in discussions on many of the current topics.

Preparing Emelie for a 5K

Emelie is 10 years old as of 4 September, so I'm preparing her to run a 5k in October. She seems excited and did really well with Hill repeats yesterday and laps around the neighborhood today. I'm going to run the race with her, so I'll help her through this first 5k. We are looking at a 4k trail run in November.

The race is the Walk for Autism, they have a 5k walk, 5k run and a 10k ruck march. It takes place on 23 Oct 2010.
http://www.walkforautismva.org/

Self Image Issues

Self image is a subject that I've heard about all my life, but this issue has been around for ever. Both females and males struggle with this issue. Females are a little more dramatic than males, so it is a bigger subject in the media when it comes to female. Men and boys hide the issue due to appearing weak.

What started me on this subject was both talking with friends over the past year and now an article I read today about Katherine Schwarzenegger. She wrote a book about self image. http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100913/hl_yblog_upshot/schwarzeneggers-daughter-reveals-details-of-growing-up-in-famous-family#mwpphu-container
As I read through the comments most seemed positive, then I noticed a very insecure comment.
A lady commented that a normal clothing size for a healthy woman is a size 12 to 16 and that anyone that wears a size 10 or smaller only eats lettuce and has self image issues. It was a little shocking to see that this woman felt that thin people starve themselves. It is obvious that she has self image issues because of her negativity toward those who are thin. I haven't read Katherine Schwarzenegger's book, but from what I've read in the article, she wants young girls to understand that self image issues are normal. She is 100% correct, it is normal. I plan to read her book and if I like it, I'll have both of my girls read it when they are teenagers.

I'm almost 40 years old and I have self image issues. Several times a year I have to deal with acne. I'm 40, so why am I still dealing with acne??? I can't run with make-up on, so the world has to see me with all my zits. I find it difficult during these times, but what keeps me going is that I know everyone seeing my acne has their own physical appearance issues. I also hate my thighs, they are chubby, but I know they aren't fat. I've accepted my chubby tights until I put on a bathing suit. I usually want to cry when I put on a bathing suit. One issue that most people (both male and female) like to point out to me is my almost nonexistent breasts. Surprisingly I'm proud of my little bumps and that has never been an image issue. I'm very surprised that women feel that having big boobs is important, I feel that they would get in the way of my running. It's odd that people have pointed out to me that I'm almost boobless, maybe It's because of their low self image and they want to take me down to their level. Compared to your average American woman I have a more positive self image, because I have accepted the fact that everyone has flaws.

My goal is to build a positive self image for my daughters by being a good role model. I've also recognized that I'm a role model to all the young girls that I encounter. I try to eat well and workout regularly. My daughters both want to run with me, and we talk about food and the importance of it. They know at the age of 7 and 10 that food is fuel for the body and that exercise and running strengthens our bodies. My 10 year old has pointed out things that she thinks is flaws in her physical appearance. We talk about why she thinks these things are flaws. Many times it's because of TV, usually shows like Hannah Montana. She has also compared herself to her friends, which is normal. I've pointed out to her that she is normal for having these views. She is still growing and hasn't had to really deal with these self image issues, but I hope she'll come to me when the time comes. I'll teach her to look at the positives and to stay away from those people trying to create a poor self image for her. I was blessed with a mom and friends that did that for me.

It's negative people that create the self image problems that both teens and adults deal with daily. If you surround yourself with positive friends and family you'll have a good self image. Katherine, I hope your book is a success and I hope to read it during the upcoming year.