Honey Do List

We haven't been home much and when we are home it seems like the weather is not agreeable to doing outside work. Here is the list of things we would like to get accomplished this weekend

Open pool
Wash front porch
plant flowers in the boxes
Work on the back patio (phase II)
Cut the Grass
Iron
Laundry
Grocery Shopping
pull weeds

I don't thing we'll get to everything. Some of my flowers are already in bloom. I guess I never realized how many purple flowers I have planted.

Run Donna Run

This weekend was my big race-the Chicago Half marathon. I have been training since the start of the year. Before this weekend the furthest I had ever run was 11 miles. Well I am alive to say I DID IT.


I was hoping for a time around 2hours 25 minutes. My time was 2 hours 35 minutes. I am a bit disappointed with my time, but I am proud that I stuck with it and actually did it. I'm happy I was under a 12 minute mile. I think it works out to 11:54 minute mile. I was doing really well up until mile 10. At that point my legs felt like jelly and the wind was getting the best of me. I don't remember much of mile 11 or 12. I don't think I will ever forget the last mile and all the people cheering me on.

Crossing the finish line and hearing them announce my name was overwhelming. I saw Dan right when I crossed the finish line and I was so taken with the look on his face. You could see him beaming with pride.

I have been talking about this for months with my students. The Thursday before I left they made me a big card wishing me luck. Today when I got back they wanted to hear all about it. Even they were proud of me. While I'm glad I did it, I don't know if I will do it again. The pain I feel today is quite intense, and knowing how muscle aches go I think tomorrow will be even worse.

I don't have a picture of me crossing the finish line. Hopefully these will be available soon. (And yes I do know I look like my mother in the picture at the top of the page - especially the way I'm holding my hands together ( a typical Ozog trait).

College Graduation

I was quite overwhelmed on the day of Matt's graduation. It's the day that every parent dreams of. All the hard work (by both parent and student) has finally paid off. It seems like when the kids are young things take forever. In looking back time just flew by. It seems like only yesterday we were celebrating his high school graduation, and here we are marking yet another milestone. I feel like Dan and I have done our jobs and raised a fine upstanding young man.
The weather was a concern all day. Luckily it held off for the outdoor ceremony. I have to say Tom Izzo, the guest speaker, was awesome. His message was perfect for not only the graduates but all present.
There is a bit of a sad note though. One of the graduates was wheeled into the proceedings by his father. When we asked Matt about that, he said that the young man had developed cancer. When he got his diploma the entire graduating class gave him a standing ovation. It was quite touching to witness. Sadly we found out he lost his battle with cancer 6 short days after graduation.

Family gathering

We were lucky enough to have almost the entire Roden Family -less June and Gwen :( in Michigan to help celebrate Matt's graduation and Paige's first communion. We had a wonderful time. As always we had way too much food.
The high point of the night came when Sarah and Patty pranked Matt. Matt had already left for the night. It was around 10 pm or so when they decided to call Matt and pretend Patty was from the Registrars Office informing him that he had a balance on his account and would not be able to participate in Sunday's festivities.

Needless to say the first thing Matt did when he hung up was dial Mom. I let him rant and rave for a minute or two before handing the phone to Patty who proceeded to say, "You've been Punked." I only wish we had video taped it. Not only did we all get a good laugh, all of Matt's friends at Adrian got a laugh as well.