Grandfathers

I love spending time with either of my two grandfather's and listening to the stories they have to tell.  My grandfather on my Dad's side is an amazing craftsmans with wood.  He can make the most amazing and intricate wooden items from piggy banks, folding stools, picture frames, clocks, deacon type benches, and so much more.    My grandfather on my Mom's said is also an amazing man as well, he worked in a machine shop.  He is also wise regarding money and collector of "junk"/treasures.  My siblings and I all have some of his genes in regards to money, some of us have it more than others. 

This weekend in the snow storm, my mom, dad, brother, husband and I drive up to see my grandfather and spend some time with him.  When we arrived he wasn't home, he was out running a quick errand before we got there.  It was great to spend the time with him and hear stories about things my grandmother (who I never met) would do and he would bring up antiques from his basement.  While we were eating lunch, he told us about a red flying squirrel he had in this basement and how he shot and killed the squirrel in this basement (there isn't much room in this basement to do that kind of shooting).   It was funny that my Pap had a problem with the red flying squirrel in his basement because my brother is also having trouble with them too in his cabin.  My brother has trapped and killed 6 red flying squirrels in the past three days and there are many more to come.

After spending the time with my grandfather this weekend, it helped me realize that I need to carve out and spend more time with my grandfathers, my great aunt, aunts & uncles and cousins.

That never happens for me.

Today my Dad, Mister and I ran the annual Habitat for Humanity 5K race sponsored by the local college.  It is not always the most organized race but we like the course so we do it every year.   It was a beautiful fall day for the race.  SB was there to cheer us on while she is taking some time off to let her injury heal and she was our photographer today.  

During the first loop and half I was 4th female finisher then the one Dr.'s Wife passed going up the one hilll while  was stuggling with my breathing.  However, I stopped briefly to recover my breathing and then picked up the pace again because I wanted to hold on to my 5th female finisher (other than the other weekend when I was the 4th female finisher but there was only 35 runners and walkers.....being in the top 5 female finisher never really happens for me).  I pushed it hard to keep my 5th place and was able to finish the race in 25:22.

My Dad went back to bring Mister in and he was doing very well.  He finished the race in 30:35, which is pretty darn good for not training ever!

The other that never happens for me that I got first in the 20-29 Age group for female finishers.  I believe this is my second first place award I have ever gotten....So its been a good day and a good race. 

P.S. I was 15 seconds faster this year then I was last year and two minutes faster then 2 years ago. Mister was 1 minute and 20 seconds faster than last year. 

Now its time to get cleaned up and off to eat a late lunch/early dinner with the in-laws.