100 Days Into 2007

Tomorrow, Tuesday, April 10th, is the 100th day of the year.

A place I visit regularly April’s Salt for the Spirit came up with a neat idea.

Here are my 100 things for the 100th day.

I have lived..
1…in Wichita, KS, where I was born and lived until I was 5.
2…in Topeka, KS, where I grew up and went to High School.
3…in Lawrence, KS, where I went to College, Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
4…in Cincinnati, OH, where I coached for the Cincinnati Rowing Club and trained.
5…in Lawrence, KS (again), , where I painted Victorian Homes and tried to survive.
6…in Philadelphia, PA, where I trained at Fairmont Rowing Club and learned who I really was.
7…in Washington, DC, where I rowed at the Occoquan for the crazy Russian and made the ’94 World Championship team.
8…in Topeka, KS (again), where my grandmother took me in and allowed me to figure out what the heck I was going to do.
9…in Shawnee, KS (again), where my sister and brother in law let me live in their basement and do what I had figured out.
10…in Kansas City, KS (And I’m staying here!), where I live with my critters (and my brother who is trying to figure out what he’s going to do…must be genetic) and work as a firefighter and a rowing coach.

I have witnessed...
1…my siblings create these amazing little people who mean so much to me. (okay, I didn’t see the actual ‘creation’, that would be creepy and weird. But I did see one of them come into this world. Without exception the one most amazing day of my life)
2…pure acts of heroism.
3…young girls turn into young women…almost before my eyes, with the support and power they gain from being a part of a team.
4…total joy…have you ever seen a dog running in the grass or rolling over and over again in something really stinky.
5…a child who truly believed he was meeting Santa.
6…an athlete perform to the best of her ability, and recognize that her effort was extraordinary.
7…my parents rise above their feelings about one another to come together as a family to celebrate their grandchildren. (way to go Mom and Dad!!!)
8…total loss. More than once.
9…life leaving a person. Also more than once.
10…the sunrise over the ocean.

I have heard...
1…an eight, rowed exceptionally well.
2…Hummingbird wings.
3…soft puppy dog snores (I’m hearing some now…)
4…our club’s name announced at the medals dock at US Nationals.
5…the sound of my oars in the water.
6…the way a boat hums when it’s running well.
7…teenagers when they forget you are in the car with them.
8…my nephew’s laughing.
9…the quiet of the early morning.
10…the sound of a fire truck from the inside.

I have lost...
1…my keys, over and over and over again.
2…Taylor and Andi.
3…all of my Grandfathers.
4…most of my flexibility (yoga, everyone, quick, before it’s too late!)
5…good friends, for stupid reasons.
6…every work name tag I’ve ever been given.
7…as well as any pen I’ve ever touched.
8…my chance to be a mother.
9…my Bleeding Hearts for this year (20 degrees in KC this last week…everything froze).
10…my ability to sleep late.

I have found...
1…that my money never lasts as long as my wants.
2…that it is impossible to keep the cats off the furniture…dogs yes, cats no.
3…that I sleep better with one dog than with two.
4…that I cannot give up coffee.
5…that less explanation is better when teaching novice. If I shut up, most of them will find the correct way to move.
6…that if you cut frozen Tulips, put them in the frig and let them thaw and then put them in water they will last several days.
7…that if you are in a hurry everything that can go wrong will.
8…that I can hold my tongue…most of the time.
9…that it is worth every penny to pay Darren to mow my yard.
10…that I kind of like to run even if I’m very, very slow.

I love...
1…my life, finally.
2…my family, all bazillion of them.
3…the smell of cut grass.
4…Maggie, Rescue, Gus and Jack.
5…to teach.
6…dark chocolate.
7…blank days on my calendar.
8…growing things.
9…making a difference.
10…drinking strong coffee on my porch on a spring morning.

I can...
1…teach.
2…row.
3…write.
4…cook.
5…grow things.
6…fish.
7…fix things.
8…fight fire.
9…do CPR.
10…keep my head in emergencies.

I loathe...
1…the dentist.
2…driving in traffic.
3…loading the rowing trailer.
4…several thing associated with any Regatta in Topeka.
5…lazy people.
6…the trip to Cincinnati.
7…laundry.
8…the attitude many people have about Wyandotte County.
9…washing fire trucks.
10…oh yeah, and raspberries.

I hope...
1…I can sort out the Spring Rowing League today.
2…it warms up.
3…my plants survive this cold spell.
4…my nephews make it through the growing up process without scars.
5…my kids continue to race well this season.
6…I get promoted soon.
7…my dogs live forever.
8…Major Ed comes home safe and sound.
9…we get this Iraq mess sorted out before we lose more kids over there.
10…little Alex (granddaughter of a good friend) recovers quickly.

I am trying...
1…to live debt free (harder than it seems).
2…to lose weight (…I know, who isn’t).
3…to get in shape and stay in shape. (that running thing, you know)
4…to be a good friend (I’m too self absorbed for my own good)
5…to be a good aunt. (this one I think I’m doing okay with but it gets tricky as they get older)
6…to be a good sister. (this one always needs work)
7…to be a good Christian. (God has a plan for me; I have to remember not to get in his way)
8…to be a good firefighter. (there is so much to learn, still)
9…to be a good teacher. (I learn more than I teach)
10…to be a good person. (again, harder than it seems)