Ironman Kansas 70.3 is June 15, 2008!!! Lawrence KS at Clinton Lake. Not quite sure what I've gotten myself into but I am super excited about it!
I just found a house to move into once my apt lease is up. But I still need another roommate, so let me know if you need anyone!
I have my first speaking engagement at the KAO alumni meeting in February. Wish me luck! I'd love to speak to more groups about domestic violence and the realities that surround it.
Its almost Christmas! Which means things are super busy with work... be sure to drop some change in the kettle when you see them!
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Friday, October 5, 2007
I never thought it could happen to me.
October 13, 2007 will be a big day for me. It marks the one-year anniversary of the day that I got out of an abusive relationship. I can hear your jaws hitting the floor now. That’s the reaction I usually get when I tell people that, yes, it happened to me. I never thought it would be possible. Only poor, white trash, barefoot and pregnant women are abused. I’m too smart, with too good of a family, too well-off and too, well, normal, for that to happen to me. I always thought I would know better. But I was wrong. And it’s taken me a long time to realize that there was nothing I could have done to have stopped it. He was just that good.
We met in March 2006 at a bar. He was different. He told me he wanted to get to know me for me and that set him apart. I went on that first date with the perspective that, if nothing else, it would be a free dinner! We connected right away and were immediately inseparable. It seemed like the makings of a fairy –tale love story. Before I knew it, I had more or less moved in with him. I still had my apartment, but if I went there once a week, that was a lot. I quickly lost my best friends and began to fight with my family – both very uncharacteristic of me. He had me convinced that none of those special people really cared about me. That he was the only one I could rely on.
So much of the next few months have become a blur to me, and I’m so thankful that I’ve blocked out much of those memories. My day would go like this: Get up, go to work, come back to his house, fight from 5 pm until about 3 or 4 am, get a couple hours sleep and repeat. I nearly lost my job. I could barely function because I was so sleep deprived and so depressed. Plus, I had no support system, no one to rely on. He had isolated me from everyone. I didn’t see my brother, one of my best friends, for more than three months. He intimidated me, threatened me, degraded me, insulted me and even physically harmed me. Yet he was so good that I was convinced he truly cared about me, and was doing everything for my own good.
Then one day, I called one of those 800-number hotlines, that you think only get used on TV. I wanted to know what the definition of an abusive relationship was. After the conversation, I finally realized that if I had to ask, I was probably not in a good situation. So I called my brother, who had nearly given up on me, to ask for his help. He dropped everything to come take me out of that horrible situation. It was really hard to leave. In fact it took about 6 hours for me to actually get in Tim’s car and go. I am so thankful that he never gave up on me.
The months following were still hard. I wanted to go back so often, but I was slowly building my support system back. I had friends who insisted I call them instead of calling him. I am so grateful to those friends and my family who stood by me through those tough times. My brother invited me to move in with him. It was supposed to be for about a month, which quickly turned into six. I don’t know what I would have done without him.
It is my hope that no one EVER have to live through a situation like I did. So here’s the part where I ask for your help. First of all, share my story. Remember that it can happen to someone just like you and just like me. And every day it happens to someone’s sister, daughter, sorority sister, friend, co-worker, mother, niece, neighbor. I like to think that I’m about as normal as it gets, and that just proves how abuse knows no bounds. Second, take a stand. If you know someone who is being abused, let them know that no matter what, you’ll be there for her, no questions asked.
And third, I want you to know about what my brother Tim is doing to fight domestic violence. He will compete in Ironman Florida on November 3, 2007 – swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles – and he is doing it to raise money and awareness of this issue. Tim amazed me when he opened his heart and home to me, and now, he’s doing it even more. I will be so proud to watch him cross that finish line, especially because I wasn’t allowed to go to his race last year. He inspires me daily.
There are days when I still have nightmares about what I went through. But I know God has a plan. Because of my experience, I have become a much stronger person who knows what she is capable of. And right now, that’s spreading the word about domestic violence and abuse so it can stop and not affect one more girl just like me.
We met in March 2006 at a bar. He was different. He told me he wanted to get to know me for me and that set him apart. I went on that first date with the perspective that, if nothing else, it would be a free dinner! We connected right away and were immediately inseparable. It seemed like the makings of a fairy –tale love story. Before I knew it, I had more or less moved in with him. I still had my apartment, but if I went there once a week, that was a lot. I quickly lost my best friends and began to fight with my family – both very uncharacteristic of me. He had me convinced that none of those special people really cared about me. That he was the only one I could rely on.
So much of the next few months have become a blur to me, and I’m so thankful that I’ve blocked out much of those memories. My day would go like this: Get up, go to work, come back to his house, fight from 5 pm until about 3 or 4 am, get a couple hours sleep and repeat. I nearly lost my job. I could barely function because I was so sleep deprived and so depressed. Plus, I had no support system, no one to rely on. He had isolated me from everyone. I didn’t see my brother, one of my best friends, for more than three months. He intimidated me, threatened me, degraded me, insulted me and even physically harmed me. Yet he was so good that I was convinced he truly cared about me, and was doing everything for my own good.
Then one day, I called one of those 800-number hotlines, that you think only get used on TV. I wanted to know what the definition of an abusive relationship was. After the conversation, I finally realized that if I had to ask, I was probably not in a good situation. So I called my brother, who had nearly given up on me, to ask for his help. He dropped everything to come take me out of that horrible situation. It was really hard to leave. In fact it took about 6 hours for me to actually get in Tim’s car and go. I am so thankful that he never gave up on me.
The months following were still hard. I wanted to go back so often, but I was slowly building my support system back. I had friends who insisted I call them instead of calling him. I am so grateful to those friends and my family who stood by me through those tough times. My brother invited me to move in with him. It was supposed to be for about a month, which quickly turned into six. I don’t know what I would have done without him.
It is my hope that no one EVER have to live through a situation like I did. So here’s the part where I ask for your help. First of all, share my story. Remember that it can happen to someone just like you and just like me. And every day it happens to someone’s sister, daughter, sorority sister, friend, co-worker, mother, niece, neighbor. I like to think that I’m about as normal as it gets, and that just proves how abuse knows no bounds. Second, take a stand. If you know someone who is being abused, let them know that no matter what, you’ll be there for her, no questions asked.
And third, I want you to know about what my brother Tim is doing to fight domestic violence. He will compete in Ironman Florida on November 3, 2007 – swim 2.4 miles, bike 112 miles and run 26.2 miles – and he is doing it to raise money and awareness of this issue. Tim amazed me when he opened his heart and home to me, and now, he’s doing it even more. I will be so proud to watch him cross that finish line, especially because I wasn’t allowed to go to his race last year. He inspires me daily.
There are days when I still have nightmares about what I went through. But I know God has a plan. Because of my experience, I have become a much stronger person who knows what she is capable of. And right now, that’s spreading the word about domestic violence and abuse so it can stop and not affect one more girl just like me.
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
I made it!
Special thanks to Samantha Youngblood for making the donation to push me over my limit! I've raised just over $4,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and I'm well on my way to physically being able to run the marathon. I did slightly injure my knee, so I'm taking a few days off. The doctor said it was an intrapatellar ligament strain. Which means, ice, rest, elevation and ibuprofen. Going down stairs isn't the most fun thing. And neither is Pete pulling me along when he's on his leash. Guess thats what happens when your dog gets a girlfriend. :-)
And now, a few photos of some special little people!!
Sean's First Day of School. He isn't as innocent as he looks!
Ian's First Day of School
Jake, King of the Corn
And now, a few photos of some special little people!!
Sean's First Day of School. He isn't as innocent as he looks!
Ian's First Day of School
Jake, King of the Corn
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
I am a STUD!
Well, I ran the 20 miler. I think that makes it official: I'm a runner! Hard to believe huh? Unfortunately, I did something to my knee mid run and I have to go to the Dr today to get it looked at. Hopefully its nothing, I will complete my marathon!! Even if its on one leg! :-)
I only have about $10 left to raise to hit my goal. If I do a couple more fundraisers and get to +$500, there are incentives... a cool TNT hat, etc. I'm tempted... We'll see how good I do selling beads at the K-State football game! Ya never know how generous people will be in Aggieville after a Wildcat Victory!!
This weekend, I'll be manning The Salvation Army booth at the Kansas State Fair. Which means Pete and I head to Wichita to stay at Hotel Nanny and Poppy. I've never done the fair thing before, so I guess it could be interesting. I also plan to work and visit donors in Humboldt, Neodesha, Benedict, Altoona and Iola, Kansas. I'm sure those are all bustling metropolises! Seriously though, I'm loving my job. I have met some of the most interesting people who are generous and selfless and have great stories to tell. It keeps things fun!
Now that the race is less than two months away and its officially post-Labor Day/Fall, I want to pick my next race. Katie and I want to do a half... maybe Gobbler Grind. Any suggestions would be great! Especially if it means I get to steal my brother's Grinch costume and run with Pete!! ;-)
I only have about $10 left to raise to hit my goal. If I do a couple more fundraisers and get to +$500, there are incentives... a cool TNT hat, etc. I'm tempted... We'll see how good I do selling beads at the K-State football game! Ya never know how generous people will be in Aggieville after a Wildcat Victory!!
This weekend, I'll be manning The Salvation Army booth at the Kansas State Fair. Which means Pete and I head to Wichita to stay at Hotel Nanny and Poppy. I've never done the fair thing before, so I guess it could be interesting. I also plan to work and visit donors in Humboldt, Neodesha, Benedict, Altoona and Iola, Kansas. I'm sure those are all bustling metropolises! Seriously though, I'm loving my job. I have met some of the most interesting people who are generous and selfless and have great stories to tell. It keeps things fun!
Now that the race is less than two months away and its officially post-Labor Day/Fall, I want to pick my next race. Katie and I want to do a half... maybe Gobbler Grind. Any suggestions would be great! Especially if it means I get to steal my brother's Grinch costume and run with Pete!! ;-)
Friday, August 17, 2007
Fundraising update!
Only $484 to go!!
And once I get there, I can spend some time and effort helping Tim reach his fundraising goal of $15,000 for Stepstone. Domestic violence - an issue oh so close to home. See the link to Tim's blog for more info...
On a more personal note, I've decided to start figuring out how to buy a house! Somehow I've got to figure out how NOT to be an impulse buyer on this one. I get excited and I want things to happen right away, but considering this is a bigger deal than a new pair of shoes, I really need to take my time to get it figured out right. Any advice????
And once I get there, I can spend some time and effort helping Tim reach his fundraising goal of $15,000 for Stepstone. Domestic violence - an issue oh so close to home. See the link to Tim's blog for more info...
On a more personal note, I've decided to start figuring out how to buy a house! Somehow I've got to figure out how NOT to be an impulse buyer on this one. I get excited and I want things to happen right away, but considering this is a bigger deal than a new pair of shoes, I really need to take my time to get it figured out right. Any advice????
Friday, August 10, 2007
Notes
So last week's long run really took a toll on me. 16 miles of hills that stretched up and up and up. Or at least it seemed like it. It was really nice to have my brother Tim run with me. We maintained about an 11:00/mile pace. Got done in 3 hrs 23 minutes. The last few miles I seriously doubted I could take another step. Definitely the hardest training run by far!
Tomorrow, though, is only 8 miles. So no big deal. I LOVE how an 8 mile run has become "no big deal"... A few months ago I couldn't have even imagined saying that!
I have $1,024 left to raise! Please help me!!! This weekend will be a super fundraising weekend, boot blocking and selling beads at the K.
On a more personal note, I was totally touched by the note my brother got from the family of the kid whose wish he granted last year with his fundraising. Now that kid is a TNT honored patient, and goes to my high school. Leukemia & Lymphoma affect SO MANY PEOPLE and the stories that hit close to home really help when I have zero motivation to go run - like all this week. At least I'm struggling with a 4 mile run and not a life-threatening disease!
Tomorrow, though, is only 8 miles. So no big deal. I LOVE how an 8 mile run has become "no big deal"... A few months ago I couldn't have even imagined saying that!
I have $1,024 left to raise! Please help me!!! This weekend will be a super fundraising weekend, boot blocking and selling beads at the K.
On a more personal note, I was totally touched by the note my brother got from the family of the kid whose wish he granted last year with his fundraising. Now that kid is a TNT honored patient, and goes to my high school. Leukemia & Lymphoma affect SO MANY PEOPLE and the stories that hit close to home really help when I have zero motivation to go run - like all this week. At least I'm struggling with a 4 mile run and not a life-threatening disease!
Monday, August 6, 2007
Fundraising Update
So as of Aug. 6 at 10 pm, I've raised $2,505!! I think this is great and now I'm even more motivated to get the final $1300!!!!
Please help me... http://www.active.com/donate/tntmida/trishod. One click to the donation site and all you have to do is punch in a few credit cards numbers to get your quick and easy tax deduction!!!
Please help me... http://www.active.com/donate/tntmida/trishod. One click to the donation site and all you have to do is punch in a few credit cards numbers to get your quick and easy tax deduction!!!
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