An Unusual Week

There's not much to report on this week.  Monday was the memorial service to mourn the tragic loss of a beloved community member, which seemed to color the entire week.  I didn't feel like my normal self, as evidenced by my less than stellar exercise routine (or lack thereof).  I got up early each morning to exercise but didn't feel like doing anything but running (hmm, perhaps a psychological response?).  Since it was too cold (and too dark in the mornings) I couldn't run, so I just didn't exercise at all.

Yesterday and today were warmer, and today I finally got out for a nice, long, 6-mile run.  Here I am afterwards... aren't I beautiful?

I haven't run this far since the summer, so I wasn't sure I would make it.  Realistically I was hoping to run four miles and walk two.  Miraculously, I was able to jog all six miles and do it around the same pace I used to in August.  It felt therapeutic, and I'm hoping to get back into my normal rhythms and routines.

Having a normal school schedule will help with that.  The last two weeks have been filled with snow days, online days, delays, early closings (for the funeral) and all sorts of craziness.  Weather forecasts indicate a chance of wintry precipitation tonight and tomorrow, as well as later this week.  Plus, school is closed Thursday and Friday for teachers to attend the Mennonite Schools Council conference in northern Virginia.  So hoping for a return to normal at school is probably out of the question for this week anyway.

For some positive news, Henry NMN(yet) Keane joined our family last Sunday, January 26th.  Kelly was blessed with a speedy delivery, and word on the street is that Jon was a rock star.  Also Hannah and Sophie will get to spend some time with Granny and Papa when they travel to Roanoke the end of this week while I attend the conference.