My New Life

Sorry I have been missing in action.  The weekend of the 3rd we met our daughter for the first time.  We spent 3.5 hours with her the first day and then on Sunday we had her from 9:30a to 6p.  It was great, but we hated bringing her back to the foster home that Sunday.  Then the next Friday we went to pick her up for good!!  We picked her up at about 4:30p, clothes, toys, bike...all of it...On Monday the 13th we signed the adoption placement paperwork!!

So, she is our daughter now.  In six months it will become permanent and she will have our last name.

It has been an interesting week with her first day of school at the new school being a field trip to sing Christmas songs at retirement homes and lunch at On the Border.  She had a ball that day.  We got her hair cut the first day as it went all the way to her waist and she wanted to take care of it herself.  We created bed time routines this week and early morning routines getting momma to the train and then Daddy getting her off to school.

It has had it's ups and downs as is expected.  She is almost 12 and quite moody at times.  In addition she is special needs and sometimes the communication can be difficult as she is at a kindergarten level with so many things and speech problems.

There has been so much joy added to our lives that the bumps are barely noticeable...

Now everyday it is, "when will Santa come", so I can't wait for that day to come and go...my worry is that it will just start over with another 364 day countdown...LOL

I hope you are all experiencing a happy holiday season!!

Well, Not Exactly

My caseworker led me to believe we would have Izza on Saturday, but we actually only get to meet her for a few hours on Saturday and then we can spend the day with her on Sunday.

I do want to ask the caseworker this weekend when she will be actually placed with us.

Let's hope it is before next weekend.

At Last

We will finally have our daughter on Saturday. 

There was a process held up because they were waiting on some testing to be completed on her.  She was rated as severe before due to special needs, but the testing came back that she is now moderate.  It is awesome because it is showing that her new environment has really helped her a lot and that she can improve.  She was stagnate for the last few years...I attribute it to the foster family she was with...and now she is in a much better home and is showing great progress...can't wait to be able to help her reach her full potential and become a happy adult someday.

Not such a Happy Thanksgiving

Well, Thanksgiving is not going to be as happy as it could have been.

It appears they are not done with something that needs to be accomplished with Izza before we can  have her, so we will not have her to take to GA with us for Thanksgiving with the family.

I am pretty sad about this...I feel lost...on the verge of tears...I am so tired of waiting for her...and if she is in a foster home, well, why can't that be our foster home?  We are certified to be foster parents...this just makes no sense to me...most of the time...some of the time I see their point, but not when I let my feelings get involved, which is  most of the time.

So, another week without our daughter...I hope she has a Happy Thanksgiving...just wish it was going to be with us...

Prayers and Positive Thoughts!

Okay, I have not talked much about this, but I did have a post on my site a few months ago with her picture.  Since January we have been taking classes and working toward adopting a little girl here in Texas.  Her name is Izza and we saw her picture on the T.A.R.E. website here in Texas back in January.  Her brief bio was enough for us to know we wanted to adopt her.  She has Cerebral Palsy (CP) and based on what they said about her it appeared her disabilities from the were similar to my hubbies disabilities from his CP so we felt we had the skills and knowledge to help this little girl lead a happy productive life even though we have never been parents. We decided to go to an informational meeting and the next week we picked the agency we wanted to attend classes through and have as our agency for fostering and adoption.  The next week we attended our first class and then in July we were certified to be foster parents.  We were told at the informational meeting in January that any child on the T.A.R.E. website would not be available once we were all licensed, but by some miracle Izza was still there.  Our case worker submitted our packet to her case worker for us to adopt Izza, but what our case worker did not tell us is that she received notice that Izza was already in adoption placement...instead our caseworker prayed on it for three days...and sadly for Izza, that adoption placement fell apart as that family lost their licence and came under investigation, for what I have no clue, but from what I know Izza was not hurt in anyway.  So, Izza was again available for adoption and we were moving forward.  It has now been four and half months and we are awaiting a final item before we can bring Izza into our home.  On November 3, 2010 the judge gave us permission to take Izza out of town for Thanksgiving...now we are waiting to welcome her to our home and our family.

We are asking that you keep us and Izza in your positive thoughts and prayers in order that we get to meet her and bring her home this weekend...

Thanks in advance for all of your loving prayers and positive thoughts!!

30 Days of Truth - Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?

Day 21 → (scenario) Your best friend is in a car accident and you two got into a fight an hour before. What do you do?
Well, that is a no brainer...if I was there physically I would be right there for her.  If we were separated by three states as we are now I would keep tabs on her condition and if needed would take a plane out to be with her.

I love my best friend as if she were a sister.  She is a very important part of my life.  Even during our bad times when I was so made I did not talk to her for a long time, had something happened to her I would have been there for her.  I always kept on her during our bad times...and it trully hurt to be apart from her even though it was self imposed I was hurting from what had happened between us and I was hurting from not being a part of her life during that time.

I am so glad we have both matured a lot in the last 5-7 years and I do believe that our relationship is stronger than ever and that an arguement not matter what it is about would not keep us from being there for each other.

30 Days of Truth - Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol

Day 20 → Your views on drugs and alcohol.

Well, hmm...I have never tried any drugs and do not believe I ever will.  I sometimes think that Marijuana should be made legal, but then you will have the same problems there as you do with people driving intoxicated.

I do drink once in awhile, rarely to excess.  And when I say drink I am referring to a glass of wine with a meal or before a meal.  Or a margarita.  I rarely go to parties that include alcohol, but my family has been known to throw some parties at which I have drank in excess, but they are many, many years apart and I always have someone to drive or I stay where I am drinking.

It really comes down to people being responsible and doing what is right for the safety of others and sadly people just do not seem to be able to control their actions and behave in a smart way.

30 Days Of Truth - Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?

Day 19 → What do you think of religion? Or what do you think of politics?


I am not a big believer in organized religion.  I do not believe that my spiritual life needs to have a bunch of rules and that any liturgy can tell me how to live my life spiritually or otherwise.  I have had a more spiritual life since I left organized religion and have been happier with my spiritual life since that time.  I did find a more organized religion that fits into my beliefs as they have no rules and support many spiritual paths and that works for me...having people with similar beliefs to talk to and share thoughts and prayers.

And I rather not talk about politics...I am a hard working Federal Employee and just to close to the politics...it just makes me hot under the collar and I really strive to be positive so it is best to not talk about it.

30 Days Of Truth - Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage

Day 18 → Your views on gay marriage.


You know this is an easy one for me...I think any human should be able to marry any other human that they love and whom returns that love.  I don't know why there has to be laws about such a thing.  I know a few gay people and would love for them to be able to find someone to love and whom loves them back and be able to spend the rest of their lives together as they see fit, and if that means getting married they should be able to get married.

30 Days of Truth - Day 17 → A book you’ve read that changed your views on something

This one is so easy for me, well, in a way...Oh, first...sorry I have been gone so much...anyways...This book more confirmed for me how I had been feeling and thinking, but was not allowing myself to actually believe and express....The book, Conversations with God, book 1.

This book was trully like God talking to me.  It said it was okay for me to believe the way I was beginning to believe, that I did not have to believe everything the Catholic Church said I was supposed to believe.  It freed me to leave the Catholic Church and go on my own faith journey.  I often recommend this book to friends and family who seem to be in a hiatus from their faith and not knowing what their next step will be.

I have enjoyed all of Neale Donald Walsch's publications about God.  They always come into my life just when I am needing them also.

So, it did not so much change my views, but it more confirmed, said it was okay to view something in such a way that I had been struggling with.

(1/2) @Snyders_Hanover: Do you eat Gluten Free? Check out this review of our 5 gluten free products from Spry Magazine! http://www.spryliving.com/article/42403.

Help my Mom get a NEW KITCHEN - Please!

My mom is really in need of a new Kitchen please vote everyday for the  next 12 days to help her win.

When you log in if you click on VOTE in the blue-grey color and then click on VIEW GALLERY, go to PAGE 10. Then go down to the bottom of the page and come up three on the left and that is the one we are all voting for. THANKS AGAIN!!

30 Days Of Truth - Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.

Day 16 → Someone or something you definitely could live without.

OMG, I could live without eating fat, but for some reason I don't...is it a mental thing?  I have a habit of eating stuff I should not...and then not doing enough exercise...so yes, I would say eating fat.

And then I think about how things have been since we have been preparing to adopt our daughter...and I also know I can live without TV.  I have pulled away from it a lot and am starting to realize it is not the end of the world when I miss a program that I like to watch.

So, that is two things...fat and TV...I have to keep the good fats though...like Avocados...love them!!

30 Days of Truth - Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.

Day 15 → Something or someone you couldn’t live without, because you’ve tried living without it.


That would be my hubby.  We were separated one time...and it was one time to many.  It was one of the hardest times in my life.  I did make it through, but it is something I never want to have to do again.  He is my rock and he is my reason for living...

There really is nothing else for me to say...I think I have expanded enough on him previously so you know how much I love him and why.  And the thing is every day there is a new reason why...he is just a great guy all around.

Lost a Loved One

I apologize for not being around the last week.  I lost my Uncle Bill last Sunday evening and just have not been in a mood to write much.

My uncle was only 44 and had been in a very bad vehicle accident a week prior to his death.  It has been very hard and very unbelievable for me.  I was unable to make the trip to Philly to be with the rest of the family over the past week so that has made it a little harder I think.

This is an uncle that I have written to often over the years and sadly I have not answered his last letter as I have gotten lazy and it takes me months sometimes to write back.  I hate that I let that happen.

The other thing that is really bothering me is that Uncle Bill and Dad had not talked in four years because my Uncle Bill had some issues with my dad that had to do with when my Grandpa died four years ago.  My father had nothing to do with that, but Uncle Bill harbored a grudge with my dad about it.  I hate it for my pop that Uncle Bill passed before they could make it right.

I will miss him a lot even though we were not in constant contact.  He was a very loving person and cared for his family deeply.  He had a hard life and should not have left it so soon as he was just beginning to enjoy it.

Uncle Bill and his wife Denise

30 Days Of Truth - Day 14 → A hero that has let you down

Truthfully??  Well, I have never had a hero...so there was not one to let me down.  I was supposed to do this blog yesterday, but it was my birthday and I totally wore myself out on my own birthday by having a very busy schedule for the day.  So, when I looked at this last night I did not want to think at that point so I put it off until today.

Well, I looked at this about 15 minutes ago and have been sitting here thinking about it, even talked to hubby about it...and it seems I just don't have any recollection of having a hero in my life.  Is that wrong? Should we all have a hero?  If so, then I guess I am just not normal...but then I have never claimed to be...

30 Days Of Truth - Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days

Day 13 → A band or artist that has gotten you through some tough ass days. (write a letter.)

Dear Celine Dion,


There was a time in my life when my husband and I were separated.  I was very lonely at night and one of the ways I dealt was to listen to Delilah on the radio at night.  One night I heard your song, "To love you more".  That song spoke to me the words I wanted to say to my husband.  I hoped for that song every night and I eventually found the song and played it for my husband.  Whenever I hear that song to this day I think about those days and am thankful to have heard it when I most needed it.  Music plays an important part in our lives and your songs speak to so many people that I am sure that I am not the only one that has found that your songs can help get them through a tough spot in life.  Thanks for your creativity and bringing the right song into my life just when I needed it...

30 Days Of Truth - Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on

Day 12 → Something you never get compliments on


Well, that is a no brainer...my physique...and can you blame them...I am obese...no denying it...I would not compliment me on my physique either.  Knowing this does not make it any easier to do what needs to be done to change.  My biggest obstacle is getting exercise into my life...I am so tired at the end of the day and I get up so early to catch my train...so I do not know the solution, but I have not given up.

We do want to get some bikes and start riding in the evenings and weekends once it gets a little cooler out.  Hubby is part time now so he is cooking healthy meals for us...but I still need to work on my activity...and then maybe some day...I'll get that compliment.

30 Days Of Truth - Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on

Day 11 → Something people seem to compliment you the most on.

Okay, been sitting here thinking about this...and I can't think of anything specific.  I can say that when I do receive a compliment I am usually embarrassed or brush it off...not sure why. So, I guess in brushing it off it has caused me not to remember.  I can say most compliments are aimed at something nice I may have done and I don't believe that deserves a compliment as it is just who I am and who I feel we should all be...

I know it is much of an answer, but it is my truth...

30 Days Of Truth - Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn’t know.

Day 10 → Someone you need to let go, or wish you didn't know.

I can't think of anyone...and I think part of the reason is that I believe everyone comes into our life for a reason.  If I don't care for someone then in the end they are not part of my life...I let them go pretty quickly, but I believe there were brought into my life for a reason...

One good example would be my BFF's first ex-husband.  I knew him in high school, but did not like him.  He came into my life again three years after I graduated because he moved into our apartment complex where I was living with my parents.  He was brought into my life to bring me my soul sister, whom my life would not be complete without.  I did not like him even then, but she and I have formed a relationship to last many lifetimes...

30 Days Of Truth - Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted

Day 09 → Someone you didn’t want to let go, but just drifted


Well, I have three that come to mind right away.  Two are back in my life after about 18-20 years via Facebook.  Julee Shiley and I worked together at J.C. Penney's when she was Julee Olsen, not sure if that is spelled right because she had a unique way for spelling her name if I remember right.  When she moved on to a job at a doctors office we drifted a part.  Talked a couple times over the two years between 1988 and 1990, but our lives were going in different directions.  I always missed the friendship we had for that year that we worked at J.C Penney's though.  Her mom and her were very important to my growth in maturity at that time.


The other that is back in my life is MaryAnn Sansonetti.  She dated my brother back in 1989 to 1991 or 1992.  They were a great couple, but somehow things did not work out.  We would see each other around, but she was going to school and I was in a new marriage so we drifted and went our own ways.  I have always missed her as we used to have so much fun together so I used to look for her once in awhile on the next...and then in late 2007 I found her.  It was great reconnecting and now we are on FB together and can keep up with each other.


Lastly would be Shelia Kinney, I don't remember her maiden name.  She lived across the street from me in the apartment complex I lived at with my parents.  We did a lot together, spending the majority of our free time together 1988 to 1990.  When I got the job at Fort Gordon I introduced her to one of the soldiers I worked with and well...the hit is off and I guess you can figure out the rest of th4e story.  They began dating, and eventually moved in together, got married, no I was never invited...and I was forgotten.  It hurt, for a long time...but I think of her now and again.  We had a lot of fun together...have never been able to find her online.  I figure it is not her thing,

30 Days Of Truth - Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit

Day 08 → Someone who made your life hell, or treated you like shit.


Wow, at first thought I am like...I can't answer this, no one has done that to me...but then sadly, I think of my deceased mother-in-law and I realize, that yeah...I have been done that way.


My mother-in-law could never accept my marriage to my hubby until the very end, at least I think she finally had.  It is hard to tell because during those 15 years that we were married before she died there were times that it would seem she was started to accept me, but then she would do something mean towards me again, whether it be telling lies or making stupid ass remarks aimed to hurt me.


Part of my problem was that I wanted so bad to have a MIL that I could get along with and do things with and I would try to include her in our life and share stuff about our life with her and she would then make false accusations or complain about something to Kerry that I might have told her...so it was a no win situation for me...sadly it got to where I hated to hear her voice before she passed, then when she passed I missed her because in the end I found that even though she made my life hell at times I truly did care about her...

30 Days of Truth - Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for

Day 07 → Someone who has made your life worth living for.

That is an easy one and I am sure it is probably a common answer, but it is my truth....my Hubby is how has made my life worth living for...He is everything to me.  As I said in yesterday's post I could not imagine living without him.

The world can often be a very different place through his eyes.  He has cerebral palsy. This year he has been going through all of the testing again.  It was kind of funny to sit in the office with them and read and talked about the results because they were not saying anything I did not already know.  I have lived with him for over 19 years...I better know these things.  It was interesting though at how they explained certain things.  It helped us to understand why he is a certain way or why certain things effect him a specific way.  But because of his handicap he can be quite innocent in how he views the world at times and it is like a breath of fresh air for me.

And he loves so much and never asks for anything in return, except to be loved also.  He is a one in a million as far as I am concerned and I am one very lucky lady...So, yes, I my hubby makes my life worth living.  I go to work every day for him...so that we can make a great life together and have a much fun as we can during the time that we have on this earth together.

Saturday Six - Video Games

Name 6 of your favourite video games?


This is actually a little difficult because I don't play as many video games as I used to, but I will give it a try.


I guess my favorite at this time is Culdcept Saga.  This game brings Magic the Gathering and Monopoly together in one game.  These are two of my favorite games so it really works for me.  I hardly ever beat a game, but I have beat this one three times and will be working on a fourth this winter maybe.  My goal is to collect all of the creature cards and then to work towards getting all of the XBOX 360 achievements for the game.

I think my second would be Hasbro's Family Game Night.  I love board games and this brings those to the screen in a fun way for the whole family.

My third would be Tiger Wood's Golf for WII.  We play this game with my Sister and Brother in laws when we go visit them.  It was weird not playing it when we got together at the beach this year because we always have our little tournaments when we visit them.  It is a lot of fun for all of us.


Now this is where is begins to get difficult for me.  Let's see.  Oh, I know Etherlords II.  I think I found this on Ebay a few years back and it sounded like my type of game so I got it and it ended up being a great find.  I really like games that are RPGs, turn based, and contain a fantasy element and this game as all three.


I was seeing the game Spore either online or on TV a few years back and it looked interesting so I think I asked for it for Christmas or something.  It is a pretty neat game because you get to create different creatures and they can end up being pretty interesting looking.

I have never tried World of Warcraft online, but I did like Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in it's day.  I like these real time strategy games that require you to build up your forces and conquer an enemy.

Another one that was similar that I liked was Heroes of Might and Magic.  I used to play this for hours.  The game play is much like Warcraft with the building of armies and kingdom's and the conquering of enemies.

Well, I made it through my six.  I had to dig back a little for some of them, which you will see if you check out the links I provided.  Some are quite old and I have not played them in a long time, but they were favorites in their day.

30 Days Of Truth - Day 06 → Something you hope you never have to do

Day 06 → Something you hope you never

 

have to do.

There are so many things, but some of them are going to be unavoidable so there is no sense putting them here.

I guess the first one is that I hope I will never have to bury my child.  Watching my sister-in-law have to do these showed me it must be the hardest thing in the world to have to do.

I also hope to never have to bury my husband.  I can't imagine what my life would be without him and I never want to know.

I think those are the most important ones, anything else is superfluous and I would probably do if I had to...

30 Days of Truth - Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your life

Day 05 → Something you hope to do in your

life


Wow, there is so much I hope to do in my life.  I still want to have the chance to raise a child and watch them become a happy productive part of the community, then have a family of their own.


I also hope to visit numerous places in this world to be awed by nature and by the things humans have been able to create.


I am also looking strongly at taking these last 10 years of my life as a government employee and going back to school to get a law degree in order to be able to practice family law and represent foster children as my second career when I retire from my government job.


Just of few of the many...If you want more you can always check out My Bucket List post from April of this year.

Wednesday Wickedness takes a famous person and their quotes and asks questions based on those quotes.  This week they picked Prince William.




1. “I've had lots of kids come up and ask for my autograph, I've had a grandmother stop me and ask me if I know a good place to buy underwear.”Where do you buy your underwear?


I like the cotton stretchy high cut thigh briefs at Catherine's.  I usually get them when they have a 3 for 2 sale.


2. “I'm always open for people saying I'm wrong because most of the time I am.” How often are you wrong?


I am wrong occasionally.  But I try really hard to not speak or make a decision on something unless I am pretty sure that I will be right in answer or decision.


3. “Harry can paint but I can't. He has our father's talent while I, on the other hand, am about the biggest idiot on a piece of canvas. I did do a couple of drawings at Eton which were put on display. Teachers thought they were examples of modern art, but in fact, I was just trying to paint a house!” What was the last thing that you drew?


I think the last thing I drew was an Angel wing I was sketching to make into a larger painting.  I have did do the painting and don't think I will now.  This weekend we are going to going to a painting class/party.  They provide the tools, canvas, easel, apron, paints, brushes, and we paint the theme, which is Sunflower on Red.  It is a BYOB so I am anticipating fun!!


4. “I do think I am a country boy at heart. I love the buzz of towns and going out with friends and sitting with them drinking and whatever -- it's fun -- but, at the same time, I like space and freedom.” How would you describe yourself?


I am definitely a country girl that likes to have a city nearby for some culture.


5. “I remember her as being a huge inspiration to me, someone to really look up to and admire.” He’s talking about his mom. Who do you admire?


I too admire my mom.  I have said it more than once in my life.  She is a strong woman when she needs to be.  She lived through having a husband go to Vietnam and not knowing if she would ever see him again.  She was practically a single mom at times having to deal with my brother and I while my father was off defending our country.


6. “I think it's very important that you make your own decision about what you are. Therefore you're responsible for your actions, so you don't blame other people.” How do you think you are about taking responsibility for your actions?


I am always responsible for my actions or non-actions.  I have never had a problem with assuming that responsibility.for something I may have done wrong or failed to do and I never will have a problem with that as it would be denying who I am at the core.


7. “My guiding principles in life are to be honest, genuine, thoughtful and caring.” What are your guiding principles?


Hmm, interesting.  Not something I think about often.  I just live...  But if I had to name something I would say my guiding principles would be to be caring, to live knowing God is in me and that I am inherently good because of that, to be honest with those I come in contact with in this life, and to love with all my heart.


8. “Only the mad girls chase me, I think.” When you were, or if you are, single: What type of people chased you?


I do not believe anyone ever chased me...even when I was slim and a looker.  But it was their loss!!


9.   “I don't deliberately select my friends because of their background. If I enjoy someone's company, then that's all that counts. I have many different friends who aren't from the same background as me and we get on really well -- it's brilliant.” How do you select your friends?


I think the people who have become my friends are people who may have a similar interest, or who are just genuinely good people.  I am good friends with a lot of people that there are things I don't like about them, but I always come back to their heart, and their compassion.  If they are genuinely good people it is a no brainer that I would like them as a friend.


10. “People say it's not ambitious, but it is actually quite ambitious wanting to help people.” When was the last time that you volunteered to help people?


I have not taken the time to go volunteer somewhere though I have often thought about helping out at a soup kitchen or the harvest food bank.  I do help people in my life that are in need of help and I often donate to important causes.  I want my child to learn how fortunate they are and to learn to give back so I will be doing that volunteering that I have been thinking about over the years.

30 Days Of Truth - Day 04 → Something you have to forgive someone for.

Day 04 → Something you have to forgive

 

someone for.

First I have to forgive my bff for the two times that she lied to me terribly.  The first time I was so made that we did not talk for a few years.  The second time I was more hurt than mad because I thought we had moved past her lying to me.  I have never figured out why she feels the need to lie to me when she says she loves me, but in the end because I do love her I must forgive her and move on so as to not let this ruin the bond that we have had for the past 19 years.  I love her like she is my own sister...we have a connection that seems like we have known each other in past lives.  Love you Girl!!

Second, and it is a bit late, but I need to forgive my mother-in-law for  interfering in my marriage.  I did not come to terms with things before she passed and I wish I would had let it go and let her know I had forgiven her for calling a lawyer for my husband to divorce me, when just the night before she had told me to give him some time...that he would come around in a month or so.  She did eventually drive him back to me, I guess I was the lesser of the two evils at the time and since then we have separated one more time, but now we have been married over 19 years and our relationship is very strong and healthy.  I do forgive her for her misdirected love for her son.  I wish she had been a different person, a person I could have had a good relationship with, but that was never to be as she died before we ever had the chance to get to a point were I could trust her and feel like she cared about me.

30 Days Of Truth - Day 03 → Something you have to forgive yourself for

Day 03 → Something you have to forgive

yourself for.




I guess it is kind of ironic that the thing I need to forgive myself for is my Day 01, something I hate about myself.  I have to forgive myself for allowing me to get over 300 lbs.  If I do not forgive myself I do not believe I will ever be able to get back to a healthy weight.


I am on day three and am still sticking with my eating plan.  I did have to eat lunch out today due to uncontrollable events, but I feel I made a smart choice of a half of a tuna salad and small side of coleslaw.  And the sodium must have not been that bad because my feet were not swollen this afternoon.  Today is the first day in four days that I did not walk a mile, but that is okay because I am still on target for doing 5 miles this week.