labels

I've always been a labels girl.  Remember Esprit,  Guess? [sweet inverted triangle label], U-knits?  I'm sorry to say, I have always cared about that stupid little label .  Not really sure why.  Here's some proof.  He's me on Christmas day. 

Prior to this photo, I had run in circles around my home yelling, "I got them, I got them!" ..... "Them" being "Guess" shorts.  Seriously, that WAS my Christmas.  One item & it was pure bliss.

I since have figured, I still crave labels. 

But not designer ones.  More like "me" ones.

Let me explain.

From 7-10, I was "Gymnastics Emily".  But then something happened.  I grew.  And long legs don't "flip" as well as cute little legs.  I am sparing you some sweet photos of this one.

Year 10-10.76, my Mom tried [must give her credit] to help me be, "musical Emily".  I mean anything.  Tried Piano. . .  Bad doesn't even begin to cover it.  Saxaphone . . .somehow, even uglier.  And if you've ever heard me sing in the shower, sing at church sing in my car - - - okay, you get it......no bueno.

So from 11-16, I was "Volleyball Emily".  I thought this was going to be "THE EMILY" at least until after my full ride scholarship.  Torn ligaments my Junior year "sidelined" me for months.  Add to that one of the worst experiences/trials in my life [to date] and I decided I was done.  Done with Volleyball.  What?  I felt the ground shake below me.  Or maybe that was my Dad's wallet/401K crying out, "take the full ride - you want the full ride".  ;) No Volleyball?  what will you do?  Who will you BE without Volleyball?

So, from 17-19, I decided "Skinny Emily" would be next.  Worst years to date.  What I can remember of them anyway.

Then from there, 19-21, I gained 35-40 pounds and happily became "workout Emily".  My thoughts . . . [I can only workout at 4am.....no problem.  I need to workout 3 times per day . . . perfect].  Done.  This is when "running Emily" was born.

Other brief stints included:
"Vegetarian Emily"
"work 3 jobs Emily"
"no fat eating Emily"
"I'm never wrong Emily"
"8 minute Abs Emily"
"Cooking Emily"
"rice & teriyaki sauce diet Emily"
"coupon Emily"
"frugal cheap a*s Emily"


At 21 and 10 months ;), I married the Pita.  At which time I thought I should be, "[Perfect]Wife Emily". Get up at 5:30-6am to make breakfast. check.  Do laundry.  Check.  Do ironing.  check.  Be the only one who [literally] can make money.  check. [he didn't have his green card].  Then when he could..... I'd pack lunch for him.  check.  Make cakes and deliver them to work because he forgot his assistants birthday was today.  check.  Did I/do I enjoy this?  99.7% of the time.  check.

Then at the ripe old age of 23, I added, "Mom Emily".  Most rewarding label by far.  I always wanted to have more little Peanuts.  She makes my world happy, happy, happy.

At 25, I found eBay.  Well, it found me and I became, "eBay Emily".  This label pays well [in dollars, anyway].  I love it. 

Lately, some of these labels have been [attempting] to change on me.  And it makes my heart hurt.  It's not that I'm opposed to change.  It's mostly, that I can't do things 1/2 way.  Mostly, that's a good thing.  But, not always.

The last 8 months have been a "challenge" in my life, to say the least.  This is when the sleeping marathoner in me was re-born.  "Marathon runner Emily" has arrived.  So, to celebrate the little [insignificant in comparison to REAL life] things . . . . to date, I have taken  56 minutes off my first marathon time.  Yay!

So, here's my  "thing".  I am running.  But I'm pretty sure I'm running so much because it literally is "cheaper than therapy".  I have pain.  I have sadness.  But please know, there is no pity party here.  I have life.  I have family.  I have a plan.  And, did I mention, I have my 3:20. 

I said that 3:20 was all I ever wanted right?  I lied.  I was told by someone way, way too close to me that, "a 3:20 wasn't worth getting on a shirt but maybe if I could run a 2:59, NOW THAT, THAT would be worthy."  That hurt.  However, I'd like to enjoy life too.  Maybe with a few less labels. 
Hey, what a concept.

So, here comes, wait for it - wait for it - [just] "Emily".  Raw & uncut.  I hope you'll stay [follow] and enjoy the ride as much as I intend to.