Houston, we have a problem... here comes Hadley!

The Girl Scout National Council Session is like the Super Bowl of Girl Scouting. Every Council across the Country sends representatives who descend on a city, this year it's Houston. For four days there will be booths, speeches, celebrations, sessions, and of course the kick- off to our anniversary year, and I will be right in the thick of it!

"I have already been communicating with several councils; they'd be able to put a pretty face to my name. I have wanted to participate in a National Council Session since I heard about the Indiana session that was in progress when I began work here in 2008. I promise to arrive with a smile on my face and ready to work." An expert from my essay on why I think I should be selected to go to convention. It worked, because Houston here I come!

HRH

I didn't do it for a family member, friend, coworker, or for work. I did it for me. I was told by a friend that I have a fighting heart, just like a lion. I joked with my roommates that when I got the flu that the "mighty lion had fallen", but thankfully this mighty lion ultimately came out victorious.

13.1 miles was so much more than the 2 hours 17 minutes and 42 seconds that it took for me to cross that finish line. It's been 25 years in the making. When I thought I couldn't do it, I could hear my parents voices in my head telling me how proud they were of me, or my friends voices telling me keep on moving Bubba. I had fuel from homemade pasta the night before, and comfort in knowing that three of my friends were running as well. Not once did I walk and not once did I stop.

Pink and black, that was my color scheme for the race, which I'm sure comes as no surprise to most. Unfortunately, that was the color choice for most of the other girls who ran the race as well. Runners were to report to the starting line at 6:15 to get in their respective "corrals" at 6:55 I was still in my car fighting through traffic to find somewhere to park, praying to God that I would not miss the start of the race, taking off layers of clothing and pinning my bib to my shirt. At 7:02 the first tears streamed down my face as I still sat in my car. I can't miss this race, I've trained too hard for this, and not to mention four of my best friends were en route to cheer me on as a crossed the finish line. I made the decision then and there that I would park my car, illegally and take the fine or imminent car tow, to complete the race.

I put my iPod on and ran the mile + to the stadium armory, full bladder and all, determined to run this race. Twenty-six minutes after the initial gun was shot, I began my journey to 13.1 miles.

I did the YMCA with Howard University students, high-fived complete strangers, grabbed water from enthusiastic volunteers, and "ran through history" But on Saturday, March 26, 2011 I made my own history. HRH- Hadley the Runner Hines

I used to be fat

The New TV show starts tonight on MTV, I used to be fat. It follows overweight teens who have just graduated from high school, and gives them the tools that they need to overcome their weight problems. http://www.mtv.com/shows/i_used_to_be_fat/series.jhtml

Well, I used to be fat. I was always the heaviest girl in my class, and many times I was heavier than most of the boys in my class. I always had friends, and never got down on myself like so many overweight kids do. Maybe it's because I had an amazing family and friends who never criticized me for my size, but instead encouraged me to get healthy with family workouts to Richard Simmons sweating to the oldies, and an exercise chart where we earned stars for our healthy habits.

My Best Friend Stephanie and I circa 1997

It was not until my weight became a health concern that my lifestyle changed. I remember spraying pam into my mouth because it had no nutritional value and no calories. But again, my family ate what I ate, well aside from spraying Pam in their mouths. I was never singled out.

Sure, I got made fun of: I remember vividly, walking up the stairs and one of the older boys making a loud beeping noise, simulating the noise a large truck would make when backing up, or walking down the hall and someone saying mooooove implying I was as big as a cow. Instead of getting down on myself, or doing something harmful I think that all of these things softened my heart. It made me more cognoscente when I went to say a mean or hurtful thing to someone, and made me want to be a friend to all.

Years later I can look back on all of these things and laugh. Being fat never defined who I was because I didn't let it, and those around me wouldn't have allowed it. Even at my heaviest I was still out there on the soccer field playing my heart out, or in the middle of the sleeping bags at a slumber party, and of course the first one to ask for seconds at a birthday party.

I've come to accept the fact that i will never be the skinniest of my friends, and that's ok. Body image will always be something that hits close to home with me, but also a victory for me and how far I've come. In March, God willing, I will complete my first half marathon, and I can proudly say, I used to be fat, but not anymore.

faith

Some people say I have too much, some say I fall too hard, and love too deeply. they're usually the ones picking up the pieces when my faith gets the best of me.

I believe in God, I pray every night, but I'm not so sure I would consider myself to be an incredibly religious person. Yes, some of my faith does come from religious virtues, but a lot of it comes in other forms.

A simple good deed done by a stranger, neighbors helping neighbors in good times and in bad gives me faith in humanity.

knowing that no matter what I do, or have done - whether it be rack up some pretty hefty credit card bills, or lying about getting my ears pierced, I've got family and friends who love me unconditionally gives me faith that undying love exists.

I have faith in my dreams and in my future for what lies ahead because of those who have done it before me, do it with me, and for those who stand behind me.

I believe in happy endings, that some dreams really do come true, and the ones that don't make room for new ones. I believe that it's easier to see the good in others, until the bad is just too blinding, and even then sometimes it takes being in complete darkness to really see the light.

my faith is what gets me into trouble, what keeps me going, and what I can't live without.

"a little faith will bring your soul to heaven,

but a lot of faith with bring heaven to your soul."

Monkvember

Diet Coke is my crack. I would rather have a diet coke than anything else to drink; I crave that bubbly goodness.

Patience and Self-Control are both virtues that I do not possess, or at least so I thought. A few weeks ago, my good friend Sarah { Sarah of Goldman/Hines Productions Inc} was telling us about Monkvember. Kind of like lent, but it's a month to not only give up certain things but also to do things that better yourself.

I've never successfully completed lent. I've tried giving up chocolate or swear words, and I find myself eating a piece of chocolate without even thinking about it and them damning myself for doing so, thus ruining lent in one, no pun intended foul swoop. I liked the idea of Monkvember because I saw it more of a challenge than penance.

So my list of Monkvember is:

Limit myself to no more than one Diet Coke a day

Run at least 15 miles a week

Cook at least two legit meals a week

talk to my grandmother at least once a week

Read at least 75 pages

As you can tell by my list I opted for the better yourself choices as opposed to the do without choices. All of the things on my list were carefully picked. They are things that I want to do, but sometimes need an extra push to get them done. Luckily for me, my friends have got my back so if we're out and I go to have another diet coke it's " We're going to tell Sarah" or " haven't you already had a diet coke today". I'm hoping to keep up with my choices even beyond Monkvember.

Half way through with the month and so far each week I have stuck to my Monkvember. I can successfully call myself a recovering diet coke addict at this point. Now, maybe someday I'll work on getting rid of the self tanner.

Small Town Southern Man

Class of 1938 from the Virginia Military Institute, a self-made man working his way up through the ranks, Perry M. Gwaltney Jr is the greatest Veteran I know.He signed up for active duty for the 116^th Field Artillery, Florida National Guard. My granddaddy was stationed in Okinawa, Japan during World War II.

My Grandaddy: Perry M. Gwaltney, Jr.

He would rarely talk about his time in the military always changing the subject to something more pleasant. But one thing he would gladly talk about day and night was his time at VMI. He wore his class ring everyday, and when it was time to get dressed up he would proudly sport his VMI tie. I"m honored to have that same tie and his diploma hanging on my wall. A constant reminder of his hard work and dedication to give himself and his family a better life.

Allegheny Country Club, Sewickley, PA where we spent our summers

He worked at the Pentagon for the water port general staff once he got home from the war. His work was top secret, in the messaging department for General Marshall and lasted several months until be began working at Chubb and Son. With a degree from Harvard he was a force to be reckoned with.

Chubb and Son was referred to as “ the tiffany’s of the business” and provided my granddaddy a home until his retirement. He worked as an underwriter for the company. It came as no surprise that he worked his way up in the company to director and ultimately senior vice president.

Cartoon that hung in my grandparents house.

He loved to read, eat, play golf, and tennis, but above all else he loved to spend time with his family. Every Tuesday and Thursday my granddaddy and I would have phone dates. It was mostly me talking about school, parties, college life, friends, boyfriends, etc, he was always a great listener, probably because he was so shocked at the things I would share with him. He would always tell me to work hard, and encourage me to follow my dreams. He served our country and protected our freedoms, and for that I will forever be thankful. He was a man of true integrity, and a true gentleman. So granddaddy I salute you and all of the other men and women who have so bravely served our country. I hope that he's letting the cheap vodka flow up there in Heaven.

A proud Granddaughter... let the legacy continue

And he bowed his head to Jesus
And he stood for Uncle Sam
And he only loved one woman
(He) was always proud of what he had
He said his greatest contribution
Is the ones you leave behind
Raised on the ways and gentle kindness
Of a small town Southern man
(Raised on the ways and gentle kindness)
(Of a small town Southern man)

Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History

Frances Hadley, the Matriarch of the Hines family, the original Hadley, and my namesake is my inspiration for this entry. My grandmother, or Grandma as we call her is the epitome of a Southern Lady: She is always well put together, a wonderful cook, loving mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend, she's in a book club, active in her church, not afraid to tell you like it is, comes with a thick Southern Accent, and she could probably drink you under the table.

My Grandma & Me

Many of my fondest memories with her occurred in the kitchen. Sadly, her wonderful culinary skills weren't passed down to me, but I'm still a work in progress. Thanksgiving has always been in Georgia with the Hines side of the family, and with my grandma at the helm of the meal. It was not until recently that she's relinquished some of the cooking duties to other members of the family { and why not, my cousin Alan is a chef and my aunt Chap is a great cook!} Grandma's always humming, or whistling while cooking, that is one thing I got from her. I always love to have music on when I'm cooking, because Lord knows no one wants to hear my humming or singing while cooking.

She always tries to make things special for everyone. My dad LOVES cherry pie, so every Thanksgiving, even though it's not the traditional dessert she would make him a "chewwy pie". Birthdays in my house have always been a very big deal. That's your day that you feel special, get to choose where to eat, and what kind of cake you get. I have a feeling my love for birthdays and making others feel so special has something to do with her.

Some of the Hines women

My grandma has just recently undergone a hybrid open heart surgery, and has begun her road to recovery surrounded by family and friends and well wishes from all over the country. I know that the original Hadley has got a fighting spirit, and I've already told her not to worry about Thanksgiving because I may not be incredibly skilled in the kitchen, but I am damn good at giving orders. I know she'll be back to normal and better than ever in no time because she certainly lives by the creed " Well-Behaved Women Rarely Make History"