Oh yikes...on Saturday, it marks one month since my 40 miler. And I sit here today to write my blog. I wish I still had the post race euphoria. That would make writing this blog much easier. But, let's see how much I remember.
Oh, my aching feet. Oh ouch. Never before have they hurt so badly. They still hurt sometimes. That is really what I remember about the race. My feet. Since the race, I have come up with a few things I could have done to help my feet from hurting so badly, but that didn't help in the week following the race. My feet just hurt (by the way, I think running barefoot in the sand would have helped as would have doing balance work on the bosu).
The race was the first trail race I have done since my very first half marathon--18 years ago. I did that race just before my 22nd birthday and I was doing this race to celebrate my 40th year. So, 18 years had passed since I had raced on a trail. And, about 15 years since I had even run on a trail. What was I thinking? The first part of the race I was worried about my quads and calves. The rest of the race, I just prayed about my feet. There were more roots, changes in terrain, logs, traversing of small streams over rocks, etc. than I could have planned for or even imagined.
The first 10 or so miles I kept thinking, "Trail races are great" and "This course is so pretty" and "What a refreshing change of pace." And, in the first 10 miles, I ran a good race, with an average pace per mile of 7:41. I was cruising. And, I had a pretty good half-marathon time of 1:42. This trail stuff isn't so bad.
My biggest problem at that point on the trail was vision. I kept hoping for the sun to rise more. Everytime the course got challenging or there was a weird fork in the road, the run blazed into my eyes. That really slowed me down--and frustrated me. And, up to this point, I only had water, no nutrition, except for the bagel I had at 6:00am (race time was 8am). Water stations were fewer than I remembered reading about, too. And, it had warmed nicely, too. Around thism point, I decided I should fuel with something, but nothing sounded good. I downed about 5 swedish fish and within a half mile, I had my first of 3 in the woods potty stops. I actually had four stops, but one was at a water station--and I picked the water station with public bathrooms (not a porta-john) but about 1/8 of a mile away and up a hill (at mile 18.5 or so). At this point, I had a special needs bag, but nothing sounded good. I took some water and was off. I realized at this point I was the first woman (it was a loop in the course) but didn't realize I was in the top 10 overall.
After this pit stop, I ran about 2-3 more miles and I fell. I fell hard. I had stumbled and almost fallen about 100 times to this point (and saw lots of blood on other people, too) but this time, I bit it. You know when you fall and you lay there for what feels like an eternity and assess the damage. Can I move? Yes. Am I profusely bleeding? No. Does it hurt? Yes. Enough to quit? No. Where? Knee, hip and hands. No puncture wounds. Okay. Get up and go. But how? My mo-jo was definitely hurt at this point.
Up until this point, My slowest mile was my "pit stop in the woods" mile. Except for that one, all of my miles had still be in the low nines. But, at that point, they fell. And now, I was more dehydrated, glucose/glycogen depleted, still un-hungry and then taking 2 more "in the woods" potty stops dejected.
I somehow managed a 3:42 marathon which I was pretty thrilled with. But, I still had 14 miles--oops...13.8 miles. I called Don (I carried my cell phone with me...and it was a good thing) to tell him I might be awhile I was walking. for 1/4 mile to try to get some mo-jo back. I was doing tons of positive self talk.
The big thing I was talking myself into was what I was going to eat at the second special needs bag drop which was supposed to be at mile 31. There was water at 29 and I took that and a few mike-n-ikes. But, I didn't think to look for my SN bag because it was supposed to be at mile 31. There was no water stop at 31, or 32 but finally one at 33. I asked the apathetic volunteer about the bags and she looked at me like I was from Mars. Just before I got there, a lady came sprinting past me. Wow...she was a stud. Nothing was breaking her stride! She had water with her (smart move) and probably drank gatorade and ate something --or at least gu--doing these 40 miles!
So, speaking of apathetic volunteers, that is how I would sum up most of them. I told Don at the end that most of them appeared as if they were high school students who had the choice between Saturday school and working at this race. I wish most would have made the other choice! They were not your typical race volunteers, that is for sure. But, at least they were there--and they saved me from making a wrong turn a few times so for those things, I am grateful. But, the water was warm. Blech...
I passed mile maker 38 and Don called me. I told him it would be awhile. I was spent. But, in the flash of a minute, I heard Britt's voice saying, "There's mommy." Oh, those were beautiful words! I ran around the lake and to the finish line. Whew...6:25:23. Not quite the goal I had internally set, but better than the goal I was vocalizing, under 7 hours.
I came in 2nd place female, 1st place masters, 6th place overall. Nothing to complain about, espcecially since the woman who won was from Greensboro and probably ran in those trails all the time!
We had a great weekend as a family, too. Again, most of me wasn't sore, but my feet hurt! It didn't help that we went to the Asheboro zoo on Sunday which is advertised as having over 5 miles of trails to walk on to explore the zoo. We spent over 4 hours there and had a great time with all four of my kids (you should see Don at a zoo--he's definitely a kid).
Just post race, I said it would be a long time before I did another trail run. But, I have already changed that perspective. It will be a long time before I do another ultra--and I said that before the race. Training, working, kids activities, early, early, early morning runs so as not to bother the family. That was too much. Once the kids are old enough to watch themselves, I consider another. Maybe a 50 miler for my 50th birthday!
Wednesday, October 13, 2010
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Color Blind
Last night, I read a blog of a friend of mine telling us about how we can learn a lot from kids. She explained how her niece was so excited about the great day she had when, to the rest of us, it was an ordinary day. She didn't go to Disneyland, or to a county fair, or even to Chuck E Cheese. She just went to school, visited with her aunt and played with her friend. Wouldn't it be great if we could all see our ordinary days as extraordinary?
After reading that, and without thinking much about the lessons I learn from my kids, I was talking with Mallory (age 2 3/4, as Britt would say) about the friends she might want to invite to our Halloween party. She told me about the friends she talks about often (Tofie, aka Sophie, Mary Gacet, aka Mary Grace, and Robby). But, today, she threw out a new one. She said, "and Wally." I was trying to remember the kids in her class and I said, "Is Wally black?" Her response, simple as can be, "No mom, he was yellow. And Mary Gacet was pink and Robby was geen (green), and Tofie was pink, too."
Still trying to figure out who Wally was, I said, "No, Mallory. What color is his skin?" And she said, "I no no (translated: "I don't know") he just wears yellow."
Why can't we all see the world like my 2-year-old? She has never even noticed the color of his skin. To her, he is just a boy who was wearing a yellow shirt yesterday. And, Sophie and Mary Grace were both wearing pink. And that was all that mattered.
What an amazing day for me. I learned more from a 4-(or-5) year-old (I think, Arleigh?)and a 2-year-old than all my years of education could ever do for me. Out of the mouths of babes.
After reading that, and without thinking much about the lessons I learn from my kids, I was talking with Mallory (age 2 3/4, as Britt would say) about the friends she might want to invite to our Halloween party. She told me about the friends she talks about often (Tofie, aka Sophie, Mary Gacet, aka Mary Grace, and Robby). But, today, she threw out a new one. She said, "and Wally." I was trying to remember the kids in her class and I said, "Is Wally black?" Her response, simple as can be, "No mom, he was yellow. And Mary Gacet was pink and Robby was geen (green), and Tofie was pink, too."
Still trying to figure out who Wally was, I said, "No, Mallory. What color is his skin?" And she said, "I no no (translated: "I don't know") he just wears yellow."
Why can't we all see the world like my 2-year-old? She has never even noticed the color of his skin. To her, he is just a boy who was wearing a yellow shirt yesterday. And, Sophie and Mary Grace were both wearing pink. And that was all that mattered.
What an amazing day for me. I learned more from a 4-(or-5) year-old (I think, Arleigh?)and a 2-year-old than all my years of education could ever do for me. Out of the mouths of babes.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Selfish Fall
I guess subconsciously, I have decided to make this the fall of selfishness. This is something I haven't done in over seven years. I am being selfish. And, I don't feel very good about it.
It started last weekend. Last weekend was the Biggest Loser 5k. What an awesome experience that was. I got to see people who have never been motivated before get motivated to MOVE. It was like a dream come true. But, it was the first of many times this month that I left my family to do what I wanted to do. Don't get me wrong. I have done many things in the past seven years that I have wanted to do and I have left my family to do them. But, for some reason, this fall, I have an overwhelming number of things, back to back almost, and I feel badly about it.
Next weekend is the biggie and the one I feel most selfish about. Next weekend is the 40 mile race. I have hardly, if at all, interrupted my family's schedule while training for this race--and that is a feat most people can't say. I woke up very early for my runs, I often made pit stops at home to pick up a stroller full of kid or kids and we used this opportunity to try different churches that started a little later than our 8:45 service (so that meant, we went to one that started at 9:00 and one that started at 9:30). Training was basically status quo around here.
But, next weekend is the race. If I do well, I will finish in 6 1/2 hours, if not, I guess it will be closer to 9. That means, Don entertains the kids in a hotel room all day. There are things to do in Greensboro: I researched a great looking Children's Museum, I got a hotel that serves breakfast and has a pool, and the race itself is on 40 miles of parks, trails, and lakes. It should be fine--but it is still selfish. I am using family money to make a point, to prove that I can. Hmmm...
Then, two weeks later, I have a triple whammy. I have a Friday-Saturday conference--all day. At least the kids will be home and have possible playmates and all their toys, and computers, and wii, and nintendo dsi. Then, on Sunday morning, I am pacing some friends in a 1/2 marathon. I want the big surfboard medal. And, I want to see my friends do as well as I know they can. And, I want to have fun racing again. But, I still feel selfish.
And, two weeks after that, another race. This time, a 10k. That should be short and sweet. And, the family might even come cheer. But, it is still just for me and for these crazy habits I have. And, I just feel selfish.
Even when I take a minute to think about what Don will be doing in the same time period--like grading papers as I took the kids mini golfing last week or Halloween party shopping this week, or helping at a disability tournament all weekend on the 15th and 16th, or going out of town for a conference from Oct. 25-28 and then, going straight to a festival that his students are hosting, then spending all day on the 30th at another Halloween festival for his classes, and possibly going to USC for a football game with his dad in early November, I still can't help but feel I am not doing my mommy duties.
I plan on using the time from Nov 14-February 2 to dedicate myself to my family. Then, it will start all over--work conference, MB marathon, Wrightsville Beach marathon...hmmm. Maybe I am always selfish. Or, maybe my kids are getting old enough to not need me as much as they used to. And, maybe I am not selfish, maybe I am just sad. And, maybe I am running away from them growing up.
I have tried to make myself feel a little better about the 40 miler by dedicating each mile to a person--to pray for, to be thankful for, or to just think about. I am taking prayer requests if you have them. I've got a pretty good list and I would be willing to share miles if I have to. I am trying to make the most of the miles. And of the guilt.
I have to end with two more Brittisms: He started playing tennis and I missed his first lesson. I asked how his new teacher was and he said, "He's nice. But, he's old. Not so old that he needs a walking stick, but he's old."
Then, he came down and said he was having a nightmare. I asked what happened and he said, "Mallory had a string cheese and she wouldn't share with me." I said, "I will have to talk to her about that." He said, "Well, no mom, it was just a dream."
Have a great fall---and don't feel selfish about what you do!
It started last weekend. Last weekend was the Biggest Loser 5k. What an awesome experience that was. I got to see people who have never been motivated before get motivated to MOVE. It was like a dream come true. But, it was the first of many times this month that I left my family to do what I wanted to do. Don't get me wrong. I have done many things in the past seven years that I have wanted to do and I have left my family to do them. But, for some reason, this fall, I have an overwhelming number of things, back to back almost, and I feel badly about it.
Next weekend is the biggie and the one I feel most selfish about. Next weekend is the 40 mile race. I have hardly, if at all, interrupted my family's schedule while training for this race--and that is a feat most people can't say. I woke up very early for my runs, I often made pit stops at home to pick up a stroller full of kid or kids and we used this opportunity to try different churches that started a little later than our 8:45 service (so that meant, we went to one that started at 9:00 and one that started at 9:30). Training was basically status quo around here.
But, next weekend is the race. If I do well, I will finish in 6 1/2 hours, if not, I guess it will be closer to 9. That means, Don entertains the kids in a hotel room all day. There are things to do in Greensboro: I researched a great looking Children's Museum, I got a hotel that serves breakfast and has a pool, and the race itself is on 40 miles of parks, trails, and lakes. It should be fine--but it is still selfish. I am using family money to make a point, to prove that I can. Hmmm...
Then, two weeks later, I have a triple whammy. I have a Friday-Saturday conference--all day. At least the kids will be home and have possible playmates and all their toys, and computers, and wii, and nintendo dsi. Then, on Sunday morning, I am pacing some friends in a 1/2 marathon. I want the big surfboard medal. And, I want to see my friends do as well as I know they can. And, I want to have fun racing again. But, I still feel selfish.
And, two weeks after that, another race. This time, a 10k. That should be short and sweet. And, the family might even come cheer. But, it is still just for me and for these crazy habits I have. And, I just feel selfish.
Even when I take a minute to think about what Don will be doing in the same time period--like grading papers as I took the kids mini golfing last week or Halloween party shopping this week, or helping at a disability tournament all weekend on the 15th and 16th, or going out of town for a conference from Oct. 25-28 and then, going straight to a festival that his students are hosting, then spending all day on the 30th at another Halloween festival for his classes, and possibly going to USC for a football game with his dad in early November, I still can't help but feel I am not doing my mommy duties.
I plan on using the time from Nov 14-February 2 to dedicate myself to my family. Then, it will start all over--work conference, MB marathon, Wrightsville Beach marathon...hmmm. Maybe I am always selfish. Or, maybe my kids are getting old enough to not need me as much as they used to. And, maybe I am not selfish, maybe I am just sad. And, maybe I am running away from them growing up.
I have tried to make myself feel a little better about the 40 miler by dedicating each mile to a person--to pray for, to be thankful for, or to just think about. I am taking prayer requests if you have them. I've got a pretty good list and I would be willing to share miles if I have to. I am trying to make the most of the miles. And of the guilt.
I have to end with two more Brittisms: He started playing tennis and I missed his first lesson. I asked how his new teacher was and he said, "He's nice. But, he's old. Not so old that he needs a walking stick, but he's old."
Then, he came down and said he was having a nightmare. I asked what happened and he said, "Mallory had a string cheese and she wouldn't share with me." I said, "I will have to talk to her about that." He said, "Well, no mom, it was just a dream."
Have a great fall---and don't feel selfish about what you do!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Comedy of Errors, Keeping it all in Perspective
Yesterday was a funny, funny day. And, a sad, sad day. We all have to keep it in perspective.
I woke up yesterday morning and went for my typical run. While running, I was scheming about how to get four kids (yes, we had four yesterday--sleepover) and my husband on board with me. You see, I really, really wanted to watch some of my closest friends in a triathlon that was in North Myrtle Beach, about 30-40 minutes from our house. The race started at 7am, with five waves of swimmers. I figured my fastest friend would finish around 8:30 so we would have to leave our house at 7:45 to park and get to the finish line before she did. Here's the problem: I got home from my run at 7:30. I packed the kids clothes (with the promise to go to the beach after the race--and the promise that the race ended in a super cool park), shoveled breakfast down them and me, threw beach toys in the car, convinced the husband into thinking this was a good idea and we were off--at 7:55.
We had no trouble parking--which was a surprise with over 270 race participants and their fans--and I ran down to the intersection near the finish line while Don and the kids raced to the playground. I got to see all of my friends finish the race--two first timers--and I was so excited. Almost made me want to take swimming lessons. All of my friends did great, the kids had a blast in the park and we headed just a block or two away to the beach.
It was a wonderful morning for the beach--overcast so not too hot and early enough that there were not many people. Don and the boys played and played in the water, catching waves on their boogie boards and laughing the entire time. Mallory and I built sandcastles and waded in the water. About 30 minutes after we got there, Don threw the van key to me--it had been in his pocket--and we continued playing until they were too hungry to do anymore. It was now only 11:00am.
As we approached the van, Don pressed the automatic door opener and nothing ha
ppened. He tried to unlock the doors. Still nothing. Oops. Guess where the cell phones were? In the van: comedy of errors #1. We remembered that our key had a valet option (see photo to understand that the door opener/door locker is also the key but the valet key DOES NOT start the car) so we were able to get into the car and attempted to start the car. That is right, attempted. It didn't work. So, we're stuck. Thirty to 40 minutes from home. Four kids. Four hungry kids. Yikes.
First phone call: AAA. Nope, nothing they can do. Second call: Dealership. Yes, they can do something. Just have your car towed to the nearest Dodge dealership and for $200-300 they can get you a new key. Third call: friend, Amanda whose son is being held captive in our car and who is supposed to be at a b-day party in an hour.
Amanda has access to our house so the "simplest" solution was for her to go to our house, pick up the keys ("The ones that say 'Dodge' and have tons of Food Lion type cards on them") and bring them to us. While we waited, I walked to McDonald's with my two boys in a stroller--a serious death march. On the way to McDonald's I got the call I had been dreading: Britt didn't get in to the peer mentor program he auditioned for. Bummer.
Shortly after we got back from McDonald's and we had a car full of happy kids, we saw Amanda pull up. Hooray! We are saved. Amanda gets out of her truck and I gather her son's sleepover stuff and then she hands me the keys. The Honda keys. Yes, she brought the wrong set. The comedy continues.
Trey, Britt and I pile into her truck with her son. Don and Mallory stay with the car and play at the park (there wasn't enough room for them in the truck Amanda brought). We drop Gus off at his birthday party and Amanda's husband (who had to drop Amanda's other two kids at the party) drives me back to my house to get the van keys. The boys and I load back up into our HONDA and drive to NMB.
So, finally, at 3:15pm, we make it home. Home, sweet home.
A few hours later, we go out to a birthday celebration and the "good" keys to the van decide not to open the automatic doors or lock the car. We changed both batteries in both van keys and they now both start the car, but neither of them open the doors or lock them. Darn those conveniences. They are very addictive. I had forgotten what it was like to manually open doors, especially while grocery shopping!
On our way to church this morning, the "low tire pressure" light went on. We filled all the tires with air and the light will not go off. I guess we will be calling the dealership tomorrow.
During the ordeal, on the way to McDonald's, Trey said, "This is the worst day ever." Wow. He's a very lucky kid. If these little funny, not at all tragic things make this the worst day ever, he's very, very lucky.
I asked him if he remembered the people that we saw setting up for the 9-11 commemoration on the way to the car from the beach. I asked him if he knew what it was about. I explained to him that we had a few unfortunate things happen, but this is not the worst day ever. For some, it might be the worst "date" ever, but for us, not the worst day. Am I bummed that Britt didn't get to be a peer mentor? Of course. But, the worst day ever. Not even close!
When we finally got the right keys to the car and were ready to pull out, Don ran over a glass bottle in the Honda (so, it doesn't explain why the van's low tire pressure light is on). He was quite furious. I quickly put it in perspective for him.
You see, this week, we had a friend of several of our friends die of a massive heart attack at age 34. Yes, 34. He left a 5 year old son and a pregnant wife. You see, I told Don , "You didn't lose your spouse today." We have to put it in perspective.
Trey has had a hayday telling and re-telling the story. He can't wait to write about it in school tomorrow. He knows it wasn't the worst day ever, just a funny experience with his family.
And Britt? We are thinking about some other options for him. We've been thinking about this for awhile. He'll be fine. And, he can still be a mentor to his little sister, Mallory!
I woke up yesterday morning and went for my typical run. While running, I was scheming about how to get four kids (yes, we had four yesterday--sleepover) and my husband on board with me. You see, I really, really wanted to watch some of my closest friends in a triathlon that was in North Myrtle Beach, about 30-40 minutes from our house. The race started at 7am, with five waves of swimmers. I figured my fastest friend would finish around 8:30 so we would have to leave our house at 7:45 to park and get to the finish line before she did. Here's the problem: I got home from my run at 7:30. I packed the kids clothes (with the promise to go to the beach after the race--and the promise that the race ended in a super cool park), shoveled breakfast down them and me, threw beach toys in the car, convinced the husband into thinking this was a good idea and we were off--at 7:55.
We had no trouble parking--which was a surprise with over 270 race participants and their fans--and I ran down to the intersection near the finish line while Don and the kids raced to the playground. I got to see all of my friends finish the race--two first timers--and I was so excited. Almost made me want to take swimming lessons. All of my friends did great, the kids had a blast in the park and we headed just a block or two away to the beach.
It was a wonderful morning for the beach--overcast so not too hot and early enough that there were not many people. Don and the boys played and played in the water, catching waves on their boogie boards and laughing the entire time. Mallory and I built sandcastles and waded in the water. About 30 minutes after we got there, Don threw the van key to me--it had been in his pocket--and we continued playing until they were too hungry to do anymore. It was now only 11:00am.
As we approached the van, Don pressed the automatic door opener and nothing ha
ppened. He tried to unlock the doors. Still nothing. Oops. Guess where the cell phones were? In the van: comedy of errors #1. We remembered that our key had a valet option (see photo to understand that the door opener/door locker is also the key but the valet key DOES NOT start the car) so we were able to get into the car and attempted to start the car. That is right, attempted. It didn't work. So, we're stuck. Thirty to 40 minutes from home. Four kids. Four hungry kids. Yikes.First phone call: AAA. Nope, nothing they can do. Second call: Dealership. Yes, they can do something. Just have your car towed to the nearest Dodge dealership and for $200-300 they can get you a new key. Third call: friend, Amanda whose son is being held captive in our car and who is supposed to be at a b-day party in an hour.
Amanda has access to our house so the "simplest" solution was for her to go to our house, pick up the keys ("The ones that say 'Dodge' and have tons of Food Lion type cards on them") and bring them to us. While we waited, I walked to McDonald's with my two boys in a stroller--a serious death march. On the way to McDonald's I got the call I had been dreading: Britt didn't get in to the peer mentor program he auditioned for. Bummer.
Shortly after we got back from McDonald's and we had a car full of happy kids, we saw Amanda pull up. Hooray! We are saved. Amanda gets out of her truck and I gather her son's sleepover stuff and then she hands me the keys. The Honda keys. Yes, she brought the wrong set. The comedy continues.
Trey, Britt and I pile into her truck with her son. Don and Mallory stay with the car and play at the park (there wasn't enough room for them in the truck Amanda brought). We drop Gus off at his birthday party and Amanda's husband (who had to drop Amanda's other two kids at the party) drives me back to my house to get the van keys. The boys and I load back up into our HONDA and drive to NMB.
So, finally, at 3:15pm, we make it home. Home, sweet home.
A few hours later, we go out to a birthday celebration and the "good" keys to the van decide not to open the automatic doors or lock the car. We changed both batteries in both van keys and they now both start the car, but neither of them open the doors or lock them. Darn those conveniences. They are very addictive. I had forgotten what it was like to manually open doors, especially while grocery shopping!
On our way to church this morning, the "low tire pressure" light went on. We filled all the tires with air and the light will not go off. I guess we will be calling the dealership tomorrow.
During the ordeal, on the way to McDonald's, Trey said, "This is the worst day ever." Wow. He's a very lucky kid. If these little funny, not at all tragic things make this the worst day ever, he's very, very lucky.
I asked him if he remembered the people that we saw setting up for the 9-11 commemoration on the way to the car from the beach. I asked him if he knew what it was about. I explained to him that we had a few unfortunate things happen, but this is not the worst day ever. For some, it might be the worst "date" ever, but for us, not the worst day. Am I bummed that Britt didn't get to be a peer mentor? Of course. But, the worst day ever. Not even close!
When we finally got the right keys to the car and were ready to pull out, Don ran over a glass bottle in the Honda (so, it doesn't explain why the van's low tire pressure light is on). He was quite furious. I quickly put it in perspective for him.
You see, this week, we had a friend of several of our friends die of a massive heart attack at age 34. Yes, 34. He left a 5 year old son and a pregnant wife. You see, I told Don , "You didn't lose your spouse today." We have to put it in perspective.
Trey has had a hayday telling and re-telling the story. He can't wait to write about it in school tomorrow. He knows it wasn't the worst day ever, just a funny experience with his family.
And Britt? We are thinking about some other options for him. We've been thinking about this for awhile. He'll be fine. And, he can still be a mentor to his little sister, Mallory!
Saturday, September 4, 2010
Tons of Random Thoughts
I haven't taken much time to blog lately. Not much going on but the day-to-day things. Today, Britt had me laughing a few times so I thought I would share those and touch on training a bit.
First random thought. I have a love-hate relationship with fall. The weather in the fall in SC is perfect for a runner. Cool mornings, great warm afternoons. You couldn't ask for better conditions. But, fall is also football season. I love football. I love cheering for "my teams." But, I hate how it affects my husband's mood. For example, "his team" just lost to a horrible team (in OT--when they had a 21 pt lead) and there goes his mood. If his fantasy team does well, it is a good day. If not, not so much. He's not crazy about it--no throwing things, drinking binges, or violence. But, his mood is definitely not the same as it is in winter, spring and summer. He follows other sports and gets upset at those losses, too. But there is just something about football.
Second random thought: Brittisms: n (I think): a funny quote from my middle child. This week, we got three (at least--he says them so often, I forget). First, I posted on FB earlier this week "The hurricane is not going to take our house because I have my fingers crossed." The second was during our run today. We go down this one hill and the kids have us let go of the strollers. Often, the strollers veer to the side and toward a pond (but no where near it). They laugh as we exaggerate the turn back to the road to save their lives. Today he said, "I am glad you did that, mom. I am allergic to drowning." Finally, and you might have had to see his face to appreciate this one, but I took he and Mallory to the waterpark today and I was putting a life jacket on him--something I normally do not do (water wings usually do the trick but the ones I brought popped when I tried to blow them up). There was one strap hanging down from the lifejacket and he asked what it was for. I told him it would have to go between his legs and snap on the front. I asked him if he wanted me to snap the strap (we were not really going in water that was over his head anyway) and he smiled and said, "Oh, yeah!" Is that a man, or what? Who would want a strap between his legs?
Final random thought: I am five weeks away from my 40 mile run. Yikes. Some days, I am so excited. Others, I am freaking out. Tomorrow will be the longest training run I have done and fairly close to the longest amount of time I have run ever (with the exception of my first SLOW marathon). I am freaking out that I am nervous about training runs. I never get that way when I train for marathons. So...I am off to pack my cooler (that I leave on the end of the driveway), fill my water bottles, and gather my running gear. The EARLY morning runs come very quickly.
Thanks for reading my random thoughts!
First random thought. I have a love-hate relationship with fall. The weather in the fall in SC is perfect for a runner. Cool mornings, great warm afternoons. You couldn't ask for better conditions. But, fall is also football season. I love football. I love cheering for "my teams." But, I hate how it affects my husband's mood. For example, "his team" just lost to a horrible team (in OT--when they had a 21 pt lead) and there goes his mood. If his fantasy team does well, it is a good day. If not, not so much. He's not crazy about it--no throwing things, drinking binges, or violence. But, his mood is definitely not the same as it is in winter, spring and summer. He follows other sports and gets upset at those losses, too. But there is just something about football.
Second random thought: Brittisms: n (I think): a funny quote from my middle child. This week, we got three (at least--he says them so often, I forget). First, I posted on FB earlier this week "The hurricane is not going to take our house because I have my fingers crossed." The second was during our run today. We go down this one hill and the kids have us let go of the strollers. Often, the strollers veer to the side and toward a pond (but no where near it). They laugh as we exaggerate the turn back to the road to save their lives. Today he said, "I am glad you did that, mom. I am allergic to drowning." Finally, and you might have had to see his face to appreciate this one, but I took he and Mallory to the waterpark today and I was putting a life jacket on him--something I normally do not do (water wings usually do the trick but the ones I brought popped when I tried to blow them up). There was one strap hanging down from the lifejacket and he asked what it was for. I told him it would have to go between his legs and snap on the front. I asked him if he wanted me to snap the strap (we were not really going in water that was over his head anyway) and he smiled and said, "Oh, yeah!" Is that a man, or what? Who would want a strap between his legs?
Final random thought: I am five weeks away from my 40 mile run. Yikes. Some days, I am so excited. Others, I am freaking out. Tomorrow will be the longest training run I have done and fairly close to the longest amount of time I have run ever (with the exception of my first SLOW marathon). I am freaking out that I am nervous about training runs. I never get that way when I train for marathons. So...I am off to pack my cooler (that I leave on the end of the driveway), fill my water bottles, and gather my running gear. The EARLY morning runs come very quickly.
Thanks for reading my random thoughts!
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Experiences on the Track
Isn't it funny how if you have been doing something for awhile, you assume everyone knows how to do it? Like, after you have been driving for awhile, it is hard to imagine that you once never knew how not to drive. I guess I have spent enough time on a track to feel like everyone should know the proper track etiquette. But, boy was I wrong this week.
First, a quick track lesson for those of you not as accustomed to the track. Some of these rules are indisputable, others are unofficial but you lack credibility if you break them.
1. Wear proper attire. This includes a decent pair of athletic shoes, shorts, and an athletic type t-shirt/sports bra/tank top. This does NOT include unsupportive shoes, flip flops, polo type shirts, jean shorts or jeans.
2. Use lanes 1 & 2 (those lanes closest to the center of the track) only if you are running. If others are on the track when you get the are, compare your speed to theirs and adjust your lane usage accordingly. If someone faster arrives, give up lanes 1 & 2 to them. If you are walking, go to lanes 7 & 8 (the outer most lanes).
3. Run or walk in the direction that the people who are on the track are running/walking. Some tracks have assigned days for certain directions (for example MWFSa go clockwise, TTHSu go counter clockwise)
That being said, I had the most interesting experience with a lady on the track yesterday. She arrived shortly after I started speedwork session. She was wearing shorts, keds and a polo. She began jogging right away, in the right direction, in lane 4. I had no problems with that. After about 1/4 of a lap, she stopped, got off the track and stretched. Still doing fine. Then, just as I round the corner, she entered lane one and stopped. She just stood there. And, I was getting closer. And closer. And closer.
Now, it isn't a tragedy that I had to move from lane one to two while trying to hit timed splits on a track workout but what she was doing was hilarious. She was, I kid you not, manually stretching her FACE. She pushed her cheeks together like she was trying to intimidate a fish. Then she pushed her hands back like she was trying to intimidate a dog with its head out the window. Really, lady? In lane one, when it is evident that I had to MOVE to get out of your way?
I must have been doing an 800 (2 laps) or a 1200 (3 laps) as she was doing this as I had to run around her for two laps. Arrugh!
Then, after the face stretching routine, she turned around and jogged the WRONG way on the track. Of course, I did get caught in a game of chicken with her and guess who had to move. Yep, me! After running back to her starting point (meaning by this point she had been at the track 15-20 minutes and only really run 1/2 of a lap), she again STOPPED in lane one and just stood there. It sort of appeared that she was waiting for a friend who was a no-show but the track is a big place, with tons of places to wait, most of which are NOT in lane 1!
So, there was my first adventure back on the track in several months. I have been doing speed sessions but on the treadmill. It is such an adventure that I love to hate and hate to love.
On a totally different note, school started back this week for the kids. Britt seems bored, Trey seems uninterested and Mallory has noted no changes. It has been an exhausting week and I just remembered that I forgot to bake cookies tonight. Yikes. So much for an early night for me! Have a great rest of the week!!!
First, a quick track lesson for those of you not as accustomed to the track. Some of these rules are indisputable, others are unofficial but you lack credibility if you break them.
1. Wear proper attire. This includes a decent pair of athletic shoes, shorts, and an athletic type t-shirt/sports bra/tank top. This does NOT include unsupportive shoes, flip flops, polo type shirts, jean shorts or jeans.
2. Use lanes 1 & 2 (those lanes closest to the center of the track) only if you are running. If others are on the track when you get the are, compare your speed to theirs and adjust your lane usage accordingly. If someone faster arrives, give up lanes 1 & 2 to them. If you are walking, go to lanes 7 & 8 (the outer most lanes).
3. Run or walk in the direction that the people who are on the track are running/walking. Some tracks have assigned days for certain directions (for example MWFSa go clockwise, TTHSu go counter clockwise)
That being said, I had the most interesting experience with a lady on the track yesterday. She arrived shortly after I started speedwork session. She was wearing shorts, keds and a polo. She began jogging right away, in the right direction, in lane 4. I had no problems with that. After about 1/4 of a lap, she stopped, got off the track and stretched. Still doing fine. Then, just as I round the corner, she entered lane one and stopped. She just stood there. And, I was getting closer. And closer. And closer.
Now, it isn't a tragedy that I had to move from lane one to two while trying to hit timed splits on a track workout but what she was doing was hilarious. She was, I kid you not, manually stretching her FACE. She pushed her cheeks together like she was trying to intimidate a fish. Then she pushed her hands back like she was trying to intimidate a dog with its head out the window. Really, lady? In lane one, when it is evident that I had to MOVE to get out of your way?
I must have been doing an 800 (2 laps) or a 1200 (3 laps) as she was doing this as I had to run around her for two laps. Arrugh!
Then, after the face stretching routine, she turned around and jogged the WRONG way on the track. Of course, I did get caught in a game of chicken with her and guess who had to move. Yep, me! After running back to her starting point (meaning by this point she had been at the track 15-20 minutes and only really run 1/2 of a lap), she again STOPPED in lane one and just stood there. It sort of appeared that she was waiting for a friend who was a no-show but the track is a big place, with tons of places to wait, most of which are NOT in lane 1!
So, there was my first adventure back on the track in several months. I have been doing speed sessions but on the treadmill. It is such an adventure that I love to hate and hate to love.
On a totally different note, school started back this week for the kids. Britt seems bored, Trey seems uninterested and Mallory has noted no changes. It has been an exhausting week and I just remembered that I forgot to bake cookies tonight. Yikes. So much for an early night for me! Have a great rest of the week!!!
Saturday, August 14, 2010
Teenaged Years? Oh my!
I do not know how I am going to survive the teenaged years. Last night, Trey went miniature golfing with a friend. He was picked up at 6:30. I was a nervous wreck. Every time the phone rang, my heart skipped a beat. He finally got home at 10:00. I couldn’t believe how relieved I was. He was out with another family for only 3 hours. He didn’t drive himself. He didn’t have a girl with him. I knew where he was and I had the cell phone number of the family he was with and they had mine. Oh…how will I survive?
Speaking of teenaged years, today was move in day at Coastal. I ran through the school this morning and watched as parents entrusted their children with CCU and hoped they taught them the right morals, values, and ethics. I was surprised by the lack of stuff in the students’ cars. I remember barely having room for my hiney in the car when I went to school. Most of the cars appeared very empty. I guess Coastal has grown so much, maybe they are charging extra for extra bags. Hey, it is making the airlines profitable.
I remember my freshmen college move-in day like it was yesterday (though I cannot remember moving in sophomore or junior year?). We were allowed to move in from 9:00am-1:00pm. I was there at 8:45. I was so excited. After I unloaded my things into the room, I did not start unpacking because I wanted my roommate and me to discuss which bed and side of the room we would take. I didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot. Guess what time she got there? 12:45! Guess what? She didn’t care which bed she had! Everyone else was ready to explore and move on with being a college student and I was unpacking. Oh, memories.
Speaking of moving (like these cool transitions?), Britt and I were driving around yesterday and we saw a how many frogs that would be?” And, he just blurted out, “Stampede!” Where do they learn these things?
Britt was also helping me clean yesterday. Anyone with a pre-schooler knows how much help they are when they “help.” I swear I have purchased more windex in the past 3 years than I have in my whole life combined. Anyway.
Britt and I were talking about getting rid of germs. He asked where they went. I told him the cleaner he was using killed the germs and then when we rinsed the sponge or threw away the paper towel, the germs were just gone. He then asked, “But, don’t they go to heaven?” Despite the fact that I was hoping to live in eternity without germs, I guess he might be right. Can’t decide how I feel about that one.
The best part of that story is that Britt might actually be learning something at Sunday school. And, Trey might, too. When the family he went golfing with called from the driveway to make sure he made it in okay, I asked if he thanked them. Not only had he thanked them, he waited his turn, didn’t cheat and wasn’t a sore loser. She actually called him a “perfect young gentleman!” What??? I think a UFO possessed my child for a few hours and then brought back the one only a mother could love!
Speaking of teenaged years, today was move in day at Coastal. I ran through the school this morning and watched as parents entrusted their children with CCU and hoped they taught them the right morals, values, and ethics. I was surprised by the lack of stuff in the students’ cars. I remember barely having room for my hiney in the car when I went to school. Most of the cars appeared very empty. I guess Coastal has grown so much, maybe they are charging extra for extra bags. Hey, it is making the airlines profitable.
I remember my freshmen college move-in day like it was yesterday (though I cannot remember moving in sophomore or junior year?). We were allowed to move in from 9:00am-1:00pm. I was there at 8:45. I was so excited. After I unloaded my things into the room, I did not start unpacking because I wanted my roommate and me to discuss which bed and side of the room we would take. I didn’t want to start off on the wrong foot. Guess what time she got there? 12:45! Guess what? She didn’t care which bed she had! Everyone else was ready to explore and move on with being a college student and I was unpacking. Oh, memories.
Speaking of moving (like these cool transitions?), Britt and I were driving around yesterday and we saw a how many frogs that would be?” And, he just blurted out, “Stampede!” Where do they learn these things?
Britt was also helping me clean yesterday. Anyone with a pre-schooler knows how much help they are when they “help.” I swear I have purchased more windex in the past 3 years than I have in my whole life combined. Anyway.
Britt and I were talking about getting rid of germs. He asked where they went. I told him the cleaner he was using killed the germs and then when we rinsed the sponge or threw away the paper towel, the germs were just gone. He then asked, “But, don’t they go to heaven?” Despite the fact that I was hoping to live in eternity without germs, I guess he might be right. Can’t decide how I feel about that one.
The best part of that story is that Britt might actually be learning something at Sunday school. And, Trey might, too. When the family he went golfing with called from the driveway to make sure he made it in okay, I asked if he thanked them. Not only had he thanked them, he waited his turn, didn’t cheat and wasn’t a sore loser. She actually called him a “perfect young gentleman!” What??? I think a UFO possessed my child for a few hours and then brought back the one only a mother could love!
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
This might be it. This might be my first blog about running. Just be warned...
At the end of last school year, I got a new job, set to start this school year. Well, not really a new job, just the same job I have had for 7 years but I get benefits this year. And a few more responsibilities. During the summer, the job changed some but mostly to my benefit. I was going to have fewer classes but more advisees. I was really looking forward to that. As the summer progressed, the course load increased back to the original number. Okay, I am a team player, no big deal. And today, the number increased again by one more class. And so far, 50 advisees (rumor has it that number could go down). Wow. That is crazy. So here is where the challenge is. The class that I got today is at 3:00. Trey gets out of school at 2:30. Hmmm...
Now, for the past month, I have been thinking of alternatives for Trey after school for the dates and times I might have to work late. I was thinking it might be 1- 2 times per week and probably not every week. I had a few ideas in my head. Now, I have to find something for him to do every TTH from after school until 4:30, without a doubt.
No big deal. I will be able to solve this. The big deal is that I have so much more to do now. And, about 45 minutes after I got this news, what did I decide to do? I decided to run. Run hard. Run hard and think or run hard and forget. I didn't care, but I wanted to run. Scheduled in my mind today was an easy cross training activity with some strength training and tomorrow, I would do speed work. Nope, not today. Today was speedwork. And, compared to what I have been doing lately, lots of it. I ran until I could almost not run anymore. I knew if I ran, I wasn't going to get my things done, but I knew I needed to run.
Did running help? Maybe. Did I feel better? Definitely. Running is a drug for me. I'm addicted and I am glad that I might not need treatment for this one.
The kids started back at daycare this week and are doing well. I am looking forward to all of them eating disgusting school lunches just so I do not have to make them any longer. Maybe by the time Mallory is in school, chicken nuggets won't be a weekly meal choice.
Finally, a HUGE shout out to my mom. Everyday when she got home, I would ask her some random questions as she crossed the threshold. "What is for dinner?" "What are we doing tonight?" "Where are my tap shoes?" And, she would say, "Please do not attack me right when I walk in the door." Mom, you are a saint for putting up with this day in and day out. What comes around, goes around!
At the end of last school year, I got a new job, set to start this school year. Well, not really a new job, just the same job I have had for 7 years but I get benefits this year. And a few more responsibilities. During the summer, the job changed some but mostly to my benefit. I was going to have fewer classes but more advisees. I was really looking forward to that. As the summer progressed, the course load increased back to the original number. Okay, I am a team player, no big deal. And today, the number increased again by one more class. And so far, 50 advisees (rumor has it that number could go down). Wow. That is crazy. So here is where the challenge is. The class that I got today is at 3:00. Trey gets out of school at 2:30. Hmmm...
Now, for the past month, I have been thinking of alternatives for Trey after school for the dates and times I might have to work late. I was thinking it might be 1- 2 times per week and probably not every week. I had a few ideas in my head. Now, I have to find something for him to do every TTH from after school until 4:30, without a doubt.
No big deal. I will be able to solve this. The big deal is that I have so much more to do now. And, about 45 minutes after I got this news, what did I decide to do? I decided to run. Run hard. Run hard and think or run hard and forget. I didn't care, but I wanted to run. Scheduled in my mind today was an easy cross training activity with some strength training and tomorrow, I would do speed work. Nope, not today. Today was speedwork. And, compared to what I have been doing lately, lots of it. I ran until I could almost not run anymore. I knew if I ran, I wasn't going to get my things done, but I knew I needed to run.
Did running help? Maybe. Did I feel better? Definitely. Running is a drug for me. I'm addicted and I am glad that I might not need treatment for this one.
The kids started back at daycare this week and are doing well. I am looking forward to all of them eating disgusting school lunches just so I do not have to make them any longer. Maybe by the time Mallory is in school, chicken nuggets won't be a weekly meal choice.
Finally, a HUGE shout out to my mom. Everyday when she got home, I would ask her some random questions as she crossed the threshold. "What is for dinner?" "What are we doing tonight?" "Where are my tap shoes?" And, she would say, "Please do not attack me right when I walk in the door." Mom, you are a saint for putting up with this day in and day out. What comes around, goes around!
Friday, August 6, 2010
Kid Stories That Crack Me Up
When I first started thinking about this blog, I really thought I would focus more on my running and training. But, my training is boring. I do it most of the time (strength training this summer has slacked quite a bit and flexibility training is my nemesis, but the running training is consistent) and it isn't interesting.
Obviously, we all think our kids are cute, funny, irresistible and everyone will think the same. When blogging, I am trying to edit the stories so I think most will at least see some humor in them. Today, I have a story about each kid.
First Mallory. For those of you new to the blog or who might not know, Mallory is my baby. She is just over 2 and 1/2 and she is going on 22, I think. She has already denounced all of my clothing choices for her and on occasion, has declared herself a boy. She loves her purple baby and spiderman.
Those of you who live in the MB area know that we have been getting rain lately. When it rains in the south, it is a wet rain. Whenever I say that, people think I am so stupid--rain is wet, duh! In Oregon, when it rains, you can get from place to place without getting drenched. In the south, you can't walk 5 feet from house to your car without needing a ShamWow! to dry off once you get into the car. The drops are denser and it POURS. So, last week, the kids were swimming when it started to rain. The older ones like to swim in the rain (which is only allowed if there is no thunder or lightning) but Mallory doesn't. She asked me for her umbrella. I went to the car and got an umbrella. "No, mommy, the blue one." Anyone who has been around Mallory some might know she is not great with colors--or blue and red anyway. They are usually the same. So, I went back to the car and got a blue and white striped umbrella we have. This ended in a perfect 2-year-old tantrum--co
mplete with fists pounding and legs kicking. Luckily, the boys got out of the pool and distracted her from the thought.
A few days later, as we were getting into the car, she got a huge smile on her face and announced, "Here is my umbrella!" I have attached a photo so you can see why I might not have ever thought this was a viable option for in a typical southern rain (Missy, you might recognize it).
Now for Britt. Britt proudly announces he is 4 and a 1/2. We are really struggling with him now to get him potty trained at night. It wasn't an issue with Trey and is already not an issue with Mallory so we are frustrated with his night time wet pull-ups. Naturally, we are resorting to the tried and true parenting technique to cure him of this issue: bribery! We aren't asking for much--5 nights in a row of dry pull-ups. He asked for his reward, "A magic wand." Since he and Don and Trey have been to Magiquest several times, I quickly agreed that would be a great reward (and relatively cheap, too). As several days have passed and he has not gotten his reward, he has slightly revised his request. He wants a REAL magic wand. His first spell: Turn himself into his friend, JP. His second spell: A flyin
g spell. He keeps asking me when he is going to get a real, working magic wand. So much for bribery.
This picture is of his contraption to get one of those sticky bugs off the ceiling. Thank goodness I caught him before he attempted to climb up to get the bug.
Finally, and I hope I can add this link, Trey. Trey is my oldest, age 7. We have been watching Shark Week on Discovery Channel all week. He can watch people getting bitten, sharks attacking seals, mating habits, the whole nine yards. But, when this commercial comes on, he runs into the other room because it scares him. http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/shark-week-101-how-to-make-friends-with-a-shark.html So funny!
Last story about the three of them. I took them bowling this week (www.kidsbowlfree.com) and they all beat my latest bowling score (I chose not to bowl, thinking I would have to help). Granted, this was with bumpers but Britt bowled a 90, Trey an 80 and Mallory (with average speed of her ball about 1.47 mph--it said so on the screen) a 75.
Obviously, we all think our kids are cute, funny, irresistible and everyone will think the same. When blogging, I am trying to edit the stories so I think most will at least see some humor in them. Today, I have a story about each kid.
First Mallory. For those of you new to the blog or who might not know, Mallory is my baby. She is just over 2 and 1/2 and she is going on 22, I think. She has already denounced all of my clothing choices for her and on occasion, has declared herself a boy. She loves her purple baby and spiderman.
Those of you who live in the MB area know that we have been getting rain lately. When it rains in the south, it is a wet rain. Whenever I say that, people think I am so stupid--rain is wet, duh! In Oregon, when it rains, you can get from place to place without getting drenched. In the south, you can't walk 5 feet from house to your car without needing a ShamWow! to dry off once you get into the car. The drops are denser and it POURS. So, last week, the kids were swimming when it started to rain. The older ones like to swim in the rain (which is only allowed if there is no thunder or lightning) but Mallory doesn't. She asked me for her umbrella. I went to the car and got an umbrella. "No, mommy, the blue one." Anyone who has been around Mallory some might know she is not great with colors--or blue and red anyway. They are usually the same. So, I went back to the car and got a blue and white striped umbrella we have. This ended in a perfect 2-year-old tantrum--co
mplete with fists pounding and legs kicking. Luckily, the boys got out of the pool and distracted her from the thought.A few days later, as we were getting into the car, she got a huge smile on her face and announced, "Here is my umbrella!" I have attached a photo so you can see why I might not have ever thought this was a viable option for in a typical southern rain (Missy, you might recognize it).
Now for Britt. Britt proudly announces he is 4 and a 1/2. We are really struggling with him now to get him potty trained at night. It wasn't an issue with Trey and is already not an issue with Mallory so we are frustrated with his night time wet pull-ups. Naturally, we are resorting to the tried and true parenting technique to cure him of this issue: bribery! We aren't asking for much--5 nights in a row of dry pull-ups. He asked for his reward, "A magic wand." Since he and Don and Trey have been to Magiquest several times, I quickly agreed that would be a great reward (and relatively cheap, too). As several days have passed and he has not gotten his reward, he has slightly revised his request. He wants a REAL magic wand. His first spell: Turn himself into his friend, JP. His second spell: A flyin
g spell. He keeps asking me when he is going to get a real, working magic wand. So much for bribery.
This picture is of his contraption to get one of those sticky bugs off the ceiling. Thank goodness I caught him before he attempted to climb up to get the bug.
Finally, and I hope I can add this link, Trey. Trey is my oldest, age 7. We have been watching Shark Week on Discovery Channel all week. He can watch people getting bitten, sharks attacking seals, mating habits, the whole nine yards. But, when this commercial comes on, he runs into the other room because it scares him. http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/shark-week-101-how-to-make-friends-with-a-shark.html So funny!
Last story about the three of them. I took them bowling this week (www.kidsbowlfree.com) and they all beat my latest bowling score (I chose not to bowl, thinking I would have to help). Granted, this was with bumpers but Britt bowled a 90, Trey an 80 and Mallory (with average speed of her ball about 1.47 mph--it said so on the screen) a 75.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Rockey Roads...very appropriate today
When I first named this blog, I thought it sounded kind of like a Negative Nilly. Then, a great friend reminded me that rocky road is an ice cream, too. And, those two descriptions kind of sum up my day today.
I had planned to tell you a cute little story about each of my kids but I will save that for another blog. Today, I will just tell you about my day.
Let's start with the ice cream. Don't you just love the internet? As silly as this sounds, I have been using the same deodorant for 15 years (or more...I am getting old)and, out of the blue, it just stopped being sold at every store around. After about 6 months of suffering through a mediocre substitute, I finally looked it up in the internet and found a store less than 5 miles from home where it was still sold. So today, thanks to my terrific husband who gave me two kid-free hours this afternoon, I bought out Rite Aid of all their Soft-n-Dri Glide. Ice cream? Anything that makes me that happy is ice cream to me! And the two kid-free hours were great, too!
This morning was a true Rockey and rocky road. The kids were on their typical "What are we doing today?" rampage and I am suffering through a horrible case of DMS. Does anyone else get DMS, you know "during MS?" I snap at everything, yell way more than normal and it is probably better if you are not around me. Unfortunately for me kids (and dh), they have no choice. I have said more than once, I want to be pregnant for all the wrong reasons. DMS is one of them!
We have been spoiled this summer--traveling a lot and spending tons of time with other people. So, the past week and 4 days, it has really just been me and the kids or Don and me and the kids. It has gotten the best of all of us and the kids "play" becomes more like WW III. I feel more like a referee than a mother.
We finally all agreed to go mini-golfing if they would also go to Sam's with me. I like taking them to Sam's because I can usually bribe them to be good with some cheap pizza or hot dogs. Mini-golf was fine, though hot and we dealt with a not-to-pleasant cashier at the golf place. We lost 3 balls in the water and that did not make her happy.
Those of you who know me, know my incredible experiences at Sam's. With all the money I give to that place, I should be revered when I walk in the door. Instead, I am given parenting lessons every time I shop there by everyone in the place. This includes the greeters, the cashiers, the food sample people and just regular customers. And, those of you who follow facebook also know that my drawer-dropping young son had that experience at Sam's, too. It is always a good story when we go there--and for some reason, I haven't switched my membership to Costco!
Today, instead of bribing with Sam's food, they requested Sonic, which in the same parking lot and almost as cheap, so I agreed. Since we rarely go to Sonic, I am not used to ordering there and was totally out of sync.
When we got to Sam's, I passed out the food, got all three kids in the cart, got my daily workout in dodging cars and pushing the 110 lb cart through the parking lot when I saw Britt's face. Oh no...I messed up. And there is came. The gagging, the coughing and the deliberate pseudo barfing. Yes, silly me. I forgot to say, "without pickles, please" when I ordered. Whenever Britt eats something he doesn't like, he forces himself to throw up (instead of just spitting it out like a normal kid). So now, I am holding a handful of spit up and the rest of the pickles in my hand, pushing a 110 pound buggy and stripping him of his shirt and he's back eating his cheeseburger. Trey freaks out over the sight of these episodes because he is certain that he too will get sick, no matter how much explaining I do. But, I know Britt is not sick (as demonstrated by him eating the cheeseburger completely once the pickles are removed), I decide to finish my shopping.
I didn't get scolded though today should have been the day I did. My kids were CRAZY in the store (or the DMS was in full swing). I got through shppong and called Don once I got into the van. That is when he offered to come home from work early and give me some time to either go to work or to do other things I needed to do. Ahhhh! Relief! Rocky road ice cream time!
Now, maybe it wasn't DMS. Maybe it was kid overload!
I had planned to tell you a cute little story about each of my kids but I will save that for another blog. Today, I will just tell you about my day.
Let's start with the ice cream. Don't you just love the internet? As silly as this sounds, I have been using the same deodorant for 15 years (or more...I am getting old)and, out of the blue, it just stopped being sold at every store around. After about 6 months of suffering through a mediocre substitute, I finally looked it up in the internet and found a store less than 5 miles from home where it was still sold. So today, thanks to my terrific husband who gave me two kid-free hours this afternoon, I bought out Rite Aid of all their Soft-n-Dri Glide. Ice cream? Anything that makes me that happy is ice cream to me! And the two kid-free hours were great, too!
This morning was a true Rockey and rocky road. The kids were on their typical "What are we doing today?" rampage and I am suffering through a horrible case of DMS. Does anyone else get DMS, you know "during MS?" I snap at everything, yell way more than normal and it is probably better if you are not around me. Unfortunately for me kids (and dh), they have no choice. I have said more than once, I want to be pregnant for all the wrong reasons. DMS is one of them!
We have been spoiled this summer--traveling a lot and spending tons of time with other people. So, the past week and 4 days, it has really just been me and the kids or Don and me and the kids. It has gotten the best of all of us and the kids "play" becomes more like WW III. I feel more like a referee than a mother.
We finally all agreed to go mini-golfing if they would also go to Sam's with me. I like taking them to Sam's because I can usually bribe them to be good with some cheap pizza or hot dogs. Mini-golf was fine, though hot and we dealt with a not-to-pleasant cashier at the golf place. We lost 3 balls in the water and that did not make her happy.
Those of you who know me, know my incredible experiences at Sam's. With all the money I give to that place, I should be revered when I walk in the door. Instead, I am given parenting lessons every time I shop there by everyone in the place. This includes the greeters, the cashiers, the food sample people and just regular customers. And, those of you who follow facebook also know that my drawer-dropping young son had that experience at Sam's, too. It is always a good story when we go there--and for some reason, I haven't switched my membership to Costco!
Today, instead of bribing with Sam's food, they requested Sonic, which in the same parking lot and almost as cheap, so I agreed. Since we rarely go to Sonic, I am not used to ordering there and was totally out of sync.
When we got to Sam's, I passed out the food, got all three kids in the cart, got my daily workout in dodging cars and pushing the 110 lb cart through the parking lot when I saw Britt's face. Oh no...I messed up. And there is came. The gagging, the coughing and the deliberate pseudo barfing. Yes, silly me. I forgot to say, "without pickles, please" when I ordered. Whenever Britt eats something he doesn't like, he forces himself to throw up (instead of just spitting it out like a normal kid). So now, I am holding a handful of spit up and the rest of the pickles in my hand, pushing a 110 pound buggy and stripping him of his shirt and he's back eating his cheeseburger. Trey freaks out over the sight of these episodes because he is certain that he too will get sick, no matter how much explaining I do. But, I know Britt is not sick (as demonstrated by him eating the cheeseburger completely once the pickles are removed), I decide to finish my shopping.
I didn't get scolded though today should have been the day I did. My kids were CRAZY in the store (or the DMS was in full swing). I got through shppong and called Don once I got into the van. That is when he offered to come home from work early and give me some time to either go to work or to do other things I needed to do. Ahhhh! Relief! Rocky road ice cream time!
Now, maybe it wasn't DMS. Maybe it was kid overload!
Monday, August 2, 2010
My First Blog
I have been contemplating blogging for such a long time, I waited until the week before I have to go back to work to start. Better late than never, right?
The main reason I decided to blog was from an idea I got from Family Fun magazine. This is one of my favorite magazines--pretty close in the running are Runner's World and anything by Taste of Home --so when I read the idea, I jumped on it. Unfortunately, that was last April...
The idea suggested that I buy three color-coded notebooks, one for each child. Then, at the end of the day, week or month, fill each one with individual stories of each child. The theory is that these would be sacred memoirs for the kids as they grew up and it would commemorate everyday memories that photo albums (or the awesome scrapbooks that my mom does for each of my kids) might not indicate. So, I bought these and placed them in the night stand next to my bed, along with a writing utensil and I began on this mission.
Well, that was 15 months ago and there are two entries in each of the kids' books. The problem is, about 99 nights out of 100, I fall asleep while putting the children to sleep. I am way too tired to do anything but sleep once 10:00 rolls around. When Top Chef is on, I have to give it my 50% attention (the other 50% is getting drinks, snacks, toothbrushes, blankets, pillows and "purple babies") so I can't do it then. And, during the academic year, I am grading papers, prepping lectures and posting grades. Why am I so tired, you might ask? Aside from God, my kids, my husband, and my family, #5 priority is running. I wake up most mornings well before the crack of dawn. I sleep so I can run at that crazy time and that seems to take priority over the journals.
My blog will be about my family, my job, and my running. I am training for a 40 mile run to celebrate my 40 years so I have to juggle that with my work, family, kids, and now, my blog.
So, why do I think I will blog instead of writing it down...I am not sure. But, since I have rambled on this long, I don't think it will be a problem!
The main reason I decided to blog was from an idea I got from Family Fun magazine. This is one of my favorite magazines--pretty close in the running are Runner's World and anything by Taste of Home --so when I read the idea, I jumped on it. Unfortunately, that was last April...
The idea suggested that I buy three color-coded notebooks, one for each child. Then, at the end of the day, week or month, fill each one with individual stories of each child. The theory is that these would be sacred memoirs for the kids as they grew up and it would commemorate everyday memories that photo albums (or the awesome scrapbooks that my mom does for each of my kids) might not indicate. So, I bought these and placed them in the night stand next to my bed, along with a writing utensil and I began on this mission.
Well, that was 15 months ago and there are two entries in each of the kids' books. The problem is, about 99 nights out of 100, I fall asleep while putting the children to sleep. I am way too tired to do anything but sleep once 10:00 rolls around. When Top Chef is on, I have to give it my 50% attention (the other 50% is getting drinks, snacks, toothbrushes, blankets, pillows and "purple babies") so I can't do it then. And, during the academic year, I am grading papers, prepping lectures and posting grades. Why am I so tired, you might ask? Aside from God, my kids, my husband, and my family, #5 priority is running. I wake up most mornings well before the crack of dawn. I sleep so I can run at that crazy time and that seems to take priority over the journals.
My blog will be about my family, my job, and my running. I am training for a 40 mile run to celebrate my 40 years so I have to juggle that with my work, family, kids, and now, my blog.
So, why do I think I will blog instead of writing it down...I am not sure. But, since I have rambled on this long, I don't think it will be a problem!
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