Life Is Beautiful

Great reading material just in time for spending hours in a van between running legs tomorrow.  

Nothing gets a burr under my saddle like blame.  Recently, we've been inundated with media placing the blame for the obesity epidemic on ...  ready  ...  it's really evil and out of control ...  SCHOOL LUNCHES! Are you okay, or did you faint from the shock of it all?  I mean, who would have thought that Stop Sign Pizza, Rubberoni and Glue, Chic'n Nuggets, and Instant Taters would be bad for you!?! Waaahhh, I thought that milk fortified with gallons of a lab created sweetener was GOOD FOR ME!  All these years I thought that french fries were a vegetable and that green beans were supposed to be grey!  I feel so lied to, so deceived!  I'm angry and want someone to blame!! The Government!!  Yes, yes, it's all clear now.  I shall blame The Government.  USDA = evil.  Free public education = evil (I knew that one was to good to be true!)  Oh, I feel so much better now.  And less responsible. I do agree th...

Okay all of you scrambled egg lovers!  I think I may have a solution for going egg/dairy free.  I tried this recipe from VegWeb.com .  It's called: The Best Breakfast Scramble Ever !  I made it exactly as the recipe calls for the first time around, but deviated a little bit from the original recipe the second time.  I didn't use nearly as much oil as it called for. Onion and garlic in a pan sprayed with Pam. Add the mushrooms after the onions are a little cooked. I also used mushrooms instead of green pepper.  I like green pepper, but didn't have any on hand.  It worked out just fine.  Just make sure that you sautee the onion and garlic for a couple of minutes first.  Mushrooms are soft and will cook down to mush if you cook them for the same amount of time as the onion. Mmmm...looks like feta. Extra-Firm Tofu isn't something that I'm terribly familiar with working with.  It comes in a solid hunk.  I crumbled half ...

Some folks are messy. Some are neat nicks. Most fall in between. I've never fallen in between a line in my adult life.  I am all or nothing, one way or another, here or there.  I remember being normal...some time...maybe in my pre-teen years, but for the bulk of time that I can remember, I have been an extremist. I like things clean.  I'm not a "clean with Clorox till my skin rots off" kind of girl, but I do get frustrated when my house is in a constant state of disarray. Having 4 children and a daycare has helped me to change my mind a bit.  I am now resigned that spending 15 minutes in each room every day is enough to tidy up and take care of hygienic cleanliness.  I have learned a hard fast rule of fact that "Either the kitchen or the living room shall be clean on any given day, but neither shall be clean on the same day."  Sometimes you have to let go. Our oldest daughter, I fear, is sort of a messy girl.  She is a very tale...

Happy Anniversary to my sweet husband, David. I am never even slightly deluded in to thinking that I deserve such a patient, loving man. And while it's wonderful to be loved, it's also so good to be known. This morning, he left for work at the usual time.  He came home an hour later with a gift that just proves how well he knows me.  He parked down the street and rang the bell - a DOZEN roses in hand. There are 2 white roses to represent he and I.  Two pink for our sweet little girls, two peach for our rough and tumble boys.  There are 5 open roses to represent our 5 years of marriage, and one closed bud for the future that is to come.  What a romantic man...*sigh* To round it out, he brought me the latest issue of Triathlete magazine, a beautiful card with a handwritten sentiment, and a few tasty treats from the bulk section of the health market. So he was home all day with us - we all went to the mall and had some fun, then later we went for a ru...

"I don't usually do this, but..." When I waited tables, this was the LAST thing I wanted to hear.  It was my experience that someone who says that, usually DOES complain.  And they prelude it with this statement every time.  You can usually tell, because they are EXPERTS at it.  They know just how to slightly intimidate you and when that doesn't work, they ask for the manager and try to push him/her around. Unfortunately, someone who wants a free supper because their steak wasn't cooked to order probably walks around feeling that they are entitled to preferential treatment in many aspects of their lives.  They drive around the parking lot looking for the best spot, vie for "poll position" at stop lights, and get really irate when they have to wait in line behind more than 1 person at the store. This is an over-arching theme in many of our lives.  Complaining.  Whether a mild feeling of annoyance at common things, or despair over a variety of li...

My alarm clock in "Dora Snooze Mode" I was very thankful on Saturday morning.  My 25lb alarm clock "snoozed" until 7:15!  I'm not sure when the last time was that we slept that late...but I'm just sorry that my sweet husband was slaving away making up time at work. I spent the better part of the morning in my room on the heating pad, wondering if my body was going to loosen up enough to move.  It seems that my adventure of running twice on Friday was met with a little opposition.  A little ibuprofen, a walk around Shopko on an ill-fated search for a new torchiere lamp, and I was better.  Still, not sure that my future will hold many of these relay races.  The training is killer! Our exercise room - and the "Alarm Clock", again. I tried to take a nap - though I didn't really need one.  But after surfing the Internet while on the heating pad and enjoying a snack, I was sleepy.  I shut down the computer and just as I was falling asle...

Miss A loves her some butternut squash! I was pretty impressed with the sales on produce today!  Our local grocery has fabulous 1 and 2 day deals sometimes, and this was the time.  They had 4 different fruits for near $1/lb and several varieties of squash for .69/lb.  I love squash, and just recently learned how to cook it up so that kids love it...what a great way to stretch a dollar. I hear all the time, how expensive it is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables. But really, if you stick to the basics, buy what's on special, and stay out of the fresh meat case, you can get away with spending the same money for healthier choices as you would on crap. One neat phenomenon about eating high nutrient foods - is that you aren't as hungry as often.  Yep, you read it here first.  Eat 5-7 fruits/veggies and you won't be as hungry even on less calories.  Now, everyone knows that dietary fiber fills up your tummy and helps that physical sensation to c...

Okay - I'm just a little irate today.  I have a decent blog in mind and just can't even seem to write it until I finish simmering over here. No details, but suffice it to say that it has to do with child care for our upcoming 86 mile relay race .  I'm sure it will all workout, though right now I'm on the edge of a nervous break down. SEVENTEEN DAYS. I'm ready to run.  Hubby's ready to run.  Our team is ready to run.  In fact, a nice run would help me blow of some steam RIGHT NOW. Also, have you ever made a mistake on your checking account?  No?  Yeah, me neither.  But I heard from my friend that if you make a gargantuan  teensy little error and it snow balls like the Yeti from Hell in overdraft fees, the pencil pushers down at your evil Ebeneezer money lender  local home town bank could care less. AND MY TODDLERS NAPPED FOR CRAP TODAY! I think I'll take my rolling pin and go beat the crap out of some throw pillows and hit t...

Leftover cornbread is delicious with a little sliced banana, honey and soy milk.  The cornbread was made with an egg and a cup of moo-milk, but I think this meal qualifies to my 95% Veg goal.  I'm stuffed!

I decided to try something different today.  I've been doing some research lately on a Plant Based Diet and the evidence is compelling.  I tend to eat less meat than most, but way to much dairy.  I don't have any objections to eating animals - I thank them for their sacrifice. What I'm seeing in recent research, is that the Western Diet is ruining our health.  Not just obesity - but disease!  I'm on a mission.  I want to be running, swimming, biking, posing, and lifting weights well into my 70's.  I've toyed around with the idea and been unwilling to commit - but I think that mission is worth giving up animal based foods. Sauteed onion, garlic, carrots and zucchini w/parm.  Spinach salad with broccoli w/vinaigrette. So today I gave up meat, dairy, and eggs.  Just to try it for one day.  I've probably eaten eggs and toast five days a week for the last year. Smelled good when hubby was cooking his up this morning!  I pu...

Some people are one, some days are.  Most things that involve morning or waking from sleep are.  I know I can certainly be...some would say I am The Queen of them... Pain in my butt....looks like I have an itch. For me, running = pain .  This past spring I got tired of that equation and decided to jump on the minimalist running train.  I worked my way up to running in Vibrams, and walah, no more knee pain.  While I was training myself to run fore-footed, I had to really pay attention to my calfs.  Oh how they screamed and screamed.  I purchased calf sleeves which helped immensely. I really thought I had things under control - I was running 15-20 miles per week and doing all but my long run in my Vibrams.  Then, one day in June I pulled my hamstring.  I knew that it was bad, because I couldn't bear to even walk for a couple of days.  I can't tell you what I did different on that run, or that I ran any hills or speedwork...nope, ju...

I'm not a big fan of boxed/highly processed foods...but sometimes things are on sale for dirt cheap  catch my attention and I bring them home to "healthify" them.  So it is with Hamburger Helper. I like to grate zucchini that get way to big in the garden and add it to recipes.  My kids are either used to it, or need their eyes checked.  Whatever, they don't mind.  It looks kind of icky at first - I use ground turkey or ground chicken and it is a bit "play-dough-y."  I am not fancy, either...all the stuff in the pan and put on the lid...walk away to break up a fight or help with a math problem.  Oh, don't forget a little garlic power and salt&pepper.  Once it's cooked and drained it looks nearly like ground beef...with green stuff in it...okay, get your kids to eat with sunglasses on!  Yah, have a beach themed meal time!  Sure!!  I always add EXTRA PASTA - learned that one from my hubby.  But I make sure ...

Can you tell what kind of shirt, necklace and sunglasses that I was wearing at the Midget Football game today?

How do you make an egg roll? Well, you can use won-ton wrappers and fill them with a combination of shredded cabbage and carrots and even little strips of pork.  Roll up a small amount and then deep fry to a golden brown. Or, you could just give it a push. Girly girl time. I learned my lesson with THAT question!  It's sorta like when a 5 year old asks you where babies come from...they don't really want a sex ed lesson - they just wonder if everyone is from Nebraska like they are. Miss A and I spent the afternoon at the football field today.  We had to have The Boy there an hour and fifteen minutes early for his game, so we had some time to chat.  I remembered the egg roll question when Miss A asked me "What do you think of yourself as, Mom?" At first, I wanted to get all philosophical and go in to the ways that a woman is multi-faceted, has many responsibilities and  can be different things to different people. ...

I stayed from my exclusive relationship with my stylist and colored my own hair tonight.  I feel so dirty...but my hair looks great!

We had our Market to Market Relay Draft meeting today. I feel pretty good about the whole thing. I'm excited to know what stages I will be running, so that I can do some specific training. My stages are probably the easiest - but I am the only woman and coming off an injury, so go figure. Next year I can try to be Superwoman. Super fast woman, I hope! Stage 7 ( View ) Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Length: 4.50 miles Surface: Gravel, Crushed Limestone, and Pavement Exchange Point: 114th and Fairview Description : Your teammates almost got you to the top of the hill, after a short climb on Fairview you get to enjoy a downhill jaunt to Springfield, NE home of the Sarpy County Fairgrounds. Stage 15 ( View ) Difficulty: Easy/Moderate Length: 3.03 miles Surface: Crushed Limestone Exchange Point: 250th and O St. Description: Runners continue down the Mopac Trail heading west towards the next exchange point in Eagle, Nebraska. This relatively flat section of the ...

Our children have passed this stage: And have moved on to this stage: Unfortunately, our 2 year old son is dangerous enough that any door that he can reach the handle on (and that is ALL of them) is fair game for entry/exit.  the baby gates were great, until he realized that they were easy to scale and jump over.  Thankfully he doesn't care that much about the bathroom...he has flushed a couple of things and unrolled the TP a few of times and that doesn't thrill, I guess. It's escaping upstairs, downstairs or outside that is the real excitement.  The upper and lower levels are home to our older children's bedrooms, the XBox360, the bulk of the Barbie stuff, the treadmill, all of the free weights, and a host of other potentially deadly or dismembering items.   I have a chain on the front door - and now will be using it.  The little squirt is *almost* strong enough to release the deadbolt, and with him being *almost* able to get out of the crib hi...

First of all, WHERE oh where have these babies been all my life!?! Chocolate Lovers Champ Cone I was so depressed earlier in the week - all things chocolate cure all things...I feel so silly!! Even without the ice cream - today was a better day.  My hill running this morning was fraught with delay after delay after irritation, but I got three repeats in and a mile on either side of warm and cool.  Not my hardest effort - but still a little afraid to push the left hammie...she was SUCH a nag for SO long. It was definitely me that changed.  I still had to pick up the house for my babysitting clients, still had to cook meals, school kids, and shop for groceries, but something clicked with me between yesterday and today that helped this hysteria make sense. My sister said to me yesterday: You just have this penchant for driving yourself nuts on an almost constant basis, and I guess I don't understand it. At first I was like - whatever... and what the...

I'm doing all that I can to stay on top of being overwhelmed, but my head is barely above water.  I would be ever so grateful if we could just fast forward a little bit.  The next 4 weeks are going to be busy enough there will be no time to breathe.  I picked the wrong month to quit street drugs. We started school August 29th.  My 4th grader is hell to school, dress, sleep, discipline, feed, anything.  There are days that she is compliant and helpful, but I would guess they total maybe 30 golden, glorious days per year. I trained through injury for a Half Marathon on September 3rd.  I decided the Wednesday prior that I wasn't running.  Stunk.  My husband ran it alone, I biked around town and cheered him on along the way.  I'm doing better, but my chronic back thing is acting up. Another race coming up on 10/1.  An 80 mile relay race with a team of 8.  Seven men.  Yeah.  I'm marginally concerned.  I will b...

I nearly can't deal with this picture: This is our oldest son, Liam.  Well, and me, of course.  We had a wonderful visit from Uncle Jack and Aunt Pam from Indiana, who brought the beloved Uncle Deryle and Aunt Nadine.  Liam happened to be at football practice, so Aunt Pam requested a photo with the boy and how much he's grown.   Here it is. I just can't express how amazing it is to know that I held him in my two hands, once.  How I watched him learn to walk, helped him put together words, then phrases, then arguments to my own assertions.  Oh, I look around me and I see that years have passed - but it seems like just a blink.  No matter how hard it is to foster, feed and fraternize with these - it is a great and mighty reward, for sure.

I remember when I started blogging in 2007 - I was pregnant with our 3rd child and was eager to find some sort of group that I could fit in to.  Back then, I was working outside the home in the office of a construction company - an 8-5 M-F type of thing.  I was struggling to define myself so that I could find others with the same label and fit in. Mother of Kids in School Pregnant Employed Outside the Home Christ Follower Runner I wanted a group of women that would fit all of these criteria that I could talk to.  Relate to.  Most of the friends and family I had at that time wore this label: Stay at Home Mom So I wrestled big-time when our daughter was born and I had to go back to work.  I was mad at God and felt like he was robbing  me of a chance to fit in.  I didn't know anyone else my age with a new baby and 2 older kids that worked a full time job.  I spent the next year or so trying desperately to label myself.  I got righ...