Life Is Beautiful

I don't know why it's so hard to get along with my 12yo son, sometimes. Right now he's on a Leopard Gecko trip and it's driving me nuts. I'm not being callous - it's just that in the last 3 months he has been obsessively doing research on things that he wants to buy. How does he earn money? Babysitting for us. So who actually funds all of this? Us. First it was the Chameleon. He found out that he needed nearly $400 dollars for a suitable living space, nutrients and the animal itself. He even bought a custom made cage from Craigslist .com for $100! Well, he moved on from that when he discovered (or maybe started listening to his Dad & Mom) that the animal might be to fragile to keep in a basement in Nebraska. On to the guitar... This he saved for (I re-sold the cage on Craigslist .com) and a friend of ours took interest in his learning to play and chipped in a generous amount. To his credit, the kid IS practicing every day and interest seems to rema...

I love to cook and eat. These last 18 months have been a huge challenge for me. When our 4th child was born, I was way overweight, and having been on partial bed rest for most of the pregnancy, I was out of shape! In the fall of 2009, I stared walking on the treadmill and counting calories. I could only manage 15 - 20 minutes of walking at a time. I put my laptop on the shelf above the treadmill to watch DVD's on, but I just hated it. Couldn't stand it. Did it anyway. By a year later, fall of 2010, I had lost 40lbs, worked my way up slowly, and had been running quite regularly. So, I signed up for a 5k road race. The summer had been hot, I had worked my way up to an IT Band (overuse) injury, and was hoping to just finish in less than 40 minutes. I worked so hard all summer on my running and just wanted to make a 12:59 pace! September 2010, 5k, 39:49 (13:15 pace) In the next 6 months, I would loose 20 pounds and continue to run and lift weights. I did a round of P90X, ...

I ran eleven miles today. It took over 2 hours - but I did it. I can't tell you that I loved it - maybe at mile 7 or 8 I would have - but it's done. My knees are a mess, the muscles, ligaments and connective tissue are sore, swollen, and tired. My back is a bit sore as well - but all in all - nothing a little Ibuprofen and a good nights sleep won't help. I'm officially ready for the Half Marathon on May 1st. I am done with my training and can now enjoy what is referred to as a "taper" until then. Since I missed 3 weeks out of the 12 weeks of training, my taper is a little short. Not perfect, but I will run, nonetheless. Yay! To bad we didn't get that solid night's sleep we were hoping for last night. I'm not sure what was up with our 23mo old, but once he's awake and screaming - it's on. He cried, almost solid, from 1:30am to 3am. David and I both made a few trips to give a drink/cover up/give kissandhug/check diaper and then jus...

What a day. What a night. Anyone with children can testify that some days are just a bust. Last night, Susan was a real pill about 2:30 am. She hollered and fussed and woke Cameron up (all because she finally decided she wanted her PJ's on after I had conceded to let her sleep in her clothes!). After Dave and I both attempted to bribe, beg, and threaten her back to sleep, we went out and closed the door - leaving her to immediately decide that she was to tired for all of that. At 4:30 am, my Tuesday alarm went off. Duh... In previous in-climate weather, I had been holed up in the local YMCA using the treadmill to train for my upcoming Half Marathon. Weather is better now = why is my alarm still set!? A little before 5:00, it seems a thunder storm rolled through. I would not have noticed, except for our 9 year old made me aware. Poor kid - she likes to sleep with a window cracked, and the mini blinds were slapping against the window in the wind. I directed her to the couch ...

What do you do to cope with the stress of daily life? Listen to music Take a bath Watch a favorite TV show or movie Go for a walk Read a book Pray What about when things get really hard to handle? Talk to a friend or family member Go for a longer walk Read your Bible Eat Drink Isolate Stop talking Sleep to much Stare endlessly at TV that doesn't really interest you The later of the hard to handle list used to be my way to cope. Essentially, not coping at all. Just trying to weather the storms of life until it passed. How did that work out for me? Not well. Things do pass with time, but you never grow unless you learn to cope. While I disagree with the theory of evolution of species, Darwin did get it right when he asserted that "survival is ultimately dependent on the ability to change and evolve." Change in a positive direction is labeled "growth" - spiritual maturity. And if you want to survive your life, you have to change. Back to the question: What...

I have had a bunch of things running around in my mind this week - but no time to write. From the feelings evoked by seeing the crucifixion of Christ re-enacted by my church family, to thoughts of putting my training miles to good use and running for a charity. I've started my older children on next years books (they blew through this years) and my youngest child has regressed all the way back to getting in bed with me around 4am. Or screaming and waking up the whole house...refusing to be reasoned with. I've had a head cold, ran my longest training run since my knee injury, and consumed more in the way of junk food that usual. Today, I took some cough syrup during nap time and fell asleep on the couch. I woke up when hubby walked in, grabbed my gym bag and tried to go swim some drills. I bonked out at 750 yards, a little more than half of what I wanted to do. So, not really on the top of my game this week. I will admit, my 9 mile run on Tuesday was the BOMB. The weathe...

Race for Grace - Grand Island NE - 10K + (6.65mi) We went up to my Mom's last night and she graciously allowed us to descend on her house and proceed to totally mess up her basement with all of our junk. :) We slept as well as anyone can with 4 children who are out of their element can. Our older children did well, but our 3yo tossed and turned and bothered our 9yo. For like and hour or more. I think we all fell asleep around midnight, and were all up at 7. So, not terrible, just not right. The race didn't start until 9am, so we had plenty of time to get ready, get the kids something to eat, and get there. The race was in a smaller town, so parking was a breeze. It was a nicely laid out event, with a pretty nice goody bag along with our t-shirts. Coupons for local businesses, a nice water bottle, and even some post-race snacks! Our race course was completely closed. The miles were all marked and we had water and potties at the 2 and 4 mile marks. I enjoyed the weathe...

My daughter, Alahnnah , just about couldn't handle today being April Fool's Day. If ever there was a holiday for that girl - this is it! My requirement is that the pranks have to be "nice", not include food- esque items passed off for food, and they can't lie. She had a fun day. I think she may have even had her Daddy fooled that she found a "real" mouse in the flour! Great day today. Had a moment that made me grin... Right after lunch, I always change diapers and help kiddos use the potty. You win some and you loose some. Today, I lost. Stinky messes all around. After I cleaned and napped them all, I went downstairs to retrieve the couch cover that was drying and passed my son's room. He needed his guitar tuned - the fancy electronic tuner wasn't working right with the laundry going nearby. That done, I went upstairs and helped Alahnnah with her math. That variety of multi-tasking really made me laugh. Tonight was our 9yo daughter...

Today my husband got up at 4:30am and went to the gym. He was actually home around 7 when my alarm went off - rather when my 2yr old rolled over for the 47 th time since I brought him to bed with me at 6am, and smacked me in the face thereby waking me up at 6:58...2 minutes before my alarm went off. 5am appointments at the local Y are such a hot commodity that we take turns. Me on Tuesday and he on Wednesday. With his days off in the middle of the week, it works. Which brings me to the next random point - Shift bid = success. Go shout it on the mountain, for the first time in 3 years, my husband will have Saturday and Sunday off every week! The hours are pretty awesome to - 8:45 to 5:45. So cool as we go in to warmer weather - no more trips to the Y or pushing play in the basement. We will once again be taking turns for the coveted 6am trail run! WOOT !! I love pajamas. Really, it's like a sickness with me. Did you know that Shopko has THE best clearance prices on PJ...

I have a friend who has said more than once that she loves me for my transparency. I hold nothing back about myself. There are no secrets. In the appropriate setting, I am willing to tell you everything. If you really want to know. Prior to my life as of now, I had a life that you might not think was very pretty. I don't know how to say this, other than, I was a mess. There were times in my life that I just worked a job only so I could have money to use and drink. I didn't have money to pay rent for very long, so I would move in and move out. A lot. I put utilities in my son's name one time just to get them turned on. I stole checks from my Mom and forged her name. I stole food out of my neighbors refrigerator because she forgot to lock the door when she left. I broke in to my friends houses when I knew they weren't home. I sold things that were not mine for money to buy drugs. I was a pitiful excuse for a human being. I smoked through both of my older child...

Today was a local 5K road race, known around here as The 13 th Annual State Farm Run. Hubby and I were going to do the 10 mile as a training race for the upcoming half marathon, but we are both on the recovering from injury list, so the 5K was a safer bet. It was 34 degrees and snowing at 9am when the gun went off. Hubby didn't even pretend that he was going to run with me and I soon lost sight of his orange jacket as he made his way through the throngs of people. Our course was around the local Sate Farm Insurance building, then off on a nearby rock trail - out and back. My goal was to finish in 34:59 or less. My usual 3 mile training runs have been around 36:00 and under, so I felt it was a good time to push harder. I made sure to watch the time and take my walking breaks so as not to aggravate my *stupid* knee. It's really hard to do that with 600 people all running in a group, but it has to be done. I end up finding a space to go slower in - get passed by a dozen peo...

Finally got to get some swimming in again today. I am always reluctant to give up my running time to swim...and, admittedly, I am such a new swimmer that I'm still afraid that I will have to share a lane or that the pool will be crowded. Logic tells me that it would be fine (and hey, if I want to do a triathlon, the water will be FULL of people) but I'm still new, so I get shy. :D Today I did some different things. I got brave (thanks to the fine example of my swimming friends on DailyMile ) and sought out a Kickboard . Once I warmed up with a few laps of the breast stroke, I used the kick board to hold on to and just...kick. It was nice to be able to concentrate on the rhythm of my kicks and figure out how to get maximum velocity for the least effort = efficiency. I did about 250 yards with the kickboard. I raced (and beat) my 12yo son in a back stroke and freestyle 25yd race. *grin* I went ALL out with my terrible newbie form and my chest nearly exploded...but I WON, ...

Yesterday was so beautiful for a run. I am restricted to shorter distances, but went out anyhow for 2 miles of fun and SUN. I'm so thankful to my oldest son for holding down the fort while the kids napped. And that we have plenty of neighbors that would help them out if the place burned down while I was gone. Vitamin D deficiencies can be a pain during the long winter months. Not being able to get out doors and get some sun on your skin can make a person down right depressed. That, coupled with an attempt to eat as little fat as possible nearly had me in the nut house. Our bodies need fat just like they need the sun. The sun on our skin helps our bodies to make Vitamin D, and fat is needed to help us absorb proper nutrients from food including Vitamin D. I, like many people, bought in to the Low Fat Diet. And if low fat is good, then no fat is better, right? Wrong. By making a few simple changes, I have really noticed a difference in my overall satisfaction with my day t...

I like to move. I can't even sit still for Sunday school...glad I wasn't ever important enough to go to meetings when I worked at the office - sheesh - that might have killed me. I haven't watched a movie all the way through in quite some time - and the 45 minutes it takes to sit down and watch the newest SG-U is about all I can take. Guess I get bored. Always feel like I should be doing something. Not chores, necessarily, but ya know - something. Granted, the house is ALWAYS a mess SOMEWHERE, but I just feel like I should be writing somebody a letter, planning meals, balancing the finances, or devising a way to take over the world. I got to thinking about this more and more as it applies to the Unhealthy Lifestyle epidemic in our country. It doesn't take a genius to figure out that we are unhealthy and unwilling to do anything about it. It's largely because the bulk of our day doesn't require us to MOVE. Even in just the last 5 years, things have just ...

Went for a little retail therapy this afternoon and bought a running skirt. Yeah - I know - but I think they are cute. Previously, I had tried some on and thought they made my legs look stubby. I'm 5'4", and many times athletic clothing tend to run on the long side. Anyhow, saw one today that looked a little shorter and * cha - ching * all better! In my victory dressing room dance, I noticed something I have been noticing a lot lately - the belly. I have ran, biked, swam and elliptical-ed (is that a word?) off 60+ pounds, but my tummy is being a stubborn one. After 4 children, I would expect it. But what do I do about it? Well, one thing I know, is that there is no way to target reduce. If any diet or machine tells you that it will reduce "stubborn belly fat" they are LYING. The reason I, or you or anyone, has that little pouch left near the end of the battle is that it's just the last to go. Simple. My tummy loves me and wants to stay "plushy...

Yesterday I conquered fear of the unknown and went for a little lap swimming. I did my research, www.BeginnerTriathlete.com so that I would know the distance I should be able to cover and what rest breaks I should take to not get totally exhausted - and it worked! I could have swam more after the 30 minutes, but decided to work the plan in place like a good girl (I hope my Doctor reads this!) I swam what sorta looked like this: I did a little warm up of a few laps, then swam 50 yards continuously with nice little breaks in between. Swimming is very different than running. There was a great deal of rhythm required in my stroke to make it efficient. I concentrated on making my body straight (horizontally) in the water, and disturbing the surface of the water as little as possible. I ended up with 800yds. I wanted to do the front crawl like I've seen others do - but I had forgotten my ear plugs. When I was a kid, I had an inner ear infection from getting water in my ears. I wa...

... swim.   One of my goals for 2011 is to learn to swim for exercise.  Recovery from injury is as good a time as any, right?  I picked up some basic gear and will hit the pool tomorrow.  I know what you're thinking, and yes, you can look as dead sexy as me in a swim cap and goggles.

My kid nearly was truly abused today. You know how young people like to think that they have it so rough at home...well, I 'bout made it all come true for them today. I knew at 8:30 this morning that our 8yo daughter was making the choice to have a crummy day. she was resistant to getting dressed and stomped up the steps. I largely ignore stuff like this, because it's done to "get my goat." Then she began to bang on the air registers and pretend to cry...that was enough. At math time she looked at me and said "No" when I told her to do her work. I let her have a couple of minutes to change her mind, and then she ended up in her room until she got it done. After lunch, we got together and she got better. Her brother on the other hand... MOUTHY. He's fast approaching the big 1-3 and it shows. I get really incensed when he mocks or rolls his eyes at me. I don't ever demand respect from our children, but I feel that through my love and care for ...

Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome! The place where my knee cap is supposed to track on top of my thigh bone is inflammed. Doc says I have been training to hard and this is a VERY common over use injury. He did commend me for my Galloway Run/Walk/Run program. Knowing that I am prone to injury, it's smarter to take those walk breaks. I would rather be a run/walker in to my 70's than be a runner that is broken down at 40. Treatment plan as follows: Two weeks NO running. Ice and Ibuprofen constantly. Cross training on the bike or eliptical is okay. I need to start lower body strength training 3x's a week, but limited squats and lunges - maybe more static holds, yoga and such. He did give me some examples of moves. When I resume running, I go back at half of what I was doing. That makes my daily runs only 2 miles and my "long runs" 5. I can increase at 5% or .5 mile per week. Right now it doesn't look like I will be up to running my next race 3/26 which is a ...

What a gorgeous day! When it was 62 degrees at noon, I knew I would be running in SHORTS today!! Our 12yo son rode his bike along side me (and way in front of me!) and commented that I was faster than last we ran together. He's right...last fall I had about a 13:10 average pace and would have given my left running shoe to get into the 12's! I completed today's run in an... 11:45/min mile average pace!! And, I did it on a hurting knee! This winter, I have been doing speed drills once a week. At first, I didn't think they were helping, but all of a sudden my average pace has improved greatly! My goal by summer is a 5k in 33:00 or less. I can DO IT!! On a sad note - I will be taking the next week completely off of running. My knee hasn't been good since my 10 miler last Tuesday. I've been babying it back to health, but today's 4 mile run was tough in the last mile - AND - my knee continued to hurt through the afternoon despite my RICE efforts. It will ...