Life Is Beautiful

My silly Spring Half Marathon is 10 days away.  Woohoo!! I've done half a dozen 10+ milers so I'm more than ready.  I was thinking that this might be the year that I  attempt a full Marathon.  Yup, with the cross training, the yoga, the conservative mileage increase, I am the epitome of safe and sane training. I've followed the rules.  I even put away the scale this year to make sure I was getting enough to eat no matter what that number says. Sure would seem that I'm super ready and just doing the taper thing. Yawn.... Except that I am now INJURED!!! !@^%$^$#!^%$@$#@%$#^%$@%$!$!%%#^&#%&%*$%@%@$!^%#&^%*!!!!! Okay, to be fair, my shins have hurt after a run quite a while.  They start out tight and sore, and loosen up as I go along, only to hurt afterward.  I do a little self massage and they feel better by the next run.  I got new shoes and that helped a lot.  In the last month I've been on a mission to push the limits ...

...and then sometimes I smell them... Our youngest daughter has sort of a bizzarre bedtime ritual. It goes about the same as every kid's in that we - brush teeth, read a story, and get the requisite textiles all snuggled in.  By the way, thank you Lord for drawing my attention right away to a lost blanket this evening.  I owe ya one...billion. But Susan (age nearly 5) has invented another ritual that she calls: Hugs and Kisses and Sniffies. Yes, not only are my hugs and kisses in high demand at bed time, but so is my aroma.  And as flattering as this may be, it super cracks me UP! She likes to especially smell my shirt right on the collar.  I suppose it retains my perfume the best...but with taking care of infants all day, I would wager there may be some "other" smells... It's so indicative of the way a child thinks, though.  She give me a quick hug, a little kiss and then pulls me as close as possible and inhales so deeply that I'm glad ...

I'm such a weirdo. I am totally flattered that my husband loves my hair so much that he likened me to Tasha Yar from Next Gen.  I. Am. A. Nerd.  Maybe it was just because I was just out of the shower and rocking the slicked back look.  Whatever.  Liken me to a movie star - you bet! Lt. Tasha Yar I am sitting here feeling a little bad tonight. I was going to go to a concert tomorrow night with a big group of ladies but bailed...  I just can't squeeze one more non-essential thing in to my schedule.  I want to.  Lord knows that I do.  I just continue to over-commit and break dinner plans and social outings. But, a concert in another city on a Tuesday night puts me in bad shape in several ways.   I would miss a swim workout (and I need those the most). I would likely be out way to late - seriously, I turn into a pumpkin at 10pm - which would throw me into a tailspin because... Wednesday is the day that I have the mo...

If you have a pulse, chances are that you like Macaroni and Cheese.  And, if you have been paying attention to nutrition news, you also know that you need more vegetables in your diet. Enter - Sweet Potato Chile Mac. This recipe was met with mixed reviews.  My two older children "liked it," while my two younger ones wouldn't even touch it.  There are days like that with the pre-school crowd...so it's hard telling.  David and I thought it was pretty good! Tips:  Bake your sweet potatoes the night before while you are cleaning up from dinner.  I actually did mine 2 nights before.  Just wash them and poke them with a fork, wrap them in foil and bake them at 425 for an hour or so.  Put on an oven mitt and squeeze them a little - when they're soft, they're done. I doubled this recipe and cooked in two pans.  It must have been more than OK, because it was gone in 2 meals. :) Sweet Potato Chile Mac (adapted from Cooking Light Mag...

Periodically, I like to snap embarasing pictures of my day and call it "A Day in the Life."  So, here's a photo journal of my life, last Friday.  Bask in the knowledge that my train wreck is on display, while yours is still somewhat private. Ha!! David leaves for work about 5:30am...and shortly after he left the Blankie Parade marched in to our room.  The SUN wasn't even up yet!!  I am NOT a morning person, so I ushered them into our bed and laid there for the next 30 minutes thinking about how stupid THAT was. Little ones in my bed...Cameron is sacked - Sue is NOT. Now, I'm a person that will get up at 4:30am for a run or a ride or some time in the pool...but having my work day start THREE HOURS early made me feel like this: I'm sexy, and I know it.  I love coffee.  I don't remember two thirds of the times I've made it...and probably half of the first few sips are taken while I'm still asleep. Yes, I keep a stack of Runner...

I went out and slayed a beast yesterday. It's odd - but I love running hills.  Here in Nebraska, we DO have hills...but you have to go and look for them.  You won't find them on the bike trail network that runs through our city - those were built on old train track routes and are annoyingly flat. My recommendation is to find a big overpass with a pedestrian path and run up, run back down, turn around and repeat.  My back was really hating me last night - but I think it had less to do with the hill repeats and more to do with the sitting on my behind and visiting for hours directly following. YUM! I was pretty excited to have dinner with someone that I've known longer than my husband! It's nice to chat with someone that knows the "back story" to everything you've done in the last 10 years. :)  Yes, she still hangs out with me, Heaven only knows why. And knowing that I take pictures of everything and post it, mercilessly, on my blog for the wor...

It's spring. It's the weekend! It's time for another race report!! Today, hubby and I did the 2nd Annual Race for GRACE . This is a fundraiser for a wonderful cause.  The Grand Island Area Cancer Endowment was established to assist local cancer patients, survivors and their families.  What better reason to pay that registration fee?? The weather started out about 50 degrees, overcast, and a little windy.  Not to shabby for a spring 10K.  David and I were blessed to meet some friends from DailyMile face to face, and got a few pics of the day. David and I pre-race.  He slouches, I stretch up = almost even height!  I was excited to meet Amanda from Diary of a Semi-Health Nut .  She is a super blogger of all things of health interests, a newish runner - and quite possibly my new best friend.  Okay - I liked her in the real because she is exactly one half inch *shorter* than me - and that's a first in a long time!  Maybe she's just po...

I decided to plan my meals for the week. What?  You don't do extensive meal planning around the sale ads, Andrea? Nope. I usually don't.  I just buy what's on sale, some staples, and throw it together with the freezer cow or canned or dried beans as a base. As you can imagine, this is not a very sustainable way to cook for a family of 6 + daycare kids.  After so many lunches and suppers of pasta/rice/beans + sauce with a vggie on the side, even Mom is ready to run for the Chinese place up the street. So, I planned 7 dinners this week that I plan to make a large amount of in the hopes of not having to cook lunch every day as well.  Five of these came from Cooking Light Magazine.  I always have to adapt recipes to fit family/finance/time constraints - so I will try to relate those points in the hopes of helping you do the same. Today's recipe got a 100% positive rating from the family! Cheesy Pasta Bake (adapted from Cooking Light Magazine March...

Since it seems like all I do lately is work and train, I haven't blogged because - who wants to read about that? Then I remembered, that if you actually read this blog you either a.) know me personally and actually care about what's going on in my life or b.) are a runner or triathlete that is as nerdy as I am about training/gear/racing/etc. I love to write, but get caught up in what is "blogworthy."  I forget that I started this blogging thing in 2007 as a way to record all the beautiful things in life. :) So, here are some pictures of what I've been doing lately: Afternoon workouts haven't been as bad as I thought they would be. David's schedule switched to super early morning, so I can't hit the road or pool at 5am.  Oh. Darn.  :D   I've actually been running consistently better times in the afternoons.  Hmm. Here's my Easter Egg outfit in honor of spring.  I think it's my new Brooks that are making me faster!  Topped off with ...

Race report!! Hubs and I ready for ten miles! I raced the State Farm 10 mile yesterday.  I was pretty happy to have made it to the start line.  This was the 3rd time I'd registered for this race, but only the 1st time I'd been able to run.  The first time I was injured to the point where I couldn't run at all.  Last year, I was injured and went ahead and ran the 5k instead of the 10 mile.  From the photo, you can see that it started out overcast.  It was about 60 degrees at 9am.  This race is sort of a late start, as most years, it's been snowy or cold and rainy.  We sure could have used some cool weather yesterday. We were chatting with several people when we should have been lining up.  Next thing I know, they raise the flag and we take our hats off for the Star Spangled Banner.  We happened to be towards the front, and working our way to the back was out of the question.   When the gun went off, I did my best t...

Ever get paid and forget that is was pay day? Me either. Until I got this great new job.   I work a 14 hour shift on my feet each day. My hourly income works out to about half of minimum wage. I deal in snot and poo. But. Small hands learn to place puzzle pieces as I watch. Bright eyes light up as new words are formed. Sleepy faces press on my shoulder. Chubby toes take tenuous steps as I hover. Bouncy curls learn to share. Pensive ones open up. Laughter every day. Discovery. Today I forgot that I get paid for what I do.  I am not a saint, nor do I want to work for free.  No, I chose a career that fits well with our family, just as everyone does.  Though, I feel as if I am one of the "lucky ones."   I am made for my job. I am made better by it. I learn from it. I pray the same for you. What would you do for a living if you could do what you really want?

I love to write.  Though, when my immensely blessed life takes over, writing takes a back seat.  I want to update the blog - but there is to much.  Let me sum up. I am an in-home daycare provider.  I haven't had a brand new baby to care for in a couple of years - so this last week was a refresher course!  He is such a happy baby...cooing and laughing...oh how I love that new baby smell.  And don't worry, I'm okay with sending him home at the end of the day.  My baby days are over.  God has me right where he needs me! Our 4yo and my newest little love! In the same week that our newest little buddy started care, we went on a mini-vacation to see my sister and brother in law in Kansas City!  It was so fun to see my sister...I miss her so much.  We used to live in the same apartment building, many moons ago.  Then, I got married and she moved to be closer to her then boyfriend.  And then she got married...  Growing up...

source I have a sunburn that I'm pretty proud of. Today was one of those early spring - too hot already - Nebraska days that I got to spend outdoors 90% of. Started off the day by finishing up an epic 10 hour night's sleep.  That's right - I went to bed at 10pm and slept until the kids woke us up at 8am.  I got up at 5:20am to turn off my teen's alarm that was attempting to wake the whole neighborhood while he was in Des Moines...but other than that TEN HOURS of sleep! My run today was 8 miles and I was shooting for an 11min mile average to be on track for "Operation 2:20 Half."  The weather was partly sunny and 60 degrees, but WINDY.  I had great music, a great Run-Forrest-Run kind of attitude, and managed an 11:03 average.  I'm still walking for 1min or less each mile to try to avoid the usual Big Injury of every racing season - so I think I'm pretty set for my goal race in May.  I plan to only walk the aid stations during the race.  I keep...

Today is our oldest daughters 10th birthday! I love you like crazy, ya little shit. My girly-girl loves art, meat, nail polish, ring leading and general orneriness.  She wanted her Daddy's famous blueberry pancakes and bacon with a side of sausage for her b-day dinner.  We topped it off with Red Velvet Cupcakes.  I don't even think I had to yell at her today...she was gone most of it. Happy Birthday, Alahnnah.  Mommy and Daddy love you!

Don't know where to start with this weekend, dear people.  After a rough week, I felt I was ready for some serious relaxation.  But, as anyone knows, weekends can be busier than the weekdays! I find that an adjustment in my attitude is all it takes to turn "Crazy Busy" in to "Needed Relaxation."  I started out Saturday morning with a beautiful 7 mile run.  I ran about 25sec/mi slower than I would have liked..but the sun was out, the robins were darting around, a saw some baby squirrels. And I had over an hour of PEACE and QUIET. Since it's all about attitude, I didn't so much mind rushing through my shower and primping to get to the Hair Salon for the very best stylist in the whole wide world to do this to my hair!! Woops, that's Carter.  I mean - THIS! Yeah - that's me.  :)  I love Amanda Tapping as Samantha Carter on Stargate SG-1.  I pretty much take a new picture of her in each time I get my hair cut.  Yep - I'm that gee...

Happy Friday!  I had a good little swim at class last night, and then went back for another mile this morning.   I didn't want to.  Murphy had a hold of  me. I got up after a night of tossing and turning.  I seriously had to use the restroom FIVE times in the night.  ??? The 4:40 alarm was just way to early - then I realized that I had laid out my swim suit, but no clothes.  Went in and found some in the dark.  Then I got out to the car and poured my hot coffee in my lap.  I didn't realize we needed fuel in the car last night, so I had to stop and get that.   Murphy is a punk.  I win.                              And I came home to a left over home made biscuit which just begged me to fry and egg and top it with cheese.  Oh lordy - recovery food at it's best!  Of the things that I've learned to make myself, biscuits and cinnamon roll...

What an absolutely gorgeous looking Spring day it is.  All this sunshine makes me want to chuck the school plan for the day and do something less boring...you know...something fun...something not here! I can't even focus properly on the computer task items I'm supposed to be doing.  I have a tab open for my 8th graders school work to correct, one for this blog, one for the bank website, and another to order next years curriculum (yes, I order early to save big!). Continuous effort  - not strength or intelligence -  is the key to unlocking our potential. What I'd REALLY like to be doing is flying down the road on my bike - but I think we have a few weeks before that will happen on a regular basis.  While it looks  very inviting outdoors, it's still only 32 degrees out there.  Brr... This week, I have come to the reality of my next race being a scant 60 days or so away.  I have a couple of fun runs in there, but my Half in May is one tha...

Today's post is inspired by Amanda over at RunToTheFinish.   Recently, she was advised to limit her running based on her physician's claims that it messes with hormones and causes a litany of health issues.  The limit proposed was less than 25 miles per week.  For someone training for a marathon, this limit seems very low.   Part two of this advice came in today's post, where Amanda told us that the doctor that gave this advice is quite overweight, has trouble standing and difficulty breathing. Here's the discussion question that came from this: "Would you have trouble taking advice from an overweight doctor/nurse?" For me, it sort of depends on what kind of advice.  If they are advising me to take a course of antibiotics for an ear infection - okay.  They have been trained in the application of prescription drugs and know which ones are best for a specific ailment.  Their weight has no bearing on their intelligence. But what about nutrition a...

I am super crazy about our kids.  But if I hear the voices of the two older ones again today, I'm going to run screaming down the street and in to traffic. Dental Implant - Fun Maybe I'm a little irritable.  My mouth hurts because I had the post portion of a dental implant installed yesterday.  And I had a tooth on the other side removed.  It was way cracked and super fussy, so good riddance.  However, the fact remains that I am missing a molar on the upper right, and healing over a screw that was installed on the lower left. I have had an amazingly small amount of pain since the procedure yesterday morning.  But tonight my swim class started, so I think I just over did a little.  And I'm sorta hungry - my diet the last 36 hours has been like a 1 year old who sleeps 15 hours a day, while I'm still a 36 year old who runs her butt off 15 hours a day. I'm pretty excited about my class.  I signed up for it at the YMCA for the bargain p...

I wanted to share this video with you today.  It is almost 10 minutes in length - but trust me - it's worth the watch.  If anyone is pressed to make their time on the computer "count" it's me.  So just settle down and watch it. It is a very brief over view of a study that was done with regard to a treatment that reduced symptoms in some of the most common chronic ailments in the country. What did you think? Did any of the findings surprise you? Can you limit your sitting and sleeping to just 23 1/2 hours per day?