Like usual, things have been hectic around here. On top of all of our usual activities (which keep the girls and I constantly on the go), marathon training is in full swing. This week's short (I use that term loosely) runs include an eight miler. Not really sure how that classifies as short, but I guess compared to next Sunday's 18 or today's 16, it is.
Speaking of today's 16 miler ... that pretty much bit the big one. But at least I finished, especially considering that we ran in the pouring rain AND I have a sinus infection. Not exactly ideal conditions for a long run or any run. G and I probably mentioned how crazy we were (she was sick too) a good 20 times this morning and I am sure every person who drove past us thought the same thing.
Really, who does that? No one in their right mind would run in the cold rain while sick. Except apparently us. It's like I totally forgot how horrible I felt 48 hours earlier and how much harder it is to take care of three kids when you want someone to take care of you. But, you know me, I'm an overachiever. Nothing is going to stop me. Not even some crazy illness.
And do you know what else that crazy illness couldn't keep me from? Starting my own business. That's right, on top of everything else, I decided to take my craftiness and put it to good use. So, now that you're interested, click here to check out my website.
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Monday, September 21, 2009
ouch ...
Both J and I are visually impaired. J's eyes are far worse than mine, but still without our contacts we live in a world of blur. One day, we will get lasik. Once those student loans are paid off. And we remodel our kitchen. And build that garage we want. And get that HUGE car we want. And install a pool in our backyard. So, it might be a while.
Until then, we will get by with our contacts. Unfortunately, something Dizzle said is making it a little difficult for me to actually put them in. Three days ago, she picked up J's contact case and handed it to him. At which point she said, "Here, Daddy. Don't you need to put your eyetacks in?"
Ouch! Just the thought of the word "eyetacks" makes me cringe. Now every morning since, I have gotten a visual of pushpin thumbtacks being pushed into my pupil. Let's just say, that would be no fun ...
Until then, we will get by with our contacts. Unfortunately, something Dizzle said is making it a little difficult for me to actually put them in. Three days ago, she picked up J's contact case and handed it to him. At which point she said, "Here, Daddy. Don't you need to put your eyetacks in?"
Ouch! Just the thought of the word "eyetacks" makes me cringe. Now every morning since, I have gotten a visual of pushpin thumbtacks being pushed into my pupil. Let's just say, that would be no fun ...
Thursday, September 10, 2009
trapped ...
You've probably heard that I lock (child-lock, same thing) my children in their rooms at night. This is for no other reason than I don't feel comfortable with them being able to get out of bed and roam around unsupervised, especially when I am sleeping. To accomplish this, Dizzle has a doorknob cover and Doodle, a gate (she figured out that doorknob cover WAY TOO YOUNG). I didn't think that the girls realized why Doodle has a gate, but apparently I was wrong.
This morning, the girls and I were in Dizzle's room. Dizzle wanted to get out. Knowing she was trapped, she turned to Doodle and this is the conversation they had ...
Dizzle: "Doodle, can you come over here and open my door? You always know how to take these things off."
Doodle (looks at me, pauses and responds): "No, my hands are too little."
Don't even try it Doodle. I am so onto you. I know about your "craftiness". There's no point in hiding it.
This morning, the girls and I were in Dizzle's room. Dizzle wanted to get out. Knowing she was trapped, she turned to Doodle and this is the conversation they had ...
Dizzle: "Doodle, can you come over here and open my door? You always know how to take these things off."
Doodle (looks at me, pauses and responds): "No, my hands are too little."
Don't even try it Doodle. I am so onto you. I know about your "craftiness". There's no point in hiding it.
sisterly love ...
Last night, we attempted Dizzle's first sleepover. She didn't quite make it through the night, but she had fun and even regretted coming home just minutes after getting back. I really think that had she been willing to talk to me before coming home, she probably would have stayed. But, you know those four year olds, always thinking they know best.
But this failed attempt at a sleepover did teach us some things. First, four years old may be too young to sleep in an unfamiliar place without your mom and dad. Second, you should always tell the host parent any important information about your child that you may regret not mentioning later. For us, it was that Dizzle CANNOT take a bath with bubbles or bar soap. It's an instant ticket to a UTI, which we found out this morning. And third, I finally learned how much my girls love each other.
Usually, Dizzle and Doodle are at each other's throats, in an endearing, you're my best friend kind of way (if that's even possible). But, yesterday, when we dropped off Dizzle, I got to witness how Doodle really feels about her. After a mini tantrum of cupcake throwing (don't ask), I got Doodle in the car and she instantly broke into tears. I asked her what was wrong and she just kept repeating, "I need Dizzle. I need her." It broke my heart. So, in an attempt to get her to calm down, I let Doodle call Dizzle, at which point she repeatedly told Dizzle that she "needed her." (In my wildest dreams, Dizzle was responding with, "I need you too!", but let's be honest, that's highly unlikely.) Anyway, Doodle told Dizzle she loved her, that she would see her in the morning and hung up the phone. Doodle was still crying. And I was too, because for the first time I really understood how lucky they are to have each other.
But this failed attempt at a sleepover did teach us some things. First, four years old may be too young to sleep in an unfamiliar place without your mom and dad. Second, you should always tell the host parent any important information about your child that you may regret not mentioning later. For us, it was that Dizzle CANNOT take a bath with bubbles or bar soap. It's an instant ticket to a UTI, which we found out this morning. And third, I finally learned how much my girls love each other.
Usually, Dizzle and Doodle are at each other's throats, in an endearing, you're my best friend kind of way (if that's even possible). But, yesterday, when we dropped off Dizzle, I got to witness how Doodle really feels about her. After a mini tantrum of cupcake throwing (don't ask), I got Doodle in the car and she instantly broke into tears. I asked her what was wrong and she just kept repeating, "I need Dizzle. I need her." It broke my heart. So, in an attempt to get her to calm down, I let Doodle call Dizzle, at which point she repeatedly told Dizzle that she "needed her." (In my wildest dreams, Dizzle was responding with, "I need you too!", but let's be honest, that's highly unlikely.) Anyway, Doodle told Dizzle she loved her, that she would see her in the morning and hung up the phone. Doodle was still crying. And I was too, because for the first time I really understood how lucky they are to have each other.
Friday, September 4, 2009
digested ...
It's taken an entire week, but I have finally digested last Saturday's half marathon. Let's start with the good news. I PR'd. By a lot. 19 minutes and 47 seconds to be exact. And I had a lot of fun (well, mostly. except for those moments when I thought I was going to die). Now onto the bad news ...
I only PR'd by 19 minutes and 47 seconds. I had been expecting to run significantly faster (like 13 minutes faster). And I was even on pace to. Through nine miles my Garmin was reading 9:33 overall pace. At the end of the race, it read 10:33 overall pace. So basically I lost A LOT of time in those last few miles. What happened you ask? Well, simply put, a poorly placed water stop coupled with severe dehydration (we're talking borderline heat stroke) lead to me tweaking an old injury, cramping up and nearly passing out. It was rough. The race pictures don't really show how rough, but trust me, it was bad. (Not to mention my post-race condition, crazy nausea, no appetite, the chills, pounding headache ...)
At first I felt like a failure, I had kept such a strong pace for the first nine miles and I quickly saw my goal time slipping away. All I could think was, "I run this distance ALL THE TIME. Why can't I put it together now?" But a day or two later, I realized I had a huge PR. Sure it wasn't as good as I would have liked, but that will just make it easier to PR next time. And I left everything out on the course. It wasn't pretty, but I know I couldn't have finished that race a second faster on that day. And I can be proud of that. Plus, this disastrous race has really help me mentally and strategically prepare for the marathon. It's cemented in my mind that no matter what, I need to stay with that pace group. It will keep me from going out too fast and dying in the last few miles. And seeing that this will be my last marathon (more on my future race plans another day), I want to enjoy it and if that means running slightly slower than "my potential", I am OK with that. FOR REAL. Plus, that "slightly slower" running (4:20-4:30) will still give me about a 40 minute PR. Which totally works for me.
I only PR'd by 19 minutes and 47 seconds. I had been expecting to run significantly faster (like 13 minutes faster). And I was even on pace to. Through nine miles my Garmin was reading 9:33 overall pace. At the end of the race, it read 10:33 overall pace. So basically I lost A LOT of time in those last few miles. What happened you ask? Well, simply put, a poorly placed water stop coupled with severe dehydration (we're talking borderline heat stroke) lead to me tweaking an old injury, cramping up and nearly passing out. It was rough. The race pictures don't really show how rough, but trust me, it was bad. (Not to mention my post-race condition, crazy nausea, no appetite, the chills, pounding headache ...)
At first I felt like a failure, I had kept such a strong pace for the first nine miles and I quickly saw my goal time slipping away. All I could think was, "I run this distance ALL THE TIME. Why can't I put it together now?" But a day or two later, I realized I had a huge PR. Sure it wasn't as good as I would have liked, but that will just make it easier to PR next time. And I left everything out on the course. It wasn't pretty, but I know I couldn't have finished that race a second faster on that day. And I can be proud of that. Plus, this disastrous race has really help me mentally and strategically prepare for the marathon. It's cemented in my mind that no matter what, I need to stay with that pace group. It will keep me from going out too fast and dying in the last few miles. And seeing that this will be my last marathon (more on my future race plans another day), I want to enjoy it and if that means running slightly slower than "my potential", I am OK with that. FOR REAL. Plus, that "slightly slower" running (4:20-4:30) will still give me about a 40 minute PR. Which totally works for me.
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