seeMOMMYrun.com is a free service that help moms find other walking or running moms in their areas. The site helps the 'everyday athlete' in all of us stay motivated, set goals, and reach them.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Resuscitation
Since my normal tendency is to be manically busy, I naturally began an internal, verbally abusive conversation with myself. It went something like this:
"You think you're so good and really you're such a loser."
"Look at this house. Why can't you keep it clean. What's wrong with you?"
"Nobody likes you. Why would anybody like you?"
"Go ahead. Eat those Oreos."
Oh, I can be so mean to myself. Why? Why am I like that?
But today...today I did it. I went for a run.
And you know what? I am a pretty good person. I'm not a loser. And the house isn't as messy as I thought it was. And if people don't like me then that's fine. There are other people who do like me.
And the Oreos? I plead the fifth.
P.S. I had to look up Resuscitate in the dictionary and the dictionary naturally fell open to Runner which, for the record, is defined as one who runs :)
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
world run day 2007
(it's been happening since 1999. that should tel you precisely how running "with it" I am)
W.R.D. is a very cool idea that's about running (I know. shocking.) but also about giving charitably and uniting the running community (just like a web site I know :))
check em out:
http://www.runday.com
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Warning: a rant
I ended up sobbing in my room yesterday after melting down in front of my dear family. My daughters are 2 and 3-1/2, and they are wonderful but just being their ages. I often feel like I'm working like mad to just get everyone where they need to be, get the to-do lists done, and try to grab time to launch my graphic design freelance business after everyone is in bed. The arguments about candy, lip gloss, videos, and blankets just puts me over the edge.
On a happy note, a walk saved the day. My older daughter Katie and I escaped for a walk with the dog and it truly made everything so much better. Now if I could find the time to do that every day...
Saturday, October 27, 2007
There's always running
Today I was reminiscing about my time in the Army. First let me be clear that I am a lawyer, joined the Army to live in Germany and still be able to practice law and then we invaded Panama and had Desert Storm and we've been deploying ever since. I'm now an Army wife and raise kids.
The first thing that happened after I signed the paperwork was a big packet comes in the mail that says "Your APFT" I cautiously opened it and saw some stick figures doing full sit-ups, push-ups, and a 2 mile run. At that time I really did not know how far two miles was though I've always been athletic and enjoy sports. I read for a while and then put it away. Flash foward to January 1990, Fort Lee VA and I arrive in my Fisherman's sweater and jeans and sign-in. Within a day they had us line up to take the APFT. I laced up my tennis shoes-- who knew if they were running shoes or not? I ran the 2 miles and passed all sorts of people. I had to go around the track 8 times. I was really surprised at how good it felt, how easy it actually seemed. I finished in 19 minutes 38 seconds. I think I could have gone faster, but I was afraid to do too much too fast. That started my first day as a runner and I've been loving it ever since. From there we went to UVA in Charlottesille, VA and I met some real runners. My classmates who ran at lunch, after class, on the weekend-- wow! It opened up a whole world to me. There was the rabbit looking guy who took me out for an 8 mile run and I was just floored that my body could do that.
Next came Airborne School. I signed up to jump out of airplanes and had to do rigorous runs to get ready for it. I arrived at Fort Benning GA with only 10 weeks of military training and I was a First Lieutenant JAG. They had a good time making fun of us lawyers and putting us through hell (sort of like Basic Training, but the goal is to leave a perfectly good aircraft at 2000 feet-- feet and knees in the breeze). If you fall out of a run- you're done. My trainer (called a Black Hat) was a great guy. He was mean and yelled a lot, but really just playing the role. He did however pull me aside and threaten me that if I fell out of a run there would be hell to pay. I assured him that I may not be able to do any of the Army stuff, but run I could do. It was so empowering. In a world of very unfamiliar everything-running saved me. It was the only thing I could confidently do. The Army is very judgmental about running. Falling out is sort of like treason. I enjoyed my time in the air,but more than that I was proud to finish the runs strong.
Friday, October 26, 2007
The Great And Mighty O.
Did any of you see Oprah the other day when Seal & Heidi Klum were on?
(not sure when it was since I TiVo everything but it was this week)
First? I have an enormous crush on them now. Both of them. As a couple. Talk about what really appears to be a dynamic of love, respect and BALANCE.
All that chickenbus, however, is a post for a different day.
This one? About how Heidi pretty much laid the (subtle) smackdown on The Great And Mighty O.
Not surprisingly Oprah commented on how fantastic Heidi looks *so quickly* after having each of her babies.
Homegurl DOES look amazing and we know that for certain seeing as she strutted down the catwalk TWO MONTHS after giving birth.
(!)
Heidi seemed to sincerely appreciate the compliment and then proceeded to (paraphrasing here) say that she ate healthy during her pregnancy, ate well after, exercised and all the weight came off.
T.G.A.M.O.? You know she had a sarcastic (and hilarious) comment to make in response.
Heidi? She did NOT let that chickenbus go.
She didnt get irritated but she did clarify (and THANKFULLY so we now know she's human) that she doesnt eat everything she wants all the time and look that great.
That it IS hard to see others eating cakes, cookies & pasta (which she did say she ate in moderation. something I also loved.) and keep eating healthy (again paraphrasing you, Ms. K. Please not to sue my chickenbus for misquoting you).
For some reason I adored this entire exchange (because I have no life? sure. but I think there are other reasons as well).
How refreshing to hear Heidi "the body" Klum being HONEST and T.G.A.M.O. being called on her chickenbus because, well, Id imagine she has lots of people around her telling her precisely what she wants to hear.
And, perhaps, because it reminded me of a personal training client I had back in the day.
A client whom I still quote upon occasion.
Said client was struggling to lose weight & asked if I would keep a food diary for her so she could see what worked for me.
Upon receipt of the diary she looked at it, looked at me and said:
"You see, it's HARDER for me because I like Pop Tarts & things like that."
I didnt say it then (at least not out loud) but HOMEGURL, WE ALL ENJOY POPTARTS & "things like that."
In summation: Way to go Heidi. We have enough stars out there telling us they do nothing, eat everything, and "just look this way."
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Greetings new leaf!
My tornado is turning two next month and, well, please to see the title of my post.
Ive got one word for you: COOKING.
Im so bad about it. I mean, I do "prepare" her food (if you read my personal blog youre already painfully aware that a lot of this involves my boyfriend Mister Micro Wave & fresh ingredients) but I could be better about cooking for myself and my husband.
Me? Im old school. Id just as soon eat tuna out of the can instead of driving to whole foods, buying a fresh tuna steak, soaking it in a marinade and firing up the grill (all with aforementioned toddler in tow).
Id rather scramble egg whites and grab veggies from the fridge when I pass by than motivate to chopchopchop and scramble & season (all with aforementioned toddler in tow).
my hubby? the most amazing man and AMAZINGLY plain eater as well (cue wedding bells! I wasnt letting that one go).
AND amazingly LATE worker. So, for now, we dont do dinners the three of us.
yada yada yada.
Greetings new leaf! Allow me to turn you over.
http://startcooking.com/
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Homework is Hard
Calibrate Your Nike +
Veggies make you jump higher!
"I can already jump high!" The defiant toddler assured me.
"Show me!" I challenged.
And she jumped.
"That's not very high." I said in mock disappointment.
Then she'd scramble back onto her chair, shove some carrots into her mouth and jump again, just to show me.
"Wow! That is the highest I've ever seen anybody jump!"
Her father would just shake his head in amazement.
Ah, the good ol' days.
Steph
I may have to hurt him
I've been battling these last several pregnancy pounds (yes, my twins are almost 5 - yes, I'm still calling them pregnancy pounds - don't judge me!) for a while and feel I have finally decided to meet these stubborn pounds head on over the past couple of months. I have already lost 6 pounds and at least feel like I'm making progress.
My poor husband has had to deal with me discussing, debating, complaining about these pounds since the girls were born, but - more importantly - I have had to deal with him always weighing less than me.
You see, he has never had a weight issue (he really is a stick - 6 feet tall and MAYBE weighs 145) and there is NO possible way for him to understand what I am going through and I get that. I - on the other hand - have had to deal with weight issues since I was little and it has just become a part of my life. Kinda like a demon possessed security blanket.
So, when I have a mental breakdown over the fact that a few Halloween costumes don't fit me right because of my weight (that's another post for another day) there is no way for him to relate. And - as much as I want to be sympathetic to his confusion over my breakdown - all I really want to do is drop-kick his skinny butt through the kitchen window.
Love ya honey - mean it!
Monday, October 22, 2007
Win a Free Pair of Shoes from Stride Rite
Win Classy Mommy Swag! Thanks to stride rite for sponsoring our latest giveaway with a kick! One winner will receive a pair of brand new cute shoes from stride rite's fall collection for their lucky child! Contest entries need to be received by October 27th.
Food thoughts....
the first? helpful and interesting.
the second? helps to keep things interesting
the last? I love even though there are more than 2 of us.
(I know. I cant reach all my goals in a few weeks. the links? UGLY but work.)
http://www.drgourmet.com
http://www.allhomemadecookies.com/recipeindex/healthycookies.htm
http://cookingfor2.livejournal.com/
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Uggg. I thought I was doing ok.
Ugh, rainy weekends!
I feel that I can say all this because I plan to make big changes in how we eat. But does anyone know good websites that make healthy meals fast? I work outside the home 40 hours a week on top of being a mom and trying to launch my freelance graphic design business. I've enjoyed www.mealsmatter.org but am looking for something fresh. Ideas (but no ridicule) welcome!
oops!
Okay. So maybe I'm not ALL about software.
The correct site is foundmagazine.com.
Y'all are going to love it!
(Guess which state I'm from...)
Friday, October 19, 2007
is it called a MeMe?
Which started me thinking that it might be fun--by way of introduction/re-intro.--to have any blogger here who wanted to participate do the same.
So feel free to consider yourself tagged!
And, because Im never one to follow directions, Ive decided not to answer the questions as some would have gone on & on...
My route? listing only the answers that would *surprise* people who know me.
Im such a boring open book my MeMe thing is brief.
*Jobs I Have Had*
Sunday school teacher
Aerobics instructor (zero rhythm here)
Hamburger patty maker (please to think ginormao vat of cold bloody ground beef & me chanting in my head I NEED MONEY FOR SPRING BREAK. I NEED MONEY FOR SPRING BREAK)
*Places I've Lived*
oxford, england
*Foods I Love*
plain air popped popcorn and a SHAKER of salt.
sad but true. I lovelovelove plain chickenbus.
a close second? a vat of plain oatmeal.
third? BOXES AND BOXES of plain ole chocolate poptarts :)
*Places I'd Rather Be*
(cue sappy music) nowhere else but wherever I am at the moment. It has taken a lot of work to get to this place (both where I am & appreciating it)
*Movies I Love*
(everyone around me knows I love low-brow. the lower the brow the better)
The surprise answer? Born into Brothels and the Shawshank Redemption.
*TV Shows I Watch*
sadly nothing surprising here. Love? James Spader & William Shatner’s friendship on Boston Legal.
Adore? Julia Louis Dreyfus on the New Adventures of Old Christine.
Eddie Izzard on The Riches? Amazing.
*Books I Love*
many many many many.
Today? Eat Pray Love.
Tomorrow? Perhaps The Year Of Living Biblically or Foreskin’s Lament.
Always? Steinbeck.
Anyone else wanna jump in?
Desperate Housewives.
Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't post this..........................
Favorite Site
Aunt Stephanie
Did I just say all that? Am I really that mean?
Why, yes. I am.
Congratulations, Sister. Welcome to the jungle.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
What kind of inheritance did I give them?
I have twins (Thing 1 & Thing 2 for the purpose of this blog and a "shout out" to Dr. Seuss) and they have inherited my lovely allergies. Of course, I am not completely at fault. I put some of that blame (oh heck - I'll just give him all of that blame) on my father. A good man by all other accounts, but he has one heck of an allergy issue. This - my dear internet friends - is what he decided to pass on to me. Not his ability to run hurdles in track, not his great athletic prowess (I'm athletic, but not great by ANY means) - his allergy issues (and his freakish outgoingness - is that even a word?). And I have passed this gloriously annoying trait on to my children - lovely.
Their father? - not an allergic bone in his body - seriously. You could shove him in a room full of hairy cats, hand him a large bouquet of ragweed and make him guzzle peanut butter (can't leave out those food allergies) and he wouldn't bat an eye. Why - oh why couldn't they inherit these "non-allergies" from him.
So, as I sit here with my daughter's head in my lap as I type I consider all the traits I may or may not have passed on to these beautiful girls. I just hope the good traits outweigh the bad.
Of course - I do give myself credit for how gorgeous they are :-). Now, if I can just get my parents to let me know when I'll inherit that trust fund I'm convinced they have set up for me. I'm still not quite sure why they laugh when I ask them about it.
My Mommy is faster than your Mommy
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
8k This Sunday
Information on the race can be found on Washington Running Report.
completely frivolous
You reveal stuff you might not tell your realworld friends or your family or even your husband.
back in the day anyway.
Ive learned that if I am going to have a blog about our daughter then I need to keep that thing pretty well sanitized (for my protection :)). There is a *lot* going on in my head that I seriously doubt my mother in law could handle as she swings by for her morning granddaughter fix.
Also my amazing husband reads my other blog & there are certain things I dont wanna burden his pretty little head with either.
(Dooce? anyone? I heart her blog. HOW DOES SHE DO IT? all the snark & no one seems to get their feelings hurt! anyway, I digress.)
My revelation? Im getting my teeth whitened tomorrow.
I realize you dont know me but this is a fairly big beauty step in my world.
I own no make up, havent had a haircut that wasnt courtesy of supercuts in years, and possess an old comb instead of a real brush.
it's just who I am.
I blame the teeth-issue on my daughter.
about 1 year ago I started obsessing that my teeth were no longer white and I couldnt figure out why it had suddenly become a "thing" with me.
I bought crest white strips (didnt work. for me anyway.).
I started using straws when I drank my (trying to only have one a day) diet coke.
It all be came clear when I brought my daughter home to visit my parents.
My mom's first remark? SHE'S SO BEAUTIFUL & HER TEETH ARE SO WHITE!!
That's when I put it together. Her teeth are exceedingly (toddler) white.
I hadnt consciously noticed but, as evidenced by my bathroom trashcan brimming with strip-wrappers, subconsciously I had.
Flash forward to my 6 month cleaning last week when I said (CASUALLY): I might whiten my teeth.
And the hygenist (who is a close friend so she wasnt up-selling me)didnt miss a beat and responded: OH GOOD YOU NEED IT.
So there you go.
tomorrow at 920 am I shall be the proud owner of some kind of whitening tray configuration which shall supposedly take years off my face.
I hope not.
I like my years.
I just dont wanna have bottom teeth that mightcould soon resemble baby corn.
now you.
any whitening horror stories before I make my mold?
Let's Dish!
It is one of those prepare-your-own-food places. I have no desire to prepare food for 2 hours, but they also have "Dish and Dash." They prepare the food for you, and you cook it. It's fabulous, and not expensive. It's a $15 fee for them to prepare it, but even with that, it figures out to $4 a serving. The food is fresh and very good. I had them divide the 8 serving dishes in two. My husband and I shared the 4 servings with the 3 year old who eats nothing and actually managed to still have 2 servings left over, so they don't scrimp on size. Check it out. It's awesome!
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Hustle and Bustle
I plan to run tomorrow....notice the plan...I think it will be short and sweet 3-4 miles. It will have to be after my 5am- 12 work schedule....another day of getting up at 4am.... Well that is the "hustle and bustle" of my life.
Mission Accomplished
He didn't have a coronary, though his face (handsome, muscular, jaw like George Clooney's) did soften with disappointment. The truth of the matter was that we were as much to blame as anyone. "Get your cell phone", "Do you have your cell phone?", "We got you a cell phone for a reason." Yada, yada. (Are you as sick of the words Cell Phone as I am?)
Two days later, when the phone still hadn't surfaced, I did what I do best and that is to take masterful control of the situation because, dog-gone-it, how in the heck else is anything going to get done about it?
"I'm taking you to school tomorrow." I told her. "And we are going to find that phone."
Her face fell. I mean, fell.
"And the baby?" She asked, meaning her seven month old brother. Nightmarish visions of her mother (gasp!) pushing a baby stroller through the halls of her middle school were, I'm sure, dancing tormentlingly through her head.
"Oh, he'll be there." I assured her. I mean, it wasn't her fault that the phone hadn't been found, but I had a job to do.
The size and scope of my mission increased the next morning with the discovery that my husband had taken the checkbook without leaving a check for her french horn tutor.
(That's all right. Shake it off. I've handled more than this.)
We all load into the car, drive across town and buzz the buzzer to get into the school. The secretary let me in, but she also let me know that no one was allowed into the school until 7:15.
I thanked her for the information but, as I was on a mission, nothing--not even a little protocol--was going to stop me.
So, with a 21 pound baby on one arm, a french horn under the other, I retraced my daughter's steps with her. No luck. Until we happened to run into her math teacher who tells us that although she found a phone, it couldn't possibly be Susanne's because the name on the phone was Suzy-Q.
Apparently being a math teacher is a far cry from being a rocket scientist because it was indeed my daughter's phone.
"What do I do now?" She asks me.
"You begin your day," I tell her, my face aglow with accomplishment.
Back in the car, I venture farther into the Burbs and through several school zones to my husband's golf course. He gives me the checkbook, kisses the baby, tells me he's got to get back to work, so long.
By this time, the baby's had it. Nothing about the morning even resembles our routine. Nothing. And he's not afraid to tell me about it.
After turning at the wrong turn and going the wrong way at the school's one way, I trudged, victorious, into the school office.
My daughter was paged and the look on her face when she came into the office and I put the check in her hand and she had witnessed, once again, how mommy had single-handedly wrestled the world into order, was GOLDEN.
Mission Accomplished.
You can do what you want to me, you can say what you want about me, but you cannot stop me.
--Anastasia
Update: Deceptively Delicious Review
First up, the Brownies with spinach and carrots. The biggest trick, she says, is letting the brownies cool off all the way before serving them otherwise the spinach taste may still be detected. Fine, sounds easy enough. I jumped through all the proper hoops, (even separating an egg, something I have never attempted before...I'm not exactly a legend in the kitchen.) but when taste time finally came, I was very disappointed. The brownies were very dense. Flat. So dang heavy! I put them in front of the kids whose eyes lit up and squeals of "You made brownies!" rang through my kitchen. My husband took a bite and had to leave the room. I took a bite and immediately felt the need to apologize to my kids. They ate half a brownie each but I think they only ate that much because it took them a few bites in for their taste buds to catch up with their excitement. Even my 4-year-old who will eat anything sweet had a look on his face that I can't quite put into words. So what happened? I have no idea. My best guess is that I had to use semi-sweet baking chocolate and unsweetened cocoa powder and no (zero!) white sugar. There was a bit of brown sugar involved but nothing quite replaces the good 'ol white stuff I guess. They had that fake chocolate taste to them. In other words, it wasn't the carrots or spinach, those were totally hidden in both site and taste, it was the basic brownie recipe that failed. My husband, when he was finally able to join us again, asked the most simple question, "Why can't you just put the veggies in a boxed brownie mix and call it a day?" My man is smart like that. So that is what I am going to do today, wish me luck.
Second attempt: chicken nuggets with spinach puree. This one actually tasted really good but it was a bit tricky to make. I used chicken tenders for this one. Basically, you mix spinach puree with an egg, coat the chicken in all that green goop (and I am here to tell you, goop is a nice way of putting it!) then coat it in a mixture of flax seed meal, panko breadcrumbs, Parmesan and some seasonings. The first problem was that the spinach goop would not stick to the chicken so it was just kind of glopped around on parts of the tender, (somehow I don't think I'll ever get a job writing reviews for cookbooks with words like 'goop' and 'glop' but you get the point) then I tossed it in the dry mixture and began the cooking process. You cook these on the stove top in a bit of olive oil. Lesson learned here: flax seed meal cooks very, very quickly. I had smoke! I had burning smells! I quickly yanked them off the pan and put them in the oven to finish cooking. They were not pretty when they came out so I naturally assumed no one would touch them, especially since they were still shaking from the brownie experience. But, much to my surprise, they both ate it. It was good too! You could see the spinach and the coating kept falling off but they ate it and no one said "what's that green stuff?" Next time, I think I'll cook them in the oven and skip the stove all together.
Feeling pretty sure of myself because I was 1 for 1, I decided to give another recipe a go: Yellow Cake. This starts with a boxed yellow cake mix so I figured I couldn't fail. Sure enough, this was a huge hit. It calls for 1 cup of canned pumpkin and 6 ounces of nonfat yogurt, I used vanilla. It was rich, very moist and sweet. Very delicious. This one I will for sure make again. The kids loved it.
With all that confidence, I began to puree again yesterday. I made the macaroni and cheese with 1/2 cup butternut squash puree and the mozzarella sticks with 1/2 cup cauliflower puree. The mac and cheese was really good, very creamy. My 7-year-old liked it but my 4-year-old was a bit harder to please. He is very easily swayed by how things look and this simply didn't look like his favorite boxed mac and cheese so he was a real stinker about it. I managed to get 3 bites in him, hoping to change his mind, but he wasn't budging. On to the mozzarella sticks. What to say about the cheese sticks.....gross, nasty, too good for the trash can, smelly, just plain disgusting....that about sums it up. This used 1/2 cup cauliflower puree. First of all, have you ever pureed cauliflower? It isn't fun. And it stinks. You take that cauliflower and mix it with mozzarella cheese. Then you form it into "logs" and dredge it in whole-wheat breadcrumbs and flax seed meal. Again, the coating just kept falling off so I was left with a cheesy-cauliflower mess of a log. The boys were very excited about the idea of having cheese sticks in the middle of the afternoon so again, trusting me, they dug in. Again, the silence. Again, those faces and again, that overwhelming felling of the need to apologize. Into the trash with the brownies they go.
So basically, I tried 5 recipes and had success with 2. I wouldn't be upset about those numbers if it were not for all the work that goes into these recipes. So what's next? Refusing to give up, I am going to put pureed spinach in a boxed brownie mix today and then I'm going to check out The Sneaky Chef by Missy Chase Lapine whose book was out before Seinfeld's and who simplifies these ideas by adding purees to boxed food. I think this may be the way to go. So it's back to the kitchen I go. I'll let you know how those brownies turn out!
Oh, and in case you want to know what some nutritionist think about Deceptively Delicious, check out this article from the Washington Post today.
Monday, October 15, 2007
In Need of Advice
He started preschool FT after Labor Day, and is expecting a baby sister, which he is looking forward to, so these could be stressors. I just can't figure out what is going on in his head. He cries at the drop of a hat for no reason. Saturday he took off running through IKEA screaming "No!!!!" What to do, what to do???
Half of me was impressed with his running, and his ability to avoid pedestrians. The other half was thinking "What the *&%$?!" He's normally a great kid, and a happy kid. Has anyone experienced similar behavior? How was it handled?
IKEA may be a one time deal, but the overall crying-at-the-drop-of-a-hat is throwing me for a loop! And it can happen at any time. Any words of wisdom?
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Okay, I'm jumping in!
I have a full-time job in higher education administration, have two wonderful daughters (ages 2 and 3 1/2) and am starting my own freelance graphic design business. Oh, and I try to fit some running in too! I live in Portland, Oregon with my husband, daughters, golden retriever Molly and cat Toby. Busy life!!
I look forward to getting to know everyone and share in this amazing journey!
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Dont forget to tip your waitress...
There's something about blogging--when you dont get comments--that is really close to stand up.
Or doing a monologue (think more blathering Shakespeare soliloquy than David Letterman).
Or (*gasp*) lecturing.
This post? Just a public service announcement.
A reminder to feel free to JUMP RIGHT IN and comment. Am I boring the pants off of you? TELL ME.
(because, seriously, you need said pants in place to get out there and run)
Are you a firm believer in NOT LIFTING and ALL RUNNING? lemmie know where you stand.
Detest tutus? cringe at over the knee socks? Lemmie have it. It might not change my attire but I promise to dress appropriately should we ever meet off-line.
Happy Sunday.
It's I AM *GOING* TO RUN-day up in herre.
(and yes. if youve come here via my chickenbus blog that last word was for you. all my stuff DOES sound the same.)
Friday, October 12, 2007
Hilarious Running Read
I'd like you to think of The Nonrunner's Marathon Guide for Women as your running buddy. It's here to keep you motivated and on the running trail when all you really want to do is lie on the couch and see what your TiVo has recorded for you. Rest assured that this book is much better than my running buddy; unlike Chipper Jen, this book will never call you at 6:30 AM on a friggin' Saturday and go on and on about how refreshing it is to run in the morning. This book is not a supporter of Saturday-morning chipperness.
Check it out, you can pick it up here. Also, here is a link to her website where she sells the book much better than I ever could!
For the sake of argument...
Now I realize the weight gain was likely from not running, but there's nothing I can do about it! I'm 20 weeks pregnant with #2, and pretty sick. Walking is a struggle most days, and I have a job and a 3 year old, so even on a rare day that I feel okay, I couldn't risk wearing myself out, or worse yet, getting sicker.
Instead, I am obsessed with running. It's all I want to do! I see runners everywhere, and adorable running clothes. I realized today, I don't even own a pair of sneakers! And I have know idea where my ipod is! Even more than a margarita, I want to run...and I am counting the days!
You could sort of call it a run
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Making time for running/strength training
So when do I get my strength training in...our weather has turned chilly here in Indiana and I look forward to coming home and snuggling into PJ's and watching the tube....felling less and less motivated to do my strength training.....maybe I should do it after my runs or before( all in the morning before work).....what a battle...shouldn't it be an easier decision!
I could go to the YMCA...I did all summer....I was there 2-3 times a week on top of running...what is it about this cooler weather that makes you want to stay home and chill out...
So any suggestions?
Tattoos & Tutus & OTK socks.
many reasons which, if I went into elaborate detail here, would simply be preaching to the choir.
The sweet hugs, the toothless grins yada yada yada.
one thing I **ADORE** that I did NOT see coming? the gift of the It Must Be For Her Daughter.
Unlike some of my fellow bloggers (and not to my pride & joy) Ive always been kind of a disheveled person (my kind husband calls it my style).
Never dirty--pre-toddler, anyway--but just kind of always to the left of coiffed/properly buttoned.
Now? if I run into people at the grocery and look a FRIGHT they assume my daughter, E., must have not allowed me ample time to "do" myself.
(never what happened. Id have rolled the exact same way before having her)
Now? if I run into people at the grocery sporting a big (rub on) tattoo of a pirate on my bicep they smile benevolently at me and (wrongfully) assume I did it for my daughter.
Now? if I buy 3 tutus at the dollar store, layer them on top of each other & wear THAT on top of capri tights they (again, wrongfully) assume Im such a good "sport" playing dress-up with my girl.
Ill spare you the over the knee socks rendition but just know it follows the same pattern.
Man, I love being a mother.
I could do without the chicken nugget mashed INTO my tutu but it all comes along with the toddler bundle of joy.
Napkin
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
Absolutely lift
Angelina Ballerina DVD giveaway from Classy Mommy
2 Lucky readers will each get a copy of this fantastic DVD and bonus book that Classy Mommy was able to review yesterday.This Angelina DVD has multiple episodes, along with the small bonus book, Angelina Ballerina: The Silver Locket - an episode that is also on the DVD. The book is a definite bonus as we were able to read the story, then watch the specific episode, and then go back and read the story again and again. A great way to limit TV time, but also give the kids a treat and discuss what you both reading and seeing! Hop on over to Classy Mommy to enter!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
the writer in me
The Legend of Bridget Peacemaker began as a story about an old rabbit napping beneath a Creosote bush when he is suddenly awakened by the cries of a lost girl. I worked hard on that version but it never rang true because I needed to understand who Bridget was and just how she had come to be wandering around in the desert. Now I know and if the gods are smiling favorably then very soon everyone will know.
When I was nineteen I wrote a rambling little story about a girl obsessed with counting her steps. I abandoned the story because I didn't understand what I was trying to say. Now I realize that even then Bridget was trying to tell me her story.
It tires me to write, it's like my fingernails are being ripped from my fingertips. But I have so very much to say and everytime I try to talk I get the feeling that I am not being understood.
Lift Mommy Lift!
Ive previously admitted that Im new* to the running thing & that my passion is weight training.
Now that the comments are enabled I just wanted to take a moment and offer to answer any questions you might have about why to lift weights, how to lift weights, where (is a gym necessary?) to lift weights---anything like that.
I'd love the chance to return the favor as Ive gotten a ton of fantastic free running advice from all you SMR moms.
For the sake of full disclosure Id like to state that Ive competed in bodybuilding (my scrawny natural-self against a few women whom I certain somehow cheated the steroid urine test) and fitness (my scrawny natural chest against a few women whom Im certain cheated nature with the aid of Dr Robert Rey) but came in close to last in all the shows.
blahblahblah in my mind I was a winner.
*if by NEW you mean I havent started yet but vow promised & commit to SKIP the ease of my stationary bike and hit the pavement this weekend when I have toddlercare---which I do.
Feeding Picky Eaters: Is This Book the Answer?
So as you can imagine, the idea of hiding veggies in their food had me skeptical because (a) I don't have a lot of options for things to be hidden in!, and (b) my kids are very smart and I just know they will figure it out! But watching the show, I was turned into a believer and ordered the book off Amazon before shows end - a book, by the way, that jumped to #1 on Amazon by the end of the day. The Power of Oprah is incredible.
I can't wait to try the chicken nuggets (with spinach!) and the brownies (spinach and carrots!). I'll be sure and post again after the book arrives and I sneak a little something into my boys' food! Want to see the recipe for the nuggets? Check it out here!
Monday, October 08, 2007
Yeah, this is ANOTHER test.
here's my test.
if it works then just know that I adore this list. It's nothing new but more of a reminder of easy ways to lead a calmer more centered life.
Im all for anything that makes me (& as a result my entire domicile) less *frazzled*
http://zenhabits.net/2007/07/12-ideas-for-establishing-a-calming-routine/
(Im also a few steps away from the truly fancy people who can make plain ole WORDS become magically clickable. I have lofty goals. That chickenbus is in my future.)
Marathon Documentary
Skip Hop Giveaway from Classy Mommy
Classy Mommy reviews all kinds of products for Parents and kids and Classy Mommy has lots of neat free giveaways that I'd love to share with you all. Totally enter for your chance to win!
Our latest giveaway this week is compliments of Skip Hop .5 Lucky winners will each win Skip Hop's trendy TABLE FUN 5 piece feeding set valued at $24. Classy Mommy loves the functionality and modern style found across Skip Hop's product lines.
Classy Mommy had the opportunity to test out a Skip Hop product for the first time when we were given the chance to review TABLE FUN, Skip Hop's 5 piece feeding set for tots and kids. The TABLE FUN set is made of melamine, a hard sturdy plastic, with colorful and spunky animal designs. The designs are made by Eleanor Grosch, whose design work is favored by both rock bands and apparal companies. My daughter, Mackenzie, almost age 2, has the Circus Pals TABLE FUN set shown above in purple. We love how the bowl and plate are a bit bigger than pretty much every other "plastic" kid style set we currently own. And although we adore Elmo in our house, it is a refreshing change of pace to eat a meal (or in my case prepare a meal!) on a modern designer place setting that is both lively, vibrant, and still kid friendly.
Skip on over to Classy Mommy to enter!
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Husband Sunday Run
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Internal Dialogue
You see we have these wonderful friends in Florida who brought 25 (or so) of their friends to Nashville at the end of April for the Country Music Marathon & 1/2 Marathon. They were a joy to be around and they inspired me to FINALLY get my butt in gear and fully prepare for the 2008 marathon.
I started training - HARD! A little too hard - with the type of intensity I used to have in trying to get my hands on a Krispy Kreme doughnut (yummmmm). I was STUPID. I hurt my knee. Genius.
Ended up being a "slightly torn" meniscus. Had to lay off it for a couple months along with some physical therapy. It SUCKED!
I've now been cleared for modified 1/2 marathon training. This means the dr. was trying to tell me not to be stupid and overdue it again. I've been good. I can't run every day, but I can throw a little running in with each workout.
This is where the internal dialogue comes into play. I have to talk myself out of breaking into a slight jog. "A little bit of running won't hurt me. I'll just do it for a few minutes. I know I did it yesterday, but I feel pretty good and I think my knee can take it." And that is when I have to have a serious argument in my head to control my running urges. Usually, the part of my brain that is telling me to NOT run wins out and I hope I can keep listening to it, but the better I feel, the harder it is to pay attention to that nagging little voice.
Plus, the people passing me on the street are starting to stare at me talking to myself. Hmmm...maybe these conversations "in my head" are actually happening out loud.
Eat, Pray, Love changed my life.
Since this is a blog post and not a book report (or a dissertation. that's how much I loved it) I wont go into book specifics except to say that you must read it.
skim it.
buy and keep on your bedside table until you (if youre anything like me) have a bout of insomnia and find yourself with a couple of free hours.
Since this is a blog post that's supposed to be about FITNESS that's the part Ill yammer at you about.
The "pray" part. The SPIRITUAL fitness part.
What so resonated with me about Eliz. Gilbert's writing is that it wasnt denominational but simply served as a reminder that the answers we all seek are waiting within us.
When we find/steal a moment to be still & fully present with ourselves (which I find to be *such* a challenge. Chickenbus, trying to work and be a mom I find it a challenge sometimes to be fully present with my Toddler Tornado!) that's when our questions & struggles begin to be answered.
(lost yet? In typing this out I almost get muddled myself)
Gilbert, though her fabulous and humorous writing style, reminded me that it is possible to find balance and calmness in my hectic world simply through silence.
Again as I type this I begin to wonder if that is what led me to ponder running in the first place.
Meditation need not be in an ashram in India or a special room in a yoga studio as Im quite certain the women I see running in Austin are experiencing that "meditative state" with every step.
what about you?
is running your meditation time?
Id love to know as I start down my new path of spiritual fitness.
(oh, and if youve read the book, I ADORE that she had bestowed upon her such a cool nickname as GROCERIES. I want a fun nickname like that. can it be called a nickname if I bestow it upon myself?)
Friday, October 05, 2007
I promise getting better with computers is on my to-do list...
It's really pretty simple: email a duck. raise a buck.
All the money generated is donated to breast cancer research.
Have fun, get creative, send to friends & raise some cash.
http://www.munchkin.com/projectpink/email_a_duck.php
Thursday, October 04, 2007
Thursday's run
thank god for my running buddy
This is my first blog...I look forward to gabbing about the UPS and DOWNS of life, and running...literally!
as dorie from finding nemo might say " just keep running, just keep running, just keep running"!:)
chickenbus.
So the day the Toddler Tornado drops an f-bomb we'll all know from whence it came.
moi.
Hence the CHICKENBUS.
Todays chickenbus is brought to you by the fact Im really truly a newbie runner.
As in I dont. Yet.
Im a bodybuilder (natural. small. I often get "oh you must be a runner!" when people meet me.) and I love the endorphin rush I get from lifting & I love being strong.
and I love looking strong (*wink*)
However I am going to get into running.
They (the big they. in my first career I owned a personal training studio. so the THEY I was compelled to listen to) say that it's important to change up your cardio every few months.
Ive been doing the recumbent bike for 6 years.
Now you know why Im here.
can you say external accountability?
Brain vs. Legs: Game On!
Imposter
Motivation
But I did it and I do it because I want my kids to see me doing it...I want them to know that Mama's a badass. I want my daughter to aim for my standards and I want my son to look for my qualities in a partner.
And now, of course, I have this blog as a motivator. I feel connected now, not like it's me against the world anymore.
So, Run, Sisters, Run!
Confessions
2. I am trying to lose these final pregnancy pounds. (Ok – my twin girls are almost 5 – I don’t think I’m technically allowed to call them pregnancy pounds anymore – but just try and stop me!)
3. This is my first post on this fantastic site and I am thrilled to be a part of it.
I started running in high school. My dad was the track coach & football coach so I felt I needed to participate in one of those sports (don’t even get me started on the trauma I will tell Oprah ALL about regarding going to the same high school where my father taught and coached – HA!). Since my high school was completely against females playing football (they were just scared of our abilities – I’m sure of it), track was my choice. I was never very good – admittedly. I was too short and not fast at all, but I knew I would finish. I just told Coach to be sure they never started a new race without me coming in (I ran the 800m and the mile occasionally). I think I was only on the track team for one season and switched over to a sport that was a little more up my alley – cheerleading – but I have never lost my love of running. See I am a people person – the shining example of the word “extrovert”, but there is something about the solitude & serenity of running that appeals to me. And that is why I continue to do it. Just remember – don’t start another race without me finishing.
Wednesday, October 03, 2007
I'm in a Rush to Pace Myself
So what's the problem? The problem is time. Which I'm sure is the same problem that so many of you have. My youngest son goes to preschool on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday mornings. On those mornings, and typically one morning on the weekend, I get a quick run in. I drop him off, race home and get out there as quick as I can before I have to jump in the shower just in time to go pick him up again. All three days I do this and then nothing. Nothing other than strength training and dvd's until the next Wednesday. When that next Wednesday finally comes, I'm so excited to get out there that I run way too fast and typically burn out by mile 3.5. Every Wednesday is like starting from scratch. By the weekend run, I'm up to a comfortable 5.5 miles but I would really like to go further. So what is the secret? I'm sure there are a lot of you out there that have been where I am now and have found a way through it and increased your mileage so I'd love to hear your tips! Until then, I'm off to put my running shoes by the door so I can get out there again tomorrow.
I never quit before
This is a testblog...
If, however, the blog-G-ds smile benevolently upon me then I shall be back.
Soon.
At some point here after I bathe my toddler tornado, motivate to shower, shave my legs and actually GO OUT (sans husband) and pretend Im a grown-up again.
For a few hours anyway...
How I Got Here
In my eyes, a child's eyes, there was no doubt that she was Mom of the Year, but in society's eyes, well, I had to admit, she didn't have much to offer. The truth of it was, and is, that single mom's of three children whose kids go to school hungry and wearing the same clothes as they had worn the day before, aren't exactly Mom's of the Year. That mom's like mine, who opted out of meet the teacher night and who never baked cookies or accompanied the class on a field trip weren't the sort of mom's who earned honors.
The realization brought with it quite a bit of shame--shame for myself and shame for my mother. At that moment I knew that I wanted to be Mom of the Year. That when my time came, my child(ren) would have a Mom of the Year.
And here I am now! I won't lie. It's been a bumpy ride. Like water following a groove, I have been tempted by mediocrity and I've had to teach myself and learn by default many things that I think other kids were taught--I don't know. But I've also taught myself and learned by default many things that other kids weren't taught for the simple reason that they had a Mom of the Year and I'm pretty sure that's what the whole trip has been about.
Put on your running shoes, clothes....
This is my first ever blog and I'm as nervous as a new bride. Ok, I was never nervous getting married, but it makes me laugh to write that. I'm Trice. I'm 43, and have 4 children. I have been in the Army and they make you run. Now I run because I love to run and it makes me a nicer person. My whole family knows that Mommy is so much nicer when she comes back from a run even if I was running in the rain, even if cars tried to run me over, even if it was only 30 minutes or 2 hours. They have also figured out that I'm a little less nice if I took a child in the running stroller and had to share the run. I've been the owner of at 7 running strollers over the past 12 years of Motherhood. I've run with two children in the heat of Texas in the double when my husband could not pinch hit. I've run in Germany in 1996 with one of the first Baby Joggers on a Volksmarch (10K) and had Germans chasing me down trying to buy my stroller. Now who would give up a stroller in the middle of a run? I've run on Normandy Beach commemorating D Day with both babies in a double. I'll keep this short today, but love to talk about running. I joined this blog to give my neighbors a break. They are tired of talking to me as I come in from a run and want to talk about running. My neighbor is running the Army Ten Miler this weekend. I signed up for it in 2001 and it was canceled after 9-11. I flew to DC and ran 10 miles by myself. I still have to get there for that race.