AMEN!

click dots above.

then proceed to commence or keep it up.

Spring Race Season!

I'm so excited to start planning my spring race schedule! The fact that I can do that must mean (insert finger crossing here) that the warm weather is right around the corner! I hope so anyway. I decided to start the season in a really fun way by getting the entire family involved. On Saturday, March 15th, Van Metre is sponsoring a 5 mile run and 1 mile fun run/walk to benefit Childrens Hospital. I'll be running the 5 miler and my husband, two boys, mother-in-law and father-in-law will be participating in the 1 mile fun run. How cool is that?? No one else in my family is a runner which makes this all the more special to get the entire clan involved. I hope you all are starting to see the light at the end of the winter tunnel and finding a few fun spring runs to get involved in.

You can judge a good woman...

...by how many well-dressed children she has and the contentment of of her husband.

Are you ready for a giggle or two? Check out The Good Wife Guide published by Cider Mill Press Book Publishers of Kennebunkport, Maine. I have never seen anything so hilarious in my entire life. It's a, get this, board book that lists 19 rules for keeping a happy husband, and urges the reader to 'be all the wife he needs'.

Now, I did get these rules in a fwded e-mail and I thought the e-mail was cute--right before I deleted it without forwarding it. But the book...

Last night I tried some of the rules out on my husband. When he failed to respond, I chided myself (out loud) for being such a bad wife and resolved to study the rules right then and there. Plopping down on the sofa, I opened my new "study manual". My husband just looked at me like he usually does when strangeness overcomes my senses. After studying the cover for a moment, however, he busted out laughing.

Check out Cider Mills Press, while you're at it. Although the website Cider Mill Press isn't up yet, there is a prompt to email John, the founder, which I did and found him to be a completely decent human being. He'll send you the catalog as a PDF if you ask him. It's worth your time. Great titles. Great line of books. Excellent humor. Which we all need.


https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_ss_/105-8683825-9890001?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=The+Good+Wife+Guide

Sorry, Ladies. I'm trying to get the link to go straight to the book but can't seem to get it done. Maybe crumbs can enlighten me...

this looks fun.....

and far away from me but THATS why they make planes, yes?

is it far from YOU?


YOU feeling motivated after Ms. Andreas amazing race?

In the Motherhood

I came across this site on accident and about pee's myself laughing......hope you like it too. Might want to get some "poise pads" first!

http://inthemotherhood.msn.com/Default.aspx?videoId=14?source=MSN_SL_27Feb

I'm not so computer brilliant to make the link "all cute"...sorry!

Recognizing a Stroke

Neurologists say that if they can get to a stroke victim within 3 hours they can totally reverse the effects of a stroke... totally .

The key is getting a stroke recognized, diagnosed, and then getting the patient medically cared for within 3 hours, which is tough.

THREE SIMPLE WAYS TO HEP YOU RECOGNIZE A STROKE ---

STR

A bystander can recognize a stroke by asking three simple questions:

S * Ask the individual to SMILE.

T * Ask the person to TALK and SPEAK A SIMPLE SENTENCE (like 'It is sunny out today') coherently.

R * Ask him or her to RAISE BOTH ARMS.

If he or she has trouble with ANY ONE of these tasks, call 911 immediately and describe the symptoms to the dispatcher.

One new Sign of a Stroke to add to the above:

'Stick out Your Tongue' * Ask the person to 'stick' out her/his tongue. If the tongue is 'crooked', if it goes to one side or the other , that is also an indication of a stroke.

PLEASE SHARE THIS IMPORTANT MESSAGE!

Your Betty and Your Booty

You may find this post a little X-rated -- or you may find it hysterical.
(SCROLL ALL THE WAY DOWN FOR A SPECIAL SURPRISE ENDING!)

Get ready for some real girl dishing here and now!

I saw two posts today in an email e-newsletter that I felt I must share.

First up is Betty Beauty!

You may or may not not that most of us will GO GRAY —down there!
I'm not talking about the hair on your head, ladies.
Look down
keep looking
down a little further.

Yep, even our va-jay-jay will get older and lose its youthful charm.

Betty Beauty to the rescue! You can dye your "betty" with shades like Black Betty (tee hee), Blonde Betty, Auburn Betty, and a bright pink "Fun Betty."

Click here to see the perfect patch color for http://www.bettybeauty.com/patrick.html">

Check out all the Rockin' shades at - only $19.99.

Next up...
The Wind Breaker! aka Subtle Butt Filters!

My husband always laugh when I use the word "TOOT" instead of fart.
Maybe its a southern thing - little more lady-like.

Ever have one of those "Oh man, I shouldn't have eaten that just before my big meeting!" moments?

Or maybe you've clenching your cheeks (not the ones on your face) in the elevator for fear everyone will need a gas mask.

Rather than prevent the flatulence, why not filter it, with a "Subtle Butt" fart-filter.

Tee-hee-hee!

Adhere a 3.25 x 3.25-inch patch of soft fabric that is impregnated with activated carbon to the inside of your underwear.

Subtle Butt filters the toot, and absorbs and neutralizes the odor.

If you're a bugle tooter you're out of luck - gotta tone down the sound yourself!

http://www.garmentguard.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=8">

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TAMsMf6wgdE&feature=related"> - Enjoy!

You never really know

Yesterday I was remembering a fall soccer team my daughter played on two years ago. There was a Mommy there who could make your skin crawl with negative vibes. She was just plain mean and made you want to move away when you were by her. She never had anything good to say about anybody or anything. She had a look on her face that just made you know she was really unhappy inside and was taking it out on the world. One day I had my Bible study materials with me and was hit over the head that God loves her too and I needed to step up and just get human and love on her. Well, she just couldn't stand me at all. I kept asking questions, trying to be cheerful, sitting by her, and she just rebuffed all my attempts at friendship, camaraderie, or living on the same planet. This went on for a couple of months, but damn it, I was not going to let her push me away. She needed something. This woman was probably about 300lbs and could barely walk over to the benches. I really thought she was miserable because of her weight and never talked about running (which I think always comes up in all my other conversations). One day- somehow she let her guard down and it turns out she had walked two marathons in Hawaii. I was floored. Marathon-- our common ground? Who would have ever thought? From then on she was a little less hostile-never really a friend, but there was a calmness and ease that came between us. I loved to bring up her accomplishment so the other Mommies could hear it. At the end of the season her husband divorced her after many years of marriage and she was left out in the cold. She was suffering big time inside that whole time. She's gone now. The husband lives here alone now. I'm not sure why I felt compelled to share this today, but I did. Wonder of wonders

Finally!!

Just wanted to let anyone else who developed an addiction to the Baja Black Bean flavor of Corazonas chips know that they are finally available at Amazon!! I have been waiting and waiting because I can't find them anywhere near me. Today is the day! Happy (and healthy!) snacking!

Pump It Up

I can take the cold, but the precipitation is keeping us in, so what to do? It turns out that my kids love doing aerobics tapes! I prefer STEP aerobics and still have the original STEP Reebok VHS tape circa about 1993. My daughter will choose “yoga” – actually Denise Austin – if given the choice. I am not sure how that miscommunication arose. So, anyway, we have these sets of tiny 1-pound dumbbells and the kids LOVE TO WORKOUT! Sometimes they tire of Kathy Smith’s background music so we mute the volume there and listen to They Might Be Giants ABCs while I follow the visual cues.

The kids pile on my back for push-ups at the end and everybody wins!

The main thing I will caution you about is that you have to keep a really careful eye on where the kids are at all times so you don’t accidentally kick anyone in the head.

When did this happen!?!

I was doing my "long" run yesterday as part of my team's training for the Country Music 1/2 Marathon in April and it hit me.

Holy Crap - I've become a runner!

When did this happen? It literally snuck up on me.

I mean, I know I've been "in training" for several weeks now, but I don't think the realization that I may actually become a runner ever hit me til now.

See, I'm 5'2". I weigh one hundred-mumble-mumble. I would consider myself "athletic" as I've worked out fairly consistently over the years, but I don't have that lean, mean body most runners have. I really shouldn't be a runner. NOTHING about the way I look says "Runner", but - you know what...none of that matters.

I've realized I don't have to have the "look" of a runner to be one. I've realized the fact that I consider myself a runner on the inside is what does matter as that is what keeps me going.

I'm literally AMAZED each week at my long runs that my body can do what I ask it to.

I ran 5 miles yesterday! I know for many of you that is not a long distance at all, but - for me - that is probably the longest I've ever run at one time. And it felt great! I finally realized that I can actually finish the 1/2 marathon. Now - I don't have any high aspirations of winning it, but at least I feel confident enough to cross the starting line and that is half the battle.

Id say Im late to the party BUT

I just got mine.
and I actually LAUGH that Im quite honestly so excited.
Clean Well?

I HEART YOU.

the scent is amazing (please to see above aforementioned laughter. honestly, People, I really dont give a hoot about soap) and AESTHETICALLY there is something I love about it.

clean looking (pun intended) and not obtrusive on the counter.

dont take my word for it:

http://www.cleanwelltoday.com

go to the hand soap and run yer cursor over the containers & you'll see what I mean.

go ahead.


Ill wait.

Snow Days Are Making Me Fat

I feel like my kids have missed so much school these days! Today, despite what the weather man predicted, we have nothing but wet pavement and yet, the schools are closed....again. So what do I do? Bake....again. No running, just baking. Today, I made Outrageous Chocolate Cookies from Everyday Food. Oh. My. Gosh. Do not make these if you have any concern what so ever about the size of your butt because I guarantee you will not be able to stop eating them. To quote my 4-year-old Quinn, "These are the best cookies mommy has ever made in the whole entire world ever!"
You can find the recipe here. Oh, and just a tip, because these cookies are so dang chocolaty, I used good ghirardelli chocolate for both the batter and the chunks.

I am that Ground Hog

Howdy Running Mommys et al;
I'm just waiting for the thaw-- for that weather that MAKES you get out there. The weather where you feel sick inside that you did not get outside and run your heart out instead of oh well another workout canceled due to inclement weather. I'm in confession mode and have to admit that I've been doing 3 mile runs due to weather instead of 5 mile runs. This means I cross the railroad tracks and go to the 2nd pole and turn around instead of running all the way to the tank up on blocks and touch the sign post declaring Fort Knox is where you are. Yesterday I did the normal five and feel like I'm clean again. The guilt is gone. I'm headed to Texas in March for some real runs to feel completely human again and then it will be nice here. I ran more in Texas. It is a good thing we've changed directions and will be headed that way as we retire after 26 years.....

Mall Playground

I was at the mall the other day with a good friend of mine. We'd just set the boys free at the indoor playground. Moms were passing anti-bacterial soap like crazy.
"Hey," I said, all non-chalant and cool. "Look what I have."
I showed her my CleanWell.
"Try it," I told her. "You won't get addicted." He-he-he.
"Oh, I have this. But I'll try that. I mean, if it isn't more expensive..."
I bit my lip and grabbed her antibacterial soap.
"Ah-ha!" I pointed out. "Denatured alcohol."
"Well," she admitted. "My hands are already starting to feel a little dry. Okay, I'll try it."

Loved the smell. To me it smells like my favorite popsicle, the orange kind with the vanilla ice cream inside...
And it didn't dry out her hands.

I should have given her a coupon. Next time I will.

The fact is, I like the packaging and I like the statement the handsoap makes next to the bathroom sink.

Putting the Rat in "Gym Rats"

The National Institute of Health lays out the Body Mass Index (analysis of height & weight) into the following catagories:

• Underweight = <18.5
• Normal weight = 18.5-24.9
• Overweight = 25-29.9
• Obesity = BMI of 30 or greater

That definition is pretty standard. You google Body Mass Index Calculator, you'll find a over two hundred thousand different resources to tell you the same thing. Although there is certainly reason to take one's BMI with a grain of salt, so to speak, it is common knowledge that anything under 18.5% is considered "Underweight" for women.

Which brings me to the point of my post. I train at a well known Fitness Center named after a major city in California. Walking out of my gym today, after what really felt like a break-though in my swim training, I was feeling great....until I saw a message on a dry erase board. I think the author might have fancied it to be inspirational, but I think otherwise.

2008 Summer Goals:

• New Swimsuit
• New Towel
• 16 % Body Fat

Sign up today for your consultation with a trainer.

Bravo, Gym Trainer for trying to gut my self-esteem, rather than aim to inspire. Bravo.

surrounded by superwomen....

I wish I had something new and exciting to add to the mix!

every time I start a post the famous Twain quote of:
Better to stay silent and be thought a slacking runner even if it IS due to illness, than to speak and remove all doubt.
pops into my mind for some reason


I always listen to the voices in my head.
you?

crazy woman

Or so they – my husband, my friends – say. I wake up at 5 a.m. to run (not every morning – other mornings I do a weight routine or a self-created spinning routine, but even then waking at 5 a.m.). After about 6-7 hours of interrupted sleep (my eight-month-old is a lousy sleeper – like his brother before him). So I am probably adding to my chronic sleep deprivation. But when else am I to be alone?

And they think this is crazy. I have told no one of the true running craziness to come.

It all started when I decided to run the Cherry Blossom Ten Mile Run on April 6. (I have run it a few times before, including after having my first child in 2005 and 2006). From experience, I knew I had to register as soon as registration opened online – on December 12. This race closes fast, usually within a few days.

That day, I had a sick baby and a ton of editing work to do – all of which I dealt with in the morning. So I lost track of registering first thing. Online registration was closed by the time I got online at 1pm – within a few hours, not a few days. Mail-in was open, but I had little hope – though I filled out that form by hand and popped it in the mail.

In a fit of needing to do run something BIG, I registered for other races: The Wirefly National Half-Marathon on March 29 and the George Washington Parkway Classic 10 Miler on April 27.

And then I found out I did indeed get in to the Cherry Blossom. That is three 10+ mile races in a month.

And I intend to run them all. With what will be a four-year-old and a nine-month old in the house. At least my husband is supportive. But I don’t think he yet has the whole picture.

I do have the training under my belt: I can cover 10 miles these days with (some) ease, and I ran the Parks Half-Marathon in September (yes, with a three-month-old at home).

But am I crazy?

What Not to Do

You might not want to take your two-year-old ice skating, increase your miles, throw on a little extra weight on at the gym, repeatedly toss your 35-pound child into the air, climb up and down from your washer and dryer to extract a live chipmunk from your dryer vent, replace said dryer vent, climb a ladder to fix some lightbulbs, and go to aerobics at the gym . . . in the same week . . . if you are pregnant.

You might hurt your back . . .

A day in the life of....

...a Half Marathoner.

10 pm: Double check that: bib number is pinned on shirt; chip is tied onto shoes. Gather socks, shorts, hat, watch, sports bra, mini water bottle, gu & Cliff Shots, diaper rash cream, baby powder, towel, dry clothes, and hair rubber band. Make sure coffee pot is loaded & ready.
10:30 pm: force self to try to sleep
10:40 pm: jump out of bed to print directions to parking lot/start line
10:50 pm: back in bed...for good this time.
10:55 pm: SET ALARM!!!!!
2:45 am: Finally doze off...
3:30 am: Roll out of bed, start coffee brewing, put on clothes.
3:55 am: Sit outside waiting for running buddy to pick you up.
4:55 am: Arrive to race area and pull into the parking spot the bar hoppers just abandoned.
5:15 am: Jump into one of the open, fresh port-a-lets.
5:20 am: Attached necessities to body (gu & shots, water bottle, diaper cream) and bag check the rest.
5:25 am: Stand 8 minutes in line for the port-a-lets and go in the one that has the wet roll of toilet paper.
5:40 am: Run into friends and talk shop about the last race you guys were at.
5:45 am: Try to figure out what the announcer is saying and realize a police officer is yelling at you to get out of the street because the wheelchairs are starting.
5:50 am: Find your spot in the half mile long corral, eventually discover you're near the back.
5:59 am: Realize you REALLY need to pee
6:00 am : Gun goes off! The race is on!

...to be continued...