Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Cruisin'
We're talking about taking a cruise next year, to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and the fact that the husband will have paid off his medical practice loan. We're in the initial planning stages, looking at cruise lines and destinations, etc etc. But I'm already longing for the beautiful ocean views, especially when I look back at photos like these from our cruise in May of 2007.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Weekend 5k - Brrrrrrrr!
Back in January, when I talked my sister into starting a running program with me, we decided to target a 5k race (3.1 miles) to run together. We found a 5k run/walk in our college town, which also happens to be the town my inlaws live in, and we signed up right away. VERY right away as it turns out, because we ended up with race numbers 6 and 8!
My sister ran a 'practice' 5k earlier this month and didn't have a very good experience - mostly because there was a police car chasing the runners to make sure they kept up a good pace. She had a great completion time, but didn't have much fun. I've run 2 5ks before - one in October of 07 before Miss P came home, and a trail 5k in March. I had a lot of fun with both races, so I was hoping my sister enjoyed herself this weekend, because if she didn't I'd never talk her into doing another race!
It didn't seem like 'enjoyment' was going to be on the agenda when a cold front moved in the night before the race. When we got up in the morning, the temperature was in the low 30s and the wind was blowing hard. We weren't the most enthusiastic race participants when we headed out the door. Once we got to the stadium (the race kicked off at the football stadium), we stayed out of the wind for as long as possible. The race was well-organized, considering it was put on by college students - many of whom appeared to be getting extra class credit for showing up on such a cold morning! One of the athletic department professors told us this was the coldest day for the race that he could remember. Niiiiiice.
We started off with about 300 other people, most of whom were college kids. I sent my sister on ahead, since her pace is faster than mine. The course took us out of the football stadium and up a short, but steep, hill. This was my first shot of confidence, since quite a few of the people who had started out running dropped down to a walk when they hit the hill and I actually passed a few of them! I warmed up nicely so the temps stopped bothering me, but the wind was a bear. I hit the first mile mark at 12:46 and knew I was in trouble, because that's the fastest mile I've ever run. It's not fast for anyone else... but it is for me! I took a couple of walk breaks in the second mile, not letting myself walk for more than a minute or two, and hit the aid station (mile 2) with a 13:32 mile split... also faster than my normal speed. The aid station marked the beginning of a slow incline and the approach of that stinkin' hill we ran up at the beginning of the race. I found myself a 'race buddy' and we attacked the hill together. I made it halfway up and had to walk to the crest, but then took off at a nice pace again on the downhill. It wasn't much further now, but my shins were starting to hurt.
At the last turn, I thanked the volunteers for standing out there in the cold and wind to make sure the runners didn't go off course and I headed toward the stadium, walking and running in intervals. My shins were screaming, but I was almost there. I saw my sister coming back down the course and she ran the last bit with me. I crossed the finish line at 42:03!
The 5k I ran in October 2007 clocked my finish at 45:43, so I had a 3 minute, 40 second improvement over my first street race. My trail 5k was a 51:19, giving me a 9 minute improvement over my time from just a month ago. My sister crossed 10 minutes before me and beat her time from her first 5k, too. Either we're getting better or we were motivated to run fast so we could get in out of the freakin' cold!
I had three goals:
Finish strong.
Finish in under 45 minutes.
Run the entire thing.
I checked off two of the three and am very happy! Even better, my sister had fun and we're planning to run it again next year. Even better than that? We finally managed to warm up again by lunchtime.
My sister ran a 'practice' 5k earlier this month and didn't have a very good experience - mostly because there was a police car chasing the runners to make sure they kept up a good pace. She had a great completion time, but didn't have much fun. I've run 2 5ks before - one in October of 07 before Miss P came home, and a trail 5k in March. I had a lot of fun with both races, so I was hoping my sister enjoyed herself this weekend, because if she didn't I'd never talk her into doing another race!
It didn't seem like 'enjoyment' was going to be on the agenda when a cold front moved in the night before the race. When we got up in the morning, the temperature was in the low 30s and the wind was blowing hard. We weren't the most enthusiastic race participants when we headed out the door. Once we got to the stadium (the race kicked off at the football stadium), we stayed out of the wind for as long as possible. The race was well-organized, considering it was put on by college students - many of whom appeared to be getting extra class credit for showing up on such a cold morning! One of the athletic department professors told us this was the coldest day for the race that he could remember. Niiiiiice.
We started off with about 300 other people, most of whom were college kids. I sent my sister on ahead, since her pace is faster than mine. The course took us out of the football stadium and up a short, but steep, hill. This was my first shot of confidence, since quite a few of the people who had started out running dropped down to a walk when they hit the hill and I actually passed a few of them! I warmed up nicely so the temps stopped bothering me, but the wind was a bear. I hit the first mile mark at 12:46 and knew I was in trouble, because that's the fastest mile I've ever run. It's not fast for anyone else... but it is for me! I took a couple of walk breaks in the second mile, not letting myself walk for more than a minute or two, and hit the aid station (mile 2) with a 13:32 mile split... also faster than my normal speed. The aid station marked the beginning of a slow incline and the approach of that stinkin' hill we ran up at the beginning of the race. I found myself a 'race buddy' and we attacked the hill together. I made it halfway up and had to walk to the crest, but then took off at a nice pace again on the downhill. It wasn't much further now, but my shins were starting to hurt.
At the last turn, I thanked the volunteers for standing out there in the cold and wind to make sure the runners didn't go off course and I headed toward the stadium, walking and running in intervals. My shins were screaming, but I was almost there. I saw my sister coming back down the course and she ran the last bit with me. I crossed the finish line at 42:03!
The 5k I ran in October 2007 clocked my finish at 45:43, so I had a 3 minute, 40 second improvement over my first street race. My trail 5k was a 51:19, giving me a 9 minute improvement over my time from just a month ago. My sister crossed 10 minutes before me and beat her time from her first 5k, too. Either we're getting better or we were motivated to run fast so we could get in out of the freakin' cold!
I had three goals:
Finish strong.
Finish in under 45 minutes.
Run the entire thing.
I checked off two of the three and am very happy! Even better, my sister had fun and we're planning to run it again next year. Even better than that? We finally managed to warm up again by lunchtime.
Monday, April 20, 2009
The Most Important Part of the Tractor
I've been thinking about the way music can reflect certain periods of my life, putting me right in the moment and making it seem real all over again. For instance, I heard Paul Simon's 'You Can Call Me Al' on the way to work the other day and burst out laughing at the thought of two high school friends performing the song on the stage at our county fair, recreating the Simon/Chevy Chase music video. Tracy Chapman's 'Fast Car' puts me right back in the passenger seat of the Cougar, driving around town at a snail's pace while discussing life's great problems. Garth Brooks' 'The Dance'? The funeral of a friend who died much much too young.
And so on.
So it cracked me up this afternoon when I called my dad to chit chat and found him in the cab of a tractor, pulling a disc. (A farming disc... you know, for discing up the ground? In preparation for planting. I didn't want you to think he'd done something to his back...) We talked for a bit and then I turned my iPod on, preparing to listen to a few tunes while finishing up an article, and heard 'Rosanna' by Toto. And it reminded me of a conversation with my Uncle Dave.
I was probably 9 or 10. And it was still cool to crawl into the tractor cab and ride along while dad and my uncles and my grandpa were in the fields. We were sitting on our farm and I was going to ride with Uncle Dave for awhile, but we hadn't even pulled out of the driveway because I was being quizzed.
U.D.: What's the most important part of the tractor?
Me: The key?
U.D.: Nope.
Me: The steering wheel?
U.D.: Nope.
Me.: The brakes?
U.D.: Nope. The RADIO!!!!!!!!!!!
And he reached up (tractor radio controls were on the ceiling) , cranked the volume dial, and 'Rosanna' blared out of the speakers.
With teachers like that, is it any wonder I ran the riding lawn mower into the side of the house?
And so on.
So it cracked me up this afternoon when I called my dad to chit chat and found him in the cab of a tractor, pulling a disc. (A farming disc... you know, for discing up the ground? In preparation for planting. I didn't want you to think he'd done something to his back...) We talked for a bit and then I turned my iPod on, preparing to listen to a few tunes while finishing up an article, and heard 'Rosanna' by Toto. And it reminded me of a conversation with my Uncle Dave.
I was probably 9 or 10. And it was still cool to crawl into the tractor cab and ride along while dad and my uncles and my grandpa were in the fields. We were sitting on our farm and I was going to ride with Uncle Dave for awhile, but we hadn't even pulled out of the driveway because I was being quizzed.
U.D.: What's the most important part of the tractor?
Me: The key?
U.D.: Nope.
Me: The steering wheel?
U.D.: Nope.
Me.: The brakes?
U.D.: Nope. The RADIO!!!!!!!!!!!
And he reached up (tractor radio controls were on the ceiling) , cranked the volume dial, and 'Rosanna' blared out of the speakers.
With teachers like that, is it any wonder I ran the riding lawn mower into the side of the house?
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Update on the Running Thing
I'm still running! And believe it or not, I still love it. It's not always easy. It's not always fun. But most of the time, I finish strong and feel so proud of myself for moving my rear off of the couch and doing something good for my body.
Next weekend, my sister and I are running a 5k (3.1 miles) in our college town and I really can't wait! It's going to be a nice flat course, except for one stinkin' hill that goes past my old dorm. Blech. We'll have a blast doing it together, we'll get free tshirts, and we won't have to feel guilty when we pig out on Mexican food that night!
Two weeks after the 5k, I'm going to do a 10k (6.2 miles) trail race. To be honest, I'm not ready to run 6 miles. I've got a 4-miler scheduled tomorrow and that will be the longest run I've ever done. But I've been assured that there will be a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) running concurrently with my 10k, so as long as I don't mind walking some of it (I don't) and coming in last in the 10k (so what? I'll finish it, right?), then I won't be the last person out on the course. Plus, it's trail running. If there's one thing I've learned in my four months of running? I LOVE trail running. It's like being a kid all over again.
So anywho, there's the deal. I just wanted you all to know that I'm still doing it. Because I'm really, really proud of myself for not wimping out :)
Next weekend, my sister and I are running a 5k (3.1 miles) in our college town and I really can't wait! It's going to be a nice flat course, except for one stinkin' hill that goes past my old dorm. Blech. We'll have a blast doing it together, we'll get free tshirts, and we won't have to feel guilty when we pig out on Mexican food that night!
Two weeks after the 5k, I'm going to do a 10k (6.2 miles) trail race. To be honest, I'm not ready to run 6 miles. I've got a 4-miler scheduled tomorrow and that will be the longest run I've ever done. But I've been assured that there will be a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) running concurrently with my 10k, so as long as I don't mind walking some of it (I don't) and coming in last in the 10k (so what? I'll finish it, right?), then I won't be the last person out on the course. Plus, it's trail running. If there's one thing I've learned in my four months of running? I LOVE trail running. It's like being a kid all over again.
So anywho, there's the deal. I just wanted you all to know that I'm still doing it. Because I'm really, really proud of myself for not wimping out :)
Monday, April 13, 2009
Admiration
You know who I admire? Like, really truly admire? Michael J. Fox. I adored him as Alex Keaton when I was growing up, have watched him a billion times as Marty McFly in the Back to the Future movies, and hear his voice frequently when my kiddos drag out the Stuart Little dvds. He's an amazing actor, but in my opinion? His spirit as a man far surpasses his skill as an actor.
He has Parkinson's disease. He's still acting, still raising his daughters and son, still loving his wife. There was an article about him today, pitching his new book, and he had this to say:
"I don't have a choice of whether or not I have Parkinson's: I have it. But other than that, I have a thousand choices, and I can't let myself be sunk by the weight of that one non-choice."
My sister, Carrie, had cerebral palsy. She didn't speak, but she lived like this. Always happy. Always throwing herself into the moment. Enjoying the things that came her way. Everytime I see a story about Michael J. Fox, I think about my sister. I love his spirit. I love his fight. I love his attitude. And I think a few of us could stand to apply it to our daily lives.
Yes, there are things we can't change in our lives. There are curve balls heading our way. But there are a thousand choices we can make that will change the ball's trajectory, or minimize its impact. The only thing stopping us from making those choices is ourselves - our willingness to whine, rather than to work. Our tendency to blame others, rather than looking for a solution. The will to be angry, rather than hopeful.
I'm guilty of this. In this current economy, we're probably all guilty of watching a little too much news and sinking ourselves in the weight of its negativity. But, for a while anyway, I'm going to try to remember the examples of my sister and Michael J. Fox. I will not let myself be sunk by the weight of a non-choice, but will instead make the best of what I have been given.
I will choose to be happy. I have no reason not to, considering the blessings I have in my life.
He has Parkinson's disease. He's still acting, still raising his daughters and son, still loving his wife. There was an article about him today, pitching his new book, and he had this to say:
"I don't have a choice of whether or not I have Parkinson's: I have it. But other than that, I have a thousand choices, and I can't let myself be sunk by the weight of that one non-choice."
My sister, Carrie, had cerebral palsy. She didn't speak, but she lived like this. Always happy. Always throwing herself into the moment. Enjoying the things that came her way. Everytime I see a story about Michael J. Fox, I think about my sister. I love his spirit. I love his fight. I love his attitude. And I think a few of us could stand to apply it to our daily lives.
Yes, there are things we can't change in our lives. There are curve balls heading our way. But there are a thousand choices we can make that will change the ball's trajectory, or minimize its impact. The only thing stopping us from making those choices is ourselves - our willingness to whine, rather than to work. Our tendency to blame others, rather than looking for a solution. The will to be angry, rather than hopeful.
I'm guilty of this. In this current economy, we're probably all guilty of watching a little too much news and sinking ourselves in the weight of its negativity. But, for a while anyway, I'm going to try to remember the examples of my sister and Michael J. Fox. I will not let myself be sunk by the weight of a non-choice, but will instead make the best of what I have been given.
I will choose to be happy. I have no reason not to, considering the blessings I have in my life.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Sports Fanaticism
The husband and I are big fans of the Big Red. I wrote a large-ish check on Friday to renew our football season tickets and thought I'd done my duty to Tom Osborne and country for the weekend. However, I obviously hadn't given all quite yet because on Saturday I found myself watching bowling.
Yes, bowling. Televised bowling.
I've watched the Huskers play football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball. I can honestly say that Saturday was the first time I've ever watched my Nebraska Cornhuskers bowl. But evidently we're quite good at it. The women won their 3rd national championship in six years. And I'm glad I watched.
Go Big Red!
Yes, bowling. Televised bowling.
I've watched the Huskers play football, basketball, baseball, and volleyball. I can honestly say that Saturday was the first time I've ever watched my Nebraska Cornhuskers bowl. But evidently we're quite good at it. The women won their 3rd national championship in six years. And I'm glad I watched.
Go Big Red!
Friday, April 10, 2009
Rites of Passage
Two very important things happened on Thursday. First, I publicly acknowledged that I:
a) am deeply committed to our school
b) am committed to being involved with my children as they grow
c) deserve to be committed for volunteering to be PTO president again next year.
I spoke at kindergarten round-up for a brief minute and introduced myself as the PTO president for the coming school year. Yes, I know. I'm an idiot. When I'm whining next year, tell me I deserve the pain and suffering, okay?
But more importantly, I was at kindergarten round-up not just for me, but also for Miss A who declared herself a 'kindergarten girl' and couldn't wait for round-up. She's been counting down for months and dived into the day with enthusiasm. When the 6th graders came to take the new kindergartners to see their rooms, she went without a backwards glance. She read books, created a lovely piece of artwork, and rode the bus for the first time like a champ. One of my friends has a daughter starting school next year, too, and her eyes filled with tears as soon as our principal said, 'Welcome!'. I was mocking her unmercilessly... until I saw my little banana girl climb up those big steps to take her first bus ride.
Wow. When did my little banana baby get so big? Where did she gain the confidence to sail through this life-changing event with such a brave face? And why did I think the day would be no big deal for me emotionally? As it turns out, my 4 year old was much more prepared for her transition to 'kindergarten girl' than I was. I'm not looking forward to the first day in school in August. I've had a taste of my emotional state. And it's not going to be pretty.
a) am deeply committed to our school
b) am committed to being involved with my children as they grow
c) deserve to be committed for volunteering to be PTO president again next year.
I spoke at kindergarten round-up for a brief minute and introduced myself as the PTO president for the coming school year. Yes, I know. I'm an idiot. When I'm whining next year, tell me I deserve the pain and suffering, okay?
But more importantly, I was at kindergarten round-up not just for me, but also for Miss A who declared herself a 'kindergarten girl' and couldn't wait for round-up. She's been counting down for months and dived into the day with enthusiasm. When the 6th graders came to take the new kindergartners to see their rooms, she went without a backwards glance. She read books, created a lovely piece of artwork, and rode the bus for the first time like a champ. One of my friends has a daughter starting school next year, too, and her eyes filled with tears as soon as our principal said, 'Welcome!'. I was mocking her unmercilessly... until I saw my little banana girl climb up those big steps to take her first bus ride.
Wow. When did my little banana baby get so big? Where did she gain the confidence to sail through this life-changing event with such a brave face? And why did I think the day would be no big deal for me emotionally? As it turns out, my 4 year old was much more prepared for her transition to 'kindergarten girl' than I was. I'm not looking forward to the first day in school in August. I've had a taste of my emotional state. And it's not going to be pretty.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Guacamole!
The carnival craziness is over, but has been replaced with work craziness. It's become very obvious that I ignored all work responsibilities for a few days too many. Ugh. I'm surviving though, with a little help from my running schedule, a bottle of chianti, and some seriously delicious guacamole. Since stress is universal these days, I thought I'd share the recipe. But get your own chianti. :)
Recipe courtesy of Just Cook This! and Sam the Cooking Guy
Ingredients
2 ripe avocados
1/2 medium tomato, seeded and diced small
¼ cup white onion, diced small
Juice of 1 lime
1 canned Chipotle, minced (just one, not one can)
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Pinch Kosher salt
Halve avocados lengthwise and remove pit. Scoop out flesh with a large spoon into a bowl and mash up a bit.
Add diced tomato, onion, lime juice, chipotle, cilantro and blend all into a beautifully chunky mixture.
Season guacamole with salt to taste.
We've been shoveling it down with white corn tortilla chips. Yum!
Recipe courtesy of Just Cook This! and Sam the Cooking Guy
Ingredients
2 ripe avocados
1/2 medium tomato, seeded and diced small
¼ cup white onion, diced small
Juice of 1 lime
1 canned Chipotle, minced (just one, not one can)
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
Pinch Kosher salt
Halve avocados lengthwise and remove pit. Scoop out flesh with a large spoon into a bowl and mash up a bit.
Add diced tomato, onion, lime juice, chipotle, cilantro and blend all into a beautifully chunky mixture.
Season guacamole with salt to taste.
We've been shoveling it down with white corn tortilla chips. Yum!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
It's Been a Day
It's been one of those days. I'm both physically and emotionally exhausted. It's not any one thing. It's the cumulative effect of having a lot of responsibilities hitting at the same time, trying to meet expectations that - let's be honest here - I set a little too high once in a while, and struggling to maintain a calm demeanor when what I really want to do is scream at a few people and then cry. The school carnival is Saturday night. I have a magazine going to layout on Monday morning. My house is completely trashed. My kids have been sick. Again.
I knew I was getting overwhelmed, so I built some 'fun' into my day today. It's Quilt Shop Hop time (where several area quilt stores throw a collaborative event and I drive all over the place browsing and shopping and enjoying myself immensely). I typically go to all of the 9 stores participating, which takes an entire day since they're all over this corner of the state. This year, I knew I wouldn't be able to take an entire day - or even half of a day - so I picked three stores that I could reach fairly quickly and combined that trip with another trip I needed to make to take care of something for the carnival. I picked up a couple of small things, allowing myself to dream of a time in the future when I might be able to start a project, and headed back to town to go to my very favorite quilt shop.
This turned out to be a mistake. I haven't been in this shop since before Christmas. I haven't been able to work very often on my quilting and when I have squeezed quilting time in, I've had the supplies I've needed. But I love this little quilt shop and I love the women who run it and I've missed it. Evidently, they have missed me too, because I was greeted with hugs and demands for explanations for my absence and promptly put to work manning a table during a rush of customers. I left with tears in my eyes. And a bag of goodies that I may have accidentally purchased in the mistaken belief that I needed new fabric *lol*
I LOVE this shop. I would love to work there. And I have a standing invitation to become an employee anytime I'm ready. But little quilt shops don't pay their employees enough to cover daycare costs, so I'm waiting for the day when my girls are all in school and I can 'moonlight' a bit to feed my creative soul.
Don't get me wrong - I have a great job now and I love it, too. I have a standing offer to become a full time employee there, and a boss who still teases me about employees who go all the way to Vietnam to adopt a baby to avoid a full time job! I can't see myself leaving this company, with a boss who has made me part of the family and a flexible schedule and a great salary and work that let's me be the 'chief everything' for my magazines. But one day a week at the quilt store? That would be more play than work and I hope the opportunity is still there when I'm ready to take it on.
Wow, talk about a rambling post. Thanks for hanging in there with me. There's just a lot going on lately and when I walked into the world's best quilt store, I realized how much of my life has been absorbed with work and school responsibilities lately. It will get better - it will! And in the meantime, my house can stay messy and my quilting will wait a bit and I'll keep the merlot handy.
I knew I was getting overwhelmed, so I built some 'fun' into my day today. It's Quilt Shop Hop time (where several area quilt stores throw a collaborative event and I drive all over the place browsing and shopping and enjoying myself immensely). I typically go to all of the 9 stores participating, which takes an entire day since they're all over this corner of the state. This year, I knew I wouldn't be able to take an entire day - or even half of a day - so I picked three stores that I could reach fairly quickly and combined that trip with another trip I needed to make to take care of something for the carnival. I picked up a couple of small things, allowing myself to dream of a time in the future when I might be able to start a project, and headed back to town to go to my very favorite quilt shop.
This turned out to be a mistake. I haven't been in this shop since before Christmas. I haven't been able to work very often on my quilting and when I have squeezed quilting time in, I've had the supplies I've needed. But I love this little quilt shop and I love the women who run it and I've missed it. Evidently, they have missed me too, because I was greeted with hugs and demands for explanations for my absence and promptly put to work manning a table during a rush of customers. I left with tears in my eyes. And a bag of goodies that I may have accidentally purchased in the mistaken belief that I needed new fabric *lol*
I LOVE this shop. I would love to work there. And I have a standing invitation to become an employee anytime I'm ready. But little quilt shops don't pay their employees enough to cover daycare costs, so I'm waiting for the day when my girls are all in school and I can 'moonlight' a bit to feed my creative soul.
Don't get me wrong - I have a great job now and I love it, too. I have a standing offer to become a full time employee there, and a boss who still teases me about employees who go all the way to Vietnam to adopt a baby to avoid a full time job! I can't see myself leaving this company, with a boss who has made me part of the family and a flexible schedule and a great salary and work that let's me be the 'chief everything' for my magazines. But one day a week at the quilt store? That would be more play than work and I hope the opportunity is still there when I'm ready to take it on.
Wow, talk about a rambling post. Thanks for hanging in there with me. There's just a lot going on lately and when I walked into the world's best quilt store, I realized how much of my life has been absorbed with work and school responsibilities lately. It will get better - it will! And in the meantime, my house can stay messy and my quilting will wait a bit and I'll keep the merlot handy.
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