I have been wondering whether to run or not to run again- that is a very good question! My first half marathon experience ended with my hip muscles being torn and 4 weeks of intense physical therapy. (Not fun!) My second half marathon experience ended with my thyroid being removed and having thyroid cancer (also not highly recommended). I have to say I'm a little worried what the universe will throw my way if I attempt a third time....
On the other hand, I see crazy people running in the Las Vegas heat everyday. The other day I saw a woman running outside in 106 degree weather (that's 41.1 degrees Celsius for all my Canadian friends). I see people running outside all the time here - no matter how hot it gets. Then I feel a little pang. Not that I love running by any means. More of an I-could-do-that-if-I-wanted-to thought.
So last night I did run 2.25 miles straight on the treadmill. I was inside, at the gym, with air conditioning - still sweating like a pig - but I did it. And it wasn't too bad.....compared to running outside in the extreme heat. I won't say that I'm completely converted to running, but there's not other exercise that will shape you, hurt you, test you, strengthen you, or even scare you.
While I'm not training for anything in particular, I decided that I've taken long enough off. It's time to push myself again to see what I'm made of. Besides you never know if I'm crazy enough to challenge the universe one more time......
Friday, June 24, 2011
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Father's Day
I want to wish all the fathers out there a Happy Fathers Day. Since I have such a great Dad, I dedicate this blog to him.
My Father works very hard. He was always working as much as he possibly could when I was a child, and he still works as hard today. He's pretty good about fixing things and likes to be self reliant - especially when it comes to the home or car. Case in point: Saturday, he got rid of a bee colony that was trying to nest on the side of his home. We'll know in a couple of days if we can add exterminator to his list of accomplishments.
When I was about 6 or 7, my Father had a terrible accident with a table saw. He cut off one finger completely and the other was dangling. The doctors were able to reattach both fingers, but he cannot bend his middle finger on his left hand. (With Vegas drivers - this is not necessarily a bad thing!) I remember a few years after the accident he got a book on hair braiding. It also came with a video. I sat and sat and sat and sat while he tried to learn how to braid my hair - something that most men wouldn't do, let alone someone who couldn't bend all of their fingers. Although he never mastered hair braiding, I have never forgotten the effort.
My Father can sleep at any time and at any place. He was notorious for sleeping in church. One Sunday he pulled a $20 out and tucked it under his leg. Half of it was under his leg and half of it was exposed so we could see it. The game was if he fell asleep we got to keep the money. I think that was one of the few Sundays my Father stayed awake the whole time!
My Father loves his grandchildren and is always willing to babysit. Sometimes the outcome is a little surprising. When my oldest was about a year old, my mother came to take me out to dinner while my Dad stayed with Nicholas. We were gone about 2 hours. When we came home there was poop everywhere! On the couch (both the upper and lower cushions - except for the place where my Dad sat), the floor, the doorknob, the bathroom, the change table, all over Nicholas. To this day we don't know what happened, but we still have a good laugh about it.
My Father taught Nicholas how to snorkel last year for his birthday. He also outfitted Nicholas with professional snorkel gear that he takes with him every time we go swimming. Nicholas can now dive about 6 feet with the snorkel gear on - something I don't do! Nicholas will always have that knowledge of how to snorkel because of my Dad.
Whether intentional or not, my Dad makes me smile. He is warm and generous and hard working. My kids love being around him and he always has Tootsie Rolls and enormous amounts of change in his pocket. I consider myself lucky to be his daughter. If you ever want to know where I get some of my quirks, look no further than my Dad.
My Father works very hard. He was always working as much as he possibly could when I was a child, and he still works as hard today. He's pretty good about fixing things and likes to be self reliant - especially when it comes to the home or car. Case in point: Saturday, he got rid of a bee colony that was trying to nest on the side of his home. We'll know in a couple of days if we can add exterminator to his list of accomplishments.
When I was about 6 or 7, my Father had a terrible accident with a table saw. He cut off one finger completely and the other was dangling. The doctors were able to reattach both fingers, but he cannot bend his middle finger on his left hand. (With Vegas drivers - this is not necessarily a bad thing!) I remember a few years after the accident he got a book on hair braiding. It also came with a video. I sat and sat and sat and sat while he tried to learn how to braid my hair - something that most men wouldn't do, let alone someone who couldn't bend all of their fingers. Although he never mastered hair braiding, I have never forgotten the effort.
My Father can sleep at any time and at any place. He was notorious for sleeping in church. One Sunday he pulled a $20 out and tucked it under his leg. Half of it was under his leg and half of it was exposed so we could see it. The game was if he fell asleep we got to keep the money. I think that was one of the few Sundays my Father stayed awake the whole time!
My Father loves his grandchildren and is always willing to babysit. Sometimes the outcome is a little surprising. When my oldest was about a year old, my mother came to take me out to dinner while my Dad stayed with Nicholas. We were gone about 2 hours. When we came home there was poop everywhere! On the couch (both the upper and lower cushions - except for the place where my Dad sat), the floor, the doorknob, the bathroom, the change table, all over Nicholas. To this day we don't know what happened, but we still have a good laugh about it.
My Father taught Nicholas how to snorkel last year for his birthday. He also outfitted Nicholas with professional snorkel gear that he takes with him every time we go swimming. Nicholas can now dive about 6 feet with the snorkel gear on - something I don't do! Nicholas will always have that knowledge of how to snorkel because of my Dad.
Whether intentional or not, my Dad makes me smile. He is warm and generous and hard working. My kids love being around him and he always has Tootsie Rolls and enormous amounts of change in his pocket. I consider myself lucky to be his daughter. If you ever want to know where I get some of my quirks, look no further than my Dad.
Friday, June 17, 2011
Mom vs. Dad
Today I would like to vent some motherhood frustration. My husband is pretty much gone 9 months out of the year. He works 3 jobs and goes to school full time. Between that and church responsibilities we just don't get much time together. Now he is home for the summer and we are adjusting to being together again. (That part is actually okay!)
Here's my frustration: I've been trying to get Jonah to let me cut his hair for a month. Every time he screams, cries, and he even used his body to block the drawer where I keep the haircutting supplies. It's been a complete battle. Last night I went to the gym and when I come home - Jonah had a haircut! My wonderful husband told him he was getting a haircut and Jonah sat still for him. No crying, no screaming, no drama.
Today I told the kids they were going to the play center at the gym. Crying, screaming, drama. Melanie and Jonah both had big tears running down their faces, "We're scared Mommy!" Then my husband walks into the room. "You guys are going to the gym." All off a sudden the kids are screaming with elation - they can't get their shoes on fast enough. Even though my husband didn't go, the kids were happy and had a good time.
They are so excited to go to the gym when Daddy says it. When I say it, it's a big cry-fest.
I am a little bothered by it, but I've decided that I will use it to my advantage. Jonah has decided he LOVES his diapers and doesn't want to give them up. I think I have Patrick's next project picked out for him....
Here's my frustration: I've been trying to get Jonah to let me cut his hair for a month. Every time he screams, cries, and he even used his body to block the drawer where I keep the haircutting supplies. It's been a complete battle. Last night I went to the gym and when I come home - Jonah had a haircut! My wonderful husband told him he was getting a haircut and Jonah sat still for him. No crying, no screaming, no drama.
Today I told the kids they were going to the play center at the gym. Crying, screaming, drama. Melanie and Jonah both had big tears running down their faces, "We're scared Mommy!" Then my husband walks into the room. "You guys are going to the gym." All off a sudden the kids are screaming with elation - they can't get their shoes on fast enough. Even though my husband didn't go, the kids were happy and had a good time.
They are so excited to go to the gym when Daddy says it. When I say it, it's a big cry-fest.
I am a little bothered by it, but I've decided that I will use it to my advantage. Jonah has decided he LOVES his diapers and doesn't want to give them up. I think I have Patrick's next project picked out for him....
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
A New Beginning
Okay, so I fell off the blogging bandwagon for awhile. I could list all my excuses.....surgery....cancer....doctors.....birthdays....but I will spare you all the boring details. The good news is that I've decided to recommit and hopefully I will be more together this time around.
Last week I was among the hundreds of people whose account information was compromised at Walmart and Michaels. (Knowing me it could have been either store!) Thankfully my debit card was canceled and nothing was withdrawn from my bank account. However, several automatic bill pay accounts had to be reset because they were through my debit card.
Normally I just use my debit card and never think twice. But now that I'm waiting for my new card and pin to come I don't have one to use. So this week has been a forced experiment into paying with cash. I went to the bank on Monday and withdrew an allowance for the week. So far I have paid for everything in cash (except gas) and the results are interesting.
I have always thought of myself as a bargain shopper and good with finances. Cheapskate is a word that would describe me when it comes to money. Now that I'm carrying cash I find it harder to part with it than I did my debit card. When I went to the store today and I was looking at dress socks for my husband I kept thinking...does he REALLY need these?
I'm excited to see how much money I will have left over at the end of the week. It's sort of a personal challenge to myself.
Now that I'm paying with cash I'm getting change back. That poses the question: what to do with the change? When I was in college I would pay for the midnight breakfasts using pennies, nickels, and quarters but I'm trying to overcome the poor college student life. Besides, I'm hardly ever up at midnight even if I wanted to get breakfast. I decided to put all the change into a big jar. When my husband graduates with his third (and final) degree, I want to take our family on a big trip to celebrate. Something fun and exciting. So I better getting saving if I want that to happen! I have a feeling we'll be needing a lot of pennies.
P.S. I did get my husband the socks!
Last week I was among the hundreds of people whose account information was compromised at Walmart and Michaels. (Knowing me it could have been either store!) Thankfully my debit card was canceled and nothing was withdrawn from my bank account. However, several automatic bill pay accounts had to be reset because they were through my debit card.
Normally I just use my debit card and never think twice. But now that I'm waiting for my new card and pin to come I don't have one to use. So this week has been a forced experiment into paying with cash. I went to the bank on Monday and withdrew an allowance for the week. So far I have paid for everything in cash (except gas) and the results are interesting.
I have always thought of myself as a bargain shopper and good with finances. Cheapskate is a word that would describe me when it comes to money. Now that I'm carrying cash I find it harder to part with it than I did my debit card. When I went to the store today and I was looking at dress socks for my husband I kept thinking...does he REALLY need these?
I'm excited to see how much money I will have left over at the end of the week. It's sort of a personal challenge to myself.
Now that I'm paying with cash I'm getting change back. That poses the question: what to do with the change? When I was in college I would pay for the midnight breakfasts using pennies, nickels, and quarters but I'm trying to overcome the poor college student life. Besides, I'm hardly ever up at midnight even if I wanted to get breakfast. I decided to put all the change into a big jar. When my husband graduates with his third (and final) degree, I want to take our family on a big trip to celebrate. Something fun and exciting. So I better getting saving if I want that to happen! I have a feeling we'll be needing a lot of pennies.
P.S. I did get my husband the socks!
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Week 6 part 2
Thursday I had my thyroid removed. I spent the night in the hospital and came home on Friday. It doesn't look too bad, but the kids act surprised everytime they see me. "Mommy, what happened to your neck?" I get that about every 10 minutes.
I am feeling better - not quite 100%. The hardest part is sleeping because I had to sleep sitting up the first two nights. Last night I was able to recline a little bit. I'm sure as I heal I will be able to lay down properly. I have a greater appreciation for sleep than I had before!
My friends and family have been a huge blessing. They have babysat and brought in meals. The kids have loved all the attention and food. I appreciate all the prayers, well-wishes, and help that everyone has given. We feel loved and blessed.
I am feeling better - not quite 100%. The hardest part is sleeping because I had to sleep sitting up the first two nights. Last night I was able to recline a little bit. I'm sure as I heal I will be able to lay down properly. I have a greater appreciation for sleep than I had before!
My friends and family have been a huge blessing. They have babysat and brought in meals. The kids have loved all the attention and food. I appreciate all the prayers, well-wishes, and help that everyone has given. We feel loved and blessed.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Week 6
I completely fell of the bandwagon last week. I only went to the gym once. This week I didn't have a chance to go at all. It's really hard when you have sick children/husband to try and fit it all in. I just didn't have it in me to go after the kids were in bed. Can't do everything!
My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. I'm spending the night in the hospital to have my thyroid removed. I tell people it was either that or breast augmentation - I just couldn't decide! The only times I have been in the hospital was when I was having a baby. It was worth the stay just to bring something cute and cuddly home with me. I wonder if my thyroid will be cute and cuddly!
I'm not freaked out by the surgery. In one sense I am relieved that I'm not "crazy". I've had doctors tell me over the last 6 years that my case wasn't worth their expertise. But I pressed on, being inspired by close friends and aquaintances. I thought even if I was crazy, I had to go to one more doctor just to prove it. Turns out, I'm not! So there!
Off to the races. See you on the other side!
My bags are packed and I'm ready to go. I'm spending the night in the hospital to have my thyroid removed. I tell people it was either that or breast augmentation - I just couldn't decide! The only times I have been in the hospital was when I was having a baby. It was worth the stay just to bring something cute and cuddly home with me. I wonder if my thyroid will be cute and cuddly!
I'm not freaked out by the surgery. In one sense I am relieved that I'm not "crazy". I've had doctors tell me over the last 6 years that my case wasn't worth their expertise. But I pressed on, being inspired by close friends and aquaintances. I thought even if I was crazy, I had to go to one more doctor just to prove it. Turns out, I'm not! So there!
Off to the races. See you on the other side!
Monday, February 14, 2011
Week 5
I had a fantastic run on Saturday with my sister-in-law. We ran 4.2 miles in 45 minutes (10 min. 40 sec per mile). I'm glad that not every run sucks - otherwise it would be harder to do it. I know it's Valentine's Day, but I'm contemplating going to the gym tonight. It really helps calm me and it is relaxing. Plus I don't have to go tomorrow if I do it today!
My trip to California taught me 2 things.
1.) It's really hard to eat well when your brother is a fantastic cook.
2.) It wasn't that hard to make time for a run.
In April we're planning a family vacation, and I was wondering how my running/training would fit into the schedule. Now that I've had a mini practice run, I know that I can do it if I make it a priority.
Even though I'm not able to "train" for the half marathon. The doctor is still encouraging me to keep up with my fitness. I guess it is a perfect excuse to not exercise, but I plan on running a half marathon at some point. I mean there has to be a stretch of time where I don't injure myself, need surgery, or have other life altering things happen right? If anything, being told no has made me more determined to do it.
My trip to California taught me 2 things.
1.) It's really hard to eat well when your brother is a fantastic cook.
2.) It wasn't that hard to make time for a run.
In April we're planning a family vacation, and I was wondering how my running/training would fit into the schedule. Now that I've had a mini practice run, I know that I can do it if I make it a priority.
Even though I'm not able to "train" for the half marathon. The doctor is still encouraging me to keep up with my fitness. I guess it is a perfect excuse to not exercise, but I plan on running a half marathon at some point. I mean there has to be a stretch of time where I don't injure myself, need surgery, or have other life altering things happen right? If anything, being told no has made me more determined to do it.
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