Monthly Archives: October 2013

I’m thankful Kate didn’t run away

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Ten Things of Thankful



For about six months now I have been stalking Kate from Another Clean Slate. If you don’t read her regularly, you should. It is so cool to see how I should have lived out my late 20’s early 30’s. You know, if I could have handled living in a city. And been a young, beautiful urban professional.

As many of you know, I’ve been signing up for 5k’s. So this week I am thankful that:
1. Kate answered my e-mail eons ago and rose to the challenge of doing a 5K with me.

2. That Kate finished her first 5k of this year. The bad part is she doesn’t think she did well. The awesome part is I know better. The race wasn’t that busy and she not only finished but finished looking as good as she had when she started.
Me, not so much.

3. That meeting a blog-friend in person is super scary, but turned out to be so comfortable. We seemed to pick up the conversation just as if we were e-mailing one another or reading her blog.

4. That David didn’t freak when I told him we were meeting another couple for the first time that I had never met in person. (He is kinda paranoid about the land of Blog)

5. That when Kate saw David & I for the first time dressed for the Mullet High-5 she didn’t tell Joe to lock the car doors and immediately drive away.


6. That David & I finished this race with our best time ever. 27 minutes. It really helped that the course was just about flat, the sun was hidden and the rain had stopped. Oh I am really thankful that the rain stopped an hour before race time.

7. David let me cross the finish line first this time. Even though he totally held back to run with me.

8. That my friend A landed 2nd place in our age-bracket. I was super proud of her. I finished 82 out of 180 runners. Definitely Kate and I were not last which is always my second goal next to just finishing.

9. The race ended with free beer (which I don’t drink David got two!). When I had my first sip of wine and Kate her first sip of beer she noticed it was only 10am. Neither of us judged so I feel thankful for that.

 


And last but not least, I am glad to say that sometimes things just work out. At our race this weekend Kate and Joe had to endure meeting a bunch of people they don’t know and everyone was just so happy to see one another. David & Joe got along great and they were not ‘strangers’ at all. I am not so sure I would’ve been that brave.

So, thanks to Kate for making my week!

For anyone who wonders why I was dressed so stylish…this is what the true Mullet Marathoners look like:

Oh and Kate, the next time we get together I a) promise not to make you run and b) will be dressed more appropriately!
 
One last thing, congrats to all my friends who participated in Buddy Walks around the Country today!



Life is freaking hard

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I’ve always been a working mom. It has been too easy to escape to work everyday. With Allie I could not wait for my maternity leave to end. Let’s face it, home with a newborn is kind of boring.

Then I had Boo and needed the routine of the office. Some place that I made decisions but not ones that would cause pain to my child. I looked forward to going to work and getting away from having a baby vomit on me.

Plus, being able to pay the mortgage is a wicked perk.

The hardest decision I’ve had to make is every morning going to work. Yes, the girls are in school. Allie in 4th grade and Boo in pre-school/SPED program. I don’t want to take them out of their programs, but I wish I had more opportunity to be there before and after school.

Instead I rush home from work. To therapy with Boo or Homework with Allie. Have I mentioned how much I despise homework?

One of these days, I swear I will find the balance between bills and home life. I hope it is before the girls no longer need me home.

And that is how I finished the sentence, the hardest choice I ever made was…

What is the hardest decision you have made lately?



Finish the Sentence Friday
 
And in case you forgot, and really how could you! I am taking the challenge of 31 for 21! 
 

I collect you…NOT

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Are you a collector? I mean, serious, as in will ravage any antique/yard/estate/shop sale to obtain some knick-knack? Allie has collections. She has collections of Barbies, Horses (thanks Auntie K), sea glass and Nutcrackers (thanks, mom).

And now there is that freaking rainbow loom. Guess how many bracelet collections she has?

David doesn’t really have collections. He is more of a pack rat. The man has a t-shirt from 1996 (He is wearing it now) and even one from 1983 (REO Speedwagon)–worn last weekend.

Boo has recently started a sticker collection. She doesn’t take the stickers off the backing, but she walks around with them. I blame her Speech therapist.

Me? I don’t collect so much. Don’t get me wrong, I have knick-knacks galore. But I didn’t buy any of them.  I like them, they are unique. Like the baking elves, Williamsburg signs, Cape Cod signs, Carolers (now only out at Christmas) and other what-nots.

I cannot believe I just said what-not.

The collection, though, I am most proud of is my friends. I have kind of an eclectic group. One I am meeting this weekend (woo hoo) for the first time in real life and others I have met via the blog. But also those close to home. The ones that I can just drop by and have a margarita with or a fine glass of wine.

No I do not collect wine. It really doesn’t stay around long enough to collect.

This post was brought to you by



What do you collect? And also by

Running for more than a nice butt

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One of the side benefits of running is that you get to raise money for worthy causes. I sign up for 5k’s every month so I don’t start slacking on my goals. But I refuse to sign up for a race just because. It has to be for a greater good. We have done one for Crohns disease(doing it next year with Kate!) and recently did one for Childhood Cancer. This weekend I have guilted Kate in joining me for the High-Five Mullet race that supports mental health services.

The upside? I get to meet Kate, for real in person.
The downside? She has to run a 5k. Okay, she can walk I’ll never tell

Oh, did I mention there was free beer after the race? Yup, David will be running too!

And while I am super proud of us for running a 5k I am in awe of those who not only run farther but do it without needing an ambulance afterwards. In honor of Down Syndrome month, Michelle’s husband ran in the Air Force Marathon. He is doing it for his beautiful daughter Kayla and others like her. Her family is trying to not only raise awareness but support more research for Down Syndrome. You can read more about their story here and if you have a few dollars to spare on a good cause, please consider sponsoring Mike’s team.

Who knows, maybe next year Kate and I will be ready for a half-marathon!

Blowing Sunshine

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Last week, Christine “introduced” me to a little Sunshine. Since I was having the day from hell, let me tell you how much I appreciated it!



Of course with all awards introductions there are rules. You have to answer questions and nominate other bloggers. Some questions were easier than others!

1. If you could learn to do anything, what would it be?
Meditate. I just don’t get it. Did you ever read: Eat, Pray, Love? Well she describes my mood in mediation perfectly. My thoughts zoom around the universe faster than Flash Gordon. I can never just focus and relax, find my happy place. But those I know who do mediate are so calm and just relaxed. I’d like to learn that.

Oh and how to swim without looking like I am drowning. That would be pretty cool, too.

2. If you were immortal for a day, what would you do?
How they heck am I supposed to answer this one? I have no idea, I mean immortal for a day? Isn’t immortal for all time because then I would totally start living like Duncan in the Highlander. Cause if I am immortal I would be rich.
 
3. What was your favorite food when you were a child? Hot dogs, until I threw them up I ate so many. Now I cannot stand the smell of them.
 
4. What was one of the best parties you’ve ever been to? I know David would want me to say our wedding. Which was truly the most fun party I ever hosted. But years ago we had friends that hosted an adult Halloween party. The costumes were the best. One year David and his friend went as Goose and Maverick. One guy dressed as an old lady and it took about 3 hours for us to figure out who he was.
 
5. What did you do growing up that got you into trouble? I was a good kid. Okay, mom might disagree. The only thing I ever remember (and she is going to kill me for this) was saying no to my mom when I was about 7. She washed my mouth out with soap. I have never said no again.
 
6. What chore do you absolutely hate doing? All of them. Every freaking one.
 
7. What sound do you love? Boo’s belly laugh. She laughs with her whole body. It is quite awesome.
 
8. What dessert do you order most often? M&M’s. Oh wait, you said ordered. That would be the Petite Treat Chocolate Milkshake at the 99. Three bites of amazing.
 
9. What is the first thing you do when you get up in the morning? Hit the snooze button
 
Thanks, again, Susan! If you have never read her blog you are missing out on some one who not only sees the humor in life but also in pigs.
 
Now it is my turn to blow some sunshine. And I choose (in no particular harbor order):
 
Rachel at Tao of Poop
Michelle at Big Blueberry Eyes
Lizzi at Considerings
 
If you so choose to accept the Sunshine, here are your questions:
 
1. Favorite moment of THIS week?
2. What would be the hardest food for you to give up?
3. If you could have any career, what would you choose?
4. You are stranded on a desert island, who would you want to be stranded with? (and don’t be lame and say your child/spouse)
5. What would be your perfect date? (With your spouse/partner this time!)
6. Favorite childhood memory?
7. If you won Powerball, what would be your first purchase?
8. Favorite vacation memory?
9. What sport would you most like to try if you were promised you could do it without looking like a fool?
 
I know that these introductions are sometimes work, but seriously you made my very long day a little easer. Please be sure to check out A Fly on Our Chicken Coop. Thanks again, Christine!
 
 
 
 
 
 

Six questions with Sylvia

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Last week I was not chosen for Blogger Idol. Allie was not surprised.  And I quote: Mom you didn’t try to sign did you?

Today is the first day of Down Syndrome Awareness month and the first day of the 31 for 21 Challenge hosted by my friend Michelle. While Boo does not have Down Syndrome, she has plenty of friends who do. For those friends I will be participating in the challenge once again. Or trying to, at least!

 

What a great way to start the challenge than by answering questions from my friend Sylvia? You can find her at Faithful Mom of 9 (yup, NINE). She tagged me in a game of six questions.

1. Is this how I imagined my life to be? Of course, every little girl imagines that she will be over 40, not living in a castle and married to a guy who thinks nothing of plucking a bird he just shot in the kitchen sink. Ha! In all seriousness, no. This is not the life I imagined at all.

But it is so much better than I could have dreamed. I have a guy, that while he does pluck birds in my sink he also attends the majority of Boo’s therapy appointments and is a hands-on dad. I have a daughter who is a wise-ass but also the most empathetic child I have ever met. I have Boo, who has taught me more about the world around me than all the social studies classes I took in school.

I might not have prince charming or live in a fantasy land. But life is pretty good.

3.What’s your drink of choice when out with girlfriends? Hmmm…let me think 🙂

5.Name something you’ve learned about yourself that has surprised you. I am not quite the wallflower I was in high school. I am more confident that I ever imagined I would be, willing to take risks and a stand for what I believe in.

7. What do I love about myself? That I made some pretty great kids. They are not perfect, but they are mine.

8. If money were no question, I’d purchase…a maid. Seriously, just to clean the bathrooms and the floors. Heck, who am I kidding. If money was no object I would hire a  housekeeper like Mrs. Garrett. They would cook, grocery shop and clean whatever mess David made in the kitchen with those damn birds.

9. What’s your biggest struggle in life? Finding enough time in the day for everything I sign myself up for!

Thank you so much Sylvia for tagging me. In turn I tag:

Kate at http://www.anothercleanslate.com/

K at Transcending CP

Emily at Oh Boy Mom!

Here were the rules:

If you choose to participate please pick six of the following questions to answer!
1. Is this how you imagined your life would be?
2. Name one good deed you did that went unseen.
3. What’s your drink of choice when out with girlfriends?
4. How did your blog come about?
5. Name something you’ve learned about yourself that has surprised you.
6. What hobbies do you have that you don’t mention on your blog?
7. What do you love about yourself?
8. If money were no question, I’d purchase…
9. What’s your biggest struggle in life?

Please be sure to stop by both Michelle’s and Sylvia’s blogs. You will not be disappointed.