It is funny when you realize just how much part of you is missing until you start it again. Having had to stop running in late fall due to gall bladder stuff (and surgery), I didn’t know when I might be able to pick it back up again. Starting again full force at the end of June to train for the 100 on 100 with friends has been perfect. In the last couple weeks, I have felt more like myself in a long time. It was hard to watch the marathon this year knowing I could have been out there if it hadn’t been for surgery, but it has been great being back in the saddle again. I am even challenging myself to do somethings this time around that I hadn’t done before — early morning runs with my neighbor at a quicker pace than I am used to, trail runs at the Trapp Family Lodge, try a summer race in hot Florida (coming up next week), and looking for other races around the state to try on for size. In no way would I consider myself a “runner” in the same category as real racers, but I don’t care. I love being able to run with the duffer and stop halfway for our “snack and chat” and then run back to the car. I love that the duffer saw his mom out in the heat running a tough course (while he collected the course markers) and then watch her win the race too. I love that he ran his first “race” [in the jogger, but still] and earned his first medal. I love feeling healthier than I have in a long time. It is great. I think it is good to remind ourselves every once in a while about pieces of our identity that we have put on the back burner because of one thing or the other and get back out there. It is a little like a math equation. The whole is only as great as the sum of its parts. I am glad that one of my parts is back in the equation.
Tag Archives: Life
What John Lennon Said…
“Life is what happens when you are busy making other plans.”
Today, I am home with the little duffer as he hopefully kicks the viral infection he has had all week. My goal is he rests up so completely he DOES NOT get the pneumonia that one of his friends has at school. We were on chicken pox watch last night, which was interesting because I did not know that if one contracts it they have to be out of school for seven days. Who knew??? I had almost prepared to be out of school because then that guarantees that it won’t happen.
Right now, he and the dogs are napping so I have a moment for me. It is funny what kids will do to you. In years past, I would be totally stressed that I couldn’t go to work and like eight million things aren’t getting done, but now I realize there are more important things (don’t tell my school I said that).
In addition, I realized the true power of saying NO this week. I was asked to do something professionally related that to me seemed like if I turned it down would be the end of the world, but to do it would mean taking time that I don’t have away from my family on weekends and evenings SO I said no. And truth be told, once I said no I felt empowered to be in control of my life and that it is okay not to always be a people pleaser.
In regards to books, I have slowed down a little bit, but I am reading the new Carlos Ruiz Zafron novel whenever I get a minute. It is one of those books that you don’t want to read too fast because if it is anything like Shadows of the Wind then I won’t want it to end and I will be sad when it does. I reread the short story “Demon Lover” by Elizabeth Bowen because a student was writing a paper. Very gothic. Lots to read into.
It has been a little hard to read this week because it is premiere week for TV shows. Of course, I totally forgot to DVR Bones and Fringe so now I need to figure out how to get a hold of those so my husband doesn’t disown me.
Happy Fall!
My Day
I am sure later I will come up with a better title, but this post is to tell you that I am pretty sure that none of you did what I did today. See, two weeks ago my mother told me that while my husband was away at his conference I should do some things around the house because that would make him happy. Today, I took my little duffer to daycare, turned around drove home, and decided that I would mow the lawn. My husband is not a fan of mowing the lawn because since it rains every day he needs to do it at least once a week. In addition, it takes at least two hours to do right. I decided that I would indeed mow the lawn for my husband (front yard and back yard) so that when he came home tomorrow after his final day of class (and evening of BBQ, Bocce, and Bonding) he would not need to worry about it. He could do more fun things like chainsaw or work on his car. What I forgot about is my complete and total fear of falling off the tractor, well not so much falling off the tractor, but having the tractor tip and roll on top of me. Of course, the likelihood of that happening — slim — but you can’t tell your irrational fears those things. I start out doing fine. I made it once around the yard and then started down the small incline by the road just like my husband showed me. Only problem, I forgot that to the left of the rock it gets a little muddy because of all the rain and being at the bottom of an hill. I managed to get the tractor stuck. Of course, I am stubborn as all get out and not about to call in someone to help me get it moving so I tried once more and came inches away from saving the day only to have the tire get bogged down again. At this point I claimed defeat then texted and called my husband to admit what I had done. After laughing and telling me that tractors get stuck, he suggested what he might do if he was there. The picture gives you an idea. After driving the truck across the lawn in 4-wheel drive, I attached the chain that was in the back to the pull in the front of the truck and found a small area I could attach the chain on the tractor. With music blaring (very important when attempting difficult things), I backed the truck up enough to pull the tractor a good ten feet from the mud. Once safe from the watery and muddy abyss, I put the tractor back in the garage and decided that finishing up the laundry, dishes, and maybe vacuuming the rug will be enough. Of course, once Carl is back I plan to get out there and finish the lawn once the yard dries out. After all, I’m as stubborn as all get out.
Thoughts
In all this quiet, I have time for things or thoughts that have crossed the dashboard of my life in the last so many days. Since I have limited quiet time, I will recount them in no particular order, importance, or reason.
Death Wish — Turkey Style. Driving home yesterday, the largest most wild turkey flew directly in front of our windshield. Now, as a woman whose mother has hit a deer in her lifetime, you would think the sight of a bird flying extremely close to a window would be small potatoes, but in my case I nearly fainted. Out of nowhere on a highway connector came this bird with purpose. As the passenger, I saw it before my husband, but instead of warning him I merely closed my eyes and waited for it to all pass. You think it strange that I would not warn my hubby of this honkin’ bird that could probably do more damage to our car than it to us, but it seemed perfectly legit to me. See — my hubby told me I had to stop making noises or yelling if cars were too close or something was happening while he was driving because it startled him. So, in some zen meditative state, I remembered this piece of advice and calmly closed my eyes with my hands over them and waited. Of course afterward, my husband wondered why I hadn’t warned him, but like the good wife that I am I reminded him that he asked for less squeaks or comments and for the first time I actually listened to his request.
Running. The half marathon is a couple months away, but I am on week 3 of training and doing okay. Since I hadn’t been running since pre-baby by a long shot, I was a little nervous about starting with running. My friend told me that her doctor had told her no running until after she was done breastfeeding because of how loose the joints still are, but I assumed her doctor meant her and continued my quest anyway. I am glad that I have. I feel stronger. I feel faster. I feel more assured as a runner this time around. I don’t know if this is because my cross training is running after a little duffer who has recently learned to crawl or carrying him around (at least 25 pounds) or if because I am beginning to feel fit again, but I actually can say without reservation — I like running.
The Burlington Scene. In the last couple days, my hubby and I have had to be in Burlington doing things and for the first time we decided we are so not Burlington. We have definitely become part of a different scene which is really having no scene at all. Sitting at Breakwaters watching some really out there outfits while visiting with colleagues, we realized we are not 25 anymore. Burlington has this feel to it that seems like a time in our past. In addition, the news is reporting that we are getting a Whole Foods in South Burlington — ugh. Let’s bring more of corporate American disguised as some holistic food market to our small state. Interestingly, the comments on the news website embracing the chain are from the same people who condemn Walmart coming into other parts of the state. Hypocrisy? Plus, the driving in the Burlington area has gotten a little out of control in the last couple years. People drive like Jimmie Johnson–like they want to hit you in turn four right before you cross the finish line. In some ways, we could mourn the fact that we are not as hip as we thought we were once, but both of us agree that we are okay not being cool. In fact, we are enjoying it.
It’s, oh, so quiet. It’s, oh, so still. You’re all alone. And so peaceful until…
I find lately when I am in situations where it is really still and quiet that this Bjork song comes through my head like a montage. I wait patiently for the part in the song where Bjork explodes, but still all is quiet. With an eight month old, two dogs, and a house full of guests until a couple days ago, I forgot what quiet was. Today, my little duffer is at daycare and my hubby is at the junkyard with two of his friends looking for car parts and I am sitting oh so quietly on my couch after a quick hilly run. There are gray clouds in the distance that scream thunderstorm so I know the tweet of the birds and the whistle of the leaves is temporary, but I’ll take it. Of course, in all this quiet, I don’t know what to do with myself. I want to get the laundry cranking, do all the dishes in the sink, vacuum the rug in the living room, but I am actually thinking how nice the quiet is. Plus, I keep waiting for the part of song to get revved up and the dogs to start barking at the neighbor’s truck returning or the phone ringing telling me I need to pick up my son or something that will disrupt the sweet tinkling sound my dog’s bell makes as she checks in with me to make sure all is well. But… for now I’ll take it.
Rainy Day Off
Sheets of rain and wind are the backdrop for my day off. I suppose it is my luck that today when I could be outside frolicking I am enjoying an inside day not unlike many people who probably live in the Seattle area. I can’t remember the last time I sat down to write, but that doesn’t surprise me because even though I didn’t run the marathon this past weekend in Vermont I have been running my own marathon with six-and-a-half month babe, end of school year stuff, and oh yeah life. Today, since I can’t sleep past 6:45 a.m. anymore, I was up catching up on some blogs I subscribe to about books. Why I wasn’t reading an actual book instead I can’t tell you, but I felt like I need to hear about what others are reading. This, of course, only depressed me because I realized I am that far behind in the world of books. Clearly, the hip beret wearing book crowd is not reading Mouse was Mad, but actually many may be reading Where the Wild Things Are because of the movie due out in the fall. Speaking of books that become movies — I am mad about a recent decision to cast Angelina Jolie as Kay Scarpetta. Granted I became increasingly uninterested in the Patricia Cornwell series as it continued, but what the hell were they thinking. In all the books I have read, not once did picture Angelina Jolie as the main character. This, my friends, is what frustrates me about books becoming movies because in my humble opinion if the movie is better than the book then the book must have been bad. We all have our games of thinking about who we might cast in the movie version of our favorite books, but do we want them to actually make the movie–not really. For years, my mom and I have tried to figure out who would play the characters from the Janet Evanovich series with Stephanie Plum. In fact, we have been playing this game for so many years we had to uncast (not a word–I know) Sandra Bullock because she became too old for the character. I know it is not just me who feels this way about books to movies. A student yesterday, who was telling me I must read Pride and Prejudice as a summer read if I hadn’t already, said DO NOT see the movie with Kiera Knightly. I am guessing this student was saying in not so many words that Kiera Knightly is not who she would have cast as Elizabeth Bennett. I guess the only positive thing I can dream about happening from such books being made into movies is that folks will decide to pick up the book after the movie is out, but I guess this could become the famous chicken and egg scenario fast. As you can see, amidst the muted day outside my window, I try to find a glimmer of sunlight about books and movies. Truthfully, I think I will have to look ahead to my haircut this afternoon and past that conversation to find warmth.
Must Love Dogs
A billion times. Maybe two billion. That is how many times I have seen Must Love Dogs. I never tire of it. It is like Say Anything for adults. Helps that John Cusack is in it. Sam and Maggie enjoy it as well. They really go for the newfoundland in it named Mother Theresa. It is Friday night. Duffer and I are on movie number three. Well, technically he has only made it through two since now he is asleep, but we are living large. His dad, my husband, is away at a golf tournament. Tomorrow, we look forward to more movies. If he falls asleep, I may attempt watching a film like Rachel Gets Married or Slumdog Millionaire. Something that requires you to think while watching it and not miss key elements of dialogue, etc. Or maybe I’ll just rent Bedtime Stories and pretend like I all cultured and stuff.
Two Versions of Yourself
As my little man finishes up his nap (almost two hours — and I got to sleep for 1 1/2 of them), I am reading about Danica Patrick’s ways in which she stays in shape. She and I are about the same size according to the stats (only she is about four inches taller). She obviously has a much different job than I do in life (driving an Indy race car), although carrying over twenty pounds of baby could qualify as the same I think. She tells of eating breakfasts that consist of egg white omelets and brown rice oatmeal. Her lunches involve lean protein and her big splurge is making some whole wheat pizza that has low fat mozzarella with her husband, who is a physical therapist. Considering I had donuts for breakfast yesterday and a handful of candy after my sandwich at lunch, I don’t think I fall into her category — although I want to. I want to be that healthy all of the time, but wait I am not sponsored or in the public eye so maybe that is why it is really hard to turn down bacon and french toast for breakfast even though I am attempting to work on my post-baby pudge. Instead I think it is okay to relish in the splurges if you do it in moderation. If I had donuts for breakfast everyday or King-Size Fifth Avenue bars daily then we probably would need to talk. The other good thing is summer is on the horizon and for some reason eating carb and fat-filled things seems unsatisfying when it is very humid and warm outside. Those are the days I crave fruit and vegetables. Large glasses of ice cold water instead of lattes (okay, I always crave lattes — nevermind that comparison). I am finishing this post after the delightful breakfast of bacon and french toast. As I finish my cold coffee, I am already thinking about my run this afternoon (three miles of pure hills) and the hike I plan to take with my newly clean dogs (bath time is like a small exercise class) and my 20+ lb baby this afternoon. I am dreaming of American Flatbread for dinner this evening and reminding myself that I need lots of water today — so maybe I won’t be on the cover of Shape magazine, but I know that I will be happy being me.
I saw it written and I saw it say…Pink moon is on it’s way…
or pink eye. We’ve moved from a gray day to a pink day. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. At least, my husband and I had a chance to exercise. He powered through a half hour or so bike ride in our hilly neck of the woods while I did a little under three miles in a little over a half hour. Only minor glitch was the dry heaving at the end of it all. I guess I pushed myself a little too hard coming back up the hill. When you are out of the running world for a while you are never quite sure how hard it too hard to go out. Now, off to spend the day with my eye-gooey son. Guess he prefers hanging out with mom after all.
April in Vermont…
is a crapshoot — like Forrest Gump and his box of chocolates. Just last week, it was fifty degrees. Today, we have a light dusting of snow. Luckily, the sun has started to light up the sky with cornflower blue instead of the sludge gray that has been lingering over the course of the last week. Unfortunately, sickness is still rampant in our household. My husband finally is better, but now my son is out sick from school with his first ear infection and other ailments. Really, my son is a big golf fan and didn’t want to miss out on the first day of the Masters. He is really routing for Sergio to take it all this year and wanted to make sure he could see his opening round. Interestingly, his dad who is a huge golf fan is at work while mom is home with him. We are hoping to get better in the next day or so because we have our first field trip to a local aquarium this Saturday. The biggest compliment that my husband and I received this past week was our son’s pediatrician telling us that she was thankful for our positive attitudes around sickness because according to her not all parents are as understanding. Our theory is it is what it is. Getting upset about it doesn’t really change what is happening for our son so why use that energy. On another note, I had a huge flashback to my youth when my local pharmacist handed me the cotton candy colored exilir that my mom once gave my sister in a plastic vial. It is funny the way things move full circle as the crocuses break through the hard earth and the ducks return to the outskirts of the pond in hopes that the ice will melt soon.
