I don't like to promote TV shows or Movies on the blog...but, I will admit it I'm a Gleek. I watch Glee, and I like it. Yes, I know it's a high school show, they sing show tunes, and break out in song and dance every 3.5 minutes. But, I like it.
The #1 reason I like it, it's real (aside from the singing and dancing that is). I grew up with 90210 and there is a new and updates 90210 on TV currently and it's rubbish. A bunch of rich kids struggling with what party they are going to next and what outfit they are going to wear.
Glee on the other hand deals with kids who's parents are laid off and are struggling to get by, bullying, teenage pregnancy, coming out of the closet and having people hate you, teenage suicide, OCD, getting into college etc. Basically they are kids dealing with real issues that most teenagers would be able to relate to in one way or another.
Last weeks episode was hard to watch. I cried almost the entire time. In short a football player has been outed as being gay, the team makes fun of him, other gay guys in school make fun of him, and the gay guy he has a crush on won't return his calls, so he tries to kill himself.
One of my core beliefs is that no matter what my personal feelings/morals are even if someone is the exact opposite of what I believe is right we are all humans, and we all deserve a basic level of respect and kindness. (Aside from murderers, rapists, molesters...you get the idea).
Judge Less and Love More.
One of my main goals in raising Sky is raising her to be a nice girl. I don't want her to be a push over that gets walked on, but I do want her to know that her words have the power to make someone feel worthy or worthless.
I would feel like a failure if I found out my daughters words contributed to someone feeling bad about themselves or trying to hurt themselves. She doesn't have to like everyone or be friends with everyone, but I do expect her to treat everyone with basic respect and kindness. (In general of course, if someone tries to hurt her and she needs to defend herself then it's on and she can kick ass).
The majority of my friends don't like Glee and I have heard my share of jokes, negative comments, and been made fun of for watching it. But, you know what I don't care what they think. I appreciate the message from last weeks episode and the reminder as to what values I want to raise my daughter with.
Plus, say what you want about show tunes, there is some serious singing and dancing talent on the show!
Monday, February 27, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Compression Sleeves
Why, why, why did I wait so long to get compression sleeves for my legs? I ran my longest distance today, with my new sleeves, and I feel amazing!!! Ever since this training thing started I have had shin splint issues and it sucks! On top of that my calf's have constant cramps and are hard as a rock all the time and hurt when I run.
But, after 6 miles of road running today my legs feel great and they didn't hurt not once during my run today! I'm so excited! I felt so good at the end that I could have kept going, and I'm looking forward to doing 8 miles next weekend.
I may go get 10 more pairs. :) Actually I will probably get by on one pair until the marathon and get a cool pair at the expo. (I'm so excited to go to my first race expo!) That will be my treat to myself for the 1/2...new sleeves.
I'm icing my knees, shins and ankles as preventive treatment. Later I will spend some time with the foam roller and work on the quads and gluts. That's my new strategy, wear the sleeves every time I run (perhaps wear them after the long runs for a few hours to help with recovery - got that tip from a marathon runner) ice, stretch, foam roller even if it doesn't feel like I need it.
Thank you for the run Jodi! It felt good to get up and get it done early in the weekend, plus I like running with you. :) Looking forward to next weekend!
But, after 6 miles of road running today my legs feel great and they didn't hurt not once during my run today! I'm so excited! I felt so good at the end that I could have kept going, and I'm looking forward to doing 8 miles next weekend.
I may go get 10 more pairs. :) Actually I will probably get by on one pair until the marathon and get a cool pair at the expo. (I'm so excited to go to my first race expo!) That will be my treat to myself for the 1/2...new sleeves.
I'm icing my knees, shins and ankles as preventive treatment. Later I will spend some time with the foam roller and work on the quads and gluts. That's my new strategy, wear the sleeves every time I run (perhaps wear them after the long runs for a few hours to help with recovery - got that tip from a marathon runner) ice, stretch, foam roller even if it doesn't feel like I need it.
Thank you for the run Jodi! It felt good to get up and get it done early in the weekend, plus I like running with you. :) Looking forward to next weekend!
Friday, February 24, 2012
For The Love of Running
Ever since registering for the 1/2 marathon and starting the training I have lost my love of running. It's a simple thing really, the difference between calling a friend and saying, "Hey I feel like running Chambers, want to join me" and "Hey, I have to get in 6 miles today, want to join me?"
It's the difference between I have to and I want to. I have been looking at all the training miles as something I have to do, not something I want to do. Obviously I wanted to register for the 1/2 and wanted to put in the training miles or I wouldn't have registered, but my mental outlook has been negative.
(This has nothing to do with the running company I have been keeping as of late...I enjoy being around the people I run with and look forward to running with them as far as the social aspect...I have just not been loving the actual physical act of running.)
So much of running takes place in your head and my head has not been a happy running place the last few weeks.
I didn't want to run yesterday, but I had to get 3 miles in, and as I was getting dressed was thinking of it as something I had to do, not something I wanted to do. In this negative mind set I managed to make one of the best running related decisions ever. I plugged into my MP3 player and skipped listening to RunKeeper. (RunKeeper tracks miles, pace, calories, elevation etc.)
And you know what, I loved it. I smiled at every single person I passed and I got lost in each song that came on. I settled in and didn't think about am I too fast or slow. I was able to pay attention to what hurt and why, is it an injury issue or just normal running pain. And, I was able to just settle into a comfortable pace that felt good even if I had to idea what that pace actually was.
For so long I have been focused on pace and getting faster. I have to get over the feeling of going backwards in my running. I had finally gotten to a point in my 5K's that felt good and fast. I was running between 8:40 and 9:20 a mile on a consistent basis and my training runs were fast as well. But, they were short. I didn't feel the need to run more than 3 or 4 miles since my races have, for the most part, all been 5K's. It took a year for me to get to that point and now having to slow things down a bit feels like a step in the wrong direction. But, it's not and I know that, just had to let go of it.
Even though I listened to my MP3 player I still had RunKeeper running . When I checked it at the end of my run I learned that 10:20 to 10:30 is pretty comfortable. I felt like I could have kept going for many more miles. I feel like 10:30 may be a good pace to aim for. I guess I will figure that out as I start doing longer and longer training runs. I think I'm going to stop listening to my pacing for the majority of my runs. I will probably listen once a week or so just so I can adjust while running and know what faster or slower feels like without having to be told.
Yesterdays run was just what I needed. So looking forward to my long run tomorrow with Jodi!!
It's the difference between I have to and I want to. I have been looking at all the training miles as something I have to do, not something I want to do. Obviously I wanted to register for the 1/2 and wanted to put in the training miles or I wouldn't have registered, but my mental outlook has been negative.
(This has nothing to do with the running company I have been keeping as of late...I enjoy being around the people I run with and look forward to running with them as far as the social aspect...I have just not been loving the actual physical act of running.)
So much of running takes place in your head and my head has not been a happy running place the last few weeks.
I didn't want to run yesterday, but I had to get 3 miles in, and as I was getting dressed was thinking of it as something I had to do, not something I wanted to do. In this negative mind set I managed to make one of the best running related decisions ever. I plugged into my MP3 player and skipped listening to RunKeeper. (RunKeeper tracks miles, pace, calories, elevation etc.)
And you know what, I loved it. I smiled at every single person I passed and I got lost in each song that came on. I settled in and didn't think about am I too fast or slow. I was able to pay attention to what hurt and why, is it an injury issue or just normal running pain. And, I was able to just settle into a comfortable pace that felt good even if I had to idea what that pace actually was.
For so long I have been focused on pace and getting faster. I have to get over the feeling of going backwards in my running. I had finally gotten to a point in my 5K's that felt good and fast. I was running between 8:40 and 9:20 a mile on a consistent basis and my training runs were fast as well. But, they were short. I didn't feel the need to run more than 3 or 4 miles since my races have, for the most part, all been 5K's. It took a year for me to get to that point and now having to slow things down a bit feels like a step in the wrong direction. But, it's not and I know that, just had to let go of it.
Even though I listened to my MP3 player I still had RunKeeper running . When I checked it at the end of my run I learned that 10:20 to 10:30 is pretty comfortable. I felt like I could have kept going for many more miles. I feel like 10:30 may be a good pace to aim for. I guess I will figure that out as I start doing longer and longer training runs. I think I'm going to stop listening to my pacing for the majority of my runs. I will probably listen once a week or so just so I can adjust while running and know what faster or slower feels like without having to be told.
Yesterdays run was just what I needed. So looking forward to my long run tomorrow with Jodi!!
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Thankful Thursday...
Will be back next week...
For now here is a link to the video of the news story KOMO 4 ran of Mark's eye surgery last night.
Check it out.
http://www.komonews.com/home/video/Social-media-helps-give-man-the-gift-of-sight-140113923.html
For now here is a link to the video of the news story KOMO 4 ran of Mark's eye surgery last night.
Check it out.
http://www.komonews.com/home/video/Social-media-helps-give-man-the-gift-of-sight-140113923.html
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Presidents Day Camping Trip
We had a lovely time camping this last weekend. I am so glad we have a camper because it means we can camp early or late in the season and stay warm and dry. We were about 1 1/2 from Forks, home of the Twilight books/movies. Several of us in the group have read the books and seen all the movies and one little girl in particular couldn't wait to visit all the Twilight hot spots in Forks. It was a little goofy since the movies were not actually filmed there, but the town has done a great job of cashing in on all the sparkly vampire fans out there.
Pancakes for breakfast with all the girls.
We visited the Olympic Game Park and since the speed limit is crawling, because of driving through all the animals, Sky got to sit in my lap while we drove through. We had lamas, yaks, elk, zebra, buffalo and little dear things sticking their heads in the truck windows waiting for us to feed them. Sky LOVED the elk. She would jump up and down and laugh like crazy every time she saw one and every time they got close to her. She had a ton of fun feeding the yaks and buffalo pieces of bread.
Happy camper!
I love the way she is looking at her Daddy!
Mini Beckham's.
Friday, February 17, 2012
Gone Camping
That is the lovely thing about having a trailer with heat...early season camping! Leaving around noon today for the coast. And, while I have all of Sky's stuff packed and tucked away in the trailer, I have not packed a single item for myself. Lot's to do!
Enjoy the long weekend all. I'm sure there will be pics when we get back Monday afternoon.
Enjoy the long weekend all. I'm sure there will be pics when we get back Monday afternoon.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
Thankful Thursday
Today I'm very thankful for some "unsolicited" running advice from the one person I will actually listen too. To be fare Mark had given me some of the same advice, but did I listen, no. But, as soon as the one person I do listen to when it comes to all things running emailed me a long email laying things out I listened.
It was a good reality check. On top of the advice I have had some forced down time this week as Sky has been sick. She has a cold that makes it hard to breath, and while she is sleeping ok at night, she seems to only want to nap in mommies arms during the day. So I have been laying low giving her what she needs, which is the whole point of being a stay at home mom. So while the training has suffered this week it was good timing. (Shine splints are gone and my hip and knee feel much, much better.)
I did get a very slow, flat 4 miles in on Tuesday and it was perfect. Some of my pains had gotten better and it was nice to take it easy and let my body recover while still getting a run in.
I now realize that training for a 1/2 is not about speed, keeping up with others, kicking butt on hills, running 3 or 4 times a week and going to class 3 times a week, and not letting myself rest.
I'm adjusting my attitude and focusing on slowing down when I need to. Ultimately I need to know I can be on my feet for 2 1/2 hours (or so) and cross the finish line, without injuries. It's ok to slow it down. Each run is going to be what I need it to be regardless of who I may or may not be running with.
The best part is I have made peace with the fact that until this race my fitness routine needs to be about what is going to get me to the start line without injuries and what is going to get me across the finish line. That means I'm going to drop down to 2 days a week of fitness class. That way I can get my strength training and sprinting/speed work in, get my training runs in, but give myself 2 days a week to rest.
Thank you for the advice...you know who you are. :)
Thank you to Jodi for being willing to run slow with me Tuesday and "just" walk Wednesday. Thanks to El too for "just" walking. Although Chambers Bay is hardly "just" a walk. :)
Jodi also eased my mind about the hill factor...it's not as hilly of a 1/2 as I was stressing about, so that makes me feel a lot better!
And, thank you to Mark for not saying I TOLD YOU SO, you so had the right to. As always, you offer your advice but then let me decide on my own when and if to listen. Love you!
It was a good reality check. On top of the advice I have had some forced down time this week as Sky has been sick. She has a cold that makes it hard to breath, and while she is sleeping ok at night, she seems to only want to nap in mommies arms during the day. So I have been laying low giving her what she needs, which is the whole point of being a stay at home mom. So while the training has suffered this week it was good timing. (Shine splints are gone and my hip and knee feel much, much better.)
I did get a very slow, flat 4 miles in on Tuesday and it was perfect. Some of my pains had gotten better and it was nice to take it easy and let my body recover while still getting a run in.
I now realize that training for a 1/2 is not about speed, keeping up with others, kicking butt on hills, running 3 or 4 times a week and going to class 3 times a week, and not letting myself rest.
I'm adjusting my attitude and focusing on slowing down when I need to. Ultimately I need to know I can be on my feet for 2 1/2 hours (or so) and cross the finish line, without injuries. It's ok to slow it down. Each run is going to be what I need it to be regardless of who I may or may not be running with.
The best part is I have made peace with the fact that until this race my fitness routine needs to be about what is going to get me to the start line without injuries and what is going to get me across the finish line. That means I'm going to drop down to 2 days a week of fitness class. That way I can get my strength training and sprinting/speed work in, get my training runs in, but give myself 2 days a week to rest.
Thank you for the advice...you know who you are. :)
Thank you to Jodi for being willing to run slow with me Tuesday and "just" walk Wednesday. Thanks to El too for "just" walking. Although Chambers Bay is hardly "just" a walk. :)
Jodi also eased my mind about the hill factor...it's not as hilly of a 1/2 as I was stressing about, so that makes me feel a lot better!
And, thank you to Mark for not saying I TOLD YOU SO, you so had the right to. As always, you offer your advice but then let me decide on my own when and if to listen. Love you!
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
First Valentines Day
Mark and I are not huge Valentines Day celebrators. The last few years we have had a good bottle of wine and home cooked meal and I am so happy with that. This year we found an Argentinian crusted steak with chimichurri sauce recipe and it was divine! I stopped at a local bakery and got a piece of vegan, gluten free devils food cake for Mark for dessert. Of course I stole a few bites! It was a nice evening in with the two loves of my life!
Look at how cute I am, please be mine.
Baby jail.
Big smile seeing daddy after coming home from running with me.
Look at me...I'm standing! (I'm so excited I found a use for the crib bumpers. It keeps her from crawling up and hitting her head on the bars and from getting her little feet stuck under the bottom cross bar.)
It took a few bites of cake before she decided she likes it. It was vegan and gluten free so really it's like health food.
Monday, February 13, 2012
What Is True Tragidy?
(I try not to piss people off on my blog, but I have held my tongue as long as possible.)
A true tragedy is what happened to the Powell boys. A true tragedy is what happened to Sherry...murdered while on a morning run near her home. A true tragedy is US soldiers being killed by friendly fire. A true tragedy is losing your spouse, child, or other family member.
You know what is not a tragedy...the death of someone due to their own inability to cope with life. Fame seems to mean that when you die people forget your behavior and overlook that you openly admitted you like to party and drink and your death was a result of your own addiction.
It seems society will deem your death a tragedy regardless of how messed up you are as a person just because you are famous. Yes I'm talking about Whitney and I know my view is not popular. But, this is my blog and I can post what I like.
I'm not saying that Whitney didn't contribute amazing music and pave the way for some amazing artists. She had a beautiful voice and I think her version of the Star Spangled Banner is the only one that should ever be played. But, that does not automatically make her a good person and it does not make her death a tragedy.
How is Whitney any different from the drug addict your drive past downtown? Is she better than the "average" addict because she got her drugs from her Dr. rather than a dealer in the alley?
I don't understand how people can say they are numb, their hearts hurt, or they are shocked she is no longer a part of their life. FYI - she never really was a part of your life. You don't know her, never met her, never had a single conversation with her. You had a relationship with her through MTV, award shows, interviews, concerts, movies and hearing her on the radio. Yet hearts are breaking and people are numb and in shock.
You know whats shocking? A father that stabs his two little boys before he burns them to death. An addict OD'ing is not shocking.
I understand to a point being sad that someone you enjoyed as an entertainer has died. Believe me when Steven Tyler goes I will be sad. I have been a fan since I was 13, in the last 12 years I have gone to every concert they have done in WA. But it won't be a tragedy for me. I will be sad that there won't be any more concerts or new music, but that is the extent of it.
I guess that is what really bothers me about all the posts on FB and people saying what a tragedy her death is. Number one, it's really only a tragedy for her daughter and her family. Number two, if Whitney were the local crack whore on the corner no one would give a crap about her dying, but because she was famous and had a lovely voice people are acting like their best friend died. It's the hypocrisy of it that really bothers me.
Ok I'm done. (don't even get me started on MJ's death!)
A true tragedy is what happened to the Powell boys. A true tragedy is what happened to Sherry...murdered while on a morning run near her home. A true tragedy is US soldiers being killed by friendly fire. A true tragedy is losing your spouse, child, or other family member.
You know what is not a tragedy...the death of someone due to their own inability to cope with life. Fame seems to mean that when you die people forget your behavior and overlook that you openly admitted you like to party and drink and your death was a result of your own addiction.
It seems society will deem your death a tragedy regardless of how messed up you are as a person just because you are famous. Yes I'm talking about Whitney and I know my view is not popular. But, this is my blog and I can post what I like.
I'm not saying that Whitney didn't contribute amazing music and pave the way for some amazing artists. She had a beautiful voice and I think her version of the Star Spangled Banner is the only one that should ever be played. But, that does not automatically make her a good person and it does not make her death a tragedy.
How is Whitney any different from the drug addict your drive past downtown? Is she better than the "average" addict because she got her drugs from her Dr. rather than a dealer in the alley?
I don't understand how people can say they are numb, their hearts hurt, or they are shocked she is no longer a part of their life. FYI - she never really was a part of your life. You don't know her, never met her, never had a single conversation with her. You had a relationship with her through MTV, award shows, interviews, concerts, movies and hearing her on the radio. Yet hearts are breaking and people are numb and in shock.
You know whats shocking? A father that stabs his two little boys before he burns them to death. An addict OD'ing is not shocking.
I understand to a point being sad that someone you enjoyed as an entertainer has died. Believe me when Steven Tyler goes I will be sad. I have been a fan since I was 13, in the last 12 years I have gone to every concert they have done in WA. But it won't be a tragedy for me. I will be sad that there won't be any more concerts or new music, but that is the extent of it.
I guess that is what really bothers me about all the posts on FB and people saying what a tragedy her death is. Number one, it's really only a tragedy for her daughter and her family. Number two, if Whitney were the local crack whore on the corner no one would give a crap about her dying, but because she was famous and had a lovely voice people are acting like their best friend died. It's the hypocrisy of it that really bothers me.
Ok I'm done. (don't even get me started on MJ's death!)
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Week One Done
First week of 1/2 marathon training is done. What have I learned?
-Ice packs will be my best friend, as more things start to hurt I may just start taking ice baths.
-I hate my fuel belt, my elbows hit my drink bottles on each side, but it does have a handy chap stick holder!
-Running in the rain leads to sloshing in the shoes and super white wrinkled skin on my feet.
-I am going to be constantly hungry and tired.
Week 1 and already my ankles, bad knee and bad hip hurt. A lot! I have shin splint on both shins. I'm beginning to wonder how my body is going to hold up to the weekly miles. Especially since most of my running in paved. It felt so good yesterday to off road on some trails. I need more trail running in my life I think.
I can put up with a lot of pain, but one thing I'm a wimp about is shin splints. Shin splints will make me gladly give up running. The thing is I can't give up until the middle of June...I'm registered for races through June. (I don't want to give up anyway, I like running, I just hate running with shin splint pain).
I'm taking baby steps, one run at a time, how am I going to get through one run at a time.
-Ice packs will be my best friend, as more things start to hurt I may just start taking ice baths.
-I hate my fuel belt, my elbows hit my drink bottles on each side, but it does have a handy chap stick holder!
-Running in the rain leads to sloshing in the shoes and super white wrinkled skin on my feet.
-I am going to be constantly hungry and tired.
Week 1 and already my ankles, bad knee and bad hip hurt. A lot! I have shin splint on both shins. I'm beginning to wonder how my body is going to hold up to the weekly miles. Especially since most of my running in paved. It felt so good yesterday to off road on some trails. I need more trail running in my life I think.
I can put up with a lot of pain, but one thing I'm a wimp about is shin splints. Shin splints will make me gladly give up running. The thing is I can't give up until the middle of June...I'm registered for races through June. (I don't want to give up anyway, I like running, I just hate running with shin splint pain).
I'm taking baby steps, one run at a time, how am I going to get through one run at a time.
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Trail Run For Sherry
You can't see it because of our heads, but that is Puget Sound behind us. Our first stop was a nice overlook at the top of a good warm-up hill. From there we dropped down to the lake in the middle of Ft. Steilacoom park, edged the lake until we headed back, up to the top of the back hill and then dropped down again through the woods on single track trails.
Single track trail running is our favorite, and it seemed like this run should be for the pure joy of running freeing our minds to reflect and generate positive energy for Sherry's family and all those that loved her.
I hope all that knew and loved Sherry are able to start finding peace of mind and heart.
Friday, February 10, 2012
Good Morning
This is what we woke up to this morning.
A truck took out the power pole sometime before 3am. We heard the power company trucks show up at 3'ish this morning, but we didn't hear the crash at all. Currently there is a big truck parked in our driveway, taking out the old pole, putting in a new one and transferring the lines from the old power pole to the new one. This is the 3rd accident since we moved in, at least they didn't take out our fence this time.
Thursday, February 9, 2012
Thankful Thursday
I'm thankful we had a stretch of sunny warmish days last week. On one hand it was sort of mean because it tricked us into thinking/wanting Spring to be here, but on the other hand the timing was perfect to help get us through the rest of winter. This is always the time of year we start grumbling about gray rainy days and talking about how nice it would be to move somewhere that is sunny even when it's cold.
Those sunny days reminded us of why we love living here and to be thankful for mild winters.
Those sunny days reminded us of why we love living here and to be thankful for mild winters.
Sky and Daddy.
She looks thrilled to be swinging no?
Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Pistachio Pudding and Snorts
Dear Sky,
I have a little story to tell you about someone I love and miss very much. My Grandma Nore (she would be your Great Grandma) and she was the best Grandma ever! (For the record I am and have been very lucky in the grandparent department. Both sets of Grandparents are/were the best most perfect Grandparents a kid could ask for).
Grandma Nore loved hockey (and other sports), camping, arts and crafts, beer, and her family among other things. She was the Grandma that taught me how to knit and she tried to help me with cross stitching, but I never really got the hang of that. You know that pillow blanket I sleep with every night and travels with me everywhere? Well, Grandma made that for me when I graduated HS, and to this day I have to have it or I can't sleep. She was that kind of Grandma...the kind that made you wonderful handmade things from her heart...things that you keep for the rest of your life.
I have a lot of really great memories about Grandma but there are two things the stick out in my mind more than anything else:
1. Her pistachio pudding. Now I'm sure it was very good pistachio pudding, but I don't happen to like pistachios. I'm not sure how it happened but for as long as I can remember she made that pudding every time we visited because she thought it was our favorite. It may have been my sisters favorite, but I never did care for it. But, I never told her that. All I knew was she took the trouble to make something special just for me and my sister, so I ate it and pretended to like it clear until I was an adult.
2. When she really got to laughing she would snort. And, then she would get all embarrassed about snorting. The funny thing to me was Grandma laughed a lot, when I picture her in my mind it's her still healthy with a big smile on her face laughing, and snorting, so I always thought she would get used to being a snorter and not act embarrassed about it. But, she was raised a lady and ladies don't snort I guess.
It makes me sad that you don't have your Great Grandma Nore in your life, she would have adored you and I'm positive you would have made her snort a lot. Which brings me to you my sweet little girl.
There are so many things about you that I simply adore. Every day you do something that delights me. There is one thing you do every day though, that makes my heart smile. When you really get going with a good laugh you snort. It's a cute little baby snort, but it's still a snort. And it reminds me of my Grandma every time. It reminds me of when she was healthy and laughed and snorted a lot, and how much fun I had spending time with her and how much I love her.
When your Daddy and I were waiting for you to come into our life we always said, "it will be the right baby at the right time". You are the perfect baby for us for so many reasons, and the fact that you have a laugh snort just like Grandma Nore is just one more thing proving that you were meant to be our little girl and be part of this family.
I love you so much dear Sky and I'm thankful every time you snort and help me remember Grandma Nore with a smile.
I have a little story to tell you about someone I love and miss very much. My Grandma Nore (she would be your Great Grandma) and she was the best Grandma ever! (For the record I am and have been very lucky in the grandparent department. Both sets of Grandparents are/were the best most perfect Grandparents a kid could ask for).
Grandma Nore loved hockey (and other sports), camping, arts and crafts, beer, and her family among other things. She was the Grandma that taught me how to knit and she tried to help me with cross stitching, but I never really got the hang of that. You know that pillow blanket I sleep with every night and travels with me everywhere? Well, Grandma made that for me when I graduated HS, and to this day I have to have it or I can't sleep. She was that kind of Grandma...the kind that made you wonderful handmade things from her heart...things that you keep for the rest of your life.
I have a lot of really great memories about Grandma but there are two things the stick out in my mind more than anything else:
1. Her pistachio pudding. Now I'm sure it was very good pistachio pudding, but I don't happen to like pistachios. I'm not sure how it happened but for as long as I can remember she made that pudding every time we visited because she thought it was our favorite. It may have been my sisters favorite, but I never did care for it. But, I never told her that. All I knew was she took the trouble to make something special just for me and my sister, so I ate it and pretended to like it clear until I was an adult.
2. When she really got to laughing she would snort. And, then she would get all embarrassed about snorting. The funny thing to me was Grandma laughed a lot, when I picture her in my mind it's her still healthy with a big smile on her face laughing, and snorting, so I always thought she would get used to being a snorter and not act embarrassed about it. But, she was raised a lady and ladies don't snort I guess.
It makes me sad that you don't have your Great Grandma Nore in your life, she would have adored you and I'm positive you would have made her snort a lot. Which brings me to you my sweet little girl.
There are so many things about you that I simply adore. Every day you do something that delights me. There is one thing you do every day though, that makes my heart smile. When you really get going with a good laugh you snort. It's a cute little baby snort, but it's still a snort. And it reminds me of my Grandma every time. It reminds me of when she was healthy and laughed and snorted a lot, and how much fun I had spending time with her and how much I love her.
When your Daddy and I were waiting for you to come into our life we always said, "it will be the right baby at the right time". You are the perfect baby for us for so many reasons, and the fact that you have a laugh snort just like Grandma Nore is just one more thing proving that you were meant to be our little girl and be part of this family.
I love you so much dear Sky and I'm thankful every time you snort and help me remember Grandma Nore with a smile.
Monday, February 6, 2012
Playing at the Park
This shot was totally her idea...she crawled right into the tunnel and then posed just like a model for Mark to take the pic. More park pictures/video to follow sometime this week.
Oh, and she loves the swing!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Let The Training Begin
It's time, time to start the 1/2 marathon training. This first week will be pretty easy as my longest run is only 4 miles. By week 5 my longest run will be 12 miles and then the miles start dropping back down the last 5 weeks.
I really wish I could follow the schedule perfectly since this is my first 1/2 and I don't really know what I'm doing. But realistically that is not going to happen. Life, an already busy workout schedule, having a really terrible sore throat, having a baby, vacation...all mean I have made some adjustments. In my head I think my plan is a good one, I guess I will know for sure race day.
The official plan is running 4 days a week: short, little longer, short, long. Never running more than two days in a row. Week 1 through 5 the runs progressively get longer and longer and weeks 5-10 they start getting shorter and shorter with the last week only being 2 short runs, a walking day and then race day.
Changes I have made, I'm cutting the shortest run each week and letting my three days of Stroller Fitness (and all the sprinting we do in class) stand in as my shortest running day each week. If I don't cut one day I would be working out or running 7 days a week and given the little twinges of pain I have been getting I just know that is a bad idea. Plus my only goal is to finish the race and run the entire way, even if it's a slow jog, I'm not looking to blaze through. I have a time goal in my head just because I need to focus my training runs a bit and it helps if I have a pace to shoot for and maintain, but I know all goals and plans can fly right out the window during a race, so come race day I just want to finish and not walk.
I'm also starting several weeks early to accommodate being on vacation for a week. I will complete week 4 the day before I leave for the cruise, and will re-peat week 4 the week I'm back from the cruise.
I already know the boat we are on has a running track and a full gym with fitness classes. And, I have zero problem running on vacation...however one big problem. I get motion sick on boats. Bad motion sick...I'm one of those people that gets sick in elevators and boats are even worse. I will either have the patch or the bracelet to help with the motion sickness, but just in case that doesn't work, I needed a plan that would allow for zero running that week if need be.
(Plus, I'm allowing for the fact that there is a huge time difference between WA and FL and it's a short enough trip that switching Sky to the new time zone probably won't work. And, since Mark isn't going it's on me to deal with all baby issues. Even though I'm traveling with family that is looking forward to helping with Sky, ultimately her care and comfort is my responsibility. So, I'm factoring in that I may be getting very little sleep and training while overly tired is a good way to get hurt.)
My goal while on ship is one 3 to 5 mile run...just depends how I handle running in a circle on a track, I'm not a hamster and I detest track running (treadmill is not an option as they make me motion sick and I figure treadmill on a boat is just a bad idea), one fitness class...probably step aerobics or kickboxing or pilates depending on what they offer, and then walking a ton while in port.
I could always run on land, but the number one thing I'm looking forward to is being in port and exploring the local shops/town, eating local food, and chilling in the sun and sandy beaches. Life is about balance and while I have this 1/2 marathon to think about I also think it's important to allow myself to enjoy being on vacation.
I really wish I could follow the schedule perfectly since this is my first 1/2 and I don't really know what I'm doing. But realistically that is not going to happen. Life, an already busy workout schedule, having a really terrible sore throat, having a baby, vacation...all mean I have made some adjustments. In my head I think my plan is a good one, I guess I will know for sure race day.
The official plan is running 4 days a week: short, little longer, short, long. Never running more than two days in a row. Week 1 through 5 the runs progressively get longer and longer and weeks 5-10 they start getting shorter and shorter with the last week only being 2 short runs, a walking day and then race day.
Changes I have made, I'm cutting the shortest run each week and letting my three days of Stroller Fitness (and all the sprinting we do in class) stand in as my shortest running day each week. If I don't cut one day I would be working out or running 7 days a week and given the little twinges of pain I have been getting I just know that is a bad idea. Plus my only goal is to finish the race and run the entire way, even if it's a slow jog, I'm not looking to blaze through. I have a time goal in my head just because I need to focus my training runs a bit and it helps if I have a pace to shoot for and maintain, but I know all goals and plans can fly right out the window during a race, so come race day I just want to finish and not walk.
I'm also starting several weeks early to accommodate being on vacation for a week. I will complete week 4 the day before I leave for the cruise, and will re-peat week 4 the week I'm back from the cruise.
I already know the boat we are on has a running track and a full gym with fitness classes. And, I have zero problem running on vacation...however one big problem. I get motion sick on boats. Bad motion sick...I'm one of those people that gets sick in elevators and boats are even worse. I will either have the patch or the bracelet to help with the motion sickness, but just in case that doesn't work, I needed a plan that would allow for zero running that week if need be.
(Plus, I'm allowing for the fact that there is a huge time difference between WA and FL and it's a short enough trip that switching Sky to the new time zone probably won't work. And, since Mark isn't going it's on me to deal with all baby issues. Even though I'm traveling with family that is looking forward to helping with Sky, ultimately her care and comfort is my responsibility. So, I'm factoring in that I may be getting very little sleep and training while overly tired is a good way to get hurt.)
My goal while on ship is one 3 to 5 mile run...just depends how I handle running in a circle on a track, I'm not a hamster and I detest track running (treadmill is not an option as they make me motion sick and I figure treadmill on a boat is just a bad idea), one fitness class...probably step aerobics or kickboxing or pilates depending on what they offer, and then walking a ton while in port.
I could always run on land, but the number one thing I'm looking forward to is being in port and exploring the local shops/town, eating local food, and chilling in the sun and sandy beaches. Life is about balance and while I have this 1/2 marathon to think about I also think it's important to allow myself to enjoy being on vacation.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Thankful Thursday
Today I'm thankful that our security system didn't go off last night. Ever since the power was out we have been having issues and there is nothing scarier than the panic alarm going off at 4'ish in the morning making us think someone is breaking in.
That's a difficult way to wake up!
The repair man came out yesterday and his explanation as to what is wrong makes zero since, so we were not feeling confident about turning the alarm on last night. But, it didn't go off and for that I'm very, very thankful. My heart can't handle waking up like that very often.
That's a difficult way to wake up!
The repair man came out yesterday and his explanation as to what is wrong makes zero since, so we were not feeling confident about turning the alarm on last night. But, it didn't go off and for that I'm very, very thankful. My heart can't handle waking up like that very often.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Have Passport, Will Travel
No sooner do we get Sky's passport and her first international trip is planned. This is a Mommy and Sky adventure as Mark can't make it. We will be cruising to the Caribbean (with Grandpa, Grandma and other family) for 5 days.
I am thankful we were invited on the trip, and we are not having to pay for it. It's certainly a nice sunny getaway in the middle of our grey rainy time of year. Plus, it's a fun way to celebrate Dad's birthday.
I know there will be challenges flying to Miami with a 10 month old, but my plan is once I'm on the boat all stress is over and done and it's time to relax. I'm so looking forward to visiting the ports and soaking up some local flavor, eating local food and just relaxing on the beaches. Sky LOVES the water and is going to be so happy with 5 days of fun in pools and the ocean.
I am thankful we were invited on the trip, and we are not having to pay for it. It's certainly a nice sunny getaway in the middle of our grey rainy time of year. Plus, it's a fun way to celebrate Dad's birthday.
I know there will be challenges flying to Miami with a 10 month old, but my plan is once I'm on the boat all stress is over and done and it's time to relax. I'm so looking forward to visiting the ports and soaking up some local flavor, eating local food and just relaxing on the beaches. Sky LOVES the water and is going to be so happy with 5 days of fun in pools and the ocean.
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