Monthly Archive for May, 2006

Training Wrap-Up: Week 11

It’s week 11 in my 12-week count-down to the first of the two sprint triathlons I signed up for. I am trying to follow a schedule for training. This is how I did:

Swam for 20 minutes of 70 minutes suggested

Biked 0 hours of 3 hours suggested

Ran/walked for 110 minutes of 105 minutes suggested

Today was a scheduled “day of rest”, but I ran instead to make up a little for last week. The exciting thing was I ran most of the 3 miles I tackled today instead of more walking than running. My run is probably slower than the pace of some power walkers, but I found a pace I could maintain! Progress is all I need…

Deep Thought #3

I said to my kids this evening,

You know how gum loses it’s sweetness after you chew it a long time??? Well, Mom loses her sweetness too after you whine a long time…

Parade Philospohy

Is it REALLY such a “good idea” to have the candy-throwers at parades PRECEDE moving vehicles???

It’s like nitro and glycerin - a recipe for disaster:

young, candy-depraved child

+

candy-throwing parade angels

+

consecutive moving motor vehicles

=

insanity - at best.

Seriously, listen in:

Parent before the political office runner: “Don’t run in front of that car!”

Kid: “I gotta get that candy!”

Parent before the fire engine: “Don’t run in front of that car!”

Kid with glazed over look: “Candy!”

Parent before the parade princess Miata: “Don’t run in front of that car!”

Kid with drool-soaked chin and glazed over look (reminiscent of scenes from The Exorcist): “Candy! Candy! Candy!”

1 mph is still not slow enough when one considers the speed with which a child can muster in order to acquire his/her coveted candy!

Deep Thought #2

Babies are like slugs - they move slow (unless Mommy says “no-no”) and they leave slimy trails.

It finally happened

Socks and Flip-flops  I wore socks with flip-flops today. I am ashamed… so ashamed…

Training Wrap-Up: Week 12

Last week was the 12 week mark before the Luna Triathlon in August (and the 14 week mark before the Danskin in Seattle). I plugged a training schedule into my calendar. My week should have included a total of:

1 hour swimming,

90 minutes biking

90 minutes running.

The real-life scenario looked more like:

85 minutes of swimming

45 minutes of biking

45 minutes of walking/running

The plan for this week requires more time. Monday is the built in “rest day”, so I was very successful yesterday! Today was a swim/run combo. I doubt I’ll get the swim in, but the run is still possible.

Deep Thought #1

I am going to add a new category… “Deep Thoughts” (not on the same level as the original SNL “Deep Thoughts”, but along a similar vein). Here is my first installment…

Choosing a checkout line at the grocery store is like playing blackjack - it’s part strategy and part plain ‘ol good luck.

jennyonthespot

It’s A Girl: Women Writiers on Raising Daughters

It's A Girl

When I had my son, I soon began soaking up books on raising boys. I grew up with a younger sister, so my experience with the busy-nature of preschool boys had me knocked to my knees. By the time I left for college - I finally got a brother! However, due to our age gap and distance, I was not around much to be able to truly claim the badge given to big sisters of little brothers.

I once had a dream I had 3 boys. I assumed that was my destiny. Who knows why I dreamed that. To my dismay and delight, I have a mix with one boy and two girls - thus earning my membership to the mother-daughter club.

It’s A Girl: Women Writers on Raising Daughters has been an good read for me. I enjoy this compilation of essays from a variety of writers. I like experiencing others’ points of view and reactions to motherhood - and the sisterhood of raising daughters. Experiences, dreams, and worldviews differ, but if we were boil it down - all mothers desire for their daughters to be happy and healthy.

The essays in the section, “On Beauty and a Daughter”, particularly touched me. These essays stood out because it is the area I most relate to presently. I am waging war against the last of my pregnancy weight (14 months after the baby was born!), and the struggle I face with my preschool daughter to help her learn healthy eating habits. I am even dealing with it with my 14 month-old daughter - should I give her that graham cracker when she becomes discontent in the car seat? Will that be the trigger for her to become a comfort-driven eater? Guilt, guilt, guilt,

In It’s A Girl I find I am not the only mother in process, sorting through regrets, and delighting in the wonder of her daughter(s).

I am thankful Andi took on this project and pulled so many talented authors together. I am a big fan of variety! I am tickled to have been a part of this blog book tour… thanks Andi for including me!

For all the Moms…

Happy Mother’s Day :)

Backdraft #13: Can I Kiss Lucy?

Drafted on February 14, 2006
My son is the most tenderhearted little boy on earth. He is.

Joel had a fever for 2 days, so snuggling his baby sister was strongly discouraged. Poor fella.

On Valentines Day Joel asked, “Am I still sick?”

I hesitated. Lately, he's been trying to get out of going to school by claiming he “might” be sick. “No, and you have to go to school today.”

He caught me off guard with his reply. I was ready to defend my decision - expecting a whining plea to stay home. Excitedly, he burst, “So I can kiss Lucy and hug her???!!!”

I told you. Tender. Heart.

“Joel. Now don't squish too hard!”

All. Boy.