Ok - that's a bit more melodramatic than it needs to be.
I am planning on participating in an 8k in a few weeks. That's a hair under 5 miles for you non-metric folks. For months - well, ever since I started running I said 5k was the longest I would ever go. And I've recently in the last 2 months been able to run the whole 5k without stopping to walk. So now at least 2 times a week I get in 3.1 miles with no problem. (Well, ok, it's not THAT easy....but totally doable.)
Some friends of mine are running in an upcoming 8k, and I was waffling about being able to do it. They basically said "Oh just shut up, you can do it!" Or maybe that was their exact words.....
Cue the rational side of my brain: I can do 3.1 miles in around 29 minutes.....basically average 10 minute miles. (My first mile is faster....and then I drop off.) So add another 2 miles on to that, it's another 20 minutes of running. If I work up to 4.5 miles before the race and just add chunks of 5 minutes to my current pace, I shouldn't have a problem getting there in 3 weeks. I'm not planning on running 5 miles for practice....I think getting up to 4.5 miles should be fine. So now my goal will be to do the 8k in under 50 minutes. A realistic goal, I think.
But boy, what a slippery slope this is.....if I can do an 8k.....a 10k isn't much more....just another mile. Now I'm up to 6.2 miles....a half marathon is 13 miles, right? Ok, I think I'm gonna set the ceiling at 10k. For now.
Oh, and the 8k is in the middle of the day.....in July.....let's pray for a cold spell to pass through the area!
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Piano recital
Last week Katie did a piano camp. 75 minute lessons for 5 days. Looking back, they really covered a lot. There were about 7 kids in the class, all about the same skill level. She learned all the notes on the staff, where the notes were on the piano, and songs to play with both hands. She also learned how to draw a treble clef.....I was easily 15 before I learned how to draw those things.
She got a piano book, and is very excited to come back and play on Grandma Mary's piano and Grandma Lyla's keyboard.....so be ready.
In the meantime, here's a clip of her piano recital she gave on the last day of class. Keep in mind, she's playing for the other 7 students, but also their parents and grandparents. I spose there was 20 people in the room, and she wasn't nervous at all!
She got a piano book, and is very excited to come back and play on Grandma Mary's piano and Grandma Lyla's keyboard.....so be ready.
In the meantime, here's a clip of her piano recital she gave on the last day of class. Keep in mind, she's playing for the other 7 students, but also their parents and grandparents. I spose there was 20 people in the room, and she wasn't nervous at all!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Katie's Party
I better get a post in on Katie's birthday party before it's time to post one about Will's! We had a party at home for Katie and her friends. About a month ago I was on the computer looking at party ideas, trying to come up with a craft or activity that would be good for a group of 7 year olds. I found some treasure hunt ideas and thought that sounded perfect! The treasure hunt I initially created at an online site had to be shortened and made just a bit easier so that the girls' heads wouldn't explode.
Overall, I think everyone liked it. Well - I KNOW 4 of the girls loved it....the other 2, not so much. But they sure perked up when the treasure chest was opened and they found their goodie bags filled with candy, pencils, paper, stickers, glow sticks, and bracelets.
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The night before the party we celebrated as a family and Katie got to open presents from us. Her number #1 request was for a real pair of binoculars and a compass. John was able to spearhead that one....much easier shopping for him this year. :)
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Overall, I think everyone liked it. Well - I KNOW 4 of the girls loved it....the other 2, not so much. But they sure perked up when the treasure chest was opened and they found their goodie bags filled with candy, pencils, paper, stickers, glow sticks, and bracelets.
Opening the lock on the treasure chest.
The birthday group...all girls from Katie's 1st grade class this year.
Will stayed away.....pretty far away.
Now it's on to Will's birthday in 13 days. We WERE going to try to win him a birthday party at a local kid's gym. We were close....but I don't think we're going to win. Long story short - we're in 2nd place....a pretty far 2nd place. But that's ok - a family BBQ, campfire and sprinkler session sounds fun too.
As long as Batman is somehow involved.....
Monday, June 27, 2011
Weekend catch up
Sheesh, going through my pictures and I have SOOO many posts to catch up on!
- Camping trip this weekend
- Katie's birthday party
- Will's early birthday present
- Our newly painted house
- Katie's piano camp
- and more!
I guess I'll just have to start somewhere. Since I missed a post for Friday Funnies last week cuz I was too darn busy getting ready to go camping, I'll start with some laughs. Saturday night John and I went to Treasure Island to see comedian Louis CK. Neither of us had been to a show there before and only John had even been there before. It took us a little longer than we anticipated to get there, but we were still in time for the show.
After finding a very short beer line, we settled down in our 9th row, center stage, seats. I had gotten the tickets from a woman on Craigslist who had to sell them because her grandfather was retiring and having his party that night. She only wanted face value for the tickets - so I was happy to find out they actually worked and weren't fakes.
The show was very funny - if you aren't familiar with Louis CK....here's a couple clips. WARNING: The first clip is pretty tame and funny....the second one has lots of swearing....so don't watch if you're easily offended. :)
- Camping trip this weekend
- Katie's birthday party
- Will's early birthday present
- Our newly painted house
- Katie's piano camp
- and more!
I guess I'll just have to start somewhere. Since I missed a post for Friday Funnies last week cuz I was too darn busy getting ready to go camping, I'll start with some laughs. Saturday night John and I went to Treasure Island to see comedian Louis CK. Neither of us had been to a show there before and only John had even been there before. It took us a little longer than we anticipated to get there, but we were still in time for the show.
After finding a very short beer line, we settled down in our 9th row, center stage, seats. I had gotten the tickets from a woman on Craigslist who had to sell them because her grandfather was retiring and having his party that night. She only wanted face value for the tickets - so I was happy to find out they actually worked and weren't fakes.
The show was very funny - if you aren't familiar with Louis CK....here's a couple clips. WARNING: The first clip is pretty tame and funny....the second one has lots of swearing....so don't watch if you're easily offended. :)
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
2 mothers....one blog entry
June is a month of birthdays in our family! I'd like to take time to send out Happy Birthday wishes to John's mom and my mom. John's mom celebrated her birthday on the 12th and my mom will celebrate hers on the 23rd. (I use the term "celebrate" pretty loosely.)
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
Summer of Science
Well....ok, 3 days. Then I got sick of cleaning up the mess. Katie got a science kit for Easter and we've done some magnet stuff and mixing colors. This time we got out the fun goo and made fake snow - interesting polymers for all you brainiacs out there.
Here's Katie blowing a bubble in our green goo.....
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Here's Katie blowing a bubble in our green goo.....
Friday, June 17, 2011
Happy Birthday to Katie!
Katie turns 7 today!! Here's a blast from the past.....
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I just like this picture because I love how Will is looking at Katie. Oh, how wonderful it would be to spend another day with them at this age....
And here is Katie upstaging the Wicked Witch of the West.
Friday Funny
By OVERWHELMING demand, I have brought back Friday Funnies. (Ok, like 2 people mentioned that they liked it......2 people can still be overwhelming, right??)
So here you go, Anne.....this one's for you.
So here you go, Anne.....this one's for you.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Tuesday, June 14, 2011
Not a post for cynics....
I got a call yesterday from our church. The woman on the other end told me that a group of women at church had made a "prayer shawl" for Katie. They had been told a few months ago of the troubles she's had with her knees and they made her a shawl.
Those of you unfamiliar with "prayer shawls" - they are shawl/blankets made by a group of volunteers who pray for a specific person while making them. They shawls are blessed and given to that person in hopes of providing comfort and good news.
I was genuinely shocked - I had mentioned Katie's dr appointments a few months ago when we were really unsure about what we were going to find out about her knees. And just this past week we had gotten some results back from another test that showed some questionable results, and we have to run those tests again next week. So this comes at a very welcoming time. On the other hand - our troubles and concerns seem minimal to others going through hard times right now and I feel greedy for taking the blanket when maybe they should have been praying for someone else.
In any case - even if you can't get behind the whole "pray while making a shawl" or "blessing" concept, you have to admit it's a nice thought to have a group of people volunteer their time to make you something where you know that they were thinking about your family and hoping for good results.
So stay tuned for a picture maybe later today.....
Those of you unfamiliar with "prayer shawls" - they are shawl/blankets made by a group of volunteers who pray for a specific person while making them. They shawls are blessed and given to that person in hopes of providing comfort and good news.
I was genuinely shocked - I had mentioned Katie's dr appointments a few months ago when we were really unsure about what we were going to find out about her knees. And just this past week we had gotten some results back from another test that showed some questionable results, and we have to run those tests again next week. So this comes at a very welcoming time. On the other hand - our troubles and concerns seem minimal to others going through hard times right now and I feel greedy for taking the blanket when maybe they should have been praying for someone else.
In any case - even if you can't get behind the whole "pray while making a shawl" or "blessing" concept, you have to admit it's a nice thought to have a group of people volunteer their time to make you something where you know that they were thinking about your family and hoping for good results.
So stay tuned for a picture maybe later today.....
Thursday, June 9, 2011
T-Ball time!
Will started T-ball last week. This is his first "summer" activity of the year. He practices for 3 weeks (one morning a week) then in July he joins a little league for T-ball and has games 1 night a week for 6 weeks.
They worked on learning which base was 1st base...2nd base...and so on. They also learned how to put their batting helmets on, and to not smack each other with the metal bats. You know - the real technical stuff. :)
It was SO cute to watch and Will really had a good time. There was also a girl from his preschool class there that he knew.
They worked on learning which base was 1st base...2nd base...and so on. They also learned how to put their batting helmets on, and to not smack each other with the metal bats. You know - the real technical stuff. :)
It was SO cute to watch and Will really had a good time. There was also a girl from his preschool class there that he knew.
Running the bases...there's Will right in front.
The bat is heavy!
Running home...
The team name: The Blue Trains
Sunday, June 5, 2011
An update....
If you haven't checked in with the McQuillen Caring Bridge lately, please do so. Sean lost his battle with cancer on Saturday. Obviously it isn't fair, but this seems grossly unfair because he was just diagnosed weeks ago and wasn't given the chance to really fight back. So please keep his family, wife Gina and their two beautiful little girls in your thoughts.
Friday, May 27, 2011
A new favorite
I have a new favorite song that made it to my "running" playlist. I like to hear it while I'm running, but I especially like to hear it after I'm all done and stretching. Give it a read and a listen.....
Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise
by Avett Brothers
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it
When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it
There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out
There’s a darkness upon you that’s flooded in light
And in the fine print they tell you what’s wrong and what’s right
And it flies by day and it flies by night
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it
There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out
There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it
Oh, and another one that makes me feel warm and fuzzy after I've gotten myself all sweaty....
I Am Mine
By Pearl Jam
The selfish, they're all standing in line
Faithing and hoping to buy themselves time
Me, I figure as each breath goes by
I only own my mind
The North is to South what the clock is to time
There's east and there's west and there's everywhere life
I know I was born and I know that I'll die
The in between is mine
I am mine
And the feeling, it gets left behind
All the innocence lost at one time
Significant, behind the eyes
There's no need to hide...
We're safe tonight
The ocean is full 'cause everyone's crying
The full moon is looking for friends at high tide
The sorrow grows bigger when the sorrow's denied
I only know my mind
I am mine
And the meaning, it gets left behind
All the innocents lost at one time
Significant, behind the eyes
There's no need to hide...
We're safe tonight
And the feelings that get left behind
All the innocents broken with lies
Significance, between the lines
(We may need to hide)
And the meanings that get left behind
All the innocents lost at one time
We're all different behind the eyes
There's no need to hide
Head Full of Doubt/Road Full of Promise
by Avett Brothers
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
And it comes in black and it comes in white
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it
When nothing is owed or deserved or expected
And your life doesn’t change by the man that’s elected
If you’re loved by someone, you’re never rejected
Decide what to be and go be it
There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out
There’s a darkness upon you that’s flooded in light
And in the fine print they tell you what’s wrong and what’s right
And it flies by day and it flies by night
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it
There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out
There was a dream and one day I could see it
Like a bird in a cage I broke in and demanded that somebody free it
And there was a kid with a head full of doubt
So I’ll scream til I die and the last of those bad thoughts are finally out
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
In the fine print they tell me what’s wrong and what’s right
There’s a darkness upon me that’s flooded in light
And I’m frightened by those that don’t see it
Oh, and another one that makes me feel warm and fuzzy after I've gotten myself all sweaty....
I Am Mine
By Pearl Jam
The selfish, they're all standing in line
Faithing and hoping to buy themselves time
Me, I figure as each breath goes by
I only own my mind
The North is to South what the clock is to time
There's east and there's west and there's everywhere life
I know I was born and I know that I'll die
The in between is mine
I am mine
And the feeling, it gets left behind
All the innocence lost at one time
Significant, behind the eyes
There's no need to hide...
We're safe tonight
The ocean is full 'cause everyone's crying
The full moon is looking for friends at high tide
The sorrow grows bigger when the sorrow's denied
I only know my mind
I am mine
And the meaning, it gets left behind
All the innocents lost at one time
Significant, behind the eyes
There's no need to hide...
We're safe tonight
And the feelings that get left behind
All the innocents broken with lies
Significance, between the lines
(We may need to hide)
And the meanings that get left behind
All the innocents lost at one time
We're all different behind the eyes
There's no need to hide
Monday, May 23, 2011
A warning...
I've been meaning to blog about this for a while now and am finally sitting down to do it. I want to talk about dentists. You may remember me writing about taking the kids to the dentist...and if you don't re-read it here and here too.
To refresh, our old dentist kept pointing out these "cavities" that we couldn't see. Cavities that they'd only pick up on the x-ray. Cavities that would require "laughing gas" and Novocaine. I'd ask to see the x-ray and for some reason or another, I wasn't allowed/able to see. I also was never allowed to go back with the kids, unless I made a big fuss about it, which I usually did anyway.
Well, 2 years of this and I had pretty much had it. Crazy high bills ($274 for 2 cavities....that's AFTER insurance.), and just a condescending tone, you know? Last August the kids had their LAST check-up at this dentist. I was told that Katie had 3-4 cavities that again - I couldn't see. I was also told that Will had 2 cavities...one which I could see - a little spot on the outside lower molar. She said that this cavity required that Will be put "out" and the procedure done in an OR. Did you catch that? They wanted him unconscious!
I told them that this was OUT OF THE QUESTION and we would not be coming back. A few days later I got a call from the dentist and was told that she needed to read me a statement and that I had to give oral notification that I was read the statement. It was along the lines of "so you're gonna put your child's life in jeopardy because you don't love them like we do", etc.
It came time to find a new dentist...for myself as well because I didn't want to drive to Minnetonka anymore for myself - I wanted something closer. I hit the yellow pages called some that had evening and weekend appointments. Some I just got bad vibes from - one I did not. One receptionist was wonderful and friendly and sweet. The kids were able to get in right away for their check-up and I was only a couple weeks later. The staff insisted I come back with them....they got to watch cartoons on TVs during their check-up and loved the staff - many of whom were grandmas themselves. :)
I alerted the dentist beforehand that I was aware the kids had a lot of cavities. After their exam she had a talk with me about what she found. Katie had ONE tiny cavity (not 3-4) that she was certain she could fill without Novocaine...just 2-3 seconds of drilling. Will had ONE little cavity as well, (not 2) also not needing any Novocaine...just 3-5 seconds of drilling, and certainly did not need to be "put under". We have since gotten the bill for these 2 cavities as well.....$140 total. A HUGE difference from the last dentist, who I feel, took advantage of us as parents.
Sooo....for all you locals out there, I'm naming names......Dr. Angela Wandera and Associates in Eden Prairie. Stay away from them.
To refresh, our old dentist kept pointing out these "cavities" that we couldn't see. Cavities that they'd only pick up on the x-ray. Cavities that would require "laughing gas" and Novocaine. I'd ask to see the x-ray and for some reason or another, I wasn't allowed/able to see. I also was never allowed to go back with the kids, unless I made a big fuss about it, which I usually did anyway.
Well, 2 years of this and I had pretty much had it. Crazy high bills ($274 for 2 cavities....that's AFTER insurance.), and just a condescending tone, you know? Last August the kids had their LAST check-up at this dentist. I was told that Katie had 3-4 cavities that again - I couldn't see. I was also told that Will had 2 cavities...one which I could see - a little spot on the outside lower molar. She said that this cavity required that Will be put "out" and the procedure done in an OR. Did you catch that? They wanted him unconscious!
I told them that this was OUT OF THE QUESTION and we would not be coming back. A few days later I got a call from the dentist and was told that she needed to read me a statement and that I had to give oral notification that I was read the statement. It was along the lines of "so you're gonna put your child's life in jeopardy because you don't love them like we do", etc.
It came time to find a new dentist...for myself as well because I didn't want to drive to Minnetonka anymore for myself - I wanted something closer. I hit the yellow pages called some that had evening and weekend appointments. Some I just got bad vibes from - one I did not. One receptionist was wonderful and friendly and sweet. The kids were able to get in right away for their check-up and I was only a couple weeks later. The staff insisted I come back with them....they got to watch cartoons on TVs during their check-up and loved the staff - many of whom were grandmas themselves. :)
I alerted the dentist beforehand that I was aware the kids had a lot of cavities. After their exam she had a talk with me about what she found. Katie had ONE tiny cavity (not 3-4) that she was certain she could fill without Novocaine...just 2-3 seconds of drilling. Will had ONE little cavity as well, (not 2) also not needing any Novocaine...just 3-5 seconds of drilling, and certainly did not need to be "put under". We have since gotten the bill for these 2 cavities as well.....$140 total. A HUGE difference from the last dentist, who I feel, took advantage of us as parents.
Sooo....for all you locals out there, I'm naming names......Dr. Angela Wandera and Associates in Eden Prairie. Stay away from them.
Friday, May 20, 2011
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Comfy and cool
Two weeks ago John and I were able to escape for 24 hours to head to a wedding in St. Cloud, MN. We left the kids with his mom who had driven up from IA for just the occasion. This was a co-worker of John's getting married...about the last guy in the office to do so.
Obviously we decided to stay overnight, but the REALLY nice touch that the bride and groom had added were shuttles to take guests back and forth between the hotels and reception/dance area. This allowed everyone to have a really good time and know that they'd be safe getting back to the hotel. Hmmm....maybe TOO good of a time.
The bride and groom also had a photo booth set up where piles of people could crowd in, take some pictures, and one set went in a book for the couple while the other set you got to keep. Talk about craziness. :) Throw in a mullet wig and you've really got a party.
As is becoming tradition, hot pizzas showed up about 10:30 or so just to give everyone the last burst of energy needed to get to midnight. Then we all piled into the shuttles and headed out. Oh, did I mention the hotel was connected to an Old Chicago? Perfect for one last nightcap...which was certainly not needed - however, a friend and I decided we'd have one more.
That brings up to the bathroom floor. It's been a long time since I've had so much to drink that I was sick all night. (Ok...so it's only been 2 years....thanks to Shelley's bottle of wine.) BUT in college it seemed to happen more often - as it was supposed to. The last 2 years of college I lived in a campus apartment with 5 other girls. We had 2 bathrooms. On nights where I had had a LOT of "fun" I wouldn't allow myself to get sick in these bathrooms because I didn't want to gross out my roomies. Sooo...I would go out in the hallway, around the corner and use the public lobby bathroom. I'd lock the door, hunker down with a blanket and just sleep there for the night so I wouldn't have to go back and forth. If the roommates couldn't find me...they knew I'd be in the lobby bathroom. Soo...the hotel bathroom also became my bed of choice that night. The cool floor, water availability and lights were necessary, believe me. It was nice to revisit the "younger" days....and now I think I'm good for at least another 5 years.
Made me feel young again....to a point. Until, of course, I came home to two kids. And sure enough, Katie picked that afternoon to get sick herself. So as I'm holding back her hair, I know just how she feels.
Obviously we decided to stay overnight, but the REALLY nice touch that the bride and groom had added were shuttles to take guests back and forth between the hotels and reception/dance area. This allowed everyone to have a really good time and know that they'd be safe getting back to the hotel. Hmmm....maybe TOO good of a time.
The bride and groom also had a photo booth set up where piles of people could crowd in, take some pictures, and one set went in a book for the couple while the other set you got to keep. Talk about craziness. :) Throw in a mullet wig and you've really got a party.
As is becoming tradition, hot pizzas showed up about 10:30 or so just to give everyone the last burst of energy needed to get to midnight. Then we all piled into the shuttles and headed out. Oh, did I mention the hotel was connected to an Old Chicago? Perfect for one last nightcap...which was certainly not needed - however, a friend and I decided we'd have one more.
That brings up to the bathroom floor. It's been a long time since I've had so much to drink that I was sick all night. (Ok...so it's only been 2 years....thanks to Shelley's bottle of wine.) BUT in college it seemed to happen more often - as it was supposed to. The last 2 years of college I lived in a campus apartment with 5 other girls. We had 2 bathrooms. On nights where I had had a LOT of "fun" I wouldn't allow myself to get sick in these bathrooms because I didn't want to gross out my roomies. Sooo...I would go out in the hallway, around the corner and use the public lobby bathroom. I'd lock the door, hunker down with a blanket and just sleep there for the night so I wouldn't have to go back and forth. If the roommates couldn't find me...they knew I'd be in the lobby bathroom. Soo...the hotel bathroom also became my bed of choice that night. The cool floor, water availability and lights were necessary, believe me. It was nice to revisit the "younger" days....and now I think I'm good for at least another 5 years.
Made me feel young again....to a point. Until, of course, I came home to two kids. And sure enough, Katie picked that afternoon to get sick herself. So as I'm holding back her hair, I know just how she feels.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Lots to say....
There are lots of things I should say today....
Happy Anniversary to my sister, Janet and her husband, Jeff.
Congratulations to my niece, Sarah for graduating from high school.
I should tell you about the Wizard Of Oz cast party we went to today.
I should update you on Katie's knees and condition. (All ok, go in for a checkup on Tuesday. There I did it.)
I should tell you about the wonderful wedding we went to last weekend and the VERY comfortable bathroom floor that the hotel gave me to sleep on. :) (Yeah, that one probably deserves it's own post.)
Instead.....I HAVE to tell you about my running today. Now, I know - some of you may be getting sick of hearing about the "running". But this one was big. I ran outside for the first time today in 7 months. I ran last October in a 5k...and for about 4 months I had been regularly running outside. Over the winter I had to make due with the treadmill in the basement.
It's HARD running on a treadmill - nothing to look at but #'s, no breeze, no sun, etc. Today I remembered why I love running outside so much. PLUS.....I ran my whole "loop" that I had planned out last summer. Did you catch that? I RAN the whole stinking thing! Not once did I stop to walk, like I have always done in the past - at least two stops to walk. That's 30 minutes of non stop running. Could I do that on the treadmill? No. So don't ask. Oh, and my pace was pretty much the same as the treadmill.
Remember my "training schedule" a few weeks back - they wanted me to run 20 minutes!! Those bastards.
I did it! So - I guess they did know what they were talking about.
Ok - enough running. Next post - hotel bathroom floor.
Happy Anniversary to my sister, Janet and her husband, Jeff.
Congratulations to my niece, Sarah for graduating from high school.
I should tell you about the Wizard Of Oz cast party we went to today.
I should update you on Katie's knees and condition. (All ok, go in for a checkup on Tuesday. There I did it.)
I should tell you about the wonderful wedding we went to last weekend and the VERY comfortable bathroom floor that the hotel gave me to sleep on. :) (Yeah, that one probably deserves it's own post.)
Instead.....I HAVE to tell you about my running today. Now, I know - some of you may be getting sick of hearing about the "running". But this one was big. I ran outside for the first time today in 7 months. I ran last October in a 5k...and for about 4 months I had been regularly running outside. Over the winter I had to make due with the treadmill in the basement.
It's HARD running on a treadmill - nothing to look at but #'s, no breeze, no sun, etc. Today I remembered why I love running outside so much. PLUS.....I ran my whole "loop" that I had planned out last summer. Did you catch that? I RAN the whole stinking thing! Not once did I stop to walk, like I have always done in the past - at least two stops to walk. That's 30 minutes of non stop running. Could I do that on the treadmill? No. So don't ask. Oh, and my pace was pretty much the same as the treadmill.
Remember my "training schedule" a few weeks back - they wanted me to run 20 minutes!! Those bastards.
I did it! So - I guess they did know what they were talking about.
Ok - enough running. Next post - hotel bathroom floor.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Another friend needs your throughts....
I'm posting another link to a CaringBridge site. Please take some time to send them your thoughts, prayers, good vibes, etc. A good friend of mine recently found out that her husband has stage 4 colon cancer. He's young, strong and they are gonna kick this, but right now it's difficult since it's so early on and they're just trying to get everything figured out.
Some friends of ours have also set up a calendar for us to bring meals. I'm signing myself up so I need some thoughts from you all on healthy, whole grain meals that I could bring over.
Here's their CaringBridge link, and it will also be posted over on the right hand side of the blog.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/seanmcquillen
Some friends of ours have also set up a calendar for us to bring meals. I'm signing myself up so I need some thoughts from you all on healthy, whole grain meals that I could bring over.
Here's their CaringBridge link, and it will also be posted over on the right hand side of the blog.
http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/seanmcquillen
Monday, May 9, 2011
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
I found it!
I finally fount it! No, not the Christmas present I hid 2 years ago....a book!
Allow me to explain....when I was little I would spend a lot of time at my aunt Carol's house. She was a school teacher and had "older" books for children. I think the newest book she had was "Morris Goes to School" - published in 1983. (A great book, by the way!) Anyway, most of the books I remember very well, and have been able to find at library book sales.
However, there is one book that was my FAVORITE, but for the life of me I couldn't remember the title. I loved the pictures, loved the plot of the story - everything. Now, thanks to Google's amazing search techniques I was able to find the title.
I typed in "children's book invention kids run away from home live in houses they build". I searched through the first 10 or so results, and there it was "Andrew Henry's Meadow" by Doris Burn.
It said that the author, Doris Burn, had just recently passed away on March 11, 2011. She was 87 years old. When my aunt passed away she was 87 years old too.
I got chills and took this to mean that I needed to get a copy of this book. I want to share it with my kids, in the hopes they enjoy it like I did. Even if they didn't - I knew I would. I found a used copy on ebay for $8.00 and I scooped it up. It's not here yet....but soon....and I can't wait!
Basically it's about a boy whose family doesn't pay any attention to him so he runs away, builds his own home in the woods and lives in peace. As the story goes on, more neighborhood kids get the idea of running away and join him in the forest. They each have Andrew build them a unique forest home. And pretty soon the forest looks like a tiny little town. As a kid it made me want to imagine what MY forest house would look like and what kinds of things I'd want to have in it.
Supposedly there's a movie in the works based on the book......Ugh.
Allow me to explain....when I was little I would spend a lot of time at my aunt Carol's house. She was a school teacher and had "older" books for children. I think the newest book she had was "Morris Goes to School" - published in 1983. (A great book, by the way!) Anyway, most of the books I remember very well, and have been able to find at library book sales.
However, there is one book that was my FAVORITE, but for the life of me I couldn't remember the title. I loved the pictures, loved the plot of the story - everything. Now, thanks to Google's amazing search techniques I was able to find the title.
I typed in "children's book invention kids run away from home live in houses they build". I searched through the first 10 or so results, and there it was "Andrew Henry's Meadow" by Doris Burn.
It said that the author, Doris Burn, had just recently passed away on March 11, 2011. She was 87 years old. When my aunt passed away she was 87 years old too.
I got chills and took this to mean that I needed to get a copy of this book. I want to share it with my kids, in the hopes they enjoy it like I did. Even if they didn't - I knew I would. I found a used copy on ebay for $8.00 and I scooped it up. It's not here yet....but soon....and I can't wait!
Basically it's about a boy whose family doesn't pay any attention to him so he runs away, builds his own home in the woods and lives in peace. As the story goes on, more neighborhood kids get the idea of running away and join him in the forest. They each have Andrew build them a unique forest home. And pretty soon the forest looks like a tiny little town. As a kid it made me want to imagine what MY forest house would look like and what kinds of things I'd want to have in it.
Supposedly there's a movie in the works based on the book......Ugh.
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