Racing continues

This last weekend was the third race in a row for our family. Two weekends ago, (the one after our 1/2 marathon) was the school's 5k. Katherine and Elliot took first in their divisions. Matthew and Emilia had a great showing as well. I did a great job of running it, maybe I should say organizing it.

Then last weekend we traveled to Boulder Co for the Bolder Boulder 10k. We had a great time with Matthew's brother and family. The race was crazy. 54,000 people ran it. Needless to say, it never thinned out. We were weaving in and out of racers for the entire race. It was a fun atmoshpere and route. Glad I ran it.

Now...two free weekends. At least from races. Then the Ragnar. Should be fun. I just wish all this running would help with my waistline.

#3

Finished my third half marathon. I was pleased with my run. This was a bad year for training but I still beat my goal and my best time. 1:49:49!! It was a beautiful run down ogden canyon and through the river parkway trail. Thanks to Matthew for keeping me running when I was ready to quit during training.

Haven't yet decided what my next goal will be, another 1/2, maybe a full. Who knows? I know I need a good time on memorial day in order to beat my brother-in-law on the 10K. Competitive? Me?

1 2 3 4 I declare....

A deer war. Again this year, my birdseed has disappeared quickly. The deer tracks led right to the feeder. I declare war. Already some of my little tulips are nibbled on. I declare war. Here is my plan to defeat and beat back the pesky critters. First, I put up some noisy wind chimes. I know this isn't a great option, but I figure it is like warning the deer. Then, my big guns..... pepper. Hot pepper. Some of you know that I use my dads recipe for feeding my lawn. It includes things like, mouthwash, dishsoap, epsom salts, beer and amonia. While these ingredients might be enough, I added lot of ground red pepper. Just smelling it made my eyes hurt. I drenched my entire flower garden with the stuff. I only wish I could get video of the first taste the deer get. That would indeed be sweet victory.

Spring time

I love the changing seasons. I love the beginning of every season. Today I saw the first crocus in my yard. The birds are quickly re-establishing in my backyard and I look forward to getting out and mowing the grass for the first time. We have had fun this year identifying the birds in our yard. The blue one is a scrub jay, and the spotted on is a northern flicker. I have even learned to identify some of the calls.

Christmas lights

I love Christmas lights. Matthew used to love Christmas lights. Since we moved into this house, however, Matthew doesn't put up lights anymore. For the first couple of years I got out a ladder, stabilized it with a block of wood on our "oh so ever" level driveway, and put lights on the lower part of the roof line. If I weren't such a baby about heights I would go Griswald up on the roof. The last two years have been pathetically lightless with the exception of the lights I put around the front door. I don't think they really count.

Not this year. When we bought Matthew a flagpole for father's day in my mind I was calling it my lightpole. I knew I wanted to hang a star with lines of lights streaming down. I know, everyone with a flagpole does this, I DON'T CARE! I just want lights.

I searched for a good star to buy. They were all stupid, small or non-existent. Then I decided to make one. Finally, on Tuesday all my dreams came true. I made my own star, painted , wrapped lights, then hoisted it up the lightpole. I didn't have stakes to hold down the streaming lights so I wrapped a couple strands around the pole. Then, even though it was 2 in the afternoon, I plugged the lights in. No one has dared turn them off yet!

Thanksgiving

Since it is almost Christmas, I thought I would finally post about Thanksgiving. It was the first Thanksgiving in several years that I was really excited about. Usually Thanksgiving is a great way to kick off the Christmas season. Not this year (though the Christmas season followed any way.) This year I really looked forward to spending 5 days with my family. By family I mean, Matthew, Katherine, Emilia and Elliot. Matthew's parents have migrated to Florida and so we were able to have our own Thanksgiving. When a friend asked me about my plans her comment was, "I'm sorry. It will be a let down. We did that a couple years ago and we were bored." In my mind I thought, "I'm sorry you don't enjoy your family."

So, to start the day out we went on a 5k charity run. It was small, mostly just the family of the guy who organized it, but held in a beautiful park. The kids were mostly good sports and I was very proud of them.

After the race we went home to warm up and prepare dinner. I love cooking a good meal. Because of my schedule this year, I haven't don't much in the way of "good meal" cooking. My goal for the meal was to not use the microwave at all. (It doesn't count that the water for the jello was boiled in the microwave because Emilia made it the day before.) I had fun creating a nice setting at the table and serving a Thanksgiving Feast.

So, with dinner finished the kids were anxious to put up the tree. I put them off for about an hour while I took the traditional post turkey nap. The kids must be growing up because they actually allowed this and didn't bother me at all. I rewarded them by putting up the tree and all the decorations in the house. We especially loved watching "Elf" while decorating.

Finally, the girls and I went through the ads. Emilia realized that Old Navy was having a great sale and it started at 3 am. Bedtime: 8 pm Wake up: 2 am. Stayed out shopping until about 1 pm. Enjoyed every last minute of it.

I loved having time with my family. They can drive me crazy and make me wonder why I would want to spend time with them but in the end we have a lot of fun together.

I am thankful for time with those I love best.

student quotes

It has been awhile since I have had something to post about funny things my students say. But now I do. A little boy was editing his sentence he wrote (Yippee, he wrote a sentence!!). He realized he forgot a capitol at the beginning. "Snap, I forgot a capitol." Funny enough, but it gets better. Then, "Damn it, I forgot punctuation." It was very difficult not to laugh out loud.