The 10K

Got up early this morning and it was cold! Only 53 degrees, but to this Texan, that's downright chilly!

We met the teachers from school there, and took off. I got my best time, but considering the only other time I have done a 10K was a year ago in the heat of the summer, I couldn't have done worse! I am very happy with my time. I felt good though and was the first out of everyone in our group to finish, so that made the competitive side of me happy. (I remember my SIL telling us once in an email that downhill skiing with my brother was like an all out blood war--hey, a little competition is good, right?)

Gunner did a great job too. :) Yep, I beat him as well. I just can't help it, if I knew the person that came in first, I probably would have died trying to beat them as well. Or maybe not since she is a marathoner and is going to do the Boston Marathon next weekend. I know of another teacher that wants to do the San Antonio half marathon with the bands and everything. That would be a lot of fun!

No races for the next two weeks since I have class and the big upcoming camping adventure. Gunner got the RV from his parents last night and I guess will be working on it this week with Junior.

I'm off to work, drop the girls off, and then meet at a friend's house for fajitas, margaritas, and a soak in the hot tub. Happy Saturday!

The joys of teaching 2nd grade

When I arrive to school in the morning, I have my hair down because it is still drying. Usually by about 10 am, I have it wrapped back up in a bun or something to keep it out of my face and make it easier to chase children.

Yesterday I had this conversation with a student:

Student: I have a secret to tell you.
Me: Okay, shoot.
Student: I need to whisper it.
Me: No one can hear, go ahead.
Student: No it's serious.
I lean in and put my ear down towards her, and my long hair is down this morning.
Student: (whispering in my ear, which is right next to their mouth) I have lice.

Geez. I'm still itching.

What's an extra few miles?

12 to be exact. I was trying to convince Gunner that if we were willing to ride 50 miles that we could easily ride the 100K, since it was just an extra 12 miles. He's not feeling it.

I have two books to read and review. One looks really good.

I am not motivated to go to the gym tonight. Junior fell asleep this evening and when I went in and woke him up he screamed and screamed. He finally made his way back to bed and is out again. Poor little guy. He needs his naps, but fights them tooth and nail during the day. So I am sure he won't sleep tonight at all. Lucky us.

Abs was up half the night screeching intermittently every few minutes. Apparently she kept dreaming about a boomerang that did not return but a scarecrow did. We are exhausted. Couple that with Junior coming in our room at 3:30 this morning, and my idea of getting a good night sleep did not occur.

I'm kind of in a funk today. The purge of the house needs to happen and soon...

While typing this blog, I took a break to peruse my amazon cart to see what I liked and didn't like.

I looked, read, and then went to another site and signed up for a triathlon. Never done one.

This should be interesting. Never a dull moment around here....

Therapy in the sauna?

I hit the gym today, ran, stepped, lifted, and listened to army wives in the sauna. I didn't even have to turn off my iPOD in order to listen to the not-so-quiet conversation. My blood started to boil, and another woman in there just looked at me and rolled her eyes. I hate army wives that complain about everything, loudly, in public places. Maybe it's just me.

I skipped dinner with the outlaws and opted for a run instead. It's been so beautiful that I am half tempted to run outside, but I always chicken out and head for the treadmill. I know how far I go and how fast I go inside, and I am worried I'd be a slacker outside with no one watching me. Who wants to look like a wimp at the gym?

I recruited several teachers to run or walk the 10K with me this weekend. This led to a creation of a run/walk club which I am now a member. Ummm.....I don't even know if I can run the whole 10K, but they were asking me questions? Oh geez. I told them I buy books on every subject I am interested in, and read, read, read. I'm trading in my guided reading books for how to run a triathlon, the triatheletes bible, a book on increasing your speed in cycling and running as well. Oh and I think I had a book in my cart that was for weight training for runners. I love books. I'll spend the next month pondering over my selections before I click that submit button and make my final order. Gunner just grins and makes room on the bookshelf for the next round of books.

Of course it might have to wait a while since I just ordered three new sports bras. How come they need to be so darn expensive. I have the (insert maiden name here) rack, so I have to buy bras that can keep the girls from knocking me out. I really want a reduction, but who wants to slow down that long? It's on my list of things though. TMI, I know, especially since my brother and Uncle read this blog. (I sure wish my Dad could read everything I write though, he would get a kick out of it all)

Oh and I have a new obsessions with roadrunnersports.com. I love their running pants and so I ordered a new pair and two pairs of capris. I was wearing out the washer and dryer, not to mention the one pair that I had.

Gunner and Junior got haircuts today. Potty training is still going strong, but he will not poop. Tonight he did it in the tub, so I guess the silver lining is that at least it was in the bathroom?

Gunner took the kids to eat with his parents while I was at the gym. I came home to find them all playing the wii--yes, we gave in and got one. The girls have decided that game night is much better than movie night. I have to agree! Of course it got Abs wired up and it is 10 pm and I am still hearing strains of opera music coming from her room. I wish I had her energy....and her voice. She's been busy creating vocabulary tests for us at every turn, and her writing has really improved. We are still waiting for the OT referral, but it doesn't look promising. She did graduate from PT though, and it's nice to not have to race out there twice a week, but of course leave it to when Gunner is home, for it to be over!

Gunner finally shaved today.....I bet it was just because we have a run this weekend. He'd look pretty ridiculous with his high and tight and a beard. I'm betting by the end of leave he will be woolly.

Tomorrow is my friday, and the thought of jeans makes me happy, and it's not just the small size on the tag in the jeans, although that helps immensely. It also helps when people stop me to tell me that my pants are baggy, or when I have to hike them up because they are too loose!

Oh, and the giant purge? It will resume this Friday. Anyone need some canning jars?

Bunnies, Lions & Camels, Oh My!

We made bunnies for the bulletin board. What a nightmare.

Gunner is cutting out templates of camels & lions.

Didn't hit the gym and had mexican food for dinner--not a good combination.

A picture from this weekend of Junior with the Army monster truck. He loved it! The girls....could have cared less and wanted to move on.

Batman?

Block leave has begun. Great for Gunner, not so great for me when I had to get up to go to work this morning.

Gunner's first day at home with Junior was a huge success. He pottied all day on the potty, and kept his Batman underwear dry....until he pooped. Win some, lose some.

When he was finally in his diaper again and dressed for bed, he stopped playing, asked for his diaper off, and then went potty.

But this smiling face in Batman underoos was too cute.He's in desperate need of a haircut. Maybe I should let Abs practice?

Hit the gym, ran 3 miles.

I'm in the process of signing us up for a 50 mile bike ride. There are two choices and one ends with BBQ and beer, but it is over an hour away. The other is just half an hour away.

Which would you choose?

My confession

I am a packrat.

I get it from my side of the family.

My children are fast following in my footsteps.

I think Gunner has packed it up too, since I went to throw away something totally useless and he balked. I smiled. I threw it away. He laughed and agreed. We don't need it! I'm really trying here.

If we do PCS in a few months, we can't drag all this stuff with us. Do we really need it all? How do I become a minimalist?

The baby stuff won't go with us. The girl clothes that Abs outgrows are going to be gone.

It's time to part with the clothes I don't wear and are too big.

I don't need three hole punches.

Do we need to keep the two printers in the garage? I probably have over 50 pairs of shoes and wear about 10 of them. And don't even get me started on the piles and piles and piles and did I mention.....PILES of TA-50!

I really want a new dining room table, like this.

I.love.pottery.barn.

Realistically I will never spend that much on a table because I have three kids that like to paint, color, and do arts and crafts.

In just two hours today Gunner and I filled the garbage can. We are still way over our weight limit, but it's progress.

At our next house I will not save EVERYTHING. And yes I said that the last hundred times I moved, but I am at my breaking point and over my weight limit.

Clean sweep, it's time to make a call to "The Great Place" and help me purge! And...um....when you're done......I'll hand you directions to the next house you need to visit!

Oh and if you want the best stir fry recipe, visit Andrea. I am having this for the second time this week. I leave out the rice and add more veggies, but it's w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l.