Vomit is Never Convenient

Moving, itself, is not fun. Where you are moving to, the opportunities available where ever you are going maybe fun and exciting, but the actual packing, looking for a new place, leaving the old place and all the cleaning in between is not fun. Then add a few sick kids. Awesome right?

For the past few weeks we have been looking for a new place to call home in hopes that we could be in said new place before The Dad starts his new job. All was well until we put an application in on a property. Then we were in the "waiting place." While in the "waiting place," a lot of thinking happens (or doesn't sometimes.) Thinking and worrying, in my case. Especially after the obligatory 3 day waiting period and still no word yea or nay. The I start getting antsy and begin to worry about a back up plan. As part of this back up plan, we decided to go look at a few more places late in the today.

Looking back there were signs that we should have stayed home: relator called while we're driving over to tell us two of the properties still have tenants and need more notice to be shown, two others do not allow pets (though why they don't make a note of that on the public pages I have no idea,) one other has been rented already, leaving only one property to see. (Which when we went wasn't even high enough on The Dad's list that I didn't get out of the car, I stayed and fed the Enforcer.)

So we see the ONE property and now everyone is hungry and a bit cranky so we head out for a nice dinner. (Mistake number two for the evening, we should have just gone to Chick-fil-a, but that's a post for another day.) Everyone eats a bit, though I might have been the only one who semi-enjoyed myself. Got everyone back in the car and headed for home.

Now, let me give you a few facts about the Bay Bridge. It is one of the longest over water structures in the world at 4.2 miles long. It is actually two side by side bridges. There is no where to pull over on the bridge or for over a mile after getting off the bridge. On this bridge is where PT began vomiting.

The Politician is hollering from the back seat "Stop, stop! She's Sick!" I immediately begin looking for a place to pull over, knowing full well there is no such place. And as the poor little girl empties her stomach the smell makes it's way to the front of the van. Vicious. Pink lemonade does not smell good on the way back out. Whoa. Though apparently it does not bother the Politician because he kept asking us to close the windows back up.

Luckily, I keep a change of clothes for everyone in the van (except the adults, though I've been meaning to change that because you never know when it would be good to have a spare shirt in the car.) We pulled over at the first gas station and cleaned PT off, changed her, and got as much out of the carseat as possible. It was here I was informed that the Politician had bug bites on his tush and I would need to see them when we got home. Glorious.

The remainder of our drive was fortunately uneventful.

Get PT in her bed and check out these bug bites of the Politician's. NOT BUG BITES. At first we think it might be some kind of rash, possibly poison ivy. Quickly, went to check PT and she's fine. The Politician has some kind of itchy blotches all over his legs, butt, back, arms and even one on his face. So he gets stuck in the tub with some oatmeal, while I freak out accordingly. We go through the whole day and evening and cannot figure out where he got this rash or what it is from. Our best guess is there was some thing at dinner with milk in it and he's having an allergic reaction. So he got a dose of benadril, some anti-itch cream and he catches a ride on the dreamland express.

All in all a terribly unproductive evening because in my inbox when we got home is a note from the realtor that our application has been approved. Awesome.

Some Diets I Can' Stomach

In a completely unrelated search today, I discovered the term "enlightened omnivore." Intrigued, I googled the term and one of the first links was to a blog post titled "How to Eat Meat: Transitioning Away from Vegetarianism." Apparently, there are groups of vegans and vegetarians who want to get back to eating meat again and need tips on how to do that without getting sick. The post itself wasn't what got my mind going, I actually skimmed most of it, but the comments were so very interesting. I was really surprised at the number of people that suggested eating bugs, though I shouldn't have been. I have eaten a chocolate covered cricket once, but to eat them as my main source of protein?? That would take A LOT of getting used too.

One commenter described how he makes his fried grasshoppers and suggested putting them in the freezer first so they won't hop out of the hot oil. That would be a terrifying event for a first time grasshopper frier. Imagine you've got the movie all setup and you going into the kitchen to get your movie snack ready and it won't stay put. I envision grasshoppers freaking out all over the kitchen, bouncing and hopping off everything, possibly with missing legs... TERRIFYING. Nope, that is something I am not trying at home. Thanks though.

Another string of comments was about the moral/mental aspect of being a vegetarian and the idea of not killing for food. From this sprung, a few comments about eating lamb testicles. Apparently, they are also know as "prairie oysters."That does not make them any more appealing, perhaps even less so if that's possible. I also learned that there is a Turkey Testicle Festival in Illinois right before Thanksgiving every year. There's one way to ease back into eating turkey on Thanksgiving, I won't be doing it though. I hear it is an acquired taste.

Here's the blog original blog post: How to Eat Meat: Transitioning Away from Vegetarianism | Mark's Daily Apple

Enjoy!

Just Don't Spill Wine on your T-shirt

I just updated my racing schedule (you can see it in the tab on the right) and I am really excited about the ZOOMA Annapolis 10K. They have a half marathon too, but I think one for the first part of the year is enough. I just found out that they will have WINE at the post race party. After the Vineyard Dash and the wine tasting, I have decided any race I can find that has wine available after should go on my list of things to do. Don't you think?? There were a few ladies at the Vineyard Dash with "Will Run for Wine" temporary tattoos on, maybe I need one!


SO do you wanna join me in my racing challenge, but you aren't ready to commit to a race yet? Really like the idea, but need a little more motivation? (Wine is a great motivator for me, I have discovered!) I would love to have you join me in a race as a racer or cheering everyone on and wouldn't you love to be part of our team and look the part??

I am excited to announce that I am going to have t-shirts screen printed as part of my challenge! As part of fundraising for the Colon Cancer Alliance (CCA), I am going to be asking for a $15 donation for a t-shirt. All profits beyond printing costs will go to the CCA. The more shirts ordered, the more we can give to the CCA! If you are interested in sponsoring me for a race and would like to have your name, or a phrase of your choosing, to the shirt please let me know by January 20th. All sponsors will receive a shirt! Checks can be made out to me, with personal challenge in the memo line. (Send me an email if you need any info!)

Here's what the shirts will look like (sponsor information will be added on the bottom of the back.)

Get one for you, your best friend, your parents, and of course all your brothers and sisters, and any one else you can think off!

Now that you have seen the shirt, lets do this give away here! In the comments below, let us know one of your goals for this year and leave your email address to enter. One person will receive a FREE shirt!

No Excuses, Nice Mantra

2012 has just begun and everyone is ready to live life to the fullest with no excuses. With most people, this will last a few weeks. Some it's already over. But there are those that stick to their goals and make it through the year having lived a full year and made many a memory. I hope to find myself in that last category.

Will I slip back and have a day or two that are off track? Probably. But as long as I can get right back on, I'll consider it a success. Things happen, plans change, but a curvy road is a lot easier to stay awake on then a straight one. There may be mountains that seem to high or valleys that seem to never bottom out, but each day is a new start and we can choose to start with a positive outlook or not. It's a choice.

So, what's my choice today?

Today, I choose to be present with my kids and to enjoy some quality time, not only quantity. Being a SAHM there is a lot of quantity, sometimes to much to be honest, but quality time can be at a minimum.

Today, I choose to eat what ever I feel like, regardless of it's health benefit. That may not be the best choice, but I don't have any excuses for it. I like cookies and bean dip. That's all.

Today, I choose to get to bed early so I can be up in enough time to run tomorrow before going to the dentist. I hope I stick to that choice and don't choose to sit in front of the tv instead. I could use some more sleep.

It's all about our choices. Choose to act or not to act. To eat or not to eat. To do or not to do. To be or not to be. (I had to throw that one in there!) What's your choice?

1 down 11 to go (aka the Winery Run)

Day two of 2012 was race day number ONE! The Vineyard Dash at Layton's Chance Vineyard was a great new race. This year was their first year and they had about 70 racers! Great turnout for a first race in this area.

I gave myself a goal of finishing in 40 minutes or less, though I was thinking I would probably be closer to 45 minutes. I was so happy to be wrong! I turned the corner to the finish line and the clock read 37 minutes, I was ecstatic! I finished in 37:43 giving me a 12:10 pace per mile. AND I finished the 5K about 2 minutes before the first person finished the 10K! I thought there would be 10K finishers before I finished and I was glad to be able to watch the first 10K guy finish from the sideline.

After the race, they sent an email with all my race stats. There were 9 ladies in my age group and 69 finishers in the race. I came in 7th in my group and 49th overall. 

I arrived at the vineyard about an hour before race time which gave me more than enough time to get ready and warmed up. The skies were a clear blue with wisps of white clouds. It would have been great running weather at about 40 degrees, but then there was the wind. Apparently, it had died down a bit since earlier in the morning, but when you were facing the way it was blowing good luck keeping your face on. (I learned later they were 15-25 mph winds.)

The timing chip is supposed to go through your shoe laces, but since I don't have those I had to find a way to secure it to my shoe. Here was the solution:

The driveway up to the vineyard is gravel and I was a bit nervous about running on that. It wouldn't be a problem in traditional running shoes, but since I run in the barefoot shoes the gravel would not be so comfortable. Thankfully, the grass on the side of the driveway was short, smooth, and easy to run on.

From the gravel driveway, we turned left and ran on the black top for what seemed like forever. The first mile of running always seems the longest to me. We turned around at the cone/flag waver and ran back past the vineyard. Apparently, there was some confusion on where the next turn in the course was and runners started back down the driveway before realizing they were supposed to stay straight to the next paved road. There were enough people in front of me that it wasn't a problem for me!

In the beginning, I was passed by quite a few people, but I did pass a few at the end! The dirt farm road around the back of the winery was my favorite surface to run on. Now, that may have been because it was the last stretch before the finish, but I liked the feel of it under my feet.

Sadly, I didn't have anyone ask me about my shirt, but I did have a few people ask me about my shoes. They are always a conversation piece.

Things I learned from my first race:
1. Wine after a race is delicious.
2. I will get to hot about 5 minutes in and I should stop wearing long sleeves during races.
3. Little goals throughout help me finish stronger.
4. Give myself goals of landmarks, not other racers I might not be able to catch, or catch to early.
5. There will always be a line to the bathroom before a race, and even after using it, I'll still need one about half way through.

All in all race number one was a success! The shirt they gave runners is really well done, white long sleeved technical shirt with green screen printing. And we got to keep out timing chip. Great after race food (chili and baked ziti along with oranges and bananas, water and mulled wine. Not to mention wine tasting!) Looking forward to race number 2 in February!

T-minus a Few Hours

It's almost here! The New Year has begun and so has my personal challenge!! First race tomorrow at 11 am; the Vineyard Dash in Vienna, MD. Hopefully the weather will stay nice through tomorrow afternoon. It has been uncharacteristically warm the past few days. More like fall temperatures then winter. I have to say I am loving it!! This will be great running weather if it holds!

After the race I will post my time and a review of the race including the course, registration, and anything else I can think of! Since the race doesn't start until 11, it will be easy for the whole family to attend. This is the first year they are holding the Vineyard Dash and it will be interesting to see the kind of response they receive. I'm looking forward to the complimentary wine tasting myself.

I finished my shirt today. Here's a sneak peek.

Just a simple iron on for this race, but since everyone loves the logo we are going to have some screen printed. They will be similar in design to the one I will be wearing tomorrow, but a brighter blue and screen printed instead of iron on. To get your information on the shirt, send me an email on how to sponsor me in my personal challenge by January 10th. If you are interested in purchasing a t-shirt leave a comment below.

You know, let's make it a give away! In the comments below, tell me one of your goals for this year and leave your email address to enter. One person will receive a free shirt!

Detour to the Train Depot

Around the holidays, a lot of people fill up on their family stories for the year. Here's one we shared this year:

On Christmas Eve Eve Eve (the Thursday before Christmas this year) we all went to a big model train show in the next town over. We've been before and absolutely love it! Santa is there the last Thursday before Christmas and they have coffee, hot chocolate, cookies and of course everyone gets a candy cane (or as PT calls them "candy candy.") But where we were going doesn't have anything to do with the story except to say that we were out at night. Granted, it is dark enough by 6 to call it night in the winter.

We were about 5 minutes from the house and I hear the Politician say "No, you don't pee in your underpants." And PT reply "Nope, I hold it." Knowing she really can't hold it and knowing there are no available bathrooms where we are going (about 10 minutes away) or on the way there, we pulled over by a little patch of field just before the highway. Luckily, we don't live in a densely populated area and the place we stopped doesn't get a whole lot of evening traffic.

PT and I get out of the car and I placed a few sheets of wipes on the grass and had her sit down on them. Well, that didn't work. "It tickles," she kept repeating. So, I held her up the say way I do when we are out in public bathrooms and SUCCESS!! Tossed all the wipes in a plastic bag and we were back on our way to the trains!

She was quite proud of herself for peeing outside, in the dark, on the side of the road. Gladly, she did not feel the need to tell everyone at the train show about this. Always an adventure with us!