tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62740081882988409322024-03-13T06:32:24.589-07:00View From the ShoeHeatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.comBlogger338125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-46237900676891522302011-11-09T06:42:00.000-08:002011-11-09T06:42:13.176-08:00Mr. Doodles - The Final ChapterSo. I guess with a title like that you can tell the outcome of this story. <br />
<br />
Saige was at her dad's last weekend and when I put the babies to bed I realized the guinea pig wasn't really very spry. (Yes. Mr. Doodles is a girl. What? Miss Doodles is a stupid name.) I sent downstairs and told Mike the critter wasn't doing well. We really had no solution since I am both unwilling to handfeed the thing canned pumpkin and spend 300 bucks at an exotic pet vet. <br />
When I went up the next morning she wasn't moving at all. I called Saigie at her dad's and broke the news because I didn't want her to return home to a missing critter. <br />
There was much crying, gnashing of the teeth and garment tearing. Then I did what had to be done and prepared to pick the cage up and move it outside, so Shaby would stop trying to feed it. That was the extent of my plans because The Coach is in charge of dead things. (I am in charge of throw up.) <br />
When I went to pick up the cage Mr. Doodle's head turned toward me and she shuddered. So of course dropped the cage and went running and screaming, "Zombie Guinea Pig!!!" all through the house. Finally I called a friend who distracted me while I threw a blanket over the cage, put it in the back yard and then locked the door. <br />
I called The Coach and told him it was his problem and when he got home he had to put the thing out of its misery and never tell me how it was done. Also he could not scar the body because Saige wanted a burial. Sigh.<br />
By the time he got home the critter had the decency to die on its own. We perserved the body and buried it Monday after school. She was heartbroken.<br />
Her brothers were so sweet to her. At different times throughout the day I saw both of them walk by and pat her on the shoulder. That is pretty nice for them. They usually walk by and pull her hair or take something from her. <br />
I knew the inevitable was a request for a NEW pet. It finally came last night when she ask if she could have a parrot!!<br />
Saige - (still crying) Can I have a parrot?<br />
Me - (shocked) Why in the HELL would you want a parrot?<br />
Saige - So I could have someone to talk to.<br />
Me - You have FOUR brothers and sisters. Talk to them.<br />
Saige - (wailing) None of them caaaaaarrrrreeeee.<br />
Me. - I'll pay them to care!!<br />
<br />
Can you just imagine what a parrot would say at my house?<br />
"What's for supper? Squawk!" <br />
"Squack. He touched me!!!!!!!" <br />
<br />
<strong><span style="font-size: large;">What would your parrot say?</span></strong><br />
<br />
(p.s. Without my knowledge Saige made an old picture of Mr. Doodles the screensaver on our computer. Now everytime I logged on I am eye to eye with his beady little stare. Creepy guinea pig zombie!) <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com21tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-56981443531927449712011-10-28T13:10:00.000-07:002011-10-28T13:10:18.556-07:00Oh The Joy!!There are many truly joyful times in a parent's life. <br />
The first time a baby says, "mommy" or gives a kiss.<br />
A good grade or a kind gesture. <br />
Watching siblings play together (right up till the fight.) <br />
<br />
I think it is safe to say potty training is NOT one of these joys. I will say for myself it has bever been a huge deal. Of course I have probably forgotten some of the hassle since a little time has passed. Shaye is refreshing my memory. <br />
If I had to pick out some of the joys of potty training in my search for the silver lining they would be<br />
~Going to the bathroom thirty times a day to only witness any results about three times a day. (Obviously some of this list is going to be facetious.)<br />
~Listening to Shaye try to say "panties".<br />
~Having all the laundry clean due to multiple "accident" loads.<br />
~The exercise I get sprinting with a twenty three pound two year old under my arm. <br />
~ Having someone in the bathroom with me to cheer for me when I go successfully. <br />
~Alternatively laughing and getting frustrated when she insists on dressing and undressing herself.<br />
~Hanging out with Shaye alone in the bathroom singing "Itsy Bitsy Spider". <br />
And finally<br />
~The amazement that came from realizing Shaye had successfully flushed an entire pair of panties while I was trying to find the wipes! (Who thinks this is going to end in a call to the plumber?)<br />
<br />
This marks a first.....a celebratory "THE LAST". I was a bit sad when breast feeding ended. I may have been a bit sad at THE LAST first word, first steps, first birthday. But this last is a relief...THE LAST potty training!! And soon............THE LAST diaper!! <br />
<br />
Of course there will be grandkids, but I am certain Ty will listen to me and wait until Shaye is out of the house before he has any. Because I said so. Right?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-59551517933987829052011-10-12T07:18:00.000-07:002011-10-12T07:18:14.509-07:00Crickets and Mosquito BaitCrickets because that is all you have been hearing from this blog lately. <br />
We are having a great time here and doing lots as usual. There are just many things going on here and it turns out there is only a limited number of things I can do well, or even mediocre at one time. Plus every time I think of a writing a blog I feel like I should explain my absence and it isn't inspiring to come up with excuses, so let's just skip it. <br />
<br />
I love Texas. I consider myself a native Houstonian having moved where when I was four. I heard other parts of the world have four actual seasons, but I have never experienced that so I am pretty good with the two we have here. Summer and not summer. This past summer was brutal. It was HOT. Many weather related records were broken like - earliest day over 100, latest day over 100, and most consecutive days over 100. Add to that extreme drought. (Expected to be the worst on record here in the history of EVER!)<br />
Things are going up in flames here left and right. I think over 1600 houses have been burned down in wildfires. <br />
<br />
Because I hate, hate, hate the cold. I try to roll with these desert-like conditions. This summer I tried to get the kids outside as much as possible, but since it was still 100 degrees at 9:00pm that was difficult. Maybe I should have taught the kids to sleep walk. I usually ended up whisking them to the park at the crack of 7:00 am and toughing it out outdoors until about 8:30, by which time it was sweltering and we escaped into the air conditioning. <br />
<br />
The good part of the heat and drought though was that there were way less mosquitoes this summer. Last summer we about got carried off by them despite my BIL's mosquito killing concoction of Windex and fabric softener. (??) <br />
<br />
It has rained twice <strike>in the last decade</strike> in the last month and now the skeeters are back with a vengeance. I tried to take the babies outside to play last night and had to wonder once again, "What makes Tayte so delicious to mosquitoes?" I have never seen anything like it. You can almost see the swarm of bloodsuckers heading his way when he leaves the house. Are they just hanging around waiting for my juicy baby to venture outdoors?? At one point he even had his very own repellent fan we clipped to his shirt. That was in addition to the later of OFF we applied and the citronella candle we forced him to carry. (Just thought of a new invention......citronella scented outdoor toys like Frisbees and balls!)<br />
Does he smell good to mosquitoes?<br />
Is it his infectious smile?<br />
<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Maybe they are attracted to the luminescent skin. (Which I have witnessed sunburning outside for fifteen minutes in FEBRUARY! Maybe this kid just isn't cut out for Texas.) </div>(Don't ask why he is sideways.........I just wanted to complete a darn post! I don't have time for obstacles.) <br />
<br />
The good news..............as long as I stick close to Tayte I never get a bite?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_ZFEoJgU3p8klMEt9bXjXrq5S1eBXPM-ZqUcNTQDXEhYqkXihO-JMjMn-DVySYMbycWAbXdiAronMkrW2cUep6gWAys5j4IR35_2SfFhfLU-6gpIZ9tlyoehhQzgGYjVVw1cg7vS2ksf/s1600/take+a+haircut.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_ZFEoJgU3p8klMEt9bXjXrq5S1eBXPM-ZqUcNTQDXEhYqkXihO-JMjMn-DVySYMbycWAbXdiAronMkrW2cUep6gWAys5j4IR35_2SfFhfLU-6gpIZ9tlyoehhQzgGYjVVw1cg7vS2ksf/s320/take+a+haircut.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Look at him. You wanna bite him too don't ya?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Do you have a delicious person in your family?</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Got any solutions? </div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-33598086224777611312011-09-09T07:28:00.000-07:002011-09-09T07:28:51.896-07:00Better Late............Or Maybe NotAbout a hundred years ago my parents took me to Vermont. Ok. It was last month. It feels like a hundred years ago. I did "compete" in a triathlon, but I also was a tourist as this was a tri-cation. We had a ball. It was so much fun having my parents all to myself. Usually I am wanting for attention while they throw money and candy at my children and tell them how cute they are. <br />
We left outta Houston on Thursday. All day my MIL who was at home taking care of the kids was searching for the keys to my truck. I can just picture her searching every nook and cranny because she is focused like that. Not like me. I start looking for something and while I am doing that I find something I had previously lost, like a book, then I start reading it and forget what I was doing. (Kinda like this story........)<br />
Anyway right before I checked my luggage I got an idea. I opened up my suitcase and there were the keys to my truck. Shaye had been helping me pack. I was worried about what else she might have stuck in there.<br />
<br />
My mom and I turned into a giggling mess while the safety precautions were being recited on the plane. My dad tried to pretend he didn't know us.<br />
<br />
Oh! It's been a long time since I have pushed my mom around in a wheelchair. I guess she had forgotten she permanently fired me from that job. Hey!! I only let her go down an incline once. I only ran into another person once and I did do ANY donuts!!<br />
<br />
Once in Vermont we made plans to see the sights. My mom told my dad. "We are not going to ____________. If we take her there she will tell everyone we only took her to lame stuff!" FINALLY! I have struck fear into the hearts of my parents with my blogging influence.<br />
<br />
First we got lost in Burlington. I think part of the problem was map scale. We were looking at the map of Vermont as if it were the map of Texas. I guess maybe we should have paid more attention to the scale and less attention to the beautiful GREEN around us. <br />
Second we got lost in Burlington.<br />
Third we got lost in Burlington.<br />
:)<br />
Friday before the race we headed to New York and see Fort Tygonorrhea. <br />
Who knew you could take a thirty minute car ride and be in a whole other state. Cool.<br />
Fort Typonderosa is a fort used in both the French and Indian War and the Revolutionary War.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XFS1vfl9rWC4YVflh9kToMDjRDShyphenhyphenhy0qyP9okWSkWvdLPLoiNLkFW6M6_oxpNZKw1MZECSon4HjRCk6Dql0iFQH3hrEaxUBb3x3KLygY7KCC3TKL02ZTuzjHdr-I3VFVBwXOn4b1yFm/s1600/cannons.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7XFS1vfl9rWC4YVflh9kToMDjRDShyphenhyphenhy0qyP9okWSkWvdLPLoiNLkFW6M6_oxpNZKw1MZECSon4HjRCk6Dql0iFQH3hrEaxUBb3x3KLygY7KCC3TKL02ZTuzjHdr-I3VFVBwXOn4b1yFm/s320/cannons.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Apparently they shot boats invading from Lake George. I was just trying to sound smart there. I don't know the name of the lake.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXjtLAqhX4cwet7PStwMtZVdsH96dMlye-Pcmp-2d8V73e3Nw7k8m23uWJR7tSp-IaVQk4kBOcZwt5ZGMvcmTNUdjtPkfByahkcFlsF1tT3hyM-Yxo0wRNMDnY8vjSomsVVjYtZjAd69-/s1600/dad.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzXjtLAqhX4cwet7PStwMtZVdsH96dMlye-Pcmp-2d8V73e3Nw7k8m23uWJR7tSp-IaVQk4kBOcZwt5ZGMvcmTNUdjtPkfByahkcFlsF1tT3hyM-Yxo0wRNMDnY8vjSomsVVjYtZjAd69-/s320/dad.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
My dad broke off from the tour and was clearly trying to decide if he could round up the necessary materials to fire this cannon. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpftt0yLftAjB414ZQ3BJePJytBmAFXzDn6CS8eMrZOgp4vJqY5CUfJBobw9tpef17iI0fokmCUXGWxWYrcRijeeeV7E_HhyphenhyphenpBSr46voT3HJYchJw47pPp-4jUJKny5rDS-2_GasS0Tqg/s1600/boat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYpftt0yLftAjB414ZQ3BJePJytBmAFXzDn6CS8eMrZOgp4vJqY5CUfJBobw9tpef17iI0fokmCUXGWxWYrcRijeeeV7E_HhyphenhyphenpBSr46voT3HJYchJw47pPp-4jUJKny5rDS-2_GasS0Tqg/s320/boat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>This is my reenactment of a boat landing at Fort Ticonderoga. (Yes. That is the real name.) <br />
After the race we tried to go see the house of Ethan Allen. There are no pictures of that because we never found it. It was three miles from us and we drove thirty miles to try to find it. Again....scale. During that trip we did go visit what my parents insist was an island, but it was clearly connected to Vermont by a strip of land. My parents and I are just going to have to agree to disagree.<br />
The landscape there was gorgeous. Everything was so green and lush. I hate the cold, but I would love to return for a (short) visit in the winter to see it all covered in a blanket of snow.<br />
<br />
The food in Vermont was delicious!! The night before the race we went to a diner and I was afraid to order anything good because I didn't want to puke on the course. Soooooo. We returned immediately after the race and I pigged out. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglociqAubQ0-rkkLQgau3njNHYaVgbHnBPVZeQ3OARnZ2i0Oz2b1bkQxcxcZc7U-2qP9ipDGjIKt3WXZooyrAh0OvsBOiGMgtvkK3oQ97V_UU5pl_02XSBOSVEF0faFLal4CD2YKkuKoaD/s1600/lobsterroll.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglociqAubQ0-rkkLQgau3njNHYaVgbHnBPVZeQ3OARnZ2i0Oz2b1bkQxcxcZc7U-2qP9ipDGjIKt3WXZooyrAh0OvsBOiGMgtvkK3oQ97V_UU5pl_02XSBOSVEF0faFLal4CD2YKkuKoaD/s320/lobsterroll.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
This was my first lobster roll and it was DELICIOUS. Also it was 1400 calories. I know because they had the calories listed on the menu. I noticed that last time I was up north too. I wish they would start doing that here in Texas. I feel a need to know how many calories are in chili con queso and guacamole.<br />
<br />
My dad refrained from ordering the 2000 calorie dish he really wanted the first night, but he dove into it the next day. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9-90oR0IedX-jQjmsoftYbWyrrsSJdh_oxhCtpqfUvG05mFMvSXwFn6M7z6NpC_ezz8bP33vvslBDoP139EhbBG-HOUkLnApDzzKsEORdFKnqMtB0eHSX8AB-gtBnAtxlwyohb1nnqP-/s1600/pasta.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu9-90oR0IedX-jQjmsoftYbWyrrsSJdh_oxhCtpqfUvG05mFMvSXwFn6M7z6NpC_ezz8bP33vvslBDoP139EhbBG-HOUkLnApDzzKsEORdFKnqMtB0eHSX8AB-gtBnAtxlwyohb1nnqP-/s320/pasta.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Sadly he had to abort his mission. He just couldn't finish the meal. Really he barely made a dent in it, but he was exhausted from trying. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v-ueMEVUiqi7o4e6TxphLw4bKIoonmiPczZshX3x55aFU5tBwM3M26UXxY13v1LCU0oU6O4kFPM5rBp6gby7avUBlIuzLAPM90IkHaroG1XdpUZjMY7qQhFIgitRwa-3D10aVJxXfPgZ/s1600/full.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4v-ueMEVUiqi7o4e6TxphLw4bKIoonmiPczZshX3x55aFU5tBwM3M26UXxY13v1LCU0oU6O4kFPM5rBp6gby7avUBlIuzLAPM90IkHaroG1XdpUZjMY7qQhFIgitRwa-3D10aVJxXfPgZ/s320/full.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
All in all I had a great time. It was so very incredible of my parents to haul my adult butt up there and entertain me and watch me race. Next year the race is in the same place and I hope to be able to return with The Coach.<br />
My parents stayed in Vermont after I left and got out just in time to miss the bad weather that plagued the area. I hope that Vermont bounces back from the flooding soon. It is a beautiful place and all of the people I ran into there were super friendly and welcoming. <br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1396011171"></span><span id="goog_1396011172"></span>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-60309848699019037292011-08-31T05:26:00.000-07:002011-08-31T05:26:00.310-07:00I Lovermont<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
At the beginning of the summer I blogged about how I had qualified for the triathlon National Championships and my parents were taking me.<br />
They did.<br />
Today I am going to write about the race and then tomorrow the trip itself.<br />
<br />
Swim<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-m6gXfrzoE3C0Z-PqRsys3T2quKVAxwkjgynghAATmy-gRxa0PZ20RC5LJ50VGu6uv_3Y9RtXYRarIX8hZz9eq64iNjouF7qDudm3bNH1dHJBCgoydo68uxtW3av_t_vpXipw_FVR-HA/s1600/gatorade.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-m6gXfrzoE3C0Z-PqRsys3T2quKVAxwkjgynghAATmy-gRxa0PZ20RC5LJ50VGu6uv_3Y9RtXYRarIX8hZz9eq64iNjouF7qDudm3bNH1dHJBCgoydo68uxtW3av_t_vpXipw_FVR-HA/s320/gatorade.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here I am enjoying a pre race cocktail. Really it's just gatorade. <br />
I think I was in the 87th wave to start. The waves before me had swum in deceptively straight lines leading me to believe there was little current or pull. So I jumped in under that false assumption and started about ten minutes of treading water. While I was treading water the announcer announced, "Susan Williams is in the water." Susan Williams is THE U.S. women's Olympic medalist from the U.S. I was swimming with her. We were neck and neck.....right until the horn sounded. <br />
I quickly realized that I was out of my league as the rest of the field pulled ahead of me. I dealt with that through the first and second buoy and I was being overcome by the next wave at the third. Then it all fell apart and I considered quitting as a lifeguard tried to beat me into returning to the course with his oar. The sun was in my eyes, I was swimming in circles, I had a cramp, and some jerk told me I was swimming sideways. (Just for the record....I MEANT too!)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH95rFWki5wcZmck7JUQYI0UZz3PHpARAcRSJQbzQ2Qj0MuH2ywkl4btp4d_MBxN6l5vl4x7w-u0VrEBO4z9lVWChC4NXdaqSppPpaeT3Z-wZgpJPUBWvpQX4FZc8HkCJWZleckKdMBJ6m/s1600/fourth+buoy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH95rFWki5wcZmck7JUQYI0UZz3PHpARAcRSJQbzQ2Qj0MuH2ywkl4btp4d_MBxN6l5vl4x7w-u0VrEBO4z9lVWChC4NXdaqSppPpaeT3Z-wZgpJPUBWvpQX4FZc8HkCJWZleckKdMBJ6m/s320/fourth+buoy.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I am the one splashing around out there WAAAAAYYYYY of course.<br />
<br />
The only thing that kept me from giving up was thinking that my parents had funded the whole trip and my mom had walked all the way to the race start. If I had quit then it would all be a waste. I never did see that fourth buoy, but I did spot the fifth and figured I might live, so I continued swimming and finally made it to dry land. I thought I had been out there forever, but it turns out it was right at 38 minutes. Not much off my usual pace.<br />
Swim - 00:38:17<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObNm76-I8zvEk1If4fiDPX8DKj0EKyYAyuL0R2KoQlcTMvrKAX9yb5DnymYEtGkmC5mncWTW_7yvONtPnIR15fxMQQ4-BvBRsD_wLI-FUE35YcXbPUfANXgNiPhYlfFxcCz4gCXpaLLu0/s1600/transition.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObNm76-I8zvEk1If4fiDPX8DKj0EKyYAyuL0R2KoQlcTMvrKAX9yb5DnymYEtGkmC5mncWTW_7yvONtPnIR15fxMQQ4-BvBRsD_wLI-FUE35YcXbPUfANXgNiPhYlfFxcCz4gCXpaLLu0/s320/transition.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> Does this outfit make me look fat?<br />
<br />
<br />
I managed not to pull a glut getting out of my wetsuit and headed on to the next phase.<br />
<br />
The Bike<br />
I had rented a very nice tri bike for the occasion instead of paying for my own bike to me dismantled and rebuilt numerous times. It was awesome. Shifting was different as were the aero bars and the handle bars, but all in all it was fine.<br />
The idea of hills had me intimidated ever since I signed up for the race. The first 2.5 miles were total incline. And to mock me the people ahead of me were FLYING downhill to finish up their bike. Usually my heart rate is usually only around 180 when I am going all out. On the bike my heart rate stayed around 225 the entire time. It was definitely hard, but not impossibly so. Vermont was beautiful and I had plenty of time to see it. I figure I was in last place because whenever I rode passed a volunteer or officer they started up their engines as if they were done with their shift.<br />
It was quite exhilarating to look down and see my speed as 37.00 mph after the turnaround. Since I had never ridden the bike other than on the trainer for the fitting I was really praying the brakes worked. Whew. <br />
The cramp I developed in the swim was noticeable on the bike, but not traumatic. (That's foreshadowing by the way.)<br />
Bike - 1:27:30<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFOpjbXb1nY0GvYgYVo91twv_1PUF1pMntZZBRhwK27BXkvwaBTVp3Vx9QcSnrL3YWvpTbS4cP20Q1JZ481IMF0ef7KdXZ0nYjCgbTV3BhSb2B9q-qdX0y830a5wGXVRzB3x1_7ifl5_m/s1600/run+out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQFOpjbXb1nY0GvYgYVo91twv_1PUF1pMntZZBRhwK27BXkvwaBTVp3Vx9QcSnrL3YWvpTbS4cP20Q1JZ481IMF0ef7KdXZ0nYjCgbTV3BhSb2B9q-qdX0y830a5wGXVRzB3x1_7ifl5_m/s320/run+out.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Hallelujah! I survived the bike. Oh darn....it's time to run.<br />
<br />
Run<br />
The run is never my strong point and the feeling that I was in last didn't help. Neither did the half mile climb to start us off. UHG. I walked it and my side was killing me by the time I got to the top. I walked/ran as best I can. Five people from my age group passed me which filled me with hope AND despair. Each time I thought, "I wasn't last! But I am now."<br />
At one point I was walking and a nice older (very older) lady competitor ran by me and asked if I was injured. I told her I had a bad cramp and couldn't breath and she encouraged me to run with her nice and slow. I did run with her for probably a mile and a half and I am so thankful for her encouragement. She was a previous world qualifier and very interesting too! By the time she ran off I only had a mile left.<br />
<br />
Run - 1:13:22 <br />
Finally I reached the finish line and received my finishers medal. Both my dad and my mom were there to congratulate me. (Everyone else had packed up and gone home. Ok. Not really.) I was very glad my mom was able to see me race. I was even more glad my dad had pre agreed to a big honking LUNCH!! <br />
Total - 3:23:46<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0DGbFMfcuVM9OdbPMbnWQqytiwwyzAJktq9XaNatf4H5q_CsDxZFKEhuCQ2oXm7hU4ZSENifKGs_-9jislQw5vd_ZpSSyLQ53rroi-SkbKQFuxTEjUI1WtWj7Psib8k2JgydP0o9qBJd/s1600/finish.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf0DGbFMfcuVM9OdbPMbnWQqytiwwyzAJktq9XaNatf4H5q_CsDxZFKEhuCQ2oXm7hU4ZSENifKGs_-9jislQw5vd_ZpSSyLQ53rroi-SkbKQFuxTEjUI1WtWj7Psib8k2JgydP0o9qBJd/s320/finish.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Can you see them rolling up the carpet after my finish? Kidding.<br />
<br />
Sometimes it is important to just keep going because it turns out I didn't do as poorly at the race as I thought I was doing. I was over my best olympic distance time by about four minutes. Really with the hills and the unfamiliar bike and all that wasn't too bad.<br />
I came in 106th out of 107 in my age group. Of course if I were just basing my performance on that I would be disappointed, so it is a good thing I am not. It's like I told my dad. I was still getting passed, but I was getting passed by a much better class of athlete!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBczGOlwjrtCsVzrSZqANakQde7m9S-Kmbi9vK_vJKLjmJEdZ4jzHMRfou1rUga6CaV-KcMwRDG289WfNcKzbVadtfbDBY7UMluXEAYnOxkeZA5j2OhgNZ7YbGQ6ZVzWB8muqyWfF7sU7g/s1600/really+done.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBczGOlwjrtCsVzrSZqANakQde7m9S-Kmbi9vK_vJKLjmJEdZ4jzHMRfou1rUga6CaV-KcMwRDG289WfNcKzbVadtfbDBY7UMluXEAYnOxkeZA5j2OhgNZ7YbGQ6ZVzWB8muqyWfF7sU7g/s320/really+done.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>I was really looking forward to putting that 1800 calories back in my belly!! <br />
<br />
I was an experience I am lucky to have had. I hope to get a chance to return next year and do a better job since I have one national championship under my belt! Can't wait. (Mom and Dad - I will try to save up some money between now and then!!)<br />
<br />
Tomorrow I plan to fill you all in on the vacation part of this trication.<br />
Try to contain your excitement.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-6279800635496058102011-08-30T06:28:00.000-07:002011-08-30T06:28:20.300-07:00Partypolooza!I have been AWOL. I know. Hey! I've a little busy. (Said with my best New Jersey accent - which isn't that good. In fact it sounds a lot like my Howard Cosell.)<br />
<br />
Anyway. I have been getting farther and farther from blogging as I feel worse and worse about not blogging. I figured the best way to make a comeback was to just write something. Anything.<br />
Here goes.<br />
<br />
August saw three different birthday celebrations at our house.<br />
<br />
Shaye Baby turned two. How is it possible she is two? It goes so fast, yet at the same time I can hardly remember our family without her antics.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAlPmK7umNwmFMWKzGjTzdwRS0XeJXx9wkRLhhJK6kkbn9wxACBs_9p3TsDQL4uKHd8obWNmGfQ680Jak2tYrJYaBrGPI4tUfz10w-FFOk1R7a48Q1fU9SkmnErxtl8_dOt33xLK3MTGy/s1600/cake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAlPmK7umNwmFMWKzGjTzdwRS0XeJXx9wkRLhhJK6kkbn9wxACBs_9p3TsDQL4uKHd8obWNmGfQ680Jak2tYrJYaBrGPI4tUfz10w-FFOk1R7a48Q1fU9SkmnErxtl8_dOt33xLK3MTGy/s320/cake.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
We had a small celebratory after lunch party. The good thing about having Sweet Aunt live a block over is that once her and her four boys show up it is an instant party! <br />
I made a lemon cake from scratch that called for about five cups of sugar.....in just the frosting. (Talk about a party.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSWYXAS6eODY1hFc-9cqSCFqD1v8l2Fni6C1suDRt4RjL6JZLz77e4vP5_nPWwaLzscrWM7b4ImseVY6zQZO8dVM0Mx3OuCa0k1mUH9HSDccu2liiPR7llSnKhKsQ42xn9sKoNPixJ8f4/s1600/gift.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWSWYXAS6eODY1hFc-9cqSCFqD1v8l2Fni6C1suDRt4RjL6JZLz77e4vP5_nPWwaLzscrWM7b4ImseVY6zQZO8dVM0Mx3OuCa0k1mUH9HSDccu2liiPR7llSnKhKsQ42xn9sKoNPixJ8f4/s320/gift.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>Shaye had several presents, but only one gift bag. When she turned to exclaim over one of her treasures I just snuck the next gift into the bag. Genius.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JbdDkYf_j5M1T8_QiuJNDJUtNsF9YC3hYMnw9gs1v0ElCuq1mjCsN4dgOk_HRTgY1Z2tc1j0rTaPsMkrShe5lW4IwiPWfL9BsT8mLP2qALO_3UTnK5l13LoKLOcK5h60QBPMVq9-p3Du/s1600/hat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3JbdDkYf_j5M1T8_QiuJNDJUtNsF9YC3hYMnw9gs1v0ElCuq1mjCsN4dgOk_HRTgY1Z2tc1j0rTaPsMkrShe5lW4IwiPWfL9BsT8mLP2qALO_3UTnK5l13LoKLOcK5h60QBPMVq9-p3Du/s320/hat.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
Tell me please how two year old girls know they love a hat and a purse?<br />
<br />
Next it was Tanner's turn. <br />
The BIG 13. I can't imagine how he got this old!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SWCwUf44if6MqYnN7vFrZ4ripIK1hJBbG0o8XnaCsIy0NuKdGBidOIYEBf6nurYP1EkMZSlF3xmHw80RIJUBgsOp6j-wNqL6XbodiT0DL6G1gJuplyOfOhXGhMTGqIiJjiRhlB5gJH_Z/s1600/tanner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SWCwUf44if6MqYnN7vFrZ4ripIK1hJBbG0o8XnaCsIy0NuKdGBidOIYEBf6nurYP1EkMZSlF3xmHw80RIJUBgsOp6j-wNqL6XbodiT0DL6G1gJuplyOfOhXGhMTGqIiJjiRhlB5gJH_Z/s320/tanner.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div>His birthday is actually in July, but with the cruise and all it kept getting pushed back. It was his year for a real party though, so party we did. He chose a go cart party. Great fun was had by all.<br />
Just in case you didn't believe me - here are the pics. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiW8Gk6jh1Oqg0ki3egftnnpi7MEtq0QpyFSYmSmJ2moFxapBphkdIL8jcf_saKBn3yvYZqZcOrjoLd3jfTvPrL26nlf5xoMqjqkSIWfciJzCoZ989FG0jK9SaUHlURqUj6uupI5U9EqL/s1600/aunt+amanda+go+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYiW8Gk6jh1Oqg0ki3egftnnpi7MEtq0QpyFSYmSmJ2moFxapBphkdIL8jcf_saKBn3yvYZqZcOrjoLd3jfTvPrL26nlf5xoMqjqkSIWfciJzCoZ989FG0jK9SaUHlURqUj6uupI5U9EqL/s320/aunt+amanda+go+cart.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Sweet Aunt and Cade<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j-w7VkXGrjiKJ0GrtOtk7y4gMgQalkwiQH9BzpKvg_rxbK66ncU7KUV5dAIKgAKcepHyLV8Tn3-DSXJY94d_ftWwOd4Ld3CHWtmuHrr6iRSkYtrH4RhoJBVLUhH4mAs7GDtzcDaYWBu4/s1600/mike+go+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8j-w7VkXGrjiKJ0GrtOtk7y4gMgQalkwiQH9BzpKvg_rxbK66ncU7KUV5dAIKgAKcepHyLV8Tn3-DSXJY94d_ftWwOd4Ld3CHWtmuHrr6iRSkYtrH4RhoJBVLUhH4mAs7GDtzcDaYWBu4/s320/mike+go+cart.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> The Coach and Tayte<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViBWhLJt1S8FG45QGvcwbh0aUzWpXZkBFnxgEKt9SHgM1h-uJk8VUz18tBMiPHXWPiEWK_TGI3GBFJnDb8rRM93ps5ABq_Dbb08U4zNBusJ95ClGCF2VoIM1R720R5_ntHESx3pgNMeUN/s1600/pree+go+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiViBWhLJt1S8FG45QGvcwbh0aUzWpXZkBFnxgEKt9SHgM1h-uJk8VUz18tBMiPHXWPiEWK_TGI3GBFJnDb8rRM93ps5ABq_Dbb08U4zNBusJ95ClGCF2VoIM1R720R5_ntHESx3pgNMeUN/s320/pree+go+cart.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
My Best Peep Pree and her girly.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The Birthday Boy himself.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8YTEW-mbQYicMiLpUh-8MkU5I8sKZILeAw8HFOHeZxmeABafrtiG_F3dm22D6WbrABerjYu9BxfJ7yiuLwJ3Y8FalEnZLLJUn6OKyGsAn7hehFj3ueLRoBS7GFUKzTHLIbUqIb7VnPyn/s1600/Tanner+go+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE8YTEW-mbQYicMiLpUh-8MkU5I8sKZILeAw8HFOHeZxmeABafrtiG_F3dm22D6WbrABerjYu9BxfJ7yiuLwJ3Y8FalEnZLLJUn6OKyGsAn7hehFj3ueLRoBS7GFUKzTHLIbUqIb7VnPyn/s320/Tanner+go+cart.jpg" width="240px" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUKzM781kWr0UAA0vvpDznJcZKYl-d8fH-yBkvF9JHvsODHCZuTpNhbDGLtD30ACuQWve5FaYPByocKQaZd1DkifChx-VjFpGLUPh_S8ghNsC-iDhEkCvd0QjL9IRjyPCLanauXUBCrfw/s1600/saige+go+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDUKzM781kWr0UAA0vvpDznJcZKYl-d8fH-yBkvF9JHvsODHCZuTpNhbDGLtD30ACuQWve5FaYPByocKQaZd1DkifChx-VjFpGLUPh_S8ghNsC-iDhEkCvd0QjL9IRjyPCLanauXUBCrfw/s320/saige+go+cart.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div> Speedy Saige<br />
<br />
And of course no party is complete unless one of your "grown" ass brothers gets kicked off the go cart track.........I'll let you guess who got kicked off - Guns or Uncle Bachelor.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQ279TeExYjbqhyphenhyphenNc_mSNlbnmzLJU59TOJzeh9uLW76P2OTRUm78BKoi-WSMEfPqcauXbLsVe-t0qweJ33KDGPEz-oSz-MW31K-1quit_pcwKR_5MHkzg_D6uEcbIr8FDs55vEwYobVRx/s1600/brothers+go+cart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUQ279TeExYjbqhyphenhyphenNc_mSNlbnmzLJU59TOJzeh9uLW76P2OTRUm78BKoi-WSMEfPqcauXbLsVe-t0qweJ33KDGPEz-oSz-MW31K-1quit_pcwKR_5MHkzg_D6uEcbIr8FDs55vEwYobVRx/s320/brothers+go+cart.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
<br />
And last but not least the sweetest three year old on the planet turned into the sweetest four year old. (My blog, my opinion!)<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37wkem_SV5AmvrQeHBMNsvqBOcaP2nFLitLTFAwP9zAnSg8oTe3aTSWciJvDpahYkRx09Zcl_JQuEEwlbXNnMiEhlZICcdnR-JSkYsKSrPg8iC8qxZIwA7oUHdTajrOiofZPVXmsGjyJ3/s1600/Four.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37wkem_SV5AmvrQeHBMNsvqBOcaP2nFLitLTFAwP9zAnSg8oTe3aTSWciJvDpahYkRx09Zcl_JQuEEwlbXNnMiEhlZICcdnR-JSkYsKSrPg8iC8qxZIwA7oUHdTajrOiofZPVXmsGjyJ3/s320/Four.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div>He is pretty excited. He wore that crown all week. I think it had finally met its demise though.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6mkmRtOW3zz3yxXmifEXbjaaH109SAY4GjJUURKQf16QEsZ16d1h7OJ53FkRPnCWqWS_Dl7BPB-NEZrrNR-sEKq6cM_vQsmoQ729KqeLKK9q6ijOfN5X0EEkNOQYKIzTGYbFR053TlDv/s1600/candles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="257px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf6mkmRtOW3zz3yxXmifEXbjaaH109SAY4GjJUURKQf16QEsZ16d1h7OJ53FkRPnCWqWS_Dl7BPB-NEZrrNR-sEKq6cM_vQsmoQ729KqeLKK9q6ijOfN5X0EEkNOQYKIzTGYbFR053TlDv/s320/candles.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div> You might be wondering why we are having a donut party at 8 am in the park. I'll tell you. Tayte was dying to have a party in the park. The forecast for the day we planned to have his party was 108. We decided there was NO WAY we were going to go into the scorching heat to grill. So...we bought up a couple dozen donuts, stuck some candles in one and ta da........Party!!<br />
<br />
Again if you don't believe me....here's a pic. See? Invite Sweet Aunt and Sweet Uncle and their sweet boys, throw in one Gramma and one babysitter and instant party.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZs2QGU0cAxwuJNJq3ICfLVfPSBwcW5HKb7yj70lWWi_YNgdBl9Whfn7-bmsNlLO-wgtPOGWBUe3JgBOuGH13sGAlNede3IVeoTeiA7lDEHHos8Zd3HwNUlOgg5EgPLktlBDdHzTMne5yw/s1600/family.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZs2QGU0cAxwuJNJq3ICfLVfPSBwcW5HKb7yj70lWWi_YNgdBl9Whfn7-bmsNlLO-wgtPOGWBUe3JgBOuGH13sGAlNede3IVeoTeiA7lDEHHos8Zd3HwNUlOgg5EgPLktlBDdHzTMne5yw/s320/family.JPG" width="320px" /></a></div> Just for the record Shaye totally approved of the donut theme.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YBKUgTkt9qLDDE7WuyS-4p2bXvonMxrK3khvGSnYRZhjlYWSJp5-aZMrq5VT41nE7IUelyehsfBRxL4i7l5KKezHWmZti1xrsac8DnHACR6VCbwV7Nv9bb3grO8RrkzCEotb5GqJBPYP/s1600/donut+shaye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9YBKUgTkt9qLDDE7WuyS-4p2bXvonMxrK3khvGSnYRZhjlYWSJp5-aZMrq5VT41nE7IUelyehsfBRxL4i7l5KKezHWmZti1xrsac8DnHACR6VCbwV7Nv9bb3grO8RrkzCEotb5GqJBPYP/s320/donut+shaye.JPG" width="240px" /></a></div><br />
So... not even counting my trip to Vermont, and school starting back up....thing have been hopping around here. And I am infinitely grateful to be celebrating another year with each one of these kiddos. <br />
<br />
I hope to stretch this streak into two by writing about the National Championships tomorrow. I hope you will drop by!!<br />
<br />
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-34433644791024981822011-08-15T06:55:00.000-07:002011-08-15T06:55:01.243-07:00Bittersweet ReliefSummer is over.<br />
I am going back to work.<br />
Probably it is just the nick of time.<br />
<br />
I have run out of time killers.<br />
<br />
Remember when back in the 80's tv writers went on strike. That was about the time I first discovered David Letterman. It was also about the time my parents, my brother and I took a roundabout driving vacation to visit some family friends in Ohio. <br />
During the day my brother and I would sleep in the minivan and ignore my parents as they pointed out hand powered corn gins and quilt shop after quilt shop. Early on in the vacation my idiot brother kept count of how many different state license plates he saw. Out loud.<br />
By the time we got to the hotel every night Uncle Bachelor and I were wide awake. We would take a swim in the hotel pool and then get ready for bed and watch Letterman. By that time I was pretty delerious from the drive and Uncle Bachelor was delirious from the sheer fact that he was still alive after being forced by my dad to be my "victim" so I could practice my life saving skills. (Hey! The hair carry is a legitimate life saving technique. And my dad thought it was funny.) <br />
Letterman would come on and Uncle Bachelor and I laughed our heads off. Partly because Letterman was funny and partly because my dad would sit on the bed and say repeatedly, "That guy is NOT funny. He thinks he is funny, but no one else does. He's stupid!"<br />
Anyway, during the writer strike they would do Network Time Killers. Obviously to kill time on the show. My favorite was What is Hal Gurney Wearing? Every night he was wearing the same thing - tan chinos, blue oxford and so on. Hilarious. My dad thought otherwise.<br />
<br />
Back to the summer.<br />
I am out of time killers.<br />
Indoors during the heat of the day we have done markers, play doh, cartoons, cleaning, blocks, wrestling.<br />
Outside we have eaten popsicles, rode bikes, gone to the park, chased squirels, sidewalk chalked, watered plants.<br />
We have walked the mall, shopped at the toy store. We have blown bubbles, visited Gramma and picked The Coach's vegetables.<br />
Saigie and I even laid in bed one afternoon and ate a whole package of cookies.<br />
<br />
I am tapped out. I am out of entertaining ideas.<br />
I will miss the "lazy" days of heading to the park and cuddling babies after nap, but......... <br />
It is time for me to go back to work. The babies are headed to day care for the first time in their lives. (They previously had a sitter. She moved.)<br />
<br />
I am going now to answer a hundred questions a day from different teenagers instead of just Tayte. I am going to refuse to clean up after them instead of following them around with towels. I am going to put on heels, make up, and even a bra.<br />
<br />
It will be a nice change of pace. Until about Thanksgiving. Then I will be ready to be home again.<br />
<br />
Any big changes coming your way? Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-4609182226790775782011-08-14T17:44:00.000-07:002011-08-14T17:44:52.402-07:00Summer ShowoffI am linking up with Shell to show off some summer highlights. You can do it too!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thingsicantsay.com/2011/08/summer-fun-show-off-link-up.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglbc_d1YsD5LopFajWKVsp9dQNlBI2VZUquZJ-yW_1lMrtBtmlU1Pxni4BkZjtipcwx3xxulBxWjaB79jaUS1_Rl7eXaIQeST8LbcXK-e-a5Poi-dJ2bUupgJNdYR3K0WRNQOpNYr_pEl6/s1600/summer+showoff.png" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95GNsVckiQ9nxvsHY7ZaGhm2NVu7-9R1ExdjaLJc0DevR0MpvydmTPbISzxeSEzDft3AStgY-qABqShSKGgl888c3DSPiErY8JHBLSSr5IinQTcMcI52ltvtvS5hpTHyM3GkGnp-ZAL97/s1600/swimsuit+shaye.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj95GNsVckiQ9nxvsHY7ZaGhm2NVu7-9R1ExdjaLJc0DevR0MpvydmTPbISzxeSEzDft3AStgY-qABqShSKGgl888c3DSPiErY8JHBLSSr5IinQTcMcI52ltvtvS5hpTHyM3GkGnp-ZAL97/s320/swimsuit+shaye.JPG" width="197" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5vTTbb48mXVnPBklyjyFI9GUAo35R_BZP19EawLR_1d5DKrujvt1liPbkNf1vd8luAm8lmPWuy5YasM7bWg0HenHQd59b6bjKPY1qnFB__hyUgu0iDqnURZB3uCfQmG_Jzrfy51Hbqie/s1600/popsicles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl5vTTbb48mXVnPBklyjyFI9GUAo35R_BZP19EawLR_1d5DKrujvt1liPbkNf1vd8luAm8lmPWuy5YasM7bWg0HenHQd59b6bjKPY1qnFB__hyUgu0iDqnURZB3uCfQmG_Jzrfy51Hbqie/s320/popsicles.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q5p3u7Ki17a6ow90jjOsFFM4Mo9gcbahBVvHeTGmJC-WFsaNEah-IOo97Enz37Tqg0ZLTVtDsrYlTumHEThG85YQFPUi60C60Yx0RNkwyLk3Qyxspb534M4G-_cqN9kEBuTkaI44h5s8/s1600/summer+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4q5p3u7Ki17a6ow90jjOsFFM4Mo9gcbahBVvHeTGmJC-WFsaNEah-IOo97Enz37Tqg0ZLTVtDsrYlTumHEThG85YQFPUi60C60Yx0RNkwyLk3Qyxspb534M4G-_cqN9kEBuTkaI44h5s8/s320/summer+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4uTzvR5ZUHriX_aF0SIveoc5dbjtrxa8DuTompb5NNx8B8YsQXB3HzocaasmTH7EwiizdRcgDIsEGqageRRaquo_vmmTF3_xxWvfH11rf2wWVj6I2FjmjnypvwMbGshZqTsIlVift2pB/s1600/TAnner+and+saige.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc4uTzvR5ZUHriX_aF0SIveoc5dbjtrxa8DuTompb5NNx8B8YsQXB3HzocaasmTH7EwiizdRcgDIsEGqageRRaquo_vmmTF3_xxWvfH11rf2wWVj6I2FjmjnypvwMbGshZqTsIlVift2pB/s320/TAnner+and+saige.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCx6Byqu2AWHjtovsdOjNkiZ2EV3mJEEyhqL8h7eSoCzb525aaosZ3YoBVPmHvnprl55ksFB2gFR8WzmKttKakrH-adgK49dBXq2Z1_gkbmtipzMXq0demWyEifeYdIBZQwfPDDBDTP2wD/s1600/tri+saige.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCx6Byqu2AWHjtovsdOjNkiZ2EV3mJEEyhqL8h7eSoCzb525aaosZ3YoBVPmHvnprl55ksFB2gFR8WzmKttKakrH-adgK49dBXq2Z1_gkbmtipzMXq0demWyEifeYdIBZQwfPDDBDTP2wD/s320/tri+saige.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>So there you go. It is nothing fancy, but here are my favorite summer snapshots. I need to order them now to display them in my classroom this year as a reminder - Summer will come again.<br />
<br />
Link up your Summer Fun for a chance to win prizes from <a href="http://www.ubi.com/">Ubisoft</a>.<br />
Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-63508614832227868802011-08-10T07:55:00.000-07:002011-08-10T07:55:56.611-07:00It Was HotSorry. Not describing anything scandalous here. Just a race recap.<br />
<br />
I did the Bridgeland Tri on Sunday. It was a sprint length tri, 500 m, 13.5, and 3.5.<br />
<br />
I haven't raced since June what with the cruise and then signing up for the race in Vermont. I was really looking forward to this race. I wanted to knock it out of the park. I wanted to beat this chick at practice who has been slacking off and telling me how it is hard to workout when she would rather sit on the couch with her new boyfriend. I wanted to run 3.5 miles at a 9/mile pace.<br />
<br />
Instead here is what happened. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CVDoPpSJYTvyup9wlmZ3GtFA0yigWKx4VkrMBDVlWr_tReOT2CGDn6WRAbEI8ynDRzws25umLBCx6ymnlTG8-khTy4l6a4AuJqWXoyF1ulaet1EEoa-OMVaFPqCqlwNzJ1ILlYcRH9df/s1600/July+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CVDoPpSJYTvyup9wlmZ3GtFA0yigWKx4VkrMBDVlWr_tReOT2CGDn6WRAbEI8ynDRzws25umLBCx6ymnlTG8-khTy4l6a4AuJqWXoyF1ulaet1EEoa-OMVaFPqCqlwNzJ1ILlYcRH9df/s320/July+001.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
We showed up early on Sunday after listening to the fishing report. My group of loyal supporters was happy to be there. Don't they look like it? Body marking and transition were WAY backed up. There was talk about delaying the start. I got ticked. I was already a bit miffed that all of the men's waves started before any of the women's. Great. I wanted to run in the searing heat. My bike rack was the one furthest back. Uhg.<br />
<br />
I had to stop and remind myself I can not change the weather, or my bike placement, or the timing of the waves. As I read in an Ironman's blog not long ago, "The only thing I have control over is my attitude." I wish I could say I only had to remind myself of that once, but by the time I stood in an ant pile waiting for my swim wave to start I had already reminded myself multiple times.<br />
<br />
I swam well. My strategy was to start WAY left. It added a couple of meters to my swim, but it kept me out of the "scrum" of swimmers and that was nice. It was a straight swim course with no turn around which was also nice. I was able to swim in the proper position without having to stick my head out of the water to check my position. My time was a whole minute faster than in practice last weekend. Probably it was the best swim I have had this season.<br />
Time -11:39, 16/54<br />
<br />
My attitude was improving as I had one leg under my belt and I felt like if everything went well. I felt I could make my A Goal time of 1:27:00. I figured that time would put me in the top ten in my age group and assure that I beat the chick who was hanging out with her boyfriend!! My bike sounded so much better than it had in the past since I had some minor repairs done. The bike route was crowded. There were a few instances of scary passing. At mile 8 I saw the chick pass me. I wanted to keep her in my sights in case she had a rough run and I could still catch her. I spent the next few miles really pushing myself to keep her in view. By the time I finished only two people from my age group had passed me. My A Goal was still within reach, but it was going to require the best run of my life! <br />
Time - 41:17, 17/54 (19.6 mph)<br />
<br />
All summer I have been working on my running and finally it was beginning to pay off. Conversely the week before the race I had run for crap. It is Africa hot here and running in it is hellacious. It's awful. I tried to run in the heat about four times the week before the race. I have to say that none of those times was I completely successful.<br />
I started to run and my legs already hurt. I figured I had gone out too hard on the bike. I told myself to ignore it for 30 minutes and move on. I had heard a hard core triathlete from my team talking about how the pain just had to be ignored. I was ready to try it. Mile 1 - 9:29. Mile 2 was through a nature trail. I started sneezing and snorting and coughing. Other people were losing time blessing me!! I told myself to ignore it for 30 minutes and move on. Mile 2 - 10:20. I got discouraged.<br />
<br />
Did I mention it was hot? I am not using this as an excuse. It was hot for everybody and many racers handled it much better than I did. I am just saying....HOT. I weight myself before the race. After the race I drank two cans of Coke, a can of grapefruit juice, and half a bottle of water. Then I weighed myself again. I was still down three pounds. That is a lot of sweat!!<br />
<br />
<br />
By mile 3 I had let the heat, the allergies, and all the people passing me affect me. I slowed way down. I walked a few steps. Walking in a triathlon seems to do something to me mentally. I felt totally defeated. I walked a little more. Mile 3 11:20. By the time I got to the turn many ladies from my age group had passed me. It is really hard to finish top ten when eleven people pass you on the run! I did run the last .65 of a mile at a decent pace to finish that infernal inferno run.<br />
<br />
Time: 40.14, 33/54 (10:52 pace)<br />
Total: 1:35:17, 23/54<br />
<br />
<br />
By the way...I did beat the chick with the new boyfriend. She had two flats in the bike. I feel bad for her. She was having a good race. I didn't want to beat her like that. It doesn't exactly count.<br />
<br />
You got any regrets lately?<br />
<br />
(Side note - Wednesday morning I was scheduled to do a hard bike/run brick. I ran a 8:35 mile. That was the first time I had run under a 9 minute mile probably EVER. Why didn't I do that on Sunday?)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-79730648311205804722011-08-08T06:00:00.000-07:002011-08-08T06:00:14.239-07:00Saigie's TrySaigie did a triathlon on Saturday. I couldn't be prouder of her. It was the Bridgeland Kids Triathlon. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5RTMht92m9XJ5ruSEoW_pW9qewwLai3EZ7JWjOlfGWvu-MPhmk1O-r3NZB7sPNdmgwXIklw66fJs-sPgXvhWy9pxR3_-zbDsRdJMMFvuoJklQ55wzlAoXVt0WyxqGVdLeC2XW0yZa2qw/s1600/July+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY5RTMht92m9XJ5ruSEoW_pW9qewwLai3EZ7JWjOlfGWvu-MPhmk1O-r3NZB7sPNdmgwXIklw66fJs-sPgXvhWy9pxR3_-zbDsRdJMMFvuoJklQ55wzlAoXVt0WyxqGVdLeC2XW0yZa2qw/s320/July+009.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
The distances were supposed to be one lap of swim in the pool, a 2 mile bike and a .5 mile run. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBCpMmfCbwsRre5fnGtiaxZy3shXU1fJ7ta_fa7cTHpXjkpr9GHjrAdYfVRudjdFMWCOdYRyswNv_VkrCTavdAjsGoNB9QKMbO218XEFH-MOjttCVRsPnmu1OirnpiRjahk_mQvmVn_YX/s1600/bike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTBCpMmfCbwsRre5fnGtiaxZy3shXU1fJ7ta_fa7cTHpXjkpr9GHjrAdYfVRudjdFMWCOdYRyswNv_VkrCTavdAjsGoNB9QKMbO218XEFH-MOjttCVRsPnmu1OirnpiRjahk_mQvmVn_YX/s320/bike.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Saige said they made her swim 100 meters like the big kids even though she kept, "trying to tell them." <br />
<br />
At the finish line I waited for her and told her brothers it would be two more minutes before she got there. Right when I said that she showed up and she was TRUCKIN'!! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxmHa_7Eu3vrx-0MunJ67zjbwXmDSh3vupxX0mIxyInaeIFmHgtY6GPqtfvlZgA8qO145hBvbew8YejHoOB3hTzITzyL1Gix-ubCQGyt-k3LdbioxO3RlKIDk0SH_iDxof2d_-hXH_c_W/s1600/Truckin.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="222" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxmHa_7Eu3vrx-0MunJ67zjbwXmDSh3vupxX0mIxyInaeIFmHgtY6GPqtfvlZgA8qO145hBvbew8YejHoOB3hTzITzyL1Gix-ubCQGyt-k3LdbioxO3RlKIDk0SH_iDxof2d_-hXH_c_W/s320/Truckin.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I was so happy for her accomplishment. As was the rest of her athletic supporters.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm_CAk0O5qBBGzlcWBT-B9rJ4je3tETIaWHPxUXslvQlM4W8tFvGIWenNKvXKLH26OrLqqPld5Cvdgoos7S1Won2tvWVSxgoE60nlFoth36CTFBmvP-GAoUrqk45xmnRDLzCtP0oZ_0Au/s1600/July+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKm_CAk0O5qBBGzlcWBT-B9rJ4je3tETIaWHPxUXslvQlM4W8tFvGIWenNKvXKLH26OrLqqPld5Cvdgoos7S1Won2tvWVSxgoE60nlFoth36CTFBmvP-GAoUrqk45xmnRDLzCtP0oZ_0Au/s320/July+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDItP09vTN9rr4O8W48fdAPoqD2hndjXcsbuyG4xf4ht5HATET76_yxSAE3Hye5m8upzGJ2W76B0eErY-qjSttxocxiZXy2sk-WhA-PbjBumFZEQ_pQxvCY3Z5aDfG7B5nsSuirIPCmCx/s1600/July+024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYDItP09vTN9rr4O8W48fdAPoqD2hndjXcsbuyG4xf4ht5HATET76_yxSAE3Hye5m8upzGJ2W76B0eErY-qjSttxocxiZXy2sk-WhA-PbjBumFZEQ_pQxvCY3Z5aDfG7B5nsSuirIPCmCx/s320/July+024.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
Shaye hollered for about thirty minutes straight. It was the cutest thing. "Go Saigie!!"<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YOXIeWib23PrjO57vXBSiy99VAfhLWNnxgr3hRtAwm4AWS_IlqitgLrm_AF6_jGV3HtiutJ7vuR9vRD9t_LUsr0MnArBlbyc9hcG-3uqkBDlyeHdOW1zGnjFus2Rt37PEMtV7mQiQD8n/s1600/July+028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-YOXIeWib23PrjO57vXBSiy99VAfhLWNnxgr3hRtAwm4AWS_IlqitgLrm_AF6_jGV3HtiutJ7vuR9vRD9t_LUsr0MnArBlbyc9hcG-3uqkBDlyeHdOW1zGnjFus2Rt37PEMtV7mQiQD8n/s320/July+028.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>And remember no matter what the pesky brothers may claim about Saige's athletic prowess. If it were easy, they would call it football!! :)Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-32210959382877676942011-08-03T08:18:00.000-07:002011-08-03T08:18:24.279-07:00More Decor, Less Danger Two posts in one week. Woo hoo.<br />
<br />
After only a year in this house I finally got around to decorating Tanner's room. The problem was that Tanner wanted to pick his own theme and I was stifled by that kind of request. He wanted ocean/fishing theme. Everything I found fishing was too country and the beach type stuff was too girly. <br />
<br />
But finally I painted the wall making a God awful mess in the process and then I called Mom over to do the tough stuff. She brought her friend Carol. They used to decorate together before Carol moved. Basically they decorated anything that would stand still long enough. If their bossing and giggling can be tolerated they do great work!!<br />
First they taped the wall. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2kI9ifPBDp1ekbnFch5epgJZCx4-UTOK9kShqwT5xhwXwyI7adUJa0mquBg1c_38-Pg8GVoiIV5fNVKStPiLwFudR8HfaWQKtRiMUSo7mx5OSTnIxhNZc-ezmPthrsHhBGLFbAi5P7sP/s1600/Summer+11+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM2kI9ifPBDp1ekbnFch5epgJZCx4-UTOK9kShqwT5xhwXwyI7adUJa0mquBg1c_38-Pg8GVoiIV5fNVKStPiLwFudR8HfaWQKtRiMUSo7mx5OSTnIxhNZc-ezmPthrsHhBGLFbAi5P7sP/s320/Summer+11+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Then they painted it. They may have also requested I quit taking pictures of their butts. See? I told you they were bossy. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ieFu5aYFYXLK1oJdyKrXJG6rwBBw8Ysh-wQR9xciRTyEMMCAcBo2tJ0iG5wph7DnAhCQyx8wg5Lyw5XQX6i1Ii2YyAex6gnTlM24J4Nb8akrL3-5RNhOfWOi1GUyLB2udbbbN7NHoIj6/s1600/Summer+11+008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ieFu5aYFYXLK1oJdyKrXJG6rwBBw8Ysh-wQR9xciRTyEMMCAcBo2tJ0iG5wph7DnAhCQyx8wg5Lyw5XQX6i1Ii2YyAex6gnTlM24J4Nb8akrL3-5RNhOfWOi1GUyLB2udbbbN7NHoIj6/s320/Summer+11+008.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The finished wall looked like this. Well it isn't quite finished. The fish needs an eye. Details. <br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mwPk8mcEMe0l8J0q5c7TSbEhZPCfXcOMnV-123n-NP6kiq1yDfi-teUJ9obEaknl0pJnQ6ZInRjXH3ZUsEWIZ2wYXQReeDXZ6Mwi-QaFutMlEqVfleF9TXpOTE8Gk2XCyIm4U_mDwybp/s1600/Summer+11+012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7mwPk8mcEMe0l8J0q5c7TSbEhZPCfXcOMnV-123n-NP6kiq1yDfi-teUJ9obEaknl0pJnQ6ZInRjXH3ZUsEWIZ2wYXQReeDXZ6Mwi-QaFutMlEqVfleF9TXpOTE8Gk2XCyIm4U_mDwybp/s320/Summer+11+012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
While they were doing that I was basically screwing up everything else in the room and hammering many holes int he wall. Then I would whine until they came and fixed it. This picture of Tanner and his record setting trout is what prompted this whole decor idea. <br />
<br />
That is one huge trout at 29 inches long<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wKzV3CyfMClOsrm0yXsteTp6w8XByiMnoOK1e20WdYppRMOt4ObpogKOAxgk760YmdDwlKoIIM1DY-lokU2rhpLmLIilaKpSq09nW5CbEK09bX4pmy4Rjntayt2ruzpftte7ex7oFRMI/s1600/Summer+11+009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4wKzV3CyfMClOsrm0yXsteTp6w8XByiMnoOK1e20WdYppRMOt4ObpogKOAxgk760YmdDwlKoIIM1DY-lokU2rhpLmLIilaKpSq09nW5CbEK09bX4pmy4Rjntayt2ruzpftte7ex7oFRMI/s320/Summer+11+009.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> These curtains I designed myself. We found that rod for a whole two dollars. We weren't sure what we would use it for, but at that price we had to buy it. I can't believe we didn't get two or three. Then I stuck that net over it and stuck some fishing lures in it and called it a day. (Then it fell down and mom and Carol had to fix it. )<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuccMTUi47wJP1CgrUTy9tJFybPXYHXi7lXhzSkefv0tZyTfH3a_S-ntAPnxf5zcJl4JtXUd95_YXo9OIo-NIYZ5xQLxkdnOVzLVUOXROd8TVQmjU47kt-Ae9MhouQAMPtm2N1KqQLpl1D/s1600/Summer+11+013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuccMTUi47wJP1CgrUTy9tJFybPXYHXi7lXhzSkefv0tZyTfH3a_S-ntAPnxf5zcJl4JtXUd95_YXo9OIo-NIYZ5xQLxkdnOVzLVUOXROd8TVQmjU47kt-Ae9MhouQAMPtm2N1KqQLpl1D/s320/Summer+11+013.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
The babies were quite upset that we hung up their toy, but they got over it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaGsZgayRQ5RImiMnXoAANDkQKL9m2jfR35eyijqmkUefDoLLiGHmC5mPzCuADolwGEe15g3nd5KzVPlFyUUxmccEjuDt0rctrHtOmqSH0WY0Dei8eOfKEDuU4gDp9h3udD0UPgqZAwdg/s1600/Summer+11+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfaGsZgayRQ5RImiMnXoAANDkQKL9m2jfR35eyijqmkUefDoLLiGHmC5mPzCuADolwGEe15g3nd5KzVPlFyUUxmccEjuDt0rctrHtOmqSH0WY0Dei8eOfKEDuU4gDp9h3udD0UPgqZAwdg/s320/Summer+11+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I feel like I should go upstairs and take a picture of the room now finished and cleaned, but on the way up there a million thing would happen and I would not get to come down here and post the pic until later and then I would have lost the opportunity to post two such quality items in one week.<br />
<br />
I am definitely lowering my standards. How about you??<br />
Last home dec project I am hoping to complkete before school starts is painting the guest bathroom. That shouldn't take too long or make too much of a mess. Right?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-41932418720913033972011-08-01T05:57:00.000-07:002011-08-01T05:57:46.706-07:00Whassup?Ok. I did not go on another cruise.<br />
I got an i-phone and I got addicted to Angry Birds.<br />
<br />
Ok. That is not true either. (Only partly true.)<br />
<br />
I have been training hard.<br />
And I have been napping hard.<br />
<br />
These things have cut into my blogging time.<br />
<br />
The fact that my sweet Tan Man turned 13 in July and got a Facebook has not helped. It is hard to blog with a teenage boy breathing down your neck and asking when you are going to be finished.<br />
<br />
Here is what is on tap for the next for weeks.<br />
- start the babies at a new day care.<br />
- pull together three different kids' birthday parties. (Really would it kill Shaye and Tayte to share a party? Seriously I am asking for your opinion of shared parties.)<br />
-go back to work.<br />
- back to school shop for the kids. <br />
- buy a wetsuit for Vermont. I am actually in the process of e-baying one as I write this. I will let you know how it turns out.<br />
- cheer Saigie on at her first triathlon.<br />
- potty train Shaye.<br />
- complete the Bridgeland Sprint Triathlon <br />
<br />
I am going to try to blog every day this week and read blogs every day this week. Cuz I am all about goals.<br />
<br />
Do you have any suggestions for must have apps I need for my i-phone?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-20306440229160796182011-07-21T05:18:00.000-07:002011-07-21T05:18:22.569-07:00Inevitable Crash It was bound to happen. Sooner or later I was going to crash my bike. It is a wonder I am still alive.<br />
(By the way that whole statement was a slight exaggeration. As is the rest of this post. I was not injured.)<br />
<br />
I have had to change my approach to riding since I signed up for that Vermont race. You may remember me whining about the hills. So I had to practice hills which I am unfamiliar with.<br />
<br />
I got distracted and I fell. The following picture may be hard to look at. (Not really.) <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQa4ut-rE9hkzOfqdNjyV-GtkjTm_inXjd5_3G9rVrZi0gTJjhiijLYNEbsgCuHAZbdy9j9Mnac9_GsXEvN0PDnYvzPsz0AASqH7UjlLE9ksz_BoUr_Grr6HT4RDTKIyiVXCFpjarbmDA/s1600/summer+045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqQa4ut-rE9hkzOfqdNjyV-GtkjTm_inXjd5_3G9rVrZi0gTJjhiijLYNEbsgCuHAZbdy9j9Mnac9_GsXEvN0PDnYvzPsz0AASqH7UjlLE9ksz_BoUr_Grr6HT4RDTKIyiVXCFpjarbmDA/s320/summer+045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
See?<br />
I would usually go for my Sunday ride outdoors in the 100 degree heat. I would usually peacefully coexist with eighteen wheelers and road kill. My coach suggested though, that I stack some books under my front wheel to simulate hills. I did this on Sunday. (See, history does come in handy.)<br />
<br />
Out of the kindness of my heart I didn't wake up any of the older kids to watch the babies. The Coach was at a baseball game. I figured the babies would eventually get bored of watching me ride in place and go watch cartoons. I would have been better off with the trucks and the road kill.<br />
<br />
They kept coming over to me trying to hand me things, or in Shaye's case just staring at me. Then they emptied my night stand. After that they jumped on my bed. Then they really started making a mess. At one point I turned my handlebars while yelling at them to turn off the bath tub water and put the cat down and my bike fell off the stack of history books I had them on.<br />
<br />
Whew. I didn't fall over. It about gave me a heart attack, but no real damage was done.<br />
<br />
The last fifteen minutes of the ride Tayte finally did get tired of watching me ride in place and went and drew a picture.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbzFFrb0iZTg_w1RqVNmCxhfk9v0Iu0IbhUwuADa2-0teWVJeBuQ323-nUheFPcnE6gyD3SMI-c25CuS7rV-oWzCTmPC0A4EQzSCqKhsmQ_McenP6sObakQdsngNz9fPKGjnhXBrEgUtj/s1600/summer+043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbzFFrb0iZTg_w1RqVNmCxhfk9v0Iu0IbhUwuADa2-0teWVJeBuQ323-nUheFPcnE6gyD3SMI-c25CuS7rV-oWzCTmPC0A4EQzSCqKhsmQ_McenP6sObakQdsngNz9fPKGjnhXBrEgUtj/s320/summer+043.JPG" width="240" /></a></div> Here it is again. His explanation of the picture - It is a hot dog person and a biscuit person. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_MycyLIIxTPTuzIuBtFu99xYZkByZOwhuZyYuJdt1haZyYSipPONknZdfVQfFgBv-zhAOOwUbOl_qMCx4HnJgEYV66FuP6O3j0A6Q50TaGrBrw03-dC1umBqNOFX_ImXP-jLmRnlnMRf/s1600/hot+dog+and+biscuit+people.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-_MycyLIIxTPTuzIuBtFu99xYZkByZOwhuZyYuJdt1haZyYSipPONknZdfVQfFgBv-zhAOOwUbOl_qMCx4HnJgEYV66FuP6O3j0A6Q50TaGrBrw03-dC1umBqNOFX_ImXP-jLmRnlnMRf/s320/hot+dog+and+biscuit+people.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>The hot dog person has glasses.<br />
<br />
When The Coach got home he asked, "Did the trainer ride not go well?" It turns out he was asking that based on the state of our bedroom when he returned. Hmph. <br />
<br />
Please tell me I am not the only person who has ever tried to crash while ON the bike trainer!!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-17687252279978676772011-07-20T04:48:00.000-07:002011-07-20T04:48:26.028-07:00Decor DangerI am going to have to reassess my previous notions of the most dangerous job in the world. It may be decorating. My mom and I embarked on a simple project this week. We wanted to change this plain, blank wall into a decorated wall. Easy enough huh?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkLYsfmzQ7xYeDYQqv9hmuKrtthvcMpk95v1cr29Q4CcBBjGdesjEuahtmdLTz2ckNeQixFGr7xsUNgL3pBN2zg4sVh76HwK1Q7ZmJMZ-lBTFOx22vybjydf0DoNer3n2tooDHHKjdPay/s1600/summer+046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCkLYsfmzQ7xYeDYQqv9hmuKrtthvcMpk95v1cr29Q4CcBBjGdesjEuahtmdLTz2ckNeQixFGr7xsUNgL3pBN2zg4sVh76HwK1Q7ZmJMZ-lBTFOx22vybjydf0DoNer3n2tooDHHKjdPay/s320/summer+046.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
First I spent a couple of hours going through old pictures on Snapfish and ordering 8x10s in black and white. The next day I went and picked them up and then I visited three different Hobby Lobby stores to procure 14 frames. I chose black "floating" ones. Mom and I figured if we put some colored art paper behind the picture it would serve as a mat at half the cost. Plus since the frames were on sale for half price they were only five dollars each. What a bargain. Unfortunately every time I go into Hobby Lobby I find some other decor item that I NEED, so really no money was saved.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9pO_FGqou-vIiFtS24sWlNDjAutP55JPZFTT7qiyCs_2hcV9EMbFrKFXXAyiroWqCNoIytqfbMog3zxqTPy5snXK2qTS1uHYB4ANxOOVgVXXEu9Q_zaQQ3Qy09hrJ5F432YS2pjqBYnx/s1600/summer+060.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL9pO_FGqou-vIiFtS24sWlNDjAutP55JPZFTT7qiyCs_2hcV9EMbFrKFXXAyiroWqCNoIytqfbMog3zxqTPy5snXK2qTS1uHYB4ANxOOVgVXXEu9Q_zaQQ3Qy09hrJ5F432YS2pjqBYnx/s320/summer+060.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
For example, isn't this pillow adorable?<br />
<br />
Day three of this project we sent the kids for a nap and assembled the pictures. (After a fifth trip to the store to exchange the art paper for the correct color of art paper.)<br />
<br />
When I snapped this picture my mom told me NOT to put her on my blog.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF61MVAsLeQQpsC0LP0b84FSvr2K62ECeVJqLMw97sBpNH-uhhcEvp_S-EyWklZ7SmzADJJiO3gOUpIoBS2aJWrwxSRqUT_tKyV4oVfYTH_WTGyojoKGIOuSqhITaAPfxE7_m8LunrbJTg/s1600/summer+049.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF61MVAsLeQQpsC0LP0b84FSvr2K62ECeVJqLMw97sBpNH-uhhcEvp_S-EyWklZ7SmzADJJiO3gOUpIoBS2aJWrwxSRqUT_tKyV4oVfYTH_WTGyojoKGIOuSqhITaAPfxE7_m8LunrbJTg/s320/summer+049.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Sorry Mom.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCm33jLkTMZaOErkK8BqzY_NB6YQqDXy_Wq_YDzjZ7q0piAKy_vDMYNr_gNL8Epzl8Fp-B8yF8WHRm-W0s6VghVDPeou5NlvxD4blUrVt90vBYpp-dIruB8zrsJDmPnOxQkrvYFwJgm9Xm/s1600/summer+048.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCm33jLkTMZaOErkK8BqzY_NB6YQqDXy_Wq_YDzjZ7q0piAKy_vDMYNr_gNL8Epzl8Fp-B8yF8WHRm-W0s6VghVDPeou5NlvxD4blUrVt90vBYpp-dIruB8zrsJDmPnOxQkrvYFwJgm9Xm/s320/summer+048.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>Pictures matted.<br />
<br />
Finally we got to actually hang a picture.<br />
<br />
All was going well until we got to the part of the wall I couldn't reach. How DO those decorators get so high? Books? They helped me reach to hang one or two pictures. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhbTo27gcfvk1d4rWuRD1TrvQJBHH8vDGzqE7D2uBsOl9qVSpspqMXu2DaA0a7lNZCM930g4Eb6DkVVfIEiYlb2YBKgSRD4COPe-oXDln_yGNjrkRrVxKyI-vJqaapqvjP9BbZNtsicjR/s1600/summer+057.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHhbTo27gcfvk1d4rWuRD1TrvQJBHH8vDGzqE7D2uBsOl9qVSpspqMXu2DaA0a7lNZCM930g4Eb6DkVVfIEiYlb2YBKgSRD4COPe-oXDln_yGNjrkRrVxKyI-vJqaapqvjP9BbZNtsicjR/s320/summer+057.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
But this was a better solution.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zgPz89DeS4-43gm4cfPyjI-AHj0EbxdcLrw_LGdi4C8mGmFsD7ofuTJYuhFiAdhyAOUZjY6QAhRVenKls5z5PZRteKwsBrjGzJI8HZigjWVZ1OZHO6WBC8Hk-veHC2gyW5b20nob8kNd/s1600/summer+050.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zgPz89DeS4-43gm4cfPyjI-AHj0EbxdcLrw_LGdi4C8mGmFsD7ofuTJYuhFiAdhyAOUZjY6QAhRVenKls5z5PZRteKwsBrjGzJI8HZigjWVZ1OZHO6WBC8Hk-veHC2gyW5b20nob8kNd/s320/summer+050.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Yes. This project involved hanging upside down from the second floor. Professional decorators must be limber!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLd_-dFxKXIAL9v0lele2tEKvW8RFDETCj8vrySWBlNVSh5VKeFo8BaWtdGtGa-Fj97JIBEikTrET7H7poMmnt1stTJOVaUrol9r2WHyRj7cZCW_DiambOZ0t3tBeuQ8_GeO78v40FrbP2/s1600/summer+053.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLd_-dFxKXIAL9v0lele2tEKvW8RFDETCj8vrySWBlNVSh5VKeFo8BaWtdGtGa-Fj97JIBEikTrET7H7poMmnt1stTJOVaUrol9r2WHyRj7cZCW_DiambOZ0t3tBeuQ8_GeO78v40FrbP2/s320/summer+053.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I told my mom I could no longer feel my feet. She said, "My Lord, Heather. I didn't know your feet weren't on the floor!" This is the same woman who says, "My Lord, Heather why can't you work out at the gym like normal people?" I love her.<br />
<br />
We were in the home stretch when I decided I could put a ladder up on the books I had stacked to reach that empty space there that was too high from the stairs and too low from the upstairs. The lladder balanced on books on the stairs didn't work. While I was retreating down the stairs with the ladder I knocked over the broom (I may have used that broom earlier to sweep up glass when I dropped a picture from upstairs and it shattered. I had purchased an extra frame just for such a circumstance.)<br />
<br />
Back to the broom.<br />
<br />
It landed on the remaining two pictures and then I stepped on it. Of course the glass on the pictures broke. Ugh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDvM_o39TuPN48kQQtF9WBDCUzALZeXy0sGCfN1fjbzcw9xU_F49Nov_s40yzLigRcA7TqmxOpFS579bWl6g5twey6mzdHl4m0jjLPLd5iV8dFRQvgJ62tA1OGLIt6uYKw-8BYloL8sB2/s1600/summer+056.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxDvM_o39TuPN48kQQtF9WBDCUzALZeXy0sGCfN1fjbzcw9xU_F49Nov_s40yzLigRcA7TqmxOpFS579bWl6g5twey6mzdHl4m0jjLPLd5iV8dFRQvgJ62tA1OGLIt6uYKw-8BYloL8sB2/s320/summer+056.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I didn't have two more extra frames.<br />
<br />
So this is where we ended yesterday. I will make yet a sixth trip to Hobby Lobby to get two more frames.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtd6qEXJw7RiHEIoyamFwJgs2BwREd3eX7lt5I44MLyHjQR4XjW9LArzIflwytTvgI_stOBXS0jurnpxPDF9F-2pgWHzHA7M9XGfqlHcXpQdBVLDmQobxP5eWr9g26roFhiOPs-uJ9WvG/s1600/summer+059.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQtd6qEXJw7RiHEIoyamFwJgs2BwREd3eX7lt5I44MLyHjQR4XjW9LArzIflwytTvgI_stOBXS0jurnpxPDF9F-2pgWHzHA7M9XGfqlHcXpQdBVLDmQobxP5eWr9g26roFhiOPs-uJ9WvG/s320/summer+059.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbD4fIGOFIkV1KGDgpiCiEn7SBYy50v5U_MqvivAfJSLNxOZ2l4UWkMzYbB4J7uotrpnYhhHoKETsDmST1zMrOeKOdynyPlg5p9kw_1hqqReE-JDucjcyYkxjKLyIi10IVIEpQI2nVd1D/s1600/summer+058.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZbD4fIGOFIkV1KGDgpiCiEn7SBYy50v5U_MqvivAfJSLNxOZ2l4UWkMzYbB4J7uotrpnYhhHoKETsDmST1zMrOeKOdynyPlg5p9kw_1hqqReE-JDucjcyYkxjKLyIi10IVIEpQI2nVd1D/s320/summer+058.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Tomorrow I will prevail.<br />
<br />
What kind of projects do you have going on? Do you have a picture wall, or do you think they are lame?? And finally the last question. How long do you think it will take all the kids to realize Tanner got featured on the wall one more time than the rest of them?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com18tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-13732836106294428202011-07-15T06:08:00.000-07:002011-07-15T11:14:22.114-07:00Cruisin'We had a lot of fun on the cruise. It is hard to narrow down exactly what I want to write about. I mean really how many days do you even want to hear about the cruise?<br />
<br />
First let me tell you about the driving in Jamaica and Mexico. It made riding with Ty seem like a walk in the park. It probably isn't entirely our #1 Jamaican driver's fault as I have never been in a country where they drive on the other side of the road. There were funny signs up in the city that said things like, "Stay Alive. Ride, Walk, and Drive Good." I really wanted to take a picture, but I was too busy holding on for dear life as we were careening down the street.<br />
Before we got off the boat in Cozumel I kept noticing all these posters on the boat discouraging people from doing motorcycle/scooter excursions. I soon found out why. The short taxi drive from the pier to our excursion was harrowing. At many of the intersections there are no stop signs or lights. Apparently the driver with the biggest cojones has the right of way. Unfortunately there is no way to tell whose are bigger. Apparently we were using the Softball Taxi Cab Co. Before I covered my eyes I counted three cyclists we nearly creamed.<br />
Other than the driving though our excursions were super fun. We did Dunn's River Falls, snorkeling, and The Amazing Race. (We came in fourth due to my restroom stop and Mike's mis navigation.)<br />
<br />
The next notable thing was the food. It was all good, but not great. There was a wide variety. Mostly at breakfast we went to the breakfast buffet. I like breakfast. Mainly I like to start eating it within about thirty minutes of opening my eyes. This was a problem as some people on the cruise mistook the breakfast buffet for some kind of art class. I mean really how many different ways are there to arrange scrambled eggs on a plate? Dinners were awesome. We ate late so there were few kids in the dining room which was a nice change. We drank wine and relaxed. Other than the pounds I carried back I have also reawakened my favorite habit of eating something sweet after dinner. I am going to have to nip that in the bud. (As soon as I finish this after dessert bowl of Lucky Charms.) The Grand Mariner souffle was awesome. I really had to restrain myself not to ask for seconds, and thirds.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhiDq4mh0L_Uxqp3INjoZGyJeExfwVUvChklbDopoMQrDor-jgHi12Aq5ZLFYauMwS_59sXwy32x1tpYCZ_HSjd9Di2d-novZ30c7ixhPvflA_fRC73PRcsyDqlhUNeRHcxIULwnjlYCx/s1600/dinner" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYhiDq4mh0L_Uxqp3INjoZGyJeExfwVUvChklbDopoMQrDor-jgHi12Aq5ZLFYauMwS_59sXwy32x1tpYCZ_HSjd9Di2d-novZ30c7ixhPvflA_fRC73PRcsyDqlhUNeRHcxIULwnjlYCx/s320/dinner" width="240" /></a></div>I also have to get out of the habit of dressing up for dinner. The kids think I am weird.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Finally there was relaxing. The Coach and I strategically laid out so I could be in the sun and he could be in the shade. We read books.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP53NQEyuq-upvUYirtdmygd0JoanXP4uneuSQVDnU98F0KdoxSEL_3pdzTERFiYGr0iX8exqnpq01x6CkQeGxbmE0X6VP9B2yxKhaQ44QlV2ZK04I8QGMEpI06ia1cE0yINCrY8mxyrc/s1600/mike+reading" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUP53NQEyuq-upvUYirtdmygd0JoanXP4uneuSQVDnU98F0KdoxSEL_3pdzTERFiYGr0iX8exqnpq01x6CkQeGxbmE0X6VP9B2yxKhaQ44QlV2ZK04I8QGMEpI06ia1cE0yINCrY8mxyrc/s320/mike+reading" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I read <i>Water for Elephants</i> which was awesome. <i>The Lacuna</i> by Barbara Kingsolver was a little slow in places. I also was officially one of the last people on the planet to read <i>The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo</i>. I really liked it other than the sexual attacks. I want to read the next book in the series, but I am afraid it may be too much for me. <b>(Has anyone read it? Can you tell me if it is much more violent?)</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0pkw4g8Jc-StaWHMbnx8o0tedKKU0uU36mMlmuCfwmVlL6YqDZlzQdMxN8Ku-dV-5FF8lLuoQFRKBR4iG_0qQ5bTOGoJBzUtph-KvoAsN5c7CPiP2HwMLLwv6dlzBTqwEiL1qlEauveg/s1600/heather+cruise" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ0pkw4g8Jc-StaWHMbnx8o0tedKKU0uU36mMlmuCfwmVlL6YqDZlzQdMxN8Ku-dV-5FF8lLuoQFRKBR4iG_0qQ5bTOGoJBzUtph-KvoAsN5c7CPiP2HwMLLwv6dlzBTqwEiL1qlEauveg/s320/heather+cruise" width="320" /></a></div> Also there was napping. We stayed up late every night so it was pretty much a given that we were going to have to have a nap. It was great to spend so much uninterrupted time with The Coach. Really that was probably the best part. No matter where we had gone it was just nice to be able to talk to each other without the kids, or cell phone, or whatever else interfering. I had kind of forgotten what The Coach's voice sounded like...and I really like his voice. It was also nice to remember that he still does cute things like steer me around by the small of my back and get me tea when I run out at lunch.<br />
<br />
And finally it was great to come home to the kids. I was so excited to see them. They looked like they had changed in only a week. Shaye Baby still tells me, "Hi Mommy!" about sixty times every day and waves her little hand at me. Maybe she thinks I am leaving again.<br />
<br />
Well it is glad to be back. I can't wait to catch up with ya'll. What's been going on?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-22121522654536447802011-07-14T14:39:00.000-07:002011-07-14T14:39:51.846-07:00I Really Am BackDespite what you might think I did not abandon the kids to live in Mexico. In fact I was very glad to see each of them.<br />
We had a great time and I will eventually write about it. The problem is I let my 13 year old get a Facebook and now my computer time is even less since it is imperative he connect with his friends. Life threatening I tell you.<br />
<br />
I do have things to write about like driving in Mexico and a running workout in a parking garage. Let's not forget what all I ate to achieve a five pound weight gain. (Woo hoo!!)<br />
<br />
First I have to make a long list of chores for the kids to do so I can get some computer time!!<br />
<br />
I missed ya'll!Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-75916942463070555552011-06-30T04:56:00.000-07:002011-06-30T04:56:52.183-07:00For Real This TimeYou might wake up one morning thinking, "Why can't you sweet babies sleep past 6:30?" You might roll out of bed and start fixing breakfasts not even thinking about Vermont, or even knowing there is such a thing as USA Triathlon National Championships.<br />
<br />
You might turn on cartoons and sit down to read emails with a peach, strawberry, spinach smoothie and you might open up an email that says.<br />
<br />
<i>Congratulations <b>HEATHER </b>, you have qualified for the 2011 USA Triathlon Age Group Nationals after your finish in the <b>TriGirl Super Sprint Triathlon</b> ranked among the top 10 percent.</i><br />
<br />
You might do a little dance and be amazed since you never even knew such a thing existed. For a few moments there might be ponderments (yes a word) about if it would be feasible to go. After remembering the cruise that is about to happen and the 40th birthday girl's weekend coming up in the fall, you might decide to just forget all about it.<br />
<br />
UNTIL<br />
<br />
Until you mention it to your dad and he thinks August in Vermont sounds like a great idea.<br />
<br />
The next morning Dad may call and say he and Mom have decided to move their summer vacation from San Antonio to VERMONT and they would be glad to take you with them!!!!!!! (You may have the best parents EVER!!!!)<br />
<br />
Your husband might sigh lovingly and say, "Have fun."<br />
<br />
That's right ya'll. I am going to the USA Triathlon Age Group National Championship!! IN VERMONT. (All the second person was kinda lame, but I was referring to myself.)<br />
<br />
I registered and then I looked at the course maps.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwL7G-pSKACPpihPokKw-kr4E1x4Q-xJbHS1qN5riIzjQ-Y9rXmNgV3gl9oI1_KHEj50Lq8plEHOwOe033Ufkymyyf_7QLtnFdcZh49OS1nnQczZwuUygvg-xg65baeWFgoA3Pl-C0tQP/s1600/NAT+CHamp+bike.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="247" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAwL7G-pSKACPpihPokKw-kr4E1x4Q-xJbHS1qN5riIzjQ-Y9rXmNgV3gl9oI1_KHEj50Lq8plEHOwOe033Ufkymyyf_7QLtnFdcZh49OS1nnQczZwuUygvg-xg65baeWFgoA3Pl-C0tQP/s320/NAT+CHamp+bike.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I think that little box down there represents hills. It looks like about 400 feet. Can someone break this down for a coastal type girl? Is 400 feet that much?? Am I going to die?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33s0ENdjnZMlIQVjek5e4q5U_BDpa9pK0LCCVWGflmVYcoI8lzs11orXMR9UXu9rfNNonBnYugLrtVHXnyP6dWq-vjBFP19v99hXIFBQaI0ZzW0_3NejcK-VEv9rCfS5uiFlwSVhVKNVp/s1600/Braces+011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg33s0ENdjnZMlIQVjek5e4q5U_BDpa9pK0LCCVWGflmVYcoI8lzs11orXMR9UXu9rfNNonBnYugLrtVHXnyP6dWq-vjBFP19v99hXIFBQaI0ZzW0_3NejcK-VEv9rCfS5uiFlwSVhVKNVp/s320/Braces+011.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is me all registered to go.<br />
<br />
To Do List<br />
Rent wetsuit. It's going to be around 60 there I read.<br />
Learn to change flat. Wouldn't that blow if I got all the way there and blew?<br />
Figure out how to ship a bike!!<br />
Get faster. I have about 50 days.<br />
<br />
And as an added bonus.<br />
I won't be able to do the Clear Lake Race with this.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3cbHtXMnJB0WzEMcFonCzfEd1QbMiUgKiP84xjqWGVvLz3F8S-uTsmJjpAZh-RtbN2K5RCBBG9E3YrBV98Uf4AdxJqXToDOY2Gt3P94V7N8PshNVb1vIjyUx0aQD4xPM86pqOC4TRTxP/s1600/kemah+bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig3cbHtXMnJB0WzEMcFonCzfEd1QbMiUgKiP84xjqWGVvLz3F8S-uTsmJjpAZh-RtbN2K5RCBBG9E3YrBV98Uf4AdxJqXToDOY2Gt3P94V7N8PshNVb1vIjyUx0aQD4xPM86pqOC4TRTxP/s320/kemah+bridge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Darn schedule conflicts.<br />
<br />
<b>Has anyone done one of these races before? </b><br />
<b>Any advice?</b><br />
<b>Should I stop eating bacon and egg hamburgers now? (Better yet stop mentioning them?)</b><br />
<br />
Do you think the numbers of participants in this race is low because it is clear to Vermont and that is why the e-mailed me? Probably. I don't care. Don't burst my bubble.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-21210840346063955772011-06-29T04:52:00.000-07:002011-06-29T04:52:20.479-07:00Let Go"No really. Let go of the children."<br />
<br />
I am afraid that is what my husband is going to be saying to me this week. I have mentioned a couple of times we are leaving for a cruise in the near future. Did I mention we weren't taking any kids.<br />
<br />
I have been away before. I left the older three four years ago and went to Hawaii for ten days. The younger two I haven't left as much, probably no more than a weekend with my parents or The Coach's parents if they came in town to watch them.<br />
<br />
The older kids visit their dad various weekends. We only live about ten miles apart so no matter whose weekends it is we can count on everyone being together at various sporting events and more sporting events. When they go for a week though I still have trouble letting go. I am not trying to say their dad is a bad guy. He does things differently than I do, and he has a tendency to be a "Disney Dad", but he loves them and he does take care of them. That isn't to say I don't worry about things like what they are eating, watching, and hearing. Really though it isn't parenting, or anything that makes me worried, just the ins and outs of not seeing them everyday.<br />
<br />
Like I already said that babies have rarely been away from me unless I am a work. Yes, The Coach and I do go out and we do leave the kids with Ty, Sweet Aunt, Gramma, or Mia. It is rare though to go a day without seeing them. For the time we are going they will be in Illinois. The Coach's mom, Mia, is very excited to have them. We haven't been back to The Coach's hometown for a while and she is anxious to show them off and show them a good time.<br />
<br />
I am sitting here trying to write what specifically I am worried about. I have no specific worries. The kids' dad, and the kids' Mia are perfectly able to care for them. <br />
But really...........can anyone do it as well as me? :)<br />
<br />
I need to let go and have a little faith in the prayers I will pray every day for their safety from danger, germs, evil, and junk food. <br />
<br />
I am sure the week will fly by and I will be back home with their bickering and whining in no time. Meanwhile I guess someone else can listen to it.<br />
<br />
I asked a few posts ago if the kids of bloggerland leave for a time during the summer or not.<br />
<b>Today I would like to know if you have any tips for peace of mind.</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://thingsicantsay-shell.blogspot.com/2011/06/pour-your-heart-out-screaming-mama.html"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZiRB-2MeBWlLSBWCAp1DipmrW6A63tQZgMogyS43g7x18OxYzpO3pC9YPviFbBwS-eZ6pCzEvWGDE_l7lGdkqbXqvIGcBeCeIOG6wwDG6V6xgnh2RMf_hs2VHTDzGWbcTrpNaOW_wTBrf/s1600/pouryourheartout.jpg" /></a></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com15tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-26664703855722760252011-06-28T06:06:00.000-07:002011-06-28T06:06:32.705-07:00The Third Thursday My besties and I realized earlier this year we live within ten miles of each other and we rarely get to spend quality time together. Sure we get together with our friends, or do an activity with some of the kids, but as far as having time to actually talk and catch up. There was none.<br />
<br />
So we instituted Third Thursdays. On the third Thursday of every month we go eat, shop, see a movie....whatever. It doesn't really matter what we do as long as we are together.<br />
<br />
This month crept up on us and before we realized we had missed Third Thursday, so we swiftly moved it to Fourth Thursday. It was just as good.<br />
<br />
The night got off to a slow start. I don't know if it is just this particular nail shop, or all of them but whenever we drop in or call for an appointment they tell us there are openings and we will get right in. Hours later...we won't be falling for that again.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-D49tDgyGZz9Ii-wRYtGx4nVl9c0O9uhTXPC060x08BGqpN9Uh57TP1hyphenhyphen05JtHZTpL34clDF2E8z071Fv5cYITUJE6VFoIyDW1MRYT-yjj8vpmaSLNHPVp0gmX86I_fFvONRzgHYh5xB/s1600/waiting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9-D49tDgyGZz9Ii-wRYtGx4nVl9c0O9uhTXPC060x08BGqpN9Uh57TP1hyphenhyphen05JtHZTpL34clDF2E8z071Fv5cYITUJE6VFoIyDW1MRYT-yjj8vpmaSLNHPVp0gmX86I_fFvONRzgHYh5xB/s320/waiting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This is me waiting patiently while P$ and Sarge are both getting a pedicure.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFuaJVb7OJMkj40tnG4LFbjQ9ucG8hUj8JI2_K0g9nd8KyWOi2OOwLemkPqepq1-HOW9AIA53z6BcY0z6EYDW4OLbk7dUBzdrkR5IIaeuAXME2ZTi0qdfmQYeJXS_qzcxh0Ys7CgfUeFS/s1600/hot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFuaJVb7OJMkj40tnG4LFbjQ9ucG8hUj8JI2_K0g9nd8KyWOi2OOwLemkPqepq1-HOW9AIA53z6BcY0z6EYDW4OLbk7dUBzdrkR5IIaeuAXME2ZTi0qdfmQYeJXS_qzcxh0Ys7CgfUeFS/s320/hot.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
After I saw this though I wanted a pedicure any more. You would think a Sarge would be tougher than hot towels.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqkxRyVb7slR90y31RRQEYrcI5ObeP7P8coyrQ5RkDyaJxRmdvkuvIbbbRbniuonvFJcUgx6S5HF3pndDLFkAG9vM7qwndyNts_4DMjHKFhp-tAI4ZTt5s4ix4D0KoeN_y4ku_vKKWKxt/s1600/toes+bliss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQqkxRyVb7slR90y31RRQEYrcI5ObeP7P8coyrQ5RkDyaJxRmdvkuvIbbbRbniuonvFJcUgx6S5HF3pndDLFkAG9vM7qwndyNts_4DMjHKFhp-tAI4ZTt5s4ix4D0KoeN_y4ku_vKKWKxt/s320/toes+bliss.jpg" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>In the end though I got double toe bliss while both technicians worked to catch up. Ahhhhhh.<br />
<br />
Once our toes were beautified we headed off for some eats. Good thing. I was starving by then. We went to the 59 Diner. I don't think P$ and Sarge were super excited, but I was. I got that bacon, egg, cheeseburger I had been craving and a jamoca almond fudge shake. Delish!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4Tv7IsvtLOID1U4WbhHlKJ92qgV6kZemLwcgwMreU3evjorMiS2WGJeJrSnAbu5xxWj8A5G7u92yTAsyLqvBu9wSNniFTGkywO6LOamGDOVz9phMA9zHQ1V41CVHDImASel0aHqNvl4C/s1600/shake+bliss.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD4Tv7IsvtLOID1U4WbhHlKJ92qgV6kZemLwcgwMreU3evjorMiS2WGJeJrSnAbu5xxWj8A5G7u92yTAsyLqvBu9wSNniFTGkywO6LOamGDOVz9phMA9zHQ1V41CVHDImASel0aHqNvl4C/s320/shake+bliss.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><br />
It was thick and I couldn't get anything.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeHquO7VxaptYPqGissUMZPBvtSJ6XDj5s3y3B2MFNH-wOXEcWJdBPK5B6gIdAGKpGylBlYMZdDl604dBcE2qfECzgB7-MPjOyrxXOyf626xcgDNxTjQHUPhUUOjtYLYZmhqpkhRbSHwG/s1600/laughing+sarge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaeHquO7VxaptYPqGissUMZPBvtSJ6XDj5s3y3B2MFNH-wOXEcWJdBPK5B6gIdAGKpGylBlYMZdDl604dBcE2qfECzgB7-MPjOyrxXOyf626xcgDNxTjQHUPhUUOjtYLYZmhqpkhRbSHwG/s320/laughing+sarge.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Some bawdy humor may have been volleyed about. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGzRCqcwAHbvNkhv73xLGFqjw6vBHAcqfQ-VXhrT5opMOfJ38R6lC3mLEgwkp9Qc8PTBUJav8GXF7T9nrwwL7v-j3G-mgmiDRzjOkk3zqUcT2Y-W42C1Bs8hDkCco_inHm2oaWx_6LWS8/s1600/chin+hair.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGGzRCqcwAHbvNkhv73xLGFqjw6vBHAcqfQ-VXhrT5opMOfJ38R6lC3mLEgwkp9Qc8PTBUJav8GXF7T9nrwwL7v-j3G-mgmiDRzjOkk3zqUcT2Y-W42C1Bs8hDkCco_inHm2oaWx_6LWS8/s320/chin+hair.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Or maybe Sarge was just laughing at my chin hair. I had to ask.<br />
<br />
(I had forgotten my camera that night and P$ used hers. She wouldn't give it to me for any shots of her or a group shot. I must remember camera in the future.) <br />
<br />
We discussed what was up in our families, kids and so forth. We also discussed the trip we plan on taking this fall when all of us will be turning 40* - We had to have a conference call with Jen who lives in Austin.We may have had to tell her, NO CAMPING! Just saying.<br />
<br />
We had a drink and went to a movie. That is right. We are awesome. Four venues in ONE night!! After the movie, Bridesmaids, we realized it was midnight. We are party animals!!<br />
<br />
I have tried to write about my best girlfriends a few times, but I just can't seem to capture what I feel with words. I met P$ in the sixth grade when I borrowed a dime from her for lunch. I met Sarge in the seventh grade when I said next to her in math. She wanted to be a police officer even then. I met Jen in homeroom in seventh grade.<br />
New friends are great and I always appreciate meeting new people.<br />
But you can't make old friends. No one else knows my high school boyfriends. No one else remembers my parent's rules or my pesky brother.<br />
<br />
No one else would be willing to go around town one day taking stupid pictures of me just so I would have something to blog about.<br />
<br />
I have the best friends in the world obviously or I wouldn't have wanted to hang out with them for the last 26 years, and they wouldn't have put up with me if they weren't as totally cool as they are. <br />
<br />
***Sarge, Jen and I will all be 40 in September. Young and virile P$ won't be 40 clear till April. Just for the record.Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-56282298180015974172011-06-27T22:00:00.000-07:002011-06-28T04:45:52.946-07:00It's My Turn - FMBT<div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hey Everyone,<br />
I am very excited to be a guest host of FMBT today. I look forward to meeting all of you. Click <a href="http://heathersviewfromtheshoe.blogspot.com/2011/05/dream-job.html">here</a> or <a href="http://heathersviewfromtheshoe.blogspot.com/2011/04/wrestling-biting-and-innocent-baptists.html">here</a> to head on over the regular (or far from it) going ons of this family.<br />
And please check out the real hostess!! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.sjunkie.com/" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-8127" height="160px" src="http://www.sjunkie.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/newfmbt.png" title="FMBT" width="160px" /></a></div><br />
It’s everyone’s favorite day of the week again, Tuesday..</div><div style="text-align: center;">So that means it’s time to link up & follow for</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Follow Me Back Tuesday</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Hosted By</b>:</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://surveyjunkiegiftguide.blogspot.com/">Survey Junkie</a>, <a href="http://littleyayasandblessed.blogspot.com/">Little Yaya’s</a> & <a href="http://boobiesbabiesblog.blogspot.com/">Boobies,BabiesAndABlog </a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>With Guest Hosts</b>:</div><div style="text-align: center;">Nancy from <a href="http://findingblessingsineverydaylife.blogspot.com/">Finding blessings in everyday life</a></div><div style="text-align: center;">&</div><div style="text-align: center;">Heather from<a href="http://heathersviewfromtheshoe.blogspot.com/"> Heather's View and the Shoe</a></div><a href="http://findingblessingsineverydaylife.blogspot.com/"></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><br />
</b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>How it Works</b></div><br />
<ul style="text-align: center;"><li>Follow all 3 Hosts & Guest Host's -<b> </b><b>Spots 1-5</b> leave a comment w/ a link to your blog so we can follow you back (<b> only leave a comment that you follow if you actually follow )</b></li>
</ul><ul style="text-align: center;"><li>Snag our button & make a F.M.B.T. post.</li>
<li>After you post use that link to add your blog to the hop along with your blog name</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><b>( NO BLOG HOPs & GIVEAWAYS PLEASE ) These entries will be deleted. </b></div><div><ul style="text-align: center;"><li>Follow the blogs you like & Follow Back who follows you ( Remember to leave a comment so you can be followed back )</li>
<li>And most importantly - Have Fun and Come back and see us every Tuesday !!</li>
</ul><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b>Link up every Tuesday at 12:00 am est</b></div></div></div><script src="http://www.blenza.com/linkies/easylink.php?owner=surveyjunkie&postid=12May2011g" type="text/javascript">
</script>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-43742686729501411212011-06-27T05:13:00.000-07:002011-06-27T05:13:55.816-07:00Totally AwesomeAwesome is Tayte's new favorite word. Actually it has been for a while.<br />
<br />
I did an interview with him the other day.<br />
Me: Tayte, am I your favorite mommy?<br />
Tayte: (distractedly) Yes.<br />
Me: It is because I am so pretty?<br />
Tayte: Yes. You are awesome.<br />
<br />
I have the poor thing brainwashed.<br />
<br />
Totally Awesome Totals for the week.<br />
running: 21.57 miles<br />
cycling: 56.85 miles<br />
swimming: 5500<br />
weights: 1x<br />
YOGA: 1x - Yes. I made it to ONE yoga class. Yeah me!<br />
<br />
<br />
I am trying to get as many workouts in as I can before we go on the cruise. The Coach said something about me not working out while we are on the cruise. I wonder if he will notice if I just swim fast circles around him while we are snorkeling! Actually he seems fine with the four forty five minute treadmill sessions I am supposed to complete on board the ship. <br />
<br />
I asked The Coach to take some pictures of me in my "evening/dinner" dresses and he asked if I shouldn't wait to do that AFTER the cruise. Duh. I"l have plenty to write about after the cruise. I have NOTHING to write about now.<br />
<br />
So.<br />
<b>Anyone care go wager (not really) on how many treadmill workouts I complete?</b><br />
<b>Would you rather see just shoes, or whole outfits, or nothing. (If you pick nothing I will NOT pose nude....I'll just not put any pictures.) </b><br />
<b>While I watch this The Coach is watching True Blood. What do you think of this show. Good? or Vampire Porn? (I am not saying that can't be a good thing, just smutty good.) </b>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-23959631621280523852011-06-26T19:28:00.000-07:002011-06-26T19:28:45.926-07:00You are My SunshineOne of Tayte's very favorite songs. So cute.<br />
I was rewarded by Rory at <a href="http://amothersluv.blogspot.com/">Mom's Time Out . </a><br />
Her blog is a great Canadian blog where you can truly get a time out!!<br />
Thanks Rory. <br />
<br />
I am supposed to tell you something about myself and then choose others to receive the award. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRI8TMMK4hZqELhmsbJcyYQYTFqCqul3H51kp8A5CNxhFNEeUWxAk6c3TBZks0nrxzEK74hw9uGABP4xupoku_4drX-ZpIZ9mcJQPq53rQk7ZSPXNwsGDBvbyqClRgqCL4B9tOjWzcDhka/s1600/sunshine_award.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRI8TMMK4hZqELhmsbJcyYQYTFqCqul3H51kp8A5CNxhFNEeUWxAk6c3TBZks0nrxzEK74hw9uGABP4xupoku_4drX-ZpIZ9mcJQPq53rQk7ZSPXNwsGDBvbyqClRgqCL4B9tOjWzcDhka/s1600/sunshine_award.jpg" /></a></div><br />
I am racking my rain here to think of something to tell you, but unfortunately I have told you everything.<br />
How I would rather my daughter fold clothes than do homework.<br />
I am allergic to everything including latex. Go ahead make jokes about the number of kids have. Everyone else does.<br />
You already know I am my mom's favorite.<br />
<br />
Shees. I really should have paced myself.<br />
<br />
Oh. Here I thought of something.<br />
When I was little I thought monsters lived under my bed, but not just any monsters. Ankle-less monsters. And since they had none...they wanted mine. So for two or three years I always got in bed by taking a running start and jumping up into that four poster bed from a as many feet away as I could to save my ankles. Getting out of bed in the morning was no problem because of course they monsters only come out at night. <br />
<br />
So there. Now you know. I was a crazy kid.<br />
<br />
I am supposed to pick ten blogs to pass this award on to, but ten seems overwhelming so in true Heather fashion I will just do nothing and say that I enjoy all the blogs I read so check some out on my list over yonder!!<br />
<br />
Thanks Again Rory!!<br />
<br />
<b>Question - Did you have any strange childhood imaginings? </b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<b><br />
</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-12708531706944708782011-06-23T12:35:00.000-07:002011-06-23T12:35:57.901-07:00This Just InNothing is "just in". Nothing is exciting.<br />
I just couldn't think of a better title.<br />
<br />
I haven't written about tri training lately, so I am going to do that. Just in case you think all I am doing around here is grounding kids and taking naps. <br />
<br />
I have three areas to discuss. (Really just two. I'll have to think of a third one while I write.)<br />
<br />
<b>1. Nutrition</b><br />
I texted my sista-girl buds and told them for our girls night I wanted to go to the 59 Diner and have a fried egg hamburger and a milkshake. Sarge texted me back that it sounded like a great meal for an athlete. It's ok. She can make fun of me all she wants since she called me an athlete.<br />
Other than that we are holding strong on the sugar limitations. No sodas have been in the house diet, or regular. As far as I know there have been no pop tarts. It turns out that left with no other choice the kids will eat strawberries, blueberries, cantalope, watermelon, apples, and oranges. After about two weeks they will even quit griping about it.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvXSvBjUjJD1NzmPCPeqnNRVpR3Z53f76F1rzWWmnx8lmrrjrSBRmhnd55LjuWozc3o1hmnBo6w8Fchuqielw_aigetgWlnFAZuIN0MD00lTDegQAsBUGcdXzwvqd7brGrXkeQAbpx1fu/s1600/idk+005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUvXSvBjUjJD1NzmPCPeqnNRVpR3Z53f76F1rzWWmnx8lmrrjrSBRmhnd55LjuWozc3o1hmnBo6w8Fchuqielw_aigetgWlnFAZuIN0MD00lTDegQAsBUGcdXzwvqd7brGrXkeQAbpx1fu/s320/idk+005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is Saigie enjoying a peach. Do you like her hair feather??<br />
<br />
I finally ventured into the realm of smoothie-ness. I have been making delicious sugar free smoothies with greek yogurt, berries and peaches and spinach even. It is good to get some protein in the morning and even a couple of servings of fruit/veggies. I hope to keep this up when school starts. Rushed breakfast is the hardest time for me to make decent food choices.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutrLf1Lxkr4x8DzmvzHWXMR9a6ZCR-BaecjvfxDuJFHdD-mSZbgnwhgTQXf8F0FY2K9OLYa_exFv44SsxEFh0t7NGvFjpfFuD_yuO7HSELxNIq5OMaSYsXvMg_FLE41Va4dh_4p_iqIYB/s1600/idk+006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjutrLf1Lxkr4x8DzmvzHWXMR9a6ZCR-BaecjvfxDuJFHdD-mSZbgnwhgTQXf8F0FY2K9OLYa_exFv44SsxEFh0t7NGvFjpfFuD_yuO7HSELxNIq5OMaSYsXvMg_FLE41Va4dh_4p_iqIYB/s320/idk+006.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>Here is Ty lamenting the loss of his morning Pop-Tart. He did admit though that his workouts are going a lot better when he eats something more nutritious for breakfast.<br />
<br />
<b>2. Failure</b><br />
I could really use a win. I don't think I have completed a run in like two weeks. That completion was awesome. The first time I have run six miles in under an hour!! Woot. Followed by two weeks of crap!<br />
For example, this morning I was supposed to run 7 miles starting at warm up pace and slowly getting faster. I didn't make it.<br />
Biking has been more difficult than usual. Two workouts a week I am supposed to get up to zone 4 heart rate and my legs just aren't cooperating. They kind of feel like big useless sacks of sand. <br />
<br />
My imagine reasons are: resumed weight training, heat, workouts geared to building back up to olympic length triathlons, waking up to late and then dealing with heat.<br />
My imagine solution: fried egg hamburger and beer and a cruise.<br />
<br />
<b>3. Critters</b><br />
I have seen a lot of critters lately. <br />
I have seen snakes, bunnies, squirrels, armadillos, a deer, buzzards and one possum who was walking right down the sidewalk at 5:30 am. <br />
I don't know about vermin behaviors, but I guess the severe drought has them searching for water. Or maybe they are searching for Popsicles because the snake was right on my front porch. (Oh why didn't I take a picture!?)<br />
The neighbor lady I accosted when I first moved in told me today she was running over the weekend and ran right past two coyotes thinking they were deer. She said one was pissed and lunged toward them. I guess after that he decided it was too hot to attack her or her dog. I will be on the look out.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_pZbdVAbJsGunv5aPMhuIMc3DU_6QBapfF1eEqdIVzN97m35MNPgo_2x7ma8dJfE1HDA5ZCt8MSbaRRGKcH09ZelnMyUlgWwtOXCtoUX8xoUMJbHc7-HMUcRSaNyz_1bgHwYJt3ScU5C/s1600/idk+001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw_pZbdVAbJsGunv5aPMhuIMc3DU_6QBapfF1eEqdIVzN97m35MNPgo_2x7ma8dJfE1HDA5ZCt8MSbaRRGKcH09ZelnMyUlgWwtOXCtoUX8xoUMJbHc7-HMUcRSaNyz_1bgHwYJt3ScU5C/s320/idk+001.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>It started raining today during my run which was nice. My arm started stinging and I realized I had through a swam of flying ants. There were about fifteen on my arm. These are the last five or so that managed to hang on for the entire run. (It is hard to take a picture of my own arm. Even more so when this creature is hanging on to my legs letting me know she was NOT happy to stay at home with the brothers while I ran.)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBXFldxXorc7xB0Eu-vEk6rHC4fFj6ww4BMbOpyo0X7qBcUoMlFP1Z6UWR45cv5_ruXhNPzLtUmizof8FgDFfwuhxnrNEPXvVj0dsz_KXEuTXZjfrJ3Hx4E_1_0gqBsQRhNb3tlxYuQL3/s1600/idk+003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcBXFldxXorc7xB0Eu-vEk6rHC4fFj6ww4BMbOpyo0X7qBcUoMlFP1Z6UWR45cv5_ruXhNPzLtUmizof8FgDFfwuhxnrNEPXvVj0dsz_KXEuTXZjfrJ3Hx4E_1_0gqBsQRhNb3tlxYuQL3/s320/idk+003.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
I got slightly spoiled by the Texas drought and I was quite shocked when I woke up to rain the other morning. I had to set up the bike trainer. I asked Ty to come take my picture. He smiled and said, "ok" then I never saw him again.....so just imagine me riding my little heart out here.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-fx0AhlBbpSrqx9ZUNt5u-8h7lntI_iiFxxvEFS_oloTsvmvCs5VKRDj78Jr6tk_KRzf314KaXK1p39IkR0qjgRKOedOMW-V8lKSxz7IeMFsBbBpHLafRuV3eZ8_-ReGpYw9M5lt-GjK/s1600/idk+007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy-fx0AhlBbpSrqx9ZUNt5u-8h7lntI_iiFxxvEFS_oloTsvmvCs5VKRDj78Jr6tk_KRzf314KaXK1p39IkR0qjgRKOedOMW-V8lKSxz7IeMFsBbBpHLafRuV3eZ8_-ReGpYw9M5lt-GjK/s320/idk+007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>I thank all of you with low entertainment thresholds for making it through the whole post! <br />
<br />
<b>Do you know if any tried and true solutions for sand bag legs? Do you like fried egg hamburgers? Have you ever fed a snake a Popsicle?</b>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-66412065298123856092011-06-22T04:57:00.000-07:002011-06-22T06:32:02.939-07:00Coed Campout - Follow UpThanks all of you for playing along. It was nice to hear different viewpoints. Like I said we certainly don't have to agree. <br />
<br />
The setup to this post is <a href="http://heathersviewfromtheshoe.blogspot.com/2011/06/incident.html">here</a>.<br />
<br />
Basically here is the denouement. (Once when I first teaching I was being observed and got nervous and I said that word as it looks...day-now-ment.... Of course my observer was a former English teacher and I got RIPPED!!) <br />
<br />
Here is the aftermath of the incident.....<br />
<br />
Ty got in the car when I picked him up and started chatting happily about the camp out. He didn't hesitate to mention there were girls there. He didn't try to hide that fact.<br />
<br />
I got very quiet trying to figure out what was going on with girls being there. He just kept on chatting causing me to think maybe I was over-reacting, so I stayed quiet.<br />
After a few minutes I guess he noticed my white knuckles on the steering wheel or maybe my clenched jaw. He asked, "Are you mad at me?"<br />
I told him I had to think it through and determine if I was overreacting or not and we just shouldn't talk until then.<br />
He said he was sorry and that he wondered why I had allowed him to stay.<br />
Duh............Ya told me it was you and one kid. A GUY kid.<br />
<br />
So when I got home I discussed it with The Coach. I was really hoping he would say it wasn't a big deal about the neighbor girls and we would deal with the shoddy answer to my text and move on. Instead I went from being the ticked one, to being the voice of reason as The Coach's head exploded and he started looking up military schools on the internet. <br />
<br />
The main issue was the fact that I asked who "they" were and Ty did not release all the names. Point 1 - I didn't ask the right followup question. Point 2 - I shouldn't have had to. <br />
<br />
As far as the parents......the girls who slept over have lived next door their whole lives. I am sure they are like sisters to him. I am certainly not trying to make anything sordid out of an innocent sleep over. I would have appreciated it had they checked with me, but again the main responsibility is on Ty and me.<br />
<br />
He was reminded of OUR expectations. My thinking here is that the first time (well now second) time Ty spends the night with a girl I want it to be at least a big decision, not just some casual thing that happens. I could be wrong in my thinking, but hey..I have been wrong before.<br />
<br />
. P$ didn't see any problem with the coed sleep over part.<br />
That is fine with us. P$ is just as dedicated to raising morally sound children as I am. She was allowed to have coed sleepovers when she was a kid and everything turned out just fine. ( I wasn't even allowed to have a boy in my room!)<br />
<br />
So there are both sides of the story. <br />
Ty was grounded for two weeks for lying by omission. He seemed to accept his fate. Maybe he even thought he got off easy. I mean really grounded is better than military school.<br />
<br />
Furthermore this explains why Ty has been in so many of the pictures I have posted lately. He wasn't allowed to go anywhere without The Coach or me!! <br />
<br />
<b>Have YOU ever been to military school? What was the most (non illegal) trouble you ever got into growing up?</b>Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6274008188298840932.post-58084513316854205132011-06-21T11:13:00.000-07:002011-06-21T11:13:46.531-07:00The IncidentI was thinking the other day about how when I post something everyone who comments pretty much agrees with me. That's great because I am always right. There I go being hilarious again. <br />
<br />
The thought crossed my mind that maybe bloggers just feel like we have to agree and that is not true. So I am going to tell you about a recent incident at our house and tomorrow I will follow up with the consequences occurring here. <br />
<br />
See...you won't know if you are agreeing or not!! Aren't I sneaky?<br />
I am looking for a little bit of controversy. Not a lot. Just enough so that I do not have to start watching soaps or anything.<br />
<br />
Just for the record my very best friend in the whole world, P$, and I don't even agree on this. And we still love each other. <br />
<br />
Here goes.<br />
<br />
A couple of weeks ago Ty, my 15 yo, had the chance to go fishing with his dad during "my" weekend. I let him go and him and two guy friends and two girls friends had a great time. On his way home we had the following text conversation.<br />
<br />
Ty: They want to know if I can spend the night?<br />
Me: Who is they?<br />
Ty: Trent. We are going to camp out in his backyard.<br />
Me: Sounds cool. Have a great time. Call me in the morning.<br />
<br />
I did a tri the next day and in the middle of my nap - of course - Ty called me to come get him. I did.<br />
In the car he started telling me about all they fun they had during the, "camp out". <br />
<br />
I thought Trent was the only one who was going to be camping so I asked who else was there and he said, "Amanda and Taylor."<br />
<br />
Ok - So........I won't tell you which side P$ is on, or what side I am on.<br />
You tell me....what would YOUR reaction have been?Heatherhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10517747321455561159noreply@blogger.com17