More Running Stuff

Just some links that I am using to help me train for my 7 mile run on November 16. I have went back and forth on backing out and doing the 5K instead but I am going to stick with it. I believe this will be the longest race I ever do, I don't have a desire to do a whole marathon. This quarter marathon I think is a good goal and a good sticking too level. I was looking at the times that everything starts at the Marathon that day, my friend doing the 5K start about 15 minutes after I start the Quarter, the kids race is at noon...here's hoping I am done in 3 hours..LOL...they shut the course done after 6 1/2 hours.

Novice Training Schedule

Stretching Exercises

Strengthening Exercises

Tough!

Okay this was the toughest 5K yet.
Hills! At the bottom of one it had a sign to caution trucks for load shifting...it was that steep.
I did finish toward the back but it was my personal best time. 6 minutes shorter than Tulsa (which was basically flat). I believe the official time was 38min08sec for today.
It was kinda funny you couldn't see around this one corner and it was just past the 2 mile mark and I turned that corner and the hill I mention above was there. I didn't even think about it and I said out loud "Oh crap you have to be kidding me"...and I hear a lady behind me say "Now I don't know if I want to turn that corner". Well she did and said "Honey I echo those sentiments"..lol..and she started walking.
So I didn't finish as well as I wanted to but I did good for me and it was a tough one.
Hubby snapped a few pics, it was cold at first this morning but I had my best supporters out there!

Fun learning with ping pong balls!

We have a new favorite fun thing at our house. Ping pong balls. You can do so much with them. My kids love them. They are inexpensive as I bought a gross of 200 for around $20 on ebay.

First thing. The kids are learning the books of the bible this year. So I wrote each book of the bible on a ball using a permanent marker. Then two buckets set up new testament and old. They have to look at each ball and then toss it in the appropriate bucket. Fun fun. To learn the order just pile the balls and they have to line them up in the right order. Something about them being on balls rather than paper makes all the difference to my kids.

Also do this for reading for Brae as far as using __ ey or ___ at and he has to throw it in the c or k bucket. Nouns and Verbs. Helping verbs, action verbs all that because more fun when you get to throw your answer in a bucket. Even reviewing for Science or History using true false balls to toss into the true false buckets.

I put the balls in storage bags for each subject. If you get tired or learn all of one thing you can soak the permanent marker off with alcohol let them dry and write something else. The words stay on good during lots of play until you want it to come off and use the alcohol. For storing the buckets set inside of each other and the bags with the different subjects fit into the bucket with the index cards I use for labeling so it doesn't take up much room. The kids love it, it isn't bad to pick up and they get really interested and have fun. Of course Brae said it best "I know this is a trick to make me learn but it is okay because I like it".

History Fieldtrip

Friday we got to go out for a fieldtrip to Historic Fort Smith, visit the site of Isaac Parker "the hanging judge". The kids love field trips and Kim does a great job of organizing them. The kids loved the replica courthouse and going into the old jails. We had a really good tour guide too.

Few snap shots from the day.

concern

Yet another conversation with Brae:

Brae: (in a hushed tone) "Mom I need to speak with you".
Me: okay, what's up
Brae: I am really concerned about Senna (this is what he has always called Britt).
Me: Why, what is the matter?
Brae: She is reading a book on George Washington.
Me: Yes she is why does that concern you hon?
Brae: (exasperated) MOM, she is reading the book for FUN, I am worried. What are you going to do about it?

Don't know what I am going to do about that awful reading habit that his sister has...lol...but I do know what I will do with his worry for her...blog it of course!

5k

I have been having doubts that I am ready for this next 5k. After I hurt my back it has been hard for me to do over 2 miles. I have been trying to work back up and I know I have to because I have the 7 mile in November. Yesterday I received the packet in the mail with the Tshirt and my number. I always get jazzed when I see the number, and I had forgot with this race they were mailing it instead of picking it up at the race. So it was just what I needed to make me a little more excited about everything. I was suppose to have 3 yes 3 different people I know running with me but alas I think it is just me. Oh well, my goal is to do better than I did at the last one. This one is local so no drive. I have a week to get myself ready and psyched out (in a good way this time not like I did to myself last time.)

On another running note I have been so impressed with my new running shoes Mizuno. I found mine at a very inexpensive price compared to what I have seen and they are really good. Also now that it is getting colder I have priced the Under Armour wow talk about pricey but I think a good alternative is called thin coat I believe at Academy it looks like silky thermals. It was a lot cheaper and seems to be the same principle. I went from burning up because it was almost 80 degrees when I would get out at 5am to freezing at 50 degrees and I know those temps will only get more consistent and colder.

One down...5 to go

Homeschool co-op that is. 5 more weeks. I actually really enjoy being director but there are a few lets call them "hiccups" along the way. Thankfully I have the best friends ever to help me out it's like having my own little club of people to back me up. Without them I would have been hiding under a chair today. But it all went relatively smooth.

The kids loved their classes. Brae is taking medevil history and that is right up his alley with swords and weapons. Britt is taking a horse class and that is so her thing. So glad they have the opportunity to get together with their friends. Day one is always the roughest, well that and the last day because we do presentation night and it is hectic but the in between is more enjoyable.

We went and ate after, no way was I cooking tonight. I almost showed up at a lady's house for a meeting luckily my friend started questioning me and I realized I had the wrong night. So dinner then ice cream and home. Kids are in bed, hubby is destressing. Hubby has never been involved in co-op before other than helping out with presentation night but this time he took vacation time so that he could teach two computer classes, which also meant he got to help me set up and I don't think he realized how much that was.

Anyway that is my whining about co-op but now that the first day is done and once I get the school room back in order (I have thrown the whole days worth of things in the floor to be sorted in the morning) then it should run fairly smooth.

I have threatened them...

Both kids rooms are clean. Super clean. I always thought Britt kept hers pretty clean not perfect but she is always organizing something, well apparently she is also really good at hiding things because man oh man I found some messes. Brae's wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. Britt's was a lot worse than I thought. But both are done and I have told them if they get them messy again there will be serious consequences. So yes I have cleaned and cleaned today, much more than I had planned but it is done and I better not have to do it again for a long long time.

What reputation?

Having a conversation with Brae this morning:
Me; You better get around mister school is suppose to start in 15 minutes.
Brae: (Groaning and putting his head under the blanket) ahhh I am dying (can we say drama king instead of drama king with this boy).
Me: Brae you know you like school come on let's get around.
Brae: (Peaking his head out and looking around dramatically leans over and whispers)"Shhh mom if that gets out my reputation is toast".(dives back under the covers giggling)

That boy!

Should this be bothering me?

Okay we recently started at a new church. It is a huge church much bigger than we have ever been to. Anyway we joined a few weeks ago and in the mail today we got an envelope. In it was preprinted with our names and address dated offering envelopes.

Okay I am all for offering of course it is important. But them sending them to me really rubbed me the wrong way. I don't know if this is common in larger churches or not. I just didn't like it. I can understand it would help having preprinted to give out forms for taxes etc just rubbed me wrong.

school stuff

Just wanted to share a few school things.
This is Braden doing his reading game. So far I have liked the scaredy cat reading system. Braden likes it which is the most important thing. He actually wants to play the games that came with it. The glasses he is wearing in the pics are a new vision therapy. I was hesitant at first but they seem to be making a big difference and he loves wearing them which once again is so important. He only has to wear them when reading, playing video games or watching TV but he can wear them as much as he wants and he chooses all the time.

Yesterday we made herbal soap, the kids wanted to dye it blue. The kids had grown the herbs in their hot box. I just love apologia science. There are 3 more books after this botany one and I can't wait. I love it as much as the kids.

This is a project from our Story of the World another subject we are all really enjoying. This is from studying about the Nile River.

This and that

I think I am still trying to catch up from last week. It was one of those killer weeks. I got so sick with a migraine I made it through registration for homeschool coop but I am not sure how I did it. Within 10 minutes of leaving I had to get phenergan and then I was in bed about 17 hours and felt drained for another day after that.

Poor hubby got stung by a red wasp yesterday so that kept us home today as it made him pretty sick. We are thankful though that it was him and not Brae that got stung. Brae is highly allergic.

We got lots of rain and wind. I was just marveling at the fact that we were under a tropical storm warning in Oklahoma.

This week is the first classes for the homeschool coop. Looking forward to that.

Have a few fun projects in school this week. Tomorrow the kids and I are making herbal soap out of the herbs we have been growing in science. I keep saying I am going to take more pics of school things especially to share with my aunts that live far away.

FIL came over today to celebrate his 60th birthday. He remarked more than once how fast the years have gone. I think he had a good time and was surprised on the little things we had done.

Poor hubby is asleep again on the couch having to take Benedryl because of the bite and it is knocking him out. Brae is playing a video game and Britt and I are on our computers just a nice relaxing Sunday afternoon.

Quick wit?

Yesterday Brae did get in trouble for his attitude but it was so funny I had to bite my cheek not to laugh. He is just so straight forward and this is what it is and I will tell you how it is and he is so sweet about it..lol. Here is our conversation:

Me: Brae you want to help mom?
Brae: No
Me: (kind of taken back by the blunt no) Hey you can help mom.
Brae: No thank you if it is okay with you I say no. (and leaves the room)
Me: (follow into the living room) Britt would you like to help me?
Britt: Sure mom.
Brae: It is for coop.
Me: Brae Britt didn't ask me what it was for she just chose to be a good helper.
Brae: (Looking straight at me) Mom if you are trying to use guilt it doesn't work on me.

Okay I was so torn between laughing and being mad at his attitude...of course hubby heard and intervened he seem to lean toward smart alleck, me I like to think of it as quick wit. Of course when Brae did come to offer his help and I asked him if he was helping because daddy made him or because he wanted he said: "Because dad is making me, (pause and a grin) and because I want to.

Taking a break to whine

Hitting the ground running after being gone a week is a understatement. Wow I need to catch my breath.

Homeschool co-op registration is this week, and I had major changes occur last night. Eek love those last minute things. I had everything ready to go but now paperwork and everything will be changed. Ugh really couldn't be helped but still aggravating. For legal work I have already billed 32 hours of work since being home on Thursday night and probably have another 20 to bill for before I am caught up. I did get school lesson plans done for the week and started out well yesterday but we were all out of whack because last week was such a cluster. Okay that is most of my whining out of the way.

Most but not all....because Brae has 3 huge bites on him, don't know from what but they are starting to look bad so this morning we will make a run to the doctor. What fun. On top of that I have nephews today. Poor Brae he is like "why does it always happen to me"..ugh I don't know. Hoping hoping hoping they just look 100% better this morning but I am not holding my breath. Okay see I wasn't done whining.

Let's see what else I can whine about why I am on a roll. Oh yes my back Sunday I didn't even make it to church my back was hurting so bad. Of course my doctor that is against me running said it was because of running. I myself don't think so I have done this in the past and it passes. It was better yesterday but by no means 100%.

Okay see this blog is therapeutic I whined and feel better and can now start this day that promises to be busy.

Such a cupid

Britt and Brae were talking over lunch about Britt going with her friend to a church thing tonight. Apparently her friend has a crush on a boy and has a plan for getting him to notice her. It was pretty funny Britt relayed the plan which involved a dropped purse and the boy helping her friend pick it up. Anyway Brae decided to chime in. I have another plan for her. Just tell her to tell him I like you and if you don't like me I am going to punch you in the face....hmmmm I hope his romantic side grows over time..lol

Home again

Home...and insomnia has followed. 2:00 am wide awake probably because I knew there was no rest today but a hit the ground running kind of day. We coordinated our next visit to Austin towards the end of October several factors went into that and it really works well for us. Going to drag hubby and Britt with us the next time. Of course Brae still offered to stay home and let Britt go in his place..lol. He missed his sister and she missed him they each had surprises for the other and a sleepover in Brae's room last night. I am giving them the day off from school today and free go at electronics so they are both happy. I told hubby after I get home this evening which will be late I am not moving from the house again until Sunday morning.

Not just no but no no no way

Brae woke up this morning going to do the procedure. Well the doc had to show pics and what was going to happen he lost it. I mean lost it. It took me forever to calm him down it reminded me so much of the autistic fits when he was about 3. So we did not do it today. We may not do it at all they just may have to work around him being on the Zyrtec. The scar tissue has been confirmed as a problem. Our Neuro is out of town for 2 more weeks. They said this problem has probably been building for 2 years or more so now that we know and can monitor and know that he if has numb spells with his legs more frequently to get him etc it can wait two weeks. I think that was the longest run on sentence ever but my grammar brain is mush along with the rest of me.

We did get to try another gluten free bakery. We had done one yesterday but it was not kid friendly and outragouesly priced. Today's was still high but not as much as yesterday more kid friendly and all in all very good. It was so nice to know that he could order anything on the menu and it be fine for him and he loved being able to pick out desserts from the case knowing he could have whatever caught his eye. We are trying another one in Plano on the way home. If all goes as planned we will leave tomorrow and be back in 3 weeks. We will see our neuro then and the regular doctor.

He is growing up in so many ways

I will update on all the medical issues later (we will know more after today) but first this morning I wanted to brag on Brae and his faith. A few weeks ago I noticed that if you ask him to pray out loud it is not just a simple thank you prayer you hear words like from a pulpit. I told him he had a gift. I have really seen his faith lately.

Yesterday the doctor recommended a procedure. Braden is still having to take prescription sinus medication but they feel it is reacting with some other meds and they want him off of it. However 2 days off and he has a sinus infection which we also don't want. So they suggested a procedure where they go up and basically stretch the sinus with a balloon. They said he has to be on board. Since this is something they would like to do but not a have to. I sat down with Brae and told him the pros and cons. The con being he is awake and it would hurt, the pros being they say it will really help, etc. Last night he said "Mom I am not sure what I want to do". I said we dont have to tell them until tomorrow. He said "Hold my hand why I pray". Then he proceeded "Dear God please help me to know the right path to take you can tell me because you can do anything you created us all thank you for leading me amen". Tears to my eyes his speech is perfect when he prays he is clear and well thought. Still don't know what he will decide to do as he isn't up and about yet but I am so proud of him.

Yesterday was one of those days that turned my brain to mush. It seems this scar tissue from previous surgery is causing all kinds of problems. Two appointments turned into 6 different places, tests etc. Our regular neurosurgeon who is the reason we first started coming all the way to Austin is out of the country so he has arranged for us to see his partner. Who of course I don't like near as well. Luckily my regular nurse sticks close to me and she has been a tremendous help. We will know more about scar tissue and test results today. So we have several major issues and a few minor issues. That is why I really felt I needed to let him be in charge of this that is not a have to. If he decides to do it great I hope it works and I am sure he will get a surprise. If he doesn't that is fine too we will just tell them no and they have to work around the medication issue.

Made it

Braden had fun first counting cop cars then counting national guard trucks the whole way here. Traffic the other way was crazy with evacuation buses from Texas gulf coast. School buses galore. We made it though and will have our fist doctor appointment in the morning.

Ready to go

Brae and I will leave in the morning for doctors appointments in Austin. My aunt said traffic is likely to be worse depending on the evacuations getting out and National Guard going in. But other than that not even suppose to rain while we are there in San Antonio/Austin area.

I have maps ready. I found 3 different gluten free bakeries, one in Plano, one in Austin and one in San Antonio. We are looking forward to trying them. Brae will love being able to eat anything in the restaurant and not having to worry about it because everything is gluten free. Wish we had those kind of places closer to us. Of course hubby is using that as a plus for us moving sometime in the future. Me not so sure I want to move that far away. Oh well we have awhile to think about it.

I am anxious to discuss several things with the doctor and to get results of tests.

Brittney is looking so forward to her time with her daddy. They are planning a movie, miniature golf, dinner at Olive Garden. She says she will still miss me. I know she will be better staying here getting her school done and having daddy time rather than tagging along to doctor visits.

12 minutes

I DID IT! I reached one of my goals. Still lots more goals but I finally broke a mile in 12 minutes. I know that is still slow with other runners but for me that is a good number. I figured out my strategy for November and I need to run all my miles in 11-14 minutes each. That would have me running for an hour and half. Also if I can keep up the 12 minutes miles for the shorter 5K in September I would break my personal record for 5K's. Just felt so good to do that this morning of course after I did it I was too wiped to finish my whole workout so I am dividing it up today but I made it so I am going with that feeling and will work up to being able to do all the miles at the higher pace. My normal pace is about 14-15 minutes which I know 3 minutes doesnt seem like a lot but it is when you are running. So patting myself on the back and will get out there in the morning and see if I can do it for a little longer.

Laptop and stuff

I am so blessed that my husband is so understanding. Tonight I was bringing my laptop into the living room and set it on the end table turned around and boom laptop fell. I got it picked up and situated the laptop and the screen was fried. Hubby immediately took it to the store to have them look at it. It would have cost over 600 to fix well it is about 6 years old so definitely not worth that and it has been messing up and we knew a new one was going to be needed but just couldn't do it now. As hubby said everything worked and fell together we were able to get something that will hold me over great without being out right now. It was a great blessing. So now I am typing on my laptop. Going to take some getting used to. I felt awful about dropping my laptop it made me sick at my stomach but it has worked out. Now I have to add everything and organize it all.

As an update on Brae I am no longer going to brag on how well he is doing as the next day after I had posted that we had a bad episode. But since then he has done okay, I am saying okay instead of great. Don't want to jinx us again..lol.

Britt is so looking forward to her daddy time next week while Brae and I are gone to Texas she has been making lists and planning.

School, medical and shoes...all in one post

We are almost mid week in our second week of school. So far so good. A few teary eyes but no real tears so I count that as a success. Britt is doing exceptional and is really liking her new math which is such a relief for me since that is really our only trouble subject with her. We started her on Teaching Textbooks this year, kinda pricey but it is easily reusable and resalable if I decide to. We are loving Story of the World and our Apologia Botany. I think those two are my favorites. Brae is doing really good too. His reading this year is a new program I had found at the convention called Scaredy Cat reading so far so good with it as well. He is doing better and we are making sure he knows how much better he is doing and I am really seeing a rise in his confidence.

Medically I think Brae is doing better than he has in a long time. Seizures are very few and far between now. Only one noted last week, it was a petite mal and I was used to seeing 15-20 a day so only one noted in a week is a great praise. I still have in the back of my mind the test results we will get next week but I am trying not to dwell or worry too much. For the most part his speech is improving, his energy level is through the roof. At times I am like wow he is getting onery but I don't care because for so many years he wasn't typical so I will take an onery 9 year old..LOL. He will tell people they should be on gluten free diet because it is so great. His exact words are "Mom makes good food, good cookies, and no more headaches and stomach aches". So blessed that he went so easy with that transition. Him and I will travel to Austin on Monday of next week and if all goes as planned be back late on Thursday night. Of course he was disappointed to know that school stuff was so portable that I was taking it with us! Hubby will stay home and Britt will stay with him this trip.

Tried out my new running shoes this morning, gotta get them broke in but I think they will be good ones. I bought Mizuno's. I went to the running store, did the size chart foot shape all that got the size I needed then shopped on ebay till I found my size new in box for way less than I would have paid in the store. I realize I totally sunk myself in the Tulsa race a few weekends ago by my attitude. I had it in my head going in I wasn't going to do well and I didn't. I think back and that first 5K where I did fairly well was such a harder race than this one but I just had myself psyched out that I was going to do poorly. I have worked myself back up and I am adding to it. I have one more 5K in September and then the 1/4 marathon in November. I have talked myself out of switching from the 1/4 to just doing a 5K a million times but I am going to keep it as is and work up.

Well that gets everyone caught up on school, Brae's medical and my running and a post if thrown up so I don't feel guilty for not posting..lol.

Gluten Free Donuts

Donuts are one of the things Braden has wanted since being gluten free. So I found a recipe. Just let me tell you do not try with coconut flour, while I love it for all my other gluten free baking so far it just did not work with the donuts. I had to use my regular gluten free flour. You could adapt this recipe to make it with regular flour leaving out the xanthan gum. But of course for us it had to be gluten free. They aren't the prettiest but they were very good. We all enjoyed them. The recipe said it made a dozen but it made far more than that for us. They aren't very healthy so definitely not something we will do too often but for a treat it was great. Also will be fun after sleepovers.

OLD FASHIONED DONUTS
2 eggs, beaten
2 cups buttermilk
1/4 cup butter, melted
5 cups gluten free flour
1 cup sugar
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp salt
2 tsp xanthan gum
1 tsp nutmeg
Combine eggs, buttermilk and butter in large bowl mix with whisk or fork.
Combine dry ingredients in separate bowl and add to wet. Mix by hand not elec mixer.
Let batter rest about 15 minutes. Turn dough onto a well-floured surface. If dough is stick, work in more flour blend (we found we had to work in more buttermilk).
Roll dough 3/8 inch think. Cute with donut cutter (we used biscuit cutter but you could use a cup).
Fry in 1 to 3 inches very hot oil (375) until brown on one side. Turn over and brown on second side.
CAKE DONUTS: Dip warm doughnuts into bowl of thin glaze made from 2 cups powdered sugar and 2/3 cup milk. I then sprinkled with powder sugar.
CHOCOLATE ICED DONUTS: 1.2 cup butter melted, 1/2 cup baking cocoa, 2 tsp vanilla, 3 cups powdered sugar, 1/4 cup milk. Mix melted butter and cocoa. Add vanilla beat in powdered sugar. Add milk to desired spreading consistency.

Digging

This week we started our Story of the World History. So much fun. We studied archeology. So today to wrap up the week we had to have our own dig. I put 4 different items in two buckets. They had to dig them out, clean them with the tiny toothbrushes, and then tell what those would say about people if they were found 100 years from now what could they learn from them. They both had so much fun. The last pic is one of Braden when I told him it was time to go back to school.

Breakfast Bars

These are a hit at my house for breakfast and snacks.

Mix dry ingredients together:
3 cups of rolled oats
1 cup flour (I used coconut flour but it called for rice flour or you could use reg.)
1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 TBSP cinnamon
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dried blueberries (you can use whatever dried fruits you want)
1/2 cup dried cranberries (I used craisins)
2 TBSP ground flax seed
1/4 cup coconut
1/2 cup almonds
Mix wet ingredients together:
1 cup honey
1/2 cup butter (melted)
2 teaspoons vanilla
3 egg whites
Preheat oven 350, spray large cookie sheet with spray.
Mix dry ingredients and wet ingredients separately. Combine wet and dry ingredients.
Press mixture into cookie sheet. It helps to keep your hands wet when pressing down. Bake for 20 min. Let cool, cut into bars and store in freezer or refrigerator. The bars do tend to crumble easy so I also like to just break it up and put it in baggies for great snacks and breakfasts on the go.

another way we do it is chop up a fresh banana and cover it with crumbled bars and eat it with a spoon both kids love this.

Running Shoes

I have spent more time looking for good running shoes than I did looking for a wedding dress.

Along the way I have found some good tips and have finally found the shoe I want. Thought I would share tips for finding a good shoe.

First you have to figure out what type of shoe you need. You can go to certain running stores and they will put you on a tredmill of course that is ideal but those stores are sometimes hard to find. Another way is to just look at your foot. A more accurate way is to examine your footprint by either running in the sand or on paper with wet feet (this is what I did).

There are three different types of feet:
Flat Feet
If you're looking at your foot, you'll know you have flat feet if you don't see any arch. The bottom of your foot, from your toes to your heel, is completely flat. If you do the footprint test, your print will look like a foot-shaped blob. You won't see an inward curve from your big toe to your heel. If you're flat-footed, you're most likely an overpronator, which means that your feet roll inward when you run.
What to Buy: You will probably need a shoe that maintains your stability. Look for the words "motion control" and "stability" on the box of running shoes you are considering. In addition to motion-control shoes, some flat-footed runners also need to wear orthotics.

High-arched Feet
You should be able to easily determine if you have high arches -- you'll notice a high and definite arch on your foot. If you do the footprint test, your print will curve inward, making the middle part of your foot look very skinny. When you push your hand against the bottom of your foot, your arch will stay rigid.
If you have high arches, you probably supinate or underpronate, which means your feet roll outwards as you run. It's very important that runners with high arches periodically re-measure their feet because running will cause their arches to gradually fall, making their feet longer.
What to Buy: You need to look for flexible shoes with a soft midsole that absorbs shock. When buying running shoes, look for options with the words "flexible" or "cushioned" included in their descriptions.

Neutral or Normal Feet
If you've examined your foot or your footprint and it doesn't look flat-footed or high-arched, you most likely have a neutral or normal foot. Your footprint will have a noticeable curve inward, but not by more than 3/4 of an inch.
As long as you pick a shoe that doesn't counteract your foot type, you shouldn't encounter any problems. This is the most common type of foot, and it's also the least susceptible to injury provided it's outfitted with proper footwear.
If you have normal feet, you can choose from a wide variety of running shoes, including ones made for neutral runners or those with slightly flat-footed or high-arched feet. Don't pick running shoes that have a lot of stability or motion control.

I found this size chart for measuring your foot. Measure both feet and take the measurement from the larger foot. You should always have a thumbs length wiggle room in the toe.

I had originally bought my normal size in running shoes and that was a mistake I had to go up a size. Good running shoes help with shin splints, achy legs, etc. It is a worthwhile investment if you are going to run.

Apparently we are on the go too much

We spent the whole day home today. Yesterday too. It was so nice not to go anywhere. This evening Brae says "Mom I think we set a new record". I was like what record. He said "We haven't ran anywhere in two days I think that is a record".

Unfortunately the record must hold at two days as tomorrow we must go get groceries and run a few errands. We miss hubby terrible why is away on business but it has been nice. We have kind of gotten in the groove of school again and then I cut back my work and things since he was going to be out of town so that enabled us to stay home more too. Yesterday we did school, crafts, baked, played games it was so nice. Today was pretty much the same.

School went best today for Brae. I had to revamp some of the things with the lessons I had planned for him but we will get there. I just cant overload him or he just shuts down. Britt is doing really well and absolutely loves her new math program which is such a relief because math is really the only area she didn't like.

We even broke the rule and did school in our pajamas today which I rarely let them do. I will be longing for these two days in the upcoming weeks which are going to be so hectic. Maybe later in the Fall we can go for staying at home 3 days in a row...it's a dream anyway!

Can't fool him

Sitting around the table this morning. Braden was talking about making stories up to help himself go back to sleep. I told him you should write those stories down that would be fun. His response (very quick response) was: "You aren't tricking me, that is just another way to try to make me learn". Gray hair from that boy I tell you!

My 3rd grader and 5th grader

First day of school:

Back to School

I think I am excited about starting back to school today as the kids are. Let me rephrase that "I am as excited as Britt is"...Brae still needs some convincing that school is a good thing..lol.

I got up this morning and went for a run. I feel better than I did after the race on Saturday. I was just frustrated with myself because I had still been going out in the mornings but I knew I wasn't working as hard as I had for the first 5k. I did good this morning and will continue to work back up. On Saturday I had thought about changing my race for November to the 5K instead of the quarter marathon but I am keeping it the way it is. I will just be sure I am ready for the quarter marathon. I have another 5k before that.

I have chocolate chip muffins (gluten free of course!) baking in the oven. House is picked up and now I am awaiting children to wake up. It is 6:30 so I know they will be awaking soon. I just typed that and now I hear Britt up. Just like if we were in public school I went and got them a new outfit for the first day. Britt was super excited about that. Well it was Brae up not Britt. He is getting dressed and around so maybe he will be good to go for the day. We are implementing a lot of suggestions from an Aspergers book on homeschooling as well as our new doctors suggestions so we shall see how it goes.

Not dead last

This morning was my 5K. I did not do good. It took me 42 minutes. I wasn't last but I was not in the middle of the pack this time I was at the end of the pack of runners this time. I know at least I finished it and all that but I can't help being so disappointed in myself. But I am just going to get back on it and start working harder so that I can finish the one in September better. Then I still have to work up for the harder run in November.

Fingers Crossed

We have been battling our insurance company. Last year we went through the appeal process and won and had Brae's speech paid for 2007. Well 2008 we lost 2 appeals and were battling what we felt was totally uphill. We had to unfortunately drop Brae to once a week because paying entirely by cash from January 2008 to present was so hard so about a month ago we went to once a week.

We have not been laying down we have been fighting and not taking no for an answer. Hubby gets a call yesterday the entire year is being reprocessed it will be paid and that the corporate offices have changed the wording of the policies so it will not happen again. So he said it will be paid back to January of this year and from here on out. We feel confident that this guy would not have told us had he not been certain as he knows how specific we are on our record keeping and how we have called him and others out before on telling us things. So hopefully in a few weeks I will have a huge credit at the speech place and not have to pay copays for a long long time and he can go back to going two days a week as he needs! Just have to keep going even after they tell you no.

Back to school cake

I am not officially starting back with the kids until Monday but we had to have a fun cake today. I was worried about working with the gluten free cake and frosting but no problems so yeah I can still do my fun cakes.

This and that

Been feeling like I have a lot of balls in the air juggling right now so that is why posting is a little sporadic. Between getting ready for school, coop planning, girl scouts, Brae stuff, paralegal work and general life stuff it is a little crazy but I am sure it will soon settle into a routine.

I have another 5K scheduled for Saturday. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and let me run this week. I am hoping to at least finish about where I did in my first 5K. I still have quite away to work up before November. I need to be doing 7 miles by November 16.

This week we have friends in from Fort Worth. We will start school on the 18th so this is our last fun week before school starts.

Brae is still doing very well with all his new meds. His new thing is seeing how quickly he can take them. What a wonderful attitude he has and for that I am so grateful.

Started planning for the Fall home school coop that I am director of. I know the kids will love it and it seems to be coming together.

I was talking with Brae about our next trip to the doctor in September and told him it would just be him and I that sissy was staying home with dad. His response was "Great and then the next time I can stay home and sissy can take my place at the doctor I am sure he can't tell the difference"...hmmm not sure it works that way but I will say he definetly keeps me smiling.

So not me, but I am really getting into it.

For those that know me personally you know I am a convenience type of girl not a make things from scratch. Or at least I had been that way. Now that we are having to do gluten free I am getting so into making my own bread, and even been making jams.

However this new thing shocked me that I did. I had read a few blogs about making laundry detergent. I didn't think it was something I would do. But further reading about different ingredients even in stuff I thought was good I thought okay let me price it and try it. You can make liquid or powder. I usually use liquid but the powder recipe looked easier so I did it.

I so love it. It was inexpensive. The ingredients were all found at my local Harp's grocery store all lined up together. It was less than $5 and I have ingredients left for next batch. I made the large batch. It makes the clothes smell so fresh and clean and no need for fabric softener.

Powdered Laundry Detergent
1 cup grated Fels Naptha Soap
1/2 cup washing soda
1/2 cup 20 mule team borax
Mix and store in airtight container or bag. For light loads, use 2 tablespoon. For heavy loads, use 3 tablespoons.
To make a large batch - grate 6 bars of Fels Naptha Soap and then add 3 cups of Washing Soda and 3 cups of 20 Mule Team Borax. Mix well and store in covered container.
TIP: The above recipes will NOT make suds in your washer so don't be alarmed. Fels Naptha Soap is a pure soap and typically makes little or no suds in the water. This makes it perfect for use in the new HE washers as well as traditional washers. You will also notice the need to either reduce your laundry softener or in most cases you can even eliminate the use of softener completely.

You can find the liquid recipes at SoapsGoneBuy

Lots of trial things

Been working out the gluten free cooking. Who thought it would be so different from just cooking? It is. Harder to make it right or at least it is to me at this time. One pizza crust ended in the trash yesterday before it even made it to the oven the second one was good (I don't want to admit that hubby made the second one).
I am loving my new bread maker it even has a gluten free cycle on it. I don't like the bread I made but everyone else in the house does so I guess that is what counts. The bread maker even has a jam cycle on it. My dad had brought over blackberries yesterday so I made blackberry jam last night going to try it out this morning.
I ordered the flour that a friend suggested but haven't gotten it in yet. So far using a lot of mixes. Reading lots and lots of books and trying things some not so great but I am hoping it gets better.

Home

We made it home.
Had a little scare on the freeway in Dallas, but it was all okay. Traveling behind a pickup truck when a huge sheet of cardboard came out of the back (probably 6 foot by 3 foot) and I knew it was going to hit my car I was just hoping it wouldn't cover the windshield it didn't it landed on the hood and got caught on the front giving me time to slow down and pull over and let it fall off. But still scared me.
But we are home safe. Hubby had the house all clean and looking great complete with fresh flowers on the table. Very nice.
Braden is doing SO good on taking all of his pills and on the diet. I am so proud of him.
Here is a pic of the kids on Britt's last day of camp, Braden had to have a net hat too. Britt received best camper award, and I was told on more than one occasion that her sportsmanship was wonderful.

Thursday in Austin

Well it looks like we will be heading home on Saturday. That is the good news. The not so great but we will deal with it and be thankful is that we have to be here one week a month indefinetly for treatment. We will have to be here the first week of September we will drive down Labor day and then have appts, Tues, Wed and Thurs with treatments. This new doctor is very aggressive which I like. Bradens pills, supplemenst etc are up to 40 some odd a day now starting tomorrow so we will see how that goes. He had a new medicine starting this morning but he had an allergic reaction so they changed it. Glad we were here for the allergic reaction. Tomorrow is Britt's last day of camp and the camp tournament so she is excited. I am excited to be going home Saturday and trying not to be overwhlemed about the prospect of once a month for who knows how long.

Pics

Changing tunes to share some pics needed a break tonight from thinking of medical issues. Britt is so enjoying her basketball camp this week. So glad she is getting the opportunity. Today she got autograph of Bruce Bowen Spurs #12. So here are some pics from camp and a snap shot of Brae.

Attitude adjusted

Okay yesterdays post I was frustrated and down. Today I am back to being so overwhelming thankful that all we have to deal with is what we have to deal with. I lost touch with that for a short while but I amback where I need my perspective to be and we will keep going. Brae already has the new doc and staff in love with him. The doc said that he just was so funny and had an unmatchable personality. So true and I am so grateful for it and for the fact that we are able to keep searching for treatments and ways to help.

Frustrated

Had several appointments for Brae. Very frustrated right now. They are not doing the procedure to clean up scar tissue because of an infection that has to be cleared up first. The rheumotologist and me butted heads big time. The nuero was great as always but still very frustrated with things the new Nutritionilst was very nice really think I will like him, the autism specific doc so far I am disappointed but maybe that will change. I will see all the docs several more times this week except the rheumo doc which was definitely a mutual decision on her and my part.

Brae is handling things well. I am a little frustrated but trying not to be. I will give more details later too but just wanted to touch base.

Monday

Testing part is all done, we will start getting results tomorrow. They decided to do a PETscan which scared me but he said it was simply because it was time to do it not because of a specific reason. We have 4 appointments tomorrow. We should know then about procedure, and how long we will need to be here. Hopefully will know more.

This weekend we spent at Sea Wolrd fun and sun. Still can't get my laptop or Britt's going so no pictures yet.

Britt started her basketball camp today and she got Best Camper of the Day! There were about 150 kids and only about 15 girls. She is the tallest in the 10 and under group. I have some pics but of course can't load them as of yet.

Made it

We made it to Austin I am having trouble setting up my wireless on my laptop so having to borrow my aunts computer.

The drive to Austin was good. Britt was so happy to get to stop and spend the money she has been saving at the American Girl store in Dallas. Austin traffic was terrible as usual but we made it to my aunt's Friday evening. They are out of town all weekend so we have the house to ourselves. We spent the day at Sea World we are all tired got a lot of sun but had fun it was just me and the kids.

Doctors appointments start heavy on Tuesday so we will enjoy this very hot but fun weekend before that. Britt will start her basketball camp on Monday. Tomorrow we are hitting Sea World again since the passes we got from the hospital were for 2 days we are going to use them.

I ran this morning, whew humidity and hills about did me in but it is good to run a different course.

Now I want one

My friend Kim had a neat underwater digital camera today. I told Matt now I want one..lol. It was neat. The kids loved it. Here are a few pics she took.

One of those weeks.

I can almost picture the rain cloud right over my head like in the cartoons. Or at least that is what this week is feeling like. Just a sampling of some of the things of the week so far:
* I lay out something for dinner out of the freezer that is in the garage and apparently do not close the door good. Hubby finds it the next morning totally defrosted. So get to cook lots and lots of meat..ugh.
* Central air starts having problems. Because that is so needed when it is 103.
* My attorney friend I do some freelance work for left town for a weeks vacation. Leaving me in charge of his elderly mother whom the kids and I go and visit often anyway. She develops some acute infection in her jaw and is taken into the hospital where I have been having to spend lots of time and make all decisions since I have temporary power of attorney.

And really those are just a few of the rain drops that have hit me in the head this week. Then at 2am this morning our security alarm starts going off jarring me immediately awake of course. After hubby checks everything and calls the company turns out there is some kind of back up battery in the attic that needs changed(a battery type that you can only by through them or maybe radio shack). We didn't even know there was a battery up there. So instant jarring awake headache. Now insomnia.

Okay so that is my whining post. But I am thankful because first off hubby caught the food before it was ruined, the air was fixed for a very minimal price by a friend's husband, my friends mother is doing well and he has told me how much he appreciates it and I know he really needed a break. Also thankful that it was just a battery that made the alarm go off. We are all safe and I need to just hold the umbrella steady and let this cloud go on past. I am in a metaphor mood...LOL. I have not packed a thing for Austin yet and we leave tomorrow morning early early.

5 miles and lyrics

5 miles this morning. I didn't run it all but now I have the distance so I will work on my pace and time. I plan 5 miles till September then 6, then 7 in October, and get to 8 end of October first of November. The race on November 16 is 7.5. I think I will stay at 8 miles I can't see myself ever wanting to run more than that. Of course 3 months ago I would have said I didn't want to run a mile. So now I will continue to work up on my 5 miles.

Hubby had put a bunch more songs on my mp3 player. I had been trying to think of ones. I had tried some of the running pages but a lot of those are too hard rock stuff, or lyrics that I don't like. So we started finding more 80's 90's stuff to put on their that I like. Well I remembered doing the 6th grade talent show with some friends to the song by Olivia Newton John "Let's Get Physical"...we were all in our workout clothes doing jumping jacks, etc. Okay now I listen to that song and it is so not jumping jacks they are talking about...what was my mom thinking letting me listen to that much less sing it in front of people. Eeek. No way would I allow that. Of course back then I don't think it even registered to me what it was about. I must be getting old because I was thinking about my favorite song from high school by Tiffany and I was like eek that is so not appropriate...so definitely signs of getting old!..LOL

Getting ready for Austin trip

A pretty laid back weekend here which is always nice. Especially since the next few weeks will be a whirlwind. We leave the end of this week for Austin for several appointments with Braden. Some are with our already established doctors some are with new ones. The neuro will look at the scar tissue issue and make a final determination on that. We will be visiting several other docs and some of them I am really looking forward to the input. Hubby won't be traveling with us it just couldn't work luckily I have a good support system down there with my aunt and uncle being close. Britt will be attending San Antonio Spurs basketball camp during the week which will be great for her as she will not have to endure all the sitting and waiting of doctor appointments.

Of course getting ready for the trip is always a little stressful. We do plan to have some fun when we are there. We will get there Friday and have testing for the neuro, then we get passes for Sea World from the hospital which is always such a treat for the kids. We will use our passes over the weekend and be ready for doctors appointments, etc to start on Monday. If all goes well we should be heading home in about a week after arriving.

The kids have lots of change to turn in at the bank today they have been saving that will give them some spending money and take away the asking Mom for things and save my budget that I will have us on. I am a little concerned on how much we will have to eat out with Braden's dietary restrictions but I am sure we will handle it, and he is handling the diet changes as he does with everything - a wonderful attitude and lots of laughter...I have said it before and I am sure I will say it again I am so blessed by his easy going attitude during anything he goes through.

Better start this busy week I have already warned the kids it is errand running day. Britt immediately started a list and Brae immediately grabbed his throat and said it was going to kill him....oh those two so night and day.

School Room

I put everything on the shelves in the homeschool room last night. This is our first year to have our own room. Thanks to hubby who completely gave up his office space and is now in a corner in the master bedroom. We love the school room. I think it is going to help so much as well. We made it work not having one but I think we will be able to do so much more having our own space. Here are some pics of it. Now I just have to get all the books gone through and lesson plans made.

All done shopping!

I now have all the supplies for school for this coming year. All curriculum has been purchased, art supplies, fun add ons all done. Great feeling on that. Not so great feeling is that it is all piled on a table in the school room where it needs put on the shelves and needs lesson plans made. At least the purchasing part is done.

I always get so excited about starting school. Finding new ways for the kids to like school. Of course my son is a little bit of a challenge...did I say little challenge I think that is quite an understatement where he is concerned..lol. However, even he thought some of the stuff I brought in from the big sale yesterday at Mardel's looked fun. Or as he put it "it might not kill me"...but might and will kill him are different and a big improvement from him..LOL.

Running

I feel like I am finally back after my muscle pull. That was not fun. Stretching and warming up are now much more important to me than they were. I did my 3 miles this morning. Now I am going to work on my pace and endurance on the 3 miles for the next week or so then start adding. My goal is to run 1/4 marathon in November which is a little over 7 miles. I think this is a reasonable goal that is attainable for me. I have found not to set those huge long term goals shorter works better for me.

It amuses me that people say I have inspired them. I so don't look at myself that way. However it does make me smile and maybe put a little more run in my step the next day when I am thinking about it.

Some have asked how I got started well here it is. January 2 I decided I was going to lose weight I said it was to be healthier but at that time I didn't yet have the proper mindset I was still too hung up on the scale. I watched what I ate, but I didn't really exercise regularly I would more play at it here and there. In May I had lost about 25 pounds but I really wasn't feeling better. Starting mid May I was talking to a friend who is an inspiration to me and she had started running. I was like okay I might enjoy that. My first day out I huffed and puffed out 1 mile of walking. However after I felt pretty good. I continued knowing I had to keep pushing myself. I worked up gradually first working up to walking a mile easily, then 2 then adding running in and then walking until I could run 3 miles. I never understood the term runners high because hey this is exercise and believe me I am a couch potato. But there is such a thing as a runners high and passing that finish line on the 5K was a just wonderful feeling of accomplishment. It was not an easy path believe me I wanted to quit so many times, I had weird issues like my toenails would bleed, muscle aches things I had to push through but the end result is so worth it. Now I feel awful during the day if for some reason I did not get to get out that morning.

My next race is August 16 it is a 5K my goal is to finish it at a better pace than I did my first one on July 3. After that I will be running in September another 5K and continue to work up to the quarter marathon in November.

Running is fun never thought I would say that but it is. Also my health has improved soooo much my blood pressure is the lowest it has been in years. I am weaning off some blood pressure heart medication successfully.

There is a lot of fun events as well. I am getting my kids involved in the kids run in Tulsa, OK in November it is with the marathon events. Cool Running is a site where you can look up events for your state. Here is a begin to run article.

13 years

13 years ago today (despite the fact that the time stamp on the pic says different..LOL...just one of those little wedding day glitches).....

Britt loved hearing me tell about our wedding day last night, and all the little tricks my brother played on us that day. I loved telling about it.
Happy Anniversary Honey and yes I would do it again in a heartbeat!

He was just a little too excited

Last night Britt had started sorting her books, getting rid of younger readers, making a stack of ones she didn't like, ones that she thought her brother would, etc.
Told her we would take them to the book shoppe or put the large sets on ebay.

This morning I told Brae that he could go through and clean out his books too. I should have known by his "really?" that I had said the wrong thing. I walk by his room and he is literally pulling every book he owns into a laundry basket. I said "What are you doing?"..his reply "Getting rid of my books". I said not all of them, no you have to keep some books. His response "Aw man I shoulda known it was too good to be true".

Weekend Wrap Up

Not too much to report for this weekend except it went by entirely to fast.

Friday night hubby and I went out for an early anniversary celebration. Our actual anniversary is Tuesday but we will be having fun at the waterpark with our home school group then. A middle of the week anniversary is hard anyway. So we had a nice evening out. We went to the new super Center WalMart they had opened their gas station that day and had a special of $3.59 a gallon on gas. People were lined up for 2 miles. We didn't wait in the line but it was quite a site. The kids spent the night at mom and dad's and we weren't suppose to pick them up until about 1 on Saturday so we had a very relaxing lazy Saturday morning. After picking the kids up and eating a late lunch it was home to cheer on our nascar favorites.

Sunday was church and ready for the week. Did get in the pool with the kids for awhile. My leg is still not healed. What a muscle pull that turned into. I did get out and jog/walk 1 mile this morning. I guess I have to get it strengthened back up.

Britt is blowing through her sets of American Girl books. I have started yet another way to try to motivate Brae to read. I have now wrapped a present up and on the present their are 10 names of books with a place for initials. After he has read those 10 books and they are initialed then he gets to open the present. We shall see if this helps to get him motivated. As he puts it "I just don't get this pressing me to learn stuff"...that boy.

It was bound to happen

Yesterday I had a doctors appointment with my heart/blood pressure doctor. One of the topics was my running. Thankfully he was fully behind me running. We talked about stretching, training, etcetera.

He said that I was doing great and that usually the first 3 months is when you got the injuries. He said that I was over half way through with that so I was probably going to do fine from here on out.

Well he should have just tripped me going out the door because that statement had the same effect.

Last night before bed decided to take the kids for a walk. I had stretched out with the kids using and showing them the new stretches the doctor had taught me. About half way through Brae says "lets race" so him and I took off. I felt the muscle pull immediately. By the time I limped home I already had a knot in the upper inner thigh muscle. Matt had to literally help me to the bed last night. I slept with ice on it. I can move this morning but it is very slow going. So the run is off for this morning and I may just called Dr. S and tell him he jinxed me with his comment..lol.

Blessing

I haven't said much about it but the last probably 4 weeks have been even more stressful than the usual medical issues, etcetera. There was a chance that we were going to have to move to PA if hubby was to keep his same job. Otherwise he would have to turn down the offer and we would have 6 months to find something else. We had both been feeling okay about it then read an email yesterday and both got a little freaked out. We have been praying, friends, and family has been praying. Today hubby got the call, his job is not affected and to keep up the good work! So thankful. I think hubby just looked so much more relaxed after the call. Unfortunately one of our good friends who lives in Texas is affected it seems so that is not good. Right now we are concentrating on having that particular burden lifted. I sooooo didn't want to move back to PA. We may still eventually move from where we are but not quite so far away and not right now.

Another Wednesday...Another Cake

Time for swimming again, this time we are swimming and celebrating Zoey's birthday. I asked her what kind of cake she wanted and her reply was a Purple Monkey Head. Okay...first I contemplated how to cut a monkey head out of a 9 x 13 but got it figured out. Color didn't show up good in the picture but it is PURPLE! I even used a white cake mix and died the batter purple for her. She will see it this afternoon.

Cooler haircut....

Another Brae story

Been getting all the homeschool stuff ready to go. The room is coming together nicely. Lots of talk has been going on about the new books, etcetera. Sitting in the living room Britt says: "Mom I can't wait to start school I wish we could start tomorrow"

Brae who had been ignoring the conversation turns around with a disgusted look on his face and says "Sometimes I don't even know how you are my sister".

Yep those two are night and day and it is safe to say Brae is not ready to start school..LOL.

Fourth Fun

Fourth of July was fun and relaxed. We didn't have as many people over as we have in the past and it was so nice. Didn't feel like i was having to entertain. The kids had so much fun. I had to show a pic of Brae's crocs because he was so proud of himself and the fact that he found a way to do 4th of July by wearing one red and one blue croc.

 

Addicted

Okay after finishing the 5K I am so addicted...I have signed up for 3 more 5k's and a quarter marathon in November.

Found the neatest thing for the kids to do. You get a chart and it has 1/4 mile squares you start August 1 and keep track then on November 16 you go and you finish your marathon by doing 1.3 miles...you get a tshirt and a medal. I think the kids will love it and it will be so good for them.

November 16th will be my longest it will be the quarter marathon which is a little over 6 miles so double what I did last night. I have till November and I will do 3 more 5k's between now and then. I am so excited.

1st one completed

I can now officially say I did my first 5K.

Last night I completed it. I almost made myself sick worrying about it, but it turned out pretty good. Talk about a blessing it was so hot when we got there it was being held at 7:00 pm. I even had a cool rag wrapped around my neck but as the pistol fired the rain started. Now in some ways the rain made it harder but mostly it kept it cool. It rained over half the race. The biggest problem....HILLS....I have not ran with hills before but it wasn't as bad as I had thought it would be. I kept thinking okay I keep going up surely eventually the hills start going down, but I don't think they ever did. I think it would have been much worse if I hadn't had the rain to cool off a little. Of course the rain added other problems because a lot of the roads through the mountain were dirt so it got wet and slick mud. I was soaked through by the end

I kept saying I just wanted to finish even last I just wanted to finish. I did have a little trouble pacing myself but I think that comes with being my first race.
The results:
Out of 91 female runners I placed 44.
Out of 10 in my age bracket I placed 5.
About 38 minutes. I came in 8 minutes and 43 seconds behind the winner.
So I was pretty much in the middle and now I am pumped to do it again. I am entering on in Tulsa in August. I can even still say I am ready to do it again the morning after but I won't lie I am sore.

There were two times during the race I almost wanted to quit, I wouldn't but I have to say I was like why did I do this, but crossing that finish line was the most awesome feeling. I totally get the expression runners high I think it is great. So now the goal is to keep training for the August run, there is one in Fort Chafee in September, then I may up it to a 10K by November we shall see.

Here are a few pics...me before the race..

This and that

Insomnia has struck again. I find myself getting up earlier and earlier. Sometimes I get things done, other times I just tend to piddle the time away but I do enjoy the quiet time.

Tonight is my first 5K run, I have done the distance before but not officially in a race setting. The goal is to finish. The race is at 7pm in a town with a higher elevation than I am used to so that has me a little worried added in with the fact that I usually run at 5am and it is 70 degrees then to 7pm when it is 90 degrees. So the goal is to finish. They are having fireworks after the race so that should be fun.

Got all my hair cut off yesterday. So much cooler. My hair is so thick so even pulling it into ponytails gives me a headache so this will be easier. I got it straightened again too. I had thought about letting the straightner grow off and going back to my natural curly hair but I just couldn't do it. I am addicted to having the straight hair now.


Kids and I have a few errands to run today. Having my parents, Father in law, and some friends over for the 4th so looking forward to that.

The hairstyles had changed...

I got to meet a best friend from high school for lunch today. It had been well over 10 years since we had anything more than just a passing Hi to each other. Probably longer than that. It was so wonderful to catch up. If our hair would have been ratted out 6 inches it would have been just like old times.

I for one am thankful the hair styles have changed but it was nice catching up and seeing wow how everyones lives turned out so different than we had planned over pizza at the Quick Pick during many lunches. She is in touch and knew about a lot more people than I did so I feel informed now..lol. We have said we are going to make it at least a monthly thing and maybe twice a month. I can't wait I feel like we just stepped back 15 years and I could trust her with anything I wanted to talk to her about. I realized how much I had missed her and how much we have missed of each others lives, troubles, joys, etc. Still lots to catch up on to get us back up to date.