Setting the scene: Flora and Scout are sitting at the table. Flora is "writing a story" -- meaning she is drawing pictures and making up a story out-loud to go with the pictures.
Flora: [telling her story] One day, Flora walked outside and a beautiful butterfly landed on her shoulder. She went for a walk with the butterfly and the butterfly TALKED to her.
Scout: And then came the giant! FEE FIE FO FUM!
Flora: NO, SCOUT! There are no giants in this story because giants are pretend and this story is real. [continuing her story] And the butterfly talked to Flora and they went on a walk all by themselves with no parents.
Scout: And then came the giant! FEE FIE FO FUM!
Flora: NO, SCOUT! This is my story and there are no giants in my story. Just butterflies.
Scout: FEE FIE FO FUM!
Flora: NO, SCOUT! [continuing her story] So they walked all by themselves and the butterfly talked to Flora and then they came home and they were best friends.
Scout: And then came the giant.
Flora: [sigh] Yes, Scout, and then came the giant.
Scout: FEE FIE FO FUM!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Monday, September 26, 2011
roadkill, panoramic views, and pancakes.....my first 5k
Yea me! Ok, I know that people run these things all the time and I also know that half of my friends do marathons or 15k runs or Warrior Dash events, but for ME a 5k was a big deal. And it's my blog so I'm going to commemorate my very first 5k by dedicating a whole post to my "5k day." That's right -- the rest of this post is about me running 3.2 miles. If that doesn't sound exciting then you are welcome to stop reading right now. But there will be pancakes at the end....
My alarm went off at 7am (race starts at 8am about 15-20 minutes away). Perhaps I should have woken up earlier but I thought that being half-asleep when the run began might actually be an advantage for me. The first thing I thought when I woke up was, "Huh," (I said that part out loud) "I was hoping I would feel more like running when my alarm went off." I've never been a morning runner (it used to make me sick to my stomach) but, golly, it's hard to find a 5k event in the afternoon or evening. Also, I had a crick in my neck when I woke up. I took that to be a bad omen.
I quickly got dressed, ate half a banana muffin, drank some water, and googled directions to the race. Then I told Chris to wish me luck and keep his phone on in case I passed out or something and headed out the door. On the way, I decided that I would put no pressure on myself. I ran 5k on the treadmill back in April but I haven't run that far since then. I get so bored on the treadmill though..... Anyway, I was basically only running this 5k to check it off my 30x30 list and I had already determined that running 5k on the treadmill in April plus running/walking a REAL 5k in September would be enough to allow me to check it off my list.
So anyway, I got lost but eventually made it to the registration area and started my trek up a huge hill toward the starting line. I guess I'm thankful that running up that huge hill wasn't part of the 5k but, WOW, that was a pretty intense warm-up! I had about 5 minutes to mill around at the starting line making small talk with people that I didn't know and didn't plan to ever see again (always weird) before they blew the horn.
As the race began I was happily running with a large crowd of people thinking, "If I keep up this pace I'll be finished in no time!" and then realizing, "Um, Stefanie, there's no chance that you can keep up this pace -- SLOW DOWN!" So as hard as it was to let people pass me when I had so much energy, I slowed down. Good thing I did! About two minutes into running my legs started to burn and feel completely spent. I know what this is -- it happens every time I'm on the treadmill too. I always tell myself that if I can make it through the first five minutes then I can basically run forever. Not really forever....but basically. But this time the feeling really scared me because the huge hill HAD already worn me out some and I almost panicked thinking, "I can't stop running NOW! I've only been running for TWO MINUTES!" And that's when I found my running buddy.
At first it was awkward. I ran behind her for a while, decided I liked her pace, and thought I would just follow her for as long as I could keep up. I'm certain she could hear me and wondered who was 5k stalking her but I didn't really care. Eventually we ended up running side-by-side but not really acknowledging it. Still awkward. But finally roadkill brought us together. Seriously......it's a 1.5 mile stretch of road -- couldn't someone have cleaned up the dead animal carcasses before the race??? Ugh. Gross. I should have added one more entry to my 30x30 list: "Run 5k -- CHECK. Jump over dead raccoon bits -- CHECK." My running buddy and I exchanged words about how disgusting it was thus breaking the ice and taking our relationship to the next level.
We ran the entire 5k together. She was 45-years-old and had just moved here from Louisiana. Her daughter was joining the Air Force soon and she was helping her train for it by running 5ks with her. She was a first grade teacher and knew tons of the other runners because of her involvement in the community. I'm pretty sure she's the reason I was able to run the whole thing. And God too -- I was doing a lot of praying before and after this 5k! He's probably the one who sent her to me. My very own running angel. Okay......this is getting weird.
ANYWAY, we ran along the Smithville Lake Dam so the views were spectacular.
There were two uphill sections but it was mostly very flat. And the end was DOWN that huge hill that I had to walk up to get to the starting line. FABulous! Every 5k should end downhill. My time was 37:30 -- not spectacular but I was expecting to do it in 50 minutes so I was pleasantly surprised to see the time at the finish line.
And yes, I was a dork and took a picture of myself at the finish line. Not pretty, but you know what they say, "If you look pretty after exercising then you didn't do it right."
And yes, there were pancakes at the end! All-you-can-eat pancakes! So basically any calories that I burned running in the 5k were immediately replaced with the pancakes. Hopefully I broke even.
And then I hurried home to shower and get ready for church. Chris had gotten the kids up and taken them to church so I could go do the 5k. He did a pretty decent job. Flora's hair was a ratty mess and her shirt was on backward and Timber wasn't wearing shoes but overall I'll give him a solid B. I was just thankful that he was willing to do that for me. I have an awesome husband!
When I saw Flora and Scout at church they asked me if I won my race. I told them, "YES! I did!" Then Flora asked, "How did you get all the other people to stop running?" She was onto me.
Oh well....I still think I won. Yea me!
My alarm went off at 7am (race starts at 8am about 15-20 minutes away). Perhaps I should have woken up earlier but I thought that being half-asleep when the run began might actually be an advantage for me. The first thing I thought when I woke up was, "Huh," (I said that part out loud) "I was hoping I would feel more like running when my alarm went off." I've never been a morning runner (it used to make me sick to my stomach) but, golly, it's hard to find a 5k event in the afternoon or evening. Also, I had a crick in my neck when I woke up. I took that to be a bad omen.
I quickly got dressed, ate half a banana muffin, drank some water, and googled directions to the race. Then I told Chris to wish me luck and keep his phone on in case I passed out or something and headed out the door. On the way, I decided that I would put no pressure on myself. I ran 5k on the treadmill back in April but I haven't run that far since then. I get so bored on the treadmill though..... Anyway, I was basically only running this 5k to check it off my 30x30 list and I had already determined that running 5k on the treadmill in April plus running/walking a REAL 5k in September would be enough to allow me to check it off my list.
So anyway, I got lost but eventually made it to the registration area and started my trek up a huge hill toward the starting line. I guess I'm thankful that running up that huge hill wasn't part of the 5k but, WOW, that was a pretty intense warm-up! I had about 5 minutes to mill around at the starting line making small talk with people that I didn't know and didn't plan to ever see again (always weird) before they blew the horn.
As the race began I was happily running with a large crowd of people thinking, "If I keep up this pace I'll be finished in no time!" and then realizing, "Um, Stefanie, there's no chance that you can keep up this pace -- SLOW DOWN!" So as hard as it was to let people pass me when I had so much energy, I slowed down. Good thing I did! About two minutes into running my legs started to burn and feel completely spent. I know what this is -- it happens every time I'm on the treadmill too. I always tell myself that if I can make it through the first five minutes then I can basically run forever. Not really forever....but basically. But this time the feeling really scared me because the huge hill HAD already worn me out some and I almost panicked thinking, "I can't stop running NOW! I've only been running for TWO MINUTES!" And that's when I found my running buddy.
At first it was awkward. I ran behind her for a while, decided I liked her pace, and thought I would just follow her for as long as I could keep up. I'm certain she could hear me and wondered who was 5k stalking her but I didn't really care. Eventually we ended up running side-by-side but not really acknowledging it. Still awkward. But finally roadkill brought us together. Seriously......it's a 1.5 mile stretch of road -- couldn't someone have cleaned up the dead animal carcasses before the race??? Ugh. Gross. I should have added one more entry to my 30x30 list: "Run 5k -- CHECK. Jump over dead raccoon bits -- CHECK." My running buddy and I exchanged words about how disgusting it was thus breaking the ice and taking our relationship to the next level.
We ran the entire 5k together. She was 45-years-old and had just moved here from Louisiana. Her daughter was joining the Air Force soon and she was helping her train for it by running 5ks with her. She was a first grade teacher and knew tons of the other runners because of her involvement in the community. I'm pretty sure she's the reason I was able to run the whole thing. And God too -- I was doing a lot of praying before and after this 5k! He's probably the one who sent her to me. My very own running angel. Okay......this is getting weird.
ANYWAY, we ran along the Smithville Lake Dam so the views were spectacular.
There were two uphill sections but it was mostly very flat. And the end was DOWN that huge hill that I had to walk up to get to the starting line. FABulous! Every 5k should end downhill. My time was 37:30 -- not spectacular but I was expecting to do it in 50 minutes so I was pleasantly surprised to see the time at the finish line.
And yes, I was a dork and took a picture of myself at the finish line. Not pretty, but you know what they say, "If you look pretty after exercising then you didn't do it right."
And yes, there were pancakes at the end! All-you-can-eat pancakes! So basically any calories that I burned running in the 5k were immediately replaced with the pancakes. Hopefully I broke even.
When I saw Flora and Scout at church they asked me if I won my race. I told them, "YES! I did!" Then Flora asked, "How did you get all the other people to stop running?" She was onto me.
Oh well....I still think I won. Yea me!
i'll tie it -- you stick it
Scout and Chris toured the GM plant during an open house thing they did this week. After seeing all the cars being built, they got to see one of the very first 2013 Malibus in the showroom. Scout asked, "We get to take that one home??"
*****
Scout: Can I paint the walls too?
Me: No, this paint is only for grown-ups.
Scout: I'm not a grown-up.....
Me: Nope. What are you?
Scout: A little grown-up!
*****
(overheard)
Scout: Those are pretty shoes, Flora.
Flora: Thanks. These are my heels.
Scout: Oh. They're pretty.......can I wear your heels, Flora?
Flora: No, silly, boys don't wear heels.
Scout: Why?
Flora: Because.
Scout: Why because?
Flora: Because because.
Scout: Why because because?
Flora: Because because BECAUSE!
(a few minutes later Scout walked into the kitchen wearing Flora's heels)
*****
Setting the scene: Flora and Scout are playing outside. Flora has a jump rope and Scout has a big stick. I'm spying from the kitchen window. Imagine Flora with both fists on her waist during this entire conversation.
Flora: Scout, we should be superheroes!
Scout: Okay.
Flora: I have the power to tie things and you have the power to stick things. We will help things that aren't working right.
Scout: Okay.
Flora: Superhero Flora and Superhero Scout to the rescue!!
Scout: Okay!
(and they both run off into the yard to save something that "isn't working")
*****
Flora has been asking what things mean lately. She stumped me by asking what "mean" means. I asked for clarification, "You mean when people are mean to other people?" "No," she said, "I mean when I ask what things mean what does mean mean?" Um.....???
*****
We saw some kind of exotic deer on our most recent trip to the zoo. I don't remember what they were but they looked like whitetail deer only shorter and stockier. As soon as Flora saw them she asked, "Are these the deer that Daddy eats?"
*****
Timber is 1-year-old now!!! He had a fun birthday. He opened presents first thing in the morning (Scout knew what he was getting and couldn't wait to play with Timber's new helicopter). Then Timber and I went to Baby Storytime at the library. There were bubbles and fun songs and toys -- fun! After a trip to the park, we all went home for lunch and naps. Timber got his yummy, messy birthday cupcake after dinner. All-in-all a good birthday for Mr. Timberific!
*****
Scout: Can I paint the walls too?
Me: No, this paint is only for grown-ups.
Scout: I'm not a grown-up.....
Me: Nope. What are you?
Scout: A little grown-up!
*****
(overheard)
Scout: Those are pretty shoes, Flora.
Flora: Thanks. These are my heels.
Scout: Oh. They're pretty.......can I wear your heels, Flora?
Flora: No, silly, boys don't wear heels.
Scout: Why?
Flora: Because.
Scout: Why because?
Flora: Because because.
Scout: Why because because?
Flora: Because because BECAUSE!
(a few minutes later Scout walked into the kitchen wearing Flora's heels)
*****
Setting the scene: Flora and Scout are playing outside. Flora has a jump rope and Scout has a big stick. I'm spying from the kitchen window. Imagine Flora with both fists on her waist during this entire conversation.
Flora: Scout, we should be superheroes!
Scout: Okay.
Flora: I have the power to tie things and you have the power to stick things. We will help things that aren't working right.
Scout: Okay.
Flora: Superhero Flora and Superhero Scout to the rescue!!
Scout: Okay!
(and they both run off into the yard to save something that "isn't working")
*****
Flora has been asking what things mean lately. She stumped me by asking what "mean" means. I asked for clarification, "You mean when people are mean to other people?" "No," she said, "I mean when I ask what things mean what does mean mean?" Um.....???
*****
We saw some kind of exotic deer on our most recent trip to the zoo. I don't remember what they were but they looked like whitetail deer only shorter and stockier. As soon as Flora saw them she asked, "Are these the deer that Daddy eats?"
*****
Timber is 1-year-old now!!! He had a fun birthday. He opened presents first thing in the morning (Scout knew what he was getting and couldn't wait to play with Timber's new helicopter). Then Timber and I went to Baby Storytime at the library. There were bubbles and fun songs and toys -- fun! After a trip to the park, we all went home for lunch and naps. Timber got his yummy, messy birthday cupcake after dinner. All-in-all a good birthday for Mr. Timberific!
Thursday, September 22, 2011
blog FAIL
Almost a MONTH since I last posted???? Yikes! I should write something! I'll try to get to it tomorrow -- lots of pics of Timber's 1st birthday to post!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)