Issues

It is completely amazing to me how dense I can be at times. I have been having these horribly Scroogy-type feelings towards Christmas and it took me until driving to my counseling appointment yesterday to figure it out. Um yeah...of course I am going to have a hard time with the holidays this year. I miss my baby. But once I left my appointment (after coming up with a plan to deal with it and include him in the holidays) I felt honestly 10 pounds lighter. The kids and I talked about it last night and we decided the best way to honor Kruex this Christmas would be to buy some gifts that we think he would have loved and then donate them to kids that need them and would enjoy them. We usually choose one or two different charities to donate to during this time of year anyway, and this will be a really personal way for the kids to feel like they are helping someone. I think we just found a new Christmas tradition :)

So, now that I have finally dealt with my issues...bring on the shopping and decorating! Which is good since The Boss's big plan for the weekend is to get a tree up in my house and hang lights, too, and now I can be cheery and fun instead of crabby and sad :P

The house is clean. I've gotten a couple of workouts in so far this week. Hopefully I can find time to get a run in tonight, but it is frigid out these days and I have a head cold starting, which is no fun. But overall, I am finally looking forward to the holiday season again. And before long it will be over and it will be on to Sunny Arizona! I need to kick it into gear, kids!

I Love Me A Holiday Weekend!

What a whirlwind of a weekend! As insane as it was, I really wish that every weekend could be a holiday weekend :) I am proud to say that I was able to avoid all sweets over the Thanksgiving holiday, but unfortunately the same can't be said about the alcohol. There were many festive family gatherings and the spirits were flowing! I also did a completely craptacular job of getting any runs or exercise of any kind in whatsoever. It was not good, people. Not good at all.

The roses were from a new "friend". And probably top the surprise chart by any random act that any boy has ever done for me in my life. Very impressive. We have a ton in common and had a lot of fun this weekend. He has kids the same ages as mine (give or take a few months) and has also had to deal with the loss of his wife 3 years ago. Kind of scary the similarities, actually. Oh, and on the first date he actually said the "T" word, as in triathlon! I know...shock and awe.

But here is the best part! He WORKS OUT OF TOWN! I have always said that I needed to find me an over-the-road truck driver. You know...gone all week long and home over the weekend. LOL My wish may have been granted!

So, my plan for the week is to get at least two (preferrably 3) quality runs in during the week, get this house cleaned up (4 kids all week long have done a number on it) and just get ready for the weekend to start the insanity again.

Hope everyone got through the holiday weekend in one piece and without too many excess pounds!

Holy Mary! I almost forgot! Metamora won the State Championship on Saturday! It was nail-biting and came down to a last second field goal by their 14-year-old freshman kicker. Talk about the weight of the world on your shoulders!

Tagged & An Obsession

I got tagged by the lovely Mendy who I am going to have the honor of running the PF Chang's Rock 'n Roll Half-Marathon in Arizona with in January. Excited does not even begin to describe how I feel about the fact that not only are Mendy and David going to be there, but two of my very best virtual friends who I have known for the past 4+ years but never met are running it, too!!!! I just cannot wait to meet Lisa and Marcy!!!

Okay, enough mushy stuff...onto the rules of the game ;)

-- link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog
-- share 5 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird
-- tag 5 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs
-- let them know they are TAGGED by leaving a comment on their blog.

1) I have a brand spanking new obsession that has completely taken over my life. It's called "Coach" and it is serious. I have a few friends that are looking for 12-step programs and are scared. I'm like a crack whore for the "C" :P

2) I can juggle. Not overly well, or for a long period of time, or with any exciting objects. But when my son was 2 or so and needed to be entertained, I taught myself to juggle. Let me tell you, nothing could keep his attention better. Along the same lines, I can do a mean headstand. My kids are so proud of me ;)

3) I have only broke one bone in my life and it was a bone in my foot. It was also a stupid accident that happened in college and I was drunk. I have also only had stitches once, well twice. About 4 years ago I was boating and went to climb off the back of the boat to get in the water (to go to the bathroom - alcohol again involved) and my foot slipped and the prop sliced my shin up pretty good. I think it took somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 stitches to close and about 2 days after I took the stitches out, I busted it back open moving furniture and was fortunate that they re-stitched it.

4) I am a picker. I love to pick at fingernail polish, wallpaper, my poor brother's acne :X It is embarrassing at times.

5) I am a big believer in spirits. I know without a doubt that my son was with me in our living room on Sunday night. I think he is there very often, but on Sunday he made sure I knew it by playing one of his toys (that never goes off like some of the other toys that are uber-sensitive). twice.

6) and I have to add one more because I'm seriously grinning from ear-to-ear....I just got roses. And they are Bee-Ay-You-Ti-Full!!!!!

Not gonna tag anyone, but everyone is welcome to join in the fun!

Statebound Baby!!!!

The Metamora Redbirds were in their usual form on Saturday and beat Marion to get to the State Championship!!! We had so much fun and have a huge group going to Champaign for State on Friday/Saturday.

My best friend who lives across the street from me (and coincidentally in the backyard of the football field) did breakfast before the game and no "tailgate" is complete without the spiked apple cider and bloody mary's! Needless to say, it got a little wild :X Unfortunately, with all the playoff festivities and then having to come into work on Sunday, the long run that I wanted to get in just didn't happen. But, the overtime from yesterday is going to pay me back today and the plan is just to work a half day today and get in a nice long run before I pick the kids up from school/the sitter's. I can't wait!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Monday and gets to enjoy a short week :)

Marcelina McG........WE WANT YOU!

So, get your best naggy-wife voice out and talk Mr. McG into sending you to the half in January.

Because really...Arizona needs you. I need you. Lisa really needs you. And now? Well, now, Mendy & David need you, too.

Just think of all the fun we will have. Actually, since I have never previously done a list on this blog, I think I'll de-virginize the site just for you :0

1) Lisa is crazy. 'Nuff said.

2) We will get to see JavaDad make the faces IN REAL LIFE that Lisa has talked about for all these years.

3) David may be just as nuts as Lisa. For example, he keeps hinting at some insane fact that "it's just $35 to upgrade to the full". Step away from the crackpipe.

4) The weather in Arizona will be so much better than the weather in New York in January.

5) You could buy a new running outfit just for the occasion.

6) Shopping.

7) Even if you walk the whole thing, you will still probably pace the same as Lisa and I.

8) And finally - What kind of bathroom pic would it be without you there holding the camera?

So, all I'm saying is read the list. Mull it over. And then book your flight, dang it!

Just Like Me

This is the doll that Payton is asking Santa for. She doesn't quite understand that the "Just Like Me" concept is to get a doll that actually resembles you. This one is close, I'll give her that. The hair and eye color are the same, but they also have a doll with bangs that really looks like Payton. Nevertheless, she tells me that she likes this "hairstyle" best. ??? Seriously? Where does a 3-year old learn words like that?

This doll has gotten me thinking of all the ways the kids are just like me. Payton has times where she looks so much like me, it's just scary. Last night she put on a zip-up sweatshirt and kept asking my mom "Don't I look JUST like my mom?" LOL (Hey - no making fun of the sweatshirts...they're comfy :P) The worst part, however, is how much she acts like me. And not usually the good characteristics :X When she is mad (the kid has one helluva temper) she will stand, glaring at us and grit through her teeth how she is "So.Pissed.Off" Her language has some slips when she's angry, too. Guess that would be another thing we have in common :X I honestly just look at her, shrug my shoulders and say "Me too, sister, me too." When we are "disagreeing" she will decide that we aren't talking to each other, which can last for a while. And, again, it is usually just fine by me. It also never fails that once the rage has passed, she will just sob and feel so horrible for her actions. She will tell us over and over that she is "sorry for everything". Some days, it is like looking in a mirror all day long.

Then there is Jack. He has some of the same hystrionics (sp?) that Payton and I have, but for the most part I think his character is much more in line with his dad's. Pretty laid back and easily bossed around ;) Just kidding, but Jack really doesn't stand much chance with Payton and I in the same house. But last night completely proved that he is definitely my son. He had spent a long weekend with his dad. Being Veteran's Day weekend, the school combined parent/teacher conferences and the kids ended up getting a 5-day weekend. As we were leaving his dad's house, he reminded Jack to take something with him. This object was wrapped in styrofoam and I could tell it was probably something he made.

So, we get to the car and I ask what it was (even though I figured it was some kind of gift for me) and he tells me it is my Christmas present. I immediately started laughing. I mean, come on, if nothing else, everyone knows that neither Jack or I can keep a gift a secret. At all. Not even for a day. Within 3 minutes of leaving Brian's house, Jack had already slipped and told me that it was a plate (which led to uncontrollable laughter from me and angry tears from him) and within 30 minutes of finishing dinner at my grandma's he had unwrapped it and given it to me :X It's unfair really. We just can't hold our excitement in. We are the worst gift-givers ever and if I could tell him that there was no Santa, they would have all of their presents by Thanksgiving every year.

Fortunately we probably have another year or two, as it doesn't look like Jack will stop believing in Santa Claus until his rotten sister tells him the truth :P

Time to Start Knocking on Wood

Remember just Friday when I said that there was nothing much in the plans for the weekend? When, oh when am I going to learn my lesson and stop saying things like that? This weekend was so packed full that I barely remember what happened last week :P I had that little thing to go to with my friend Friday night and then was informed at nearly midnight that my brother had decided he would much rather have me drive him to get his lasik surgery than my mother. What does that mean? Well, that means that Miss Payton and I took a trip to Chicago at 7 a.m. Saturday morning and were gone until about 4:30 p.m. or so. We didn't have any concrete plans for Saturday, so it really didn't cause any problems, just was not something I had even halfway considered having to do. But, she and I did get to take our first shopping trip in the Windy City together and we hit up American Girl Place. Let me tell you, that place is INSANE! I swear most of those women were on crack, or maybe they just funnel it through the vents, but I have never seen so many grown women clutching dolls in my life! It was a pretty cool store though. Payton's bitty baby is the proud owner of a new outfit and a snowsuit! ROFLMAO Payton was also able to pick which doll she wants to ask Santa for and also checked out all of the outfits. By the way, her favorite - the karate outfit :P I have no idea.

Sunday was another busy day and basically what I am trying to say is that I sucked and was unable to get a run in all weekend :(

Tonight, however, it's a date :)

Finally Friday!

Hurray for Friday! This week has been an emotional overload to say the least. I could not be happier to see it end. So far I have gotten all my scheduled runs in. Tuesday's 3.5 felt pretty good, but yesterday's 4 miler was rough.

I got to skip out of work early yesterday to meet with Jack's teacher for parent/teacher conferences. She had nothing but great things to say about him, which was so nice, and she seems to really enjoy having him in class. He LOVES this teacher. I actually think he has a crush on her. She is really into sports and her husband plays hockey, which makes her almost as cool as his mom ;)

After the conference I decided to run and just take off on a new route. I ran out of town and my left shin was just screaming. By the time I was back home, I had ice on my shin, ankle and knee. It was not pretty, but at least done :P I even got in a quick nap before my mom brought the kids back home and we had dinner and woke up feeling completely rejuvinated and refreshed. Just what the doctor ordered :)

Not much in the plans so far this weekend. I have a visitation to go to tonight after work and then some VIP party to go to with a friend who is in the running to win some kind of trip (not really sure what it is all about, but should be fun). Hopefully the wind will cooperate tomorrow and Payton and I can rake/burn leaves and do some cleaning. Have a great Friday everyone!

Cheating

I have done a crappy job of posting lately, and other than just being busy as could be this weekend, I have no real excuse :P I decided early Friday afternoon that I wanted to paint my living room, so between Friday and Saturday night, I now have a nice warm, cozy, pumpkin-colored room that is so much more comfortable than the blank white walls were. I also got a 6-mile run in on Saturday afternoon that went freaking awesome! I felt so good afterwards and really think I could have done at least another mile or two, but didn't want to push it and risk any injuries this early on in the half training....so, since I don't really have much else to talk about, I got this from a friend late last week and finally took the time to read it today. I really agree with it and think you all will, too. There are so few things in our lives that can't be changed...and life is too short to worry about things that really don't matter anyway.

FORTY TIPS FOR AN

EXCEPTIONAL, SUPERB, AND POWERFUL LIFE

1. Take a 10-30 minute walk every day. And while you walk, smile. It is the ultimate anti-depressant.

2. Sit in silence for at least 10 minutes each day. Buy a lock if you have to.

3. Buy a PVR/TIVO, tape your late night shows and get more sleep.

4. When you wake up in the morning complete the following statement, "My purpose is to ___________ today."

5. Live with the 3 E's: Energy, Enthusiasm, Empathy.

6. Watch more movies, play more games and read more books than you did in 2006.

7. Make time to practice meditation, yoga, tai chi, and prayer. They provide us with daily fuel for our busy lives.

8. Spend more time with people over the age of 70 and under the age of 6.

9. Dream more while you are awake.

10. Eat more foods that grow on trees and plants and eat less foods that are manufactured in plants.

11. Drink green tea and plenty of water. Eat blueberries, wild Alaskan salmon broccoli, almonds & walnuts.

12. Try to make at least three people smile each day.

13. Clear your clutter from your house, your car, your desk, and let new and flowing energy into your life.

14. Don't waste your precious energy on gossip, energy vampires, issues of the past, negative thoughts or things you cannot control. Instead invest your energy in the positive present moment.

15. Realize that life is a school and you are here to learn. Problems are simply part of the curriculum that appear and fade away like algebra class, but the lessons you learn will last a lifetime.

16. Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and dinner like a college kid with a maxed out charge card.

17. Smile and laugh more. It will keep the energy vampires away.

18. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

19. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

20. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

21. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

22. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

23. Don't compare your life to others'. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

24. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, and wear the fancy lingerie. Don’t save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: "In five years, will this matter?"

27. Forgive everyone for everything.

28. What other people think of you is none of your business.

29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.

30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

31. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.

32. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

33. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

34. The best is yet to come.

35. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

36. Do the right thing!

37. Call your family often.

38. Each night before you go to bed complete the following statements: "I am thankful for __________. Today I accomplished _________.”

39. Remember that you are too blessed to be stressed.

40. Enjoy the ride. Remember that this is not Disney World and you certainly don't want a fast pass. You only have one ride through life so make the most of it and enjoy the ride.

May your troubles be less,

May your blessings be more.

And may nothing but happiness come through your door!

1st of the Month

It seems like for the past few months, the first (or close thereto) always has me thanking you guys for all your support. Obviously, the end of the month is my rough time :P So, without sounding like a broken record, but more importantly, to not let all of your wonderful words of kindness and support go unnoticed......THANK YOU! It really does mean the world to me and I don't ever want to take it for granted.

I need to go for a run tonight, but this week has worn me ragged...I am playing with the idea of running tomorrow night and then doing my 6 miles on Sunday instead of Saturday, like I had originally planned. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense anyway since we have a birthday party to go to on Saturday and I also told one of my bosses that I could be available for last minute help on Saturday. This way I can just go home, relax, fold laundry and enjoy not running in a million directions for once this week.

I do have a dog question (which probably has most of you grimacing right now), but I have been doing a lot of research and am leaning towards a Bichon Frise right now. Does anyone have any experience or knowledge on them? I would love any positives and negatives you can give me. Or even any good websites that I may have missed in my massive search that has been taking place of working lately :X

I'm going to try to get a pic of the kids in the Halloween gear from last night up later tonight, too. Since the great crash I have been nervous about putting any pictures on the new computer, but I know I need to get over that already ;)