Take Aim

Being a SAHM now I am lucky enough to spend my days with LBM.  Who is our youngest or little bug man aptly nicknamed for his love of bugs and all things nature.  I am doing my best most days to help prepare him for kindergarten.  Due to that fact this running fitness blog is often filled with photos of bugs, salamanders, rocks and plants that we find on our near daily nature walks as part of our "science" time.  Today when we were checking our container garden on the back deck to see what plants had sprouts, which ones needed watering and what little critter we might find to learn about online; LBM again mentioned the rose.  Which really isn't a rose as I have explained multiple times to him.  It really is a sole tulip that for some reason was planted within a small flowering shrub. 

 

 

Today I started to again explain that this flower was a tulip when LBM stopped me.  He started to explain how he could see the pollen and started reciting what we had just watched on an old Magic School Bus episode about pollination.  LBM told me the bees didn't know if it was a rose or a tulip, they didn't care.  He told me that nature sure did make it easy for bees.  Even though they flew around in crazy patterns instead of a straight line, he said that nature marks exactly where they should aim. 

 

Gee, wouldn't that be great.  If we instinctively knew exactly where to aim?!  If we could know that we would reach the desired outcome if only we hit that mark.  That sure would make life, family, training, everything easier.  The only problem is that unlike bees or nature our paths are not so perfectly aligned.  What works for one person may not work for another even if our starting and ending points are the same.  The journey between them can be quite varied. 

 

Whether your target is a happy family, a marathon, better health or an Olympic triathlon it doesn't matter what name you give your goals it only matters that you keep your eye on the target and an open mind to a less then straight path to get there. 

 

T-24 days to Massanutten Mountain Trails 100

Even on the hard days

Every mom, or parent for that matter, knows that Valentine's Day is a great opportunity to teach your children about love.  The kind of love you have for your friends.  The kind that you have for your family, the kind that you have for your community, your church, yourself...

The list goes on because there is more than one kind of love. 

Just as there are many ways to love.

On Valentine's Day I like to make sure the kids have an extra special treat to share with their friends.  I want them to feel special and important.  Then I want them to share that feeling with their classmates.

I know I look back at all the extra things my mom did and I cherish the time she took to make me shine amongst my peers.

Looking yummy!

So Sunday I spent the day in the kitchen.  Not completely unusual but this Sunday I was making a little something special for the kids to share on Valentine's Day.  S'ghetti girl was thrilled with the results.  Her happiness makes me happy.  I will look forward to them sharing their stories of how much all their friends enjoyed the cards and treats that they shared.

For me Valentine's Day is a little bit about getting.  It's about getting love back from all the love we give each day.  That's what it is about remembering that the more we give love out to others, the more love we get in return.

Heart pie lollipops

So for those who think Valentine's Day isn't special, you might be missing the point.

 Valentine's Day is just a way to focus on the topic and teach our families because of course we love each other every day. 

It's just easier on some days than others. 

LBM decorated himself for Valentine's Day

If you don't laugh...

Today has been a challenge that actually started last night.
My hubbs who lives and works away through the week gave me the clear indication that he wanted me to get the Christmas tree up due to the grumblings of our daughter. 

Thanks daughter for throwing me under the bus with daddy!

After a hectic early morning of cooking, getting kids ready, Sunday School, church, a Christmas party and headband making, I found myself just getting on the treadmill at 6 p.m.  I was running merrily along when I jumped on the side rails crushed by the sudden realization that it was SUNDAY NIGHT!  We had work and school to prepare for.  Where had Saturday gone?

I finished my 10 miles, dealt with the usual road blocks in getting the kids ready for bed all while feeling like I had lost a day's time in which to do it all.  Once we had the next day's preparation done and were in our jammies, we put up the tree.  An ancient artificial tree up and fluffed to be decorated Monday night. 



We was feeling a bit impressed with myself as I tried to get LBM to go to sleep.  He is still sleeping in my bed.  Get off my back about it.  I'm too old to argue with a stubborn 3 year old. After 30 minutes of cuteness, i.e., "mom let me tell you a secret....", "mom I'm going to dream about....", "mom I have to....pee again....get another drink...." and my personal favorite as the hour nears midnight, "mom, sleeping is bbbbooooorrrrrrrrriiiiiinnnnnnggggg!"  I had had it!  I grabbed that little ball of cuteness and tossed him in his room.  Tossed is figurative not literal. Duh!   Of course that didn't work because 1) my PA house is small.  2) sounds carries.  3) I have ears and 4 ) so does my daughter. 

I went back and got him feeling like a meany.  LBM promptly spits up.  Yeah.  He can do it on demand.  Just enough to make a mess and require attention.  Goal accomplished.  After apologizes me to him and a quick bath.  LBM returns to bed with me.  We again say prayers.  We snuggle to sleep.   why couldn't he have done that 2 hours ago.

This morning I just know things will be more smooth.  S'ghetti girl does not recall any of the noise from the night and although she is not excited to have to get up for school, she does so without major problems.  My morning routine goes well, except for a lack of a wake up run and LBM cooperates mostly.

We pull out of the drive way within minutes of our need to time.  That's when I started to seriously wonder about my sanity.

Recall that little light that I saw on Friday.  The one that got cleared thanks to my hubbs.  BUT not because he and my FIL fixed anything.  They simply cleared the code.  The car worked all weekend and I simply was none the wiser.  Until I was about a mile from my house and 10 miles from the sitter and 20 miles from work.

At times I think that all the running and training gets me through the ultras that I do.  But it's days like this one that make me wonder if it's not the ultras that prepare me to get through the days like this one.

I couldn't cry with LBM in the car, so I just had to laugh.

Things have been a'happenin'

Things have been a'happenin'.

I've been running.

The streak is going strong

Today is day 89.

I won't bore you with photos of all the running you have missed because I have been to busy to post about my highly exciting daily runs.

You're welcome.

Biking Sherpa thinks my dripping wet sweatiness is gross

Biking sherpa thought my sweat-level was offensive?!? 

This coming from a girl who does not sweat e.v.e.r.

Last night's sweaty run with LBM.

What else has been a'happenin?

I have to thank everyone who thought of/prayed for me on Wednesday.

I could feel all the prayers.  The confidence I had going into my meeting was not typical.  I am usually - again - a sweaty nervous wreck.

What is it with me and sweat?

I work for a Municipal Authority.  Our Administrator was recently "let go."

We are a small authority only 1700 customers and formerly 4 employees.

I felt I had been doing the Administrator's job for a few years but not receiving the pay.

because the board was still paying the Administrator to do very very little and take credit for everything

Now there could be no doubt that I am in fact running the Authority (I am the only office employee)  I went to the board for a big raise.  The outcome of which had farther reaching consequences than just helping pay the family bills.

I have been stressing over the need to address the situation for weeks.

Happily the board recongnized what I had been doing and will continue to do in my new role as Office Manager.  I felt like such a burden was lifted! 

Sorry no photo of the after meeting happy Shelly or my new bigger paycheck.

What else has been a'happenin'?

S'ghetti girl decided to fall over a bike and then catch herself with her teeth and face.  We spent the Thursday morning in the ER.  I just traded one stress for another!

She is going to be okay.  Maybe minus a tooth and adding a little scar but she will be fine.

I did take a photo of her face but she pleaded that I not post it so I will honor her wishes.

So I have been running everyday, somedays twice a day.  I got the raise I deserved.  I handled another kid crisis and we all survived.  Fun Five days.

We are getting the new windows installed so it will be a busy weekend.

But before I go, I want to share a little story from my week.

S'ghetti girl and I are in the ER.  She is laying on the gurney, scared and crying.  I am holding her hand trying to comfort her while we wait for the doctor. 

(There is no rushing in the ER.  Completely not like the tv show ER at all)

I tell S'ghetti girl about one of my many trips to that very hospital. 

(I was a sickly little kid)

I told her of the Mother's Day when my appendix burst.  Everyone had gone to Mother's Day lunch except my father and I.  I was sick in bed.  When the pain got too bad I crawled to my dad and he took me to that ER.  He knew it was my appendix but doctors can be slow.  He held my hand and told me that Smith girls are tough.  I told S'ghetti girl that she was part Smith girl too and that if Pappy Sam'wich (my father's name was Sam and S'ghetti always called him Sam'wich) could be there with her he would tell her the same.  Still crying she said that now her tears were because she missed Pappy Sam'wich and wished he was there to help her be brave.

As she finishes talking, my mother walks in.

I'm always looking for signs that what I know to be the truth is there with me. 

Yesterday after all the concern over my work situation was over and I felt like I could take a breath, there I was in the ER wondering how broad can my shoulders get.  Feeling all alone. 

I hadn't called anyone to let them know we were at the hospital.

And yet there, at the exact moment, was Mom ready to help.

As much as Grammy's presence helped S'ghetti girl, it helped me too.

May your days be filled with signs

and the eyes and heart to see them. 

OMGosh Giveaway!! I am not kidding! A G.a.r.m.i.n!

Big Lessons, Small Fairy

After work Monday LBM and I hit the road.  Usually LBM naps a bit while I run, last night however he was a live wire.  He chatted his way along our usual 6.5 mile loop.  He threw goldfish to the cows that we passed along the way, threathened all manner of wildlife with his no-longer-glowing glo stick, say dozens of songs as a medley, discharged three packages of gummies in an attempt to ensure the local insect population is thriving, and added half a cup of juice to the ground so the insect would have something to wash it all down with.

He is so ecologically aware!

Run # 96 (6.5 miles / 53:02)

After our run s'ghetti girl joined us for a walk to cool down.  She had been suprised by the tooth fairy.  It seems that TF came while I was running (she's sneaky) and left a little stuffed animal in exchange for s'ghetti's tooth.  TF doesn't come during the day, you say?  Well she can't fly in the rain so she had no choice but to attempt such a risky delivery during the day. 

I know at s'ghetti girl's age it is a wanting that keeps her "believing" in someone beyond what she can see.  In this case the TF.  It is hard to let those things go.  They serve such a good purpose when teaching children to believe in the absence of "proof."  It's the beginning of faith.  Believing without seeing.  It's the beginning of knowing that somethings are possible even when others think they are not.

Big lessons from such a small fairy. 

After the TF suprise!

This morning dawned with fog.  Oh how I LOVE fog!

I wish I had more time in the morning to go farther.  There is little as sweet as an early morning fog run.

A beautiful foggy morning

But I only had time for my out and back of 3.5 miles followed by a walk and stretching.

Three more runs and then I'm done....

Run # 97 (3.5 / 28:08)

...or am I?