Back in the saddle?

After months of not posting, I've decided to begin blogging about my morning miles again.

Today was a run free day, a much needed run free day. Talk about being tired. I don't think I could've dragged myself out of bed to make it out.

What is it about magazines that make them so enjoyable. I know, journalism is supposed to be a dying profession, but is there anything as satisfying as sitting down with a magazine and thumbing through the contents. Magazines don't require the same attention span as a book. And, if I chose to, I can completely ignore pieces within the publication that don't appeal to me (although some strange sense of obligation- to the subscription fee perhaps- drives me to read what I would like to skip).

One publication I really enjoy is Runner's World. I think they atually only have about 12 different magazines they print- storylines are recycled and the names of up and coming runners change but pretty much the articles focus on the same old things. My favorite part, though, is the piece at the back that focuses on celebrity runners. This month features Bobby Flay. He claims he ran his first two marathons with no training. Oh, get real Bobby. No training? I bet you were popping out some 15 milers before the big day.

I like the Bobby Flay bit, though. First of all, he looks like a normal person. He's not rail thin or built like a super athlete. Secondly, he admits that he runs so he can eat. I know just what he means.

Random thoughts

I mistakenly waited until it was miserably hot (instead of just unpleasantly hot) to run today. Nothing like a slow, miserable run to get the wheels turning. Mainly I thought about my girls and how big they are getting. I worry about Rachel and how much trouble she'll get into at school this year. She's a good kid but so strong willed. They say she's great at daycare but I don't always get to see great at home.
I worry about Lauren growing a spine and standing up to some of her pushier friends. Guess that's why having Rachel for a sister can only be a good thing!
And I worry about making it to the water fountain but that's my own fault!

Dave's trying to figure out his new obsession. We've got a different house and a different car. What's next? I told him I didn't care what the new obsession was as long as he did not start looking fora new woman. He just rolled his eyes.

Hello out there? I've waited three months...

Clearly I am not the best blogger ever. Maybe I should put blogspot on my phone...
It has been a crazy ride lately but I can sense that things are settling down.

Highlights:
May:Bought a house. Sold a house. Took qualifying exam.
June: Started LAST CLASS!!! Hate the weekly drive to Stillwater but know the end is in site. Traveled to Florida for a conference. My suitcase traveled to Hawaii in route to Tulsa:) Moved the day after I got home.
July: Attempted to get house set up. Recovering from May and June.
Today: Bought a new to us car! 2005 Matrix (no, we won't name it Neo.)

The carousel is slowing down, though. Thank goodness!

Rachel turned 3 June 19th and I think she is (finally) starting to grow out of some of the toddler issues. But every timeI say that, we seem to have a huge set-back, so I won't claim it yet.

Lauren moved into training bras. Really. I'm sure she would love me posting this but, darn it, she is getting big! This December she will move into double digits!

During the move I found some of my old running logs. I have not regularly kept a running log since I had Lauren. I was happy to see that my times these days are better than my times 11-12 years ago but it was a real downer to discover my actual pre-Lauren weight. I thought I was 10 pounds above it- turns out I am 13-17 pounds over what I was then. Of course, even with this depressing knowledge I still had ice cream tonight!

I have two favorite things about the new house. The first is the back porch, something we did not have at the other house. The second (and this will sound weird) is the ice. I don't know what it is but the freezer makes really great ice.

If you've made it this far you will either be happy or dismayed to know that I am going to try to update the blog twice a week. Good? Bad? Just plain boring? We'll see.

Lost, again

It has been a whirlwind month. We signed a contract on a new house this past Monday. Whoa. This means our house is on the market and the sucky part of that is how clean our house has to be. All the time. Have you met us? Although we aren't dirty people we do tend to stack. Alot. Keeping the house show-ready may kill me or make me neat (doubt it).

The girls are doing well. Rachel has had an ear infection this week. poor little one. She is such a combo of David and I. Bossy. Independent. Funny. Nurturing. And it is a damn good thing that she has a sweet personality and great imagination or the bossy might put me over the edge!

Rachel had her first major "boo-boo" Saturday. David had to work an event so the girls and I went out in search of flowers and flower pots (realtor said to make the house have more curb appeal). We got back and I got lost in repotting. Rachel wiped out in the driveway and I felt sure I was transferring millions of microbes into her big scrape.

Of course, she acted as if her leg was broken. For three days she wouldn't bend her left leg while walking. Sort of like having a short pirate in the house!

Lost

I am in qualitative analysis 2 this semester. A major part of the semester is learning how to analyze interview data. I've done three interviews- one with a grad student that lasted 35 minutes and then 2 with undergrads that lasted about 10 minutes each and are, subsequently on the same tape. All set, right?

Except that I lost the tape and tape recorder about a month ago. It is hard to transcribe then analyze missing data.

So I hunted for weeks and then found it this morning! Yea! It is not lost!

But Dave keeps getting old episodes of Lost from Netflix and I keep getting lost in those- I would not have done the transcribing even if I had the tapes.

So perhaps I have lost my ability to complete coursework...

the drought

I haven't been writing. Anywhere. Not only have I not maintained this blog, I also have not been writing grad school stuff the way I should. I did manage to complete the required 750-1000 word vignette that was due Monday, but I need to be working on the proposal and the like.

Why the drought? I don't know. It is almost as if I have a physical revulsion when it comes to writing. One problem has been cookies. I know it sounds stupid, but I have been spending about 6-8 hours every weekend sitting at a cookie booth. This is followed by additional time counting money and tracking sales (ok, we don't have to track them but I can't help but embrace my inner geek. Or maybe it is not so inner).

I am going to try to start posting more often (more often than the end of the month, lol!).

This weekend should be fun. We are going to see Elmo's Green Thumb. I can't wait to see Rachel's reaction. That kid is so funny. Just a piece of work.

Rachel threw up early Friday morning. I heard something and realized she was sick. When I got to her room I almost laughed. She had tried to catch her vomit, in an attempt to keep it off her bed. How sweet. And gross.

When I told Lauren that Rachel was sick and was staying home, Lauren started crying. Last time Rachel threw up, she ended up being hospitalized (she vomited so often that she perforated her esophagus. And she was only 9 months old.). So I had to reassure Lauren. It was a typical Lauren big hearted moment.

I was excited to find out that I will be teaching adjunct at TU in the fall (I snagged an OSU-Tulsa adjunct job for the fall earlier this spring). The TU class will take place during my plan time on Tuesdays. Yea:) The OSU-Tulsa class meets one Fri/Sat a month. I think this should all be manageable and should greatly help our ability to pay for the kiddos' schooling.

Why no one should be smug

Never brag, especially about your health.

I have been feeling pretty yucky for about a week. David starting feeling bad a few days ago. Lauren felt yucky last night- she was running a low grade fever- no biggie. This morning she was running just under a 104 temp. Yikes.

David took her to the doctor. Strep and an ear infection.

Then she went with David to the doctor. And David was diagnosed with Type A flu.

So we have a bacterial infection and a viral infection with two host organisms. Great.

I plan to get strep tested tomorrow.

Rachel seems healthy. We'll see.

Darn karma.