Dingos are all Barefoot Marathoners! April Running Thread - Page 39

[cornflake girl]

poppy -

eks - that really sucks. Something like that would just eat away at me. I hope you get it resolved in a way that you're happy with pronto.

Gaye - I'm chuckling at DS eating so slow, though I know it wasn't a bit funny when it was happening. We've recently read Mrs. Piggle Wiggle and I know just what he needs: The Slow Eater, Tiny Bite Taker Cure! Too bad Mrs. P.W. isn't real.

rr: 6 easy. Ready to taper and be done with it already.

[Realrellim]

bec--That race looks interesting though I'm not nearly that cool. Do you live near there? I used to live pretty close to Joliet, and my high school was about 10 miles away from the race location. (I wasn't a runner back then though!)

JayGee--we started giving R melatonin because we were going insane laying there with her as she thrashed around for 20-60 minutes every night. We still lay down with her, but usually she's asleep in 10-20 minutes now and it's so much better. Maybe by the time she's 6, we can kiss her good night and not have to lay with her? That would be awesome. Also, I really hope you can get your insurance company to cover it (ETA: "it" = your appointment, not melatonin!).

tjsmama--yay for scoring the free entry. Also, I'm really glad that at least you are running the BB. Run fast for me!

Penelope--ugh! Glad someone came to the rescue. Ironically, we had a very flat tire that got fixed 12 hours before my water broke last month--thankfully!

Nick--that's awful about your DH. Mine, if feeling too busy with work gets really stinky about it but 99% of the time I'm up for the fight. Granted, that's not a good attitude either, so we're trying to find a middle ground where he doesn't immediately lash out if asked to do something.

poppy--I hope you get some answers.

eksmom--R would.not go to the church nursery for love or money, and there was no way we were going to force her. So, she was in the service with us (or out in the narthex or whatever when she was being too loud). We still sang in the choir. We'd just sit in the back and when it came time to sing we'd make our way up to the front and usually brought her with. Often, she'd just sing along. We made sure to keep her within arm's reach or we held her to keep her from getting into trouble.

Though, there was the time P was on a business trip and the handbell choir was playing. I direct them, so I gave her strict instructions to sit next to our organist and behave, but once we started the prelude, she came up and danced next to the altar while we played. I wasn't amused, but everyone else thought it was funny. (We are the ELCA Lutherans that mamabeth mentioned!) R dances in the aisles during most hymns and while DH and I were a bit horrified at first, having grown up in the more conservative LCMS Lutheran churches, it turned out that almost everyone loves it. So, ok.

Anyhow, the certain staff who are bothered should get over themselves. If need be, you can always quote the "let the little children come to me" verse....

Forward motion: R and I ran again yesterday, just out to the lake and back.

Today was mostly spent doing yard work. I finished aerating the back yard with one of those two-pronged aerators, pruned some of a rose bush, DH dug a hole for the cherry tree we're hoping to get on Friday to replace the crabapple that we lost in last summer's hailstorm, I dug out a bunch of weeds and hung out two loads of laundry. It was a good day to be outside, and J actually agreed to sleep for a while in the jogging stroller while we did the yard work. I've been doing most of the aerating with her in a mei tai, so this was an improvement! Most of our cold crops got planted yesterday, and I'm hoping to get the carrots in tomorrow or Friday. It was a really good day, except that the wind keeps making R anxious. She's quite convinced that everything will blow away if it's not nailed down and I'm having a hard time convincing her otherwise. Between that, other random anxieties, chewing her hair (so now she has a ponytail all the time to stop it) and constantly touching her tongue when she's eating (ewwww) we're having a ton of fun with sensory issues!

[memiles]

Originally Posted by modmom

I am way crabby hormonal tonight. I actaually put on c-span so my kids would leave the room and it worked!!!!

Best. Tactic. EVER!

[Mel38]

Oh, Jennifer, I hope that you get some answers about that pain! It sounds really awful. If it does have to be laparoscopy (sp?), that's at least a very minimally invasive way to go. And it would mean fast relief. I hope that it all works out quickly for you!

Eks, I agree with all the others here. It's not really much of a realistic option for you to just leave him to cry. Two is a very hard age for separation, at least it has been for all of my kids. to them for making you feel bad about it. Oh, and thanks for that hummus recipe! I already passed it on to a friend who was looking for something a little bit different.

Penelope - What a day! for your sitter's DH!

JayGee, how $$ would that compartment testing be? How aggravating that insurance doesn't want to cover it. I hope you do get some answers and can get on the road to recovery.

Kerc, did I miss anything? How is the situation with the other candidates? Are you hanging in there?

Jo - That's actually kind of cool that he doesn't even know his exact age! A friend of mine from college married a man from Algeria (via France), and he doesn't know his birthday either. I wonder if it is kind of freeing - not obsessing about an exact number, like turning 40. I mean, maybe you turned 40 last year, and maybe it's not for another 2 years.

Meanwhile, I'm keeping busy, doing my PT and running the kids all over for school, sports and all these special activities that seem to be cropping up now that the weather is so nice. My knee feels decent, not awesome. I am getting to the point where I can walk up the stairs normally, i.e. taking a step up with the injured leg. It's slow, though. I'm still jealous of all the runners that I see jogging along my trails.

OK, must get laundry and lunch started. Have a great day, Dingos!

[1jooj]

Yup, Mel, many Algerians are Berbers too (even though many don't know it, or claim not to be). I think it is freeing for him. He's somewhere around 10 years older than I am, but it could be 8 or it could be 12, yk, so...whatever. It's just a nice reminder to me that it really is just a number. Like a lot of other things, including weight, home value, IQ, salary, net worth, etc., right?

I finished my Treasure Map just in time, btw, Dingoes. I mean I kept trying and trying to work on that thing and I swear a window would not open up until the last possible moment. But I did it. I actually am pretty amazed at what has come to me--and you know, it is truly just an exercise in verbalizing goals and priorities, and then acknowledging them when they happen. Helps with the gratitude thing. Anyway, my original 5k goal for this TM season needed to be adjusted.

modmom, do you sush them, then, and say something like, "Come on, you guys, I am trying to listen here?"

Dh made the kids their breakfast this AM. He got the raspberries and willows planted last night, I suppose tonight he will do the grapes and start the strawberries? I think he finished cold crops, too. I am going to have to spend all day Sunday with him figuring out where he wants the tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, etc. to go while he's gone. They could wait for when he's back June 1, but he probably wants them in early if the weather continues to trend like this.

I am wondering whether my workout time today might be better spent in the whirlpool. I'm tired. Probably just need more coffee.

[Geofizz]

PowerMath series a distinct step up from the Sir Cum books, but also quite good, with the "hook" of art, building a bridge, poetry for each on to teach symmetry, units, scientific notation, etc.

I have a cold and I'm giving a midterm today. I know people complain about grading, but I dislike writing the exam more than grading it. The cold is just icing.

kerc, if there's only a week left in the semester, then that means a decision will at least come soon. We vote on our search this afternoon. The first poor person who interviewed came more than 6 weeks ago.

[Runningmommy]

Mel~aww "your trails"

Jaygee~let us know when you find out about the coverage.

eks~I wouldn't write off the whole church just yet, people that feel that way about leaving children whether they (and the parents!) are ready or not are everywhere, no matter what the religion. Some are less empathetic, some just ignorant, some forget what it is like to have little ones. From their perspective, they are trying to find coverage for a job (choir, handbells, leadership, etc) and usually volunteers (and competant people) are not in abundance. Stand firm in what you feel is right, don't leave him if you and he are not ready. I wouldn't (and didn't!). I knew people would frown on what I did, but this was MY family, and I needed to do what "I" felt was right, even if no one agreed or approved (same goes for non church situations and family and, and, and, you name it!). Not that I've been there or anything. And for reading the email, I would talk to my pastor about it. Just matter of factly. Let them know that you are trying your best to meet everyone's needs, and your family's needs come first.

(was that a soap box??) sorry if it was.

Poppy~praying for you not to have any more pain. Hope you have an easy surgery with quick healing and the ovary issues "be gone!"

Jo~just before reading your post I was thinking the same thing. how freeing it might be (after the anxiety, he he) to not be tied to an age. Not worry about creeping up on the next big 10, etc. Kudos to you for ALL THE WORK you do, and that you are such a great woman.

Gaye~laughing about the dinner thing. and the pee cup, at the testers for not putting that in the paperwork and for thinking you might leave your son in the waiting room???!!! Grrrr!

gotta get kids ready for school, be back later!

[modmom]

Originally Posted by 1jooj

Yup, Mel, many Algerians are Berbers too (even though many don't know it, or claim not to be). I think it is freeing for him. He's somewhere around 10 years older than I am, but it could be 8 or it could be 12, yk, so...whatever. It's just a nice reminder to me that it really is just a number. Like a lot of other things, including weight, home value, IQ, salary, net worth, etc., right?

I finished my Treasure Map just in time, btw, Dingoes. I mean I kept trying and trying to work on that thing and I swear a window would not open up until the last possible moment. But I did it. I actually am pretty amazed at what has come to me--and you know, it is truly just an exercise in verbalizing goals and priorities, and then acknowledging them when they happen. Helps with the gratitude thing. Anyway, my original 5k goal for this TM season needed to be adjusted.

modmom, do you sush them, then, and say something like, "Come on, you guys, I am trying to listen here?"

Dh made the kids their breakfast this AM. He got the raspberries and willows planted last night, I suppose tonight he will do the grapes and start the strawberries? I think he finished cold crops, too. I am going to have to spend all day Sunday with him figuring out where he wants the tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, etc. to go while he's gone. They could wait for when he's back June 1, but he probably wants them in early if the weather continues to trend like this.

I am wondering whether my workout time today might be better spent in the whirlpool. I'm tired. Probably just need more coffee.

I wasn't even paying attention--I was reading a book just turning it on made them go away

I also did a treasure map this year and I really like it--it makes me feel calm so how that even though there are major things up in the air the vision is there for me.

Hoping to report a good run today--I will be back!

[1jooj]

What a rollercoaster.

So I went down to the barn to milk goats and feed everyone and count sheep. Milking went well, goat kids were all lovey, and then went out to check my mamas and found one on the barn hill with two fresh twin boys. Put her in the maternity pen (both in case there is a third and just to give them private bonding time) and fed everyone else some hay, and was just heading back to the house when the kids' (my own) wailing called me to the front of the house. Our beloved kitty got hit this AM. I picked him up off the road and wrapped him in a towel, we'll bury him this afternoon, but when I called dh (to tell him both things) he made a snarky comment like "thanks for making my day." Umm, sorry, eff you. I braved truck traffic to pick his warm, dead body off the side of the road. I hugged the kids and sent them to school anyway, and I still have to go to my meetings. I tried to close his eyes. Oh, Milo. We'll all miss you.

[Geofizz]

eks, what LLLisa said. No church (or other entity - family, school, etc) will be a 100% perfect fit. It's important, though, to be secure in your priorities and speak up when necessary.

[bec]

Originally Posted by 1jooj

Man, if I could get a grip on my diet I'd be done with all this weight loss already. My 5mi felt good this AM, but dang. Just wish I had more self-control. Can I get an amen?

Amen! Sing it, sister!

Originally Posted by eksmom

If you had a just-turned 2 year old who did not want to be left, what would you do? UGH.

Not church going, but having had 2 kids that had severe separation anxiety (Emily had what I would call EXTREME separation anxiety) around that age, I understand. I had all manner of looks, knowing, condescending comments about how I was spoiling, wrecking my love life, going to create a dependent wreck of a human being, etc. Knowing in my bones that the way I was handling them was the right way for them (and me, and the rest of the family), I found the strength to smile and nod at the comments, make some non-committal response about how this is what needs to happen, and moved on. If someone really needed a longer explanation, I would be polite but firm about how I have a philosophy of raising children, and it doesn't include abandoning them to scream for long periods of time when it is totally unnecessary! I now have 3 very independent, self assured, secure, friendly, and outgoing kids. Should I break my arm patting myself on the back? No, but I do feel like I honored their wishes and needs at a time when they were clearly expressing them. As a result, I feel that, by giving them that support, they were able to let their natural personalities come through. Of course, if they had been more shy and reserved, I'm sure there would be those that would think it was because I never fostered independence. I would counter with, I can't imagine how hard it would be for them if I DIDN'T see to those needs when they were younger. But, of course, this is the debate about AP, isn't it.

I guess I would try to stand firm in my actions, and let them know that these are parenting decisions that they really don't have a part in making.

Originally Posted by Realrellim

bec--That race looks interesting though I'm not nearly that cool. Do you live near there? I used to live pretty close to Joliet, and my high school was about 10 miles away from the race location. (I wasn't a runner back then though!)

Me? Cool? My coolness factor probably quadrupled the day I got my iPhone. It has since come down because everyone has one now! I am a little over an hour north of Joliet, so it is an easy(ish) race to get to with no hotel, or other expenses.

Modmom - I am taking notes on your techniques!

Bike ride planned for today, but a friend may need me. I can't go into details, but if some thoughts could be spared for her, I'm sure she would appreciated it.

Also, I am meeting Katie at her school, and I'm going to run the mile with her, when she does it in PE. Gimpy leg and all. This is more important than any stinking marathon!

[bec]

Serial posting to Milo. Jo I hope the rest of your day is filled with babies and happy nursing mama sheep and goats. And that your dh gets his head out of his

[Plady]

Jo - Oh mama, I'm so sorry! Milo was such a star! Damn trucks!
Milo

Originally Posted by Runningmommy

eks~I wouldn't write off the whole church just yet, people that feel that way about leaving children whether they (and the parents!) are ready or not are everywhere, no matter what the religion. ~~ Let them know that you are trying your best to meet everyone's needs, and your family's needs come first.

Eks - What RM said! My first thought was to leave the church too to be honest, but she is right, that attitude is everywhere (although I do seem to have stumbled into the only church I've ever been to that is so accommodating to parents, I can't imagine feeling pressure to do more than show up when I can). Stay strong mama, you've got a pack of dingos at your back.

I'm feeling pretty achy today but I'll stick to my home and back plan. Dh is putting in flooring all of a sudden and doing a great job! I'm so impressed I just wish there was a way I could help him but there really doesn't seem to be so I'm getting all FlyLady in the house and keeping countertops visible.

We've had some great math ideas around here, now I need some spelling help! DD is HOPELESS with spelling. And she tries really hard but she just does not get it. This is all very foreign to me because that was always my easiest subject. But I'm finally grasping that she isn't just not bothering to focus, the harder she tries the weirder her spelling gets. Is it time to google 'dyslexia'? I'm going to talk to her teacher about it as well but I'd love any btdt if any of you have some.

[eksmom]

Jo, I'm so sorry. And sorry your DH was a jerk about it.

Thank you all for the support on the church situation. I'm not upset enough to leave the church - it would take more than this. Now that I've slept on it I'm not certain that the pastor's invite to the Rosemond thing is related to the nursery stuff. It might be something else entirely (DH related, which I won't go into here). The Rosemond thing aside, there has definitely been some pressure to "help G adjust back to the nursery" and the choir director has his separation anxiety on her prayer list but there again, nothing overt enough that we would leave the church, which we otherwise love. I haven't complained about his inability to stay in the nursery, but I have used it as a reason why DH or I can't do X, Y, or Z, and I may have been overly apologetic, so I don't know how that has been interpreted. At any rate, I think I will start making it clear that I'm not praying for him to stop needing me. And, just because I feel cranky about being double-invited to go hear John Rosemond (which to me is code for your kids are out of control), today is parenting day on my FB page. I'm hoping certain church staff who are my FB friends will take notice.

My almost 3 miles this morning gave me time to think up my first FB status, about DD. Had to cut .3 miles off the run because of GI distress at the end. Geez.

[tjsmama]

Aw, Jo.

Well, we have gone from sunny and near-80 yesterday to low 30's and rain/snow mix this morning. Ah, Colorado in the spring. So beautiful. At least it gives me a good excuse not to run this morning. I'm going to join a group for a run tomorrow, so that would have been four days in a row with one of the days being speedwork, which seems a bit excessive considering how much I've been running lately. I really wanted to see my running friends this morning, though! It's been forever! Oh well. Instead, we will make some homemade granola, have a yummy and healthy lunch (instead of our normal pb&j sandwich between running and school) and then I will go pee in a cup and go to the pool after I drop DS at school this afternoon. Fun stuff!

[MonikitaUT]

My first time on MDC in years, but I thought I'd pop in to say hello. When did mothering get so many ads?!

[kerc]

Monikita! It's so nice to see you here.







Blech I might be sick over all this craptastic waiting. Either I got the freaking job or i didn't. Could we move on? Ick ick ick.

[JayGee]

Quick run by posting as I dress the kids for DH's retirement ceremony.

But I wanted to give Jo a and light a for Milo. I can't stop picturing him loving his goat baby...

Hey, Monikita! Great to see you here.

Off to clip fingernails and iron shirts...

[Nickarolaberry]

Eeeuuuwww.

Only in a 4 year old's world is it a good idea to wipe snot on the wall by the bed.

A certain 4 year old is now using wipes to clean his wall. He doesn't even mind.

Anyway, did get in a 5 miler today. It was fine. I got tired, had intended to do 6. I don't know what is going on with me, I'm just so tired all the time. I came home from picking up ds and slept for an hour. . I think I'm going to brew some iced tea.

[bec]

My Katie just ran .77 miles in 7:01!!! The PE teacher didn't have his "mile" measured very well. Still, she did it in just over a 9:00 pace!!! I think she was slowing up for her old mother. Girl has some quick in her!

On the down side, my leg hurts. That definitely cost me something. I'm not telling her, though. That was awesome to be there. She was 5th in the class, and the first girl to finish!

Nice to see you, Monikita!!!