Running Around the Maypole ~ the May Dingo Thread - Page 8

[MelW]

tjsmama, congrats on the job!! Even if it's not quite where you want, do you get to accumulate seniority towards applying for your dream job after graduation? I was just chatting with a nursing student at bootcamp last night who scored an "employed student nurse" summer job and realized that the side benefit is that she'll be way ahead of at job finding time because she'll be an "internal applicant". Regardless, the extra money and experience can't hurt ;)

La, way to rock the 12 miler!

Jen, talk about overwhelming! Glad you can run and thinking of you as you finish out these final weeks of work.

Sparkle and JayGee, hugs and wishing your crabbiness away.

I just bribed my kids with chocolate chips to stop whining leave me alone while I take a "mental health" break on MDC. It didn't work- now my oldest is arguing about the semantics of the word bribe- and the differences between "good bribes" and "bad bribes" and whether it's "appropriate" to use bribes. I'm not even kidding. Off to have a conversation about my discipline methods, since she's really unimpressed. I wish she would just eat the chocolate...

[tjsmama]

jen~ That has got to be so hard, I can't imagine.

sparkle~

jaygee~Did you see my facebook status? Because that was it, almost word for word! Sigh. Just one of those days here, not helped by the nonstop rain and dreariness all day.

mel~I've been getting conflicting reports on how much these positions help you get a job when you graduate. It is definitely a big resume boost, and I think the experience will for sure help me be a better RN. The university hospital ONLY hires new grads to its new grad residency program, though, so competition is fierce. I think that being an employee guarantees you an interview for the residency program, but not a spot in the program. Which an interview alone is hard to get, so that's a boost at least. I think they had something like 400 applicants for 40 positions in the last go-round (they have three start dates a year). I've also heard it said that the ACP position is like an extended interview for the residency program. So, all that to say that it MIGHT help, but no guarantees.

Right now, I'm almost wishing XH had wanted custody of DS. I am counting down the days until I get two weeks off from him.

I was supposed to have track this morning, but I didn't have childcare for it. Had planned to take DS with me if the weather was nice, but raining and 30 degree temps? Not so much. So, we went to the Y for spin class instead, and then I hopped on the treadmill for a quick 20 minute run. Two bricks in two weeks?! What on earth has gotten into me? And then to top it off, I went back to the Y while DS was at school to get a swim in. Yes, that's right. I did ALL THREE SPORTS in one day! It's not like I have the first tri of the season in a week and a half or anything.

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by kerc 

Come on over. I've got beer, wine, sweet tea and soda available. I'd love to enjoy a cool drink on the deck and soak up the remaining bits of sunlight (it was foggy where I was all day).

That sounds wonderful!  I ended up having a beer with DH on the sofa and laughing ourselves silly.  Worked to pull me out of my crummy mood .  I am mainly frustrated with the house right now and my total inability to keep it clean.  There is a perpetual layer of fine dirt on everything because we don't have any grass yet and my cats keep going outside, eating what little grass there is, and then vomiting on the carpet.  I'm over it.  I really want to get this house looking nice and well-decorated, but I feel like I'm making very little progress on that front.  I also must sign up for some races this summer, because without a firm race on the schedule, I'm finding my training to be haphazard at best (non-existant would better describe this past week...)

tjsmama ~ I'm ready to sell my almost-5-year-old too .   Hope today is sunny and warm in Colorado.

geo ~ thanks for that awesome planet picture!  .

[bec]

Had tri class last night.  It was a pyramid swim.  1200 yards of speedwork.  Not really sure what the point of that was when there are so many of us that are just working on endurance, but, whatever.  It was hard, and the air feels thick.  It's so humid and you can see a haze of pollen in the air!  The workout was a warmup, then 25 sprint, rest 20 seconds, 50 sprint, rest, 75, 100, 150, rest a minute and then go backward.  Who sprints for three laps?! 

Busy, busy today.  Abby's end of year picnic, then volunteer, then a makeup dance class for the big kids, followed by Abby's preschool graduation and the big kids' spring concert (happening at precisely the same time)!  AHHHH!!!!!  Mama needs a run, but I can't breathe with the humidity and everything blooming, even if I had the time! 

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by bec 

Busy, busy today.  Abby's end of year picnic, then volunteer, then a makeup dance class for the big kids, followed by Abby's preschool graduation and the big kids' spring concert (happening at precisely the same time)!  AHHHH!!!!!  Mama needs a run, but I can't breathe with the humidity and everything blooming, even if I had the time! 

Wow, that must be a side-benefit for us being in a neighborhood where a lot of kids are held out an extra year before kindergarten.  No graduation!!  Two kids from DS' class (!) are already returning next year, and I bet the other pre-K room for the younger set has many returning next year as well.

We have the preschool end-of-year picnic for this evening.  DS and our sitter are making the dessert this afternoon, and we're biking up there while DH takes DD to flute. 
 

For the first time in my life, I think I'm enjoying heat and humidity.  Good thing -- I'm off to teach about Venus' atmosphere.  Let's see if I can create 50 citizens educated about greenhouse gasses.

C and I are working on speed and core strength at least once a week now.  It's supposed to be Tuesdays, but we didn't do that because of lightening in the area.  I did some anyways when I got home, but then we did the full workout last night.  8x bleachers, 50 yards lunges, bazzillions situps, 10 pushups.  I don't hurt as much today as I did last week.

[Nickarolaberry]

Hi Dingos

Just a drive by wave.

Have been running sporadically. Today I did something I never do...went out at 5 a.m., did one loop (1.5 miles) and  blew it off and went inside and took a nap for another half hour. I just didn't have it. I'm hoping to get out again this afternoon maybe.

Suffering through the last few weeks of work.

Potentially big changes for our family on the horizon...more on this as things become more definite.

My surgery is scheduled for Monday. I'm still very nervous. But hoping and praying it's the right thing for me. Happy Thursday!

Oh yes...Bec...WAY TO GO on your race the other weekend! And Gaye, congrats on the job!

[kerc]

Originally Posted by Nickarolaberry 

Potentially big changes for our family on the horizon...more on this as things become more definite.

I'll stay tuned. I'm hopeful it is positive changes.
 

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

Wow, that must be a side-benefit for us being in a neighborhood where a lot of kids are held out an extra year before kindergarten.  No graduation!! 

a. I am so not a preschool graduation person. So I'm pleased that the last day is also a flexible thing for us.

b. brilliant on the nanny + ds making the dessert.

c. WTG on the strength stuff.

I have no exercise to report whatsoever. Other than running to make appointments. Very much looking forward to next week: MWF runs already scheduled.

[Penelope]

<reading along>

Congrats to Gaye! Hugs to Jen and Sparkle and belated hugs to JayGee.

~waving wistfully to Geo as I wish we could chat in your living room again! ~

I have no RR, sadly. I think I can get out to bike tomorrow morning as I don't have class prep tomorrow. I'm starting PT on Saturday so while a July marathon looks like a dimmer possibility - a half I could do, I think, and I'm hoping to heal quickly. I'm doing finals and final projects from here on out, so just a grading marathon, but no real teaching. My students' projects have been so good thus far! I'm proud of them.

In household news I believe dh is on track to get fired within the month. I'm really, really angry with him as this is the third time in two years that he has sabatoged himself out of a job. So our very recent financial cushion, largely because we have cheaper health insurance through his job and great presecription coverage, is about to vanish, along with about 60% of the household income. We won't starve or be homeless, thank God, and can get expensive insurance through my job, but it is going to get very tight and very scary really soon. I can't believe that he is making this set of choices, but there you go. I am trying to be zen. Thus far I am failing.

I would like to be bumped to the top of the "mama needs a run" queue.

[bec]

The graduation thing is new in the last couple of years.  I didn't have it with the other two.  I would likely be totally disgusted with the entire thing, but she is my last in preschool, so I'm a bit teary about how big my baby is getting, and we have been involved with this preschool for over 6 years!  So, we are saying goodbye to some people that we have really made some relationships with.

[sparkletruck]

Oh Penelope. And I thought things were rough btwn. me and dh


Is the world spinning backwards, or is it me?

Last week, a sick (marginally, seemed fine but tired) dd1 HURLED all over the dentists office while I was getting my teeth cleaned (as in, she's in the sterile, white, ascetic room with me and blaaaaaaahhhh all over the floor), then was fine and went to climbing practice that afternoon.

Yesterday I leave the Chiro in tears after almost two hours, no treatment and feeling not understood (or maybe he doesnt know sports or something) and like I will in fact not run anymore - WAIL - which has been the most intimate and important part of my life/self besides having kids.

Today the accupuncturist, whom I like and respect, forgets about me in the room - I'm in a robe on the bed waiting for over half an hour before there wouldnt be time for a treatment anymore before I have to get the kids, so I get dressed and leave.

Dh cleaned today, which he almost NEVER does - not kidding; a source of tension between us needless to say - and says he is trying to help my depression. Nice. But really? I have to be on the verge of driving into oncoming traffic for you to do a load of laundry?

F*** it. I give up.

[Plady]

Originally Posted by Penelope 
In household news I believe dh is on track to get fired within the month. I'm really, really angry with him as this is the third time in two years that he has sabatoged himself out of a job. So our very recent financial cushion, largely because we have cheaper health insurance through his job and great presecription coverage, is about to vanish, along with about 60% of the household income. We won't starve or be homeless, thank God, and can get expensive insurance through my job, but it is going to get very tight and very scary really soon. I can't believe that he is making this set of choices, but there you go. I am trying to be zen. Thus far I am failing.

I would like to be bumped to the top of the "mama needs a run" queue.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparkletruck 

Yesterday I leave the Chiro in tears after almost two hours, no treatment and feeling not understood (or maybe he doesnt know sports or something) and like I will in fact not run anymore - WAIL - which has been the most intimate and important part of my life/self besides having kids.

Today the accupuncturist, whom I like and respect, forgets about me in the room - I'm in a robe on the bed waiting for over half an hour before there wouldnt be time for a treatment anymore before I have to get the kids, so I get dressed and leave.

Dh cleaned today, which he almost NEVER does - not kidding; a source of tension between us needless to say - and says he is trying to help my depression. Nice. But really? I have to be on the verge of driving into oncoming traffic for you to do a load of laundry?

F*** it. I give up.

 

[mommajb]

sparkle, lots of hugs and more to you. I wish I knew how to give more support because I feel so much like I know where you are right now.

penelope, you get some hugs also. If you can find the zen in this situation... I don't know, bottle it and sell it?

There is so much more to say but I have girls gone wild, the early elementary version, going on here. They are so getting the early bedtime they need.

[Dmitrizmom]

sparkle - regarding the chiro... was he/she a board certified sports chiro?  If not, here's a link to find one that has the extra training that might be able to help: http://www.acbsp.com/searching.asp

[MelW]

Multistory won't work today...

Sparkle, big hugs. I hope you find the right understanding compassionate healer who can get you running again.

And Penelope, I'll buy a bottle of your zen. Hugs to you, too.

We had a preschool graduation, which was cute but ridiculous. Mostly because we had moved and only did six months there. Almost didn't go, because DD said that she thought the process was "unusual behavior for a four-year-old". I couldn't really disagree, but she was ultimately convinced by the potluck lunch to go.

RR- Biked the school run today and fit in a quick swim before my meeting this morning. I also got a lead on a chiro from a friend and have hope that there migt be some running in my future. The running from bootcamp on Tuesday didn't seem to hurt or injure this week, either.

NRR- I need to be more assertive about carving out exercise time and telling my husband. I really don't like the dynamic of "asking" him to watch the kids so I can go. His version of asking is coming downstairs in running gear and saying "I'm going for a run". I resent the current dynamic of me needing to ask/schedule and the implications for how we've divided family responsibilities recently- it's time for a "state of the union" conversation...

[tjsmama]

penelope and sparkle

No improvement in the weather today. A full day of rain and gloom is unheard of in these parts, let alone TWO days of it. At least tomorrow the sun is allegedly supposed to make an appearance. So, no run for me today. I was absolutely not pushing the stroller in that crap, and I didn't have it together enough to get to the Y to run on the dreadmill before DS's swim lesson. Not that it mattered, since I got a call on our way that the filter in the pool broke and the pH was off, so no swim lesson today. Instead, we headed off to Costco, and then Target. Because, you know, I really like spending money that I don't have.

Small rant: I really, really hate it when you just miss a phone call, call back almost immediately, the person doesn't answer so you leave a voicemail, and then they don't call you back. This happened yesterday morning. I have called back several times and left another voicemail with no response. This is the occupational health nurse at the hospital to whom I have to talk to review my health history and schedule my screen with employee health. Which must be done by the Wednesday before my start date or I can't start. Which is next Wednesday. It's not like I have a life or anything, where scheduling might be somewhat difficult, you know?

Best part of the day? Dinner at real's house! She was kind enough to fix dinner for DS and I. DS and her DD1 had a great time playing, meaning that he left ME alone for well over an hour!

Tomorrow? My Monday. Blech.

[Nemesis]

Dingos!  

 

I keep reading here, but don't get all the way caught up and so I don't post. 

 

I've been RUNNING!!     I've found a running partner who is also getting back into running after some time off and it's been great!  My knee has been feeling really fine, and I am making such progress!  Last night I ran for 15 minutes straight!!  And we ran about 3 miles with only a few short walk breaks, which has been a long time coming.  I haven't been doing this much running for over a year, I think.  I am really happy to be back into it and I love having company. 

[JayGee]

Nemesis ~ that's wonderful news!  It feels so good to be back out running again, doesn't it?!

tjsmama ~ glad you had such a nice dinner (and a break from DS) at real's last night.  You sound a little stressed, for sure.  Hope your weeek gets better.

MelW ~ your DD sounds like she says some pretty funny things.  I agree that graduation is not really 4 year old behavior.   Thankfully, DD2's preschool doesn't do a graduation, just a huge picnic/party after the last day.

sparkle ~ what a week (month.... year....) you've had Mama .  I agree with Dimitrizmom that you really need to find someone with a sports focus.  I've been to 3 different chiros and only the one I'm seeing now seems to have a clue.  And that's just crazy that your accupuncturist forgot about you.  I wish we could all come and spirit you away to some relaxing mountaintop for a week of R&R.  Come to think of it, I could use that myself!

Nic ~ hope it's good changes for the family.  Good luck with your surgery.  I think you'll be glad you did it.

Penelope ~ oh no.  I pray you can find peace in all the upheaval.  And your DH can think about his family rather than, well, just himself.

No running to report here.  I'm going to go today during the girl's swimming lessons this afternoon.  I have to run.  I feel like a total blob.

[mommajb]

I'd like to join nemesis to report that I ran 3x this week. I don't even wnt to admit to mysef how much fitness I have lost. None of my clothes fit so as I mentioned I did a little forced shopping. I managed to find a style of pants that fits all right but my shape... I tried on a couple of cute tops and could not do it as I was asking myself the same question kerc was asked. Plain tees seem to be my best bet right now. I am going to keep running and hope things get back in place, mentally and physically.

My mom is staying with the kiddos when dh and I head out to CA. I hope it is more than a fact finding mission but I am prepared to make a second trip if I must. Unfortunately this means that she will have to handle the end of school year chaos and she is not prepared. She is thinking she can put in half days (remotely) with ds2 while the others are at school but she has soccer tournaments, honors day, band concerts, piano recitals, etc. Not to even mention that I am mising all these milestones. As stupid as graduation ceremonies are, I don't want to be the only parent not there - I have 3 kiddos 'graduating' year. K and 8th I get but 6th graders also as they move to the junior high for 7th?? My parents have not marked any graduation so I doubt they will be at the ready here but I have mentioned it to them.

Personally, I would have explored grade skips but dh is vehemently opposed. When we were homeschooling it was a non-issue. This year... I would not recommend anything that caused my child to experience junior high too soon, or before prepared and I am not talking academically. Childhood is fleeting, take it when you can. Starting early probably works for some and would have for ds1. dd3 in in K this year and barely made the cutoff. Academically she was more than prepared but in many other ways full day of K and all that has to be tolerated was too much until recently. With the way the dates move and such ds2 will make the cutoff by hours and he will make it 1 year sooner than if we had stayed in IN. He regularly does dd2's 2nd grade homework for her and reads well enough (at age 3) but I may hold him out a year figuring that if they can meet his needs one year they will be able to meet them the next and if they can't one more year at home is even better.

I have been reading along and should do personals but went for an update and a tossing in of my .

[sparkletruck]

Thanks everybody. On an up, and down note, the accupuncturist gave me some herbs for the moodliness/depression, which I am supposed to take 2, 3x per day. Well, I took the first two last night around dinner time, annnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnd........ was up most of the night. However, while brushing my teeth, I felt the fog lift, or I felt "normal", and thought I might try to squeeze in a gym visit today (although have a lot of volunteering the next two days, and now am pretty tired, so blork). I am due for AF any day which is when the progesterone misery always goes away, but at least I am more optimistic that next month I have something (accupuncture/herbs) that may keep this from happening. This was a BAD pms this month. I'm sure Dh will be relieved it's over


Nemesis and Mommajb - I am feeling your joy vicariously That is the best! feeling you are having, and I'm so glad it's coming around again

jaygee and Dimitri's mom - Thank you! The guy I saw is VERY experienced and well regarded, and spent tons of time talking to me. But he seemed to think that it's an arch issue, and I definitely dont. I agree that arch support, or lack of, exacerbates things, but that is not what has been causing this for 3 years! The mental hurdle Im having is that I have seen so many people so far (2 PT's, 2 Orthopods, a sports bodyworker, an A.R.T. person, and now a chiro) and spent so much $ and time and did I mention $, and been let down most EVERY time, that the thought of finding someone else is just, sigh, bleh. I do have a guy in mind who is a sports chiro trained in advanced ART. He will probably be the next on the list after I get over this disappointment (and get some estrogen on board in the next week = mood up)

MelW - YES on a state of the union. I know what you mean about the implied expectations. bleh!

Off to volunteer, volunteer, volunteer, and then volunteer some more (um, and on the implied expectations; why am I the one doing all the volunteering. He's home today, tomorrow, etc.?)

[Nickarolaberry]

Hi all.

I ended up going out for a run yesterday evening and it was much better. Seems that right now, evenings here are much more comfortable than even early mornings. Less humid and somewhat of a breeze.

On grade skips -- I don't know, I think the social/emotional aspect is really important. My oldest dd didn't skip exactly, but when she started school we were in an area where the cutoff was 12/31. So with her October birthday she began kindy at not even 5 years old. When we moved here, we 'reclassified' her and she 'repeated' a grade (although she was still doing academic work of the grade level ahead) and this has been a great move for her socially and emotionally. I see that as she gets into the preteen years, she is not yet prepared to be in an environment replete with boy/girl social minefields, gossip, etc. that characterizes the early middle school period).

And with ds, who turned 5 the day school started, I also see that as the youngest one in his grade and class, he is at a social and emotional disadvantage. Despite being ahead academically, he has a hard time handling the full day, the sitting still, and the negotiating social issues in a larger class with less direct supervision than in preschool. His teachers told me he 'doesn't manage time well' (i.e. he likes to spend all day on one Montessori work, rather than switching -- which is an argument I have with them anyway since it's Montessori and according to the philosophy and the school's outlook he should be able to work through a work to mastery as he likes rather than be switched arbitrarily to other tasks). I don't think it would have been good for him to be held back, necessarily, but I am also not sure if he's ok being the very youngest kid, especially as an active boy. Teachers tend to have unrealistic expectations of how boys (and girls) should be able to handle work, sitting, listening, restraining impulses, etc. and he will be at a disadvantage in this.

So.

My news.

We are moving again.

To western Massachusetts (Amherst, to be precise). Dh took a job offer there. It is a good move for us -- community wise, for me professionally (I hope), and hopefully financially too. I will not be happy to have winter again - that was the one great benefit of living here - but otherwise, it's a good thing.

Now I just have to deal with the logistics which is overwhelming me. Deep breaths, one day at a time. Run, run, run.