Running Around the Maypole ~ the May Dingo Thread - Page 9

[kerc]

Originally Posted by Nickarolaberry 

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.

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Amherst. Seriously.

I went to preschool, kindy and first grade there. And frankly. if I didn't live here in Minnesota I would move there. (and of course if my job weren't tied to location). 

And now you're driveable for a dingo-meetup.

[bec]

Penelope - I'm so sorry to hear things are deteriorating with your DH's work again.  I know this has been a struggle for him and you!  I hope he gains some clarity quickly enough to not lose his job. 

Mel - On demanding exercise time.  DH and I try to be respectful of the other when scheduling our free time activities.  But, we express them as a logistics need.  "I need to get a long run this weekend".  Or, he may say, "I have a CERT meeting on Saturday, do we have anything else going on?"  We've had a good dynamic lately and good balance between each of us getting enough time for our own things.  The past couple of years have really been the first time since having kids that I feel it has been a good balance.

Speaking of grade skips and the like, The superintendent of our district pulled me aside last night at the kids' concert to ask me how this year has been going for Emily.  I told her it has been a wonderful year for her, and because she has been in a 2nd/3rd split class, she has been able to do the 3rd grade curriculum while staying closer to age peers, so it has been near ideal.  I didn't get into the fact that Emily has been complaining about it being too easy.  I figured this was not the time for confrontation or being ungracious!  Abby had her prek graduation, which I am told was adorable.  I haven't watched the video of it yet, but will do sometime soon. 

No running to report.  No exercise to report either.  Sigh.  I am having a pretty significant flare of tendonitis, though, so I'm trying to be patient with my body and rest and ice this leg.  I want to be healthy and strong for the tris I have coming this summer. 

[1jooj]

 So much difficulty, mamas. I hope the upswing starts today. It hurts my heart to read the frustration; I can just feel it. I had a friend who used the analogy of the Universe putting us into a slingshot and pulling us back, back, back before releasing us into a breathtaking step forward. I like to remind myself of this, even when it's only to get myself through a tough moment. But I am reading along and thinking of you all as I take leave of family and friends and step on the scale a painful number of times (without bag,  with bag ). Finalizing packing, getting ready for the big trip tomorrow afternoon. Chicagoland Dingos, I'll send down happy vibes as we take off tomorrow night.

Truly, technology is an amazing thing. 15 years ago when I left last time for an extended period, it was like cutting off a leg. Now, I know we can be in contact quickly and easily, and share photos, video, audio, and can even videoconference in real time. So Dingos, keep me in mind on your travels around the world. You really just never know.

But happy congrats to Gaye on the job!!! And sympathy on the difficulties with ds--I'm solo now 3 weeks+ with my two and I am ready to throw in the towel.

Sparkle, I have been there, down to your very description of being on the verge. Hugs.

Penelope, while my dh doesn't sabotage himself that way, he does in other (financial) ways and I know that terrible not-sleeping-at-night feeling. And yet, you know you will be OK, and that itself shows your wisdom.

Dh is frustrated doing everything for himself, as he usually relies on me for anything administrative. Kids got into the school we wanted and I am not sure it's the school I want anymore...dh and I haven't yet realized a common vision for housing, but I'm hoping we get on the same page next week. And on another note entirely, as amazing as technology is, I love being with my sisters and closest, dearest friends and I am going to miss them SO MUCH on a day-to-day basis.

Bright side, back is feeling great, hip is feeling OK, and I am looking forward to fabulous gyms and pools.

I love you, Dingo Mamas.

[Geofizz]

Safe travels.  Check in when you get a chance!

Penelope, ARGH on your behalf.  It sounded like last week you were thinking this was headed this way.  I'm sorry that it's coming to be.  Your sense of humor and wit will hopefully help carry you through.  You're welcome back in my living room any time - I'll make the coffee my weird way. ;)

Nic, I was hoping your announcement would be something along those lines.  The relief in your tone is clear.

Mommajb ~ what a time to be gone!  I'm not sure I would do it, but some of these Mays make me think I should import a grandparent or two to take off some of the load.

On exercise time ~ We have a combination of un-touchable time reserved (DH's soccer Sat am, my bike ride with C Sunday am) and broadly reserved time (weeknights DH 5-6 pm; me after kid activities, starting 7:30-8:30) and then we negotiate variances from there (I moved a run to 8:45 the other night so DH could go at 7:30 after he was stuck at work too long that day.  Papa had to run.).  We have both agreed to start from the perspective that exercise contributes to our physical and emotional well-being, and the time needs to be accommodated. 

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

On exercise time ~ We have a combination of un-touchable time reserved (DH's soccer Sat am, my bike ride with C Sunday am) and broadly reserved time (weeknights DH 5-6 pm; me after kid activities, starting 7:30-8:30) and then we negotiate variances from there (I moved a run to 8:45 the other night so DH could go at 7:30 after he was stuck at work too long that day.  Papa had to run.).  We have both agreed to start from the perspective that exercise contributes to our physical and emotional well-being, and the time needs to be accommodated. 

This, almost exactly.  I run long Saturday morning.  DH plays soccer Tuesday night and Saturday morning.  Everything else we negotiate, but we both know that exercise makes us both happier, nicer and well, more spouse-y!

Just back from a birthday lunch for DH's work colleague. Ate WAY too much, including cake (hello, gluten, I didn't miss you).  I need to register for a race to get myself motivated again.

Jooj, godspeed and we'll see you again when you've arrived at your new home .

[bec]

Nic - Congratulations!!!!  It sounds like a good move for you.

Jo - Safe travels! 

[MelW]

Safe travels, Jo!!

Nic, congrats on the new job for your DH and best wishes that everything works out well for the transition.

I really appreciate all of the input on scheduling exercise. It's funny how schedules can feel really fair and balanced for a while, and then suddenly lapse into something really inequitable. We've just had major work/life/childcare schedule changes, and are obviously still adjusting. And even more amazing to me is the kind of guilt I can feel for asking for something totally deserved. I'm feeling much, much better today, though :)

[sparkletruck]

Re: work-out schedules. Dh works a different schedule every month (different days and times) so we go day to day. His monthly schedule is written up on the fridge, so I can look and see when he is available to watch kids and vice/versa. For tomorrow I said "hey, can I have the morning and then you can have any other time of the day". Or I'll get the kids up and ready in the morning but ask him to plan to drive them, so I can get to the gym during that time, and then he still has some time to get a bike ride in before work, but also had enough sleep despite getting home from work the night before at midnight or later.

Nic - I am so happy for you. I think the Northeast is much closer to your sensibility, and if the money is better, it sounds like the only downside is a cold winter, which is really wonderful to run in sometimes. Seasons are beautiful. A fire for Christmas, xcountry skiing.... on Monday

Jo -

Several hours of garage sale work; check. Green chili cheese cornbread and 2 banana breads baked for climbing team bake sale tomorrow; check. I was thinking of adding Benadryl to the banana bread and offering it to the Boulder team for free, but thought that was maybe a bad idea

Have officially gained all the weight back since losing so much during my illness. I know its wrong, and I was very skinny, but it's nice to be effortlessly skinny for awhile, and not so nice to have a pooch again.

[tjsmama]

nic~Wow, big changes indeed! Congrats to your DH on the new job...it sounds like the move will be good for your family!

jo~Safe travels! Can't wait to hear about your adventures in the desert!


Today has kind of gone by in a blur. I must confess, I pretty much did not pay attention at all in class this morning. This is what happens when you calculate your grade and realize you only need a 78 on the final to get an A in the class.

Of course, the MAIN reason I wasn't paying attention is because I got confirmation from the clinical coordinator that my placement was switched, so I can do the Courage Classic! I spent the rest of the class setting up my fundraising page, and emailing/facebooking/tweeting/texting about it. Here's my plug: July 23-25, I will be riding the Courage Classic to support Children's Hospital. I'm pretty sure you guys heard me rave all about Children's during my clinical there...it's truly a phenomenal organization, and the things they do to help kids (and their families) there are amazing. My fundraising goal WAS $300 (the requirement for the ride), but after raising $150 in just a few hours today, I'm upping my goal to $500. And, just for kicks...if I raise $1000, I will ride the optional century route on Day 2! So, if you have an extra dollar or two, and feel so moved, please help me out by donating here.

I did finally connect with the occupational health nurse. And then felt like an idiot when she informed me that I actually had a week MORE than I thought I did to get my screen completed. Oops.

Picked up my race packet for the marathon I'm not running on Sunday...cool shirt, lame expo. I was pretty disappointed that all I got for my registration fee was the shirt and a couple of lame coupons and flyers. Oh well.

And then, we finished the evening up with another epic meltdown by DS. Wherein I was informed that I am a bad person. Sigh.

Tomorrow: I burn off all the ridiculousness that I ate today with a ride that I am nowhere near prepared for. I may die. Just FYI in case I don't show up here again...

[Plady]

Originally Posted by mommajb 

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.

This resonates for me (don't know how little dd will feel about it if I act on it though).

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

 I'll make the coffee my weird way. ;)

How's that?  My coffee addict self is dying to know!

Jo - Safe trip mama, check in whenever you can!

[sparkletruck]

Ugh, I'm annoyed about my dd1's climbing competition

So, the team from Boulder is ridiculously good. I mean we're talking 8 year olds who are more buff than many adults I know. They look a little freakish. But of course they win. Apparently, their coach was the National women's champ for several years in a row in the 90's and so was her husband - or something like that (although not the women's champ ), and their kids were the champs at each age at which they competed. The woman started this team and a training regime at this one gym in Boulder and selects team members from FEEDER teams around town. Obviously their training plan works and they turn out great climbers, but,

unless our team treats training that way (and yes, Boulder kids seem to be having fun!, despite seeming to me to be training maybe intensely for 8 years old), my dd1 will always lose when she competes against them. The friendly spirit of every comp. Ive been to is dampened when Boulder is there because everyone kind of knows how it will go. DD1 doesnt seem to notice or care much. Just me Anyway, dd1 did well. She was comparable to midlevel Boulder girls, and then the crazy good ones beat her.

Oh, this was Regionals - all teams from CO and NM, and it happened to be at our gym this time (last time in Ft. Collins). End of the rope season (bouldering season is in the Fall, Summer is off)

Plus I felt like a fat cow next to all those fit Boulder moms. Maybe that was it

[MelW]

Sparkle, good to hear your DD did well and had fun despite the lopsided competition. Excuse my ignorance, but how exactly does competive climbing work? Speed to top?

Tjsmama- yay for the schedule change and the courage classic. Looks amazing!

I made a chiro appt for next week. The practice seems good, and the chiropractor's bio says that she's a runner, even though she's not specifically a sports specialist (there are none locally). And they do kinesiotaping. Fingers crossed.

RR- Biked to the lake and back today. Amazing how much faster I am without a trailer!!

[Plady]

Nic - Congrats on the move news, it may be the lingering New Englander in me but I can't help thinking you'll find a lot more like-mindedness in Amherst.

Gaye  - IME (and others' iirc) kids get pretty tempestuous around birthdays and half birthdays and I recall the 4-5 time being pretty intense.  Benign neglect!  Benign neglect!  Benign neglect!

Sparkle - That climbing team sounds like something out of a Glee episode, only I can see how it wouldn't be so funny in real life.

Biggest Loser check-in - Down ~5 pounds.  I know that sounds like a lot but I think it is basically all water weight.  When I did the body composition thing on the cruise the guy said that I was packing the equivalent of 4 liters of water and I believe it.  I just look and feel all around less puffy.  With one thing and another I haven't had a decent workout at all but I'm happy enough low carbing away, no urge to cheat at all yet.  And Af has been with me for just over a week now, at varying levels of annoyingness, so I'm sure that is adding its own 2 cents.

Ack!  Just remembered something I forgot to do hours and hours ago!

[zubeldia]

Hi Dingoes,

I'm such a bad dingo but trying to read along and following many of you on FB. But I miss you lot!

Sparkle, I'm just catching up and was so sad to find you're in such a spot.. I recognize that place and it's thoroughly despairing. I hope you can hold on to the knowledge that you will come out of the other side. I did :lol with your talk of the "Boulder" team and their mums!

Penelope, any updates on DH's job? My DH has work 'issues' and was written up a few weeks ago. i was furious, honestly, because I do think there is some self-sabotage though he would never see that, I don't think.

Gaye, yee haw, well done on the new job!

DrJen, phew, that's a lot. I know you're a strong and fierce woman and that you'll get through this.

As some of you may know I have a lovely new bike, a Cervelo P2. You CAN buy speed :) I'm training for my first HIM and if I can survive the swim I think I'll have a good time. We're just about to TTC, though, so we'll see what comes first, a BFP and the triathlon. That said I've been using ovulation predictor strips and I don't seem to be ovulating... I wonder if the training or the fact I'm still BFing DS is having an impact on my fertility. Any thoughts?

Life is nuts, as usual, but the end of the semester has come and now it's just a mountain of paperwork. Once I get through that I will have survived my first year chairing the department.

[tjsmama]

alex~I am uber jealous of your TT bike. Someday, maybe. Like in 10 years when my student loans are paid off AGAIN.

sparkle~I had to laugh at your description of the Boulder team. It's such an odd town. Totally laid-back, mellow, hippie, even...and then there are all the uber-competitive athletes. I mean, seriously...Matty Reed, Chrissie Wellington, Julie Dibens...they all live/train in Boulder. Um, so Ft Collins, huh? When does the next competition in my neck of the woods happen?


Well, I survived the ride this morning. Barely. This was the first time EVER that the climb was more enjoyable than the descent. OMG, I have never been so cold in my life. It was brutal. The uphill hurt, too. But not like the brain-freeze/ice-cream headache kind of hurt like the cold on the downhill was. We had to stop multiple times just to warm up hands enough to be able to use our brakes. Which, you know, is kind of important at those speeds. I was pretty proud of myself that I made it to the top. It sucked, and I was slow, but I did it. Gives me some hope for the Courage Classic...

And now I am on a mad baking spree to provide treats for my unit tomorrow, since it's my last day. Also must do my last round of prepwork, but it shouldn't be too bad, since two of the three are cystic fibrosis patients, and I've done that patho a ton of times by now...

[Penelope]

Nic, I hope the move is a good one for your family.  Try to stay sane in all that stress!

Jo, hang in there.  Your dingo sisters love you.

Gaye, great news! Have fun with the Courage Classic!

Zub, my dh confirmed today that he expects his job/our insurance to end June 31. I'm quite, quite angry with him - especially as once again I need health care that we won't be able to afford (physical therapy.) Hopefully I won't need more than 6 weeks, or I'll have to stop as it will all have to be out of pocket. He has an interview coming up and seems to think that this makes it all ok. I'm trying not to be nasty with him but I'm just so tired of this bull*&!^.

My physical therapy news is pretty good, though - I have the same therapist I had before, and she's awesome, plus now only works Saturdays so I can always fit the sessions in. She thinks things are not as bad as they were, and that I can run as long as it doesn't hurt. I have a bunch of exercises to do and a patch on each knee with slow-release medication to help with the inflammation. I'm still tentatively planning a full marathon in July - we'll see how the training goes. I'm going to try to bike a lot to keep my general fitness level up.

Got some gardening and some housecleaning and not nearly enough grading in today, sigh. There goes tomorrow...

[sparkletruck]

Originally Posted by MelW 

Sparkle, good to hear your DD did well and had fun despite the lopsided competition. Excuse my ignorance, but how exactly does competive climbing work? Speed to top?!

Ha! I did catch the subtext on that : YES I am neurotic and trying not to be competitive. I never voice any of this to dd1, and she does love it, so whatever..... that said, dd1 told me later that the winner of her division (and the only girl to get up the 3rd climb, which proved to be very difficult at the same spot for almost everyone) was the daughter of the Boulder team's coach and, um, the NATIONAL champion last year

Climbing comps: everyone is in a division based on an age range. Each division climbs 3-4 climbs (depends on the comp), that get successively harder. These are top roped climbs if you are under 11, and lead climbs (where you have to clip into bolts as you go) if you are 11+. If you fall once, you're done. Every hold has a point valuation, and then you get different points for how much progress you make, so if you lunge for a hold and touch it, you get something, if you lunge and grab it for a minute but your hand cant hold on, you get more, and if you lunge and stick it you get the most. "Flashing" means you did a climb first time, no falls. DD1 flashed the first two and made it to the tricky spot on the 3rd one. I think only 2-3 girls made it past that spot (out of maybe 15?), and one finished the whole climb.

There is something called Isolation at some comps where climbers stay in a separate area until they are scheduled to climb and then have to sit in chairs facing away from the climbing wall as they progress from one climb to another so that no one can watch/study the climbs for better routes. This was not an Isolation comp, and I think the girls who go later get a little benefit from it because they can watch everyone else try the hard part. I still dont think dd1 could have got that move - it was trick trick tricky.

ok, more info. than you needed - blork

[mommajb]

sparkle, I loved hearing about the climbing. My girls have oved it the couple of times I have taken them. I am sure they aren't very good but as 'retired' gymnasts they did get comments on their strength.

nic, enjoy the process of moving.

drjen, I totally get where you are on moving. It is so hard to say good bye to some people. I know I can't replace friends but I do hope I make some new ones and am able to build a community after the move, at least somebody to put in the emergency contact blanks at school and the hcp office.

alex, enjoy that new bike. As to ttc, can you copar eit to last time? Is your training more intense, are you eating enough, what is your body fat percentage?

gaye, your cycling efforts are amazing. You've probably earned a baked goodie just maintaining temperature on that ride!

penelope, keep on keeing on. I hope you get surprise good news soon.

[JenLove]

Alex ~ How old is Rafi?  I didn't start my cycle with V until she was 19 months old.  But also intense training and low body fat as already mentioned can affect your cycles too.

(hugs) Penelope

Jo ~ Are you in Dubai?  Oh my goodness!!  I hope your trip was uneventful and I can't wait to hear an update.

Plady ~ Good work on the 5 pounds - keep it up mama!!

Nic ~ Good luck on your move!

FM: Not much of it, sadly.  This gloomy spring is killing me.  I am getting a lot of organizing and decluttering done inside though.  DH is getting buff with P90X and my belly is expanding... it's a hit to my ego. :P

NRR:  Still house searching.  We looked at a lovely house but I tried not to fall in love with it because DH wasn't keen on it, then we talked about building, but it all boils down to where we can get good internet for him to work.  He said last night he wants to look a lot this week and get offers in.  Our criteria may have changed a little (less land but still space for chickens and goats) and we'll go from there.  I can't believe how crazy and frustrating this process has been.  

I have an ultrasound in 9 days!!  I can't believe I'm almost half way there already!! 

[sparkletruck]

Just biked 3 miles w/ trailer (to the park and back with dd2). That is the extent of my exercise in the last 10 days. It felt really good. Maybe I can change my attitude about biking (wouldnt dh be thrilled). Two bad 2 cyclists were killed Thursday on a popular riding road (separate accidents) here.

mommajb - as former gymnasts I bet they were awesome at climbing! All the Boulder girls look like gymnasts. You should look into it in SD. I bet there is something going on there (climate, type of sport, etc). There are 13 regions in the U.S. (I think), so every region had Regionals on Saturday. Here is a link to how the regions break down.... it is funny/surprising how developed the subculture is of kid climbing: teams, comps, training.

Gaye - team members from dd1's team actually go up to CO quite a bit to compete. There was one in Vail last weekend and one in the Springs the week before. But it turned out that we went to Phoenix for our out of state comp. We were going to Gunni, but it got canceled. Point is, CO is an "easy" trip when you live in the Southwest. One of these days

Plady - on the 5lbs. and even more that you arent having cravings!!!

jo - cant really believe you are there!