Running Away ~ October Dingos - Page 3

[1jooj]

Thanks ladies. You're right, and I am going to counter, but culture differences being what they are, it is going to sound a lot more like a regretful decline. And I need to be totally OK with not taking the work, and at this point, I sure am. I need to be really careful with what I take on at this point. Because I'm not the only one who'd be dealing with it, and my kids really, really need me--and I can see how badly things would go, and how quickly, if I didn't have the presence of mind to be all-on when they are home. They say time is money, but sometimes time is just waaay more than money ever could be.

Kids started with the new Arabic tutor tonight, and she. Is. Awesome! I think I might have a friend!

I didn't run today, just walked and listened to This American Life (The Break-Up). Tomorrow, a run. I've been pressured to take the kids to a movie this weekend. Also, my blind expat coffee date pointed me in the direction of a rescue/sanctuary/petting zoo-type place. Not for this weekend, since it's still too hot, but soon.

[sparkletruck]

I'm feeling a lot like Real these days, hence minimal communication and even less personals

On the subject of hormones, I cant resist sharing this essay with you. I know I do it all the time, but I was laughing so hard when I read this, and Im hoping its because it is actually that funny and not just my impoverished sense of humor. Dh laughed too, not that that's any help. It's about menopause, which, while most of you are miles away, still rings so close to home (um, double metaphor? Whatever, Im too tired ) If you all remember, I thought I was starting perimenopause a few months ago? Well I no longer think that - Im pretty certain the hormone nightmare was *just* due to my illness/recovery as my hair has stopped falling out and I feel normally hormonal instead of hellishly - but what she describes is exactly what I felt like, but is both hilarious and insightful. Anyway, count on me to dump essays in your laps now and then. I just cant read something I love without wanting to share and talk


Jo - I probably missed it - what's the job?

[Nickarolaberry]

Sparkle, that essay was hilarious. And I must admit, perimenopause is not far away for me at all...in fact probably right on the horizon if I haven't already started, at the ripe old age of 42. 

Please excuse me while I go raid the Hersheys Kisses stash...

[JayGee]

sparlke ~ that essay is so freaking funny!!!!  Good times are right around the corner I see .

[eksmom]

Sparkle, I read that the other day and was frightened at what was ahead for me but laughed hysterically as well.  And maybe there was a tiny sense of relief that someday I might feel less like I have to care for everyone all the time!  I shared it with a friend and told her that if hormones are the only thing making me take care of my husband then he better enjoy it while it lasts... he'll be desperately trying to figure out HRT for me when the time comes!

JayGee I think you'd make a fantastic preschool teacher but I can also see why you might not want to jump all over that opportunity.  Good luck making a decision.

You too, Jo.  I admire you for guarding your time - that's something I'm just beginning to realize I haven't paid enough attention to.

[sparkletruck]

Eks - Oh yeah, I read it to Dh for a reason! (to explain, justify, and warn about my moods). We've already (for a few months) been talking about our relationship and where its headed - midlife re-evauation of needs and wants, as in "I need to go on a ten day backpacking trip by myself and maybe pick up a twenty-something in the parking lot of Tuolumne Meadows"

[mommajb]

Sparkle, that essay had me and given my mood swings. It is dead-on.

[MelW]

Originally Posted by JayGee 

RR ~ none.  Back and hip are killing me.  Argh.  WTF, man.

Hope they're feeling better soon!

As I said to Jo about her job, apply, then decide/negotiate. It can't hurt (too much) to apply...

Originally Posted by bec 

I'm surfacing for air for a few minutes!  In the last 6 days, I've worked 50 hours.  Stay at home mom for 10.5 years to a 50 hour work week leaves me exhausted and with a small cold.  I did manage to get out during my 12 hour day (6.5 hours at Charming Charlie, 5.5 hours at Bath and Body Works) for a 30 minute run (only about 2.3 miles because I got a phone call I needed to take).  I have a half marathon this weekend, and really don't feel ready.  This would have been fine if my friend was doing it with me, as a run/walk strategy seemed to be what she would need, but she needs to work that day.  So, now I have no excuse.  I'm on my own.  I'm going to go and just see what happens, have fun and finish. 

NRR:  On Saturday, I had a Girl Scout Cookout for my troop at my coleader's house.  Where, one of the girls managed to chip a tooth on a swing set.    It turns out, she had a hairline fracture gong all the way to the root.  I am now trying to navigate dealing with Girl Scout insurance to make a claim, etc.  We have never had so much as a skinned knee before this, and it had to happen during the period where I am mind numbingly exhausted!  Ugh!  It's just sort of a when it rains it pours kind of thing.

Oh, and my period started, so I'm feeling very sensitive to everything, but trying VERY hard to take things with a grain of salt.  I'm working on just not responding until I have the emotional energy to do so calmly. 

Good luck with the half, whether you run or run/walk it. And YIKES about the tooth- how stressful, in a stressful, menstrual week (seriously, are the dingoes cycling together? I'm think I'm a couple of days behind you and Nic, but this is NOT what I thought chasing the naughty dingo was about )
 

Originally Posted by Nickarolaberry 

Hi mamas.

Today was a good day.

I got a call for an interview to take a maternity leave temp teaching position at the local (well, 40 mins. away...but the closest one) Jewish high school, for mornings. So I am going there Thurs. to see what's what. 

I went thrifting and scored big time. Wanna hear? Well ok I'll tell you anyway. 

He gave me another time goal for the trip to Israel.  4:20 or better. That's 10 minute miles the whole way. I don't know if I can, but hey, it's worth a shot. For myself, my goal is 4:45. Since I totally bonked and bombed in mile 23 in the last marathon...I am in better shape now and faster in general but you know...you just never know. Gotta respect that distance. It's a m-f.   My friend posted an awesome pic on facebook; it was a photo of a street sign that said "To Hell and Back..26.2 Miles" Sundays and Holidays. 

I think Asics put them out. I would so love to get my hands on one of those. Impossible to find but I'm trolling ebay.

Have a good evening mamas. I think...yes...ice cream.

Awesome day and awesome thrift scores. I think your husband should just take you to Israel because you're a terrific wife and mother and runner, not because of some benchmark time that he sets!
 

Originally Posted by 1jooj 

 Oh, Dingoes. Looks like they want a FTer. And also looks like they want me. I am going to have to steel myself to move forward with the plan. I will see what their offer looks like (sounds like one might be coming ) and counter with something I could live with. I got the "when can you start?" And also the "what are you thinking for salary?" It was a good conversation, but sounds like a big commitment. Wish I could make it work, but this is beginning to look like someone else's opportunity.

Good luck with the negotiations!!

Originally Posted by Realrellim 

Trying to cheer myself up with the reality that the spring should be easier because all the class prep stuff eating up my time (i.e., updating old Powerpoint presentations and notes with the music selections of our current textbook) will be done. Have I mentioned that I hate, HATE powerpoint? And yet it's so much easier to use it than to juggle a stack of CDs and overheads for picture and other examples and writing on the board and getting chalk all over my hands and clothes. (Yes, I am feeling incompetent and useless in all ways. Another documentary about how lectures in college are basically ineffective is not helping. Perhaps I need another line of work, but what? Why did I get a PhD in something useless?!?!)
Eh, clearly I am still grumpy. Taking my grumpy self elsewhere until the hormones change. I'm hoping for the rush of AF energy others describe, because I desperately need it. Maybe I'll just go for some half-caf coffee instead. It ought to do the trick.

I hate powerpoint, too. But keep on using it. I've been known to break into a bit of a rant about student's reliance on being fed powerpoints in class (you should have seen the way my last class freaked out when I used Prezi instead- aaaaah! something new!!). My favourite use of powerpoint is in a classroom with a whiteboard, where I project powerpoint images/diagrams onto the whiteboard and then write all over them. I was a little obsessed with creating new exciting drawing/diagrams to use this way for a while, but it is nice to change things up a little...

I hope you're feeling less grumpy soon. And get some sleep!!!

RR- Just about to leave for a quick run...

NRR- My exams are all marked, bags half packed, and this evening I have lab/skills testing. Then I'll get up early in the morning to start our (Canadian) Thanksgiving road trip- it's supposed to be a 9:15 trip including the ferry, but that doesn't factor in ferry wait times, etc. And I need to add another few hours for travelling with kids. I'm hoping to make it to my husband's by dinner time. My girls are pretty good road trippers, but this is the most ambitious day of travel I've ever done alone with two kids. And no, I don't have a portable DVD player (but lots of toys and snacks). Fingers crossed!

[Geofizz]

I've ditched ppt in all but general ed classes.  I use chalk - sometimes I get fancy and bring in a box of colored chalk.  

Lecture - yeah, not 100% effective, but better than alternatives when balancing content quality and quantity.  I also have students with their hands on something every day - mostly buttons and styrofoam balls as demo materials, and they have to do lots of sketching and drawing.  I actually walk around the room and comment on their drawings.  I make them do it.  I'm mean that way.

[tjsmama]

Oh, dingos...I am so very far behind on the thread. I'm emerging from the nocturnal life, at least temporarily. I ended up doing clinical 5 out of the last 6 nights. I was supposed to be on tonight as well, but I needed to switch a shift to a day shift to shadow a charge nurse, so I opted to stay home tonight. Ahhh. DS is with XH, I have no homework imminently due, I don't have to work in the morning...my butt is firmly planted on the couch with plans to work on the massive backlog on my DVR. Lots and lots and lots of babies the past few nights! We've been in the nursery, which I really enjoy. We did admits Monday night, which is awesome. There was delivery after delivery after delivery, all in a row. I saw my first vacuum extraction, which while not a great thing for anyone involved was a fascinating thing to see. And fortunately, everything went very well with it. I have to say that for all the things I've been surprised/disappointed with as far as how the nurses do things, I have been really impressed with the breastfeeding rates. I can only think of two babies that I've seen in my 9 shifts to date that were exclusively formula babies, and only a handful that were supplementing. And they offer donor milk before they offer formula. Every time! Yes, pacifiers are ubiquitous, but overall I've been pleasantly surprised. They do a great job of getting babies latched on as soon as possible, if mom wants to just hang out skin to skin with baby after delivery, they don't hassle her, etc. I can see myself working there, if I could only get a job there...

No workouts since Monday. I probably should have gone out for something after XH picked up DS, but I'm so tired. I'm going to try to go for a trail run to take in the fall colors tomorrow, I think. Well, I guess I kind of did a workout today since it was walk to school day, so I left clinical a few minutes early to get home in time to walk DS to school. That's just over a mile, so that counts for something, right? Never mind the fact that I was so tired that I asked another parent to give me a ride home. Or that I decided that walk TO school day does not mean that we have to walk FROM school. Right? I'm tired, so that's what I'm going with!

I got an email from DS's teacher today. He has been selected as their first "Super Citizen" of the year! Apparently, it's an award they give out for following the "Lowry way", always making good choices, etc. He gets recognized in front of the whole school at an assembly on the 20th, and we are invited to come in. And it's a surprise, he doesn't know yet! I'm so stinking proud.

[DiannaK]

Happy October, my fellow running mommas! I don't know about you, but I LOVE running in the fall ... weather is so much easier now, here in KY. 

I'm a few weeks out from my second half marathon -- it's been some rocky training, with the hot summer weather, then some personal issues. Ran 10 over the weekend, and felt great until mile 8 -- my knee aggravated me for the next two. I'm still pretty happy, since I finished in 2:01 -- that's race pace for me. I'm slow. 

AND ..... the day after the 10 mile run, got some VERY surprising news ..... I'm pregnant. Hooray! 

One of the first things someone asked me was, "well, I guess your half is out." "Hell, no, " I said. I've come too far --- I JUST ran 10 the day before I found out, and felt fine. What's 3 more? (slowly). I'll be 10 weeks when the half rolls around. 

I'd love to chat with those of you who have been there, done that. I know you ladies will be a wealth of information for me. 

Happy running vibes to those of you with a big race this weekend!! 

[Nickarolaberry]

Congrats, Dianna! I don't know much about running a half while pregnant but I think if you watch your core temp and heart rate, it's fine. That's what I always read anyway. I'd go over to the forums at RW as there is a whole section for women and a section on the site for running and pregnancy. 

Did you all hear Steve Jobs has passed on? RIP Steve Jobs. 

[zubeldia]

Thanks, all. I've really missed you but my misery has been so annoying for most people.

Plady, oh, really, no, it's not weird or odd coming from you. You're in a terrible predicament and nothing is straight-forward. There have been times in my life when the ability to choose would have practically saved my life. Sending so much love, and thinking of your DD, too.

Real, I have been feeling a lot like you lately.... a PhD and teaching/researching but not really feeling effective or passionate. Just a lot of empathy - not that that helps. FWIW I use powerpoint sometimes. Today I used it to show images of early 'criminal types'! But I use it for various things. I wish I could use Prezi! Very impressive, Mel!

Jaygee, how's your hip?

Jo, I'm eagerly watching what happens with this job offer.

Congrats, Dianna! I had a friend run a 3:15 marathon when 6 weeks pregnant (she didn't know she was pregnant!). Have fun. When's your due date?

Nic, fantastic bargains!

Kerc, thanks! The house is really coming along nicely. We should be moved in the beginning of December, all being well. The best thing is that we'll be close to my work and also very close to the beach and a state park. Feeling like we really lucked out. 

In pregnancy news I am still pregnant... I am nervous as heck and don't know how i will get through the next few weeks. I'm not going to have my first scan until at least 7 weeks as I don't want a repeat of multiple scans. The waiting was terrible - trying to be realistic, trying to be hopeful. Oof, I really hope this works out. The other thing is that I am terrified of exercising. Just terrified. I am basically doing yoga and nothing else so I am slowly losing my mind with no stress release (yoga isn't doing it for me). Any advice or BTDT? There's this one study which makes me rather uneasy but I would really, really love to do some running soon.

[kerc]

Originally Posted by DiannaK 
AND ..... the day after the 10 mile run, got some VERY surprising news ..... I'm pregnant. Hooray! 

One of the first things someone asked me was, "well, I guess your half is out." "Hell, no, " I said. I've come too far --- I JUST ran 10 the day before I found out, and felt fine. What's 3 more? (slowly). I'll be 10 weeks when the half rolls around. 

Longtime Dingos might have more recall than me but Dingo member who doesn't hang round here Mamabeth ran a marathon newly pregnant, no?

And congratulations on the baby!
 

Originally Posted by MelW 

I hate powerpoint, too. But keep on using it. I've been known to break into a bit of a rant about student's reliance on being fed powerpoints in class (you should have seen the way my last class freaked out when I used Prezi instead- aaaaah! something new!!). My favourite use of powerpoint is in a classroom with a whiteboard, where I project powerpoint images/diagrams onto the whiteboard and then write all over them. I was a little obsessed with creating new exciting drawing/diagrams to use this way for a while, but it is nice to change things up a little...

powerpoint. urgh. we have a new classroom building (that is all the classrooms are there, not in the science building where my office is). The tables are designed so there is no walking around. I HATE it. HATE it.

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

I've ditched ppt in all but general ed classes.  I use chalk - sometimes I get fancy and bring in a box of colored chalk.  

Lecture - yeah, not 100% effective, but better than alternatives when balancing content quality and quantity.  I also have students with their hands on something every day - mostly buttons and styrofoam balls as demo materials, and they have to do lots of sketching and drawing.  I actually walk around the room and comment on their drawings.  I make them do it.  I'm mean that way.

right. mean. Like me, asking students to write in a notebook. No, really, WRITE the answer to the question in your freaking notebook.

[LaLaLaLa]

Hello!

Zub--don't ever feel like your grieving process is annoying to others; we're here to listen and offer support when we can.  I hope you find a way to relieve some stress that feels safe to you.

Jo--I hope the job offer goes the way that you want it to go.  It's hard to balance life and work, and it must be especially hard when you're in such a stressful situation in a foreign country.  I'm glad you've found a tutor you really like.

JayGee--Congrats on the job offer!  Even if you decide to decline, it's nice to be asked.

DiannaK--Congratulations!  Best wishes for a healthy and uneventful pregnancy.

All is well here; I ran 12 miles today and it felt good, so I'm going to back off until my half on the 16th.  I talked to my dad tonight, who is running it with me, and he has the same plan.  Hopefully both of us can stay injury-free!

In non-running news, my DD, who is seven, got a part in our local Nutcracker production.  She's very excited about it, although it's a tiny little part, I'm sure.  And today in her school's community meeting (in front of 300 or so kindergarteners, first graders, and second graders), she played the piano.  She's been taking lessons for three weeks.   And she didn't have her piano book or anything, so she just played some little ditty from memory.  Where did this outgoing, showboat of a kid come from?!

[Realrellim]

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

I've ditched ppt in all but general ed classes.

Yeah, the main problem is that it is a gen ed class. And that class goes so much more smoothly if I'm not shuffling through CDs. (Yes, in theory I could put everything on my iPod in a playlist, but sometimes the technology breaks down and then I have no music.)

Originally Posted by kerc 

Like me, asking students to write in a notebook. No, really, WRITE the answer to the question in your freaking notebook.

For real! On the opposite side of tech issues, would you believe a student actually handwrote an assignment and handed it to me, telling me he couldn't print it out because his printer broke? I stopped myself from asking him if it was 1998 or from pointing out that he could email it to me, or better yet, actually upload the document into Blackboard in the very same area where he read the assignment instructions originally. Though, if he read the rather scathing comments I left on that assignment, he won't make that mistake again. (It had major spelling and grammar problems in nearly every sentence, he guessed at what the piece was as opposed to I dunno, looking in the very expensive textbook that they purchased and actually finding out what kind of piece it was and which instrument was playing, and it gave overall impression that he'd scribbled it on a piece of paper during class even though he could have gone home and done a decent job because their assignments aren't due until midnight.)

tjsmama--yay for the super citizen award. BTW, which hospital are you at (clearly not University or Lutheran)? Not that it matters as I'm not having more babies, but I'm curious.

DiannaK--congrats!

zub--glad to hear everything is sticking so far. Walking is good for stress relief. I could usually walk at a fairly decent pace while pregnant with R, and that satisfied my need to move without doing anything too strenuous. Disclaimer: I didn't have the energy to do anything strenuous once I was 5 weeks pregnant with R. I think you'd be fine to run, keeping it easy and short and all that, but walking and hiking are great middle-ground substitutes if that would help your peace of mind.

La4--congrats on your DD's part and woohoo for 12 miles.

I think the hormones are beginning to settle. Also, life goes more smoothly with pain meds. I've decided we're going to spend the first part of class watching more of The Magic Flute and that should help too. Still left: packing R's lunch, finishing class prep, grading papers, editing and sending my revised article to writing group, and a shower. Working on J's costume would be a bonus, but I'm not holding my breath.

[sparkletruck]

DD2 had something stuck in her teeth today - she was trying to get it out w/ floss. When Dh went to help, he managed to extract a hunk of ... super glue! It was all over her hands/fingers, and the bottle was squished and leaking on the bathmat. Sigh. The crazy s*!t kids will do.

[tjsmama]

real~I'm at Rose. There are lots of things they do that I'm not so fond of, but the breastfeeding has been a very pleasant surprise. Probably at least partly because they draw a little bit older, higher socioeconomic class, well-educated mom than some of the other hospitals. But, still!

Speaking of which, could use some good positive thoughts for my friend/former neighbor. Right before I left last night, I saw she was on the L&D board at 5 cm. At 36 weeks. I think her DD1 was early, but not that early. I don't know her well enough to feel like I could pop over to L&D and stick my head in her room (especially if things were iffy), but hopefully all went or is going well for her and baby...

I just spent an hour responding to emails and clearing out my inbox. Phew! I'm thinking sleep-in tomorrow morning (because I CAN!), trail run, and then take the recycling that has become a fire hazard to the recycling center.

OH! Gluten-free mamas! I need some ideas/recipes for a yummy treat to make. My preceptor is GF and while I'm going to make a gluten-filled treat to share with the unit for my last night on Sunday, I want to make sure I have something for her. She's 17 weeks pg and craving sweets. I have some time to bake on Saturday, so thought I would like to find a yummy treat for her to make. Something that doesn't have a ton of expensive ingredients that I would need to go buy would be good. I definitely don't mind picking up some rice flour or whatever, but I don't have a ton of $$$ to spend, kwim?

[Nickarolaberry]

Gaye, go with rice krispie treats. Seriously. Go to WF or TJ and get gluten free rice krispies (kelloggs is not certified) and go for it.

I also do have some other recipes if you'd like them. Duncan Hines or Betty Crocker puts out a GF chocolate chip cookie mix which is actually quite good too. (you have to buy GF vanilla).

[Shantimama]

I keep reading and trying to catch up with everyone and then getting pulled away from the computer before I can post.

plady - sending tons of love and support to you in every way - to your dd too 

Took ds to the pediatrician yesterday as a follow up to his fainting spell a few weeks ago. Ped was great with ds, very thorough but didn't just wave us on without a worry as I had hoped he would. He says it looks like ds has been having TIA's and this morning he is starting a long list of tests both locally and at the children's hospital a couple of hours away. I am kicking myself that I didn't write down the names of the syndromes he is checking for. He did a great job of not scaring ds but took a minute alone with me to drill into my head the importance that dh and I and all of ds' teachers know the signs of stroke and act immediately if anything looks even remotely like that. So I am to go into the school this morning and make sure that if ds has slurred speech or any of the other signs the teacher is to call 911 immediately and not just send him to the office like they would usually do for a 15 year old because who thinks of healthy teens being at risk of stroke? Is it crazy that I would rather think my boy was taking drugs than this? He is 5'10'', 120 lbs and as active, happy and healthy as can be. I really hope that our ped is overreaching and not right about this.

Jo - I have skype if you ever want to connect that way. I am often up in the middle of my night/your day and can sign in if you ever want to chat that way. PM me if you want to and don't remember the spelling of my last name