Dingoes Trot with Turkeys in November - Page 3

[1jooj]

I really wish I could watch streaming TV shows (NBC and hulu). I'm thankful to get Colbert and The Daily Show, but I could go for something lighter.

Plady, you put it perfectly, and I am done with guilt. And it seems like a pretty fair trade, frankly. I hope stuff relaxes soon, and that all the back and core issues start to ease, too.

Sparkle, I don't just heel strike. I outside heel strike and roll inward, and push off the inside of the big toe. It's a total re-learn for me. I do OK on the beach. Maybe I'd do all right in something minimalist on a soft surface? I don't know. But I am heavy and that messes up my form overall. Bleh.

Jennie, if the corporate office were closer to the UP, I totally would. 

jaygee, it sounds like you're finding balance. Could it be? 

Shanti, I'm sorry you're feeling unwell. I hope the breathing settles out. I am just beginning to really understand how disconcerting it is to not be able to breathe. I think I get it now. 

Dh and I will chat tomorrow, talk with some other people, on the phone, and go from there. I am trying to relax through it and let myself be carried as much as possible.

Also, looks like I'll soon begin work. That's going to help us save, so I can set up a household when we get there.

Just going to keep breathing.

[bec]

Feel better, Shanti!  It can be soo draining to be sick for so long.

Jo - I admit that meeting you is on my bucket list!  I am so excited about your farm.  It's like it was never meant to really leave you.

Gaye - Would your son do better doing his homework in the morning before school?  Sometimes, if one of the kids is just taking forever, it means they are just fried from the day.  But, if they get up a few minutes early the next day, they can whip it out in no time.  Just throwing a thought out there.  

Happy Birthday, La!!!!  I had a really low key birthday this year, too, and it really was just so nice.

[kerc]

Originally Posted by tjsmama 

 DS, once again, took three painful hours to do not-very-much of his homework.

Homework should be banned in early grades. Period. But that said, we make a point of outside exercise, cuddle time, and then homework. I do check on homework (whether she has it or not) most days right when she comes home. But there are days that it doesn't happen and like this morning: I realized she hadn't done her homework and she was happy to do it in 2 minutes before eating while her toast was toasting.
 

Originally Posted by LaLaLaLa 

It's my birthday, it's my birthday, it's my bir-hir-hir-hirth day. 

Happy Birthday!!!
 

Originally Posted by poppywise 

Oh and also! My dh's face got the slightest glimmer of movement back to the left side!

WOOT!!!

[doctorjen]

Originally Posted by kerc 

Homework should be banned in early grades. Period. But that said, we make a point of outside exercise, cuddle time, and then homework. I do check on homework (whether she has it or not) most days right when she comes home. But there are days that it doesn't happen and like this morning: I realized she hadn't done her homework and she was happy to do it in 2 minutes before eating while her toast was toasting.
 

Happy Birthday!!!
 

WOOT!!!

Amen, to the homework banning!  And also, couldn't agree more with the doing after play time, snacks, etc - or in a few minutes in the morning.

Did I tell you guys my 3rd grade dd's teacher is out on bedrest now?  She's pregnant with twins and had to go on bedrest after being admitted to the hospital urgently.  The class has had 3 different subs so far - but they are getting a long term sub on 11/14 who will stay with them until the teacher is able to return (if she is able to return - her babies aren't due until January.)  It's been kind of rough on dd - and the current sub is, as Caroline puts it "very strict."  We did have parent teacher conferences and the school counselor did Caroline's and even the counselor made a point to assure Caroline that the long-term sub who is coming is more friendly and less stern than the current one.  Sigh.  I know it's difficult to do anything different with a teacher who is expecting, but all this change is pretty disruptive.  On the plus side, she is doing very well academically.  Interestingly, her reading level is just a few months above grade level, although she seems to have a very mature vocabulary and understanding of what she reads.  She still reads fairly slowly, though - which is similar to how my oldest was, compared to my middle two speed readers.  It's just always interesting how different they all are.

I'm between patient check outs in clinic with our first year residents this afternoon.  Having another of those exhausting days - taught 1st med students this morning, and 1st year residents this afternoon.  As a bonus, our applicants for residency slots who are interviewing today observed while I was teaching this afternoon!

RunningMommy - I put the monumental on the list for you!  Good luck!

LaLaLaLa - happy birthday!

1jooj - wow on the house stuff!  Interested to hear how it all turns out.

bec, kerc et al - I'm really hoping for a dingo meetup next year, too - at a race, or camping, or both!  I did get to see eksmom this year, which was fabulous, but I'm missing y'all!

[MelW]

jo, what amazing news about the house/farm!!

poppy, I hope this is the beginning of a smooth recovery for your husband.

Happy Birthday, LaLaLaLa!!!

Jen, I hope your DD's long-term sub is a better fit for her.

Gaye, congrats on the guaranteed interview! And another to kindergarten homework. Our school has a no homework until a certain grade policy (3? 4?- I can't remember). Though unfinished work from the previous day does get left out to be finished before free time now in grade one.

NRR- I submitted my stats assignment today (I HATE being last-minute- all the rest have been submitted days in advance, and I was rushing this morning to get it done before work), and taught my final class of the semester. Final class for this group of students. I'm off to clinical with them after exam week and marking week, then moving on to preceptorships in the new year. I think I survived the worst crazy week- now just an exam to sit tomorrow afternoon, husband home for the weekend, art opening and visits with friends tomorrow evening, and a six year old b-day party on Saturday. The fun stuff :)

RR-Yesterday I ran 5k, and was on track to have a really fast time for my usual route so started to sprint when I came out of the trail on to the road home. My knee twinged a little, though, so I slowed down and opted for injury-free instead. Today was work all day, so maybe a run with the stroller tomorrow. I haven't run with the stroller for a while... should be interesting.

[Realrellim]

Originally Posted by 1jooj 

If this goes down, we'll be buying the place back for about $100K less than we got for it in the buyout, and even less than we owed on it before. And we'd only have to finance about half the purchase price.

That would be awesome for you.

Sparkle, I am jumping into the article, and just reading that 79% of us will have an injury makes me think, "whaaaa?" I'd like to go barefoot, but not at this weight. And I think weight probably does have a good deal to do with those numbers being so high.

Yes. Actually, what I want--and what neither the article nor the book provides--is a definition of "injuries" along with a list of possible other reasons for said injury (i.e., overtraining). I've seen people list pulled muscles as injuries before, and I hardly think pulled muscles are in the same category as say, a stress fracture or anything else requiring people to be off their feet for more than a few days. The fact that that data is missing makes me very suspicious--as is the fact that injuries people get while running barefoot (or because of running barefoot) are always left out of the equation.

I'm not against it by any means, though I do have pretty extreme reactions to one-size-fits-all approaches.

Originally Posted by tjsmama 

Today was a long, full day. We had another 6-ish inches of snow this morning, and I was desperately hoping for a school delay. Not cancellation, mind you, just an extra hour or two of sleep! No such luck. Districts all around us cancelled, but not us.

If it make you feel better, Jeffco didn't cancel or delay either. We didn't really expect them to though. And yay for such a great meeting with your manager!

La4--happy birthday!

Shanti--hope you're feeling better soon.

MelW--good luck with the stroller run.

DrJen--hope the situation with the sub improves.

Homework: most of the time, R only has it once a week. It comes home on Friday and is due on Tuesday. She's supposed to read 15-20 minutes 5 days a week, but we do that without even thinking about it so it's no big deal. OTOH, she needs to practice violin most days, so we definitely have major throwdowns about that from time to time.

No RR today. I couldn't motivate myself to get on the treadmill, and it was too cold out this morning for J who was recovering from yesterday's stomach bug. She started throwing up around 1 am on Wednesday morning and didn't stop for a good 10 hours. On the plus side, dealing with the sick baby + the snow meant that DH took R to school on Wednesday after all. He was supposed to go in early for a meeting, but he didn't think I should take her out in that weather and I readily agreed. I did pull out the six-pack abs video, so between that and walking from light rail to campus and campus to the bus station, I'm calling it good.

[sparkletruck]

Results for the season so far. Check the right hand column, name number three (for those of you who remember my previous username, you'll recognize it)

Just sayin'

(two of the girls in the same cluster are from that CO team ) Yipes.

http://usaclimbing.net/rockcomps/comps/ranking_results.cfm?season=35&category=Youth-D&submit=Get+Rankings

[Shantimama]

kerc - we are lucky that our kids don't get a lot of homework. The teachers really stick to 10 minutes per grade per night rule and often they don't even get that much. They are asked to read in both French and English every night but fortunately reading doesn't feel like homework to my kids. I worry a bit for ds this year (grade 10) as he doesn't have a lot of homework this semester and he has a heavy course load next semester. He will be taking English, History (taught in French), Math and Music and wants to drop music to take grade 11 Chemistry. 

drjen - I am not surprised that you are so tired with all of the teaching. That adds a whole new layer of work to the job you are already doing!

1jooj - I love the idea of that farm being yours again. I loved the afternoon I spent with you and I don't even remember how many years ago that was now!

I have another walk planned for today. I was coughing too much yesterday to even consider it. I did sleep through the night for the first time since mid-September and that was a treat so hopefully it means I am on the mend. 

dh and I have had a couple of conversations recently about what we will do when all of the kids have left home. He loves small town life - I like it too but it doesn't give me many work or social opportunities. I have been working with Enjo for a few years now and I love the product so manage to keep the business going but it does not come easily to me. I was talking to a L'Arche friend the other day and realized how deeply I miss that life and work. As much as I would love to have a farm or enjoy living in a small town, ultimately I think I will need to live in a city again to do the kind of work I really love and to explore some of the other things that are important to me, especially since we can't afford for me to go back to school. Most of our decisions in the past 20 years - except for the decision to live in Canada - have been geared around dh's needs and wishes and all of a sudden it is hitting me that I don't want to spend my whole life simply being supportive of what other people need and fitting myself around that. I want to stay put for our kids until they finish high school (youngest dd is in grade 6 right now) but I think something will have to change after that.

I have some work lined up for every week this month and that is a huge relief. Keeping it going over December and January will be a challenge but as long as I get a good start this month, I should be able to keep something going over the holidays. I have been dyeing yarn like crazy and now have to decide what to do with it all. There is a little shop not far from here that has sold my yarn in the past but I as I have so much this time (30 skeins of sock yarn just for starters) I think I might open a shop on Etsy and post half of it there. I love dyeing but don't know if it is financially feasible. If I thought it was I would consider getting a place in the country and really going for it in the fibre world. Can you tell I am kind of lost with what I should be doing with my life these days? In one breath I am talking about cities and then in the next breath I want to buy a hobby farm. Maybe one of these days I will grow up.

[Mel38]

Jen, I am so glad to hear that your DH is starting to show some signs of improvement!! Yay to progress!!

Wow, is that your town that I keep seeing in the news headlines about the protests?
 

Originally Posted by Shantimama  I have so much this time (30 skeins of sock yarn just for starters) I think I might open a shop on Etsy and post half of it there.

I didn't know this about you!!! I sock yarn and love to knit socks. Please let us know if you do this!  I haven't a clue whether such an enterprise would be profitable or not, but it sounds so appealing! Good luck deciding.

DrJen, Sorry to hear about the multiple subs. Not a great situation for some kids, I agree. I hope that they do find a good longer-term sub to cover even after the babies come so that there will be some continuity.

Plady And feel better soon. P.S. I loved your wordless post. It just said it all!

La4, I hope you had a great birthday with all the waffles you could eat.

Jo, I have my fingers crossed for you that you can get your farm back! I miss the pictures and stories!

RR: swimming today. Running yesterday. Haven't even looked at my bike in 2 weeks.

NRR: (warning: venting ahead!) Last night, I went to a local coffee shop where I was supposed to attend a social meetup of other translators in the area. There aren't many of us, and the only two I have ever met from around here were not planning on attending, so I was curious who would come. The organizer was a college student who is majoring in languages and would like to become a translator. Anyway, I had emailed him a few weeks back to RSVP and he told me then that several people were planning to attend. Well, long story short, I sat in the coffee shop for 45 minutes - totally alone, except for the baristas who were cleaning up and shutting things down. After driving home, I emailed the student to let him know that no one else had come and this is how he answered: "the other people cancelled, so it would have been just the two of us. We can meet up any time, just let me know what works for you."  WTH!!!?? No apology, didn't let me know he wasn't coming? OK, buddy, do you know what "works for me"? Never to ever make an appointment with you again! Yeesh. Vent over.

[sparkletruck]

Real - I agree about the injury thing. There are so many variables, and they didnt mention any. Or the variation in gender (hip/knee angle for example) as relates to the tarahumara (are there female long distance runners among them?) But I did like the description of the toe running and the 100-up exercise. I once read a recommendation of good running form as being like you are falling forward and just preventing the fall with the next step. This and the toe thing make running seem very light and free.

Mel38 - I didnt realize you are a translator. What language (Im sorry, you've probably talked about this and I just never *got* it). A good friend IRL is a french translator. She loves it. Oh, and I totally want to get into sock knitting! I have always preferred knitting baby clothes b/c they are so fast (instant gratification/limited boredom) but t'aint no mo' babies gonna be in this house

On the homework: I find myself going around the circle of believing that the fact that my kids have no homework is philosophically right and what I want for them, to stressing that they arent doing enough when I hear what my friends kids are doing for homework, to thinking that what my friend's kids are doing is crazy and that what my kids are doing is right

NRR: Its looking like DD1 may be going to Nationals (eeps). I'll be interested to find out where they will be, hoping that a Dingo lives nearby. Last year they were in Atlanta....

P.S. Bwa ha ha, I just got a letter in the mail addressed to Drs. Dh and My Name! I'm a doctor - woot! I wonder what kind

[jgale]

Hi everyone,

I think I'm jumping in on a long-standing thread, but I'm trying to get back to running and really need the support!  I have been an off-an-on  runner for years (off during pregnancies, on when the babies are happy in the jogger, off when they're too heavy to push or the weather is bad etc).    Anyway, we're done having babies and I am really trying to get back to doing it regularly.  Ultimately, I would love to run a half marathon (did that years ago and loved it) but for now, my goal is just to get out there 3 or 4 days per week.  My long-time running buddy moved away (sniff) so I'm running solo or with my baby. 

Wish me luck and nice to meet all of you.

Jessi

[1jooj]

Originally Posted by Shantimama 

...all of a sudden it is hitting me that I don't want to spend my whole life simply being supportive of what other people need and fitting myself around that. I want to stay put for our kids until they finish high school (youngest dd is in grade 6 right now) but I think something will have to change after that.

... In one breath I am talking about cities and then in the next breath I want to buy a hobby farm. Maybe one of these days I will grow up.

I get this, mama. I do have to offer my advice that a city might be hard on the breathing. I am not only having trouble with my breathing, but also my eyes. I have very sensitive eyes since the chicken infection, and it's been tough.

Sparkle, nice. I looked and didn't see one WI in the whole bunch. Mel38, German, rightig?

Thanks for the good vibes, ladies. I just signed some papers, dh has to sign them, and we have to discuss financing with someone and then figure out how we'd deliver earnest money, how to close by proxy, lots of stuff. But we're giving it a go.

Hey, Jessi! Welcome! I am also shooting just to get out there a few times a week, too. Mine are older, so I don't have much excuse, but some days, it's still tough.

[Mel38]

Originally Posted by 1jooj 

 Mel38, German, rightig?

Yep, that's right!

Welcome Jessi It's nice to have somewhere to report the runs, to share the ups and downs, good days and bad ones, sometimes for some accountability and sometimes for a kick in the pants to get out the door.

So, I'm glad I did go swim early today because now I've got a kid back home sick from school. And a cleanup on aisle 3 (i.e. the driveway) I hope no one else gets what she's got.

[zubeldia]

Well, no good news here. Another missed miscarriage. I went to see my friend/regular GP and she sent me for a scan in the hopes of reassuring me, but, sadly, no heartbeat. I should be about 10 weeks.

I don't even know where to go from here. I've been pregnant since the end of May - with August off - and now I'm here again.

[MelW]

Originally Posted by Mel38 

Yep, that's right!

Welcome Jessi It's nice to have somewhere to report the runs, to share the ups and downs, good days and bad ones, sometimes for some accountability and sometimes for a kick in the pants to get out the door.

Yes, welcome!!! Now where is my accountability today? Stroller run turned into stroller walk to and from school, because my youngest so adamantly wanted to paint, and I decided to take her to Strong Start (parent-child drop-in at the elementary school) instead of messing up my house more. Then home to start on the monumental clean up job before the oldest's b-day party tomorrow.

While cleaning up, I found a piece of the violin tuning peg. My suspicion is that the youngest did it right after practice last night- since nobody had noticed. We're adding violin repair to tomorrow's "to do" list.

Mel, hope the germs don't spread

Shanti, I completely relate the rural vs. urban debate. I'm a small town girl, and back in the small town, but often with anxieties about the kind of opportunities (cultural, career, etc) that I'm missing here. Though in the city I hated the ratrace and raising kids so far from nature.

[Geofizz]

Zub

[mommajb]

Oh Zub. and






Welcome, Jessi.

[Nickarolaberry]

Oh, Zub.  

Thinking of you, mama.

Jo, sending you vibes and prayers that it should all go smoothly and ease your mind!

Gaye, kindy homework?! 

Shanti, right there with you mama. I'm going through the same thing myself.

Dh is angry with me for not coming back right away after the storm and instead staying in DC half a day extra to run the marathon. I don't even know how to respond to this, since I offered to come back and was told (by my parents, who had the kids...and said it was impassable anyway near their house; dh would not answer the phone) not to come back Sat. night. Sigh. I can do nothing right, it seems.

In the meantime, I think Disney is a no-go. No money, no mojo. I'm going to train for something later in the spring. Vermont City, maybe. Or perhaps a couple half marathons closer to home.

Welcome to the newest Dingo, Jessi!

Stocking back up on food today...Costco, supermarket. Trying to get everyone fitted out with winter gear. I'm looking for snow bibs in big kids' size 12, 8/10, and 6/7 if anyone has any they want to sell (only the smallest size must be boyish/gender neutral. The bigger two sizes can be anything). Also looking for big kids' fleece snow hats, flannel sheets, and cool boots for me (sz 8). Anyone who has something neat to sell please let me know! (Winter running gear? Gah! Haven't even started that yet!)

[Plady]

Originally Posted by sparkletruck 
 I find myself going around the circle of believing that the fact that my kids have no homework is philosophically right and what I want for them, to stressing that they arent doing enough when I hear what my friends kids are doing for homework, to thinking that what my friend's kids are doing is crazy and that what my kids are doing is right

NRR: Its looking like DD1 may be going to Nationals (eeps). I'll be interested to find out where they will be, hoping that a Dingo lives nearby. Last year they were in Atlanta....

Yep, I move in those circles too. And I hope it's near me!
 

Originally Posted by jgale 

Hi everyone,

I think I'm jumping in on a long-standing thread

Jessi

Well that's true but we're really friendly!  Welcome aboard! 

Originally Posted by 1jooj 
Thanks for the good vibes, ladies. I just signed some papers, dh has to sign them, and we have to discuss financing with someone and then figure out how we'd deliver earnest money, how to close by proxy, lots of stuff. But we're giving it a go.

 

Originally Posted by mommajb 

Oh Zub. and

Yes, this.  I'm so sorry Zub.  I wish we could all be with you in person for long sighs, shoulders to lean on and a steady stream of tea and carbohydrates (or shots and peanuts if you prefer).

[Plady]

Originally Posted by Nickarolaberry 

Dh is angry with me for not coming back right away after the storm and instead staying in DC half a day extra to run the marathon. I don't even know how to respond to this, since I offered to come back and was told (by my parents, who had the kids...and said it was impassable anyway near their house; dh would not answer the phone) not to come back Sat. night. Sigh. I can do nothing right, it seems.

Like he would have!  That's so lame. You were supposed to bail on all that training and planning because he didn't have power and what?  Needed you to light the candle?  For f's sake.  I'll fume for you mama, hope you can let it go.