Dingos Jogging Into January 2012! - Page 3

[Nickarolaberry]

I'm with you on the caffeine, Real!

What is king soopers?

And where can I get me one of them mugs!? 

ETA: my running mojo seems to be MIA today. Sigh. Hoping it will appear later and I can find some time to get in a few miles.

Edited by Nickarolaberry - 1/3/12 at 6:55am

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by Nickarolaberry 

And where can I get me one of them mugs!? 

Yes!  Where?

Honestly, I'm pretty sure being caffiene-free is over-rated.

sparkle ~ happy birthday to your little DD!  And I really, really hope all that work sent the lice packing.  Guh-rosssss!

Kitteh ~ welcome back!  You still ran more miles than I did last year .  You're going to have a great 1/2!

Ann ~ welcome back to you too!

Nic ~ let me think.... DS wanted to watch Maccabeats videos this morning, so I'm in a Jewish frame of mind .

Gaye ~ impressive stats for last year.  Remember, you're going to need to sleep this year too, what with working night-shift and all.  Just sayin'....

Today is our last day of winter break.  DS and DD1 are spending the afternoon at a friends' house.  DD2 has already told me that she wants to "color and do Perler beads" with me while they are out .  Last night I took DD1 out for a mother/daughter date and we had so much fun!  Dinner at Olive Garden (her choice, certainly not mine ), then Barnes and Noble for some book browsing.  We discussed important issues such as Harry Potter Puppet Pals (Google it if you don't know about these silly, silly videos), what shoes people were wearing, and a rousing game of "I'm thinking of something..."  Ah, the wonderful, wonderful world of 7-year-olds.  She wants to do it again, soon.  So do I.

Today, the trainer beckons (mostly because it's too frick-frackin' cold to run). 
 

[sparkletruck]

JG - I will be your cycling training buddy, er, one of these days. I'm pretty sure my running days are behind me, so Im trying to switch into a cyclist, unresentfully

Meanwhile, Dh just sold his bike on ebay - the one he bought himself as a gift post residency, the one he studied meticulously for months (years?) so that every part was specifically what he wanted, the one that cost more than some people's cars - b/c he realized lately that he "does not need a porche" he's a 40 year old dad, he needs a Nissan hatchback But apparently, the NIssan costs as much as the porche!!?? He explained but I cant remember (um, I choose to plug my ears when he talks about why he needs to spend so much money on bicycles and bike gear). So now he will buy his new bike. I said "well then dont be shocked to see that bookshelf I want from Restoration Hardware (at $2100 that I would NEVER buy)", and he said "I'll say, 'it looks beautiful honey'"
Edited by sparkletruck - 1/3/12 at 10:33am

[mommajb]

I am going to check out that Starbucks mug. Normally I am not a big fan but it is convenient and caffeine is my friend.

I have had a revelation about coconut milk: regular is so much creamier than lowfat. This is also why a cappuccino is so much better in a café. I always forget to order lowfat and then gush about how good it is.

My poor dh had the in-law visit to endure. We gave them our room for a week. I wish we could do more frequent 2 day visits but it is what it is. (And it is motivation to stay in shape and active over the years.)

bec, how is the bossy 10 yo? I don’t know if oldest children outgrow it.
JayGee, has the w/d settled down at all? Enjoy your playdate.
Real, I am still learning to use my smart phone. It is more than I need in general. Finding the right apps helps. I am no more help than that. I hope the cc issue is settled quickly.
Nic, you had an impressive 2011 and 2012 will bring you more success!
Kerc, do you have snow coverage enough for skiing now?
Plady, does boxing start tonight?
MelW, maybe with dh out of town your hip will recover?
Welcome Miranda!
Jo, good luck on the school issues with dh. Your visiting season starts soon, right?
Sparkle, I live in fear of lice. I do not want to deal with it at all.
Geo, the lace trimmed tanks are a good idea. Our problem with them was that 6 yo dd thought they were too pretty to cover up and stripped down to the tank for her school photo. She truly looked like she was in her underwear. Where was the teacher?!
Welcome Ann!
Keep posting JenLove.
Tjsmama, good news on the car repair being free! And congrats again on the birth center. When do you report?

The end of winter break has me wondering about summer. Two girls are back in school, dh and the two big kids go back tomorrow. Today was cool enough during my run but walking home with groceries it hit 70 and my black sweater in the sun was hot! Nice complaints to have this time of year. Dh is still running with me and that is good. I am learning to enjoy later in the day runs too. Today still holds Starbucks and new running shoes! No big resolutions here, just consistency at what it is I have been trying to do all these years.

[Geofizz]

Add me to the "caffeine-free wagon can bite me" list.

I got new running shoes -- Brooks are no longer feeling right after wearing out my 4th pair of Defiance 3's.  I came home with Mizunos with relatively stiff soles.  For my 6 miler last week, I was feeling my shin splints until I managed to warm up about 2 miles into the run.  We went out last night in 1" of snow and some slippery spots, and now I have a tiny spot near the top outside of my right calf, feeling it intently as I climb stairs. What's that?!?

I threw my holiday tantrum this morning, unfortunately in the direction of the intervention coordinator.  Ever heard of FERPA lady?  I learned (again) that the classroom teacher doesn't quite get it, and I needed to be talking directly to the intervention coordinator all along, though it's not clear she gets it any better.  DD is on a downward spiral of dwindling self-esteem.  Evidently because DD sees herself as "a learner," the fact that she does not like school is seen as asocial issue.  I'm throwing everything I can think of to throw at it -- eyes are getting checked next.  Poor kid is getting every part of her poked and prodded to figure the poor kid out.  The next person who tells me that all her problems are because she's smart, I gonna smack them. I've been raw ever since the meeting. 

Yeah, and on the way to school today, DS asked what it would take to be able to learn something at school.  :(

My RP evidently threw a massive tantrum last week of stress from work and kid management.  I think there's just a dingo holiday tantrum trend.  Do it, survive it, move on.

I start my class tomorrow.  I don't have the excitement built up for it yet.  Must add that to my to do list.

ETA:  I went to Target for the tanks.  Most were sold out in DD's size.  No bother, because I got to the front to pay and discovered I had no wallet.  I guess I'll go back tonight on my way to get DD from soccer.    But yeah, I can see how those are the right solution.  Thanks for telling me they were in fashion.  I never would have noticed.

ETA2:  White out!  Snow if coming down hard right now!

[mommajb]

I think I just came home with Geo's old shoes (brooks defyance). New to me, and maybe I can even lose my inserts. I was afraid of the Mizunos after JayGee's experience with them and I was so glad the really pretty pair were not the ones she suggested to me or I might have had floral running shoes. If I bought running shoes on looks those woud have been the ones. Can I count the mileage from trying on shoes and running around the parking lot in several different pairs? I did break a sweat. I think I'll spend the rest of my gift certificate on sunglasses that stay in place when my face is covered in sweat. I should probably think about rehoming my cw-x insulated compression tights with wind proof thigh panels.


Geo, good job throwing your tantrum in defense of your children and not at them.

editted for spelling typos; there may be more.
Edited by mommajb - 1/3/12 at 12:33pm

[Geofizz]

Uh oh, what was JayGee's experience with the Mizunos?

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

Uh oh, what was JayGee's experience with the Mizunos?

I tried Mizunos and had horrible shin/calf/achilles issues.  I'd never had a problem with shoes causing injury, but Mizunos were NOT my friends.  I switched back to my Defyances and the problems disappeared.  I know a lot of people who love them though, including my DH.  They just don't work well for me and my running gait.

sparkle ~ let's ride!  Maybe we can lure Mandy back to the Dingo thread too.  I think she's exclusively cycling these days as well.

RR ~ 40 minutes on the trainer and 10 minutes of CrossFit type intervals (ie. box jumps, jumprope, situps, pushups, etc.)  I'll be feeling that tomorrow, for sure.
 

[Geofizz]

Originally Posted by JayGee 

I tried Mizunos and had horrible shin/calf/achilles issues.  I'd never had a problem with shoes causing injury, but Mizunos were NOT my friends.  I switched back to my Defyances and the problems disappeared.  I know a lot of people who love them though, including my DH.  They just don't work well for me and my running gait.

Like, uh, shin splints and a tiny painful patch in the outer top part of the calf?
 

I didn't like the Defyance 4's, which is why I bought out STP of their 3's.  Now my running store doesn't carry the Defyance anymore...

[JayGee]

Originally Posted by Geofizz 

Like, uh, shin splints and a tiny painful patch in the outer top part of the calf?
 

I didn't like the Defyance 4's, which is why I bought out STP of their 3's.  Now my running store doesn't carry the Defyance anymore...

Right under the knee, but on the outside?  Yeah. That's the spot.

[Nickarolaberry]

Geo, maybe try one of the online sites to get your old Defyances? (I know roadrunnersports tends to have older models).

Ugh I forgot what I was going to say...

[MelW]

Welcome Miranda, I'm in BC, too- though Vancouver Island with more rain than snow to contend with.

Welcome back, Ann!

JenLove, your 2012 goals sound terrific. I'm looking forward to hearing goat stories, since I have a goat raising fantasy (that is NOT compatible with my rather suburban yard and even greater desires for vegetables in the garden)

mommajb, I love consistency as a resolution

Good luck kitteh, in the final weeks before your half. Way to PR without even noticing!

real, enjoy your daily coffee. I fall in the no-caffeine camp because it makes me feel yucky. Even chocolate, though I enjoy it in small doses :) So I would lose weight on the famous CCandC diet, because I'd probably only indulge in one of the C's. Well, and the coconut milk...

Tjsmama, I love mexican train! I'm glad you've recovered from New Year's and that your car is finally fixed properly.

jo, wishing you the best with convincing your DH about online schooling. I agree with Geo and others who suggest using some testing as a benchmark until he's convinced.

Geo, agreed that tantruming for instead of at your child is very admirable. I think your advocacy for your kids is terrifically admirable in general, and hope that you can effect the changes and support that they need.

RR- Fingers crossed that bootcamp happens tonight-I need to check that they're starting for the first week of school and not waiting until next week. And tomorrow is the second day of preschool for my youngest (the first day of gradual entry started right before Christmas break). I'm supposed to stay with her for all but 45 minutes, so I guess I get a 45 minute run tomorrow!! I'm really, really looking forward to having a bit of regular running time without struggles for childcare. At least on the days that I'm not working days or recovering from a night shift

[tjsmama]

The Y was definitely full of resolutioners this morning! The spin class before the one I went to was full, and mine was nearly full (usually only about 1/2 to 2/3 full). Ah, well...here's hoping they stick to it, although not necessarily at times that I want to go to spin class.

nic~King Soopers is a grocery store (part of the Kroger chain).

As noted, I got to spin class this morning, then ran a couple of errands before heading home and being semi-productive for a couple of hours. There is much more productivity that needs to occur, but it's a start. I'm fully unpacked and put away from the trip, and the living room, dining room, and kitchen are mostly picked up. I wrapped up the Wii and all the games/accessories that I got for it and put them under the tree. I think I decided that, rather than going with Santa brought it for both of us, I'm going to go with Mommy got it for both of us to enjoy together for a treat now that I'll have a little more time for such things. Here's hoping I can figure out how to get the darn thing hooked up and working after opening!

Now, I think it is time to be productive in a different way with a few chapters of NCLEX review questions. And then maybe back to Bossypants on the Kindle.

OH, almost forgot! Remember goofy-looking tri guy who was FB chatting/hitting on me last summer? Yeah, um, he texted me last night basically asking me out. I am currently ignoring it and pretending it didn't happen. Especially given the vagueness of it (comment about a tri topic, followed by "how about I take you on a date sometime and we can talk about?" ). As my friend Amy said..."grow a set, and pick up the phone at least".

And why is it that the only guy to ask me out in the >2 years since my divorce is one that I have zero interest in???

[kerc]

Originally Posted by tjsmama 

And why is it that the only guy to ask me out in the >2 years since my divorce is one that I have zero interest in???

I couldn't read and not say this:  a. texting is WAY easier than catching someone off guard. b. maybe you should go on the date, to um, practice dating.  You don't have to go on multiple dates.....

Here's my day:

• kids back to school
• annual exam
• two shots (apparently I was due for tetanus + she talked me into a flu shot)
• misc. family paperwork
• get email from lady who is coaching erin's DI team. Apparently she's not having DI today because she has to take brother to airport. kid is already at school, we are at work. must figure out.
• afternoon spent budgeting/doingrefinance paperwork for our mortgage (if it works out we can take over 10 years off our loan and the payment goes up 30 dollars.)

Missed run/ski due to above mentioned items. However I did check off the mortgage application to-do that's been there since um, October! 

I advertise the tank tops to my oldest as "underwear".  We haven't had it come up with her wanting to wear it by itself, then again we do live in Northern Minnesota.

Tantrum: yes, occasionally it is the only way to get stuff across. You shouldn't have to advocate so hard for your kids. Do they only have socially inept people teaching the middle grades at that school?  Maybe they hired people from your department? 

Considering cutting WAY back on coffee and slightly on alcohol after my doc appointment this morning. Coffee, well, yes I think i drink too much. Alcohol -- I probably drink a beer ever day or two on one day and none the next. But I am the child of two alcoholics and the doc reminded me of that today. She has a point.....if only my dh would remember to buy ginger ale when he picks up the fancy root beer from the whole foods store (well, not actually a whole foods store, but a co-op that's pretty much a whole foods store).

[MelW]

Originally Posted by kerc 

I couldn't read and not say this:  a. texting is WAY easier than catching someone off guard. b. maybe you should go on the date, to um, practice dating.  You don't have to go on multiple dates.....

Agreed. Even if it's really unfun, you can have a good bad dating story to tell. And if you go out once then you'll be certain that you're not interested, and it can be over. Otherwise it could drag on with occasional calls and texts over months. And don't study too hard for the NCLEX!! It's not worth it.

kerc, I'm the child of only one alcoholic, but feel like I need a "reset" after the holiday season every year. A few weeks of abstinence shows me that it's really a non-issue and I can take it or leave it.

[Plady]

Originally Posted by kerc 

I couldn't read and not say this:  a. texting is WAY easier than catching someone off guard. b. maybe you should go on the date, to um, practice dating.  You don't have to go on multiple dates.....

***

She has a point.....if only my dh would remember to buy ginger ale when he picks up the fancy root beer from the whole foods store (well, not actually a whole foods store, but a co-op that's pretty much a whole foods store).

Gaye - Yup.  I don't text but I might email if I was taking a risk like that.  I'd go unless the guy is super skeezy or something.  But if it might be nice I'd go for practice too.
 

Kerc -  I hear you.  And Mel, I find it reassuring to give it up for a while just to verify that it's not an issue.

Originally Posted by Realrellim 

I bought one of those mugs that entitles one to a free brewed coffee every time I stop at a Starbucks in January and I'm 2 for 2 so far.*** I know being caffeine-free is supposed to be so good and improve one's state of mind, but having been caffeine-free for most of 2-1/2 years, it's obvious that afternoons go better when mama is caffeinated.

We don't have any Starbucks on the island but I wish one of our locals would have that deal!  It sounds like the perfect present for oneself!  Enjoy, anyway, isn't coffee supposed to ward off Alzheimer's?

Originally Posted by Geofizz 
The next person who tells me that all her problems are because she's smart, I gonna smack them. I've been raw ever since the meeting. 

Yeah, and on the way to school today, DS asked what it would take to be able to learn something at school.  :(

What a depressing thing to hear from your kid. 

Originally Posted by MelW 

Tjsmama, I love mexican train! I'm glad you've recovered from New Year's and that your car is finally fixed properly.

Me too!

Be back in a minute for more: Please stand by....

Okay, RR: BOXING WAS AWESOME! Today was mainly circuit training, jump rope, throw medicine ball, punch bag, jab bag, step ups, punch moving target etc.  It was exhausting but my favorite kind of exercise ever. 

And it's a go on the play.  So I'll direct the middle schoolers in Charlotte's Web,  :)  I'm ind of glad I get to work with that age group.  I think they probably need a creative outlet more than any other school age crowd.  I hope they don't drive me insane, I do wonder why the original director bailed. 

Nic - That's so cool for your dd!

Edited by Plady - 1/3/12 at 7:14pm

[Nickarolaberry]

Well dd2 is over the moon. The day of the first night of Chanukah (which would be the day before the first day of Chanukah) her school went down to the center of the small city we live near to light the big menorah there. The news people came and she was interviewed on the TV news. That in itself was pretty cool. During the interview she flubbed a little and said, "The Maccabeats discovered oil that should only last for one day but it lasted for 8 days." (instead of the Maccabees). Well apparently the Maccabeats heard about this and posted the interview link on their facebook page...and said how cool they thought it was. Dd2 thinks now she is famous and is going to get to meet them.

It's actually possible...the director of media relations for Yeshiva University (where the Maccabeats are) is a friend of mine...

I could barely get her settled down tonight, she was hopping around like a lunatic.

I did not run today. I am planning to get up at o'dark hundred to run on the mill tomorrow. It is freakin' cold outside.   Dislike.

[1jooj]

Gaye, I have to agree with these ladies. It might just be nice to hit dinner or even just a coffee with another grownup, and you can rule things out and make it clear where you stand. You might end up with a solid platonic friend, too. Just never know.

re: Alcohol, it is truly best for me that my religious practice prohibits it. Nuff said.

kerc, why way back on caffeine? BP issues? Just wondering. I sometimes find myself overcaffeinated and have to reel myself in a little...and I am off the Diet Coke again, not because of the caffeine but because of the pure evil it seems to be. I am capable of drinking (and enjoying) water. and also tea and coffee.

Nic, I think you should try to get dd in to visit them at a rehearsal or something. For the pure joy of it.

MelW, enjoy bootcamp. I am thinking something like that, a good balance of strength training and cardio, would be great for me these days. Not happening over here, since I can't afford their prices, but would be fun. I sometimes see groups on the beach doing jogs and reps of pushups, etc.

mommajb, I use instant, powdered coconut milk. I read the label once. But I also find that, when I use regular, full fats in food, I eat less and don't crave sugar as much.

Plady, I wanted to add a  on the new gig. If you can wrangle little kids on stage, you can do anything, IMO.

Geo: I wonder whether the stiff soles make your shin/calf muscles work too hard to lift toes/forefoot off the ground with each step? And on the school thing. For both kids. From here, it sounds like the overall environment/school vibe is just not working for either kid. Your ds sounds much more like maybe a Montessori kid? And dd seems to be in search of a smart teacher who connects with her personally, someone like a learning mentor, more like a supportive guide than...well, what I see in lower grades is often something like a monkey herder, leading a class of 25 through its daily paces. Are there ANY alternatives/charters/co-ops available?

re: Online schooling, thank you. I brought it up again, gently, even though dh tried the "don't bring it up again" with me a few days ago. I made several points, including the fact that regular standardized testing is part of the program. Every unit ends with an assessment, and basically you progress unit-by-unit to mastery at your kid's own pace, which can be as quick or as slow as you need it to be. Made the point that we could work ahead while he travels, and then spend very relaxed evenings and mornings with him when he doesn't (no homework project deadlines, no bus to catch). Would be a 6-7 hour daily commitment for me and the kids, not 9 hours, about 4.5-5 of which are actually spent on instruction. And as far as socializing with other kids goes, we have great Y programs at home, and I can sign them up for a sport club here if they want. Or not. I sent my parents a note detailing the info, because my dh is notorious for not accepting my lead until he has had outside third-party verification. My mom is good at this, as is one of my sisters, both of whom are proponents. Also, he got some company communiques about something approaching austerity, and I had to make the point that we'd save the corp $30K a year if we do private online, $40K if we can get into the public charter.

Still down with a cold and aches. Also, travel (and hauling luggage through airports) did something worse than usual to my low back. Going to go out for something gentle once dh leaves for work, and then do some strength moves when I get back. And then write until they come back in the afternoon. I think another New Year's goal is to keep from wasting my days on housecleaning. What a waste.

[Realrellim]

Originally Posted by sparkletruck 

So now he will buy his new bike. I said "well then dont be shocked to see that bookshelf I want from Restoration Hardware (at $2100 that I would NEVER buy)", and he said "I'll say, 'it looks beautiful honey'"

Nick--King Soopers is a Kroger-based grocery store; Safeway is another grocery store. Somehow, it was easier to write their names than "grocery store #1 and grocery store #2." I think. The mugs, unfortunately, were only available when they were running their 12 days of Christmas special in mid-December (never mind that the actual 12 days of Christmas are Dec 25 - Jan 6...).

And yeah, I may have let Starbucks send me text messages about their specials each day during that period.

mommajb--I'd imagine a smartphone adds a whole new level of complexity. I'm just looking for an iPod touch (there's no $ for an iPhone), so that should simplify things. I hope. Yay for a 70-degree day there!

Geo--sorry to hear about the school mess. It seems never-ending, and that's beyond ridiculous for all involved. Also, I only noticed about the tanks because I have several nursing tanks and was pleased to see that I could actually be fashionable and functional.

MelW--hope I didn't offend about the caffeine. I got a lot of nasty "advice" (for lack of a better term) during R's first few rough years, most of it along the lines that if I only did things differently (like not drink coffee, babywear 24/7, etc) everything would magically fix itself. R didn't sleep but she was never affected by coffee one way or the other. Even now, if I mention that J's sleep habits are atrocious, my mother and even people on my local AP-boards (but not Dingos because they are awesome!) immediately asks how much coffee I'm drinking, and, without waiting for an answer, tells me that I'm probably having too much. Until last month my answer was "I'm not drinking ANY, so I don't think it has anything to do with her not sleeping." Caffeine also got blamed if I mentioned that I was crabby for lack of sleep (sarcasm ahead), 'cause everyone knows that the secret to surviving for weeks on end on 4-5 hours of sleep a night is to be caffeine-free. Duh. But I totally get not eating or drinking something that makes you feel awful. (And I finally got away from most of the people whose "advice" is more about blaming me than actually helping. Thank you again, Dingos!)

tjsmama--ugh on the guy. I wouldn't date him even just for something to do, mostly because I don't want to deal with the awkwardness and unpleasantness of trying to make him go away afterward.

kerc--yay for getting the mortgage application off your desk. Hope you can ski tomorrow. And good luck on cutting back. My DH also drinks way too much coffee. He drank a half-gallon a couple of weeks ago and then wondered why he was so shaky (literally) that evening. If you just like the taste, there's this Teechino stuff that's decent and caffeine-free. It's what I've been using during these caffeine-free years.

Plady--have fun with the new play. I look forward to your stories about directing it.

RR: 3.5 with hill repeats this evening. At first the Garmin said 3.49, but when I noticed that I immediately sprinted around my backyard a couple of times.

NRR: J is still up, as usual. I think I'm going to make Shanti cookies (yeah, missed the chance to make them in December but nothing says we can't have January cookies), pack R's lunch and deal with the laundry. And then, knit maybe? Or read? My fingers are crossed for a couple of kid-free, carefree hours.

[1jooj]

Real-- in Dubai, they have a "Safestway." Apparently because everything here is superlative.

And I read "carefree" as "caffeine-free." 

I did make it out for a beach run-walk (4mi) followed by 30 minutes of yoga and strength training. My back is messed up. The usual low disc, as well as one up between my shoulder blades that hurts when I take a deep breath. It was super-windy all day, so tomorrow will be post-sandstorm dust cleanup, I guess. Bah.