I just happened to go to my blog as I scrolled through some bookmarks. I obviously hit the blog "wall". I don't know when I'll be back, but I will. Lots of stuff happening in my life-most of it great! I'm running a lot, and I'm hoping that I don't hit too many "walls" while out logging the miles.
So...as Tigger would say....TTFN!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
spring is slowly sprouting
I can't believe I used to blog almost every weekend. I'll blame Facebook, Twitter, Netflix and Pinterest for consuming my weekend computer time.
So, it's April 1st. The day Kelsey was to find out if she got into Stanford. She had her movie plans for the morning to help her keep her mind occupied until the 3pm email. This day has been marked in our brains for months! Well, she got the email on Friday, her 18th birthday, and she was not accepted. Not a nice birthday present. However we had a house full of family and friends that evening that each said they were sorry, however were quite excited that she will be at the UW, and staying close to all of us! The waiting is over and I am ecstatic! It was going to be really tough to move her out of state. She will live on campus and I WILL have an empty nest this September. :( It is also nice, because UW and WWU are both on quarters. The kids will, more or less, be on the same schedule.
Ok, time to back track to catch up: I left off in February. The First Half half marathon went well. I did not break the 2 hour mark, that I kind of hoped to do. But I did run a personal best. And, I ran 11 of the miles on my own. I averaged a 9:12 pace. It was mentally and physically challenging for me. The weekend overall was great! A wonderful time with Mitch and Shelley and my kids. We met up with Vinita and Tulip for dinner, and they gave us a ride home on Sunday, as the Roberts' stayed until Monday. This was also Michael's first half marathon. The boy rocked it! He got 3rd overall in his age group!
I have "graduated" from my visits with Dr. Annie and Brittany. My heel has been relatively quiet. I am slowly rebuilding my mileage as I took some time off after Vancouver. My next half marathon is in May after I get back from Cabo.
The other exciting events in February were seeing Michael perform in the band, Roosevelt. He joined their group in January, playing his viola and singing. We have seen them perform three times, and they are awesome! To see him on stage singing and playing with confidence is heart warming for the mommy. He is so happy when he is playing with them!! If I can upload a video that I took with a point and shoot camera, I will post it in this blog.
March brought my birthday, which as I tweeted was 90% awesome/10% heartbreaking. I don't expect much these days, but how hard is it to wish someone a happy birthday??
The other 90% made my day from all of the wishes from family and friends. I started the day with an early morning run with Shelley and Mitch. Followed by coffee and a gift of purple compression socks!! I had the Kennedy kids that day, and we drove up to get Michael. He had composed a birthday video for me, containing bits from a variety of people. Yes, I bawled when I saw it! I was told later that he had been working on it since before Christmas. Kelsey made me flowers and delicious cake balls. I ended the day with my sisters and my family at our house with mojitos and a nice sushi dinner.
Kelsey has started her last track season. We have had some cold, rainy meets already, and one sunny one. I am proud of her for choosing to stick with it.
My sisters and I had a wonderful, WONDERFUL spa day. It was Kerri's Christmas present to me and Krista. I had my very first facial. Man, I wish I could have that pampering every week! Kerri spoiled us! We followed our spa day with some shopping, some bubbly and an early dinner.
Michael spent his spring break in New Orleans with his college youth group. They worked on rebuilding houses, and he mostly worked on flooring. He says he had an awesome time. (I stole this pic from his Facebook page)
Another rainy, but successful St. Patty's Day Dash-followed by 14 Carrots cinnamon rolls and breakfast. This year it was Dad, his three daughters, and his oldest granddaughter. I love this tradition.
Kelsey and I have been to our first Sounders game of the season. It was not raining, and we won!
Now that catches me up. But here are some photos from Kelsey's birthday gathering:
This week is Kelsey's spring break. I have a couple days off. The weather looks to be crappy. I haven't even planted my peas yet-it's been too cold and wet. We have even had snow off and on throughout March. I'm hoping for more days that look like this:
So, it's April 1st. The day Kelsey was to find out if she got into Stanford. She had her movie plans for the morning to help her keep her mind occupied until the 3pm email. This day has been marked in our brains for months! Well, she got the email on Friday, her 18th birthday, and she was not accepted. Not a nice birthday present. However we had a house full of family and friends that evening that each said they were sorry, however were quite excited that she will be at the UW, and staying close to all of us! The waiting is over and I am ecstatic! It was going to be really tough to move her out of state. She will live on campus and I WILL have an empty nest this September. :( It is also nice, because UW and WWU are both on quarters. The kids will, more or less, be on the same schedule.
Ok, time to back track to catch up: I left off in February. The First Half half marathon went well. I did not break the 2 hour mark, that I kind of hoped to do. But I did run a personal best. And, I ran 11 of the miles on my own. I averaged a 9:12 pace. It was mentally and physically challenging for me. The weekend overall was great! A wonderful time with Mitch and Shelley and my kids. We met up with Vinita and Tulip for dinner, and they gave us a ride home on Sunday, as the Roberts' stayed until Monday. This was also Michael's first half marathon. The boy rocked it! He got 3rd overall in his age group!
I have "graduated" from my visits with Dr. Annie and Brittany. My heel has been relatively quiet. I am slowly rebuilding my mileage as I took some time off after Vancouver. My next half marathon is in May after I get back from Cabo.
The other exciting events in February were seeing Michael perform in the band, Roosevelt. He joined their group in January, playing his viola and singing. We have seen them perform three times, and they are awesome! To see him on stage singing and playing with confidence is heart warming for the mommy. He is so happy when he is playing with them!! If I can upload a video that I took with a point and shoot camera, I will post it in this blog.
I'm not thinking this video will ever upload. Sorry, I tried.
March brought my birthday, which as I tweeted was 90% awesome/10% heartbreaking. I don't expect much these days, but how hard is it to wish someone a happy birthday??
The other 90% made my day from all of the wishes from family and friends. I started the day with an early morning run with Shelley and Mitch. Followed by coffee and a gift of purple compression socks!! I had the Kennedy kids that day, and we drove up to get Michael. He had composed a birthday video for me, containing bits from a variety of people. Yes, I bawled when I saw it! I was told later that he had been working on it since before Christmas. Kelsey made me flowers and delicious cake balls. I ended the day with my sisters and my family at our house with mojitos and a nice sushi dinner.
Kelsey has started her last track season. We have had some cold, rainy meets already, and one sunny one. I am proud of her for choosing to stick with it.
My sisters and I had a wonderful, WONDERFUL spa day. It was Kerri's Christmas present to me and Krista. I had my very first facial. Man, I wish I could have that pampering every week! Kerri spoiled us! We followed our spa day with some shopping, some bubbly and an early dinner.
Michael spent his spring break in New Orleans with his college youth group. They worked on rebuilding houses, and he mostly worked on flooring. He says he had an awesome time. (I stole this pic from his Facebook page)
Another rainy, but successful St. Patty's Day Dash-followed by 14 Carrots cinnamon rolls and breakfast. This year it was Dad, his three daughters, and his oldest granddaughter. I love this tradition.
Kelsey and I have been to our first Sounders game of the season. It was not raining, and we won!
Now that catches me up. But here are some photos from Kelsey's birthday gathering:
This week is Kelsey's spring break. I have a couple days off. The weather looks to be crappy. I haven't even planted my peas yet-it's been too cold and wet. We have even had snow off and on throughout March. I'm hoping for more days that look like this:
Friday, February 10, 2012
into February 2012
January was all about snow.
One weekend was spent at my grandparents family cabin in Cle Elum. Kelsey and I met up with the Kennedy's, mom and dad, and Kerri and Eric. The adventure for me was getting the van up the icy driveway. Short story=didn't make it quite to the top. van sliding backwards on the icy hill. dark. ditch on one side. bad words said by me. stuck. blocking the driveway. Eric trying to help. icy pine needles are slippery too. malibu. caretaker finally pushing us up with the help of a chained up forklift==finally made it. pop open the bubbly!! There was not a lot of snow there that weekend, but enough for the little kids (and occasionally the bigger kids) to sled on a small hill. The girls all got out for a run together. I love those moments.
The following weekend we had snow at our house. And it kept snowing for quite a few days, enough to close our office early on Tuesday and not reopen until Friday. Kelsey was excited for some no school, snow days! I got out for a run in the snow with Shelley. Everyone thought we were crazy-and maybe we were, but it was fun!
Then the next weekend was our planned snowshoeing trip up to Mt. Loop Highway with coworkers. I do love snowshoeing! We stayed on the main road due to local avalanche concerns. It was beautiful!
Now we are into February. And we've actually had a couple sunny, high in the 50's, beautiful spring days. If only it lasted longer. :(
Tomorrow I leave for Canada with Mitch and Shelley to run in a half marathon in Vancouver. Kelsey is coming along to watch and cheer. We will pick up Michael in Bellingham on the way. He is running it also and this will be his first half marathon.
My training has been going well, I think. My heel has been feeling good, with the maintenance of 10+ mile runs. I think Dr. Annie Armstrong is helping me with her ART. And her trainer, Brittany, has helped with some strengthening exercises. These exercises found muscles that have been ignored. So much so, that I ended up in an ice bath after a run because I was SO sore!!
There are some nerves about the race this weekend because I have unintentionally set a goal for myself. I've also been developing some blisters on my feet due to the change in my gait/running. I'm hoping I can just power through the hot spot feeling.
I'm also excited because it looks like I'm heading to Cabo in May for a girls' week with Jude. WooHOO! What's more shocking to me, is that I am missing the last two track meets for Kelsey. She was getting so angry at me for thinking of not going because of this. So, I believe air tickets will be bought this weekend.
One weekend was spent at my grandparents family cabin in Cle Elum. Kelsey and I met up with the Kennedy's, mom and dad, and Kerri and Eric. The adventure for me was getting the van up the icy driveway. Short story=didn't make it quite to the top. van sliding backwards on the icy hill. dark. ditch on one side. bad words said by me. stuck. blocking the driveway. Eric trying to help. icy pine needles are slippery too. malibu. caretaker finally pushing us up with the help of a chained up forklift==finally made it. pop open the bubbly!! There was not a lot of snow there that weekend, but enough for the little kids (and occasionally the bigger kids) to sled on a small hill. The girls all got out for a run together. I love those moments.
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| kids had us up early enough to capture this sunrise |
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| Kelsey and Ryan-and some big smiles |
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| Kathryn enjoying the sledding |
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| our hike |
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| three sisters and two poodles :) |
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| some bubbly was much enjoyed! |
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| collage I made of Kelsey and Kathryn |
The following weekend we had snow at our house. And it kept snowing for quite a few days, enough to close our office early on Tuesday and not reopen until Friday. Kelsey was excited for some no school, snow days! I got out for a run in the snow with Shelley. Everyone thought we were crazy-and maybe we were, but it was fun!
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| taken on my snowy run. this is the main street by our house |
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| storm clouds-looking from our front porch |
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| cold palm tree |
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| this was the peak of our snowfall. it took over a week to all melt |
Then the next weekend was our planned snowshoeing trip up to Mt. Loop Highway with coworkers. I do love snowshoeing! We stayed on the main road due to local avalanche concerns. It was beautiful!
 |
| Mt. Loop Highway |
Now we are into February. And we've actually had a couple sunny, high in the 50's, beautiful spring days. If only it lasted longer. :(
Tomorrow I leave for Canada with Mitch and Shelley to run in a half marathon in Vancouver. Kelsey is coming along to watch and cheer. We will pick up Michael in Bellingham on the way. He is running it also and this will be his first half marathon.
My training has been going well, I think. My heel has been feeling good, with the maintenance of 10+ mile runs. I think Dr. Annie Armstrong is helping me with her ART. And her trainer, Brittany, has helped with some strengthening exercises. These exercises found muscles that have been ignored. So much so, that I ended up in an ice bath after a run because I was SO sore!!
There are some nerves about the race this weekend because I have unintentionally set a goal for myself. I've also been developing some blisters on my feet due to the change in my gait/running. I'm hoping I can just power through the hot spot feeling.
I'm also excited because it looks like I'm heading to Cabo in May for a girls' week with Jude. WooHOO! What's more shocking to me, is that I am missing the last two track meets for Kelsey. She was getting so angry at me for thinking of not going because of this. So, I believe air tickets will be bought this weekend.
Friday, January 6, 2012
2012 is really here
A rare post of just my thoughts....nope, no pictures.
Kelsey was doing a baby/childhood project for AP Psychology last night. She was going through her baby book and photos. I love, and have always loved, going through old photo albums, and reminiscing about those times. Of course, having her do this in the first week of 2012 is rough on me. Some of my close friends have heard this already, but I am not super excited about the new year. This is a year that was supposed to be so far away......the year our youngest graduates from high school and heads off to college. The empty nest is upon us. It makes me teary to even write this.
I'm pretty sure I have blogged about the fact that being a mom has been my favorite job ever! It is a job, and it is a lot of work for many years. But then the active parenting part fades away when you aren't looking. I am still a mom, will always be mom. But it is just different now.
Yes, I'll adjust. I have survived Michael going off to college. I will survive Kelsey going too. We don't know where she is going yet. That will be decided in April.
There are also other major decisions that I will need to make eventually. I have put it off for a while. And, knowing me, I will continue to postpone it. I don't like to make waves, but I also may need the change. This is vague, I know. But it's all you get.
I have a TON of stuff to be happy about, and I am. I have a good job, great friends, supportive family (mostly), and my health. I am so happy to be running again. It really does more for me socially/mentally than is needed for my physical health. On that topic, yes, as I've built up my mileage this winter, my left foot has been acting up. I am proactively seeking help, so I can keep training. I am seeing a gal that does ART (Active Release Therapy) and an athletic trainer, who is giving me foot exercises. I guess I have some oddities to my feet, like my big toe pulls up a lot. After two appointments, I have hope. So, currently, I am still running! I'm also thankful for my two new running buddies, they have helped me so much. I don't even know if they know how much they inspire me, and keep me pushing my limits. (they even get me out of bed to run at 5:30 in the morning!!)
I have friends that are struggling right now, physically and emotionally. I hope they heal quickly.
2012. Yep, it's here.
Kelsey was doing a baby/childhood project for AP Psychology last night. She was going through her baby book and photos. I love, and have always loved, going through old photo albums, and reminiscing about those times. Of course, having her do this in the first week of 2012 is rough on me. Some of my close friends have heard this already, but I am not super excited about the new year. This is a year that was supposed to be so far away......the year our youngest graduates from high school and heads off to college. The empty nest is upon us. It makes me teary to even write this.
I'm pretty sure I have blogged about the fact that being a mom has been my favorite job ever! It is a job, and it is a lot of work for many years. But then the active parenting part fades away when you aren't looking. I am still a mom, will always be mom. But it is just different now.
Yes, I'll adjust. I have survived Michael going off to college. I will survive Kelsey going too. We don't know where she is going yet. That will be decided in April.
There are also other major decisions that I will need to make eventually. I have put it off for a while. And, knowing me, I will continue to postpone it. I don't like to make waves, but I also may need the change. This is vague, I know. But it's all you get.
I have a TON of stuff to be happy about, and I am. I have a good job, great friends, supportive family (mostly), and my health. I am so happy to be running again. It really does more for me socially/mentally than is needed for my physical health. On that topic, yes, as I've built up my mileage this winter, my left foot has been acting up. I am proactively seeking help, so I can keep training. I am seeing a gal that does ART (Active Release Therapy) and an athletic trainer, who is giving me foot exercises. I guess I have some oddities to my feet, like my big toe pulls up a lot. After two appointments, I have hope. So, currently, I am still running! I'm also thankful for my two new running buddies, they have helped me so much. I don't even know if they know how much they inspire me, and keep me pushing my limits. (they even get me out of bed to run at 5:30 in the morning!!)
I have friends that are struggling right now, physically and emotionally. I hope they heal quickly.
2012. Yep, it's here.
Monday, December 26, 2011
The End of 2011
This post is very picture laden. December is a busy month!
We started off with gingerbread houses.
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| Kelsey and Rachel helped Ryan and Kathryn |
Then Michael is home for the break and it's annual baking day.
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| the rolling of the Buckeyes |
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| minor issue-Kathryn got stuck! really stuck! let's just say that we needed to fix our chair after it was said and done. :) |
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| a few cookies to decorate |
The day after baking, Michael had four wisdom teeth pulled. It went quite smoothly. Kelsey was disappointed that he didn't even get the chipmunk cheek look.
We made a couple trips out to Enumclaw, my parents place.
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| Mt Rainier |
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| detour to Zoo lights after the family party, met up with friends |
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| Christmas eve at my parents |
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| my girl and my daddy |
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| Michael with a couple people he likes! |
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| the obligatory Christmas morning, by the tree, picture |
I spoiled myself this month. I bought a new Garmin watch for my running. Michael was quite happy to get the older one. I think Michael is becoming a true distance runner. He's been out with me on some long runs lately. He has even surpassed me, getting up to 15.5 miles. I'm up to 12. My heel is a little more crabby. I'm so sick of it!! I'm going to see someone that does ART (Active Release Technique) to see if she can help. She comes with great references.
My other spoiling, actually benefits the kids too. We are going to see Coldplay this spring. YAY!
Kelsey has submitted the third out of four applications to colleges. Soon it will be the waiting game. She actually knows that on April 1st (yes, April fools day) after 3pm, she will receive an email from Stanford with her acceptance or denial. Weird. The UW should have an answer to her prior to that, sometime in March. Those are her two main schools.
For Christmas, Pat has contributed to my running passion: with a nice gift certificate to Brooks Outlet and more importantly, plans to register me and the kids to run, and maybe he to walk, the Disneyland half marathon on Labor Day weekend!! Woohoo! I hope we can make it work.
I had a very nice Christmas. We have no plans for New Years. I'm not sure I'll blog again this week/year.
HAPPY 2012!!
Friday, December 2, 2011
good-byes
I sit here on Friday afternoon with very puffy, tired eyes after crying a lot today as I said my final goodbyes to a friend. Sheila Pung died on Monday, after battling breast cancer for a year. She was 49 years young. I met Sheila when our boys were in middle school. Then our girls became friends during their middle school years. We were some of the moms that were always cheering on our kids, and all the kids, at those middle school track and cross country meets. Her kids did not run cross country in high school, but Andrew ran track all four years, and Shawna did track for a couple of years. I would see Sheila at all the school events: like I said, we were "those kind" of moms. Our husbands both work at Microsoft. We spent one picnic event together so kids could hang out together. :) Then budget cuts=no more picnics.
During our boys' senior year of high school, I had my Fridays free. I had been invited to join in the Friday coffee group. These gals had been meeting for coffee for quite a few years as often as they could. They had parented together since the elementary years. I knew all but one of these moms, and they all accepted me into their Friday routine. Now I feel so blessed to have had that time with Sheila. Three of us moms were going through this graduation year with our oldest kids. The other two had been through it before, but had seniors that year as well. My friendship with these women is stronger thanks to these coffee meetings. It was bitter sweet to lose my free time for those Fridays. (Don't get me wrong-so excited that my brother in law was employed again. And for the opportunity to watch my niece and nephew!)
I saw Sheila this summer at a friend's BBQ. Little did I know this would be the last time I see her. She looked great. It wasn't until the homecoming assembly at the high school (now our daughter's are seniors) that I knew something wasn't right. She wasn't there. Sheila was ALWAYS there! I saw some of the coffee gals at the game that night, and they said they just found out that she had been admitted to the hospital. She never really recovered after that.
Today's service was at St. Brendan's church. I attended the Rosary service and the funeral mass. The Rosary service was quite moving, much smaller group and some of her family got up to speak after. Kelsey chose to wait with some friends, and then we went into the full service together.
Sheila would be so proud of her kids. They were amazing. So strong, so beautiful.
============================================================
The other difficult event for me this week was saying good bye to my family doctor, Dr. Peter Hohn. He is leaving primary care. He delivered Michael and Kelsey, and I also worked with him for many years at Northwest Hospital when I worked labor and delivery. He just can't keep his practice open, since his partner retired and he hasn't been able to find another. Plus in today's medical world, it's hard to be a solo practitioner. I'm not excited about finding another doctor, but such is life. I'm thankful to have had him as my doctor for over 20 years.
Here he is with Michael in 1992, and Kelsey in 1994.
On the positive side for this week. Pat, Kelsey and I had a wonderful dinner with a great friend and her family on Thursday.
During our boys' senior year of high school, I had my Fridays free. I had been invited to join in the Friday coffee group. These gals had been meeting for coffee for quite a few years as often as they could. They had parented together since the elementary years. I knew all but one of these moms, and they all accepted me into their Friday routine. Now I feel so blessed to have had that time with Sheila. Three of us moms were going through this graduation year with our oldest kids. The other two had been through it before, but had seniors that year as well. My friendship with these women is stronger thanks to these coffee meetings. It was bitter sweet to lose my free time for those Fridays. (Don't get me wrong-so excited that my brother in law was employed again. And for the opportunity to watch my niece and nephew!)
I saw Sheila this summer at a friend's BBQ. Little did I know this would be the last time I see her. She looked great. It wasn't until the homecoming assembly at the high school (now our daughter's are seniors) that I knew something wasn't right. She wasn't there. Sheila was ALWAYS there! I saw some of the coffee gals at the game that night, and they said they just found out that she had been admitted to the hospital. She never really recovered after that.
Today's service was at St. Brendan's church. I attended the Rosary service and the funeral mass. The Rosary service was quite moving, much smaller group and some of her family got up to speak after. Kelsey chose to wait with some friends, and then we went into the full service together.
Sheila would be so proud of her kids. They were amazing. So strong, so beautiful.
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| Sheila at the Microsoft picnic |
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| summer BBQ last August (she is in the black sweatshirt with white capris) |
The other difficult event for me this week was saying good bye to my family doctor, Dr. Peter Hohn. He is leaving primary care. He delivered Michael and Kelsey, and I also worked with him for many years at Northwest Hospital when I worked labor and delivery. He just can't keep his practice open, since his partner retired and he hasn't been able to find another. Plus in today's medical world, it's hard to be a solo practitioner. I'm not excited about finding another doctor, but such is life. I'm thankful to have had him as my doctor for over 20 years.
Here he is with Michael in 1992, and Kelsey in 1994.
On the positive side for this week. Pat, Kelsey and I had a wonderful dinner with a great friend and her family on Thursday.
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