That Love,Hate Relationship... back again.

It is me verses the scale. Again. Everytime I start ramping up my miles, so do those numbers on the scale. I am DEFINITELY not doing another half marathon this year... or maybe ever... I am very ticked off right now. Probably will be until May 1. I can not ignore that stinking voice in my head after a long run saying 'Oh you can have this, you just ran ALL those miles...' or 'Oh, you can have that 'cause you are going to be running ALL those miles tomorrow.' Oh, will power, where are you? Sucky scale. Sucky clothes. Sucky chocolate. Sucky Potato Chips. grumble. grumble...

New Trainer, OH NO!!!!!

Ok. Let me explain quickly how I signed up for Urban Active. (aka...my gym)

I called before I left to see if they had any specials or visitors passes that I could get off the internet. I guess I didn't just check my self because I am lazy, of course.

So the girl I talked to said NO, and the visitor pays $15 a day to use the facility. Since I was still a member at the YMCA, I didn't want to join. I just wanted to use the indoor track to run my 11 miles since it was cold out that day.

When I arrived I paid my fee, and felt a cold reception from the girl at the front desk. It may have been just me. Not sure.

I REALLY liked the gym (and still do), so on my way out I wanted to quickly ask how much a membership was. My lack of love for the girl at the front desk wasn't lightened when she tried to sign me up with a sales person. I grumbled something about how I just ran 11 miles, I am in no mood to listen to a sales person right now.

Yep. My Mother came out in me. I felt bad for her. She took her job seriously and tried to do what she was instructed but I just wanted to know a price breakdown, not a 'sales pitch'.

Imagine my frustration 2 days later when I went on the website to check it out and found out I WAS able to print of a pass valid for 2 free days!!

So, when I signed up (the very next Wednesday) I asked if I could get my money back from Saturday, of course not.

Well, then every time I saw her, sadly, I remembered the 'sales pitch' and lack of knowledge of the free passes she told me about (I could recognize her tone of voice) I wasn't mean. I just didn't smile as I passed her. Or kind of ignored her.

SOOOOOO, (I KNOW, get on with the story)... guess who my new trainer is?

I will give you 2 guess's but I don't think you will need them.

Yep. But she is GOOOOOOD. And still takes her job seriously.
So far.

What? Does She Read My Blog??

Ok, so, my personal trainer emails me tonight...

Rachel,

I hate to tell you this - but I got a new job. I really enjoyed training but this was a great opportunity that I just couldn't pass up.
I am sorry to leave you up in the air like this but I did enjoy training with you. Good luck in your future endeavors and with the Flying Pig! I'll be rooting for you!

Nancy

What??? Ok, so I did my workout on Monday, grumbling to myself how I didn't feel she was pushing me and how I wasn't looking forward to seeing her on Wednesday. I was wondering how I was going to break it to her that I need more than a 'friend' with her I need a MOTIVATOR!

Boy, oh boy, I didn't even pray for that one... Thanks God! Yippeee!!!

Tomorrow, I get to find a new one... and I know what I want.
: )

Paint, Miles and Craigslist Love.

Productive very weekend, er, Saturday anyway.

Saturday we booked it full. In the morning we had Z's first soccer game! He did great. It was cold. (in the 40's) so we watched from a perfect spot in the heat of our sun baked car. (ha.ha.) About halfway thru the game the coaches wife came running up to my car. Turns out they were getting worried about a boy that had been hit in the nose by another players head. He had a nose bleed that didn't seem to want to stop. My darling Z, told her "I think my Mom is a nurse." (um, not really. I was a CNA and worked at a family practice office for 8 years) I tried to explain to her that I don't even work with patients anymore, but I will do what I can.

Well, what need to be done was for Grandma to go away and stop getting Mom all worked up. The bleeding had already started to stop by the time I had walked up to him. He didn't have any bruising or swelling yet. I could tell the boy was not uncomfortable or in agony, only Mom. The boy would be fine. Mom, felt the boy needed to take some tylenol after the bleeding went down, which did not help. He was trying to choke down the pill but was not able to do it. Water just about came flying from his nose. Mom kept it up until it started bleeding again, and I suggested they just let it stop bleeding and let him relax.

After that we picked up some paint for Reece's room. I wanted the exact same color he had in Wisconsin. He had the hardest time with the transition here so I wanted to make sure he had some familarness with his room. (even though we did get him a new dresser and bed recently) but he LOVES them.) Now, Zeb wants his room painted 'green with a tank on the wall' (lol). That is what Reece had in the last house. Zeb went on to say "I can do the tank myself". LOL! I didn't even do the tank at the last house! That was my very talented sister, Sara!

I had 8 miles scheduled for me on Saturday, so Duner painted while I got my miles in. Mile one was ok. Miles 2 and 3 were rough, but miles 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 FLEW by! I told myself afterwords I will treat myself to a Strawberry Banana smoothie, since our Gym makes them at the front desk!

I purposely waited until the afternoon to get my miles in so I wouldn't have a lot of people on the track to deal with. I am slow, now, but okay with it. My only goal is to finish. It will be interesting with all the hills I am told are on the route of the Flying Pig. Hopefully it will warm up soon so I can get out side and get some actual hills in.

It is amazing how much time painting, organizing and replacing everything back into his room took. We picked up some blinds so he now has ACTUAL window coverings and not the 'temporary' shade that he had for the past 6 months.

I also needed to recover and paint some chairs that I had. I wish I did a 'before' pic for you, but I didn't. The chairs were 'natural' stained, and the fabric I chose to replace them with had tan and black in it so I decided to paint the chairs black. Not to mention how much it hides the dirt. (lol)

Reece was all too happy to get his hands on the black spray paint, he couldn't get enough so he asked if he could write the word 'Hi' on the wall of the garage. I think I surprised him when I said 'Sure'. When he asked me to check it out, so proudly, I asked him 'Where is the smilely face?'. He quickly fixed that. : ) Now Z's asking when he can do it.

Oh, and on Sunday we posted the old washer and dryer on craigslist and within 2 hours it was sold. Yay. Duner is happy to get his parking spot back in the garage. I am happy to have the extra funds.

Next up, for the weekend... painting Brock's room and blinds... and 9 miles for me.

Manic Monday

5. Dear Allergies, You can behave now. I am now on day 3 of meds. That means you leave. Now. Thank you. 4. Dear 16 yr old living in my house, Thank you for not trying very hard to get your license. I really appreciate it. I am ok with all the stress I have right now, no need to add to that! Thank you! 3. Dear Personal Trainer, Could you socialize less and become more like Jillian. You are very nice and sweet but I really need someone to yell at me, when it comes to fitness. Can you guilt me into behaving? That would help a lot! Thanks! 2. Dear Tummy and Brain, Can you behave? Can you and Brain get cooperate? I am getting tired of 'Oh, you earned this and that, since you ran today'... That does not help weight loss and I don't appreciate the lingering tummy ache afterward. Since I am 'getting measured' for the first time, next week, since beginning with my personal trainer. I miss boot camp. *sigh* I will be ther boot camp, as soon as this marathon tapers!!! I'm coming boot camp, can't wait! 1. Dear Delta Dental, Can you make my EOB's any more confusing? I only need to know what I need to pay for. If you are trying to confuse me into paying more than I need to, it is working... I think... Happy Monday Everyone!!

Worry looks around, Sorry looks back, Faith looks Up!

Why do we spend so much time worried? Why look back if we can't change anything?
I love these verses.

Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of
witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so
easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the
joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at
the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such
opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

It is SO great in theory. Seems like life should be 'easy' when we have been saved. We are forgiven.

So, why do we have those dang bumps in the road?

I am learning much this past year. I have made some insecurities rule my life in so many ways. In some ways, I have a hard time giving up those stinkin' thinkin's.

The radio station I listen to here is called KLOVE. I love it. The tag line is 'positive, encouraging Klove'. Just what I need. At the begining of the year they asked us to pray and ask God to give us a word to sit on our hearts all year. My word is ENDURE. I had a feeling it was going to be rough year with that word, but I think I figured it would be about endurance sports not emotional baggage.

Recently, I was slapped in the face with a harsh reality that I SERIOUSLY thought was long since gone. Yet, in some ways it was a comforting, gentle reality.

I am a clinger. I hold on to things. Sometimes WAY to long. Not really bad things. Like the letters from school friends, old gifts from past love/friends, the first clothes each of my babies wore home from the hospital, and now all of my endurance events bibs.

Good ol' memories, that in some ways if I lose them, I will lose those memories. Especially now that my Dad has beginings of dementia, I find it especally hard to let go of those. What if I forget those things? Then again, how much do I really need to remember them? How will that help me move forward in life. Other than weight for lifting. Do I ever dig them out and look at them? (No!) I have moved a box of 'memories' with me now for years.

Maybe this is the excess weigh that I need to lose.

If I can release that which so easily entangles me, and run the rest of my 'race' with perseverence,

looking up.

{gulp}

After all, Jeremiah 29:11 says:
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Special Guest Post!! From Reece - Poor Middle Child..

Well, this may not be one of his better stories he finally wrote me one for my blog... So, without further delay, today's posting is brought to you by Reece... my cheery and so happy child. ha.ha.

An unfortunate day of me
{yes, He picked the title}
I wake up and get dressed after turning off my alarm
{no he didn't see previous post}
that I usually don't wake up to. (my mom gets mad and forces me up :))
{the kid can sleep like a rock, I tell ya!}

First thing I do is look at whether my brother Brock is in his room or not because then I know what things I'll have to do later. This day he was a sleep as usual
and it was about 8 so I didn't expect him to get up for 4 more hours. I woke up my Dad because I had a orchestra rehearsal at 9 and ends at 12 right about the time my brother wakes up. I say "hi" to my little brother who usually hops on the PS3 in the very morning.

I get down stairs and grab coffee (with plenty of creamer of course) and see my mom talking to her friend that came over for the weekend. My dad finally walks down stairs and I ask him. "Can you drive me to orchestra rehearsal already" and he replies with "we don't leave for another 30 minutes."
{Reece is never so ready that early. Ever. Not sure what happened there}

I got to my rehearsal with no problems and practiced my cello. There's only 4 cello players that are in the advanced group and one doesn't show up.
{Reece is also in the advanced group}
I practice with a professional that I can't remember her name but she was really nice and funny.

I later return home where I play on the computer PS3 and watch WIPEOUT with my dad. As we made joke about how Mom was going to be grounded for being out past 11. She comes home with her friends who are spending the night here. I play on the computer then play in my iPod (from which I'm writing this) until 4 in the morning
{Mom highly doubts this} and decide I'd be better off if I have a little sleep.

ZZZZZZZZZ..........


Sent from my iPod

Family Pic!

Family pic that my friend Ang took. It turned out well, but for some reason everyone is smiling... probably because they are all trying to hide behind my thighs? lol.

Busy but ooooh, so FUN weekend!

This weekend some of my 'old school' friends came down the 'big city' to visit.
Jules and Ang.
They arrived about 5 or 6pm on Friday night. With the rain lingering over them.
After a brief tour of our home and getting them settled in Brocks Room for the duration, we decided to head to Dewey's Pizza. Yummmmm.
After Pizza, it was still raining so we did a short drive to check out the Cincy skyline at night, since all skylines are SO COOL at night time (ha.ha.) and headed home to chat and enjoy some Moscato. Apparently, the only wine I can handle.
By 9:30 we called it an early evening and headed to sleep. I can't blame them I know all to well how draining that LONG drive is. (8 hours long, 4 of the most boring ever, I swear!)

During the night, poor Ang was rudely awoken by Reece's alarm clock. After enjoying some familiar songs, she decided to get up and try to turn it off. Reece for some reason decided not to sleep in his bed, but it was dark and after while Ang just ended up unplugging his clock. I never even heard the alarm, which is funny since normally I do. Reece's bedroom shares a wall with us, so his alarm is about 5 feet away from my head.
Once we all got up and ready we headed out to see my work, then off to IKEA.
I love Ikea. You can spend hours there! Which we did appx 4 to be exact. We ate lunch and then proceeded to spend lots of time shopping and shopping~ We were loaded with all kinds of Ikea-ness. So many useful and inexpensive ideas... so hard to say no! The girls kept commenting about the weather, and how warm it was. It was almost 60 degrees and sunny... Very enjoyable.

After that, we all were pretty ready for a nap, but so much fun was yet to be had! We drove to the Gap outlet store, but didn't have much time since we had plans to go to shadowbox live that evening. I had gotten some free tickets from Urban Active (my gym). It is a comedy cabaret, I guess they call it. It was interesting. I we laughed and enjoyed ourselves. It was interesting 'cause our servers were part of the show. They took our orders before the show and during intermission, but otherwise you were not able to get anything. Our server flattered us by telling us you are in your 20's right? ha. ha. He obviously was out for a nice tip!
We ended up being seated next to someone whose business will be featured on the Apprentice with Donald Trump next Sunday night, and were invited by them to a party during the showing of it. Probably won't be going but it was nice of them to invite us.
Shadow Box live is at Newport on the Levee, which is kinda like a 'entertainment mall'. It is a mall, but has more restaurants, bars, theaters, clubs and a bowling alley. Not so many stores.
It is neat to see the Cincy skyline on the back boardwalk, I guess you could call it.

While were were out-and-about Jules mentions that she had been pretty lucky at the casinos recently. So, we decided to head to Indiana and visit Hollywood Casino.

I had not been there, before. It puts the Oneida casino to shame. I felt kinda like I was in Vegas. Very elaborate wall outside of the marble tiled bathroom that had a water feature inside it and the words WATER WORKS above it. Pretty fancy way to say 'bathroom here'.

Julie educated Ang and I on how machines work. I don't remember the last time I put anymore in a machine. We hit the penny slots. Which apparently cost .25 cents to work. Go figure? Anyway, that was some very interesting people watching. I felt the need to pay for my chair so I tried my luck, but lost. I guess I will just consider it a 'chair rental fee'? At one point Julie was up over $30, but ended up with a loss.

By the time we left there it was after midnight. We headed home to some muchies and wine that practically took the enamel off my teeth! Yikes. A bit stronger than I can handle. I helped Jules with setting up her twitter account and finding her friends on FB, then called it a night about 2 am.

They treated us to breakfast at the Waffle House before heading out about 11:30am to get back to the Cheese state.

Duner and I were motivated to get some stuff done after unloading our IKEA finds and got some cabinets to go above the Dryer and Washer in the laundry room. (we had a shelf there when we moved in) so we took that down.

We decided another trip to IKEA was in order to pick up some bins for on top of the cabinets, and get a new dresser for Reece. Ended up getting a few more things, of course. lol.. waaaaaay to hard to go to that store and NOT get more than you had on your list!

It was a whirlwind weekend. It went SO fast, but it was really good to see those girls and spend the time hanging out.

Watch out Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Some crazy WI girls are getting together this weekend for some fun!

Yep. That's right. My long lost friends from high school are coming down to visit! I am so excited to show them the area we now call home! One of them I have known since I was in first or second grade. The other since fifth grade. Both a loooong time.

Hopefully they don't kill each other on the long drive down here! lol.

I took Friday off, so I could make sure the house is decient when they come, but last night I found out the kids have off school on Friday!!!
URGH!!
When Brock gleefully told me about having off on Friday, I said 'How the heck am I supposed to clean when you are home?'... he loved that. He said "Oh, you don't have to worry about me, I will just stay in bed until noon or so." I don't think so.

Bedding is coming off at 8am to be washed, even if he is in it.
Can't Wait to see 'em!

Toothless Wonder

Behold our Toothless wonder boy.

Between nature and dental abcess Zeb is quickly becoming Duner.
At his last dental check up the dentist took an x-ray and found out he is missing two teeth on the top and one on the bottom.
Missing teeth as in, not going to grow in, EVER.
Like Father, like son...except we both have dental insurance so he will be getting that fixed, we just have to weigh out when and what the options are.

Now I have not forgotten about trying to get Reece to write his story, he is very stubborn. Yesterday, he asked me to help him make Apple Crisp, I replied "If you write me a story." Then Zeb pops up with "Don't worry Reece, I'll do it for you!" and runs off... this is what he comes back with a minute later... (see picture) Um, gee, what a nice brother...?

Zeb also raced his decked out Derby car for boy scouts on Saturday. He got 3 Third place finishes. He was pretty happy. Duner and Reece went along and Cheered him on and take some pics for us since Brock and I couldn't be there. Duner and Reece are seriously considering making their own cars for the Derby next year.

Brock and I had spent the day volunteering at Fairhaven Thrift Store.
And, speaking of Brock ... here is my strange,um, I mean UNIQUE boy Brock. Enjoying himself a whipped topping sandwich. Yes. Bread and whipped topping. Not something anyone else here has ever tried, but he loves them.
I guess I won't have any for my mocha in the morning... oh well, Starbucks it is!

Birthday Boy!

He loves the torture! lol. Here he is... he hates having his picture taken. And yes, he is that tall. He actually was squatting down a bit for me.

Accountability

Soooo, I signed up with a personal trainer today... (Thanks to Uncle Sam) and my hubby made a wager with me. I NEED TO LOSE 20 lbs or 20% body fat in one year... or else guess who gets to pick up a part time job to pay back the trainer money... Yep, yours truly.

I got measured. Apparently I am equally developed. Except my thighs. my left is bigger? But weaker? Well,hmmm...I have had some knee trouble. Maybe it's related... we'll see. Both my arms the same size but I know my left is weaker. Go figure.

She had me hold a pole over my head and do squats for E.V.E.R. While she took notes of my form. She had to ask assistance from the best darn lookin' personal trainer to check out my back side. Really???? Sheesh. Can you say insecuity?

Then she shows me how to 'correctly' do a push up. HA. HA. Like, I can do ONE? After witnessing my one, she said ok, you can do modified push ups. Thankfully she let me finish after 16. She must have noticed how I was shaking. lol.

At least I was able to hold a full plank position for one minute with minimal shaking...
When I was in labor with one of my kids I started shaking uncontrollably. They said it was hormones (I think?), but now all I have to do is lean up on a ball, on a wall and squat for about 15 seconds and try to make it to 30 seconds while I ATTEMPT to put pressure on my heels. ha.ha. I seriously thought I was going to fall down.

At least when she had me do the some cardio I felt a little better. She thought I was a fast runner. HA. Funny!! I got her fooled there!

Now I have to write down EVERYTHING I eat, and send it to her. At least she gave me a nice calorie range to follow and eat every 3 hours, drink loads of water... but it also means I need to work out 3 to 4 times a week now to.

I meet with her every week for a month, then every two weeks next two months, then monthly...No more slackin' for me I have a Half to run on May 1... and this is all signed up, paid in full.... No backing out.
Promise.

Oh, yeah, the kids!

Since the title of this blog is 'Life with Kids'... it is only fair I write about them from time to time, right?
So, Friday, we were out to eat at one of our favorite places called Beef O'Brady's. We like to call it BOB's for short. The kids really like it, not exactly sure why, it's kinda like Buffalo Wild Wings, but smaller. Anyway. While we were there, I was telling the kids I wanted THEM to write a segment on this blog about 'A day in the life of ...INSERT YOUR NAME HERE. Reece quickly said "No." He continued "Two reasons, first, because it would credit you and second, I don't want to." He is a GREAT writer, I will have to work on getting him to do it...
Such a brat, I tell ya!
Anyone need an extra 13 year old?

Fine. First we will start off with Brock, the oldest. Brock turns 16 on Thursday. Yes. That means he will be taking a written test to allow him a learners permit, to drive, with Parents. Um, that will not me be. I know better, I WILL FREAK OUT. I am not ready for him to drive. Yikes! He has a 100 page document to read up on before we are allowing him to take it. But since he is only on page 20 something, we have time.
When I think back about myself at that age and what I did, how 'grown up' I thought I was, it REALLY makes me grateful that I have such geeky kids.

Brock LOVES science and can easily drift me off to sleep with a tale of neutrons and protons or some sci-fy flick.

He is taller than me (and Duner, I think) and has bigger feet than me. Heck, he has bigger feet than Duner.

For the most part he is very passive.

He has a dresser, but prefers to pile his clothes on the side of the bed he doesn't use. It doesn't bother him that they sit there, for weeks at a time. *sigh* Until, I finally get sick of seeing them. He is currently filling a suitcase with papers he no longer needs from school just to see how many he ends up with by the end of the year.

He sleeps with a fan 12 inches from his head on one side and his alarm clock on the other. Yes, he can still ignore the alarm that close to his ears. I have had to get up and turn it off!
The other day it woke me up, I had to turn it off, then left the light on. I said nothing just went down stairs to read like I normally do. When he came down he said "Did you turn on my light?".
"Yes" I said.
"Don't do that."he said.
Um,Ok. (?) Kinda hard to turn off the alarm for me without it.??
He is currently gearing his school classes to become a pharmacist or Bio-med Engineer. He is leaning towards pharmacist. He dreads the requirement of a foreign language for college but is going to be a Junior ,gulp, next year and needs to get it done.
His school is offering college 'gen ed' college classes at a steep discount thru NKU (Northern Kentucky University. He doesn't quite make the ACT score yet, though, to be able to take them yet. He took too long on the test and left many questions blank.
He had a IEP (Individualized Education Plan) in Wisconsin and was probably using that as a crutch to get easy assignments and extra help with classes. Not here. They said he tested just fine and put him in with the rest of the fishes.
Now, he is still getting good grades. (Better than mine were, but don't tell him that!) And one of his teachers called him the 'KING OF EXCUSES' last year. LOL.. she was SO RIGHT ON!!

I have been dragging him to volunteer at a local thrift store once a month, to remind him how nice he has it. It is a bit of a challenge for him since he has a fear of bed bugs and germs. He only eats finger foods by bending his fingers and using his knuckles. (less germs?) He must inspect his plates,cups and silverware to make sure they are clean to his specifications before he can use them (after they have been thru the dishwasher, of course)... Only coffee mugs he doesn't check since the heat of the beverage will kill all germs, he says.
Yep. He is a strange one, but I love him to pieces and wouldn't want him to change a thing. He is too much fun just the way he is... even though he is awkward, shy and so scientific... But boy, he is a cutie! (of course)

Tick Tock

Dear US Government and State Governments,

I know you are a bit overwhelmed right now with the economy, protests and turmoil in various countries, but I am requesting you please send me my tax refund. I mailed it in you as soon as I could get everything together. I sent all the papers you requested (btw, thank you for keeping the paper industry going, I know they appreciate the business). Oh, and don't worry about auditing me cause I didn't hold back reporting anything since that takes WAY to much effort. It makes my brain hurt.
Could you please hold off deciding you are a broken or bankrupt Nation/State(s) until April 15. Just to make sure other people can get their refunds due to them too.

Thank you for your time.

Waiting patiently,
Rachel

Name My Bib!

May 1 I am going to run the flying Pig half marathon in Cincy. This year they are going to have custom BIB tags so the 'squeelers' can yell our names as we run by! How fun! Now, what to put on the tag???

Feelings suck. Sometimes.

But today was a VERY good day!

I gots me some flowers (from the hubby)! And a card. And a sitter for tomorrow mornin' (so I can get to my work meeting on time) and I had some chili all ready to eat when I got home from work today!!

... all together now... (Awe.)

Oh, and the kitchen was clean, and my hubby put a silly status on FB for me!

Feeling loved. <3

Maybe I can tackle the gym tomorrow!? YEAH?!
It will have to be after my meeting at work, dropping cable and canceling Tivo. Oh and we are getting rid of FOUR tv's!! And the kids are ok with it! Yes!