Today we went to Art Glass n Fire to glaze some things to keep forever. It was FUN! And in only two days the kiln will be cool and we can get our new things and take them home. We worked hard glazing and then we went to Garden Deli for lunch.
After lunch we went to Front Porch for a sprinkle cookie. Lydia took a mini photography workshop while Martin finished his cookie. She learned about the macro button. Back at camp, Lydia changed to go swimming and Martin decided to play Mario Party.
Uncle Lewis said it was not a good beach day for kids. It was too windy. He was right. So it was more time at the Fun Pool. The pool water was warm but the air cool.
At dinner time everyone played or watched Mario Party. Uncle Lewis let the computer take his turn. Martin won with 4 STARS!!!
Another very busy day at camp.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
Wednesday, August 20, 2008
Camp OBX Session 2, Day 2
Today we had breakfast on the go, ice cream sandwiches and apples. We were rushing to get to the monument and in line to climb to the top before the line got too long.
We made it! And climbed all 142 steep twisty stairs by ourselves, no carrying allowed. Lydia led the way up. Five were in our group. Only one group at a time can climb to the top and down again. Even with a short line it took a long time to get to the front and start our climb!
It was very awesome at the top. We could see the ocean and our car. Next we played on the Wright flyer sculpture and had lunch at Kill Devil's. Then we went home to play Mario Party. We learned how to play it all by ourselves. Martin won.
Later we went to the beach to see Uncle Lewis on his lifeguard stand. We played in the silly surf, then we went to the pool and stayed until it closed. Then we watched Uncle Lewis win his basketball game in overtime. Lydia got to get warm in the hot tub during part of the basketball game.
We had late dinner and watched part of a movie.
It was a BIG day at camp.
We made it! And climbed all 142 steep twisty stairs by ourselves, no carrying allowed. Lydia led the way up. Five were in our group. Only one group at a time can climb to the top and down again. Even with a short line it took a long time to get to the front and start our climb!
It was very awesome at the top. We could see the ocean and our car. Next we played on the Wright flyer sculpture and had lunch at Kill Devil's. Then we went home to play Mario Party. We learned how to play it all by ourselves. Martin won.
Later we went to the beach to see Uncle Lewis on his lifeguard stand. We played in the silly surf, then we went to the pool and stayed until it closed. Then we watched Uncle Lewis win his basketball game in overtime. Lydia got to get warm in the hot tub during part of the basketball game.
We had late dinner and watched part of a movie.
It was a BIG day at camp.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Camp OBX Session 2, Day 1
It was a lazy camp day. Mario Party and pajamas ruled. Then toward evening a field trip to the new construction site was organized and still in our sleep clothes we ventured forth.
From the sandhill we wandered to the playground and tested all the equipment. We even climbed the big tower that mom and all the uncles used to play in when they were kids.
A quiet, busy camp day.
From the sandhill we wandered to the playground and tested all the equipment. We even climbed the big tower that mom and all the uncles used to play in when they were kids.
A quiet, busy camp day.
Thursday, August 14, 2008
Grandma is 89!
Betwixt Donald & Terri's beach vacation and Emily & Marty's we traveled to South Carolina to help mom celebrate her 89th! That's amazing. We had the kids with us and they were great travelers.
We even got to stop in Raleigh and be the FIRST visitors to meet Baby Benjamin, born on 08/08/08.
That was about half way through our trip, so it provided a nice break for the kids too.
We meet up with everyone at our hotel several hours later, had some dinner and turned in. S&S&E rolled in around midnight. Edward was ready for a quick hello but changed his mind at the last minute so it was next morning before we got a chance to see fast growing Mr Ed.
And then off to the party. Cameras and photographers abounded and the pictures you see linked to this post were taken by me, Peter, Kayla & Abby.
A shower had been planned for AJ even though everyone knew they would not be there. But no one expected Baby Benjamin to arrive in time for his party even via long distance. Emily was stand in receiver of the presents.
We all sang Happy Birthday to mom and then we packed up as we wanted another visit with Benjamin and also wanted to get home not so late since I had a race Sunday morning.
Kayla and Abby rode with us to meet up with Daniel & Devon for a beach vacation and all the kids had fun watching videos and snoozing off.
Another successful birthday for Grandma!
We even got to stop in Raleigh and be the FIRST visitors to meet Baby Benjamin, born on 08/08/08.
That was about half way through our trip, so it provided a nice break for the kids too.
We meet up with everyone at our hotel several hours later, had some dinner and turned in. S&S&E rolled in around midnight. Edward was ready for a quick hello but changed his mind at the last minute so it was next morning before we got a chance to see fast growing Mr Ed.
And then off to the party. Cameras and photographers abounded and the pictures you see linked to this post were taken by me, Peter, Kayla & Abby.
A shower had been planned for AJ even though everyone knew they would not be there. But no one expected Baby Benjamin to arrive in time for his party even via long distance. Emily was stand in receiver of the presents.
We all sang Happy Birthday to mom and then we packed up as we wanted another visit with Benjamin and also wanted to get home not so late since I had a race Sunday morning.
Kayla and Abby rode with us to meet up with Daniel & Devon for a beach vacation and all the kids had fun watching videos and snoozing off.
Another successful birthday for Grandma!
Friday, August 08, 2008
Camp OBX, Day 5
Another up & down day. Lydia finally got her trike like Martin's. Only to have Martin's trike suffer a pedal casualty, so now camp still only has one favored trike.
The diving area of the fun pool was still closed, sharks and minnows was mildly popular and then the whole pool got closed because a bogus bolt of lightning was spotted. We say bogus because we never saw it or any more or heard any thunder.
Home for showers under duress and then off to Slice for dinner. Martin wanted absolutely no pizza and said Uncle Donald could have all of his, until we got there and he changed his mind. Donald was not buying any of the story until Martin piped up with a new line, 'I was just teasing about no pizza.' Uncle Donald liked that approach and gave Martin a thumbs up.
The pizza took a long time to cook and Lydia went shopping for itch lotion and found a new stuffed kitty.
Lights out was easy as Ninja Turtles was the movie of choice.
The diving area of the fun pool was still closed, sharks and minnows was mildly popular and then the whole pool got closed because a bogus bolt of lightning was spotted. We say bogus because we never saw it or any more or heard any thunder.
Home for showers under duress and then off to Slice for dinner. Martin wanted absolutely no pizza and said Uncle Donald could have all of his, until we got there and he changed his mind. Donald was not buying any of the story until Martin piped up with a new line, 'I was just teasing about no pizza.' Uncle Donald liked that approach and gave Martin a thumbs up.
The pizza took a long time to cook and Lydia went shopping for itch lotion and found a new stuffed kitty.
Lights out was easy as Ninja Turtles was the movie of choice.
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Camp OBX, Day 4
Today was topsy-turvy. Everyone got up too early, USA lost their first game in the Olympics, and Terri had to go home. Things could be better, things could be worse.
We DID have Uncle Donald cinnamon buns for breakfast.
We did go to mini golf while Uncle Donald took Terri to the airport. We really like mini golf but it was hot and everyone had a melt down including Grandma.
Apologies without being prompted were a good thing for all to hear and Kill Devil's saved the day. Everyone was actually tired, thirsty and hungry.
Lydia likes the chicken wrap with only the wrap and the chicken. She even had a hot fudge sundae.
Uncle Donald got home right after we did and we are all settled in for a early evening of porch play and then a movie.
We DID have Uncle Donald cinnamon buns for breakfast.
We did go to mini golf while Uncle Donald took Terri to the airport. We really like mini golf but it was hot and everyone had a melt down including Grandma.
Apologies without being prompted were a good thing for all to hear and Kill Devil's saved the day. Everyone was actually tired, thirsty and hungry.
Lydia likes the chicken wrap with only the wrap and the chicken. She even had a hot fudge sundae.
Uncle Donald got home right after we did and we are all settled in for a early evening of porch play and then a movie.
Camp OBX, Day 3
Aquarium day! We watched the otters playing. We saw the divers in the shark tank and a six month old baby octopus.
Then we went to see the Elizabeth II. We helped raise the anchor and saw the games and beds. We visited the settlement and learned how to make things.
We were hungry. Grandpa met us for dinner at the Full Moon. Martin ate pizza and Lydia chicken. The corn chips were good too. And the pink lemonade.
We stopped to visit Becki and the girls and then Becki went with us to see the purple martins come in to roost on the old bridge. We got there at just the right time! The swarm was arriving!! They flew all around over our head catching just one more bug. Finally they were tired. A photographer with a cool camera let us see the birds settle into their roost under the middle of the bridge. It was too far to see unless you were in a boat. We were very lucky to get to see the flock come in for the night AND to get to see them through the special camera land on their wire.
We were very tired when we finally got home.
Then we went to see the Elizabeth II. We helped raise the anchor and saw the games and beds. We visited the settlement and learned how to make things.
We were hungry. Grandpa met us for dinner at the Full Moon. Martin ate pizza and Lydia chicken. The corn chips were good too. And the pink lemonade.
We stopped to visit Becki and the girls and then Becki went with us to see the purple martins come in to roost on the old bridge. We got there at just the right time! The swarm was arriving!! They flew all around over our head catching just one more bug. Finally they were tired. A photographer with a cool camera let us see the birds settle into their roost under the middle of the bridge. It was too far to see unless you were in a boat. We were very lucky to get to see the flock come in for the night AND to get to see them through the special camera land on their wire.
We were very tired when we finally got home.
Monday, August 04, 2008
Camp OBX, Day 2
It was a full day of fun. Martin & Lydia and Donald & Terri and Grandma went to the beach. Lewis & Jess came later and Jess's cousins too. Martin declared that it was his best day ever at the beach.
Next stop was the fun pool. The diving pool was closed but Martin and Lydia showed all of their swimming skills off in the deep water of the lap pool.
Then a stop at Kill Devil's for dinner where Lydia ate all the chicken out of 1 and 1/2 sandwiches.
And then it was off to Jurassic Putt. Martin got a hole-in-one.
Back home Jess & Lewis had cooked a wonderful dinner of fried shrimp, corn, slaw and hush puppies for the camp counselors. Jess made raspberry lemon. The campers retired to watch a video while the counselors ate their home cooked meal.
Another successful day at camp.
Sunday, August 03, 2008
Camp OBX, First Day
We met the kittens, we made a club house, we played in the ocean and we had dinner at Kill Devil's. Well actually Lydia got a slice of pizza from Slice and Martin got a hot dog at Kill Devil's. It was a good day.
Sunday, July 06, 2008
July 4th on the OBX
Donny & I decided to take in the fireworks displays from the monument hill. It is a pretty well kept secret on the OBX yet enough people show up to make it festive. We found the Jacobson's hanging out on the beach side of the hill and joined them.
I thought the KDH official display would be at Ocean Bay like it has been but this year it was at Avalon Pier. Too far away for the straight on effect but still spectacular. We got a great view of Nags Head Pier's fireworks, too. And if you slipped to the dark side of the monument you saw Manteo's.
The wind was blowing enough that bugs were not a problem.
And midway through the displays a gifted trumpeter played the national anthem. It was hauntingly perfect, there on such a historical hill, watching fireworks go off in every direction.
My pictures are all hand held and still I love them. They're firework art!
I thought the KDH official display would be at Ocean Bay like it has been but this year it was at Avalon Pier. Too far away for the straight on effect but still spectacular. We got a great view of Nags Head Pier's fireworks, too. And if you slipped to the dark side of the monument you saw Manteo's.
The wind was blowing enough that bugs were not a problem.
And midway through the displays a gifted trumpeter played the national anthem. It was hauntingly perfect, there on such a historical hill, watching fireworks go off in every direction.
My pictures are all hand held and still I love them. They're firework art!
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Rock Star
It was quite a year, metal wise! Well, actually 18 months from start to finish, in this medal collection anyway. But all of the Heavy Medals were collected in the same year as part of the Elite Racing rules, ending with their big boy Rock Star!
At noon and going clockwise around the circle, first up (and my first ever competition) is the first OBX Earth Day Run 2006. It was an 8K and lots of fun. The medal is the small one with the dark ribbon. The goody bag all runners got was cloth and inside held Smart Wool socks. Awesome! I got first in my age group.
Then came the Nags Head Woods 5K Run 2006. I got second in my age group and a trophy. I repeated that in 2007. My two trophies are in the middle of the circle.
Third was a nasty 5K run in the sand at high tide in August. Still I was the only one in my age bracket and so brought home first place.
Fourth came our (my training partner Suzanne and I) first big run, 20,000+ runners at the Virginia Beach Elite Racing Rock n Roll 1/2 marathon 2006.
Donny offered to take me to San Jose for the next Elite Racing event which also happened to be an inagural race. Why not I thought? A trip to California and all I have to do is run 13.1 miles. We both competed and Donny, sans any training, was not that far behind me.
This brought me a 26.2 bonus medal for completing two Elite Racing R n R halves in the same year. That's all it took. I was completely hooked on medal collecting.
A quick 5K at home brought another gold into my brace of medals but only because not many women race after age 50.
Then came the reason I got into this whole marathon thing, the first ever OBX Marathon. It was grueling and I finished 4th in my age group but finish we did, Suzanne and I.
And then it was 2007 and my quest to be an Elite Racing Rock Star. This meant competing in all of their events (then five, now six). But you could pick between the whole or half marathon if it was offered. Not me. I had to sign up for every whole, of which there were three.
First off the block was Phoenix in January. It was freezing, literally. But I finished in 6:30ish. Sad but within the limits. And we got to visit nephew Adam and meet his wife, Kim and new daughter, Harlee.
Next was an open stretch until Nashville at the end of April so Suzanne and I did the inaugural Dismal Swamp Stomp 1/2 Marathon. We did an easy race at 2:40. And we were in the loo when the race started!
Nashville gave Donny and I a chance to visit Donald & Terri, and they were all sweet enough to meet me at the end and even run the last .2 beside me! Still clocking 6:30ish.
And I pick up my first 2007 bonus medal (all my bonus medals are toward the middle of the circle in the picture, save the Rock Star which has the place of honor in the very middle). I get a silver note for completing two R n R events in the same year.
San Diego was a short five weeks later. It was hot and I am STILL running a 6:30ish race. I am trying to finish without injuring myself so that I can be a Rock Star but still you would think my times would inch downward a bit. (This just in: The Kansas City Barbecue where the Top Gun bar scene was filmed burned completely June 27, 2008. Full story and photos on my LJ).
I pick up two bonus medals this time. The gold note for completing the Nashville full and San Diego in the same year. Plus the Triple Crown for finishing three R n R events in the same year.
September brings the Virginia Beach half and practically on it's heels the Philadelphia Distance Run. It is not an official R n R but is sponsored by Elite and if you do Virginia Beach and Philly you get a bonus medal. And new to 2007 if you finish any other Elite R n R in the same year plus Philly you get yet another bonus. So after Philly it's two more bonus medals for me!
And after Virginia Beach I pick up my next two Elite bonus medals. The Grand Slam, for completing any four R n R events in the same year. And a 39.3 for completing a whole and a half R n R marathon in the same year.
Last on the R n R circuit is San Jose. Donny will run this one again, as he takes on a half marathon just not a full. I have a gold/yellow Rock Star bib! How cool is that. I'm doing the halves in a slow time too, just under three, but I want to finish within the legal limits and not be limping across the finish. Finally it's done and I am a real honest to goodness Rock Star! One of just a few hundred of the thousands that ran these races. My name is in the archives and on the webpage. AND, I get a huge garish medal! Plus I get my last regular bonus medal of yet another 26.2 for completing two R n R half marathons in the same year.
But wait I am not finished running. Since we are in California anyway I have signed on for the Nike Women's Marathon the weekend following San Jose. The medal is a Tiffany charm on a necklace. It shows a runner and has the date on the back. These are given to finishers by cool dudes in tuxedos. I have since learned that this very popular race is now limited to lottery only. I am so glad I did it when I did. At that it took both Donny and I several attempts to get my registration completed and that was on the day that registration opened.
Nike also had a virtual half marathon option for this race using their chip as validation of your run. Since I had a Nike chip I signed on for the virtual race and so got that nifty Spanish leather key chain tag too. It is stamped with the date.
My penultimate race in my marathon of marathons was the Raleigh City of Oaks newly reinstated marathon. It was a nice race but I felt bad and would have quit except at that point I was in the woods and no where near a good bailout point. The ick cleared up and I finished in my usual 6:30 time frame.
My last marathon for awhile was back home for the 2nd OBX the week following Raleigh. I was pretty tired but actually felt stronger although my time was no better.
For now I am resting on my laurels, polishing my medals and getting lots of pedicures for my 276 official racing miles later weary feet. I am still training though and will pick up the thread again before long!
It is quite an impressive display I must say.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Happy Birthday, Suzanne
Friend Suzanne celebrated her birthday yesterday. After exercise classes we journeyed off to have a pedicure at our favorite spa, Diva's, where we pretty much learned that former local caterer, Petrozza, does win Hell's Kitchen (next week will tell for complete sure).
Then it was off to Good Life for lunch and after that I thought a stop at the monument would be fun since this was day one of the reopening of the edifice, for climbing the interior to the top that is.
We who are fairly fit but have just worked out and eaten, trudge, yes really trudge, up the hill in the 90 degree heat to find the door, locked! We take a picture anyway. On our way back to the car we meet a ranger and quiz him about the opening. After all, I have heard it on the radio and am pretty famous for mixing things up. Yup, he replies it was open but you just missed it.
We look puzzled. Seems that a woman fainted inside and it took so long to get her out, that they decided to close it again and only have it open for a few hours in the morning once a week.
But it's her birthday I protest to no avail. Oh well we tried. He was funny and nice. I recognize you he says to me. That is because I am the runner that is always stopping to take pictures. I'll use any excuse at all to stop for a moment.
Suzanne is the real runner. She runs early in the morning and fast. With a couple of guys around six am he asks. Usually is her reply. Okay I've seen you too! You can't hide on the OBX.
After our chat we go our separate ways to meet again at 4 for track work with Ari. It is my first day to finally fit this in. Suzanne has been working with Ari for over a year.
Ari has forgotten her shoes so we do minimal jogging but at that I do not keep up. We do a gazillion abs and leg lifts and other forms of torture which are actually very good, when you are finished.
So hopefully it was a fun birthday for Suzanne!
btw For you three people that actually read this blog with any regularity, take a travel to The Other Me, as I am starting to post again there now too. Live Journal has an awesome photo uploader. It only takes seconds. BlogSpot is still pretty s-l-o-w although I love the formats on BlogSpot more than LJ.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
AJ"s Baby Shower
Babies, babies, we're having lots of babies. Our grand baby fold is doubling, from two to four. Baby Ball #2 and grand baby #4 is due in two months and party queen Laurie, aunt to new baby Edward, threw a wonderful party for Andrew & Jenn to celebrate.
Amazingly too everyone from the Ball clan, sans Marty, could make the date.
I picked up Mom on Friday so she could be at the shower and also for her photo opt with great-grand #4, for her, Edward.
Jenn's Mom got to arrange her schedule to be at the party and it was delightful catching up with her. We'll meet again in August.
The kids got a lot of really nice gifts. And as Donny says enough baby clothes to cover a day at least.
Friday, June 13, 2008
Two Week Birthday
Happy Birthday, Edward. Two weeks old!
We had a really nice visit and everyone except Stephen even got a nap. Sarah got the best one yet, she declared. It was a comfort to her to know that Stephen had ready back-up in case he needed an extra pair of arms or legs to walk the baby and so she settled in for a one hour nap.
I loved it when Edward slouched himself sideways in my arms and tucked up his little feet into that cute fetal position and promptly went to sleep. He was doing some unwinding most likely. On he slept and I gave him to Donny after a good while and still he slept. He is most relaxed, like his parents.
He is really strong and can hold his head steady with no problem. S&S say he even turns it from side to side and lifts it easily. He is also quite the diaper man and we got a steady baby fashion show as he whizzed through set after set.
We visited all afternoon and then slipped away to meet with Lance to pick up the washer and dryer from the apartment. The same set that saved Emily & Marty from the laundromat after Martin was born. The apartment they were in at the time had no hook up and so we got the portable kind from Sears. Next the set went to college with Lewis and now it is headed home to do beach laundry duty.
After our apartment stop, we make a run through Trader Joe's for dinner supplies and also Whole Foods where we found local grass feed thick cut rib eye steaks.
Back at babyland Sarah was just arising from her refreshing nap that extended from one hour to about three. We prepped the steaks and corn headed for the spiffy grill that Stephen got for his birthday from Orren & Pat.
We tossed the ready mix Asian salad, sliced the Havarti cheese and bagette. And put the wild Maine blueberry pie in the oven to warm.
The grilling was quick and we sat down to our hearty meal that we polished off with the pie and vanilla ice cream. Edward slept. He missed his party entirely.
We got home around 1am and are ready to go again!
Happy Birthday E.D.
We had a really nice visit and everyone except Stephen even got a nap. Sarah got the best one yet, she declared. It was a comfort to her to know that Stephen had ready back-up in case he needed an extra pair of arms or legs to walk the baby and so she settled in for a one hour nap.
I loved it when Edward slouched himself sideways in my arms and tucked up his little feet into that cute fetal position and promptly went to sleep. He was doing some unwinding most likely. On he slept and I gave him to Donny after a good while and still he slept. He is most relaxed, like his parents.
He is really strong and can hold his head steady with no problem. S&S say he even turns it from side to side and lifts it easily. He is also quite the diaper man and we got a steady baby fashion show as he whizzed through set after set.
We visited all afternoon and then slipped away to meet with Lance to pick up the washer and dryer from the apartment. The same set that saved Emily & Marty from the laundromat after Martin was born. The apartment they were in at the time had no hook up and so we got the portable kind from Sears. Next the set went to college with Lewis and now it is headed home to do beach laundry duty.
After our apartment stop, we make a run through Trader Joe's for dinner supplies and also Whole Foods where we found local grass feed thick cut rib eye steaks.
Back at babyland Sarah was just arising from her refreshing nap that extended from one hour to about three. We prepped the steaks and corn headed for the spiffy grill that Stephen got for his birthday from Orren & Pat.
We tossed the ready mix Asian salad, sliced the Havarti cheese and bagette. And put the wild Maine blueberry pie in the oven to warm.
The grilling was quick and we sat down to our hearty meal that we polished off with the pie and vanilla ice cream. Edward slept. He missed his party entirely.
We got home around 1am and are ready to go again!
Happy Birthday E.D.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Mr & Mrs Reynolds
It was a perfect day (we writers always say that, but it was)! Threats of thunderstorms held off until evening (but did the sky ever open up then with a huge downpour, hail and power outages) and so the beach was in its glory. Just enough surf added the ideal backdrop to the pictures.
The ceremony was held on Mom's private beach and the use of neighboring stone steps to reach the sand provided the perfect entrance for a barefoot bride and groom.
David did a stellar job on the gals hair giving the casual wedding just the right touch of elegance.
Adam & Kim's two year old daughter, Harlee, was the cutest attendant in her long Hawaiian print dress. She is definitely a beach gal seizing every opportunity throughout the weekend to get there, although that sand in her shoes is a complete annoyance.
The buffet tent that Grady & Diana got at BJ's was right on the money too, adding a special sparkle. That coupled with the cloth covered tables decorated with lilies and glass pebbles of blue hues made for a comfortable and relaxing lawn reception.
Congratulations to the bride and groom actually renewing vows from their Las Vegas wedding on Kim's birthday two years ago.
My favorite part? I loved it all, but Kim bringing the beautiful cake that she baked and decorated the night before to the reception tent was the best of the casual chic day.
The ceremony was held on Mom's private beach and the use of neighboring stone steps to reach the sand provided the perfect entrance for a barefoot bride and groom.
David did a stellar job on the gals hair giving the casual wedding just the right touch of elegance.
Adam & Kim's two year old daughter, Harlee, was the cutest attendant in her long Hawaiian print dress. She is definitely a beach gal seizing every opportunity throughout the weekend to get there, although that sand in her shoes is a complete annoyance.
The buffet tent that Grady & Diana got at BJ's was right on the money too, adding a special sparkle. That coupled with the cloth covered tables decorated with lilies and glass pebbles of blue hues made for a comfortable and relaxing lawn reception.
Congratulations to the bride and groom actually renewing vows from their Las Vegas wedding on Kim's birthday two years ago.
My favorite part? I loved it all, but Kim bringing the beautiful cake that she baked and decorated the night before to the reception tent was the best of the casual chic day.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Welcome Edward!
Edward Dyott Ball named for his maternal great-grandfather, sharing his middle name with Dad, Stephen, joined us in this world May 29 at 3:44pm. They picked the name knowing that oodles of nicknames come with the territory. My favorites so far are CubED from Donny and IncrEDible from a friend. He is adorableness packaged to go. He is adjusting well to his new surroundings not minding a bit being held and cooed over.
"He doesn't look like a newborn," was Great-Aunt Beth's comment. Sarah and I agree. He is not the least bit wrinkly or squashed looking. He is absolute perfection.
He weighed 7lb8oz and is 20" long. He has reddish hair and long piano playing fingers.
After Stephen found out that visiting hours for newborns did not exist, we hopped in the car and arrived in at Durham Regional about 11pm. It took a few minutes for us to find the night entrance, aka Emergency, and then our floor but we finally negotiated the maze. We had a really nice visit and left for home shortly after midnight, our choice, as we dropped everything to zip to Durham and thus left much undone on the Bayside School Services front. AJ offered accommodations at their home and S&S told us to go crash at their place. Sweet kids.
More cuteness and fun comments on Stephen's blog.
I'm ready for another visit already!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Thursday, May 15, 2008
Movin' On
The wall is coming down. The wall with my fun sketch of water birds painted in a flash to cover up a ratty looking wall. Much more delightful than plain paint. We'll try to preserve the birds but if not, c'est la vie. Dorrie and Nemo that I painted were sacrificed when Martin's wall was the access point to bathroom repairs.
The Coke machine is now in the pub and it looks awesome. Andrew found the very one we have online and so maybe we can actually locate a key and get it going again.
I am so excited about the revamp of my tiny website, SandyBands. It is definitely a work in progress. Selling this type of product online is pretty much a non-event so I decided to create a joyous website and let the muses take it where they will.
I sit here in what Donny's calls my Chinese office. Clutter (organized of course!) surrounds me. But for the moment I really cannot do much, so I look at it like the figure changing stages of pregnancy when your body is not your own and there is not a thing you can do about it, or would want to. So you enjoy the watermelon look with the ass wider than that, eat what you want, and beam knowing the end result is pretty cool.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy 100 Years Mother's Day
Anna Jarvis would be proud of my day today, nary a gift in sight. Just personal contact of one sort or the other all around from Twitter to talk. And that is exactly what Anna proposed when she started the movement a hundred years ago in 1908. But in no time it seems her simple plan had sprouted into an annual gift giving responsibility. She cringed and pouted and even protested one Mother's Day celebration to the point of being thrown in jail. That girl had spunk. How dare they ruin her beautiful idea of honoring mothers with maybe one white carnation and definitely a hand written letter of thanks. Period.
We get it, Anna. In this family, we get it. No frills and no stuff, just a chat and a smile.
Smiles across the miles.
My smile lasted the entire trip to Springfield midweek. Right before I left Em called to report that Lydia had gotten up early (for her) and dressed and gone downstairs. Martin found her sitting and looking out the front window wearing her birthday crown from her recent party at school (summer kids get a party before school is out). He asked her what she was doing. "Waiting for Grandma," came the reply.
I was not due until early evening.
And more smiles the next day from Mr Martin. We had a great time playing board games betwixt Lydia's bedtime and his to the point of overstepping his bedtime. I kept telling him he was going to get me in huge trouble as we sailed past the official time and into later. He promised to not be grumpy in the morning and Em later told me he actually did pretty well, for Martin. Then as I prepped for the trip home Em tells me that he asked her if I would be there when he got in from school. "I need to play with Grandma more," he explained.
Miles of smiles...all the way home
Monday, May 05, 2008
Love In
This quilt, actually more a coverlet, was not lost among the many things that have been found in the great clean-up (like the poignant book that Andrew gave Donny for his 50th birthday, I'll Love You Forever). I keep this, love you forever, coverlet where I can see it. My grandmother made it for me and just one glance will tell you that it was used and used and used. It has outlived its usefulness. Still I do not part with it. Mother Leigh (so named by me because while Mom & Dad were both working I lived with my grandparents and they became Mother Leigh and Other Dad) made it for me on her treadle sewing machine and at least once she mended, by hand, the many thread weary seams.
This coverlet is my grandmother in my life, now, today. Happiness!
I am so smitten with Twitter. It is such a simple way to drop a line to followers and to read a quick clip from those you follow. I am so hooked, I need more friends to follow! Feed my fix and join...please.
I have the BeTwittered gadget on my iGoggle page and am constantly getting to read snippets from Dooce and Finslippy and Miranda as they travel though their day. It is just like a neighbor waving hello. But you don't have to be a high power blogger to Tweet. Just sign-up. The text box is right there for you to jot your own note to your followers. No logging in necessary. Very, very cool!
For the record, I beat Donald in Scrabulous. I did not cheat either.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
Simple Things
I went to pick strawberries yesterday and even going early I was late. The field was packed with pickers and it took some simple ingenuity to find a bucket of berries. The farm is just over the bridge into Currituck County and we have been casual acquaintances with the owners for years. Stephen and Andrew were in school together with strawberry son, Lee, who is now finished with the NC bar and ready to hang out his shingle. Yesterday he was helping Mom and Dad and he walked with me to the car as we caught up. He was not at all surprised to hear that Andrew was teaching math. We both agreed that Andrew has what it takes to write a world changing scholarly paper some day.
Lee added to this vision with a story about how Andrew had written a formula for him to better his chances at a shooting competition he was facing. I am sure it was thorough down the the nth point. Lee said he used the formula and hit his mark dead center every time. He never got a chance to tell Andrew because they all graduated and scattered. When I told this story to friend Becki (Mom to Katelyn) last evening she replied that an ad in a NRA publication would bring Andrew a lot of business!
And now for your viewing pleasure I present, Simply.
Thursday, May 01, 2008
May Day
I might finally have it in gear to plow through the cleansing of said household. But please don't hold your proverbial breath because it is going to take me a LONG time, still progress is being made.
Em called last night to hire my child sitting services for next week so that she can go see Marty play his fine drum compositions in Julius Caesar as no one in the show is capable of this task. So Marty is now in the show as well as composer for the show. And not only is he in the show, he is in every scene.
In our conversation Em mentioned that the new princess dress that I made for Lydia is not quite making it. It needs, after all my pains to make it not so, a zipper or button for entry and exit. So while in our local blue light special store today to get boxes for the great reorganization, I snapped up an on sale tank top set to make L a second dress until I can get the first one adjusted.
Home, I yanked a tulle under layer off of one of E's old prom dresses and stitched it onto the top. Voila! Princess dress to go. It's in the mail. And, no, Martin did not get left out. He gets Ebay Lego figures for his collection. In the last box, he was so excited to see a Tuskan Raider that he immediately yelped with glee, "I need to write a thank-you note." I may be paraphrasing but I'm close.
I almost split my side (really) laughing at Quinn's blog today. I have been in that spot so many times myself. You are blathering on, the poor recipient of your diatribe is struggling to look interested, the clearer headed part of you is grabbing the blathering part by the collar to rescue you from yourself. But blathergirl is not to be stopped. She slaps collar girl, hard, and keeps right on a talking. Oh it is not a pretty sight at all.
I actually do not think that men have this genetic disposition. It is unique to us gals. And anyway, as we all know, men have a far smaller daily supply of words so they would barely get started before being cut off. I'm thinking that D would probably give the QC Report entry that tickled my funny bone a cursory glance, try to get into it, but the more he read the less he would understand the humor, and finally throw up his basketball (it would be his hands but the basketball, an extension of said hands, is almost always in one or the other) in a, what's so funny about that, gesture.
Happy May Day everyone!
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Blog On Blog On blog On
I don't think I quite realized how really TIRED I was after my crazy marathon schedule. Starting in September 2006 and stopping in November 2007 (but not completely, just for awhile) I ran 7 full marathons and 6 half marathons. My time was slow but it was consistent and that included the finale when I ran two marathons on consecutive Sunday's.
At that it took a tear in my plantar facia to slow me down because I am still in training for the next interesting looking event. The body does know best. After the tear in which I ended up hobbling, I dropped all workouts including yoga because it hurt to stand for any length of time and simply slept in as my workouts are on a morning clock.
It was wonderful. I missed seeing my gal pals but the sleep was delicious. I am now back in class but taking it slow. I go with option #1, the easy choice, in Cathie's step class.
A gardening friend gave me a huge hollyhock Friday and I am striving to help it through the transplant shock. We have a nasty looking channel marker we planted beside the driveway years ago after Donny swam it home. It is showing the test of time and needed to go but would not be pulled up even with help from machinery so I am thinking that the hollyhock will be a good way to conceal it.
Stephen's birthday party was really nice. We all (to include the McKays) hung out and visited while eating tasty hamburgers and hot dogs the men cooked and just plain relaxed. Donny and the guys put together the new portable basketball system which now boosts an oval rim as I stepped off of the base too soon and the whole thing toppled over. Luckily no one was in range. Would you call that a self christening?
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Hop!
Wellington has a new friend. (That's the series I'm writing on the True Story of the Easter Bunny).
Dr Dowty and his wife Debbie stopped by yesterday to give Henry and Huey had their annual check-up and shots. I asked Debbie how their own pets were doing and she got a sheepish look on her face as she pointed to a cardboard box on the floor of their mobile clinic. I peeked inside to see the tiniest bunny I have seen in a LONG time. I say that because my first cat, Poo aka as Christine, brought home two baby bunnies once years ago and we tried to save them but they died after a few days.
Debbie's bunny was just as tiny. They found him on the farm and he was so tiny his eyes were not even open. They could not find the litter or the mom. Probably victim's to a fox they reasoned. Don told Debbie the baby would probably die but they could try to save him. She bottle fed him every few hours for the first few days and kept him by her side all the time.
After they left, I lamented not getting a picture of him/her (too early to tell) and so this morning I called her to see if they could stop by Friday on their next trip in from the farm. She called back a bit later to say they were in town today for their clinic inspection and if I wanted I could come over and get some photos today.
I dashed over and to my amazement the little guy (until we know differently, we are calling him a he) has already grown! He posed more or less for his portrait and I even got to hold him.
He has imprinted on Debbie so well that she had to put her shirt in his box to settle him down yesterday evening. But that was not for the night. No, at night he sleeps right beside her.
You need a pouch for daytime I suggested. She grinned and agreed.
His name is Hop and he will be in the Wellington books. He'll just hop right into the story line.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Happy Day, Earth
The blooms on this red tip wanna be a tree bush in our yard could almost pass for white lilacs, one of my favorite spring flowers. On my walks from school in Ohio I would pass a small yard with purple lilac trees blooming in full glory, their branches truly laden almost to the ground with sweet scented lavender blossoms. They lined the street side boundary of this modest yard and I would pick an armful of the fragrant flowers to take home to Mom. The owner might mind you doing this it was suggested and so I refrained from the picking but never the admiring.
We do have that promised rain today but it is rather pleasant and maybe an end to the drought.
Today being Earth Day the newspaper is full of articles on the subject. One features the pros and cons of different types of diapers. I don't know that any one out weighs the other as the conservation winner. Statistics are not much help for, as someone once pointed out to us, that number game can be spun to favor any point of view.
Raising five babies, we actually went through the entire litany of diaper choices. With Emily we used cloth which we washed and sun dried. (Donny needs to blog about the one that got away and clogged the septic system in a most unfortunate spot for recovery.) For Donald we switched to paper. Then with Stephen & Andrew we tried cloth via diaper service. And finally for Lewis a wool snap diaper holder that did not need to be washed with every use. It had a cloth liner that could be replaced, so there was less daily washing involved. The seemingly inevitable rashes happened with every single system, therefore my real choice in the summer time when we were home was au natural.
The best we can do is what works for us without forgetting our planet. So perhaps today we can make an Earth Day pledge to make good choices for all types of consumption for ourselves and for our first mother, Earth!
Monday, April 21, 2008
Budding Talent
Friend Anna Lee won 3rd place in her school's art competition. There were a lot of quality entries in all sorts of media. She's got her grandpa's, fellow RPI art school graduate, talent.
Our weather forcast for the next THREE days is rain, rain, rain. I am reminded of my second year at RPI when one spring it rained endless Tuesdays in a row. I was considering changing majors from art to aquatics.
I lifted the following YouTube link from Dooce. It's not new but it sure is guaranteed to put a smile on your face.
We have sequestered the two black cats to be ready for their vet visit tomorrow. It's shot day. And Huey will not be touched by human hands so cleverness is required to catch him. We lured him inside (they live outside on our covered non-screened in porch as we choose not to deal with a litter box and also Sarah breaths better without cat dander around) with promises of tuna (delivered) and brought Henry along too as he often neglects to show up for meals choosing to dine out instead.
So we put them in the downstairs new room with their needed amenities and thought no more until I heard the door that separates the downstairs from the upstairs jiggle. In all my nakedness as I am about to hop in the bath and am finishing up a phone conversation with Emily, I scream for Donny to see who is at the door.
Everything is locked below he replies still coming to my aid from his upstairs office and then notices the door is slightly open. The pull down handle has been wrangled by (beat) the cats.
Oh so smart they are.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Showering
Pat, Laurie and Jenn gave Stephen & Sarah a baby shower last Saturday and it was well attended by family and friends of all ages.
The weather which threatened all day off and on was perfect and the cookout part by Orren a yummy success.
S&S got lots of really nice gifts from baby clothes to furniture. Lydia even gave Baby Ball one of her favorite personal baby toys.
After the party Em, the kids, AJ, Donny & myself went to S&S's house to see the new bamboo floors and the ready and waiting nursery complete with comfy glider chair.
We visited a while and then it was time to go to AJ's for sleeping.
"You are dragging us from house to house to house," moaned Martin, our family member that lacks a transition gene. But he survived and even got a chance to school Andrew on Lego Stars Wars the next morning. Schooling Andrew on anything is a coup, the wealth of knowledge that he is.
Baby Ball #1 is due in about six weeks!!
Stephen is already planning the first basketball game.
The weather which threatened all day off and on was perfect and the cookout part by Orren a yummy success.
S&S got lots of really nice gifts from baby clothes to furniture. Lydia even gave Baby Ball one of her favorite personal baby toys.
After the party Em, the kids, AJ, Donny & myself went to S&S's house to see the new bamboo floors and the ready and waiting nursery complete with comfy glider chair.
We visited a while and then it was time to go to AJ's for sleeping.
"You are dragging us from house to house to house," moaned Martin, our family member that lacks a transition gene. But he survived and even got a chance to school Andrew on Lego Stars Wars the next morning. Schooling Andrew on anything is a coup, the wealth of knowledge that he is.
Baby Ball #1 is due in about six weeks!!
Stephen is already planning the first basketball game.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
500 miles
Lydia's after school enrichment class held a small performance this week and it could not be missed.
The time was 1PM, not bad unless you dawdled too much leaving home and then got stuck in a traffic snarl.
So by the time I got to Richmond I had 1 hour and fifteen minutes to finish up the trip to northern Virginia. Be late I told myself or go for it. The go self won.
I am just waiting for the by mail speeding ticket. I thanked Donny a hundred times for putting the V6 engine in my Rav4. At that I could not keep up with a new SUV Saturn that was figuratively and almost literally flying.
No directions please, I told Emily after the show as we were headed to the house to unwind for a bit before I headed home. I mostly know how to get there but a few turns are fuzzy. I will follow you I said. I used up my directions allowance on getting to the school, into the school, and to the right classroom on time.
But back to the show. A hit! They sang and performed from the heart. Fifteen minutes and it was over but every one of the 500 total driving miles was worth seeing those precious minutes. And THE SMILE with,"Grandma!!" that greeted me as I walked in the door beating the start of the performance by about 10 minutes.
Lydia told her teacher that I was coming to see the show. The same grandma that made your Mary dress she was asked. "Yes, my dress for the Mary & Joseph show," came the reply.
There's definitely theater in that gal.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Lions & Tigers & Bears, Oh My
I think the problem is fixed now. Sorry about that faithful readers. I refer to the ability to comment or lack thereof. Guess my settings were a bit unsettled. But anyway it's mended so keep those cards and letters coming folks, we bloggers LOVE comments.
Saturday, April 05, 2008
Patiently Waiting
In my sorting travels I came across this card among the History of Andrew papers and pictures. It was still in the original envelope and I guess that is what warranted a look see as I was not being that thorough in my sorting the wheat from the chafe.
There inside a Christmas card from Granddaddy & Beatrice (this automatically dates the card to it least 15 years ago as Granddaddy, now deceased, went through 2 more wives) waiting to be acknowledged was this snappy $20 bill.
I'm figuring the patient bill was never used because there was a thank-you note involved that most likely never got written. And Andrew (twenty-something) ,was really good at writing a great thank-you note too, as were the rest. The Mom policy in those formative years was you can have your money after you write the note.
I think the collective, all five now adults, is probably glad they are beyond the reach of that policy now.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Weekend
Our weather changed from balmy to bad over the weekend but it made for good reading time. I continue to make progress in the BIG clean-up and out. For me it takes time to think it through.
Some things which seem useless are worth a second chance. For example we have this wooden elephant that has sat on the upstairs lamp stand for years. It has round discs that you stack in some type of game format on the elephant's back but they have only been used as shims to keep the attic access closed tightly for who knows how long. Gotta go I reasoned, we have a new attic access now, no need for the shim substitutes and how do you play the game anyway? But before tossing it in the thrift store pile, I decided to check on line and actually found the rules to the game on this all things elephant website. You roll dice to determine how many discs get stacked until someone topples the stack. It will be fun to play with M & L since it is basically a counting game and by using two (or more) dice instead of the suggested one, the stack should tumble quickly. Another bonus, a short game!
A very cute read is Flush by Carl Hiassen. It's a kids book but don't let that stop you. It is his usual fast pace and snappy to read type plot.
Cute Overload is a favorite website to check in with and today was no exception. There is an artist in all of us.
Some things which seem useless are worth a second chance. For example we have this wooden elephant that has sat on the upstairs lamp stand for years. It has round discs that you stack in some type of game format on the elephant's back but they have only been used as shims to keep the attic access closed tightly for who knows how long. Gotta go I reasoned, we have a new attic access now, no need for the shim substitutes and how do you play the game anyway? But before tossing it in the thrift store pile, I decided to check on line and actually found the rules to the game on this all things elephant website. You roll dice to determine how many discs get stacked until someone topples the stack. It will be fun to play with M & L since it is basically a counting game and by using two (or more) dice instead of the suggested one, the stack should tumble quickly. Another bonus, a short game!
A very cute read is Flush by Carl Hiassen. It's a kids book but don't let that stop you. It is his usual fast pace and snappy to read type plot.
Cute Overload is a favorite website to check in with and today was no exception. There is an artist in all of us.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
Threads
Right self: Throw more stuff away!
Left self: Why?
RS: It's dusty clutter.
LS: Well, if you threw everything away you would not have that tiny little notebook you found today that was Andrew's when he was seven.
RS: You mean the one where he wrote that Emily is his best friend? And they play Life together. And the 700 Club is his least favorite TV show?
LS: That's the one.
RS: It's just a dingy notebook.
LS: And look, here he writes in his scrawly seven year old printing, that what he likes most about Emily is that she lets him have a dip in her prize bag. And that math is his favorite class. And that he likes to root against E-Z For U. And that his favorite team is UNC.
RS: I'm never going to get anything thrown away. Let me see that notebook...
Left self: Why?
RS: It's dusty clutter.
LS: Well, if you threw everything away you would not have that tiny little notebook you found today that was Andrew's when he was seven.
RS: You mean the one where he wrote that Emily is his best friend? And they play Life together. And the 700 Club is his least favorite TV show?
LS: That's the one.
RS: It's just a dingy notebook.
LS: And look, here he writes in his scrawly seven year old printing, that what he likes most about Emily is that she lets him have a dip in her prize bag. And that math is his favorite class. And that he likes to root against E-Z For U. And that his favorite team is UNC.
RS: I'm never going to get anything thrown away. Let me see that notebook...
Thursday, March 27, 2008
Elite Eight
Looking good Carolina. And I guess I get to watch the games because the point spread gets even better once I settle in. Unlike Em who cannot watch because things begin to fall apart every time she does. When she was here, we had the game on the radio going to the aquarium and we would turn up the volume occasionally to catch the score and then turn it back down again. Taking NO chances.
My heel seems to be healing. Yeah!! Like Donny says, now it is hard to believe it ever hurt so badly. But it did, definitely. I broke down Monday and bought some Crocs because Cathie said her doc told her they were very good for plantar fascia and/or heel spurs. I was pleasantly surprised when I got to the shoe store to discover there were Crocs that I actually liked. New styles way beyond the old regular style which did not fit me anyway. I got two pairs. My favorite is a pair of Carolina blue fur lined (that can be popped out for washing) slip ons. I wore them to yoga today.
When I got up I thought my heel was not ready even for yoga but then I decided that some yoga was better than none and since it was pillow day I went. But I am letting that count for MEE30 as I am still limping a bit.
Em called today looking for a colonial costume for Jessica, Chrissy's 9 year old. I dug in the costume closet which has not been purged yet and found the costumes I made for all of us for the 400th celebration. A bit of washing and dying brought new life to Em's costume which should fit Jessica with only a bit of altering.
Tuesday was Jenn's birthday and we tried to sing happy birthday to her but called after she had already gone to bed. That's a new mom for you! Retiring early.
Well tonight I am retiring later than usual but that is because I have gotten lots of extra sleep and no tiring workouts because of said heel.
Just got a text from a friend who is in LA visiting the grands. She wants a cranial when she gets back to town. It will be good to see her again. Her oldest daughter and Donald went to the 8th grade dance together. Just a fun piece of trivia.
Ciao!!
My heel seems to be healing. Yeah!! Like Donny says, now it is hard to believe it ever hurt so badly. But it did, definitely. I broke down Monday and bought some Crocs because Cathie said her doc told her they were very good for plantar fascia and/or heel spurs. I was pleasantly surprised when I got to the shoe store to discover there were Crocs that I actually liked. New styles way beyond the old regular style which did not fit me anyway. I got two pairs. My favorite is a pair of Carolina blue fur lined (that can be popped out for washing) slip ons. I wore them to yoga today.
When I got up I thought my heel was not ready even for yoga but then I decided that some yoga was better than none and since it was pillow day I went. But I am letting that count for MEE30 as I am still limping a bit.
Em called today looking for a colonial costume for Jessica, Chrissy's 9 year old. I dug in the costume closet which has not been purged yet and found the costumes I made for all of us for the 400th celebration. A bit of washing and dying brought new life to Em's costume which should fit Jessica with only a bit of altering.
Tuesday was Jenn's birthday and we tried to sing happy birthday to her but called after she had already gone to bed. That's a new mom for you! Retiring early.
Well tonight I am retiring later than usual but that is because I have gotten lots of extra sleep and no tiring workouts because of said heel.
Just got a text from a friend who is in LA visiting the grands. She wants a cranial when she gets back to town. It will be good to see her again. Her oldest daughter and Donald went to the 8th grade dance together. Just a fun piece of trivia.
Ciao!!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Oh Heel
In an attempt to keep up with myself I have decided to do more posting here and so we'll see how this goes. My glorious running schedule hit an annoying snag yesterday in the form of a heel flare up. My right heel has been acting poorly off and on for about a month now, but nothing I could not work through.
Then in interval class yesterday it started hurting so badly that I had to literally stop running, which we were doing at the time, and just walk. Suzanne got me some ice although nothing was visibly swelling. And then on the next interval, after I had rested for a moment, I tried to catch up. We were doing a routine on the step and the heel hurt but was managing when boom I fell over the step not hurting anything but my pride. So I hung up my workout for the day. We were almost finished with interval anyway but I skipped yoga, which would have been good to do, because I wanted to go home and lick my wounds.
Today the heel is better. Donny put me right into my Heel That Pain soles which I always wear to class but at home I run around barefooted. He suggested I put the shoes on all day and so I did and today I am only limping a bit. Still no running or walking, so I am down a day on MEE30 but so it goes.
Donald called last night. They had just finished snorkeling with a huge turtle and were really stoked about that. They were off to dine in Waikiki a bit later.
D and I went to see Spiderwick Chronicles in Manteo tonight. It was a nice made for TV movie. On the way there we heard a piece on NPR about an experiment these guys did to put folks in a better mood. All you had to do was find and click on the smiling face on each page of the game. Surprisingly people's work success etc was far more productive and better after playing the game for x number of times, not that much but I forget the details. So if you want to pump yourself up an easy way go to MindHabits and play. It's very short.
Putting the heel to bed now.
Then in interval class yesterday it started hurting so badly that I had to literally stop running, which we were doing at the time, and just walk. Suzanne got me some ice although nothing was visibly swelling. And then on the next interval, after I had rested for a moment, I tried to catch up. We were doing a routine on the step and the heel hurt but was managing when boom I fell over the step not hurting anything but my pride. So I hung up my workout for the day. We were almost finished with interval anyway but I skipped yoga, which would have been good to do, because I wanted to go home and lick my wounds.
Today the heel is better. Donny put me right into my Heel That Pain soles which I always wear to class but at home I run around barefooted. He suggested I put the shoes on all day and so I did and today I am only limping a bit. Still no running or walking, so I am down a day on MEE30 but so it goes.
Donald called last night. They had just finished snorkeling with a huge turtle and were really stoked about that. They were off to dine in Waikiki a bit later.
D and I went to see Spiderwick Chronicles in Manteo tonight. It was a nice made for TV movie. On the way there we heard a piece on NPR about an experiment these guys did to put folks in a better mood. All you had to do was find and click on the smiling face on each page of the game. Surprisingly people's work success etc was far more productive and better after playing the game for x number of times, not that much but I forget the details. So if you want to pump yourself up an easy way go to MindHabits and play. It's very short.
Putting the heel to bed now.
Monday, March 24, 2008
Just One More
We had an Easter egg hunt with the grands last week and Em and I labeled the eggs so both M&L would have equal bounty. But we forgot to count how many even though we had a fair idea.
Once the hunt was finished and the eggs were being emptied, I started matching up eggs and counting them because we had also used equal amounts of blue eggs. pink eggs, shiny eggs etc. It seemed we were off by a few but Em reminded me that the color match up was not exact so I agreed with her that none were left behind.
Later when we went outside to jump on the trampoline we discovered an M egg in the play refrigerator. Opps! And today I found its partner L egg in the white swan. No great loss, there was plenty of M&M's and jelly beans in the original pile, even at two per egg. Just thought everyone would get a chuckle out of 'just one more.'
Monday, March 10, 2008
Martin is 7
The birthday boy was quite taken with his loot. Legos? Tranformers? Some of both! Sure why not, it's a Grand prerogative.
Monday, February 11, 2008
The Grands
A recent stop over for a visit with the grands. As always it was fun albeit TOO brief. M shows off part of his Christmas loot, L takes Lucy for a ride in her new sled. We had about 15 minutes for play time as L & I slept in too long. We cooked french toast and then ventured outside for a test run of the sled which worked very well. Lucy loves it!!
Monday, October 23, 2006
Racing the Deer
It was too tempting. A deer roost just waiting for the marathonettes to check it out. And so we did. Kinda fun sitting in a tree.
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
Sunday, August 27, 2006
Welcome to Virginia
Confession: We actually did not run, walk or even jog this far but we did drive the 11 miles of sand road in our trusty Blazer and back again to the land of paved highways.
We'll be running in Virginia soon enough. Big race coming up.
Wednesday, August 23, 2006
Another Mascot
We set out to explore the northern beaches and found a herd of wild horses. We hung with them for a good while until time ran out on us.
We'll be back, we promised the young ones some carrots and we need to check out our new friend's foal about to arrive. So pregnant she didn't deign to move but a few feet, she instead posed for our celebrity shot.
To top off our adventure day we saw a Segway tour and a wild turkey chowing down on road kill.
8 miles of exploring, getting ready for the R'nR.
Sunday, August 13, 2006
It Was Brutal
Rising tide, a small gale blowing, too many runners with a hard stride digging holes in the sand made this a tough race. But we prevailed. S came in third in her division. I'm not sure whether my right or left leg crossed first but at any rate I beat myself to win 1st place in my division. Our times were a bit slow but considering the struggle we had I feel like we both matched or slightly bested our last 5K.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Not Again
Yes again.
This time in Donny's car with Mom along for the trip. Almost midway through our ride home from taking in a USA vs Canada women's soccer match, seeing Aj's new house and having dinner with the kips, we hit some trash in the road (as did about five other cars, one which ended up flipped around in the median strip) near Tarboro. Minor visible damage but driving was another matter. So an hour and a half later we get a hitch via AAA. Our boy Bruce gave us some fancy road handling though and we got home around 1AM.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Girls in Glasses
Meet the Marathonettes new mascot, Lydia.
It won't be long before she is a marathoner herself. She bought her sassy new sunglasses at Stop 'n Shop.
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