Running Red Momma

Yeah, you might be wondering how I did. I think some of the pictures say it well. " Please help me to live, please help me to live." See how excited I am? I know exactly what I am doing. Oh, the mayhem and craziness. I was kicked, hit, swum over by much greater beings. See how my BIL is running out of the water? My exit would be titled, "Thank you God! I have found the land!" I am so relieved to be finally running a race instead of biking or swimming. The swim was even tougher than I thought. No wonder swimmers look so bad. Those buoys never seem to get any closer. During the bike portion I was passed by crazy mechanical super athletes that whirred instead of making the usual bike noise. I really couldn't figure out how their $10,000 super bikes were passing my $149 Wal-mart special. (Those super-athletes were not super friendly either.) Anyhoo, the run felt good and I was able to pass people instead of erratically flailing about in open water. I had...

I decided I  had to do something I have thought about for years.  I am doing a triathlon this weekend.  Really, I am a fool. I am a terrible swimmer and I hate swimming in cold, pool water.  So, of course swimming in a filthy, freezing local lake is just what I want.  I rented a wet-suit to keep me warm in the waters.  After squeezing into that thing, I have a greater appreciation for all of the batman actors/evil villains  who must wear those crazy costumes daily.   I am also not an idiot, I have been biking/running/walking for about 6 weeks.  It will be an adventure.  I have enjoyed getting out of my normal routine...so far  from my normal life.   I looked up swim times for this local race from last year.  I'm pretty sure I am going to be backstroking with the sixty-year-olds.  All of it will be a good learning experience. I think it will be very good for me to be the last person in an event. I know, you may be wondering about the lunch deal.   J. came home and wondered why all...

For the last year my daughter and I have been locked in a battle over lunch.  I refuse to pack a lunch for a smart, capable elementary aged child.  When I do pack her lunch, I give her an extra job to do around the house. However, this has just given me more items to finish on my nag list.  So, I got an idea from my brother-in-law; pack a nasty lunch.  This morning I was almost gleeful to set my evil plans in motion. As I skipped to the fridge, I wondered what disgusting adult food I could give her.  I snuck out the creamy fruit parfait and chocolate brownie.  In their place, I put in a berry-fruit jello combination which she hates. I gave her a few cold, somewhat greasy twice-baked potatoes.  I ended it with some dry wheat bread and an apple.  The genius of this plan is so fun.  I am giving her food.  Hence, the school will not purchase a lunch for her.  I am not creating more nag items for my daughter. Instead, I am giving her the powerful example of action without words.  When I han...

I have been gone for a while. I was gone trying to live an alternative lifestyle. I live in a community where all of the homes seem to be clean and well decorated. The women are cute and crafts abound. So, I attempted to really clean my house for a week. I had guests coming and a desire to feel more together. Oh, I scrubbed, wiped, mopped, dusted, vacuumed and worked. I was so tired! I felt like all I did was battle every day. In this city, it seems as if many of the women have the just right house, hair, clothes and kids with perfect hair. I just get worn-out from it. I am not that girl. I will probably never find the time/desire to paint my house all cute. I will probably still have to fight the urge to kick it in my sweats. I don't think I am ever going to have each room with a theme or produce items which hang on my walls and declare my life beliefs. I don't really like crafts. I don't do my hair and I prefer my kids to dress themselves. This obviously p...