Yes, I Run (for the month of December anyway)

Benjamin and Annie at the start of the Jingle Bell Fun Run

I'm married to an ultrarunner. An I-run-100-mile-runs-on-mountainous-terrain runner (you can view his blog here). That's not an easy thing to compete with. When people find out about Jeff's superhuman running powers, they often ask if I run as well. And I want so badly to say yes.

But my athletic prowess ended the moment I became pregnant with Benjamin. Oh, I've had a few in-shape moments over the past seven years, including an on-again-off-again relationship with the always hip Jane Fonda 1984 video and a brief but lovely stint with Crossfit (which, by the way is the most enjoyable workout ever...see my local favorite High Desert Crossfit and Crossfit's main site). I'm always happier when I'm fit. And, of course, I'd like to be a positive role model for my children (though obviously less extreme than my husband). So I thought I'd give it another try. And since I can't pay for Crossfit in this simpler season, I'm getting a little jiggy with it.

Here's my plan: 20 minutes of running per day, everyday, with an initial goal of the December calendar in it's entirety. Now before you laugh at the simplicity (my three loyal readers), figure this: 20 minutes per day for 7 days = 2 hours and 20 minutes per week. If I run just 20 minutes a day for the entire month of December, I'll have run over 10 hours! The best part is that it's really doable! I can either run in our yard or in the house. Four out of five of this week's runs were done in the house, much of it in place (who needs a treadmill?). This evening, I ran in the kitchen after the kids were asleep while keeping an eye on the carrot cake I was baking for church tomorrow. Half-way through my run, I realized I hadn't had enough water and proceeded to pour myself a glass while running. Just don't try to drink water from a glass without taking a brief break (yes, I learned the hard way). So there you have it. A workout you can do without taking time out of your day to do it. Ridiculous? Maybe. But does anyone care to join me?

I'm Sew Happy.

Mama-made hat head on a snowy afternoon (I made her shirt too!).

I've had a sewing machine for years, but couldn't sew a straight line to save myself. I recently came upon a lovely little book called Bend-the-Rules Sewing by Amy Karol at our local library. And while my non-sewing status hadn't changed, some of the pictures called to me to take the brightly colored book home. You see, I've always wanted to sew. As a child I used to take apart my clothes with grand ideas for a more fashionable wardrobe. But it isn't easy to turn a broken plaid jumper into a runway piece with a string of elastic and glue. My creations usually ended up stuffed in the back of my closet, well hidden from my mother (sorry Mom). But my advanced maternal age, rejuvenated motivation, a sewing-savvy friend, and a few hours on a sunny Friday morning did the trick. I can thread a bobbin, use a seam ripper (boy have I used it), and sew a semi-straight line. And you'd be floored at all the features built right into my sewing machine! I certainly was. Anyway, we're off to Seattle for some holiday fun with the Hillman family. And I'm going to bully Annie into wearing her hat. Happy Thanksgiving!

Can I take this off yet? Woodland Elf Hat by Amy Karol

Benjamin Beowulf

Seriously.

The Milky Way and the Land of Flora

I recently read a gardening tip in Mother Earth News suggesting watered-down milk as plant food. We're big believers in milk for ourselves, so we ventured to try it for our plant friends. The consensus?

Milk is a miracle worker in the world of plants.

Our experiment lasted one week: An ailing apple tree was brought back to life, a darling (though flowerless) daisy on its last leg grew a gigantic pink daisy in technicolor, and wildflower seeds sprouted and grew inches in less than 48 hours. Plus, Almanzo (of Laura Ingalls Wilder's Farmer Boy) grew a gigantic, prize-winning pumpkin with the raw, wholesome white goodness. Who says milk is only for calves?

Super daisy (though I must admit it grew so tall that the stem broke)


Milk-grown sillies posing with 600-year-old Ming-dynasty
lions in Columbia, Missouri (University of MO)

Midwest Memorabilia: A Photo Post

We recently returned from a truly memorable trip to the Midwest, where we visited family and friends, watched Daddy run 100 miles (and win!), and breathed in the general sweetness of rural America. Here are a few pictures from our adventures:

Benjamin and Annie playing on "The Columns" at the
University of Missouri in Columbia, Missouri

Annie pretending to be sad during a game of night-time spider
hunting at the campground (shine a headlamp on the ground
at night and watch the spider eyes glowing!)

Benjamin and Annie in what appears to be
a J.C. Penney studio picture (but isn't)

Pretty Annie Josephine


A day hike and a rare photo of the Mother creature

I Love Free-Range Chickens.

But caged children are FAR easier to handle.


Disclaimer: For the record, I do not keep my children in cages. This is a picture of Annie in a grocery cart. Cage-free children are far healthier (as are their chicken friends). And both taste better when allowed to roam free.

Conversations With Kids

Warmer days

About five years ago, our family of three (Annie was just a twinkle in my eye) was walking along the river in downtown Bend, Oregon. At the time, we were thinking of getting a membership to the local recreation center. While we never actually joined, a memorable conversation came from the discussion.

Me: Benjamin, Daddy and I are thinking about getting a membership...
Benjamin (excitedly interrupting ): Oh, good...because my thinking about getting a pirate ship!

* * * * * * *

Annie has recently decided she likes having her hair in a "twist" — her term for a bun. Last night, as I was putting Benjamin and Annie to bed, I suggested we take her hair down from the daytime do. Once I took out the hairband, a very tired Annie began to cry because her hair looked like "messy mustard."

* * * * * * *

I overheard this conversation earlier today:

Benjamin: I'm a monster and you are running from me because I'm going to eat you.
Annie (upset): Noooooooooooo.
Benjamin (sensing he's losing control of the game): You can be a princess?
Annie (thinking about it): Mmmmmm...
Benjamin (sweetening the pot): And a prince will rescue you?
Annie: Oh, yes!
Benjamin: And I'll eat him.