The Holidays

Wow, the last two months just flew by didn’t they? I feel like one moment we were getting the kids Halloween costumes on, then suddenly we were in Massachusetts for Thanksgiving, which rolled right into Virginia for Christmas and then BAM!  Welcome 2014!  There was of course, a lot of fun thrown in along the way.  There were so many moments I wished I could capture but I also knew that no picture would look as good as it did at that moment.  The holidays with kids this age are so magical.

And hectic.  I felt like we were constantly in motion.  I remember that I took some time the Sunday night right after Thanksgiving, when we were all unpacked from our trip and the house had just been decorated in all its Christmas glory to sit and enjoy.  That was the only moment I had; once the craziness began it just kept going.  

I’ll admit that posting went by the wayside. It’s the basic law of thermodynamics, a body in motion tends to stay in motion and a body at rest tends to stay at rest. Once I stopped, it was hard to get back into the groove. Then my laptop decided only certain letters of the alphabet were worth using and I was out of commission for close to a month before Santa delivered my replacement (one heck of guy, isn’t he?). I’ll admit I was in a bit of a funk where the blog was concerned.  I didn’t know what to write about, then when I had the thought it was always, I’ll get to that later, after I finish this or that.  And the same way my one night with tree was, it never happened.

Since I can’t possibly catalog every possible thing that happened over the last two months, here are my highlights from Holiday Season 2014.  Tons of pictures to post soon...
 

Trip to Mass and meeting new baby cousin Khloe:  This was the most interesting when viewed from Teddy’s perspective.  Since Katherine was his age when he arrived, she’d been through the baby thing.  But Teddy had never been so up close and personal with an infant.  I think he was fascinated by the whole concept. Even now he will say “Baby Khloe can’t do this yet, her too small.”

Putting up the tree:  We came home a day early knowing full well that the kids would want to put the tree up the second we got out of the car.  We were right.  I had illusions of taking that Saturday to unpack and not getting the tree out until Sunday…crazy woman that I am.

Santa!

Disney on Ice:  I think this may become an annual tradition.  What was almost a disaster of an evening thanks to torrential rain and a ticket snafu turned out to be just magical.  When our tickets purchased through the Girls Scouts never arrived at Will Call I scurried over to the ticket window and purchased last minute, best they had available.  Wow, did we luck out!  I couldn’t believe it.  The kids were angels and I think it marks the first time Katherine went to a major entertainment event and DIDN’T freak out about the noise level.  We won’t talk about the amount of money spent on spinners and snow cone cups…whatever…that night was all about the kids.

Advent surprises:  I can thank Pinterest for this one.  Instead of a traditional advent calendar, the kids had an envelop to open each night with either a small surprise, a craft, or an activity.  They loved it.

Katherine lost her first tooth!  Officially, we're not counting the one that was pulled when she was two.

Katherine’s field trip:  Two days before Christmas break Katherine's class took a field trip to the IMAX theater to see a movie on butterflies.  Unfortunately the picture of her wearing her 3-D glasses and earmuffs for the noise did not come out but trust me, it was adorable.  Watching a theater full of elementary school children attempt to swat butterflies was adorable too.

Christmas morning times two!: Boy their lucky grandchildren.  We had a great Christmas in Virginia with Papa and Gram Coberly and Aunt Carrie that included tons of activities (again lots of pics to come).  Then a few days later, Papa and Gram Meagher came down and we did it all over again!  This was definitely the Year of Legos.

On to 2014!

Back to Back

So there were races over the past two weekends. The good news? We finished both of them. And really there isn't any bad news but I'm not sure that things went exactly how we planned them to.

The Raleigh half (me) and full (Ted) was the first weekend in November. For some reason I just felt like I couldn't get in the groove in this race. My prep was perfect...breakfast, bathroom, stretching, etc... But I think I burned all of the pre-race energy I consumed while shivering for 20 minutes at the start line. I started the race feeling hungry. Then my running app, which never gives me problems, decided to pause after every mile marker. I don't think I got into a rhythm until mile 6, at which point my IT band started acting up. I made it until mile 8 at which point I told Ted to keep going and slowed my own pace down considerably. The next few miles actually felt great. Things started hurting again around mile 11 and either my own stubbornness or just shear determination kept be running until mile 12. Then it was a walk/run/shuffle to the finish. My time was officially 2:26, fastest half so far. The running app recorded me at 2:17 but because of the problems I had with it and how far off it is from chip time, I'm not sure I should believe it. So even though it didn't go as I planned, there is a positive in the fact that I worked through my difficulties and kept going. Ted finished the marathon in five hours. He was definitely hoping for a fast time but found he had to do a lot of walking in the last few miles. Still, he finished his first marathon.

With those races and a week of rest and recovery under our belts we headed to the Outer Banks last Saturday for the OBX Half Marathon. I really set no goal for myself for this race because of my problems in the last one. We felt pretty good when we woke up Sunday morning and that feel carried through right until the start. I think it was the cold that got us again, we had to wait 40 minutes at the start and even though we kept moving it was hard not to get cold with the ocean wind blowing. We were both stiff when we started running but somehow got each other through the first two miles. I kept saying to myself "I'm warmer than I was a 1/4 mile ago." And we both did start to open up and feel more comfortable. But somewhere along the way the familiar leg and foot pains came back. We started to do a walk/run and then eventually it became a walk and no run. We told ourselves the goal is Asheville, better to walk and not risk injury. But wow, I don't ever want to walk one again. I think it was worse than running it, mostly because it seemed to take FOREVER. The Outer Banks are very flat so you can see a good two miles ahead of you. When we go to the road and bridge that crosses over from Nags Head to Roanoke Island you could easily see the whole span...all four miles of it. And it felt like the further we went, the farther away it was. By the time we got to Manteo my feet were burning. I hobbled across the finish line.

Which, as an aside, I totally loved the people cheering on the sidelines..."You're looking great!" Um, let's not fool ourselves. I know and you know that I do not look great right now. Saying that only makes it more obvious. Although I suppose it would be rude to say something like "You look like crap but hey, you're at the finish!"

Finish time: three hours. Not bad considering we walked most of it. Thanks to the less than adequate food options at the finishing line we hobbled our way back to our hotel (note to anyone planning a race, stay at a hotel near the FINISH, not the start...you'll thank me later), showered and hobbled back out to grab some lunch. All the way we talked about our game plan for the next few months" 1. Rest for the next week 2. STRETCHING, lots of stretching 3. Cross training. 4. Holding each other accountable for our training runs.

So how am I two days later? Much better, still a bit sore but improving. Figured out that my foot pain is probably plantar fasciitis; foot brace purchased and worn last night. I hope to see an improved in a couple of days. I'll start back up slowly and I've got some more supportive shoes this time around. Love my minimalist sneaks but they won't cut it as I build up my mileage. I think in a few days I'll be back in a groove. Still wondering if Asheville is doable or not but, hey, I just did back to back halfs. No one can take that away from me!

Right before the start of the Outer Banks half:


Ted finishing his marathon:

Cutting the Cord

Ahhh, the love/hate relationship with cable TV.  The world’s best babysitter and yet the biggest ripoff around.  

I have never been more fed up with Time Warner Cable than I had been in the last few weeks.  Our service had been spotty, particularly with the phone.  First a lot of static on the line and then it went out completely.  Hours on the phone with the service center, disconnected twice.  One service call and a new modem later and we were back in business.  Except we weren't...within a week the phone went out again.  We were told we would be credited for the days our phone was out.  The bill was the same as usual when it arrived.

That got Ted and I thinking.  How much were we really using the cable?  Internet, yes...but TV and phone?  The kids were watching much more than we were and to be honest they were watching way too much.  When Ted and I did watch TV it was more often than not a broadcast channel. Truthfully, we seemed to be too busy to sit down and watch TV on a regular basis  We didn't own a DVR and didn't want one either.  If we didn't have time to watch the show the first time around chances were we wouldn't have time to watch it a second time around.  The home phone exists more as a safety thing that anything else.  With two small kids in the house we want the ability to call 911 quickly and easily.  Let's ignore the fact that they seem to know how to use our iPhones better than we do. We realized it was time to research alternatives.

At some point I decided to give Time Warner Cable a call to see what else was available from them.  Imagine my surprise when I went on their website (to look up the number to call) and found out, hey brand spanking new customers can get the Triple Play for a mere $79 a month PLUS a visa gift card for signing up.  But us poor souls who have been loyal customers for 10 plus years?  We pay over twice as much for the same service.  Grrrr...

So began my call to them where I explained to the agent that I was looking for options to lower my bill.  He was happy to help and knew he could come up with a great alternative!  A few simple questions, a brief hold and then…VIOLA!  A solution you’re going love for $155 a month!  Huh?  That’s what we pay now after taxes and fees, I’m assuming you’re “solution” is the price before those pesky little things.  And, call me crazy (many have) but when I tell you I want to lower my bill, I actually want to lower it.  Yes, he told me, but you get more value with this option.  He was adding the movie channels and a DVR!  I didn't want any of those options and I told him as such (see above paragraph on how we felt about the DVR).  I didn't even bother to ask him what the price would be after about 6 six months when whatever deal he was giving me would expire.  I could tell I was getting nowhere and my blood pressure was rising.  Rather than saying something I would really regret I hung up.

Infuriated at their lousy business practice, I put in a complaint to TWC.  Yeah, yeah, I knew it was meaningless but I had to do something.  My inner Frank Meagher was fuming (love ya Dad!).  It did make me feel better.  The next day I received a reply to my complaint.  Hmmm, maybe they are on their game I thought.  It was a form letter..."Please bear with us."  Bear with you??????  Excuse me?????  I don't need to bear with anything.

So we made the choice to ditch it.  Unfortunately, not everything because TWC has the monopoly in our area on reliable internet service.  But at least the cable and phone were going.  We decided to give Ooma a try for phone service.  You have to buy the modem up front but then the phone service costs practically nothing a month.  It arrived last Wednesday and we unhooked the cable phone modem to hook it up.  Ooops, that cut off EVERYTHING.  No phone, no internet, no cable.  All evening on the phone with TWC to determine that a tech would need to come out on Friday to fix it all.

Guess what happens when you go two days without cable.  You realize you don't need cable.  Hate to break to you TWC all you did was make the decision easier. We've got antennas hooked up. We're looking at on demand options through the internet and the XBox.  

I turned in the equipment yesterday.  There were a lot of other people in line holding equipment too.  The couple in front of me were cutting the cord too.  We talked about how freeing it felt.  And get this, here's the take home.  We're saving $120 a month.  One Hundred and Twenty Dollars.  I practically danced out of there.

Twenty four hours later?  We're just fine.  Yes, the kids are going through withdrawal but you know what? Their playing more.  And truthfully, anything they want to watch is still available to them on the computer. And here's another dirty little secret.  The picture on the broadcast channels?  It's clearer through the antenna than it ever was through cable.

Life goes on.

I have officially lost my mind

My cousin Alyson and I at the Olesak Half Marathon, Westfield, MA, April 2012.  If you look quick, you'd mistake us for Olympic marathoners.  Kickin' it with style as always.  And that picture may or may not have been taken right before Alyson told me she really hated me for convincing her that running a half marathon was good idea.  No joke, girl was serious.

 

The boy knows how to push my buttons.  I think he knew all along if he kept at it…subtle hints here…constant Marathon Training Academy podcasts there…he would get to me.

 

My rational side still doesn’t think it’s possible.  But the emotional side, the side that kicks in when I get my runner’s high at about mile 5 of a long run, that side of me just imagines what it will be like to cross the finish line on mile 26, that side is all in.  Of course that side doesn’t think about what’s going to happen in miles 6-25.  But the two sides are starting to meet in the middle and find some common ground.  The 14 mile run in August was a huge boost to my confidence…with six more months of training, I just might be able to pull it off.

 

And then…the offer.  Just a little something to push me over the edge.  Let’s not do just any ol’ race.  Let’s pick one somewhere I would like to go…right near all of my favorite chocolate shops.  I’ve wanted to go back and explore Biltmore since we went two January’s ago.  We didn't get the chance in July since the weather turned rainy on us the day after we arrived in Asheville, prompting an early return home. We’ve seen the house but there’s other places on the grounds to poke our heads into. And I always thought the grounds would be such a great place to go for a nice long run.  And WOW, look at how beautiful that hotel is, right on the grounds.  You know what happened next…

 

Ted and I are registered for the Asheville Marathon on Biltmore Estate in March.  And once our race spots were secure, we immediately booked our rooms at the Inn at Biltmore Estate.  I have officially lost my mind.  Ok, in all seriousness…I know full well I’ve got some serious training in front of me.  I also know that I need to plan for a run/walk scenario for this race and train for it.  But my legs are telling me I can do this, that with the proper training and running plan, not only will I finish but I'll be in downtown at my favorite Chocolate Lounge in time for a late lunch/dessert.

 

Stay tuned, the road ahead should be interesting... 

Second Grade

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Lucky Number Seven

I had to stare for a minute at one of the birthday cards that came in the mail this week.  A big number 7 on the front.  Seven? Really?  We’ve been at this parenting thing for seven years?  How is that possible?  But it is, Katherine turned seven on Wednesday.

You lose track of time when you’re in the middle of the day to day grind. I don’t always think of it as a routine but it is one and it’s constant…time to get up…where’s your socks…dinner’s ready…brush your teeth….let’s go go go!  Spring turns into summer.  One day it’s June, the next it’s the end of August.  You pick your head up and your baby girl is seven.

She’s inherited her father’s height; we’ll see how tall she gets.  Sometimes its seems like she is all arms and legs.  Her eyes are bright blue and there’s a small crop of freckles on each cheek.  Together they give her a certain sparkle.  She’s inherited my strong emotions, the littlest thing can be a sudden crisis.  Her hair is still trying to decide whether it’s going to be curly or straight, some days it’s full of body, others it’s flat.  She’s excited about starting second grade next week and she has an opinion on just about everything if you ask her.  She still sings along to the radio in the car, something I hope she never feels too embarrassed to do.  We’re still waiting on that first loose tooth.  She’s a budding gymnast who loves to dance around in skirts and play with her dolls but then join her dad in watching Ninja Warrior and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  Clearly, she won’t be bogged down by stereotypes.

Happy Birthday to my little girl!  I hope number 7 for you is full of luck and happiness!

Papa and Gram's Room

I’m getting the itch to do some redecorating…or at least some rearranging.  I’ve said before how I usually thinking of fall and the start of school as more of New Year time of year than the actual New Year.  I think it’s also the cool temperature we've had over the past two days that are getting me motivated (in thought at least).

My target is going to be our “bonus room”.  One of the things that we like about our house when we bought is that the bonus room is actually an integrated part of the house rather than a room that was slapped up on top of the garage.  It’s a good size too and gets lots of light.  When we first moved in it was our TV room and Ted’s unofficial “man cave”.  Nine years (and two kids) later it is now our office/guest room.  Since our parents are the most frequent guests, the kids have officially dubbed it “Papa and Gram’s Room”.  When the Papas and Grams aren't staying there it becomes our office/laundry room/I don’t know where to put this so I’ll put it in there room.  Last year I decided that instead of trying to share a desk and computer time with a chronic gamer I needed my own space and bought in a small folding table to set up my laptop and scrapbooking supplies.  Since both of the kids play with the kitchen set and Katherine is not fond of having Teddy in her room, I moved it in there in hopes that it would get more play time.  See what I mean?  It’s time to get in there a change things up a bit.

This will definitely be a minor renovation primarily because I like the paint color that is in there.   That is a fancy way of saying I am not THAT motivated to get out the paint brush and all of the bedding coordinates with that paint color.  I am not interested in purchasing all new bedding right now.  SO, what’s my plan you ask?

• Move the kitchen set out.  Unfortunately that was not a good spot to entice the kids to play with it.  What is a good spot?  In our kitchen.  There are many times where I’m loathing having so many toys out everywhere but I also realize, out of sight, out of mind in terms of those toys getting played with by the kids.  So in the spirit of “you only have little kids once”, I moved the little stove, fridge and pantry down to our kitchen.  It’s already a hit.


• Rearrange the furniture.  We've had the same arrangement since we moved the guest bed in there.  While it worked at the time with addition of a second “desk”, things look kind of strange in the current arrangement.  So I’m thinking of moving the bed to the opposite wall, moving my desk in front of the front window…and then…I’m still thinking about it but we definitely need a new layout.  Of course a new furniture layout means some of the pictures will probably get rearranged as well…


• New curtains.  Time for the current ones to go.  Nuff said.


• New desks.  While the folding table is functional, it’s kind of, well, ugly.  Does not do much for the ambiance in there. And I’m using the big wicker chair which is not supportive to getting some work done.   Ted’s desk if falling apart…literally.  We know that one day the bottom is just going to cave in on itself.  This may take a while, we've actually been looking for new desks for a while and not found anything that we’re enthralled with, either because of looks or because of size.


• A headboard.  Somehow we never got around to buying a headboard or foot board or anything for that bed.  So it’s just a mattress set on a frame.  I've started scouring craigslist to see if I can find something.  A few contenders, lots of options.  But let me say this…some people sure have awful taste when it comes to furniture.  There were a few posts I opened and thought good luck with getting rid of that.  Then again, they bought it so someone else probably will too.

To get things rolling, here are some before picks.  I had already moved two of the three pieces of the kitchen set out but you can see what the place normally looks like on non guest weeks.  I’ll post pics along the way because I’m thinking this will be done incrementally rather than all at once.