Better Late Than Never

We finally (almost one month late) celebrated Alexis' 8th birthday with the family. I always feel bad for Alexis b/c her birthday falls right after Christmas during one of the busiest months of the year so it is always just sort of squeezed in. This year was no exception. We just got together with my sister and her family, my grandma and my parents and had a small American Girl party theme. I think Alexis enjoyed being in the spotlight for a few hours. I think it was killing some people at the party (namely Clark) that we would not have playoff games on during the main part of her party. We did watch the games before and after:) Here are a few pictures from her party.

Her Americian Girl dolls had there own table with mini cupcakes!

All the kids. My 5 and my sister's 2.

Alexis and Nick

Many of the gift had American Girl stickers in the middle of the bow. This was Kit (her favorite)

She got McKenna....the new AG that does gymnastics! Perfect for her birthday!!! She loves her.

Landon with his Papaw's glasses

Alexis got nearly the entire Lego friends new girl collection

She also got a lot of American Girl things. This was the wheelchair. For Christmas she had gotten the medical set with crutches and a cast, etc.

Probably one of her favorite gifts was the American Girl beam and bars set that was made for McKenna.

 Alexis with her great Grandma

 Alexis and Kit

 Alexis and Grandma

 Ryan gives a thumbs up for a good cupcake!

Overall Alexis had a nice 8th birthday celebration!!!

A Nice Surprise

It often really is the little things in life that make a HUGE difference. Today was another ordinary day in the life of Christy.  Things were going fine and then boom....drama at gymnastics. Seriously I am like a magnet. Even Jaime made the comment tonight about how drama really does loves me. This time I was only drama mostly from the sidelines. I want NO part of it.....but all hell is breaking lose at the girl's gym. It is sort of a war between the parents and the coaches. I got to witness an uncomfortable confrontation while waiting for my daughter. I agree things need to improve at the gym and normally I would be all for speaking up or joining in but not this time. Can't do it. Out of energy for any sort of drama. Instead I am just going to be happy that we asked for more hours for the girls and in the course of a day Alexis went from having practice 7.5 hours per week to 12 hours per week. Now the anxiety can start on how exactly I am going to make this work in our already too busy life.  Anyhow....I am getting to my surprise soon I promise. I was driving home from gymnastics thinking I really just wanted to crawl in a cave and never come out. Gotta admit that is just how I am feeling lately. Then I get home and waiting on the counter was a piece of mail that just meant the world to me.

The card itself was very funny. Right up my ally with humor!!! Still it was the written words that nearly moved me to tears (except I currently think my tank is dry and instead just warmed my soul).

Here is what I read:

"Christy,

I know these past couple of weeks have been beyond rough for you. I just wanted to tell you how proud I am of you, especially since when the going was rough- you survived! And some days-surviving is enough. Your sense of humor, passion for life and boundless energy are real gifts to all of us. Thanks for letting us share in your journey!"  J+M

I can't even begin to tell you now much this simple act of kindness meant to me. Sent at just the right moment. I loved this card. I love the person who sent it even more!!!

Mystery Murder Part 2

When we arrived at the party I think we were all relieved to realize that nobody really knew what exactly was going on. We were all carrying around our little sheets with private info trying to figure things out. We mingled and snacked on starters.

Here in red is Madam MeMe (aka as my friend Jayda) who has a fortune and is married to Don Wannabe. This is their grand opening. She has a lot of women who used to work for her earning money pleasing the men if you get what I am saying. That is one way to earn money I guess.....

The gal with red gloves. That is the floozy (aka my friend Pam) who stole my ex husband. She is half his age and married him for money I am sure. If you saw her up close she has a huge bruise on her face. Yes...I remember those days when 'Big Jim' came home from a late night of drinking. Don't miss that...she can have him.

Here is Vanessa Crooner (aka Eva who put on this wonderful party). She is the mother to the above floozy. I know a few secrets about her and her previous side kick job to earn money. I enjoyed getting to tell her very own daughter that mommy dearest was not so pure in her younger days and actually knows floozy's husband better than she might think......

Ahh...here we have the inspector (aka my friend Keith) with his real life wife Piper (aka...Baroness Ravioli...mother to big Jim). See how handsome the inspector is.....I had a fling going with him as well. Trying hard all night to decide if I wanted the congressman or the inspector. Both good looking. Both skilled in other ways. Tough decision... (I AM STILL PRETENDING HERE)!! The Baroness did not like me very much BUT liked floozy even less. They were hysterical all evening at each other's throats. (honestly I almost fell over laughing every time Piper got going she was such a funny actress...totally into it). Piper ended the night with the most money and won a bottle of wine. She was great at playing this game.

Here is where I am starting to forget who's who and wish I had not left my other info sheet at Eva's house. I do know that my real life friend Shane (aka...Don Wannabe) won best dressed male and was secretly married to my daughter. I couldn't figure out why it was a secret but I think he was messing with the books and taking lots of money that didn't belong to him. My friend Carrie played Donna Wannabe (Don's sister). She was being given a weekly allowance so as to live the high life without having to work for it much. She was in return expected to do whatever Don wanted...even if it meant murder......

After we mingled.....THE LIGHTS WENT OUT....when they came back on......Big Jim was DEAD!!! The inspector was instantly on the case. He, in my opinion, had the hardest job of the evening. It was the perfect role for Keith and he is one of the most social people I know. He got to talk/interrogate everyone. Big Jim's floozy wife was distraught. I was cheering but sad for my daughter b/c her father was DEAD.

I think we ate around this time and got our additional info sheets. From then on it was all about trying to figure out 'who did it.'  We were giving money chips and some lucky people had weapon cards they could use against others. Every once in awhile the lights would go out and someone else would be dead. Here is a picture of the second victim. Someone needs to help me out in remembering who this was. I think she was killed b/c she was asking too many questions about the books and Donna Wannabe did not want her money taken away.

The Congressman and the out of towner (aka Matt) just hanging out. The congressman was just telling him how he was going to be president one day. I know his perfect family image is why he refused to leave his cheating wife for me...the real love of his life. Moving on....

 As you can see from the next two pictures everyone at the party was having a grand old time.

Don't these people look like they are having fun!

 Another shot of Donna Wannabe!!

 Here is Capo 'Toto' Tequilla and the out of towner. I am not sure I ever got Capo Toto's place in this story but I do know he was the last to get killed. I did not entirely fail our pre party promise to kill each other. I had a weapons card but was too stupid (let's pretend that I am still referring to the me being Vicky Ravioli and not Christy Boccone) to realize I had one. Once I figured this out I tried to take out Floozy.... that husband stealing thief but she could not be killed with my star of death. Sadly......Floozy's mother killed me instead b/c she was afraid with my big mouth I was going to spill all of her dirty little secrets. (I loved the getting killed part. I got to throw my body across the everyone's coats and try not to violently shake my body due to laughter since I was dead). I did somehow from the grave manage to sell my weapons card to Don Wannabe who gave it to his sister with instruction to give it to Toto. Hence I was ultimately responsible for Toto's death. Kept my word after all.....

 The Killer wore red. It was my very own daughter, Rebecca Ravioli. Not sure I followed the why she killed her father part but she did and as the jolted ex wife I was happy about it. That's my girl!!! I think it had to do with keeping control of the family money and getting to marry whoever she wanted. Something like that. I am missing so many characters that is blog post is pretty sad but that is what I had based on the pictures I had to work with. We did get several group shots at the end so once someone post those I will borrow (aka steal) them for my blog too. The night was lovely. I had a great time. I wish I was not on call and could have relaxed a little with some wine but in the end I only got 3 calls during the party so I was happy.  I think Clark had a great time too!

Murder At The Four Deuces: Pre Party Pics

Last night I went to my first ever murder mystery dinner hosted by my friend Eva and her husband Neil. These two sure know how to have a great time and put on a fabulous party. I am gonna admit I was very nervous about this party (b/c I am not good at this kind of thing) but it was nearly the entire Vegas crew only better b/c this time all the spouses were there too so I was among friends. The setting was the 1920's and we were being invited to attend the grand opening of the Four Deuces. The evening was full of deceit, treachery and murder......
I was Vicky Ravioli the jolted ex wife of 'Big Jim' who was a well known father of the Chicago mob. I  received a lot of money in the divorce settlement but was still bitter about his remarriage to a younger woman, Carrie Crooner (aka my friend Pam) who I got to call a floozy all night long. I got over my heartache by sleeping around with prominent men such as the U.S Congressman Darrin Toosteal played by my very own husband....Clark.

Here are a few pre party pictures. Some of our best friends met at our house so we could drive together.

Here is Stephanie and I. I already forgot what her character was b/c she was not in my book. She and her real life husbands played brother and sister and were here from New York I think. Never really sure what their role was. Filler people I think......

 I think they both dressed great for the 1920's. Matt was such a great sport to even go to this event since he really only knew a couple of the people there.

 Here I am am with the Congressman who is "happily" married but sleeping with me (me being Vicky Ravioli) b/c my ex husband paid him to have an affair with me. He promised me he was going to leave his wife and although I confronted him about his he just let me down gently. No matter....I was also sleeping with other people....

 Here is Steph, me and Jenny. Jenny was my daughter. How funny is that. It so should have been just the opposite b/c who wouldn't want Jenny as their mom. Anyhow, Jenny was mine from 'Big Jim' and we were very close. Like mother like daughter I could not keep track of who she was sleeping with, engaged to or married to...confusing... Let's just say she got around (ALL IN GOOD FUN....JUST PRETEND)

 Jenny with her real life husband Matt. Matt was Capo 'Toto' Tequila the self proclaimed boss of bosses. He and I both are not huge fans of large social situations in real life so we had a pack to try and kill each other off early. That proved more difficult than I thought, but in the end (for him the very end) we were both in fact taken out (aka murdered).

 Our very tough looking boys...oh sorry men!!!!

 Harmless I tell ya........

I only have time right now to post pre party pics. I will try and blog the party stuff later. I didn't get the best party pictures but I know lots of people had cameras so may have to steal some of their photos for my blog. Stay tuned......

Week 1 Long Run

Marathon training week one long run done!!!! Given the snow outside I ran on the T-mill. My home treadmill and I are starting to warm up to each other. We have an understanding that I will treat it with respect (and remember to turn it off and occasionally clean off my sweat) and in turn it will keep my body unbroken and pain free. Today I ran 8 miles. It was a slow 8 miles at 8:57 per mile until the last mile which I as usual increased the speed multiple times. It seems somewhat frustrating that when I looked back through my Duck Tape and Chicken Wire blog (that is now in a hardback book that I love), I used to be much faster. I would never have had an 8 mile run with an average even over 8 min per mile. I was always in the 7's. Trying hard to remember that my goal is NOT speed. My goal is to get me to the marathon in one piece and then just finish. No matter how slow I have to go if I cross the finish line I am a marathoner. That is all I want this first go round. Will think about speed if still in one piece the second half of the year.

Alright my computer time is up for the day. Must get a move on the house cleaning. We have one incredibly busy weekend ahead. I am on call and tonight we host Bible Study here. Tomorrow I work while Clark takes all kids to 7am hockey game. Alexis has gymnastics at 12-2:30 during which time Clark is taking all the boys ice skating. Then we have to get the kids to my sister's for the night as we have the murder mystery dinner. Sunday I round. Nick has 2 hockey games and then we are finally having Alexis' family birthday party (her B.D. was Dec 30th).....just a little late. I can't wait to give her the new American girl doll....she is a gymnast!! 

Hope everyone has a happy weekend!

Star Of The Week

Alexis was star of the week this week. Each day she got to do something special. Tuesday (no school on Monday) she got to bring in favorite toy. She brought Kit, her favorite American girl doll. Wednesday she and 3 friends got to eat lunch with her teacher and she brought her favorite book (can't remember what she took but we wanted to take Adventure Bible but didn't want to start controversy). Thursday she had to fill out an "I am special because.......she put b/c she has only missed one on a spelling test all year. Today we had to send in a special sealed letter about her. Recommendations were that you could make up a poem, tell a funny story, write a short story with her as the main character. I left this project up to Clark. I thought he chose the hardest one but it was his decision. He wrote a short story. Actually it was not so short. I guess being VERY wordy is something we have in common. I will post it here just so we can always remember it:

Miss Alexis’ Favorite Day at School by Clark Boccone:

The School-bell rang and Miss Alexis was, once again, running to get to her classroom before her students arrived.  You see, Miss Alexis loves to sleep and sometimes getting up can be a problem.  Sometimes this bothered the other teachers or the students’ parents, but it never bothered her second grade students.  They all loved Miss Alexis because she was so nice to everyone and was always happy and made friends easily. 

Miss Alexis loved her students, too.  Well, she loved most of her students.  There were three students that made Miss Alexis sigh every time she thought about them. Their names were Adam, Landon and Ryan, or more commonly known as, “The Triplets.”  They were called, “the triplets” because they were triplets, born seven years ago one minute apart one late evening in May.  For the most part they were good kids and did what they were told.  However, for seven years they had been working as a team to aggravate parents, teachers, and principals and anyone else who tried to constrain them.  Even though they loved Miss Alexis she was not exempt from their plotting.

Today was a special day at school.  There was going be a special demonstration in the school assembly hall from a local high-level gymnastics club.  This was especially exciting for Miss Alexis, because before she became a teacher she was an outstanding gymnast in high school and college.  She wanted all her students to see the amazing things she used to do and she wanted them all to love gymnastics as much as she did.  She had the whole class assembled in a very neat line outside the classroom ready to head to the assembly hall when she took one look at the triplets and could tell something was up.  They were standing in line appropriately and doing what they were told, but they just had a look about them.

Her students were all seated in the assembly hall, arranged in alphabetical order, because Miss Alexis was always very organized, and sitting quietly.  The demonstration began with a bang.  Nicholas, the lead gymnast and head coach, shot in from the corner door at a sprint and ran to the center mat and leapt into a round-off, back handspring into a back layout landing perfectly in a the corner of the mat.  In perfect synchronization the rest of the team of gymnasts flowed into the room from the corners springing into series of back handsprings as they crossed at the middle of the mat.  It was quite impressive.  Everyone applauded wildly.  The demonstration went on as each gymnast performed and Nicholas narrated.  They performed beam routines, bar routines, vault, pommel horse, rings and floor routines.  The students were very well behaved and Miss Alexis was thoroughly enjoying the event.

The show was nearing the end as the best gymnasts were being introduced.  Nicholas introduced the premier male gymnast, Caleb Saylor. The lights went off in the hall and one spotlight shown on the center mat.   Suddenly, a gymnast appeared on the mat, but it wasn’t Caleb.  It was a boy about 7 years old performing very awkward somersaults across the mat.   Then another small boy gymnast was flailing across the mat and then another.  The boys were haphazardly jumping and twisting and wrestling on the mat.  “Oh my gosh,” said Miss Alexis, “the triplets!” 

One look at the empty seats where the triplets were assigned confirmed her fears.  Miss Alexis was mortified and one look at Nicholas’ face and it was obvious he was not amused.  The audience, on the other hand, loved the show as students were practically rolling in the aisles with laughter.  This only served to encourage the triplets as they banged around with even more vigor.   

Miss Alexis had to do something.  She got up and tried to subdue the out-of-control little boys.  Having had stitches three times herself, she feared someone would get hurt. She moved to the middle of the mat just as Adam flung Ryan across the mat.  Ryan accidentally hit Miss Alexis on the back and she fell forward.  Her gymnastics reflexes kicked in and she performed a cartwheel into a round-off instinctively.  Landon was rolling on the mat right where she landed and she had to perform a back handspring to avoid hitting him.  She landed perfectly on her two feet.    She quickly jumped backward into another back handspring into a backward flip just clearing Ryan who was still wriggling on the floor.  She started toward Ryan but then quickly dropped to a perfect split (with toes pointed) as Adam had tossed Landon across the mat and just over Miss Alexis’ head.  She rolled over then moved to bridge as Ryan slid across the mat and under her bridge.  She used a backward walkover to return to standing.  That’s when she heard the noise.  It was not the triplets yelping she heard, but the sound of thundering applause. The audience was on their feet clapping.  They thought the triplets and Miss Alexis were part of the show.  Even Nicholas was clapping and smiling.  

The triplets, in true triplets fashion, stood up and took a bow.  Miss Alexis also took a bow and then marched the boys back to their seats.  Nicholas re-claimed control of the show and Caleb performed.  After the show was done, the students returned to the classroom. At the end of the day, Miss Alexis had a little talk with the triplets.  They got in trouble for not staying in their seats, but she was not too tough on them.  After all, it was one of her favorite days in school.

Some facts about Alexis Boccone:

1. She wants to be a teacher when she grows up
2. She likes to sleep, a lot
3. She is very organized
4. She is usually very happy and makes friends easily
5. She has an older brother named Nicholas
6. She has younger triplet brothers named Adam, Landon, and Ryan
7. She has a cousin named Caleb Saylor
8. She has had three injuries requiring stitches
9. She loves gymnastics and, except for the backward flip, can perform all the moves Miss Alexis performs in the story.Her

Three Strikes And Your Out

I think I have tried this before but this time I mean it. I firmly believe in the three strikes and your out rule. I don't even like baseball actually but it sounds good for what I am about to say. There are going to be some serious changes to this blog. I know I said in my profile this blog was my way of talking about life (the ups, the downs and everything in between) and for awhile my other blog (now gone) was all about running and sports. I think I kept the wrong blog. I think with this blog I have officially hit my three strikes and I should be out.

First a long time ago I really offended my own sister with the Biggest Loser post (don't go looking for it b/c it is not there). I justified it b/c like always I meant every word and I seriously worry about her health. Still strike one and not cool.

Then in recent weeks I lost a friend over mostly the written word. I justified it and knew I really did nothing wrong and my words and actions were being totally twisted and made into something else.  Still strike 2 because if I could take it all back and make it different I would in a heartbeat.

Finally this week I have disappointed people (with the written word) I love dearly and that my friends is like God screaming strike 3 you are OUT! I have no justification b/c I believe I was just wrong.

I have had a really rough last month or so. I could not be more disappointed in myself. I am having a hard time trying to figure out how or why I screw everything up so much. I say I hate drama or that drama seems to follow me but the reality is that b/c I relive so much of my life on this blog I am creating more drama than there otherwise might be. So it has to change. I have to change.

This blog will no longer be about the ups and downs. It is true I use this blog as my online diary. Something to look back on and remember but who really wants to spend time remembering bad things or just the time when I needed to vent. Nobody. You want to remember the happy times. So I have enlisted the help of a few close friends. Now when I feel the need to vent (which knowing me could happen on a daily basis).... I will phoning a friend instead!! Kind of like an AA sponsor but instead a prevent Christy from blogging sponsor...hahaha.

I am not deleting my blog altogether. I am changing the content. There will be somethings that are NEVER talked about on here again. I plan to turn it mostly into a running blog (much like my other). Full of running details that if you don't run....you don't care about. It will still include family things and pictures. However, even the venting about Clark and his laboring patients will be saved for the phone a friend. I guess what I am saying is that if I have nothing nice to say........I will be avoiding the computer like the plague. All the fun and exciting things I do will still be included. For instance, I am going to a murder mystery dinner on Saturday. Totally nervous about this but doesn't it sound fun. This is okay to blog about::))

So again, nobody could be more disappointed in me than myself. I have such good intentions and such a good heart but somehow I keep managing to mess things up.

Tonight, we will be skipping hockey! I told Clark I just simply could not do it and would much prefer a family night. So thankful to have a husband who has been my rock through everything.

Date At The Doctor's Office

So last night I was 90% sure I was going to cancel my sports med appointment. Today I decided that since my back did hurt while I slept and since canceling an appointment would require a phone call, I would just go. Besides I am big on if I took a spot that someone else could have had I should go and pay my amount. I was totally dreading it for all the reasons stated yesterday, but I got a nice surprise from Clark before I went. He called and said he could not go to his ACOG meetings all day b/c he had a laboring patient and so he called Dr. B's office and moved his appointment up so that we would go together. Never thought his having a laboring patient would work to my advantage. So it was set. We had a date at the doctor's office. I got to the Y (where my doc is located) early and had the pleasure of talking with my friend Jayda before Clark got there. Glad I ran into her b/c it reminded me that I still need to figure out an outfit for this weekend's Murder Mystery dinner.

So we get to the appointment and Clark totally makes me laugh when they call us back and he says, "what you want us to go in the same room." Ummmm... sweetheart.....last I checked we are married so YES we can go in the same room. I think you had to be there to realize how silly he sounded. Dr. B came in with a student (who seemed like a good guy....b/c he likes running too:) I want to start by saying I was so stupid to worry about anything. Dr. B did not for one second make me feel like he did not believe this pain or any other pain I have ever had. He was great. My pain was very localized and for once when he hit the spot it hurt. Usually I have to say, "you are on the spot but you pushing is not making it worse." So he believes that I have an SI facet strain. He thinks this flared up when I sat at the computer all those hours on NYE (the night my back pain started). He thinks running has just kept it flared a little but that it will likely get better. He gave me a steroid dose pack. During the exam he seemed more concerned with the fact that my right hip was extremely weak. I didn't even ask about my hip/thigh which always hurts in relation to running. He was amazed with the weakness on exam. Yep....I know....kind of sucks. He just kept saying we have to do something about getting that hip stronger. I was very sad to see he had the same facial expression as my former PT had when I told him that Dr. M released my ileopsoas tendon. It is kind of a look of horror. I sort of wish Dr. M had never done that and still don't really know why he did BUT assume he had his reasons. I guess I am just going to have to work harder to strengthen other muscles instead. Clark asked the important question of whether my weak right hip was causing my back pain. He said it sure could (down the road) but since this started recently after sitting at the computer he was hopeful it was more strain from that. Dr. B gave me a script for PT to help with "Left SI/facet strain, right hip flexion/ext weakness." He circled Avon and Danville b/c I will be seeing Shane and he works both. I told Dr. B that this was a huge running year for me and he kind of shakes his head and said he wishes me luck but that if my right thigh starts really acting up we will need to do a bone scan. I just replied that I am sure it will act up at some point BUT that broken or not (even if I am at risk for my leg falling off) I am running in that marathon in May. End of story!!

As for Clark and his extreme feet (well really heel) pain......basically it sucks b/c his pain is because he is old. He has bone spurs that have likely grown into the tendons and there really is not a ton of stuff he can do for it. He tried PT in the past and did not get a lot of relief from the tooling. He asked about a boot but Dr. B said that would help during an acute flair but to use now might make it worse. Basically he said we could have a lifetime supply of mobic (smiles b/c Clark and I are fans of mobic). He said Clark could actually take this long term as long as occasionally he took medication holidays and checked kidney functions every once in awhile. He talked about an MRI and that once this really stops him from doing what he wants, it may be time to consider surgery. Surgery he said would require some time off (to which I replied "like a couple days."). He laughed and kind of shook his head. Clark won't even consider something like this anytime soon b/c he is running the mini with me and doing another bike ride with his friends in August (this time in Colorado). After that he may consider the surgery. Dr. B said he would send him to Dr. Porter at Methodist. Dr. Porter is who takes care of my best friend, Jaime. So once Clark needs to start running for mini he will start daily mobic

After our appointment we went to Friday's for lunch. It was just so nice to sit and talk. It was such a nice surprise to have him available on a Wednesday. After lunch he even picked up the kids so I could go to the store in peace. His laboring patient that kept him in the city all day is still laboring. Taking forever!!!!! I now have to drag the kids out to Zionsville for the second time tonight to pick up Alexis b/c he could have to leave at any moment.

Day 3 of my marathon training went well. I ran 5 miles on the T-mill. Still harder than the gym but easier than my 3 last night. I did find it a little distracting that my 4 boys were playing hockey all around me while I was running. Tonight I covered the panel of the treadmill and allowed myself to look at the distance only during commercial breaks. Really dreading the thought of 8 miles on there Friday. If it is not raining or snowing I will be doing that run outside.

Alright...gonna be late. Gotta go. Cheers!!

Not All Created Equal

Tonight I am struggling!! One thing I know for sure is that not ALL treadmills are created equal. Tonight was was work out number one of marathon training (I thought it was Sunday but no Monday was the start and that was a rest day). All I had to do was 3 miles on the treadmill. Simple....right? 3 little miles. How hard could that be?? Let me tell you, it was HARD. My home treadmill does not feel at all like the treadmill at the YMCA. Going what should be the same speed as the gym treadmill seemed a million times harder. I ended up having to go slower. I also tried to put it on elevation of 0.5 (like I do at the gym b/c I have been told that is more similar to road racing) but it was too steep. Didn't like it. I also don't feel like I can breath in the basement. I did 4 miles on Sunday and had all the same feelings. It just seemed harder.
I have to wonder if my treadmill is really harder or just different and need to get used to it. I also think that at the gym I have Pandora music on (normally to Katie Perry radio) and I am focused. Totally focused on running. I look straight ahead for the most part and get lost in the music (all fast paced). When I run at home I watch TV. No music to block out my breathing. No fast beat to keep up with. For me it must make a huge difference. For 3 miles I watched the treadmill distance change with every tenth of a mile. It felt like it was going so slow (the time...I knew I was going slow). At the gym no matter how many miles I am doing, my last mile I have a little fun and increase the speed up one hit every tenth of a mile until I am done. It is my favorite part of the work out and the part that kills my legs every time. The mile flies by and I just LOVE that feeling of speed at the end. I could not do this tonight on my treadmill. My legs just would not go. It was like I was out for a Sunday drive but on the treadmill.

I will say that I think my treadmill is bouncier. When I get off I still feel like I am bouncing. Hopefully that is better for my legs. So right now I hate it but I am going to force myself to love it b/c I have decided that I am training at home for this marathon. I just need a break from the gym. Not a happy place for me anymore. So if the weather is not horrible (like today) I will attempt to run outside. Otherwise, I will run in my basement and try and figure out how to better focus. I think if just a short run I need to listen to music and not watch TV. When I get up in the miles I may have to watch TV but then my runs should be slower. Will give it a try and see how it works out. I will still have to go to gym on cross days and either swim or bike. I guess I do have the elliptical at home but I prefer the bike if really want to give my hip/thigh a break. The other thing is that I have to make sure Clark lets me leave the treadmill down (open I guess). When he folds it up, I simply can't move it. It is the dumbest thing that it really doesn't roll. Not something with my back that I plan on doing daily.
Speaking of my back.... I have my appointment with Dr. B tomorrow. Thinking I should just cancel b/c now that (until tonight) I had 4 days off running it is really not hurting. I should have made my appointment for a Friday after a long run. 90% sure I will just cancel first thing in the morning. If my night is bad or things hurt now that I ran again will keep it b/c I would still like to ask about the bone density scan. I just don't want to go in there not hurting as bad as I was last week and wonder if he was one of the people who thinks I make up injuries. Last week my back hurt worse. Also figure I could just go to Dr. M if I really needed to b/c I know he has no doubt about my pain and in fact thinks I am a pretty determined and stubborn runner despite any known and proven injuries.
Clark still has his appointment with Dr. B tomorrow. Anxious to see if he had any advice for his feet pain.

Oh almost totally forgot. Guess what I got in the mail today...............

OK darn I can't get this picture to turn the correct way no matter what I do. You get the idea. It is a runner girl to hang medals on. I love it!! I can't wait until Clark hangs it up and I can put all my current medals on it. I also can't wait to get new ones this year to add to it. Very happy with this purchase. I also got Clark one that is a runner boy. I got Alexis one for gymnastics as well. Super cute.

Alright enough already.....time for bed:) If you ever wondered what my favorite sleeping night of the week is......it is TUESDAY. Best night of sleep I get all week!!!

Snow Much Fun

I am feeling bad for Clark. I tried making his weekend easier by sending Alexis to Chicago in place of Ryan. Ryan is by far a much harder child than Alexis. So why do I feel bad?? Because Alexis, not even an hour into their drive, threw up. I am hoping this was a fluke and she now feels better and I did not just send a sick child with him to Chicago. Haven't heard any updates for awhile!

On the home front, the triplets started begging me at 7:30am to go play in the snow. While we waited until a little later I did let them go out and play.

Adam

Ryan

Landon

Landon

Ryan

Adam

Ryan

Landon and Adam

Adam

Landon

 Adam

 Adam

 Ryan

Landon with red cheeks

Hope everyone is having a happy weekend!!!