EXCUSE ME BUT HAVE YOU SEEN MAY?

I bet you don't know where the month went either?!?! BTW have you been feeling like this lately?! Yeah, me too......

A lot of rain and not a lot of ambition has been my challenge lately. Though i haven't stopped doing the sit ups as promised, the days i'm getting 200 in along with push ups and other ab work are dwindling. Lately they've been a token 25 before falling asleep - ugh!! Gotta get outa that slump!

On the upside, I did get some good runs in the last few days. Not willing to let last weekend go to Miss Belly Fat with all the good eating out I was doing at my women's conference I opted to go work out on the motel tread mill after my buddie went to bed and had my swimwear under that for laps in the pool. I do love Hampton Inn's open all night policy. Despite my humongous meals at Sizzler and Famous Daves, I had something to redeem myself a little with ;-) I also felt good about myself rather than disgusted........

For all the excitement about my wild kayak adventure, flooding and more bear stories, revert to my other blog :-) Also my husbands mission to find me a good bike. I am just sooo excited for that to happen. I've been riding around this $35 bike I bought 12 years ago. I tried giving it away 3x and 3x people have given it back to me - lol!! Hopefully that will be the center of an upcoming post :-)

I don't know about you but doesn't it feel encouraging just putting away clothes that are several sizes smaller than last year and the year before? Count your blessings before starting your next organized attack against belly fat!! You have come along way :-)

BLOW OUT!

The girls and I on a hike (see Big Foot in the swamp?)

i can hardly believe i haven't posted on here for 2 weeks! Time flies and especially with the weather getting nicer, I haven't wanted to be the computer. i'm also enjoying being less anal about writing everything down. Consequently, I have done mostly my 200 sit ups along with push ups, backward push ups and side planks most nights. Once in while when i'm sleepy i do 25 and call it good. I think since Jan 1st i have only forgotten to do them 3 days.

Today my daughter and i attempted a 20 mile bike ride loop. Her tire popped around mile 12 and we had to be rescued by a friendly local Doctor who hauled us over to the Mercantile. There we waited till my husband came to intercept us. We were bummed we didn't get to do the whole thing but grateful for all the help!

I've put in a few 7 mile runs, a shorter one, and also some run/walking with the baby in the stroller. Mostly I've been concerned about working on my tan since we had a few sunny days ;-) Flooding here in the valley has put some peoples houses up as islands. The Kayak calls my name in hope of adventure. I'm a little nervous kayaking through flood waters, but my sense of adventure will win out - i just know it!! Yesterday a couple of kids took a kayak and brought some creme pie to a neighbor who is surrounded. He can only get out by boat right now but he doesn't seem too worried.

There's been a lot of drama - between flood waters, bear encounters (see my other blog), another bear adventure (our friends had a grizzly terrorize their home with many return trips, even killing almost all their chickens), and such, there is a lot to write about. I just don't feel like sitting here and doing it ;-) I hope you are all well here in blog land. Sorry i've been blog visiting delinquent. I am hoping with this rainy week I will get read up on some of them.

Bloomsday 2011 RUN!!

Showing off our Finisher T's
My friend "Bubbles"

No Girls Day Extravaganza would be complete without trying on clothes at Ross!!

Check out our Olive Garden choices post race ;-)

This one was mine....mmmm.......

Quick shot at the finish line "I'm feelin' good!!" My finishing time was 1 hr and 23 mn for the 7 1/2 mile run. Not bad for my first time :-)

Vulture at the top of mile 5's "Doomsday Hill"

Pre-race we were corralled into blocks according to color and speed projection. Its the "biggest micro chipped race in America with 50,000 people participating in the event!!

Quick pre-race shot.

First of all, i have to apologize to anybody stumbling across my blog for the first time for its terrible boring format. I have decided to bit the bullet and change things a little. I had been using it as a kind of "accountability" if you will, for doing my sit ups and other exercise endeavors. I have decided that it is so painfully BORING that nobody can bear to read it. With that said, i can laugh at myself and find a new writing style..... From now on, i will just try to summarize the week rather than give a day by day account.

The drum roll please.... Here goes :

- Well my last post was April 22nd. I did sit ups for every day except for one. My average amount is 200, with 10 push ups, 10 backward push ups and 50 knee/elbows. A few of those days i was tired and only did 25, and one day i spaced it out all together.

- Most of my running stopped after the 22nd. I tried just walking a mile most of those days because i had read to take the last week "real easy".

- On the 23rd my friend Elasta Woman and I went through some crazy "Fitness Magazine" tests to find out our athletic prowess score and i just barely made "Super Star Status". Some how that should make me feel extra special ;-)

On May 1st you see my exciting "Bloomsday" pics!! Its the first thing like this i had ever done!! My friend, "The Dolphin Goddess", and i had planned going together since January or so. The last week she cancelled due to a knee injury. Time stopped and I had to trust God real hard wondering what i was going to do!! Then i thought about my co-worker, who i have taken the liberty to name "Bubbles" because she is so bubbly and fun!! She had had her buddy cancel too and so we went down together. Turns out it was a super fun day and i now have a cool new friend!! Nothing like chicks bonding with pasta, shopping and sweat ;-) We even got to go to the Bloomsday worship service that was held on a floating stage. The whole day was just so much fun. Like i said, i had never done anything like this before. Scads of people were cheering, high fiving us and giving us all kinds of support all along the side lines the whole way. Bands played every quarter of a mile. Everything from an elderly accordion player to teen rock bands to rhythm players. It was just an incredible feast of music. Church bodies waved and played worship with "God loves you" signs. Some guy in a lawn chair was giving out "free beer". A mix of cultures came together and every body was there for one reason - to show support for the runners and the event. Bloomsday supports the local Hospice there and it was obvious it was a cause that many felt passionate about.

As for my running, well, like I said, it was all new to me, but "Bubbles" and I were pretty evenly paced. We ran together pretty well. I had a lot of energy and felt good, amazingly, the whole time!! Toward the last mile or so suddenly I got a real energy spurt and just had to run it hard!! Especially the last half mile, I couldn't hold myself back. When I crossed the finish line, I felt like I could run a few more miles. I never imagined in a million years I'd feel so good. All the cheering and music and support was just such a pep boost for everybody there. Anyhow, it was a really extra special day for me and I am thankful it all went so wonderfully well!!

slump de bump

My heroine, The Sock Fashion Expert "taken out the trash" with a no excuses attitude (the same one she uses on me when we're running together).

Ever heard the term "ran circles around"? Well that's what my daughter does to me, LITERALLY! Last year she was barely doing 3 miles before our 5K. She almost didn't do it because of joint pain. This year, she is running like a maniac, wishing she could drag me beyond 7 miles and bored enough to sigh, yes, run circles around her mother literally ;-) That doesn't do a lot for my running prowess. Luckily, none of the Bloomsday Runners will be focused on my turtle like jogging skills and will most likely abstain from such activities...... Despite my lack of motivation this spring, I think my upcoming Bloomsday Run will be just the thing to pull me out of that slump.

Its been super busy since we got back home from Minnesota. It was a wonderful trip - one we cherished with so many special times. Now we are back home and fighting to get into a routine of sorts. With only 2 1/2 weeks of home schooling our kids left, we are cracking those books hard along with a lot of spring cleaning. This week we went out for a special fire dept banquet. Fishing for compliments on my attire I told my husband "why don't you give me a compliment" as we were waiting for our fabulous, 5 star prime rib. He and our eldest graced me with a series of compliments, though they were not at all what I was fishing for.... Here are some of them :

"Baby you look better than a cut throat trout in a frying pan"

"You look better than a woodshed full of wood"

"You look better than a slobbering bull elk coming to my call"

"Better than a whole tub of bear fat rendering on the stove"

"Uh thanks...... I think"

Warning!! You are about to enter Extremely Boring Reading Material. Read at your own Risk of Falling asleep!

day 101 felt horribly sore from the 7 mile run and several hikes so i only did 50 sit ups.

day 102 still having back pain and left that am 50 sit ups, drove all day - crazy hike in the wind with my husband at the motel

day 103 got home, exhausted, don't remember much but I think I did maybe 50 sit ups. i always remember when i don't because i'm plagued!!

day 104 Forced my 200/100, a couple planks and was cold, tired and had a house full of luggage to unpack....

day 105 Ran 6.3 miles with my daughter. Had to work. Forgot my sit ups. Went into the utility room and did 50 quick ones at work.

day 106 Working 12 hr nights. Determined to get all my sit ups in but the Moongirl layed on my chest and I figured the cuddle was way more important before I left again - only got 100 done ;-)

day 107 tiredness slump after night shifts. tired, emotional, didn't do much but 50 sit ups before crashing on the couch. Did take Miss Moona in the stroller about 3 miles.

day 108 Ran 7 miles with my daughter, did my 200 su/100ke/15pu

day 109 yet to get outside, going to a special dinner tonight.... did my 200/100/15

day 110 ran 6.3 miles, got 100/50 in before the fam put a movie on....

day 111 ran 7 miles, yet to do my ab work

I warned ya ;-)

Vacation Coming to A Close.....

On a hike at my husband's Mom and Dad's...............

The vacation is coming to a close and i'm super sleepy, but i gotta still do my sit ups and get this blog post in b4 i forget EVERYTHING!!

Day 95 we were gone shopping with my Mom. I was so so tired that night!! I don't think I got in all my sit ups and they were on the exercise ball besides that. So I'm only giving myself credit for 50 of those bad boyz.

Day 96 We all got out on a family hike - us, my parents, my sister and her kids. It was only 3 miles or so, but nice to get the fresh air. While my family all hung out watching "Ninja Warrior" I did my 200 sit ups at the foot of my husbands chair (secretly hoping to impress him). I think he was more impressed with the Ninja Warriors ;0)

Day 97 The Sock Fashion Expert and I headed out on a short 4 mile run. It was a beautiful day and even though we wanted to visit everybody we both knew we'd feel better putting in a few miles together. I did my 200 sit ups/ 100 knee-elbows/ and 10 push ups that night.

Day 98 Was crazy busy again! We met up at my husband's parents place to a whole pack o' people. There was a big reunion with Montana, Nebraska and Minnesota families. After a big day of festivities, we all headed to the motel pool so the kids could go swimming. After hours of playing in the water, we got back at midnight, starving and exhausted. I ate a bunch of left overs and then started my sit ups - Bad decision (duh)!! After 50 of them I thought i might hurl and decided better of it heading off to bed.

Day 99 Was a rainy day with more company. It poured all day and I felt stir crazy. I got in my 200 sit ups squished in between luggage in close quarters. There wasn't room for the rest and I was tired so i didn't care.

Day 100 I knew I'd better get back to my routine. Sock Fashion Expert forced me out on a painful 6 mile run. I got in a nice hike with hubby as well. That night I did my 200/100 and 12 pu. My husband and son watched me do my push ups and seemed somewhat impressed ;-) Obviously they must have been watching something other than "Ninja Warrior".....

Day 101 I still have to do my sit ups but I am HURTING BIG TIME!! The Sock Fashion Expert and I ran a RECORD 7.3 miles today. I got home feeling it bad, popped some Ibuprofen and got to cleaning out the Suburban as we are packing up to leave tomorrow. By the time that was over, I collapsed on the deck. I was so thankful for the wonderful 68 degree sunshine and I fell asleep. Thank goodness, because I ended up taking 2 other walks that day. i still have to do my sit ups......

Wish me well on my trip going home. Sorry I'm so terribly far behind on blog reading. i promise I'll be catching up with you guys soon :-)

Family Frolicking and Gambling Grief......

As I mentioned on my other blog, My cousin was tragically killed on Tuesday. Though his parents are in Kansas, and we are here, we are all mourning, worlds apart. Somewhere across the United States his little boy grieves. In another place his wife and adopted daughter agonize. For our family, well, we didn't get to see him for the last few years, but it doesn't take away the sadness that we experience. After compiling a picture project as his parents sympathy card, and having the kids make pictures, I still wasn't satisfied. Then my mother suggested she teach the kids to play Poker. Maybe I'd better explain.......

When my mother was a little girl, there would be no money for Christmas presents just days before Christmas. Her father, (my grandfather), would take off to the Poker tables and always come home with enough winnings for presents which my grandmother would go and buy. His boys learned to play with passion. My uncle taught his son (my cousin Monty) to play with the same kind of passion. He played like a pro from childhood and later went on to be semi professional after his years in Iraq, serving our country. Thus, the kids learning to play poker today was a tribute to our cousin. They played with my mothers pennies and nobody kept any winnings or lost anything. It was just as I said, a tribute to our fallen cousin.

It got a little bit hairy when the church deacon stopped by. He seemed to be pretty straight laced and we all feared the ongoing game would upset him. Suddenly the house was in chaos while pennies and cards flew all over the place. Somebody threw a towel over the whole mess and we would have gotten away with it too, had my mother not been such a confessional. Wisely, the deacon said nothing, and stayed for some ice cream.

Day 86 I did do my 200/100 and 10 pu

Day 87 We went shopping in town with my Mother in Law. It was a fabulous day, rich in fun and calories. Good thing the Sock Fashion Expert and I broke another running record doing a FULL 6 MILES!! I also did my 200 sit ups, 100 knee/elbow crunches and 12 push ups.

Day 88 We drove for 4 hours to see some good friends. I ended up with a great 4 mile hike with her, but alas, again ate way too many calories for my own good! Oh the torment of good cooking! I was exhausted by the end of the day and fell asleep after a measly 10 sit ups......

Day 89 Was crazy marathon day! We left our dear friends, drove along the North Shore and spent the afternoon at a luncheon with many of my relatives in Duluth. It was a wonderful reunion with so many family and incredibly special meeting second cousins for the first time :-) Unfortunately, again, by the time we drove another 3 hours to the next city to my sisters, I collapsed in bed with only managing 20 sit ups and a plethora of calories.......

Day 90 We were exhausted from travel. I did get in my 200/100 while my adorable little nieces stared at me. I was unable to persuade them to join me - lol ;-)

Day 91 We were at my mom and dad's by now and seriously lacking in exercise! The Sock Fashion Expert and I broke another record by running a grueling 6.4 miles!! My mom showed us the road she likes to hike on, (pictured above), and we also took a walk with her later that day as well. The hardwood floors were just too hard to imagine doing sit ups on, even with a little rug. Amazingly an exercise ball rolled by that evening. I still don't know where it came from. Its one of those Divine Interventions I guess.... Gratefully I did my 200 sit ups on that while Miss Moona was in the bath tub. I also did an array of push ups on it, etc......

Day 92 was church and chilly and stormy. No runs, but did the whole 200 sit ups with the exercise ball routine and some push ups.

Day 93 Nobody was feeling well and there was a horrible bitter wind. We all got outside for a short walk, but the conditions were miserable. I did my 200 sit ups on the exercise ball while Miss Moona was awaiting snuggle time. I didn't do anything else because I didn't want to keep her waiting any longer ;-)

Day 94 Today, as I said was spent playing Poker - lol ;-) I still have to do my sit ups.... Fortunately, The Sock Fashion Expert was really geared up for running today because we got out there early. Us girls running together is becoming, dare I say it?, routine...... Ahhhh.... a mothers dream realized. My 15 year old actually wants me along!! You may picture me bouncing up and down here and acting hysterically happy. As usual, she jumped around with too much energy and yelled poetically to the cows that we jogged by. Dramatically, she challenged us to "beat the road", and that I would have stories to impress my future grandchildren with. With all her crazy antics, the time and miles passed by with minimal pain. I HONESTLY NEVER BELIEVED I would see this day, until I felt God speaking to my heart about doing this upcoming run. I signed up for it by faith, not having any idea at all how I could pull it off. AMAZINGLY, with the cheers of the Sock Fashion Expert, we completed that distance today. Today, for the first time ever, WE RAN 7 MILES!!!!!!! Glory Hallelujah!

Sit Up and DRIVE!

"Oh goodness gracious!" seems to be the theme of my life these days. EVERY moment has gone into warp speed, and I am also taking on a WHOLE NEW SET of priorities. As I maneuver this shift in focus, exercise has gotten pushed to a back burner, or maybe forgotten on the kitchen counter nearby. Oh I'm still doing it all, just not focusing on it. Maybe that's a good thing.

Here goes : Day 81 was my 3rd - 12 hour night shift. I walked my kiddos around the yard for fresh air. I DID DO my 150 sit ups and 100 knee/elbow crunches, and 12 push ups. I had ZERO motivation to leave for work, but my husband reminded me I was going to be off for 3 weeks after that ;-)

Day 82 I was suffering from sleep deprivation, but had to PACK, approve the kids clothes, PACK for Miss Moona, Dye my hair, clean up the house, pack misc stuff, do laundry etc. I also ran 4 miles knowing I'd been in the car for 20 some hours the next day and did my 150/100 while my dye was setting.

Day 83 we were on the road for more than 20 hours. That morning, while everybody rushed around, I kept thinking to myself "sit ups", then I'd remember something I needed to pack and get distracted. Finally my husband said it was time to go, and relented, allowing me my sit ups. In the NICK OF TIME I did my 150/100, and 10 push ups. Then we all piled into the Suburban and picked up my Hubby's brother "Chet" and began our journey.

Day 84, after 20 some hours of driving, I unfolded myself to get out at my brother-in-laws place. He was having a birthday party for his 3 year old. We got there about 6 or 7 am and stayed till around 5 pm. Then we drove 3 more hours to my In-Laws place. By the time we got there sit ups were the LAST THING on my mind and I FORGOT TO DO THEM!! Other than a 15 minute walk break earlier that day, I was DELINQUENT!! I didn't even realize it till I awakened the next morning with the horrible terrible realization........

Day 85, with the need to reprove myself, I decided to start doing 200 sit ups a day and did them along with 100 knee elbows and some planks. I asked about mile markers and somebody told me about a 2 mile corner. I ran, thinking it was REALLY HARD. Sure it was. Unbeknown to me I did FIVE MILES!! Something I haven't done since age 14!!

Day 86 was another record breaker. I still have my sit ups to do today. This am, lying in bed, my husband complimented me on how great my tummy was looking and he just wanted to stare at it. I was fine with that ;-) My SLAVE DRIVER daughter agreed to RUN 4 miles with me. SHE KEPT PUSHING us on further and further. I couldn't believe how far 4 miles seemed to be. After we got done I jumped into my in laws old pick up and clocked it. Turns out we did 5.8 miles!!! Selah.......