Biggest Loser Princess and Tinker Bell 2011 and 2012 -- OLD please see NEW thread

[Worfiedoodles]

Lisa is going to fly through her 10K! We're all going to be there with you in spirit anytime you need a boost -- think of us telling you how proud we are of you!

Maria

 

[dumbo_buddy]

A quick hello. I'm dead tired and hoping the baby will fall asleep soon so I can follow suit. Will post more tomorrow!

Good luck Lisa! Have a great race!!

Santa pics are on Facebook. Went to the fancy mall because the legit Santa works there I sneaked a toy in my sweater to have Santa give to Thomas so he would sit on his lap - worked like a charm.

Ok fuss-pot is crying. Ugh.

Good night my friends!

 

[mommyof2Pirates]

Maria- I loved the xmas card. Ben is very handsome. Thanks for sending one to me.

If I were Lindsay, this is where I'd be for NYE!

PEEP Drop
Bethlehem, Pa., may better be known as Christmas City USA, but it's also the home of Just Born Inc., the makers of PEEPS, those sugar-marshmallow concoctions that make their way to stores at Easter, Halloween and Christmas. Bethlehem's New Year's Eve celebration incorporates the famous treat maker's PEEPS with its New Year's Eve 25-pound fiberglass PEEP Drop. Families can enjoy PEEPS Fest from noon to 5 p.m. with live music, arts and crafts, S'mores, photos with the PEEPS Chick, movies and more. Bethlehem also offers a Family New Year's Eve Party from 1 to 3 p.m. at Musikfest Cafe with a kid-friendly DJ, crafts, face painting and bounce house.

Maria

Well Maria that is indeed where we will be on NYE. We have seen the peep drop for the past few years since they started it. Our city does fireworks at 6pm and midnight. They do the peep drop for both. We go to the earlier one because the boys are usually dead to the world by midnight even though we try so hard to keep them awake. Last year we didnt go into the peepfest because it was like 7$ a person and I didnt think that was worth it. Of course this year they moved the whole thing to the new steel stacks area (at the old Bethlehem Steel if anyone is familiar) and now its free. Cant beat that deal. I will let you all know how it is and I will try to take pics of the peep but I remember last year it didnt get that great so you may have to just believe me how cool it is. My boys LOVE it. Its things like this that make me absolutely love where we live.

I got my oranament yesterday and I can't wait until the 20th!

Me neither! Can you believe that package is talking to me and telling me to open it. Im not listening.

Hello my princessbelles! How are you all? I had a good day--cause I just decided I was going to have a good day. Tom texted me that he is having fun in Denver.

I try doing this but someone always recks my plan. Glad you had a good day!!!!!!

I love your disney plans and on getting a princess dinner. I am hoping to do that on our next trip too. Im sure the boys wont mind. I also think it is completely justified to do the safari tour over the kitchen remodel. Nice New kitchens are underrated. That tour sounds so thrilling. I hope TOM does ok with the crocs. I have the same issue with worms. My cousin stuck one down my shirt when I was like 7 and ever since I am deathly afraid of them. Well I guess worms dont really compare to crocs but you get the point right.

Lisa is going to fly through her 10K! We're all going to be there with you in spirit anytime you need a boost -- think of us telling you how proud we are of you!

Maria

Good Luck Lisa!!!! I will be cheering for you.

A quick hello. I'm dead tired and hoping the baby will fall asleep soon so I can follow suit. Will post more tomorrow!

Good luck Lisa! Have a great race!!

Santa pics are on Facebook. Went to the fancy mall because the legit Santa works there I sneaked a toy in my sweater to have Santa give to Thomas so he would sit on his lap - worked like a charm.

Ok fuss-pot is crying. Ugh.

Good night my friends!

I hope you are able to get some good sleep tonight! I loved the santa pic and I agree he must be the real Kris Kringle for sure.


Lisa H- Im glad the appt went well and you got some answers/confirmation on the tummy stuff. Not fun at all Glad the new shoes are working out well too.

Hi Kathy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**********************************************************

My day was completely ridiculous at work but mostly because I just packed in more than I should have. It started off fun because we had a managers meeting and our boss gave us each a barnes and nobles gift card so now I am excited to one day soon take an hour or so to myself and grab some starbucks and buy myself something that I can relax and do...read a book.

I had my dinner/drink party with the management team and our boss tonight and that was so much fun. I had 2 beers which is a little unlike me but boy did I feel less stressed by the end of dinner. Our boss paid the bill too. He really is a great guy and I am lucky to have someone to work under that is so generous and greatful for the job we do.

Then I came home and tucked the kiddos in bed....couldnt relax because my mind was going over and over the list of things i still need...so I went out shopping. Got about half of whats left to buy and finally got back home around 1130pm.

The one thing I am panicking over is Santa leaves xmas pj's every year under the tree on xmas eve while we are at church. I have a pair for nick but I cant find anything in Ryans size. I have been looking since black friday. Not sure what to do. I will probably have a nightmare about it tonight.

Well I better get some sleep. We have an early bball game to get to in the morning. Have a great weekend.

 

[mikamah]

Good evening princessabelles!! I think a new name for the thread is a great idea, Lisa!

Michael had his school concert today and I left work for a long lunch, and jokingly said, maybe I won't be back, and they said it's not that busy, so I didn't go back. I did some errands, and picked up michael early. The concert was great, the band did Jingle bells, and I really thought they did amazingly well. Not boston pops material yet, but maybe in the spring. He does chorus too, and was up there singing his little heart out and really getting into it. I'll have to post pics/video on facebook this weekend. I picked up a couple pair of pajama pants that I can wear out walking with Poko in the mornings.

I went to the doc because I'm still coughing, and also very wheezy, and he thinks/hopes it's viral, and gave me flonase nasal spray and a steroid inhaler, and some cough syrup with codeine. I'm hoping it is viral, but am feeling a little nervous it could be asthma. I am a little better with the new inhalers. So if I'm not better next week, he'll do an xray, but otherwise, I'll use the inhalers for a month or so, and then taper them off and see how I do. Last feb I had something similar, and did the flonase and it got better before the princess. So fingers crossed it's goes away. I'm good at denial, but I just can't deny this right now. thanks lisa and rose for asking.

Last night we did the Christmas Carol trolley tour, and Maria, it was so much fun, you should definitely do it next year. It was very interactive, and the actors really did a great job making jokes and pulling everyone into the act. Michael and another boy were asked to volunteer to be the guys who ask scrooge for money for the poor, so when they did it, they messed up a bit, and scrooge said, " money for the poor, or for acting lessons?", and little digs at many people on the trolley along the route. There were 3 stops along the way where we got off the trolley and into some venues where they acted out part of the story.

Lisah-So will you have a white christmas, or is it just a little snow? Glad the morning runs are working out for you. Did the blister heal up pretty well already with the new shoes? Glad your doctor is supportive, and I'm sure all the exercise you are doing is doing wonders for your bone density. Such a relief, that's always a worry. Are you doing your 14 on Christmas eve? I think you should take friday off, and do it then, and then have christmas eve and christmas to relax completely. It's nice not to worry about speed on the long run, and that JG knows what he's doing.

Rose-Love reading about your trip. I think Prince Charming may be at 1900 park fare. I think I saw that in a trip report before. How fun. One day I'll eat in the castle. I think michael will probaby be all over the princesses in the next year or two.

Maria-have a merry crazy christmas celebration tomorrow.

Nancy-Hope everyone is sound asleep in your house right now and stays there til 8 am.

Lindsay_The peep drop sounds awesome. We are peep people. Since michael had so many food allergies when he was young, he could pretty much only eat peeps and pez, so whenever the new peeps came out for the future holidays, my sister that works at kmart would drop a package in our door for michael. Have any of you tried the chocolate covered mint christmas tree peeps???? YUMMY!! Hope Grammy is doing ok.

LisaR-Good luck with the 10K tomorrow!! you are going to do just fine!!

Tomorrow cookie baking is on the agenda, as well as some basement organizing. We're behind on the basement, but I hope to get a good size area cleaned out for the kids to hang out on christmas eve. And a wake. An old friends sister died. She was sick for a while, but it's such a hard time of year. The same day a woman I used to work with's son died. He was 30, and had muscular dystrophy, and truly it was a miracle he lived past his teens. Such a struggle for her all those years, but I can only imagine such a tremendous loss. I heard about him at work yesterday and started to read the obituary, but was losing it, so I couldn't finish. Maybe I'll read it now, have a little cry, and hit the sack.

Have a great weekend everyone.

 

[dumbo_buddy]

Thanks for all the compliments on the card, I was sitting funny and it wasn't that flattering, but I had to use that picture since everyone else looked so cute.

i loved the card - your family is just gorgeous! and you look great! so don't poo-poo my friend!

Rose Lately whenever I feel like dropping the F bomb, I listen to "Little Lion Man" by Mumford and Sons, that way I sing it

i need to look up that song! i have the worst potty mouth. i blame it on my surroundings - my neighborhood is full of cops and firemen and they love their f-bombs! swearing is addictive (addicting? what's the right word there?)


Nancy I have to know what is poppycock?

lisa, if you don't know what poppycock is, perhaps it's best that i just not tell you! i ate two bags in a week. it's a caramel (or something) popcorn with nut clusters and it is just delicious! don't ever buy it.

Good evening princessabelles!!

What is it about having a package in the house that I can't open til the 20th that makes is so enticing and I want to just have a little peek. Noone will know. I got my ornament today!! But I won't peek, I promise. Now if it was chocolate, I would have to sneak a peak and bite.

it IS a good thing we didn't do a cookie party type gift exchange or else i'm sure none of us could wail!!

LisaR-a 10k is exciting. There doesn't seem to be too many of those around here, though I haven't looked too hard lately. It will be fun and good for your training to have the longer race under your belt for the Tink. I don't mind the chocolate talk one bit.

we don't really have many 10ks around here either which is weird b/c you'd think central park would have a ton. it's all 5ks or 10 milers!

Rose- Just tonight at 4:30 a doc called and asked for the charge nurse, which usually means an add on case, so we all said, f***, and it was for tomorrow. Phew. Thinking back to ICU, if we were at the desk and a monitor went off with something bad, most certainly that would come out of one of our mouths as we ran to the room. So professional. Oh, and I did send an ornament your way, so it should be coming.

i used to drop the f-bomb every time i'd see on my caller ID at work when a certain few clients were calling b/c i knew they'd want something ridiculous like "oh can i have my returns going back since the 80s but only the equity part and can you break it down by calendar year and put it in a pie chart?" ick. F***!!! and forget it if japan called. that got a double F***

LisaH-Your happiness is contagious!

YES! THIS!

Nancy-You so did the right thing with Fiona. I have never been a dog person, until now. Poko is so dang cute, and such a good dog too. Again, I feel so lucky we got her. She had her first play date off leash this morning. We do our 40 min walk shortly after she eats in the morning, and then have an hour or so til michael leaves for school and then we go out again for a short walk. We went to the field at the park where she can run off leash, and our neighbor was there with her beagle, Rondo, so they met through the fence and then we let them play for a bit, and Poko was so good. She never even barked once, and the other pup got a little fresh and was trying to bite her and she didn't bite back. And I was excited to come home to her in the crate with the crate nice and neat still. I think she really is getting used to our schedules, and realizing that when we leave her, we are going to come back. I dont really know her background, so I don't know what she's been through, but she is settling in nicely.

i'm so happy that poko is such a good girly! and she was a good girl playing with that other dog! that's a really nice way to get them tired out without having to do too much. are there many dog parks by you?? our dogs always loved to play with other dogs and then they slept forever!


I've put most of the decorations out I'm going to. I have some byers choice carollers I put in above my kitchen cabinets and I think that will be it. We have lots of stuffed animal/musicals and some other bigger decorations that go on the floor, but I think they would become chewtoys. As I typed this Poko helped herself to one of the ornaments off the tree, so we'll have to be more observant.
We are heading out now for a nice walk. Have a great evening everyone!!

has poko helped herself to any non-dog toys? i do have to say it's kind of nice to let the toys stay on the floor now when i leave the house instead of having to pick everything up before fiona helped herself to thomas's trucks or something.

thank you all for being so sweet to me. Nancy, I told Tom what you said, well, I told him you said to stop being so mean to me, and I guess cause I was crying and kind of a mess, he seemed to feel at least a tiny bit of remorse.

i'm not sure i was being all that nice but i did mean it! i'm glad you guys talked and i'm even happier he understood that he needs to be nicer to you!

the whole money thing is very hard. moving to hoity toity CT from (gasp!) the Bronx was very hard for me in middle school. i had a funny accent and didn't have nearly the amount of money that my classmates did. then in college i was definitely the one with the least. sometimes it was hard when people were all getting in their cars to go somewhere and i was the only one without one or they were going on vacations for spring break and i stayed on campus. but then i realized that on a larger scale i had waaaaay more than most people do! tom will realize that too. he probably does but it's hard not to be envious of the "richies" sometimes.

Nancy--don't stress about the weight. You will hit a point when you are ready to deal with it. The holidays are so chaotic and stressful. Cut yourself some slack, eat as healthy as you can so you can take care of that baby.
i wish i would get to the point where i'm ready to deal with the weight soon. i've been really doing poorly. i think once i go to the postpartum exam and get the ok to exercise i'll just HAVE to get to it. the holidays ARE hard. so easy to just indulge nonstop!

****
Is it 2012 yet?

it almost IS 2012 and i just know you're going to have a banner year rose!!!

Hi all. I am on overload this week and mean so bad that I am having dreams about having to walk through my house with snakes all over and they are flying at me and I have to bat them down. Then last night I woke up a million times worrying that I was going to not hear my alarm.

YIKES!!! i hate snakes!!!

Tonight is Nicks big christmas concert.

Nick looked so handsome all dressed up for his concert!!!! what a cutie!

Grammy has been about the same. Hasnt gotten out of bed for a few days because she is pretty much dead weight and hard to move. Thanks for asking Rose!

poor grammy. poor you. it's so hard dealing with an elderly grandparent who isn't doing well. we are going through this right now with my grandpa in PA and it's really frustrating b/c he is really unable to live on his own but still insists upon it.

Nancy How long were they there, I remember you mentioned it was longer than the appointed hour? Laugh so you don't throttle them!? I don't blame you at all for not wanting your kids to be in that environment and have that kind of Christmas. Its so wonderful of you to make an effort instead of just cutting them off.

they stayed for about 2.5 hours which doesn't seem like alot but it felt like an eternity!!!

Its starting to look more likely that we may move and I'm still not sure how I feel about that. DH and I decided that we are just taking time right now to sit with the idea and see how we feel. There are things that I like about Colorado and I do love our house, we won't be getting anything nearly as nice in California

um, yeah, i totally would be trying to go to DL every weekend too if i lived in CA. my geography is terrible outside of the tristate area so i'd probably think about going all the time too. sure, sure, it's a zillion miles away

Hello Princesses and Bells!

Does anybody mind if I change the title of our thread to BL Princesses and Bells 2012/2013? I'm open for suggestions.

good thinking!

I love all your cute baby pics, Nancy. I would love to see a couple of Thomas' baby pics since everyone on your FB is always commenting about how Matthew looks like Thomas. I'm not seeing the resemblance myself yet, although I do think that Matthew resembles Randy. I love that you still have Randy around. I still have my Yogi Bear from when I was little. I can feel good just by giving him a hug still almost 50 years later.

there is a facebook album on my profile called "thomas edward" and it has a TON of baby pics of him. you'll see the resemblance i'm sure!

aw, yogi bear is lucky to still be loved! i kept telling myself i'd put randy away but just couldn't do it.

Nancy -- I was drinking a Cafe Escapes Chai Latte when I read your post about the Keurig

mmmm i love the chai latte ones! so delicious!

Rose -- I just have to point out that your "underprivileged" child is flying to Denver and then meeting his parents at WDW for Christmas. That poor boy! What else will he have to endure?!

so true!!! i bet if you pointed that out to him he wouldn't really be able to complain all that much!!!! disney during the holidays?? so tragic!!

I'm working tomorrow morning, and baking tomorrow afternoon. Then we have to get Ben to a youth worship and go grocery shopping while he's there. When I finally get home I'll have some takeout, then I'm going to bed. I'm skipping my LR Saturday morning. There's just no way to make it work unless I get up 6ish, and I'm not that committed this week. I have to do last minute party stuff and then we leave for the outlaws. I'm sure I'll find a moment to post Sunday afternoon to tell you the tales. I wonder if Dennis's cousin's baby mama has gotten teeth yet? For the last few years she's been missing many in front. Did I mention this woman is about 45?

Maria

so.....whatcha bakin'??? i really should make something fresh for a christmas party later today at our beach club. we were asked to bring a baked good. but i think whatever they have at foodtown is going to win out over the homemade stuff. too lazy.

ah, no teeth. we had a lady that worked at the deli across the street and she had no teeth. we called her toothless wonder. not very nice. but come on! get some teeth!

Nancy-- There has been some grumbling on the rundisney announcement thread about women's centered races....I am just going to avoid that thread!

it really IS sad that WISHers can't get excited about a disney race. who CARES if it's a women centered race! Mike ran the princess last year and he didn't look like he wasn't enjoying himself! i mean, seriously, you'd think some of the dudes would get excited about a women centered race - it's a pretty good ratio for them for meeting some ladies!! oh well. i'm just going to steer clear of that thread (ok, i'll probably sneak a peak) and wait for the announcement!

****
I have been working on a new mantra when I start feeling sucked into the vortex of this year stinks....I have been saying--I choose to be happy. And it seems to be working so far. So hopefully no more meltdowns from me for a while. I just don't want to hear myself anymore. Life really is good, and I really am very fortunate.

Love you all.

i like the mantra!!!

Nancy, I can't believe how much Matthew has changed in such a short time! Do you have one of those cute little baby Christmas outfits for him? You know, the one that will last about two minutes before there is a spit up or diaper issue?

we received a santa outfit from john's cousins in ireland that i'll definitely putting him in. very cute!
I had to do my annual gyn visit this week. I took my medals into the office with me because last time I was there I was training for the Princess and I wanted to be sure I got my ERT renewed so I can keep my brain. This doctor is 68 and does tris so he appreciates the effort that goes into these things. He said the runners tummy is very common and what happens is that your digestive system just becomes a tube so everything shoots through as quickly as possible. And the good news is that I got my ERT and have superior bone density.

hurrah for a great appointment and AWESOME that you got to show off your medals!! how cool is that??

it's good to know that the tummy issues are a normal occurrence...did he have any thoughts on how to help it?

She thinks I should just try running and see what happens.

IF YOU FEEL PAIN, STOP! don't push too much!

Since Lisa asked, here's our plan for this trip:
12/21 Mike and I fly down in the morning. We are staying at Beach Club Villas. Tom gets there in the afternoon. We are having dinner at Olivia's and we might watch college football that night.

12/22 Dinner at 9:40pm at California Grill! I am really excited about this, because I had one of my best gf meals there! We should be able to see Wishes from the restaurant!

12/23 Cape May Character Breakfast. No dinner plans--everyone is going to pick there favorite CS at epcot if the weather is good. I will be having Mexican.

12/24 We are going on the new Animal Kingdom Safari Tour! This is part of the reason we went ahead an cancelled out kitchen remodel. Fingers crossed that the weather improves cause it's supposed to rain--but I heard they give you "free" ponchos if it rains. They serve food on the tour and they are supposed to come up with something gf veggie for me. Part of the tour involves walking over the Nile Crocodiles. Tom is terrified of alligators/crocodiles--somebody kind of harassed him about alligators when we went to the beach in Alabama when he was younger. So this could be interesting. They take photo pass pictures and I believe the cd is part of the price of the tour, so I will share the links.

We are having dinner at 1900 Park Fare that night, which I believe is a Princess dinner! We have not eaten there in years, so I am looking forward to it!

12/25 Breakfast at Kouzzina, Dinner at Raglan Road

12/26 Dinner at the Turf Club

12/27 We fly home at 7:00pm, so we will just wing it for food.

We don't have any big plans, though I am really looking forward to the Osbourne Lights and finding the cat and I'd like to see the Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast and the AK holiday parade.

Ok, now that I wrote it all down, I am getting excited!

I am coaching tomorrow and I need to come up with a question!
Have a great night!

awesome. jealous. awesome. i want to come. awesome. you better take a million pictures!!

My day was completely ridiculous at work but mostly because I just packed in more than I should have. It started off fun because we had a managers meeting and our boss gave us each a barnes and nobles gift card so now I am excited to one day soon take an hour or so to myself and grab some starbucks and buy myself something that I can relax and do...read a book.

I had my dinner/drink party with the management team and our boss tonight and that was so much fun. I had 2 beers which is a little unlike me but boy did I feel less stressed by the end of dinner. Our boss paid the bill too. He really is a great guy and I am lucky to have someone to work under that is so generous and greatful for the job we do.

Then I came home and tucked the kiddos in bed....couldnt relax because my mind was going over and over the list of things i still need...so I went out shopping. Got about half of whats left to buy and finally got back home around 1130pm.

wait...you went shopping AFTER a work party?! that sounds dangerous! lol!!!

glad it was fun and nice that you got more shopping done. i should probably think about finishing up too!

Michael had his school concert today and I left work for a long lunch, and jokingly said, maybe I won't be back, and they said it's not that busy, so I didn't go back. I did some errands, and picked up michael early. The concert was great, the band did Jingle bells, and I really thought they did amazingly well. Not boston pops material yet, but maybe in the spring. He does chorus too, and was up there singing his little heart out and really getting into it. I'll have to post pics/video on facebook this weekend. I picked up a couple pair of pajama pants that I can wear out walking with Poko in the mornings.

aw, can't wait to see the pictures of the concert! i'm sure they rocked it out to jingle bells!

i hope you feel better!

baking and organizing the basement? i'll take the baking part but not the organizing part

****
well my lovely friends, i just opened two packages yesterday that were sitting in my house for a couple days - i thought one was my ornament so i didn't open it. then another had a note on it saying it wasn't my ornament...so i opened them. thank you sweet friends for the packages. thank you notes are in the mail!!

speaking of ornaments - did a certain someone get their package yet? i sent it directly from the store and didn't get an email from the store saying that it had been delivered, only that it had been sent. maybe pm me to let me know you received it? i'm getting worried.

i just took FOREVER to type this reply. john just left with thomas to take him to wee play and i was going to finish this and have another cup of coffee and some breakfast. buuuuut, the baby's up and ready for another feed. oh well. i'll get to the breakfast after. not like i'd ever miss some food!

i had it out with john last night. he has been doing ONE feed at night with a bottle. ONE. he NEVER did ANY feeds with thomas. so i really feel that doing ONE is the least he can do. i need to rest. yes, he has to go to work. but you know what? i had a job too once. a good one. and a very busy and stressful one. but i still know that there IS downtime at a job. and you can function at work on being tired. you can go to the bathroom by yourself! so i just don't think it's a big deal that he does ONE feeding and gives me a little stretch of sleep. i get 4 hours a night. 4. it's not like i'm asking him to give me the whole night. well, my friend mary and also my aunt mary (way too many marys in my life) and uncle eddie were over last night and he made some comment about how i've been getting him earlier and earlier lately to take over. i went ballistic. and of course i was the B*tch and all i do is complain and i have it so easy and he's doing the "most important"job which is bringing in money. HELLO! that's what everyone does! if they aren't staying at home, they work! does he want a medal for going to work?? something he's supposed to do???

ugh, it's the same old fight everyone seems to have. but he really acts like he's a freaking martyr and i'm sick of it. taking thomas to wee play is not hard work. he can just sit there and play on his blackberry the whole time while thomas plays. gee, that's tough. vent over.

we have a christmas party later today at the beach club. need to pick up a baked good from the store. hoping to feed the baby now and lay down for a little or just veg on the couch.

hugs and kisses! i hope my christmas cards arrive in the mail today so i can get them out!!

 

[dumbo_buddy]

i just had to go through and delete 15 smilies! psh.

here are the missing ones from my posts....



hehe

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Warning -- you may not want to read this all about me post, but I'm trying to write myself into a better frame of mind.

I just had my annual "I have to go to Dennis's family Christmas party and I am fatter than everyone and I don't even like these people" cry. I was hoping I could avoid it this year, but Dennis went off to run errands, and I started thinking about how today would go. I usually hole up and talk to my SIL Kathy. Kathy is the hostess this year, so that is not going to happen. I'm going to have to interact with the SIL who really dislikes me (it's mutual -- she treats my kid like he's a stranger and goes nuts over our nieces), my FIL who once asked me if the homeless services agency I work for is "just a big scam", the toothless wonder and her equally charming family, and Dennis's cousins -- some nice but misguided -- one lectured me about how I was doing Ben a disservice by having him vaccinated and she would never do that to her children; and some not quite as nice -- wouldn't I like a salad today? Oh, it's a shame I only have one child. Having three children makes her so fulfilled.

Ok, so that's the bad. At least this will be over after today, and I don't have to do it again until next year. Ben will get some presents, he may even like a few. Ben really likes this party, he cajoled us into starting the process this year.

I really, really want to just stay home. I know I can't but I'm about to start crying again. I'm going to pull myself back together and get through this. I know in the big scheme of things it is not a big deal, but I am thoroughly miserable.

On that cheery note -- maybe this will finally be the catalyst I need to lose enough weight I don't feel like an out of place loser at these things.

Maria

 

[Rose&Mike]

i just had to go through and delete 15 smilies! psh.

here are the missing ones from my posts....



hehe

Too funny! Now I will probably go over!

Sorry about the argument last night. I think everyone has that argument. Our argument was always--well you could go back to work if you want to...Sure I could, if I wanted to be 100% responsible for EVERYTHING! Including the kid who was sick all the time. I think if we had a kid now--which would never happen--things would be different. And Mike actually thanked me when Tom went away to college for doing a great job. But, I get it, it's not a fun argument. I think maybe if I had to do it again I wouldn't argue with him, I'd just nod and smile, hand him the kid, and say--here's your kid, enjoy your quality time with him. I am really entering this zen place where I just don't want to argue anymore.

Lindsay--what a day you had! I hope you find the jammies and you didn't have too many crazy dreams! And I hope the bb game went well. Two beers--what a wild and crazy girl you are!

Kathy--I hope it's not asthma too. I would just cover up as much as possible in the cold air. My lungs have not been right since I had that nasty infection years ago, but so far I have avoided going back on an inhaler. So, Mike was looking at your card and I said that's their new dog. And he said--oh that looks like a guinea pig in the blanket. I said, uh, it is a guinea pig--and a dog. Maybe you had to be here, but I was totally cracking up!

LisaR--How was the race????

LisaH--How was the run? How are the new shoes?

Maria--Are you surviving the weekend?

*****
Mike and I had a long talk last night about what is a normal ache and pain when exercising and what is a problem. And how when he runs something ALWAYS hurts. That's part of being over 40. I think when you have one injury after another, every single little tweak becomes cause for a panic attack.

So having said that, I went 5 miles on the treadmill in 68 minutes. I ran 1/walked 2. And ran the last .4 under a 10 minute mile pace. No ankle pain. No ankle swelling. A bit of plantar soreness, and a little bit of itbs soreness. But all in all I was very pleased. I showed Mike how to beat up the scar tissue like the therapist does afterwards, and now I am icing. I had two ultrasounds last week on my ankle and it seems to be doing much better--imagine how good it would be if we would have started that a month ago.....Anyhow, I choose to be happy.

And someone at the Y told me I look like I lost more weight--which I have not. I really think things must be redistributing itself! But it's making me think I really don't need to go any lower unless I want to.

Ok, off to comment on the other thread!

Have a great day!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Aww, Maria. I'm sorry. I did everything to avoid Mike's family. Some of them were ok, but most were just mean and stupid (I know that's not a nice word, but they were!) I don't know why people say such crappy things and why people think that because you are related that they get to be so in your business. I hope it goes ok. Just keep telling yourself in xx hours it will be over. As for the weight stuff--don't do it for them. If you want to do it (and that's if you want to) then do it for you. Because when people act crappy they will always act crappy no matter what we do.

You are a smart, strong, wonderful, happy, lovely person who cares so much about other people. And I know for me, I could just never understand why they "didn't like me." But like everything else, it's their issue--the being rude and not nice part. We love you, and Dennis and Ben, and your Dad and lots and lots of other people. Hang in there and I hope you make it through the day ok.

 

[Rose&Mike]

Ok, one more post--then I'm going to the other thread.

Tom texted me that they are going snowboarding today. I knew they were going, but didn't really want to know when. I like living on the River "deNile". I'm sure it will be fine, but he tends to be a little daredevil at times. (for instance he and his friends liked to play basketball on rollerblades......don't ask.) Luckily he only has enough money to go once so I only have to worry for one day. Thank goodness we are "poor."

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Aww, Maria. I'm sorry. I did everything to avoid Mike's family. Some of them were ok, but most were just mean and stupid (I know that's not a nice word, but they were!) I don't know why people say such crappy things and why people think that because you are related that they get to be so in your business. I hope it goes ok. Just keep telling yourself in xx hours it will be over. As for the weight stuff--don't do it for them. If you want to do it (and that's if you want to) then do it for you. Because when people act crappy they will always act crappy no matter what we do.

You are a smart, strong, wonderful, happy, lovely person who cares so much about other people. And I know for me, I could just never understand why they "didn't like me." But like everything else, it's their issue--the being rude and not nice part. We love you, and Dennis and Ben, and your Dad and lots and lots of other people. Hang in there and I hope you make it through the day ok.

Thanks, Rose -- you have no idea how much I needed to read that

Tom will be fine. Actually, he have a wonderful time and love it so much he wants to go all the time!

We have to leave now. Why can't NH be closed?!

I am going to keep track of things so I can tell you all -- that will definitely help me get through it. Gotta entertain my pals!

Maria

 

[dumbo_buddy]

oh maria i know the feeling of dread all too well. after last weekend's visit it appears that BIL is having us over tomorrow for their kid's birthday! um, yeah, i'll be skipping that. john can go alone or bring thomas.

just get through it today and then come home and drink yourself silly. ok, don't do the last part but definitely reward yourself with something (and screw it, if it happens to be a whole pie then that's ok!). i hope you can find someone to chit chat with and the time will pass quickly. my coping mechanisms for being with the ILs is to just keep a running commentary in my head of all the awesome comebacks that i WISH i could say to them. i also go to the bathroom about 100 times. i also have been known to take a valium when i knew i'd be with them even the drugs didn't help though!

just do what you can to get through it and don't let any of them make you feel bad. i also practice "smile therapy" which seems to help. when they are really pissing you off, just smile. smile smile smile even if you want to wring their necks. eventually the smile will help you a little bit! either that or the ILs will think you're crazy and steer clear...hey, whatever works, right???

rose - try not to worry about tom snowboarding! ha! yeah right! like that's possible! but at least try not to preoccupy your day

nice job on the 5 miles - and no swelling! woot! how was the interval running? did you just use the treadmill to time your runs/walks?

i'm sure so many couples have the my-job-is-harder-than-yours fight but it's still so frustrating! sometimes i want to just leave for the day and see how he handles it. but i'm nursing so i can't. sure, baby could take a bottle but that's EASIER than nursing! john doesn't know how difficult it is to nurse and he never will! grrr!

 

[Worfiedoodles]

At the risk of being completely selfish with another all about me post...I can't even believe this, and I'm sure I'm probably giving you TMI posting it. I'm still a little shocked, so bear with me.

I think I may be kicked out of Dennis's family, and I'm not really unhappy about that.

This post could definitely be called "The Good, The Bad and The Ugly". The good was Benjamin generally had a nice time and really enjoyed seeing everyone. Plus, the toothless wonder and her crew did not show up, so I have an extra Barbie and set of matchbox cars if anyone is interested The food was also delicious. My SIL either made or bought a bunch of goodies and skipped the pizza. It was very nice.

The bad was the attire of one of Dennis's cousins (wife/girlfriend -- I don't think they're married because no rings, but their kids range in age from 14 -6). This woman is 42, and her skirt said "I'm 17". Seriously it was so short it barely covered her lady parts. Ben was embarrassed, and I just kept trying to look at her face. No tights or other hosiery, just bare legs. She had to be freezing!

Now for the ugly. Ok, you know how emotional I was before I even left, but I don't think I'm blowing this out of proportion. It may be hard for some of you to understand why this upset me so much, but I spoke with an In Real Life (IRL) friend, and she assured me I had an appropriate response, as she comes from a similar perspective.

We arrived and were getting settled in the living room with my evil SIL, my FIL and SMIL. SMIL started talking about football and all the fuss around Tim Tebow (he kneels -- and presumably prays -- he's a devout Christian) every time his team scores a touchdown. She said she didn't understand it when all the "colored people do big dances everytime they score." I looked at her and said, "Did you say 'colored people'?" She said, "Yeah, the whites and the colored people." I wanted to say something I could never take back, because believe me, it would have been a relationship ending comment. Instead I took a breath, got up and went outside of the house, and burst into tears.

Since I was outside I didn't hear, but Dennis said he went over to her and told her that I'm bi-racial and that was a very hurtful and insensitive comment. She didn't know what to say. Then Dennis came out to see me. I feel bad because poor Ben just got left behind, but I couldn't be in there then. Anyway, Dennis eventually convinced me we had to stay. I wanted to leave right then. No one else heard what she said or knew why I was a basket case, they probably thought Dennis and I had a fight. While we were outside Ben came outside to tell us she had left. She left mind you, there was no apology or contact.

I was pretty upset but eventually I stopped crying and got it together. This was about an hour into the party. Five hours later everyone else left (keep in mind the hosts are our buddies, so I knew we would stick around), and I told my SIL what happened and apologized for putting a damper on her party. She didn't know what had happened, only that I was upset. She told me that I didn't do anything and they knew SMIL was stupid. Well, we all do, but I still didn't expect to have to deal with that with this family, which I have theoretically, ok legally, been a part of for over 18 years!

I am so hurt. I told Dennis I knew there would be comments about my weight, but I can always change that (ok, we know it's harder than that, but you know what I mean). I can't change my DNA. It brought up all the old feelings about not being accepted as a child, and thinking no one other than my parents (my adoptive parents) wanted me. I really think that I am generally in a good place and that is my past and I am a confident and competent person, but to hear someone who is supposed to at least accept or respect me (and she acts like she likes me, even if she is a flake) make comments like that just broke my heart. It was bad enough two years ago when she asked me to take her shopping at the "big girl" stores because I must know where to find Plus sized clothes, and her daughter (who doesn't speak to Dennis or his siblings), is a 0 and she wouldn't be able to shop with her...I know I was probably being too sensitive with that one, but it was embarrassing in front of Dennis's entire family...

Unfortunately this latest incident sent me into a tailspin. While we sat with my SIL and BIL at the after party I ate a ton of desserts from her 3-tiered tray of goodies. We were also sent home with a ton of food. I haven't had much of it, I had popcorn for dinner and then three more pieces from the tray that came home with us.

I have to take Ben to church for confirmation class, since Dennis is staying home to meet a handy person who is doing some repair work for us. The last thing I want to do is sit in a pew by myself and try to be friendly to people when we greet everyone else. If I could stay in my bed today, I would. Sigh.

Oh, and even my Beloved Patriots will probably make me cry today -- because we are playing Denver, Tim Tebow's team. I'm probably going to burst into tears when they score (and they will, our Defense is pathetic), and for all the wrong reasons!

I guess on the bright side I'm pretty much assured the new tv I wanted for the bedroom for Christmas is coming I think I could tell Dennis I want an ABD (Adventures By Disney) trip right now and he would agree Of course, I wouldn't do that, but I might try to wheedle a couple of days at WDW out of our summer vacation. I think we're going to Tampa to visit the other good SIL, and I am really feeling the need for some right now. I am trying to distract myself and not think about this too much anymore.

Can I say I am really looking forward to the ornament exchange?! I have to get ready for church, and Dennis is going to be on the computer this afternoon. I'll try to get back tonight and actually reply to everyone else!

Thanks for putting up with me. You cannot know how much it means to me to have a safe place to come to talk about difficult things.

Maria

 

[dumbo_buddy]

oh maria i'm so sorry you had to deal with all that yesterday! gosh, your in-laws and my in-laws should be put in a big room together - we'll lock the door and just leave them alone...forever!

"colored" people?!?! oh geez. what is this, 1962 in memphis???!! my 87 year old grandpa says colored people but it's one of those things that you just let go because he literally doesn't know any better (he's got dementia).

so dennis's step mom just LEFT? like, an hour into the party?? b/c god forbid she just say, "hey sorry about that, i wasn't thinking" and have it at least be a little bit better.

i totally don't blame you for indulging on the sweets. i find myself doing that even just THINKING of my in-laws. i don't even need to SEE them and i want to shove my face full of food.

blergh, i don't know what to say about the old feelings of being accepted. sometimes those things just don't go away. it seems like you can bury them deep down for a long time but comments like SMIL made will bring them back to the forefront. but i guess the only thing you can do is to let them fill you up and them set them free (i promise i'm not a hippie). you are waaaaay accepted now. you have a super awesome hubby and a lovely young man for a son and sheesh, you've got some faboo ladies right here on the board who wish you lived closer so we could hang out because i'm pretty sure that we'd all get along swimmingly and have a blast being around you more often!

the only bit of advice i have about handling crazy in-laws is to adopt the mantra that you just can't be rational with irrational people. no matter how mature you are and how hard you work to select the right things to say with them (meaning you choose not to tell them off when you really want to) it doesn't mean they will give you the same respect. they are going to say things that are hurtful and claim they didn't think it would be hurtful or you're just being over-sensitive or whatever. you just can't be rational with an irrational person.

please don't apologize for the "selfish" posts. that's lame. we want you to be "selfish" if that means you can have a safe place to vent. that's what we're here for!!

i will root for the patriots today. yep. i said it. because you need a pats win more than tebow needs a broncos win.

 

[Worfiedoodles]

Nancy -- Thank you. I needed all those hugs. And I get the love behind a born and bred NYer rooting for the Pats! Thanks for making me smile. You know, if she had just said when I asked her, "Oh, I meant Black" or "I meant African-American", I would have just smiled and let it go. Yep, she literally just left the party. She didn't know what to do. Honestly, if she had apologized I was so upset, I would have had a hard time accepting it right then. Dennis seems to think she will apologize now. He says he's going to call her in the next few days. He keeps telling me I can't hold her to the standard of a normal person because she is an idiot. Well, she is, but come on! Her faculties are all there. If she was 80, I would have let it go. She's not that old, she's significantly younger than my FIL -- I don't know her exact age but I think she may be turning 60 soon -- so no reason to not know that is unacceptable.

Oh! I won't apologize again, but I will remember to comment on the spousal arguement. I think that is pretty normal, especially when you have two in diapers! It is really hard to put yourself in the other person's shoes, because you are exhausted, your spouse is exhausted, and there are these two completely dependent little people who cannot do anything for themselves, so there are no breaks He thinks you can nap throughout the day, which even I know is highly unlikely. The odds that both of them will sleep for any decent amount of time at the same time -- well, that would be a lovely Mary Poppins moment, wouldn't it?! And yes, you are both doing equally important and taxing jobs. You would like him to validate that rather than make you feel like your contribution is less (it's clearly not!), and so that is frustrating and disappointing.

Maria

 

[mikamah]

Maria- Big hugs coming your way. You by no means overreacted and she was so out of line. You are an amazing friend and wonderful wife and mom to that cutie, Ben, and deserve to feel loved and treasured by all in your life. And she left? How simple an apology would have been, but some people just can't even think that way. I wish your day went better, and do not even worry about the treats, you are rocking december, and a little boost in your caloric intake one day should not hurt you. Hope today is a better day all around for you and you take some time to relax and regroup.
Listening to you and Nancy talk about your inlaws makes me realize, I probably couldn't handle being married with inlaws.

Nancy- I can't wait to read your facebook post cheering on the Pats.
And big hugs on the husband issues. I remember when michael was a baby, my friend was telling me it was less stressful for me because when her kids were little, she added the stress of fighting with her husband over who was going to do what, or him pretending to sleep through a screaming baby and her being so frustrated. Where as it was hard to be alone and do it all, but it was what it was, and she and you probably do most of it anyway, but shouldn't need to. Hang in there, Nancy. It is not easy, but before you know it Thomas and Matthew will be the surly teens that Maria and Lisa are dealing with.

Rose_how was tom's snowboarding? I agree, sometimes it's better to know after the fact. Michael's a bit of a daredevil, and not that it's easy to watch him all the time but it's going to be even harder when he's off on his own. I laughed out loud, fredward the new dog.

Off to take Poko for a playdate with her cousin dog, Tracey. Hope it goes well.

 

[lisah0711]

Good morning Princesses and Bells!

Lisa, congratulations on your 10K yesterday! Your time was super! There is no doubt in my mind that you will have lots of time in the Tink for pictures and just having a fabulous time!

Maria, the things that you have to do for love. I am so, so sorry that it was such a crappy time and that your FIL's wife is such an idiot. Stupid is one of those things that can't be fixed but that doesn't mean she gets carte blanche to say whatever stupid thing comes to her mind.

But you, my friend, are absolutely wonderful just the way you are. You are smart, kind, funny, a great runner, wife and mother. I am proud to call you my friend. Plus you have outstanding taste in music.

Rose, glad that you survived the snowboarding kid yesterday.
And I'm so happy for you on the great run!

I think that your WDW trips sounds absolutely heavenly. Can't wait for those picture updates.

Lindsay, the Peep drops sounds like a lot of fun. It's nice that they have an earlier one, too, so you don't have to be out half the night. Those of us who get up at o'dark thirty can't stay out late . . . Hope that the jammies didn't chase after you last night. Hope you find something soon. How is your grammy?

Kathy, glad the doctor could give you something to help battle that bad Boston bug. It's gone on so long it's no wonder that your lungs are a bit inflamed. Is it cold when you are walking Poko in the morning? Maybe you need one of Rose's face mask things?

We don't have much snow right now. Just freezing fog and a horrible inversion. We are supposed to have a White Christmas and some snow on Wednesday. I would settle for some rain and wind at this point.

Nancy, sorry about the drama. Don't you feel like you are the only adult in a house full of babies.

I loved the pictures from the Christmas party and saw Thomas' pictures. I see more of a resemblance but really think Thomas looks mostly like himself. There was one baby picture where it was like a preview of how he looks now. And I don't know how you will ever top the "mini me" pose.

I would quote your smilie post but I'm always in trouble with the smilie police so let me just say .

I had the best run ever yesterday. I saw a shooting star while I was driving to the community center. My shoes are working great and I just had a few twinges that were probably more left over from the week-end before than anything else. I was doing 800m (1/2 mi) speedwork and actually did a 14:04 pace on the 7th interval. Then I started crying. Then I kept on going and did my 10th interval at a 12:18 pace just to show myself it wasn't a fluke, even if I know I couldn't sustain that kind of pace. I really have trouble digging deep at the end when I am so dang tired but I think I've finally turned the corner.

I have more to say but my men are a bit cranky today. They don't seem too concerned about ending up on the naughty list.

I'm looking forward to opening our ornaments on Tuesday too!

Love you all! Have a great day!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Maria--You just gotta love stupid people. There are still a few people who say colored around here--but like Nancy said they are in their 80s and pretty much clueless. One of our neighbors used to do it and I would just say--I think you meant African American. Anyhow, I can't believe after Dennis talked to her she didn't apologize. Being a bi-racial family we have heard everything. Tom has had people tell him to go back to Mexico--when we were visiting Mexico and crossing the border someone told Mike that he bet that he had trouble crossing the boarder--and when we first moved here several people asked Mike what he was??? Oh, and then when Tom was a baby someone asked me if I was the nanny cause he didn't look like me. My dad asked me if I was sure I wanted to marry Mike because my kids would not be white. Seriously. As Mike likes to say sometimes....you just can't make this s*** up. What she said was just really stupid and mean. But here's the kicker, and the thing I struggle with over and over.....it has nothing to do with you. It's the one thing I got out of going to therapy. Sure it hurts and it was hurtful. And shocking, etc. But it does not make you less of a person, does not make you unworthy and does not make you any less loved by the people that love you. I know easy for me to say, and I often have to be reminded of this, but I just wanted to say it to you.

I've mentioned this before, but I read this book during therapy--The Four Agreements--and it really, really helped me gain some perspective and helped me to control my reactions to some of the stuff. I've read the book probably 5 times and Mike has read it too. Just throwing that out there again.

And please don't stress about the food. Just take care of yourself

And I say go Pats! I am not a Tebow fan.

I remember when michael was a baby, my friend was telling me it was less stressful for me because when her kids were little, she added the stress of fighting with her husband over who was going to do what, or him pretending to sleep through a screaming baby and her being so frustrated.

Seriously....????? It was easier for you because they couldn't act like adults and chose to argue????? I did it by myself when Mike was at sea and it was NOT easier.

I hope the doggy play date went well!

I had the best run ever yesterday. I saw a shooting star while I was driving to the community center. My shoes are working great and I just had a few twinges that were probably more left over from the week-end before than anything else. I was doing 800m (1/2 mi) speedwork and actually did a 14:04 pace on the 7th interval. Then I started crying. Then I kept on going and did my 10th interval at a 12:18 pace just to show myself it wasn't a fluke, even if I know I couldn't sustain that kind of pace. I really have trouble digging deep at the end when I am so dang tired but I think I've finally turned the corner.


Love you all! Have a great day!

I would have been crying too! Isn't that feeling of digging deep awesome. I love the rubber legged, I'm going to fall over and die, but I ran really, really fast at the end feeling.

We usually kick it hard for the last 4 tenths. The park that we run at has a 1.2 mile loop. From the place we start at to a certain park bench is .4 at the end. So we got in the habit of running hard for the last .4. We always say--run to the bench--for the last .4 no matter where we are, even on the treadmill. So, eventually you will figure out what distance you can really kick it for and it will become automatic and you will find the extra energy to "run to the bench". It's one of my favorite parts about running.

*****
I am icing my ankle cause it's a little sore. I tried on boots today and I think jerking them on and off was not a good thing. But I found a cute pair that are comfy and have a zipper.

Yesterday and today we did some shopping. I should have done all this a long time ago. I got so stressed out I didn't want to go on our trip. But we are mostly done now, the laundry will be done today and I just need to clean up around here and start packing. Mike is taking a 1/2 day Tuesday, so that will help.

So here's a funny story. I tried on these pants today at JC Penney and there was a security tag in the pocket that was open and the point/pin part scraped most of the way up my leg and left a nasty mark. Ok, fine. Things happen. When I told the salesperson about it she was concerned about which pants were probably stolen--cause where did the secuity tag come from....I looked at her and said, Um, I am not really concerned about your pants, I'm concerned because I have a big scrape on my leg and just wanted to point it out to you so it might not happen to someone else. I should have told her my attorney in Idaho would be contacting her concerning the emotional stress it caused me and I would definitely not ever be able to try on clothes again cause I was too traumatized....

Ok, I guess the foot is done icing. Time to get busy being productive!

 

[Rose&Mike]

Forgot to tell you all...maybe I said it on the holiday thread---can't remember??
Anyhow, Tom survived snow boarding. He said it was fun, but his bottom is killing him. As long as there were no broken bones or head injuries, I am good with it.

 

[liesel]

It looks like its time for another round of hugs!

Nancy I've definitely been there. I think I realized that what I wanted was validation from DH that my job was hard too, and the emotional stress is completely different from going to work. I've worked 14 hour days and staying at home with an infant is definitely harder! You're right, they often don't realize the physical toll involved with BF. It takes a lot of energy for you body to do that! I hope things get better soon.

Maria I can't believe how insensitive Dennis' family can be. I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. I thought Rose's post before the party sums up perfectly how I feel too. I've got my share of drama and judgement too, but all I can do is live my life and be happy. People tend to look at others through the filter of their own experiences and I think the rude behavior and comments your way says more about them then you. I also know how it feels to be the fattest in the group and self conscious, but you are working so hard for you and how you feel and who cares about what they think? I hope you don't let them take away from all that you've accomplished and I'm glad you have such a loving supportive husband and son.


Rose I'm glad Tom had a great time snowboarding. I can't believe some of the comments your family has heard over the years. I definitely didn't think you were being too easy on Tom, you are an amazing mother! I think its wonderful that you took the time to sit down with him and find out what is going on. Your WDW trip sounds wonderful and I can't wait to hear all about it. at Fredward the mutant blanket loving dog comment!

LisaH You deserve extra smilies for such a great run yesterday! I guess the shooting star was a good omen. I think the name change is a good idea, maybe we'll get some more runners in the spring challenge.

Kathy I'm glad to hear you had a good time at Michael's concert and a productive afternoon. DS's band concert was Wednesday (he plays trumpet) and they played Jingle Bells too. Too cute.

Lindsay I think an early Peep drop is an excellent idea, my kids have never made it to midnight.

First I have to confess to being a BRONCOS fan (not a Tebow fan, I'm indifferent to him and was quite concerned he wasn't ready to be a starter when he was given the job). This team has given me too many heart attacks of late and I think the Pats are going to win today, I think Brady is going to show Tebow how its done. I'm always curious to hear people outside of Colorado's perspective on this because as you can imagine, he's a pretty big deal here. Maria, if you need to laugh about Tebow, I suggest the SNL skit from last night. I was . Yes, I was up way too late after my 10K and family holiday party that not the entire family is invited to because some of them are mad at each other and some just talk amongst themselves and aren't very approachable and who am I kidding? It was a freakin' love fest compared to Maria's party. It would have been ugly if everyone had been invited, though.

So, the 10K. The course wasn't ideal, it was on a river trail. Some snow had melted on Friday and refroze overnight. There was ice in many places and a couple of runners were injured. We also ran through mud on the gravel trail and lots of goose droppings that I am just not hard core enough to run through. Two parts of the course were out and back. They didn't cone the trail, just asked everyone to stay to their side. You can imagine how well this worked, especially when I was going against the pack just before the second turnaround. The trail was still open to the public so there were also many large groups of cyclists. I told myself there may be large groups of women walking across the road at the Tink, but at least I won't have any cyclists or runners coming at me from the opposite direction! I forgot my Garmin so I am amazed that my pace was so spot on my current ability level. I paced myself a little the first couple of miles, there were only two groups of fast walkers behind me, one group was wearing shirts from various halves (including Space Coast!) they have done. At the first water station, I passed a lady who looked like she was in pain. I walked next to her for a while and found out that she is doing the Tink too! She fell and hurt her wrist but still finished. After that, I had a burst of motivation and decided to see how many people I could pass before the end of the race. I ended up passing 3 more people. I was so back of the pack, I saw the photographer at the 5 mile marker pack up before I reached him. So I don't think there will be many pictures of me to look at. On an uphill right before the end, someone passed me. Once I got to the top of the muddy snowy hill I decided to sprint to the finish. The guy behind me was gaining ground I was not going to let him pass me! He got faster, I got faster, and we had a little battle to the finish. I beat him by a second. The volunteer who took my chip said, "wow, way to finish strong!" I'm glad I still had a good kick at the end, but was fading a little nutrition wise after mile 5. I didn't use any sports drink (they had gatorade and I've been training with Powerade since that's what they'll have at the Tink) and I think I could have used some or a Cliff Block. I think that's the only thing I would have done differently, but otherwise a good race. I learned a little more about pacing myself for a longer race and I can't wait for the Tink!

OK, enough rambling, I need to break out some cookie recipes and figure out what I'm making (DH's list keeps getting longer and longer). Have a restful Sunday princesses and belles!