13.1 miles summed up: Hot, Hilly, Hellish

Here is the race report I wrote up for the tri club:

Racer:
Heather Zoller-Gritz
Race:
Country Music Half Marathon
Date:
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Location:
Nashville, TN
Race Type:
Run - Half Marathon
Age Group:
Female 35 - 39
Time:
3:46:45
Overall Place:
21638 / 22749
Age Group Place:
2058 / 2179

I met my sister in Nashville so the two of us could run our first half marathons. I've been fighting a nagging foot issue but put in the miles and after a good 10 miler last Sunday felt prepared for the race. After running consistently in 50 & 60 degree weather I wasn't prepared for it to be 80 by the time we started (in corral 27, almost an hour after the first runners started) to only get hotter and sunnier along the way. I felt good for the first five miles other than what seemed like constant uphills, not big hills just lots of them (very decieving elevation chart. Cytomax and water on the course and I took some at every stop. At the halfway point I was right where I expected to be, right about 1:30 (I was aiming for 3 hrs).Unfortunately things went downhill (not literally) from there. I started to feel sick to my stomach and felt increasingly dizzy so I sat down in the shade, ate my sport beans and waited for the bathroom. I felt considerably better after about 10 minutes of downtime. At the next water stop I took Cytomax, water and added some salt (literally, from 2 packets sitting on a table).

That did the trick and I was able to alternate running and walking but my calves felt really tight every time I ran. I kept telling myself time didn't matter, I just wanted to finish. At mile 11 my calves started seizing up so bad I couldn't walk, the cramps went all the way down into my feet. I had to stop, stretch and massage them to keep moving, first one side, then the other. I felt like I was getting passed by 100s of people every time I stopped. By that time I just wanted it to be over, it was hot, no shade and I was moving so slowly I really thought it would never end. There were cheerleaders giving out jelly beans and then a Gu station, I had some of each and some water and that seemed to help with the cramps but I couldn't run at all, my calves wanted nothing to do with it so I walked the rest of the way in.

There was good music all along the course and tons (31000 between the marathon and half) of people. There were a good number of shuttles moving people from the finish line to the start. The finish was at LP Field where the Titans play which was pretty cool. I will definitely carry some liquid with me next time if there is any doubt about whether I will need it.

Yesterday at the airport I was talking to a guy in the security line and he said of the 20 halves he has done this was by far the hardest, that definitely made me feel a bit less of a wuss. I am seriously torn between awe of the accomplishment and disappointment that I didn't run much more than half of it. Probably a good life lesson in accepting what you can't change.

Swearing in German

Verdammt!

Why haven't I posted in so long? Well you see, Google thinks we are in Germany and all of the Google related sites, including blogger have all the menus in German which may be the land of my ancesters but I read not a word. Verizon says they bought IP addresses and Google just hasn't registered them yet. Not sure I believe it because none of the things they suggested have worked to correct the issue. Fortunately only Google is affected, unfortunately Google affects a whole lot of things. Thankfully we've stuck with German, some of the neighbors are now in France.

Cute things kids say:

Me: Okay, git 'er done (in my best 'Mater/Larry the Cable Guy voice)
Boobah: Did you say that because I am a girl?
Me (Quizzical look) Huh?
Boobah: Well you said "Get HER done" if I was a boy would have you said "Get him done"
Me: I said git ER done, ah just forget it and wash yourself

Running is good, I am in week 4 of the 8 week training program for a 10K. Buildermama and I are doing the 8K at the Richmond Marathon November 15 and I figure being a few Ks ahead is a good plan. I just want to be able to run the whole thing. My sister and I are doing the Country Music 1/2 Marathon in April and I am signed up for the Columbia Triathlon in May and Iron Girl in August--I can't believe I am planning stuff this far ahead!

The house of nuts

Things have been a serious whirlwind--train, work, can, kids, work, cook, work, worry, work.


Work
The good news is there is a new VP at work and he thinks I rock. The bad news, I have to work my tail off to make sure he continues to think that. This week he is on vacation and he left me with several "can you look into this" assignments while he is gone. I went for acupuncture and he asked me pretty early on how things were at work. I spent an hour on his table, mostly just breathing and its amazing how much better I felt when I left.


Training
Last Sunday I did a "Brick n Pic" with the local tri club. They were wonderful to hang out with and someone always stayed at the back of the pack with me. I should never, ever have run before my ride. My heart rate was zooming the whole time and the ride was pretty miserable. My back was killing me after climbing but thankfully Mr. Don fixed that! This week I've done pretty well keeping up with the training but not the bike, they have the road torn up on the course and I hear it is NASTY, I'll need to do that when I come back from NY.





Canning
I picked 23 pounds of peaches (along with raspberries and blueberries) last Wednesday. That meant I had a lot of fruit to deal with! I did my first batch of peach hot pepper jelly. Gman asked if I could make the bits not float to the top. I read that rotating the jar during the process helped with that so I flipped them over. Oops, I went to bed without flipping them back. Now I have nine jars that look like this....

Kids

I don't know if it the end of the summer or what but they are non-stop fighting, talking, singing and getting into things they shouldn't. Boobah can't wait for school to start and I can't wait to have one drop off in the morning and no pick ups in the afternoon. On the other side, how the heck did my baby get old enough for Kindergarten?

Other Random Stuff

We are off to Albany, NY this morning for GMan's sister to get married this evening. We are brining our 18 year old neice back with us to visit for a week.

Chocolate covered pig and other fun stuff

Last night we watched the a new episode of Dinner Impossible with the new host Michael Symon. I just have to say. He. So. Rocks. Perhaps it is the Ohio girl in me who just can't resist the authentic Cleveland attitude. He just seems like he is having fun all the time! He is a great Iron Chef and I think that this show will be so much better with him at the helm. I mean, come on, last night he made bacon covered in chocolate with nuts. Everyone went wild for it. Gotta get me some of that chocolate covered bacon (how un-healthy of me is that?!).

Speaking of chocolate, my financial advisor invited me to a chocolate making class this evening at Sweet Cascades. If anyone is in downtown Ellicott City, you must stop by and try out some of their chocolates. We overindulged big time, truffles, sipping chocolate, Old Bay crab shaped chocolates (surprisingly good!) and even a chocolate covered jalapeno. As good as the chocolates were the owner was just as nice. Definitely a winner. We got to be hands on making our own truffles, the whole family was glad to have me come home!

As an added bonus, check out Gman's Picassa site for his stash of vacation pictures. Baby cuteness, girlie fabulousness, and just general fun. You don't even want to know what it costs to stay in a house that size in the middle of nowhere. Dirt. Cheap. My favorite one of Gman and I below--notice the new blondeness.



And for a Think Thin Thursday update, I stayed the same. Two weeks of comfort eating and spending time with my parents in the "house of snack" and I stayed exactly the same. Either I have learned to control things in proportion to my exercise or I am just darned lucky! Not particularly good as a motivator to eat right but I am glad not to have a gain to work off. I think that pounds that are hardest are those that I am losing for a second time! In 15 weeks only one week with a gain, not too shabby. 25.8 pounds total.

I Want to Ride My Bicycle

This morning Gman and I got up "early" and headed out to ride the Hockhocking Adena Bikeway (or part of it anyway). Getting there was a bit of a battle, the parking lot that the map says to park in was closed and the college lots were full (besides I figured we'd get ticketed in one of those). After a bathroom break and a bit more driving around we managed to find somewhere to park. Then it was a another delay to get the tires pumped up and all our stuff together. It was well worth it-what a beautiful, flat ride on well maintained trails with a few crossings of lightly traveled roads. Its not often we get to ride anything that is flat and without traffic! I rode with Gman for the first half and on the way back I got some training in and tried to keep my speed and cadence up. It was a fun ride and nice to be out by ourselves. I was determined that we didn't bring our bikes all this way for them to sit on the porch.

Yesterday we ventured out into the parks to commune with nature. In the morning with the whole family we went to Ash Cave--a paved trail took us to the spectacular cave and Gman, BIL and I took the big kids back via the slightly longer "hiking" trail. After a trip to sis' house and lunch the MM crew headed to Old Man's Cave. There was a bit more hiking here as well as the cave and waterfalls. We made two of the loops (having to take two bathroom breaks, oh the joys of hiking with kids. Someday I'd love to come back and hike all 6 miles (each way) of the trails that lead from Ash Cave to Cedar Falls and then to Old Man's Cave.

Last night we went out to dinner with my sister and BIL at the Grouse Nest Restaurant. The food was good, the company better but the drive up to the place was a little rough, gravel and all up hill. I wasn't sure the Mommy Van was going to make it! We've definitely had the Appalachian adventure a pleasant change from our "normal" lives.

Today is sis' 35th birthday, happy birthday sis! She and BIL headed out this morning to Jamboree in the Hills. Part of me wishes we were with them. The other, more mature part that hates crowds of drunk people is just as happy to spend another night in the quite lodge even if it does mean we have her 3 y.o. and 6 month old sons! The older one and Boobah keep each other busy and PDQ is a big help with the baby--when Grandma lets her have a turn.

Stay tuned, I know there will be pictures when Gman has a chance to get them published!

Return of the Morning People

This morning I drug myself out of bed at 4:45 AM to get to the pool for my 5:15 swim. It would be nice if the lifeguard could get his &^$#*&^ butt out of bed in time to get there as well. For the second week in a row we couldn't get into the pool until after 5:35 because there was no lifeguard. People who are nuts enough to be at the pool at 5AM are also probably nuts enough to be do bad things to you when you don't do your job. Just sayin'...

We did drills for our time in the pool. My hips are sore from the kamikaze cycling class I took yesterday at noon. Kicking in the pool felt like serious work. So far this week I've gotten in a "fast" short run, core workout, cycling class and swim drills. I need to get in another run, core workout and finish up my swim workout from this morning between now and Saturday.

I get home from my swim feeling tired and grumpy. I futz around the kitchen a bit and pull out some chicken to thaw for dinner when I hear noises. The first one not such a big deal but then more noises. I head upstairs and what do I find? Both of my children. Awake. Getting ready for school. Without any prompting. I almost had to go outside and check that it was the right house. I have no idea what has gotten into them (but I am *not* complaining) but the last two mornings one got up on her own and then woke up the other--which went over like a lead balloon. Then this morning they BOTH got up. It was amazing how much easier the morning went with everyone awake and happy, not being rushed.

Where did the week go? And the month of March?

Wow, last week is a total blur!
We started off in Ohio to visit my family. It was a great trip. I got to play auntie to my nephew Brady who turned 9 weeks old while we were there. He is one of those sweet baby boys who look more like wizened old men than chunky babies. He always looks like he is deep in concentration or has something to add to the conversation. After hearing what a fussy baby he was I was delighted to find out that he has a fussy evening session but the rest of the time he is easy going--after the child who didn't sleep until she was 3, this kid is nothing!

The girls got to spend time hanging with Brady along with big brother Matthew. This is the only picture of the three big kids where everyone is a-in focus and b-hand are not in or near the nose!
At almost 3 Matthew has become the train savant rattling off Thomas facts at the drop of the hat. They go everywhere with him--including the tub. We took the kids to a hands on children's museum in Lancaster, OH (if you are near there, check it out). The neighbor and her daughter went along as well, a great time was had by all. Matthew was NOT happy when we were leaving so we ended up with a fourth child (the oldest child stayed behind to work) for the trip back to my parents for Easter. I was a little worried he'd freak out once we'd left home behind but he was content to travel with us, in fact he slept driveway to driveway. Halfway through that trip I realized that the girls' Easter dresses were hanging in the closet at my sister's house. Ooops.

After the exhausting trip home it was back to work. What a zoo! The three days I took off? Well all the meetings for those days had to go somewhere. They were packed into 4 days of almost nothing but meetings and not the kind of meetings where you can just go and have a vacation in your head. No these were meetings where I had to listen so I could act on stuff later or even better, lead them and try to take notes that would distill down the hours of talk into a few salient points. To end the week my new boss who is the president of one of the divisions suggested that he'd like to have me work for the new head of technology saying he thought he could use my help. Its an interesting opportunity, we'll see what shakes out in the coming weeks! The two of them are my first male bosses in ten years. While I've worked mostly with men I've had a female boss since coming to the company, its an interesting switch to say the least.

Its finally Saturday night, Gman had a work crisis and went in to try and figure out how to make it better and hope he isn't to blame, wish him luck on both counts! Now I am off to bed, had a good swim with Es today, she is a fish in the pool! I thought I'd like the slightly warmer pool but alas no, I think I actually worked up a sweat swimming and I didn't like it! Tomorrow I totally loafed for about a week, my allergies were acting up and then there was the traveling. I am so happy to get back to my work-out routine this week. morning is our first bike and run outside for the Spring. Send warm vibes!

Also while I had a few minutes this evening and was perusing the pictures from the trip I came across this which may be the best picture ever taken of my sister and I together. One of us always has her eyes clothes, a whacked out look in her eye, or drool in the corner of her mouth.

Back to the exercise grind

I didn't mean to take too much time off, really I didn't. First it was the stomach bug/food poisoning. I could barely get out of bed and I could only tolerate Gatorade and crackers and spent all my "running" time between the bed and bathroom. I did manage a run or two between then and Thanksgiving but I was off my game. Then it was sore knee & hit and a trip to Houston that left me with a head that felt like it was filled with lead. Holding it upright was all the effort I could expend.

Wednesday afternoon I decided enough was enough. I signed up to go to the noon spinning class. Immediately I remembered how hard it is to get back into the swing of things. I also remembered that not only was the time of this class a hassle but the woman who teaches it a bit of a drill Sargent. This IS a SIXTY MINUTE HIGH INTENSITY CLASS. If you need to stop early to get back to work, I feel sorry for you, but its your workout. Gheesh. I did manage to slug through the class. My knee feels better, my hip is sore but no worse than when I've done nothing. I got through 50 min and then had to get ready to go back to work.

Today I hit the road again to run. Its 35 out, I did pretty well getting the gear right on top. I ran a little, walked a little to get warmed up. I did manage to get a good 12 minutes of straight running in at the end once I was warm. I didn't enjoy it, I really need to find somewhere flat to run until I am in better condition. I was also amazed at the number of people out driving around in my neighborhood on a cold Saturday afternoon--probably all out for toilet paper and milk, there is a storm coming and it IS Maryland (bunch of winter wussies).

Tomorrow morning its back to Homer and the cycling class. Yesterday I signed up for the tri training class. The fun and games start on Jan. 22. Saturday morning running and biking, Thursday, very, very early swimming.

The rest of the agenda for today--I need to finish my Buckeye candy, make some cookies, put together an angel skirt for the pageant, make sure Gman finished up the manger, get a haircut and work on the cards. Is December over yet??

I'm heeeeeeeeeeeeere

It was a thankfully uneventful trip to the airport and flight. I must say I was more than a little surprised to be met at the airport by my cousin and his fiance AND my aunt and uncle. Why was a surprised, because the aunt and uncle are divorced rather acrimoniously and were holding hands. OMG, make up your mind people. Not that I don't want them getting along, I really like him a lot, but I hate the "who likes whom today" game.

We weathered the rehearsal dinner, which was really in the middle of the afternoon but after 5AM McDonald's it was really good. The families were introduced to everyone, it was a bit of a stretch for my very informal family but no one said anything embarrassing. Apparently my aunt did manage to fall leaving the dining room--she was wearing some bad-ass huge high heels. No one noticed (or at least no one will admit it). My cousin got up and gave a short speech thanking everyone for coming and for everything else--most of the room was in tears. He is 8 years younger than I am and I've been on the East Coast while he went to school in Denver and then lived in Houston so it was a little sureal to see him "all grown up."

It's 8:30 and I am going to sleep--please let me sleep.

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I am thankful to be here to celebrate this special event with my family.

The End of NaBloPoMo

Unfortunately with my blogger problems I didn't make every day but I came darned close. I couldn't let the last day of the month go by without posting and who knows what the day of travel holds in store as far as internet access. Its WAY before dawn and I am heading out the door. Happy NaBloPoMo to all and have a great weekend!

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I am so thankful for my girls resting peacefully in their beds. So are so precious.

Leavin' on a jet plane

Fortunately I do know when I'll be back again...Sunday.

My cousin Ryan is getting married this weekend in Houston so I am flying down for the festivities sans familia. His fiance is Vietnamese, my family is semi-redneck. My family flew down from Ohio today including my 81 year old grandmother on her first flight. I join them tomorrow morning, no more nights in a hotel be than absolutely necessary. I am really excited for the cultural experience and from what I've heard and read about Vietnamese weddings it should be spectacular. I figure I will spend most of the weekend on alert to try and keep some of my more colorful relatives from embarrassing us all.

We start off with a rehearsal dinner late tomorrow afternoon. My mother has grand plans for shopping--go figure. PDQ put in her souvenir requests. Then Saturday morning we go to the brides house for the ancestor ceremony, then the wedding ceremony and that evening the reception. I am, of course, over packed because I really have no idea what is appropriate. I feel good about the dress I scored at Target (of all places) for the reception but outside of that its all guesses!

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I am thankful to be able to join my family for this special occasion. I can remember the day Ryan was born, I was 8 and my aunt spent the day sitting in a lawn chair beside our house in a red dress having contractions until it was time to go to the hospital.

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

I turkey trotted this morning and ran into two high school friends. It was nice to have someone to talk to even if we did walk most of it.

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I am thankful for my family today. Its great to have everyone here together.

Born to Run?

I'm not talking about the Boss here (although I will supply you with a little music video to keep you interested).



At various points in my life I've tried to run. Never have a been very successful. Some people are born to run, my body is just not one of them. I like the idea of running, I like the time alone to think--its the wear and tear on the joints and the burning lungs I could do without. But I decided I wanted to do a triathlon next year so, I guess I have to run at least 5K.

I've been trying to learn to run for the past four weeks. I am doing a Couch to 5K training regimen. I wasn't exactly a couch potato to start with so I started out in phase two where 9 minutes of running got introduced to a 30 min walk/run session. This week it is up to 50/50 running and walking for half an hour. I love that I feel like I am getting a great workout in a relatively short amount of time. I love that I am doing something I've never been able to do before. I love that I can see progress every week. I hate that its dark in the mornings so running outside is something I am just not comfortable with. I hate that if I run in the evening I can't sleep. I hate the fact that if I try to run and then get back work I sweat for the next half hour and the shower I take really does me no good.

This morning I decided the only way I would get my run in was to get us out the door early, drop off the girls, go to the gym, get in a quick workout, shower and dash to the office in time to get my head on for my 9AM meeting. Thank you girlies for being cooperative this morning! Out the door -check, girls dropped off-check, run-check, shower-check. Hey, why am I still sweating? Towel off repeatedly as I dress and dry my hair-check. Get to work-check. Feel dry and confident--not so much. I swear I didn't fully dry out until halfway through my second meeting. I've done the sniff test 10 times, thankfully it seems to be just me that is uncomfortable, at least I'm not smelly.

So, I may not have been born to run but hopefully this old dog can learn a new trick or two! Gretchen, Tree and Anne, my PIMs who just finished the Denver Half Marathon are certainly inspiration! Builder Mama was running 10Ks as well.

Missing the World from Suburbia

Last night I went to hear Dana Perino, the new White House Press Secretary and Ann Compton the ABC White House Correspondent speak at an industry event at the National Association of Broadcasters offices in Washington, DC. I am a bit embarrassed to say that when I got the invitation neither of the names immediately rang a bell. I knew that Tony Snow had colon cancer, I guess I missed his stepping down somewhere between Brownie Cookie Orders, soccer games, and working through the waiting list for before school care.

Of course I googled them both to find out a little more about them. My first thought when reading about Dana Perino was "WOW, she's only 35!" With the end of that thought being something along the lines of what the heck have I been doing with my life, I am pushing 40. She told the story of her career which was a lot about being in the right place at the right time. She talked to someone at a hockey game who happened to know that her Senator was looking for a new press secretary and he hired her soon after. She wanted to move back to Washington and through connections ended up in a press job at the DOJ. Then her elevation the White House Press Secretary came due to her boss' illness. I don't want to minimize her accomplishments in any way but I thought it illustrated the power of networking and being in the right place at the right time.



Ann Compton was amazing to me. She had 4 kids in 5 years while covering the White House. She proudly declared that she managed to have 2 kids in the 1980 election cycle! When asked about work/life balance she honestly said that her network salary made it a lot easier--she had a full-time housekeeper and a physician husband who didn't travel. That allowed her to travel with Presidents and know that there was a parent home in Washington.

I hadn't attended a professional event in many years, perhaps since I left Higher Education. I had been very active in groups for college housing professionals and college administrators but have never found (or really sought) that same kind of professional allegiance since landing in corporate America. First I feel kind of like the odd person out, I manage programs, not really projects and not in a very traditional way so I don't feel like I fit into the project manager group where people and money management rule the day. Last night I was again at the fringe of the group but it was interesting to mingle with other professional women in my adopted home.


The biggest ah-ha for me though was the losing touch with national and international events. I catch some of the Today Show in the morning, I read the local paper, catch the headlines on the MSN front page and I scan blogs from all over the country. I know who is running for president, who is winning the ALCS, that we are still at war in Iraq and that Facebook banned pictures of breastfeeding. I know the schedule of activities for my neighborhood and my school, I've attended school board meetings, I've written letters to keep the state from taxing health club memberships and I took on leadership for the United Way Campaign at work. Last night I wondered about whether my local focus has gone too far. Is my focus on work, family and my local community coming at the expense of understanding the world around me? I am sure my father the social studies teacher, watcher of the nightly news, reader of all the news magazines and champion of all trivia would be appalled at my lack of knowledge of what is happening in the world. I just can't figure out how I can fit one more piece of information into my head without something important sneaking out!



So, if you are on top of the world and national news--how do you do it?

The Three Falls of Our Vacation

Big Muddy Creek Falls

We spent the week in a fabulous house on the lake last week doing a whole lot of nothing! After a hellish week at work and three days of training for Logos, I was seriously toast. Given that, we took advantage of only a fraction of the fun the area had to offer. We did manage to visit Swallow Falls and Big Muddy Creek Falls and take a bit of a hike. Of course, being me, I managed to do a fall of my own. As we headed out mid-afternoon to visit the falls it looked like rain--pretty much like it had the entire time we were there. We decided to brave it. About 2 miles from the house the rain started, first big drops, then a serious down pour. As we wove up, down and around back country roads I was not feeling confident. Finally after paying our entry fee we sat in the parking lot debating what to do as really wet people emerged from the woods. Thankfully, less than 10 minutes later things cleared off and we headed into the woods.


Boobah LOVES her Baby Jogger and I have to admit its one of the few baby purchases we still use. I loaded her up and we were off. After a short walk we came to handicapped access to the falls. Given that I was pushing her it seemed like a no brainer. Apparently the no brainer would have been to read the slip and fall warning on the big sign more carefully. About halfway down the deck of the pathway my feet went out from under me and I landed on my rear pulling the stroller back on top of me. Boobah was just fine but surprised to be looking me in the eyes from flat on her back. Thankfully I had the loop around my wrist and she stayed right with me. After that Dad took over stroller duty. You can see him, my sister, Mom & the girls below. Also, the park is named after Swallow Falls but our view of it was much less spectacular than the other we saw.

You can check out my review of more vacation entertainment over at Maven Says, we watched Word World as part of our road trip and everyone was entertained. You can read what others have to say about it over at Parent Bloggers Network.

Insomnia Returns

Aghhhhhhhhhhhhh!

I thought vacation was for relaxing and part of relaxing is sleeping. I forgot, I don't sleep well in someone else's bed. Even when Gman relocates to give us both some peace, quiet and room to stretch out. Every night I was up every couple of hours despite my usual herbal sleep cocktail. My two year old nephew was up bright and early every morning running laps around the house. This picture pretty much tells the story, he is a constant motion machine. Restrain him and its not pretty. (Gman's pictures of the trip are here.)

We came home and I was sure that the insomnia would clear once I was happily ensconced in my own bed with clean, fresh sheets. No dice! In fact, it was worse than ever. Saturday night I was up and down several times, finally resorting to bad TV in the family room. The last time I remember seeing the clock before finally sinking into a fitful sleep--4:00AM. We accidentally slept until 9:25 yesterday morning and did the major boogie to get to church by 10. After the week and Saturday night I was sure last night would be the night. Nope. I was a serious fish, flopping all over the bed so I went to the couch to give Gman a break. I eventually returned around 2AM. Still flopping around. Finally I got comfortable and slept sometime between 2-3 AM. I took today off as vacation recovery but the girls were up fighting over something early this morning so no sleeping in. I'm off to see if acupuncture can get me back on the right track. Please?

Vaaaaaaaaaaaacaaaaaaaaaaaaation

We are away at Deep Creek Lake in Western Maryland for the week. Its slow--everything from getting going in the morning to the day to the dial-up internet. I haven't felt my usual vacation impatience of trying fit stuff in, just hanging out, not worrying about much of anything. We took the little kids to "Toddler Tuesday" for some hiking, animals and playgrounds. They even let them paint and cleaned up after them--worth every penny! Then we took Mom out for her birthday pizza and made homemade ice cream. Tonight we'll go to the park's weekly bonfire for roasted marshmallows, stories and drumming. Tomorrow is date night courtesy of the grandparents. Maybe a little kayaking on Friday. In all its slowness, the week is going much too fast!

Then there is a small world is playing in my head. We went to the weekly party thrown by the rental company, ran into someone we know from church here in Maryland. Her brother was with her and he and my brother-in-law know each other from their hometown in Pennsylvania--what are the odds?

Sunday with the inlaws AND it didn't suck!

My mother-in-law is nuts. My husband would agree. Luckily she lives in Florida, today we found out from his father & step-mom that dear Mom is in NY visiting his sisters. This isn't the first time she's come north to visit the sisters--she never tells Gman about it. She's never been to visit us except that one time when we bought her a ticket and they put me on bed rest and it was about the only time I ever wished they'd make me GO to work! Anyway, enough about my mother-in-law, she wasn't involved in the show today.

We set off relatively early this morning with all four kids to visit my father-in-law in Western Maryland at the Happy Hills Family Campground. They sold their house a few years ago and bought a fifth wheel RV and this is its relatively permanent home. It was the perfect opportunity to play with his new toy, the kids could spend some time with their grandparents, we could relax in the great outdoors, what more could you want? The trip there was speedy, less than an hour and a half--thank goodness, the noise that four kids between 18 & 3 can make in a minivan is truly amazing. After about the 5th shriek from PDQ I thought I'd explode but I managed to keep my mouth shut and be happy that they were enjoying each others company.

From the minute we arrived at the campground the girls wanted to go swimming. We told them after lunch. The second we were done eating it was can we go now? We waited while Gman tried to help his stepmom use her Blackberry as a modem--which made me think I need to try that as well--and we waited and waited and he never quite made it happen. Finally we took the kids to the pool where we saw mullets, mohawks, and everyone over the age of 15 had a tattoo (or 3). While the little kids swam, grandpa took oldest SS off for a drive in the golf cart (cobalt blue no less). Apparently they had a little man to man time talking about what he was going to do with his life (he's 18 and hasn't graduated from HS yet much to our dismay). SMIL and I sat around and drank Arbor Mist (yeah, I know its just one step from Boone's Farm, but its tasty!) and chatted while Gman and his Dad had a beer. The kids played and other than the begging to go to the pool they were really good. God bless my SMIL who promised the girls that if they were good she'd let them sit on her lap and drive the golf cart a little later--serious bribery material right there! By the time we left the pleasant afternoon was fading and Boobah was in rare form. We weren't 5 minutes from the campground before she was comatose in her car seat and not much longer before all four were sound asleep. My only regret may be when neither girl will go to bed!

I must say it was a perfectly nice afternoon and I am feeling relaxed and happy. Not very often do we have a Sunday without incident--especially when all six of us have spent nearly 12 hours together in relatively close quarters. Maybe we are all growing up?

Home Sweet (Quiet) Home

Ah, we are back home after our four-ish day road trip sans children. I think the first hour in the car we might each have mumbled a half dozen words. It was quiet, we were on the road, together in a car (not a van) and there were no car seats to be found. When we did speak half the time it was to ask each other if we were there yet, whine about it taking too long and pretending we had to pee--no, we really don't have any life without our kids.

First stop, Casa de Builder Mama. She writes about our adventures here. Although I look drunk and/0r high I really only had a couple of drinks, Lynchburg Lemonade--Yum-O! Mama and her family are something else. We had a great time hanging out, talking, eating and drinking with the whole clan. Monkey Man is so quiet compared to the two girls and there was no fighting, bliss. Liz showed off serious cooking skillz whipping up a fantastic dinner including the best cheesecake I ever ate. I was all ready to beg her to let me eat it for breakfast the next morning as well but instead she baked biscuits and sausage and egg casserole. Mmmmmmm She then showed us all around Richmond, including a stop to see her hubby and get the lowdown on the roofing situation in Richmond. It was fun to see someone really into what they do! Gman posted his pictures of our adventures here. And yes, that is Liz & I being rather irreverent in front of the Virginia War Memorial.

Stop two, Williamsburg, VA (pictures of that over at Gman's site as well). One word sums up our trip to Williamsburg HOT. It was 99 degrees, the sun was beating down and the humidity was high. Gman and I walked through the streets, took a few pictures, did a little shopping and headed out of town. I'd like to go back sometime when it isn't miserable. My mother has been dying to go for years. I am sure next time we'll have the kids and I really want to try out The Great Wolf Lodge which would certainly make up for the overdose of history. We were on our way to the beach shortly after noon.

Stop three, Virginia Beach, VA. We stayed at this hotel. Gotta say, the person who did their website has serious photoshop skills! It wasn't bad but it was pretty old and run down. The whole reason I booked us there was the availability of a king size bed--no one else seemed to have one--and the room with a jacuzzi. I love to take a bath and relax. Being able to take a soak and see the ocean was pretty much my idea of heaven. Loved the boardwalk between the hotel and the ocean, it was great for a walk in the morning as well as a night time stroll to dinner. Its not our usual family trip to the beach where things are quiet, laid back and there is little to do. I am not sure I'd want stay there for a long trip but for a day or two it was nice. We ate at Waterman's at Liz's suggestion and it was great. I was a little sad that I couldn't have seafood but I ate fish and tried to be happy about it.

So now we are back home. Last night we did nothing. Today we went back to work. I don't know what I was thinking before I left but I managed to be in meetings for all but a couple of hours today and the afternoon was 4 hours booked straight through. Tonight we cleaned up a little, I went to see my acupuncturist who declared me very relaxed, then I came home to a Gman prepared dinner (I can't remember the last time I was well and that happened!). Bless him for trying but we ate some kind of Vegan fake chicken product--eww. I guess I found the limit of my granola crunchiness! Tomorrow the children return. My mother says they are leaving around 9-9:30 tomorrow morning. Sound like they are anxious to return them?! PDQ lost her top front tooth today and I can't wait to see her. The trip was great but driving around today, alone in my minivan reminded me just how much I miss them!

End of School, Weekend Visitors and A Grown Up Trip

My sister, nephew and brother-in-law are here visiting for the weekend. My sister surprised us last night with the news that there will be a new addition to the family in February. My girls are very excited and really want to have a girl cousin. This morning we got up and went the aquarium in Baltimore--always an adventure. Especially with a 2 y.o. who wants to run as fast as possible through the wide open spaces. It was Boobah's first trip as well, she was mostly interested in riding the escalator and holding my nephew's hand--obviously money well spent. Here are the girls and I in the rain forest.

Yesterday was PDQs last day of school? Where did the year go? Do I sound old yet?! I went to the end of the year party, the kids were excited and a little sad, as was there teacher. This was her first full year teaching, she had gone to the school herself as a kid and she totally rocks! I will miss her next year even if PDQ doesn't. Part of the reason for my sister visiting is so that she can take the girls back to Ohio for a week with my folks. That means Gman and I get grown up time, alone together, woo-hoo. We're heading out to see one of our favorite bloggers, stop in Williamsburg, VA and then on to Virginia Beach. Ah, peace and quiet. I don't know that we've ever done a road trip just for the fun of it, usually it had a purpose since he was here and I was there. More from the road...