Running: a mind/body experience

Wednesday, 9am.

38 degrees F.

Mind: We're going running. 

Body: What? No. It's cold. 

Mind: I will provide you with a hat and gloves. 

5 minutes into run:

Mind: Yay! Running! So good for me. Shrink stubborn thighs, shrink. 

Knees: crackle, crackle.

Quads: I'm tired already.

Hamstrings: We're tight. 

10 minutes into run: 

Mind: Yay. Running. Must keep running. 

Body: Yay! Running is awesome! I feel great! Hey! Is that a downhill? WEEEE!

20 minutes into run: 

Mind: I'm bored. Can we stop?

Body: No! I love running! When are we going to increase our distance?!

Mind: What do you think are the odds of being snatched by a serial killer on this stretch of road? 

Body: Wha? 

30 minutes into run:

Body: I'm hot! Take off the hat and gloves immediately! 

Mind: What am I supposed to do with them?? 

Body: Carry them awkwardly, of course. Can we take off the rest of our clothes, too? I want to be free. 

Mind: No. I don't want to carry these. We're ditching them behind this telephone pole. We'll come back for them later. 

40 minutes into run: 

Body: Effing hill. Can't. Breathe. Must. Stop. 

Mind: NO! Almost done! See we are cresting the hill now! Way to go!

Body: Still. Can't. Breathe. Wheeze. Gasp. 

Mind: Why are you still panting? We're going downhill now. Weee?

Body: No. 

End of run:

Body and Mind: YAY! 

4 hours post-run:

Mind: I feel great! So calm and centered. 

Body: Stop climbing up and down the friggen stairs. No. More. Laundry. 

And there you have it. 

Running, as experienced by me. 

Cha-Cha-Cha-Changes

Ooh Look! Another blog post!

We've got some changes going on here in our little family.

NO I am not pregnant.

The weather is changing.

We've had our two guys head off to school and start soccer.

The Wee One is venturing into the world of potty training.

Hubs recently received some extremely positive feedback at work. Everyone say, "Congratulations, Hubs!"

We are so proud of our Biggest Guy.

I have entered an extremely rigorous Pilates training program, and added 2 new classes to my teaching schedule.

Another big thank you to Hubs, as he bears the brunt of child care when I am off at class, chasing my dreams.

For each of us, things are shifting and unsettled.

We're doing our best to support each other through these changes, with mixed results.

You know our Big Boy doesn't do changes.

But with equal amounts of excitement, frustration, and hard work - we're getting there.

Things will start to settle down soon I hope eventually. And just about the time they do, it will be time for another round of changes.

That's always the way, isn't it?

Oh my God! A blog post!

Hello!

Melissa, where on Earth have you been?

No time to explain, the children are asleep! So here is a long awaited blog post.

I make no claims as to whether it will be a good one.

UPDATE:

The Big Boy exists in three states:

Angry.

Annoyed.

Hungry.

The Wee One had a birfday!

CAKE!

And then he was so big that he had his first day of school.

Oh a mama's heart breaks a little. 

And that, my friends, is what's been going on here.

OK, sorry - gotta go - they're awake.

Friday Moments

Friday Moments with Soule Mama.

If you have a moment to share, please leave a comment with a link.

Happy weekend!

Dancing

This video comes to us courtesy of beloved Miss Kristin.

Prepare yourself.

In case you can't hear the dialogue, Miss Kristin asks the Wee One to demonstrate his mad dancing skills.

Growing pains

Yesterday the Big Boy went to summer camp.

His previous experiences with camp had been at his preschool with his Wee brother in tow.

Familiar faces, familiar place.

This time, however. Big Boy entered a world of young camp counselors in neon t-shirts.

He played games and had a swimming lesson.

I packed him a lunch.

At the end of the day, I got a fairly good report from the neon clad staff.

"You got him in the pool?" I say, incredulously.

"He didn't want to at first, but he did." says lovely counselor.

Oh, proud, proud mama.

Photo bombed by Wee bro.

Surprises

I love it when Hubs dumps his iphone photos onto the computer. 

I get to see life from a daddy's eye view. 

Happy Monday :)

Better late than never

Just realized I never blogged about July 4th.

Two small boys + sparklers = too good not to share

So proud of himself. 

I blow it out.

Bleh. Smoke.

Simplicity

Whether I am packing up the car before we head to the Cape or packing a bag and a cooler for a day at the beach - it's always the same:

Pack ALL the things!! 

Once we're there, I sigh and shake my head.

I wear only my most comfortable clothes and flip flops.

The kids only need a few shovels and pails.

Study for my Pilates training? Please. But, still, I lug the textbooks around.

Wonder if I'll ever learn?

A Gift from the Sea

Every year during our sojourn at Cape Cod, I read the same book: A Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh .

If you've never read it - I highly recommend you take the time - it's very brief.

It's about life and relationships and each year a different passage seems to speak to my soul.

Insert Baywatch theme here.

Happy Tuesday!

We're back!

Oh I have many, many things to say about our little beach vacation, but real life is clamoring all around me this morning.

It is Monday, after all.

So a few photos will have to do - with the hopes that I'll have time for a more thoughtful post later this week.

Happy Monday!

Friday Moment

Friday Moment with Soule Mama again today.

Wee-ooh-wee-ohh

Happy Friday.

Hubs is on vacation for the next 2 weeks so blogging might be a little spotty - fear not, I am alive and well.

A walk in the woods

Around here, we take lots of walks in the woods.

We are blessed with great trails just a stones throw from the house.

We do have to share the woods with the hunters during hunting season - but we haven't gotten shot yet.

Live free or die, man.

First, the men spied a wild animal in the pond. 

Do you see the turtle?

Of course we have to carry protection
the woods can be a dangerous place.

Doin' a little fishin'.

Gasp! Beautiful, no?

Ahhh - wilderness!

Nature

Two nights ago Hubs and I were sitting in the living room watching TV after the kiddos were in bed.

Suddenly, there was a cacophony of bird tweeting in the front yard.

Peep! Peep! Tweet! Chirp!

It seemed like every single bird within a mile radius was really pissed.

This is odd, I thought - as the birds are usually quiet at night.

"Perhaps it's a predator?" says Hiawatha Hubs.

I went to the window to assess the potential threat, and there it was.

Hedwig! 

At first I thought he was a  bunch of dried leaves, until he turned to look at me.

Oblivious to the ruckus he was causing among the wee bird population, this amazing owl just sat there - cool, calm and collected.

He was unperturbed by the flash of my camera - turning his head in that creepy 360 degree owl way to check me out.

It was really freakin' cool.

Jimmy Buffett

I love going to Jimmy Buffett.

I solemnly swear that for every year he comes to my area, I will be there.

I love buying the tickets. Months in advance, the flurry of phone calls and text messages - the plan of attack. Who will be sitting at each computer. Contingency plans.

The jubilation when tickets are obtained. The exorbitant prices lost in the thrill of victory.

Then the slowly building excitement as the big day approaches.

For a month prior to the concert, I listen to nothing but my Buffett collection. (You may recall the videos of the boys signing Buffett in the backseat of the car).

Then, a week or so in advance, the second wave of planning begins.

Who will be bringing what food and beverage. Who will bring the lei's. Who will bring extra toilet paper.

I love driving to the venue.

As we leave NH I scan the highway for cars with shark fins on top. Cars decorated with paint. We wave and are instantly friends.

I love sitting in traffic waiting to be parked at the venue. As you get closer and closer to the stadium - every car has a smiling driver. Every radio blasting Buffett tunes. Even the policemen working traffic duty are friendly.

Once we're parked we descend on our little patch of parking lot like a team of navy seals. Wha-bam! the shade structure is up, the chairs are out, the grill is unloaded.

Oh, that first moment when I sit in my camp chair. You can't understand it unless you've been there.

I make friends with everyone in our row. There is a lovely 60-something couple to my left - he's a superintendent of schools in NH. She's a guidance counselor. They give me child rearing advice.

There's a hilarious group from RI across the way. We instantly bond over water balloons.

I love waiting in line for the port-o-potty. We make friends every time.

The day stretches out and time seems to slow.

I laugh all day.

And then, finally. The show.

When Jimmy takes the stage, I leap out of my seat like a deranged lunatic.

I scream. I dance. I sing at the top of my lungs.

When he plays my favorite song, tears prickle my eyes and I hug my poor husband and serenade him for the whole three minutes.

When it's over we snack in the parking lot and wait for the traffic to thin out. Once we get home I crash immediately in the nearest bed and sleep. Spent.

The next day I am forlorn. How will I ever wait until next year?

Best intentions

I have a wonderful post all about Jimmy Buffett lovingly crafted in my head.

Unfortunately I awoke to poop in the upstairs hallway. So instead of typing, I will be steam cleaning the rug.

Too hot!

Far too hot for pants.

Happy Birthday, Friend

Today is the birthday of a very special friend.

I have been blessed with some very great friends in my life. And this young woman, she's one for sure.

A wise soul in a beautiful package.

She makes me laugh.

She inspires me to follow my dreams and put in the work that will make them a reality.

Her career in fashion design is one that many, many girls dream of, but lack the intelligence, dedication and determination to succeed.

Not this girl. If she told me she was selling clothes to martians, I'd invest.

She's always trendy - but never looks foolish.

She has often had to drag me into this century, and I'm always grateful.

Those of us who get to be in her inner circle, we are lucky, and we know it.

A heart of pure gold.

Combined with enough common sense to keep an entire tribe of morons on the straight and narrow.

You see, my friend lives her life. She has grabbed it by the reins and isn't afraid to steer a course.

She knows what she wants - everything from intelligent 401K status to laughter, love and creativity.

She manages to include it all.

Oh, she's a delight to be around. Inspiring.

Happy Birthday, friend.

May this year bring back to you a fraction of the joy that you so freely release into the world.

Big Boys?

Yesterday I dropped the Wee One off at Summer Camp with his big bro.

Camp is being held at our preschool - so it's a familiar environment for both the boys.

The Wee One was beyond excited when I told him he was going to camp that day.

He stood by the door in his flip flops and swim trunks until it was time to go.

My big, big, little guy.

Fathers

I have a soft spot for fathers.

There's just something about that tough-guy exterior crumbling when confronted with a wee child.

It tugs at the heart strings.

I have lots of really great fathers in my life.

My boys are so lucky.

I wish I had a video of this conversation between the Wee One and my father-in-law yesterday:

Wee One: "Would you wike to pway in da sandbox wif me?"
Father-in-law: "Me?"
Wee One: "Yes! We could make a sandcastoo! Wook!"
Father-in-law: "Okay..."
And down he stooped, to fiddle in the dirt with my Wee son and some tupperware containers.
Now that's love, I do think.

Happy Fathers day, guys.

Friday Moments

Friday Moments with Soule Mama again today.

If you have a moment to share, please leave a comment with a link!

Our moment is a friendship moment.

Have a great weekend!

Uncool

There's not enough coffee on the planet to make this morning acceptable.

I have irritation hangover from the children yesterday, combined with continued irritating behavior this morning.

And by "morning' I mean 5:45am.

Get UP!

I need breakfast! 

Think I'll go pick a fight with my brother! 

It is a cool, rainy morning. Perfect for sleeping.

Unless you're 4.

I feel like I've got nothing left for these two. My irritation and frustration is bone-deep.

Unfortunately, it doesn't matter, now does it?

Yeesh, what a dreary post.

Irish Fest

This past weekend we went to the Irish Music Festival with my sister-in-law and parents.

A good time was had by all.

There was plentiful live music. 

Music critic. 

And what to do while listening to great Irish music?
Cuddle with Irish Nana of course. 

You know there was ice cream. 

Sharing with Grumple. 

Sharing? Have you lost your mind?

And there may have been some dancing. 

A good day, yes indeed.