Christmas Vacation

I'm back!  Back in FL, back to 70 degree temps, back to reality and regular life...kinda.  I don't technically start back to classes until Monday, but Jerry had to work today, kids went back to school today, and I am doing some catch-up before I resume work as well.

 

So, I figured I'd do the vacation run-down.

 

We had a fabulous time.  We were super busy, but had a lot of fun: Got to visit with lots of friends and family, traveled pretty much the entire state of MN, and had a great Christmas.  Here are a few highlights:

 

Caleb's 1st haircut, done by his Auntie Angie:

 

Caleb and Norah's first intro to snow: Norah liked it, Caleb not so much.  He mainly objected to all of the clothing that was required.

Norah being pulled behind the 4 wheeler: She really dug riding the 4 wheeler too.

 

Norah, Caleb, and I in Bemidji with Paul and Babe:

Norah on Christmas Eve prepping the necessities for Santa:

Caleb, below, on Christmas Day riding his cousin's John Deere: Christmas Day was both magic and madness.  Kids were up at 5:30 am, but were in bed by 6 pm if that gives any indication of how exciting and exhausting the day was.

Jerry and Caleb at Edinborough Park in Edina: Giant indoor play area.  Awesome.

Grandma's Christmas gift for Norah: An American Girl baby.  That store is amazing; Norah almost burst into flames she found it so fascinating.

All of us at the Mall of America: We rode rides (Norah was tall enough for the log flume, and it. was. awesome!), ate lunch, shopped a little...I forgot how massive that place is.

Phew!  Like I said, fun but busy.  Travel was smooth: everyone handled the airports and planes like pros.  But, I'm glad we're home.

 

I also did some running while on vacay, managed to actually run 23 miles the first week we were there -- success!  Then, the 2nd week, I only ran 5 -- epic fail!  Oh well, fresh new year, fresh new start to the running, right?

 

Hope everyone in the blogosphere had a great holiday and happy new year.  Now, it's time to buckle down and return to reality. 

 

Kinda sucks, doesn't it?

MN Running

The Christmas vacation is going well -- lots of travel, lots of fun times so far -- and the running too has been grand.

On Tuesday, when we got here, I hit the road for a 4 miler, Wednesday I did a fun 7 miles, and yesterday, I went for cold and slippery 3 miler.

Today, I rested.

Tomorrow, it's gonna probably be the treadmill, but with temps in the single digits, I'm not gonna complain about that!

Like a Prom Dress

We're off!

Minnesota, here we come!  We're bracing ourselves for the frozen north, and I'm sure it'll be a shock to all our systems, so we spent the weekend -- in between cleaning, laundry, and packing -- soaking up the outdoors and the warmth and sun of South Florida.

As for the running?  Well, I've got my tights!  My goal is simply to fit in what I can; it's gonna be a busy trip, but I'll make some time to run.  I'm sure I'll need it so I don't lose my mind.

I'll probably post a few periodic things to the blog over the next 12 days, but for the most part, expect radio silence.  So, enjoy your own holidays!

Later gators!

Friday Funnies

Norah has had some good ones lately.  Thus, my holiday gift to you:

"Here, Mom," handing me a wrapped gift from under the tree, "open this.  It's coffee."

....

"Oh my gosh!  Guys come in here!  My poop looks like meatballs!"

....

"I want Brady to come over to our house and sleep in my bed"

Me: "But where would you sleep then?"

Norah: "In my bed too!  I'd sleep next to him!"

Me: "I think that will kill your father."

....

In an effort to spread out the gift opening a bit, we decided to let the kids each open a gift last night, and at bedtime, Norah had a case of gift-openers-remorse.

"I should've opened the red one.  I wanna put this back in the box and open the red one."

....

Norah's argument that she should get her turn on the iPad:

"But, Mom, there's new games on there: I can make Mac&Cheese and I can make cupcakes..."

Me: "I know those are fun, but Dad's using it right now."

Norah in the whiniest possible voice: "But, he's not sharing!"

"Just be patient, you'll get your turn and you can mix up Mac&Cheese to your heart's content."

"But, it's MY iPad!"

Me: "No, it's not, it's mine."

....

This morning: "Mom, you gotta wipe Caleb's nose.  He's got a lot of boogers and they're bothering me."

Santa: Take the Sweat Away!

After nearly 2 months of gloriously pleasant "winter" temps, in the last few days, South Florida has greeted the return of icky hot, humid weather.  I realize that for those living in the frozen north, that might sound delightful, but for me, the temperate winter months in SoFL are about the only perk to running in a sub-tropical region.

So, to be greeted by 80+ degree temps and 90+ relative humidity is not welcome this time of year.  Last night when I ran, I returned home as soaked in sweat as I would be in mid-summer.

Not cool, December, not cool.

Of course, I suppose I should try to savor it: Next Tuesday we fly to MN where I'm gonna freeze my tookus off for 10 days (I haven't experienced a smidgen of winter in 4 years -- the last time we were in MN at Christmas time -- and am most certainly de-acclimated to cold and snow).  So, I know I shouldn't be complaining, but I can't help but be kinda looking forward to running in the cold instead of the heat.

I'm gonna regret that sentence, aren't I?

Back to the Gym

At the start of the semester, I had been making treadmill running at the campus gym a regular habit.  I don't love the treadmill, but I was taking advantage of a window of time in my day and, with the timing, the treadmill was the best fit.

Then late September struck and several things happened at once: I got sick (for about 6 weeks), my semester really got underway, and the weather cooled off.  This trio had me out of the gym for more than 2 months.

That's not a bad thing.  I prefer to run outdoors even if it is at night, in the dark.

But, this week, I decided to give the gym one last hurrah! before the end of the semester.  You'd think with finals week this week, I'd be buried in work and wouldn't have the time to squeeze in a run with the treadmill, but while I am buried in work, my schedule for finals is irregular this week, so I have some extra pockets (and even a day -- Thursday, I think I'm planning to stay home) of time that I don't normally have in any given work day.

So, this morning, I arrived on campus, outfitted in my running clothes and totting my gym bag.

It's been so long, it took me 3 tries to get the code for the faculty locker room correct.  And, then at the front desk of the gym, the girl behind the counter exclaimed: "I haven't seen you in forever!"

The good thing about it being finals week is that students are all at home pulling their hair out and mainlining coffee, and they're definitely NOT crowding the gym at 9 am, so I had my pick of treadmills and never got even a single treadmill neighbor while I ran.

I dutifully ran my 3 miles, but lordy, it was tedious -- that never changes.  I pretty much stared at the digital display the entire time counting down the mileage and the minutes until I was done.

Afterwards, I showered (in the locker room where they now have HOT water -- yay!) and got ready, and now, sitting here in my office, I feel that sense of superiority that a runner gets having gotten her run done in the first part of the day.  Really, I think that's the only advantage I can say this morning's run had.

Still, while it's a singular advantage, it's a significant advantage because tonight, at home, when I have that extra time, I will appreciate it.

Now, onto that mountain of papers.  Anyone wanna read those for me?

Foto Friday: Christmas Cards

Getting two kids to look and smile at the camera at the same time is just about as difficult for me as solving a word problem in an Algebra class -- a task I deem impossible and usually just abandon.  But, this year, I lucked out and managed to snap this pic of the two kiddos for our holiday card: A Christmas miracle!

Like finding a four leaf clover, this shot was purely a stroke of good fortune. 

Among the outtakes, there were about 1.2 billion other pics that featured one of them looking, no one looking, someone crying, someone picking his or her nose, Scooter's butt, or Caleb pointing at something using his middle finger.

One of these years, I'm gonna just use "those" pics.  It's more representative of the true nature of this household, which is place where a girl can sneeze masking tape out of her nose at the dinner table or where a boy stands up and pees in the bath tub every. single. time.

Still, I always refrain from using those "bloopers" because I figure the holidays are a time of magic and make-believe, and with such perfectly posed smiling pics, I can kinda trick myself into believing that these two are nothing but sweet, obedient angels.

They sure look that way, don't they?

Running Buddy

Last night, I was getting ready for my run, and Norah declared that she wanted to go with me.  She didn't want to ride in the stroller, she wanted to run.

I said okay, and she got on her running shoes, and off we went!

At first, she was truly into the running:

"Look at me running, Mom!  I'm so fast!  We're super runners!  This is so fun!"

Then, after a bit, she declared she was "super tired" and needed a walk break.  From there on out, we basically ran intervals -- run for about 1or 2 minutes and then walk for a few minutes, then run again.  In total, we went 1.25 miles, and it took us 28:50.

We took some detours so we could view some houses' Christmas decorations and lights, we took some detours so Norah could pick up sticks or so she could inspect a hole in a tree, and we took one detour so she could "walk through the dirt."  And, all along, we chatted.  Norah, like most 3 year olds, basically narrates every single thought that enters her head, so it went a little like this:

"Ariel's not my best friend anymore."
"Natalie is my best friend now.  She has the same shoes as me."
"Brady's also my best friend.  Because I like him.  And he likes me.  He told me."
"Brady said I could come to his house and play."
"I want Brady to come to my birthday party."
"My birthday's in August.  That's really far away.  I'm gonna be...how many am I gonna be?"
"I want a Barbie cake for my birthday."
"I want Barbies for my birthday too."
"I told Santa that I want a Barbie for Christmas."
"Santa's watching so I have to be good so I get presents and candy.  I've been good."
"Brady's been good too."
"Brady has an elf that watches him and tells Santa if he's good or bad.  He's good.  I don't have an elf."

To me, even though I could've run a full 3 miles in that time, the "run" was priceless.  Since I got pregnant with Norah, and ran with her then, I've always hoped that running could be something we share as she grows up, and in my mother-daughter-running-fantasy, I've hoped for runs exactly like this (well, maybe more actual running, but that's a process).

It was kinda hard to put aside my selfish desire to get MY run done, but in all other ways, it was a great run.  Mostly because of the wonderful company.

#1,000 and Jury Duty

So, the last time I blogged, I left you sitting on the edge of your seat about my nearly 1K for the year's mileage, so first let me relieve you of the burden of that anticipation:

I did indeed get my final miles in last Thursday and Friday so that I hit 1,000 by Nov 30th.

Over the weekend, then, I got Dec kicked off with 2 short runs (3 miles and 4.5 miles respectively).  I don't really have much by way of Dec running goals -- the month will be busy (I have less than 2 weeks remaining in the term and then we fly to MN for a 10 day vacation over the holidays), and I don't know how much running will get done.  So my Dec approach is just run what gets run.

In other breaking Jess news, I had to serve on jury duty yesterday.  It was a long day of sitting and waiting, but on the whole, it was actually a kind of pleasant day.  I just sat and read all day.  I never get to do that anymore!  It helped that I am reading a really engrossing book:

I'm actually reading like 3 books right now (hopping around between them depending on my mood), but this one has sucked me in.  I started it Sunday evening, and after yesterday's marathon jury duty reading session, I'm 2/3 through it.  In many ways, the plot is a bit predictable, but it's compelling nonetheless.  Plus, it's very fast-paced and the reading is easy, so I'm speeding through it, which is kind of a nice break from the other two books I'm reading which are a bit denser and more demanding (Book 3 of Game of Thrones and the Lincoln biography Team of Rivals).

Back to the jury duty business: I didn't get selected for a jury, so what sucks is that I'm still obligated to call in every night for the next two weeks, because I may still have to return to serve within that timeframe.  Worst timing ever with the end of the term, but whatever.  I think the likelihood of getting called back within the next two weeks is slim, but we'll see.

990.49

As of right now, that's how many miles I've run this year.

Originally, I'd been hoping to hit the big 1,000 mile marker in early October -- then the SICK happened and my fall mileage really took a nose dive.  Oh well, that happens, right?

Thus, my revised goal: Run the year's 1,000th mile by tomorrow to close out November by hitting a 4 year high in yearly mileage (I haven't even come close to 1,000 miles in a year since I got preggo with Norah).

If everyone goes ahead and does a leeetle math, you'll see that I need 9.51 miles between today and tomorrow to round out this goal; this means running 4.75 miles both today and tomorrow. 

Challenge extended?  Challenge accepted!

Mile #1,000, here I come!

New Gear: Boobies Edition

So, I'm just gonna go ahead and admit the unadmittable: I have been wearing some running bras for about 7 years now.

Dudes probably don't know that's a "bad" thing, but ladies probably know that supposedly, you're supposed to switch out regular bras once every 6 months or so (does anyone truly do this?  I don't know about you, but last I checked, bras aren't cheap, so I know I don't replace bras that frequently), and because running bras are meant for the nitty-gritty of ta-ta support, you're not supposed to wear one for even that long.

Ha!  Really? 

Sports bras are just as expensive, if not more so, than regular bras, so who truly can afford to replace them that often?  And, what do you do with the old ones?  You can not donate bras, no charity accepts them, because, um, who wears someone else's old bras?  Especially running ones that have months or years' worth of sweat saturation?  Yummers.

Anyhoo, as I said above, I have a few running bras, which I'll be honest, are very comfortable, and I've been wearing them for far too long. 

And, unfortunately, boobs change after you have kids.  Sorry, if you don't have kids and you want them and think that your boobs now will be the same afterwards; I'm here to burst that bubble: Kids will ruin your boobs.  During pregnancy, you get totally rad boobs, and then if you breastfeed, the radness continues, but then when you stop nursing?  Nature is like, "No boobs for you!"  And then what you're left with is something that resembles an orange in a tube sock.

In short, my boobs now are not what they were years ago when I first started wearing a few of these old bras, so the truth is, even though those ancient bras are comfortable, they're not really giving me the support I'm supposed to have while running.

Knowing this, and being concerned for the support of my sweater bunnies, Jerry bought me some new sports bras as an anniversary gift (forget Victoria's Secret, I want Nike!).  The past few days I've been able to wear my new gear, and I have to say, they are delightfully comfortable and, wow, HELLO support!

Guess I need to demote a few of the really old bras.

Ladies, what's the longest you've worn a sports bra?  Dudes, aren't you glad you don't have to even think about this?

Thanksgiving Holiday Round-Up

The Thanksgiving 4 Day weekend is always one of my favorite times of year: So many of my favorite things rolled into a 4 day holiday!  Here's the rundown of the 2012 Turkey Day Weekend:

Thursday morning, I got up early for my annual running of the Turkey Trot 5K.  We had lots of friends join us to either run or spectate, so it was a festive way to kick off the day.  We had perfect running weather, and I ran my guts out and scored myself a new 5K PR: 26:35!  Shaved 74 seconds off the old PR!  I was pretty proud of myself. 

Here's me and my cheering section afterward:

After the race, everyone came back to our place for some donuts and coffee to celebrate strong running all around -- I think everyone who ran met or exceeded their race goals -- and then once everyone packed up and left post-race, we put the parade on while we tended to the Turkey Day dishes that we needed to prep.  Then, in the early afternoon, we headed over to our host's house for the afternoon/evening festivities.

We had a wonderful day over there.  The kids played, the adults drank and snacked, and then we all stuffed our faces with an overwhelmingly awesome dinner.

Here's Caleb and his buddy Mason "driving" the Jeep:

Here's Norah taking a little break from running around (she and the older kids spent several hours literally running in circles):

And, here are the kids (minus Caleb) at the kids' table during dinner.  There wasn't much eating going on there, but they had fun dining together:

When we got home Thursday night, we had two very tired munchkins (and we were pretty spent ourselves), and let's just say it was an easy bedtime! 

On Friday, we drove to Miami to meet up with Jerry's sister and her family, who had flown in to depart for a cruise, so we spent the afternoon and evening at their hotel in Miami, and again, the kids wore themselves out, this time playing with their cousins.

Sunday was our 7th wedding anniversary, so Saturday night, we had a sitter and Jerry and I went out to celebrate -- by going Christmas shopping!  Kinda lame for an anniversary, but it was awesome to shop without the kids, for the kids, and simply taking our time walking around Target is pretty much heaven to us.  We still took the time to have a nice dinner together, but it felt good to get 90% of our shopping done too.

Today, then, we all had the groggy-eyed adjustment of returning to work and school and the shock of being back on a schedule this morning was a rude awakening, but at least I only have 3 weeks left of the term, and then it's Christmas Vacation!  I think I can survive until then.

That's What She Said

Last night, I was cleaning up the kitchen after dinner and I overheard the following conversation between Norah and Jerry in the living room:

Norah: "Caleb is getting bigger and bigger.  Soon, he'll be big like me and he'll wear underwear!"

Jerry:  "Yeah, soon he'll get big and wear underwear, but that's still pretty far away.  He's still a bit of a baby and he'll probably wear diapers for awhile longer."

Norah: "Yeah, but soon he'll get big and wear underwear!"

Jerry:  "Yes, it'll happen soon.  But, you know what?  That's actually gonna make me kinda sad."

Norah: "Why?"

Jerry:  "Because when he's big and wears underwear, it'll mean there's no more babies in this house and I'll miss having you guys as babies."

Norah thought on this for a moment and then responded: "Maybe someone can let us borrow their baby."

Turkey Trot: Race Preview

On Thursday, I'll run my 8th consecutive Turkey Trot 5K (viva la streak!), typically the only 5K I run each year, and always my favorite race of the year -- mostly because it starts and ends across the street from my house, and who doesn't love that kind of racing convenience? 

For my initial few years with the race, I used this race as my "A" shot at annual 5K PRs; interestingly, it has never provided me with a 5K PR.  Then, for a few other years (the past 4 years), I ran it just to run it: I was either pregnant or just getting back to running post-baby and I had no expectations for time.

This year, however, may be a different story.

Since recovering from my string of autumn illnesses, I have been logging some of the fastest runs that I've logged all year.  Last night, I ran a 3 miler in 27:06 (which was actually a slight disappointment since I'd been on target to run a sub-27 min/3 miler but had to stop and wait to cross an intersection, and I lost a few seconds off the run).

Thus, I think I may be poised to try and chase down my 5K PR (currently at 27:49) on Thursday.

Although just saying that feels like a jinx.  Still, jinx or no, the conditions are ripe for a potential PR:

• The weather is forecast to be PERFECT: 58-60 degrees at the race start.  To me, that is THE best running temp.
• Always in my favor with this race is my knowledge and familiarity of the course.
• My recent speed has boosted my confidence that I still have the ability to run fast.
• Knowing I have a cheering section at the finish line is a good incentive; I love having Jerry and the kids there to cheer me on.

Still, despite the conditions in my favor, a Trot PR has always eluded me in the past (maybe I psych myself out because I feel I ought to be able to ace this race), and a conservative part of me doesn't want to over-extend my hopes.

I'm trying to quiet that doubter in me, though, and I think after 4 years of running this race "just to run," I'm ready to run a race where I try to leave it all on the course.

And, afterward, I'm gonna eat my weight in turkey.

Running: A Necessary Friend

For the past week, I've been wrestling with a personal conflict that has had me emotionally and mentally wraught. 

I don't mean to "vague blog," but I cannot openly discuss the particulars of this because the public blogosphere is not the place, but don't worry, everything is fine in my immediate family: Jerry's cool, kids are cool, Scooter's a fat turd, but he's cool too.

Anyhoo, I have been churning a lot of things over in my mind, many of which I thought that I had already "gotten over" -- either through time, maturity, or by running it all out -- but, it turns out that the intensity of my reaction to this recent conflict has revealed some distasteful aspects of myself and my feelings about issues that I thought I had long ago leg wrestled and won.  I've thus realized this past week that I have some work to do for myself and that, perhaps, some mental and emotional hurdles require lifelong attention.

Running, then, has been a valuable companion this past week.  Despite my emotional baggage, my runs have been a way to "lighten" my load.  It has been an outlet for anger that I didn't know was broiling just beneath my surface, and the result has produced has some very satisfying runs: Mentally, but also physically, and I've run some of the fastest runs that I've logged all year.  And, man, have they felt good. 

Thanks, running.

Certainly, running can't replace the valuable talks and insights I've gained through my supportive spouse, my brother, and a few close friends, but it has been a great means to converse with myself.  Running alone doesn't solve everything, but it sure does help.

Grateful for the Great Ham and Cheese

Norah doesn't quite grasp emotions yet.  Or, really, she doesn't quite grasp the complex expression of emotions or emotional language.  For instance, in response to a question like, "Why are you crying?"  She often says, "Because I am."

Recently, at school, their focus for a week was on emotions, so they were learning about happy, sad, angry, frustrated, scared, etc.  Still, even after the week's study, Norah pretty much limits her emotional range to "That makes me happy!"  and "That doesn't make me happy!"

Yesterday, then, I was trying to talk to her some about Thanksgiving and what it means to be thankful.  Granted, "thankful" is a toughie in terms of emotional range, and I used a lot of big words (grateful, appreciate), but I also did my best to frame it in her "what makes you happy" way of understanding the world.  So, I was explaining the kinds of people and comforts that she has in her life that she should be thankful for; then I posed the question to her: "So, sweetie, what are you thankful for?"

"Sandwiches," she told me.

"Sandwiches?" I asked.  The choice confused me.  "Candy" I could've seen coming, but sandwiches?

"Yeah, sandwiches make me happy."

Okey-dokey.  Sandwiches, people, Norah is thankful for sandwiches.

Two Times the Charm

Today, I had the day off work, but my brain was "occupado" with an issue that was gnawing at me.  So, I figured I'd start the day with a run both in an attempt to get the run done and to allow my mind the opportunity to contemplate.

Unfortunately, the run was no fun from the start: I hadn't eaten any breakfast and my tumbly was a rumbly, and then despite the fact that running usually allows me the opportunity to let my mind wander, I just couldn't focus.  A half mile into it, I knew that this run wasn't happening.  I threw in the towel and walked home; my brain no better for the lack of a completed run.

I spent the day organizing dressers, closets, and shelves -- cleaning out old clothes and toys and sorting what should be kept, re-organized, donated, and thrown.  After organizing, I got to cleaning -- the deep kind of cleaning I only get to do about once every few months.

The combination of organizing and cleaning felt good: cleansing, refreshing.  This helped ease my mind of the issue that was nagging me, but as my chores drew to a close, I still knew that I could benefit from finishing the run I'd started earlier in the day.  Originally, I'd planned to reward my housework with a mani/pedi, but I decided that my feet would be put to better use by pounding the pavement.

So, I laced up and headed out for the day's second attempt at getting a run done.  This time, I also chose to take along my Shuffle for some tunes, and I had a great run: 3 "fast" miles (a 9:30 pace, for me, that's smokin').  When I finished the run, I felt much better: My problem wasn't gone in those 30 minutes, but the run allowed me to see that the issue wasn't as dramatic as I'd made it out to be; plus, I just felt more mentally sound.  I was still unsettled, but I could put the issue into better perspective.

This is why I run. 

It provides me with the necessary mental and emotional release I need, and when I have something tugging at me, bothering me, my first instinct is to "run on it."  My friend Wendy said once that we're "all running away from something," and that has always been a sentence that has lingered with me for contemplation.  Do I run away from issues instead of face them?  Maybe.  But, after literally thinking on her statement for years, I have come to the conclusion that running is my way of facing what troubles me; it helps me determine how to solve problems or how to allow to "lay down" some problems.  And, I figure, there are worse ways of dealing with such issues.

What do you think?  Are we all running away from something?  Or, running toward something? 

Is it just two sides of the same coin?

Wishlists

I mentioned one running item I'd like to add to my Christmas wishlist yesterday, but that's honestly the first time this season that I've given any thought to what I'd like.  Up until yesterday, I've been focused on the kids' lists, mainly because every day, Norah talks about her list for Santa: "...and, I want an Ariel cup, and an Ariel plate, Tinker Bell wings, pixie dust, a Belle dress, glass slippers, Cinderella gloves, and Barbie..."

See any themes there?

The past two evenings, she has been absorbed in paging through a Target toy flyer we got in the mail.  We told her to circle the items she'd like to add to her wishlist.

She has basically circled every toy in that booklet.

She's also been kind enough to consider not just herself, but Caleb, and what he'd like from Santa.  So, in the Target flyer she thoughtfully circled toys she thinks he'll enjoy: Thomas the Train sets, Hot Wheel cars, Tonka trucks, etc.

This morning, then, on our way to school, she had the following conversation, basically with herself:

Norah:  "Caleb wants some Jake and the Neverland Pirates toys from Santa."

Me:  "Okay, well, he'll have to put that on his wishlist."

Thoughtful pause.  Norah: "Caleb doesn't have the words to say 'I want Jake and the Neverland Pirates.'"

Another pause, then: "I can tell Santa for him.  I can tell Santa: 'Caleb wants Jake and the Neverland Pirates.'  Yeah, I'll do that."

Problem solved.  It was a very cute moment.

This holiday season (which has technically not even begun yet) brings me back to my own childhood when I spent hours pouring over the Sears and JCPenney toy catalogs circling items for my wishlist.  Did you do that too?  Did Santa deliver on all those goods for you? 

Winter Running

This morning, I had two running outfits in hand: In one hand I had a short sleeved shirt and shorts; in the other, I had a long sleeved shirt and capris.  It was 50 degrees out and a tough call.

In the end, I went with the short sleeves and shorts, and I was grateful I hadn't chosen the warmer ensemble.  I know that despite the fact that at 50 degrees I feel cold at the start of the run, a little ways in, I'm always nice and toasty.

When we have temps this cool (I know, that clause just made many of you hate me), I do wish I had arm warmers.  I think they'd be a nice way to compromise the two above choices.  Maybe I should put them on my Santa wishlist.

Anyhoo, I'm truly loving the weeks we have now had of lovely temperate running weather.  The other night when I was running, I was honestly thinking to myself: "This is SO great!  I love this!"

I just wish I had winter's temps with summer's long days because the one compromise with winter is the lack of daylight.

By 5:30 pm, it's dark here, and for me this makes it hard to get out and run, for several reasons:

• I'm not inclined to leave the house once it gets dark.  This self-imposed isolation seems to be increasing with age.  I know that 10 years ago, I went places after dark.  Now, I'm like, "What?!  We can't leave the house!  Look, it's dark outside!"  Thus, it's hard to get up the mojo for an evening run.
• The darkness at 6 pm is not darker than at 6 am, but it feels more insidious.  Like, I'm definitely toying with being murdered if I'm out running at 6 pm. 
• Even though I run well-lit, residential streets, there are pockets of shadowy darkness, and it seems very possible that I will trip over a lip in the sidewalk and break an ankle.
• I've seen two raccoons the past few evenings when I've run after dinner.  I fear rabies.
• Vampires.  'Nuff said.

In the past, I ran the darkened streets with less hesitation, I think (or maybe I always have this initial adjustment and then totally get over myself), but this year, I think I'm gonna fill my Amazon cart with enough reflective gear and headlamps so as to be seen from the moon.  I might also buy a little canister of mace.

Careful, raccoons, careful.

The Season of Sick and Voting

They say that things happen in 3s.  In my case, this fall has been marked by 3 distinct illnesses for me: Mystery fever, flu, and now ear infection.

The current ear infection is the byproduct of a cold I picked up from the kids over the weekend.  At first, the cold seemed pretty harmless -- runny nose, that was about it -- but then Sunday night my right ear began to ache, and by the end of work yesterday, it felt like the entire right side of my head was throbbing.  I've never had an ear infection before, that I can recall, but I knew it was either that or aliens had laid eggs in my ear canal and the pain was millions of tiny alien hatchlings making my jaw their new home.

A quick visit to an urgent care confirmed that it was the former -- phew!  That just meant anitbiotics, not full out alien-attack.  I started the anitbiotics last night, and the prescription strength Motrin was a life saver.  Hopefully in a day or two, the infection subsides, and I can hear again.  It's shame not to be able to listen to all of Norah and Caleb's whining.

In other timely news, I voted this morning.  The wait wasn't bad, even though Jerry and I had the kids with us, the line moved steadily and the kids were actually super good for having to stand in a line that didn't end with a Disney character or a ride.

I may be the last person in America who enjoys politics and isn't cynical about it.  I genuinely believe that our government has the power and ability to improve the everyday life of its citizens.  Elections typically get swept up in the "big" controversial issues of government, but for me, it's about the daily contributions and effects that government has made and does make on my life, and I appreciate everything in my life that has been a product of government support:

• the public schools I attended growing up,
• the state university I attended for both undergraduate and graduate school,
• the federal loans that allowed me to pay for graduate school,
• the public college that employs me,
• the National Parks I've enjoyed vacationing in,
• the public parks I played in as a child,
• the public parks I take my kids to on a regular basis,
• the roads I drive on,
• the bridges I drive over,
• the ports and airports that have been departure points and destinations for me,
• the federal regulations that have allowed us to re-finance our home,
• the laws that allow me to drink my tap water without fear or hesitation,
• the protection and safety provided by police, fire department, and military,
• the mail delivered to my home 6 days a week, and
• the equal opportunities and rights afforded to me by being an American citizen

I may be an idealist when it comes to government and politics, but when I look at what a lucky life I live here in America, I know that much of that is owed to the grandeur of idealism.  Cynicism didn't prompt this country to forge a new nation; idealism did.

So, when I vote, I always feel good.  Even if my candidates don't win, I know that I am a fortunate person, born, and living, in a fortunate country.