An Injury, A Race and a Good Samaritan

I've had a bit to blog about, but due to an unfortunate incident, I've been reluctant to write. That incident is called trampoline dodge ball. You see, I've been reluctant to right because I jammed (maybe fractured) my right pinkie finger. So, since last Saturday night I have had my pinkie finger splinted to my right finger ... in essence giving me only three functioning fingers on my right hand. Yes, I'm right-handed. Yes, this sucks.

Now, I might actually gain some cool street cred when I tell people the injury is a result of trampoline dodge ball (because I am sure my appearance does not lead one to believe I would engage in such sport) but let's be real. It's due to m klutzy non-athleticism that my finger swelled to twice its size and my knuckles were black and blue. It's now Thursday and the swelling is down, the bruising is almost all gone ... but the pain still occurs more than I'd like it to. It's put a damper on me returning to hot yoga. I can't do that until the hand is healed. Boo.

I did run though. On Sunday. In crazy heat. D and I did the Milk Run at the Minnesota State Fair. At 7:45 it was already above 80 degrees. The course was a hilly beast. It made me feel better that D told me he thought it was a rough course. However, I shaved 6 seconds off my time! Now, that might not seem like much, but the course was tough and it was hot and I walked a bit. So knowing that I still shaved time ... well ... that's pretty awesome in my book.

There are definitely good Samaritans out there. This morning on my way to work, I was at an intersection, and the man in the car next to me was frantically trying to get my attention. He informed me that my taillights were out, but my brake lights were working. So, when I got home I had D investigate it. There was quite a bit of trying to explain taillights versus brake lights, because D kept telling me the lights were working (but the taillights weren't). After some google research and an initial trip to the auto shop, we discovered when D replaced my brake lights back in May ... he got the wrong kind of bulb. He had replaced them with single filaments but the car needed double filaments. This means I have been driving without taillights SINCE MAY! I cannot believe no one has said anything to me sooner. So, I am truly grateful to the man this morning ... because we all know how much I enjoyed getting pulled over back in May.

Finally, this week K and I went to his open house to meet his new teacher. He was quite nervous about second grade because his best friend has a different teacher. However, once the teacher walked him around the room to show him the other names of the kids in the class ... all was right in the world. He was so relieved to recognize many names. The teacher gave us homework already, but I appreciated the assignment. We are to write her a letter about our child. Of course, I'm an overachiever, so she'll probably get more than she bargained for with my letter, but oh well. D said it was a pretty impressive letter, so I hope she likes it, too.

Well, I've typed for about as much as my hand can take. Hard to believe summer is coming to an end. Now ... where is my Tylenol?

The End of Summer

If you've read my blog in the past, you know that one annual event I particularly look forward to is the Minnesota State Fair.

First of all, if you are even the slighted bit into people watching ... there is rarely an event that brings such a diverse array of people into one place. And it's hot and sunny, so you also know that you're going to see how the overdose of vitamin D affects said people. Kids will forgo naps, get amped up on unhealthy food, and drive their parents crazy ... yeah, it's that kind of good quality fun.

This year ... we are going to the fair twice. We went the first day, aka Thrifty Thursday. The one good thing about this day is that the entrance tickets are cheaper and so are tickets to things like the Midway. It's one of the designated Senior Days, so you have to be a little more patient for those fair goers who might be a little slower.

Everyone has their own way of doing the fair. And one thing I've learned about being married is that when you have to merge two types of fair goers ... well, it can be tricky. It's actually not so bad when it's just D, me and the boys. It's when we add our extended family that it gets a little hairy.

So, on Thursday we went with D's family. We spent a long day at the fair ... perhaps the longest we've ever spent. And I think we saw the least I've ever seen at the fair. Whereas I grew up as a go and see every building and walk through the exhibits and absorb all that is the fair. D's family was more of a hit a specific building or two, eat specific food and hang out at the Midway. (Almost the opposite of my family!) So, when we merge, it can be a bit of an interesting blend.

Therefore, I'm actually glad that we are going again, because I think even D felt like we missed out on Thursday. I think I've gotten him used to actually walking through the buildings and exhibits. I will say D did make sure we stopped at the Horticulture building on Thursday, since he knows it is my favorite building. Of course, we are starting our Sunday at the fair by running their Milk Run 5k. Now, I am not sure how thrilled I will be being at the fair in sweaty clothes, so I'll be bringing a change of attire. And hopefully, I will be able to find some place somewhat convenient to change.

My mom has graciously agreed to go to the fair with us to watch the boys (our original plan for the boys fell through, and is too complicated to even begin to go into at this point.) So, I'm grateful that she's agreed to watch them, but we'll be doing things a little different on Sunday, having learned our lesson on Thursday for certain smaller fair goers in our family.

But, back to the original point. The other reason I really love the State Fair is because it signifies the end of summer. Now, I enjoy summer as much as I can ... but I love autumn. And if it comes a little early and stays a little later ... than that is okay by me. Orchards, sweaters, pumpkin treats galore ... I mean, Caribou already has their pumpkin treats out ... I can't wait for the crisp air to begin to arrive!

It's a Sweaty World

Today I embarked on a new challenge. I did yoga outside of the comfort of my living room. As in, I took a yoga class. But, you know, you gotta add a twist, so I didn't just take any yoga class. I took a sweat yoga class. As in the room is so hot you have to remind yourself to breath and be okay that you are just dripping, dripping, dripping.

A colleague of mine sent me a link to a sweet groupon for the studio. As I've often pondered trying out a class, for the cost of three classes, I actually got 20. I wasn't sure what to expect. I read the website diligently on what to bring besides a yoga mat. A regular towel, a hand towel and a bottle of water. Post-class, I will tell you all three are really necessary.

I like sweating. It's one of those rewarding things after running that make me feel like it was worth it. I sweat pretty easily, so I think it's my body's way of reinforcing the small effort in a way to build to bigger efforts. The class was nice and quiet, so you could concentrate on your practice. The instructor was good, and guided you through. The hour went by pretty quickly. There was only one pose I really couldn't do even at the beginner level. (Very tight hamstrings or super inflexibility, I guess.)

It was fun to sweat. To be in a class with others, no judging, no competition, just knowing you'll working toward a common goal. I needed to feel like I accomplished something today, because yesterday's run was terrible. Not sure what was up, but I just couldn't get into a groove. Slightly concerning since I have a race in a week. But mentally, I'll spend the rest of the week preparing, we'll see what happens.

Namaste.

School Supplies

Today we tackled the school supply list. 

As did many others. 

Next year, I need to remind myself to tackle the list earlier. 

You see ... K needed a yellow folder ... we got the last yellow folder they had. He also needed three wide-ruled notebooks. We got the only three we could find ... unfortunately for him they all are blue. Not that that is bad, but the kid likes variety ... sort of. For all his other school supplies, he intentionally chose green or black. Green binder, green folder, green post-its. 

Now, we're on the search for a super slick lunch bag and some cool new duds. 

It's hard to believe school will be here in just a couple weeks. My baby is entering the second grade. He's an elementary school pro. He admits he's a little nervous, and says he's a little shy and that's why he's nervous. He's a lot like me there. Not the one to put themselves out there at first, but as soon as he gets comfortable ... he owns the crowd. I'm nervous and excited for him, too. 

This is also the year that his school has to prove itself. Last year we started peripherally looking at new schools for K. But if we don't see dramatic improvement and more engagement from the school, we'll be taking advantage of the state's open enrollment policy to the hilt. We didn't get in the charter school we applied for, but there are a few other options that definitely are more appealing lately. Oh, did I mention that there's just a couple weeks left and his school hasn't sent the teacher assignments. 

There's a PTO meeting next week, and I can't wait to go and find out the average time teacher assignments are sent out. I gave the principal a pass last year, since it was his first year. He's not new anymore. I expect better, I expect performance. I expect teachers who are as passionate about my child's success as I am. Yes, I will be that parent. If you show me your dedicated, I will be your best friend. I will volunteer when you need it, and will help you out ... but if I get half-assed dedication ... I'll be that parent. It's a partnership, but last year I had to deal with K's reading teacher who was clearly a half-asser. Not again. 

Okay ... that was a bit of venting. But when you're raising a genius ... you expect the best. 

Energy Monsters

As the mother of two boys, glimpses of their energy make you realizing just exactly how easy a situation like Lord of the Flies could happen. Boys have pure, solid, animal energy.

On Thursday, I took the boys with me to the Stroll for Epilepsy. We participated as part of a team for a friend of mine whose son has Infantile Spasms. She's truly one of the strongest mothers I know. So, the boys and I donned our team shirts and were set to show our spirit. My boss and another colleague (a former boss, no less) and I were there. Another fomer co-worker was also there, and she brought her girls, in a double-stroller. Alas, not I. I had my two little men and they were going to walk the two miles with me.

Good gried, did they have energy. And did they want to show it off. For the most part, they were good. There was only one time where O took off like lightening, K chased him and I had to pursue them ... only to trip, slam down the hill and get a monstrous bruise on my knee (and create a small hole in my favorite summer hoodie.)

My boss, the mother of two girls, made a comment about how much energy boys have and that she was grateful she had girls. Yes, boys are a lot of energy. But, I would never be a good mom of girls ...   so I won't complain. I treated them to fro-yo after the walk and they calmed down just a little bit.

I enjoy my little energy monsters ... and I hope they always have this much energy ... because I get to be the luckiest momma in the world to have energy monsters like them!

Real Dirty

In my quest to enjoy running, my sister convinced me to do a Mud Run, too. So, this morning, I got up bright and early to conquer the Dirty Girl Mud Run. 13 obstacles (at least that's what they said at the start of the race ... I didn't count them) spread over a 5K trail. And when I say trail ... I mean trail - it was quite rough terrain between the obstacles ... so definitely ideal for trail runners.

My sister and some girlfriends did it together last year and had a great time. So she told me I really needed to sign up for it this year. I wasn't quite sure how I felt about this. I mean ... there are obstacles. I have to climb up rope ladders and crawl under a tarp in the mud. I am so uncoordinated and while I've finally embraced running ... I still have an inner tube for a waist ... so how's this going to work?

I decided, what the hell, let's just do it. So that's why I found myself up extra early this morning to greet the team. Unfortunately, my sister, who got us all together, came down with a pretty bad virus and had to skip out. I feel really bad, because she's the one who actually made up our team shirts. But at least I was able to pick up her t-shirt and number at registration.

And then we were off. The first obstacle was climbing this bouncing pyramid. Going down it (or I should say bouncing down it actually kind of hurt. No mud on that one, just a good introduction to exerting ourselves in a new way. The second obstacle allowed us to get muddy. Here's a pic of us after the first two obstacles. (Please take special note of D's uncanny ability to make sure that he takes a photo of me with a ridiculous facial expression.)

There were some obstacles that were definitely more difficult than others ... but overall, it was just difficult enough to make you feel like you accomplished something. And you bond when you're working with others to do crazy tasks, right? Yes, it was good fun ... and a nice change of pace to my normal 5K feat. Now, I've got just a few weeks before my next one so it's time to focus on pace and endurance so that I can catch up to D!