Monday, September 29, 2008
Sore and Lonely
Michael leaves for New Hampshire this morning and I am basically a single parent for the next 7 days. He flies home Thursday morning and heads out again on Friday for another gay man weekend in Santee. They claim they go to play golf. Honestly, I am not complaining. I travel a ridiculous amount, and I want him to have fun. I just have to get into single mommy mode. I am also just a tad bit frustrated that I will miss my 4:30am runs this week. I ran this morning...and I am crazy sore from my 10K on Saturday. My hamstrings and quads are sore, and my knees ache. I think my knee problem stems from old shoes. I need to replace my running shoes, as I have almost 300 miles on them. I can't replace them until Saturday when I go to Greenville to run the Lauren's Hope 5K. I buy my running shoes from an independent store in Greenville called Run In. Not only does Run In provide incredible customer service, but they also cut the soles of the shoes for greater foot flexibility. I am going to get a sitter a few evenings this week so I can get a few runs in before the 5K, but I will have to take it easy. I do not want to get injured just 'cause I am too hardheaded to skip a few days of pavement-pounding!
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Dam Run 10K
Michael and I ran the Dam Run 10K this morning. This annual event is sponsored by the St. Andrews Rotary Club and is a fundraiser for the club's scholarship program. The race started on the Lexington side of the Lake Murray dam and ended at Saluda Shoals Splash Park. The course was mostly flat to downhill, with a few hills in some subdivisions in Irmo. Approximately 400 people participated in the race. The weather was perfect for running...overcast, cool, with very little wind.
This was my first 10k (6.2 miles) in 2 years. I ran the Bridge Run 2 years ago when I was much heavier and NOT AT ALL conditioned. I ran the Bridge in approx. 1 hour 11 minutes. Today's results show much improvement! I ran the Dam in 53:48. My splits averaged out to 8:40 miles. Not bad! We stuck around for the awards ceremony and I was tickled to hear my name announced as the 2nd place finisher in the 30-34 year old female group! I got a cool patch and the confidence to sign up for my next 10K.
This was my first 10k (6.2 miles) in 2 years. I ran the Bridge Run 2 years ago when I was much heavier and NOT AT ALL conditioned. I ran the Bridge in approx. 1 hour 11 minutes. Today's results show much improvement! I ran the Dam in 53:48. My splits averaged out to 8:40 miles. Not bad! We stuck around for the awards ceremony and I was tickled to hear my name announced as the 2nd place finisher in the 30-34 year old female group! I got a cool patch and the confidence to sign up for my next 10K.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Rest In Peace
Rest in peace, Vera Bradley Tall Zip Tote in Caffee Latte.
Athena ate yet another purse. I have lost count, except that this is the 3rd Vera Bradley handbag that she has destroyed. She tore this one to pieces. I found what was left of it in her puppy bed. She didn't look all that guilty either. At least she has excellent taste in handbags.
Athena ate yet another purse. I have lost count, except that this is the 3rd Vera Bradley handbag that she has destroyed. She tore this one to pieces. I found what was left of it in her puppy bed. She didn't look all that guilty either. At least she has excellent taste in handbags.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Babysitting in Columbia, SC
Anyone have trouble finding sitters? Anyone horde their sitters away to prevent other moms from snatching them? For 6 years I have struggled to find babysitters. I have very dear friends who have agreed to keep my children, our parents will keep the kids when they are not working, and their godmothers have been lifesavers when Michael and I have been in a pinch. Still, I hate monopolizing my loved ones' time and I stress when I have to look for childcare. I still get stress-induced stomach aches when I think about my daycare search when I was pregnant with Jackson.
I am thrilled to announce that we have discovered a wonderful little company called Child Minders, LLC. Child Minders is a Columbia-based babysitting agency owned and operated by a wonderful lady named Louise. Her sitters are independent contractors that she has qualified through interviews, SLED checks, etc. Most of her sitters are college students, but the sitters we have used so far have been single, post-graduate women. Once you become a client of Child Minders, all you have to do is contact Louise with your babysitting needs, and she does all the work to secure you a sitter. Your sitter will contact you to confirm and discuss the assignment. Leave your email address in the Comments if you have any questions and I will be happy to fill you in on rates, policies, etc. We used Child Minders last weekend when we were offered free tickets to the USC/Wofford football game. We are using the company again on Saturday so Michael and I can run a 10k together. Within 24 hours, Child Minders located a sitter ready and willing to come to our house at 6:30am!
I am thrilled to announce that we have discovered a wonderful little company called Child Minders, LLC. Child Minders is a Columbia-based babysitting agency owned and operated by a wonderful lady named Louise. Her sitters are independent contractors that she has qualified through interviews, SLED checks, etc. Most of her sitters are college students, but the sitters we have used so far have been single, post-graduate women. Once you become a client of Child Minders, all you have to do is contact Louise with your babysitting needs, and she does all the work to secure you a sitter. Your sitter will contact you to confirm and discuss the assignment. Leave your email address in the Comments if you have any questions and I will be happy to fill you in on rates, policies, etc. We used Child Minders last weekend when we were offered free tickets to the USC/Wofford football game. We are using the company again on Saturday so Michael and I can run a 10k together. Within 24 hours, Child Minders located a sitter ready and willing to come to our house at 6:30am!
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Autumn Rocks, Asthma Sucks
Did I mention the one thing I really hate about Fall? Ragweed. Actually, I never knew about this common allergen until I birthed an allergy-prone child. I still don't know a lot about the weed, but I know that it is in the air in August, lasts a few months, and wreaks havoc on Alex's respiratory system.
Alex was born 5 1/2 weeks early. He was a 7 pound preemie, and his lungs were not fully developed. When Alex was 6 months old, we realized that he had asthma and was allergic to dairy. Not just lactose intolerant: Alex was allergic to whey and casein. The milk proteins made him wheeze and cough all night. His ashtma did not manifest in a blue-faced attack; rather, he would wheeze and cough. We saw an allergist, removed all dairy from his diet, and waited for his condition to improve. Alex still wheezed from time to time, colds meant a nebulizer treatment every 2 hours, he had dark circles under his eyes, and he was ridiculously crabby for a baby. Not fussy...crabby. A few months later, we gave up on modern medicine and took Alex to a homeopathic doctor in Black Mountain, NC. Alex was diagnosed via a vega machine with allergies to dairy, wheat, citric acid and shellfish. We put our baby on a strict diet of meat and vegetables. The transformation was amazing! We maintained this diet for over 2 years. I eventually found breads, cookies, brownies, etc. made with rice, oat and other strange flours. I discovered Ian's Chicken Nuggets without flour in the breading. I learned how to bake wheat-free bread, goldfish, and pancakes. When Alex was almost 3 years old, we slowly introduced dairy and wheat...and he was cured! I am a big fan of witch doctors!
Unfortunately, Alex still has asthma. We have not used our nebulizer in a few years, and he is not regularly medicated. Still, ragweed season takes me back to those months and months of sleepless nights when my baby coughed and fought to breathe. Last night was one of those nights. He has been having issues for over a month, but last night was rough. I cannot rest when he cannot rest. Singulair and a lot of water seemed to help last night, but we both lost a lot of sleep. His dark circles were back this morning and he was still coughing a good bit. I hate asthma.
Alex was born 5 1/2 weeks early. He was a 7 pound preemie, and his lungs were not fully developed. When Alex was 6 months old, we realized that he had asthma and was allergic to dairy. Not just lactose intolerant: Alex was allergic to whey and casein. The milk proteins made him wheeze and cough all night. His ashtma did not manifest in a blue-faced attack; rather, he would wheeze and cough. We saw an allergist, removed all dairy from his diet, and waited for his condition to improve. Alex still wheezed from time to time, colds meant a nebulizer treatment every 2 hours, he had dark circles under his eyes, and he was ridiculously crabby for a baby. Not fussy...crabby. A few months later, we gave up on modern medicine and took Alex to a homeopathic doctor in Black Mountain, NC. Alex was diagnosed via a vega machine with allergies to dairy, wheat, citric acid and shellfish. We put our baby on a strict diet of meat and vegetables. The transformation was amazing! We maintained this diet for over 2 years. I eventually found breads, cookies, brownies, etc. made with rice, oat and other strange flours. I discovered Ian's Chicken Nuggets without flour in the breading. I learned how to bake wheat-free bread, goldfish, and pancakes. When Alex was almost 3 years old, we slowly introduced dairy and wheat...and he was cured! I am a big fan of witch doctors!
Unfortunately, Alex still has asthma. We have not used our nebulizer in a few years, and he is not regularly medicated. Still, ragweed season takes me back to those months and months of sleepless nights when my baby coughed and fought to breathe. Last night was one of those nights. He has been having issues for over a month, but last night was rough. I cannot rest when he cannot rest. Singulair and a lot of water seemed to help last night, but we both lost a lot of sleep. His dark circles were back this morning and he was still coughing a good bit. I hate asthma.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Autumn Thoughts
Today is the first day of Fall, my favorite season. I love football, changing leaves, cool mornings, Halloween, Thanksgiving, pumpkin spice lattes at Starbucks, sweaters, jeans, snuggling under blankets, opening my windows after months of air conditioning...I love Fall!
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
The Water Smells
Goodbye Wild Dunes...Hello Pottsboro, Texas. Ok, where the Hell is Pottsboro, Texas? It was dark when my plane landed, and I don't really know where I am. Thank God for Garmin! I know I am in the right place, and I am certain I would NEVER EVER have found this place without GPS. BTW--the Tanglewood Resort is so not Wild Dunes. Wow. The roads leading to this little haven of fishing and golf weren't exactly paved, and my room has a stinky, was-once-inhabited-by-a-cigar-smoker smell. And the water really stinks. I thought I was going to yack when I brushed my teeth.
Funny story: When I checked in, the receptionist told me my roommate was already here. OK, I am the only woman here for my company. I freaked, and she was really rude. Wouldn't she be a little freak that a strange dude checked into her room already???? As it turns out, she had already checked in everyone from my company and had the keys waiting, she just forgot. Hmmm.
Funny story: When I checked in, the receptionist told me my roommate was already here. OK, I am the only woman here for my company. I freaked, and she was really rude. Wouldn't she be a little freak that a strange dude checked into her room already???? As it turns out, she had already checked in everyone from my company and had the keys waiting, she just forgot. Hmmm.
Friday, September 12, 2008
ONE FOOT IN FRONT OF THE OTHER
I don't have any brilliant thoughts for the day or any funny stories. In fact, my brain has shut down at a really inconvenient time. Somehow I have to create a powerpoint by the end of the day for an offsite planning meeting next week. I also have to get my desk cleaned off and all emergencies and prospective emergencies taken care of because I will be out of the office all next week. I will be in Charleston for 3 days and Dallas for 1 1/2.
I have a really hard time getting through days like this. Baby steps. One foot in front of the other. I am going to focus on the positives:
1. It is Friday.
2. I already know what I am having for dinner tonight.
3. I ran 5 miles this morning at my best 5-mile-pace yet...9:00 miles.
4. I lost weight this week. I have 6 more pounds to lose to hit my Weight Watchers
goal of 130 lbs.
5. The boys have birthday parties to attend this afternoon and they are so excited!
6. There will be lots of good football this weekend.
7. I can take naps this weekend!
8. I don't have to be in the office next week.
I am sure there are more good things about today. I will keep procrastinating!
I have a really hard time getting through days like this. Baby steps. One foot in front of the other. I am going to focus on the positives:
1. It is Friday.
2. I already know what I am having for dinner tonight.
3. I ran 5 miles this morning at my best 5-mile-pace yet...9:00 miles.
4. I lost weight this week. I have 6 more pounds to lose to hit my Weight Watchers
goal of 130 lbs.
5. The boys have birthday parties to attend this afternoon and they are so excited!
6. There will be lots of good football this weekend.
7. I can take naps this weekend!
8. I don't have to be in the office next week.
I am sure there are more good things about today. I will keep procrastinating!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
On My Starbucks Cup This Morning
"There is a special place in Hell for women who do not help other women."
--Madeleine Albright
--Madeleine Albright
Sunday, September 07, 2008
Ready, Aim, Pee!
After our trip to the zoo with Gwen and Clare, the boys and I went to the grocery store. I bought the boys Kool Aid singles for their water bottles. Remember this. It will be a very important part of this post.
Jackson and Alex both potty trained around age 3. It wasn't particularly fun to potty train either of them, but we had lots of help from their teachers at Kathwood. Of course, peer pressure was instrumental. When their buds were pooping and peeing in the toilet, my boys wanted to be big too.
So, two years without diapers...and they still do stuff like THIS:
This afternoon, I found my newly cleaned bathroom in a gross condition after Jackson took care of business. Pee everywhere! On the floor, on the seat of my toilet, on the lid, even on the wall! I got really angry because JBO is way too old to being doing stuff like this. I called him into the bathroom to make him mop the floor. I asked him what happened...he knows how to AIM!!! His response? He was holding his Kool Aid pack and therefore did not have a free hand to aim. Huh???? I just don't get little boys. We had a very important talk, and hopefully he will put his Kool Aid pack on the bathroom counter next time.
Jackson and Alex both potty trained around age 3. It wasn't particularly fun to potty train either of them, but we had lots of help from their teachers at Kathwood. Of course, peer pressure was instrumental. When their buds were pooping and peeing in the toilet, my boys wanted to be big too.
So, two years without diapers...and they still do stuff like THIS:
This afternoon, I found my newly cleaned bathroom in a gross condition after Jackson took care of business. Pee everywhere! On the floor, on the seat of my toilet, on the lid, even on the wall! I got really angry because JBO is way too old to being doing stuff like this. I called him into the bathroom to make him mop the floor. I asked him what happened...he knows how to AIM!!! His response? He was holding his Kool Aid pack and therefore did not have a free hand to aim. Huh???? I just don't get little boys. We had a very important talk, and hopefully he will put his Kool Aid pack on the bathroom counter next time.
Saturday, September 06, 2008
We Are Not Moving to Lexington!
Michael and I both work in Lexington at the same company, and every few months we are asked if we plan to move to Lexington. NO! We live in Forest Acres, about 25 minutes from our workplace. Our commute is against traffic and actually quite pleasant! The boys are dropped off by 7:30, and I have about half an hour of peaceful driving with my coffee and NPR to get me ready for my day. My drive home helps me relax and get ready to be a mommy.
My routine this morning reminded me of why we love our neighborhood. I slept late and ran 5 miles at 5:15am. I do not have to drive to another neighborhood to find a safe place to run...I just step out my door! I stretched, cooked myself a recovery meal (lots of protein for muscle repair and complex carbs to replenish my glycogen stores) and walked across the street to Starbucks for my tall sugar-free hazelnut soy misto with 1 shot of espresso. That's right folks, this country girl from Andrews, South Carolina, lives across the street from a Starbucks. Oh, and my neighborhood is also across the street from Publix, Steinmart, Books-A-Million and Chico's! I sat on my porch, drank my coffee, and enjoyed the latest copy of Bitch Magazine--all before my men were even rubbing their eyes!
Another reason why we love our neighborhood: NO COVENANT or HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION! We lived in a housing development in Irmo that totally sucked. Your fence had to be approved. You got little notes in your door if you left the rolling basketball goal in your driveway. Our horrible, evil, devil of a neighbor used to call Animal Control any time our dogs barked, yet it was ok for her chow to threaten other people. I hated Irmo, I hated our neighborhood, and I swear Shirley and her crap put me in premature labor with Alex. I was also one of the only working mothers on our cul-de-sac, and a couple of the moms were really snarky about it. I love our neighbors in Jackson Heights. Everyone has barking dogs (ex police dog next door), many of the moms are working professionals, I can have a clothesline in my backyard, we have two basketball goals in our driveway, our neighbors are very cool and diverse, and of course, I am across the street from Starbucks.
My routine this morning reminded me of why we love our neighborhood. I slept late and ran 5 miles at 5:15am. I do not have to drive to another neighborhood to find a safe place to run...I just step out my door! I stretched, cooked myself a recovery meal (lots of protein for muscle repair and complex carbs to replenish my glycogen stores) and walked across the street to Starbucks for my tall sugar-free hazelnut soy misto with 1 shot of espresso. That's right folks, this country girl from Andrews, South Carolina, lives across the street from a Starbucks. Oh, and my neighborhood is also across the street from Publix, Steinmart, Books-A-Million and Chico's! I sat on my porch, drank my coffee, and enjoyed the latest copy of Bitch Magazine--all before my men were even rubbing their eyes!
Another reason why we love our neighborhood: NO COVENANT or HOMEOWNER'S ASSOCIATION! We lived in a housing development in Irmo that totally sucked. Your fence had to be approved. You got little notes in your door if you left the rolling basketball goal in your driveway. Our horrible, evil, devil of a neighbor used to call Animal Control any time our dogs barked, yet it was ok for her chow to threaten other people. I hated Irmo, I hated our neighborhood, and I swear Shirley and her crap put me in premature labor with Alex. I was also one of the only working mothers on our cul-de-sac, and a couple of the moms were really snarky about it. I love our neighbors in Jackson Heights. Everyone has barking dogs (ex police dog next door), many of the moms are working professionals, I can have a clothesline in my backyard, we have two basketball goals in our driveway, our neighbors are very cool and diverse, and of course, I am across the street from Starbucks.
Friday, September 05, 2008
Single Parent Weekend
I am a single parent this weekend. Michael is going to Santee to play golf Saturday and Sunday. He is super excited about it. The boys and I have a playdate Sunday morning, but otherwise we are going to chill. Well, I will chill once I get my house clean. You see, after all my house cleaning last Wednesday and Thursday, the house is a dirty trashy junky disaster. I am so not kidding. Nobody in my household seems to grasp the concept of putting things away, cleaning up after themselves, putting away laundry, picking up their own trash, vacuuming up their own dog hair (probably not a fair gripe...sorry Zeus and Athena), cleaning bathrooms regularly...the list goes on and on. I am not blaming my men: please note that I said nobody in my household gets these concepts. So, while my boys are further trashing their room, watching superhero movies, playing War, or whatever it is they choose to do to relax, I will be cleaning up the disaster that is my little house. This morning I surveyed the damage to come up with a gameplan, but I am so disheartened right now that I just can't make myself do it. My general plan right now is to walk around the house with a large trashbag and throw away everything that is out of place.
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Under the Bus
Corporate America (or I guess Corporate Earth...probably doesn't matter what country) can be a really nasty place. I have become all too familiar over the past few years with the term "under the bus". I spend a lot of time "under the bus". For those innocents among my readers who have never experienced this phenomenon, being "thrown under the bus" is to involuntarily take the fall or blame for whatever has gone wrong with a project, plan, policy, etc. I totally get it: the business world is very competitive, and screw-ups aren't good for career advancement. Why take the blame for a disaster when you can just throw someone who was remotely connected to the event under the bus?
Long story, but I spent most of yesterday under the bus before I was finally vindicated. Long day. However, don't worry about me. Another truth about the corporate world is that there is real meaning to the expression "revenge is a dish better served cold".
Long story, but I spent most of yesterday under the bus before I was finally vindicated. Long day. However, don't worry about me. Another truth about the corporate world is that there is real meaning to the expression "revenge is a dish better served cold".
Monday, September 01, 2008
Labor Day
Stolen from Monica at Daily Dwelling:
How long were your labors?
Jackson: Not sure. I woke up in labor and labored for another 2 1/2 hours. No idea how long I was in labor and sleeping!
Alex: About 12 hours. Good drugs had me sleeping through the middle of it.
How did you know you were in labor?
Jackson: I woke up with back pain and I passed my mucus plug. Lots of contractions from there!
Alex: Back pain again, but I tried to deny I was in labor because he was almost 6 weeks early.
Where did you deliver?
Jackson and Alex: Lexington Medical Center in Lexington, SC
Drugs?
Jackson: Spinal tap mid-contraction on the OR table. What bliss!
Alex: Another spinal tap mid-contraction on the OR table.
C-section?
Jackson: Yes. Breech baby.
Alex: Yes. Another breech baby.
Who delivered?
Jackson: Dr. Estes
Alex: Dr. Thompson
How long were your labors?
Jackson: Not sure. I woke up in labor and labored for another 2 1/2 hours. No idea how long I was in labor and sleeping!
Alex: About 12 hours. Good drugs had me sleeping through the middle of it.
How did you know you were in labor?
Jackson: I woke up with back pain and I passed my mucus plug. Lots of contractions from there!
Alex: Back pain again, but I tried to deny I was in labor because he was almost 6 weeks early.
Where did you deliver?
Jackson and Alex: Lexington Medical Center in Lexington, SC
Drugs?
Jackson: Spinal tap mid-contraction on the OR table. What bliss!
Alex: Another spinal tap mid-contraction on the OR table.
C-section?
Jackson: Yes. Breech baby.
Alex: Yes. Another breech baby.
Who delivered?
Jackson: Dr. Estes
Alex: Dr. Thompson
Labor Day Fitness Challenge
The boys and I participated in the Labor Day Fitness Challenge at Ben Lippen School on the Columbia International University campus. The event featured a 15K, 5K, and kids' Fun Run. Such a well-run event! Everyone was so encouraging, happy, with great water stations, a full breakfast at the finish line and great results from the Owings family!
The boys participated in the kids' events. They ran a mile and won the 3-legged race. Great team work guys! They got blue ribbons for their efforts. Michael and I are so proud of our little athletes!
I ran the 5K, and despite all my nerves, I ran a great race. Check this out:
There were 182 participants in the 5K...I placed 26th overall.
There were 101 women in the 5K...I placed 4th overall!!
I won my age group of 30-34 year old women and I got a cool gym bag for my efforts!
My times: I ran the 5K in 25:57 which comes out to 8:22 splits.
I will definitely participate in this event next year. It was great fun, and I was also impressed with all the parents and volunteers from Ben Lippen. I don't know a lot about the school, but the people were fabulous!
We really have to find a babysitter...Michael really wanted to run. It is hard to be a spectator at these events if you are used to being in the action. He was awesome--watching the boys, taking pictures, cheering me on. Thanks babe!
My boys love each other, and every now and then they show it.
Pre-Race Excitement!
Me in the Pack
Truckin' Along
The Winner's Circle!
The boys participated in the kids' events. They ran a mile and won the 3-legged race. Great team work guys! They got blue ribbons for their efforts. Michael and I are so proud of our little athletes!
I ran the 5K, and despite all my nerves, I ran a great race. Check this out:
There were 182 participants in the 5K...I placed 26th overall.
There were 101 women in the 5K...I placed 4th overall!!
I won my age group of 30-34 year old women and I got a cool gym bag for my efforts!
My times: I ran the 5K in 25:57 which comes out to 8:22 splits.
I will definitely participate in this event next year. It was great fun, and I was also impressed with all the parents and volunteers from Ben Lippen. I don't know a lot about the school, but the people were fabulous!
We really have to find a babysitter...Michael really wanted to run. It is hard to be a spectator at these events if you are used to being in the action. He was awesome--watching the boys, taking pictures, cheering me on. Thanks babe!
My boys love each other, and every now and then they show it.
Pre-Race Excitement!
Me in the Pack
Truckin' Along
The Winner's Circle!
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