Jackson Blake Owings, March 23, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Saturday, March 21, 2009
A Runner is Down!
I ran 8 miles this morning. I would love to say it was a pleasant and uneventful run, but unfortunately I face-planted about 2.5 miles into my run. It was at 6am and very dark. I had my trusty-yet-dorky headlamp, but somehow I managed to eat pavement. I don't even know what made me fall. I was running...and then suddenly the pavement seemed to rise above me. I landed on my knees, the heels of my hands, and almost my chin. My first reaction was to look around to see who or what tripped me up. The pavement was mostly flat and there were no monsters or criminals around to tackle me. All I can figure is I just tripped up on my toe. Anyway, I laughed and sent up a little prayer of thanks that I didn't injure my tendons, bones and muscles in my knees and ankles. Then I looked down at the knees of my very expensive Under Armour tights, and I sent out a string of F*bombs. Under Armour has a formidable opponent in asphalt.
So, what's a girl to do? Well, be grateful that nobody saw my super-sexy dive and run another 5.5 miles. Check out the damage:
My bloody knees:
My ruined tights:
Michael and the boys were really impressed. I am a hardcore athlete now with the wounds to prove it!
So, what's a girl to do? Well, be grateful that nobody saw my super-sexy dive and run another 5.5 miles. Check out the damage:
My bloody knees:
My ruined tights:
Michael and the boys were really impressed. I am a hardcore athlete now with the wounds to prove it!
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
And Then There Were Two
I am officially off all prescription meds. It took me 2 years and almost 40 pounds to reach this point. The last drug to go, you ask? Birth control pills.
No, Michael and I are NOT trying to have a third O! Back in October, Michael gave me a wonderful gift: he had a vasectomy.
I am the oldest of 5 children, and I always thought I would have a big family. In fact, Jackson was such a dream baby that we both thought we would have 3 or 4 kids.
Alex rocked our world. I had a terrible pregnancy: couldn't sit down (ladies--you get me), I was nauseated from 8 weeks on, and he was almost 6 weeks early. Alex did not want to breathe or eat on his own for almost 3 weeks, and he developed severe dairy, wheat, and citric acid allergies. Nebulizers, terbutaline, steroids, HEPA filters, dairy-free/wheat-free foods, and doctors appointments ruled the first few years of the child's life. Alex still has asthma and allergy issues, but we have come a long way in the past few years. Too be perfectly honest, Michael and I are scared to have a third child. We now have two healthy boys, and this might not be the most clever explanation...but we don't want to tempt fate.
Tempting fate aside, we also think it is irresponsible to have more kids. We both work and I travel all the time. Plus, kids are expensive! Two kids are manageable: we don't need a minivan or other large vehicle, they can share a room, and we can afford to take our small family out to dinner, on trips, to movies, etc. After this May, we are done with preschool tuition. I gave away all of our baby stuff. I cannot imagine going through another pregnancy, a 3rd c-section, and an infant.
A few weeks after Michael's vasectomy, a friend of a friend had a beautiful baby and I read all about it on her blog. Was I weepy, depressed, or even a tiny bit sad that stage of my life was at an end? Nope. I was happy for her, but so incredibly relieved that it wasn't me getting up at all hours of the night. I passed the test, and Michael and I are really excited about our future as parents of two super-cool dudes.
No, Michael and I are NOT trying to have a third O! Back in October, Michael gave me a wonderful gift: he had a vasectomy.
I am the oldest of 5 children, and I always thought I would have a big family. In fact, Jackson was such a dream baby that we both thought we would have 3 or 4 kids.
Alex rocked our world. I had a terrible pregnancy: couldn't sit down (ladies--you get me), I was nauseated from 8 weeks on, and he was almost 6 weeks early. Alex did not want to breathe or eat on his own for almost 3 weeks, and he developed severe dairy, wheat, and citric acid allergies. Nebulizers, terbutaline, steroids, HEPA filters, dairy-free/wheat-free foods, and doctors appointments ruled the first few years of the child's life. Alex still has asthma and allergy issues, but we have come a long way in the past few years. Too be perfectly honest, Michael and I are scared to have a third child. We now have two healthy boys, and this might not be the most clever explanation...but we don't want to tempt fate.
Tempting fate aside, we also think it is irresponsible to have more kids. We both work and I travel all the time. Plus, kids are expensive! Two kids are manageable: we don't need a minivan or other large vehicle, they can share a room, and we can afford to take our small family out to dinner, on trips, to movies, etc. After this May, we are done with preschool tuition. I gave away all of our baby stuff. I cannot imagine going through another pregnancy, a 3rd c-section, and an infant.
A few weeks after Michael's vasectomy, a friend of a friend had a beautiful baby and I read all about it on her blog. Was I weepy, depressed, or even a tiny bit sad that stage of my life was at an end? Nope. I was happy for her, but so incredibly relieved that it wasn't me getting up at all hours of the night. I passed the test, and Michael and I are really excited about our future as parents of two super-cool dudes.
Monday, March 16, 2009
Goings On This Weekend
I am so glad to be home! I spent many miserable hours in the Little Rock airport on Thursday. Apparently something as small as a broken windshield wiper can cancel (not delay) a flight and send 80+ people scrambling to find another way out of Little Rock. My assistant worked some magic and got me the last seat on a flight at 6pm. Lets just say that I sat in the airport from 8am to 6pm. And it sucked.
Michael and I had a date night Friday night. Dinner and a movie: Arizona Steakhouse and The Watchmen. Dinner was wonderful...the movie sucked. Our babysitter had a horrible night. She let Zeus and Athena in the house. Big mistake. Athena shredded the trash, chewed up her purse, ate her medicine and lipstick, and Zeus bit her hand. I will be lucky if this nice lady ever sets foot in my house again.
Rainy weekends and outdoorsy little boys do not mix, but we had fun anyway. I ran 7 miles Saturday morning at 5am, and then we took the boys to Leapin Lizards for a few hours of jump castle fun. They spent the rest of the afternoon watching movies and doing art projects. We took them to Cracker Barrel and Edventure on Sunday. We really need sunny weather next weekend because our indoor entertainment is getting expensive!
Michael and I had a date night Friday night. Dinner and a movie: Arizona Steakhouse and The Watchmen. Dinner was wonderful...the movie sucked. Our babysitter had a horrible night. She let Zeus and Athena in the house. Big mistake. Athena shredded the trash, chewed up her purse, ate her medicine and lipstick, and Zeus bit her hand. I will be lucky if this nice lady ever sets foot in my house again.
Rainy weekends and outdoorsy little boys do not mix, but we had fun anyway. I ran 7 miles Saturday morning at 5am, and then we took the boys to Leapin Lizards for a few hours of jump castle fun. They spent the rest of the afternoon watching movies and doing art projects. We took them to Cracker Barrel and Edventure on Sunday. We really need sunny weather next weekend because our indoor entertainment is getting expensive!
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Home
Defense verdict! Hooray, the trial is over, we won, and I get to go home a day early. I am so excited!
Today was a really hard day for me. This was my first trial as a client...not the trial lawyer. For those of you who didn't know me during my days as a public defender, I love love love trial. I love making opening statements, nailing a lying witness during cross examination, and making a dramatic plea for my client's freedom during closing argument. My Arkansas lawyer is excellent--in fact she is a fabulous trial lawyer and she won my case today. Unfortunately, I was green with jealousy.
Today was a really hard day for me. This was my first trial as a client...not the trial lawyer. For those of you who didn't know me during my days as a public defender, I love love love trial. I love making opening statements, nailing a lying witness during cross examination, and making a dramatic plea for my client's freedom during closing argument. My Arkansas lawyer is excellent--in fact she is a fabulous trial lawyer and she won my case today. Unfortunately, I was green with jealousy.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Couldn't Last Forever
I am officially NOT going to be home this spring. I just added another trip...El Paso, Texas. It is going to be a rough few months for the Os.
Greetings!
Greetings from Lonoke, Arkansas. The frequent (and frightened) flyer is just happy to be here.
This is my second trip to Arkansas, and the state looks a lot like rural South Carolina. Arkansas is a major hub of the trucking industry, and there are tractor-trailers everywhere! Not all that shocking for me as I am a lawyer for a trucking company.
My trip here was uneventful, except for the 45 minutes we spent on the runway waiting to take off in Charlotte. The dude next to me slept the entire flight, and I read a substantial portion of a mass market novel. My rental car cracks me up...I have a white Mercury Grand Marquis. Is there a better old-people-going-to-a-funeral car on the market today?
When I landed, I had a voicemail from my Arkansas lawyer informing me that our trial was delayed until Wednesday, so today has been a wonderful catch-up day for me. I wonder what it would be like to have a job where you finished your assigned tasks everyday? Mine seem to drag on and on and on and on.
I really miss my boys. There is a chance I can leave a day earlier than I originally planned, but I don't want to their (or my) hopes up.
Trial starts tomorrow! I can't wait to be back in the courtroom...even if I am just the client.
This is my second trip to Arkansas, and the state looks a lot like rural South Carolina. Arkansas is a major hub of the trucking industry, and there are tractor-trailers everywhere! Not all that shocking for me as I am a lawyer for a trucking company.
My trip here was uneventful, except for the 45 minutes we spent on the runway waiting to take off in Charlotte. The dude next to me slept the entire flight, and I read a substantial portion of a mass market novel. My rental car cracks me up...I have a white Mercury Grand Marquis. Is there a better old-people-going-to-a-funeral car on the market today?
When I landed, I had a voicemail from my Arkansas lawyer informing me that our trial was delayed until Wednesday, so today has been a wonderful catch-up day for me. I wonder what it would be like to have a job where you finished your assigned tasks everyday? Mine seem to drag on and on and on and on.
I really miss my boys. There is a chance I can leave a day earlier than I originally planned, but I don't want to their (or my) hopes up.
Trial starts tomorrow! I can't wait to be back in the courtroom...even if I am just the client.
Sunday, March 08, 2009
Mixed Blessings
I fly out to Arkansas tomorrow afternoon and I will be away from my men for 4 nights. Michael is going to be a single dad for 4 nights, so he enjoyed a much-needed round of golf this morning. The boys and I had big plans for a trip to the zoo and a picnic at Riverfront Park.
I got up at 5:30am for a 4-miler, and then I enjoyed an hour of reading before the boys woke up. Showers, laundry, and a bit of cleaning later, the 3 of us loaded a cooler of sandwiches, fruit, and chips in my car and headed out for an adventure. First stop: Starbucks for donuts and a Sunday paper.
Next stop: Riverbanks Zoo.
Last stop: Riverfront Park.
We had a great time at the zoo, and we almost had a great time at the park. I really wish I could have a great mommy blog post about a perfect experience with my children. Reality just doesn't play out that way for me. After we ate our picnic lunch, Alex announced that he was ready to go home. Jackson helped me pack up the cooler and Alex ran off with JBO's football. Rather than hand it back to Jackson, Alex threw it away from him. I am really trying to improve Alex's attitude, so I picked it up and told Alex to hand it back to Jackson. Alex pouted and again threw the ball away from JBO. Again, I picked up the ball and told Alex to either toss the ball to Jackson or politely hand it over. Alex pouted, shoved the ball in JBO's hands, and stomped off into a mud puddle. Things really went downhill from there. Alex fell out because his crocks-n-socks were muddy. I tried to calm him down, take his socks off and wipe his feet. Unfortunately, Alex is such a drama queen and he wouldn't stop screaming. A few threats of no cartoons later, Alex fell out on the sidewalk, stomping his feet and screaming hysterically. I have no idea how we made it to the car in one piece. We made quite a show, and I couldn't deal with Alex for hours afterwards. Thankfully Michael got home soon after we did. I wanted a special morning with my boys. I got it...sort of...except for that last 45 minutes of screaming and stomping.
One day I will get my happy-ever-after mommy blog experience.
I got up at 5:30am for a 4-miler, and then I enjoyed an hour of reading before the boys woke up. Showers, laundry, and a bit of cleaning later, the 3 of us loaded a cooler of sandwiches, fruit, and chips in my car and headed out for an adventure. First stop: Starbucks for donuts and a Sunday paper.
Next stop: Riverbanks Zoo.
Last stop: Riverfront Park.
We had a great time at the zoo, and we almost had a great time at the park. I really wish I could have a great mommy blog post about a perfect experience with my children. Reality just doesn't play out that way for me. After we ate our picnic lunch, Alex announced that he was ready to go home. Jackson helped me pack up the cooler and Alex ran off with JBO's football. Rather than hand it back to Jackson, Alex threw it away from him. I am really trying to improve Alex's attitude, so I picked it up and told Alex to hand it back to Jackson. Alex pouted and again threw the ball away from JBO. Again, I picked up the ball and told Alex to either toss the ball to Jackson or politely hand it over. Alex pouted, shoved the ball in JBO's hands, and stomped off into a mud puddle. Things really went downhill from there. Alex fell out because his crocks-n-socks were muddy. I tried to calm him down, take his socks off and wipe his feet. Unfortunately, Alex is such a drama queen and he wouldn't stop screaming. A few threats of no cartoons later, Alex fell out on the sidewalk, stomping his feet and screaming hysterically. I have no idea how we made it to the car in one piece. We made quite a show, and I couldn't deal with Alex for hours afterwards. Thankfully Michael got home soon after we did. I wanted a special morning with my boys. I got it...sort of...except for that last 45 minutes of screaming and stomping.
One day I will get my happy-ever-after mommy blog experience.
Welcome!
Michael and I took advantage of the crappy economy to get a great deal on windows and a new front door...a much needed new front door:
Old Door:
New Door:
Thursday, March 05, 2009
Catching Up
What a busy few weeks! I don't blog about any particulars with my job because I know my employer would NOT appreciate it, but work is kicking my butt. Lots going on in my life though:
* Crazy travel starts up next week. I will be in Lonoke, Arkansas for 4 nights.
* In the next few months, I will also be traveling to Pensacola, Boca Raton, and New Orleans.
* Our new windows and door look fabulous, and it will be very interesting to see if our gas/electric bill goes down. It really needs to go down.
* Meal planning has taken a new direction for me. Our grocery bills have been very high the past few months. I have tackled the goal of cooking instead of eating out, so now we are going to attack our grocery spending. This is going to be a challenge! I don't want to sacrifice quality for $, so I am going to start by simplifying my meals and plan around staples I keep stocked in the pantry. I am also shopping sales at Publix and surfing the net for coupons for expensive foods (Silk Soymilk, Fage yogurt, etc.) that I prefer to buy. I saved $30 at the grocery store last night. I could shop sales at multiple stores, hit up Wal-Mart and Aldi, but I often work way more than a 40-hour work week and I would rather spend time with my men than shopping around Columbia looking for the best price. I am realistic. I know our grocery bill will still be high, but hopefully not as bad as it was in January and February.
* I ran a 10K in the rain this past Saturday with a 55:04 time. Not my best, certainly not my worst, and it was so much fun to run in the rain! Next race is the Bridge Run on April 4.
* I am trying to get my mileage up so I can work on speed in the Bridge Run. I am running 7 miles on Saturday. Alex and I measured out my course this morning before daycare drop-off, and I am really excited! This will be my longest run ever!
* Inspired by Gwen who designated February as No Spend Month, I designated February and March as No Book Buying Months. I know that probably sounds a bit trite, but you wouldn't think so if you knew how much money I spend on books. I am planning a Stacy Retreat to Black Mountain, North Carolina, in May. I have to save my allowance up for a food, yarn, and a big shopping trip to The Dish Barn in Hendersonville.
All for now. Happy day!
* Crazy travel starts up next week. I will be in Lonoke, Arkansas for 4 nights.
* In the next few months, I will also be traveling to Pensacola, Boca Raton, and New Orleans.
* Our new windows and door look fabulous, and it will be very interesting to see if our gas/electric bill goes down. It really needs to go down.
* Meal planning has taken a new direction for me. Our grocery bills have been very high the past few months. I have tackled the goal of cooking instead of eating out, so now we are going to attack our grocery spending. This is going to be a challenge! I don't want to sacrifice quality for $, so I am going to start by simplifying my meals and plan around staples I keep stocked in the pantry. I am also shopping sales at Publix and surfing the net for coupons for expensive foods (Silk Soymilk, Fage yogurt, etc.) that I prefer to buy. I saved $30 at the grocery store last night. I could shop sales at multiple stores, hit up Wal-Mart and Aldi, but I often work way more than a 40-hour work week and I would rather spend time with my men than shopping around Columbia looking for the best price. I am realistic. I know our grocery bill will still be high, but hopefully not as bad as it was in January and February.
* I ran a 10K in the rain this past Saturday with a 55:04 time. Not my best, certainly not my worst, and it was so much fun to run in the rain! Next race is the Bridge Run on April 4.
* I am trying to get my mileage up so I can work on speed in the Bridge Run. I am running 7 miles on Saturday. Alex and I measured out my course this morning before daycare drop-off, and I am really excited! This will be my longest run ever!
* Inspired by Gwen who designated February as No Spend Month, I designated February and March as No Book Buying Months. I know that probably sounds a bit trite, but you wouldn't think so if you knew how much money I spend on books. I am planning a Stacy Retreat to Black Mountain, North Carolina, in May. I have to save my allowance up for a food, yarn, and a big shopping trip to The Dish Barn in Hendersonville.
All for now. Happy day!
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