Today I had to be at work at 5 a.m. I normally do not start work at this time and what I am doing is similar to freelance work so it is only on occasion. Thank GOD. Operating on maybe 5 hours of sleep and then trying to carry out some semblance of a day is crazy. I do manage to take a short nap but it is my three amigos that do me in.
My husband always tells me to take it easy when I am doing this shift but that is not part of my DNA. I want to do it all, have it all and lose it all before bedtime. I have been trying to train for a 5K, which was supposed to be the kick off of my Takin' Back 40 celebration year. Of course running any distance is not a celebration but a near death experience for me. I ran track in high school but I was the worst runner EVER. My parents wouldn't even show up for my meets, that's how bad I was. I earned a 4th place once, which for me was like winning a gold medal, but there were only 5 of us in this particular heat. (Not sure what was wrong with the 5th place winner. I think she may have had the flu and was disoriented.)
Anyway, there is a race on Saturday in a community I am very familiar with. I am pretty sure I can do it and have been able to run 3 miles a couple times in the past two weeks. The problem is, with my work schedule this week, my training time is limited. I had to take the kids with me on my run today and I knew this created the possibility for trouble. It was 85 degrees and past 4 o'clock. My energy level was not optimal and pushing an 11 year old clunky stroller as you run is like something Rocky should have done when he was training to take on Mr. T.
Needless to say, I only ran 2 miles. Ok, almost 2 miles but I didn't want my older children to have to call 911 when I collapsed. The verdict is still out on what I will decide about Saturday's race but the time at the park today was not all in vain. The kids made a new friend, we saw a heron, a turtle and lots of ducks in the lake near the track. I managed to enjoy one of our final afternoons before we cross the finish line of summer vacation. Taking it all in instead of getting it all done might be the new way to go.
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday to Me! Today is brought to you by the number 39 and in case I forgot how to write it, my kids have provided several reminders all over our house. I thought the day started off very well with breakfast in bed and church with the family. Unfortunately, the day ended with me and my buddy insomnia trying to milk the last couple minutes out of my birthday.
My husband tried so hard to make the day special. From the meals to the homemade red velvet cake and even a touch of romance, but the age thing is a real hurdle I need to overcome. He wrote something in my card about the first birthday we spent together 16 years ago and I could feel my chest tighten and my eyes well with tears. Later in the evening, my 11 year old told me how getting older is great because you start to get discounts on things. I told him I would not be getting my AARP card any time soon.
My parents came over after dinner for cake and to give me a few presents. One of them was a framed picture of former Pittsburgh Pirate Willie Stargell. This may seem like a strange gift for a non sports gal like myself but I read something about him recently that made him my new ambassador. He earned the MVP award for his performance in the 1979 World Series at the age of 39. When you look at what he accomplished that year, it makes me think that maybe I need to not focus so much on my age and the numbers that are ahead. My anxiety could be a crutch and I don't need anything else in my way. I need to choke up on the bat and start swingin'. But for right now, I need to pull up the covers and start sleepin'. I can't be dragging when I'm running those bases.
My husband tried so hard to make the day special. From the meals to the homemade red velvet cake and even a touch of romance, but the age thing is a real hurdle I need to overcome. He wrote something in my card about the first birthday we spent together 16 years ago and I could feel my chest tighten and my eyes well with tears. Later in the evening, my 11 year old told me how getting older is great because you start to get discounts on things. I told him I would not be getting my AARP card any time soon.
My parents came over after dinner for cake and to give me a few presents. One of them was a framed picture of former Pittsburgh Pirate Willie Stargell. This may seem like a strange gift for a non sports gal like myself but I read something about him recently that made him my new ambassador. He earned the MVP award for his performance in the 1979 World Series at the age of 39. When you look at what he accomplished that year, it makes me think that maybe I need to not focus so much on my age and the numbers that are ahead. My anxiety could be a crutch and I don't need anything else in my way. I need to choke up on the bat and start swingin'. But for right now, I need to pull up the covers and start sleepin'. I can't be dragging when I'm running those bases.
Friday, August 16, 2013
First One
Ok. Here I go. As is the case with most things in my life, I am diving in. I am not sure if I am doing it right or if I have done enough research but I am confident I have overthought this decision to blog. I thought keeping a blog would be the perfect way to mark the journey to my 40th birthday. I am having a tough time with 40 so I won't dwell on that. I'll be 39 on Sunday and am the oldest of my siblings and close cousins. My husband is a year younger so it feels like a maiden voyage. Since this in only my first post, I'm going to keep it simple.
Getting old sucks. Maybe not the getting old but feeling old. Even though I have been very blessed, I feel that I have spent the last 11 years taking care of kids and others. Now I realize that is not a bad thing to have been doing but somewhere along the line I lost myself. As I approach 40, I am going to try to rediscover myself and do some things that I have wanted to do. The end goal? A huge 40th birthday party that I want my husband to plan but am actually going to plan myself. I want it done right, right?
I hope to write often as I attempt to document the next 12 months. I hope to do something exciting each month as I approach my 40th. Not everything has been worked out yet but it will be an adventure either way. Getting to this point is a huge step for me. Gold star for today.
Getting old sucks. Maybe not the getting old but feeling old. Even though I have been very blessed, I feel that I have spent the last 11 years taking care of kids and others. Now I realize that is not a bad thing to have been doing but somewhere along the line I lost myself. As I approach 40, I am going to try to rediscover myself and do some things that I have wanted to do. The end goal? A huge 40th birthday party that I want my husband to plan but am actually going to plan myself. I want it done right, right?
I hope to write often as I attempt to document the next 12 months. I hope to do something exciting each month as I approach my 40th. Not everything has been worked out yet but it will be an adventure either way. Getting to this point is a huge step for me. Gold star for today.
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