3 Sisters 7 Days

“Oh, yeah? Well, I hate you so much I want to Mario you!”

Okay, so we’re not having a lot of luck striking “hate” from the kids’ vocabulary. But, come on, does this “nasty note” really warrant pulling my son out of SCIENCE class to sit in the principal’s office until I was able to pick him up? I mean, I was in Orange County and had to sit in traffic back to the I.E. (Inland Empire, for the uninitiated) – a 20 mile trip that took nearly an hour!

Apparently, Parker and his friend Curtis were “bored” at lunch and started passing “one up” notes back and forth. We’re talking typical, albeit stupid, elementary school boy antics. The noon supervisor snatched the note from Parker, assuming it was directed at a little girl, who was sitting between the boys even though her name remains a mystery to both of them. This woman gave the note to the principal, who pulled Parker out of class not long after lunch.  Although she said that she doesn’t understand what “to Mario” means (turn one into Mario, as in one of the “Mario Brothers” games), she didn’t like the note’s threatening tone.

Not that I do, of course. It’s just the kind of thing I’d have thought the principal – or some other relevant adult – would have talked to the children about before engaging them in some more appropriate activity for the remainder of the lunch period. Instead, Parker ended up in a chair in the office.

Hours later, the principal’s assistant told me that the “real” problem was that Parker refused to discuss the incident with them. Again, not great, but completely within the realm of normal behavior for a seven-year-old boy under interrogation by two adults, one of whom he considers to be a “scary and mean red-haired lady.” (Uh huh, THAT would be the principal.)

So guess what’s on my agenda for this afternoon? That’s right, a chat with principal about her “relationship” with my son, whose prior offenses in her book include hiding in the sanctuary (not allowed) and telling another child that we allow him to watch rated X movies. In both cases, I found him in “his” chair in the office. Wish me luck.

For those of you who don’t know, 1-800-222-1222 is the national number for Poison Control.  It’s interesting why I know that.

Yesterday I happened to get off early from work due to a “Lunch and Learn” cancellation. I was so happy not to suffer through another long day at the chiropractor doing mindless tasks…I will explain the job description at a later date.  Anyway, I found myself home at around 1:15, eating lunch and catching up on The Real Housewives of Orange County while preparing myself for the day’s activities. I needed to take Sammy out for a hike since it was in the upper 60’s here; I had to unpack from my venture to CA over the weekend; I needed to write and print fundraising letter for Team in Training; and I need to catch up on our eBay store and blog before taking off to the track for a 2.5 hour workout session.

So, there I was, sitting on the couch eating, minding my own business, and preparing for the rest of my day.  All of a sudden, I see hear something in the kitchen, and then I see smoke. No kidding, I actually thought someone was in the backyard and had thrown a grenade into the kitchen. I freaked and ran out the front door while Sammy nearly pushed me over to get out first.  I sat outside for a moment wondering what I should do next…then I went back in because Ebony was still in the house, so I had to get her.  I know some of you may not have done the same thing; what if I risked my life to save my dog?

I got inside and took a quick glance around, and saw my “jogger fogger,” aka pepper spray, on the floor in a puddle of orange liquid. I kind of freaked out, grabbed ebony and my phone, then hurried back outside.  I made the appropriate phone call to Maz, who didn’t give me much guidance on what to do and how dangerous pepper spray is.

Then I dialed 411 for the Poison Control and was connected quite quickly.  I was told to evacuate the house and try to open as many windows as possible.  I made another mad dash through the house to grab my keys and shoes and open windows. I got the sliding glass door open, the office and kitchen windows open, along with opening the front and garage doors. I am sooo lucky it was nice out…

With both dogs in tow, I made my way to Brian’s house to drop off Ebony, then on to Palmer Park to take Sammy and Brian’s dogs for a nice hike. I got home about 3 hours after the incident.  I called Jeanna and she promptly told me that milk is a good clean-up method for pepper spray.  Maz and I clean up the mess while coughing and hoping the smell would go away.

Well, it was a cold night.  We slept with about three windows open and the furnace off.  I am here in Colorado Springs, not California, so it was a bit cold this morning.  I woke up with the house being a whopping 52 degrees.  When I got home today, there didn’t seem to be too much of the smell left, so that’s good, especially since the weather is supposed to get colder tomorrow. Ugh!

I still don’t understand how or why my “jogger fogger” exploded.  Is that normal?  I have never heard of such a thing. I was’t even near it. All I have got to say is, thank goodness I was home early yesterday because I don’t know what would have happened it the “fogger” exploded with closed doors and window sand the doggies in the house.

By the way, I never did get to writing the fundraising letters; I unpacked late last night and I am now blogging, then off to do the eBay store…

Not really. It was $21.00, but only 810 calories!

Apparently, some New York restaurants (approximately 2,000 of the 23,000 in city of New York ) are now required to post calorie counts along side prices . Unfortunately, I didn’t know that and blew ALL of my remaining cash on a salmon dinner at TGIFs: www.tgifridays.com before seeing Avenue Q earlier this week.

I’d stopped on the way to the show for a quick and inexpensive dinner. I quickly scanned the menu for a sandwich or burger that “sounded” good, and was stunned at the prices – $14.50, on average?! But the salmon, with butter and pecans over rice, was only $8.10, so I ordered that, and a side salad. Honestly, it WAS really good. I ate quickly, finished the rest of my wine, and asked for the check.

That’s when the “sticker shock” hit – $35.00! If I hadn’t been in such a rush to get to the show (which I slipped into right before the doors closed), I would have asked my server to explain. As it was, I paid the bill and left a miserly tip, only because I just had $40.00 in my pocket and no credit cards (come on, it was NYC at night, and I didn’t want to look like a target…or have much to lose, IF I did get accosted).

I ducked into a Starbucks on the way home and used the change at the bottom of my coat pocket to get a small drip coffee. That’s when I noticed that ALL of the pastries were “low calorie.” I made a comment to the Barista/cashier that I’d never seen so many pastries left THAT LATE; I asked if they were simply less popular than the more high calorie options I’m used to seeing. He told me, “No. Starbucks hardly stocks anything that isn’t low cal because New York requires “restaurants” to post calorie counts on their menus. Sure enough, every item on the menu included a calorie count beside the price. (Thank goodness I was out of funds as that drip coffee looked really good, calorie-wise, relative  the “foo foo” coffees I usually opt for as a late night treat.)

Then it hit me. That salmon! “I must have read the calorie count instead of the price,” I thought to myself.

It was all I could do to wait until I returned to my hotel room to find out for sure. I pulled my gloves off and my receipt out of my pocket. Sure enough, my dinner was NOT $8.10. It was $21.00. An expensive lesson, yes, but next time I WILL know better. Unfortunately, that’s not likely to help as it will be a while before I indulge in a sandwich or burger out at a whopping 1,000 calories – minimum.

Today was the first day of actual training for the marathon.  We met at the track as a team at 7am this morning.  It was bitterly cold, with the temperature maxing a whopping 15 degrees without the wind or snow.  I couldn’t really feel my hands, nose, or mouth, but that’s okay because my legs were working and that was all that mattered.

We started off with a brisk walk, then went onto a 1/2 mile warm up, and then right into “the mile” timed run.  Since it was the first day, the coach needed to see where every team member is according to how fast each of us runs.  Mind you, to do Team in Training, you do not need to have ANY running experience.  So, we jetted off running on the snow covered track (I hate running on tracks). The wind was a bit distracting while running a little funny to ensure not slipping on any ice. (Did I tell you it was snowing and I had no feeling from the waist up?)  As it turned out, I made it through the four laps in one piece and quite faster than expected.  I ran “the mile” in 7:15 which was a complete surprise given I still have a limp due to my retarded hip .

There are about 30 people on the team at completely different levels. After running the mile, we were put onto five teams- Eagle, Durango, Copper, Breckenridge and Aspen.  I was put into the Aspen group, which is the group with the fastest runners. It’s really interesting the way the coach gages your marathon pace by your mile.  Apparently, I will be running the marathon in 3 hours 55 minutes at a pace of 8:58.  Not too bad, if it pans out that way.

Today was the beginning of what I believe will be a great experience…in training, meeting new people, and – most importantly – raising money for a wonderful cause, Leukemia and Lymphoma.

I went to the Team in Training kick off night on Wednesday, and officially began training on Saturday for the San Diego Rock ‘N Roll Marathon.  But first, I will be going to The Colorado Running Company to make sure I have the proper running attire.  I am pretty confident in my choice of running gear- my shoes are Nike Equalon+2 , I have Nike Cold Running pants , the perfect champion tank (seriously, the best purchase for ALL season running/outdoor activities).


NIKE TERRY HOODIE

In addition, I have a variety of running jackets and shorts.  One of my favorite is the Nike Hoodie
I really do think I am set for any type of training.

[Side note: I do have a confession about the shoes though; it turns out that I may need to alter a little bit off the Nike path as I just found out I have one leg a little longer than the other. Hopefully, I can put in a few Dr. Schol's and call it even . Will keep you posted...]

After the coach ensures we, his team, will not get injured (read: correct running shoes), and we will not freeze in the cold weather, THEN we can start to run. And that starts Saturday morning. As I understand it, we will be running just one mile and timed, then put into running groups based on speed.  My hip has been acting up (the uneven leg), so I think I may accidentally fall into the “walking” group…If that happens, I may just walk off the track and never come back.

I have never been formally trained as a runner.  It should be interesting, I will follow a schedule that increases each week.  There will also be Tuesday meetings at the track for plyometrics (a type of exercise using explosive movements – e.g., bounding, hopping, and jumping – to develop muscular power.  I am really intrigued with that since I haven’t included any plyometrics in my running. What I understand is that by doing short sprints, jumping, and such once a week, in addition to running, mt strides should get longer and I should become faster.  I still think the best part of the training process will be knowing what type of runner I am and making sure I am getting the most out of my running.  The thing I will have to get use to is running with people on long runs. I don’t really run with anyone- occasionally my sisters when we are together. Other than that, it’s just me and Sammy.

Right now, training is on my mind, next week will be fundraising…I am looking for ideas!  Only about $2400 left to raise for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. 

Or into my running shoes…

On Sunday, I ran for the first time since before my trip to Brazil on January 20th! Three plus miles at 8.5 minute miles. Considering I am still recovering from some kind of combo cold-asthma thing, I thought that was pretty good. I also assumed it must be a fluke. So I put those shoes on again – day two of my sixteen-week marathon training plan (the first was cross training at the rock climbing gym yesterday) – and ran 4.6 miles today at just under 9 minutes per mile.

I’d like to say, “I’m back,” but, honestly, I was cold, cranky from a long day with the kids, and had to keep holding my running tights “up” and my hood “on” without knocking my iPod earbuds out and/or knocking my ipod out of my back origami pocket as I navigated “blind” through Christmas carols and show tunes that were at the top of today’s shuffle. And I coughed off and on nearly the whole way, making it difficult to catch my breath. So, yes, after only two days of training, I was already doubting my ability to complete the San Diego Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon at the end of May: http://www.rnrmarathon.com/home.html.

Rounding the final corner of my route through the neighborhood, I was feeling better. I may not be able to keep up with my sister Terri, who’s not only fast but increasingly competitive, but I’m sure I can finish…

My life has been a little up and down this past week.  I started a new marketing/pr job with a new chiropractor so I had a bunch of training to do, plus I had to continue my other job with the stucco company AND find time to fund raise for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society-Team in Training.  I was bouncing all around town finding myself drained at the end of the day. Okay, this is coming from someone who has spent the last few months working during the day and home by 3 or 4 in the afternoon.  Coming home at 630-7 at night is quite an adjustment; not only for me but for my doggies as well.

Yesterday I left at the weeee hours in the morning (7am) for a BNI- Business Networking International http://www.bnicolorado.com/ – meeting (part of my duties for the new chiropractor- more on that later).  Leaving that early gives me no time for my morning run or even a quick walk with Sammy- ugh!  Anyway, I made it to the meeting then off to the stucco job for a few hours of direct marketing.  I then had to stop by two Targets to drop off donation letters for Team in Training.  At that point I was thinking I have enough time to go home grab Sammy for the dog park, hit another Target on the other side of town, and then go on to the chiropractor for an adjustment at 3:45.  In a perfect world this would have worked out.  But I don’t live in a “perfect” world; in my world I need to be prepared for anything…

I got home and was greeted with the worst smell ever!  It turned out Ebony (16 year old Lhaso Apso) had an accident that spanned the length of the hallway.  It was nice way to be welcomed home.  My first step was to open all the windows – thankfully it was 60 degrees in Colorado Springs.  Then I vacuumed the hallway, swept and mopped the kitchen floor (it was tracked), and then put Ebony into the tub.  The next step was getting the carpet cleaner out hiding any sign that this happened.  I then looked at both dogs and their behavior.  They both haven’t been acting “normal” since my schedule changed so it was a little difficult.  At that point, I spotted a little blood on Ebony’s head so I got closer to find a wound the size of a nickel.  What in the world happened? It wasn’t making any sense.  I made Ebony a vet appointment for 4:15 because I didn’t know how bad the cut was.  Luckily, I was able to get into the chiropractor a little early, so I put Ebony in the car, rushed to the chiropractor, and was out of there with 10 minutes to get to the vet…

It turns out the “nickel” size wound ended up being a 2 inch dog bite given by Sammy! Ebony had to get four stitches.  I finally got home at 6pm frustrated beyond belief.  I can’t believe Sammy did this to her.  Ebony is old, blind, and not very good at hearing- her smell and appetite is great though.  She probably felt lonely and didn’t know what was going on.  We think Sammy bit her because Ebony may have taken her bone.  I won’t know what exactly happened, but now we have to separate them. I am thinking kiddie gate across the hallway…

Third time’s a charm. While dining at the Docas (Estacao das Docas, former site of the Para Docks Company) in Belem, Brazil, we saw the third woman since our arrival wearing a short jumpsuit, one of THE hot looks for Spring ‘09: http://fashion.about.com/od/springsummer05/ss/10styles_6.htm. Notably, in this city – perhaps country – where the look is decidedly “fitted,” if not simply tight, the woman was a stand-out. She was wearing a loose-fitting, short jumpsuit in army green with the legs rolled up to about a 4″ inseam, and high, strappy sandals.

Admittedly a skeptic of the style, I have to say that it IS growing on me. It could simply be that this loose and lightweight style that completely covers the back, shoulders, upper arms and thighs, and tummy is appealing to me now because I’ve been living in tank tops and halters…and sporting a sunburn as a result. (Fair skinned and freckled, I burn and fade slowly back to “white.”)

Still every woman we’ve seen wearing the short jumpsuit has looked terrific. I suppose the longer, wider-legged versions also advertised in the West may provide more balance for busty and/or hippy women, but the short look is very cute. The women we’ve seen wearing the new look have all been average height and weight with fairly curvy, though not voluptuous figures. Note that the woman at the Docas sported the most neutral variation we’ve encountered. The others were very bright – one in orange and the other in yellow – and both were worn shorter, almost a “hot short” look. Yet all three were cut with a collared, safari shirt look on top; finally, they appeared to include self belts, though all three local “models” had added their own belts.