LSA Conference Part 2 (Epcot!)

We took a family trip to Epcot on Saturday. It was a super hot day and very crowded. Surprised? It was a wonderful time being with family but a little too much waiting and scary dark rides for the girls. But they got to see lots of dressed up characters...behind a glass wall of course. In person is still a little too scary.

LSA Conference Part 1

We left last Thursday for the airport. The girls were in fabulous moods, excited for a plane ride and a chance to meet Mickey!! Both girls did great on the plane, Lainey was a big flirt as usual. Lucy had a wonderful time playing the Airport Bingo game that Grankie put together. Best idea ever!!

Overheard at the library

"Boy that kid's smart but you've gotta keep the scissors away from him. ...he's a trimmer."

Hilarious!

Best reference question of the day

I had a really fun one today. A girl and her mom approach the desk asking for fun rhyming books for 2nd graders. I first asked about poetry but they were looking more for picture books. The example they came up with was "Silly Sally" by Audrey Wood (one of my favorites!). I told them that's more for preschool age but if they like it, then we can just go grab some fun ones off the shelf. They said that's perfect. So I spent a good 15 minutes (rare when we're as busy as we are) just finding some of my favorite picture books for this girl and she was tickled pink! Here are a few of what I pulled (for those of you who have children...or just like picture books):

Mabel O'Leary Puts Peas in her Ear-y, Mary Delaney

Falling for Rapunzel, Leah Wilcox

Peanut Butter and Jellyfishes, Brian P. Cleary

I Ain't Gonna Paint No More, Karen Beaumont

Click Clack, Splish Splash, Doreen Cronin

That's all I can remember, but I LOVE them! Highly recommended!

a good one

A kid about 8 or so years old, maybe younger, was one his way out of the children's area. He stopped to tell me and my co-worker about the two items he checked out and what they were all about. He barely left room for a breath between the paragraph of information he gave us.

"YouknowwhatIgot? Igotabookaboutaminalsthatliveintheocean. Theyaresoawesomeandcoolanddiveandliveintheocean. AndIgotaBatmanvideobye!"

It reminded me of when my dad used to get on my case about not using consonants when I spoke. Very strange now that I think about it. Kids speaking patterns are fascinating and how they develop is such a curious thing to me. So intricate and complicated but they learn so quick!

Good day

Fabulous run! Fabulous! I'm getting closer to my goal and feeling good about it. Lyra continues to be a wonderful running partner but I find she does pull me when I start to slow down so I worry about my success when she's not with me at the race. At the same time I'm dealing with hills right now and shouldn't be dealing with many at the race, with it being in Chicago and all. Wind? Sure. Hills? Not so much.

I'm also starting to see a few of the same people also running. It's a very cool feeling. We always say hi and nod at each other when we're running. I feel a certain camaraderie with them, as if we're part of some club together that doesn't require any annual fees.

I'm diggin' it!

that's my dawg

I'm waiting for the day she picks the wrong opening and gets stuck. I'm surprised she can get those ears through anyway...

Pet Adoption Day!

I completely fell in love with this pup. They named him Duogee. If I wasn't maxed out on pets I would have snatched him up in a heartbeat. He was so sweet!

As I'm sure you can imagine, these little guys got adopted pretty quick. They were so adorable!!

The van is incredible. It is totally self-sufficient with running water and kennels built into the sides. It's air conditioned and heated and it doesn't run off the gas to power it. So amazing!

Behind the people standing is the display from the shelter. An Animal Control Officer was there to educate people on training and proper animal care.

Pet Adoption Day was a smashing success! We had the League for Animal Welfare bring their brand new mobile adoption van with around 20 cats and 5 dogs. The Boone County Animal Shelter also had a presence with information and training tips for those who adopted today or are considering adopting in the future. We had around 200 people come by and about 7 adoptions total. It was wonderful! The weather cooperated the whole time and I am just tickled pink it worked out so well. I saw at least 3 children run from the adoption area crying and throwing tantrums because mom and/or dad wouldn't let them take an animal home. My thought was, "well, why did you stop by then?" But then again, everyone needs to learn the word no at some point...especially when it comes to animals. I'm still getting that one down. :)

A trip to Clifty Falls

At this point, instead of Lyra drinking this gorgeous looking water, she decided to pee in it. Brilliant.

Apparantely she likes apples. Who would've thought? I was done with it anyway...

A rock made out of giant petrified chocolate cake.

See? I told you.

My friend Rebecca and I took a day hiking trip to Indiana today and saw Clifty Falls. Rebecca was nice enough to let me bring along my ornery dog and we all had a fabulous time! The weather was absolutely gorgeous and we definitely got a good workout in. Plus the scenery was phenomenal.

And so it begins...again

I went for my first run today in a while. After a hiatus of give or take 3 weeks I went back full force and it actually felt really good! It was just me, Lyra and the pavement. No music, no nothing. Distraction, yes but that's inevitable.

Since I'm totally off my training schedule (also was probably inevitable), I have no idea what I'm "supposed" to be running right now so I just went with the flow. I ran when I felt like it and walked when I didn't. It was a good start and I actually pushed myself more than I was when I was on track with the schedule. I kept saying things like "I'll just run to that tree..." then "okay, I'll just run to that patch of dead grass..." and then I'd surprise myself by making it all the way to the park bench before I started seeing stars. Of course I had to be careful not to switch and say "alright I'll start running at that tree..no that patch of grass...okay the bench..." But I didn't do that too much.

I'm dying to find some new places around here to run but the path I'm following is quite challenging. If I'm able to complete it totally I'll feel very good about myself. There are enough small hills to make me breathe very hard and turn my face red (from exhaustion...not as much from embarrassment...though sure there's some of that too).

I feel very good about it. I feel like I'm on the right path, both literally and figuratively. The cause, the 5K and the fundraising is for teb, the running is for me.

To donate, go here

Quiet Reflection

It's been a few weeks, I know. And it's been a hard few weeks but I've made it out alive. Sometimes when change comes out of nowhere with virtually no warning it can blindside you and slow you down a bit. But with every change comes learning and growth so ultimately I'm okay. In fact I'm quite good.

I took Lyra to the park today. We had a really nice time but didn't spend as much time as I would've liked. When I chose this park I forgot it rained yesterday and the trail was quite muddy so we spent some time sitting on a park bench watching the creek. After we left we went to a local park with paved trails but I just couldn't stomach it. I wanted to hear the sound of dirt on my shoes instead of cars, baseball games and bikes. But it's all good. I just wish there were some more parks around here with trails that aren't paved. But beggars can't be choosers. I'll take any outdoors I can get. Spending 8 hours a day inside just can't be healthy.

Cute pic!

I had to share, this is Lainey attempting to injest her babydoll.

one more thing

A kid just rode up to the library on a unicycle.

LOVE

Not the best running day

Well, things didn't go so well today with running. It was a day that I wish I had someone behind me pushing me up the hill or at least encouraging me. It was a day that I had pain everywhere. Not abnormal pain, just out-of-shape pain and I wasn't able to just run through it. I could have, I just couldn't find the motivation. Believe it or not, halfway through the run I actually said, "screw this, I'm going to McDonald's." ...and actually went. It made me laugh at least. I am noticing a difference but I'm at a small plateau in success which is a bit discouraging. I know, I know, I just started and I need to keep going and give it time. And I will, but it's hard to remember that when I'm comparing it day-to-day. I'm slightly worried I'm developing shin splints but I'm hoping that once again it's just pain from being out of shape and will go away the more I run. We'll see.

I got such a kick out of this picture, I just had to share.


more cat pictures

So...

Yesterday, someone stole 2 of my hubcaps. Really? Wtf? I'm sure they worth a whopping $.25...put together. Who steals hubcaps off a Mazda protege? So ridiculous. My car looks so trashy now I feel like I should just put it on cinder blocks in the front yard.

People are weird.