Marathon Training: Report 9

Long run. 14 miles @ 10:50.

Actual workout: 14 miles in 2:29:46 (10:41 pace).

Today I faced a dilemma. Run two and a half hours on the treadmill where I might lose my mind to sheer boredom OR run outside in the snow flurries with a feels like temperature of 0.

Shockingly, for this little girl from CA, I choose the latter. After I told her what I'd done, my dear friend Monica made the following supportive comment:

I just think you're an idiot.

Probably. I just love true friends.

I knew I would be cold, though I didn't fathom just how so and I wasn't sure how to layer. I wore my running hat, a fleece headband/ear warmer, three long sleeve running shirts, leggings, running pants, two pairs of socks, and my running gloves with mittens over the top. I shed the fleece headband pretty quickly, and took the mittens off a few times when my hands got too warm.

Got to try out the new Fuel Belt too.

Good news:

I am getting so much better at hydration and balancing my electrolytes. No massive stomach illness after this run. I am using a combination of water and Gatorade with Gu gels and Clif Shot Bloks. I still can't eat anything more than a banana before I run, or I get sick. But today was a good indication that I am learning how to support my body properly.

Things I didn't expect on this run:

1. I ran from my home, downtown, all around downtown, and home again. Though I have driven this way many a time I never noticed in the car just how much downhill there is on the way...and uphill on the way back. Nice.

2. When it is that cold outside if your eyes tear up and you blink, they can become frozen shut. Sweet.

3. Freezing temps=freezing liquids in the Fuel Belt. Though the Gatorade and water started out at room temperature, a little more than halfway through the run I realized the only way to get liquid was to shake the bottles around to break up the ice, unscrew the lid, and get a bit of ice into my mouth. Really didn't foresee that one. Good times.

4. It is hard to get the legs moving when it is so cold. I ran my first mile super duper slow for my current training level, like 12:30, and that was the best I could do. Then of course I ran too fast to compensate. Just can't seem to get that pacing down. Awesome.

5. What I wore was okay on top, but not warm enough on the legs. They suffered. I am more sore today than I have been in months. Fabulous.

Thank goodness for a step back week next week! All easy runs, of 7, 7, and 6 miles. Still amazes me sometimes to see how far I've come. I never in a million years would have ever imagined the day would come where I could consider a 7 mile run an easy run. It's amazing what consistent training can do.


Happy running!

Marathon Training: Report 8

Tempo run, 5 miles including warm-up, 3 miles @ 9:14, cooldown. This was scheduled for Wednesday, but postponed to Thursday.

After the disappointment of an indoor treadmill run on Tuesday, I was determined to go outside yesterday. However, when I discovered a "feels like" temp of -5, the treadmill suddenly appealed to me. I didn't get an early enough start, and some of the kids woke up earlier than usual. So the run went down as follows:

1 mile in 10:59.

Jump off. Change Max's diaper. Get milks for Max and Little Mommy. Settle them with a morning show. Wake up the Actress and the Artist so they could start getting ready for school. Help Mr. Bloomers finish making his lunch and drive him around the corner to meet the bus. Run back down to the basement. Spend a tenth of a mile just getting the treadmill back up to speed before officially starting the time and distance clocks.

3 miles in 27:42.

Jump off. Make lunches for the big girls. Make sure they have everything ready for school. Wake Princess. Load kids in the car. Walk the big kids to the door of the school with my winter coat over my running shorts. Almost become hyphothermic. Drive home. Fix breakfast for little kids. Put Princess in high chair with her breakfast. Run back to the basement.

1 mile in 10:25.

Kind of an anticlimactic cool-down, but I got the miles in!

Have to start runnning by about 5:30 AM tomorrow to get 14 in before they miss me. Mr. Bloomers has a longer run of his own and we have a Primary Activity at the church at 10 AM.


Happy running!


PS Reached a fun milestone with this run. 500 miles since I started diligently tracking my miles on August 1st.

It's On

I have officially engaged in a power struggle with the two year-old.

If there is anything I've learned in parenting thus far, it's that you cannot win in an open power struggle with a two. Yet I am casting all parenting wisdom aside. It's Max versus The Mommy in an all out no holds barred potty training war.


Don't be fooled by this adorable face. This is the child that hid in the empty storage space under his captain's bed tonight just after the bath while I dressed Princess. And pooped. Before I had his diaper on. He is at that stage of "I-know-when-it's-coming-and-so-I-will-hide-and-find-privacy-like-under-the-table-or-in-a-closet." But this time, he was diaperless. AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!

I have news for you Max...the restroom IS private. And when you're done we can simply flush the mess away.

The boy's birthday is in a few weeks, and I have been warning him that when he's three he will need to give up the diapers. Despite the Superhero briefs and promises of rewards galore, he has yet to act all that interested.

I've trained three girls (or rather set the stage for them to train themselves), but this boy has pushed all my buttons and I feel at a complete loss.

If there were a "toddler whisperer" who could potty train overnight, she'd be hired. But since I haven't seen any ads to this end, I'm afraid I'm on my own.

Take pity and give me your best tips for potty training a boy. I sure need 'em.

Marathon Training: Report 7

Easy Run, 5 miles @ 10:50

Actual workout, 5 miles in 53:54 (10:46 pace)

This was yesterday's workout, but I postponed in order to have an extra recovery day.

My training indescretions of the last week caught up with me today. Little sleep, not enough water, and not the best food choices made this easy run not as easy as it should have been.

Yesterday I introduced my kids to Crispix puppy chow. They loved it, but I can't resist it. I cautioned them not to eat too much or they would be sick. They listened to such sage advice. I did not.

Back on the treadmill today after a full week outside due to the frigid temps and my own wimpiness, but still this run was better than no run at all.

And now I'm off to sneak a little more puppy chow. Can't wait till it's gone.


Happy running!

Marathon Training: Report 6

I don't usually do speedwork the day before a long run, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

My Saturday schedule called for:

Long run, 12 miles at 10:50.

I didn't try to pace myself according to the Garmin, but just according to what felt right to pace with pre-funeral feelings. My running time for 12 miles was 2:05:13, which was a 10:26 pace.

At the funeral home Friday night, my running came up in conversation with some of my cousins who seemed almost confused that I would get up to run 12 miles the next morning. It is bizarre.

I was sharing a hotel suite with one of my sisters and her daughter. When I told my neice that I would be leaving between 5:30 and 6 AM to go run 12 miles the next day, and that I hoped to come back before Princess woke up she responded with, "You're kidding, right?" and she couldn't believe that I wasn't.

But despite the shock of my family, this run was just what I needed to work through my grief before the funeral. I left when it was still dark as night, and found the trail unlit. I didn't have time to wait until sunrise to run, so I made two 2.17 mile loops in the streetlight filled neighborhood near the trail to get started. It poured through much of these loops and I became pretty drenched pretty quickly.

The homes were dark, but I knew that if anyone were to wake up and see me out their window they would think I was nuts to run in the dark in the rain...this is California folks. When it pours, people just wait to move on with their lives, putting off anything they possibly can until the weather changes.

But I kept on. Much of my time on the trail was almost sacred. I was able to ponder through my feelings not just about Grandma's passing, but about my Aunt Kathy's as well. I cried. And I admit I shared some of my feelings aloud with Grandma, hoping she would get the message. I think she did.

And when I was done my heart felt lighter, and I had found the peace I needed to move forward.


Happy running!

Marathon Training: Report 5

Wednesday should have been speedwork:

5 miles including Warm; 2x1600 in 8:43 with 800 jogs; Cool

Instead I spent Wednesday making preparations to fly to my childhood home, to the home my parents have lived in since about 1967, to be with family for Grandma's funeral. I stayed up all night Wednesday making sure everything was in order at home, and that I was prepared with everything I thought I would need in CA.

Thursday was an overwhelming travel day. We had to leave just after 5 for an early morning flight, and by time we had arrived, we were over an hour later than scheduled. I spent the afternoon and evening with my parents, and also had a nice visit with Grandpa, but had no time or energy for a run, so I postponed again.

So Friday was the day. I got up early and dressed quickly, hoping to finish before Princess woke up. I discovered that Dad was getting ready too, as he wanted to take me to the trail where he does his daily walk. It is about 3.6 miles up and back, and he walks it most days in about in hour. He figured he could walk it once while I ran it twice, and that is about how it worked out, though I didn't go quite all the way to the end the second time through.

It was looking a little drizzly, but a quick check to the weather channel predicted that it would only get worse, so we were off before it got any later. I borrowed a water repellant jacket from Mom so I would be at least a little prepared.

The trail was great. Totally empty, thanks to fair weather Californians. The landscape was nice, and the variety of birds even nicer. It did rain, but I didn't care. At least it was warm (relative to Chicagoland anyway). I think it was quite an adventure for Dad. By the end, we were both pretty soaked. He remarked that he had never gone when it was raining like that before.

I ran a few miles before starting in on my speedwork. Some time ago I had done the conversion for 1600 meters and remember it being about a mile. In lieu of the speedwork I was supposed to do, I ran four half miles in about 4:15 each. I paused the Garmin and walked a couple of minutes in between each one, which is unusual for me, but seemed appropriate for my energy level.

I completed 6 miles in 57:32, definitely running harder than I should have in warming up and cooling down, but I felt so uplifted by this run that I really didn't care. It was great, and so fun to be out with Dad.


Happy running!

Home

This long weekend in CA was such a blessed opportunity for me. I am so grateful to have gone, and did my best to make the very most of my time there.

Consequently, in the last four nights I have slept about fourteen hours combined. (I did have a couple of airplane naps you could add on there too.)

In the last sixty hours I've run eighteen miles, with several in the rain. I cried along the way a few times and felt such relief from my grief through my time on the trail.

I've seen my grandmother's peaceful body. Prayed with the family, and watched the funeral director close the casket. I was uplifted by her beautiful funeral, where all thirteen of her grandchildren gathered with dear friends and family to honor her.

I spent some precious time with Grandpa, my parents, my siblings, and other family members. I feel at peace now, and so very thankful.

And ready for bed.

Here in Rainy CA

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your generous offers to watch our children, and your kind thoughts on our behalf. My grandmother passed away late Sunday evening at age 94. My great sadness is that she was never able to meet Princess in person. She saw pictures, but we only make it out here about every other year, and last time we were here I was very pregnant with Princess. I had sent pictures, even recently, and so she did see Princess in photos, but I regret not having been able to have them together.

But I am grateful to know that I will see my grandma again. And that she is still my grandma. And I'm happy for her to be freed from a deteriorating body, and reunited with my Aunt Kathy, who passed away in September. Those thoughts are very comforting.

This has been a wild week, getting things coordinated so I could make this trip. Before the crack of dawn this morning, Princess and I were off on an arduous journey west. I didn't go to bed last night, but got a decent neck-crinking nap on the first leg of the flight so I could survive the day. Among other bumps in our travel, we had a short connection made shorter by a delayed arrival. I sprinted approximately three quarters of a mile from one terminal to another, with baby, car seat, and two bags in tow, quite grateful that I am a runner. But we pulled through the travel very well, even if my first CA purchase was Excedrin in the airport just after landing.

This afternooon Princess and I ran errands with my mom, and had a nice visit with my grandpa. It was nice to be home this evening with my parents here in the home I grew up in.

The kids at home fared well from what I hear. Mr. Bloomers stepped in as SuperDad, and kind friends helped watch our children while he went into the office for a shorter working day than usual. Tomorrow Mr. Bloomers will work from home, and I think the little kids will have another playdate to help him out. I am grateful for the service of our friends who are making it possible for me to be here. It means a lot to me.

Still haven't gotten my Wednesday run in (and it's late Thursday evening) but I will find a way to get those miles in while I'm here. Fortuneately, there are many willing and able baby-sitters amongst my family to entertain Princess while I'm pounding the pavement...which will have to wait till tomorrow cause I've got to get some sleep.

With love,
Kristin

Marathon Training: Report 4

Last night was a looooong night. I didn't go to bed till way too late, after learning that my grandmother, who was in the hospital recovering from pneumonia, had developed a few other unresolvable health issues and was not expected to last the week. Trying to decide when and how to make it out to California to be with my family is a tricky situation to wade through when I have five young children to care for and a husband who often works during all of their waking hours. And a full day later I still don't have the details worked out, with child care arrangements being the most difficult aspect.

Anyway, after a few stressful hours, I finally calmed down, and was able to call and have a nice visit with Grandpa on the phone. Finally feeling fully at peace, I headed off to bed around 12:30, but wasn't there more than 15 minutes before Princess woke screaming. She was so full of mucus she couldn't sleep.

I spent the night holding her upright in our most comfortable armchair, but I still never got comfortable. Surprise!


This was the prelude to a 6 mile easy run this morning. Outside. Finally. Though my fingers never fully warmed up, the rest of me was plenty toasty after about the first mile.

I really struggled to pace myself after having spent too much time on the treadmill over the last month or two. I found when I just ran at a speed that felt natural, my mile pace was somewhere around 9:45, and when I consciously tried to run slower, I ended up at a pace of around 11:40.

The goal was to run 6 miles with a 10:50 pace, and I never quite found my groove, but finished my 6 miles in 63:26, for an average pace of 10:34. Oh well!


This was my first run with hydration! I ended up selecting two options, one for shorter runs, and one for longer ones. Today I used the Fuel Belt Sprint and it was awesome.


So lightweight I hardly noticed it, and the perfect amount of water for a 5-6 mile run. I would highly recommend it.

And I would continue to recommend running. I find that when my body is focused on the steady pattern of the run, that my spirit can finally be still, feel at peace, and know that God is mindful of me. Running is not only good for physical health, but for mental health, and spiritual health. Running is good for the soul.


Happy running!

Marathon Training: Report 3

Long run scheduled for 10 miles@10:50.
Actual workout: 10 miles in 1:47:02 (10:42 pace).

Yesterday I was determined to run outside again, but I was concerned about hydration. I have spent WAY too much time pondering different options for carrying water over the last several months, without finally taking the plunge to purchase something. I guess I just didn't want to buy something I didn't like cause I hate wasting money.

So I made a route that would include a place to purchase water and was ready to run. Until cute little Max told me he didn't want me to run, because he wanted to sit on my lap and watch a morning show. I couldn't resist. By the time I was done there, the running store near my home was open, so I thought I would stop by. That errand took long enough that I was out of time for running, cause five kids needed me, so I postponed until after bedtime, which meant I couldn't run outside anyway and hydration didn't matter anymore. Darnit!

Ten miles is a long way late at night, especially on a treadmill. I tried some new electrolyte chews, but I think I didn't drink enough water with them or something, because they made me feel pretty ill. It was a long ten miles. I watched all of Tommy Boy, which wasn't as funny as I remembered it from a decade ago, though there were still some classic lines. Probably should have just stuck with the Ipod.


My nose kept on running with me, and I wiped it a LOT. Wish I had something more exciting to report, but this was one of those runs that is more about enduring than enjoying. Funny thing for me is that I can't often predict which runs will be which, so I just keep at it, cause I don't ever want to miss the opportunity for a great run. One thing I do know, is that when I stick to my training consistently, I do enjoy far more than I endure.


Happy running!

Today I Feel Blessed

We spent some time this afternoon assembling hygiene kits. Motivated by the earthquakes in Haiti, a woman in our ward (congregation) at church decided to collect these kits to donate to the LDS Humanitarian Aid Center. She invited our family, and we in turn invited friends and teachers to join us.


Many of you may not know much about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, but humanitarian service is very important to us, as it is to many other good people not of our faith. Our resources are well organized, so that in cases of disaster, items such as food and hygiene kits can be shipped very very quickly, because they have been gathered in locations around the world in advance, and we have a great network of volunteers to give assistance when needed.


These kits will not likely be ones used for this particular disaster, but they can help replenish supplies used in Haiti. I know within hours of this major earthquake, plans were in place to send the first wave of supplies, which was nearby in the Dominican Republic. Shipments from Denver and Miami were to follow, as well as a team of doctors. To read more regarding the Church's disaster relief efforts in Haiti, see the online newsroom of the Church.


Directions for these kits, as well as instructions for other service opportunities, can be found in the Service Project Guidelines for the LDS Humanitarian Center. We found that all items for the hygiene kits (except maybe the heavy duty Ziplocs) could be purchased at our local Dollar Tree. We bought commercial quality hand towels in bulk at Sam's Club as they were a better quality for not much more money. We were able to do the shopping yesterday, with the kids, and introduce the whole concept to them.


This afternoon we spent time putting the kits together as a family (sans sleeping Princess). Making a donation to a reputable charity in this time of disaster is an awesome way to serve. But I felt that this hands-on activity would be beneficial both for disaster relief, and for our children, as it gives them a meaningful way to serve. I would encourage all who have time and means to put together a kit or two or twenty. If you need help sending them in, let me know at mindthemommy@gmail.com.


Not a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Days Saints? Guess what? You can still participate. The LDS Humanitarian Center would still love to accept your donation. And know that in distribution, "Projects operate without regard to the nationality or religion of the recipients."


If you would like to make a monetary donation towards disaster relief efforts, please consider giving to LDS Humanitarian Services Emergency Response. One somewhat unique feature of this fund, is that one hundred percent of the donation will go straight to humanitarian relief efforts, with overhead costs being absorbed by the Church. This fund does not intermix with other funds of the Church.


PS The following background information regarding humanitarian services of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints comes from http://www.newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/background-information/humanitarian-services:

"The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints provides relief and development projects for humanitarian purposes in countries all over the world. Projects operate without regard to the nationality or religion of the recipients.

Humanitarian service may include emergency response to natural disasters, such as an earthquake or a tsunami, or man-made disasters, such as the effects of war and famine. It may also be part of a longer-term effort to meet serious and more entrenched human needs, such as the need to alleviate disease.

Description
Within hours of a disaster, the Church works with local government officials to determine what supplies and food are needed. Materials are then immediately sent to the area.

After urgent needs are met, the Church looks for additional ways to help with the long-term needs of the community. The Church’s approach is to help people become self-reliant by teaching skills and providing resources for a self-sustained life.

Donations, principally from Church members but also from people around the world, are used to make relief projects possible. One hundred percent of the donations given to the Church’s humanitarian services are used for relief efforts. The Church absorbs its own overhead costs.

The humanitarian services arm of the Church sponsors five ongoing global projects to help people become more self-reliant. Initiatives include neonatal resuscitation training, clean water projects, wheelchair distribution, vision treatment and measles vaccinations."

Marathon Training: Report 2

Yesterday, my training schedule called for:

Tempo Run
Dist. 5 mi, inc Warm; 3 miles @ 9:14; Cool

I was exhausted and sick and decided to postpone until today.

This morning I was determined to run. Physical health aside, I needed the mental release. I have spent so very many days cooped up with sick children this winter that I am starting to get a little desperate. The kids feel just well enough to trash the house and be whiny, but not well enough to help clean it or be sweet or fun. Add my own sickness and depleted energy to the mix (and self-defeating depressed behaviors of indulging in too many chocolates and late night movies the last two days), and you have a messy home full of grumps. Depressing, huh?

Within the first tenth of a mile I felt my whole body just relax and fill with those sweet endorphins. This is why I run. It's even better than chocolate, and coming from me, that is really saying something!

I was able to decompress, think through some stressful issues, and lose myself in the music, and the steady gait of a tempo run. It was just what I needed. Around mile three it was becoming much harder to breathe, and I almost laughed to hear No Air from the Glee soundtrack as if on cue.

In the last mile and a half I was really struggling. It was as if my whole body was oxygen deprived, but I needed to make this work for my mental health. At the end I suddenly realized the problem was dehydration, probably due to the illness. There were bits of salt deposited on my face. Big red flag. I don't usually worry about a water bottle on a run up to about six or seven miles. Apparently this time, I should have.

It took all I had to complete this run according to schedule. At regular health, this run would be somewhat challenging for me, but not nearly as hard as it was.

Not to worry, I'll drink lots of water today and tomorrow, and by the time I get to Saturday's ten miler I'll have had two more doses of antibiotic, two nights of sleep, and lots of water.

In the meantime, I'm ready to go tackle the mess and get back to being thriving mom, rather than surviving mom.


Happy running!

Marathon Training: Report 1

According to my marathon training schedule, I was supposed to run 6 miles yesterday at an easy pace of 10:50 per mile. Usually, that pace is very comfortable for me. However yesterday morning I was so sleepy at 6 AM, that I had to start slower than planned. I got progressively faster during the run to make up for it, and averaged 10:49 per mile.

Pretty good considering that I had to blow my nose, and/or cough up loveliness every little while. The sickness continues here at the house of germs.

In fact, today I bit the bullet and even went to my doctor, to get my own antibiotic. My nasty cough had gotten worse, and had been joined by a low grade fever, aches, and the sick kind of exhaustion. Will probably postpone tomorrow's run until I've had two doses of antibiotic.

We will be back to the pediatrician tomorrow morning. Princess finished her antibiotic yesterday, and then spiked a fever this afternoon, and her cough got worse again. And now Max has a fever, and his cough is sounding awful, and he's been complaining about his left ear. On top of that, Little Mommy was started on an antibiotic yesterday for her pneumonia. Poor kids. Sometime I think it is truly amazing that I ever get any running in with such a crazy life.

Anyway, back to the marathon training...

On Sunday I took a hard look at my marathon training schedule for the first time. I tried to think about what it would be like to do a training run of 20 miles. (I've never run more than just over 13.) I started to panic over the thought. Who runs 26.2 miles without stopping, on purpose, for fun? How will I be able to do this?

Then I thought about how overwhelmed I was when I first considered a 5K. I'd never run a race before, and running 3.1 miles without stopping seemed like quite a challenge. But I kept running, and got stronger, and could run further. I did well on my first 5K. And then I ran a half marathon. And now 3.1 miles seems like nothing.

And then I knew that I could do this. That I should do this. That if I keep to my training schedule, I will be ready.


Happy running!

My Cause

Sixteen weeks of marathon training starts TOMORROW!!!

In all honesty, I am motivated to run this marathon just for myself. It is good for my soul to have a goal just for me, that isn't about home and family. I am a better wife and mother for having a little balance and a little me time. My kids like me better when I'm running. I'm more loving, more patient, and more fun.

But I felt inspired to take on another cause in running this marathon. I've looked over a number of possible organizations that could benefit from my support. I choose one last weekend, but felt impressed to hold off on announcing it. I just wasn't sure it was the right choice, as much as I admire what this organization does.


This week we received word that Mr. Bloomer's cousin Mandy's husband will be facing another round of chemotherapy. After several treatments for cancer of the esophagus, Travis was cancer-free for a time. He now has a tumor on his liver as well as cancer on his hip bone. Mandy is a runner. Travis is active and a high school coach. I understood suddenly why I felt like I should hold off on announcing my cause. It's because my family needs me more right now than an adopted organization, and this would be the perfect way I could support them.

I will be running for Travis and his family. If you want to support me (or more importantly, Mandy and Travis and their four precious kids) please make a donation through paypal. (See Donate button on my sidebar.) They will receive 100% of your donation to help towards medical bills and family expenses. Every little bit will help. If you have the means to be more generous, please do so.

For updates on Travis and the family, please visit Mandy's blog.

A Heavenly Glimpse

As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, we understand that our spirits were creating by a loving Father in Heaven, who sent us to this earth to gain a body, and the experience neccessary to help us develop our divine qualities and return to Him some day. Yet some weeks, it seems easy to get bogged down with the cruddier parts of mortality rather than focusing on this eternal plan.


You know, things like a broken high quality dishwasher only five years old that needs to be replaced, poorly designed electrical work that makes installing the new one quite difficult, another major round of sickness (third this season!) including pneumonia, fevers, body aches, runny and stuffy noses, coughs, and conjunctivitis amongst the family members, teamed with brutally cold snowy weather, bickering siblings, and a host of other worries big and small.

Yesterday after picking up the big girls from Girl Scouts we ran by the store for a few essentials. On the way home we passed a college-age girl struggling to carry her own groceries and a larger sized duffel. It was very cold, and I wanted to stop to offer her a ride. It was a little tricky to get turned around and in a position to talk to her, but I managed to reach her at the exact moment she had set the groceries down to readjust.

"Would you like a ride home? It's so cold out and you have so much to carry." I worried that she might think I was some weird stalker person, but hoped she would trust me anyway.


Her face lit up. She went to put her groceries in the back seat, and realized I had a car full of children, so she opted to keep them near her rather than go back toward the cargo space. It took about 5 minutes to get her home. Not a big deal in a warm car, but a long way to walk on a frigid afternoon with a heavy load.

It turns out that Agatha is here to study at a local university for one year before returning to her native home in France. Her roommates usually drive her to the store, but they are all Americans and are not yet back from winter break. She really needed food and as the bus didn't go to this grocery store, she had chosen to walk.

I have a dear friend who just returned from a year in France. She blogged about many sweet experiences there, including some where their family was very blessed or served by someone else. Visiting with Agatha reminded me of this friend, and made me feel a greater connection to the world at large, that we could all be linked somehow by serving each other.

My heart swelled with gratitude for this small opportunity to serve and bring greater meaning to my life.

It's GIRL SCOUT COOKIE TIME AGAIN! (Consider donating a box to the troops too!)

Hello Friends and Family,

The Actress and the Artist are both selling Girl Scout cookies. If you are interested, I must receive your order no later than Saturday, January 23. We expect to receive the cookies in the second or third week of February.

Cookies are $4 per box, and we have several scrumptious varieties to help you break your New Years resolutions! (Actually, some of the cookies, including Thin Mints, are only 1 Weight Watchers point each, so you CAN lose weight and eat your cookie too!). Choose from:

Lemon Chalet Cremes: Uniquely designed to feature Our Chalet, this delicious vanilla sandwich has a hint of cinnamon-ginger spice and a refreshing zesty lemon creme filling.

Trefoils: Delicate-tasting shortbread that is delightfully simple and satisfying.

Do-Si-Dos: Crisp and crunchy oatmeal cookies with creamy peanut butter filling. No artificial color or flavor.

Samoas: Tender vanilla cookies, covered with caramel, rolled in toasted coconut, and striped with a rich, chocolaty coating.

Dulce De Leche: Inspired by the classic confections of Latin America, these sweet bite-size cookies are rich with milk caramel chips.

Thank U Berry Much: Real, premium cranberries provide a delightful tartness in these hearty cookies sweetened with creamy, white fudge chips Crispy rice delivers a satisfying crunch. Thank U for supporting Girl Scouts.

Tagalongs: Tasty cookies topped with creamy peanut butter and covered with a luscious chocolaty coating.

Thin Mints: A thin wafer covered with a smooth chocolaty coating. Made with natural peppermint.

You can find photos and nutrition information at Little Brownie Bakers and ABC Smart Cookies.

Email or call me if you have my personal information already. If not, email me at mindthemommy@gmail.com. I will ship, and we can work out shipping costs together. Just contact me.

Don't want cookies for yourself? Consider donating some to the troops instead. One of the moms in one of our troops sent the following:

"This year, not only are we selling GS cookies but we are partnering with an organization OPERATION: MOMS Cookies Inc http://www.momscookies.org/ and are accepting monetary donations to purchase boxes of GS cookies to ship overseas to our active troops in the military. I heard it is one of their favorite food items to receive. If anyone wants to do the same, please feel free. When the cookies are delivered in Feb/Mar I will take all of the donated boxes to them and they will add them to their shipments."

I invite you to join in this effort and make a donation in any amount towards the purchase of boxes to be sent to troops overseas. I know they so appreciate our support.

Thank you!

Jingle Bell 5K

December 12th Mr. Bloomers and I were blessed to find a last minute baby-sitter when our original plans fell through (thanks Brandon) so we could punish ourselves by participating in the Plainfield Jingle Bell 5K.


Feels like temperature was 7, and it took about a mile and a half for me to actually be able to feel my feet. But even in the cold, I finished in record time (for me) and took third in my age group. Feels great to medal.


This was Mr. Bloomers first 5K. GO MR. BLOOMERS! I know this race didn't go as well as he'd hoped, but it sure was awesome to be there together.

Coming soon...

Look forward to frequent overdue posts this month. Hopefully lots of them. Trying to catch up, you know?


This will include a dedicated post about our family visit to the location these photos were taken at.

Also...marathon training starts MONDAY! I'll be blogging all about it. Fun times, paying someone to let me run till I'm sick. Awesome. Want to support me? Leave helpful comments, join me on dailymile, and/or donate to the cause I'm running for. More on that very soon.

I tried to track my food here in the last couple of days, and if you've been here, you've noticed. I've given that up as I just can't be at the computer frequently enough. So, know that I am still tracking on paper in my kitchen, and that my portions are getting smaller, though I still haven't broken that chocolate addiction. I'll get there.


***True confession: Giving up chocolate for Lent was instrumental in my weight loss last year. Isn't it about time for Lent yet? I could sure use additional motivation for fighting off those chocolate cravings!

16 pounds in 16 weeks

I have spent the last two months eating, drinking (full calorie hot chocolate and juice people, no worries about the stronger stuff), and making merry with LOADS of holiday foods.

I went back to WW points for 2 days in December. Then I realized, "What good is a new year without a resolution for weight loss?" So I took to riotous eating and thoroughly enjoyed myself to gluttony. My pants are now tight. In retrospect, I'm thinking I should have stuck with moderation in all things.

But, as it is, I am a little less than 17 weeks from my first marathon. And I want to be as fast as possible, so I'm embarking on another weight loss adventure. 16 pounds in 16 weeks. Starting today. The main changes to my diet? Smaller portions, and way less treats. I get one dessert on Sundays, with a hot chocolate a day (sugar free Swiss Miss with splenda, also provides about a third of my daily calcium need, and twice that when made with skim milk). If I really need a treat, I stick to Baskin Robbins Cookies and Cream hard candies in small quantities.

I love the new year and a fresh start!


PS This picture was taken less than a half mile from the last one. Also, Princess was not so happy here. She was DETERMINED to walk BY HERSELF in the snow, despite frequent falling down. We saw a whole new side to the baby on our Boston excursion. She's got some spunk!

This year...

I will spend five quality minutes in the scriptures everyday. (One day down, 364 to go.) I will also pray more regularly with greater sincerity.


I was inspired to choose this goal by Mary N. Cook, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She gave a great talk in April 2009, which included the following:

"Daily habits of righteous behavior will also help you to continually hold fast to the rod. As a Young Women general presidency we have invited all of the young women in the world to develop three daily habits:

First, pray to your Father in Heaven, morning and night, every day.

Second, read the Book of Mormon for at least five minutes every day.

And third, smile! Why? We have the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, which brings us true happiness."

Anyone else care to join me on this one? Any other great 2010 goals you are working on? Please share...

PS Any guesses about where I took this photo?