Happy Mother’s Day Mom:
Here’s an excerpt from our 3 miler today:
Me: “I’m tired, let’s stop.”
Kim: “Yeah, let’s.”
We keep running.
Week 3 starts today with a sluggish run through the city.
Category Archives: family
…ok now, sprint!
Tonight was Week 2 with the Team in Training team in Modesto. Charlie Bob is doing OUR group. Guess we don’t get the luxury of the nice blonde lady. First off, he starts by saying, if our group starts at 7:30am, that means I want to be done talking and you are on the road at 7:30am. Okay, so I guess when the calendar says 7:30, I need to be there by 7 when he starts talking. Got it. I’m late, so um. Wait, I wasn’t, he was early, but hey this is CB time. 
He has us take a warm up mile. See? This I don’t know how to do. I don’t know the difference between warm up and run and cool down. So, I try anyway. We stretch, we do skipping and butt kicks. Then he informs us we are doing 4 x 400s. I think this means 4 laps. Nooooooo. You run one, then walk 100, run 200, walk 400. And you do it again. As you run by him, he yells out your time. He tells us your first 400 can’t be your fastest, and your last can’t be your slowest. I can’t remember this.
Anyway, I did 2:35 laps, and on the last one he yells out 2:16. And says…”I’m watching you. You saved everything for the last lap.” I thought it was a compliment, but I think he means I need to run harder. Huh.
Actually, I jest. I like him. A lot. I’d like to think that without his help, I would be following a plan on my own for my first marathon. Considering how I did on my own before, I’m sure CB will inspire and push me more than I could imagine.
The pic at top? My mom, dad and me, circa 1960. I thought of my Dad tonight, because we used to run a mile in the mornings before school. On the last 200 yards or so, he would yell, “Okay now, SPRINT!” I thought of him tonight, because we had to run on the track…and although I was always last on the track team, I can still see him in the stands yelling, “SPRINT!” Plus, I just love the way he is looking at me. It warms my heart.
He was my first CharlieBob. My parents come to visit this weekend for my 30th AA party and Mother’s Day. I am blessed.
1966 all over again
This had to be one of the first 45s I owned. Either that, or Dizzy. Tommy Roe. I was in love with him. My boys and I were out tonight getting haircuts, a new pair of shoes, an ice cream…and we were listening to an Oldies station…well, at first we were listening to Easy Come, Easy Go by George Straight, and Gymnotes #1 says that the song makes him think of his Dad and me, and could we please change the station. We listened to the Beatles (Something), and the Eagles (Take It Easy)…when Tommy Roe came on the radio.
I had to stop the car. Ever have one of those songs stop you in your tracks? It’s Sweet Pea for me. They had to get Starbucks gift cards, so they wanted to get out of the car, but I had to stay.
I’m downloading all of Tommy Roe as I type. Your first music. There’s nothing like it. I’m seeing my cousins in Monterey, in our Duro-Dyne shirts, before my oldest cousin dropped acid, and the rest of us were subject to their parents’ horrible relationship. Before we knew there was no Santa Claus, and when Go Ask Alice came out on the best seller list. Before the world started spinning a different way. Before Hippies and Vietnam…or before I knew about them.
A sweet time.
My world is starting to spin another way, and I’m finally realizing that I might yet love again. I’m not ready, but I’m ready for whatever God has in store for me.
I start realizing this when one of the girls I sponsor in AA drinks again. Or someone close to our group drinks again. Alcoholism. A wicked disease.
…and I remember that I am one of the lucky ones.
Happy Friday…
Aurora borealis comes in view.**
**Title from Flock of Seagulls, I RAN**
So, I have to come back. Because, because. I’m alive and have a purpose. Right? Here’s how my week went…and first of all, let’s get this out of the way. I haven’t run since October 1st. Why?
- Ending a marriage is a long, grueling process. The only thing that has saved my sanity this year is running. I had a long, drawn out meeting with the powers that be (aka, representatives of the state of California), and we are somewhat closer. Somewhat.
- Have you ever had a day like Groundhog’s Day? Every Day? Each day I come in, there is some new drama, some fight, drug use, police arrest. What happened yesterday in our lesson? They don’t know. They can’t remember. One class is reading 7 Habits Of Highly Effective Teens, and they know. Sort of.
- I open a journal on Monday. Cocaine spills out all over me. I think about those guys in TV who run the coke across their lips, and I touch it and wonder if I should do this. I imagine myself at a United Airlines ticket counter with my credit card…”Take me however far this will get me.” …because, that’s what happens when I drink. I am sober, sober, sober. The student is there the next day. The book is not tested, and he is not in trouble. A few weeks ago, two students were suspended for snorting cocaine through a mechanical pencil in two classrooms. They were not expelled. If you can’t get expelled for that, you can’t get expelled. So much for zero tolerance.
- I have a doctor’s appointment for the PF on Monday. I cannot tell you how disappointed I am that I didn’t do the 10K today. I may not do the Half. I don’t want to injure myself more, but maybe I just need to stop. running. That being said, I must go to the gym and do something, anything to get back.
- My love affair with ice cream was resurrected this past 10 days. It’s over, because like any lover, it does get old. It’s just cold, and makes me hurt the next morning. Because I’m such a slug.
- I won tickets to Randy Travis at the Big Fresno Fair, and went with my gf Cathy last night. As we are walking in one of those big halls, there is my ex-husband’s GIGANTIC Construction Company booths. I walk over there, and no one is there. I write Rick a nice letter, saying how glad I am that he is doing well. The booth guy comes up and says, “Oh, you know Rick?” I’m like, yeah, I was married to him. He says, “Rick is in Baja with the boys…” He also has two sons. I was very happy for him. My parting shot? “I helped him get his license!” (PS-THAT is why you are so rich, dude!) I couldn’t help it. Cathy and I were giggling.
- It was 20 years ago yesterday (10-10-88) that: (a) Sgt. Pepper taught the band to play, (b) The Dodgers won the 5th game of the NLCS to the Mets…I know this because, (c) I was moving out of #6′s house, and we were watching it as we packed.
- The Dodgers are down 2-0 in this year’s race to the World Series.
I read an article in Runner’s World today, that makes me get on my running clothes. It’s incredibly windy and sunny. But, I’m off to the gym. To run. Or walk. Or lift weights. I’m leaving before 2pm. Before I can change my mind.
WWE Woes & Running Club Help
- Gymnotes #2 is having his 9th birthday party on Friday night. 9 boys, sleeping over, swimming and spa…and it’s a WWE theme. I can’t even link it now, but it’s the SMACKDOWN wrestling thingy that he is currently obsessed with (yeah, ending a sentence with a preposition, sorry English people)…I need ideas for what to DO that night? We are watching Smackdown, and vying for the Title Belt, but this Mom is so out of ideas.
- Running Team Name. We need a team name to wear to our Half in Fresno. Kim is 35, and I’m *cough* 49 and we started running on Halloween. Our town is Ripon. We want it to say *Membership: 2*. We are slow. Ripon River Rats? HELP????
- We ran 4.4 this morning. Each of us with a bathroom stop. This is her first one. I felt slightly smug…”Oh, look at you needing to stop”….LOL I probably have to stop 2 out of 3 times…We did a 10:50 pace.
That’s it for today. I could use some help, if you’re so inclined.
Hot Yoga. Yes. Hot.
Today’s cross training was brought to you by the hot cop who was right behind me in Yoga class. I’ve been separated for a year and a half, and I’m not looking. At all.
It’s amazing, however, how having a male in my class makes me do the Yoga poses so very very perfectly. There was no wiggling during Tree Pose. I did the Pigeon with expertise. Downward dog? None better.
I have suddenly become aware that the world is filled with people that are of the male persuasion. I live in a very small town, and again…I’m not available…but suddenly, there they are…and they’re everywhere. However, the hot cop in the class suddenly made me not just notice, but actually sit up and take notice.
Perhaps my addled brain is due to the all day boy fest we had yesterday. Four boys, Pizza, swimming, Journey to the Center of the Earth (in 3D, with glasses!), Tae Kwon Do & Cub Scouts. When I finally put the boys into bed, I gave them the 3B lecture.
“Don’t come and get me unless you are bleeding, barfing, or have a broken bone.” Susan reminded me today that *house on fire* should be in that category. Gymnotes #1 came in with blood on his foot, but they were giggling, so I assume it was a manufactured injury.
I watched Generation Kill, and How to Look Good Naked. Finally fell asleep, blissfully at 11:30 or so. Just needed some down time. Am going out of town for a quick LA trip, this being my last weekend before work on August 5th. As I’m typing this, they are yelling for me to play Monopoly.
Hot Yoga. Cures what ails you.
*Exciting isn’t it, a special kinda business*
Wishon Cove, at Bass Lake
I’m having a ball posting pictures from my phone with WordPress’ new little gadget. This is a doctored photo of Wishon Cove, at Bass Lake. Great vacation.
- First the run. God, I was tired. Drug myself through town, ended up at the Mother Ship (Starbucks), where as I was leaving the restroom, my girls had a Venti iced water waiting for me. I BIG PUFFY heart them so. I ran an 11:10 pace, so I was definitely dragging.
- I can’t even remember my first three songs today, and I’m way too lazy to go look. Trying to squeeze out the last ten days of my summer. Last night rode my bike to my side of the catwalk; the boys were with Dad on HIS side. We met at the top. Pretty cool, in my opinion.
- My Husker pal Lisa, turned me on to the Olympics ATT Music website. If you want some kickass running music, go there. Three Doors Down, the Champion in Me is featured today.
- Mayflower Madness: My Dad has been working on the Geneology for the special Mayflower Heiress Descendant designation. He finally gets it all sent in to the person who will fine-tooth-comb it. She writes:
Thank you for all the documentation which you sent. However, there are still some items needed:
Gen 7: Stutson/Stetson Eaton
Documentation is needed that names his parents: Acc to Familysearch.org his birth is listed on Film # 1000500 Index of early to 1900 births, his marriage is on Film # 1000989. I don’t know if you are near to a Mormon Family History Center where you could order the films…if not, please let me know.
I found his cem record in Waupaca Co., WI Dayton township in the Crystal Lake Cemetery with the date 08 Nov 1870. It also states that Almira is buried there, but gives no further information.The following death certificates are needed:
Gen 8: Mary Eaton Fuller
Gen 9: Myra Fuller Eddy
Walter Eddy
Gen 10: Allan Eddy
Gladys EddyWas Abel Eaton in the Rev. War?
Thank You, M*****S******, Historian.
My Dad replies:
The death certificates are no problem although they will cost $12.00 apiece. You might ask M***** why the death certificates are critical to the genealogy proof. I’m just curious and we’ll get it if necessary. I thought the information I sent that tied them into the family tree was pretty solid. I sent pictures of all five of the grave sites and I personally attended the funerals of Walter, Myra, Allan, and Gladys so I know they are all dead!
Dad
For some reason, that just had me laughing out loud.
*From OPP, Naughty by Nature, which was my last song this morning*
*Wake up, check that off of some list*
Wondering about this new little app from iPhone. Practicing my coolness with blogging off the site. WordPress, you’ve done it again! Good stuff.
{{{{skipping off to check to see how it looks online}}}}
That is my goofy dog Chet, and yeah, I posted that from my iPhone. UUber coolness!!
- If you aren’t convinced yet, Razzdoodle, go and get one. Tout de suite! I have last year’s model, but just updated everything. Man, this is one thing I missed while I was gone…blogging. I had to stay connected via the internet, but now with the app, I’m sorry, it’s just great. Yeah, I’m geeky this way.
- I’ve spent the better part of three days with customer service, reps, technicians…all trying to get the Internet, TV and Telephone to work. We were offline yesterday, so I baked Peanut Butter/Choc chip cookies from scratch. My Mother-In-Law brought me eggplant and tomatoes, so I made fresh tomato sauce for eggplant parmesean. Essentially, it was like the old days. The TV didn’t work, so the boys tore around town on their bikes, and we ended up out for dinner and buying School Supplies. Yes, I capitalized that. In our area, school starts August 6th, but they go to private school, so it starts August 20. I wanted to make sure that they had a good selection. Target? Yeah, they had enough.
- I ran. Tuesday, after 10 days of Bass Lake and laying around with Fudge Buckets, etc., I finally ran. It felt wonderful. With the Susan B Anthony only a few weeks away, I had to get the mojo on. I stopped training for the Half in November, but will start up again after the next 5K. There is a boredom factor there, and so I just ran. (PS-I got a running skirt at Target, and they suck. They do. I felt all weird with that fabric across my legs. I’m old school, gimme some leggings. I already pre-ordered my SBA one for the run, so I’ll just wear it around. Cute, but not functional for me.)
My top three songs:
1) I Kissed A Girl: Katy Perry
2) Sexbomb: Tom Jones
3) All Your Reasons: Matchbox 20
This seemed to be a themed run, complete with the Dating Game Theme Song (Herb Albert & The Tijuana Brass) [note, it's really called WHIPPED CREME], School’s Out, by Alice Cooper, and UB40, I Can’t Help Falling In Love With You. Anyone see a pattern here? It was all good. Ended the run with The Boss, Born to Run. Only 2.7 miles for 30 minutes, but I was happy.
- Two weeks left of my summer vacation. God only knows what’s in store for me this year. The Supt of, as my friend CTG aptly names places, I shall try this. Let’s call this the District to the East. I’m sorry, that’s all I’ve got. Anyway, the District to the East decided not to give me full Counseling years on my contract, thus removing 4-5K on the salary scale that they originally intended. I’ve been going back and for with the Personnel Supt., who really didn’t know if it had been done before…giving all certificated years (yes, in every district where I’ve worked). When I said I didn’t know if I could work there, she became irate. Word on the street is that she will go after a teacher’s credentials if they break a contract. Yikes. I’m still waiting on the word. I believe I’m correct, since the place I’ll be working has some counseling issues for their students. I’m teaching English in a Continuation School this fall. More to come on that later. I’m waiting to see, yet again, how this fleshes out for me.
- The Stranger, by Billy Joel Oh my. 1977. I met my current husband that year, so I was a tad emotional last night. All that aside, Billy Joel is the 70s to me. Drinking, Sorority house, Millerton Lake, Fresno State. (I also bought Bon Jovi, Lost Highway, and Coldplay, Viva La Vida…I usually download, but wow, there is something to be said for the real disk) My goodness. Maybe my mood had to do with the next bullet.
- My oldest son finally had to call a family meeting last night. He said we were all cranky because the phones & TV were out. He ran the meeting, wanting to make sure everyone was able to talk. Gymnotes #2, in true fashion, kept looking at the scrolling pics on the computer, and Gymnotes #1 kept trying to get him back on track. I love family meetings. The only rule? We tell the truth.
*From Summertime, Bon Jovi*
*There’s only one place left I want to go*
I gave a pint of blood today, and this song came on my iPhone. The absolute best cover I’ve heard of this song. Roberta Flack. A million years ago…fast forward to Leona Lewis. If you have time, crank up your speakers. Amazing.
- Tomorrow is the last day of Summer School. I’m ready, they’re ready. We had our book party today, where everyone brings something that represents their novel. Great stuff by all, but one kid brought his car keys. He said, “They drive a lot in this novel.” I looked at him and said, “Dude, do you know what got you into this class? Crap like that. Trying to snow the teacher, trying to do the least amount of work and be funny.” He said, “Yes Ma’am.” I love that. He is bringing something else tomorrow.
- We did oral reports. They had to persuade the class on any topic. Legalizing marijuana. Big big topic and arguments. One kid said, “If someone is bulimic, you could just give them a joint, and then they’ll eat.” Oy. I had to clean up a mess there.
- Olympics. Is anyone else as obsessed with them as me? I love the whole thing: the pre-matches, the games, the pomp, the athelete’s stories. I’ve even scheduled my book group to happen BEFORE that week.
- My book group. My turn. We are reading:
For Mona, my dear friend who just had her first treatment in a long, ugly summer of treatments. - The brick. You may remember the story of my father’s brick. Here it is:
It’s finally in. Long, long story. 5 years in the making. When it was finally put in, with the right year, our man Ken said, “At this point, it would be easier to change your dad’s transcripts than to get another brick!” I think it’s hilarious. - My sons and their KEEP OUT signs. When Gymnote #1 was mad at me the first time, he wrote a sign, and put it on his door. It was the first time he asserted this particular sentiment:
- Last week, Gymnote #2, left me a similar note:
I’m not the best Mom, but I let my kids have their feelings, and sometimes even their privacy. Heh. - The Library is having a book sale. 50 cents a book. I’m going back tomorrow to stock up for my new class.
- Ding. Time to get ready for Bass Lake. It’s 106 here, and 25 degrees cooler there for next week.
*Lyrics from Jon Bon Jovi; Who Says You Can’t Go Home?*
On why you should always wear lipstick to the market.
My mother told me never never never to go outside in this small town without wearing lipstick. She said that I must always look good, like this divorce isn’t seriously kicking my ass. Okay. So, when I go even to the Hardware store, I always slap some on my lips.
My mother came to visit me this month, when I informed her that my stylist and I decided that I should go gray gradually, because it’s oh-so-expensive to color my hair. My mother gave me one look and said, “Oh, you WILL find a way to pay for that.” So, back to Wayne I went with instructions to get the gray out. Yes people, while Rome is burning, Nero fiddles.
Today, I’m in the market after loads of laundry and cleaning my floor three times this weekend…applying to MORE jobs, etc. I am walking (WITH lipstick, WITH new hair color), and there is my STBEX’s friend from Hawaii. I haven’t seen him in years. He’s in town for some party. And I looked presentable. Thankfully. Thanks, Mom
PS-I then proceeded to get a candy bar and throw it in my cart…for emergencies. It’s gone already, in case you’re wondering. It was an emergency.
Saturday Post Part 2:
Robby thought it might be funny to make a copy of my Edjoin Page. This is the famous CA Teacher’s website, whereby if you have any luck at all, you could find a teaching job. In many years past, all you might need would be a pulse. Not today. With over 300 people applying for one teaching job, it’s getting pretty tight out there. So, with a nod to Robby, and of course to California Teacher Guy (Read May 8, 2008), who SLAMMED teased me (don’t worry, he’s my friend…) for having too many credentials…here without any further ado, is what I have to offer a school district in Northern CA. Names have been changed. Heh.
| CLAD.pdf [ preview ] English Learner Authorization |
278.81 KB | 4/16/2008 9:11:03 PM | |
| Cover Letter.pdf [ preview ] Letter of Introduction |
41.9 KB | 4/16/2008 10:22:06 PM | |
| CSET Scores.pdf [ preview ] Test Results/Materials |
210.29 KB | 4/16/2008 10:56:11 PM | |
| D**S**** Recommendation.pdf [ preview ] Letter of Recommendation |
315.65 KB | 4/16/2008 11:07:48 PM | |
| GenericCoverLetterSJCOE.pdf [ preview ] Letter of Introduction |
78.43 KB | 5/5/2008 12:53:34 PM | |
| Letter of Recommendation 46.jpg [ preview ] Other |
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| Letter of Rrecommendation 68.jpg [ preview ] Other |
128.9 KB | 6/3/2003 10:57:33 AM | |
| Limited PE Credential.pdf [ preview ] Credential Copy |
272.36 KB | 4/16/2008 9:15:40 PM | |
| NCLB Health.pdf [ preview ] NCLB Compliance |
300.69 KB | 4/16/2008 10:28:11 PM | |
| NCLB Home Economics pdf.pdf [ preview ] NCLB Compliance |
228.62 KB | 5/24/2008 1:20:35 PM | |
| NCLB PE.pdf [ preview ] NCLB Compliance |
107.08 KB | 4/16/2008 9:24:14 PM | |
| PPS Credential.pdf [ preview ] Credential Copy |
246.2 KB | 4/16/2008 10:18:06 PM | |
| R***H***recommendation.pdf [ preview ] Letter of Recommendation |
300.19 KB | 4/14/2008 5:33:51 PM | |
| R****H****** recommendation.pdf [ preview ] Letter of Recommendation |
44.24 KB | 4/16/2008 10:29:50 PM | |
| S**** Letter Of Recommendation.pdf [ preview ] Letter of Recommendation |
29.16 KB | 4/16/2008 10:59:58 PM | |
| Teaching Credential, Single Subject English.pdf [ preview ] Credential Copy |
171.24 KB | 5/5/2008 12:32:57 PM | |
| Teaching Credential, Single Subject English4.pdf [ preview ] Other |
171.24 KB | 2/29/2004 8:04:58 PM | |
| Teaching Credential1.jpg [ preview ] Other |
147.49 KB | 4/8/2003 1:56:28 PM | |
| Teaching Philosophy.pdf [ preview ] Letter of Introduction |
622.41 KB | 4/16/2008 10:58:38 PM | |
| Transcripts.pdf [ preview ] Copy of Transcript |
304.35 KB | 4/15/2008 5:01:58 PM | |
| T******Cover20Letter.pdf [ preview ] Letter of Introduction |
67.5 KB | 5/5/2008 12:29:54 PM | |
| VermeulenEnglishResume2007.pdf [ preview ] Resume |
52.2 KB | 5/5/2008 2:26:28 PM | |
| W****R**** recommendation.pdf [ preview ] Letter of Recommendation |
Yes, Yes. ’tis all true.
***SIGH***
