Couch to 5K=OVER TOMORROW

My race is tomorrow morning at 8am. I am nervous and excited and hopeful. I am nervous because I've never done this before. I am excited because I have been working hard and want to see myself accomplish this goal. I am hopeful because I want to run the entire race--no walking--and I want to keep a steady pace.

Today is a restful day. I'm not doing much, and per Marla's advice, I'm staying off my feet. I intend to drink a lot of water and rest. I hope Dave has a quiet weekend of call. I hope hope hope so.

As for my hair, I am still holding out. I think it is getting better. :)

This is a busy week coming up. Today is my Grandma's birthday. I haven't been able to get cards out for Mother's Day or her birthday. I can't look at cards with my kids. It takes too long, and the kids all fight and pull the cards off the shelf. So, it looks like they will be late. I hate that, but that is how it goes sometimes.

Maryn had an axillary (under the arm) temp of 103 yesterday. She had no other symptoms. I got a little worried about her last night. She's completely fine today. Weird.

Maryn will be four on Monday.

That is hard to believe.

We will be having her birthday party the following Saturday with our family. She is looking forward to it. It is a Tinkerbell birthday. :)

This is a boring post, so I think I'll stop. Blah blah blah. :)

Shampoo-Free: Day One

I know you're super excited to read about me not using shampoo. I mean, you want to live vicariously through me, and you might even try it if I'm successful with it. Right?

Nah, you're probably thinking, "That is disgusting, and she is crazy!"

I think you're both right.

I bought a bunch of stuff yesterday to prepare for my making all-natural home cleaners spree, and I was out of shampoo, anyway. Remember, here is the link for how to go shampoo-free. So, I rinsed out my Aveda bottle (which is pretty natural and smells DIVINE), and filled it with one cup of warm water mixed with 1 tbsp. of baking soda. I just used a little bit squirted on my head (b/c it's watery and won't stay in the hand). Let it sit a bit, then rinsed. Voila!

I shower at night (because there is no way I am getting up before 5 to shower) because I have three chilluns who can't be left unsupervised. It works for me. Anyway, I slept on wet hair (don't tell my grandma), and my hair looked just as crazy as it normally does. I got it wet and finger-styled it. Done.

I am going to make the apple-cider vinegar rinse to use a couple of times a week. I may give it a whirl tonight.

My hair feels clean. Dave said it doesn't smell. It was manageable. But, it's still Day One. I'm a bit worried about the greasy de-tox. I have heard it can last a couple of weeks. I'm hoping I don't have to worry about it. At least my hair is short, and I can use barrettes to distract. :)

Who is going to cross-over into crunchy-granola land with me?

In other news, I have not gotten to run since Sunday night. Circumstances have prevented me from doing so. I think I am going to get to go today. I will just modify a bit more.

Sam is getting braver all the time with his leg. He kind of makes me nervous sometimes, and I have had to get onto him about putting weight on it. I am so nervous he is going to reinjure himself.

I now understand the gardening addiction. It is so much fun to see stuff grow. The square foot gardening model makes it relatively painless too--very little weeding. I actually went out and bought a large strawberry plant last night and put it in a pot. I just keep wanting to grow MORE. :) I will get some pictures on here soon.

Happy Wednesday!

Life After Three and the Lies of Productivity

I was talking to some women last night at a Christmas party, and as we were discussing transitioning from one child to two and then two to three, I realized that my housekeeping skills haven't been the same since I went from two to three. Sure, they weren't great when I just had two, but they really went downhill at three!!!

This transition was probably one of the most difficult ones to make, but after a year of having three, I am getting the hang of going out with them, eating with them, and having fun with them. However, I still find the housework a challenge!

Like today, for instance.

I have been doing laundry and dishes. I also straightened my bedroom and fixed a wobbly drawer in the kids' dresser.

I remember with two I could have also cleaned out the fridge and done a thorough house blessing! Perhaps it is partly related to having a little one who is INTO EVERYTHING! When she is awake, I really have to keep my eyes on her.

Dave is awesome. He doesn't complain. Even when I ask him to complain, he can only muster, "I wish you would rinse off your dishes before you put them in the sink." Seriously? That's it? You aren't furious that your underwear are dirty and there are dishes piled in the sinks and all along the countertops? You aren't frustrated that there are goldfish all over the dining room floor and crumbs and marker streaks on the table? He really is a gem.

I know sometimes I am too hard on myself in the housekeeping department, but how did Dave's grandma do so much on a farm? How did she get up at 4am? How did she milk all the cows, take care of four kids (one set of twins) and bring water up from a well? And garden? And clean? And cook? HOW?????

I don't know. I think my life is pretty easy compared to hers, and I don't have to keep a farm running to survive, either. My life is so different. I'm thankful, but I do wish I had some of that motivation. But, at the same time, I do think "productivity" is a god in this culture. We measure worthiness and capability by how much one accomplishes in a day (or an hour).

When my head hits the pillow tonight, I want to think that I did exactly what I was supposed to do today. My list of accomplishments may be short, but I pray my children and husband felt loved by what small amount I was able to do.

Random and Quick

I know I love to read random posts, so I hope you will indulge mine.

Dave is fine. He made it safely. Had to run to catch a plane in Germany. Made it without the suitcase containing his otoscope, socks, and underpants. Stink. Literally.

I got to actually hear his precious voice last night. He skyped me using someone else's computer. I was so thankful. It does make a world of difference to hear his voice. Hmmm...I'll be thinking about that whole voice thing...I'm sure there is a post in there somewhere...

Maryn has a weird rash on her lower legs and the underside of her forearms. I don't handle rashes well. I'm scared to death of things like scabies, hand foot mouth, you know, anything contagious that requires you to bleach your house and keep everyone quarantined. We're going to the doctor in about an hour. Thank God.

I'm okay. I'm sad and miss my husband. My grandma had a miniature stroke the other night. Praying she doesn't have a big one. She's my last grandma alive. I have two grandpas who haven't really stayed in touch, so I feel like she's IT in that department (except for Grandpa Hat). I am not ready for her to go quite yet.

Nothing more on the house. Flyers continue to disappear from the box, but the only phone call I've had this week was someone wanting to rent to own. No thanks. Not upset at the moment. I know it will all work out eventually.

I want a grey skirt--a flowy one made out of organic cotton with a little poofy slip. Oh, and with a fitted waistband. It's in my head, but I don't know if it exists.

I have had the "I wants" lately. Ugghhh. Well, I saw these, and thought, I'd like those as well, thank you.

I think these are wonderful in every sense of the word. Bed, Bath, & Beyond (my budget)...$100/4 place setting...ahhh, well, they're pretty to look at.

But, like I learned from the Floods (a couple who did some parenting classes with us), we love PEOPLE not things. So, I really like these dishes...

...but I love you. I do.