Not since before Dad died have I donned a bib and ran in a race. I will tomorrow. I am feeling the empty space he left behind. I can imagine I will feel it along the route tomorrow as well.
When I ran before I could always count on seeing him along the route in at least 8-10different places and then of course at the finish line. He was an expert at finding a spot, cheering me on as I ran by, then jumping in his truck to get to the next spot before I got there.
I am excited to do this! Funny how time changes things. I never thought I would do this again...but here I am, drinking my fluids and making sure I eat a good CHO filled dinner. All thanks to friends.
Whoo who!
Friday, April 17, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
The things I miss most:
1. Always having to say goodnight and give him a hug--even if I was a grow-up with kids of my own and just visiting.
2. The strong silent--seemingly unemotional--demeanor, unless I looked closer and saw the tears well up in his eyes. This was especially true when he thought/spoke of grand kids.
3. The unconditional support--whether I was dancing, in colorguard, going back to school, or running, he was there. He watched hours of dance reviews, marching band competitions, he oversaw homework sessions with Mom, and he even mapped out running routes (making sure to tell me where every hill would be and the best strategy for conquering them). He was never interested in these things until I became interested in them--then he made himself an avid fan.
4. The howling laughter of my kids as he was tickling/torturing them. The reference to "Grandpa Tickle".
5. The warm, heavy hand on mine in Sacrament Meeting or riding in the car, or walking down the street.
6. H@ll, D#mn, Sh$t, as normal everyday language. Not cuss words. Just verbage. I knew I was in trouble when he DIDN'T swear.
7. The look in my children's eyes when I told them we were going to Gramps' house.
8. Reassuring my kids that indeed cows are cows and horses are horses--that it does not matter that cowboys ride horses--they are still not cows, no matter what Gramps told them.
9. The missing corner from my baked goods before they were served. (He had to make sure they were not poisonous.)
10. The ability to wish him a Happy Birthday with a crazy card referencing his advanced age then to see him laugh, that silent deep laugh that would bring tears to his eyes. Then later find these same stupid cards tucked away in his sock drawer.
Today is my Dad's birthday. He is still very missed here.
2. The strong silent--seemingly unemotional--demeanor, unless I looked closer and saw the tears well up in his eyes. This was especially true when he thought/spoke of grand kids.
3. The unconditional support--whether I was dancing, in colorguard, going back to school, or running, he was there. He watched hours of dance reviews, marching band competitions, he oversaw homework sessions with Mom, and he even mapped out running routes (making sure to tell me where every hill would be and the best strategy for conquering them). He was never interested in these things until I became interested in them--then he made himself an avid fan.
4. The howling laughter of my kids as he was tickling/torturing them. The reference to "Grandpa Tickle".
5. The warm, heavy hand on mine in Sacrament Meeting or riding in the car, or walking down the street.
6. H@ll, D#mn, Sh$t, as normal everyday language. Not cuss words. Just verbage. I knew I was in trouble when he DIDN'T swear.
7. The look in my children's eyes when I told them we were going to Gramps' house.
8. Reassuring my kids that indeed cows are cows and horses are horses--that it does not matter that cowboys ride horses--they are still not cows, no matter what Gramps told them.
9. The missing corner from my baked goods before they were served. (He had to make sure they were not poisonous.)
10. The ability to wish him a Happy Birthday with a crazy card referencing his advanced age then to see him laugh, that silent deep laugh that would bring tears to his eyes. Then later find these same stupid cards tucked away in his sock drawer.
Today is my Dad's birthday. He is still very missed here.
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Thinkin' and a Wonderin'
Disclaimer: There are no cute tales or pics of the Turner Fab 4 in this post, so feel free to discontinue reading it. (Mom this applies to you since I know the only reason you check this blog is to see if you can show off pictures of your grand kids.)
As is well know (I voice it to everyone I talk to, every time I talk to them), I am in training to run the SLC 1/2 and then the Wasatch Back Relay. Obviously, this training includes running on the treadmill for long stretches at a time (it is still too cold and wet to run outside for me--as my Dad always told me: "You can't get wet, you might melt!" You see I am made of sugar--sugar melts when it gets wet. I promise that is what he told me!?!)
Anyway, I am getting extremely bored of staring at the same gym rat who is lifting the same weight and pulling the same face, and then smelling the same bad air--I had to put that part in for little bro. (Once you have seen one of them, you have seen them all--come on you know what I am talking about!).
To alleviate this monotony the masses turn to music. Well here is my dilemma. I can vomit up the words of the U2 and Bon Jovi songs that I have been rocking out to, dating back to the beginning of my running experience--back before Will, back before I worked, back before I went to RN school, heck back before I was OLD. Most of the songs I listen to are from the 80s. (Gulp, I said it.) They no longer "do it" for me.
Here is where I am now a beggin' and a pleadin'. PLease tell what motivates you. You don't have to listen to these songs when running. Any songs that motivate you, whether it be when you are kicking butt on the eliptical, or chasing down your preschoolers, or doing the dishes and scrubbing the toilet, or meeting that deadline at the office, I want a list of those songs. Please give them up.
My SIL (who BTW is a kick butt runner) gave up the Killers. So I have gotten to work downloading them. I don't do country music (sh@t kickin' music--as dad used to say), but anything else I am open to--I say that but I do have a song from Taylor Swift that gets me going, so I guess I could possibly do country too.
So look through your Ipod and give me the list, PLEASE.
As is well know (I voice it to everyone I talk to, every time I talk to them), I am in training to run the SLC 1/2 and then the Wasatch Back Relay. Obviously, this training includes running on the treadmill for long stretches at a time (it is still too cold and wet to run outside for me--as my Dad always told me: "You can't get wet, you might melt!" You see I am made of sugar--sugar melts when it gets wet. I promise that is what he told me!?!)
Anyway, I am getting extremely bored of staring at the same gym rat who is lifting the same weight and pulling the same face, and then smelling the same bad air--I had to put that part in for little bro. (Once you have seen one of them, you have seen them all--come on you know what I am talking about!).
To alleviate this monotony the masses turn to music. Well here is my dilemma. I can vomit up the words of the U2 and Bon Jovi songs that I have been rocking out to, dating back to the beginning of my running experience--back before Will, back before I worked, back before I went to RN school, heck back before I was OLD. Most of the songs I listen to are from the 80s. (Gulp, I said it.) They no longer "do it" for me.
Here is where I am now a beggin' and a pleadin'. PLease tell what motivates you. You don't have to listen to these songs when running. Any songs that motivate you, whether it be when you are kicking butt on the eliptical, or chasing down your preschoolers, or doing the dishes and scrubbing the toilet, or meeting that deadline at the office, I want a list of those songs. Please give them up.
My SIL (who BTW is a kick butt runner) gave up the Killers. So I have gotten to work downloading them. I don't do country music (sh@t kickin' music--as dad used to say), but anything else I am open to--I say that but I do have a song from Taylor Swift that gets me going, so I guess I could possibly do country too.
So look through your Ipod and give me the list, PLEASE.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
William and the Whale
Well okay, not a whale, but fish, octopus, sharks, jellyfish, stingrays and spiders.
I took Will to the Living Planet Aquarium today. We had a good time even though Will was constantly just looking for Nemo or Nemo's Daddy (I don't think he has even watched the movie--he just has the toys.)
Will was more than a little scared of the different tanks, but I think it was that good kind of scared--that thrilling scared--where you just hang on tight to your Mom and go for it.
I was pleased with the outing. We even stayed and had lunch.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Who would have thought....
I get a whole afternoon/evening/night to myself. All myself. I don't have the boys--they went to scout camp (I so wanted to go on this trip). I don't have Will (my Mom thought it would be fun if he stayed with her, instead of her coming to stay with us--I have to work tomorrow and needed a babysitter). I do however, technically have Regan, but she is more interested in her friends than she is me--I seriously can't figure out why. I am ALONE.
So what do I do? The options are endless. Movie, dinner, spa, shopping (I could spend hours in Barnes & Noble), sleeping, reading, hanging with some friends, shaving my Legs (by myself--something I haven't done since Will was a babe), and the list could go on and on.
Uh, but no. I think I will go workout and then watch the tube. Yee Haw! I am an exciting, happening gal!
CAN"T WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE BACK! (At least then I can complain that I can't get a minute to myself.)
So what do I do? The options are endless. Movie, dinner, spa, shopping (I could spend hours in Barnes & Noble), sleeping, reading, hanging with some friends, shaving my Legs (by myself--something I haven't done since Will was a babe), and the list could go on and on.
Uh, but no. I think I will go workout and then watch the tube. Yee Haw! I am an exciting, happening gal!
CAN"T WAIT UNTIL THEY ARE BACK! (At least then I can complain that I can't get a minute to myself.)
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Utah's Winters
Feeling a bit cramped (seems like we have been inside for years--although I know it has not been that long since we were romping in the glow of an Indian Summer that compares to my childhood years), Will and I decided to go outside and take a walk.
As we started off the sun was out--and yes we could see it. We had blue sky above us. Salt Lake City is amazing when you can see the sky and the white capped mountains. All of that was great, but the big kicker was that we could actually feel the sun's warmth. We were DEFROSTING. Needless to say, it was wonderful.
Then....it snowed! Within minutes of our walk, it SNOWED! Light, fluffy snowflakes. Not too wet, but cold. Will was confused. I was confused!
WILL: "What is it?"
When I said snow--he got so angry.
WILL: "NO mama, what is it" (as he is pointing to the still blue sky).
Again I repeat: "It is snow."
What a sad, sad, day for a kid that loves to play outside, but who HATES the snow.
Weird that he does not like it, my others loved (still do) the snow. Maybe when he is older!
As for now, we will try to catch every minute (or even second as the case may be) to soak up the sun.
Waiting for Spring, when I can complain how HOT it is outside.
As we started off the sun was out--and yes we could see it. We had blue sky above us. Salt Lake City is amazing when you can see the sky and the white capped mountains. All of that was great, but the big kicker was that we could actually feel the sun's warmth. We were DEFROSTING. Needless to say, it was wonderful.
Then....it snowed! Within minutes of our walk, it SNOWED! Light, fluffy snowflakes. Not too wet, but cold. Will was confused. I was confused!
WILL: "What is it?"
When I said snow--he got so angry.
WILL: "NO mama, what is it" (as he is pointing to the still blue sky).
Again I repeat: "It is snow."
What a sad, sad, day for a kid that loves to play outside, but who HATES the snow.
Weird that he does not like it, my others loved (still do) the snow. Maybe when he is older!
As for now, we will try to catch every minute (or even second as the case may be) to soak up the sun.
Waiting for Spring, when I can complain how HOT it is outside.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Happy Birthday Austin!
So he did it....he went and turned the big 12!
What is a 12 year old Austin like?
Well, he was named after both of his parents (Austin being my maiden name, and then of course Ryan being his Dad's name) and it seems as if he is a perfect mix of us both:
He is fearless when it comes to stunts (anything with wheels or on the snow).
He does get a little nervous of the dark.
He has a smile that lights up a room.
He is brillantly smart....he can fix anything mechanical.
He hates to read--unless it is "The Diary of a Wimpy Kid".
He is the best big brother ever, and always spoils his little bro.
He is the best at "pushing his sister's buttons".
He has such a tender heart, he always cheers for the underdog, and has been know to stand up for the kid getting picked on.
He is very popular and has a bunch of friends.
He is a little shy.
He always seems to need a haircut.
He is very particular about the way he looks.
He loves to watch Myth Busters.
He is AWESOME!
All in All he is a GREAT KID--OLD KID!
HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
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