One Tiny Minute.

The living room is a mess and ingredients and dishes from lunch are still spread out all over the counter but I'm sitting down here anyway because I need just one tiny minute before I can face that mess.

The TV is on and the girls are watching one show because they promised they would watch quietly and not ask me any questions.

I just put the Tadpole down for his nap, finally. He has this terrible rash so I've been letting him run around naked all morning, trying to let his sore bum air out. The rash combined with his teething has left him a very cranky baby, and I sighed with relief when I laid him down on the bed and kissed his sweet little forehead. (A forehead that is no longer covered by wispy, soft golden curls because I accidentally had the barber cut his hair WAY too short. It's growing on me but I cried the first day because there was a little boy standing where my baby used to be and that's not fair!).

I still have to pick up the house, do the laundry, finish the Mermaid's schooling, and then run to the store because I forgot to buy fish food again! Maybe one day I will own a Prius and I won't hate running to the store for such little things but now in my van I feel guilty every time I have to make extra trips due to my forgetfulness.

The Earth is sick, and we have to do what we can to make her better I always tell the girls, then tell myself I will write "Don't forget fish food" on my hand in permanent marker next time, if that's what it takes.

It's rainy and cloudy and this type of weather always makes me be too hard on myself.

My one tiny minute has now turned into 15. We'll finish up schooling but maybe instead of cleaning we'll put on rain jackets and rain boots and go splash in puddles.

And embrace this rainy weather, for once.

Just Write

One Tiny Minute.

Bit by the Running Bug!

Yesterday I ran the 5th Annual Lone Gull 10K.

One year ago, I was almost 50lbs heavier and could not walk up the stairs without getting out of breath. If you had told me back then that in one year I would be almost 50lbs lighter and run a 10K, I would have laughed.

I think it's just hitting me now that I actually ran a 10K! Granted I did not run the entire time but I ran a good portion of it, and I finished. That was my goal, just to finish.

The course was absolutely gorgeous, it was by the ocean and the views on the beach were wonderful! I ran it with a friend, so it really was a lot of fun! My legs are so sore but it was really worth it!

I'm hooked :) I'm finishing up my training with Couch to 5K, and then will do a 10K program and then 1/2 marathon, then marathon, etc.

I can't wait for my next race!

Bit by the Running Bug!

This Could Easily Become An Addiction.

On Sunday I am running my first race, a 10K. My friend somehow convinced me to sign up even though the most I've ever run is 3 miles.

I should do ok, right?

It's by the ocean, so it's not a bad place to perish if I end up dying by the side of the road.

And to show you how hilarious I think the idea of me running a race is, from my FB page:

• • E posted toShelly

    I'm going to cheer you on with inspirational phrases throughout the race on Sunday. For example: Sweating is your body crying and begging you to stop.

    · · See Friendship · 21 hours ago

    • You, S, J, L and 2 others like this.
    • • 

        Shelly Or, "Run like hell and get the agony over with."
      • 
        E Oh sh!t there's a tiger behind us! Don't look!

        20 hours ago · · 1 person
      • 

        Shelly Run till you puke!

        
        
      • E Or, puke first and run second.

        20 hour ago · · 1 person
      • 

        Shelly Enjoy your pain, you've earned it.
      • 
        
      • 

        Shelly Distance chicks do it long and hard. We need a shirt that says that.

What are your favorite songs to run to? Or favorite inspirational quotes?

This Could Easily Become An Addiction.

Punched

This week I....

...got my nose pierced. It's something that I've been wanting to do for a long time. And yes, it hurt. Not so much when it was pierced, but afterwards. I felt like I had gotten punched in the face.

...got my nose ring ripped out by The Tadpole. That hurt. But not as much as pushing it back in. That hurt worse.

...am still happy that I got my nose pierced.

...also went through a hurricane (tropical storm?) We did not get hit badly at all, we didn't even lose power. But a lot of people around us did.

...got annoyed by all the people on Facebook putting updates that said things like "What a dud Irene was" or "Irene wasn't a big deal." Listen, maybe Irene wasn't a big deal for you but it was big enough to kill 23 people and flood parts of NY and NJ.

What did you do this week?

Punched

Gorgeous Day

It is GORGEOUS out today! Not too hot, not too cold.

We've been spending all day outside. Weeding the garden, planting the fall crops, enjoying the sunshine.

Meanwhile, I'm over at MassMoms with Five Tips for a Natural Childbirth. Feel free to check it out and comment!

Gorgeous Day

Priorities

"Look Mommy! It's a plane!" the Mermaid shouts, pointing up to the sky and jumping with excitement.

"What? Oh, yeah. Great." I say, while scrubbing the counters.

"Look Mommy! It's a butterfly!" says the Guppy, skipping across the grass.

"Hmmm" I say, not even looking up from sweeping.

I sweep and scrub and sweep some more, and it still looks like no cleaning has been done at the end of the day. And that is just life with three small children.

But I wonder, at what point did a spotless counter become more important than sharing with my child the joy of observing a butterfly fly across the yard? Or the wonder of watching a FLYING machine cross the sky?

And why

am I still holding this broom

instead of their hands, as we run across the grass?

Because in the end, we are all stepping on cereal. But...so what?

Priorities

Down in Words

So I haven't really been around here as much as I used to. The publish button is looking mighty dusty and dingy, in fact.

Part of it is because I've started to turn off the computer during the day. I didn't want to be just home with my children; I wanted to be present with them as well. That means less time to read other blogs, tweet (my poor twitter account is neglected!) and write.

Part of it is because I've been busy. I'm trying to finish up my CBE Educator training, and really get started on my herbalist training. Add on to that the housework, the homeschooling, and the hanging out with my kids and there's not that much time left in the day.

And part of it is because I haven't really had much to say. I feel like our lives have settled into this wonderful routine. I'm peaceful. Happy. There's nothing really exciting going on right now in my life, and that's ok. I'm fine with the simple things, and there's only so much you can write about that.

I've thought about what form I want this blog to take in my life. I found myself wondering if I should stop posting in it. I haven't had the time or energy. But, I decided to keep it. I LOVE writing. I'm not good at it all all, and I don't try to make money from it, but I still love it. And seeing as I never filled out the baby books for any of my kids...well, this is their baby book. I write them their age letters here. I want them to one day be able to look back on this blog and get a glimpse of what things were like.

So, the blog stays. I can't promise it will always be interesting, or even updated. But I'm always here. Writing when I can.

Getting this fabulous life down in words.

Down in Words