THE CRAZINESS OF MEL (MELISSA CRANDELL)

two post combined and a bit of a ramble....

2009-07-04T13:42:00.000-07:00

. A little fence jumping=no prob!

Mason found the best seat=basket

First thing, a big shout out to Todd...Good luck tomorrow in the race...he is on a 2week journey... first stop Germany and then off to Switzerland for the Ironman there...yip 2 Ironmans back to back...he never stops and I say a NO THANK YOU to that =) he can be the crazy one!!

SOOOO that leaves me solo parent for 2weeks...is it time for school to start yet???? Just kidding, it is actually going OK, other than living on soccer and softball Fields and the twisted cold weather we are having!! I was planning on being pool side everyday...well that ain't happening ;(

Yesterday I started off in a bit of a depression/rut I just wanted to cry and I was being mean to the kids....I hate when I get like that, but some days I can't help it....I had to just stop my piss ass mood and realize somethings/emotions are out of my control and not worth the pity party, plus it was Firework night and I did not want to ruin it for the kids....I somehow snapped out of it and the kids and my mother-in-law and I were off to have a good time....as you can see in the photo's we did :) We started off at our main station and reserved our viewing spot and then here comes our little adventure....this year they moved the rides to a different location..that didn't stop us, we decided to go on a little mile adventure to find the rides Me, Grandma and 7 crazy kids Jumped fences...6 of them to be exact...got busted by the cops, just in time for them to witness me jumping over a fence with heels on and lost a shoe in the fence..I had the "oh shit" look on my face and they had the "serious" look...but then they laughed at me and were impressed that I managed with heels=) The kids keep calling me the slow old Grandma..as it took me a little longer to get over.....I think the cops thought we were all drunk as we could not stop laughing!!

We reached the rides with the sneak in approach(by jumping fences)....hey it saved me $40.00...damn I am turning my kids into criminals already......well that is what they get for changing the rides location...I was NOT paying both places to get in...STIFF!!!!

We all had an awesome time..the fireworks were great and the fatty food was awesome...the VERY loud music was a bit annoying but the drunks and kids seemed to like it =) I LOVE days like that..seeing the huge smiles on kids faces....sometimes we need to get out of our piss mood and just enjoy.......

Kids spent the night with Grandparents...wahhhhooooo...I slept in until 10...I CAN"T remember when I have done that....then to top my day off I went for my FIRST run in a month....The doc wanted me to take some time off and I will start therapy on the knee when Todd gets home....it is too hectic right now...SO I headed out for a 10 mile run...first two miles I was wasting too much time with my costume malfunction...I wore these cute little Asics shorts that smokin hot body Desiree Ficker had on the cover of Triathlete.....well they look cute but man my "JUNK" was hanging out everywhere..I wasted so much time tucking my gut in and pulling wedgies, so my butt cheeks weren't showing....That got old I just wanted to RUN...I said screw it..I don't care who sees my cheeks...I am enjoying this dang RUN....Mission accomplished some pain, but managed!!! It felt good to be back!!

Hope everyone is having an awesome 4th weekend......

Luckily I can laugh at myself "Training day turns into survival"

2009-06-08T16:03:00.000-07:00

AWESOME =) This is ALL I wanted!!!

CLUELESS=DORK =)
YIP helmet on backwards!

Going out!!

The Family =)

I HAD to keep telling myself it is "just a training day" don't think of any "great times"....with about 7 pool-swims....4 bike rides in (since last July) and injured knee with my runs turning into walking...I had to keep telling myself it is OK...but many time I felt I had NO business being out there with my lack of training..I HURT HURT HURT...my body is sooo feeling it today..I have never been this sore after a race....I can honestly say the ONLY thing on my body that doesn't hurt is my finger nails =) even my hair was a matted mess and I had to cut knots out, so even sore head!!!! WTH..how does that happen???

The killer swim all I have to say is 1:01 hummmm....how could you have a blasting time with that swim time=) What is wrong with me.....IF I didn't have my kids...I would have QUIT...if you don't know...I panic in open water swims and CAN NOT put my face in the water..and I mean not even for one second..I swim that whole freakin swim bobbing up and down...well this time I really didn't think I was going to make it...the waves were at some points 3 ft and I sucked in so much water which lead me to puke 3 times and I was breathing so heavy my goggles steamed up I had no clue where I was going and went of course tons...I am out there ALONE :( towards the middle of the swim I thought my race chip was coming loose so I started treading water and reached down to tighten it...BIG MISTAKE..my calve muscles started cramping...I did NOT know what to do...I thought for sure I was going under...I even yelled for a boat..but nobody was around...after that swim I don't know if I EVER want to swim AGAIN......my kids and nO boat kept me going....

The bike..(after the swim) check the photo above....DORK...I put my helmet on BACKWARDS..aahhh and the photographer was so nice to catch my fine moment..I was cursing "why is this thing not fastening and feels so not right...DUH....you can laugh at me it is OK =) I was cruising along trying to feel my legs and catch my breath...keep pedaling...keep pedaling..but
my butt and crotch and legs were telling me I cause my OWN pain for not training more..after I reached 38 miles I was DONE.......I did have some conversation with some people out on the ride so that was fun...some girl said I deserve bonus points for wearing a swimsuit and being so tough...hum if she only knew how raw I was becoming!!! time 3:09

The run..2:06
this is when I knew (other than the swim ) suffering was coming...BUT I also knew few more hours and I AM DONE...and I will see the kids and have my photo =) I haven't done any brick training since last year..so I knew my legs were going to feel like jello..I was going to try and run as long as my knee would allow.....well not long....but I wasn't expecting anything fast..when I was bringing it home there were my beautiful kids waiting for me with smiles and we grabbed hands and ran in together....at that moment the pain was gone and I DID IT.....that is what I was waiting for...PRICELESS.... Loved it!!!!

So there it was a HARD,,PAINFUL day of training....I did the challenge and that it was...

next up Duathlons
only =) kidding but I really thought of that...seriously how are you suppose to have a fast race with a slow ass swim time like that...I waste so much energy just trying to stay a float to get the heck out of that water..try to swim that way sometime and see how you do =) I dare you!!! I sux...ha! DON"T follow my training plan.......

Next up go to my Sports Doc next week and get this knee fixed =) I can't wait to RUN again!!!

Going for the Challenge.....

2009-06-05T10:08:00.000-07:00

LOOK the suit was an irregular size
I DIDN"T grow an extra ass...my
11 year old can wear it...OH my what would
I have done if I didn't TRY IT ON
before the race..yikes =)

Just a quick update....First thank you for the good luck wishes on face book..you guys are the best:) Second thank you for the people who was giving some helpful info for my knee issues..at the moment I will just "deal" and then I go back to see the Doc after the race and will start the "fixing" process..and I think I am going to go see a Chiropractor to see if maybe I am out of whack...I have had problems in the past with my right hip being higher than my left so I am thinking maybe that is throwing my stride off....but will know more after the race...but thank you guys for showing your caring concerns =)

A HUGE thank you to SPLISH...I got my race suit and let just say "OH MY" did I pack on another ass since last year....it was like running in a thong..so I emailed them to see if I could go up a size and was wondering if the suit comes irregular sizes sometimes....they were quick to fixing my problem and sent me not just one suit but two..... one in the normal size I wear (28) and a larger size (30).....good thing they did because the smaller (my normal size) fits.....so NO extra ass for me just a irregular size...whhheewww that was a scare=)

SOOOOO I have decided to go with the 1/2 distance...most of you voted for me to do the shorter distance and my husband said I would NOT be happy with whatever choice I choose anyways...and he is probably right...I feel fit/trained for the sprint and think I would do well...BUT like people have said I have NOTHING to prove and I would have sooo much energy balled up after the sprint I would be mad at myself for not pushing myself for the longer distance...so I guess I want a little of pain:) I don't feel well trained and my friends laugh at me because I start training just weeks before a race...with my Whooping 4 bike rides since last July....my 3 Open water swims EVER(all during a race)...and my runs are now half run /half speed walk .....so that is what makes this FUN...to push myself and just be out there for ME and my kids at the finish line...nothing else matters...it doesn't matter that my friend Susan is going to CRUSH my ass..she trains yearly ( no thank you on that..ha!!) actually I am rooting for her...as this is her first year with a coach and I am excited to see her improvements...she will rock!!!

I am NOT going into this race with any high expectations....I already have in my head this : the swim is going to SUCK regardless....if there is WIND on the bike I am screwed (wimp to wind)...With my knee the way it is I will be walking at least 9 or 10 miles of the run......and LAST wah wah..."who cares"..... the smile on my kids face is PRICELESS :+)

I head up to MI. tomorrow evening...NO taking it easy for me...I am SOLO(Todd has to get the race set up)...so busy busy..... Madison has a Birthday party to go to.....I have 5 people to pack for....Skylar has a softball game...I need to get stuff to my in-laws ...as they are bringing my 2 younger ones up to race the day of...and here is the kicker...Skylar is taking 5 friends...so I have to round them all up and take them with me:) and hope I can get them to go to bed early!!!!

GOOD TIMES...lets ROLL!!!

So here is to a good hard "training day" and GOOD LUCK to you if you are racing this weekend...HAVE FUN.....

(I will be thinking of you Jill....I hope all that hard/crazy training your coach had you do makes it seem "easy" for you...even though you really do make me feel and look like a slack ass:) go and kick some butt!!

Sorry it wasn't QUICK...I guess my nerves are coming...chatter box here:) have a wonderful weekend!!!

Screw this...Screw that..."Yeah what she said"

2009-05-27T15:05:00.000-07:00

The new BLING (tendon band)

I went on a little run today to test out my new "BLING" and I came across a boyfriend and girlfriend taking a smoke break behind their work place...(thanks for letting me inhale your poison..yuck) I believe they were in an argument...as she was loudly yelling "Screw this....Screw that"....YEAH that is MY motto for today:) After visiting my awesome Sports Doctor and discovering I have Chronic Patellar Tendonitis...WTH is that???....ya know how they go in their brainy Doctor terminology and as the good patient who acts "smart" and just gives them the ya nod but really has no f-in clue what they are talking about.....So when I got home I looked it up on the computer and here are some of the descriptions it gave me:

1. Patellar tendonitis is an injury that affects the tendon connecting your kneecap (patella) to your shinbone.:

2. Patellar tendonitis is a common overuse injury. It occurs when you place repeated stress on your patellar tendon. The stress results in tiny tears in the tendon, which your body attempts to repair. But as the tears in the tendon become more numerous, your body can't keep up, causing the inflammation in your tendon to worsen.

3. Because of the special nature of this kind of chronic patellar tendonitis the treatment is quite difficult to achieve. In fact, there are many instances when chronic patellar tendonitis treatment
has required the patient to have to spend as many as over two years getting the condition treated.

Surgery is often the only treatment option for those who suffer from chronic patellar tendonitis.

SOOOO....Really what does this mean...seriously I think they just slap a name on an injury and really don't know how to cure it....other than saying which my Doctor did laughing at me...I said so how we going to fix this and he said "DON"T RUN...haha!!!! SO being the good girl patient I went for a 8 mile run and wore my little tendon strap and put my Votaren Gel on and honestly it did not do SHIT...reached mile 3 and PAIN....... I will keep trying this damn band and see if I have any improvement.....I did get that nice BLOOD BLISTER(photo above) on my toe...because I got caught in a down pour WALKING.....back to screw this and that:)

I go back to the Doc....right after the race and we are going to discuss Platelet-Rich Plasma injections....he apparently did not want to discuss this with me just yet as it is not going to help me before the race and he doesn't want to scare me....and he said I will have to take time off training and it is quit painful....when I see the word Plasma...I KNOW THAT MEANS BLOOD...and that = OUCH......

QUESTIONS: Why wouldn't BOTH knees hurt I use them equally.....and I am not hard core at training as most people I know...I DO NOT train year around....so WHY aren't the people who are hard core runners and people who do Ironmans...why are they not all having this issue??? Huummmm!!!

So help me with a decision....I am battling with ....SHOULD I do the half Ironman distance for a good "training day" and to challenge myself with the down fall of suffering and shitty times (which I am OK with) OR should I do the Sprint distance and try and kick ass...but have the feeling " BIG DEAL".....I WILL get the photo with my kids either way...but if you were me would you go for the challenge or go for the trophy????

Racing plan???......WING It i guess!!

2009-05-17T11:30:00.000-07:00

THIS is WHY I do it....Going for the PHOTO and SMILES:)

This is WHAT I do instead of 4 hour bike rides....sit on fair benches with
my sleepy baby, ready to barf my guts out from riding spiny rides with the kids
(I think MY age kicked in..NOT FEELING SO WELL HERE:)
Luckily Mason feel a sleep on mE.... my GOOD excuse of "why" I couldn't ride
anymore rides:) plus It gave me the chance to devour a elephant ear..french fries..
nachos...cotton candy..:)MMMMmmm..way better than a BIKE RIDE!!!!

I laugh as my blog has turned into all KIDS things more than "what I am doing"....maybe because I really am NOT doing...

I have been catching up on my friends blogs and they are getting psyched up for racing and all these kick ass training they are doing...I applaud all of you for your dedication and hard work:) I love following all of you and I love reading about your race reports and am amazed on how fast you all are!! I wish wish I could get the drive....and some days I feel awesome and WOW myself...To be honest..as I have gotten some emails from other busy Mom's... asking how much training do I "really" do before a race or other emails asking how my training going....well lets see...I am planning on doing a half Ironman (Racing for Recovery) on June 7th and to date I can count on 2 hands on how many workouts I have done :( NOT enough... lets break this down, shall we:??

My bike was hung up since last early August....I took all winter off due to knee injury and horrible weather..just started training for the Half a few weeks ago and have managed I thought 4...but actually it was 3 bike rides with my 3rd one being 2 days ago and it went like this....planning on riding 40 miles..felt good first 20 miles... easy, comfortable and FUN...had side winds..so no effect...then coming back sucked ass...head winds the ending 20 miles and it took me at least an extra 25 min to get back..I wanted to call Todd to come and pick me up...seriously I am a wimp in wind..I can not focus and it takes my breath away..I was pulling at anything just to get me some speed...it turned into a karaoke..thank goodness I had my ipod with me.....I figured just sing LOUD and it will go quicker...I even raced a little wiener dog that thought he had a chance to catch me...and as slow as I was going he was looking pretty happy:) and I was happy it was only a small dog:) or I would have been dinner!!!

My running started off good and I felt dedicated...but the knee has been acting up again and my Doctor is thinking it is a tear or loose cartilage so is sending me to see an Orthopedist and to get a MRI..I have been putting it off too long and am sick of not having a good run, I LOVE 10 mile runs and when I head out and feel good for the first 3 or 4 miles and find myself limp jogging/walking the last 6miles it is NOT fun and frustrating....

The swim....not much there:) I do a master's swim class on Sundays and I feel like I have improved on my stroke since last year...BUT even though I feel OK in the pool and can hang on for an hour swim...it is a different story once I am in OPEN water....I panic!!! I had this little conversation with my swim coach it went like this : Me..so coach what if I swim in the pool with my eyes close?? Coach: annnnddd why would you do that?? I would not recommend it...you will hit the wall.... Me: I was thinking since I panic in open water..maybe it was because I can't see the bottom and I freak and decide I would rather swim the whole swim with head above water...Coach: YOU swim the whole swim with head above??? That wastes a lot of energy and loose a lot of time!!!! Me: Yip ya think:) I am just trying to figure out why I can not put my face in the open water....and thinking hum if I practice of not seeing shit..and swim like I am blind..maybe that would be the trick!!! Coach: still giving me that "what" look .......and somewhere "Mr. Retired triathlete" in the next lane was being nosey and had to put his 2 cents in and it had nothing to do with what I was dealing with.....So I got frustrated and said never mind!!!! Swam off.....uggggg I WILL figure it out someday!!!

Not much training and I don't recommend my training plan..ha...but really I can say this..if you are a new or want to be a triathlete...".you can do it"...it really is all mental...you can finish the race you set out to do..as long as you tell your mind you "can" do it and keep going:)

I KNOW I could be a better triathlete if I trained more and worked harder and followed a coaches plan...But as of now being a Mom comes first!! Last year was my first of racing which consist of 2 half Ironman...1 sprint tri... marathon relay(13 mile run)...5k...and ended the year with one DQ :(....one 2nd in age group, one 3rd in age group and one 2nd overall and one 2nd female overall/ 1st age group.....all hard wear went to Skylar:) and that ugly orange bag went to the trash:))

As of right now other things in my life are more important than 4 hour bike rides or 2 hour runs and more swims....I still have 2 little kids at home with me during the day and a husband who does Ironman and Ultraman...so with the little training I do is OK with me as I am not in this sport to be the "best"...I would rather have the photo with me and my 4 kids at the finish...that is the "high" I love...and that is "why" I am doing the half in a few weeks (as a training day for Augusta 1/2)...I did it last year but something was missing and that was Mason my youngest..he was sleeping..so I need a new photo:) SO while I am out there struggling...I know what will be at the finish for me and that is my 4 beautiful kids..and they don't care if I am first or last or somewhere in the middle:) they are just happy to be running and finishing with me!!

I hope this answered your questions on how "I train" and raise 4 kids who are very active in sports of their own...I do what I can (and with the help of Todd) and make the best of it:) Remember the mind is a powerful thing...if you think I can't then you WON"T...if you think I CAN then you WILL:)

BEING A MOTHER

2009-05-10T17:00:00.000-07:00

This is what I mean...I can't always please them ALL..look
at the boys...one very too happy son..and one NOT so happy son
...look at MOM still smiling:) ha ha...

This is ME and my MOM...still love ya
even tho you dressed me like I belong on
"Little house on the Prairie" ......horrible:)

My brother's Scott and Kevin...you did good Mom:)
Just don't cut our hair EVER again:)

One of my favorite people in the world..
even tho she is my "Mother-in-law"..she
is like a sister/bestfriend...I love her so much:)

I would NOT trade this for the world...my children/my life

We Mother's all know that it isn't always an easy job...it is the second (after marriage) hardest thing in life...we want the BEST for our children and everyday we try and try to be the BEST Mom possible...I am learning as my children are getting older and there are 4, it is so hard to please them all!! I give and give myself and lose myself just so they will be happy! I am starting FINALLY learning it is Ok to say NO (they will still love me)...balance is the key..I am still not there yet..but getting closer...Somedays I want to throw the towel in and say I don't want to be a Mom anymore..it gets so hard at times..but that thought last for a second....WHAT OR WHO would I be without THEM???

Other Mom's look at me and ask me "how I do it all" it is the same with ANY Mom...you just DO...I have my UPS and DOWNS like anyone else out there:) I get inspired by other Mom's....I relate to other Mom's...I learn from other Mom's....but at the end of the day we are all the same no matter how many kids we have!!!

To be honest I never imagined myself with 4 kids,,,and if I could turn back the clocks I wouldn't have had 4...BUT with that being said (and probably not right to say) the KIDS I do have now I wouldn't trade them for NOTHING!! I was blessed with amazing, smart, caring, generous, well mannered, athletic, mouthy:) energetic, happy, loving kids!! They make me who I am today..Their is NO BOND stronger than the bond from a Mother and a child....they are going to LOVE you no matter if you are grumpy or happy!! Thank you Todd and God for these awesome kids!!!

It is funny as you grow up as a child, certain things your Mother did or said when you were little you said at the time "I will never turn into "My Mother" ...nothing against my Mom...but as a child you really don't think your OWN Mom is cool...Well I at times have TURNED INTO MY MOM:)....uuugggg I sound just like her!! But I turned out pretty damn good...Thank you Mom for being awesome..for being my teacher...being my hero....being my biggest supporter...giving me endless love...showing me the way to be the Mom I am today!!! Love you with all my heart!!

Happy Mother's Day to all you beautiful soul Mother's out there...and remember when it gets tough...hang in there as "they" will become us someday:) scary but TRUE......Love and hug your children as they are molding us into who we are today "damn good MOM'S"

36 versus 8.....I don't see the difference:)~

2009-05-01T09:00:00.000-07:00

MY BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER:)

This is me around Konor's age:)~ so YOUNG!!

OK ya ya ya the 8yr old beats me:) he is GOOD!!

I would say I am just as flexible or even more so than a 8 year old:)

Today 8 years ago I was celebrating my Birthday by giving BIRTH to my second child Konor and barfing pizza and Birthday cake at the hospital (note do not try to eat minutes after giving birth....stomach can't handle more work that quickly:)....He was the BEST Birthday present God could give me!!

So last night I was all snuggled in bed ready to dream about CAKE...well that was the KID in me..even tho the dream did not even come close to enjoying a piece of cake...it did give me WTF and a smile...I some how ended up on a cruise ship and at a line of a food buffet with this little chubby snot nose kid (I think it was the chubby snot nose kid from "Bad Santa" got me on him)anyways, he was wanting me to help him put some fish on his plate...so of course I did and I looked around for his parents..I all of a sudden turned from that kid wanting to dream about CAKE and turned into a MOTHER...I was worried that this kid might be allergic to FISH..so I was in hunt for his parents to see if it was OK for him to eat the fish...and in the search of trying to find his parents I WOKE up and laid there wide awake and was thinking WTF was that all about:) ha!! I think I would have rather dreamt about giving birth than this twisted dream..but who know maybe it is a sign for something:)

I remember around this time last year I received my first and only negative comment here on my blog and she stated that I acted more like a "child" than a "mother"...ya know what SHE IS RIGHT...but so what!! I DON"T need to just be a Mom who is saying "pick up your room"..."brush your teeth" " GO TO BED" SSHHHHHH...I do say these things a lot...but I look up the photo's above and I see more than just a Mom and son...I SEE a friendship....a little buddy...laughter...fun...goofiness...and I would not trade it!! I think AGE is just a number!!

Happy Birthday my little man Konor...I LOVE you so much!! Daddy and I are so lucky to have you as our son:) We are so Proud of you!!!

We are celebrating our Birthday at the kids school carnival tonight....YIP I will always be a KID:) Have a wonderful weekend everyone!!!!

Signed up...NOW give me some MOTIVATION!!!

2009-04-06T17:07:00.000-07:00

I am signed up ...MEANING I can not back out.....Let the truth be told I kept battling if I was even going to race this year...going through personal issues...racing was really the last thing on my mind..BUT after following the races this weekend...I WANT TO DO IT..I need a focus and something to motivate me..My bike has been hung up since July of 08(I know bad) and I swim here and there(again bad).... and run only when we have nice weather..which speaking of...IT SNOWED TODAY...WTH??? That is real motivating and wanting me to get out there and train..

Todd was on his way home today after doing the New Orleans Ironman and asked if I wanted to swim tomorrow with him...I said na and he laughed...........I know eventually I will have to put the work in...but I am feeling really lazy....I have a half Ironman June 7th I am thinking of doing...so I need to get the bike down and clean the cob webs off ;) I read blogs and FB messages and watch Todd train everyday and with all of you doing hours and hours of training and participating in tri camps...and think WOW I wish I was motivated and hard core like that.....but I am not...ha!! I can't follow a training schedule...I guess I like to only workout when I feel like it...maybe that's why I STINK ..!! SO there it is, I am signed up for 2 half Ironmans..1 Olympic tri and wanting to do a marathon...just not sure which one yet!! So second year of racing and hoping it will be a lot better than last year:) Put a fire under my butt and bring it on!!!!

Emotional weekend......Our baby is growing up!!!

2009-03-23T06:04:00.000-07:00

KARLIE......SKYLAR...........RYLEE

When we got home I said "GO wash that make up OFF"

she looks way too grown up ;(

This weekend hit me hard...My Skylar is growing up ;( she will be turning 11 next month and starting a new school (Junior high) next school year!!! It all dawned on me with the event she did this weekend...it might be the "last" She was in her school talent show (this was her 3rd time) it was cute and gutsy...two of her Best friends. since 1st grade(.Karlie and Rylee), All three girls are sporty girls, but decided they were going to dance (which none of them take dance) so they had 2 weeks to put a little routine together and did awesome...while I was down on the floor under the stage taping their act...I was getting choked up....these three girls are like the three amigos..always together (all on my Basketball team) and this is their LAST talent show and Karlie will be going to a different junior high school :(....I don't think it has fully hit the girls yet, but I am sure the last day of school there will be a lot of tears flowing.....

We had our LAST Basketball game(second session) on Saturday....we played... "really" the only other team that gives us any competition and the girls were on fire...did long passing and worked as a "team" ran the plays, just a solid game..won 25 -9....I even had the refs come up to me and tell me I am a "good" coach and did well with the team as they know what they are doing......I need to hear that kind of stuff...like I have stated before I get intimidated as I am the only girl coach and the only team that does not have a assistant coach...so solo for me...but it all worked out....we won the championship AGAIN.....my team has been the CHAMPS for 2 years....I love these girls.....

This is reality....I will have to FIGHT HARD to be the coach next year...with the girls going to Junior high school and other local schools combining.....the coaches I had to face this year will also be going for the position.....I will FIGHT hard, I am not going to give up on this team.....the 4 men coaches that will be also going for the coaching position are "locals" grew up here....meaning they are well known here...BUT I have the team record to back up my coaching and I think it is good to have a female coach at that age...as we females know at that age ...girls will be liking the "boys" and PMS and of course the drama....something I am sure men do not like to deal with:)

I am throwing a pizza party for the team tonight and will have to prepare them...just in case I don't get the coaching....emotional :( but I do have 3 more kids to coach....ha

Here is the Talent show...my camera only tapes short period..so did not get the end...make sure you have your volume cranked up:)enjoy 3 bff's having fun....Skylar is on the far right end!!!!

66 degrees today="It's getting HOT in here"...with a little giddy dance;)

2009-03-17T12:40:00.000-07:00

Me (after the 12m run) and Mason raising the roof to
BEAUTIFUL weather :)

FINALLY...we got a sunny, warm day!! Do you ever get those days when you feel so strong and you know nothing or noone will get in your way of having a good day>> Well, today was my day...SHORTS...SHORTSLEEVE SHIRT, SUNSHINE awwwweeee=perfect......I went for a 12 mile run and it went as planned...just go and do it with no worries on the mind and NOTHING to train for...just pure pleasure out there soaking up the sun;) I of course had goals I wanted to do.....I just prayed that my knee would hold up and let me enjoy this beautiful day....the goals were...NO WALKING and to stay in the 7ish min pace and it worked out as planned....I have to thank Nelly for his fun and sexy song "It's getting HOT in here"...I believe I listened to it 20 times and I kid you not..it gave me the little "get your ass a movin, when I needed it" I am so ready for Karaoke;) Nelly has nothin on me..ha!!

I really just started to get back at the running a week ago..took most of winter off (hoping the knee would heal) and today it felt great!!! The days that when everything feels like it just clicks are awesome and to come home to little Mason waiting for you (with his Mario jammies still on) .. and a smile on his face is everything;)

Happy training or just enjoying the day!!!

"CHANCES" how many do we get or take????? How many meaning does such a powerful word mean????

2009-03-11T07:33:00.000-07:00

This was my High school Graduation present from my Dad...I LOVED this car...it was a shiny Red, sporty, fast, fun, Firebird.......I had to beg for "this" car....My family grew up on Honda Accords...my Father was a manager at the Honda plant in Marysville OH...so he got free and discounted cars.....I wanted a RED sports car ;) Dad caved in (I should have stuck with the safe Honda;)

The Day is still a blur to me..I was 19 and on my way home from college. It was a bright sunny day, dry roads....I was a mile away from my house and BAM..I can not remember what happened...I woke up with people around my car banging and pulling on the door....I could hear talking but it was like out of a Charlie Brown cartoon (wahwahwah) then I faded back to sleep.....the next thing I woke up in an ambulance and (my ex-boyfriends) brother looking down at me and asking me my name (which I thought was strange...he KNOWS my name) and continued doing the 50 questions on me...he was doing anything to keep me from going back to sleep...then I FREAKED...I went up to my face to scratch and BLOOD everywhere (I had a white button down shirt on, which did not help any, when you are bleeding) I thought for sure I had lost my whole face....I was strapped to a bed and losing it!! I bet the paramedics wished I stayed a sleep : )

Luckily, I just needed some stitches in my face and not any plastic surgery...I almost lost my finger...so had stitches in 2 fingers and some torn skin of my hips and shoulder from the seat belt...I really do believe God was with me that day....at the age of 19, I NEVER wore my seat belt or sunglasses...BUT that day I had both on...which kept me from flying out of the car and the glasses kept the glass out of my eyes.....I found out in the hospital that I caused the crash and another guy was involved...I turned right in front of him while he was going 60mph...he was an older gentlemen doing his job driving a telephone utility truck....I was sobbing my eyes out knowing that I hurt someone else and all I wanted to do was go tell him how sorry I was ....my Dad said no because of lawsuit reasons........WELL later that night I get a call from the older, sweet gentleman and asking if I was OK, so I got the "chance" to tell him how sorry I was, even tho I to this day don't really understand what happened....I either fell asleep or was in a deep thought!!! I still battle with flash backs from the wreck.....anyone who is in a car with me...knows I cringe at snow, ice, rain, stops....I am a annoying passenger ; )

The whole point of this post is I was GIVEN another "chance" but I question how many "chances" do we get...really we live day by day and that is scary to me!!! The word "chance" can mean so many different terms....You could be stuck in a horrible/non-healthy relationship....do you take the "chance" of things getting better or do you take a "chance" of throwing it all away and starting new and maybe it would be wonderful or not???? When you are in a race and riding your bike "comfortably"..do you take the "chance" of not hitting your aimed time and being unhappy or do you take the "chance" of hammering out to reach your time, and HAPPY results!!!! Do you do smaller tri races, because you fear the swim on the longer course races, or do you take the "chance" and somehow make it through the swim,,,,,knowing once you are out of the water you are fine and DID it ; )

I have been thinking of all the "chances" I am given...I started back running since battling knee pain since October.......and while I am out there running...I think of my knee pain before it actually kicks in (I some times think I cause my own pain)...then I start thinking "why me" I need to be able to run...because that is when my "mind" is in a good place......Then the next day repeats itself...I think OK...I know if I run my knee will hurt..but it will clear my mind...DO I "chance"it or not???? Hell, ya I am going to "chance" it......I am lucky I have a knee to have pain in.....I think we get caught up with being too "COMFORTABLE " with life tasks and we are afraid of taking "chances" I am more of a "THINKER" than a "DOER" and I really want to change that in me...and by taking "chances" will help that!!!

We all get the "chance" to live and we would not know how to live if we don't take "chances" Some will be good and some will be bad....but we won't know unless we "CHANCE"

IT CAN MAKE US OR BREAK US!!!!!

A family FUN day!!!

2009-03-08T17:39:00.000-07:00

Sometimes you just need to get out of the house and have some fun...I forgot how much fun College games can be ; ) ..The whole family went(except Madison...she went to a Birthday Party)....These players were very talented and TALL ; ) they make it look so effortlessly!!! BUT I have to say the best part of the game was the Psycho fans...You always get that ONE certain crazy, out of hand fan...that you warn your kids...YOU BETTER NEVER ACT LIKE THAT NUT ; ) ...but they sure are entertaining ; )ha ha!!! The kids were at awe with all the commotion...we sat in the student section (the college is on Spring break) or I am sure we would have really had some excitement!! Little outings like this can be so much fun and something your kids will remember ; )

Kids R so lucky.....Madison's(fourth) 6th Birthday party!!!

2009-03-01T14:11:00.000-08:00

When it comes to kids Birthday parties....these days it seems like one is not enough...you get the whole "family" party....you get the "Mom and Dad and siblings" party on the actual date.....you get the "school "party (that you have to supply the goodies) and then of course the "friend" party...So today was the "friend" party and I am ready for BED : ) My mind has been whacked lately I scheduled her party today while I was suppose to be coaching....did not even see that coming since we just played yesterday.....uuuugggg..I can't be at both places at one time...so thank God for my wonderful Mother-in-law...she had to entertain the girls for half hour....until I could join the party!! Check out Madison's cake....it was super...her theme was Hanna Montana..so Hanna joined the party and jumped into her cake : ) Happy Birthday my little Madison ; )

So today was victorious all around...we won our basketball game and the party was a success...I skipped master swim class : ( and now I am ready to go to bed...Is it OK to go to bed at 5 :30ish ??? : ) OH heating blanket here I COME!!!

We did it..we won the league and tournament title :)

2009-02-15T16:35:00.000-08:00

IT'S ALL ABOUT BELIEVING IN SOMEONE AND TELLING THEM THEY CAN DO IT!!

I don't know why I get so nervous before a game....it feels like the old days of sickness to my stomach right before a big game.....the difference is I AM NOT EVEN PLAYING..I am doing the yelling...the coaching...

I LOVE my team of girls...they are full of character...there is never a dull moment with these girls..they are CRAZY and tough..my perfect fit:) I am sure they are pretty comfortable with me as they all seem to tell me their girl secrets and we are always talking fashion...some times I step out of my coaching duties and turn into their Mom...as at this age the girls are starting to get into the BOYS (except for my daughter Skylar...as I would beat her:)ha....I of course start the lecture of boys are trouble and they are too talented of girls to have their minds on stinky boys..they need to worry about school grades and the ability to perform in sports,,,,NOTHING else!! So I go on with my lecture and some, I think it sinks in and others they care less what I have to say...."They like the BOYS"

Our practices are full of laughter..drama...and fights...cussing (from me) oh and dancing : ) my goal as a coach was first for the girls were to have fun..second was to build confidence within themselves....third was to work as a team and build off of each other.....I would say I am a hard coach as I don't like slackers..I want full effort...I stress that at every practice if you don't want to learn the plays or set the screen..then I don't want you out there playing...It takes ONE player to screw the team efforts of running a play...I don't believe in walking on the court...I LOVE fouls that means you are aggressive....I want every girl to be comfortable with taking the ball to the basket and taking the shot..I know when I was younger that is one thing of many my coach lacked and that was making me comfortable of taking control of the ball and have the confidence in taking a shot..I DID NOT believe in my abilities on offence..My rule is if you are close to the basket SHOOT THE BALL..no passing it off, ....I would say 8 out of my 10 girls are confidence in their shooting and the other 2 are getting there....total improvements for all!!

We ended our season today...we WON the league championship with a record of 12-1 and then we won the tournament championship this weekend.....going into the tourneys this weekend we knew we already owned one trophy and we wanted the second one just as bad...but as any tournament goes (even if you are the better team) you never know the twist and turns....and with the refs not really being on my side today...it turned into a back n fourth battle....it seemed like the ref's were gaining up on my team and made some horrible calls and if the league would have another title of "the loudest coach" I would for sure WIN....The ref called it our ball and the other coach from opposite team start to whine and said we fouled..so the ref then changed his mind and gave it to the other team WTF...I went nutso...you can't give us the ball and just because the other coach is crying change your mind...he told me to "Shut up" and gave the other team the ball.....seriously this is the crap I deal with as coaching...and some times I feel like it is because I am a GIRL coach (what do we know)...but you know what.... my team is awesome and held it together even with sucky calls...we knew what worked for us and that was the teams SPEED and TOUGHNESS and CONFIDENCE of taking the ball to the basket and shooting.....the girls totally earned both trophies and I am so proud of how they all became ONE!!!

I am sooooo Proud of Skylar and I feel bad at times.... I get a little hard on her...but she is tough and blows me off...Ha...love you baby: )

Whats next?????? Well, the league decided to pick up another session of basketball and I have been elected to coach again..I really was not planning on it as I am a little burned out and busy..but I love these girls....so as a team we will be :)

Enjoy our fun times with us:)

This is WHY I am NOT canceling my blog!!!

2009-01-23T17:24:00.000-08:00

I have been going back n fourth on continuing my blog...as I really have been struggling keeping up on it....you can only write about "SHIT" so many times!! I am not that "happy" "go-lucky" type of girl at the moment that I usually like to be...so the blog has suffered!!! I remember the first time I really started my blog and that was after reading Bree's she was SO honest and pored her heart out there..I even cried and could not believe how a complete stranger could have this effect on me....She was talking about when she first become a mother and how she struggled and not "really" wanting to be a Mom and how she did not feel the instant bond as first time mothers do...she put it all out there with her struggle......I could relate to what she was saying... as I was not so thrilled when I was pregnant with my third child...So from reading Bree's blog and able to relate with her... I felt an instant bond with her and she was my first commenter on my new blog:) Bree to this day is one of my favs:) I learn so much from her!!

I have made some AWESOME friends just from blogland...some I have meet in person and others I have talked to through email or on phone/text...sometimes I feel like you know me better than I know myself!!

To be honest, sometimes I think the blog is quite silly...as I have read some blogs where their life's seem so perfect without any drama or curve balls and honestly, I call that a "fake" blog and never go back to theirs....I don't believe in a "perfect" life....I like blogs that are honest and has struggles so I can relate/learn from and know that I am not alone.....Grantet...I know some things should be left private....trust me there are so many things I would love to write about just to get off my chest....but if it is going to damage someone else, I am not about that!!

The purpose of this post is to say THANK YOU to certain bloggers (you know who you are) I truly love you guys:) and appreciate you!!

This is an example on how awesome blogland can be and WHY I am not going to cancel my blog....I was having a "not so good day" and certain bloggers sense when I am down....and message me......I feel the need to share this with everyone (I hope you don't mind Chell) I talked to Chelley(who is amazing:) earlier on the phone and was trying really hard to be OK and be my funny self...but she sensed differently...here is her message:

Mel,

sometimes I just think a person needs to hear how great someone else thinks they are. Well, I think you are an amazing person and these are some of the reasons:

1. You are an awesome Mom who sets such high standards for people like me to look up to!

2. You would do anything for your children. They are very lucky to have you, a mom that has such devotion to each of them.

3. You are ROCKIN beautiful! Hello, duh I will never look as good as you! ( No matter how much weight I lose!)

4. You are an athlete that just has the natural ability. Others have to work much harder at it and you make it look effortless.

Melissa Crandell, you deserve the best in life. I am so proud to be able to call you my friend!

talk to you later,

Chelley

BYE..BYE..2008 HELLO...a FRESH 2009

2009-01-02T14:43:00.000-08:00

This photo was a "joke" to Todd, as I tell him I am
his worst nightmare...this is me in his dream:) Don't
I look crazy scary????

OK, OK I will Post "something" :) sorry I have been out of blog land!!! I guess I really haven't had much to talk about lately unless you want to hear ALL my grumbling and bitching (I didn't think so)!!!
I am SO GLAD 2008 is OVER..... I am on the prowl for a JOB to bring into the new year!!! I want to live somewhere other than HERE..I prefer somewhere warm...I am hoping for a lot of "NEW" changes for 2009...I can totally skip over 2008..I think that had to be my "WORST" year EVER...So I can only go forward and upward for the New Year!!!

Here is a quote I totally 'Love"....Mira thank you for sending it to me....

There comes a point in your life when you realize: Who matters, Who never did, Who won't anymore...And who always will.So, don't worry about people from your past, there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.

Here's to a HAPPY NEW YEAR to you ALL...2009 Baby!!!

Santa welcome to my crib:)

2008-12-16T16:32:00.000-08:00

Skylar saying "Mom let kids be kids"

This is what Skylar's room looks like after "MOM"
cleans it!!!!

This is Madison's room after "MOM" cleans

it!!

This is the "after-school" snack mess..notice

the peanut butter smeared on the sink....

This pile of laundry is formed within 15min

this is the kids idea of picking up their clothes....

"lets throw it in the laundry pile:( "

This is Konor trying to hurry up and

clean his room before I get the evidence "on

how messy he really is:":) BUSTED!!!

Madison did not care...she went to bed

and told me "that Santa would forgive her"

Dear Santa...I am writing you this to let you know what "REALLY" goes on in my house with 4 kids....yes I know they look very sweet and they really are good kids...but this Mom has had ENOUGH...I am tired of cleaning "THEIR" rooms and I am tired of doing loads of laundry...oh and when they come home from school and help themselves to a after-school snack...it is the BIGGEST mess ever...I mean seriously should a Mom really have to clean up everything or should I be getting my whip out:) I have been threatening these kids with "Santa" is watching and even had a bad and good chart going...NOTHING works....So Santa I took these pictures of my kids messes with them being surprised as you will see in some of the photo's..I told them I was going to post this for the WHOLE world to see what slobs they really are and hoping this will change their ways:) We are coming to see you again this weekend...can you please tell them to be easy on me and to help out more... I am a busy person...Basketball 3 times a week...Soccer once a week....work two times a week...4Kids... a much needy husband....3 cats.....so I do not have time for all this extra BS.......I know black mail is not nice..but I really just need some help....thank you Santa:)

FINALLY Florida/Clearwater pics

2008-12-04T16:37:00.000-08:00

First off I have to yell a big THAK YOU this was my FIRST Xmas gift this year...from my new BFF Chelley/ the Cancer survivor (Kate monster's super sister), who you will meet here in a minute.... I am a blanket freak, because I am always COLD...so I saw this cool blanket (just like the one above) in Florida, but did not get it ....Chelley remembered how I loved that blanket and her kind heart sent me one...I LOVE it Chell, but I do have to fight Skylar for it..Thank you so much:) Oh and the kisses were soooo good too:)

On to the Florida story, there was this Mom with 4 little angels who just needed a BREAK away from home...she just wanted to go and visit her own MOM (who she dearly missed), she has NEVER been on a trip with just herself and wanted the husband to experience the "solo" parent for once...and I will add he did a pretty damn good job:) I mean the kids can live on fruit shakes everyday right (ha just kidding) have to thank Grandma and Skylar for the cooking and Todd really did try to keep up on the house work after I had to correct him on what detergent to use for the laundry and not to mix the colors..but he did awesome..now I expect him to know how to turn the vacuum and dishwasher on...so no more acting clueless....PERFECT:) finally got the man tamed!! I had the BEST time with my Mom...we actually got to sit down and have adult conversation without kids jumping all over us....it was lovely!!!

We did a lot of shopping and a lot of eating and I even visited a shark and was curious on how sharp their teeth really were.....I had some funny looks from the pass a byers, but I started something as I walked away I turned and everyone was getting in the sharks mouth for a photo:) see I am not weird after all!!! I think I embarrassed my Mom a little..ha!! I should have charged people for my idea!!!

Then comes the Clearwater/Cheatwater Championship race..I was going to meet up with this crazy bunch as you can see in the photo sporting all Racing for Recovery garb:)......you have Chelley(bff) Mark(North) Kate(Monster) Me(Mel) and John(coach)

My Mom dropped me off at the Ironman shuttle bus....which meant I had to get my azz out of bed by 5:00a.m. I get to race site and seem to always work my way up to front row with my charming smile...(not really more like MOVE get out of my way(ha) ...I was right there where the racers get their wet suits stripped...interesting....they all looked like flopping fish on the ground..I have never seen anything like that before...so I am waiting for KateMonster to come out of the water and I spotted her RIGHT away with her sexy skull suit on(I of course designed myself:) she was looking good I was yelling like a crazy fan...but she did not hear me:( so I finally text Chelley to meet up with her, Mark, Coach John....I really had no idea what she looked like..so I had that dumbness look on my face...thank god she spotted me and was waving like a crazy woman:)

So I jump in a car with strangers (except I did meet coach in KY) Mark even said "you are brave getting into a car with us crazies..I said I will fit right in because I am SURE I am crazier:) we had no clue what we were doing...with a couple of repeated circles in some neighborhoods..I think coach finally had it and parked the car so we hoped out and stopped traffic so we could get across the street to set up our little cheering section for KateMonster...Mark took off to find her and I think he ended up running like a full marathon or something crazy like that:) We stood and cheered for the cyclist and Kate comes flying by... but some how managed to high five me and chit chat..she was looking strong!!

My BFF Chell and I went to hunt down some coffee and decided to go with cold ones instead, because by this time my butt crack was starting to sweat...meaning it was starting to get HOT out:) then we found our spot...I have to tell you Kate you are pretty speedy..because it did not seem like we were standing around for long periods at a time..unless it was because Chelley and I were having so much fun we did not even notice we were turning into lobsters:) So here is a pic of Kate tearing it up out there...she said she was hurting in the run...but she looked damn good to me:)

Then LOOK who I bumped into MARNI:) she is so cute...she looks exactly the same as she does on her blog...but her voice did not match...I was thinking she was going to have this tiny, squeaky voice..but she had this sexy truck driver (without the curse words) voice...ha sorry Marn..but it is cute...she is totally a cool chic..I was so happy to get to meet the person who always has yummy FOOD photo's and receipt on her blog....luv ya Marn

OK this was WEIRD....these guys from I can't remember...they had an accent..for some reason wanted me to take their photo...I kid you not...they thought they were studs..so I thought I would throw the Hooter girl in the photo to spice it up some:) Lets hope they don't read my blog!!

OK you caught me checking out Kate's bum...which is nice I must add:) Kate don't hate me for this photo..ha ha.......still impressed with that cool suit:)

This Photo CRACKS me the heck up...if you are a reader of Kate's blog...she did this photo stating a new life....so Chell and I wanted to clone her and let me tell you..it was NOT easy..we could not figure this pose out..I tried to sit in between her legs and my legs where up like a mile far...so then I tried to sit behind her and very very close like humping action...thinking my legs were longer....we finally after rolling in the sand and getting sand in my sweaty butt crack that our legs were the same length..so I jumped on her lap and took the photo...and wallah here it is:) Perfect!!! Even though she has prettier feet than me:)

Kate and I messing around in the water and about fell on our asses and that water was COLD:) I think we look a little like Lavern and Shirley...

AND the PROOF is here....I had such a good time hanging out with the girls and I totally had that friendship connection with Chelley right away and we still talk and text each other...I LOVE you Chell....check the heart in the sand ...my new BFF (eat your heart out Paris)... We even had people ask if we were sisters....

Oh and if you watch the Clearwater coverage...look for us on TV...While I was standing waiting for Kate to come out of the finish area...I had a camera in my face....I swear I was not drunk....(no drinking involved) but was really nervous....so did a lot of chatting and I think I talked about Splish suits and even pointed Kate's butt on TV (poor Kate and her butt) I talked about my husband 's org Racing for Recovery....I probably did not make any sense at all..but I know I smiled a lot:) so who cares what I said anyways..ha!!

I REALLY did have a awesome time with my Mom and with Kate, Chelley, Mark and even coach John for a short period he was there (Hey J how was that underwear..ha inside joke),

THANK YOU for such a good time!!

...but I did miss home...so the break was good and what I really needed...but home is where I belonged...my kids cried when I talked to them on the phone and they wanted there Mom back!!! Home I went!!!!! I was welcomed with hugs and smiles and knew I was missed:)

I LOVE coaching Skylar's team

2008-11-23T19:08:00.000-08:00

This picture has nothing to do with this post..but Mason had his
school program and he was the cutest pumpkin ever:)

Our 1st game photo:)

YES....I finally got my computer back...Oh how I missed it:) So I wrote this basketball report days ago, but was waiting on computer so I can add the Mother/daughter photo we do every year for the first game!!! I KNOW I still need to do Florida trip write up and ALSO need to do a write up on Todd doing the Ultraman this weekend in Hawaii...MAN I have a lot to write about:) when I have my computer my mind is BLANK...then when I don't have it I have so MUCH to talk about:) Geezzee....AND I so need to do some blog reading catch ups...no sleep for me tonight!!!!

THE BASKETBALL REPORT!!!!!

I got the coaching position again, this will be my fourth year coaching with the first two years as assistant coach and the last two years as solo head coach...I always get intimidated as the last two seasons I have been the only female coach!! We were an undefeated team last year and I got all of my players and some new ones back this year so a total of 10 girls:) We are solid, it is funny as last year we only had one tall girl and this year we have 4 and two of them is around my height...(yikes) and these are fifth graders and then we have my daughter Skylar as one of the smallest on the team but a true scrapper:)

I don't know WHY I get so nervous before a game... I get so strung out on coffee to try to calm down, but back fires and puts me in a daze:) I get the cold sweats too!!! We had our first pre-game tournaments last weekend and we played 4 local schools and CRUSHED every team...I had a middle school coach come up to me and said "if I was betting, I would place the $$ bet on your team" damn I WISH I could make some money at this (JK)

The best part of coaching for me is to see the girls grow confidence within themselves...especially the new girls who have never played before...they are scared to even try....so it is my job to make them BELIEVE in themselves and YES they can:)

We had our first season game today and I will admit I am a loud mouth coach...I stomp my feet...I yell at the ref's.....I correct the girls and I bench lazy players...I want them to have fun and LOVE basketball, but I also want them to play smart and learn the skills that go along with it...We did WIN 20 to 9 today and the girls were estactic, I always like the first game as that is what sets us up for our season...the improvements are huge here on after, the BELIEVING...the comfort...the YES I can..the SELF-CONFIDENCE!!! I LOVE IT!!!!

So here was my cheery post and I am sure there will be many more Basketball reports to come:)

****Thank you for Everyones kind comments and concerned emails and text messages...you guys are the best and totally blow me away:)...I am going through some personal issues at the moment, but trying to work through them as best as I can...but not ready to post about it:( But thank you for your concerns:)

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone...enjoy your families!!

Been quite long enough!!!!

2008-11-18T07:59:00.000-08:00

Sorry, really wanted to stay away from all the drama bullshit...but when you have "worthless" people going to my friends blog to spy on me then I need to speak......Their are some "people" who are so wrapped up in my personal shit that it has become comical for me.....seriously don't you have something better to do with your time??? If you think by spying on me not ONLY on my blog but now going to others is going to win you on someones "A" list...you are crazy, because at our home you are a "JOKE" we laugh at you!!! Apparently these "worthless" people report back to someone close to me and tells them if a GUY has commented on my blog, or if there is a photo of me on a cell phone that is NOT my phone.....then wants to proceed on calling me dumb, because I misspelled a word or wants to say how horrible I look!!!! The funny thing is I DON"T CARE WHAT YOU THINK OF ME...and that is the truth!!! I just had this conversation with a friend of mine who has a problem with caring "what other people think of them" "THESE" people are exactly that just "PEOPLE" they are not going to be there to brighten your day through rough times...."WHO NEEDS THEM" The ones that you are close to you will be there through thick and thin and will love you for who you are!!!

I am NOT perfect...I MAKE tons of mistakes and I know that...I am NOT better than the next person!!!

I hate to be mean....but enough is enough...Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself....SO "people/spies" if you are so wrapped up in my business...my door welcomes you (you know where I live) I will tell you about ME and if you want to say bad things and bash me...go right ahead, BUT say it to my FACE...I welcome it!!!

Whew that feels good to get out of my system as this has been going on for awhile....but learning that "they" were going to my friends blogs too....is crazy!!!

I promise next post will be cheery...:) ;) and I hope I don't lose any readers because of this BS...but rather see I am sticking up for myself against these "worthless-trouble makers"

I am Back!!!!! WELL SORT OF

2008-11-12T11:54:00.000-08:00

I am so bummed...I had a BLAST in Florida...but can not post about it right now....because I need my photo's to go along with the post!!!! Without getting into too much details my computer has been smashed and is in the process of being fixed...so for now I am using the kids computer and it is super SLOW and very frustrating.....I want to THANK the people who have wrote me emails just to check in on me....it means more than you will ever know!!! I WILL get back to you:)

B R E A K.....

2008-11-02T13:09:00.000-08:00

Happy Halloween :)

2008-10-31T17:32:00.000-07:00

Another day down...WOW...I forgot how busy this day is for me.....4 freakin school parties...2 different parades...2 hair and makeup....luckily the boys are pretty easy...throw their masks on and they are all set.....Skylar EVERY year has to be some kind of spooky person that requires make-up..with blood and face stitches!!! Madison is always something pretty...so curl hair throw some sparkles on her and she is set to go....BUT getting 4 kids ready on time....crazy!!!!

Todd and I usually take turns with one staying home and passing out and one going door to door with the kids....some how we ended up with 4 more kids....so the job was Todd's I stayed home and past out the goodies......I like checking out all the fun costumes.....but I can not believe some kids manners.....I sometimes just want to yell "YOUR WELCOME".....seriously how hard is it to say "THANK YOU". I had this one 'GROWN man" come up to me and I laugh and said "OH your trick n treating" he said ya for my little guy in the stroller....then proceeds to grab a huge hand full of candy WTF?? Your kid does not even have teeth and this greedy guy takes half my candy.....I got a lot of werido's this year...do not know where they came from.....My neighbor does a haunted garage and I think the freaks come to our neighborhood just to go there...but some how end up at my house:(

The kids had a good time and now is going through their candy and trading each other:)

I am OFF to Florida Tuesday for a week....Mom needs a break...so I will be beaching it and doing a little soul searching and spending some time with my Mom....I am sure I will be missing home as this is my first time away solo.......but I really think this is a much needed BREAK for me!!!

Hope everyone has a awesome weekend and good luck to the ones who will be racing at Ironman Florida and at Clearwater...I will be there cheering you guys on:)

Last race of the year!!!!

2008-10-27T05:50:00.000-07:00

Skylar finishing fast :)

Me and blogger friend jeff aka (Jahowie)

Yesterday I ran the http://racingforrecovery.com/ race that my husband has put on for the last 7 years! It is a race that draws awareness to drugs and alcohol...to live a healthy life style!!!

I was aiming on doing the 10K and was feeling confident on my training times....Until over the last 2 weeks I have been having knee issues and could only run a couple of miles before the pain started...I did not want to make it worse so my training suffered....this is when I get angry....I was able to run 10miles comfortably three times a week and then when I went to Ca I came back and had nothing but pain...I do not know if it was all the high heel shoe wearing or by taking a week off with no type of exercise and then jumping back in full force that caused me to strain it...Who knows but it was frustrating..Welcome to the world of running....be great one day and then the next be in pain and have NO clue where it came from....grrrrrr!!!! So I decided I would be better off to just do the 5K....3miles of leg dragging is better than 6miles of leg dragging :) These are FUN runs right??????

The day was cold and winds where 30some mph...so super windy....my first thought was uggg not wind again!!! Skylar my 10 year old was also running the 5K so I drag her to the front of the race start (getting brave as I NEVER start at the front)....I see this girl stretching and doing her little jog warm up...I was like oooooohhhh this girl is SERIOUS she is out to crush:) So we are off I am up front with 16, 17, year old guys (I think there was even a 12 year old that was kicking my a$$....That serious girl took off like a rocket...I am tired and not really feeling zippy but like I told Skylar at the beginning of the race "the quicker you go the sooner you will be done" I get to mile one winded and out of breath looked at my watch and pace was 6:20 started off too fast (typical)...I thought to myself I am doomed....I can still see the SERIOUS girl up front and she is still going strong....I get to mile 2 and yip walking was in my mind and it sounded so good...my mind won I found myself walking....I had to yell at myself a little to get going at this point I lost view of the "serious" girl........ I could feel my knee throbbing and I could not wait until I hit the finish and just be done....I ended up getting 2nd female overall (6:47 pace) and 1st in age group....16th out of 150...so not my best 5k result....but being injured and windy conditions I will claim it and overall was happy for my efforts:) The "serious" girl (23years old)did it in like 18 min..she totally deserved the win!

Skylar did awesome...did no training and did it in 25:55 min and won her age group:) I was so proud of her....she is so funny her "goal" was to beat this boy (same age) she knew.....That she did....she crushed him:) I better watch out for her...her next goal will be to "BEAT MOM" and I am sure soon it will be happening:)

Konor and Madison were little speedsters in the kids run...Madison really wanted to run the 5k...but only being 5..I thought she was still a little too young...but loved her (I CAN )approach!!

I also got the chance to meet up with one of my blogger friends Jeff jahowie1972.blogspot.com so it was nice to finally get to meet him:)

This race was great...as it is not just a race, it is a surrounding of people who have changed their life around or families that are grasping for HOPE for a loved one "addiction"...If you know someone who is battling with addiction check http://racingforrecovery.com/

The simple things in life that make us SMILE:)

2008-10-25T08:22:00.000-07:00

The reason why I get out of bed everyday!

The reason I SMILE everyday!

The reason I can get over BAD days!

Wedding in San Fran CA....& Bun in the oven :(

2008-10-14T10:51:00.000-07:00

Check the bun in the oven:(
read to find out the real story!!

I took my shoes off so I wouldn't be taller
than Todd :)

Uncle Jason the Groom:)

Aunt Andrea the Bride:) I had the girls trying

to talk her out of it (JK)

This was my view from the plane:) Mason called

him MONSTER HEAD!!

Madison is a little afraid of heights!!

Konor balancing across log:)

Skylar is a total "TOM BOY" No fear for this girl!!

Mason was hunting for "BEARS"

I LOVE this photo:)

What a fun trip...a LONG trip but a fun family trip!! My Brother-in-Law Jason finally got married...I tried REALLY hard to talk him out of it...but he went for it :) We (the WHOLE tribe) headed to San Francisco on Friday....a 4 1/2 hour plane ride and a 2 hour car ride...with a 3 hour time difference... we finally reached our destination in the middle of BFE...seriously we were in no man's land:0) we stayed in this little cottage...very cute but made me laugh....our bedroom was a set up like "Little house on the prairie"...you had to go up a steep ladder to get to the bedroom....and then we had the mix of "Happy Days" in there...downstairs we had a bed that came out of the wall..the kids had a blast riding the bed into the wall and then crashing to the floor:) it really was a fun place to stay!!!

Saturday was a very hectic day....the girls had their hair done at a 11:00 and then we had photo's at 2.....so trying to get 4 kids ready and then myself...well there was not much time to do myself.....SO.."Me" running around with my head cut off....I LOOK like I have a "Bun in the oven" in every photo...My dress had a liner that I did not know it had and when I put it on, well I forgot to pull the liner down...so YES the liner was all bunched around my belly...and I kept thinking "man my dress feels tight"...but thinking maybe I put on some pounds or swollen from the flight.....AFTER the wedding ceremony right before the reception..I finally got to do a potty break and that is when I realized..."WHAT THE HECK"....I discovered the LINER in the dress..I pulled it down and my dress was loose again....so ALL the photo's were already taken with the bun in the oven....I did not understand why nobody told me....everyone was like "oh we thought it was suppose to look that way...because the back of the dress was raunched...WTF....OH well...4 kids and "bun in the oven " No sweat ;)

Anyways...we had fun and the kids were very well behaved (big relief for me) they did awesome going down the aisle and the girls, while throwing rose pedals bursted in giggles (cute) and Konor thought he was pretty special that he got to carry the "REAL" rings and Mason he is just a stud:)

The next day we went on a trail walk..."Me" not prepared for trail walking only had high heels...so 2 miles walking/jogging with heels on...I am so ready for the high heel running race...I even ran across logs that went over creeks..my Mother-in-Law dared me...it was so much fun..brought a lot of childhood memories for me, as I grew up in the sticks....Skylar was so me...no fear of anything....it was great just to set them free and let them be "KIDS"....Mason had tons of bear stories :) It was great to spend time with the WHOLE family!!!!

Here are our adventurous pictures:)

OLD MacDonald HAD A FARM....

2008-10-02T15:44:00.000-07:00

Madison getting a little cow slobber :)

HERE IS THAT SMILE :)

The JOY of being a Mom...Mason's preschool had their first field trip today....YIP to the farm we go...57 degrees/cold and rainy weather, not really how I want to spend a day..BUT we as Mom's will do anything for our children:) (the sad thing is Mason really did not even want to go) he really is not digging this pre-school thing and would rather spend time with ME:) Ha! "Why" I will never know!!!

So here we are freezing our bums off and smelling the nice scented aroma in the air (NOT) unless you like the smell of cow and pig poo!!! We went on a hay ride, but my hands were to frozen to take a photo at that point :( we went around in a circle and took in the scenery of absolutely NOTHING...what kind of hay ride is this?? One circle and seeing NOTHING!!! So that is where our money is going to..hummmm!!!

Then we get to go inside the barns and feed the cows and pigs and let me tell you...I am a country girl at heart..I grew up around farms and Amish and I smelled cow poo EVERYDAY...but I must becoming a diva...because I wanted to GAG...not just from the smell but I ended up getting cow slobber on me (yuck)..I just turned around and wiped it on my Mother-in-Law...I figured she has dogs, so she is use to it:)

I got a little freaked out...I look up and see all the wooded beams and see MICE running across...that is one thing I am afraid of...I guess when your own Mom was terrified of mice and would scream and stand on chairs...that would be frightening for a child to see....PLUS I swear, I was chased by one when I was little!!!!!SO my thoughts were these Bettie eye varmints are going to fall from the beam and land on me...it DIDN"T happen, but I could not keep from looking up the whole time!!!

To end our trip we get to sit and have lunch with our poo smelling, cow slobber hands...NICE!!!

Like I said "the THINGS we do for our children:) is all worth ONE SMILE!!!!

The race is ON:)

2008-09-26T16:54:00.000-07:00

This is how the run went down today and every other day:) I head out for my normal 10mile run same route down the bike path 5mile out to the University and 5 miles back!!! I rarely see too many runners...a lot of bikers, a lot of roller bladders, a lot of stroller walkers, and a lot of weirdos that I haven't figured out what they are doing (maybe smoking some dubies:)
I start off the first 6 miles in the low 7 min pace and then the 4 ending miles I walk and then sprint etc and for SOME REASON when I am TIRED at mile 8 1/2 and walking some guy (a different guy every time) comes out of NOWHERE and passes me...for some reason I can not have this....so I start running to catch the guy (who ever it is that day) and proceed to bust my ass just to win....just to remind you this is at the end of my 10 mile run..so I am tired and a sweaty mess:)
Today was no different at mile 81/2 I am walking and here comes a tall, in shape with a weird running form fly past me....shit not again..(I CAN"T LET HIM THINK I AM JUST A :WALKER".....so I catch him at the stop light he turns and looks at me and I look at him...no words JUST THE STARE:) It is just me and him...the light turns green and the GAME is on...he takes off and then I pass him before we even get across the street and I never look back....I just GO...he could be walking right now but I am still going to race him....I get to the 1/2 mile mark and I look at my watch and I am going 6:22 OH YEAH BABY.....but am starting to feel the heavy legs and my breathing is getting louder...he could be right behind me, but still not looking back:) I get to the end of my run which was my 10th mile and look at my watch I ran that 10th mile in 6:40 pace and I turn to look behind me he is way back there:) this is all I got done before he caught up (stopped watch....walked to my car...took Ipod off....grabbed my keys under my tire....got my purse out of the trunk....unlocked the car and then he was there...the STARE but no words...I really wanted to roll down my window and say "nice run"..but didn't know if he would be mad...so I drove to get coffee:) Who even knows if he was racing me but it was FUN and motivating to pretend he was:) Now if I can find some sucker to push me like that for my next race:) I have problems staying FOCUSED!!! These running "games" are turning into a lot of fun!!!! TRY THE GAMES!!!!!

Not too much goin on!!!

2008-09-23T15:43:00.000-07:00

I guess some times it is a good thing when you do not have much to blog about:) I have been doing a lot of nothing....trying to get my house organized...going to soccer....... getting ready to travel to San Fran for my brother-in-laws wedding....going crazy trying to get the suits and flower girl dresses ordered ALL my kids are in the wedding... talk about a lot of $$$$$$$ being spent on something they will wear ONCE..I could rant on that forever.....but I guess it is a happy day (eh right..ha) I also have the challenge of picking clothes out for my mother-in-law...she needed some major help:) so where does that leave me...YIP still dress less....What am I going to wear????? Any IDEAS????????

My running is coming along....as much as possible...Todd has been traveling a lot, but I am still managing 30 miles of running in a week three 10mile runs...I am enjoying the weather change...still warm enough to wear sleeveless shirts, but cold enough to bust out the running tights....For some reason I don't like having anything on my arms when I run....So if you see a nut running in Splish in the middle of winter that possibly could be me:) By the time I reach mile one I am hot as heck and have to start stripping:) I am also trying that thing called STRETCHING...I hate it...but I think since I am getting old I need to fit it in...(so that is me stretching in photo) Thrilled I know :)

Not much more to report....Looking forward to a little(solo) trip to Florida to visit with my Mom and watch Clearwater championships...so if you will be there let me know so I can cheer you on:)

Happy training everyone!!!

FAKE IT UNTIL YOU MAKE IT!!!!!!!

2008-09-17T06:31:00.000-07:00

Rachael Model face

Mel's Splish
Bree's Muscle Leg's

= FAKE IT...UNTIL YOU MAKE IT :)

It is starting to get cold outside and this is around the time I start to hibernate:) Not really having any racing coming up other than the Racing for Recovery 10k run!! I have been running 10 mile fun runs here and there just to get out and empty the head...It has been nice!!! I have a goal for this 10k race this year as of last year I ran it and was sick so my results were not as well as I wanted it to be....Todd jokily said the other day that I am a total slacker when it comes to working out...and YES that is true...I am never consistent...just some here and there and I wait until the last minute to cram in some good workout right before the race....But I must say when I do get out there to train I do work hard at it!! I don't start off small...I start off running 10 mile runs even if I am training for a 6mile run:)

So the other day...I decided to do some SPEED work thanks to Miss Speedy pants Bree Wee and Rachael Ross they both just competed in the Na Whine Sprint triathlon in Hawaii....Bree won the race and broke the course record and Rachael got third...BUT what amazed me was their SPEED in there running....Bree ran a 5k in the time of 18:11 and Rachael ran 18:53 and this was on TIRED legs they swam and biked prior to this amazing run!!!

So I went out for my normal 10 mile run but wanting to mix it up a little bit...I WANT TO BE RACHAEL AND BREE...I wanted to bust my butt to be speedy :) SO I was going to FAKE IT (being Rachael and Bree) pull my big girl pants up and just GO do the first 5K HARD...SO me and my HIGHLY caffeinated legs hit the trails.... I start to run and feel my legs saying NOOOOO...but I am Bree and Rachael NOT the slacker Melissa... I pump the arms and am cracking up while I am running thinking how silly I must look...but this FAKE IT is going to motivate me to get my bum a movin and if I have to pretend to be speedy then I am going to work at it!!! I tried to avoid my watch until I was reaching the end of the 3 miles...I LOOK down and SHIT it was 18:20 and I still have a little less than a HALF mile to go:( I finished the 5k in 20:13...Not Bree or Rachael but it was fun to FAKE IT and I will keep FAKING IT until I MAKE IT.......Thanks for the motivation girls...you rock:)

New addition to the family :)

2008-09-15T06:23:00.000-07:00

GIZMO....THE NEW BABY:)

MAZY THE 26LB CAT:)

IRONMAN THE HUNTER CAT :)

My kids are in LOVE with animals, if they could... they would give every animal a home!! Well we know that is impossible to be able to save every animal...and I have to explain that to them, but their intentions are good:) They were saving their money to donate to a animal shelter...There is a commercial that is shown quit a bit on TV ...My Madison cries every time it comes on...it shows abounded and abused animals while a sad song is being played and you can not feel any thing but sadness for these innocent animals....We collected information on donating, but I get a little sketchy on where the money really goes and what it is used for!!!! So the kids continued on saving their money and I told them we will know when the time is right!!!!

Konor wanted to go the animal store just to "LOOK"....so Todd took the kids.....I get a call 30 mins later from Skylar and saying "Mom there is this adorable kitten, that she wants badly" Me: "Skylar we already have 2 cats" Todd didn't want to be the "NO" parent so left the decision up to me......I tried to give all the reason of "WHY" we should not get it...1.getting new carpet in one week...2. we already have two grown cats that won't like a little monster joining them..3.the BIG ONE...I would be the one to take care of it!!! SO the SUCKER I am agreed to at least go "LOOK" at it...the kids know me well...I would fall in LOVE with it and the deal would be done:) I have ALWAYS been a cat lover...I took EVERY stray cat in when I was a kid..I would sneak them through my bedroom window :)

So off to the store we go...I was not too thrilled to get a kitten from the "pet store" as a way for them to make money....but I was relieved that they were actually coming from the Humane Society and the store (or outside source) was not making any money....This poor little kitten was in a tiny cage by himself and was begging for attention...Some A-HOLE cut his whiskers off, so that to me showed some kind of abuse....How can people do such a thing to a harmless animal????...I was SUCKERED..I feel in love with him with the first hold....he purred and was so happy to be held...he won our hearts:) A new home he will go!!!!

$100.00 the kids had to collect with their allowance and tip bucket...I thought that was pricey for a kitten..but I guess that is to cover his shots and neutered....Now the kids tell the story of saving a little kitties life and giving him a fun, loving home...instead of him living in a tiny spaced cage with no loving contact!!! I said good thing they do not have little babies in stores like that or I WOULD BE IN BIG TROUBLE...BIG SUCKER FOR NEWBORN BABIES...LOVE EM:)

Here is the scoop on the new little baby...his name is Gizmo (Gizzy for short) he is 8 weeks old...cut off whiskers :( Full of energy and loves to snuggle and carries paper around AND IS LOVED!!!!! My house is officially a ZOO :)

Heck YEAH Britney Spears

2008-09-09T18:21:00.000-07:00

I was soooo happy to see Britney pull herself together...she looks awesome!! I felt sorry for her last year at the VMA's...she was called trash/fat and many other nasty non called for comments....So this year I was really rooting for her.....I TOTALLY give her credit of keeping her chin up high and returning back to the VMA's this year...that shows guts!!!! I always want the under-dogs to win.....I was thrilled to see her come out on top and not let the media crash her to the ground!!!

As that being said...I am sure I will get some slack on actually liking Britney and YES I listen to her tunes on my ipod (no shame)...but she is only human and every one makes mistakes and gets in a deep funk at times, but it is how we scrape ourselves off the pavement and conquer our mistakes and inner demons.......we live & learn and proceed on with life:) Every day is a NEW beginning!!!! So good for you Brit for turning it around....(You think she reads my blog....ha ha totally joking)

P.s. Can you tell I REALLY do not have much to blog about ;)

Happy days everyone and there is always HOPE :)

THE ITCH??? Kind of, sort of, maybe...WHAT???

2008-09-04T20:31:00.000-07:00

After watching Louisville IM....I kind of want to do ONE full Ironman...I know I said in the past NO WAY IN HELL......I know I do not want to do Louisville....nothing excited me there...SOOOOO I have a decision to make....Well since people are requesting early Xmas presents from Santa (JEN H>:) I was thinking the time is right to start to prepare for the request....PAY MY ENTRY FEE White bearded man:) DECISIONS>>>>DECISIONS...do I go with Ironman Florida 2009....flat....fast course...or do I go with the NEW Ironman Cozumel 2009?????? I am not too thrilled as they both are ocean swims...YIKES....but i don't think I would be thrilled if I had to swim in a baby pool either....NO swim love here!!! But my swim class starts here in a couple of weeks...so by next year I BETTER have some kind of love!!! Is anyone else signing up for any of the two..or have any comments on the venue???

Spectator's report :) Hard job, but somebody gotta do it!!!

2008-09-01T17:53:00.000-07:00

Todd seeing the kids on the side lines...see the love:)

Skylar holding the go blogger girl's/dad signs:)

Mason peeing in the Ohio river....don't worry it was after the swim:)

the main kid entertainment:)

Kate-Monster starting the run:)

The kids camping out waiting....waiting:)

WHeeeew I made it in one piece.....if you are a Mom and a wife of a Ironman husband you can so relate of the pressure of making sure everything goes smoothly on race day!!! I woke up at 5:30a.m. and got myself ready and all the snacks and drinks packed for the long day...woke one kid up at a time and got them feed and ready to go..after 2 STROLLERS(which we bought the night before the race) packed to the max and ready to roll....going along and shit there are 3 flights of stairs we have to go down to get to the swim finish...WTF am I going to do???? Luckily there were people getting ready to go down also and asked me if they could help....Me like always thinking "I CAN HANDLE EVERYTHING" don't like being a burden on people..."I think I can get it...well the look on my face must have said it all...they did not listen to me and proceeded to pick up the other end of the stroller...THANK YOU!!!!!

We get to the swim finish and I pushed my way to get a good viewing spot...front row baby:) I see E getting out with a super fast swim and right after there was Bree.....Todd came out looking good I am stoked......I missed Kate :( I waited around for Mira...knowing how much she loves swimming (NOT) and wanted to make sure she made it out safely....but the kids started to whine and wanted a new spot to go hang out at..so to the park we go!!!!!

I was kind of bummed as I could not hear any race updates being announce and I knew E and Bree were up there with the leader of the swim pack....

We headed back to the room for a bit and I got online and looked up Mira and was so happy to see she made the swim:) Bree was in the lead on the bike and was getting ready to hit T2..so we decided to head back to the race..along the way I hear some people shout hey Mel...we read your blog:) that was so cool and I had the pleasure of meeting Bree's family who I ran into on the corner of the street (Cricket) a fellow blogger and Bree's aunt!!!

I ended up finding the PERFECT spot for a spectator a place where there where water fountains for the kids to play in and it happened to sit right in the middle of where the bikers come in and the runners run out...PERFECT!!!! So I stayed parked there for 2 hours and a HUGE thank you to Kel (Kate Monster's) sister for keeping me updated(by text) on Kate and Todd..that was a BIG help!!! I was bummed as I did not know how Bree was doing until my friend BR called me and I said "please tell me you are following the race on line" he let me know the status on Bree and that was when I learned she was not feeling so hot :( but I knew she would fight till the end!!!

I saw Kate come in off the bike looking strong and saw her starting the run......Todd came in looking good and was very excited to see the kids as you can tell on his face in the photo above...but he said to me...which I hear EVERY time " I hate these things" just to let everyone know this was his 15th FULL Ironman...and he is training for the Ultraman....yeah he really hates these things :)

I gathered all the kids up and ran up to our room again and cleaned them up and headed to the finish line...by the time we got there I had 2 kids sleeping and the other 2 saying Dad needs to hurry up!!! I PUSH my way to a good spot again and park the strollers with kids hanging half in and half out....people giving me the "are you nuts" look..I am elbow to elbow with my neighbors....but I had the perfect spot...SEE my main job was to make sure the kids were there at the finish so Todd could run through with all 4 kids...and that was my main focus...I get nervous "what if I can't pick the 2 older ones over the wall divider..."what if I miss him" "what if the two little ones are still sleeping by the time he gets there" what if they are taking a potty break" ect....I was driving myself nuts.....then my phone rings IT WAS TODD...yes he stopped at the side of the road and asked if he could use their phone and called me to let me know he was on mile 17 and starting to run again..so here I am doing calculations in my head trying to get prepared of the hand off....I was getting worried...as I got the text from Kel that Kate Monster was out of the race and heading to the med tent......then I see E coming down the finish shoot with the death look on her face but still managing to look hot....it seems like everyone was out there have struggles of to just finish....Everyone was saying how HOT it was....It really did not bother me much as I think I was kept so busy it was not on my mind......but again I was not out there racing!!!! My phone rings again and some stranger calls and says your husband has 2 more miles to go and he will see you soon!!! See how Todd does not really care about his times, he does these races to spread the word of Racing for Recovery:) so I am pulling kids out of the strollers putting shoes on and here comes Todd I start pushing the kids under the divider and handed Mason to Todd...the crowd went crazy and the smiles where huge and the mission was accomplished:) A very proud moment!!!!

So today I feel the bruising on the bottom of my feet and my head feels like I got hit by a train...I have endless piles of laundry and kids that WON"T go to bed and a husband who has been in bed since 7 :) at times of being a spectator...I think I would have rather been racing (skip the swim part)....but at the end it was ALL worth it....getting to meet E, Kate-Monster, her amazing family, her coach John....Mira...Bree's sweet family and some other cool fellow bloggers......the best was just to be out there and seeing all the racers following their dreams/goals even if they were hurting to get there....families over joyed of there loved ones finishing...I had to hold my own tears back just watching!!!! I don't know how anyone could watch one of these Ironman races live and not get motivated to do one some day:) Congratulations to all of you!!!! Be proud!!!

Made it to Louisville KY!!!

2008-08-29T09:42:00.000-07:00

Mira, Me, Kate-Monster, Eileen :) all blog girls

After riding many hours in a car with four kids...I have a screaming HEADACHE!!!! NOW I see why I DO NOT do road trips very often....I really am a home body as some times all the packing and unpacking and kids being off schedules and acting like monsters...it just seems to add MORE STRESS!!!!! Hearing "Are we there yet" 400x's and I have to peeeeeeeee 600x's or Konor is annoying meeeeeee and the husbands HORRIBLE singing.......I slept on the HARDEST bed ever and woke up with sore back and neck and I LOVE bed...but NOT THIS BED..ugggg...we are staying in a suite that is huge, nice BUT hard beds ...So YES I am a little irritated:)

Last night I had the opportunity to finally get to meet Kate-Monster and Eileen Swanson and Mira...we all met up for dinner....It is funny that we really only talk through email or through our blogs.....but it seems like I have known them forever:) Kate is truly funny and very out going...she is just like her charter on her blog...she is just so much fun:) Eileen is the tan cutie...she is super sweet...I think you NEED a kid E...I say that because my kids were TIRED and acting crazy at the restaurant and E's eyes where big with the look on her face "OH MY" I think we will see a Swanson kid soon:) Mira, well I should say Dr.Mira:) she is super nice and was trying to figure my UGLY legs out...I think she was stumped....Mira I am going to be SO happy when I see you exit that water on Sunday:) They all were a fun group, but I had to cut my visit short due to my kids running all over the place and I laughed OH I know what ALL your guys next blog write up will be:::::MEL REALLY IS CRAZY:)

OK...off to meet up with Kate Monster for some coffee and hoping to meet up with Bree and E a little later....more photo's to come:)

AND LET THERE BE PEACE!!!!!

2008-08-27T06:13:00.000-07:00

FINALLY......First day of school started today....don't get me wrong I love being with my kids, but when you have 4 it does get a little crazy...my hair is thinning out and I am getting more wrinkles day by day:) all kidding aside...the kids were excited to get back to school...Skylar is in 5th grade, Konor in 2nd grade and Madison will be in Kindergarten and Mason starts later in September for Preschool 2x's a week.....So I have to laugh as people ask "so will I get some time alone this year" NOPE, never childless....Madison will be in afternoon Kindergarten and Mason will be in morning pre-school...so will ALWAYS at least have one child..so not FREE yet:)

We leave for Louisville KY tomorrow...Todd will be doing the Ironman race and I will be side line cheering my guts out for Todd and some blogger friends.....Bree, Eileen Swanson, Kate-Monster, Mira....so I am so excited to finally get to meet them (except Bree, as I already met her,but still excited to see her) I will have all the kids with me so this can be a challenge....but really hoping to be the good cheerleader and watch all my people cruise it into home.....This will be the FIRST time Todd will be crossing the finish line with ALL 4 kids..so I am sure it will be an emotional one for him:)

PS.....Mira, you WILL be fine in that swim...shut that mental battle up:) Bree, you WILL get that slot and smash that course, without all the bad luck:) Eileen, you WILL have a good race and welcome to full-time Pro:) Kate-Monster you WILL not suffer and will rock, you will run your heart out:) Todd, you will have your best run knowing the kids will be waiting for you and me bitching "HURRY UP" Ha!!

Have a great weekend friends and I am hoping to post some of the fun times in Lucky

Kentucky!!!!

WTH?????? U.G.L.Y

2008-08-22T06:46:00.000-07:00

Check out my legs right above the knees....it looks like bruising of the veins and it has appeared about a month ago and it is there ALL the time....I FIRST thought welcome to OLD age, but noticed when I bike or run that part of my legs feels tight and ready to snap.....it darkens up and more noticeable after working out, so that makes me think it is NOT from old age but rather from low iron or some kind of circulation problem....So I guess off to the doctors for some blood work to make sure I am not anemic...YIKES!!!! Does anyone else have something similar to this or anyone have any ideas of WTH is going on!!!!

OH and don't laugh at my hair stubbles on my knee caps...damn I can never get them:) and the ugly scare on the knee cap is from me trying to attempt to do hurdles in a track time trials...well you can see that did not work out so well:) I am a MESS..........

*****I needed to add this after some really great responses...It does not itch, it is not raised like a rash, it does not hurt....it is just there being UGLY:) and never goes away!!!!

The BEST attitude....You have to read this..it will make you think!!!

2008-08-14T19:34:00.000-07:00

I was going through a rough time and a friend of mine sent this to me...it is long BUT well worth reading!!!!!

John is the kind of guy you love to hate.
He is always in a good mood and always has something positive to say.
When someone would ask him , how he was doing, he would reply,
'If I were any better, I would be twins!'
He was a natural motivator. If an employee was having a bad day,
John was there telling the employee how to look on the positive side of the situation.
Seeing this style really made me curious, so one day I went up and asked him, 'I don't get it! You can't be a positive person all of the time. How do you doit?' He replied, 'Each morning I wake up and say to myself, you have two choices today. You can choose to be in a good mood or ... you can choose to be in a bad mood
I choose to be in a good mood.' Each time something bad happens, I can choose to be a victim or... I can choose to learn from it. I choose to learn from it.
Every time someone comes to me complaining, I can choose to accept their complaining or..
I can point out the positive side of life.
I choose the positive side of life.
'Yeah, right, it's not that easy,' I protested.
'Yes, it is,' he said. 'Life is all about choices.
When you cut away all the junk, every situation is a choice.
You choose how you react to situations.
You choose how people affect your mood.
You choose to be in a good mood or bad mood.
The bottom line: It's your choice how you live your life.'
I reflected on what he said. Soon here after, I left the Tower Industry to start my own business. We lost touch, but I often thought about him when I made a choice about life instead of reacting to it.
Several years later, I heard that he was involved in a serious accident, falling some 60 feet from a communications tower.
After 18 hours of surgery and weeks of intensive care, he was released from the hospital with rods placed in his back.
I saw him about six months after the accident. When I asked him how he was, he replied,
'If I were any better, I'd be twins...Wanna see my scars?'
I declined to see his wounds, but I did ask him what had gone through his mind as the accident took place.
'The first thing that went through my mind was the well-being of my soon-to-be born daughter,' he replied.
'Then, as I lay on the ground, I remembered that I had two choices:
I could choose to live or...I could choose to die. I chose to live.'
'Weren't you scared? Did you lose consciousness?' I asked
He continued, '..the paramedics were great. They kept telling me I was going to be fine. But when they wheeled me into the ER and I saw the expressions on the faces of the doctors and nurses, I got really scared..
In their eyes, I read 'he's a dead man'. I knew I needed to take action.'
'What did you do?' I asked.
'Well, there was a big burly nurse shouting questions at me,'said John. '
She asked if I was allergic to anything 'Yes, I replied.'
The doctors and nurses stopped working as they waited for my reply.
I took a deep breath and yelled, 'Gravity'' Over their laughter,
I told them, 'I am choosing to live.
Operate on me as if I am alive, not dead.'
He lived, thanks to the skill of his doctors, but also because of his amazing attitude..
I learned from him that every day we have the choice to live fully.
Attitude, after all, is everything .
Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.' Matthew 6:34.
After all, today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday.

3rd place out of 29 in age group and 14th out of 138 overall females:)

2008-08-10T18:40:00.000-07:00

Photo right after I finished...check the sweatshirts
and long pants out..that is how cold it was!!!!

Well I managed to almost reach all of my goals...except for the dang face in the water....but that was because I had people on top of me the whole swim and I could not see where I was going.....then the second goal not meet..I went off the swim course a bit...but was overall satisfied with my goal meeting:) NO PUKING.....NO BLOODY BLISTERS....NO BLOATING STOMACH...and I had FUN :)

I am pretty pleased with my results....3rd PLACE in my age group out of 29 girls...AND 14th out of 138 girls overall..I know deep down I could have pushed it A LOT harder than I did...I some how need to get the drive and some kind of competitiveness in me...I have lost it (unless it is inches away from me then game on) I guess the saying goes for me "out of site..out of mind" I need to learn how to push to hurt...learning.....I guess that comes with HOW BAD DO YOU WANT IT??,

I wasn't sure how it was going to go with only getting 7 training days in before this race...if I can just get the dang swim down...I would do so much better and have more confidence in myself :) I know it is my own fault as I do not put the work into getting any better...so that is where I need to find the drive and the passion!!! BLAH BLAH BLAH...onto the race!!

I am only reporting on my age group (35-39age)and this is out of 29 girls....I was nervous before the swim...I was freezing my butt off...we had the option of wearing a wet suit and I decided against it....because it causes me to panic..so I would rather freeze then panic....I was so excited as at the beginning of the swim I did manage putting my face in the water, but that was short lived as this is the FIRST time girls were drafting off of ME(the stinky swimmer)... I had girls pulling on my legs and swimming on top of my legs...that kind of freaked me out and then some how I managed to swim off course a bit and almost swam into a boating dock:) ...because my goggles steamed up and the fog was thick...could not see where I was going...but the suckers that would not get off of me followed me..Ha Ha to them....So my goal was NOT to be last one out of the water and I had no one pass me yippee was 16th out (of 29girls ) I WAS NOT LAST, but knew I had a lot of catching up to do!!

I jumped on my bike and went back-n- fourth of putting a long sleeve shirt on or not...I decided not too...BRRRRRRRR COLD...my legs for the first 5 miles were stiff and cold, I had no go and the first part of the bike was windy......I knew I need to try and pick up the speed as I am not a strong swimmer and I need the bike and the run to catch up to people.....I started to pass people and managed to only be passed by 2 guys and no girls...I rode in the hardest gears the whole ride (still learning on the gearing) as I always feel it is strengthening my legs:) so harder the better for me!!! I had the 4th fastest bike split!!!

I started the run feeling pretty good...started off a little too fast(at least for me) with the 1st mile clocking in 6:44 pace....I started getting side cramps and slowed down a bit,but continued passing girls....It was kind of fun seeing a hot girl in front of me...gave me a target to aim for and I went after it.... so was picking the girls off one by one...past many guys too (but could not tell you if they were hot or not:)didn't care about them!!!...I get to my last mile and the cramping started again..so stopped and walked and had to cuss at myself to get started again...pushed it to the finish hard and really had no clue of where I placed....but felt good and not tired at all...so I knew I had more energy to burn and NOW I can kick myself for not pushing it a little harder...I did get 2nd fastest run split in my age group (7:10pace not my best, but will take it...MAD I WALKED uugg) This is my first year of racing, so it is all a learning experience for me and every race I am learning something new to carry on to the next race..so one day I will have it down:)

Coming 16th out of the water in age group, I was losing confidence in myself and not sure if I could catch the other girls.....so YEAH for my 3rd place trophy (now it is Skylar's).. Next year I WILL be ready to challenge this years winner:) there is always HOPE right??

Todd raced today too and got 8th out of 33 in his age group...he had a really good run:) These are just fun races for him as his main goal is that Ultraman!!!

Thank you....thank you, to the people who sent good luck wishes:)

Race #3 and 10 goals

2008-08-08T20:25:00.000-07:00

My 10 goals for race #3
1...NO BLOODY BLISTERS
2...NO PUKING
3...NO stopping at water stations talking to friends that are working them
4...NOT going to be the last one out of the swim
5...Putting my DAMN face in the water and JUST SWIM
6...Hurry up in transition...don't poke around like old Grandma
7...Get my ass a movin
8...STAY ON COURSE...NO WRONG TURNS
9...No drinking to the point I look like I am going to push another baby out
10. HAVE FUN

I am excited to race, and I am going to push myself to HURT....I am going to punish myself for taking too long of a break after last race 2 months ago!!! I have managed to get 7 workouts in before this race WAHOOO...I know not much training..BUT I feel strong and feel ready to race!! Wish me luck :)

Family Fun day at Cedar Point!!!!

2008-08-06T07:36:00.000-07:00

Kids on a ride...Hands up!!!

Sleepy Baby!!

Sleepy HUSBAND.....MEN!!!

Visit with Snoopy!!

The Family and Grandma too!!

Yesterday was perfect...perfect weather, not crowded and well behaved kids :) and not too much bitching from the husband..Ha!!! We left our house around 10:30a.m. and headed to Cedar Point (a yearly trip for us) about a hour away...Cedar Point is known for one of the famous amusement parks in the world....it has some of the fastest, highest coasters around, it really is an unbelievable fun park!!! This year was so much fun as Skylar and Konor are big enough to ride some of the bigger coasters....so we would leave the two little ones in Snoopy land with Grandma, then Todd and I and Skylar and Konor would head off to hit some of the bigger rides...we were skipping around like little kids...I am a roller coaster queen I can handle all of them...some of the smaller spiny kiddie rides do make me a little ill, but I am all ready for the BIG rides....I love to mess with Todd on the hill climbs as he has a little fear of heights and he death gripes the bar and looks scared :) so I on the other hand will get loud and try to peal his hands off...pisses him off, BUT fun for me:) The kids were real troopers and a SMILE never left their faces...

We ended up staying until 9:30p.m. so really a long day on the feet....with a lot of junk food in the tummies and tons of bruises and pulled muscles from the rides (Man, I know I am getting OLD when I can feel EVERY jerk and pull on the rides and say OUCH:) ALL worth the smile on the kids faces :0)

Off for a brick and I am SURE I will feel the tired legs and all the amusement park food rolling around in the belly:)

HAPPY TO SEE THE CORN FIELDS TODAY :)

2008-07-31T09:53:00.000-07:00

Do we all have those crazy, silly, nonsense fears of something ridiculous??? Well, mine has always been corn fields.....Did you ever see the movie "Children of the corn" if you have you will relate to what I am talking about...the fear started as I remember when I was in 5th grade...I had my first paying job....I worked as a green bean and pea picker (don't laugh at me) yip got paid 10cents a pound:) wahooo!! anyways, here's me in the middle of these huge open fields surrounded by corn fields in the middle of nowhere and I believe that is around the time I saw the movie "Children of the corn" and I SWEAR I would always hear noises and screaming coming from the corn fields and it did not help that one of my older brothers worked there too and would always say they are coming to get the little blonde girl in the bean field :( so from this day I am scared of corn fields.......

Since I started riding my bike this year I take the same bike route every time and it takes me out in the country (which means all open land)....I like it because less traffic and less stops ect.....well, lately the wind has been insane and my legs are TIRED...I am a wimp when it comes to riding into the wind......On this bike route there are 3 corn fields that line the road on BOTH sides and that is the only time I can pick up any type of speed and give my legs a rest, so now my silly fear is turning into my best friend....I block out the "Children of the corn" and give me some more CORN FIELDS :)

I have been doing bricks everyday this week....my legs are not wanting to GO, so they are being punished :)

YES...I DID IT...NO SHAME HERE :)

2008-07-26T06:30:00.000-07:00

Ba,Ba,BaBaaaaaa "I'M LOVIN IT"
I have been doing so good staying away from the big McD's....but it got the best of me!!!! I love McDonalds...I LOVE JUNK.....I grew up on McDonald as that was the ONLY fast food restaurant in my town growing up!! I have not been to the big McD's for months...BUT yesterday I NEEDED IT and BOY, OH BOY, it was SOOOOOO GOOD....Oh yeah I will take a #4 which as you can see what that is up above in the photo....I figured if I am going to indulge in the JUNK...I better make sure it is the fattiest junk they have :)MMMMMMMMMMMMmmmmmmmmm Now we will see if my butt will be hanging over my bike saddle and my gut be laying in my lap....off for a ride!! Have a wonderful weekend!!!!

Baby all grown up :(

2008-07-15T07:32:00.000-07:00

WAAAAAHHHH..I miss this stage!!

His cool New bike:)

Mommy LOVES you!!

3 years ago yesterday, I was pushing my LAST baby out....Mason....It was kind of a sad day for me, as knowing this is my LAST baby and he is not a baby anymore...Something about when they reach the age of 3 they lose their little baby personalities and turn into little boys...I LOVE the little baby stages, .I like the snuggling, the cooing, the SMELL, the unbreakable bond, the innocents,the baby steps, all the cute little FIRSTS...the first smile, the first laugh, the first goofy tooth, the first step, you get my point a lot of fond, beautiful memories ....I find myself thinking ONE MORE BABY...then SNAP, what the HECK am I thinking....NO WAY, ARE YOU NUTS!!!! So even though my Mason turned 3 he will always be my baby:)

Off the Birthday subject.....My husband Todd did Rhode Island half Ironman over the weekend and did awesome...hit a PR...you've come along way baby...now maybe I will listen to some of your training advice to me.....Nah (JK)
Happy day to all!!!

COME ON SLACKER BUTT GET A MOVIN :)

2008-07-09T18:56:00.000-07:00

4th of July photo "Madison wants to know if the fireworks hit God up in the sky??" :)

That is it...I ran out of excuses ......back at it THIS WEEK....I have a race coming up in less than 4 weeks....I have only ran a couple of times and have not seen any water since my last race over 4 weeks ago and have not been on my bike since the race yes over 4 weeks ago...it has collected some cob webs ;) Sunday was my BIG day back...I ran 8 miles and it felt a little sluggish and the plan was to really start getting on that bike...WELL...Monday was too windy, so I went and ran 10miles and felt pretty good...Tuesday comes, YIP still too windy, so day off...today, was windy but if I keep waiting for the perfect day, the day might never come...stop being a pussy and get out there!!! The legs BURNED the first 4 miles, but ahhhhhhh it felt so great to be out there again....clearing my head and trust me, lately my head needed some work:) Rode for 1 hour and it was wonderful!!!! Now if I can only get motivated to get in that pool.....Nah, I think I will wait until race day and just wing it like I always do....PLEASE someone send me some of their LOVE for swimming!!!!!

Hope everyone had a wonderful 4th weekend!!!

Good luck to everyone that is racing this weekend...Todd and Bryan R at the Rhode Island half Ironman....Bree and Eileen at the Vancouver half !!! Go and kick some booty and have FUN!!!!

2008-07-03T13:03:00.000-07:00

DON"T laugh...58 lbs weight gain!!

Waiting to start pushing...Yip, I find birth EASY!!

The tears of a new Mom!! In this photo I am crying, smiling and getting stitched!!!

If you just hit my blog... YOU are NEXT... Tag! You're it!!! Play along...copy and paste, fill yours answers in!!!! I am tagged from Bree!!

10 years ago I was:

Opening a NEW chapter in my life and this was to bring my FIRST baby into the world (Skylar:)My emotions were mixed with being scared of not being a good Mom, being EXCITED, being too young at the age just turning 25....I also battled the baby blues:( BUT I loved being a Mom!!!

5 years ago I was:

I am really laughing here...YES I am pregnant AGAIN, this time I am bring my THIRD child Madison in to this crazy world!! She was a HUGE surprise and I HATE to admit to this, but not a HAPPY surprise for me..I already had Skylar who was 5 and Konor who was 20 months old and I always knew I wanted 1 boy and 1 girl and DONE......Now I could not imagine my life without her :)

1 year ago I was:

Being a Mom to 4 KIDS ages 9, 6, 4, 2.....Struggling to balance it all!!

5 things on my to do list today:

Run

Clean the house

Design Kate Monster Splish suits

Get Mason to take a nap

Family go see the fireworks!!

5 snacks I enjoy:

COFFEE (I know it is not really a snack...but I drink it 4 times a day)

so counting it as my snack :)

Crushed ice

Crackers

String cheese

Cucumbers and dill dip

If I were a billionaire I would:

Help my husband open a Racing for Recovery rehab center for kids

Open my own Kids clothing and room decor store

Help out abandoned babies

Buy a bigger house

Make sure my kids were set for life with no financial worries

6 people I want to have lunch with tomorrow:

My family

My Mother-In-Law

My Bff Tesa

Hannah from New Zealand, as we talk online but have not met

My cousin Kelly

My Mom

5 places I have lived:

Ok, I lived a boring life

Huntsville, Ohio

Toledo, Ohio

Sylvania, Ohio

5 jobs I have had:

Doctor's office: current 2 x a week

Full time MOM: current

Husband's slave JK: current

Dillard's clothing store

Key Bank

***** There ya have it !!!

LOST FOR WORDS

2008-06-29T18:42:00.000-07:00

A lot of NOTHING going on here.....Since my last half Ironman race....I have been the big zero on the BIKE and a BIG ZERO on the SWIM....ran a couple of times and that is it....the training is in my mind A LOT...but the body is not wanting to get up and just GO!!!!! I have been eating myself SILLY...I guess I need to thank Bree and Pat for that...when Bree was racing Ironman Japan..I was up all night following her with some other blog buddies, we used Pat's blog as the cheering/partying site...food was mentioned way too often which the peer pressure got the best of me and ever since then, I CAN NOT STOP EATING!!!! So many good Ironman races to follow and I always feel the need to eat, while I am following the races!!!! I am honestly up 5 lbs...tomorrow is a new day and I WILL drag my big butt out the door and get it going...I do not have a race until August, so the "slacker" attitude sounds good to me :) but the extra weight is depressing :( so can not have it both ways!!!!

Some good news my husband Todd got accepted into the Ultraman which is Covering a total distance of 320 miles (515 kilometers), on the big island of Hawaii, they require that each participant complete a 6.2 mile (10 K) open ocean swim, a 261.4 mile (421 K) cross-country bike ride, and a 52.4 mile (84K) ultra-marathon run. I think he is CRAZY, but he has been working his butt off in the training!!! So it will be cool to see him achieve such a huge accomplishment!!!

Happy training and getting BUFF:)

FUN AT THE ZOO

2008-06-19T18:03:00.000-07:00

The kids making fishy faces and Mason looking
at them like they are weirdo's:)

this photo is cool...it actually looks like the baby
tiger is biting Mason's leg :)

I think he is having conversation with the goat :)

The kids keep me young :) The weather has been crazy here going from 90 degree weather to 70 degree weather....Since it is not blistering hot outside at the moment....the kids and I took advantage and headed to the zoo!!! I LOVE the zoo, my husband on the other hand HATES the zoo as he sees it being cruel to the animals....So he is out of town, so he got lucky of not being dragged to the zoo for a family fun day :) I would say the monkeys are my favorite....I can not get over on how human like they are (other then their butt picking and eating it is a little too much for me to handle :)....there were 2 babies...the cutest things ever and how protective their mamas were...just like US mom's!!! So here are some photo's of our fun day...I don't know why I never take photo's of the actual animals, but instead of my own kids acting like animals :)

OK, the secret is out...while I am typing this post up I am indulging in 1 lb of peanut butter fudge......that is why I really LOVE the zoo because of the FUDGE :) MMMMMMMMmmmm!!

Being someone's training B--ch is a good thing :)

2008-06-16T19:20:00.000-07:00

My friend Rebecca has a marathon coming up in 2 weeks and after our softball game yesterday she asked me if I wanted to run 18 miles with her..I said NA..I haven't ran that far in I do not know when!!! When I got home I started thinking why did I say NO to her, I do not have any races coming up and I need to get my butt back out there..I should do it because I am sure it gets boring on those LONG runs when doing it solo...So I called her back and said I was in!! We headed out around 10 a.m. it was wonderful running someone Else's pace...not worrying about pushing it to achieve my results, just being there for a friend and getting her ready for her race.....the weather was perfect and I really enjoyed the workout and it was such a piece of cake to me, so I am knowing my fitness is coming along when you can go run a 18 mile run at a easy pace and not break a sweat :) I feel the need to search and sign up for another race just to get me motivated or just keep being someones training B--ch is fine with me too :) Happy training and if you can be someone's b--ch.....do it..throw yourself out there, to help them reach their goal :)

I found my ANSWER!!

2008-06-15T18:38:00.000-07:00

A couple of post ago I wrote about WHY and WHY NOT....I did not quite understand what I was trying to prove by doing triathlons..the training was taking up too much time and I started doing the questioning of "WHY" am I "REALLY" doing triathlons, after battling back in fourth with the "WHYS" and always coming up with excuses of "WHY" I do it and ended my fight with "WHY NOT" WELL, I HAVE MY ANSWER.....the "WHY" does NOT exists anymore...My 10 year old Skylar did her first triathlon this weekend...YES a swim....a bike....a run!!! I am SO proud of her...so if Triathlons is what it takes for me and my husband...to inspire and motivate our children...that is ALL it takes to get that annoying word "WHY" right out of my mind and that my friends is CLOSURE:)

RACE PHOTO'S Finish with my kids (except Mason, he was tired of waiting on me, so decided to take a nap :)

2008-06-13T12:00:00.001-07:00

FINISHED!!!! 2nd in Age group!!

2008-06-10T10:26:00.001-07:00

The Racing For Recovery racers :)

OK, I know I am mean, but had to wait for a photo to go with the report (thank you to Kevin and his brother Rich for the photo) It took A LOT of yelling and beating myself up to finish this darn race :) The weather was brutal 95 degrees HOT...which I can deal with HEAT...BUT the wind is what killed me 25-30 mph head winds...which not only caused a hard ass bike ride, but also choppy swim conditions....I am sure everyone knows I am not a fan of the swim....I told Bree this time I would really try and swim with my face in the water this time...WELL, I did try at first...but I panicked...so yip swam the whole swim with face OUT...I made it to the first orange float...wanted to quit but knew Todd and many others would give me so much crap...I was seeing a lot of people getting pulled into shore by wave runners, so I knew I was not the only wuss out there :) Plus I still had a lot of swimmers still behind me....so keep flopping along..the wet suit was driving me nuts..I was getting too hot...I am coming to the conclusion that I am fine in the pool with putting my face in the water and just go, but in open water swim with ANY little ripple in the water I panic!!! I finished the swim 8 mins quicker than I did in St. Croix..still not fast, but better!!
On to the bike...I was feeling pretty good, until I hit the roads outside of the park...Headwinds the whole time..we had to do 3 loops of the same wind.....I witnessed a bad bike wreck...this guy with a disk wheel came flying by me cut right in front of me and then the wind picked up right when he was starting to pass another guy and both guys went flying into the air bikes and the 2 guys landed in the ditch I was right behind them...SCARY...I slowed down to make sure they both got up, which they did and I was waiting for disk boy to come fly by me to call him a jack-ass for being so crazy in those conditions, but never saw him again!!!! I was working my butt off into the wind and I was trying to decide if riding the hills in St. Croix was worse then riding into this wind...I think I would take the HILLS...I was looking at the bike splits and only 15 people (all men ) made it over 20mph....

I was trying to get over my death grip hadle bar hold...they had 3 water stations I past the first one...and the second one, I chickened out on the bottle hand off so pulled over and drank...the third one I said OK be brave and I got the hand off, but needed to turn to head back to transition..so I took the turn right into the wind and damn had to pull over to drink...(I really need to work on the balancing thing)I was so happy to finish the bike..I could start to feel my blister by now(thank you Rachael for the idea of liquid skin..it did help some)
It was really getting HOT and the wind was still going, I could tell I had no zip, the bike did me in...I was having some female issues I was dealing with and could not get the cramping to stop...the blisters were stinging like you would not believe....I was walking and said keep going..who cares about your time.....just finish this dang thing.....One of the Racing for Recovery racers Kevin caught up with me on the run...so ran with him for about 5 min and was slamming the liquids down to the point I looked like I was pregnant :) Around mile 4 I look down and yip the bloody shoes started again..the toes were screaming in PAIN..I was dumping cold water on them and my stomach was starting to feel bloated and ill I just need to BARF....I bent over in straddle position and was dry heaving...started to run again and could feel it coming up so stopped again and straddled and let it all out!!!....I hear someone yell..I did my barf and started sprinting...let me get this race over all ready :) Well to find out it was my friend Kevin and another guy he was running with, witness me barfing and couldn't believe I started to run again...how embarrassing :) I was feeling a little better and was able to run more..but still at a slow pace...I was thinking why am I sucking so bad today...I just did a half marathon in 1:35(7:15min pace) a couple of months ago...and now I am doing a half in 10 min pace....but to me today it is all about finishing!!!! so walk/run I will go to the finish were my kids and husband will be waiting for me!!!! I get close and I can already hear Skylar yelling "come on Mom" and there was Konor and Madison right behind her running towards me (Mason was sleeping in the shade...smart kid) we all took hands and ran in together with BIG smiles on our faces :) Todd was there putting the medal around my neck the moment was sweet....but short lived..as I had to rush to ladies room and take care of some female issues and get these damn shoes OFF and clean my bloody mess up...
The day was brutal weather wise and my mental toughness started to get the best of me...and I keep telling myself I AM RETIRED...but now I am wanting to do one more half..some where I will know the weather will be GOOD..I know I am better then this...I need to prove this to myself!! Some how I did manage to pull off second place in my age group...was really shocked there, as my times were slow in all 3 events..but I will take the second place AG and run with it :)

Big congrats to Kevin and Eddie for completing there 1st half...Aaron completing the sprint tri and what ALL you guys have achieved in a few months...Be proud guys!! Way to stick it out and suffer...you guys rock!!!
BIG THANK you to Todd(my husband) for putting a awesome Racing for Recovery race on which drew in over 300 participates throughout 17 states..the race was VERY organized and a really good one to do...fantastic set up...and HUGE thanks for sponsoring me and the Racing for Recovery guys....it was tough and brutal, but well worth it!!!!!
I am hoping to post some Finishing photo's soon...as soon as the race photographer gets them up!!!!!

Thank you for all your good wishes...you guys are the BEST!!!!

DID I OR DIDN'T I ???????? FINISH????? DNF????

2008-06-09T21:13:00.000-07:00

The BLOODY race Shoe!!!!!

TO BE CONTINUED!!!!!

A EASY 7 min pace run turned into 17:54 pace

2008-06-06T10:37:00.000-07:00

The BLOODY new shoe!!

The OUCHY blisters!!

YIP....What was I thinking????? 2 days before Racing for Recovery 1/2 Ironman race....I did it...I ordered new shoes and went out for a tester.....BIG MISTAKE!!! I love the look of these shoes and was so excited to wear them for the race...I head out for a HOT easy 6 mile run (SOCK LESS)...I make it to mile 2 and I am in pain, I look down and see that my shoe is BLEEDING...I had the decision of finishing up my 6 mile run or call it quits before they got worse....HMMMMMM I decided to STOP...took my shoes off and had to walk home on burning hot black top for 2 miles...I pulled my hat over my face and put my head down so no one would notice me...WHO is this crazy girl walking on hot roads, carrying her COOL looking piece of shit shoes..... doing the hot jump dance and avoiding any broken glass and little sharp pebbles :) YIP that would be me.....I get from 1/2 mile from my house..thinking I made it without being noticed....NOPE my neighbor Brian pulls up and says are you OK, need a ride...HMMMMM..Had to think about it....he is not a athletic guy and he drives a nice car....I don't think he would like a sweaty, toe bleeding...dirty feet girl in his nice car :) so I past on the ride and say "I need the exercise" HA!!! SO here I am with 5 ouchy blisters 2 on one foot 3 on the other...(YES I am a wimp when I get blisters) and a race on Sunday!!!!

SO it is redemption time from my last SCREW up in St.Croix...here I go.......I am excited.....I know a lot of people racing, so that will be nice to see everyone out there...I DO KNOW THE RUN IS A 2 LOOP RUN..so no messing up this time :) Bree, I am really going to try and put my face in the water this time for the swim..he he :) It is going to be HOT HOT HOT...looking like 93 degrees..not use to this HEAT as we just had hail a week ago...so the run is going to be a scorcher..It will be a awesome experience for me...My husband will be putting the medal around my neck and all my kids will be there...so there is no stopping me to the finish...not EVEN THESE DANG BLISTERS :)

"ADDICTION" and the words "WHY" and "WHY NOT" are powerful words!!

2008-05-30T12:50:00.000-07:00

I hear of all these athlete saying they are addicted to triathlons....and they are so excited to do there planned training workout..... WELL yesterday day I did a brick a 2hr ride and 1hr run...while I was out on the bike solo...my mind was spinning with emotions to the point of myself asking "WHY" why do I "Like" putting my body and crotch through pain?? "Why" do I like being away from my house for 3 hours...when my house work is suffering and I have four kids?? "Why" What am I trying to accomplish?? "Why" I only enjoy it sometimes and other times I am dreading it!! "Why" I am going through some personal shit right now...should I be working on that?? The list goes on...Then I come back to WHY NOT?? This is much needed time to myself either I spend it doing something healthy and sometimes enjoyable or I go to the mall and spend money on stuff I really do not need and put myself in debit!! Then ask myself "Why" did I buy that, it is not like I am going to wear it :)

I guess the whole point of this post is I do not see myself ever being addicted to racing (addicted to coffee is another story :) Someone told me the other day "you better get into that water and practice that swim" I know I stink at swimming and I know the only way for me to get better is to actually practice...well I hate it and I think I am OK with SUCKING :) Every race (St.Croix and some running races) "I just go out and wing them" I do off and on minimal training and really have the attitude of "really don't care where I place" I am out there for the fun!!! I am somewhat competitive if it is at something that I am halfway decent at...if it is softball or swimming I expect you to beat me :) If I am running and I see a girl or guy right in front of me..you bet I will try my hardest to beat her or him to the finish !!! BUT I am not out there wondering how I am going to place in the race...MAYBE it is because I do not have enough experience and I have not "officially" finished a half yet....I do not know what to expect or how well I can do....I have nothing to compare it too!! WHO knows maybe next weekend I will have a different attitude and a different approach...BUT as of now I can say I am not ADDICTED to tri's and am not planning a full Ironman any time soon :) But who knows a curve ball might head my way!!!!

So as of now I will keep wondering "WHY" and answering it with "WHY NOT" Everything we pursue in life we could put the word "WHY" into what we are doing and I am figuring it is not worth the headache and the word "WHY NOT" is a better choice of term to use!!! I need to stop thinking so much and just GO!!! ;) ;) ;)

Wishing everyone who is racing this weekend good luck!!!......Bree, Rachael, Brooke, Paul, Kellye, Hawaii Half........Todd, Scott,Eileen, In the Boise Half and Jeff in his first Ann Harbor Half marathon and anyone else I might have forgot..please fill me in!!! Go and have fun and kick some butt!!

FINALLY...back on the bike

2008-05-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

I finally got back on the bike today...I have not been on that thing since St. Croix....I did TRY to go for a ride one other day...BUT me and the boys headed out and my shoes would not lock into my pedals...so messing with it for 30 min...we finally figured out that the bike shop put the wrong cleats on my shoes....YES..I had to get new cleats on my shoes,because during the St. Croix race, right around when I hit the BEAST my left shoe broke and it was jammed into my pedal and would not come off...which left my shoe swiveling back and fourth for 35 miles....I had to end up using more pushing motion from my right leg....anyways the bike ride was a no go for me...I have it fixed now!!

Time to stop slackin and get back on that BIKE....... Todd, Eddie and I headed out for a nice bike ride...I can finally say I GOT INTO AERO position today..that was a big step for me :) I was in the back of the line messing around and trying some new things (gearing, aero position, taking death grip hands off bars, standing up, drinking ect...I think I was holding the boys up :)...but the ride for me today was just a joy ride..I was not out there trying to smash myself...I could totally tell that I have taken a break off the bike...I did not feel to zippy, and my crotch bone was killin :( but felt like I was getting a good workout in!!! I rode for 2hrs 20min and then Eddie and I ran for 40 min....The run for me felt great...I have been getting some good running in and I could feel the results today!!! Thanks for the good/kick ass workout today Todd and Eddie...it was fun!!!

We ended the day with a cook-out here and after a long workout I am sure you know what I mean...we ate like we were hungry animals :)

REDEMPTION TIME IS GETTING CLOSER (YIKES) This week I need to get some GOOD training in...Todd goes out of town next Friday to do the Boise 1/2 Ironman....Crunch time for me before he leaves....... I need to get the slacker butt a movin :)

My Little girl is growing up :) On to softball...WHAT??

2008-05-19T08:53:00.000-07:00

It has been crazy busy here!! I first off want to THANK YOU for the supportive comments and emails from my LOST post....I was in awe of how many struggle with that and it really helps me realize that I am "NORMAL" and no need to check myself into a NUT house :)ha! that is why I try to be so honest with my posts as it is a shout out with HELP...so thank you for letting me see the light during "rough times" I am improving!!!

Today we celebrated Madison's graduation from preschool ...I get all teary eyed watching my little girl up there singing her heart out....she is SO BIG now and I can remember like it was days ago this tiny, smiley, bald baby that never left my arms..and now she has transformed into her OWN little self..she is amazing and I thank God for giving her to our family..I LOVE her with all I have and am so proud of the little girl she has become and I am proud to say she is my daughter...OK a tear just hit the computer :) I LOVE YOU MADISON!!!!

OH YES....watch out I am now playing SOFTBALL....am I any GOOD....HECK NO :) Todd's organization has started a Racing for Recovery softball team...this is another way to show addicts and there families you can have fun without the usage of drugs and alcohol......The group of people on the team are awesome and we are having so much fun....I never in my life thought I would be on a softball team....I have never touched a bat or glove in my life....Give me basketball and I am a happy girl with BRING IT ON!!! Give me softball and I am like "OK what do I DO"?? Totally out of my comfort zone..... But it is all good fun and it is the point out there supporting the great program Racing for Recovery and it is so awesome watching these EX addicts turn there life's around...I LOVE IT...our first game will be June 1st... excited to see how well we do!!! GO TEAM!!!

THE FEELING OF BEING LOST!!!

2008-05-14T16:25:00.000-07:00

DO you ever feel like you are just going through the motions of life?? Do you EVER question "WHAT AM I DOING WITH MY LIFE"?? Being a Mom is definitely the BEST thing ever...but I believe you start to lose yourself in the process and you live your life through your children...they are your number one concern!! I LOVE my kids...but when you are around them 24/7 things can get a little crazy and I want to pull my hair out...I believe that is why I am reaching into the triathlon world just to get out and be free...I can honestly say I really do not enjoy exercising ( I know sounds crazy) but I do love just being out there in the middle of no-where and emptying my head, that is why I enjoy it!!! Some times I come back fully charge like I could take on the world....but other days I feel LOST....like what am I doing with my life...should I be doing more or should I be doing less??? I feel like I am missing out on things..but really do not know what I am missing out on??? I am confused and still don't know what I want out of life.....I am 35 years old and still waiting to be content, that scares me!!!! I feel like I live the SAME day after day... So I am in the search of trying to find the NEW me the BETTER me, I will let you know if I find her :)

GOOD LUCK TO EVERYONE RACING THE FLORIDA HALF IRONMAN THIS WEEKEND....GO GO GO KATIE, ELIANE, MARNI, WES, BRYAN RHODES (anyone else that I am missing...please fill me in :)

THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

2008-05-07T11:15:00.000-07:00

The view from the resort we stayed at!!
The race BURN OUCH :)Todd and I
Climbing tree's, being silly!!
this was the view from our back patio!! Being CRAZY
girls with the drunk boy from London!!! He was trying to get us drunk ;)
Little tipsy :)Sorry Bree, maybe I am a bad influence on you...HA!!!

I LOVE you guys....seriously, it is SO nice to be able to vent on life things/problems and ALL of you can RELATE too...I have had some really AWESOME regular blogger friends and it is super cool that NEW ones have joined us...I will be checking all of your blogs out here really soon.....as soon as I get things settled here at home :)

SO finally I can post some photos..I don't want you guys to think my whole trip was ruined because of the race...Like Bree said sob on it for 48 hours and then move on...so MOVE ON I WILL DO...now I make little jokes about it...Like I felt bad for TODD to stand out there in the Heat waiting for my butt to finish..so I thought I would do him a favor and cut the course short...he he!!!! If you really know me I am really good at taking slams to the gut and laugh about them....the next morning I was indulging myself in Chocolates and Bryan Rhodes (my friend) called to say good-bye and asked what I was doing and I said "shoving chocolate in my face to make me feel better" he said "You can't do that unless you FINISH the race" Hilarious :) SO I guess it is ALWAYS good when you can turn something bad into something funny and be able to laugh at yourself :)

The most joy of the trip was to finally get to meet BREE WEE...she is totally awesome inside and out..if you ever get the chance to meet her..please make sure you go up and say hi...she is so down to earth and really just a regular girl...very approachable :) We got to experience hanging with some really cool pro guys and we also got to experience hanging with some not so cool drunk girls that acted like they were still in high school and ended the party with two of them getting into a cat fight...LOVELY....Bree and I just stood in a corner and got some really good laughs :) One girl(she was from London) was working the room to see which pro guy she could hook up with....she DID NOT SCORE...he he...this was WAY better then people watching in the mall...

It was nice just to hear that even though Bree is this rock star of an athlete...she gets nervous too and also thought the race course was hard (as she stated it was her hardest race) I am so excited to follow her while she keeps climbing to the TOP!!!! Love you Bree...you are too AWESOME :)

Enjoy the photos...and here is too all of us, a much successful year of training and racing!!!!!! Put bad ones behind and get ready to bust butt the next one :)

ALSO THANK YOU FOR THE PRIVATE CHECKING IN EMAILS TOO...You guys are the best and they really did cheer me up :)

VERY EMOTIONAL

2008-05-04T13:08:00.000-07:00

This will be real quick as I can not stop crying and I really need SOME FOOD!!! I guess I can say I am alright and have learned A LOT....You know my whole goal was to FINISH..as this being my 1st tri race I was not expecting much BUT really just wanted a FREAKIN FINISH!!!! The really sad part is I would have had my FINISH...if I was not so dumb.....I was feeling great starting the run....I did not know what mile I was on and didn't know how fast I was going....REALLY I did not care......all I knew was I was feeling great and I did IT..I was going to finish...WELL I guess at half way point there was a turn around and you had to do the run course 2 times....I was following this girl for about 4 miles and and then there were these to guys I think doing the CORP challenge race right there so I had to go around them and was still chasing this same girl.....I missed the turn around (which I did not even know there was a turn around) I ran another mile and there was the finish...I was still thinking WOW I feel great and must have had a awesome run....So I run through the finish with a big SMILE on my face...I DID IT!!!!!

Todd started to question me on how I got back so fast???? WE passed eachother on the course he was starting his second lap of the run when I was getting off my bike...I was like WHAT...you can't cheat on a race....they would have told me I was going the wrong way (and no one did) I did question why I was not too tired after running 13.2 miles...but I was still dazed and thinking I just had a really good run!!! So him and I went over in our heads about the running course and realized I still needed to run 5 more miles so we found the race director and asked if there was any way that I could go fininsh the 5 mile and of course he said NO that I just got DISQUALIFIED ........ FUCK....I started to cry....My first race...worked my ass off...threw up 3 times and almost quit in the swim 4 times...TOOK ON ALL THOSE FLIPPIN HILLS (sitting down the whole time) I am sunburned to a crisp and I get Disqualified!!!!! I did all this work for nothing...and what hurts the most is I COULD HAVE FINISHED THIS RACE....the HARDEST Half Ironman out there......I screwed up, but I also learned a lot too....I really am trying to keep positive, knowing I will be fully prepared for my next half Ironman June 8th......But it HURTS when your kids call you and ask "Mom did you do it" and I have to say NO...THAT SUCKS!!!!

OH MY, WHAT HAVE I DONE???????

2008-05-01T16:14:00.000-07:00

I made it here in St.Croix...It is so beautiful here and VERY HOT!!! Todd and I went for a half hour run today OH MY, that had to be the hardest run EVER...I am talking hill after hill non-stop pounding...OH and to add to it... the heat at 9 a.m. I could not breath....I am going to have a major potty mouth out there...the cussing I am sure will be non-stop!!! I WILL FINISH...but it will be a long hard struggle out there...I have no hill training and I can forsure feel my body getting into that HURT BOX!!!!!

Today is my 35th Birthday and my son Konor's 7th Birthday HAPPY BIRTHDAY KONOR!!!!!(Best B present ever).......All I wanted to do was lay in the sun...go shoppig and go out for a nice dinner.....Well the sun was hidding behind clouds,,,(I swear I bring the bad weather with me) but I still laid by the pool and Todd and I took a nice walk on the beach....Their is not much shopping here, but before I leave I need to find some kind of store,,,so I can bring the kids something back from the Island.......2 STRIKES FOR MY BIRTHDAY So lets hope my dinner is good tonight and see if I can dig up some cake!!!

It is really laid back and simple here...we went to the market to get some fruits and veggies...really expensive and they do not carry any leisure products....NO FRENCH VANILLA CREAM for my coffee...how is a girl suppose to survive with out their normal fancy coffee!! WE are so spoiled in the US!!!!

I have photo's I wanted to post, but I am on Todd's computer (left mine at home so the kids and I can skype eachother)..so not sure how to download them on here, but hoping to figure it out soon!!

HUGS to all for the good luck wishes....I will take all to heart and that will get me through this race..You guys are the BEST!!!!

Off to St. Croix

2008-04-29T23:55:00.000-07:00

I have 2 hours to go and I head to the airport...I have not slept a wink...as I tend to wait until the last minute to pack and clean the house......I have to admit I am a little nervous as this is my first/real triathlon...so I am aiming just for a FINISH..I have nothing to compair it too....I am not trying to PR..I am going out there and having FUN....and going to take on that BEAST the best that I can :)

I am hoping I will be able to blog while I am there....SO I CAN FINALLY SHOW OFF THE SUN :)

Thank you for the good luck emails as I will be needing them and will be thinking of all of you while I am out there! I am sure I will be struggling....but a good struggle :)

BRING THIS RACE ON!!!

HUGS.....

SKYLAR'S 10th BIRTHDAY PARTY!!!!

2008-04-20T11:53:00.000-07:00

friends

girl talk!

Madison tried to hang with the big girls..

but feel on the floor and sound to sleep she went :)

Dress the baby

puzzle

balloon drop

water balloon walk

barrel race

WINNERS!!

FUN FUN FUN!!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SKYLAR!!!!!

We had the DRAMA, we had the TEARS..we had the LAUGHTER...we had the FRIENDSHIP..we had CAKE :) We had the FIGHT of who gets to sleep next to Skylar.... We had the NO SLEEP yeah they stayed up until 3 a.m. I had to stay up with them just in case a war broke out ...We had GOOD TIMES and BAD TIMES!!! We had the GROUCHINESS the next morning (that would be me :) BUT overall it was FUN :)

Party Idea: (since I know Danielle is taking notes :)

I set up a little boot camp for the girls to partner up and compete....I have to laugh as most girlie girl parties are dress up...nails, hair, makeup....NOT MINE...get these girls a movin...remember Coach Mel here :) LOUD MOUTH here.... I set up 10 stations...Puzzle race, pillow case race..candy machine, jump rope, roll down hill...spoon egg race, balloon walk and drop, wheel barrel race, dress the baby, toilet paper wrap..I was about to pee myself..these girls where cracking me up and of course I had to coach them along the way:) Skylar and her partner Marrisa won!!! Here are the photo' s of the party....GOOD LUCK IF YOU HAVE ANY KIDS PARTY COMING UP.....keep it small :)

Happy partying!!!

CRAZY!! CRAZY!!!

2008-04-18T16:24:00.000-07:00

Sorry some of my blog buddies are on my butt to get a new post up!!! So short and sweet it will be :) I have been a solo parent for over a week now.....Todd is in China for the Ironman...so hectic here...Training has been suffering a little...but I think I needed a little break since the half Marathon my ankle has been sore and I believe it was all the water filled potholes I was stepping in during the race.....The weather has been nice (other than the winds) I even managed to put my bikini on and lay out in the sun one day (Yippee)....
Today was my FIRST outside bike ride since last June 2007..I will say I was scared, as I still do not have the balancing thing down...and my hands never leave the bars :) So I headed out for a 2 hour ride with two guys (Eddie and Kevin) and was hoping I could just hang on!!! Eddie(riding partner) is a incredible biker he made it look so easy...he kept my butt in gear....I gave him my rules before the ride and the main one was get to the stop signs before me and warn me if there is a car coming or if I needed to speed up before the car got there...I am not a good stopper and it takes me forever to cross the street to get back on my bike...so I do the one leg scoot across the street and then hop on once I get across :) I am sure the people in the cars are getting a good laugh :) I try to avoid any stopping....( I should probably mention I have only been outside on my bike a total of 6 TIMES since I bought my bike last June (Yikes) back to the ride...I was feeling good and free, ...... I am on a mission..making every work out count...I WANT IT TO HURT :) (Bree be proud, as you are the one who taught me that) It was super windy heading out and almost fell over a couple of times and the best was when a big bug smack me right in the forehead (OUCH) I guess that is better then flying into my big mouth :).....heading back the wind was working with me and I felt like I was flying...Eddie waited on me so we rode side by side and I would say work me hard...so he would take off and tell me my speed he got my ass up to 25.3 mph my legs were on fire and I was feeling the pain....LOVED IT!!!!! my total average speed for 2 hours was around 20 to 21 mph..I will take it :) So first ride outside was AWESOME!!!!! Now I am sitting in the chair and moaning my legs hurt..but what a good pain :) Thank you Eddie and Kevin for giving me a little confidence in my riding today!!!!... Thank you Orlando for sticking behind to do the babysitting duties :) These guys are AWESOME!!!

What happened to short and sweet....I guess I had more to say then I realized......Time to go I have a Birthday party to get ready for YEAH lucky me Skylar's birthday was the 15th and she is having a slumber party here tomorrow night 12 kids here all night with just me in charge...I will lose my lid :)
BIG shout out to my husband Todd, Krista, and Clay who will all be doing the China Ironman tomorrow ........wahoooo tear it up guys....I will be following you in between pulling my hair out!!!

Have a great weekend and awesome hard training!!!

Hugs to all

1st Race report!!!!!! Half Marathon!!!

2008-04-13T16:51:00.000-07:00

Susan, Me, Orlando

Team Racing for Recovery

Awards...yes we won that UGLY bag :)

What a day and after today I am SO ready to move somewhere WARM....I did the Glass City Marathon relay here in Toledo Ohio. Racing for Recovery sponsored me and my running partner Susan for the girls relay team and 2 guys Kevin and Orlando .... so we were there to represent Racing for Recovery!!! ...

Lets just say my first race was NOT an easy one and I am So glad it is over!!!! The weather forecast was not looking good ...LOW 40's, 20mph winds, snow, sleet, mixed with rain...The weatherman was SO on this time...We got it ALL today...It is freaking April (SPRING) this is ridiculous!!!! Mother Nature needs to get her head out of her butt and get our season right :)

I woke up at 7 I had to force myself to eat a power bar (as I normally do not eat in the morning) I waited for Orlando to get here so we could ride together to half way point of the marathon...We both got sucker into doing the second half of the 13.1 miles of the race.....I guess the fastest person is supposed to be the anchor..well lucky me EVERY relay race I have ever done even in track of my youthful days...I was ALWAYS the anchor...I always thought my coach would put me at the end so he could yell at me "Williams get your butt moving and pump your arms :) It seemed to work as now I still to this day when I have nothing left at the end of a race I see him (in my head) yelling at me...I never understood why he was yelling at me I WAS WINNING the race...I guess it was because I never had that drive to push it at the end.... NOW I push it!!!! Anyway, back to the race...Orlando and I get to half way point and stand in the cold and rain/snow waiting for our partners...WELL me (chatter box) was talking away and missed the darn hand off (OOPS) I notice about 6 other relay teams took off before me (I believe they were a mile or so ahead of me) So my goal was to CATCH them....so I start off way too fast like normal... did 1st mile in 6.27 pace (STUPID).....I needed to hold myself back as I just wanted to go, but know there was no way I could hold that pace long ....so I dropped down to 7.10 pace and held that pace roughly until around mile 10...... I was FROZEN, I was soaking wet and I was getting blasted in the face by ice hail OUCH!!!! NO FUN.....My feet were wet and slipping around and I SO wanted this race to be over!!!! I had this race all planned out I would run comfortable until mile 10..then I would get into my hurt box and bust my butt the last 3 miles.....WELL after mile 10 I found myself doing more of a walking/sprinting my legs were tight and did not want to go!!!!! I caught up with this guy and thought he could help me pace myself and keep "walking" off my mind.... I started to pull ahead a little then he would catch up with me....I believe we were using each other to keep us going...it was working for awhile...BUT I could not take listening to his LOUD breathing...I had my ipod full volume and could still hear this guy and I COULD NOT TAKE IT...so my options were: to either speed way up and hope to lose him or to stop and let him go....My legs just did not have any go, so I stopped and walked (FUDGE) "what am I doing"...started running again, look down at my watch and was a little upset as I was wanting to do the race in 1hour 30 min and it has already past :(...so I PUMPED THE ARMS and put my head down and dug deep into the wind and hail and finished in 135 which was a 7:15 pace...I was happy with the result considering the weather and the extra 10lbs of clothing I was wearing :)..

My partner Susan and I ended up getting 2nd place in the relay and we missed 1st place by a few seconds (DARN) I thought I caught all the girls ahead of me and I was not passed by anyone....they must of been up aways before I started the race!!!!!

Big shout out to team Racing for Recovery.......AWESOME job to Orlando and Kevin and Susan for a great race ... :) Susan, THANK YOU for hurting with me and being my partner!!! Kevin did the WHOLE marathon...let me tell ya, he just started running a few months ago and did very well for his first marathon, very proud of him!!!....Orlando is becoming pretty speedy and watching these guys change their lives around is so AWESOME...I am proud of you guys :) We represented Racing for Recovery well :)

Enjoy the photo's I wish I would have taken them RIGHT AFTER the race.... I had Rudolph nose going...but my hands were too frozen to get the camera ready..so these were taken after I already scarfed down 2 bagels and 2 coffees....but you can still see the hail on our hats and jackets!!!!! 3 things I learned today...1. do not wear racing flats this long of distance (SORE...OUCH) 2. I will NEVER do this race again!!!!!! 3. Practice HILLS as there were 4 and they hurt!!!!

Thank you for everone's good luck wishes...I thought about all of you today :)

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY!!!!!!

2008-04-07T10:41:00.000-07:00

Me after the run!!!

FINALLY...JUMP FOR JOY...we have warmth...YAHOOOOOO...Woke up this morning and let there be light the sun was fully on..so I look up weather and it is a blazing 57 degrees..my smile got big and my eyes shed a tear NO MORE HATS...NO MORE GLOVES....NO MORE LONG TIGHTS...NO MORE FLEECED LINED, LONG SLEEVE SHIRTS...OH YEAH BABY...it was time to bust the shorts and sleeveless running shirts out...Heading out on my 10 mile run...I could smell flowers in the air and fresh laundry and seeing road construction workers out IT IS FINALLY HERE....... SPRING!!!!! I ran from our house 3 miles to the bike path...did 4 miles on the path....I believe this is the first time I have seen people out exercising...I wanted to shout "where have all you PUSSY"s been in the freezing conditions"...

I was feeling good and happy running in nice temps...a couple of times my left knee was getting a sharp pain and would last for a couple of minutes...so I was doing the wobble run a couple of times...not pretty running form :) With this beautiful weather a sore knee was just going to have to be sore I was enjoying it!!! Returned home in 1 hour 13 minutes, and a happy woman :)

Husband was home for one day and he leaves again tomorrow to speak at KENT STATE COLLEGE for 2 days and then leaves for China this Saturday to compete in the China Ironman on April 20th..he is a busy guy!!!! I have a feeling I am not going to get any outside riding done before St. Croix, which makes me a little nervous, but it will just add more to the challenge..BRING IT ON!!!!!!

Have a great day everyone :)

What''s A girl to do when husband is out of town???

2008-04-03T13:23:00.000-07:00

OH boy could our minds go crazy of some creative ideas:) NO...get your minds out of the gutter!!!! I am talking about after seeing clean ovens and yummy food in other peoples blogs...really made me feel like a slacker....,YES I did it....CLEANED my refrigerator in my SPLISH SUIT (KIDDING about the Splish) but thought it would make it more exciting!!! YES it was calling my name....MEL, PLEASE CLEAN ME!!! Seriously how in the heck does it get SO dirty...everything is wrapped or in containers...where does all the scum come from???? SO it is accomplished and it is beautiful..now I just need to go to the store and fill that bad boy up with some food!!!! I did make some Pasta salad YUMMY!!!

I am in the process of changing two of my kids rooms around and that involves painting and coming up with some kind of creative room theme....so my time is now spent on the net searching for cute ideas and matching accessories and of course want to do it the cheapest way I can...so I am diggin deep:) I will post the outcome when finished!!!

Since husband left Monday...my training has fallen a bit...I had trashed legs on Monday from the 10 mile run....3 hour bike and 1 hour swim... 8 mile run... back to back days...Monday rolls around and my legs are SORE....BUT knowing husband will be gone for a week I need to get one last good run in before he left.....On trashed legs I headed out in my new fast Asics flats (light as slippers)think of spike shoes...without the spikes (thank you Katie W-J...for my gift for the suits I designed that allowed me to buy my shoes) I did 8 miles feeling awesome...different story later on OUCH, but a good OUCH!!! I took 2 days off and back on the bike today in (biking shorts)!! SO even if husband is gone I still PLAY :)

Happy cleaning and training!!!!

BOO for inside trainer rides and sore crotches!!!

2008-03-29T16:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, We still have snow and cold temperatures, which means I am still stuck inside to train!!! I did another 3 hour bike today and let me tell you I get so bored...I do so much stuff just to keep me on there...I can not just sit there and pedal away for 3 hours!!! I started the ride off by watching Ironman World Championship 2007, and it did get me pumped up...then I find myself flipping through magazines...Victoria Secret, then onto the Triathlete Mag and then to Runners World.....Then I pop in the movie HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS....I love that movie, one of my favorite chick flicks!!!! I get done with 2 hours and I decide I am starving....so I get a HUGE cup of Cheerios with milk and at this point I am pedaling and eating and wondering if any of my blog buddies do this....Sitting in my Splish suit on a bike pedaling and eating cereal :)

ANOTHER BIG ONE...Dam, my crotch hurts ( I do not know how guys ride in there saddles for a long period of time YOUCHY BALLS) My crotch killed at least the first two hours and then I believed it went numb:) Good way to numb the crotch right before giving birth!!!!Ha! Anyways, I did it and glad I am DONE!!! I can't believe I am saying this "I am looking forward to my swim class tomorrow(I hate swimming)" BUT it is only a hour long....a lot better than 3 hours :)

Good luck to all the blogger friends that are racing this weekend...Eileen CA 1/2, Kellye Half Marathon and Bree some race I do not know how to spell or let alone know how to pronounce it!!!! Go get it done GIRLS..make it hurt :)

Happy/healthy training!!!

SCARY SCARY!!!!!

2008-03-25T16:44:00.000-07:00

This is Mason he is my 2 year old who is full of energy....sweetest little boy, but very busy :) He is really scaring me lately and I have lost 2 days of sleep because of it....So I am posting this and hoping someone will have an answer for me or have experienced the same thing!!!! He is getting in the habit of opening the front door and wondering outside with SNOW on the ground YIKES...Yes it is a pain in the ass getting up and going outside and getting him but it was not really a big deal UNTIL the other night in the middle of the night when he was suppose to be in his crib sleeping...Todd got up to get a drink....Our bedroom is downstairs and the kids rooms are upstairs...anyways when he got up he noticed our front door open and he ran to Mason's room and he was not in there and ALL I could here is Todd yelling MASON and running around in a panic and then yelling "he is outside somewhere"...this is 12:30 a.m. My heart is pounding and I begin to freak out, so I jump out of bed and run upstairs and start to make a dash outside in the dark to find him and by this time Skylar(my 9 year old) is awake and she says "Mom, he is laying right there on the floor"....The little shit climbed out of his crib and must of unlocked the door (BOTH LOCKS) and opened the door and came and turned on the TV and laid on the floor and fell asleep!!!! I scooped him up and put him in his crib and we put a bench in front of the door......I laid in bed all night and could not sleep as all the bad thought were wandering in my head..."What IF he went outside and got hit by a car or someone kidnapped him or he was lost in the freezing weather and died in the snow" I laid there in the night with eyes wide open and listened to all the weird night sounds and I am sure it will be a repeat of no sleep tonight!!!! We have a child gate above the stairs that most adults can not open (but my 2 year old has it mastered) I lock the glass door and dead bolt the main door and he has mastered all 3 of locks....so for now I am only with the heavy bench option!!!! I might have to put another lock on the door that is up high so he can not reach it!!! I swear kids are so smart and cause us so much unneeded stress :) I am hoping this is a little phase he is going through and gets bored with it real quick!!!!

On to some good news...I think I am officially un sick...I did a 10 mile run yesterday and a 3 hour bike ride today and felt good on both...so I am back with a positive attitude of BRING IT ON :)

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!!!

2008-03-23T22:58:00.000-07:00

What a awesome day, I love family days....The kids were pretty busy yesterday...getting ready for the Easter bunny..I always sucker them into cleaning their rooms....You know the Easter Bunny comes in your rooms at night to check on you and he would be upset to see a messy room...WORKS EVERY YEAR :) SUCKERS!!!!! HA!!! So clean rooms and we blew out eggs (that is a chore itself) the kids dyed them and they turned out pretty cool..(as you can see in the photo on the table)...Made the bunny thank you cards and of course left him carrots!!!!
The kids were snug in there beds and the bunny got BUSY.....set out the baskets...stuffed 130 eggs and hide them....made sure he left his bunny fur all over the house and got his tail stuck in the door :) ate some carrots and made a mess!!!!

Skylar was the first one up and made sure she made LOUD noises to wake everyone else up :) They were so excited!!! Started with the baskets and you can see everything is labeled with their names or we would have BIG fights!!!! Then did the Easter egg hunt INSIDE (darn snow)....I gave Mason a 2 minute head start as the three other kids are pretty speedy finders :) Then off to my In-Laws for GOOD food...I love going over there GOOD FOOD and sit on my BUTT all day...can't beat it!!!! We all had A really good time...I LOVE FAMILY DAYS....Todd and I got into a wrestling match and I kicked his BUTT...I think I am going to sign up for woman's wrestling....seriously I fight dirty :) He redeemed himself by beating me in Ping-Pong...BUT I would rather carry the wrestling victory :)

Off for a long run tomorrow to burn off ALL the candy and food I ate :) It was all worth it!!!!

Hope you all have A wonderful day!! HAPPY EASTER!!!

Hugs......Melissa

Not Slowing this Crazy girl down :)

2008-03-21T17:05:00.000-07:00

Happy FIRST day of SPRING...this is what our first day of spring looks like!!!! I guess we will be hunting Easter eggs in the snow....BUT who doesn't love frozen Snickers and candy bars :)

After that CRAPPY run I did the other day and feeling the need to throw the towel in...I pulled my head out of my ass and said NOPE...I have spent to much money and have put to much work into this race St. Croix....So I am more determined to get going on my training again....I am going to push my way past the weakness from the sickness and not let my mind get the better of me!!! My biking is going well...I have done 3 trainer rides this week and aiming for a 2 1/2 hour bike ride tomorrow....I have been avoiding the running, as afraid to have another horrible run...Well today I sucked it up and said I am going to do a 8 mile run today and NOTHING is going to stop me!!! I head out all bundled up and at first I was like oh no as my head was feeling dizzy and I was seeing double...but I was feeling strong...so continued on my way :) I was having issues with my pants keep falling down and I was getting a cold draft on my butt cheeks...but even frozen butt cheeks are not going to slow me down :) NOT TODAY!!! I reach my 8th mile stretch and I was wanting to jump up and down....as I think being sick is behind me now and it is time to move forward and push myself!!!! As soon as I made it inside the house we started to get a snow blizzard...so was stoked to get my run done before the snow started!!! Thank you guys for keeping me positive by telling me in time my training will be back and I will feel strong again!!!!

I went shopping the other day.....the Easter Bunny/ME needed to get busy and get these baskets done....so I head out to the mall and it was soooooo nice to be out on a shopping spree again (1st one since being sick) I stopped and got my FAVORITE coffee and of course visited with my stinky coffee boy, he is so dreamy...stinky lookin, but DREAMY....Let me tell you there are a lot of weirdo in the mall.....seriously is that the make out spot or what....I saw so many butt grabbing and tongue kissing teenagers (OH please don't let my kids act like that) ....I think I picked the time the teenagers decided to escape their houses....there was a big circle group of kids and how excited they were getting over flippin shoes CONVERSE SHOES....I mean cameras were going off and the loudness was getting me off my shopping concentration....This group was collecting other teenagers that had the same shoes on as them and then standing in a circle and taking pictures of all the same shoes.....Seriously is this how teenagers have fun these days????? Anyways I had a really good day shopping and the Easter bunny is all ready to get busy with the baskets :)

Happy Training and enjoy all the candy !!!!!

NO PITY PARTY FOR ME TODAY!!!

2008-03-18T15:27:00.000-07:00

My blog has been such a downer the last couple of posts...WA the snow...WA the cold weather WA I am sick....WA my training is suffering...WA WA WA!!!!!! Life is some times unfair and something very sad has to snap us out of our own pity party and make us realize we have it pretty good!!! After yesterdays run, I was not ready to throw in the towel and then I hear of our blog buddy Marit and her bike crash and it literally put tears in my eyes...Here is this awesome, most driven triathlete that I have ever met going in for surgery and I am sure will be bed ridden for awhile and with I am sure a lot of physical therapy following surgery!! She was into some serious training for her first Ironman...This girl is FAST and determined and was definitely on her way of making a name for herself!!!
I jumped on my bike today and Marit was the only thing on my mind and I pushed myself for a hour today and did not feel the need to complain one time.....as I know Marit would kill to be out training right now this second!!!!! She made my ride go smoothly and I kinda felt like I did that ride today for Marit!!! I got off that bike and said NOT BAD:) So here is to all of us who thinks we had a shit day of training....we should be happy that we had a chance to have that day!!!!
Thinking of you Marit and wishing for a speedy recovery, so you can get back and KICK SOME ASS HTFU STYLE :)

Tried to get back to training!!

2008-03-17T14:47:00.000-07:00

NOT A GOOD DAY!! I picked today to be my 1st day back to training.....WELL lets say it put me in a bad mood!! Prior to getting sick, I was feeling like I was putting a effort towards the training and starting to reach some new fitness levels..... I know I shouldn't except some awesome result after my body went through so much pain during the sickness.....I still can't say I am 100% back...I do not have a appetite yet and I can not believe this, but I an not enjoying my COFFEE, nothing seems to taste the same....so I think with not getting much fuel it is making me feel weak and tired all the time!!! I have lost around 7 LBS which I am happy about, but I feel brittle!!

I headed out for a 4mile run, I figured that was a perfect distant for me to start out on my first day back....not too long of a distance where it will totally do me in...but a distant that it still felt like I did something.....Start running along and I felt like I was more like dancing along as I seemed to be bouncing more than usual....My head felt like it was spacey and in LA LA land, my ears were hurting and my throat was cold and burning at this moment I was in tears haven't even made it to mile 1 and am feeling this crappy...My mind starts to wonder horrible thoughts of how much work I put in before getting sick and now It was like I was starting over....I don't want to start over, I want to be strong and feel like I did before I got sick!!!! I started saying screw this training......screw the racing....why torture myself, this is not fun and what really am I trying to prove!!! I should be home doing some much needed catching up on laundry....I don't have time to start this training from the beginning again....The mind is such a powerful thing...I am cold and tired and I have snot bubbles coming out my nose....my ears hurt and I just want to be done with this stupid run and go lay in bed!!!!! I get home after 29 minutes of misery...My husband can tell I am not a happy camper and was like it will be OK, just take it slow and it will come back....I DON"T WANT TO RESTART!!!!! I then went to bed and laid there feeling sorry for myself....I am tired of feeling horrible and I am tired of being mean!!!! So their you have it....my first day back to freakin training :) I WILL go back at it tomorrow...hoping for better results!!!

Skylar did great in the talent show

2008-03-15T14:00:00.000-07:00

Even though I hated their costumes...very BORING and no BING...Skylar still was cute :)I ended up dumping a whole tube of glitter on her...just to add some fun to her costume :) I always get so nervous when it is about time for her to get up on stage in front of everyone....I literally get these visions of her going into a cartwheel and bam on her face she goes....BUT both years she has done fantastic....I had to feel sorry for the other two girls that were in it with her as they looked extremely nervous and watched Skylar's every move :) Skylar was up there all free spirit without a care in the world...I wish I had some good photo's, but for some reason the stage lightning was making my camera blurry.....so this will have to do :)

NOT IN THE CLEAR YET!!!

2008-03-13T16:14:00.000-07:00

Hi all my bloggie friends...I hope you haven't forgot who I am HA!!! Sorry I have been slacken in the blog world.. I am still feelin pretty beat up and ontop of having the flu I have added a sinus infection....So scrapped my butt out of bed and had to make a call to the Doctor's I am now on two antibotics one being PROMETHAZINE for nausea, as I was about to be dehydrated from all my puking and was even getting nausious from water...So I got the lecture how extrememly important it was to get clear liquids in!! The other med is the almighty ZPAK ZITHROMAX hoping it clears this sinus infection as my head is ready to EXPLODE!! Today was the first day that I have eaten anything solid since last Thursday...I had vegetable soup and it was so gooood...I felt and sounded like a hungry cat and I kept it down!! It was crazy how long you can go without food, my stomache did not even start growling until day 5!

I was suppose to run a 1/2 marathon this coming Sunday,,,,but Doctor's order NO RUN!!!! I am OK with it, as I would have struggled anyways :)

Sorry for my boring blog lately it is all about being sick and blah blah blah!! I am hoping for something exciting in my life soon as I am really bored with it myself :)

I have been enjoying reading about Bree and Eileen at OZ camp kicking butt and Katie doing a good deed for Heather Gollink kid Jordon...Jen H showing Spencer what a tough chick she is.....Kelleye heading to the snow to ski (don't break any bones) Marit heading to San Diego for some tough training.....Kerrie getting her new bike so now she will also be super fast on the bike...tripinkgirl hammy is coming around, so she will be ready to kick some butt at Ironman CDA and Poor Danielle fighting being sick for a long period of time too making herself crazy that she felt the need to clean her oven :) I think it would be easier to hire Brooke's squeeze Nick to do the job he looks qualified if he would just lose his shirt and had some grease on his face :) Thanks guys for giving me something to do while I was bedridden!!

Hoping to be back to my craZy self soon :)

This flu is kicking my A$$

2008-03-10T16:32:00.000-07:00

WoW...I forgot how much a flu can affect your body...PAIN PAIN PAIN!!! I finally manage to take a much needed shower today and washed my bedding after all the sweaty nights...I have never taken so much Tylenol in my life...it seems I am feeling better when I am medicated and once it wears off I am back to being cold and weak...I am hoping this is the last day... The ONLY good thing that came out of this sickness is that I lost 6 LBS....YIPPEE!!! I am getting anxious to start back up training...I am signed up to do a 1/2 marathon this Sunday, but with this sickness that has totally wiped me out...I know I am not going to do it to my full potential...so rather thinking of doing it as a training day!!

I was really bummed as My oldest daughter Skylar is doing her school talent show with 2 of her friends and she did it last year and I made their costumes...this time around I am totally out of the loop...I was not able to go shopping with the other Moms this weekend to pick out their costumes, and lets just say in a polite way I wasn't to pleased with what she brought home...totally not what I would have picked for a hip hop dance routine....VERY BORING!! I guess I can't do anything about it now...Tonight was her dress rehearsal and I thought I would be OK by the time to go.....but I still have the chills and the runs...so didn't think I could sit there for 3 hours...so Grandma had to step up for the job!! I am a little nervous as she was practicing in front of me and I of course am too picky and telling her she needs to get down and shake it more :) So we will see how it all goes on Friday for the show...I am sure I will be more nervous than she will be!!! I was never the kid that could get in front of the whole school and perform...YIKES...I give her credit!!!

Thanks to everyone for their get well wishes and nice emails, you guys are the best...and I was telling my husband that my blog buddies care more about me than he does....he did bring me flowers today :)

Happy training everyone....soon I will be there with you too :(

Good training....PMS......FLU

2008-03-08T07:01:00.000-08:00

AS I am writing this...I have slime mouth going and 5 blankets on with the feeling of someone hitting my head with a baseball bat!!! I have the FLU..the full want to die type flu...I usually don't mind if I get sick and sometimes wish I would get sick...just so that I can get caught up on some rest and I LOVE BED.....BUT, this flu hit me at the wrong time...My husband has been gone for the last two days...so when a Mom with 4 kids get sick......she just can't be sick and heal...I still have to do all the Mommie duties....I just wanted to cry yesterday...you know how it is you body aches so bad and you are freezing, but you are sweating your ass off!!! To top it off I am PMS ing....so not a good combo...when your legs are so weak to get up to take care of business!! I get this deadly like flu every year around the same time....I was really hoping this year I would avoid it, since my training has been going so well.....I do not have time to be sick...GRRRRRRRRRR!!!

On a better note....Rainbow the crab I believe is going to make it...he is no longer naked....I tried all these ways of getting him into his shell....no luck...so I picked him up and stuffed him into one of the new shells I bought...TODAY he switched and climbed back into his old rainbow shell!!! So I saved the crab :)

The things we do for our kids :) Save the CRAB!!

2008-03-06T11:39:00.000-08:00

I was running all over town last night trying to find Hermit Crab shells,....FUN.....We bought 2 Hermit Crabs in Virginia Beach 2 years ago...when I made the purchase I was pressured into it by the kids...and in my mind I was thinking these ugly things will live like WHAT 2 months MAX....WELL, 2 years later here we are still being their boring selves...These creatures do NOTHING..BORING and I could not wait until they died, as I am the one that has to take care of them!! So yesterday when I went to check on them....I see crab skin...crab claws and body parts..I was horrified and by my reaction here comes all 4 kids and Madison my just turned 5 started to lose it....So I pick up their little home/hut and there was A NAKED crab...He was ALIVE...he shed his old skin and claws and grew new....but he was out of his shell...I am in a panic..thinking this crab is going to freeze to death...Madison is screaming....MOM save him, don't let him die...So here's me in a panic jumping online to find out what the heck to do...this process he is going through is called "molting" kinda like PMS...but last longer and painful for the crabs (poor thing)...I was thinking I added stress by changing their sand to new sand and sometimes stress brings on them to come out of their shells!!! It was also saying the crab might need a bigger shell...and this crab is a big crab!! So I dash to the biggest pet store we have...thinking they would have bigger shells.....I get there and dash straight to the hermit crab supplies and can not find any shells...everything else,,,but NO SHELLS...SO I get a employee and say " Do you know much about Hermit Crabs" he say "a little" I went into tell him he had shed his skin and claws and now he is NAKED out of his shell...The employee says "OH..you need to get him back into his shell RIGHT AWAY" WELL NO SHIT!!..I need a bigger shell...he looks around and says "we must be out of them" NNNNNOOOOOOOOOO!! I have a kids at home that are freaking out!!! So I think of another option..Walmart..NO LUCK..Meijers....NO LUCK.....I stop at one more pet store..SHELLS, but no bigger than the one I already have..The store employee didn't think they come any bigger..so I bought 3 shells thinking maybe he just doesn't like his anymore...plus I bought another heater for their tank...so $50.00 later I am on my way home to save the CRAB :) I put the new heater on and the new shells are in....but nothing has changed yet...This is sad..here I couldn't wait until these boring creatures died so I wouldn't have to take care of them...BUT now I am sad that I might not be able to save him,,,,I got up 4 times during the night to check on him and he is still alive and NAKED...I just don't know how long he will remain alive out of his shell...So wish us luck to save the CRAB Rainbow (his name) THAT IS HIM NAKED IN THE TOP PHOTO!! POOR THING!!!

AWWWW I am dreaming of WARM WEATHER!!

2008-03-02T12:21:00.000-08:00

I was reading KateMonster's blog today..and as we know she is out of the pile of shit snow and is now in sunny Florida...I commented and said that IS IT ...I am putting my splish suit on and laying out in the (PRETEND) sun and think of warm thoughts :) and it did work for like 2 seconds :) I could not find my flip flops (they are stored away with my summer clothes)...so uggs are going to have to do!!!

I am really trying hard to turn this nasty cold weather into something positive...thinking this weather which is causing me to go CRAZY inside on the trainer and the tready is only making me stronger :)

SO this is to my only other 2 bloggies (Elaine/trpink and Daniel/Pedergraham) that are still in the same pile of shit that I am in....CHEERS :) Lets look on the bright side...Bree, Broke, Eileen, Kelleye, Travis, Kerrie, Katie, Marit, Jen, Mira, Marni...they can't ENJOY what we have and I know you guys are all jealous you can not jump in the snow with Splishy on and make a snowangel :)

So no more bitching on the cold weather it will (I hope) pay off for me some how!!!

HERE"S TO HAPPY TIMES!!!!!! MAKING THE BEST OF IT!!!!!

The 2 hour treadmill run!!

2008-03-01T06:13:00.000-08:00

I now hold the NEW record for our household....of the longest run on the treadmill 2 hours almost 14 miles.....I can honestly say it was not that bad!! I know even my husband thinks I am nuts and did not really see the purpose of me running that long....BUT that is my personality...if you read the post before this one "When it rains it pours" My training has gone to shit for the last couple of days...due to sick kids!! So when I stop working out and know that I have a big race coming up...I start to get scared and doubt myself...so to make up for the missed days..I cram it into one workout!! I went the first hour SOCK LESS, inclined 2% and feeling strong...until I could fell the blisters forming on both feet..so when I reached the 60 min mark..I quickly jumped off and put socks on...but a little late...they were already there and filled with fluid :(..back on I jumped and could feel the pain, but was not going to let it stop me from getting it done!!!! I was actually enjoying myself and felt like I was pushing myself to new limits...I NEVER IN MY LIFE, EVER THOUGHT I WOULD BE TRAINING THIS MUCH!!
I learned something new with the treadmill..once you hit 1000 calories it starts over and once you hit 100 minutes it starts over and once you hit 10 miles the numbers turn into letters (weird).... So I did it 2 hours and almost 14 miles...why are we slower on the treadmill (even though I feel like I am going fast) It would never take me 2 hours to do 14 miles outside!!! If you know please explain..I always wanted to know :)
I must say I am a little sore today...my ankles are hurting, but I have weak ankle due to all the sprained ankles from basketball in my young days!! SO overall not bad and I am able to get a trainer ride in today..so all good!!!!!
St. Croix here I come...I WILL finish!!!

Happy Training!!!

Hugs to all :)

WHEN IT RAINS IT POURS!!

2008-02-29T07:45:00.000-08:00

The last couple of weeks have been crazy..With the sadness of the passing of our friend Eric.....to the helping a Single Mom and her young daughter out by signing for a apartment for her and US getting SCREWED in the process for it....We helped this single Mom out 2 years ago...hoping she could get her shit together and be a good Mom to this adorable 3 year old...you know how it goes, you help out and then they stop contacting you as they already drained you for everything they could get out of you!!! Not thinking much of it...UNTIL my best friend that works at the courthouse called me.. to let us know that this girl is being sued because she has not paid her rent...and owes $7500.00 and of course our name is listed on there too..because we helped her get the apartment....My question is why did the apartment owner let her live in there this long period of time racking up unpaid rent $7500.00...that is crazy!!!!! Of course the girl is NOWHERE to be found..figures!!! So I do not know what will happen and I for surly do not have $7500.00 just to pass over!!! I guess we will learn our lesson and not be so nice all the time!!! This girl BETTER hope she never sees me on the streets!!!!!!!

I was excited today..as on every Friday I met up with my friend and we go run on the bike path...Last Friday it was canceled because of the snow and TODAY we are getting dumped on again...SO no outdoor run!!!! DAM...I have a 2 hour run today and am going to be stuck on the treadmill!!! TO TOP IT OFF I HAVE 3 SICK KIDS.....Konor is home from school for the second day with the fever and sore throat.....Mason has a bad cough and wakes up like 7 times a night...so Yes my sleep has been shit.....I took Skylar to the Doctors this morning and she has a ear infection.....

I am a little scared...I did my first brick the other day 1 1/2 hour bike and a 62 min run...I felt AWESOME and strong....then with kids sick...I have missed days of working out and missed both of my weekly swims....TODAY I AM GOING TO RUN 2 hours on the tread...HUSBAND is going to hold down the fort...I need to be consistent on this training!! The photo above is in between doctor's appointment...dropping kids off to school...putting my Jammie's back on to lay with one of the sick kids and waiting for my turn to train...That is how my husband and I have to do it...He is in training for Ironman China...so turn taking is the only way :)

Have a good day everyone :)

Hugs!!

Call me DESIGNER CRANDELL :) ha sounds good!!!

2008-02-27T15:20:00.000-08:00

Well, I had my first customer Eileen Swanson http://eileenswanson.blogspot.com she sweetly asked me to design her a suit and 3 SUITS later SOLD :) She is such a sweet heart in believing in me and my designing...I do have to admit, if was a challenge as E is on the ALCis team...so I needed to design around her team colors and sponsors....The BIGGIE was to get the approval from her manager of the team...with some changes here and there we had a WINNER :) It was so much fun working with E and I thank her very much :) I am also in the works of creating 2 suits for Katie Weaver Jongerius http://ironkatemonster.blogspot.com I am so excited to work with blogger friends and they are helping me follow a dream, as I have always wanted to be a designer of some sort :) I am HOPING Splish would like me to be part of their designing team...FINGERS CROSSED.... YIPEEE....HAPPY.....HAPPY!!

HUGS,,,,,,,Melissa

THIS IS MY SCENERY...

2008-02-26T09:26:00.000-08:00

This is for ALL you blogger buddies that live in that tropical, warm weather...that always feels the need to rub it in our NORTHERNERS faces :) Here is what we get to look forward to, when we roll out of bed.....I know you guys are jealous, it really is beautiful to look at....So what does this mean....IT MEANS: I get to spend another day with ALL my CRAZY Hellions....NO SCHOOL....MOM goes NUTS....and another boring trainer ride and another treadmill run.....HOW MANY times can I listen over and over the same music on my ipod :) I love music,,,,but this shit is getting OLD....I though FOR SURE...when the sun was out and we hit the 20 degree mark....SPRING WAS IN THE AIR!!!! I guess that was wishful thinking :) OK, I just wanted to do a little bitching....thanks for listening,,,NOW go lay on the beach and get a nice golden tan for me :)

Hugs.......

WE HAD SUCCESS..I SURVIVED THE PARTY :)

2008-02-24T16:23:00.000-08:00

THE PARTY WAS A LOT OF FUN...WE ENDED THE PARTY WITH RIDING ALL THE KIDDIE RIDES..YES I EVEN RHODE ONE.....HAVE TO STAY YOUNG SOME HOW :-) KIDS ARE SO CUTE AND THE JOY THEY GET OUT OF THE LITTEST THINGS ARE PRICELESS :)

HAVE A GOOD NIGHT EVERYONE....HUGS!!

SUNSHINE FINALLY!!!!

2008-02-24T09:24:00.001-08:00

YEAH, we have sun and the snow is almost all melted...it reached to a 20 degrees, so I was psyched to get outside and run!!! I was really wanting to go for a 12 mile run...BUT by the time I got my butt out the door, I did not have enough time....We are celebrating Madison's 5th Birthday party this afternoon at Build a Bear....So I have a lot of errands to do before the party....

Anyways, I was just happy to see the sun and warmer temperatures..so I head out for my 6 mile run...starting off nice and slow...thank god for some jamming tunes...I was totally enjoying the outside air and just being alone for some ME time...The kids are being crazy today...so I NEEDED TO GET OUT OF THE HOUSE :) SO mile 5 came and I was feeling good and relaxed and not tired at all...so I was like I wonder what the HURT ZONE would feel like...So I said OK GO FOR IT...last mile I ran like a crazy woman and clocked the last mile in 6.02...YIPPIE :) AND I DID NOT EVEN PUKE!!! so I did the 6 miles easy pace (EXCEPT LAST MILE) in 44.15...... I Will have to do the 12 miler another day, some times things are a little more important than training...WAAAAHHHH, I can't believe my little girl is turning 5.......

OFF to Build-a -Bear, will post photo's later!!!

SADNESS......BLISTER......TREADY.......CROCK POT....

2008-02-22T16:54:00.000-08:00

OK Bree, I am back....Really I have been having a private POW WOW with blogger friends Eileen Swanson, Elaine ( tripink ), Katemonster through email...but glad I was missed :)

On to the truth...It has been sad days at our house hold...due to one of our friends and one of Todd's ( my husband ) clients had passed away...because of a stupid decision to drink and drive..make a sad story short his car hit a tree...He was lucky he was still alive and was unconscious when my best friends husband (who is a state trooper) found the wreckage...Eric (my friend, who passed) brain was swollen, so they had to keep him in a induce coma and was planning on keeping him in that state for 14 days....after 5 days his heart gave up the fight and now he is gone....30 years old...A NICE, GOOD LOOKING,(that is him in the photo above) KIND HEARTED, POLITE GUY!! So I attended a Racing for Recovery group meeting last night....it was so hard to sit there and not lose it...it was a 1 1/2hour just going around the room and telling our funny memories of Eric...I even got brave and spoke in front of everyone....It is sad..30 years old...not even old enough to consider to "really" have a chance at life..He never got the chance to be married... He never got the chance to be a Dad....He will never get to celebrate Christmas or any other Holiday with his family...It is just such a sad situation...So they had the showing today and tomorrow is the funeral...SO tonight hug your husband and your children and tell them how much you love them....Like I said before...we never know "WHEN OUR END IS" SO love life that we are given and the repeated chances we are given....because with one SNAP our chance could be gone!!!!! LIFE IS TOO SHORT...so live out your dreams and DO NOT be afraid of taking CHANCES!!!! HUGS To ALL of you :)

On to some good news....well kinda....I was forced to run on the tready today..due to the dam snow!! I took Bree's advice to incline, which I have never in the past...I have not ran on the tread for months...I thought I was toughing it out by running in 2 degree/windy weather....Let me tell you, I was a sweaty mess...forgot how HOT I get on the tread.... I went for 80 min inclined to 2% speed at 7.2/7.4 It was a great, easy workout...I even ended up with a nice BLISTER..that hurts like hell ...I always wear socks...until I notice a lot of you girls DO NOT WEAR SOCKS...and it looked way more trendy..so I wanted to look trendy, I went for it...SOCK LESS and now BAM a blister WTF :)
SO yes, now that it is getting around the blogger world..I have signed up for St. Croix...not really knowing if I will be fully trained in time...But I am going to take the challenge.....as you can see I do not have any races posted up on my site...THAT is because I am known to back out of them....Yes, I am a slacker..not always my fault..can blame the KIDS and a husband that travels all the time...so training goes to SHIT!!! I am So excited that Bree will be there and after she WINS the race...she can come and scoop me off the pavement..HA!! ANY OTHER BLOGGER BUDDIES GOING TO BE IN ST.CROIX ????

ON to the TURKEY :) The crock pot has become my lastest best friend! I LOVE IT!! I have been doing Crock Pot meals constantly...just so easy to plan a meal...and not have to be tied up in the kitchen all evening...It is great...just put it in there and let it cook all day!!! The turkey is my Fav..as it is so juicy and tender..falls off the bone and melts in your mouth...I did chili the other day and chicken and dumplings one day...I am all about EASY, FAST, YUMMY meals

So there is my post and I am sorry I have been slacken....Thank you for your kind messages and for missing me....awwwwww :) I love you guys :) EVERY day you make me smile :)

Thank you so much for the swim suit voting

2008-02-19T08:08:00.000-08:00

The BLACK won, but like Kate said order both...I did not want to order the same design...so I thought of this one as being FUN and UNIQUE and PINK...so I am going to order these two :)

Thank you for helping me decide on the perfect suit!!!!!

NA NA NA..... NA NA NA....HEY, HEY,HEY... GOOD- BYE LAST BASKET BALL GAME

2008-02-16T13:42:00.000-08:00

We can sing the song "WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS..... WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS.....NO TIME FOR FOR LOSERS WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!!!!! OK, I am a goof...YES, at times I get into to this Coaching a little too much :)

EVEN though we won 32 us 6 them...IT was an awful last game....NOT a fun one!!!! We played another private Catholic school, so we thought we would have some strong competition...THE REF was MEAN/UNFAIR...I swear he called 50 fouls on us and. 2 on them.....I felt like just because we were crushing them, we were getting picked on!! He would not just call a foul...He yelled at the girls and treated them like they were stupid...totally not called for the way he was acting!!! I then transformed out of a coach, but into a MAMA Lion protecting her cubs..... At this time I have the REF on the girls for everything and I am starting to get LIP from the other coach!! When you have a ref that is labeling my team as mean players you know the other coach is going to start thinking that the game is being played unfair...so lets team up on the winning team!!!! I really was trying to keep it together and try to block out the mean comments I was getting from the other coach.....BUT I snapped POW...."He kept looking over at me and yelling "this is unreal...this is not basketball"... I said no it is not,,, with the whistle being blown every second!! I called a time out, hoping to hold myself together...I get in our huddle and tell the girls IT"S OK...then I hear a YELL from behind me "to stop telling them that it is OK"...I whipped around and said "OK, you can say all your negative comments you want......BUT maybe you should worry on coaching your team, instead of what I am telling my team..he said quit telling them it is OK....I said, I am NOT telling them it is OK to foul (even though I would argue 3/4 of the calls that were made)....but it is OK and keep there heads in the game.... THEY ARE 4th graders and do not need you or the ref yelling at them and treating them like they are no good!! They are good, aggressive, smart players!!

The ref comes and pushes his way through our huddle and starts telling the girls they cannot play defense with their arms out wide and that they need to keep their arms in front of them against their stomach....I pushed my way in front of him and said YES you can play defense with your arms wide out as much as you want, as long as YOU DO NOT MAKE ANY PHYSICAL CONTACT WITH THEM!!!

Their are 3 types of D....With the first one being just plain out want to kill/hurt/crush the other team (like the one team we played, that had every player crying) That is bad basketball!!!!!

The second being AGGRESSIVE and going after the ball where ever it is, where, here and there maybe slapping the other girls hand while trying to steal the ball (that is our team....not meaning to deliberately trying to hurt the other team, but trying to steal the ball) IT IS CALLED A INNOCENT FOUL!!!! YES, I know it is still a foul, but this ref would call a foul if one of my girls were trying to catch up with their opponent and brushed shoulder with someone (seriously that is how bad it was)

The third D is just pure LAZY D and that is not to guard your player at all and not be aggressive , because you can care less if you win or lose (that was their team today)....They did not have any players crying or any of their players complaining of any smack marks or nail scratches or any proof of our girls beating the shit out of them...YOU did not see the parents(from the other team) stand up and yell about the fouls!!!! .BUT the ref and coach thought we were this MEAN horrible, unfair team....THANK GOD WE WERE IN THE DRIVERS(winning) SEAT...OR I WOULD HAVE PSYCHED OUT :) So comments were shuffled back n fourth with 2 men against ME (I am glad I had my high heel boots on to make me look bigger to stand my ground :)

SO even though we had so many fouls called on us and the abuse we had to take...we still had our can of whip ass out and ran away with the VICTORY...SO that ref and coach can go do their after game POW WOW and report me of coaching my team to play rough (which they are not...just VERY talented, athletic, gifted girls) AND I am not kidding you they did go and talk to the score keeper and was telling him to report this game to the head of the league....( I walked up to him (the score keeper) and plain out asked him, if he thought Me and the team where mean and out of line....He smiled and said NO....just a good team...THAT IS ALL I WANTED TO HEAR!!!! It is funny how all the other games we played...the MEN coaches would come up to me after the game and shake my hand and say what a good, aggressive team we had and good coaching to me!!!! I just think that coach was a sore loser and the ref HATES woman :) OH WELL......WE will see if I get an email or a phone call from the League!!! I cannot believe 4th grade basketball is this stressful.....I WILL BE BACK NEXT YEAR, with my same coaching plan, AND my can of whip ass ready :) unless they give me the boot!!!

Thank you to everyone for the good luck wishes.. :) THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT :) ENJOY OUR PHOTO'S...

DECISIONS.......DECISIONS

2008-02-15T16:52:00.000-08:00

OK, LADIES...I NEED YOUR HELP...I CAN NOT MAKE UP MY MIND ON WHICH SUIT TO GO WITH...THE BLACK OR THE PINK.....HELP, GIVE ME YOUR VOTE PLEASE!!!!

THANKS :)~

BAAAAAA HUMBUG!!!!!

2008-02-14T11:10:00.000-08:00

OK, I am not a Valentine Girl...I am more of a GRINCH/GROUCH....Seriously "What really is Valentine's Day"????? A waste of money on flowers that will die in 3 days....a box of chocolates that will make us shit and get fat....A day that the guys think they will get LUCKY with some good spicy lovin (OK, I know I said I am Naughty in my mid 30's but only on my time when I want it) Not to be demanded or push into doing the dirty, just because of a stupid Valentine Day :) Are ya with me on this useless day??

Now that my kids celebrate this day at school it is forcing me to celebrate it...so YIPPEE...Happy V DAY everyone :) I was forced to go out and buy the kids something, just so they are not left out...So here is your Big, SOLID Chocolate KISS and of course have to throw a WEBKIN in there too....geeze this worthless day just cost me $75.00 Thank you, for WHO EVER created this day!! Now I need to play sick,......so I do not get my husbands hopes up for anything crazy tonight......ahhhhhhhhhhh, my stomach HURTS from all the chocolate... (AM I BELIEVABLE??????) HA!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MARIT...now that is a day to celebrate...have a good one!!

If you do LOVE this day...Then happy V day to you, and Hope you have a wonderful one!!! If you do not Like this day...THANK YOU, for not making me the only Grinch out there :)

Thank you for reading, and I really do enjoy all of you :)

I AM WHOOPED...tired, tired ....TIRED

2008-02-09T14:51:00.000-08:00

As my blogger friends have called me "Super MOM" Well, today I feel like it!! I got up early to get Konor to his Basketball game by 8:15 for team photo's...I was excited as this is the first time I get to "really" get to watch his game...since I am usually at Skylar's game coaching and they always ended up playing the same time at different locations...So it was just me and little man up bright and early to head to his game...At this young of age the kids are crazy and out of control...too cute....They do not pass the ball every kid is a BALL HOG...so I warned Konor if you are going to score, you will need either to steel the ball or get the rebound....he was fired up and wanted to show Mom his moves :) So the game starts and I sit there containing myself not to be loud.....( I was like a little kid on Christmas day) I wanted to coach him so bad, I was squirming around in my chair...and I could not take it anymore...I yelled "Konor you need to get more aggressive and get the rebound" He looked at me and gave me the shew away motion..the family sitting next to me busted out in laughter...I giggled and said it is taking every inch in me not to stand up and coach him ( I told them I coach Skylar...so they didn't think I was a weirdo)...Well, what I said worked...he was aggressive and got the rebounds and SCORED 5 baskets to add 10 points to his team...and let me tell you he had the BIGGEST smile on his face after each basket :) Tomorrow he starts Iceless hockey...so that should be a lot of fun!!!!

I needed a COFFEE NOW.....I wanted to go back to bed....so now we had to stop at the grocery store and load up on food... Konor wanted EVERYTHING in the dam store...and would give me his cute little grin and say " I think I deserve it after all the points I scored " :)

Got home had to hurry up and make them lunch and then straight to Skylar's game, with the whole crew in tow we are off...let me recap here...last night at dinner Skylar asked if out neighbor girl Tori could spend the night and I said YES, BUT they needed to go to bed early, so Skylar would be nice and rested for the game that WE NEED TO WIN....Skylar says "Mom it isn't about winning, it is about having fun" I said " NO, NOT ON MY TEAM, IT IS ALL ABOUT WINNING" I continued on saying how bummed the team was after our one loss....we do not want that feeling again...so BED EARLY or no sleep over!!!

On to the game.....the score was a low one today.....Not because it wasn't a good game but it was a defensive game....We have met our match with being aggressive , they were VERY aggressive and a good team, we're just better :) It was a fast pace game and back n fourth the whole time....we only had 2 girls from our team score and that was Skylar who scored 8 points and Rylee who also score 8...We ended up winning 16 to 3 ......Low score but still a victory so YIPPEE :) ONE more to win and we are the CHAMPS!!!

So we get home and I decide, I need to get a run in! So head out for a 10 mile run,,,,,and I felt like the Hulk...breaking through concrete walls...It was super windy and I would put my head down and keep pushing away, some times I felt like I wasn't moving...it was that powerful...but glad I got it done...I am cooked I have put in 30 miles of running in 3 days... When it gets stressful at home, I head out for a run to clear my head...so I have warned the family.....PLEASE no stress the next couple of days, my legs are sore and need a break :) This is the first time I have sat down to put my feet up...So today, I am SUPER MOM :)

Thanks for reading :)

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I faced the unexpected/////AND AM QUESTIONING WHY I AM GETTING FAT!

2008-02-06T09:36:00.000-08:00

Thanks for the nice comments from my last blog...BUT I was really hoping that you other triathletes would say you experience the same stuff with the UNEXPECTED...but no one really did :) SO I came to the conclusion that I am NUTS and PARANOID!!!

Well, I know I said I was going to run on the treadmill after the last scary, heart pounding run workout (read my last blog if you are a new reader) .....BUT, I forgot my husband was going out of town...which means I needed to get another good run in before he left and I did not want to do a 10 mile run on the tread....So headed out the same route as the day before...With my EYES wide open and alert ...I am happy to say I only saw a deer run across the street (but then I had to laugh, as I was still thinking what if this deer attacks me) have you ever seen the hunting blooper shows, where a deer thumps a hunter, it is hilarious...That is the ONE thing that made me a little Leary :) So it turned out to be a NICE, PEACEFUL workout!!!

I DO NOT GET THIS....Why does my weight keep going up the more training I do?? It gets so FLIPPIN depressing....Since the summer my weight is like a YO YO...I will admit I am not the healthiest eater, BUT I do not eat a lot....at the beginning of the summer I was at a healthy 125 then dropped to unhealthy 114 (due to family issues) then up to 122, stayed at this weight for most of the summer. Went on vacation in early fall and ATE MYSELF and went up to 127 and it has been shit since...now I am at 129 even with the training I am doing....I am wondering if it is ALL the coffee I drink..So I might have to jump on the KELLYE wagon(her's being Diet Coke) and stop drinking so much coffee...I feel like this EXTRA weight is dragging my speed back....I can still wear most of my clothes,,,,but I do notice most of the weight seems to shift to my upper legs, for that is where my jeans are tight........Maybe I need to do a weight chart on my blog like Kate has on hers(for motivation)......I do not get this weight crap how you work your ass off and gain weight and do not tell me it is muscle (to be nice)... OK that is IT....I am going to get back to my ideal weight of 122...so bye bye to my 4 a day cup of coffee....WHAAAAAAAAAAAAA But I can't have both......wish me luck as I struggle not to be grumpy without my coffee!!!! GRRRRRRRRRRR!!

AND HERE COMES THE SNOW!!!!!!!

2008-02-01T16:39:00.000-08:00

So hear we go again..MORE SNOW..GOOD THING I got my 10 mile run in yesterday or it would have been a LOOOONNNGGG boring run on the treadmill... I am REALLY getting sick of the 2 degree weather and the windy conditions so why not add the white stuff with it?????? So here was my fun day...can't let the snow get ya down!!!! SO SNOW

LEADS TO THIS: SNOW ANGELS ANYONE?

AND LEADS TO THIS: School has been CANCELED 2 times already this week..the first time due to freezing conditions and today, due to the snow!! So here's to a fun day to make the best out of the cold snow...LETS gather the neighborhood kids to build a snowman(woman) and we named her EMMA..she's pretty fancy:)

LEADS TO THIS...too icky outside to run..so have to be stuck inside on the trainer for a LOOOOONNNNGGGG ride..SO I decided to watch the movie "Good Luck Chuck" with Jessica Alba and Dane Cook...thinking it would be pretty funny since Dane Cook was in it and I think he is a pretty funny guy......WELL, I was shocked...If anyone saw this movie it is more like a PORNO a lot of BOOBS and all kinds of creative sex postions..NOT the type of movie I was thinking would be good while riding a bike...PLUS my kids are running around the house and when they hear SCREAMING and MOANING you KNOW that is going to get their attention....SO let's say GOOD LUCK CHUCK did not make the cut :) Would not recommend this movie to entertain you while training inside!!!!

I am dreaming of WARM weather PLEASE!!!!!!!

This is who my husband REALLY is..THis was a piece they did on ESPN

2008-01-29T15:06:00.000-08:00

Latest News - ESPN <<<<<<

I am posting this video..hoping to save someone from their demons and if you or someone you know that is battling alcohol or drug addiction there is HOPE....

This is my husband's TRUE passion/dream and it has been a REAL struggle getting here..

He just received his Master Of Counseling Degree and is doing individual counseling, speaking engagements at schools, rehab centers, and jails around the world........ Click on the Latest News-ESPN above and enjoy the video..........share your thoughts as it might help someone in the process!

TIRED.....GETTING GRUMPY!!!!! DO NOT HAVE SLUMBER PARTIES ON HEAVY TRAINING DAYS!

2008-01-29T07:23:00.000-08:00

Skylar and Ironman sound to SLEEP!

Skylar had a sleep over on Saturday...I really like her friends, plus they are on my Basketball team, so they are comfortable around me...So we decided to do a create your own nightgown and matching for your favorite stuffed animal...I like to do creative, crafty stuff, since Madison(my 4 year old) is still little...I do most of her art stuff...so I am sitting around the table with 6 kids making night gowns :) good fun, but I could not stop yawning...I find it hard in my old age keeping up with the young kids.......So the night shirts turned out cute (as you can see in the photo) It was getting late and I was ready to go to bed as I had some training to do the next day....by midnight the girls were still in there giggling....so I think by 2 I was finally a sleep!!!!

I had it all planned that the girls were going home at noon the next day so I can start my day........ I was in that NON training mood, but knew I need to get out there...So I head out for a 90 min run....ugggg I was really struggling (DAM slumber party) but kept chugging along....When I got home I was so cold and tired......AND THIS DID NOT HELP ANY....I was looking for Skylar and look where she is...in her nice WARM,COZY bed....figures...she keeps me up all night and then she gets to sleep all day!!! The JOY of being a kid...no WORRIES!!!! So I head into work for 2 hours (the doctor's office) and then straight to the pool for my hour swim class and of all days we were doing speed drills (yikes)...I think I was doing a lot of yawning under water as I sucked up a lot of water :) so I was not very speedy....There is this ONE girl in the class, who is a fantastic swimmer and I think she has been swimming forever..I just started swimming 3 months ago.....I am in the SLOW...BEGINNERS lane.....she is in the faster lane right next to mine...BUT I SWEAR she is always trying to race me...it is like she hangs out until I go.....The first lap of our speedy drill....her and I tied, but she has way more endurance than me in the water... I am lucky if I can go a 100 m without stopping for a rest :) I wanted to yell "give me a freakin break and find SOMEONE else to race..I had a SLUMBER PARTY last night and am NOT in a racing mood...plus I just did a 90 min run before swim...so take your GLORY of beating me ( A BEGINNER SWIMMER) and shove it......Meet me out on the pavement in 2 days and then I will dust you :) ( I do not even know if she is a runner), but sounded good in my mind :)

The last couple of days...I have put in some hours in training and I AM GETTING GRUMPY...I do not know how you TOP triathletes put in all these LONG hours of training and still be in high spirits....I have noticed for YEARS, after my husband finishes a Ironman he is a asshole and just mean and I would say "you are not doing any more of those races, if you continue being mean" This is the first time that I have actually started training for a race and I see myself getting grumpy...I am trying really hard not to take it out on the kids....I think it is a combo of the training and the lack of sleep but I NEED to control the grumpiness....

I was on the phone with my Dad and I was in the shopping mall parking lot...I was in the middle of the lane with my turn blinker on, as someone was backing out....It was a good parking spot...nice and close....THEN a OLD lady took my spot....I waited there until she got out of her car and I yelled "hey did you not see me here in the middle of the lane with my blinker on to park in that spot" she said sorry I did not see you....(me saying) "how can you not see a BIG van with a BLINKER on in the MIDDLE of the lane ....MAYBE you should go get your EYES checked, she was speechless :(....My Dad was still on the phone and he was a little scared.......He said "Melissa where did you get your feistiness from...he said he gets pissed too when someone takes his spot, but NEVER had the balls to say something..."I laughed and said "Dad I have always had BIG balls, if you piss me off" just consider yourself LUCKY" It wasn't the fact that now I had to park far away and walk (even tho I had sore legs) it was the point of I KNOW SHE SAW ME....JUST A RUDE person!!!!

Now that I have come to terms with my grumpiness...I need to snap out of it and try to cope with raising 4 kids and train and be a NICE person :) Is it possible not to be GRUMPY?

GAME 3 WE WON 34 to 3....WE WERE ON FIRE!!!!!!

2008-01-26T08:19:00.000-08:00

NO COMPLAINTS here for game 3...The girls were ready to PLAY hard...I was a little scared at first as I heard we were going to have the SAME, horrible ref we had last game...He did not show up..(I THINK I SCARED HIM :)...So game was pushed back until another ref showed up!!!!! WE WON 34 to 3...it was a very SLOW pace game and I really felt bad for the other team, as we thumped them! The other coach was a little to RELAXED and did not feed them with information through out the game...I kinda wanted to help the other team out :(

Our team played awesome man to man defense and knew to stay in front of their player and keep their eye on the ball..which worked well to our advantage as we had 25 steals...I think this was the first time my MOUTH WAS NOT BEING LOUD and good thing for SKYLAR..I only yelled at her ONCE :).....No favoritism from the Mom coach :) This was a total TEAM win.....SO my job was EASY today and I even sat down 2 times though out the game...Usually I am pacing back and fourth :) I have hired an assistant coach, my friend Stacy has accepted my offer..incase if the ref and I had another attack...she could be there to help keep the team in check!!!! Skylar had 10 point and 7 steals...so wahoooo for Skylar!!! Thank you for all the good luck wishes..it really means a lot!!!

THAT ONE SPECIAL FRIEND !

2008-01-24T07:42:00.000-08:00

MY HOME GIRL :)

Ironic as it sounds..my favorite friend is my MOTHER-IN LAW, she is my rock, my glue that keeps me together! I am soooooo lucky to have her in my life! I hear of all these horror stories of daughter in laws with their mother in laws...I am like, "really", I LOVE mine....She has my back NO matter what...she laughs at my not so funny jokes and gets me even when I am venting about everything...she is OK with me calling her son (my husband) A asshole sometimes :)

She even signed up to do my swim class with me, knowing it would help me get my ass in there ( I hate to swim) she even does the 6 A.M. class....NOW that is a real trooper!!! We always joke that we are really sister's (which I do not have) we are so much a like and can finish each others sentences... WE know how each other's mind works! We both are KOOKY, but totally get each other!! She is such an AWESOME person and a AWESOME Grandma !! She is my "Special Friend" worth keeping!!!

I believe everyone needs that ONE SPECIAL PERSON in their life!! Give that "Special Friend" a big THANK YOU for sticking by you no matter what!!!!

NOT ENOUGH HOURS IN THE DAY...BUT YOU DO YOUR BEST!

2008-01-22T08:12:00.000-08:00

I get asked A LOT "how do you handle everything with 4 kids" Well, I am still asking the same questions to other Mom's....I can not seem to get this down! So get your popcorn ready:::::: Let's recap on my last couple of days, so I can evaluate:

THURSDAY....I woke up at 5:30 A.M. to hit a 6:00 swim, so do a hour swim then hurry home to get the kids out of bed for school....I pack lunches..get the cold gear gathered up...make breakfast and send them on there way..Then my husband did a 1 hour 45 min run...so I use that time to play with the 2 little ones a bit and get caught up on laundry...I go around make the beds and I try to maintain the house through out the day...My 4 and 2 year old are the messiest kids, they think they have to get EVERY toy out just so they can play with it for 1 minute...then to drag more out...so the picking up process is never ending.....So trying to keep up on the house keeping I notice I am out of paper towels ( I use a roll and half a day) so paper towels is a MUST have in my house..so I load the kids up to get some.....by the time I get back my 2 older kids will be getting home shortly...They get home we go straight to homework to get that out of the way...Then it is time for Konor's basketball practice for a hour,,,so I sit and waste time for a hour, then hurry home to make dinner before Todd has his every Thursday Racing for Recovery meeting...Clean up dinner...kids bath time...then bed at 8 for them, but of course they are up and down for the next hour...finally, I get to sit and have a tea...then right to cleaning my house...pick up all toys, run vacuum, mop kitchen floor, wipe of kitchen counters and bathroom sink....I check on all the kids to be sure they have covers on and turn T.V's down and make sure both cats are inside, before I hit the sack....so by 11:30 I am finally ready to go to bed.....awwwwww Bed finally..I LOVE BED!

FRIDAY: I get up at 7:00 A.M. get kids lunches packed, then wake them up..gather all cold gear...make them all breakfast. Get my 4 year old ready for preschool (she goes 3x a week) send the 2 older kids off to school.....drive Madison to school then straight to the running path to meet the girls for a hour run...straight home to jump in the shower...go get Madison from school, hit the grocery, come home do some more laundry...make the beds...maintain the house through out the day...kids get home from school.......do homework.......take Konor to a friends house to play.......Get my Basketball notes ready for game on Saturday.....go and get Konor from friends house.....make dinner...clean house...run vacuum..mop floor....get kids ready for bed, which we decided to do a camp out (we all sleep on the floor with our sleeping bags) and watch movies............so dealing with the kids fighting that someone was taking up too much space and Konor having a stuffy nose and making annoying noises...OH I forgot to check on the cats....so get up and they were sound to sleep...... I believe I finally fell a sleep around 5 or maybe never:)

SATURDAY: Get up at 7:30...VERY GRUMPY, bike a hour....jump in shower...get kids ready for there basketball games......Konor, Todd (my husband) Madison, Mason head off to KONOR's game....Skylar and I head to her game(I am there coach)...so I coached the game....get all stressed :) then try to make a mad dash to hit the end of Konor's basketball game.....go to lunch with family and my in-laws.... Head out to buy Birthday presents for coming up kid parties...Get home get Skylar ready to go to a friends house.....take Skylar to friends house...have 2 neighbor kids over to play...maintain the house...make beds...clean out kids drawers .....go get Skylar from friends house.....make dinner.....get kids in bath...get kids in bed after 45 minutes of hell......then YES clean house...run vacuum, mop floor..clean off counters...check on the kids...make sure both cats are inside...AWWWWWWW bed at 11:30

SUNDAY: get up at 8:00 do a 45 min run...get in the shower...get Skylar ready for a birthday party...take her to the mall (where the Birthday party was held) shopped for 2 hours (NO complaints there :) ) go into work for 2 hours.(I work at a doctor's office 2 x a week)...hit the grocery store...Dash home get ready for my 5:00 master swim class..go swim for a hour...go home get Skylar ready to go to friends house for a sleep over...take Skylar to friends..come home make dinner...get kids ready for bed...clean house..run vacuum...mop floor..dust....spends some time with my husband....read a little........awwwwww bed 12:00 A.M.

MONDAY: Sleep in until 8......Kids are out of school today......get Konor ready for a indoor water park Birthday party...that was 30 mins away.......so take him to the party...I sit there for 4 hours in this water park....sweating my butt off...I did see if there was any shopping near by...but NOPE...nothing other than gas stations...so I busted out my Total Immersion swimming book (VERY GOOD BOOK)...tried to do some reading...and listening to all these out of shape mothers talk like they are all that...seriously...they walk around like there shit does not stink...I am always like have you looked at yourself in the mirror lately...so I usually hide out in a corner somewhere..so I do not get wrapped up in there bullshit drama..... So here's to 4 hours wasted of my busy day.....Konor had a BLAST :) Head home stop at the grocery........go home make dinner...get kids in bath....help SKylar finish up her HUGE book report.....get all kids finally a sleep...check on cats....did a real quick clean up of the house...got into bed at 10:30...spent some time with my husband for he is leaving for Arizona until Thursday night for a speaking engagement at some schools...

TUESDAY: TODAY....I got up got kids lunch packed .....got cold gear ready.....Skylar was up already...but NO Konor...so I go to get him and he is sick :(.....not good as Today...was going to be my errand day.......I get Skylar on the bus...I do a 40 min run....Kiss Todd goodbye....he heads to the airport...so here I am stuck at home with a sick kid and NO paper Towels...I can not live with out paper towels........So I guess today will be kinda of a catching up/relaxing day...I will ride on the trainer for a hour and I am washing ALL bedding today!!

Also...this is not including..all the other house work I did not mention....and of course playing with the kids...This is a big one, as my husband does Ironman's( so his training is a everyday thing) and he travels a lot for work...so with his long hours of training and his days of traveling........I am a solo parent most of the time!!

So when people ask me how I do it all.......I look at all this and say WOW I really am holding it together :) I feel most of the time like I am running around without a head, but as you can see I am a routine type person...I stay up late....just to catch up on things...If I did not have training..I would NOT have any ME time (even though I do not get in as much training as I would like) I treasure the time I do get in!!!!! I do not want to sound like this perfect Mom, because I am not...I lose my temper at times and I get stressed a lot...I always feel like there are not enough hours in the day to accommodate my busy schedule, but I guess it all works out .....you just go with what you have and keep on chugging along!!! In a few years when I have ALL 4 kids in sports and school activities..then ask me these question...and I will either be in the nut house or in TEARS :(

When all my kids are grown and out of the house....I will miss and treasure all this craziness..and have all this free time in the world....THEN I would not know what to do with myself.....So I WILL take this challenging life and LOVE it, because you never know when your life will end!!!!
So here's to a HAPPY, STRESSFUL, BUSY life....BRING IT ON!!!!!