Why do people want houses? Why was I one of those people?
I feel like you work so hard to do things for your house and in the end I just wonder if its ever worth the time and effort and MONEY! Its hard to feel like a house is anything more than a money pit when so much is said about the terrible economy. Thankfully there's news of strengthening in the housing sector. Yah! Does that mean sell or does it mean get the new roof and windows?
The largest expense/improvement on our house was the bathroom renovation. This morning the shower door from the renovation BROKE! So agrevating! I left a message with our contractor, the contractor who was against us putting the door in the first place, to please come and take a look at it. Hopefully he calls back and its nothing big.
On to frustration #2, about a year ago we heard something scratching on the house. I had an exterminator come and look around. He found nothing. Our next door neighbor had squirrels in their attic and decided to trap squirrels. They just put a trap on a picnic table next to their house and caught all the neighborhood squirrels or at least a lot of them. Our scratching stopped. Then in August I saw a squirrel climb up my house (not a tree, my house) and into a hole behind the rain gutter. I googled a few things, realized that part of the roof is the soffit. Called the exterminators and they don't capture squirrels unless they are actually in your attic. I called two roofers, they do the work after you have the squirrels trapped. Ugh! Frustration. Cost. For what? Everything I already have! Just so I can use what I have.
I am so happy that a "trapper" called me back today and is coming tomorrow. He even repairs the holes in your house when he's done. One stop shopping, I like. I'm scared to know how much he's going to charge.
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
T-8 Weeks to Marathon
T-8 weeks, runs 4-8-4-16 miles
Pretty excited that my mom came over last night and I was able to do this week's 8 mile "medium" run, average pace 9:30. I felt pretty good afterwards too. 8 doesn't seem so far anymore, delusional marathon thinking is starting to sink in!!! I made plans for my mother-in-law to babysit on Friday to do the big 16 mile run. I should be able to fit in the two little 4 milers on the treadmill at the YMCA while I drop the kids at their classes. I can do this!!!
Pretty excited that my mom came over last night and I was able to do this week's 8 mile "medium" run, average pace 9:30. I felt pretty good afterwards too. 8 doesn't seem so far anymore, delusional marathon thinking is starting to sink in!!! I made plans for my mother-in-law to babysit on Friday to do the big 16 mile run. I should be able to fit in the two little 4 milers on the treadmill at the YMCA while I drop the kids at their classes. I can do this!!!
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Reflection
Loved looking down at this leaf and seeing a "mirror image" of the sky and tree branches.
Monday, September 24, 2012
Sunday School
Some ups and downs lately. Week 13 I miss the long run but officially registered for the Philadelphia Marathon. Week 14 I did my longest run ever, 15 miles, but missed a 3 mile run. Promising myself this week I will get all 4 of my runs in this week, including my 16 mile long run!
This was the kick off week of Sunday school. I signed up my kindergartener son for Sunday school not realizing it was NOT mandatory. I then got guilted into becoming a volunteer teacher through frequent e-mails begging for volunteers. If I'm being honest, it was not a hard sell. Since I do want to be a teacher this is a fabulous way to test the waters. Plus, I do want to talk to my kids about God but I have no idea how to just start talking about God to them. Extremely happy that I signed my kid up AND that I am teaching. It was really fun to meet the class. I have ten kids in the class and they all like to laugh and have plenty to say. I think we are in for a great year (I hope!).
I had to send out a very informative e-mail about sign outs and book replacement costs, on and on with all the nitty gritty. Then I had to come up with a lesson plan - not too difficult. It was interesting to see how it all shakes out with the kids because even when you have a plan you have no idea what is going to take more or less time. I was surprised at how all of them worked on the coloring page and cut out. I thought for sure someone would quickly scribble the whole thing and want to move on to something else but no one did. Spent extra time on the coloring and less time on the circle time I planned where we listened to music and danced. I closed the class with reading about a saint while they worked on a complimentary activity. This week it was St. Vincent DePaul and we talked a little bit about giving and sacrifice while the kids cut out "coupons" stating they would help mom set the table or play with a sibling. Hopefully they got something out of it! I know I am getting something out of it. I find it is very affirming to think about religion, especially my own, in very simple terms. It reminds me of where all the goodness comes from rather than agonizing over all the more complex aspects I feel conflicted over.
This was also the second week of soccer and I'm so glad I did NOT volunteer for this again. They actually aren't having parent coaches this year, just parent managers. Just keeping the team informed about fields and stuff along those lines. And class mom this year, I think I got a pass! Although I may still be asked/picked for someone's class. All in all, I'm liking my projects for the fall a lot and my kids seem to be liking their activities!
This was the kick off week of Sunday school. I signed up my kindergartener son for Sunday school not realizing it was NOT mandatory. I then got guilted into becoming a volunteer teacher through frequent e-mails begging for volunteers. If I'm being honest, it was not a hard sell. Since I do want to be a teacher this is a fabulous way to test the waters. Plus, I do want to talk to my kids about God but I have no idea how to just start talking about God to them. Extremely happy that I signed my kid up AND that I am teaching. It was really fun to meet the class. I have ten kids in the class and they all like to laugh and have plenty to say. I think we are in for a great year (I hope!).
I had to send out a very informative e-mail about sign outs and book replacement costs, on and on with all the nitty gritty. Then I had to come up with a lesson plan - not too difficult. It was interesting to see how it all shakes out with the kids because even when you have a plan you have no idea what is going to take more or less time. I was surprised at how all of them worked on the coloring page and cut out. I thought for sure someone would quickly scribble the whole thing and want to move on to something else but no one did. Spent extra time on the coloring and less time on the circle time I planned where we listened to music and danced. I closed the class with reading about a saint while they worked on a complimentary activity. This week it was St. Vincent DePaul and we talked a little bit about giving and sacrifice while the kids cut out "coupons" stating they would help mom set the table or play with a sibling. Hopefully they got something out of it! I know I am getting something out of it. I find it is very affirming to think about religion, especially my own, in very simple terms. It reminds me of where all the goodness comes from rather than agonizing over all the more complex aspects I feel conflicted over.
This was also the second week of soccer and I'm so glad I did NOT volunteer for this again. They actually aren't having parent coaches this year, just parent managers. Just keeping the team informed about fields and stuff along those lines. And class mom this year, I think I got a pass! Although I may still be asked/picked for someone's class. All in all, I'm liking my projects for the fall a lot and my kids seem to be liking their activities!
Friday, September 21, 2012
15 Mile Long Run - DONE
Feeling very accomplished after running 15 miles today. My Nike app decided to pause at 3.48 miles unbeknownst to me since I heard that British lady (app voice) jabbering the whole time anyway. I don't have the confirmation or the splits. I was assured it was a 15 mile route and regardless my butt ran for 2 hours and 22 minutes.
My original training plan was 5-6 miles 3 times a week plus a long run. I've decided to throw out the old plan and in these last 8 weeks follow Hal Higdon's plan. While the weekly mileage for each plan is not all that different. Hal's mid week runs are varied in distance, say 4, 7, 3 miles. This will work a little better for me and my schedule because I HATE THE TREADMILL!!!! I can plan to do a 3 mile run on a treadmill day but on a babysitter day do a slightly longer run. Plus, if I'm running 10 miles mid week perhaps I will trick myself into thinking that's not so far by race day. We'll see.
I'm getting really pumped and thinking we REALLY need to book a hotel room pronto...
My original training plan was 5-6 miles 3 times a week plus a long run. I've decided to throw out the old plan and in these last 8 weeks follow Hal Higdon's plan. While the weekly mileage for each plan is not all that different. Hal's mid week runs are varied in distance, say 4, 7, 3 miles. This will work a little better for me and my schedule because I HATE THE TREADMILL!!!! I can plan to do a 3 mile run on a treadmill day but on a babysitter day do a slightly longer run. Plus, if I'm running 10 miles mid week perhaps I will trick myself into thinking that's not so far by race day. We'll see.
I'm getting really pumped and thinking we REALLY need to book a hotel room pronto...
Tuesday, September 18, 2012
8 weeks until Marathon Madness
I officially signed up for the Philadelphia Marathon last week. Training has been going well so I was feeling confident enough to sign up. Sure enough, this week was so busy that I missed my long run for the first time in all the 13 weeks of training! I'm hopeful week 14 will go better as I will attempt my longest run ever of 15 miles.
This week was my son's first soccer game of the season. Its always fun to see who is on his team. Very excited to see a few parents that I recognize from other activities, sometimes makes it easier to make friends with people. Anyway, one of these acquaintance mom's is training for NY marathon. She was at the game after running a whopping 20 miles! Now I'm starting to wonder if my training plan is enough. She still has another 20 mile long run before her marathon, plus she's doing 10 mile runs mid week. I have only 15, 18, 20 mile long runs before the taper begins and my mid week runs are at most 6 miles. Will it be enough?
I've decided to only worry about this after I see how I feel after the 15 this week. In my original training plan it was supposed to be 16 but now I feel like I should cut back a little since I missed my 10 mile long run last week. I'm running my long run with an experienced marathoner so hopefully she'll have some advice for me.
This week was my son's first soccer game of the season. Its always fun to see who is on his team. Very excited to see a few parents that I recognize from other activities, sometimes makes it easier to make friends with people. Anyway, one of these acquaintance mom's is training for NY marathon. She was at the game after running a whopping 20 miles! Now I'm starting to wonder if my training plan is enough. She still has another 20 mile long run before her marathon, plus she's doing 10 mile runs mid week. I have only 15, 18, 20 mile long runs before the taper begins and my mid week runs are at most 6 miles. Will it be enough?
I've decided to only worry about this after I see how I feel after the 15 this week. In my original training plan it was supposed to be 16 but now I feel like I should cut back a little since I missed my 10 mile long run last week. I'm running my long run with an experienced marathoner so hopefully she'll have some advice for me.
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