Sunday, December 30, 2007

Running???what is that???

Okay confession from a slacker. I have only run 5 miles the whole week. I am gonna pay for that come tomorrow morning when I meet up with the climate run team and I have to do 5 IN ONE RUN. Starting tomorrow it is back on the wagon...I mean road....in my new aasics...which I adore.....The cookies have settled in around my waist, the chocolate has found my thighs and everything else has just settled in random spots on my body. I think Santa would find me sexy right now. Let me introduce myself: My name is Kim and I am a Cookieaholic. It started with just one snickerdoodle (which from what my mother tells me was her favorite cookie to bake when I was young) just one snickerdoodle at such a young age and the addiction began. What is one cookie when you are so young...one homebaked cookie made with love.....I will tell you that fatness is started on a road paved with good intentions and motherly love....now I can't stop....I will be out of commission for awhile while I am going thru cookie detox (yet again)...I cannot be approached with anything resembling a cookie or I could go into complete cookie shock...or I may go mad and attack the holder of the cookie, I will be unable to clean house as I may come across a stray christmas cookie left behind by some silly silly person that is indifferent to cookies, I will not be able to go to the Mall unless they barricade the cookie shop, I will not be attending church services as they may serve communion and the wafers appear cookie like, there will be no stop at the coffee shop as they try to entice me with their trays of cookies next to the coffee dispensers, I will have to have grocery delivery as I don't think I can make it down the baking aisle at the grocery without throwing in the 50% off bags of chocolate chips (which will then be turned into cookies)...mine will be a sad lonely existence as I battle my demon....I guess I better start running.....Don't take it personally if I snarl at you....its not really me...its my addiction...by March I should be okay......

On Holiday Weight Gain/Cookie Consumption

Alice In Wonderland: "Oh, I'm not particular as to size, only one doesn't like changing so often, you know."

And that my friends sums up Holiday weight gain.

I HAVE MY VERY OWN STALKER

Yes, I know it is hard to believe. Chubby wife, mother of three, grandmother of three, the plodding Athena warrior goddess has her very own stalker. I have been stalked since October. Three whole months of constant stalking. Is it getting to me...yes...am I near the breaking point...yes....do I know my stalker....yes.....it is




Fanny May. She sends me flyers, she sends me emails on a daily basis and NOW she has stepped up her assault. She has Emailed me BOGOs! Ack Fanny May Buy One Get One Free. She is the devil underneath a coating of smooth chocolatey goodness. I am at the point where I am contemplating changing my email address and moving out of town but I guess there is no point...she will find me....she always finds me......

Saturday, December 22, 2007

My new Theme Song!

I found a song that is even better then "Fat Bottomed Girls" I love this song! It is my new I love myself anthem! You might have to cut and paste it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tcRiXOONqf0

On a Snowy Snowy Day

Exactly 26 years ago I was giving birth to my second son. It was snowy. It was cold. The only vehicle we had was the company van my husband was driving that had one seat for the driver and the passenger a/k/a in labor woman a/k/a me had to sit on a kitchen chair. The roads were slick and the van fishtailed all over the road, I am still to this day not sure if the fishtailing was accidental or just caused by an overenthusiastic snow driver a/k/a husband of woman in labor. All I know was I was in labor and clutching the sides of the kitchen chair and wondering if we would make it to the hospital (which was really only about 5 minutes away but seemed like 5 hours). My poor husband it took all his begging and pleading and telephone calls to my mother to get me to go to the hospital. I was adamant I was NOT going to the hospital. I hated the hospitals. I hated the doctors. I knew this was gonna hurt and for some reason in my demented mind I thought if I did not go to the hospital I could bypass the whole "hurts really bad labor". I told my husband I was not leaving. I was not going to the hospital ever! He was frantic. He pleaded with me to please get in the van and go the hospital. I clung to the bathroom door declaring quite loudly, "I am NOT GOING TO THE HOSPITAL" He tried to reason with me. I was unreasonable. Finally, under the pressure of my husband and the threats of my mother I was coerced into the van. I made it to the hospital. I was right it did hurt. However, the pain was well worth it because Jamie came into the world. Now of course you all know him as James but he was Jamie to me from the day he was born and will be Jamie to me until the day I die. He was dark. He was hairy. He had a cleft in his chin just like his Grandpa Chuck. Without a doubt Groleau blood was in him. Jamie was colicky. Aunt Denise was about the only one who could calm him down. He spent the first year of his life in a baby swing in hopes of lulling him into a sweet happy mood. To this day I have a big bulging bicep from the constant winding up of the baby swing. In those days we did not have auto swings. It was crank, crank, crank, baby happy, swing stop, baby unhappy, crank, crank, crank, baby happy and so on and so on.

1) Had the biggest brownest eyes you have ever seen in your life! He would look at me with tear filled eyes and I would feel like the biggest meaniest baddest mommy in the world for scolding him.
2) I would come downstairs in the middle of the night and he would be perched on the kitchen countertop with a spoon in the peanut butter having himself a little midnight snack. He has had a lifelong love affair with peanut butter.
3)Colored monsters on my bedroom wall with red lipstick (which by the way does not get repaired by merely painting over it). He comes running out of my room, lipstick on his hand saying "I'm in big touble now" (yes he did not put an R in trouble). Grandpa Groleau was there that day and that became his favorite story to tell. And yes Jamie was in "Big Touble" but see number one for why he did not get spanked.
4) Had his own sense of style at a young age he became a dandy dresser. A trait he still has to this day. Jamie, as an adult, often says "Man I look good" His style was to wear three to four shirts each one progressively shorter over a pair of slightly baggy jeans. (not real baggy, just little boy skinny baggy). His top shirt of choice for several years were his football jerseys.
5)Liked to dig in the dirt and bury GI Joes and Matchbox Cars. Several years ago I unearthed a matchbox car. It brought tears to my eyes.
6)Always had dirty knees. I swear the dirt was permanently embedded. I should probably check out his knees today. I bet they are still dirty.
7) One day he came running into the house. He so very excited. He had a present for Mom. One of the neighbors was throwing out a Food Shredder (an electric one). He saw it and brought it home to me. I still have it to this day and cannot bear the thought of getting rid of it (and it still works and I use it at least once a year).
8) Jamie was a laughing happy kid. I got called to the school because he was being the class clown. He was not laughing when I got to school. He as unhappy. He told the principal "She's gonna kill me" The principal was talking to me while Jamie was sitting outside the principal office's by the secretary. He was laughing when he was telling me Jamie was begging him not to call me because "she would kill me" He said, "Are you gonna kill him" I laughed and said "Nah but he's gonna get a pretty good spanking". See number one as to why he did not get spanked. Jamie was advised not to be the class clown anymore. He never really quit but he did not ever cross the getting his parents called to school line.
9) Was always winning stuff. Won a bike, won autographed footballs...just would win stuff...
Opened up the paper one day and there was my son's picture in the Journal and Courier. A picture of him and his little friend sitting on the monkey bars looking out with telescopes.
10) Now this story he had a partner in crime, his older brother, I got up one morning to find one totally white Jamie...all white...just big brown eyes peering out of a powdered covered face. Every white powdery substance in my canisters had been emptied out onto my kitchen floor. He was probably 2 1/2 at the time of the incident. Flour, baking soda, salt EVERYWHERE. In the cracks of the floor and flourery footsteps through out the house. Little white powdery boy got dumped unceremoniously into the bath tub. Mean old Mommy did not care that powdery little boy was not at all happy about being dropped into a bathtub. Mean old Mommy disregarded the shrieks of unhappiness as he had cup after cup of water poured over his head. (Which actually made the flour even more difficult to get out as it "gummed up")

Oh bonus story: He cut the head off my chicken.

As with all my children I have so many stories I could write for hours and hours. Jamie was a good boy and he is a good man. His father says I must stop referring to him as Jamie. I do call him James but in my mind he is Jamie. He has a heart that is full of compassion though he tries his very best to cover it up! He still has the big brown eyes and the cute mischievous smile. You can always count on him if you need him! We love you Jamie and are very proud of you...oops I mean we love you James and are very proud of you.

Love Mean Old Mommy

Saturday, December 01, 2007

Sleighs Bells Jingling, Jing Jing Jingling

Today is the YMCA Sleighbell 5k. I have my packet with my shirt and my little jingle bells to put on my shoes. I HATE the jingle bells. I like them on other peoples feet but I deplore them on mine because I then have to listen to the sounds of my labored breathing AND the sounds of my jingle bells as they jingle in a very un rhythmic like jingle. We also have a timing chip! Very cool because in the past we have never had such a thing. So I have had my oatmeal and tablespoon of peanut butter because I cannot go from the day before till after 10:00 a.m to eat. I wish we could start our run at 7:30 a.m. By 9:00am I am well into my morning. I have decided since races freak me out and I panic that I am not gonna worry about time I am just going to have fun with my friends.
I had a really good food week until Friday night...all week...I was such a good girl...thought I was gonna starve to death...but I hung in there. I am going to try to maintain some self control this weekend.

December 5: Is my eldest son's birthday. We will be having him over for dinner tonight because his birthday falls on Wed and it is just too difficult to do a birthday dinner in the middle of the week.
Thoughts on Brad: When we had you we were very young( I had just turned 18 and your father was 19) and we had no idea on how to raise a child. Your father and I likely made every mistake in the book and probably invented new mistakes while raising you but despite the errors made by your parents you thrived and became the awesome person you are today. We are proud that your are a hardworking man and an amazing father. Everytime we see you with your children we marvel at the tenderness and love that pours out of you.
Facts about Brad:
1) Baby Language for Drink of Water "AH DO WAH" and want to go outside (phrased used while banging on the screen door) "AH DO WEEE"
2) Called Bull Dozers "Pickem Up Muddies"
3)Your father liked to play pool in the basement so anytime you would hear pool balls clank you would say "Daddy Daddy"
4) Threw a golf ball at the neighbor's door while walking to school (nothing broke). The neighbor called the police and the police came to our house. I told them you were at school (yes I ratted you out to teach you a lesson) they went to school and told you not to throw golf balls at people's doors. You never threw a golf ball at another person's house after that.
5)When you were a toddler you got into Grandma's Crisco and covered her cabinet door with Crisco (and yes it was hard to get off).
6) One Christmas you and Jamie got up early (before your parents) on Christmas and opened every Christmas present under the tree..EVERY SINGLE ONE
7) Put a dent in the aluminum siding on our house and it is still there today
8)Every teacher you ever had loved you and said you were the most quiet polite child they had ever seen...I still don't know if they had you mixed up with another child because you were never quiet at home.
9) You would often surprise me by having the kitchen cleaned up for me. I still remember one Thanksgiving the house was a disaster when I went to bed and when I woke up a sparkling clean kitchen was there.
10)Got into a gallon of red paint when you were about one or so. I was doing laundry in the basement...you were in the corner...I thought playing with your toys...in fact you had opened a can of paint and painted yourself. I had a little trouble getting the red paint out of your blond hair. You were slightly pink for a couple days after that.

I have lots more but I think you would be horrified if I put them in writing...my very favorite I won't write but a hint...scooby doo underwear...

Brad we love you and are very proud of you!

Okay off to to do the Jingle Bell Trot........

Upcoming Events: Amanda's Baby Shower (Sunday), Brad's Bday, December 8 Craft night at Grandma and Grandpa's House, My Dad's Bday, Snoozys Bday, Aunt Hee Hees Bday, Jamie's BDay, (wow thats alot of Bday Cake), Julianna's expected arrival date (yet another December BDay cake...I am surprised we don't gain 20 pounds during December just from Birthday Cake consumption), Christmas Eve (my house at 5:00), Christmas Day (lunch served around 12-1),

Sunday, November 25, 2007

I RUN FOR PIE

Thanksgiving morning started out with the Gluttony Gobbler Gallop. 3.5 miles with some of the best friends a girl could ask for. 3.5 miles earned me one piece of pie. Unfortunately, my pie consumption far exceeded what I earned. My pants and shirts all feel slightly snug..okay really snug...due to my thanksgiving excess. I must now run, measure food and count food to make up for my gluttony. This week I am sure I am going to suffer terribly from food withdrawal. We had a fantastic Thanksgiving. Before the game playing commenced we plotted out our "Black Friday" strategy. (Black Friday is the happiest shopping day of the year...more details to follow below) After plotting our Black Friday strategy we played my new game "Are you smarter then a Fifth Grader" I am almost as smart as a fifth grader but due to our (me and Tasha) inability to answer "How fast is the speed of sound" We did not graduate fifth grader. My son and mother are not even as smart as a first grader cause they could not answer "What did Winken, Blinken and Nod sail off in" I think Jamie should be removed from his position of power at his place of employment and be put in a menial job that requires no education whatsoever. We ended our night by playing scattorgories which is a blast.


Black Friday: Mine and Kendra's strategy was to acquire four specific items of which the names cannot be disclosed on account of Christmas Secret Code of Honor. I was sent to Meijer to obtain a LCD TV (of which the identity may be disclosed because it was a present from me and Jerry to ourselves). She was going to get in line at Target. The plan was for me to make my purchase then hot foot it over to Target and hook up with Kendra. I reached Meijer at 4:10 a.m to be directed to stand in a line (inside the store) and wait till they distributed the items. As I waited in line no one would talk to me...why would people not talk to me??? Because.... and here is the story....I jumped in my care at 4:00 a.m. On my way to Meijer I started smelling this horrible smell...I thought it must be the air because we have a stinky stinky factory in town... and sometimes the stench wafts it way to our area of town, I thought uck this whole stupid town smells....so I get to Meijers thinking good I am indoors that horrendous smell will go away...walked thru Meijers...still smelled it....thought OH NO I THINK IT IS COMING FROM ME! I looked down and sure enough my shoe is covered in dog poo...it is embedded in the bottom of my shoe and squished all over the side...somebody had let their stupid dog poo right in front of my car door...ick yuck I smelled bad...too late though I was not going to miss my line to get my $150 TV (save $180) so I stood in line...much to my discomfort as well as those around me. I got out of Meijers and was going to head to Target but I could not stand my own smell...thought that's okay I have another pair of shoes in the car I will just switch..discovered the shoes I had were my heeled boots..which are less then comfortable...they are more for slenderize my legs effect then comfortable walking...so I wear them and proceed to shop in the slenderizing but killing feet boots....Now Target....hah I should have worn my dog poop shoes because then maybe I would not have been pushed and shoved and told to "Get out of my way" by some very hefty angry woman...boy she would have gotten it good if I had not been in my work clothes...did not want to get blood on my office clothes...so I had to settle for giving her a dirty look and my I am gonna kick you butt eye squint... she says "Soooooorrry" in a very NOT sorry voice....and can you really be sorry when you deliberately put both your hands on someone's back and PUSH and then say "GET OUT OF MY WAY"? Anyway kudos to Kendra who like magic disappeared and reappeared holding the cannot be named items...she grabbed my arm and said lets go get the other stuff and next thing I knew we were by the other items that cannot be named and threw a few in my cart....after that off in hot pursuit for Giggle and Go Garage (we can mention this because neither Adam or Carissa can read)but alas the Giggle and Go Garages were swooped off the shelves by frantic Christmas Mothers. Target had every check out line open so we got in and out in time for us to stop at the EVIL McDonalds for a quick bite to eat and me to get to work by 7:55 a.m. I told my boss that I have requested off next Black Friday and it was crucial that I be off because no Black Friday shopping for three years could result in convulsions and then a coma like state which would ultimately mean I would get no work done so I might as well be off. She's a good sport and said okay! I was so so so sad to be at my desk on Black Friday and felt light headed...I told her if she saw me turn pale and start to shake to just stick a credit card in my hand and tell me "It's okay...Kimmie...your'e at the Mall".

Quote of the Day: "Yeah your real tuff...you said "The weak shall fall and the strong shall survive"and then you whine, "Somebody pushed me" Spoken by my daughter when I told her that I was pushed in Target.

Thursday, November 08, 2007

What were you doing November 24 1984?

I was on the labor table delivering who is quite possibly the most awesome, beautiful, smartest daughter ever in the whole wide world...

Random Facts about the Most Possibly Awesome Beautiful Smartest Daughter Ever:
1) She was breastfed till she was almost one year old

2) She called her brothers the Bobos and has uttered more then once "I hate the Bobos"

3)Learned to ride an adult 10 speed while she was in kindergarton...she was so small she had to lay it down on a hill to get on it.

4) Refused to eat red jello for months because her brother told her red jello was made from blood..everytime I served it she would just look at it and cry.

5) Made her barbies physically mature by drawing on them with ink pens. ( I threw them away after that)

6)Told the checkout lady at Marsh Grocery Store that I was her foster mother and I was mean ( I AM her biological mother). The lady looked at me like I was the Devil.

7)She had a mad infatuation with Jonathon Taylor Thomas and the Back Street Boys

8) Wrote a hate letter to her father that said "I hate you. You are a Big Meenie" and then signed it "Love your Little Princess" The note was slid under our bedroom door

9) Was nicknamed "The Woman" by her GMA Carnahan

10)Wrote the following in her diary: "Ricky and Timmy asked my why I was wearing a training bra when I did not need one...I told my mom...she said to ignore them...what kind of mother is she"

10)She sat by my side and rubbed my head saying "I love you Mommy don't cry" when I had my wisdom teeth pulled and was laying on the couch in pain.

11) She learned to count by helping me make formula bottles for my babies when I had my daycare

12) A box of her childhood memories is upstairs in my spare room and she WON'T come and get it.

13)Begged and begged to play the clarinet in the 6th grade. I finally caved in and bought the clarinet and let her join band. She played for one year and wanted to quit. I told her she was not quitting until I got my $1000.00 worth of toots out of that thing. She played until the end of 8th grade. She still refuses to pay the clarinet and has "lost" it.

14) She was a daisy, a brown and a girlscout

15) She has her drivers license number memorized...who does that?

16) Made me a Grandma...thus filling my life with joy...oh yeah it was filled with joy just by being her Mom... she just overflowed my joy level by giving me Adam.

To my daughter with all my love.
Love
Momma

Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Toe Cubes

Today will likely be my last morning bike ride. I jumped on my bike...actually even wore a jacket, a hat and gloves...as a concession to my flu recovery ....had on my nice Aasics which are just lovely in the summer with their nice vents...had on my nice thin running socks....2 1/2 miles later my toes became toe cubes. My feet were so cold they hurt. Finally stopped, took off my shoes and placed my gloves over my toes and put my shoes back on...felt quite strange but it somewhat warmed them up. I got home and parts of my toes were white and part red. I panicked thinking I had frostbite. My honey told me if it was frostbite they would be black and what did I expect when I was out bike riding in 27 degree weather. So I guess no more below 30 bike rides for me unless I am properly attired.
My flu recovery has played havoc with my miles. I suffered thru 3 miles on Monday...walk, run, walk, run, complain about running, walk some more etc....mostly complaining about running. Tuesday was a little better. Got on the treadmill, walked for .25 mile, ran as fast as could for a few minutes, jogged then walked for about 1.25 miles..felt like gouging my eyeballs out and beating my head on the console with boredom...got off went outside (I was staying inside b/c of flu recovery) said did not care if I got sick again was going outside and finished up 2.35 outside..steady no walking...though I broke no speed records for sure.
Today I biked...see toe cube story above but prior to my bike ride..I cleaned out my fridge thus avoiding future botulism cases and gave my stinky mangy dog a bath and cleaned out his disgustingly seepy ears...how is that for a way to start a day...my life is full of glamour.

Tomorrow is climate run..don't know if I can keep up as I am still kinda tired....5 miles on the agenda...

46 MORE SHOPPING DAYS TILL CHRISTMAS

My credit card is hot to the touch!

Saturday, November 03, 2007

I FEEL PRETTY OH SO PRETTY

One random run in with a sick person on Tuesday and Boom by Thursday morning I am sick. As I walked in to work Thursday morning people stared at me, they stepped away from me...they said "EWWWW are you sick?" Yes yes yes I was sick. I looked like an extra from the Day of the Dead. My skin was pasty and white, my eyes glazed over, my walk reduced to an Igor like shuffle and I was snorting and sniffling like a potbellied pig. I stayed for two hours till my boss arrived and said, "GO HOME and GO TO BED!" Which I gladly did. I got into my finest "I am sick attire" which consist of my oversized running pants and a long sleeved tee shirt which declares me a 5k Jingle Bell participant. I set up "sick central" with the necessary box of kleenx and jar of vicks vapor rub. I then draped myself quite attractively across the couch and begin to litter the coffee table with a mountain of used klennex. How could any man resist the lovliness of this vision? Not to mention the the scent of vicks vapor rub coming off of my feverish body must have been incredible inticing. Of course when I am sick the thought of vegtables and fruit makes me feel sick...what did my body crave? Halloween Candy. The mountain of used klennex was only rivaled by the GIGANTIC mountain of candy wrappers next to it. No chicken soup for this girl no siree healing comes in the form of snickers, m&ms, red licorce, bit o honeys and then for dessert cheap vanilla creame cookies (yes the generic brand..something I am normally far to snobby to eat). The candy medicine must really work b/c with a little effort and alot of aleve cold and sinus I was able to make it to work yesterday...but barely...I still felt like crap and came home and went to bed after I took one dose of fun sized snicker bar and fun sized M&M. Today I feel good enough to try to run which is what I am suppose to be doing now. I swear though when I finish this post I am out the door. So to sum up my sick experience I will list the things necessary for healing:

Large Comfy Clothes
Soft Blanket
Couch
TV with soap operas playing hour after hour
Vicks Vapor Rub
Kleenex
Halloween Candy (Christmas or Easter may be substituted)
Cookies (any type)
Remote Control for the TV WITHIN AN ARMS REACH
Niquel and not the daytime stuff either...its gotta be the hard stuff. The stuff that you have to take like a shot and then you gasp for breath....
Bonus Item: Husband that is willing to run out and get you stuff as needed...I was lucky I had the Bonus Item!

Updates:
Fall Festival at Work: My company/division had a fall festival party. It was great fun. My grandson Ty won third place in the costume contest and then won the "Wrap your Grandma Like a Mummy" game. He was giddy with his third place prize b/c it was a pumpkin full of candy!!!! I thought he would keel over with joy when he looked in that pumpkin. Baby Adam got beat out in the costume contest by a 4 year old Dorothy of the Wizard of Oz...He should have won he made one fantastic Baby Frankensein. We did a Hay ride which both Ty and Adam enjoyed. Ty also found that it is not fun sitting in the back seat of the car with Adam because he uses his pacifer on rope like a sling. Ty got really good at ducking. He said it worse then sitting in the back seat with his little sister.

Halloween: Baby Frankenstein appeared at my house as did Eyeore. I was not aware that Frankenstein liked potatos, sausage and greenbeans but he did. Eyeore was evidently saving herself for candy b/c she did not want to eat.

Fort K: The final stages of Fort K have commenced. Jerry has the posts up for the rest of our privacy fence and he will put the panels on today. We will then be a fully safe yard for toddlers and children to run amuck.

KUDOS: Daughter in Law has become a working mom. She started a new full time job this week! Good Luck Nat!

Anniversaries: Tasha and James 1 year! Kendra and Lucas 2 years!

Upcoming Events: Thanksgiving! 1:00 Thanksgiving day...I will be in contact with you to ask what dish you will be bringing. Black Friday..I am going out but I have to be at work by 8:10 at the latest...so I am up for shopping at 4:00 a.m., Jingle Bell 5k, Christmas Ornament Craft Night and Christmas Eve and Christmas Day...have you got your shopping started? I have!

Sunday, October 21, 2007

This Girl Just Wants to Have Fun

I have been such a bad bad blogger lately! Last weekend we went to the Feast of the Hunters Moon. I love the feast...the smell of firewood, the cool crisp morning, the smell of all the food and the sound of the bagpipes. I usually eat myself around the feast till I go into a food coma. Somewhat like Templeton from Charlotte's Webb when he goes to the fair...okay EXACTLY like Templton. This year I did much better. I was there all day and only ate two scottish shortbread cookies, one bridie and a buffalo burger! That was it!!! It was an amazing feat of self control! After we went to the feast we took off to the wilds of the countryside in an attempt to catch our nasty messy trespassers. It seems to be that our family's country oasis has become a party zone. But we will catch them! Oh yes we will! My husband and son have made it their mission. At any rate we did not find our trespasser last week (or this week either) but they have been out there and dumped trash on my husbands fire pit which has made him most unhappy. Okay so back in town we came because it was time to get to be Grandma and Grandpa! Yeah! He is such a sweet heart. He is walking now! Walking more then crawling. He is a little ball of energy! Grandma and Grandpa got to keep him overnight and so Sunday morning Grandma made him homemade waffles, sausage and eggs. He loved it! He went to Sunday School and hung out with his friends and then back home for some yummy grilled cheese sandwich, chicken noodle soup (which he was not overly thrilled with) and some Mandarin orange slices...then play time till he got irritated, threw a little fit, bonked his head during the fit and then promptly was taken to playpen for nap time. Then off to a football game to watch Ty play. Adam will watch football but Adam also has the attention span of a flea (which is about right for his age) so Grandma pulled him around in his wagon while simultaneously watching Ty play. Carissa thought the wagon looked like so much fun that she hitched a ride as well! Ty played very well but unfortunately the team they played was undefeated so the game ended for Ty in a loss but he played very well and he takes his hits like a trooper! While I was at the game I got to check out the brillance of my granddaughter Carissa. She has discovered that you get more food if you do not share. I had brought little gerber cheese puffs and opened them and put the can between Adam and Carissa. She grabs the can, gives ONE puff to Adam (cause she is a thoughtful girl) and then takes off with the can. I laugh, cause it was funny and reminded me of myself (still to this day). I told her she had to share and she quite willingly brought the can over AFTER stuffing a bunch in her mouth and hands!

Covered Bridge Festival: Attended the Covered Bridge Festival on Thursday with my sister and my pregnant neice. We had a nice time, picked up a few Christmas presents, and best of all no whining from my neice Amanda, who is not a fan of walking when she is not pregnant, so to walk the entire day while Pregnant, well that was AMAZING.
QUOTE OF THE DAY AT THE COVERED BRIDGE: Scenerio: Just finished breakfast at some type of old man Lodge(you know the kind where there is a constant cloud of cigarrette smoke, plastic tablecloths on the tables, and an ashtray on every table and in every nook and cranny of the building)..biscuits and gravy...yummmy...bad kim bad kim...went to get a toothpick...scruffy old man sitting next to the counter with the toothpicks says, "You don't need no toothpick if you ain't got no teeth like me" He then proceeds to hee haw at his cleverness...I laugh and respond yeah I guess your right...and then prayed that he was not the one that had prepared my biscuits and gravy. Though I must say they were the some of the best biscuits and gravy I have every had (except mine and my sister's..despite the fact that she insists on using biscuits in a tube)

RANT OVER TUBE PRODUCTS: I have told my sister over and over if you are going to go the trouble to make homemade gravy of such yumminess that you might as well go the extra mile and MAKE your biscuits. It is just not right to use biscuits from a tube...what kinda loves does that show by slapping buscuits on a table when all you did was whack a tube on the counter and toss them in the oven. None I tell you none! I also have a thing about meat in a tube..except sausage...hamburger should never never never be put in a tube and I refuse to buy it. They now sell hamburger in small, medium and large tubes...bleck......

QUOTE OF THE DAY FROM A VERY CUTE KID: My husband and I were sitting on the couch with my 5 year old neice. She is coloring in a book she got at a festival. The one you get from the police that talks about never talking to stranger. So my husband is talking to her about strangers and she assures us that no she does not talk to strangers because "They will grab you, kidnap you and cook you in a STEW" What on earth has my sister been telling this child?

Workouts: Slipped a the lastweek and did not get my 20 in. Was .5 miles short of 20 this week. Had to reevaluate AGAIN. Running 5 days was killing my knee and foot. Bumped back to Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. Climate Run was great. Friday run was great. I have a new running partner on random Fridays. Monday was speed work and Tuesday was a slow steady boring six on the Dreadmill. Had lots of rain this week so not much biking to the Y. Will get twenty in this week! Possible more!

Time to read the paper and get ready for church!

What I do on my day off


Sunday, September 30, 2007

TOUCHDOWN

SCORE! My grandson made a touchdown and made the extra! He was on fire today! Tackles, Gained Yards, great blocks,he played hard and aggressive! Went right from a handoff into an awesome block! When he scored I had to remember that I was holding Adam I was so proud and happy I was jumping up and down and likely blew my poor baby grandbaby's ears out with my yelling. Watching him play hard and aggressive brought tears to this Grandma's eyes. GOOD JOB TY! You should have seen him barrelling thru the opposing team's offensive line. He did fantastic looking for holes to get thru while quarterbacking. I kept telling baby Adam you getting this little grasshopper....

ADAM: Is walking! He does a nice little Frankenstein walk....so cute. He spent the night with us on Saturday and accompanied us to our church's Hobo Stew. He loved the hobo stew and we took the wagon so we pulled him and his little friend around in the wagon.

Upcoming events: Ghost Tales, Feast of the Hunter's Moon, Covered Bridge Festival...fun fun fun for Kim!

Friday, September 28, 2007

I LOVE MY________

One of my magazines, I think it is Good Housekeeping, and yes I know that implies that I might be interested in good housekeeping which of course I am not, usually has an interview with a celebrity and they wear a shirt that says I love my _____, and they are to fill in the blank. Some stars said "life" "family" "dog" so I made list, which is in no particular order

I love my______

God, Husband, Children, Grandchildren, mother, and co-mothers, dad and co-dad, grandma, my sisters, my neices, MYSELF (what a suprise), my climate run group, my Y friends, my job, dinner time, snack time, breakfast time (starting to see a pattern?), lucky running socks, donkey legs, asic 1110s, mp3player, sugar free jello, ability to find the cookies Jerry tries to hide, heart rate monitor, hair colorist that keeps me brunette, Earl Park Bingo Binge, Earl Park Eat Like A Pig Binge, spinning class, road trips with my sisters.... Please feel free to comment and leave your own :"I love my ____"

10 fun Kim Facts

1) I can eat an entire box of Cheese Nips in one sitting

2) I was a waitress for many years and LOVED IT.

3) I refused to go the hospital while in labor with my second son and my husband had to drag me kicking and screaming to the hospital.

4) I love Rock of Love

5) I fell asleep in the bathroom at church

6) I love the Enquirer and someday the knowlege I have gained from this magazine will pay off...I just know it.


7) I do not cry during sad movies


8) I laugh really hard at funny movies


9) I forget to shift and often take corners in 4th gear (which makes my husband cringe and say your gonna burn your tranny out)


10) I love to shop at the Dollar Tree shhhhhh that's a secret though because when most people ask I tell them my favorite store is Macy's.

Update: My newest skill acquired...Now I can run faster then tail light walks! hahahaha Tail Light a/k/a Jill

A Pondering: Why do parents ask their children if they want a spanking? I too have been guilty of this and never once did my kids say "Yes, please a really hard one" so I guess since we know the answer is gonna be no we should just stop asking.

An Absolutism from Kim: One should never never never consume an entire box of shredded wheat in one feeding.

Things one doesn't want to see: A husband with his foot in an air cast, up in a tree with a saw. If you ask what he is doing he will probably say, "Getting firewood"

Another thing you don't want to see: Your stupid dog laying UNDERNEATH the tree with the man and the saw.

Working Out: My runs have been AWESOME. Other then the two cars that tried to run me over, the dead animal I almost ran thru and big giant hill I enjoyed them so much I almost want to cry. Now don't get me wrong by awesome I do not mean speedy but rather it gave me this incredible sense of "Wow I love my life"

Well time to go I am suppose to be paying bills but just got a tad bit side tracked......

Sunday, September 23, 2007

Heart Walk and other news!

Do you remember what it was like to have this much fun?
Ahhh to be nine again!

He probably wouldn't bat an eye if Freddy Kruger held him but the clown...now that's another story.

The Heart Walk: Natalie gave a wonderful speech that brought tears to my eyes. The kids had a great time as there were clowns, a playground and games. It was such a beautiful day for a walk and what a worthy cause. Thank you to all the people that donated money for the walk!
Abby's Birthday: Abby is now a big 5 years old and so excited about all her birthday gifts. We had a nice time at the party. Grandma jumped on the trampoline...believe it or not that is a real cardiac workout if you jump pretty high. My dismount off the trampoline was a little less then graceful. Ty tried to tell me that doing a flip was easy and I should try it. I told him I would take his word for it and leaving the flipping to him. Carissa loved the trampoline and it sent her into fits of giggles (for safety nut people...the trampoline is encased by a safety net).
Fitness updates: I am on track and have completed 19.5 miles of running for this week...next week 20! I believe I am going to do the Benton County YMCA 5k this weekend as I am going to miss the Pumpkin Push. 16+ miles of biking completed! So my four day a week running plan has been so far successful!
Upcoming events: Lucas Birthday, Feast of the Hunters Moon, Covered Bridge (no men folk allowed). I am also going to be scheduling a "Family Hobo Stew" watch for details.

Tuesday, September 11, 2007

What Doesn't Kill You will Just Hurt You Real Bad

Fitness:
I have determined after watching my belly shake (I am sure to the envy of Santa) that my workout regime must be kicked up. No more running two days a week and random third days. I will run 4 days every week from now on (barring vomiting, gushing blood, headaches that want to make me gouge my eyeballs out or death). I completed my first four day week last week with much success. Monday was a short two miles, Tuesday 4 miles (dreadmill), Thursday almost 5 miles (road), Friday 4 miles (road). In addition I biked about 32 miles with my long bike being Sunday of a 9.50 and a 6 mile rides. I also did one spinning class, two power hour classes and some lifting. So far this week I logged in 2.75 on Monday, Today was suppose to be a straight 4 miles but I just couldn't get going so I switched over to 1/4 mile intervals. Running 10.35 minutes per mile on my running and then reducing to a very fast walk on the alternationg .25 mile for a total of 4 miles then I did a steady 12 minute mile cooldown MILE for a total of 5. Very little knee and foot discomfort so it is getting better. I have been riding my bike back and forth to the Y because I have a theory. My theory: If I ride then run and it hurts real bad, then on days when I just run it should only hurt a little. I have yet to test that theory. In about another month or so of the biking/running combo I will give it try and drive to the Y to do the Thursday climate run...perhaps I will be able to stop and do some shopping at the VP while I wait for the others.....
Question: Am I the only one that suffers and thinks they are dying while running?

Trivia: It has been proven by science that I actually am hotter and more tired then the other woman I run with (okay I am talking temperture) According to Runner's World the larger you are the more surface area you have to cool and of course the larger the area the harder your body has to work to cool itself thus spending my precious energy supply not on speed but on cooling. So see I am really suffering far more then they are....it is not just whining...it is science.

Strange and Unusual Sighting: A very slender man, whose wife is constantly perplexed that he eats like a pig and NEVER gains a pound, was seen at the Y WEIGHING IN! I advised that his spouse would be most unhappy if she saw him weighing in and he covered by saying "I am trying to go up!" Ha I say I bet he has a secret stash of carrots and cauliflower at the office and that is how he stays thin.

Grandchildren:
Eldest Grandchild: Went to Ty's football game and though they lost he played mighty hard and had some good plays. He was covered from head to foot in mud. He then came back to my house where we played a game of scrabble (his choice). I am so happy I have a grandchild that loves scrabble! He then played Teken with his Grandpa and that ended our day. He is ready for this weekend's Scrabble tournament so lookout family!

Middle Grandchild: Miss Carissa is quite a beauty! She loves books and Doodle Bops (which are the most demented people/characters I have ever seen). She still likes to do "the monster" to make Grandma laugh and she now no longer is scared of the wagon.

Youngest Grandchild: Happy happy boy. Smiles and his face lights up. He loves to do "the muscle man" for Grandma (will post video of that later). Will not go to Grandma if Grandpa is around. Loves to ride in his little red wagon! Thinks Grandma is his napping cot. Thought he had chicken pox but just a false alarm. He had one of those baby "mystery rashes".

Oldest Niece: Getting closer to baby time...end of December. She is having a girl (good thing as before she even knew the sex she had purchased every pink baby item she could get her hands on, this was also fueled by the soon to be Grandma (who I might add was saying "I don't know why Amanda is buying all pink so soon" while Grandma herself was buying a pink bassinet). I am so glad she is having a girl as our men folk don't pull off pink so good.

Middle Niece: Smart, funny, and currently in a crap load of trouble with her Mom. Keep it up girlie and your college fund will be used for Bond Money....just kidding Amber....they probably won't let you post bond....just kidding....hahaha don't bad mouth me on you site cause you know I love ya...

Youngest Niece: Abby Abby where do I begin...ah my young niece has a fascination with Underdog, not the current underdog but the Underdog cartoon that her Mom and I use to watch as girls. She watches it ALL the time and every time she comes over here she requests to watch it even though I have a tons of other videos. So for those of you that are lacking in Underdog education I will educate you. Underdog is a mild mannnered dog until someone is in peril. When the need arises he takes his super energy pill (which somebody pointed out means Underdog uses drugs) and he becomes caped crusader UNDER DOG with super hero powers. Underdog has a girlfriend Sweet Polly Purebred who is constantly being, kidnapped, bound, gagged, blindfolded and either tied to railroad tracks or dropped from buildings by Underdog's arch enemy (whose name eludes me at this time). Underdog always saves Sweet Polly. Personally I think Underdog should tell Sweet Polly to get in the weight room and lift and then she would not get in these situations. I also note that Underdog will not share his "stash" so that Sweet Polly could have super hero powers too. However, our hero does love love Sweet Polly and he seems happy to fly to her rescue. So upon hearing Sweet Polly Purebreds shrieks of terror and cries of "Help Help, Save me Underdog" Underdog pops his pill and and rescues his damsal in distress. So our dear sweet Abby in her obsession over Underdog has begun binding, blindfolding and gagging her stuffed animals....my sister said she looked over on the dresser and there was poor little stuffed animal blindfolded with his feet bound and paws bound behind his back. Now I know if we were nice adults we would say "Abby it is not nice to bind and blindfold your stuffed animals" but I think it is funny as heck and have been laughing my butt off everytime I think about it. I think next time Abby is doing her villineous deeds that Denise should photograph it so I can blog it. Oh...I bought her the new release of Underdog on DVD for Christmas....

The Slug: Is slowing coming back to life as she begins her walking regime.

Husband: After 6 doctors, xrays, bone scans, nerve blocks and constant trips to the doctor to treat RSD we have found that he has TORN LIGAMENTS AND TENDON. He does not have the crippling disease that he was original diagnosed with! TORN LIGAMENTS AND TENDONS! It will definetely be a long healing process and he absolutely detests his air cast but he is wearing it.

My dumb brunett moment: I thought my car was broken...would not start....had my husband take me to work. He calls me at work and asked me who taught me to drive (actually it was him!) and said I did not have my clutch pushed in all the way when I tried to start it. In defense of myself I have to say that the floor mat had crunched up behind the clutch not allowing me to clutch all the way...it wasn't like I was all weak and delicate and unable to push the clutch in.


Pumpkin Push Conflict: The Pumpkin Push is the same day as the Feast so I will not be able to do the Push but perhaps I can find a 10k before or after that.

Scrabble Tournament: The first annual Kaufman/Groleau Scrabble Tournament. This weekend! Food Served. Prizes Awarded. I have been walking around stupid all week to save my brain power (see dumb brunette moment above). I also bestowed upon Tyson my Scrabble strategy so he may be a force to be reckoned with.

Sunday, September 09, 2007

More Birthday Fun

Despite not wanting to hang out with the birthday boy because "He will slobber all over my toys", Abby is having fun!
Special Treats made for a special birthday boy! Grandma (me) made the brownie pops...tasty but alot of work!




BEING BLUE CAN SOMETIMES BE GOOD

Happy Birthday to Adam. One year old!

Monday, August 13, 2007

The Merry Go Round Does Not Stop

I have been a most busy woman, at least it seems to be that way. It is more likely that I just do not use my time wisely so it appears that I am busy. So where did I leave off? Ah the Bun Run! Since then I have had my 27th wedding anniversay...yes kids I know you can do math! My beloved bought me a spiffy new coffee maker because he knows I love my coffee (plus he hated my old one). From me he received a gift of hours of pleasure...yes the 1st season DVD of Mash. Hours of fun! In addition, he received some man scent....I love Curve for men! Aside from that my last several Saturdays have been spent training for that elusive 11 minute mile. The first Saturday of August we did hills. Up the hill, down the hill, over and over and over. Not to mention we had our 1/2 mile warm up before the hills and our cool down was a mile. Jill and I discussed, rather I griped and Jill listened that the 1 mile could not be a "cool down" as it has a big giant hill at the end and then once over the hill and to the edge of the parking lot we sprint. But she is a good friend and listens to my gripe while still keeping me going. The hills in August were much more successfull then the hills I did in July as this time I actually finished both sets of 5 without stopping to walk. GO KIMMIE! However, by the end of the day I could barely walk and had to be pulled out of my Saturn. Last week we did Sprints (for the first time) and it was quite a workout. No sprints or hills this weekend because I am heading to Cincinnati/Newport for a girls weekend with my daughter and daughter in law.

Biking: Went biking with Jill and Barb last friday. Mapped it out and it was a bout 12 1/4 miles. They have real bikes. I have a Walmart bike. The result is me about a mile behind them pumping like crazy just trying to keep them in my sight. I feel like the little fat kid that is always yelling, "Hey guys wait up". After the last ride I decided I needed a helmet, front light and rear lights (0n account of some weird hillbilly in a beat up old pickup truck honked and made a rude gesture to me) So now I am visable and I was so proud of myself for buying a helmet and actually wearing it (because I look like a goober in it). That is until somebody I know asked me where did I get my helmet and I said Walmart and he rolled his eyes and said "Oh so you wanna die slowly" So I guess that means I need to go to the bike shop and get me a real helmet, which I am sure means "expensive helmet". While I am at it might as well get an expensive bike. So kids there goes you inheritance....no post death trip to Hawaii for any of you!

The heat and humidity have been high making workouts hard. On Thursday's climate run we had to stop and walk twice to cool down. But I have to say kudos to me because last year I would not have even set foot out the door in this weather. I spent all last summer in on the dreadmill. So progress has been made.



Grandma and Grandpa spending their money at Menards: We went shopping at Menards and came home with one baby swing and one red wagon great for pulling small children in!
He loves the red wagon and had lots of fun being pulled thru the park!


Upcoming Girls Weekend:

The plan is to leave early Saturday and head out to the Newport/Cincinnati area. So far we have planned to go to the aquarium. I sure my daughter and daughter in law are doing the aquarium to humor me but....but Kendra did perk up when I told her they had penguins. To balance out the aquarium we are going to a comedy club for dinner and a show. Hopefully we will find some good outlet malls because Christmas is right around the corner! Girls Just Wanna Have Fun!!!!!!!

Jerry's Leg: The doctor has now said he does not think Jerry has RSD (which is a very good thing as RSD is a very bad thing). However, he said he has no idea what is wrong with his leg. So my poor husband has been pushed off onto another doctor. This makes 6 doctors now and no diagnosis. He goes for an MRI (which I have questioned before why they have not done one) I had to push for a bone scan. MRI is set for tomorrow and then he goes to the doctor to have it read on Wed. Keep him in your thoughts! If it proves to be my diagnois I will be hanging my shingle on the door and accepting new patients shortly!

Okay I am tired and am heading off to bed. I did my first bricklet this morning 1.7 mile bike and 1.2 mile run and then 1.7 mile bike. Tomorrow is a baby brick 1.67 bike, 3 mile run 1.67 bike. Okay that last bike will be after lifting weights so I don't know if that technically counts. I guess since Saturday I will be traveling I better get a run in on Friday then I can take Saturday off and then just swim and do the eliptical at the hotel Sunday morning (cause I know my roomies at the hotel aren't gonna be getting up at 5:30 to work out with me. So over and out for now my friends!

Question of the Week Uttered by Yours Truely: "Jill, you're doing this to beat Amy.... why the heck am I doing this? Asked during our discussion about sprints and determining why we were putting ourselves thru such pain and agony. There was no answer.

Quote of the Week by Jill: "You need to work on consistency" Nice way of saying "Quit being a slacker Kim"

You gotta love a friend that will tell you like it is but in a nice way!