Birkie Recap

Well I survived the darn ski race. It was quite the experience, not all of it wonderful, but overall very worth it! 

Just before departing for the weekend, I read one of Eleanor Roosevelt's famous quotes "Do something everyday that scares you." Well, this certainly captured that feeling the morning of the race. After receiving a dumping of about nine inches of fresh snow, the thermometer read three degrees above zero as we set out to ski! 

As a general rule, I won't venture out when it's below ten, but looks like I didn't have a choice on this day. So along with about 10,000 fellow racers, we donned our ski clothes and prepared to set off. I was at the very back of the pack, as I chose (one of the only WISE things I did) to ski the 12k race, the "Baby Birkie."

Many of the other racers started a couple of hours before. After stepping into skis and shedding our warm top layer, we waited for our time to depart. Our first kilometer was across an open field, with a direct head wind! Did I mention it was three degrees out? I had some serious second thoughts, but the choice to turn around wasn't much of an option, forward it was. Once we passed the field, the woods blocked most of the wind, the sun was shining, and I decided to try to enjoy the experience as a whole. I can easily say that I did!  

It was difficult terrain, mostly uphill and down, very little flat space to glide. But because of the snow conditions from the night before, and the fact I was skiing over snow that thousands before me had skied, it was like slogging through mashed potatoes! But the ski community as a whole is a smiling, friendly bunch, so I kept on slogging! I was so happy to have the finish line in my sights, and join up with other fellow finishers! And it gave me such a great sense of accomplishment that I completed something that really did scare me! That Eleanor was one smart lady. A friend asked me shortly after the race ended if I would do it again. At this point, with well over a year to prepare, I say sure, bring it on! And to borrow another great quote from Mrs. Roosevelt "I could not at any age be content to take my place in a corner by the fireside and simply look on." 

I'll just sit by the fireside after I finish the race!

Steppin' Out in Pink

Are you in the mood to kick some butt? Really stick it to something and give it a swift kick? 

Well you can get a chance to do just that this upcoming Saturday, September 7th. The thing you can put a boot, shoe, or whatever to is called cancer. The big ugly C and it's going to take a bit of a beating this Saturday for the Steppin' Out in Pink event at Gundersen Health System. 

This is an annual fundraiser to show your support for those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and to raise money for research. I have a good friend who was diagnosed just this July, another last year. How many of us can name someone close who has had to deal with this menacing disease? It's time to dig out your best pink, put your walking shoes on and go support these courageous women as they undertake the battle of their lives. My husband and I took our kids last year and it was a very festive event, one the entire family can enjoy. If you can't make it to the actual event or participate in the walk, donations are greatly appreciated. Teams are formed and you can sponsor a group walking on behalf of someone's mother, wife, sister or best friend. And how rewarding does it feel to kick some serious butt, especially when the one in particular is cancer's backside?

For more information on this fantastic event please visit Steppin' Out in Pink.

Today = 100

That's one more than 99, in case you weren't aware.

Significant? Perhaps to no one else but me. Today marks the day for my one hundredth post. Ten x ten.

I've been boring you with my blogs, and that adds up to a lot of time you could have spent doing other, more productive things! However, for myself, this has turned into a job I've come to thoroughly enjoy.

Job doesn't accurately fit the description, if you find yourself doing something you enjoy, as I've come to discover I do about writing. Some weeks I struggle to conjure up an applicable topic, or would like to inject more humor or wisdom than I otherwise do. Raising three kids, tackling daily family issues and logistics is wonderful. But writing a weekly blog has given me the freedom to express thoughts, explore various topics and tap into that creative self that has been napping too long!

So while 100 maybe just another number, to me it is a bit of a milestone. Maybe more like a stepping stone, but one that has led me on a bit of a journey of self discovery. A journey that I hope to be on for many more 100's to come!

School lunch ideas for a fussy eater

We have successfully launched the 2012-2013 school year.

My kids have done remarkably well, going to bed at a reasonable time and waking up without much a fight in the morning! I think they were needing routine and structure as much as I was!

With the school year underway the lunchtime debate is back in full swing. My son has morphed into a fussy eater. I think it happened sometime during the terrible twos, and we are slowly trying to get him to expand his palate. Baby steps.

So with a child who refuses to eat meat on a sandwich, dislikes most school choices, I have made more than my fair share of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. But I have already been told that he wants something "different" for his lunches. I really can't blame him!

I am trying to be more creative and still give him a relatively healthy lunch. I will take input at anytime from those of you in readerland. I try soup in a thermos, chili, cheese and crackers, mini pizzas on a bagel, boxes of cereal that can be eaten with his milk. We make Nutella sandwiches, to shake up the peanut butter once in a while.

I guess I rely on the philosophy that he'll eat when he's hungry and he may just discover that he actually enjoys beans and cauliflower. I can always dream.

I did and do look at websites often to try to find some inspiration for school lunches. The link below is just one of many, so if you find you are at all like me, don't despair. There are a lot of resources out there to help!


Click here for some brown bag lunch ideas...

Steppin' Out In Pink

Last Saturday was the Steppin' Out In Pink walk at Gundersen Lutheran. I am happy to say that our entire family walked.

It was even our daughter's birthday, but what a great way to celebrate!

Our family has been affected by two people very close to us, who won their battle with breast cancer. One happens to be my mother-in-law. The other is a very dear friend and a mother of two young girls.

What a terrifying diagnosis, but we will walk to honor the successful fight they and so many others have fought. This was a great community event and I was excited to participate for the first time!

It helps generate awareness and donations for future women and hopefully find a cure. So thanks to everyone who put on their best shade of pink, some comfortable walking shoes and joined us as we celebrated some courageous women and their loved ones!

TRI Like a Mother!

I've done it now.

I've gone and committed myself to competing in a triathlon this weekend.

Ok granted, I am not doing all of the swim, bike and run, I'm competing as part of a relay team. I will be the one running, sweating and cursing, across the finish line.

My husband and I are traveling to our dear friends' town this Labor Day to visit and compete in this race.

My husband will be competing in his second tri, and I have been convinced to compete as well. I love the idea of doing any type of exercise, but I also like the idea of adequately preparing for it too!

Oh well, it will certainly be a character builder and I'm sure we will have a blast during the process. At least this is what I keep telling myself. Doing only the running part, I have the least to complain about anyway.

I was also assigned the task of coming up with our team name. Every cool team needs a name! Several options were presented "The Cold Turkeys," "Momshells," "Tri Ineffectas." But the overall winner is "TRI Like a Mother."

And you can bet I will!

Here is some training advice for busy moms.

Reading...from sparks to a flame?

I am an avid reader and have been my entire life.

I can remember learning to read in kindergarten and the words just making sense. My husband and I have always read to our kids, from newborn on up, every night, without many exceptions.

So I now find myself frustrated that our oldest is a very reluctant reader. I know that reading is not yet automatic or easy for him and he struggles with this. He loves to be read to, however. We take turns reading different chapter books to him and he's a fantastic, eager listener. But so far this has not translated to reading on his own.

We have just begun the first book in the Harry Potter series and he's totally hooked! I love seeing his face light up when we get to an exciting part! Someday, hopefully soon, I hope he will do the reading to me. I'm trying to keep the subject matter interesting and constantly try to show him just how wonderful books are. Maybe Mr. Potter will be the spark that finally lights the reading flame!

Here's a link with ideas about ways to inspire kids to love reading.

It's never too late to learn!

Well I survived the Warrior Dash from this past weekend. I didn't walk away completely unscathed, a slightly sprained ankle and a large cut up the back of my leg were my warrior wounds.

Yet I took home something far more valuable. I learned that even in your mid -thirties you can do things that are unexpected, and it's such a great thing to challenge oneself. The race was a bit intimidating, but what a great feeling when we crossed the finish line! It reminded me that it may not be a race or a grueling physical test that we need, but we should push ourselves to try the unexpected from time to time. Even this stay-at-home mom of three needs some occasional excitement!

It's never too late to learn!