Oh the Joy...

I am surfacing from the depths of Coldnflueland.

After a day and a half of complete non-functionality, I'm back. Functioning pretty well, thank you, with a gnarly cough, queasy tummy and congestion. Oh, did I mention low energy?

That is why I am SO excited about going out trick-or-treating tonight. I can hardly wait to bundle my exuberantly excited girls into their costumes and walk around for hours in the dark, cold, wet night. Mmmm...mmmm..it's just what anyone with a lingering cold wants to do!

And then I'll get the added bonus of dealing with sugar-high kids crashing later tonight. Plus the specialness of arguing about why they can't eat all the candy they want at 9:00pm at night.

Tomorrow I look forward to tears as I explain that they can't actually eat all the candy they brought in - that some of it will be thrown or given away.

In the months to come I'll rejoice while comforting my little one from her nightmares about the scary things she saw while trick or treating.

What's not to like about Halloween?

It's that time of year...

Yep it's that time of year again.

When you child's nose begins to run. Then she starts to cough. Her cheeks are bright and her energy sluggish.

And my kids have been taught well - they know how to share.

So, now here I sit with sore throat, cough, drip, drip, drippy nose, sore neck and a strong desire to sleep. I actually took a 45 minute nap already, which was good. My mean mommy came out as I moaned, "Go away, I'm trying to sleep." and "No, I don't want to look at your art project. Go away."

Alas, more sleep is several hours away. In between now and my head hitting the pillow are picking up girls from ballet, making dinner, serving dinner and church meeting (which I will skip out of half way through).

I wish I could put an invisible shield around Hubby so he doesn't have to get this darn thing. It's always harder on him, because he like NEVER takes a sick day. He just slogs through it, feeling yucky. Poor guy.

Usually I like fall. Pumpkins, apple pie, sweaters, crisp air and all that. But it seemed like in one day our weather went from warm to cold - and now I'm sick.

BLAH.

Happy Birthday Rosie!

Dear Rosie,

Today your turn the big 9 years old! WOW!!!

Who said you could get so big?

Didn't you hear me tell you to stop growing when you were two? But at least you get cuter and nicer every year, so it's OK.

I am very proud to be your mom. Not only are you kind and thoughtful, you are very funny. I love the way you play with your little sister, and how you teach her so many things. I'm sorry that she can be a pain sometimes. Thanks for helping us raise her up.

Your dedication to and passion for your sports is very inspiring. Every year you grow as a dancer and I can't wait for your show. Plus, you are becoming a pretty good swimmer as well! I was so full of pride at your first swim meet. You are a chip off the old block!

I admire the way you naturally know how to get along with people. You have an ability to say the right thing that puts people at ease. People are always telling me how sweet and friendly you are, adults and kids alike.

My hope and prayer for your next year is that you will learn more about yourself. I hope Dad and I will give you the freedom to become more of who God made you to be. You are a special girl and we love you very, very much!

Happy Birthday!

Love,

Mom

P.S. One year until double digits!

My Top 10

Here they are (I know you've been waiting for them!).

Top Ten Historical Figures
(with whom I'd like to spend the day)

1. Jesus
2. Elizabeth I
3. John Adams
4. Archimedes
5. Paul (not McCartney! you know, as in "Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?")
6. Benjamin Franklin
7. Eleanor of Aquitaine
8. Patrick Henry
9. Abigail Adams
10. Thomas Jefferson

So my secret is out. I'm overly fond of the Founding Fathers and all things American Revolutionar War.

Runner's Up included: George Washington, James Madison, Helen Keler, Galileo, and Ruth Wakefield (inventor of chocolate chip cookies).

Does anyone else even want to spend time with historical figures?

Or am I just wierd?

How bad is it?

OK - so I totally stole borrowed this graph from another blog - but I thought it was interesting!

It makes me wonder if things are really as bad as we are being told.

What do you think?

John Adams is so cool.

If I could spend a day with a historical figure, John Adams would definitely be in my top 10.

ARG is doing an essay about responsibility, and I've been helping him research Founding Fathers who embodied that virtue. I found a book review I wrote a few years ago on John Adams and the Spirit of Liberty, and read my essay with fresh eyes. It was pretty good!

But aside from feeling proud of myself, I was struck again with what an awesomelysupercool guy Adams was. Here are a few reasons I think he merits that superlative:

- He was arguably THE most influential guy in terms of declaring independence from Great Britain, His reasoned and passionate speech at the Continental Congress was so powerful, it "moved us from our seats" (Jefferson) and convinced the delegates to vote for independence.

- Intellectually, he was a giant. His writings provided the foundation for the creation of our constitutional republic. He wrote the book (literally) on how to create a Constitution - and the reasons why. His passion was studying the forms of government, and understanding which ones (the ones based on the reality of human nature) were most likely to endure. Did you know that he wrote the Massachusetts constitution - the oldest working written constitution in the world? They're STILL using it!

- He believed that "Nature and truth or rather truth and right are invariable the same in all times and in all places." Amen.

- He recognized his own desire for fame, but he knew the difference between acting honorably, and simply being honored. Time after time he sacrificed his own success in order to do the right thing.

- Constantly scrutinizing his own inner life, he strove to ferret out imperfections. "May I blush whenever I suffer one hour to pass unimproved." Can you imagine the implications of a commitment like that in your own life? Whew!

- He passionately loved his wife Abigail and was faithful to (though often absent from) her.

- His definition of "liberty" rocks. Liberty is "freedom from foreign domination, freedom from unjust government action, freedom from other individuals, and finally, freedom from the tyranny of oneself. In short, ... self-government in the fullest sense." For Adams, liberty allows people to rule themselves, so they don't have to be ruled by someone else. Love it!

- He was NOT a fan of democracy: "Remember, democracy never lasts long. It soon wastes, exhausts, and murders itself."

- He got to live his dream. Even though he knew history would not idolize him like Washington and Jefferson, he understood that he had lived at a time when the greatest lawgivers of antiquity would have wished to live. "How few of the human race have ever enjoyed an opportunity of making an election of government...for themselves and their children?" His whole life's mission was achieved at this defining moment in history, would impact million of people and their progeny, and he knew it. Pretty cool.

- He died on the same day as Jefferson: July 4 (!), 1826. Cue the Twilight Zone music. They had been great friends, then bitter enemies, then great friends again in old age. Some day I hope to have the time to read the Adams-Jefferson letters.

I just love him. He is so cool.

Which historical figure would you like to spend a day with?

Lordy, Lordy

Hi.

I'm old.

Really. I'm over the hill and heading down the backside.

Yes, I turned the big 4-0 last week. Sigh. I was 39 and holding strong for so long! But alas. It comes to us all.

Did I wake up and find new dark rings under my eyes? Actually, YES! Did I all of a sudden feel exceptionally tired and worn out? Uh, YEAH!

But perhaps I must attribute these changes to partying all night, eating rich food, dancing at the Cellar and other stuff I can't mention (gotta keep my PG rating). Clearly, I needed to recover from a late night, but it took me two full days to feel normal again. Used to just take one day. -sniff-

Hubby was a super sport and did everything I wanted on my birthday. YES - he even went ..... drum roll please..... clothes shopping! (now that is a sign of true love) And I think he had fun dancing to songs that he used to dance to in college. In fact, it kind of felt like we were back IN college. Oh wait, maybe that's because everyone else in the whole dance club was like 24 years old.

OK, I'll admit it was a bit weird. Two old fogies bopping their hearts out under the strobe light with fine young things. The only other person near our age in the club was a woman chaperoning her daughters. Yeesh. But we went with it anyways. We were silly. We had fun. And that's what counts right?

Oh, and I got an iPod shuffle. So now I can run hands-free listening to my lectures. And it's hot pink, goes with my pink running shirt, and hopefully ARG won't want to take it.

Well, it's 8:45pm. Guess it's time for bed for this old lady.

G'Night.

Best Birthday Present Ever

Yesterday I got the best birthday present I could've asked for.

I'll need to back up a bit and share a harrowing story for that sentence to make sense. About 3:00pm I got a call from my sister-in-law telling me that my mother had suffered a seizure while getting dental work. The seizure lasted a full two minutes. Then she was unconscious for a while longer. When she regained consciousness in the ambulance, she couldn't talk. That was her status when I received the call.

I remember saying things to my SIL, but I was in that place in my head again - observing but not thinking well. It took me several minutes to get my mind to function (barely) and then I began to cry. A sweet moment amidst the crisis was when ARG came to me, asking if I was OK. He hugged and comforted me as I anguished over the possibilities for my mom.

Calls to my good friend (I'm not sure if I can use her name...) and Hubby (I know I can't use his) got me rolling towards the hospital. Two hours away (at least) through Bay Area rush hour.

I never made it to the hospital though. About half way there I got a call saying Mom was awake, talking and feeling better. There didn't seem to be any sign of a stroke and they were running every kind of test on her. I decided I could drive out later (after traffic) if I was still needed and then headed back home.

The best birthday present I could ask for is that my mom is totally OK! Every test was negative. She just had a bad reaction to the pain medication the dentist gave her. Wierd, huh? I talked to her last night and she was feeling fine, and said, "Isn't this a revolting development?". This morning when I called, she had already worked out, and was going to golf in the afternoon. That's my mom. She's pretty strong.

The way my friend and Hubby so completely supported and comforted me was icing on the cake. There no "thing" someone could give me that would mean more to me than my family and friends, full of love, healthy and safe.

Amen?

Geekdom!

One cool thing about where we live - it is so techie!

Where else can Hubby take ARG to an Open Agile conference for two days. Don't know what Agile is? Don't worry. I never heard of it before a few weeks ago. It is some kind of project managment style for coding wah wah wah WAH wah (like the adults on Peanuts).

If you don't code big projects for companies, you DON'T need to know.

It was ARG's first exposure to serious geekdom. One of his first impressions:

"I was almost the tallest guy there. You know, there were a lot of short Indian guys."

He was seriuosly intrigued by the format of the day. No Agenda. They just have people sign-up at the beginning of the day on which subject they'd like to lead a discussion. Then everyone goes to whatever they want. Very flexible. Just like Agile (apparently).

I received a lengthy discourse from ARG about how Agile is so much better and lucrative than waterfall programming (huh?).

Oh no, my son has already taken on the techie-speak that I mostly don't understand! When Hubby talks work its all acronyms and code words and if you don't know them, it's a foreign language. ARG is starting to talk like that too. About all I can say is, "That's nice dear."

Of course, any event must be evaluated by a twelve year old on the merits of...... FOOD!

"Mom, they had scones and oatmeal and yogurt for breakfast. A really nice lunch. And lots of finger food for dinner. Those little quiches are great, but you feel sick after about five. I just stuck with the egg rolls after that."

I'm glad that ARG gets to go to this thing. I wonder how much influence it will have on him long term.

I'm a crazy runner (for now)

So, I've been running more lately. Last week I ran 8.5 miles! Thats the farthest I've ever run. And though I was tired, OK exhausted, I probably could have run a littler further if I had to. I am considering doing a half marathon next spring. (I feel small when I think about it) Don't know if I have it in me.

Anyhow, I've been wondering. Is it possible that running makes my thighs bigger? I mean, I've always had the buddha belly bouncing along with me, but my legs I considered "normal" size. But lately, my jeans are all getting tight in my legs! Ack! My weight is relatively stable. Maybe the fat is just repositioning itself? Who knows...

As crazy as it sounds, running is pretty cool. Before running is great. After running is supreme. The actual running is ranges from slightly uncomfortable to pretty darn painful and exhausting. But there is something in the human spirit (at least mine) that responds to improving. I like progressing. And I like that I'm trying something to avoid being a complete flabbalanche.

Being outdoors is pretty refreshing as well. When a crane gracefully floats down to land about ten feet away from me as I run down the coastal trail - well, that's pretty darn special. Staring at the ocean or the clouds or bunny wabbits scampering away - all good.

I've taken seasonsed runner Ogblay's advice and started listening to lectures while I run instead of music. It works! My mind follows the lecture instead of the painful sensations in my legs and away I go! Definitely got to get some new ones.... hint. hint.

I just hope I can keep finding the time to run. I'm so slow that to go more than a few miles I need about an hour and a half. It's hard to leave the kiddies for that long. It's not so much that I don't think they are safe, just not safe from each other. Ya know? And if it takes more over 1/5 hours to run 8.5 miles, how the heck long will it take to run a half marathon?

Oy!

No Sales Pitches Here

Yesterday I was contacted by some company asking if I wanted to review their product on my blog. For MONEY. (or a free sample). Money, people.

Does this mean that my blog has "made it"? Am I super popular now? Huh? Huh?

One look at my sitemeter and you can rest assured that I'm super popular with about 7 people.

But I thought it was funny to get a solicitation like that. I considered for about .5 seconds. I decided I don't want a blog like that. I don't want to sell things on my blog. I've been disappointed enough by blogs I thought were cool, but then posted so many ads and trials and product plugs - bleah! Who wants commercials in a blog? How is that fun?

And as my title suggests, I am Seriously Attempt(ing) to have Fun here.

So don't worry. No sales pitches here.

How did my life get so full?

A friend mentioned it would be fun for us to get together soon. Usually we visit with our whole families together as our kids are similar ages and our hubbies get along (!).

I took a look at my calendar. The first weekend I have free for a family visit is November 9. Over a month away! The first weeknight I could possible cram into my life is Oct. 30 - and that's only if I don't have to cook!

How did my life get so full?

I was one of those people who swore I would never have such a hectic pace of life. I would always make sure to have time to "chill" and be "relaxed". And I was - for lots of years.

But this year things are different. It's all my kids' fault of course. They are into too many things that require my time and energy! (not to mention $$).

Swim practice - 3 times a week
Fencing - 4 times a week
Ballet - 3 times a week
Church, church classes - 2-3 times a week (OK that one isn't on my kids).

Throw in miscellaneous haircuts, doctor's appointments, birthday parties (did someone say birthday???), swim meets and fencing tournaments and we are running, running, running!

Think I'm finding much time to train lately? Yikes. Twice a week I run if I'm lucky.

Think Hubby and I have a lot of "quality" time alone together? Ha. "How was your day?" as we're yawning off to sleep is about all we get.

It's not good. But on the other hand, it IS all good. Everything we are doing is stuff we have chosen to do. (though I'm not sure dentist appointments are something you actually choose to do). All the kids activities are superfantastic! Especially since we homeschool - the social interactions and exercise they get from their sports are invaluable. And I love my church. I love everything I do there. I lead a class. I serve on the worship team. I help on Sundays.

Instead of groaning and moaning about how hard it is, I want to frame it in a positive light. I am consciously saying, "I had a full day" instead of a "busy day" now. But when I can't schedule a visit with friends for over a month, I start to think that I've become one of "those people". You know, the ones who are always "TOO BUSY! TOO BUSY!"

I'm know it is a season of life. In less than 6 years we'll be sending ARG off to college. I'll have plenty of years (God willing) when I'm not driving here and there for my kids. So, aside from feeling slightly overwhelmed by it all, I'm trying to drink it in and experience it to the hilt.

You know what I mean?