Consequences

"Mom, if you don't take me to 7-11 tonight to get a slurpee, then I won't go to Disney World on our trip."

"If you don't let me watch a show right now, I won't watch TV ever again."



Someone doesn't quite get it.

They've got the look

Now seems like an entertaining time to introduce you to my pets. First up are the puppies, Marley and Boone. Marley and Boone had an unfortunate meeting with a lady armed with only her shears and the crazy idea that Golden Retrievers should be groomed to look like Poodles.

Notice their bare bodies, but furry heads and feet. Poor Marley lost his tail as well.

Not to be outdone, George the Cat decided to make a statement in dirt-roll chic. He is usually pure white.

The Squishy

Look who I finally get to meet! My new niece, baby Nancy, also known as "The Squishy." Apparently she is little and soft, and (wait for it) squishy. I can't wait! I can't wait!

On other news, please check out my sister, Alisa's, blog, for pictures of world's cutest children.

iSucker

Should I be embarrassed to admit that the first music I have ever paid to download onto my iTunes is David Cook? I picked up a few other songs as well, such as Jason's "Hallelujah." I was highly motivated by the claim that they were taking the songs off iTunes as of the finale. This is also the reason for my growing collection of Disney movies and infomercial products. I am a sucker.

Also, I may be totally infatuated with David Cook. Love him.

The Outfit

So here are some not so great pictures of my fabulous outfit. As I mentioned, this outfit can take almost exclusive credit for my going through with the triathlon, and I'm so glad I did.

First, here is me heading towards the finish.

Notice the skirt in action. Do not notice the chubby legs below the skirt. Notice the 5 year old son trying to keep up with his "fast" mom. So I feel a little bad about that part, but I was sprinting for the finish. I couldn't afford to stop!

Me after the finish wearing my favorite visor. Same company. Notice the same outfit on the lady behind me to the right. She is wearing the same outfit, polka-dot version, as also worn by Nicole DeBoom here. As I predicted, the polka-dot version was very popular.

My friend, Lindsey, and me after the race.

Definitely a highlight of the race.

Sweet victory

I am a triathlete!

I will admit, I was not quite ready for this triathlon and had not trained nearly enough. Because I'm not very athletic anyway, for me it is a big deal just to get out there and try. Plus, I had invested in the outfit, so I wasn't about to back out!

I'll spare you the play-by-play, but suffice it to say I had a hard time. I signed up with my friend Lindsey, but we separated at the swim. I thought I would catch her on the bike but I never did. I was on my own and I was lonely. I didn't ever find myself in a rhythm with anyone else, and no music on the course. I had a long time to curl up with my own thoughts. There was a big hill in the first of the course that we rode up twice on the bike and then had to run. I'll be honest- that hill kicked my butt. Coming around the second loop, I briefly considered crying when I was on my way to the hill. I finished the bike wanting to feel great, but instead dreaded the run up the hill. As I was leaving the transition area, Craig called to me asking if I was ok and I could barely answer. Then my dad was there with a high five and words of advice , "Mental toughness! You can do this! This is nothing compared to a marathon!"

I started to run, and then walked, then ran. And then I met the hill for the third time. My dad would challenge me to charge the hill and this time I didn't have the heart. I was feeling a little discouraged and slow. My body was tired, but it was my head that was holding me back. From my experience with the marathon, I knew this was a mental game, and I wasn't in it. As I trudged up the hill I started thinking about whether I was mentally tough enough to do this, and that if I finished I would be a triathlete, just like I am a marathoner. And then I suddenly got it- it was all about me. And only me! It wasn't about my husband, or my kids, or my friend. It wasn't about whether I was good enough, or spiritual enough, or smart enough, or skinny enough, or fast enough. It wasn't about my work, or my house, or my to-do list, or mistakes I have made. It was just me and the run, and the only question was whether I was going to do it or not. And I got to decide. I could do it and nobody else could do it for me. I could give up if I wanted to. So I started to run, and I felt great. And then I loved it!

I met up with Heather on the run which was an unexpected boost. She was happy and totally inspirational. And she probably thought I was a little crazy because I was well into my self-coaching when I saw her, but that is ok. Because this time, it really is all about me. And I rock.

Now, click over to Heather's post for her story of inspiration and a very entertaining recap of the triathlon.

Pictures of the hot outfit to come.

I am Tri-trying!

So my very first triathlon is Saturday! In this picture you will see me with a very darling Nicole DeBoom of triathlete fame. I had to get a picture with her because she rocks and Craig bugs me to get a picture with her every time we have seen her (all of twice now), and she was very gracious of my geeky request. Since I didn't have my camera, my friend Lindsey took the picture with my phone, so it is hard to tell just how darling she is, but you could check her out here. When I asked for her picture she said that the ladies usually ask for a photo with her hubby, Ironman Champion Tim DeBoom. That is ok, because I got the picture of her for mine...


Not only is she awesome, but she started a company that makes my favorite running gear, Skirtsports. Even though I'm not a great athlete, their cute gear makes me feel fabulous and fast. I told her that her stuff was my favorite (did I gush too much or what!), and I think she was flattered and maybe almost teary.

I haven't done a great job of training for this triathlon, but my theory is that the more I invest the more committed I am (i.e. I won't back out even though it may really suck), so I had already ordered these darling triathlon top, bottom, and (most importantly) skirt, for the race. Truth be told, I'll look a little lumpy and squishy for the swim and bike (hopefully I'll be too fast for anyone to notice, ha ha), but I will look hot on the run! The only downside was that, as you can see in the picture, Nicole wore her darling gear to her presentation at the packet pickup, so the outfit was flying off the racks at the store. However, she showed off the polka-dot top and I bought the floral print skirt, so hopefully I will still stand out in the crowd. If I can't be fast, at least I'll look good.

Wish me luck!