running in the heat and food diaries

After a beautifully soft morning rain, it cleared up and is beautiful and sunny.  And humid!  My day was off to a rip-roaring start at about 5:20 a.m. when hubby called from the car (it`s his first day back to work after 2 weeks off), a little panicky that he had gotten gas at the swipe and go station around the corner, and then couldn`t find his visa.  Of course it was raining fairly hard at this point, but I am a good wifey (sort of...anyway...) and threw on shorts and a jacket over my tank/jammy top and jumped in the van to go see if it had fallen out of his pocket at the station.  Of course I wandered around in the rain, half asleep and without glasses to see if I could find it.  Had fun trying to find his name in my blackberry address book without my glasses, to call him to say I couldn't find it.  Headed back home, and a few minutes later he called to say he had found it, it had fallen down between the car seat and the door.  Glad he found it, but then I was up for the day.  So I opened all of the windows and made coffee, and listened to the soft rain while I checked my email and facebook.  At that point, didn't really have time for my run and didn't really feel like it to be honest.  So I decided to wait until after I dropped  Jess off at work.  And the rain cleared up to afore mentioned sunny skies.

Headed out for my run, and quickly discovered that at 8:30ish, it was already starting to heat up for the day.  In fact, I think I sweated as much during that run as I have on any yet this summer.  I even folded up my shirt and ran with my white belly exposed.  And if you know me, you know how careful I am to never expose that white belly to the world.  I have to add for your peace of mind that I run at the track, sheltered from public view by trees, completely alone.  Whew!  But I got it in, and drank a bunch of water, and did some glorious yoga stretches when I got home.  Beautiful and I feel great!

So inspired in fact, I decided to take the slipcovers off of my Poang chairs (Ikea) to throw them in the washing machine.  All part of my happiness project I blogged about yesterday.  Kind of hard to find peace when filthy slipcovers are mocking you every time you sit in the family room...but I digress.  I may live to regret taking the foam out of them.  It was like wrestling an unwilling toddler into a carseat.  I can only imagine what hell it's going to be trying to get the foam back in them!  Good thing I was still sweaty from my run.  Would have ticked me off to get all sweaty again after my shower!

Another part of my "renewal" project that is designed to bring me happiness is to tighten up my diet again.  I have been eating stuff that is not good for me or my allergies, and is not going to help to make the white belly shrink to flatness.  My ND asked me to keep a food diary for a week, and to email it to her.  Of course that request in itself has given me the kick in the a** needed to clean up my eating.  So I'm back on my strict allergen-free diet, and that includes no alcohol, no sugar, way fewer carbs (goodbye rice, my old friend!) and only 2 servings of fruit a day.  Bring on the veggies, beans and more veggies!  More water is in order too, and also the 4 cups of green tea I'm supposed to be drinking a day.  I'm thinking iced, with lots of lemon and lime.  Maybe a touch of agave syrup or stevia to make it palatable. 

I also decided when I was running that perhaps I need to give myself a break.  I have given birth to 4 babies, my tummy is NOT going to look like it did when I was 20 and childless.  At the beach the other day, I was amazed to see so many bikinis, and women who clearly were quite fine with their real women bodies (flipping the bird to the media images of what women should look like!).  If they can do it, so can I!  Maybe not publicly at first (I don`t want to blind people with my white belly!), and I do need to work up to it.  I have not worn a bikini since I was in Florida when I was 19!  Maybe its time.  I do know I won`t be trying any on at Winners though--those mirrors are likely responsible for many eating disorders and slashed wrists!  Maybe by the end of August.  So if you're planning trips to the beach later this summer, you might want to be sure you have super shaded sunglasses to protect your eyes from the glare.  There's only so much that a few weeks of  bikini top wearing on my deck can do to turn my flesh from white to lightish pinkish, beigeish.

Hope you are all keeping coolish and enjoying this all too brief glorious summer weather. 

The Happiness Project

I just started reading the book, The Happiness Project.  My best friend in the whole wide world is working on her master's thesis, and one of the books she used was The Happiness Project.  And if the happiest person in the world got something worthwhile out of it, then I'm thinking it's a read for me.  Me, who's motto could aptly be, "the season of my discontent".  In all areas of my life.  It's just the way I'm wired, I'm thinking.  Anyhow, one chapter into the book, and I've already made a connection with the author.  One of the things she tackles to increase her happiness is the clutter that comes along with families.  She talks about how freeing cleaning out her closet was, and buying nice jars for all of the little junk that her daughters accumulate (you know, like Littlest Pet Shop, and Barbie shoes!).  I almost heard angels singing!  I look around my much cluttered, untidy house and I realize that part of that niggling discontent I feel in the pit of my belly is caused by STUFF!  We have more junk than any normal person (well, as a normal person, I guess).  Hello Hoarders?!  Somedays I think we are but a hop-step-and-jump away from being featured on that show.  We collect.  And every time I've lost a grandparent in recent years, I end up with more STUFF, because I am a sentimentalist.  And because my hugely sentimental family (Mom) doesn't want it at their house, but want to keep it in the family.  And I'm an idiot.  I can't say no.

Anyhow, like the author, I need to get the stuff and clutter under control.  What is the point in spending hours exercising, yoga-ing, taking courses, etc, etc, if I don't get rid of the stuff that is cluttering not only my house, but my mind.  I know how good I will feel if I conquer this monster.  And make no mistake, it is a monster.  Ever heard Bill Cosby's act about the Blob that ate Manhattan?  The Blob is in my house.  And we're all going to be gobbled up!

One of the big clutter making things is papers.  Papers that need to be filed.  Extended health care receipts and forms.  Mixed in with lacrosse schedules.  And scholarly articles about how use of technology helps to bridge the achievement gap in literacy between boys and girls (my teacher inquiry project).  Guitar tabs for songs I've never heard of (Jackson the guitar master, always learning new songs).  Just papers.  Piles and piles of papers.

So it is my goal to conquer the clutter.  Pitch the papers we don't need, and file the rest.  Clean out the cupboards.  Take all of the kids' junk to their rooms, they can deal with it there.  Unpack the boxes in the basement that have been moved from house to house for almost 20 years. I'm thinking if I haven't missed it, I don't need it.  Take all of the unusable junk to the dump.  Take the rest to the Salvation Army thrift shop.  At this point a garage sale is the last thing I want to do, so much work, so little profit.  And then I still have to take it to the Sally Ann anyway. 

Step one in my personal Happiness Project.  I think it might take me the rest of the summer.  But it will be time well spent.  And a nice break from this *&?"/! course I`m taking.  And really, the basement is nice and cool, cleaning that disaster up will be a break from the heat, right?!

Once I get a head of the clutter, I will finally throw a coat of paint on my antique desk (I've only been planning that since Jess was a toddler.  She's going away to university in September).  Recover the cushions for the livingroom (that's only been planned since March Break).  And work on some other small painting projects.

It's only a start, but happiness is really what I'm after.  Aren't we all?

Hope you are all enjoying this glorious heat!  Speaking of happiness, spent the day at the beach yesterday, after a very hot long run at the running clinic.  The beach was pure bliss.  Georgian Bay is actually sort of warm.  Warm enough for me to go in anyway.  Seamus spent hours playing in the water, and Jackson was fairly content reading on the beach.  No major sunburns, just beautiful sunkissed skin, and LOTS of freckles.  I am polka-dotted!  But in a good way :)

Have a glorious Sunday.

Namaste.  My your peace and happiness be easily attainable.

teenagers, accutane and general bumps in the road

It has not been a great couple of weeks.  Teenage growing pains and poor decisions, coupled with disagreement over parental decisions make for some stressful times.  My son, with his father's support, has decided to begin taking Accutane for his severe acne.  I blogged about this before.  I am adamantly opposed to Accutane.  I feel that on top of some of the poor choices he's made lately, Accutane is perhaps the straw that will break the camel's back.  Or cause me to have a nervous breakdown.  I cannot condone taking a medication  that requires signed parental consent.  The possible side effects are horrendous and possibly damaging long-term.  "But the doctor says...."  Does anyone else realize that the studies she quotes are funded by the companies that produces these horrible drugs?  Seriously.  Is it possible that I'm the only adult in this equation who researches studies that are NOT funded by pharmaceutical companies??  And does anyone really believe that I do not have my child's best interest at heart?  I am not amused.  In the least. 

But, I am maintaining my running schedule, and even did an easy run this morning that is optional on the plan.  Yes folks, I am running even when I don't have to.  True story.  To add an additional truth, I think it may well have saved my sleeping husband's life.  The urge to smother him and smash large objects over his head in his slumber were very difficult to quell.  So I went running instead.  I'm considering buying a heavy bag to kick and punch the stuffing out of too.  Shim would really like one, we could both take our aggressive urges out on it.  But then I might spend all of my time in the basement.  Might be safer for everyone involved.

Sorely missing my yoga class.  Still sad it was cancelled for the summer.  Home practice is just not the same.  But I will keep practising at home, even though it's not as fun.  I think my dog laughs at me when I do it, but she deserves a good laugh now and them too!  :)

I just want to say, God bless the parents of teenagers everywhere.  If you are navigating the parenting waters I am currently (haha, get it?  current/water....) then you deserve a medal.  Getting through this shite realtively unscathed is truly miraculous.  And you should get a medal and a large cash prize.  I'd even settle for a nice chilled bottle of Sauvignon Blanc and a quiet, clean house.

If you don't have teenagers, but are parenting little ones, God bless you too.  I'm sorry you are exhausted and run ragged by the busy-ness of young children, but please savour it.  You will someday get more sleep, but never again will you be able to control the environment in which your chicklets live.  And having that control and ability to protect them is something to be savoured.

Wishing everyone summer blessings, I hope you are enjoying this beautiful summer weather.  The sunshine has been truly brightening my day.
Namaste.

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I love summer!

A little update on summer so far:

Running is going well!  So pleased to be doing so well with my new running program.  I am thrilled that yoga has balanced and corrected some tight areas of my body, and running is soooo much more accessible to me.  It is my goal to be able to run 5 k inhaler-free.  Not there yet, but on the way.  Woohoo!

Received an email from the lovely Sarah cancelling the summer yoga session due to lack of enrollment.  I almost cried, I was so bummed out.  I absolutely love going to yoga, it is my break, my thing that I do on my own without anyone from my family.  I love my family, but it helps keep me sane to have time away.  I know I HAVE to practice at home.  There is nothing stopping me but myself.  Time to break out Shiva Rea and Eoin Surfer-yoga dude dvds and get my asana on.  I`m also going to do some drop-in classes at Buddha Rider.

Started new course, so far, so good.  Very enjoyable, but yet again I am one of the more experienced (that means older!) teachers involved in the course, and while I enjoy the enthusiasm of the youngers teachers, some of their pie in the sky ideas about education can be a little irritating.  I try to be understanding, but sometimes--puleeze!  Let`s be realistic folks!

Rick and I went for a drive to Brampton to the car dealership to have his car looked at, test drove an SUV.  Couldn't make the numbers work.  So we stopped at another dealership to test drive a mini-van, and left having bought a van!  Not thrilled to be driving a van again, eco reasons, etc., but it is going to be sweet not listening to the kids fight about being in the middle of the backseat.  We will no longer look like the clown car at the circus with all of these huge people getting out of a tiny little car.  My over 6 foot son will no longer have his knees up around his ears riding in the backseat.  And the kids are thrilled that they'll be able to invite a friend to come places with us, since we'll have enough room.  I haven't driven a van since Shim was just a little guy, I did kind of think that part of my life was over, but once again I will fit in with the young mommies driving a mini-van :)

Hope everyone is enjoying these blissful, easy days of summer,
Namaste

good run

The running clinic this morning went really well and I was feeling great.  Then I went for an overdue haircut.  Thought I'd try something different, time for a change.  Let's just say it's a good thing hair grows.  I remember why I've had the same haircut for about 7 years--it works.  This does not.  I'd like to say I'm not vain, but that apparently would be a lie.  I'm hoping it will look better once I've styled it myself.  Oh well, it was my choice to get this cut.

I'm trying to get the good run energy back.  Tomorrow will be a better day--at least for hair I hope.

bittersweet

Yesterday was the last day of school with students.  Today is the last day for teachers.  I am thrilled.  But also a little sad.  My last day with my "squirrels", whom I love dearly.  And also a little sad because there are people with hurt feelings and feeling sad.  And I can't change that for them, no matter how I wish I could.  I do think it is a very powerful message that I am being sent, reminding me to treat others with the kindness they deserve, and to think outside myself.  Because the hurt feelings have been caused through a lack of consideration, and not likely through maliciousness.  I say not likely, because I can't see in the heart of others, but only judge by their actions.  I for once am not the cause of the hurt, but the friend who is trying to help. 

Also sad because a couple of colleagues are moving to new schools, and I will miss them.  Yep, we all will.  Their new schools are super lucky.

I didn't get my run in yesterday, but I did have my massage and I made it to small group at church.  I will run today-I'm just not sure when!  I'm feeling good about running, and I'm determined to keep up with the clinic program--so run I must :)

I'm looking forward to some lazy days.  And going to the beach.  I can almost feel the sand between my toes.  Of course I will take some books--some professional reading, and some fluff.  I can't wait.  My hubs starts 2 weeks of holidays tomorrow too.  Maybe we'll actually get a day or two away on our own.  Surely the offspring can cope?!

I have imagined and planned a number of projects for the summer.  Look forward to some pictures.
Have a glorious day.
Namaste.