There is a woman at my gym who made me cry today. Not a sad cry or a cry of pity, but a triumphant, joyful, and celebratory cry. I do not know her personally, yet, but I have often see her walking around the track when I am running on the treadmill or using the bikes.
Over the past few months she has been battling breast cancer. I have watched her go through the same sequence as several of my friends -- wearing scarves to cover a bald chemo head, unnaturally pale complexion, strained expression, pink-ribbon clothing. I missed her for a few weeks early this summer, and then spotted her on the track again a few weeks ago, very gingerly walking around the track doing some gentle arm exercises, definitely recovering from a mastectomy. When I first saw her, I thought to myself how awesome she was for coming out to the gym and getting back into the swing of things. I also noticed a hat had replaced her scarf.
Last week, I saw her again, still walking around the track, a wee bit speedier this time, still wearing her hat.
Today, I saw her again, and then I think I witnessed one of the most amazing things ever. She was walking around the track for a few laps, and then out of nowhere, she took off her hat, tilted her head back and beamed the most wonderful full smile I have ever seen. I can only wonder what she was thinking, but I am hoping she was thinking that she is a champion and brave and strong. With her hat now off and tiny hairs growing back in, she walked around the track, arms pumping, moving FAST. Her smile didn't fade. It was truly mesmerizing. Had she caught my eye, I would have given her two thumbs up or a salute. But, she was completely caught up in her own moment. And I am glad I witnessed it.
Aside from making me tear up on the treadmill and giving me some much-needed perspective on life, she reminded me that I had been delinquent in donating to my friend's 3-day breast cancer walk to raise money for breast cancer research. If you would like to make a difference too, you can donate HERE (3-Day Walk, Susan B. Komen Foundation -- click the pink button on top left).
Thursday, July 29, 2010
Tuesday, July 27, 2010
NCAA ELIGIBLE!!!!
Monday, July 26, 2010
Race Day
Yesterday was a big day for me, RACE DAY. I've been training for a sprint-length triathlon for the better part of the year, and yesterday was finally the time to see if all the work-outs paid off. I did the Patriot Triathlon held in Bath, PA. The race was a 650-yd swim, 13.3 mile bile, and a 3 mile run, and I entered with one of our close friends (and Scott's long-time buddy from grade school), Kevin. I have only ever raced one other triathlon, the New Jersey State Triathlon, way back in 2006 (pre-Ben), so it took some doing to wrestle my body back into triathlon shape.
Overall, I am really pleased with how the race went. I completed the course and received a neat finisher's medal (and also a cool vented running hat and wicking T-shirt -- excellent race goodies!). It was brutally hot on the bike ride, even though the race started at 7:30am. Fortunately, the run portion of the course was held on a shady road. The bike course was described as "gently rolling hills", which were far from gentle as far as I am concerned, although maybe they would have seemed gentle if the temperature or humidity had been lower.
After studying the race results in more detail, I was surprised and happy to learn that I won the swim portion of the race for my age group and also came in 5th overall for women on the swim. However, even with a slick road bike, I dropped considerably back in the rankings in the bike portion (which I knew as I saw people whizzing by me during the race), so I will have to train harder and/or more frequently on the bike if I do another triathlon in the future. The run went as well as I hoped it would, a pace 8:45 minute miles. I ran a little faster back in 2006, but a lot has happened to my body since then! After the race I even got to enjoy a fun family picnic up in the Allentown area, and after racing in the morning, I ate the best fried chicken of my entire life.
So, what to do now? Sign up for another race? Kick back and relax? I have to admit that I'm tempted to race again, even as painful as the bike ride was. The Marshman Triathlon looks tempting (although a "moderately hilly" bike course sounds a wee bit terrifying after experiencing "gently rolling"). Hmmm.
Overall, I am really pleased with how the race went. I completed the course and received a neat finisher's medal (and also a cool vented running hat and wicking T-shirt -- excellent race goodies!). It was brutally hot on the bike ride, even though the race started at 7:30am. Fortunately, the run portion of the course was held on a shady road. The bike course was described as "gently rolling hills", which were far from gentle as far as I am concerned, although maybe they would have seemed gentle if the temperature or humidity had been lower.
After studying the race results in more detail, I was surprised and happy to learn that I won the swim portion of the race for my age group and also came in 5th overall for women on the swim. However, even with a slick road bike, I dropped considerably back in the rankings in the bike portion (which I knew as I saw people whizzing by me during the race), so I will have to train harder and/or more frequently on the bike if I do another triathlon in the future. The run went as well as I hoped it would, a pace 8:45 minute miles. I ran a little faster back in 2006, but a lot has happened to my body since then! After the race I even got to enjoy a fun family picnic up in the Allentown area, and after racing in the morning, I ate the best fried chicken of my entire life.
So, what to do now? Sign up for another race? Kick back and relax? I have to admit that I'm tempted to race again, even as painful as the bike ride was. The Marshman Triathlon looks tempting (although a "moderately hilly" bike course sounds a wee bit terrifying after experiencing "gently rolling"). Hmmm.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Mt. Vernon Place, Baltimore
We just returned from a mini 2-day vacation to Baltimore, Maryland to visit my parents and to do a little sight-seeing with the kids. On Thursday night, my parents were kind enough to babysit so Scott and I ate dinner (alone!) in Little Italy and then took in an O's game. The Orioles are currently working on their worst record ever, so naturally they lost (actually, the opposing pitcher threw a complete game shut-out, ouch) but we were treated to not one, not two, but ejections of three Orioles players AND a fan running around the field for four long minutes. Four full minutes, as confirmed by the Baltimore Sun newspaper, which commented on the event by saying the Baltimore police "gently corralled" a fan on the field. It was so hot the police just let the kid run around until he was exhausted, and then slowly walked him away. Actually, I think the kid finally left the field because the home plate umpire took off his mask and yelled at the kid and scared him off the field.
The highlight of the trip for the kids was a visit to the Port Discovery Museum in Baltimore, which is the Baltimore Children's Museum. It is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and has all sorts of hands on exhibits, like a convenience store, mystery house, Egyptian maze, water lab, and delicatessen. By far the favorite exhibit was called "Kids' Works" which is a 3-story urban treehouse and rope maze. The kids climbed for at least an hour, probably longer. If you are ever in Baltimore, we highly recommend taking the kids for a visit.
The highlight of the trip for the kids was a visit to the Port Discovery Museum in Baltimore, which is the Baltimore Children's Museum. It is A-M-A-Z-I-N-G and has all sorts of hands on exhibits, like a convenience store, mystery house, Egyptian maze, water lab, and delicatessen. By far the favorite exhibit was called "Kids' Works" which is a 3-story urban treehouse and rope maze. The kids climbed for at least an hour, probably longer. If you are ever in Baltimore, we highly recommend taking the kids for a visit.
Caroline and Ben in Rope Maze
The highlight of the trip for Scott was probably the O's game, but a close second was a short visit to Mount Vernon Place, which is four city block monument to George Washington. I cross-stitched a Mt. Vernon Place picture for my godmother back in high school, and she returned the picture to me when she downsized her house. We were unpacking some more boxes recently and Scott decided to hang the picture in the kitchen and wanted a family picture at the monument to hang with it. So, we visited the monument and got the shot.
Mount Vernon Place
Inherited Cross-Stitch Picture
(I would like to note that I am not 100% sold on this particular style of decorating yet, but it made for an interesting outing)
The highlight of the visit for me was a dinner of delicious, spicy, hot steamed crabs and a chocolate snowball for dessert. I even got the sticky weird marshmallow on top of the snowball, just for fun. Yum yum yum. I know all you Baltimore locals are now jealous.
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
Sugar Sugar Sugar Sugar
Is anyone else out there bothered that you cannot go anywhere without your kids (or yourself) being offered candy or see giant displays of candy? While I do love junk food, I have some small sense of self control. More importantly, I understand the connection between eating candy and obesity. My children, particularly 3-year old Ben, do not understand this concept yet.
Complete a one-hour gymnastics class? Lollipop!
Find the hidden object at the library? Lollipop!
Doing any banking? Lollipop!
Go to the gym? Pretzel rod! (yes, not technically candy)
Grocery checkout line? Full candy display!
Buying office supplies at Stapes? Full candy display and/or lollipop!
Enter any store? Candy! Chips!
I am really tired of always the "mean" mom that has to say NO NO NO NO NO NO all the time and fruitlessly trying to explain about how eating healthy gives you a healthy body. Of course Ben doesn't care about being healthy yet, he's 3. He just wants a lollipop. We just got back from the LIBRARY where Ben just had a total meltdown about me not letting him have a lollipop. Candy at the library? Isn't food in the library against one of the cardinal book rules anyway?? Of course we got the mean library lady glares. Since Abby was in the middle of checking out her books, the glares went on and on and on. And, worse, now that Ben knows there are lollipops at the library, I can look forward to this particular temper tantrum each and every time we go to the library for the foreseeable future. Fabulous.
Complete a one-hour gymnastics class? Lollipop!
Find the hidden object at the library? Lollipop!
Doing any banking? Lollipop!
Go to the gym? Pretzel rod! (yes, not technically candy)
Grocery checkout line? Full candy display!
Buying office supplies at Stapes? Full candy display and/or lollipop!
Enter any store? Candy! Chips!
I am really tired of always the "mean" mom that has to say NO NO NO NO NO NO all the time and fruitlessly trying to explain about how eating healthy gives you a healthy body. Of course Ben doesn't care about being healthy yet, he's 3. He just wants a lollipop. We just got back from the LIBRARY where Ben just had a total meltdown about me not letting him have a lollipop. Candy at the library? Isn't food in the library against one of the cardinal book rules anyway?? Of course we got the mean library lady glares. Since Abby was in the middle of checking out her books, the glares went on and on and on. And, worse, now that Ben knows there are lollipops at the library, I can look forward to this particular temper tantrum each and every time we go to the library for the foreseeable future. Fabulous.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Knock, Knock
Ben has re-discovered the joy of telling knock knock jokes, and is now forcing me to participate in a seemingly endless array knock knock jokes each and every time we get into the car. Unfortunately, Ben has not yet found a sense of humor, so this knock knock phase is getting a little painful. Here's just a little sample of the drive to the gym today:
Ben: "Knock Knock"
Mom: "Who's there?"
Ben: "Tree"
Mom: "Tree who?"
Ben (laughing hilariously): "Tree Flower!"
Mom: "Ben, that's not funny."
Ben: "Knock Knock"
Mom (sighing deeply): "Who's there?"
Ben: "Door"
Mom: "Door who?"
Ben (laughing more hilariously): "Door window!"
Mom: "Seriously, Ben, that's not funny."
Ben: "Knock Knock"
Mom (weeping on the inside): "Who's there?"
Ben: "Insert random noun"
Mom: "Random noun who?"
Ben (hysterical belly laugh): "Random noun, Random noun!"
Mom: "Ben, can I tell you an actual joke now?"
Mom: "Knock, Knock"
Ben: "Who's there?"
Mom: "Who."
Ben: "Who Who"
Mom: "Hey, there's an owl in here now."
Ben (side-splitting laughter): "Mom, that's a FUNNY joke."
(Ben then tells another 20 or so of his version of the knock knock joke)
Please pray that this phase ends before our 3 hour drive to the beach....
Heard at the house today:
Caroline: "Mom, can you get me a paper towel, I made some milk drips."
Mom: "Just use a cloth towel, dear."
Caroline (ecstatically): "Oh, wait! Here's a paper towel right here on the floor! Oh boy! This is going to be a GREAT DAY!" (This was the happiest I've heard Caroline in two days?! I guess I should not pick up paper products off the floor more often???)
I seriously do not get what makes these kids tick sometimes...
Ben: "Knock Knock"
Mom: "Who's there?"
Ben: "Tree"
Mom: "Tree who?"
Ben (laughing hilariously): "Tree Flower!"
Mom: "Ben, that's not funny."
Ben: "Knock Knock"
Mom (sighing deeply): "Who's there?"
Ben: "Door"
Mom: "Door who?"
Ben (laughing more hilariously): "Door window!"
Mom: "Seriously, Ben, that's not funny."
Ben: "Knock Knock"
Mom (weeping on the inside): "Who's there?"
Ben: "Insert random noun"
Mom: "Random noun who?"
Ben (hysterical belly laugh): "Random noun, Random noun!"
Mom: "Ben, can I tell you an actual joke now?"
Mom: "Knock, Knock"
Ben: "Who's there?"
Mom: "Who."
Ben: "Who Who"
Mom: "Hey, there's an owl in here now."
Ben (side-splitting laughter): "Mom, that's a FUNNY joke."
(Ben then tells another 20 or so of his version of the knock knock joke)
Please pray that this phase ends before our 3 hour drive to the beach....
Heard at the house today:
Caroline: "Mom, can you get me a paper towel, I made some milk drips."
Mom: "Just use a cloth towel, dear."
Caroline (ecstatically): "Oh, wait! Here's a paper towel right here on the floor! Oh boy! This is going to be a GREAT DAY!" (This was the happiest I've heard Caroline in two days?! I guess I should not pick up paper products off the floor more often???)
I seriously do not get what makes these kids tick sometimes...
Monday, July 19, 2010
Recipe: "Fun" Burgers (and Grocery Shopping)
"FUN" Burgers are grilled portabella mushrooms topped with garden fresh tomato, roasted red pepper, fresh mozzarella, and a little pesto sauce served on a whole wheat bun. These summer burgers are a nice alternative to traditional beef burgers -- filling, juicy, and quite tasty! I should note that the name "FUN" burger (selected by Abby) is short for "Fungus" burgers, but the full name isn't nearly as appealing for a recipe title is it?
FUN Burgers
(my own creation)
Ingredients:
- Portabella Mushrooms (1/person), stems removed
- Thick slices of garden ripened tomato
- Fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- Roasted red pepper (we grilled ours, but you could use canned)
- Prepared pesto sauce (or you could use a bunch of basil leaves and a little oil)
- Whole wheat burger buns
1) Fire up the grill or heat up a grill pan.
2) Lightly brush the top of the mushrooms and peppers with olive oil.
3) Put the pepper and mushrooms on the grill (gill side facing coals) for 5-7 minutes. Flip everything and cook another 5-7 minutes. When the mushrooms are soft and mushroomy juices are collecting on the top, add a spoonful of pesto sauce into each mushroom top and then add slices of mozzarella and tomato into the tops and let cook for another 2 or 3 minutes to melt the cheese (put the lid on the grill for this step to melt faster).
4) Remove "Fun" burgers from grill; add the red peppers and enjoy!
5) Try again sometime with other vegetables -- you could add spinach leaves or grilled zucchini or eggplant or whatever vegetables you would like to layer on top of melted mozzarella.
Onto a totally different topic....grocery shopping has just gotten a whole, whole lot more fun in the greater Malvern area better because yesterday the Cadillac of grocery stores has finally opened its doors. Sunday was the grand opening of our new WEGMANS. And, even though I knew it would be insanely crowded (and it was), I took the whole family to wander around the store and marvel at its immenseness (and also to try all the delicious free samples). We snacked our way through the entire store -- trying triple creme bree on some kind of French bread, ultimate chocolate cake, blueberry/cranberry bread, corn pops with raspberry jam, etc., etc. It is now my very closest and already my most favorite grocery store, and I am ridiculously happy!
Yes, I do know that it is a wee bit pathetic to get this excited about food shopping. Yes, I know that the prices are not quite as low as those at Giant when on 'Bonus Buy'. But, the regular food prices are the same as Giants' and what a glorious difference in attitude towards food. The produce is fresh and featured! It is shopping where food is celebrated, instead of the regular grocery shopping drudgery. And, in only one more week, Target is opening right next store. I'm in mom-shopping bliss over here!!!!
FUN Burgers
(my own creation)
Ingredients:
- Portabella Mushrooms (1/person), stems removed
- Thick slices of garden ripened tomato
- Fresh mozzarella, cut into 1/2-inch slices
- Roasted red pepper (we grilled ours, but you could use canned)
- Prepared pesto sauce (or you could use a bunch of basil leaves and a little oil)
- Whole wheat burger buns
1) Fire up the grill or heat up a grill pan.
2) Lightly brush the top of the mushrooms and peppers with olive oil.
3) Put the pepper and mushrooms on the grill (gill side facing coals) for 5-7 minutes. Flip everything and cook another 5-7 minutes. When the mushrooms are soft and mushroomy juices are collecting on the top, add a spoonful of pesto sauce into each mushroom top and then add slices of mozzarella and tomato into the tops and let cook for another 2 or 3 minutes to melt the cheese (put the lid on the grill for this step to melt faster).
4) Remove "Fun" burgers from grill; add the red peppers and enjoy!
5) Try again sometime with other vegetables -- you could add spinach leaves or grilled zucchini or eggplant or whatever vegetables you would like to layer on top of melted mozzarella.
Onto a totally different topic....grocery shopping has just gotten a whole, whole lot more fun in the greater Malvern area better because yesterday the Cadillac of grocery stores has finally opened its doors. Sunday was the grand opening of our new WEGMANS. And, even though I knew it would be insanely crowded (and it was), I took the whole family to wander around the store and marvel at its immenseness (and also to try all the delicious free samples). We snacked our way through the entire store -- trying triple creme bree on some kind of French bread, ultimate chocolate cake, blueberry/cranberry bread, corn pops with raspberry jam, etc., etc. It is now my very closest and already my most favorite grocery store, and I am ridiculously happy!
Yes, I do know that it is a wee bit pathetic to get this excited about food shopping. Yes, I know that the prices are not quite as low as those at Giant when on 'Bonus Buy'. But, the regular food prices are the same as Giants' and what a glorious difference in attitude towards food. The produce is fresh and featured! It is shopping where food is celebrated, instead of the regular grocery shopping drudgery. And, in only one more week, Target is opening right next store. I'm in mom-shopping bliss over here!!!!
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