"If you live properly, the dreams will come to you..."

This is always a good, and much needed, attitude adjustment for me every now and then!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji5_MqicxSo

A tired weekend...

This weekend has been one of much physical labor...I think we are already wishing for a weekend to rest up from the weekend!! Of course who doesn't usually need that?

Friday I spent a chunk of the afternoon re-arranging the living room. We don't have curtains in the living room yet, which makes the very little time we do spend watching TV difficult due to the glare on the screen. So, I was able to arrange that to be in a corner and the couch to be facing the window-a nice view of the pond while reading a book and drinking morning coffee! Also...a little more 'child friendly'. Our computer was just a little too tempting for Gabbie to play with, so its now in a corner where the cords and outlets are out of reach. Saturday was spent weaning baby calves-always a fun job-and moving the remainder of the items from upstairs to the livestock trailer for temproary storage. Good thing we had a 3rd person to help. I handed the items out the window to Brice, who handed them down to his friend Brandon to load into the trailer. Somehow amongst the trim pieces, closets (everything is being saved to put back in later) there were also 3 bed frames and 3 or 4 matressess, which need to find homes before the mice use them as a home, and a few chairs. Other furniture is sitting in corners of the main floor, and memorabilia items went in places of the basement we are hoping water does not find. I have a problem with the cluttered look...I feel I did a good job this weekend of making lots of things look like they belong...

Doesn't it look like the middle of the dining room is a good place for these items? :-)

The tractor in the front yard seems normal after a messy winter and now house projects!

I do love our house, but I will be glad when we can spread out a little by using the upstairs. I am mostly looking forward to not having to tip-toe around while Gabbie is sleeping, maybe we'll be able to manage a consistent bedtime before 9:00pm and a happier child in the morning? Its worth a try!

We attended a couple graduations on Saturday night...Gabbie decided she was going to steal someone else's food. Guess we hadn't fed her enough?!

Sunday was a day of yardwork, and I was glad Brice did the majority of this today. He is much better with the lawn mowing and trimming than I am. I'm usually a little hesitant of hitting something. Gabbie and I spent some time in the garden-I don't have those pictures downloaded yet. I would go down a row with the hoe and she would follow next to me! I lost a few onions in the process, but I'm not going to scold someone who likes hanging out in a garden with me.

I was also able to get a long run in thanks to Brice's mom watching Gabbie. I think it was a little over 9 miles. Its been difficult to stick with the training for the upcoming Dam to Dam with my knee pain and our crazy schedule and the windy conditions making running with the stroller difficult. So today was a good confidence builder, as I even did it non-stop. Those long runs are good for gathering and organizing thoughts, relaxing, and coming home a happier and better Mommy and wife! It would probably be easier to just drink a few glasses of wine, but so far the running mode seems healthier.

Here's to a great upcoming week, continued progress in the field, and a continued safe and healthy Spring!

My first ever Triathlon

Hooray! I've always wanted to try a triathlon, but I also thought it would be one of those things I would talk about and never do. A couple months ago the opportunity came up-a local one with shorter distances (a "spring triathlon"). It consisted of a 300 yard swim (6 laps), 25 K bike (15.5 miles), and a 5K run (3.1 miles). The day started out a little rocky...on the drive up there I came upon a detour which took an extra 20 minutes or so, then the anxiety kicked in of realizing I had no clue what I was doing. Where do I start? Where do I put my bike? Just how in the heck does this all work?
I do not have any fun pictures to post, as I usually go to these 'events' (runs, etc) on my own and selfishly call them my "Melanie days". I jam out to 80's and 90's hits in the car during the drive, usually find a place to do a little shopping, then head home exhausted and refreshed at the same time. So, no one along to take pics. Anyway, the swim was indoors with a 'staggered' sort of start, everyone had their own start time based on the time we had turned in for the swim. Slower people went first-so, based on that I was 3rd in line of 250 or so participants! I've always been a slow swimmer, no surprize to me.

The swim went great and I was slightly impressed with myself. After that we ran outside a bit, then into a gym. Something weird about running outside in my swimsuit on a windy day, but at least I looked like an idiot with everyone else and not alone. Since I've basically lost any competitive drive I ever may have had, I chatted with someone who was waiting their turn for the swim while I prepared myself to get on my bike. Everyone else was hustling, even jogging with their bikes out the door. I was thinking to myself "if these people were 40-50 years older I would have so much business...I was also thinking about how totally inexperienced I must have looked. Everyone had tools near their bikes to make any repairs needed. I was just glad I'd remembered the required helmet!

I thought the bike would be the easy part, though I have not been doing much bike riding. Here is how the bike went (it was very windy this morning):
Miles 1-6: Wow, what a beautiful day for a ride! The countryside here is so pretty, good temperatures, won't be long and I'll be running.
Mile 7: Oh...we've been with the wind this whole time, and the course is out and back...this isn't looking so great....I wish I had my I-pod...
Mile 8: Do I have to turn around!?! Okay, you can do this...you used to run further than this bike ride amounts to, c'mon old lady...
Mile 9: There sure are a lot of cattle around here...there are a lot of bales sitting there...maybe if I hadn't broken the baler last year we would have had more too...maybe I can time another maternity leave for the fall so I can be home to help with that this year...no...too late...
Mile 10: Seriously that has to be the 20th person who has passed me....what is with the skinny bike tires? Maybe that's my problem....wrong kind of bike...
Mile 11: I still wish I had my I-pod...
Mile 12: How can my body be cold from being damp, but my legs are on fire? Seriously burning...
Mile 13: Okay...there is a sherriff at the next intersection...if I just explain to him that I just can't finish this...will he be mad at me for doing this while not being in shape for it, or will I get a ride back to town?
Mile 14: 3 numb toes on the left...haven't had that since my epidural while in labor, and I'm starting to think that was easier...way easier...
Mile 15: Okay-this is the part I've been waiting for....I can get off this bike and run!
So...turns out the bike ride was hard, but I found the transition from sitting on my behind bent over for that long to upright running was even tougher. Here's how the run went:
Mile 1: Forget form...just do what you gotta do and don't stop...
Miles 2 & 3: Awesome :) Runners high....this is something I actually know how to do, and feel comfortable with...

Overall this was a great experience. I need to step out of my comfort zone once in awhile and try something new. The wind was hard to deal with on the bike-never felt like I had that much trouble even on Ragbraii. Its always so amazing how everyone cheers each other on and plugs away to the finish, and all the volunteers that go into running such an event is huge-they were all great :)

The other great part-I was close to Sioux City, so why not do a little shopping? 2 or 3 stores and I was so tired-just did enough to get upcoming shower, wedding, and graduation gifts. I was most disappointed in my poor endurance for shopping today!

The best part-coming home to my favorite 18 month old just as she woke from a nap :) Now its time for me to try again to go to sleep...the leg discomfort and feeling of excitement both seem to be keeping me awake tonight (and my online search for another triathlon)!

Momma Hundling's Day off

I had the day off this week on Thursday, and what a much needed and beautiful day to be home! The day started off with a run before the wind became too annoying. I came home to a child who was still sleeping and a breakfast request of pancakes, to which I added caramel sprinkles-very very good! By the picture to the right it is obvious that us girls decided this would be a day we wouldn't bother to comb our hair or put crayons on our face (other than sidewalk chalk!)

We spent the morning 'spring cleaning' the kitchen, sorting through Gabbie's clothing to box up small clothes (a monthly task anymore!), and helping Brice before the rainy night started. Gabbie's naptime was good for catching up on bookwork. And we took good advantage of the wind by doing all the laundry and hanging it outside to dry! Gabbie tagged along for a home health visit and a quick trip to the grocery store to stock up on the basics. The day started with being reminded we had no bread, very little milk, and no more clean clothes, and by the end of the day we were exhausted but order had been restored!

Here is Gabbie modeling her morning attire-PJ's and boots!

C'mon Mom! Lets go shopping!

We enjoyed walking around and saying Hi to the ducks :)

Better water the flowers, then we can be sure it will rain tonight!

All of us girls had a fun day :)

We have quite the busy weekend coming up, so good thing we got our work done on our day at home! Gabbie will spend Saturday with a sitter while I go participate in my first ever triathalon...Sunday she'll hang out with Brice while I go to a wedding shower and a Discovery Toys party, then that evening we will help celebrate a First Communion. Whew! Next week Gabbie will have her 18 month pictures. She did well on her hearing test that was done this past week as well. Now if she would only learn to mow lawn we'd be on a roll :-)

Recent Happenings

The snow is gone, Spring is here, and time is flying! Things have been busy here, mostly with winter storm clean-up and getting things back in shape. The garden is half planted, just waiting for May to plant peppers, tomatoes, etc. Radishes are up already, as well as spinach. All my tomato and pepper plants are outside adjusting in the greenhouse Brice built me last year. Sure can't wait for that first tomato sandwich of the year! Gabbie has enjoyed getting her hands in the dirt as well!

We have had our first night fishing at the pond. Neighbor Tyler came to join also! Pictures will be posted soon-they are currently on my camera that I can not find at the moment (a common problem around here-good thing its a fairly cheap camera and I download frequently!). We had a great time! I always enjoy fishing, since I do not bait my own hook or take the fish off. I basically just sit and relax! The only problem is that since this night we went fishing, Gabbie feels free to run down to the pond anytime she is outdoors. I need to keep her on a leash when she's out of the house between that and the electric fence containing the cattle around here!

Some fun pictures of outdoors time-not uncommon for Gabbie to stay outside for hours at a time (and throw a tantrum when its time to come inside!)

As most people know, we "replaced" Brice's old Toyota. Found a great bargain on a Nissan. So much debating between doing that or updating the "family car" to a van or cross-over. We are thrilled with our decision, as it means an affordable car that is running well and no car payment. Gabbie (aka Mom) loves the sunroof! An added benefit: this car has a cassette player. The "family car" has a CD player. So in the morning I pick the car to take to work based on which book I want to listen to, ha ha.

Gabbie had a very brief illness this past week. Took her to the doctor with a very high temperature (103) and all they could tell was it was 'something viral'. In about 36 hours she was back to happy Gabbie, so it was thankfully short lived! She still has very little clarity to her words...lots of babbling, with inflection that sounds as if she's participating in conversation. She sits and reads books, flipping the pages and moving her fingers on the objects, but just babbling that can not be understood. We had been told at her 15 month check up to "wait and see how she is at 18 months", and we are fast approaching her 18 month birthday. We aren't ignorant to the fact that she should be saying more words by now. She definitely should be telling us when she wants milk, up, down, etc, but its still mostly a guessing game. Time flies so fast here-now getting into planting season, I hate to keep waiting if there are things we should be doing to help her. I do still believe she is just perfect otherwise-tonight after I made bars we sat on our chairs outside and licked out the bowl and the beaters!! Now seriously, does it get better than that?! (for those worried....this is a dessert recipe that calls for no eggs, so it was safe to eat the batter). I wish I could have found my camera for a picture of her chocolate covered beautiful face!

Hope everyone is having a great Spring so far! If Gabbie would leave them alone, I'd post pictures of my blooming tulips! Maybe later this week...

Home Improvement

Here are some photos of the latest house project...the upstairs. Thanks to good friend Brandon we have finally gotten things started! I spent some time this week doing clean up so the last room can be cleared out and torn apart as well. Here are some pics:

"Before"

"After"

-check out that honeycomb!

Initially (and still some now) I was not too excited about this project, though I really wanted it done. Now its kind of 'exciting' to see the bare bones of the house and see how it gets put back together. It will amount to 2 large bedrooms with lots of closet space and a bathroom. The one room is currently housing the trim to be stripped and used again and some misc. furniture, but we hope to get that moved in the next couple weeks and get that room cleared out as well. Fun times and good memories! I was looking back at my "home improvement" scrapbook and its interesting to see the changes in the past 5 years already. The other project currently in the works is getting the trim on the living room windows so we can put up curtains, hopefully before the hot summer sun starts coming in.

The bestest weekend!

We have had such a fun weekend! Gabbie is still recovering from 15 month shots and teething, but she has still been a trooper for weekend activity. Friday night we all went swimming and played in the gym, then hit the McDonalds drive through as we were too tired to get out of the car!

Saturday Gabbie and I rode with Brice to take a load of hogs to Sioux Center.

Gabbie enjoyed the truck ride! Again, lunch at McDonalds as it was the only place we could fit the truck and trailor well. I got a book finished on the way up and a nap on the way home! We went spans of time with Gabbie having no pacifier...we are trying to get rid of that thing before her 18 month birthday!

Sunday we just had to play in the mud! Hard to resist making a huge mess...

Gabbie needed her Vitamin D (she laid down on purpose, didn't fall!)

She found the best mud puddles! And yes, she did try to eat it; and no, she didn't like it!

Then we came in the house and she found her loot-2 sippies AND the pacifier! What a treasure!

I love weekends that aren't booked full and we can just play! I have been doing well this year with staying caught up on housework and bookwork, which has made the weekends much more free and fun. I'm glad Gabbie enjoyed the mud, as it seems we have many days of that ahead!