Cost of Freedom

I am very annoyed. Why?

Well, there's this virus called EBOLA that has been killing a lot of people in Africa.

And it's making it way to my beloved USA because selfish people who come back from this region do carry it back here.

So, the one person who came down with it and came back here has DIED!!! And caregivers like nurses and anyone else nearby have contracted it and/or quarantined to prevent the spread.

Sounds reasonable because people DIE from this virus.

So why would a nurse who came back from treating those with it in Africa and asked to be quarantined for 21 days is now PERUSING LEGAL ACTIONS BECAUSE SHE WAS IN ISOLATION FOR 21 DAYS!!!! That her freedom was infringed upon? Let's see, 21 days of NOT TORTURE BUT ISOLATION...small price to pay for making sure you don't bring back Ebola and be responsible for spreading and KILLING anyone.

It's okay to help infected people in Africa but not do what you can to help ensure it doesn't spread in your own country? I am tired of misguided do-gooders who are selective about the people the are willing to hurt while trying to HELP.

I would stay in for a year if it meant making sure I would not kill an innocent bystander.

Not what you want to hear when you finally get around to reading my blog but I needed to vent this morning.

Half-Marathon

It's been five years between two officially timed half-marathon...my first in 2009 and two weeks ago. This time around, I didn't train.

I had very good intentions with my Hal Higdon's half-marathon training program, but there were summer fires, raising kids, skin problems, vacations to take and frankly I just haven't been motivated.

So in September when I noticed my longest distance had been 3 miles (yikes!) and I had already paid the fee, I quickly (okay slowly) ran seven miles. I was going to keep running long miles.

But I didn't. I stalled and life got in the way. Two weeks before the race, I had been running only two miles.

Oh well. I ran it. I told myself just finish. So I did. Finish. Only four minutes slower than five years ago.

Mind you, I am still slow in the runners' world but I did it.

I joked that I trained like a man (my friend Ron cold-turkey runs races without training) and I don't recommend this way. I did it but I was not satisfied.

I've been consistently running since. I find pleasure in completing a run. I find my day is more manageable. I find I like myself more after a run.

Cheesy. I know. How do you feel after a run?

Favorite words

Favorite words that make my kids happy or excited include:

Cousins
Ice Cream
Legos
Anything bacon
Sleepover
Minecraft
Nexus
Netflix

The Ramblin' On household has been trying a new thing for the past two months and although it's not a new concept, we've just formalized it on paper.

A chore chart.

Nothing fancy.

On the list are simple tasks like brush your teeth and changing your clothes for the day for personal hygiene. Other stuff like empty dishwasher, clean/pick-up living room and entry way, collect all laundry and take it down to laundry room.  Most importantly, read for 20 minutes.

Can all be done in an hour or less.  The boys don't earn money for doing this.

The take away message of the chore charts are three-fold: 1) I don't have to nag at them to get stuff done 2) Gives them a focus each day of what's expected of them 3) They have a better understanding of being a productive member of our home.

This has made them realize how much needs to be done each day that used to be mom's responsibility.

The favorite words up above happens when chores are done...The lovely and I are more likely to say yes to buying/doing things that cost money when they are helpful.

They can turn in their week's chore sheet for a small reward i.e. candy or a trip to dollar scoop ice cream.  Or build it up and earn an hour of fun activity like bowling.

What does your household do to manage/tame the household duties?

Flying Scared

Why do dumb, dumb people have access to weapons that can take down planes and ruin so many lives?!!

I am so overwhelmed with all the bad news in the world and here in the U.S.

Aren't you?

Am I terrible if I stop watching coverage/documentaries on how our lives are horrible?

I stopped because it didn't make me a better citizen. I would get scared, grumpy and mostly anxious about my kids' future.

I grew up in war. I didn't see severed heads or blood everywhere. What I did see were people running scared. Feeling very nervous when we had to be very quiet because you didn't know if it was the enemy coming to attack.

So, I choose not to click on global coverage but to help where I can make a difference...right here in my community and family.

I feel helpless quick frankly. For instance, those little girls who were taken in Africa...we all know about it and I am HORRIFIED...why have they not been returned when they've been ousted? How horrible for those parents. Helpless right now.

Horror overload. I am stopping now because I am not making sense.

However, I will leave with this...I have always since I was young and scared during the fall of Vietnam, that there's always good that comes out of every bad situation...you just have to look for it.

Kiddos of the week

S.E. and Koo have been in soccer camp all week. They played soccer. This is the first time S.E. and his birth friend (sweet and talented E) were in camp together.

At the end of the week, they name players of the week...well both these two got the players of the week for their growth, leadership, good sportsmanship, and teamwork.

Aaahhh. These two started out as rug rats together...her mom and I would nurse and sit around my house or her's and watch our babies grow.

As they grew, more siblings and different activities separated the two. However, she has been more consistent at being S.E.'s friend. He gets embarrassed playing with girls these days so he doesn't make as much of a fuss, but Koo has been filling in with E and her adorable sisters.

Anyway, I digress...pretty neat these two would get extra attention because when they are together, they lift each other up (more like E makes S.E. a better kid).

Maintaining weight loss is tougher than losing weight. There is no reward other than your clothes fit and you continue to have to practice moderation, journaling, and exercising like when you are trying to lose weight...

But finding this balance has always been a struggle for me. I've dropped off of blogland for the past year really because I've been embarrassed that I've managed to gain 2 lbs. /year. This means I went from 129 in 2009 to now 140 in 2014.

I am a size 10. My stomach is sticking out more. I can't fit into my size 8s. It was gradual but deliberate because I threw caution to the wind and stopped tracking or holding myself accountable.

This post is tough for me to write but I'm sure if you've seen me around, YOU KNOW I've gained weight. It doesn't make me a terrible person. I just don't feel comfortable in my own skin. I look down more, avoid activities that would put me in the public more.

I'm back on trying to get this weight off. I can list excuses but those are boring. It's just a matter of eating more than I move.

7 miles of pain free run

It was a beautiful day-upper 40's and sunshine.

I stuffed two almonds and one Clif block shot in my pocket and went out running.

Seven miles.

Longest this year.

It felt like heaven. No cramps. No feet pain. No BM issues. Not have to be back at home.

I'm so thankful to get to run without injury.

I can't wait to do it again.

How is your workout these days?