Suffering, Demons, and Giant Crosses (The 1st 10K) *

"When the guy says go, you start to suffer -- or you might as well not be out there. It's a small piece of your life, make it hurt."


My little sister embodies this quote.  On the morning of our first 10K (which, of course, was rainy, cold, and windy), our conversation went something like this:


Me:  So, could we just keep a steady pace since this is our first 10K, so that we are not hurting for days and days after?
Baby sis:  Uh, we could, but we won't.  Even though we have not done much training, we will get out there and push ourselves to the extremes, and yes, plan on hurting for the next several days.


She knows us so well.  I stayed with her for  the first 2K and then could see glimpses of 634, her number, for the next couple of miles.  Then, I lost her and a small part of me (that sibling rivalry part) thought:  maybe I will catch her toward the end? 


I did not catch her and by the time I crossed she was holding Bode, had finished a water, and was asking the race directors if they were going off of chip time or clock time.  I was looking for a spot to throw up my morning Gatorade, but thankfully, shook it off.  I would be laughed at for days by my loving family had I of puked publicly.


The times were posted and I was bummed when I saw that I was thrown in my little sister's age category (her being 30, me being 39) - there goes my medal, but at least, my sister would be blog worthy. 


I finally got my runner's high when they announced:  In the 30-35 age female category:  2nd place to Bethany Wagener!  AND, the best part, we were not in the same age category ~ the hope for hardware was back. 

I was happy for my little sister ~ second place, and without much preparation.  But she is a total athlete, always has been, always will be.  For me, it's different.  I did not find my sports until my 30's, thanks, in part, to growing up in a tiny town that completely ignored Title IX.  Every time I step into competition these days, I feel the burden of proving myself, not for approval's sake, but for the journey I never had the opportunity to take as a young girl.  








The quote I embody is something more along the lines of:


Racing is a good way to outrun your own personal demons - be they past, present, or future.

So, when they called:  Heather Sheffield, 2nd place in the 35-39 age group, I felt like I really showed those demons a thing or two.  Plus, they gave me a giant cross.  If that does not shut 'em up for awhile, I don't know what will....other than planning our next run.

Spring Break 2011: Girls Gone Wild......for Cherry Berry

Tulsa Raddison here we come.  

Me (from the bottom of the stairs):  C'mon Blueberry let's go.
MC:  I need some help with my things.
Me: (confused, because we had already packed) What things?
I walked in her room to find MC, who may have some hoarding issues, insisting that each of these items were totally necessary for our one night stay at the hotel. 



On the LAME/TAME/WILD scale for kid indoor pools, this one scored a TAME.  Just about right for MC - one little slide and this climbey thingy.  The best part was going to Dave & Busters for dinner, and I cannot believe I just admitted that in writing.  Best forty dollars I've spent in a long time watching the little gamblers-in-training go from machine to machine looking for the big pay-out.  I stole some swipes of their cards for skee ball and basketball, but they were not too happy with my lame return of coupons. Watching Mollie "hit the jackpot" on a game where she had no idea what she was doing, was glorious.  Kids gathered around as her 250 tickets made giant loop-de-loops on the ground.  We caught the fever then, and tried to make her repeat this act of skill. "But, this time, try to aim, and pop the ball into the 250 tube."  Bad advice, it turns out.  Her luck was better without adult intervention.  So, the girls pooled their coupons, all 1260 of them, and settled on a fuzzy elephant and some finger traps.

I am usually WILD about gardening and Spring Break is the time to put one in.  I was feeling pretty TAME, in my enthusiasm for the job, so I enlisted the help of these little hoodlums.  They worked pretty good at it for about 2 rows of peas, 1 row of carrots, and a row of beans.  I had to get the task master, who was busy building furniture, out of his garage to come and help me finish the job.  


It was fishing time for the boys and movie time
for the girls and baby Bode.  Actually this was Bode's very first movie:  RANGO
I had high hopes.  It is Johnny Depp, after all, and it scored like a 90% on RT.
I found it LAME, however. The creatures grossed me out, and not much grosses me out.  When Kate got scared, of course, she chose Madi to snuggle up with.  Bode hung in there for most of it, but, unlike me, could not fall asleep.  His mama worked tirelessly to get him comfortable, but had some paci mishaps, and then he went past sleep into delirious laughter. 

                                                       We did find that the girls (everyone but MC) was WILD for Cherry Berry.  They even won me over and that is not easy.  Their sign claiming that there is 4 live and active cultures in each serving, plus fresh blueberries, if you so choose, had me craving some triple chocolate and espresso "yogurt."  It's not Greek God's, but it is Spring Break so we went TWICE - that's how WILD we got!

I took Adam to the tennis courts where with one day of solid practice he would totally smoke me.  But as for now, I remain queen since he spends his free time off the courts.  Johnny and Ben also got a little Adam time too - fishing at Lake Hudson. 

Every meal, Kate would close her eyes, take a bite and say, "This is the best."  Papa had made her some Nutella on toast in the morning and she said it with a little more conviction, than she did previously with the broccoli. 

All in all, we are WILD for Spring Break.

DIY Kind of Guy

Jonathan has always had mad skills when it comes to remodeling homes.  He has never had any special training, but I figure it just runs in his blood.  His dad is an extreme handy man as well.  By extreme, I mean he can fix anything (plumbing/electrical/cars/remodeling/carpentry/you name it).  Jonathan will just stare at the issue (like when I asked him to please make the utility closet in our kitchen the stove area) and then make several trips to Lowe's, his favorite place to escape a house full of women making unrealistic demands.  It may not work out the first time, but persistence is also a Sheffield thing, so he does not give in. 




My favorite part about the cooking
 area is the built in spice rack and
the task lights that he installed. 
I also really love way he bricked
the back splash.

                                    

He learned to tile, put in new sinks, build decks, among other things on our first home, which have all come in handy in our 1930's downtown tutor.  We could easily spend the next 20 years remodeling and still not be quite finished.  The biggest project completed so far was assembling 392 IKEA boxes and then magically installing their contents into what we now call our kitchen. It is truly magic to me, because how the heck does someone learn how to do these types of things?  However, he can now add carpentry to his repertoire.  I found a web site that shows you how to knock off expensive (and overly priced) furniture, for next to nothing since wood is fairly cheap.  So far, he has "knocked off" a restoration hardware dining table and six parson's chairs, M & M's beds, desk, night stand, a desk, shelves, & a plant stand.

My favorite thing about the kitchen is how it all came together.  We went with wood counter tops, with the idea that we would upgrade eventually.   However, they are so easy to clean and I really like the touch of wood against all the the white.  Also, I did not get a good picture, but he replaced the ceiling with white wood and crown molding.  This made a big difference the overall look.

My favorite part of the table is that it fits 8 people with room to spare.  I also love the way he notched out the wood to fit the pieces together.
















Over the summer, he built:
 Madi and MC's desk, beds, head boards, and night stand.

Over spring break, he built:
A zen style desk, bench, and shelves.

And currently on his Honey-Do list:
*Kitchen Island
*Picture Frames
*2 night stands
*2 side tables
**This list is not comprehensive, as I get deas daily 




UPDATE:
I need to put a check by the *picture frame listed above.  He built this in ten minutes.

So fortunate that he can fix anything, build anything, and put up with me and my ever-changing design ideas.






    

Ben & Bode's First 5K

This day, had been planned for quite some time.  The whole family would come to B'Ville and run in the 5K which starts downtown, goes right by the house, and then ends downtown.  However, I had some issues (not excuses!) what with my stitches and all.  Oh, and the doctor telling me that I was just "getting worse with age."  You would think that this would have spurred me on to go ahead with the run, but Jonathan and I were just not feeling it, so we lazily backed out.  Bucky too.  Our family likes to plan things.   It's the follow-through that can get in the way, once in awhile.  

But not Ben and Bode.  They baby jogged the entire thing and had a great time: 25:25.  Also, he was the cutest big ol' barrel chested boy for miles. 

Bucky and I did get some tennis time in and it was glorious.  I love that sport.  So fun and just when you think your are getting pretty good at it, you will mishit a ball (or miss it altogether) bringing you right back to reality. 

Reality: We will not turn pro together, touring the tennis circuit to all sorts of glamorous destinations. 

Sisterly Pipe Dream:  Running a tennis-surf shop-yoga studio on the beach as classy senior ladies.  We tease B & J that (if they don't keep in good shape), we will outlive them and be forced into this cougar-like lifestyle. 

Reality:  If Ben keeps this running up (and we continue to flake), our Pipe Dream may die! 

*This story contains sarcasm.  Process with a sense of humor. 
     

Kate-isms

(Lifting her shirt): "I got byubes."              


(Breathless, after downing a large cup of milk): "That's good milk."


(To a woman at the Bartlesville Community Center in her way): "Excuse me, I need to see my cousins."


To her daddy who had to wake her up for school and get her dressed (she likes to sleep in): "I'm going to PEE in them!"  After he tried the enthusiastic "C'mon Kate, you get to wear your princess panties."


To her daddy after she put on her princess dress, necklace, purse, gloves, and shoes: "I am beautiful, papa." 


"Emmy emmies" (she actually chewed through a plastic tube once just to get to the M & M's inside).


In her deepest man voice, watching Dora: "swiper, the fox."


To her aunt Bucky (who had just explained the process of breastfeeding): "Oh, that's crazy"


Her current Faves:
     Song:  I'm Your's by Jason Mraz
     Movie:  Monster's Inc.
     Play:  Tea Party
     Food:  Mac & Cheese

Who-ligans

 "We are not acting like wild Hooligans."  This has become a saying of mine, both at home and in my first grade classroom.  I have no idea where it started, but popped out one day and has stuck, ever since. 
It made me smile the other day to hear two first graders in this conversation:


Boy: (pushing and shoving in line)
Girl: We are supposed to be ladies and gentlemen, not wild Hooligans.


The girls hit the jackpot when we moved to Dewey Ave.  It is girl alley. There is Natalie, Elaina, Mattie, Lydia, Karly, Hannah, Madi and Mollie-Claire all within screaming distance. They have a central meeting place called, The Tree.  It is a small triangle of land with a tree in the middle.  This tree has become their hang-out, where they climb, push each other on the swing, and just do all sorts of girl stuff under its shade.


This day was one of those extra warm Saturdays where you could see kids everywhere so glad to be outside, after being cooped up for weeks due to the cold temperatures.  Inspiration sprung from the movie The Grinch (the Jim Carrey version) where Whoville residents have some unique styles.  What started with "Let's put on a play" eventually turned into these eye-catching hairdo's.  Karly, the oldest girl in the neighborhood, was the talented stylist.  I looked out our window to see a long line of girls, waiting for their turn in the hair-chair.


It was one day that I did not mind them running the streets like wild Who-ligans.

Christmas 2010

This picture was taken just as we were headed to Aunt Kari, Uncle Adam, and Baby Kate's house for the Christmas with the Kids festivities.  The adults (we really are FINALLY all adults) we have kids and jobs and everything, decided that we would only buy presents for the cousins (AKA - the kids) and nix the drawing of names for each other.  It winds up being one big gift card exchange anyway, so what's the point?  However, we did mandate that we keep the Dirty Santa game, as that is pretty good entertainment.  You know, there is always that one family member, just a little too invested in the cheap crap being passed around, and as time runs out on the clock, the desperation to secure that cheap crap is a sight to behold.  It's never me, of course.  I am above all that. ;-)


MC's Christmas list was interesting this year.  She did not ask for anything too expensive, or any toys from TV.  She did, however, ask for "booby pageants."  When I asked her what those are, she said very nonchalantly, "you know, just something to stick in my shirt, so I have boobs."  Madi's list was almost as unusual.  She asked for a few everyday items, like a new journal, gum, and science experiment stuff. 


MC's wish was granted when her aunt brought out a special present from deep in her closet---sticky "booby pageants."  Perfect for those times when you need some lift and an extra cup size and are planning to be swinging upside down - something MC does frequently.  Baby Kate was happy with her dress-up box from Mollie and said, "I will be beautiful, Papa" as she put on the gloves, shoes, and jewelry.


The Adult Christmas was the next best part as, true to form, you could hear a few grumbles from people about how much they had spent and how nice of a "gift" they had donated to Dirty Santa, all out of hurt feelings if their crap got passed over or traded.  I still have the most treasured item of all from a few years back: An 8 by 10 portrait of my sister in her first tap recital wearing enough make-up for 7 little girls and a risque outfit that only the 80's can produce...priceless!        

stitches and sweet tea

It's China time, in my first grade class again, and we are practicing eating with chopsticks this week.  I had bought a can of mini corn, you know the kind you find in Asian dishes, and began to open it up with my jankety can opener.  I had made a few openings in the can, but had to resort to my normal method of prying it open with a knife.  I am not sure exactly what happened next, but my index finger caught the sharp part of the lid and blood came a-pouring out.  I grabbed the school's version of a paper towel and it quickly filled up.  Grabbed another and then thought, maybe I should call the office for back-up?  Not sure what these 6 year olds are going to do with me if I pass out?

Back up arrived, I called Jonathan and he had to LEAVE PRACTICE (the earth stopped spinning, he is sure of it) to come and help me through this time.  We decided it was so close to quitting time anyway, we should just take the girls out of school.  Madi's first comment was, "please drop me at the house, I cannot handle the blood.  Oh, and, I think there is a new I-Carly on today."  But, my sweet MC said, "I am going with mom." 

On the way to the Immediate Care clinic, she had lots of questions, but most of them were about the exact location of the clinic:  What shops are nearby?  It's right by McAlister's right?  How long do you think it will all take? 
J drops Madi off and meets us at the clinic where after a good washing, the cut looked really minor.  

I was sure they were going to release me, just as I was.  He gave me the smirk and said, "You know what a Sheffield would have done, don't you?"  He was referring to the time he accidentally jammed a box cutter into his thigh and instead of getting medical care for the wound, he tied a bandana around it and finished his shift at I.G.A. and after a couple of weeks (and multiple bloody bandanas later), it healed up.  I was a tad embarrassed for making him LEAVE PRACTICE, so I told him to go ahead, that MC could take care of me.  

The nurse leaves, the PA comes in, and to my horror, it is the "mean one."  We have had her before, and she is rough and tough and less than friendly.  She looks and says, "I'll stitch it up."  I ask her if that is really necessary and she says, "Yes."  She leaves, leaving no room for a discussion of options or a calming of nerves and I begin to have my mini panic attack.       

She returns and tells me to lay back and I begin to hyperventilate (something I do from time to time just to embarrass myself and my family).  She ignores my heavy breathing and begins her sewing.  MC leaves my head in favor of a better view of the action.  The mean PA asks MC how old she is and compliments her on being able to watch so intently without fear (unlike your wuss of a mother)...she did not say this, but I'm sure she was thinking it.  Two minutes later, my mouth numb, my feet beginning to curl inward from lack of oxygen, I suppose, she is finished.  She tells me that someone will be in soon to clean me up.   

I am happy it's over and proud of my baby and her strong stomach and how she insisted on staying with her mama.  I sit up to find little MC the color of pea soup and teary eyed (Darn, I thought...no medical career now).  

Me:  Oh, honey, I am sorry.  Did it scare you because mom started breathing funny?

MC:  No.

Me:  Did the blood make you feel queasy?

MC:  No.  I just need to get out of here, but...we are going to get sweet tea and mac & cheese from McAalister's, right? 

Poor, poor, pitiful ME whose daughter was just in it for the sweet tea:  Sure.

I called Jonathan and told him to LEAVE PRACTICE to come and help his little girl (really I meant me, but used MC's lack of color issue as the leverage I needed).  He LEFT PRACTICE (for the third time) and walked us to McAlister's and then to our car and then went back TO PRACTICE.

If you are wondering what Jonathan's penance was for not being there to hold my hand through the trauma of three whole stitches by the "mean one," it was:  watching The Bachelor with me

Someone said that with the next incident, they bet he will just skip PRACTICE entirely; But, if you are a coach's wife, you know that is a bet worth taking.  I'd bet you one large sweet tea and a side of mac & cheese he doesn't.

Added just for you, HD.