It's not like I lost, but...

Yesterday was the Mercedes Marathon, and I participated in the half-marathon. I trained so much harder this year, and I worked on my speed, however I didn't do enough strength training, as it turns out. It started like all races do, me chatting with other racers before the gun goes off, getting myself pepped up listening to my new play list. I remembered this year to start off slow, because I found during my training this year that it is better to start slow and finish fast. I took an extra rest day to because my knee hurt, but since it didn't hurt on race day, I didn't wrap it. I was running along just fine until about mile eight (8) I couldn't run any longer, I was walking at what I thought was a 4MPH, and every time I tried running, I couldn't, it really just hurt too much. I noticed that I was ahead on my previous times whenever I passed a mile marker that had a timer on it. I ended up stopping at a medical tent to get my knee wrapped, thinking that surely getting it wrapped would help me get back to running. Well, I was at the medical tent for about 10-15 minutes, and got it wrapped and then took off running only to see that I couldn't run anymore. I continued at a fast walk, irritated by people passing me, and I kept telling myself, "you're not racing them, you're racing yourself, and you are ahead..." I also tried to channel Mark Ingram, Running Back of Alabama's Crimson Tide, he is able to push through other line backers to get the extra yards for his team, surely I can push through the pain and finish in the two-hour mark, and beat my time from last year which was 3:14. Finally I finished mile 13, and continued through the .1 mile, hoping to finish, even though I was walking, in the 2-hour mark. They said my name as I passed, and I cheered for myself and waved at Daddy Princess and Big Girl Princess and Little Girl Princess, smiling at them cheering for me. I told Daddy Princess that my knee hurts, and it wasn't good, and I crossed the finish line at 3:01. Faster than last year by 13 minutes, but not at the 2-hour mark like I wanted. I fought the tears as I got my finishing medal, and was greeted by my family, and I just broke down and cried. My knee hurt, I didn't finish in my goal time, and I felt like I failed. Daddy Princess reminded me, however, that even with a bum knee I still beat last year's time. Okay, so an update of my emotions... I am upset about my time being lower than my goal yesterday, but I have decided that next year that half-marathon will be my bitch, and I WILL finish in the 2 hour mark. I won't stop at some medical tent to get my knee wrapped up, I'm sure that affected my end time. Also, I need to do more strength training, as much as I hate it, it will help me to a stronger finish. Next year that race will be mine, it has to. :)

a letter to Santa

Little Princess was able to see Santa Claus at her school, which is really nice for me, since I don't like the big crowd at the mall. Bah Humbug, I know. Well, apparently when she sat on Santa's lap at school to tell him what she wanted for Christmas she told him that she wanted to be an elf. I personally think she was influenced by Will Ferrell from the movie "Elf." Anyway, she told me that she changed her mind about what she wanted for Christmas, but she already told Santa, and I told her that I have Santa's email address, and with a little manipulation to my email address book, I was able to get it set up for her to dictate while I typed. The letter really is adorable, and I wanted to share it. :)


Dear Santa Claus,

I changed my mind what I want for Christmas. I told you that I wanted to be an elf, but I don't want to stay away from my family. Now that I thought of it, I want an mp3, and a real camera, and a pillow pet.

Our family wants to call you tonight, just to give you a heads up that we'll be calling.

You're my only hope, I know Ed's watching, I'm a Christian.

Love,
"Little Princess"

(typed by mommy, as told by "Little Princess")

Let's Play Catch-Up!

I have been a very very bad blogger. I think what my main problem was that I was blogging about such negative things, and that's not what this is supposed to be about, so in turn, I stopped reading blogs and I stopped posting blogs. The girls are in school, and I am very proud of both of them, they are little smarties, and get along with other children.

Little Princess is very excited about the news out of England. Prince William has proposed to Kate Middleton, and they will be married next year, making Kate Middleton; Princess Katherine. When I told LP the news she was so excited and asked, "a real live princess? really?" Dateline did a report about them last night, so I recorded it and Little Princess and I will be eating cookies and watching about the Royal Family after school today.

Other news, I usually participate in the Mercedes Marathon in February, but this year my sister and I want to do the "rock and roll marathon" in Seattle, which is in June, I think. I was thinking of not doing the Mercedes one this February, and only doing the one in June with my sister, but I really am thinking I could still do both. Quite a decision...

I have sewn more outfits for the kids, and I have sewn some things for their friends too, but just the girls, I don't have any patterns to make little boys' clothes. I have started to feel even more confident about my sewing, and I hope to finish some Christmas clothes within these next few weeks. I'll post pictures of course.

Well, I feel like I have caught you all up. I am hoping to keep this blog on the positive side. Really, what I have to do is stop watching TV, it's really so negative, but I think I'm an addict. Well, I don't think I am, I know it.

School has started!

oh wow, it's been awhile... Big Princess started school last week and she has been taken to school every morning by the new girl (Princess S) that moved in across the street. I'm glad BP has a close friend that lives so close, and that she was able to show PS the ropes of this new school. They were so cute leaving their first day, which was last week, and I am the procrastinator that is writing about it now, sorry I have just neglected this blog for awhile. I hope to be a better, more frequent writer in the coming days/weeks/months.

Princess S's mom (Queen A) took a cute picture of PS and BP's first day of school.
Thank you Queen A.




I need to remember to get a photo of Little Princess in a couple of weeks, that's when she starts school. :)

Beach Trip

We went to the beach last week, and had a fabulous time. My brother and sister flew out from Seattle to join us with their families, and my mother went too. There is just something about the beach that brings me back to good. All the kids were so cute playing together. My brother, sister and I don't have any first cousins, so it's just nice that our kids do, and they are all around the same ages, and play so well together.

Filling the Void

This summer we have had plenty of good times, but lately I feel like there is this certain void that I haven't been able to fill. I guess I have felt a little home sick for the west end of the country. I did grow up out there, and I still have some friends living out there, and I guess lately I just want to get back to the old times. I like my life now, but I think about how nice it would be to have no extra responsibility of paying a mortgage, or taking care of a family. I would love to be able to see the mountains out in the horizon again. Thinking back on it now though, I probably didn't know what I had when I had it. I have looked at pictures of myself from years ago and I was so much thinner, but sadly I thought I was fat then, I couldn't just like who I was.

Okay, this has become a depressing post. I am off to the gym, hopefully I will have a better mood upon my return... Exercise usually does help to fill the void and stops my negative thoughts.

my dream, before Father's Day

Last night I dreamed about my dad. I did not even remember that I dreamed about him until later this morning, and I thought, "oh yeah, I dreamed about dad last night..." This may be no big deal for most people, but my dad died on May 20, 2004, and I like being able to see him again. What I remember about the dream was good, I greeted him, I was very excited to see him, and I told him that I was so glad that he came by to see me. It seems like I was at a party or something, I was holding Little Princess, and I lifted her up to him and introduced them. I remember also that it didn't feel like a dream, I remember even consciously thinking, during my dream, "wait, this feels real, it's not a dream!"

I really miss my dad, and even if it was in my dreams, I was glad to see him again especially the night before Father's Day.



That is the latest picture I could find of Dad, it's probably the Halloween before he died. He is the guy sitting in the chair petting the dog in the background. Big Princess is performing, playing witch for everyone to watch.