The Significance of 20 Miles in the Rain

Thanks to a fantastic running friend, I no longer run 20 miles on a treadmill. Thanks to the same fantastic running friend, I now run 20 miles outside...in the rain. Which was actually great; I'm not knockin' it. There's something addictive about knowing your body can rise to a challenge through injury, insomnia, poor food choices (anyone say 'nachos'?) and rain. Yet this affirmation is not what is significant about yesterday's run. No. The CONVERSATION is.

Some of the people in the group know that I'm running a Boston qualifying race in Midland/Odessa on October 3rd, so we were talking about it...among other things over 3 hours...

James: "Are you planning to fly out?"

Me: "What are you talking about? It's (like) 2 hours from here?!"

James (laughing): "Uh...no it's not. It's closer to 8..."

Me: "Huh? What? Whoops..."

So...I'm new(ish) to Texas...and apparently to Thinking as well. Why would I not CHECK such a detail? Ugh. I SWEAR I used to be smarter than this.

Thankfully Jon is accustomed to such oversights on my part, and we'll adjust our travel plans accordingly.

Quality Time with Calvin

I didn't realize just how occupied the older kids (aka Lucy and Mackey) were keeping Calvin this summer...until Monday. The closest thing I can approximate his clinginess to is a squid on my face. Except bigger. And MY face.

Poem Written by 9 Year Old Girl Who Lives in My House but Wishes to Remain Anonymous

"Walking under an ice cold sun,

Summer's over, school's begun.

I'll make new friends and say 'hello',

and hope ones not named Pelopoe.

Summer's over, school's beggun.

I'm walking under an ice cold sun."

Countdown Until Taylor Lautner is Legal

Nothing like something a little taudry...
Countdown Until Taylor Lautner is Legal

That Boom Boom Pow

It's official! Calvin is potty-trained!!! Which, for the 2 of you who read this that aren't moms, means he doing double duty in the potty and waking up dry (unless I give him a gallon water before bed or something)!!!! Ok, and, well, technically, wiping is a different story, but hey...

We celebrated by going on a date to Old MacDonald's (which is like kryptonite to me, so you KNOW what a big deal this is), the movies (with an itty bitty stop at Nordstrom's on the way), Yogaliscious, and the maze.

Which isn't to say this kid isn't MILKING his new-found stardom. I swear that kid can smell when to go in for the manipulative kill...and that's why I adore him!!!

It's a Man-Child Miracle

LADIES AND GENTLEMEN...(drumroll, please)!
For all of you who have had to listen to me complain that I'm sick of changing the equivalent of an adult's diaper...
You will never guess who potty-trained in a day. Never. Ok. Maybe you will.
Calvin.
The secret? The perfect combination of a rainy day to keep us in and a take no prisoners policy toward diapers. He went straight to an underwear/pull-up policy. He has only had one accident...not including the one when Jon told him to poop in his pull-up. But that's Jon's fault.
He has woken up dry 2 days in a row.
But he's yet to poop. Wish us luck.

Time

It's time to lock-really lock-Calvin out of the bathroom when I'm taking a shower. Ask me how I know? I was getting dressed today, and Calvin came up to me, grabbed my bottom, and told me, "You have a cute bootie."
Uh-oh.