Half Marathon anyone?

I have signed up for a half marathon training program. It seems as though I can only push myself to excersize effectively if I pay someone to keep me accountable. I was going to do the 10K training program, but I was the only one interested, so they decided not to have a 10K training for just one person. So, of course, I have not ran more than 3 miles since my 5K in July. Signing up for a half marathon will only force me to run my ass off every other day (you don't want to over train, so on my other days I'll do strengh training in the form of the Instanity workouts). I'm still the same weight and size as when I was last running, which is good, but I'm still looking to losse 20 pounds, but that will come eventually. I can run 13 miles with some training right? of course I can, people have done tougher things right? I'm nervous, but what else do I have to push me physically? Running, that's what I have.

Final Thoughts

What a wonderful company I work for to have the last 6 weeks off. I think I've said that before. You know, today, Stefan said "it's not very often you miss your supervisor when their gone and you're excited when they get back"
this is truly a great company.
My final thoughts on my 6 weeks of vacation are that I don't have to stop having fun just becuase I work. My life doesn't stop because I have a job, especially becuase I work at Xango. I enjoy life, I enjoy my work, I enjoy my family and that doesn't have to stop. this vacation has given me a new outlook on life. It's ok to enjoy life, every aspect of it, no matter what I'm doing or when I'm doing it, just enjoy it, it's OK.

Chicken noodle soup

I spent the last hour de boning the chicken for the chicken noodle soup I made for tonights dinner. It's a delicious dinner for the man I love, who is sick with some sort of cough and stuffy nose. anyways, as I ate this delicious soup, I thought to myself, why do I question my cooking? will it be good to others, does it have too many noodles, not enough carrots? Who cares, if I think it's delicious, then it is, I don't have some weird disese that makes me taste different than most. My soup is delicious, and so is everything I make, dang it.... Then it occured to me, I haven't taken one cooking class in the last 6 weeks. not one. but, I have cooked everyday. I've made a killer batch of chili verde. A most delicous chili. lots of batches of cookies. Contributed wonderfully to pot lucks and family get togethers. So, I have spent a lot of time cooking. I can't deny it, it's what I love to do, and I will continue to do it, for a very long time.

Adventurous couple of days

I hope nobody checks my spelling on this blog.
well, On Sat my brother fixed my secondary air pump, which is needed to pass emissions and kind of expensive. Monday, I waited all day (7 hours to be exact) for the windshield replacement guy to come. oh, that's a story in itself. I called my insurance guy, who directed me to another number who transfered me to another company. That guy, in the process of getting all my info asked me when my windshield was broke, I said I had no idea, may 6 months or so ago. he said it didn't matter and to just make a guess. I told him, I don't know, June of last year. he then proceede to tell me that my deductable was $100. I kindly explained to him that I changed my policy a while back and my deductable was only $50. he said, get this..."well, it's because the window was broke before you changed your policy" can you belive that? I said, well, then change the date, he proceeded to tell me that he couldn't and wouldn't. after much arguing, I finished the call, called my insurance rep, who has not returned my call after 2 days. Anyways, that night, my check engine light came on. we took it to my father in laws house who has a machine that tells what the codes are. It was a secondary air malfunction, oh, no worries, just clear the code i'm sure it's fine. The next morning I took the car to my favorite place, besides my brother of cours. They let me know that after you clear a code, you need to drive the car 40 - 60 mile to finish the cycle and for the car to be ready for emissions. no problem, drove arround a while, came back and the car was still no ready, he checked it again and said, I think we're almost there, drive arround a little more and come back, oh, you know what, take my machine the machanic said, so he left his little tool plugged in and I proceeded to drive arround town....how fun with two hungry sleepy kids. I stopped and we got a smart cookie, i even picked some up for the mechanics who would be fixing my car and hopefully giving me a deal. we returned after over 60 miles because the light on the tool hadn't turned green yet. he said he's seen a car or two take up to 100 miles. I drove to the point of the mountain and back again and it still was not ready. He advised me to go home, wait until tomorrow morning, and first thing, start it and come right down. Well, first thing this morining, the light turned green but at the same moment of wonderfulness, the check engine light came on. you can't pass emissions with a check engine light on, surley they can fix that. I took it back to the tunex and he said the car needed to cool off again and then they would hook it up to their machine and see wha'ts going on. That's fine, I brought the stroller for Ethan, we'll just walk arround a while. First we went to Khols, we got Ethan some jammies and Katie a cute Dora bat and ball. Then we went to the running store to see about the 10K. Same guy I talked to on the phone was there, he still didn't know anything, so i left my number again and we decided we would walk to the IHOP for some pancakes. The kids embarassed me a litte there (oh, i forgot to say that yesterday while we were in the tunex, Katie decided it would be fun to lift up mommy's dress, yes Kenz I wasn't wering the most modest underwear, don't even know if you could call them that) back to the IHOP. Katie squirted creamer all over all of us, the kids had a screaming contest and didn't eat any food, and my omlet was $10.99, that's why we don't go out to eat. good news is that Katie finally decided she wanted a haircut after seeing cousin Kylee had one. so, we walked over to the cookie cutters for a haircut. 1 poopie diaper and some kid pushing Ethan on the jungle gym later, we decided to call Aunt Joan to come get us. This was 3 hours later by the way.
Aunt Joan was more than happy to help, she said she would meet us at the Walmart. We walked over the the walmart because of course we are walking and by the way, it's raining and Katie is telling me how tired she is of walking, and Ethan is screaming because he didn't get a balloon, and i'm yelling...WE ARE ON AN ADVENTURE!! and Walmart doesn't have balloons, great....Katie lost her balloon because she was plaing on the bikes and it some how got stuck and she pulled too hard and it went up up and away. meanwhile I talked to the guy at tunex who said the problem is my secondary air pump......wait.....we just spent the day in Roy having my brother fix that. it might be a bad part, so, we'll have to take it back to my loving brother, who is very willing to help, sucky. Joan picked us up, dropped us off at our car, she was amazed at all the walking I did, and the kids have been sleeping ever since, 2 1/2 hours to be exact.
I'll deal with this problem another day, later I'm going to make cookies and mail them to Nathan's friend in Farmington, he fell off his motorcycle this weekend and needs cookies, but I'm not driving to Farmington, I'm sick of driving, although I might drop off some chicken noodle soup on Sat, because we'll probable be going to Roy to fix the car. Let's just hope i don't get pulled over in the meantime, my registration was up in July.
Oh, the running store owner called me back and left me a message. he said I'm the only one interested in the 10K, so he hasn't started anything becuase for just 1 person, it's pointless to get coaches, he didn't say it that way, but that's the basics of what he said, but he will definately give me some pointers so I don't loose momentum. Terie,you will deffinately need to help me with my momentum. thanks for listening.

running some more

here's what sucks, the running store website said that the oreintation was at 9:00am on Saturday, so we went, and waited and waited. Nobody showed. so, i double checked the website and it said 9am, sat the 31st of July. So, i called. They had no idea what I was talking about but they thought the 10K training had already started. If that's the case, then runners would have been at the store by 9am becuase they meet on Saturday mornings at 8. They said they would give my number to the owner of the store to call me. I can't imagine he would tell me it's too late, they're really excited when people like to run, and they pride themselves in customer service. I'm still a little nervous. Still, I'm running about 3 miles about 2 to 3 times a week. I could be doing better. and i will!!

lots to update

wow, it's been way too long for a post... sorry to my millions of blof fans.
let's see....
we went to Bear lake last week. we left on Tuesday and came home on Friday. It was a lot of fun. Katie and Ethan were sick the whole time. Ethan didn't mind the runny nose, but Katie really hates having a runny nose and lets everyone know it. We spent 2 days at the beach. The temp was about 86 and the water was arround a cool 65. I don't mind the cold water, once you get used to it. Our nights were filled with marshmellows and smores with reeses instead of just chocolate. One day on the way to the beach, we stopped to wait for everyone else, after a few minutes i said, I'm just going to run to the bottom and wait there. so, I put on my running shoes and ran down the hill, it was only about a mile, but it felt good and got my mind going after not sleeping at all the night before. We are already planning our next trip.
I've been making some really great food lately, so, I am going to do a 2 day clease starting Monday. I know it's not going to help me burn fat, but it will get my mind set right again.
I went to go to the orientation for the 10K today and nobody was there. So, we drove to Roy for my brother to fix my secondary air pump. My brother is a mechanic. He works for an Audi dealership, he's pretty cool. The registration is due NOW and we've waiting until the last minute to take care of it. But, when most of the XanGo employees got raises as did I, I put my extra into a seperate savings account along with the money I was spending on my Aflac, so I had some extra to help out with the expense.
Oh, and guess who's my new visiting teacher? he he
my backyard neighbor, the one with the dog. he he, of course we'll probably end up being the best of friends.

XanGo's summer party!!

Yea, I work for the best company ever!!!!
I love it, they rent out 7 Peaks for us, feed us dinner, pay for a snack for everyone and still give out kick ass prizes.
Of course Shannon and I were the most excited people at the entire party. I knew they would call my name. I just knew it this time... you know, people would say that I win all the time. this used to be true, but I really haven't won for like 3 years.
Anyways, they called my name, happy, excited, screaming me went up there, popped my balloon and won $200 to Snowbird, there's my anniversary this year, or I could use it to stay up there when I do my 10K for Octoberfest. So many options. When I went back to my family, Katie was really upset that I had popped my balloon, she wanted it. So, Nathan promised her a balloon if she would stop crying and be a good girl. She was a pretty good girl, so, on the way home, we stopped at Smith's and got her a balloon. I stayed in the car with the sleeping baby, it was 10:30pm. It was the sweetest site to see a grown man holding a big princess balloon in one hand and a beautiful girl in the other. wish I had a camera for that one.

Best Husband ever

On Thursday I didn't sleep well and woke up with a stuffy runny nose and not feeling very well at all. Katie woke us up right before 7am, I was not ready to get up. I went and sat on the couch and my wonderful husband said "I'll stay home and take care of you, go back to bed." I was like, hells yea. I went back to bed and slept until 10. Thanks babe, I have the best husband in the world. He really looks out for me.
Today he rode his motorcycle to Farmington to go camping and 4 wheelin' up the canyon with his friend Dan from work. He'll have an awesome time. I'm pretty proud of myself, I made them poor boy meals (foil dinners with hamburger, potatoes, carrots, onion, garlic), chocolate chip cookies, muffins (which turned out awesome, they had like a creme brule crust on the outside)and crap dip. There's nothing worse than camping with no food.
Yep, couldn't be better.

My computer is back

And Better than ever..... Thanks Ben

Visit from my old friends

Yesterday, while laying arround the house while the kids played in another really really cool fort I build I got a call from Shannon, She asked what I was doing and then the door bell rang. I said, weird, someone's at my door and they wouldn't stop ringing the bell, I said, Shannon, is that you at my door, of course being the silly person she is, she said no.
but, when I answered the door, it was her, Erik and V. oh, how I miss V. They brought me a poster that had my team's congrats on it and lots of others from the call center. It was sooo cool, it was one of those posters that had candy bars throughout it saying something. this one said "Brea, milky Way to Skore on your Take 5K. Even though there were some Rocky Roads along the way, you make us want to sing a Symphony of Almond Joy for your success. You bring a bar o honeyto your team and to XanGo. You're a lifesaver, love your Norwegian, finnish, and swedish fish." We had so much fun visiting, Katie really enjoyed Erik, and he enjoyed her too. Ethan warmed right up too. What a wonderful suprise. On a more serious note, when they left, I stared at my poster and had a moment of happy cries. I really really know what it's like to be treated unfair, or to be hurt by people who you think are your friends. It's really hard to be around people that are mean to others. That experience has taught me to appreciate the friends that I do have, and the team support I have and the love and appreciation and support and honest true friendship I have with my friends at XanGo. There will never be enough words for me to express how filled my heart is with gratitude. Thank you

broke my toe, pretty sure

So, the other day, Monday,I went to Winco with the kids. spent $99 and got whatever I wanted. I was soooo excited while putting the groceries away that I stubbed my toe on the cart as it began rolling away. I don't think I said any bad words, but who knows, maybe that's why Katie said "son of a @#$*" I think that's what she said, but I'm not 100% sure. I ignored it and she hasn't said it since. I could be wrong, I'm usually pretty good at not using swear words arround the kids when I get hurt. Anyways, back to the story, when I looked down, my pinky toe was kind of crooked and swollen. I said, well, I broke it. Now, today, on the 3rd day, it looks worse than ever, really blue and purple, and the bruising goes up my foot. Needless to say, I cannot run on this sore swollen purple pinky toe. I will tomorrow though, it's not that bad, I don't think. It was funny becuase yesterday Mackenzie sent me a texted. I told her about my toe and she said "why did you kick a cart?" I said, "cuz I'm on vacation, if I want to kick carts, then I'll kick carts". she just said I miss you, she's one of the few people that get my sense of humor.

Drama

I forgot to mention the stupid barking dog at my neighbor's house. I've delt with it for about 4 year. I've missed out on a lot of naps becuase of this dog. One time, before we had our fence, the dog came after me in my own yard. I've called my neighbor before and been really nice "hi neighbor, your dog is outside, barking, is there anyway I can let her inside? Is there anything she needs?" The barking never stops. And since the weather has been nice, they leave their dog outside while their gone. hours and hours of barking. The othe day..... I was sick of it. I marched right over there, on the way I was thinking to myself, "stay angry, don't loose your nerve" I knocked on their door, nobody was home, but they pulled up while I was still there. I couldn't back out now. I went right up to my neighbor and said, "do you hear that, listen (the dog was barking)that's all your dog does, when you leave, she barks the entire time, she never stops barking, I'm so sick of hearing her bark all the time, for hours and hours, I'm sick of it" She told me that she had no idea their dog did that when they left (I call BS). Needless to say, the last 3 days have been wonderfully quiet, no barking, although last night, they left her outside and she barked for about an hour. If it happens again tonight, I'm calling the cops. Yessssss, the peace of no barking dog constantly at me while i'm in my yard or even in my house trying to have a nice peaceful evening. Can you believe I actually went over there? I've never had contention with any of my neightbors before. Maybe they'll move.

First 5K down, Next please

Who kicks ass? I do, pretty much, yep. WOW, what a great feeling it was to run the race today. Vanessa was there, she ran with me, it was great to have a partner. Thanks Vanessa. I was so suprised to come arround the corner to see two people walking their dog in bright orange XanGo shirts. I yelled, Hey, go XanGo and realized it was Bonnie and Stefan. They came to support me!!!! Wow, an even better reason to love my team at XanGo. Stefan ran with me the rest of the way. My coach from Fleet Feet Sports came arround the last corner to run with me too to make sure I really pushed it at the end. My time was like 39 minutes, I don't know, I don't really care. It felt incredible. I know I can keep going longer faster better. I don't know why I was so worried about running today, the week or so off really helped my calfs. Did I mention I took a break to let my calfs heal? It was a good idea, my legs felt so good, my breathing was easy. Yea, i'm doing more 5Ks. I'm siging up for the 10K training this week, I need to pay for something to have that accountability of someone else counting on me. And if I don't practice during the week, they'll know, becuause I didn't get better the next week. And look at the health bennefits. I can really push my body now, I will push my body, I will!!!!!

Oh, the pain of running

I've been taking a rest from running this week, my first 5k is on Sat. I haven't ran for a week now, I've been a little nervous that I'll suck on Sat just becuase I haven't been practicing, but after walking about a quarter of a mile on the 2nd to watch a parade, I could barely stand. So, I took some advise and haven't ran since. Today I went into walmart to exchange something, and I ran in and then out again and my legs didn't hurt. I am newly renewed, I can run, and I will run, and I will do fantastic, and then I will run some more. I would love to post some pictures, I have a really cute one of the kids holding hands all the way to the park the other day, but my computer is at Ben's Computer fix it Shop. Maybe I'll stop by tomorrow and see the team. Turns out I was doing their attendance a little incorectly,good thing Shannon pays attention. he he Sorry Team
We've been BBQing just about everyday. Nathan wants to cook something on the BBQ everyday, even if it's just 2 hotdogs. Today I mopped the floors, I know, It's not very interesting, but that's what I enjoy......keeping up on the house work, being a mommmy, cooking stuff, being a loving wife. You know, just life. Is it annoying when someone is so happy that all they can talk about is how much they love everything and how happy they are? I don't care. I'm a happy woman.

Building forts are the best

What a great day, today, Katie and I built a fort. We used my comforter from my bed and some kitchen chairs. It was big enough for the both of us. When Ethan woke up from his 2 hour nap, he joined in on the fun. Funny story... I kneeled down in the kitchen to do some spot cleaning on the floor and realized that the cabinets were really dirty, then I noticed that the refriderator has scratches at that level, then I saw that dishwasher and oven and doors and door handles were ALL filthy. WOW, I thought the house was messy at my level, but at a 3 and 1 year olds level, much more messy. Luckly, before I got caried away, the kids tackled and we played in the fort. Way more fun. Later we went to swim lessons, I'm trying not to be bitter that I'm driving all the way to Murray for lessons that are teaching my kids to blow bubbles. My mom mentioned to me that she will not be at my run on Saturday. My first 5K. I'm nervous, I always get nervous before I run, but that's begining to fade the better I get. AND I have added mastering in being a coupon mom to my list of things to do on my beautiful sabbatical.

Last Day

Today is my last day for the next 6 weeks, did I mention I have the next 6 weeks off? Ben made cinnamon rolls with cream cheese frosting, Jeff brought me some halibut that he caught in Alaska.
My team has told me how much they are going to miss me (I'm going to miss them too)
You don't realize how fortunate you are until you haven't had fortune. My fortune here at XanGo is this team. It feels so good to be accepted, apreciated, respected, cared about and missed. I've only been with this team a month and they've already made me feel like I'm part of a real team, who supports each other and makes each other look good, that's the real definition of a team "Going out of your way to make each other look good" that's from the pickle video. Most of you know what I'm talking about.
Here's to a nice summer filled with fun in the sun with my beautiful children and awesome husband.

Almost there

1 more week to go. On July 5th, I will start my 6 weeks of whatever I want. Just kidding, I have a strategic plan of events. My first 5K will be on July 10th, at the American Fork Steel Days. It begins at 7am (I think) at the corner of Center street and Main street in American Fork. Just puttin' it out there. Did I mention it's my first 5K? I've been training for 9 weeks now and I'm pretty confident I can move on to the 10K training program that starts on July 27th, I'm just going to do it, jump right in! The kids will be taking swimming lessons every Tuesday and Thursday, starting this week. And....Dates with my hubby of course.

Welcome

Welcome to my 6 weeks of summer Sabatical fun. I will be blogging about my journey on my 6 week sabatical. Courtsey of XanGo. I've been with XanGo for 7 years, as of April 30th 2003. They reward their employees who have served for 7 years, by giving them 6 weeks off......paid.....YESSSS!!
this blog will talk about the fun I am having on my wonderful vacation of 6 whole weeks