Running with Celebrities

I got a pocket, a pocket full of sunshine--take me away. A SWEET ESCAPE! So, I've been running with the Black Eyed Peas. It pretty much rocks. My feet have been getting Stronger with Kayne West and his motivational speeches remind me that "that which does not kill me only makes me stronger". Fergie reminds me constantly that Big Girls Don't Cry even when it hurts. It's personal and I've got to get a move on with my life.

There's one runner who keeps talking about a black horse and a cherry tree, but I have no idea who she is. She gets me running fast but then ditches me telling me that I'm not the running mate for her. She's weird.

One of my favorite friends is Daniel from Canada. He can turn any bad day into an awesome run. He reminds me in the mornings, that if I can run 3 miles before breakfast, then I can basically do anything else the day has to throw at me. John Marz and Taylor Swift miss me during my runs--they are good company during warm-ups or steep hills though. The Lifehouse boys can't keep up with us, but they're always there watching and waiting to stretch with me after my run. You and Me and all of the people with nothing to do, nothing to prove but --- wait, we've got lots to do and lots to prove so let's go running!!

I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT I USED TO RUN WITHOUT MUSIC!! What on earth was I thinking??

Put the doctor on the repentance bench

In the court documents for my divorce, my husband only gets one week long visit with the girls each summer. In real life, though, I have made it clear that he can have them whenever he wants as long as a calm, safe adult is also there with him. He hasn't called for the girls much. We have been home since the middle of July and they have had six visits less than 24 hours each and 1 visit that lasted 48 hours.

Well, three weeks ago Santa dumped a lot of toys at daddy's house and the girls were not allowed to bring them home. This made sense to me because he needs toys at his house, but the girls were quite distraught about leaving the loot. I had contacted him a couple of times to see if the girls could come visit. Each time he said, "well, no, they can't come here, but maybe I could just come and hang out at your house" UMMM NO!! H___ No!! I explained my rule about no adult males in my house unless they are related to me or I have plenty of safe people around with me. He didn't understand and acted confused and hurt, but I don't really care about hurting people's feelings anymore if it means that I get to keep control of my territory and my rules.

Finally, I suggested Emerson call her dad the next time she asked me about playing with the toys at his house. Having her call was the key!! She negotiated a 2 night stayover--which meant I got to go play with my friends 2 nights in a row too!!! I think she is our new visit scheduler.

Anyway, Kamryn sang in sacrament meeting at church this morning and so I suggested he drop the girls off to me at church and stay to see Kamryn pretend to sing with the other 3 yr olds. They were late, but right when I saw Emerson, I knew she was sick. When I got a wiff of her breath I diagnosed her with strep (really, is medical school even necessary??). When the meeting ended we headed to an urgent care clinic. They scheduled an appointment for 90 minutes later. We returned to the clinic at noon and after waiting in the large waiting room for a long time, we were invited to the exam room (really a smaller waiting room) to wait even longer. I have to admit I was really missing the medical care and attention that we used to receive in Malaysia at the fancy Prince Court medical center--I never waited more than 5 minutes there. Apparently, I muttered something like, "Wow, that doctor needs to get in here right now." Kamryn has heard me say this to her before in my school teacher/mom "I mean it" voice. Lately, she has had trouble following directions the first time that they are given, so she has spent a few minutes on our repentance bench (time out) almost everyday this week. So, the wheels started turning in her head as I was losing my patience. Suddenly, she screamed "DOCTOR WHERE ARE YOU?? MOMMA SAID COME RIGHT NOW!!"

Oh my goodness! I hushed her quickly and then explained that she shouldn't be screaming and bossing doctors around. Her method worked though. The doctor came right in and apologized for getting behind schedule.

Kamryn looked up at the doctor and said, "You're gonna get put on the 'pentance bench". Luckily, her articulation is still developing, so the doctor didn't have a clue what was said and just went about her business as doctors usually do.

Oh, and Emerson does have strep.

Dr. Shan

Ladies' Room Gossip

I didn't have my girls tonight. I had been invited to go out to a church dance by my friend Cherise and my other friend Ben. I went, not really feeling in the mood for dancing. This dance was held at a stake center (large LDS building) in Farmington. I was really impressed with the organization and presentation. Ben paid $6 for the both of us. This gave us free coat check, admission to the dance and all you can eat kiwis, strawberries, awesome veggies, ice water and pizza (for those who have already gone astray from resolutions).

Signs were nicely posted directing people to the eating rooms and the conversations rooms. There were also nice tablecloths and vases of long stem roses. The average age of the other dancers was 55+. I just assumed it was a 30+ dance (There were no signs to turn younger people away). There were VERY few under 40 and I really think there were only 6 of us under the age of 35. After I had danced with Ben and then a few grandpas, the DJ finally played some fast songs (my favorites) and I ran into Cherise and her friends from Ogden. We really got into the music (lots of Oldies*). Most of the dancers danced in couples during all songs--fast or slow. Those of us born after 1970 dance in mixed gender circles or groups during the fast songs and then we usually leave the dance floor or dance with a partner of the opposite sex when a slow song begins. I learned in the ladies' room that we kind of stick out when we jump around in a circle near the front of the dance floor.

Anyway, after working up a sweat, I wandered around the building until I found a restroom. It was quite crowded with women primping near the mirrors, so I weaved my way in and found an empty stall. The restroom seemed to empty quickly after that and then I heard 4 women talking about how they HATE all the young girls that come to these dances. "Isn't this supposed to be 45 and older?" Then one replied in a squeaky fake voice, "Well, I'm only 29 and I can come here if I want to!!" Laughter . . . another voice "I'm 26 and I have no idea how to dance, but I just bounce around so all the men can look at me!!" and finally, the first one "I never ask men to dance, I just dance with my friends and wait for the men to ask me!!" (Isn't that the traditional way??)

OUCH!! Seriously!! Are they making fun of us??? Wow!!

I should have stayed in the stall until they vacated, but I couldn't resist.

I appeared at the sink behind them and watched their jaws drop through the reflection in the mirror. (I guess that they didn't realize I was in the stall--I had thought that they were saying it so I could hear) I smiled and asked, "Will you guys teach me how to dance?" They left and I washed my hands in peace and quiet, but I was also more aware of how I may be making others feel. I was ready to go home. I did have fun and I am glad that I went out, but it was time to go home--and blog about the lesson in the ladies room.

*Oldies-- Tangent story: Earlier this week, in a group fitness class, an instructor said, "This next song is an oldie and has been requested" I braced myself for a song from the 50's or 60's, but laughed when I heard the song "Ice, Ice, Baby" by Vanilla Ice. I guess songs from my jr high years are now called "oldies"--so funny!! I'm a grown up now.

I promise that I'm not a kidnapper!

Last night, while Emerson was at a birthday party, I took Kamryn and her cousin to Chuck E. Cheese. When you enter, they stamp your hand with a special number and the kids you bring with you get stamped with the same matching number. The number can only be seen under a black light, so it's invisible to someone not authorized to hold a small black light. The staff will not let you leave with any kid who does not wear your matching glowing number. Unfortunately, the teenager who stamped Cousin Jayson didn't do it right, so instead of having a "182" like me, his had showed only "18".

After we had eaten our salad and breadsticks, enjoyed as much of the huge creepy mouse and been sufficiently over stimulated with the noise, games and "rides", we were heading out. The teenager who was "exit security" freaked out. Jayson was separated immediately from me (the suspected kidnapper). They took my ID. Unfortunately, the only ID I had with me was my Malaysian Gold Card (which is like a green card in the US--it gives you the right to work and stay in the foreign country). To this teenager, I guess the only valid ID is a state issued drivers license, because she wasn't convinced that I didn't have plans to snatch this little blonde boy and take off to the airport to hide out in Malaysia. She was really confused my the ID I had given her and kept reading it over and over again, while I waited patiently.

I couldn't see Jayson's face, but I could hear them asking him "Who is that lady by the door?" "What is her name?"

I couldn't hear Jayson say ANYTHING and I worried that maybe he really didn't remember me. I know that if my 3 year old were in the same situation, she would most definitely remain silent.

Jayson's interrogator joined my interrogator and told me that they would have to call Jayson's parents before they would release him to me. I told them that I thought that was a great idea. However, I did explain that they probably better just call the cops because if I knew his parents names and phone number, my brother and sister in law, wouldn't I probably already have their permission to take their son to dinner? If I gave them a kidnapper helper's name and phone number, couldn't that helper pretend to be a parent of Jayson. I also pointed out that all the numbers that they had been stamping in the last hour were 3 digit numbers and Jayson's was a 2 digit number, so it was probably incorrectly stamped when we entered. They let us go and we didn't even have to make a phone call. Now that's what I call security!! Wow~

The funny part is when we buckled up and drove away I asked Jayson, "Hey, what is my name?" He giggled and said, "It's Aunt Shantelle, you knew that!"

Happy 2011!!

Resolutions

Well, obviously my main one is to continue to lose weight. I lost 2 pounds on my cruise and then gained 2 in the 2 weeks that followed. This past week I work really hard at eating tons of veggies and exercising enough. I lost 4 pounds and 3 inches on my waist. Hopefully, this awesome start to 2011 will keep me going. I am falling in love with the treadmill again. At this time last year I was running 3 miles 3 or 4 times each week. My goal is to increase my weekly mileage so that I'm getting a few 6 milers in each week. My treadmill will arrive here in a week and a couple of days. The gym's cardio machines are riduculously occupied during the month of January, so it will be nice to run at home in the early mornings before the cherubs wake up.

Here are some other resolutions:

1- Hold more meaningful Family Home Evenings (spiritual meetings held on Monday evenings within the home)

2- Keep the house "company ready" -- this is so much easier now that school is back in--we aren't around to make messes.

3- Go on a date. (This sounds easy, but it actually terrifies me) During the month of November, I was asked out on dates by 3 different really decent men. I truly do want to get to know them eventually, but I told them I wouldn't be ready until January. Now it is January and I really have no desire to date. This resolution is one that may take a few months to even discuss again.

4- Go out at least once every other week. This will be going to a singles activity or a girls' night out. I realize that now that I am working fulltime again, it is easy to go into hiding and I know that's not healthy. I was "in hiding" while living in Malaysia. I worked and then spent every other second of my life with my girls. At first it seems really responsible, but eventually, you get so lonely that it hurts. I'm at the "ready to hide" again stage. I recognize this and want to prevent it from happening. I'm really thankful for the group fitness classes that I attend. I always look forward to those and my girls really love the hour at the gym child center, while I have my classes.

Cruise

This itty, bitty island is called Goff's cay. It's surrounded by a gorgeous reef where we snorkeled off Belize. The plant life was amazing--fish, not so impressive. Grand Cayman is my favorite for amazing fish. My original plan was to go on the $70 excursion arranged by the cruise line to snorkel with the nurse sharks and sting rays, but my dad foiled my plan. He talked my aunt out of going with me and instead convinced her that we could arrange our own similar excursion for half the price. Well, it turns out you get what you pay for. Our $40 excursion was not quite the adrenaline rush that I had envisioned.
These two girls live in Belize. They worked on the tiny island where we played after an hour of snorkeling. Tamara and Prudence look drunk in this picture and they are. The island/snorkeling package included all you can drink rum punch. All I can say is the boat ride back to the main land was extremely loud. My aunt and I are non drinkers and have not had much time around heavy drinkers. I kept trying to figure out what was so funny, finally, I just started laughing with the rest of the passengers.
This is my mom in our cabin probably not wanting me to take this picture. I think she looks beautiful! I should have taken a photo of the whole cabin including my bunk. I'm sure it is more fun for me to share a room with them that it is for them to have me on a bunk right above them.
This my dad on the last night of the cruise. He had to hold his hat on to keep the wind from taking it away. He looks just like Santa right?
This is me in Belize right before boarding a little boat to go out to snorkel at a reef near a tiny island. The photo was taken by Lee, a man I met on the cruise ship. Lee followed me around for a few days and tagged along with my aunt and me on the snorkeling excursion. He found out I was not looking for love (after he had requested point blank), so fortunately he stopped following me around. Single women need to be careful on cruises; I learned THAT lesson 10 years ago from an awkward experience with a waiter from Turkey.
The cruise that I took with my parents and aunt and uncle was great!! They say you can gain 7 pounds on a 7 day cruise--I was thrilled to find that I had lost 2 pounds. I exercised 2 or 3 times each day and I was really careful to eat vegetables and lean protein so that I could enjoy dessert each night. The best part is that the chefs that Norwegian Cruise Line hires don't make delicious food. I found that I would get excited for the fancy evening meal, but then push it away after a few bites. It wasn't gross; just not worth the calories. The morning breakfast buffet was the best. I became good friends with the omelet man. He teased me about my egg whites, tomato and spinach omelets--he would even try to tempted me into adding cheese or sausage ;-)

So the cruise was a perfect getaway. I had more time than ever (since motherhood) to exercise, converse, meditate, journal and read. It was really fun to have so much time with my parents too. They are easy travel partners. Cruises are great because you can have plenty of alone time too. You are all safe on board with tons of activity choices and you meet back up at the cabin before dinner. The first time I cruised with my parents was 10 years ago. They told me afterwards that I tried to plan their activities and keep them too busy, so this time I held back a little and only invited them to join me for some fun events. They stayed out late with me 2 of the nights--we even did some dancing and singing. I completely embarrassed myself singing a Whitney Houston song. Oh well, I will never see those people again, right?

I didn't start to miss my girls until day 5, but it hit hard. I started telling my dad that next time we would take the girls with us and he said, "I love your girls, but I won't be cruising with them." We'll see about that!!

'Tis the Season for Exhaustion

We took this picture yesterday. It's not a great picture, but it illustrates the holiday exhaustion well. My girls were so excited to meet Santa, but then Emerson told me later that she couldn't smile--she was sure Santa had figured out that she wasn't always nice and it stressed her out.

Well my first full week back to working full time is finally over!! I think that I was trying to get everything done in the same amount of time and I learned some valuable lessons.

During the 4 months that I was able to be a stay at home mom, I stayed on top of the laundry, read 6-10 books to my girls each day, played math games and phonics games with them every day, played horses, ran around outside and took them to the gym with me 5 times a week. I also had at least 1 hour of journal/scriptures/prayer time for myself every day. On some nights, (most) I did indulge in 90 minutes of TV after the girls fell asleep--usually while cleaning or folding laundry I would watch King of Queens and then The Office reruns.

This week, with 9 hours of work each day, I had to let some things go. Unfortunately, I didn't let go of the most worthless thing (TV).

I didn't do any laundry until Friday night--it was really bothering me--but it worked--actually, no it didn't work, because it's Sunday and it hasn't even been put away yet. I only read 2 books to the girls at bedtime and we only played math and phonic games 2 days this week. I didn't build a snowman with them and we only went to the gym 1 time. My journaling and study hour was cut to fifteen minutes BUT I was still able to watch 90 minutes of TV after they went to bed. I didn't even do anything productive while the TV was on (except maybe check FB, but that isn't really productive is it?)

Emerson had 1 dress rehearsal and 1 performance for her singing class this week, so we were pulled a bit during the week nights. Two days this week we left the house at 7:30 am and didn't return until after 8 pm.

One night my brother Sean called and invited us to dinner--it was such I nice surprise. I was exhausted and was eager to get home and rest, but I always look forward to any time with my extended family. Especially because my girls need time with their uncles. I want them to be comfortable around trusted men as often as possible. Sean and his wife had a delicious fancy holiday meal for my little family and my sister Sharla. Sharla's little baby is getting big; she's 9 weeks old now. She is so cute and such a blessing. I'm so glad that she made it here to earth safely.

Yesterday was a whirlwind: Singles' Breakfast, birthday party, work in my classroom, pictures with the cousins, meeting Santa at the mall, and ward gingerbread house party. My girls were so well behaved through that crazy day. I had Kamryn on my shoulders a bunch, but she was going without a nap, so I babied her a little. We all went to sleep early and today everyone is in a great mood.

THIS WEEK'S GOALS

30 Minutes journaling/scripture time daily

4 days at the gym

4 days of phonics and math games

3 books read to girls each night

Laundry DONE Wednesday and Friday nights (even put away)

Go to sleep at 9:30 instead of TV til 11.

Thursday and Friday will be exceptions this week as we have a "Lights at Temple Square" activity with the 27-40 yr old Singles on Thursday and then a party on Friday in Utah County. We may not get home until after 11 pm on both of those nights.

At least my shopping is all done. Now, I love Christmas time!