madameblogalot

The other day I had to run some errands. I have not had the time to get in my exercise like I like to. So I decided to use my bicycle to run the errands. Although it was hot, it was nice to be able to get some exercise while getting my errands done. After crossing the overpass above the highway, the rest of the ride was nice. I like it that in doing my errands, I made getting there half the fun.

Yesterday morning I ran my own half marathon! I have been wanting to do another one since I did my first one in January. My foot injury kept me from being able to do so until recently. I was wanting to find a run to do while my family was gone. That did not work out so I mapped out my own half marathon route! I started at the local YMCA and ran a 13.3 mile loop back. I had my water bottles and some shot blox and a gel pack to keep me going. The night before I hid water bottles along the route to help keep me from running out of water. That worked out great. I was not sure if they would have gotten picked up, but all four were still where I had left them. The first I used to refill the bottles I was carrying on my belt. The second and third I poured over my head! (That felt great!!) The fourth, well, it was close to a trash pile so I left it there. I had hidden all under trees or bushes and the water inside was even still cool which was an added treat. And yesterday was trash day in our area, so there were plenty of receptacles lining the street in which I could deposit my trash! I forgot to check my actual start time, but my run/walk took me right about 2.5 hours. Not too bad. I was happy with it. And I felt great when I was done! I think staying hydrated and running in the cooler morning hours helped (although it was already 79 degrees at 6am!) Today my knee is hurting a bit and my feet are tired and sore, but I really enjoyed the run and would not be averse to doing it again!

As my son begins his junior year, it’s tough to decide what direction is best for him. He will most likely finish his high school years at the public school. I don’t like that choice, but am resigned that is probably the path he will take. After that, trying figure out what college and what he wants to do with his life is pretty scary for him. There is so much out there open to him. He is bright, personable and capable. He is good with people and friends are daily coming to him with their problems. He may be some sort of minister, psychologist or doctor. My chiropractor told me that my kids could even come shadow him in his work if they were interested! I just learned about “exercise science degrees“. When I heard that term I sort of laughed. But in looking at just what it entails, it could be an option for my son. It is certification through the American College of Sports Medicine for health and fitness instructing. It is aimed at helping build health and fitness plans for clients with low to moderate risks. It is a great stepping stone in pursuing advanced degrees in Exercise Science or Occupational and/or Physical Therapy.

This has honestly been the hardest year of our family’s life. Our poor son has faced much struggle over this last school year, almost daily. I have been thinking for the last few months how his life at a young age is very in line with the story of Job. I don’t know how long Job’s struggles lasted. For my son, things have been in constant upheaval since last fall. And to top it off, he broke his collar bone at camp this past Monday. So now his summer is really going to be different than what he had hoped. Life is hard. And I believe it’s good for kids to learn about the struggles and how to deal with them. It just seems that every day an added lesson has been dumped into my son’s lap. He needs some time to be able to digest the lesson before having the next one thrown on him! Hopefully, soon, he will be able to reap the life of blessing that marks the end of the story of Job.

With my family gone for a week, there are lots of folks who think I am enjoying my time all alone. Not so much. I have a lonely feeling. Though I know I will get caught up on blogging and reading and maybe getting school ready. But the one thing that haunts me is what my daughter said this morning. She said I will be glad they are all gone, since all I do is gripe about how they never do anything right. Wow. I guess I need to spend my time alone readjusting my attitude!

I hear this all the time raising teenagers. I don’t really like this advice, though I do know what people mean when they say it. For example, the only two battles I don’t fight (too much) are the mess in the rooms (has to be taken care of regularly though) and hair.

This summer, my son got a mohawk. Technically, a fauxhawk. It is cut in mohawk style but is more of a fade and he doesn’t spike it up. My daughter told me today that as she was getting her hair cut yesterday, she saw someone getting pink highlights and she thought that would be so cool!! WOW! I had no idea she was into that. And lucky for us, she hates pink.

I am lucky though. So far there have been no requests for tattoos or ear rings. yet.

Next week all of my family will be gone. It will be the first year that my daughter goes to the youth group church camp along with my husband and son. I will be the only one left behind (don’t get me wrong, I don’t want to go!) In thinking what I will do while they are all gone, they think I will “party” without them here. I thought about some serious cleaning, but I am sure that won’t get done! I do have plans for one day to do my own personal half marathon. I used a new website, Map My Run, to figure out the mileage for 13. 1+ miles. Other than that, I will likely catch up on my blogging and reading. I may go to the beach one day, but not sure if I want to fight the crowds for that. So I may just enjoy the peace and quiet while I am left behind.

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The only downside I can see so far to this newer version is the payment release. If I understand correctly, you can only have your payment released after reaching a $50 thresh hold. I guess this is due to the fees that may accrue for the transfer of funds at a lower transaction amount. But I really don’t like the idea that my five or ten dollars can be held up indefinitely until I am offered enough work to reach $50. Since I am not sure how that will all work out, I am willing to give it a go and see how it works.

For the month of May I did not seem to be doing much reading outside of trying to catch up on some Bible reading for a family Bible study! Here is my short list for May:

Raising a Son-I am not actually done with this book yet, and may have to go back and re-read it! I purchased it at the thrift store just to read the chapter on teenaged boys. But after reading that chapter, I went back and am reading through the beginning of the book, though I may skip through the other stages of boyhood. This book is a HIT with me. Although there are some things I disagree with and sometimes get tired of some of the psychology of it, I have to say that most of it really applies to both my son and my husband. I can see so much of what they are saying being played out right in front of me that it is hard to dismiss much of the psychology! Although lots of things hurt, it seems to bring out some important points in raising boys (and living with men!)

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button-My husband and I rented this movie. It was a HIT with both of us. I did enjoy the movie and now am wanting to find the original short story by F. Scott Fitzgerald to read.