Sunday Sampler...

The only problem with vacations, is that you come home with so much to blog about...therefore I have decided to start a weekly series on my blog called...The "Sunday Sampler"(truly this is a knock-off idea, pirated from my friend Betina's "three things Thursday"). It will basically consist of tidbits of our weeks activities.
This week we spent the first half in Utah visiting the in-laws... Oscar and Poppy had a magnificent time spending every waking moment being loved by the grandparents.
In fact one night as I was getting Oscar ready for bed he said "Grandma and Grandpa are so busy loving me!"
That pretty much sums it up...grandpa and ma spoil them until they can't take it any longer and then put them to bed. Only to rise the next morning and start again.
Meanwhile Ricky and I spend some time out running a marathon, getting our hair cut etc...
Then we come back to the house and eat tons of food! That is what happens at the Grandparents house...GOOD FOOD! Homemade ice cream, panini's, lasagna, etc... We get so spoiled that is it hard to come back home.
Ah, and being at grandma's house with the beautiful gardens and chickens makes one want to sit back on the patio and watch the days go by...
Tomorrow...back to reality and laundry!
The latter part of the week we spent getting back to normal...we still aren't there. Yesterday we went to a bluegrass festival and had some tasty vegetarian food at the Green Frog Cafe.

We also spent some time on our bikes...it was a welcomed change in pace from our regular long-run Saturdays. We rode to the farmers market and picked up some yummy corn, blueberries, basil and bread. Oh, how I love fresh produce!!!

Marathon update!

This is the lovely t-shirt we received for doing the marathon...does this look like some runner/flasher/cowboy to anyone else? I can't get over the shirt...I laugh every time I look down at my shirt...they are hideous!!! This my friends is the reward I received for completing 26.2 miles of pain and endurance! Ok, so they did give us a finishers medal but really...who designed these shirts????

Now for the news....

We awoke at 2:15 am to be certain we were at the location to be picked up by the bus at 3:15. They informed us that they had upped the time from what they had previously posted...previous the buses were supposed to be 3:45 & 4:15am...then the switched to 3:15 & 3:45 (they then said do not wait for the last bus as there may not be room for late arrivals).
Valiantly we were there to be on the 1st bus...as we stood there waiting for the buses....not one came until 3:45!!!! All that wasted sleep for their tardiness!!!

We have come to the conclusion that very few people probably do this marathon twice. Too early and not very well supported!

It was really pretty when the sun started breaking and they had some bagpipes playing in the background...right before we began at 5:30am. The first half was really quick...it was mostly down and canyon...there was a significant assent up the back side of one of little mountain, but I found this to be not too bad. Especially since My sweet cousin-in-law (Adam) loaned me his sweet little shuffle to keep me going...I may just have to invest in one of those little guys.

In the end we had a nice finish and Rick and I both just missed our "Goal" times by just a few minutes....(this may have been avoided had they not been missing a critical water-point around mile 24!) Luckily, Rick's sister Megan was a champ and ran with me the last 4 miles and set the pace to keep me going! As I was complaining about my much need water stop she just kept me going along. Especially on the last mile...Thanks Meg!

Ricks finishing time: 3hrs 12 min (goal 3:10)...Collette's: 4hrs 3 min (goal 4:00). We just figure that this is a training run for the Sept. Marathon.
The best part of the whole Marathon is when I get to the finish line (or a little before) and Ricky is there cheering me on....really, it makes it all worth while...Knowing that together we succeeded in finishing our much anticipated marathon! I love running with this guy! He is amazing! How lucky/blessed we are to be physically capable of doing this together!

Accessories...

Everyone knows that to truly be female one must accessorize...Adorn herself with useless, additions that make her feel hip, happy, and sassy.
It's no wonder that Poppy has started early on this regime...She clearly has the attitude to flaunt such sassiness with style.
Lately, from sun-up to sun-down (or bed time) she can be found sporting some sort of accessory. Here are some recent photo shoots of our POPSTAR!
Here we have the dazzling wabasabi necklace with headband and the essential sunglasses...

Why wear one skirt when you can layer two?
Hat, headband around the neck and the bear in a pumpkin purse...who knows it may be the next "in" thing?
Why wear clothing at all, when you can look dashing in a sparkly birthday tiara?
One thing is for certain...she MUST be a girl!

Registered!!

Tonight we made it official...We both registered for the Marathon!! After a prolonged debate about doing the marathon, I have decided I'm going to do it!
I was for some time feeling like this marathon was not meant to be...Seriously, I was experiencing all these annoying little set backs. Then I thought to myself...Rather than thinking that all of these things were signs not to do the marathon. Instead, I thought it must be a test to see just how badly I want to do it.

In fact as I began my run on Saturday, I managed to trip on a crack in the sidewalk and totally face planted in the superman pose. (I now have some sweet road rash on my knee and hands) After gaining my composure, I had my moment of clarity...I could either turn around and go back to the farmer's market with Ricky and kids and forfeit the marathon...Or I could pick myself up off the ground, and do the ten miles.
I did it and it was good. I haven't had a "good" long run in a bit, so that's saying something...
I then got an antibiotic for a UTI I had been ignoring, and suddenly I feel like a new person... Like the light at the end of the tunnel...Yes! I have renewed faith in the power of prayer and desire.
To top it off we are using the Marathon as a means to raise money for a family we know that is in need...so now I HAVE to do it.
I'm grateful to be running for a cause, because in a week from tomorrow, on mile 22, I will think of this family and will be happy that I chose to run.

If these were your shoes...

I love to run, especially with my husband...It doesn't even matter that he is faster or better at it than I, it is something we really like doing together.
For the past 4 months we've been training for a marathon...and as previously posted, up until our 18 mile training run, it was all on schedule and doing great!
Since then, I've been trying to nurse a hurt ankle/foot back to good health. (Spending a lot more time swimming and biking to fill my running void and to stay up to training intensity. ) To this I would say that I have healed somewhat, but not fully.
So, here is the question...for a marathon that is in two weeks...would you still run it or not?
The pain is not too bad while running...only after.
There is another marathon I want to run in September, however I really want to do BOTH.
Do I sit this one out, and let Rickster do it, while I sit enviously on the side-lines wishing that I too were running it?
Do I buck up and do the marathon and if my ankle gets too bad, I can just hop on the sag wagon?
Not only did I practically peak successfully on my miles (only having to miss the 20 miler)...meaning that the injury occurred at the perfect time to start tapering...After all this training time I want to reach my goal!
One side of me says to sit it out and hang on for the next...but what if my ankle still isn't better? Then I would have missed doing the 24th marathon for nothing! What if I do this marathon and then injure myself worse, then I won't be able to do the September one?
I'm wondering, what you would do if you were in my same situation. Would you run it or not??? Any feedback would be great! Last day to register is later this week and I have to decide.
Meanwhile, I spend my days vacillating between the two options...to run or not to run...that is the question!

Fourth...

Shiniest Bike award...(everyone was a winner at this bike parade)
Poppy being the sweet little angel that we all know she can be...
Oscar and pop's being cute! (Note to Grandma Edge) The brown wrapped material attached to the front of Oscar's shirt is the blue bird you gave him...he had it attached to him the entire day.

Baby # 3

Tonight we discovered the third baby bunny that Smiley has maimed/killed in the last week. While working in our front yard last week he discovered a bunny burrow. Needless to say, I don't enjoy having to deal with such travesties...
Typically, I'm hating the bunnies for leveling my perennial beds...but when a little, tiny, helpless bunny gets munched by my over zealous dog, I find myself sad and angry at my beast!
The good news was that at least the bunny tonight, was dead when I found it (thus, making it so we don't have to put it out of it's misery, like the other two bunnies last week).

On the bright side...today while driving to my spinning class (this seems to be one of our best formats for great conversation) Oscar and I had this conversation...
Me- "Oscar, do you know why all of the flags are hanging up?"
O- "no why are they hanging up?"
Me-"It is for the fourth of July, when we celebrate the Birthday of the United states of America."
O-"I know America, he is a super hero...remember mom!"
Me- "Oh, Yeah....Captain America...well Oscar, Yes...that is where he gets his name. We also celebrate our countries freedom...maybe we will discuss it more tonight at family home evening."

Tonight, we hung a flag of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, not Captain America...Although , I can see how they easily can be confused (big superpowers and great tights???). We also decorated Oscar's bike for the fun kiddie bike parade in our friends neighborhood...pictures are yet to come...

I should have bought an IPOD!

9:30pm
Oatmuncher(a.k.a. Rickster)-"Are you close to being finished yet?" (said in tone Ready For Bed)
Me- "No, Maybe if you would help me with this stupid computer I would be." (said in obvious frustration)
O.M.- "Let see...You know...You really are like your Dad when it comes to computer problems..."
Me -"Yeah, Well after the 50Th time of trying to get this stupid MP3 player to download my music for my spinning class tomorrow...You would be too."

At this point I realize that yes, indeed my frustration level had not quite reached that of my father...I at least had not cursed at the computer and made threats of it's imminent death.
To this, I decided to stay up until I figured it out...currently it is 10:45 and I have just finished FINALLY figuring it out...or at least I successfully added the playlist to the SANSA. I don't quite remember everything I clicked or checked or unchecked but somehow it worked! I WIN!

Note to self ...when wanting motivation to finish a project, just ask O.M. to tell me I'm like my father and I will make sure that it gets finished (in the words of my father "Hell or High water!")... (I do believe this raging determination came from him too).
It's probrably why he married me!

ADDICTION!!

My name is Collette and I have an addiction!

Besides my addiction to chocolate, which I try to curb with my yearly lent diets (no junk-food diets), I recently am undergoing another addiction withdrawal. RUNNING!!!
After careful consideration and consultation with my three PT's (dad-in-law, Andrea, and Shane) and one Orthopedic surgeon (Travis (Andrea's hubby))...we came to the conclusion that this week MUST be a rest week of no running. I can still maintain the same level of intensity, but just in a different, non-impact way. But no running. Ugh!
During my phone consultations with said "experts", Travis informed me that indeed we can develop a dependency on running....(not that I'm surprised! I truly am a better mom after a nice long run) He said I was going to have a hard time NOT running.
Yes he is right! Today even though I did a bit of spinning and elliptical workouts I still find myself in withdrawal!
What makes it worse is that today my ankle is feeling pretty good and makes me think..."OK, now how about that 5mi run"...to which I am resigned to say "no-sorry even though the ankle feels a bit better, it needs more time!"
I even had dreams about running last night!
This is like confessions of a drug addict!

Random Sampler

Ummm...A salad entirely from our garden!
This peachy delight comes from the NPR heirloom recipe contest...Click Here for the tasty peach puzzle recipe. Even if you don't like cooking, you should look at the recipe it is really cool how you make it.
Look MA, I've grown! Oscar asked Rick to cut the feet off his pajamas so he could still wear them. He then opted to wear both the jamas and booties to bed.
This is Poppy's latest addition to her facial expressions. When doing something naughty, I will say "Poppy are you being naughty?" Her response is to tilt her head and proceed to scowl at me untill I stop looking, and she can proceed doing the naughty deed. Yesterday she struck this pose for about 5 minutes while getting into daddy's work bag.

18 Mi Curse

Let it be known to the blog world that the marathon training run of 18 miles seems to have a curse on me!..
Three years ago while training for my last marathon, the 18 mi training run was the WORST run of my life. I won't go into too many details, we will just say that bodily malfunctions are not pleasant and something is wrong when mud puddles look tasty!
This would be the episode for me, of "hitting the wall". I'm certain there are countless others who have met a similar demise...but for me this stands as a reminder that "at least it isn't as bad as the 18miler". It has been a stepping stone of great strength, in that, when ever I think I'm tired and exhausted, I just remember that "at least I'm not crying and internally exploding".
I made a full recovery and the actual marathon was great!
This past Saturday was our "18 miler". I must confess that my body responded tremendously well throughout the entire run...I was even going to blog about what a success it had been!
That is until about 3 hours after the run and I have since developed an annoyingly sore ankle!
I have very little patience for injury. Keeping this in mind, I have taken the past few days off from running and have swam and laid low for a few days...Feeling incredibly lazy and BLAH...I decided to take a run this morning...not too bad my ankle is still a bit sore but I think I'll recover.
The point to this babbling, is that somehow the curse likes to make think that this is the end of training and wants to make me think I'm not strong enough to do it. I'm certain I will still run the marathon...(that is as long as I endure the 20 miler next week). However, the next time I'm training for a marathon I will either run a 17 or 19 mi run instead of 18 and see if I have better results!

Tribute to Our Daddies!

Today we Share with the blog world some of the hard earned wisdom taught by our great Dad's!

Grandpa Edge: -NBD (no big deal) Truly you have mastered the art of knowing when something is worth worrying over...
-Pentagon: reminding us that we must always keep a even balance between: Familial, Social, Spiritual, Intellectual, Physical.
-Importance of enjoying the great outdoors...bike, hike, garden, etc...
-Makes it a point to keep all of his kids on speed dial for his weekly/daily check-ups.
-Books are improtant...Food for the brain...Thanks for the yearly supply of Christmas books.

Grandpa Dilworth: -You can fix anything with a pocket knife and epoxy. If it is skin; butterfly stitches.

-No matter how busy life gets, you always have time to give the shirt off your back to someone in need.

-Has made a living (or lack there of) raising 11 kids and currently 23 grand kids! Known to say that his children are his Investment portfolio! Also maintains that each child is his "Favorite"!

-Dutch oven king...even backpacking! His solution is to bring a horse to pack the oven! Also, reminds us that "Nature in the rough is seldom mild."

-Scout motto "Be Prepared" comes as second nature to him. Dosen't even mind running a 5k in cowboy boots and wranglers!

-There is nothing we can't do as long as we love the lord, keep the commandments, and withstand the trials. (Truly he has had more than his share in his life time!)

To the Papa! -Brevity is the soul of whit...(notice how I'm already failing)

-If you say run 18 miles...he runs 20...and at a quicker pace, Meanwhile pushing a stroller with TWO kids...(maybe not 18 mi but has been know to push them for 14mi).

-No job is worth not being able to spend time with his family.

-Reminds me daily that less is more when it comes to worldly possessions!

-Continually shares his determination and drive for life with those around him.

-Doesn't mind pitching in to clean up and de-clutter things.

-Faithfully makes sour dough pancakes, waffles, bread every weekend and cooks Sunday dinner!!! Typically he is the best cook in the house!

-Randomly calculates various items (afterall he is a engineer!)...mileage, budet, calories in a tank of gas vs. calories in food...which is more efficient. How long it would take for the airplane we are traveling in to hit the ground, etc...

-Always keeps me on my toes and is a champion tease. Our children are developing similar characteristics and avidly enjoys testing them on eachother!

To all our Daddies and Granddaddies...Happy Fathers day we love you!
P.S. Your packages are on the way...actually they are drying on the table at this very moment so you can look for a Post-fathers day present later this week!

Saturday tidbits

First strawberries of the year! For the past week Oscar and Ricky have been checking on them waiting for them to turn...today was the day! The store strawberries are merely and memory of the real garden variety!
Rick performing a bird rescue...quite often we have humming birds and the like, fly into the sun room and can't get out. This happened to be a little sparrow. Thanks to the Risckter he made it out safe and sound.
Favorite snack of the week...inspired by our friend Jory, we decided to create our own trail mix jumble. Basically we went into the bulk food isle and got a little of everything and then mixed it all together. Oscar and Poppy have really been loving it as a snack this week.
Following the 3R's (reduce, reuse, recycle) Oscar passed along the "Fire" bike to his friend Sam. I took a picture so we could remember the "fire" bike without actually having to store it in the garage until Oscar at the age of 30 makes us get rid of it. Grandma and Grandpa E...Thanks for the fire bike the boy is crazy about bikes now! Today he did 5 miles!!!

mmmm...Pitas and Hummus!

I LOVE pitas and hummus...especially when they are home made! Today I made both and had some friends over for lunch. So, I though I would share our lunch with you...
Hummus...
2 cans Garbanzo Beans (drained, reserve some liquid)
1/3 Cup Tahini (you can find this usually by the peanut butter...or health food section of store)
1-2 Cloves Garlic (minced)
2 tsp Lemon Juice
1/2 tsp Cumin
1-2 TBSP Olive oil
Salt and Pepper to taste
Take ingredients and place in a blender or food processor. Blend until it is nice and smooth. Add some of the liquid if the consistency is too thick. Add more lemon juice or oil to taste.
Make some Pitas and enjoy!

Pitas
The recipe I use comes from the Foodie Farmgirl blog.
2-1/2 cups bread flour
2teaspoons salt
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 Tablespoons good olive oil
1 cup warm water (105-110 degrees)
My version is only different because I use a kitchen aid to do the kneading
This is how I do it...
Place water, sugar, and yeast in bowl and let stand 5 minuets or until it starts getting bubbly.
Next add oil, and salt. Begin adding flour, a little at a time until the dough is slightly sticky, but firm. remove from bowl and cut into 6 equal size pieces (the foodie farm girl does 8 pieces but I like bigger pitas) roll in to six balls and let stand on floured counter for 40 min. Cover with a wet towel while standing.
Next warm up the oven to 500 degrees. cover bottom rack of oven with tin foil. Roll out two-3 pitas at a time and place on pre-heated oven rack for 4-5 minutes until puffy and golden. remove and stack on top of each other, so they deflate. I put my leftovers (if there are any) in zip lock bags and store them or freeze them. They also make great pita pizzas or pita chips to go along with the yummy hummus.
For a more detailed recipe and pictures check out the foodie farmgirl.

I think these pitas are really easy and quick since they only have to raise 40 mins.
Enjoy!

Picture Updates

Today is gloomy and rainy...although it's a nice change from the 95 degree weather of the weekend. I can tell it is getting nice out because I don't frequent my blog as much as usual. Here are some photos of the past few weeks...
The Adorable Poppy...picture taken while on our daddy-birthday camping trip.
Lil'O and the Popster hug for a photo on a morning walk last week...
Daddy's flaming birthday cake...happy 31 to the dad!

Mother's Day Ride with fellow mommies, twenty kids between the 6 of us,(Sue on the top left has eight of them) The ride was 54 miles on Trail of the Coeur d' Alenes. The first 15 mi. were rainy but the ride was beautiful! We had a great time and so much fun!
When seeing O' in this position I asked what he was doing...he said "Diving in the ocean".
The Popster meets a fellow Poppy...She wasn't too keen it's smell.

Note to self...

When purchasing an item on-line and from the UK...It would be smart to note the exchange rate from pounds to dollars before purchasing said item. Rather than having the husband get the credit card statement and ask "how much was ___ item?" Only to find that it was double what I thought it would be.

Happy 31 Ricky!

You can see here by his charming good looks and great legs...why I can't help but gloat over such a great husband!
Saturday Ricky turned the big 31. To celebrate, me and the kids took him camping...ate at a little Old European restaurant (not so great), did a 15 mi run, and went and saw Shrek the Third.
All the while, he was his great, accommodating self for my sometimes less-than-well planned out activities.
Tonight, we had his tasty birthday cake. I can't help but wish that we had gone digital back when we were first married...oh, the good pics I would be able to post...but these are pretty good too!

Here is a glimpse at the fun and joy I have, being married to the Rickster. He certainly brightens our world. Rick seems to bring out the best in me...pushing me to new lengths (literally...yesterday he carried all of our water and support for our 15 mi run...Me? I carried nothing!) Not to mention that he frequently will push our two children on 13 mi runs!! His strength and endurance is quite amazing!
(I'm sure he is blushing right now as he reads this...) ;0)
And last but not least...I can't help but adore the fact he adores our kids...and they adore him. He is such a great daddy!
Happy Birthday Numero-Uno Big Papa!

Pics: Ricky on our mother's day ride, Ricky sharing the simple-

but cool things of the world with lil'O, and Ricky and Poppy on the

beach last fall.

Tattle Tell

"MOM! The wind is following me!!!!" (whined in the usual tattle tell tone)
My response...
"Wind, Stop following Oscar!"

Living without ID

Tuesday morning my spouse left on a business trip for four days...Taking with him my purse that I accidentally left under the driver seat. Since Tuesday I have been trying to survive without my purse. At first it seemed impossible...then I went to my bank and asked them to give me money (without ID). I had my check book in hand however and they were kind enough to oblige. I then went to the grocery store and they allowed me to write my check and the clerk was nice enough to let me go without ID.
Since then I have been doing alright...surviving with the $ the bank gave me. I do however experience this panicky, naked feeling without it. Today, being that I forgot to purchase some of the groceries we needed...I tired to write a check. The clerk however was not as nice, and made me use the cash I was reserving for "just in case". I hate having to reiterate my story about my situation, in hopes that they will count me honest enough to let the no ID thing slide.
I have found I really do need my drivers license and bank cards to feel comfortable in a store...knowing that if at any moment they ask me for the ID to prove my Identity, I can give it to them. I find myself getting red in the face at the idea of writing a check out, hoping that they are not going to ask for my ID.
Discovering that I could have millions of dollars in the bank and no way to really access it with a check, without ID, is quite frustrating! Not to mention the people behind you in line who are listening in on my dialog with the clerk, who are no doubt trying to decided weather or not they should trust me. I find it all very disturbing!
As of tonight, I have $14 left of the money I took from the bank and one day left until dad's return. I think I can make it. Next time I think I will be a bit more prepared!

Happy Five to Lil' O

Five Years ago at this very moment I was sitting in a recovery room admiring the little hands and feet of our little Oscar. I remember thinking that he had a great head! The perfect side profile, identical to his dad's. He was such a pretty baby (I'm not bias...Poppy wasn't as well defined and proportioned as lil'O). One thing was for sure and that was that Ricky and I were so excited to have our boy. I don't think that has changed. Him and his daddy are still like two peas in a pod.
I can hardly believe he is five! I know we hear that all of the time, but it is sooo true!
Some time warp has taken place and left me with this adorable, smart, funny, quirky little boy who thinks he is full time super-hero, part time boy and brother.
That was then...
This was Monday...Oscar's Progressive birthday. With daddy being out of town today, we celebrated his birthday on Monday. I made a smokin' volcano cake, and Oscar got his new bike.
Road rash won't spoil this boy's enthusiasm. He begs me at every down-time moment to be on his bike. This boy was born to ride! I can't help but want to just squeeze him and snuggle him...He is after all still my little boy.