It's on: I ran 7 miles yesterday in 66 minutes. At the gym, not outside, but still. my iPod got me through it, and honestly, by mile 6, I felt like I could keep going for a long time. So, here's my running song playlist so far. It's extremely random, and I'm gonna need more songs, so please send your suggestions.
1. Crash, the Primitives-great running song, and one of my favorites in general.
2. Fix You, Coldplay-not a fast song, but a really good one and one I find really inspirational
3. Sally Goodin', Chieftains-fast fiddlin'.
4. Holiday, Green Day-easy to get your feet going to this.
5. Breakdown, Jack Johnson-something about it, I love it, I always play it while I'm running.
6. You're Beautiful, James Blunt-I'm surprised that it works so well for my running pace (usually 6 mls/hour) but it does.
7. Cindy, Kentucky Thunder and Ricky Skaggs-See #3
8. Somebody Told Me, The Killers-fun to run to the synth-sounds.
9. I Wanna Be Sedated, The Ramones and The Offspring- nice, driving "running" beat.
10. Farm House, Phish-a "noodling" song. Again, surprising that I like running to it. But I do. My mind goes other places so I'm not focused on what my body is doing.
12. Bottle of Smoke, The Pogues-Don't know what the Hell he's saying, but it's good.
13. Snow (Hey Oh), Red Hot Chili Peppers-My favorite track from their new double album. Let me rephrase that: My favorite track that I've listened to so far, there's so many of them!
14. If I Can't Change Your Mind-Sugar-Recently discovered that this is a good one to get movin to.
So that's the current list. Please e-mail me your suggestions, or I'll be forced to buy the iPod playlist things.
Gotta run-
Wednesday, June 28, 2006
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Built-In Best Friends
Kate has been my best friend for most of my life, but Daniel was my first best friend. He and I are under two years apart, like Grace and Johnny. Daniel and I were both born in Bloomington, Indiana, and even though I don’t really remember my first two years as a Hoosier, we’ve been told that we played for hours on the back porch making up words, games and ways to pass the time. There are some great pictures of the two of us in the earliest years, the years my kids are in now, but those photos are at my dad’s house, and I couldn’t get my hands on them in time for this blog post. We moved to Columbus, Ohio in 1974, and Daniel and I set up our playthings in that house on Tibet Road just the way we wanted them. We made elaborate Lego villages in the living room corner and played “Camper People” (AKA Fisher Price) nearby. We made up characters like “Go Go,” “June June,” and “Curly Cooper,” and we made up rules that we both agreed on and that only we understood.
Kate joined the Lightfoot family in June, 1975, but it wasn’t until 1976 or so that she tried to break into the well-established play world of her older brother and sister. When we moved to Boone, NC in 1980, Kate was five, I was eight and Daniel was ten. We were still playing Legos and Camper People, now in the fixed-up basement, and Kate was desperate to enter our circle. She was the baby, however, and didn’t play right—she didn’t know the rules. It was exasperating for Daniel and me. Daniel and I initially gave Kate three chances, three strikes, if you will, to get it right. After her chances were used up, we sent her back upstairs to help my mom bake carob-chip cookies or tofu spaghetti or whatever was up her sleeve that day. Kate always struck out within minutes. It went something like this: We would pretend Curly Cooper needed to go upstairs to take a bath. Kate wouldn’t use the doll house’s stairs, we pointed that out, and that was strike one. Then, there would be a house fire, but when Kate called 911, she’d forget to tell the operator the house’s address. Strike two. Or she would make the Lego people fly, or float, from point A to point B, rather than take a realistic number of steps. Strike three. Kate was banished, and Daniel and I were thrilled. Now I understand better why Kate has rejection issues and why she was a much better cook than I was at an earlier age.
Even when Daniel got more interested in playing with the neighborhood boys, and I spent more time being a nicer big sister, he and I still shared a bond (in good fun) over Kate’s shortcomings. We still do. It used to be we’d totally trip her up as to what day of the week it was and how many days of a vacation we’d have left, or quizzing her over how many cans of coke come in a six-pack. One of our favorites was to ask her what she liked about living in Bloomington, when, remember, we moved a year before she was born. Now, we find ourselves delighted when get an unflattering snapshot of Kate on the computer, so we can post it and all have a good laugh.
Kate and Daniel ganged up on me, occasionally—the most notable time being when they concocted “The Plan,” an elaborate scheme to get these sisters, who lived across the street from my grandmother, to play with me, a very shy, awkward girl at the time. Now they live only a mile or so apart, back in Boone, and they get to spend a lot more time together than I do with either of them.
We didn’t really become best friends until I left for college, but Kate has been my go-to-girl when I’ve needed any type of pep talk about my looks, my relationships, or my insecurities about, well, anything. She’s talked me through many “near panics” about finding our way to a party, what to take to the party, and what’s-going-to-happen-if-we’re-fifteen-minutes-late-to-the-party? She’s talked me through brunches, through the first Thanksgiving Dinner I hosted, and she’s always the last one to taste-test and approve any dish, if she’s around, before I serve it to my guests. Kate’s the one I want to rear my kids if something happened to David and me, and she’s the one who will tell me honestly if my butt looks too big in a pair of jeans. Kate and I were roommates, in Carrboro, for three years before I got married, and it was great to live with someone so familiar and so close to you that you could be cussing each other out one minute and sitting down to watch “Party of Five", all made up, the next.
We’ve had our fights, the three of us, that’s for sure. I remember the summer that my mom, grandmother, and Daniel picked Kate and me up from Camp Tekoa in the chevy van. It was hot, we were all tired and hungry and when we drove through the Mickey-Dees drive through, someone’s patience snapped and burgers went flying. I can’t recall if Daniel threw the burger at Kate or vice versa, but I do recall a soggy piece of pickle landing on my chin during the exchange. Then there was the time I got so mad at Kate, I threatened to shoot her with the B-B-gun, and the list goes on.
Now, we’re all three older, wiser, and by default, filling unexpected roles. Daniel reminds me that it’s not safe to talk on my cell phone while driving and that I should really avoid drinking diet sodas. Daniel took care of Kate during a major crisis about a year ago, and he offers to lend her money if she ever needs it. If I’m feeling really low, I always call Kate first, because nothing will ever be too bad for her to hear, and I don’t have to expend energy explaining myself or pretending like I feel well when I really don’t. When Daniel was moving to Durham and was looking for a place to live, I rode around with him, in August, 8 months pregnant, (me, not Daniel) weighing in on which apartments I thought were good and which weren’t.
We’ve all been hard on each other in the past, to each other’s faces and behind each other’s backs. One of the last things I promised my mom, as she lay there dying, is that we would all take care of each other. I think we have. I think we will.
Monday, June 26, 2006
Fifty (50) Things About Me
1. I stole this idea from someone else's blog.
2. I am going to run a marathon in November.
3. So is David.
4. David runs seven (7) miles almost every day.
5. I don't.
6. I ran track for two years in High School.
7. I was a sprinter, not a distance runner.
8. I played in the Band for four years in High School.
9. When I had to choose between track or band, I picked band.
10. I've been playing my flute ever since.
11. I played my flute in a wedding this past Saturday.
12. It's the fourth wedding I've played in.
13. I only recently started running again.
14. I like the challenge running a marathon poses.
15. I plan on raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as I train for my marathon.
16. I will be asking you to sponsor me and my marathon.
17. Honk if you're reading this blog.
18. Running will be a good way to lose the stubborn baby weight.
19. The baby is almost three (3).
20. I could run fast as a child.
21. I used to do well in races in "Field Day" in Elementary School.
22. I did real well in the Jumprope Marathon at my school and at Junior Champ, at the County Level.
23. In the fourth (4th) grade, I was the Jumprope Marathon Champion (Watauga County's best) for my age group.
24. That was the proudest my dad has ever been of me. Ever.
25. I have some significant hormone imbalances.
26. It's taking a long time to get them back in check.
27. As part of the process, I agreed to send a blood sample to a lab to see if I have food allergies/senstivities.
28. I do.
29. Apparently, I'm allergic to a lot of the foods that I eat often.
30. I'm allergic to cow's milk and cheese and yogurt and walnuts.
31. I'm allergic to tuna, beef, pork and rabbit.
32. I am really bummed that I have to give up rabbit.
33. My illness/fatigue/depression have given me to permission to say no to people and things more easily.
34. My therapist says I didn't need an excuse like an illness to be able to do this.
35. Yes, I see a therapist.
36. I am the breadwinner and the primary caregiver in my family.
37. I relish both roles.
38. David may not agree with both statements in #36.
39. People at my kids' preschool have told me they thought David was a single dad.
40. David does the most (and the best) childcare of any dad I've witnessed since having kids.
41. I'm taking an on-line Magazine-Writing Class.
42. I took the same course five (5) years ago.
43. I think this time I'll be successful at getting an article published.
44. Sometimes I think I would like to have another child.
45. I don't think my body can currently have another child.
46. I need to get a hair cut.
47. I'm not sure how short to go this time.
48. Do you like Kelly Ripa's hair better longer or shorter (like it is now?)
49. We're driving to Owensboro, KY this Friday for a mini family reunion.
50. My grandfather and Johnny Depp's grandfather (and a third partner, Quisenberry) had an engineering business together years ago in O'Boro, KY.
51. It's called "Johnson, Depp, & Quisenberry"
52. My grandfather was the Johnson.
53. My grandmother and Johnny Depp's grandmother were sort of friends.
54. I met Johnny Depp's grandmother in the 1980's when Johnny Depp was in Twenty-One (21) Jump Street.
55. I wrote fifty-five (55) things about me instead of 50. Ok, fifty-four (54), #48 isn't about me.
2. I am going to run a marathon in November.
3. So is David.
4. David runs seven (7) miles almost every day.
5. I don't.
6. I ran track for two years in High School.
7. I was a sprinter, not a distance runner.
8. I played in the Band for four years in High School.
9. When I had to choose between track or band, I picked band.
10. I've been playing my flute ever since.
11. I played my flute in a wedding this past Saturday.
12. It's the fourth wedding I've played in.
13. I only recently started running again.
14. I like the challenge running a marathon poses.
15. I plan on raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as I train for my marathon.
16. I will be asking you to sponsor me and my marathon.
17. Honk if you're reading this blog.
18. Running will be a good way to lose the stubborn baby weight.
19. The baby is almost three (3).
20. I could run fast as a child.
21. I used to do well in races in "Field Day" in Elementary School.
22. I did real well in the Jumprope Marathon at my school and at Junior Champ, at the County Level.
23. In the fourth (4th) grade, I was the Jumprope Marathon Champion (Watauga County's best) for my age group.
24. That was the proudest my dad has ever been of me. Ever.
25. I have some significant hormone imbalances.
26. It's taking a long time to get them back in check.
27. As part of the process, I agreed to send a blood sample to a lab to see if I have food allergies/senstivities.
28. I do.
29. Apparently, I'm allergic to a lot of the foods that I eat often.
30. I'm allergic to cow's milk and cheese and yogurt and walnuts.
31. I'm allergic to tuna, beef, pork and rabbit.
32. I am really bummed that I have to give up rabbit.
33. My illness/fatigue/depression have given me to permission to say no to people and things more easily.
34. My therapist says I didn't need an excuse like an illness to be able to do this.
35. Yes, I see a therapist.
36. I am the breadwinner and the primary caregiver in my family.
37. I relish both roles.
38. David may not agree with both statements in #36.
39. People at my kids' preschool have told me they thought David was a single dad.
40. David does the most (and the best) childcare of any dad I've witnessed since having kids.
41. I'm taking an on-line Magazine-Writing Class.
42. I took the same course five (5) years ago.
43. I think this time I'll be successful at getting an article published.
44. Sometimes I think I would like to have another child.
45. I don't think my body can currently have another child.
46. I need to get a hair cut.
47. I'm not sure how short to go this time.
48. Do you like Kelly Ripa's hair better longer or shorter (like it is now?)
49. We're driving to Owensboro, KY this Friday for a mini family reunion.
50. My grandfather and Johnny Depp's grandfather (and a third partner, Quisenberry) had an engineering business together years ago in O'Boro, KY.
51. It's called "Johnson, Depp, & Quisenberry"
52. My grandfather was the Johnson.
53. My grandmother and Johnny Depp's grandmother were sort of friends.
54. I met Johnny Depp's grandmother in the 1980's when Johnny Depp was in Twenty-One (21) Jump Street.
55. I wrote fifty-five (55) things about me instead of 50. Ok, fifty-four (54), #48 isn't about me.
Wednesday, June 21, 2006
How to Drop $63.00 at Durham Bulls Game and Still Not Be Sure You Had a Good Time
Ticket Total for Four Seats (Even though Grace sat in her seat for a total of 7 minutes, and 8 minutes on my lap; Johnny in his seat for two minutes and thirteen minutes of wiggling around, standing up, kicking the guy's seat in front, whining that he's hungry, thirsty, and really wants to the see "Bull"): $24
The evening's meal, consiting entirely of game food:A hot dog and small caffeine-free root beer for each of the kids, a burrito for me, and a beer for David. Two bags of Cracker Jacks for dessert. Total: $24
*note: Johnny ate half of his hot dog and none of his bun; Grace ate none of her hot dog or bun, but tipped over her root beer, sogging the bun so that no one wished to eat her wasted hot dog. Johnny threw half of his root beer away before I could stop him.
Second Beer for David: $5.00, while he enjoyed top-notch seats and a pretty good baseball game.
*note: After having been at the Ball Park for an entire hour before the game started, by the time the first pitch rolled around at 7:00 PM, Grace and Johnny had officially had enough of the "game" and lasted precisely fifteen minutes in the seats before I took them out for a little walk. The highlight for them: giving a high five to Wool E. Bull.
Two Ice-Cold, Freshly Squeezed Lemonades that I Swore I wouldn't Buy: $10.00
*note: After I took the kids to the playground area, Johnny relentlessly told me how thirsty he was. I spotted a water fountain and told him he could drink as much water as he wanted. Unfortunately, the water tasted like a lead pipe, so I couldn't half blame him for wanting something else. I was not about to buy two more small sodas for $2.25 each, when mere minutes before, Grace had spilled hers and Johnny only drank half of his. Nope, not going to do it. So, instead, I bought each of them a $5.00 lemonade. At least I could keep the cups to get some more mileage out of the money spent. The lemonades were delicious. I looked forward to topping off Grace's because I knew she wouldn't drink all of hers. Didn't have a chance, because after one sip, she dropped her cup and spilled the whole thing (and cracked the cup), so it was all a wash.
Total: $63.00
*note: A grandfather-aged man was admiring the kids. He said to me, "Are you going to keep them?" I said, "Yes, we decided we're going to keep them." He replied, "Well, they don't get any cuter, and they only get more expensive." So, there you go.
The evening's meal, consiting entirely of game food:A hot dog and small caffeine-free root beer for each of the kids, a burrito for me, and a beer for David. Two bags of Cracker Jacks for dessert. Total: $24
*note: Johnny ate half of his hot dog and none of his bun; Grace ate none of her hot dog or bun, but tipped over her root beer, sogging the bun so that no one wished to eat her wasted hot dog. Johnny threw half of his root beer away before I could stop him.
Second Beer for David: $5.00, while he enjoyed top-notch seats and a pretty good baseball game.
*note: After having been at the Ball Park for an entire hour before the game started, by the time the first pitch rolled around at 7:00 PM, Grace and Johnny had officially had enough of the "game" and lasted precisely fifteen minutes in the seats before I took them out for a little walk. The highlight for them: giving a high five to Wool E. Bull.
Two Ice-Cold, Freshly Squeezed Lemonades that I Swore I wouldn't Buy: $10.00
*note: After I took the kids to the playground area, Johnny relentlessly told me how thirsty he was. I spotted a water fountain and told him he could drink as much water as he wanted. Unfortunately, the water tasted like a lead pipe, so I couldn't half blame him for wanting something else. I was not about to buy two more small sodas for $2.25 each, when mere minutes before, Grace had spilled hers and Johnny only drank half of his. Nope, not going to do it. So, instead, I bought each of them a $5.00 lemonade. At least I could keep the cups to get some more mileage out of the money spent. The lemonades were delicious. I looked forward to topping off Grace's because I knew she wouldn't drink all of hers. Didn't have a chance, because after one sip, she dropped her cup and spilled the whole thing (and cracked the cup), so it was all a wash.
Total: $63.00
*note: A grandfather-aged man was admiring the kids. He said to me, "Are you going to keep them?" I said, "Yes, we decided we're going to keep them." He replied, "Well, they don't get any cuter, and they only get more expensive." So, there you go.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
We Love You, Daddy!
Me: “Ok, kids, remember I told you that this was a special day for Daddy? A day to tell him how much you love him? Why don’t you go wish him a Happy Father’s Day? Who wants to go give Daddy a hug and a kiss and tell him Happy Father’s Day?”
Johnny: “Not me. I want juice. Give me juice. Give me JUICE!”
Me: “What’s the nice way to ask for some juice?”
Johnny: “Please. GIVE ME JUICE, PLEASE!”
Me: “Ok, why don’t you go pee-pee first and then we’ll go and get juice and cereal. Is Miss Grace up yet?
Grace: “I need gum.”
Me: “Grace, why don’t you go tell Daddy you love him.”
Grace: “Are you love me, Daddy? I need gum.”
David: “Wow, look who it is. My darling children, Grace and Johnny. Did everybody have a good sleep?”
Johnny: (drinking juice) “I wanna watch Wiggles, Mommy. Put Wiggles on. Wiggly Party.”
Me: “Did you give Daddy the picture you drew for him at school?”
Johnny: (running back with a picture he painted, beaming) “Look, Daddy! It’s for you!”
David: “Wow, Johnny, you did this? It’s great!”
Grace: “And me.”
David: “Yeah, Grace, you can draw good pictures, too.”
Johnny: “No, me. I did this picture, Gwace.”
Grace: (S-H-R-I-E-K-S at the top of her lungs).
Johnny: (crying loudly) “NO, Gwace!” (This prompts Grace to hit Johnny on the head, prompting Johnny to cry even harder). “WAAAA, Gwace hit me!”
Me: “No hitting, Grace. Hop down and go to your room. You can’t hit Johnny on the head.”
Grace: “I need gum.”
Johnny: “Not me. I want juice. Give me juice. Give me JUICE!”
Me: “What’s the nice way to ask for some juice?”
Johnny: “Please. GIVE ME JUICE, PLEASE!”
Me: “Ok, why don’t you go pee-pee first and then we’ll go and get juice and cereal. Is Miss Grace up yet?
Grace: “I need gum.”
Me: “Grace, why don’t you go tell Daddy you love him.”
Grace: “Are you love me, Daddy? I need gum.”
David: “Wow, look who it is. My darling children, Grace and Johnny. Did everybody have a good sleep?”
Johnny: (drinking juice) “I wanna watch Wiggles, Mommy. Put Wiggles on. Wiggly Party.”
Me: “Did you give Daddy the picture you drew for him at school?”
Johnny: (running back with a picture he painted, beaming) “Look, Daddy! It’s for you!”
David: “Wow, Johnny, you did this? It’s great!”
Grace: “And me.”
David: “Yeah, Grace, you can draw good pictures, too.”
Johnny: “No, me. I did this picture, Gwace.”
Grace: (S-H-R-I-E-K-S at the top of her lungs).
Johnny: (crying loudly) “NO, Gwace!” (This prompts Grace to hit Johnny on the head, prompting Johnny to cry even harder). “WAAAA, Gwace hit me!”
Me: “No hitting, Grace. Hop down and go to your room. You can’t hit Johnny on the head.”
Grace: “I need gum.”
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