Great Way to Start your day

I have to disagree with my wife's post, I think wanting to challenge yourself and see what your are capable of is completely normal. This morning's half-marathon did't go like I had planned. I really wanted to race the Full again this year but when I caught the Flu so bad late this winter it kept me from running for nearly 3 weeks, it was like starting my training all over again.

This year's race was bigger than ever with over 6,000 entrants. As always it was a blast. I am amazed at how small a town Lincoln can be sometimes as numerous people out cheering recognized me and yelled at me. What really makes this event special is how the city has grown to love it and the wacky things they do to cheer the runners. From Elvis at 16th & O to the Waiter handing out water on 48th, to the bearded Nun on 27th, Lincolnites of all shapes and sizes come out to cheer on the runners and watch the race. It truly is a sight to behold seeing 6,000 people all running through Lincoln, it's one of the greatest events in this city. Even for non-runners it's something that a lot of people look forward to each year as it brings people from all 50 states to our city for a weekend.

My race went OK, I started too far back in the pack and couldn't hit my pace until mile 3 or 4 due to all the congestion. So many walkers start at the front, that it really makes it frustrating when you constantly have to go around them in the first mile. I felt pretty good once I finally got going and finished only slightly slower than my goal. I ran the half in 1:49:19 which was 102 out of 256 people in my age group, I always say my goal is to finish in the top half of my age group, so I guess I succeeded there. The highlight of the day really might have been Elliot enjoying the medal once I got home.

The Definition of Normal

According to my pal Webster, normal means "conforming with, adhering to, or constituting a norm, standard, pattern, level, or type; typical."

According to myself, abnormal means "Elliot James."

This week started with the bovine disease. Then I find out he's still anemic and is now on a vitamin supplement until he's two. Friday, daycare called for me to come get him - he threw up and had a mild fever. Since last night at 6:30, he has slept a combined amount of 15 hours and is snoozing as I type. Perhaps I should check to make sure he's breathing...

According to myself, abnormal means "Freddie William."

He's running the half marathon tomorrow. I'm not sure what type of person finds it nearly as enjoyable as he does. Sure - it's a goal of mine to some day accomplish but I don't know that I'll be springing out of bed that morning to do it. (By the way - I will be out there cheering him on if anyone wants to join me!)

I could go on for days about how abnormal our cat is...

And we all know that I fit the bill of "normal" perfectly so there's no need to comment on that.

That One Time... At Daycare...

My birthday weekend plans changed mid-way through Sunday when the littlest Seckman got sick. Turns out he has hand-foot-mouth disease, which I thought was something cattle got. Anyway - I stayed home with him Monday.

As I type, he is crying in his room with Fred trying everything he can think of to calm him down. We're both pretty sure it's either morphed into an ear infection or he caught Strep from one of the kids in his group.

Oh Daycare. Some days I love you. Other days not so much.

30.

I am 30. It's official. And I survived to tell about it.

It was kind of a birthday weekend.. Here's the re-cap.

Friday. Fred and Anna take a day off which includes Elliot going to daycare. We went to lunch at The Cup (delicious!!), the new Quilt Museum and poked in a few kitchy quilt shops (poor Fred). Then we picked up Elliot.

Next was a surprise party at the downtown Brewsky's where close friends and family gathered to wish me a Happy Birthday. It was nice and the cupcakes were tasty!

Saturday. My actual birthday. The day started with me getting to sleep in until 8 - ahhhh. We bummed around most of the morning and then I got my birthday present from Fred and Elliot - an IOU for tickets to The Lion King when it comes to Kansas City this fall! I am SOOO excited!!!!

In the afternoon I had my very first facial. I went with Stacey and had one of the most relaxing hours of my life. I should really try to have that done more than once every 30 years.

That night we went to Tecumseh for a family-style birthday dinner. We had yummy smoked pork chops, corn casserole, taters and my favorite - Texas Sheet Cake. Some kind of leafy green thing was there too but I wasn't going to touch that!

Then we drove home in the rain.

Sunday. That's today... and so far pretty low-key. I am going to a Yoga Class (my very first) this afternoon with my friend Kelly but that's about all I have planned.

So - all in all it was a nice birthday weekend. Sort of low key but also filled with friends and family. I should really get birthdays more often!

Approximation

I've got approximately 39 hours and 58 minutes left of being in my 20's.

In case you're wondering, I plan to stay 29 up until the exact minute. I will be 29 at 7:50 a.m. I will be 29 at 7:51 a.m. However - at 7:52 a.m. I will be another year older.

I'll probably be grouchy.

Container Gardening 101

Cindy, Judy and I took a container gardening class through SCC last Saturday. I think this lady is a few sandwiches short if you know what I mean.

We started at SCC learning that her way is the ONLY way when it comes to using and planting in containers. The second half of the day was at her house, eyeing a great variety of plants that she kept rearranging to show us how to plant a great container. Great colors, sizes - things I've never seen before.

We each paid $18 for the class, paid another $10 for supplies that day and brought our own pot. On the way home, I broke the ice by asking "Does anyone else feel like we just got screwed?" Our class instructor sent us each home with dirt in our pot and a stick. A stick. A cutting from a pussy willow in her own backyard, to be exact.

It felt a lot like buying a $28 reference book that I can't reference. I'm going to call the nursery to make sure she returned the plants we just bought her.