To Tri or not to Tri

So far in Ohio I have done two half-marathons and two triathlons. Each time I say yes to do a race, sign up, and start training I instantly regret that I said yes. I did a tri in May. I trained for maybe two weeks since home, school, and the weather were keeping me indoors.  I was sloooow. I was so glad to finish. Then I did another one in June.  Again not much training. The half mile open swim was ok, I was tired but still manage to jog back to the transition area. Then the bike was a whole another story.  I knew I was in trouble when my friend told me it was hilly on the way to the race.  I told her she would be hearing cuss words from my mouth. Second, it was 21 miles. 21 long miles.  I haven't ridden 21 miles in forever, like two years ago. So now I have 21 long and hilly miles to go.  I think I had a little fun and energy for the first 5.  Then I was done. But I knew I couldn't be done I had a long way to go. At one point around mile 15 on a particular long hill I had to get off my bike and walk. Then the most embarrassing thing that could happen to my ego happen.  The race sponsor truck came up behind me to make sure everything was ok. I was the last person!!!! Dead last! I did finally make it up the hill and pushed myself to the end.  Only with lots of prayers and I am pretty sure some spiritual angels pushing me did I finally finish.  My tank was empty. I could not go on and do the 3.5 mile run.  I was soo mad at myself.  
So I plan I doing this triathlon again! With more training time under my belt and definitely on the bike seat.
Training again for the Air Force half.  I really like this race! And this time the whole family is participating. Even my brother-in-law is running. Ran with my daughter this morning.  She is way faster then me now.  She needs to train with her runner dad or her big brother.  I just kept waving her on when she stopped at all the stop signs looking back at her mom a 1/4 mile behind her.


Mentioning that I am missing my boys this week the house is quiet, but a little less messy. The oldest is in Minnesota canoeing on the 10,000 lakes area. I hope he is not being eaten alive by mosquitos. The middle is backpacking the Appalachian Trail.  I know he is tired and sore but still making the best of it.  He took lots of dried mashed potatoes which he loves and beef jerky.  I am sure they will be stinky and tired when they get home.


Hope summer time fun has kicked in where ever you may be,


Mads

Away so long

Has it really been six months since my last entry?!?! How sad, since I wanted this to be a blog of my rantings. A journal of my life to me and my family. Well, let me update myself and this blog.

The middle of Feb. started a new term at nursing school.  It was awful, stressful, gross, funny, and I never want to go back. It required me to swallow some serious self reflection.  I think I came out a better person and in the end a better nurse. I now only have eight more months to go. Feb. 1, 2013 is soo close I can taste it. 

My oldest went college shopping in April out in Utah.  He is so excited and I have bittersweet emotions. He is growing into such a great young man. Right now he is on a mini mission with our church. I have not heard from him in four days. It is good preparation for me when he goes on a full time mission in two years. He is close to the Lord and knows how to choose the right.  My middle son is going to China this summer and spouts out some serious Chinese mumbo jumbo I can't understand but love to hear. My youngest is out of elementary school and came home crying because she is scared of middle school.  I love my drama queen. She is going to rule that school with her life force.

My busy resident husband is also so close to finishing his training to his new career that we are already planning our graduations celebrations for next year!

I have added about four new food blogs to my favorites list and threw a yummy Cinco de Mayo party. I was so busy cooking that I did not take any pictures of the fabulous carnita meat or spanish rice I made.  But, I remember the taste and it was mouth watering.

I went house hunting for family that is moving close to us.  I love going into homes and checking them out.

I cut sixteen inches of hair off and now love my shorter hair.  It is still in the bag to send off to Locks for Love along with my hair I cut off four years ago.

Oh, did I tell you that I am a terrible procrastinator. I am, I save everything to the last minute then complain to myself(mostly) that I hate doing that.

I went on a Women's trip to Ft. Lauderdale with two other wonderful women.  We had a blast eating three times at Burger Fi, sitting on the beach and by the pool.  I think that it will be a yearly trip for me.

I have now done two more triathlons in Ohio.  This makes seven total. But, the sad part was I could not finish the last one. The bike took everything out me, not really physically but emotionally.  I had some angels(spiritual ones) push me back the last four miles of the bike ride.  I cried because I could not finish.  I was the last bike rider.  I had the race sponsor car following me with their flashers on. I have never done that before.  Not enough training. I plan I redoing that tri again later this summer.  I need more time in the bike seat.  The bike is my nemesis.  I will beat it and at least one other rider to not be in last place.

OK, this updates me to last week.  This week I am on my one week summer school break.  I have some new recipes I am trying.  

I am going to keep this blog updated!!

One foot in front of the other,

Mads

Voices

We have two small dogs, Jack Terrier mixes, they have their own voices and personalities. The female an obvious alpha female has a strong sweet voice. And her son the male has a sweet high pitch voice. Well, he hasn't been feeling very well and the other day when my husband, who only likes the dogs when he feels like it, finally recognize that Loki wasn't feeling well and started to worry. Pixie who obviously has a "jealous focus on her only streak" decided it was her turn to get love from the male alpha of the house. This doesn't happen to often. So then my husband decides to use the dog voices. It is so hilarious because they rarely come out of his mouth. Since Loki is sick Hubby asked Pixie would she be sad if he died? Pixie response " no dad I would love to be the only dog of the house". I swear she smiled and nodded in agreement.

I love our dog and their voices,

Mads

Can't Stop

I made baklava last night for my daughter's Greece project. It was super freakin easy. I used the recipe from The Pioneer Woman. If you haven't read her blog start now, it is that good. Anyways, the only problem with the baklava is I can't keep my hands off of it. And I know it is going straight to the junk in my trunk. And I know no matter how much P90X I do if I keep eating it the trunk is only going to get fuller.

Please help, on second thought don't worry it is almost gone,

Mads

Ever Get Hooked

Have you ever been hooked on a TV show that you just have to watch all episodes until the end? Well, right now I am hooked on this show out of Australia called "Mcleod's Daughters". I should have known better when I saw on Netflix that it had 220 episodes. But I just can't stop. Everyday I need to watch 1-2 episodes. I think it is the accents that keep bringing me back. I love those Aussie accents and really want to start talking like them. Also the scenery is BEAUTIFUL! It was filmed in South Australia. I totally want to go there even more now and live on a farm/ranch and ride horses all day long. Right now I am only on season 4 with 4 more seasons to go. I am trying to get things done around the house and sometimes I succeed, but I keep finding piles of things that I have built up to take care of later after my show. Good thing I have a understanding husband that just finish watching for the third time all the seasons of Scrubs. I think right now I can squeeze in half a show before I have to take my daughter to guitar.

Good Day Mate,

Mads

I Don't Wanna....sometimes

Ever feel like folding your arms across your chest, pouting your lips and screaming " I don't want to". Well, I am in nursing school right now and am in the mode of don't want to study ever again. But, I will totally fail if I don't and I don't want to fail. So even though I feel like pouting and I might even make that position of folding my arms across my chest. I suck it up and keep plugging along.

On a side note. Finished reading "All Quiet on the Western Front". What a powerful story! The language was beautifully. The story was sad and oh so prominent in today's society. Even if the way soldiers fighting style has changed since WWI. Can't wait until book club to discuss it.

Plugging along,

Mads

A Lucky Meal

Hoppin John - A New Year's traditional meal that if eaten on New Year's Day will bring good luck for the whole year. My Grandmother Bernice used to make this every year. I saw the recipe on another blog and had to try it.

Black eye peas canned or dried. If using dried soak for at least 6 hours prior to using.

Two pork ham shanks or ham hocks. Ham shanks have less of the shiny, tough outer skin to deal with.

One small-medium onion chopped, one bell pepper chopped(any color), 3-4 celery stalks chopped

One tablespoon of EVOO and one tablespoon butter, because the flavors are good together. I have butter in about every dish I make, and you can use higher heat for longer with the added butter.

Saute veggies until soft about 10 mins.

Seasonings: Splash of Apple cider, couple of bay leaves, cayenne pepper, S/P to taste. If you liking spicy add more cayenne. Like mild add less cayenne. I think you get the picture.

I forgot the garlic. I love garlic as much as I love butter! 2-3 cloves garlic chopped and add to saute veggies. Your house will smell Amazing.

Put all ingredients into crock-pot and give it a stir. The picture doesn't give this dish the justice it deserves. Doesn't look appetizing now, but the end result was DE-licious.

Set Crock-pot to low if you have 6 or more hours. High if you only have 5 or less. I went to church and when we came home we could not wait to eat. You can also make this on the stovetop in a large pot. Cut cooking time to 1 - 1 1/2 hours. Your goal is to have tender meat that comes easily off the bones.

I served it over brown rice made in the rice cooker to soak up the yummy broth.

One thing I forgot. The after picture. This if my first time posting a recipe. Like with most mistakes you learn and improve.

I think this meal will bring good luck. If not, it was filling and delicious! I think I will stick with this tradition.

Love to eat,

Mad

It's a New Year

Welcome 2012, goodbye 2011. A short recap of 2011. Started a nursing program. Well, technically started Nov. 2010, but finished my LPN Oct. 2011. Full time school and managing to stay sane was my goal.

My oldest received his driver's license. Hallelujah!

Did some repairs on our first purchased home. Putting in toilets and sinks takes more work then I thought.

Ran my fourth 1/2 Marathon.

Purchased a third car for said new driver.

Now goals for 2012.

Short and sweet, I can keep it to one word. PRIORITIES.

1. Finish RN program

2. Exercise often

3. Try new recipes

4. Keep blogging

And of course some priorities that never change, but I need to work on everyday.

1. Family

2. Personal scripture study

3. Personal relationship with my Heavenly Father

I have a recipe for the new year. That I will post later. It is suppose to bring good luck for the new year.

Looking forward,

Mad