Wednesday's Wrandom Wrambling - Tuesday Edition

A day early.....why?  Cause at oh-dark-thirty tomorrow morning, I will be loading a bus, donned in pioneer clothes, with a gazillion other kids and adults from my stake and heading to Wyoming to reenact the Pioneer Trek.

I'm not gonna explain all that, I'll save it for my post when I get back. 

But I do know how to rock the bonnet yes? no?

Pinstripe material was a fun gift from a friend in the ward who has been looking for the past 4 years.  She wanted me to have a Yankees bonnet.  I love you TC!  And thanks BT for sewing it.  I couldn't even thread a needle if I had to.  Wouldn't even know how to TURN ON a sewing machine.  I have good friends.

We had to get a new washer last week.  Our old one bit the dust.  Splenda did his research, and then made the purchase.  I love it.  I've always liked doing laundry, there is something very fulfilling about it for me, and the new washer makes it so much fun!  I know - weird huh?

Speaking of Splenda.  I really DO realize how blessed I am.  My husband is really the greatest.  He does all the research, takes his time, studies things out before he ever makes a decision or purchase.  I credit the fact that we are comfortable entirely to him.  When it comes to money and spending, he is disciplined, informed and not emotional.  We don't have a huge house but it's almost paid for.  It's enough for what we need, and those times that I get covetous and want a huge, gorgeous mansion, I remember that I enjoy traveling, eating our with friends, doing little jaunts here and there and I never want to be house poor.  Guess I'll stick with the crackerbox and enjoy life other ways.  Besides, all the races I sign up for?  They cost money. Priorities people!  : )

Can you believe that we will have been married for 26 years this August?  That's an eternity in today's world.  I'm proud of that.  And we still love each other.  That's cool.  He's still my dream man.  I think since on our 25th, we kept it low-key, we ought to do something big this year.  Cruise?  I'll keep tanning just in case.

Sissy is the cutest thing ever.  Her favorite channel is Sprout.  For those who have dish or direct TV and toddlers you are familiar with it!  Great channel for the kiddies.  They have an ad that plays frequently for Pillow Pets.  She wants the dolphin one:

So last weekend when she was over, I got paged and needed to get on the laptop and resolve the call.  I turned on Sprout and asked her to watch quietly while I worked.  I was typing away, not really paying attention when she leaned over to me and said, " Mimi - are you going to dot.com pi-yo pets?"

(I think Sissy may find a Dolphin pillow pet waiting for her in the next couple of weeks.)

Saw the orthopod  for my chicken wing today.  He is thinking pinched nerve running from C-6 in my spine.  Gonna do an MRI when I get back next week, see the PT for another stretch on the traction device and then an injection at the pain clinic.  He gave me some do's and don't's and then discussed outcome.  80% of people that this occurs in, it will gradually just go away.  The rest end up needing surgery.  He wants to see the pictures and watch to see how it does over the next month or two before we discuss any kind of surgery.  He knows how I feel about it.  NOT!  I sure do love my orthopod office - Dr J, JS, and SF - take good care of me!

I still need to go to the store and pack for tomorrow - Peace Out from this Pioneer girl!

Maternal side Family Reunion 2010

Totally a journaling post - feel free to mark all as read.  Unless you are part of my fam - and then you'll want to see the pictures : )
Saturday was our annual Family Reunion for my Mom's side.  Not the great big EXTENDED family reunion, but Grandma and Grandpa's progeny.

We have it every year out in Eagle Mountain at a clubhouse near my niece's condo.  A great place to have a bunch of people with food and chatting on their minds, and a pool/playground area for the kids to play.

My boys are SO over family reunions so I didn't torture them by insisting they go.  Splenda and I leave for Trek in a few days so his Saturday was precious time to get some things done before we are gone.

That left me and Sissy to represent!

We drove out in the super cool, but still unnamed, Mini Cooper, grabbed some bev's, hotdogs and chips at the Mav and found our way into the fam gathering.

Wouldn't ya know it?  Just as I parked, the stupid work pager went off!  I had to spend the first 20 minutes non social as I booted up the laptop, and used the aircard to find some internet access.  BOO!

Once I got business out of the way - it was time for fun to begin.  Sissy loves the water and so she was all about heading out to the pool.  I guess my visiting would be minimal this year.
I slathered sunscreen on, turned the camera over to mi Sobrina and just had fun!

(mi Sobrina's first born - The Divine Miss Alivia)

(Savannah and DJ chillaxing at the pool)

(cousin and daughter - I SUCK - I can't remember names)

(Trev and Tayvree)

(mi Sobrina)

(Grandpa John and Uncle Al)

(Jeff and Gwen and one of their twin boys)

(Aunt Nanette and one of the newest babies in the fam)

(mein bruder and Aunt Nedra)

(Mom and mi hermana in-law)

(Gwen, Nanette and Uncle Brent.  We grew up calling him King Kong and he is one of my running idols.  He ran BOSTON!  Yeah - he's pretty much a rockstar)

(Jeff and Gwennie again)

(Mike and his brood)

Savannah, me and Sissy warming up in the hot tub)

(add in Alivia)

(DJ being the cool teenager that he is)

(Savannah and I showing our muscles)

Sissy had a borrowed life jacket and I stepped away from her to dunk my head under and get warm and she tried to follow.  When I finally surfaced, there were two adults jumping in after her.  Sobrina fully clothed and everything!  I'm getting the MeeMaw of the year award!

We finally took a break from the pool, laid in the sun and finally had a chance to chat with family for a while.

Great reunion - wish we had more attend, but we are getting so spread out - it's hard to gather everyone at once.  And yet, when we do get together, it's good times, lots of laughing and full of love.  Grandma and Grandpa would be so happy!

Is there a 12 step program for this?

Hi, my name is M-Cat, and I'm addicted to Triathlon's.

Saturday morning me and my bestie girls (and a token dude) headed to Riverton for the South County Triathlon.  We got there, set up our gear in the transition area, and made our way over for body marking.

(me, the Guppy, Dirty Ana and the Shark)

After a quick set of instructions and general run through, we hit the start line and waited for the horn.

Now, a regular triathlon starts with the swim, then bike, and end with run.  This was reversed.  So the first leg was a 5k run.  The temp was perfect, the sun just up, and the trail was beautiful.  I tried to make sure I didn't jump out of the gate too quickly, and paced myself for a little bit.  I kept reminding myself that I had at least an hour and a half of straight cardio, so I needed to set a moderate pace.

The run course was an out and back so it was easy to see where I was in the pack.  Feeling pretty good and had a great pace going.  The last section, was an 8% grade hill and it kicked my butt!  I had to keep reminding myself that I had done a MASSIVE hill just the week before, I could do this. 
Next thing I knew I was approaching the end line and ready to transition to the bike.  I glanced at my watch and now I can't remember my time, but I was happy and ready to push harder!  I sprinted into the transition area and headed for my bike.  I also could count 2 roadkills.

I quickly swapped my hat, for my helmet and ripped on my gloves.  I walked my bike to the pavement ready to start and realized that the chain had come off.  CRAP!  I stop and work the chain for a few minutes when I get it set and ready to go.  My hands are covered in grease by now, but I didn't care, I just wanted to get going. 

I had forgotten to pack shot bloks, so I was going to have to do this sans fuel.  I drank water on the flat straightways, and cranked the rest of the time.  I could see that I recognized this route, had biked it before and knew what lied ahead.  A steep down hill that while I wanted to cruise, would require some careful handling so I didn't crash.  This course was also an out and back so I paid attention noting what I would be tackling on the way back.  Luckily, the majority of the way back was a down grade so I was able to pick up some speed.  The last hill was a killer though, and even though I was determined to stay in my big ring on the bike, I just couldn't do it, I switched gears, and finished the hill before jumping back in the big ring and trying to make up some more time.

I came around the corner quickly and headed for the bike-in chute.  I glanced at my watch again and even though I can't remember my exact time now (a day later) I do know that I was feeling pretty happy, but a little weak in the knees, I knew I had my work cut out for me in the pool.  As I stripped off my shoes, socks, running shorts and tank top, down to my swim bottoms and sports bra - I added two more roadkills from the bike portion and decided to be happy with those, since I wouldn't get any in the pool.

Running from the transition area to the pool, it occurred to me that there was a lot of jiggling going on and many spectators.  I pictured myself showing up on some ugly website, like the people of walmart or something.  Such strange thoughts for the middle of an event like this!

I made my way to my lane and jumped in.  I had been frantically putting my cap and goggles on and was hoping I had everything secure enough  to stay in place for the 400 meters required of me.  Off I went, fairly alone in the lane, when I could feel more waves and knew that the dude I had just passed on the bike about 10 minutes earlier, had caught up and was now passing me in the pool.  CRAP!

Oh well - nothing to be done but just keep swimming.  I found a good pace, and kept at it.  There weren't many in the pool so it wasn't as difficult to get air as it has been in the past.  That was nice.  I finally finished the 400 meters and glanced at my finish time.  1:21 and some change.  Couldn't be happier! 

I drug myself out, found KL and congratulated him on finishing so strong and started looking for my other friends.  One by one, they came into the pool area and finished up.  I was so proud and happy for all 4 of them!
It was their first triathlon ever and I loved watching the looks in their eyes and the expressions on their faces and they finished.  Okay, I missed KL - but only cause he's a freakin animal and no matter how hard I try, I will never catch him, but my girls........it was awesome!  Guppy who had some serious anxiety in the pool, Dirty Ana - who pretty much laughed all the way through, and the Shark - who was seeing black spots and shaking but still kept on.  I think I liked watching them finish more than anything!

(ana and guppy)

Once everyone was dried, and loaded up, we posed for another "after" picture and then we were all off in our different directions but each leaving as a Triathlete!

Yup - it's official.  I'm addicted.  Added another one in August.  That makes two more for the season.  I'm either an idiot or just plain crazy.  Wait - don't answer that.

  **and let the record state - I'm more than a little ticked that I don't have a picture of KL to add to this post.  Trust me - dude is an ANIMAL!  Kudos to you all 4 of you!

Funny Bone Friday - Things I may have heard, or said, or just thought in my head

We made a Debbie samwich and didn't even get a prize.

Is Tenille gonna be the one to answer, or will it be the Captain?

Stop mocking the boy about going to hell.

We're stuck in the loop-dee-loop!

You mean Marcia Brady pants?

Don't do it.  It's poison for your soul.

Turn it so I can see the wiener.

Running like a bat out of Magna.

The wrong iron in my hand is like a shank.

Your secret sauce just spilled over.

I enjoy my chub rub

He's quite the stick twirler

It was a lot of fun memories, once we gave it a week.

He's going to the movie, he's picking his seat.

Get your rump into grear

Oh crap, where's my strap?

Shake your moneymaker!

Put it right here in my money holder

You will sell your soul for a dollar.

Nothing like a walker you can't catch.

Take a good look at me.  This is what it looks like to be road kill for many a man!

Well, HELLOooooooo Handsome!

First off - HUGE shout out to my Splenda Daddy!  In fact, I think he deserves the full on Sugar Daddy title for awhile

He made all this happen:

Notice my lei hanging from the rear view mirror?  I wanted it there, but after driving with it, realized that the cooper's windshield is just too small. 

I love him, I love him, I love him!! 

Oh, and Splenda is pretty cool too.....

Now, I need to name him - ideas?

Yo, Yo - we all gangta up in herah!

Saw this:  The Original Gangsta Name Generator on the Shark's blog today and have been getting a kick out of seeing what mine and my brood's gangta names are:

M-Cat - Young Dirty Forty Sippa

Splenda - Stanky left-Hand Drug Smuggler

'dawg - Tree Trunk Pud

Luka - Mercedes Rolling Pimp

Tuffy - Swinging Melon Balls

Sissy - Fried Green Drug Smuggler 
(does she take after her Poppa?  I prefer calling her Milkshake Sha-nay-nay)

Go play, it's fun!  All the cool kids are doing it!

Wednesday's Wrandom Wramblings

Another Wednesday, another day of crap rolling around in my head.

I think I am seriously losing it.  I wore two different flip flops to the Physical Therapist today.  One bright pink and the other black.  I don't know how it happened, but I didn't even realize it until I sat down and glanced at my feet.  How does that happen? 

And then I thought I lost my cell phone and was on the verge of a hysterical meltdown, when I found it in my sunglasses case.  Wha? Who does that?

Annual lady check today.  I'll spare you deets.  But for the record, I LOVE my gyn.  LOVE HER!  She walked in, and I freaked out - she has lost 120 pounds.  That's like one whole ME!  She looks fantastic and she always treats me like a long lost friend.  Gonna check my thyroid to see if there is something jacked that is causing me to be so freaking tired all the time and for these ellbees sneaking back on me.

Also saw the PT today.  She worked my chicken wing some more and then put me in the traction machine.  Picture the rack that stretches you.  It actually felt kinda good and relieved a little bit of the pain down my arm, but it looks like I'll see the orthopod on Monday and she mentioned I should get some pics done and take a look at the disc's. 

Getting old sucks.  rocks.

'dawg, Sissy, myself and the Shark and her girls all went to see Toy Story 3 last weekend.  I bawled.  Like a four year old.  You have to understand something.  Toy Story holds a special place in our family and my heart.  Most people know my real last name so I'm not disclosing a huge secret, but the founder of Pixar is Splenda's cousin.  The night Toy Story came out, the whole fam damily went to the first showing and about took over the entire theater.  It was incredible!  My boys loved it, but especially Tuffy.  He was 3.  He loved Buzz and Woody like no other kid I have seen.  It was our go-to movie for years.  Toy Story 2, no less of a love affair.  So as the story unfolds in the final edition, it was very much a comparison to where my life is now with my sons.  Yes, I wept.  And I will likely see it several more times in the theater.  And for the record, this was the first movie that Sissy sat entirely still for the WHOLE TIME.

Kudos to Ed and the whole Pixar team. You are amazingly talented!

We leave for Trek in a week.  I am not ready.  Okay, physically yeah, I can pull it off, but have I started putting together equipment and clothing?  Nah.  Not so much.  Need to get on that.

Being on call for work sucks.  rocks.  I can't do my regular life and that kind of ticks me off.  Plus, I'm not all that smart, so it's basically a week of having my self-esteem squashed hour by hour.

Did I mention that getting old suck.  rocks?

Can you really love someone so much it hurts?

You are my sunshine, my only sunshine.

You make me happy, when skies are gray.

You'll never know dear, how much I love you.

Please don't take my sunshine away.......

Sissy,

You are always safe at Mimi's.  Mimi would die on the sword for you.  You are loved.  You are cherished.  You are the light of my life.  You bring love and happiness the minute you pull up in my driveway.  You are wrapped around your Poppa's and uncles fingers.  They would give you the moon.

I will never let anyone hurt you.  You are loved.  More than the sea.

xoxoxo

Mimi