What is the Past Tense of "to Vomit"??

When I think of upchucking - I think of my young adult days. I think about when bowing to the porcelain goddess made my stomach feel SOOOOO much better. Maybe I had eaten the wrong combination of food before indulging. Maybe I had indulged too quickly without enough in my stomach. Maybe, just maybe, I had indulged a little too much. - Whatever the reason, tossing my cookies has almost always brought instant relief. Even when it was a stomach bug - when I was finally able to retch - boy did I feel better.

This is not the case with my daughter. She seems to be able to gag on command. From a mother with alsmost NO gag reflex, is a daughter who blows chunks whenever, and where ever she decides she should.

Yes, last week DD had a stomach bug. I was in vomit up to my armpits. (Which. if I had a gag reflex would have had me spewing as well.) Of course, she gets this trait from her father, because he would have heaved melted milk duds if I had made him clean it up. I know, I know - GROSS.

Well, there was my wonderful end of last week and this weekend!! - Hope you all enjoyed the kaleidoscope of words and phrases used for the disgusting action!

For those who are only reading because of all the 'puking' references -

Irish Proverbs: Drinking
A man takes a drink, the drink takes a drink, the drink takes the man.

It’s the first drop that destroys you, there’s no harm at all in the last.

If it’s drowning you’re after, don’t torment yourself with shallow water.

(Happy St. Paddy's Day!!)

For my family -

The kids have Easter pictures that we are sending your way. They are in no way 'perfect' so you can expect a good laugh!

Not Lazy, Just a Little Chaotic

OK - So they are more like opposites than complementing excuses! -

Dazjah started "school" yesterday. She loves it, her teachers love her (so far), and John and I know that she is SO ready for it. She has had a backpack for school for over a year now. The backpack now holds only one doll and a change of clothes incase she spills or starts a mud fight on the playground. The teachers say the extra clothes are in case she has an accident, there are no accidents with Dazjah. I have seen her wipe oatmeal on her shirt so that she could go change AGAIN! - What is it about little girls??

OK - Here is another DDMN - Dazjah is Driving Me Nuts! - The other day Zephan was talking to me in the car. He told me that he had changed his mind. He no longer wanted to be a policeman. He now wants to be a scientist. GREAT! Well, then Dazjah pipes in. "Mommy, I changed my mind too!"

"You did? What do you want to be now?" I reply.

"I want to be a buyer of clothes."

This made me wonder, was she going to be a professional shoplifter and has now changed her mind??? All kidding aside, I attribute this to her desire to wear sundresses in the dead of winter, change clothes as many times in a day as she can sneak in, and her Auntie Danielle. Johnathan's sister buys and sells all sorts of girly wear. Dazjah would love to try on all those clothes. Too bad she doesn't have a kids line out!

My father use to always say "Famous Last Words" when I said I was going to do some chore that any teen in their right mind would let themselves be distracted from. So, for him, here are some REAL Famous Last Words: Arnold Rothstein, a.k.a. Mr. Big. In response to questioning by the police about who had shot him. He was also known the fortune he made in the 1919 World Series fix. "Me mudder did it."

Workin for Jesus

I know, I know... how lazy can one person be? Well, when it comes to blogging - pretty lazy!

I am getting close to graduating and have officially started the job hunt - anyone willing to pay 6 figures?

What is the latest BIG news... well, I have accepted a part-time job working in the church office of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church! As best as I can figure, I have full-time access to forgiveness!

To my wonderful family - yes, I am still alive. I will try to get some newer pictures of the kiddos up tomorrow - or early next week. Hey there are a lot of naked, starving people that I am in charge of helping!!

L A Z Y

Thanks to the numerous people who sent contributions for the Marathon!! S

Your receipts will be in the mail tomorrow! Thanks SO much!!

Quote of the Day

Today as DD and I were walking out of her brothers' school, that she so desparately wants to attend every day, we were talking about her upcoming birthday. Mind you, she is 2.

We were talking about what kind of cake she wanted and what she wants on the cake... (she is a girly girl - everything pink and princessy.)

Well we get to talking about how she won't be 2 anymore - my way of telling her she is too big to be carried... her way around it.

With her big blue eye and her fluttering eye lashes she stated, "No, I'm going to be 4 momma." End of discussion in her mind..... I was laughing so hard I couldn't argue. I picked her up and gave her a piggy back ride to the car.

Thank goodness John is a chiropractor.

Boo WHOOOOOOO

Ok - So I am making fun of both of us! Boo Hoo for me and my hectic schedule that has left me blogless for about a month now. I know - where is the cheese to go with that expensive wine?

Boo Whoo for you as in "oh, yeah - who are you again?" and "Stop whining that I haven't blogged for so long!"

Ok - really I found it endearing that some of you actually e-mailed me asking if I was still on the face of this planet we call Earth.

Quick Topic For the Day: Color

Does anything not look better in color? Some movies are "classic" in black and white... but would have they been better in color? I mean, I don't see directors running to make reels of black and white. What is it about color that makes things look so much better?

Is it that way in society as well? By that I mean, is there not a beauty that is added to the multitude of colors we have in our society. There are the colors of personality as well as the colors of skin. The multitude of personalities is enough to make your head spin - and honestly it is more relevant than skin color. Which is why skin color has very little influence on me.

I cannot, however, say the same thing about teeth, posture, ethics, hairstyle... (this was in no particular order...) What I am trying to say is that no matter what your skin color, society can still discriminate based on the other factors that lead to the overall picture of who or what you really are.

Not prejudice - just personality.

So how do I portray spunk and book knowledge? I'm thinking I should go a little Lady Bird Johnson with a splash of Mimi... any other suggestions? (Grunge isn't working!!)

Bumper Sticker Heaven

There are days that people just aggravate you. Today wasn't one of them for me.

There are people who just annoy you no matter what they do or say. No matter how "kindly they mean it". (Yeah, right! There is a reason you pick up on the sarcastic vibe - I swear!) Right now, I also am not agitated by anyone like that.

So why did the bumper sticker I read today make me chuckle irrepressibly?

First, I know I have seen this bumper sticker before, but today it just touched me!

"Support your Local Under Taker - DROP DEAD"

It has been quite a while since I have been to a funeral or had any dealings with an under taker... maybe that is why it hit my funny bone. Maybe it is because I wish I had it when I was in Iraq. In retrospect, it seems a fitting response to many people and situations.

However, I could never actually say it to anyone. Not that I am a witch, but I would feel really guilty if I said it to someone and they did. But.... maybe I am a witch... the few people I have told to "go to hell" are deffinately there or on their way. Was that really me though... I think not - you pretty much deem yourself worthy of hell, right? OK - so either it is their fault - or I am Satan and am picking my own army. (The people I have told to venture south would probably think that the latter option was correct. - Oh, well!)

Maybe its the running. Its gotta' be the running that has me thinking so deeply about a blasted bumper sticker!

Sunshine and Lollipops

Sunshine: That bright stuff that comes from the blue sky and makes objects visible. That is a pretty basic definition of it, right? So why can't there be some when I have to run. I held off running until this evening today and what did I get? Grey clouds and rain!

Lollipops: Those delicious orbs of sugar that my kids slobber on and then try to hand back. Why does this get to me, I wiped their butts for how long? Something about slobber just makes me say, "Never mind, it's yours." (Kid response: "Really!?! I love you Mommy.")

There was sunshine, there were loolipops, but there were no rainbows - so I won't go on!

7 Miler - went well, now if I can just remember to bring the camera in from the car!

Super Hero Names

This past week the twin boys - D & Z - and I grabbed a meal on the run. Inside the meal for the kiddos was info on the Guiness Book of World Records. Now, the boys decided the guy who holds the record for stretching his ear lobes the furthest is a superhero - and his name is (of course) Super Stretchy Ears.

So, I asked them what their super hero names were (hey, they're 4 - they can dream!) Typical guy response is what I got --- ( I am SO embarassed, and yet I will tell you) Z told me that his super hero title is "Super Stretchy Penis" - Oh, lord.

Now, I had to look up and see if there was a world's strechiest penis - You know I need to tell the little man what he is up against. First, though I found another disgusting "ears" record - and Mr. Radhakant actually thinks that all this ear hair is a blessing - I am not sure that I agree with him. Fortunately (I think) - all I could find was a record for the Oldest Penis - don't worry - it is actually a fossilized daddy long legs who holds the record (THANK GOODNESS!).

Now that you have had a few laughs about my conversations with my 4 year olds - let me give you an update on the running. Although I am well into the first month of training - 4 miles is just starting to seem easy to me again. For those of you who don't know me personally - I use to run daily - and I have never been a waif. Since then though, I have had another set of twins, a single baby, and 2 broken ankles. Needless to say - my relationship with running is in the love/hate stages right now. (I love the results & effects, Hate the sweating and muscle soreness) This weeks mileage went well and it is fitting into the new "work for free" schedule that is required to complete my college degree. The only difference is that I have moved my long run to Sunday - So, pictures tomorrow of my wonderful 7 miler.

A few predictions: My face will literally be beet red in the after photos, you will be glad they are pictures so you won't smell me, and I will forget to pick up more blister block bandages so I will complain about that.

We'll see how it goes. - Wish me luck!!

Just another Manic.... Crap it's Tuesday!

That's right - I actually wish it was Monday again. It is Tuesday and I feel like I accomplished ZERO - GRRRR!

Monday - scheduled as a day off from running- so I did 2 miles and a leg workout
Tuesday - scheduled to do 3 miles - I got in 0 (ZERO) and didn't even sleep in

Monday - worked for free for the government, but at least found some job openings.
Tuesday - worked for free with 4 year olds (36 of them!) - got green paint on me right before I had to come do an English Western Lit. TEST! - Oh yeah, and over their nap time - I stood in line at the DMV!

I think that pretty much sums it up! Great day - Can't wait for tomorrow!

Health and Harmony

John is the BOMB! Man, this man is good to me! How did I get so lucky?

Since he is a chiropractor - he has been hooking me up with adjustments after almost every run. Whether it is my shoulders (why are THEY hurting - isn't it my legs taking the pounding? ~ Really, I already know the correct answer to this.) or the legs, or my back - he is making it all better again. My own little secret weapon in completing this marathon training.

What is it that I wanted to use his chiropractic table for today? A NAP! I kid you not. I am blasted tired.

So, will the alarm clock wake me up tomorrow? Only time will tell....


Here's the Plug for him - Are you in Fayetteville, NC?
Health and Harmony Wellness Center - (910) 864-9400 - on Reilly Road

6 Miles a Minute

Yeah right! I wish!

The Photos: the first one is of the T-shirt I love to wear. Johnathan traded one of the Fort Bragg Rugby Club's shirt to one of the women from Eno River. I just love the saying on the back- If you know me, then you know that this pretty much fits my personality.

Picture of me is after the 6 miler this morning and post-shower. Hair just out of the towel and I still haven't combed it!

Finally the sideways photo is my official Team In Training training shirt. I guess Nike is generous enough to give us their microfiber shirts - sweet! I am actually scared to wear it when I run outside - Dude - I sweat A LOT! THe humidity and distances do not make for a crisp white shirt for long.... so far, so good though!

Continuing my saga of training for the Walt Disney World Marathon on January 7 ~ Today I ran 6 miles. It went pretty well! The trail was still the Cape Fear River Trail and the only thing bad about running on a Sunday morning there is that the water on the path isn't ice cold. I guess the guy who rides his golf cart around refilling the coolers with ice and the port-a-potties with TP goes to church - or sleeps in. Either way - it wasn't too bad. The trail did flatten out a little bit in miles 2-4, but again the first third was a good warm-up with a bunch of down hills - and the end had me pushing it. However, today was different - not only were there hills but there was also a "friendly dog" who had broken his owner's leash. By friendly - I mean that he was in love with me and no matter whether I ran, walked, sprinted, laid down and acted like a dead fish - he wanted to be with me. So, I ended up running the last hills (killer monsters) just to get it over with.

Needless to say - I am now sitting in the office icing my shins - but other than that everything is peachy keen! And I am going to the pool or hot tub later - we'll see how the shins are doing as to which one it ends up being.

Oh, and the new shoes have given me a blister on my heel and John used all my blister block band-aids. GRRRR....Help! Need the address to send them to? Check out: My TNT site

Erik Pushed a Button

My pal Eric, the guy who worked in the cubicle next to when I was in Baghdad last year, blogged on something the other day that just completely pushed my "ROAR" button.

Johnathan and I were just talking about this the other night as well - the whole "Katrina Survivor" issue, for we had caught an interview that was on the evening news.

Here's the jist of it: A man who used to live in New Orleans now lives in Raleigh. He was talking about how the effort to clean the city up, his neighborhood, etc. is taking too long - that nothing is being done. Then he went on to say that he has only been back once for what amounted to just over 24 hours. He hasn't gone back again and won't, he stated.

Here's my take: Are you 4? Did you never learn to clean up your own mess? Dude - it doesn't matter if Mother Nature caused it. I don't care if you don't want to live there anymore - I wouldn't either. However, you still have a responsibility to get back to your place and clean your area up. (My goodness, I say exactly that on the mornings my 4 year old twins don't clean up their breakfast spot.) So many of the "Katrina Survivors" have that same story - their whole complaint is that somebody else hasn't cleaned up for them. WHAT A CROCK!

Furthermore, your lack to clean up your area, land, flooded apartment - whatever - should result in some kind of action. Failure to return and clean it up is resulting in countless volunteers being exposed to the excessive mold, mildew, bacteria and viruses that can grow in those conditions. I agree that it is disgusting - but equate it to your child being sick - you still have to get out the mop or the towels and clean up the mess - you don't just leave it sitting around. And yes - I get it, It is Hard! - Economically, emotionally.... that still isn't an excuse. As my father told me time and time again - "Life isn't fair." (and "You mess with a truck, you get ran over.")

I'm not saying the situation doesn't deserve your neighbors assistance, however, How dare you expect them to do all the work for you. The only real survivors are those that are still there, cleaning up, re-building. Bottom line - your not a survivor - you simply abandoned the society and community you were suppose to be contributing to. You are the social equivalent of a dead beat dad.

First Day of Pre-K

"Momma - I got a green day" That is what I heard as I picked Divon & Zephan up from there first day of Pre-K. (Yep - another year of Pre-K - No, they didn't fail it!)

Although the teachers may consider not recommending them for kindergarten!

This year Divon & Zephan switched classrooms. Divon (in the blue T-shirt) has Ms. Hollingsworth and Zephan has Mrs. Merritt. Well, they both just squealed with delight at the fact that both teachers kept calling them by the other's name. Furthermore, they decided that they are going to switch classes tomorrow after recess and see if anybody notices.

Personally, I think they will get caught - not because I am plotting against them, but rather because they don't dress alike! Duh! - If they think far enough ahead to even wear the same shirt I will applaud their effort. However, I am guessing it will take at least a couple of months, if not years of plotting before they can get the twin switch down. Last year they considered it once.

On a separate note - I am sore from the mileage today. (I did managed to find a new pair of running shoes.) I would love to blame the soreness on the shoes, but I think I may have been pushing it a little hard this morning. ok, ok - you caught me... I skimped out on a day last week and I decided my punishment is to do an extra work out every week for a month. What it boils down to is that I only had one recovery day after our long run, which was another 4 miler.

In my infinite wisdom, I thought I would be ok. But, I think the shins need a couple extra icing sessions and I will be good to go.

Does Aqua Jogging count? In the hot-tub?? While sitting???

And just so all of you know - I am still running most workouts on the treadmill, but I have increased the pace.... did that help me up the hills this past Saturday... Yeah, not so much!

Honestly, I am a little timid of running on the streets at o-dark-thirty without a dog and ambulance in closs proximity! Ok, I am just scared of breaking the ankle AGAIN!

Urban-ization of Footwear - What a crock!

This past weekend, as part of the Team in Training training... ha! - Well, the training subject after our long run was running attire. We specifically dealt with footwear - and the official sponsor is The Finish Line - OK great! - They give us some classes, evaluate our gait and strike, and a discount if we purchase footwear there. Ok - good business. Bottom line though - they have crap for women's footwear for running.

I walked in and after the class they asked me what specific issues I had. Well, I have a high arch, I have broken my ankle twice in the past 16 months, I have sprained both ankles numerous times and I like a wider toebox. Do you want to hear what I heard?

"Oh, well ~ we don't have a wide selection of women's running shoes. We were urbanized this past summer, so we haven't received a lot of running shoes for women. We have them for men."

Let me get this straight - you are called the finish line?

Do I look like I want a clod - hoppin' man's running shoe?

OK -

Urbanization? So, what, the urbanites are no longer running from the bullets? - They're just gonna' do that Michael Jordan jump over them? Let's face it - the shoes that she showed me as far as what they have received in the past few months did not look like they had anything to do with business (attire) ~ so exactly who in Urbania are they marketing to?

Shake Your Booty

PICT0087
Originally uploaded by DoubleMomma.

Here they are. Whose genetics do they have? Can they shake their booties with the best of the brotha's - or do they have the white man can't dance genetic markers? Either way - they think they are the best little booty shakers around. Too Cute, t'boot.

Furthermore, if you stick yours out - they will play a little ditty on you "booty bongo drums"! Lovely!!

Innocent - I think NOT!

First: Happy Birthday to my Dad, Joel - and my sister, Jess!! (I don't think they are completely innocent either!)

picture-h 067
Originally uploaded by DoubleMomma.

Yes, she looks adorable and innocent, but looks can be deceiving!

Let me expand your understanding of the here and now.... Just a few days ago we were getting ready to go run some errands. We had lots of things to do so I was in a hurry. Quick - Get your shoes on!, Quick - Find my keys!, Shoot - Where did I set that paperwork??, Fine - You have to go potty go upstairs while I get your snack, Quick - out the door kid-o's! - In the car - Seat belts buckled?

So, after we have been to the Farmer's Market to pick up some fruits and veggies, Daddy's Office for all of us to be adjusted, the other doctor's office to pick up paperwork so the twins can start school next week, and a few other stops I finally get to the gym for my workout....

OK - Everybody out! - Divon, open sister's door for her - Zephan, unbuckle her seatbelt - Oh, your crawling over to get out my side DD? - OK, come here....

What is that in my hand? Little mama is going commando today... all I got was a handful of bare butt!.... Man, she has been like this since we left home! Great!

What am I gonna' do when she turns 14? 16? CRAP! - I am so in for a lot of greys.... anybody know a cheap hair stylist/colorist???

After the Run

Ok - From the top - Post long run #1... Just a question - can 4 miles kill a person?? Just joshin' - But I have decided that I have to do a little less treadmill running. Why? Because there was no little black belt to propel my butt up those hills on the Cape Fear River Trail. There also wasn't any fan blowing on me. Thank goodness for dri-weave! Yep - I am a little red! Anyway, the first two pictures are mild exagerations! But boy, I have really been taking it easy.

The twice broken ankle survived without injury - YEAH!

Dude - was that sky for real? It looks really nice, but whatever - add about 25 degrees - BALMY!!

Yes, I know lovely hair!! Thanks, but my stylist refused to come within 20 feet of me and my lovely sweaty self! And, like I even carry a comb in my car. Bottom line - I will be looking rough in many pictures....hmmmm, maybe I should carry a comb in my car.

So, enjoying seeing me do the dirty work - visit the site http://www.active.com/donate/tntenc/tntencHGustaf

First "Long Run"

I missed the "long" group run this morning because I have an 8 am class... I put long is quotes because it is a 4 miler.

A little background - I have been running 3 miles a day for 5 days a week... the training schedule for this week was 3miles on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and our "long" run today.

So, the group met at 8 while I was sippin' a cup o' joe in the cool classroom.... Now, noon - 30 degrees hotter I will be heading out for my run on the same trail. 2 out 2 back....

This is my before picture, (actually, this is the picture of what I looked like while the rest of the team was out training), but I will include my after photo in about another hour... Dude, I better be back in the a/c in about an hour.... Ok - here I go.

We will see if I am still putting long in its special form after we are done with this... Have a glass of lemonade while I sweat my tail off!!




Have I procastinated long enough........................................................................................

Early Bird - I set the fuse a little short

So the fundraising site is ready... try http://www.active.com/donate/tntenc/tntencHGustaf - I will get a REAL link (as Erik would tell me) in another day... Because Hey - I am redesigning the whole layout - need some fresh tears shed over all this life changing stuff. The flickr pictures will be back in a couple of days... I'm working everything in between the classes, the interviews and the internship.... oh, and planning the wedding! Right, how could I forget that one?

The big kickoff party is still tomorrow... so I will post some pictures after that!

Just so y'all know - my pre-training workouts are kicking my butt!! Literally - it hurts to sit (no, there are no hemroids involved.) A couple of elementary teachers kicked my booty with a lunge workout yesterday and today we did a treadmill work out that they call their butt blaster. (If you were with me from my posts in Iraq - I probably will rename Curt's coffee that!) Anyway - Bottom line - Send a motrin along with your donation!

Hey get back up there and check out that site!