On Vacation

Why is packing so difficult?

We are leaving for Neah Bay in the morning, and it seems like we've been packing continuously for 2 days now. There is just so much to remember.

To make it more challenging, I feel driven to get things as cleaned up as possible so I won't have to come home to a mess. Things look great, but it's late, and I'm tired, and I still have a couple of things to do...

Just a Little Farther

Today on my long run I made it to Smitty's Conoco on Bombing Range Road & back. I'm not even sure how far it is; I need to check it. I was scheduled to do 8 miles, but had hoped to do 12. I've been so curious to know if I could make the half marathon distance, which is 13.1 miles. I had 12 figured at Candy Mountain Estates, but things were going well, and I could see the Conoco sign, and it seemed so close, so I decided to go for it.

I was pretty tired the last 2 or 3 miles, but I think I may have run about 13 1/2! Yeah! That means I could survive a half marathon, even though I am slow.

Birthday Tubing

Shelby's birthday is Tuesday. Instead of a party, she asked it we could all go tubing on the river. I feel a little gilty that we do this type of activity so infrequently that she chose this as a birthday activity instead of dinner out, or a movie, but still, it was a great choice.

I've been spending what little free time I have helping Rhiannon and Gillian with Fashion Revue, so I told Clint I was worried about putting everything together for a day on the river. He said he would be in charge.

I gotta say, having someone else take care of the details sure adds to the fun factor of an event for me! Clint decided we needed a new tube, did some comparison shopping, and brought home a giant thing that is designed to hold two (we found it could comfortably hold three while tubing, even more for just floating around). He prepped the coolers, the kids, blankets, chairs, umbrella, tarp, got the gas, blew up the float and planned the picnic foods (to be purchased at FM on the way to the boat launch).

All I did was grab the sunscreen and towels and put on my swimsuit. I was so relaxed and laid back. Clint was a little more bossy and serious. Maybe that's why I tend to be bossy and serious. It's a byproduct of being in charge.

We had an awesome time. The float was a blast and when we weren't "tubing" the kids loved exploring on the beach, wading and playing on the float.

I'd love to be like those families that go out on the river every weekend. After all, it's right there. But with fair and our camping trip around the corner, I guess we're lucky to have made it out at all. Thanks to Shelby!

Marathon

A few weeks ago, while out for my run, I was stopped by a couple of other runners who asked me if I am a marathon runner. I guess they've seen me out running before, and are training for the upcoming Portland Marathon. They encouraged me to give it a try.

At first, I didn't give it much thought. It was flattering to have someone ask me that (I don't know why). I'm just running because it's the cheapest, most efficient, and fastest calorie burning activity I know of, and I'm trying to get into shape!

I had been gradually lengthening my runs, mostly because I found it enjoyable enough that I didn't mind running a little longer, and hey, longer means more calories burned, right? But I never had any end in mind but fitness.

But for some reason those ladies stuck in my mind. I did a web search on marathon running, and even got a bunch of books from the library on the subject. I've found the reading fascinating, and have gotten some of my own running questions answered about how other people run.

So I started following a marathon training schedule a couple of weeks ago. I don't really know why. I figured I'd stick with it until the runs got so long they were either boring, or my feet hurt, or I just plain didn't like it. I'm sure I can't keep it up for long, because every year I run for about 6 months, and then life gets busy and I give it up.

But I've run 5 days a week instead of 3 for two weeks now, and today I ran 10 miles! I can hardly believe it myself. Last week my big day was 7 1/2. I had never gone farther than 5 1/2 miles before, and usually run 4-5. It took two hours, and my legs were feeling pretty heavy the last couple of miles.

I can't imagine going much farther than that. I was ready to be done by the time I saw my driveway again. It's been fun experimenting to see what my body can handle, but I don't think there's a marathon in my future. 26 miles is too far for me.

Yard Sale

I've been wanting to have a yard sale all summer. I've had some stuff I desperately wanted to get rid of, but felt at least some of it was worth too much to give to the Good Will. Clint was reluctant; he thought it would be too much work. Well, so did I, but I wanted to get rid of that stuff!

I'm really happy with how things turned out. We made $190! We sold the saddle & tack for the horse Shelby got rid of about 5 years ago (yeah!). Shelby got the cash for that. Clint sold his old lumber rack...one fewer item junking up our field (yeah!). We sold the Little Tikes play structure & slide that's been way too small for anyone to use in years (yeah!). And lots more of the same kind of thing...stuff we haven't needed for ages.

We gave the kids the money for the stuff that was theirs individually, and yet we still had enough money left over from the sale of community items to take us all to Pirates of the Carribean.

One great thing about a yard sale is it gets the kids thinking about what they are ready to get rid of. After the sale, even if it didn't sell, they are still ready to let most fo their stuff go. I was able to take a carload of 15 boxes & bags of stuff to the Good Will after the sale. We've got the truck loaded up and ready to take another trip. Maybe soon I will never see that ugly old orange chair again.