Happy, happy, sad and mind-blowing.

Happy Number 1:

This weekend Big Sissy had her final basketball game as an 8th grader.  Their team was undefeated this year and had the championship game Saturday.  My daughter is the point guard and I have never seen her handle the ball as well as she did that game.  They were playing a 1:3:1 press to trap the girls in the back court and our team was floundering a little to get through it.  But the she started using her dribbling skills to break the press and it was so fun to watch.  Our center had a fantastic game scoring most of our points and was deadly from the foul line.  My kiddo had 2 3-pointers and many times she drove in with some great moves for a lay-up but had the wrong angle and just missed, most of the time our center was there to get the rebound and put it back.  If she can finish on her drives, she will definitely be someone to watch.

What a great way to end their middle school career.  Over two seasons, they are 31-1.  Proud momma moment.

stealing the ball

champs!

Happy Number 2:

Ultra runner and founder and director of the Mount Desert Island Marathon, Gary Allen, is running from the top of Cadillac Mountain here in Maine to the Super Bowl in New Jersey.  He is running 50 miles a day for 10 days to raise money for the Wounded Warrior Project.  He is pretty awesome and quite the legend here in Maine.  On Saturday, I was able to see him and his crew, including my internet pal Sarah, as they ran along Route 1.  We passed them twice as I was on my way to the basketball game and then again as we were heading home. 

I was so hoping that I might be able to run some miles with them on Sunday as they passed by my town, but I had no idea how I would get back to my car or what do to with my kids.  I had to bring #33 above to her field hockey practice so I thought, if he didn't run too fast, I might catch them on the way.  Which I did!  I was so thrilled to be able to catch them while he was taking a water break and have a minute to talk with him.  And of course take a photo!

even though it looks nice out, it was freezing! and windy.  probably around 14*

Unfortunately, he has not had the best weather thus far.  It's been bitter cold, and yesterday when it warmed up, it was sleeting/snowing/raining for pretty much his whole leg.  

If you haven't heard about Gary or the Wounded Warrior Project, please take a minute to click  HERE and check it out.  It's an amazing charity and definitely worth donating to.  

Sad

As we approach this time in life called "middle aged", it seems more and more friends and family alike are filing for divorce.  It upsets me even though it really has nothing to do with me.  I'm not making any judgments or anything but I just feel very sad inside when marriages of 10, 12 even 20 years are breaking up.

I have no words other than that.  

Mind-Blowing

So, I'm watching the Grammy's last night and chatting on Facebook when one of my friends posts a link about the show Alaska: The Last Frontier.  This show we have been watching for 2 years anyway and basically it's about this family that lives totally off the grid.  They grow their own food, shoot their meat, no electricity, no indoor plumbing etc.  Basically, about how much work they need to do to just exist.  It's a pretty cool show.  Anyway, the people on the show are Jewel's (the singer) family.  The head guy is her father and the men are her brothers or cousins.  I knew she grew up in the wilderness of Alaska but had no idea that this was about her family.  HERE is the link if you are interested.  It's worth watching.  Both the show and the link.    

How was your weekend?  Happy or sad?

The Differences in Instagram Accounts

Pretty much everyone is on Instagram now, from moms to teens to athletes to celebrities.  Being a 40-something mom, I've noticed a few differences in what 40-somethings post from what teens or 20-somethings post.  Here's what I've noticed:

40-something selfie

a little bit more close up than I like, but the 30-something in this photo looks great. ;)

Teen/20-something selfie

random selfie taken from google search

Notice the wide open doe eyes and the partly open mouth like she are about to say something or is in the middle of saying something.  Why do they all look like they are surprised?  Close up enough for you to notice the flawless skin.

No need to worry about camera positioning, because there are no wrinkles or chins to be seen.

The same pose even  holds true for boys! or young men.... whatever.


40-somethings drink posts

 I get a whole feed of instagram posts just like these ones.  Green smoothies, fruit smoothies, chia smoothies, whatever.  40-somethings love them some smoothies.  And love to share them on instagram.  Possibly to make me feel bad about my Mt. Dew choice.


20-somethings drink posts

nuff said

These folks are not judging me and my dew, thank you very much.

This, however, is seen on everybody's instagram everywhere.

Starbucks should be thanking their lucky stars for instagram.  Free advertising and nobody shuts it off or turns the channel.  I wonder if instagram owns Starbucks stock.... hmmm.

What 40-somethings do in their spare time

Run.  And take pictures of it.  Because if you didn't take a picture of your watch or your sneakers, then clearly you didn't run.

totally guilty as charged.

What 20-somethings do in their spare time

How 40-somethings use the hashtag

Three different instagrams, and ALL of them hashtag fitfluential.  GAG.  I swear if I see another fitfluential post I might just throw up.  Maybe I need to expand my instagram followings to people other than fitness freaks.  

How 20-somethings use the hashtag  

Not exactly sure what the hashtag "so" is supposed to tag, or "much".    Maybe I'll search the hashtag "so" and see what comes up.  Likes? and Like?  oh jeez.  Makes me wonder if they even know what the hashtag is supposed to be for.  

Update--just searched.  Ok, so maybe I'm the idiot.  2 million tags with the word "so" and 5 million with "much".  Pictures of everything from selfies, to Justin Beiber to people's kid to food.  Alrighty then.  I guess we live in a world of people who don't have a clue how to use the hashtag.  

All in all I do enjoy instagram and following people.  If I'm not already following you, send me a message and I will.  

Is there anything about instagram that bugs you?

#I #love #instagram #so #much 

Three Random Thoughts for Thursday

1.  As I am seeing an onslaught of college students while they are home on break, it occurs to me that yoga pants or leggings or stretch pants or whatever you want to call them, have somehow become actual pants that people wear as an actual outfit to places other than yoga or the gym.  Like the eye doctor or a basketball game or The Olive Garden. 

When did this happen?  Better question, why did this happen?

Just a random yoga pants picture I stole off of a google search but here is a perfect example of what I hate about this trend.  This woman is neither overweight or unfit but yet the yoga pants are grossing me out a bit.  There is a see-through quality that makes me wish she were wearing granny panties, not to mention the whole camel-toe of the butt thing.  I don't care who you are, that doesn't look good on anyone.

Then to pair them with dress shoes or boots, like it's an actual outfit, is just too much.  Seriously, folks.  These are pants meant to exercise in, not close real estate deals.

2.  I got Princess one of those Origami Owl necklace things for Christmas.  Holy expensive, Batman!  If you don't know what I'm talking about, it's basically a locket with charms in the middle that you can change out, that hangs on a necklace or bracelet or whatever.  All of the stuff you buy separately at Pampered Chef-like party. 

not her locket, but you get the idea

and yes, each of those crystal things are $5 each! what a freakin' racket.

Anyway, she had taken it off at field hockey on Monday and put it in her bag with the open top.  She forgot all about it until Tuesday evening when she went to look for it.  Of course, it was gone.  I thought it might be in the laundry because that's where I put all the dirty clothes that were in that bag, but nope.  It could have fallen out at the Y while we were there but I figured it would be long gone if that happened.  As a last ditch effort, I called the Y to see if anyone had turned it in.

They had.  Someone had found it and brought it to the front desk!  I had pretty much thought it was gone for good.  Let me tell you, we had one happy girl.  (and mom!)  So thank you, to the nice person who turned in a little old necklace.  You made a 10 year-old's day.

3.  I need to get back on the eating-right wagon.  I have fallen so far off of it, it's really hard to get back on.  My car looks like every fast-food restaurant threw up in it.  Sodas, fries, junior mints (but oh, are they delicious), what is wrong with me??  The kids have something every night and if we are away, it is just so much easier to drive thru somewhere at 6:30 and feed everyone than it is to get home at 7:00, cook something, make them eat it and then clean it up.  I can almost understand why America is obese.  It's HARD WORK to eat healthy with our scheduled lives.

the center console in my car.  yes, you see mt. dew, KFC drink (which means crispy, fatty chicken, candy, chips and a Chipolte napkin (which means a delicious bowl).  All since Tues. 

Oh the shame.


The fruit here in Maine in the winter is imported, old and not very tasty.  It's not a good excuse but it is part of the reason why I'm not eating much fruit right now.   I need to find a way to keep on track when traveling  kids all around and not just driving through the nearest crap food store.  I'm not a big carrot-stick type of girl but there has to be something better than what I've been doing.

Thank god I'm keeping my exercise level up or else I'd be a big as a house.

What do you think about yoga pants for everything?  Yay or nay?

Do you eat junk food when you have a busy schedule?

Fun Friday--Would You Rather....

Running with the Girls has shared a fun survey from another blogger and I'm going to join in as well, why not?

Would You Rather......

1.  Run in a snowstorm or a thunderstorm?

Totally run in a snow storm.  I don't think you can get hit by lightening in a snow storm.  Not to mention I hate running in the rain unless it is a warm rain, like in FL.  As a general rule, we don't get warm rain here in Maine.  The rain in Maine falls mainly cold.  doesn't rhyme but is true

2.  Would you rather breathe through your nose or through your mouth?

I understand that it is better to breathe through your nose and out your mouth, but I just don't feel like I'm getting enough breath when I do that so I always breathe through my mouth.

3.  Would you rather do 100 squats or 100 crunches?

I would rather do 100 crunches.  I am able to do both but squats are more work to me.  I have to concentrate on doing them properly so I don't hurt my knees.

4.  Would you rather have a baked good for dessert or an extra serving of your entree?

Well, I don't really limit myself when I eat.  If I want another serving, then I have it.  If I want another serving and dessert too, well, then I have it.  But, if I had to choose, I would probably have another serving of the entree since I don't really love baked goods.

unless it's cheesecake factory's cheesecake.  Then I want all the cake.

5.  Would you rather run on a treadmill for an hour or the same street block for an hour?

I would rather run anywhere outside than run on a treadmill.  I would rather run around the indoor track for an hour than do the treadmill.  Treadmill and I are not close friends.  But she understands.  She serves her purpose but doesn't feel slighted when I shun her for the track or the great outdoors.  Plus she has plenty of other closer friends who adore her.

you know who you are.....

6.  Would you rather have a headache during a run or a side stitch?

I would rather have a headache.  The side stitch usually happens if I've eaten too near to running so then my stomach just feels like I'm carrying rocks during the whole run.  My headache usually goes away after the first mile or two.  Run > advil.

7.  Would you rather have a rest day on a work day or a day off?

In an ideal world, having a rest day on a work day would be best.  In my real life though, because of all my kids'schedules and activities, I often end up not getting any exercise on a Saturday or Sunday because of driving them all around to their things.  I can almost always get exercise in on a work day during my lunch hour because no one interferes with that--kids are in school!

8.  Would you rather be a race director or volunteer?

I would rather be a volunteer.

9.  Would you rather spend money on running gadgets (garmin, headphones etc) or running shoes?

BOTH!  I love all the things running related!  I do not discriminate when buying running stuff.  I want it all.  If there's something you want that's related to gear, I probably have it.  Fuel belt? yes.  ear warmers with built in headphones? yes. reflective vest? yes.  head lamps? yes.  garmin?  yes.  heart rate monitor?  yes.  3-4 different belts to hold fuel, phone and keys?  yes.  gloves that have that touch pad for iphones? yes.

10.  Would you rather run in a relay or do the run portion of a distance triathlon?

I would rather do the whole tri myself or run in a relay.  If I were going to choose a part of the tri to do, it would be the bike.

although finishing a tri is pretty awesome!

What would you rather?

2013~A Year in Review

Here we are already at 1/2/14.  The start of a brand new year.  I've never been much for resolutions on the new year, I mean, if you have something you want to change or improve on, why do you need to wait until the start of the year?  Just start the next day.  But I do like to look back and see what has happened over the year and see what I've accomplished and just how many things I have to be thankful for. 

Miles Run~ This year I totaled 561.41 miles!  Almost 100 miles more than last year.  I didn't plan for that, it just sorta happened.  Runs that used to be 3 or 4 miles are now 5 or 6 miles.  I almost don't even feel like it's a run unless it's at least 5 miles.  So my reasonable goal of 550 set last year was met!  Yay!  Maybe it's possible to reach 600 miles next year??  I think I can, I think I can.

Biking Miles~I had a total of 2277 minutes on a bike--whether it be a spin bike or a road bike.  If you assume I average around 17 mph (which I do), then that totals 645.15 miles for the year.  Last year I had myself down with something like 230 miles but that doesn't make sense at all.  I went back and redid the math and came up with more like 900 miles for last year.  Not sure how I screwed up simple math but whatever.  Anyway, I did quite a bit less biking this year and that was due to more outside running and less time at the Y on the spin bike.

Swim Miles~I logged a total of 46.5 swimming miles this year.  Just a little short of the 54 I got last year.  This does put me into the 100 mile club at our local Y.  But only if they were doing it still.....  So in my head, I've joined the 100 mile club and I'm pretty damn proud of myself.

Favorite Events of the Year~

Lobster Roll and Ride 50 Mile Bike
Not really a race per se, but a fantastic ride along the Maine coast.  Loved, loved, loved it.  The company wasn't too bad either. :)

Meeting so many new running friends!

Mandy and I having all the fun!

Danielle and Kristal and I at the Maine Half Marathon finish.  They whooped my butt but I'm so happy to have met them both!

Scored a surprise new PR!

became an ambassador for my favorite group of tough chiks.

Dressed up as a turkey.

Beach to Beacon 10K is one of my favorite races.

 these kiddos that make every moment of my life worth living and give me purpose every day.

Plans for 2014~

I hope to continue to do triathlons.  Probably not any more ocean ones since I've decided that those suck, but I do like the run, bike, swim and the challenge that it presents.  I know I can do better but I think the lake might be the place to do it.  I think the first one might be a pool sprint in May.  

I have the Mid Winter Classic 10 miler on schedule in February.  With any luck, the weather will cooperate and it won't be a blizzard and -4* like today is.  

I hope to complete a series of trail races on Bradbury Mountain.  The Scuffle 6 miles, Mountain Breaker 9 miles and the Bruiser 12 miles.  When you complete the series of 3 you get a special medal or shirt or at least some badass bragging rights.  12 miles of trail running will probably kill me but I want to give it a try.  Awesome new friends like Danielle, help to make these poor choices easier.  Misery loves company right?  

Thank you for reading this blog.  It amazes me that anyone cares to read about my life.  I appreciate each and every one of you that takes the time to read and/or leave a comment.  I do feel like you are all my friends even if we have never met.  

If you do that sorta thing, please follow me on twitter~@ltlindian and instagram~@ltlindian2.

Happy New Year to all my pretend friends!

Christmas/After Christmas and Operation Jack 10K

Christmas has just been a whirlwind this year.  I have been right out straight since last Monday and haven't had one moment to try to form a coherent thought on this blog.

I think it's rather inconsiderate to hold xmas on a Wednesday.  It really sucks for us working stiffs, especially those that own a business.  You could close early on Tues, (which we did) but then you still have Mon, Thur and Fri.  Or you could close on Thurs, but then there's still Friday to work.  Unless you want to close the whole week, which is not the best answer either.  Anyway you look at it, I hate xmas on a Wednesday.

On a happier note, we should be good for the next 6 years though.  Unless leap year screws it up somehow.


Christmas was like Christmas usually is.  Crazy flurry of presents unwrapping, paper flying, thank you's here and there and in 15 minutes, it was all done.  Kids were happy and thankful so I would call it a success.

the best Christmas present ever.

I got out for a quiet, calm 6 miles in the early afternoon while everyone played with their new gifts.  (read: watch tv).  Even though I don't love the snow so much, it sure was pretty.

looks warmer than it was.  It was about 17* with some wind.  chilly!

The day after Christmas it was back to work for a germ-fest.  Shingles, conjunctivitis--I wanted to bathe in alcohol before heading home.  yuk.  Oh yes, and power outages.  Good times were had by all.

Saturday was the 4th annual Operation Jack 10K satellite run.  This is the second year I have run this.  It is a fundraiser for autism started by one of Danielle's friends whose son, Jack, has autism.  I don't have a personal connection to anyone with autism but I do love to support a good cause.  We didn't have a huge turnout, but it was still a beautiful morning for a run with new friends.

I had to pull over and take a picture of the morning sunrise.  This photo doesn't do it justice.  

I love going to these small local runs.  I swear I get a new friend or two at every one.  It's so nice to be able to meet people who like running and exercise and don't think it's weird to get up at 6 in the dark to go meet strangers and run.  In 15* weather.  On a Saturday.

the group!

and the one who had to keep running to finish her 14 miles for the day~

There seriously has got to be a better way to take selfies.  Must I look so old and toothy and big nosed in all of them??

Oh, and did you notice in the photo the most awesome Idiots Running Club shirt I'm sporting?  I love.  If not, here's a closer look.

run. smile. drink water. don't die.  Sound advice.

Lastly, I finally found a soup kitchen that we could volunteer at.  My step-sister, that I haven't seen in 20+ years works there and through the magic of facebook, we connected and made a plan to head up to serve.  It's one of two wet shelters (need not be sober to stay there) in Maine so I wasn't sure what to expect, but it was a really fun time.  Yes!  I said fun.  I wasn't expecting fun.  But fun is what we had.  The kids (and me!) loved serving the food and the people on the receiving end were so appreciative and thanked us so many times.  We are planning on doing this on a more regular basis.

The Hope House in Bangor, ME.  

We brought dessert, oranges and ice cream.  Guess what's needed?  Butter, salt, ketchup, sugar. Who knew?  Next time I'll bring so many condiments they won't know what to do with them all.  I asked about bedding since they house 79 people each night--nope, they don't need bedding now but they do need it in the spring/summer.  This is when many of them choose to sleep outside and take the bedding with them.  So I'll save that donation to bring in June.  

What a rewarding time.  I kinda wish it had felt a little more like work so the kids would understand that they were working to help someone else, but maybe this was better.  Philanthropy can be fun!  Maybe that's a better lesson.  

Have you ever volunteered at a soup kitchen/homeless shelter?

What is your favorite philanthropy or way to give back?

10 Christmas Memories--Listicles Style

I'm jumping back on again with Stasha's Listicles, a day or two late, but whatever.  If you don't read Stasha's blog or follow her on instagram, you should.  She's all famous now with her Purina commercial that aired during the dog show on Thanksgiving.  I feel like they are my friends since I've been following her for a couple of years now.  I knew exactly who it was when it aired.  Even my kids knew: Mom!  It's that boy with his dog! 

She takes fabulous photos of her dogs and kid and is so fun to follow her life in pictures.  Northwest Mommy.  Check it out.

Anyway, on to the Listicles.  10 Christmas Memories.  Typically my memory about stuff like that is horrible but I'll see if I can come up with 10.  Here goes.

1.  I can remember as a kid that we would barely sleep and wake up at 5:00 a.m. to open presents.  It was always done by 5:30 and then we dragged ass for the rest of the day.  Which brings me to #2...

2. By 2:00 in the afternoon my mom would likely need a break from us so she always made us go take a nap.  In the middle of the day!  On Christmas!  Oh god I hated it.  I would cry and cry, but she would not give in and eventually I fell asleep.  And she would get her peace.

3.  We would always have aunts, uncles, Grammies, cousins--everyone! over to our house on Christmas Eve for a huge dinner.  My cousins and I would eat dinner and then while all the adults were sitting around talking, we would quietly slip out and go find somewhere to hide/play so we would get out of doing the dishes.  Later on my cousin, Paul, and I would always play cribbage.  And he would always win.  Year after year.  I don't think I ever beat him.

4.  I had never seen the Nutcracker in any form (ballet, tv, book) until 3 years ago when my daughter was in it.  Really didn't even know what the story was about.  To be honest, I'm still a bit confused with the story line.

5.  For the first 7 years that we were married we never had a Christmas tree.   I don't really love Christmas and I never saw the point of putting up a tree if we were going to be driving all over New England to visit people.  When we finally decided to stay home for the kids, I grudgingly agreed to put up a tree.

6.  One year I got my class ring for Christmas.  That was nice, but I wanted a computer.  It was a bit of a let down.

7.  Last year was the first year that I wasn't up until 11 p.m. wrapping gifts.  Somehow, I had them all wrapped ahead of time and we just had to bring them out from their hiding spots and put them under the tree.  It was awesome.  Probably will never happen again. 

8.  The only Christmas that I really have felt very little stress and maybe even enjoyed just a little, was 1999 when my first daughter was born in November.  I was on maternity leave for the remainder of the year and was able to take her with me shopping at off times when no one was at the mall.  I got everything done with any time crunch. 

9.  My tree comes down either Christmas afternoon or the day after.  Last year I had to work the day after Christmas and my kids and the sitter undecorated the tree, put all the ornaments away, and the sitter even dragged the tree out of my house and into the woods!  #sitteroftheyear  That was seriously the best present ever. 

10.  Everyone has their own stocking stuffing tradition.  In my house, the stockings are always filled by Santa and filled with little fun stuff like gum, shampoo, chapstick, candy etc.  My husband always wants to add shit that he finds in the cupboard.  Like old nuts or noodles or a can of corn.  He thinks it's incredibly funny.  I think it's incredibly stupid.  So I go behind him and remove that shit.  Does he really think the kids want a f'n can of corn in their stocking?  Dumb. 

I love to hear what everyone's stocking traditions are.  Do you have a special one that is different than usual?  Share it!  I hear one the other day where each person has a stocking and all the gifts are tied together with string and you follow it around the house, kinda like an elf trail, I guess?  That was a new one.


Feel free to share your Christmas memories!  Link up with Northwest Mommy at the link above.