Love Tracey's blog. She inspires me. And I'm not attempting sarcasm - she really does.

I ran a mildly disappointing 9 miles this morning in our prep for our half in April. Only mildly disappointing because I did it, after all. It was just not my best run. I blame two things - other than myself, of course:

1. The wind. I woke to a beautiful, clear sky - the white peaks of Mt. Hood looming in the distance. All thanks to the Gorge winds. I'm talking knock-over-your-garbage-cans, rattle-your-windows kind of wind. But since I would rather die than run 9 miles on a treadmill, I braved it. Running west is great, wind at your back - but running back east is soul-crushing. (I would run North/South - but if I ran 4.5 miles north in Washougal, not only would it be all uphill, but I would be in fairly un-chartered territory, in constant fear of encountering a hill-billie's unleashed dog.)
2. Krispy Kreme. My arch nemesis. Dave had his day off yesterday, and spent it taking endo courses - thus keeping him away from home all day and evening. Not sure, but maybe he was driven by guilt and thought it would be a grand gesture to pick us up some donuts for our active night in front of the television. I managed to only eat 2 - a huge feat - but the damage was done. SABOTEUR!

By the way - K & B ran 7 miles last weekend - not sure if everyone knew that. They are amazing.

As for the household...

• Isaac just purchased an ipod Touch. He has a bit of savings and couldn't resist anymore. In his generosity, he gave his ipod Nano to Taylor, who then gave his shuffle to Parker. My children are all officially mac-zombies. Yesterday, Dave was watching the Mac ad for the new shuffle - all the kids eventually made their way into the room, and sat staring, mouths agape - commenting to one another on the new features. It was a proud moment for Dave - he just turned to me and smiled. I think I saw a tear in his eye.
• Taylor - 2 kids just got expelled from school from his class - for the remainder of the year. They had made some threats, apparently, to other students. Scary. I was asking Taylor about it, he shrugged and said they were a couple of "Gothic girls". I guess, in his mind, that explains it all.
  
• Parker - lego maniac. Won't do anything he is asked to do because once he gets into his room, the Lego's call to him. His bed is never made, but he has constructed some masterpieces.
• Morgan - a jumble of teeth. Playing softball and braving the over-the-top coach she has. I never feel more like we live in Washougal than when we go to baseball games...I need to get a camo jacket or cap so I fit in. She is also my shadow - follows me everywhere and won't let me go to Safeway alone because she's certain I will be sad and lonely.
• Dave - working hard and constantly improving himself - as if there is anything to improve upon. He makes us all laugh - hard. He'll just hop up and break into song and dance. And he thrives on scaring me. I've got to be the only woman who walks up her stairs with her hands clenched in fists, ready to pop him for jumping out at me, which he does, then laughs hysterically and asks, "Did I scare you?!". What's not to love?
  

Off to Mt. Hood this weekend with the family. Life is good. Love you all.

Adina