Color Me RAD..... Ok!!

So on Friday I received a text from my brother asking if I wanted to run a 5K with him... "tomorrow," Yep, not even 12 hours notice. Now, last year, I would have jumped at this in a heart beat, because last year I was a runner.... This year, different story. Sadly my running shoes have been collecting dust in the closet. (Yes I am ashamed!) So I was hesitant to accept the offer. He didn't allow me much thinking time because about 10 minutes later I got a picture of our "numbers." And so it begins...
The Reno Color Me Rad run was at UNR and the proceeds go to Special Olympics. I figured I could humiliate myself for a good cause, and at best I'd at least finish in front of someone... And I did. Woohoo!!
It's actually a really chaotic race, where you aren't really able to run the entire thing because there is 4000 other people running! (yay! for a little assisted breathing room!)


With the color run, the concept is wear all white and the "color bombers" are going to chuck a chalky, powdery, colored substance at you while you run. Fun!! So after a quick stop at the W to pick up a pair of white shorts I was ready to go!
Of course, I had just gotten my hair touched up the day before and was slightly afraid I'd end up with rainbow colors in my delicately porous hair, so I lathered up the conditioner and left it in!




We made our way through the mob of 4000+ people and headed for the starting line. Let the count down begin! 5,4,3,2,1 we are off! Headed for our first bombing station and I was holding my breath! That is one big purple cloud!

We made our way through about mile one and everything was going good... Then I got a blister. UGH! Pain in heel! Since I had just read "Born to Run" I figured now was a good time to give it a shot. I took off my shoes and ran the last 2.1 miles in my socks! I have to say, it was much better than the blister rubbing against my shoe! About mile 2 I wasn't sure I had a lot of run left in me! Darn it all for not staying in shape! However, seeing people far more out of shape than myself, I kept running or jogging? maybe fast walking... But who's really paying that close attention! Through the  final blue plume of color I could see the finish line!

What a relief that was!! You can tell I am sooo excited!! Mostly tired of carrying my shoes I think. Perhaps delighted to have finished the race without needing the EMS crew. Of course also getting to run my brothers first race with him... All things were great in the end once I crossed that line! After the finish, we made our way to the photo booth and then to the "center stage" for one final color blast!

The final countdown to celebration!

This turned out to be such a fun race, and I look forward to doing it again next year. Though next year, it'll be a family run and my little "cheering section" will be joining me on the trail! These two were lovin' it just as much as everyone around them!

Star Student

This week Jared is the "Star Student of the 4th Grade." It's a fun project where they get to share things about themselves, bring their favorite book to school, and on Thursday (today!) the parents get to write a letter or a poem to their kid... So here is my little "note" to Jared.

MY SUPER STAR

I often wonder where time goes and why it moves so fast

Holding onto each memory, I know they’re sure to last

Watching you make choices, paving out your way

Overcoming obstacles you are facing every day

It hurts me when you struggle; it’s hard to watch you fail

I know you have the strength that will help you to prevail

Milestones that you have reached finding your own place

To do the best and be the best in this crazy human race

The kindness in your smile and the sparkle in your eyes

Show the love you have to give; this is no disguise

Yet you hold inside a fire that helps you to compete

In the class or on the field, you won’t accept defeat

Remember keep your chin up and strive to do your best

This is most important as life puts you through the test

Manners get you places and help you to succeed

Honor and Integrity are two you’ll always need

Don’t forget your roots and the place that you call home

It will always be here for you, no matter where you roam

Be a kid and make good friends that are meant to last

You only get one childhood be sure to have a blast

Though you’re only nine years old I see a bright young man

Jared don’t forget, that I’m your biggest fan

I’m proud to be your Mom and proud of who you are

For every day, in my life, you’re my “Super Star”

Birthdays in School

I  remember growing up being disappointed that I never got to have my birthday during school... It just didn't seem fair. I mean everyone else got to bring cupcakes and interrupt class time. But no, not this summer baby. So it's kind of bitter sweet that today is the first day of school and about 10 or so years ago (okay so maybe a few more than 10... but who really keeps track of things like that. :)) I would have actually got to have my birthday in school. Today though I am sitting at home and my house seems so quiet and empty with out my little men running around and calling "MOM!!" every five minutes. The quiet is nice, I'm finding I actually can get some things done, like write a blog post, clean the house and it stays that way, at least until 2 o'clock, laundry, read a book...in quiet... Being home on your birthday is nice I've decided.  Last night Parker asked me what I was going to do today and I said "Just hang out at home..." He looked so disappointed and he said "Mom, it's okay, you don't have to stay home. You can just come to school and party with us there." Ha ha, that boy! He kills me!!
Anyhow, just wanted to wish all of those parents whose babies returned to school after a speedy summer a "Happy 1st Day of School!"

A Flash Back...... Parker's Heart Song

Last night, Lennart (the new German exchange student) and I were visiting at my parents house, just looking up random YouTube videos and I decided to pull this one up. It's from February 2010, and my little man was 3 years old! I look at him now, big 6 years old, and he no longer has this cute little baby voice... He can reach the light switches and open the cupboards. It's amazing how time flies and they grow up so fast! Anyway... Though he still sings the "heart song" frequently, he now knows that it is not "donuts bursting in air" and that you don't have to eat the microphone to sing. :) Hope you all enjoy this little piece of patriotism...God Bless America!!

The Lucky Camera Click

I’ve always loved photography and I’m a firm believer that on occasion you get the perfect shot that captures the moment. I’ve been going through some of my pictures on my computer, 95% of them are ok pictures that will provide memories for years to come, but there are those 5% that really make me swell inside. It’s that proud photographer moment when I say to myself… “That’s a darn good picture.” It usually holds me over for a while until I feel the need to get a better one. This one though is still one of my very favorites so far… It’s definitely a lucky shot, as it’s hard to capture infrequent lightening, but it’s a beauty from my very own front yard… Just thought I’d share it with you.

The New Residents of Simplicity Farms

Last May, my parents got chickens and a rooster. Long story short, one chicken wanted to be a mama. She hatched seven babies. Two of the babies were roosters and three roosters in a pen is about 2 too many. As a result, we decided to add chickens and a rooster to Simplicity Farms. My dad, my hubs, and my boys built the coop and transferred the chickens.  In true “Gramps and grandkids form” we ended up with most of the chickens and of course “Big Red” the nice, old rooster. So meet the cast…

This is Big Red. He is most definitely the nicest rooster I have been around. Not that I have a ton of exposure, however I have heard many stories about “mean roosters.” As I said, my boys worked their Gramps over when it came to which chickens we got.  They said to him, “Gramps, Grammy said that she wanted us to have a ‘safe rooster.’  She said we could have Big Red because he is nice to us.” I remind you, we, my mom, sister and I were out of town while the chicken/rooster transfer took place.

While the chickens were at my parents’ house we gave them all names. Some of the names make sense, while others are stretches of imaginations of little children.

Next meet “Pepper & Goldie” These are Jared and Parker’s chickens. They are the cutest little chickens with furry feet that let you hold them if you’re fast enough to catch them. There were only two of these little bantam like chickens. To the upper left is Pepper. For some reason, Pepper likes to hide out underneath the roost in the corner of the coop. The picture below is Goldie. Poor Goldie has been a frequent “target” of Big Red. You’ll notice she’s missing a lot of her comb.

There were only two of these adorable little chickens at my parents’ house and as the two boys would have it we ended up with both of them.

We now have a total of 13 hens and one rooster. We are getting between 6-8 eggs a day, and I haven’t quite narrowed it down to which chickens aren’t laying. And no! I don’t plan to eat the chickens that aren’t laying…. That’s just cruel. I mean, we named them for Heaven’s sake! We can’t go eating them, but those girls better get to laying!

Below Red, Chicky, Dusty, Penny, Callie, Honey and Daisy are enjoying bugs in the front yard.

There are a few more chickens in the flock that are a bit shy however we’ll definitely give them the “honorable mention.” There’s our baby of the flock is Angel, the new girl Butter, and Rusty who is a close look-a-like to Dusty but a touch more rust color, our black beauty Cosby, and last but not least, Captain Jack Sparrow...She is a hen, however she looks quite manly and has one bad eye, hence the Jack Sparrow... So that’s the gang. I’m very excited to have them on the farm. Occasionally Big Red gets a little confused and I question my judgment as he’s crowing at 0415 in the morning. All in all, I think we are all enjoying both the flock and the benefits of them…. I guess all of us except Libbie, who is pretty upset she’s stuck behind the fence with the chickens right on the other side.

Simplicity Farms

 

For a while now I have been trying to “name” my garden.  I think I’ve found one that fits… So I welcome you to Simplicity Farms. I hope you enjoy the journeys, triumphs, trials and hopefully far and few between epic fails that we will experience here. It’s the end of spring and gardening season is upon us. This weekend we are putting our plants in the ground and I am super excited! There’ve been a few other exciting things happening at “Simplicity Farms” over the past few months. Join me over the next few posts as I bring you up to speed!