Getting the Feet Wet

With a five mile training run ahead of me, I decided to run around Greenlake (about 3 miles) with my new shoes. My numb toes after our nine mile run sent me back to Fleet Feet for a consultation. They suggested I try the same shoe, but in a wide. For lovely ladies, this isn't exactly what one wants to hear. But for a gal attempting to toughen up for a half marathon, I was more than willing to try. But I also wanted to try my FiveFinger shoes on the grass. At Greenlake I could take the paved trail with the wider shoes (the half marathon is mostly paved, so I wanted to mimic those conditions) for a few miles, then change into the FiveFingers to run in the grass or trail on the outer perimeter.

The wide shoes were great. I augmented with something called "Jelly Toes,"  a gel filled sleeve for the toes many dancers use. It was just a short distance compared to what I'd need to do on race day, but it seems like I'd found the right formula. And by formula, here's what I had added to my body: Jelly Toe on my second toe, the wider shoes, calf compression sleeves, a knee support and a support belt for my lower back. That doesn't count the SmartWool socks, wicking sunshield cap, iPod Shuffle and running tights, sports bra, tank top, two shirts and windbreaker. As my husband will tell you, I do not travel light.

As for the FiveFingers, once I put them on and tromped off into the grass, I felt like a kid. The grass was still wet and muddy in places, but I found running in it a joy. I may have started off the paved path, but the shoes kept me scampering up hills, winding around the trees and smooshing farther along than I anticipated. It felt liberating to be able to run through the muddy, wet grass unconcerned about getting dirty yet still feeling that my feet were protected. The FiveFingers are machine-washable, not something you can do with just any running shoe.

I preferred staying in the grass or on the trail with the FiveFingers rather than running on the pavement. That's probably where I need to be to strengthen my feet. It's still too soon to tell if they're making any difference, but they sure are fun and comfortable to wear in the meantime. I'm considering getting them for the girls for summer scampering.

To The 9s

I was pretty psyched about my long run, despite the nine mile distance. Most of the route followed Lake Washington, which would be breathtaking on the clear sunny day we got. I've also been reading Dean Karnazes, who I think is one of the most inspirational athletes to follow today. I zoomed right through "Ultramarathon Man: Confessions of an All-Night Runner," and am now half-way through "50/50: Secrets I Learned Running 50 Marathons in 50 Days -- and How You Too Can Achieve Super Endurance!" I've also been keeping tabs on his Run Across America, marveling at the way he's zipped across the continental U.S. The guy doesn't sugar coat the toll running takes on his body and he's equally forthcoming about the immense joy he feels engaging in his sport. I shared so much of the book with Doug that he grabbed the first one as soon as I finished it and seems very inspired in his training for STP.

So with the ultimate ultramarathon man in my brain and my new CEP sleeves on my calves, I felt ready to take on the nine miles. And in retrospect, I fulfilled my goals. I wanted to finish without taking too long (under two hours) and I wanted to enjoy it -- that happened. But I can't help but think about a pivotal point when I chose to stop and stretch. I'd been doing well, enjoying the run and feeling pretty good. I wasn't the fastest and I wasn't the slowest. But I got a little lost.

We were supposed to take a set of stairs to the I-90 bridge bike tunnel. I was taking a set of stairs that led to someone's house when I finally saw someone from my training group continuing further down the street. I doubled back to meet them and caught my stride again. But when we had to walk up a hill to get to the stairs, my left toes were going numb and I figured I should take a breather, walk a bit and help them unwind.

It was hard to watch my training partners go on ahead, but I tried to remember that I was taking care of myself and it would be better in the end. I began to get discouraged by how far I'd fallen behind and my foot didn't feel any better. I kept waiting to see the next turnoff street, but there were so many street and none of them the one I needed! It was frustrating. I didn't stop again, but I was shuffling along pretty slowly, my toes numb and mentally unraveling.

By the time I got to the turn, I was relieved, but understood that this final leg back to our meeting point was always the hardest. Why? Because it was always the last leg! There's a slight uphill grade and I'm just dog tired at that point. There are also a number of great restaurants and cafes along that street and they're just opening up their doors where the smell of pastries and coffee are so enticing. But I finished, and within two hours, which felt good.

However, I'm coming off that run with a new goal. Our run this weekend is a mock marathon where our trainers will have us run part of the half-marathon course with bib numbers, aid stations and an official start. I think it's a great way to mentally prepare for what's ahead on the actual race day. It will be half of the Half, 6.2 miles. And since I know I can do this, my main goal is to keep running. I'm going to stay the course with my fellow runners who challenge and encourage me without stopping to stretch out my foot. Let's do it!

Compression and Five Fingered Toes

In an effort to alleviate my numb toes syndrome while running, I hit the Capitol Hill Fleet Feet store, which is where I've been training for the Rock 'n Roll Seattle Half Marathon. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful, so I knew I could get some good advice.

After talking with Phil about the benefits of compression tights, I decided to work up to them by trying a compression sleeve for my calves first. I'd read that supporting the calf muscles can help alleviate pressure on the foot. As a former dancer, I do appreciate the idea of being sucked in and supported as much as possible to keep the muscles warm. (Here's where I confess that for the first two training runs I wore a unitard under my running clothes. It helped keep me warm and supported, but since it had no wicking properties whatsoever, I was wet and cold by the time I got home).

Phil mentioned that there are a few different approaches to the compression garment: CEP, which makes the calf sleeve, incorporates stitching that allows support and blood flow up the leg. The recovery compression tights I was looking at (sorry, I forgot the brand) provides complete compression around the legs for total support. There's an important point here that I almost missed as a novice runner - the recovery tights are to be worn after running. You can wear them after a long run, race, or even to sleep. At about $140 a pair, I thought the calf sleeves would be a better foray into compression garments. There are compression tights available that can be worn while running, but again, that might be a little further down the road for me.

Sort of on my radar, but not necessarily on my shopping list, were the Vibram FiveFingers shoes. I've seen FiveFinger runners and heard about the barefoot running movement, but I didn't understand it. Fleet Feet had a discount for Facebook followers (which I am, natch), so I thought I'd try on a pair. The shoes aren't as strange as one might think - or perhaps because I'm used to going barefoot I'm comfortable spreading my out my toes - but because they're meant to be a snug fit, they feel flexible and supportive at the same time. Another employee, Emily, mentioned that she uses her pair for shorter runs on non-paved surfaces. She said they encourage striking on the ball or front of the foot. I'd been wondering how I could strengthen my foot and this sounded like a great way to augment my training. When I was dancing we spent a lot of time working on the feet at the barre and across the floor. It made so much more sense to me to use the FiveFingers this way versus as a primary running shoe. I felt like I finally understood how I could utilize the shoe.

I'm pretty excited about my purchases. The FiveFingers were fun to run in around the yard with the kids. We'll see how the sleeves do!

Testing out my FiveFingers in the grass.

Cool traction action.

Beaches

The family and I recently spent a weekend at Cama Beach, a state park on Camano Island. We rented one of their quaint cabins on the Puget Sound, a tiny two-room respite just perfect for a short getaway. It's a picturesque spot, made more peaceful by the fact that outside cars are not allowed on the cabin grounds. You park on the hill overlooking the water, then walk or take a shuttle down. With two kids and questionable weather, we certainly packed a good deal, but it was well worth the effort, given the tranquil escape.

Our cabin had two full beds (you bring your own bedding), a table and chairs, a fridge, sink and microwave. The kids loved sharing a room together and having the beach right outside the front door. Although the restrooms are housed in a public facility, they were clean and not too far from our cabin.

The rain and cold found their way into the cabin, despite having a heater. I was so cold the first night that I caved in on our 'State-Made' proposal. It's embarrassing, but I could not stop myself from buying a fleece vest at the park store with a clear "Made in Vietnam" label. After spending the night huddled very close to Doug wearing almost every layer available in my overnight bag, I just couldn't take it. I look at it as a benefit to the Washington State Park system.

Because it's a state park, you can head over for an easy day trip. There's a Center for Wooden Boats on site, which offers boat rentals and family programs. The girls got to make small wooden boats that they "docked" at the beach. We invited some friends and family to join us later in the afternoon, which made for a crowded cabin, but happy, scampering kids. One of the best parts of living in the Pacific Northwest is the balance between urban living and the natural world. We loved being at Cama Beach and will definitely be there again before the summer's out.

Em finds the right cove for her boat.

Em & Phee take in the sunset.

Phee adds to Doug's Andy Goldsworthy-inspired shell installation.

Distr., Manufactured and Available

Carting around what's probably not made in the U.S.

Our quest to purchase goods made only in the United States was challenged when we went grocery shopping. We do most of our produce shopping at our local farmer's market, so we were able to float by for a bit.

I'm not an overzealous label reader in general, but I guarantee you, I checked and double checked every item in our cart. It was easier than I imagined, since most of the items I needed were paper goods, and yeah, it seemed intuitive living in the Pacific Northwest that facial tissue, napkins and paper towels would be resources I wouldn't have trouble sourcing locally. But I was pleasantly surprised that rice milk, soy-gurt, throat-coat tea and grass seed (?!) were all distributed from companies here. The unpleasant part came when I saw the number of times the words "manufactured," "distributed by" and "manufactured for distribution by" appeared. I felt giddy to know that Genisoy is based in Tulsa, Okla. (my hubby's former stomping grounds), but left the store feeling unsteady and unsure that the products, though at the very least probably not sourced from U.S.-grown soybeans, was probably not made in Tulsa, either. It's frustrating.

When I got home I compared my cart's labels with one in my pantry: Nutella The first time I tried Nutella was while traveling overseas, and I was thrilled when I found it in a specialty grocery store a few years after. I was very certain it was not made in the U.S. My jar of Nutella says clearly, "Made in Canada" on the label. Not once during my shopping trip did I see a label as clear as that stating, "Made in the U.S.A." I feel that, despite some effort, I've failed.

There are many resources for products made here, especially online.  Here are a few I found:

- Still Made in USA
- Americans Working
- Made in USA Forever

But it's going to take me a long time to sort through these sites to figure it out. Food seems relatively easy, though it might be more about changing what we eat. If I go back to the rice milk or soy products I enjoy more than dairy, that's automatically more difficult to obtain locally. Our farmer's market has no end to milk and cheese - unpasteurized milk at that. But soy products? I'll see where my research takes me and keep you all posted. If only there were and etsy-style grocery store. 

Another issue that came up this week is my dying cell phone. I have an original iPhone 2, which has been fine for me, given that I use few of the online/app bells and whistles. I figure if the phone part of it still works, then I'm using a phone as a phone. I also text. But this week I could only hear calls if I had the speaker option on. I've been working around it, and maybe even found a solution, but that's another mystery to deal with. It will take much more than research to find a cell phone made entirely in the United States.

6 Mile

I was supposed to run five miles for training yesterday and ended up running a little over six instead. (No, this isn't because I inadvertently did NOT run seven miles on Saturday)

I planned to do the outer perimeter of Greenlake, then jump to the paved path around the lake, but I just didn't. I've discovered after my second mile my left foot becomes numb. About 3/4 of a mile later, the right foot follows. A few friends at training group and I have commiserated about this, looking for solutions. I've laced my shoes tighter, looser, and even wore those socks with individual toes to help. The socks did help somewhat, but not entirely.

So after the first loop around the lake I decided to run the outer perimeter half-way to Super Jock 'n Jill, a running store at the northwest end of the lake. A super nice employee there, Eric, helped me. I thought wearing compression socks might help support my feet, but when I asked him what he thought, he suggested we fiddle with my shoe fit a bit more before shelling out the $60 for the CEP socks they carry. He re-laced my shoes. Not just pulling and re-adjusting, but he took the laces out entirely, skipped the first row of holes and re-laced them. Very very nice, considering I didn't even buy the shoes there. He had me take a jog up the hill and come back to check on how they felt. They felt much more roomy and comfortable, and encouraged, I thought finishing out the perimeter would be fun.

I did finish the perimeter feeling good. But my foot did get numb again. This time I had more room to wiggle my toes and scrunch them around, so that was a plus, but I really can't figure out how to avoid numbness entirely.

Maybe I can't. Maybe I just need to accept the my body is telling me to stop, stretch, take a breather and let me feet regain feeling. After I do this, my feet feel fine and are ready start again. I'm going to have to figure out how I can run this half-marathon in this condition. Running on numb feet is no fun, so perhaps I will be hitting the pavement in two-mile increments with stretching and walking in between.

How Do You Say 'Bummer' in Swedish?

Our first week into "Operation State-Made" doesn't look too promising when I read stories like this one about IKEA's U.S. factory.

An Indecent Proposal

Here's what's brewing in our kitchen this morning:

We are considering living on American made products for an entire year. As I'm typing this, my husband points out we should be living on products "Made in the the United States" instead.
"What's the difference?" I ask.
"'American' could mean Mexico and Canada. 'Made in the US' means just the United States," he pauses to examine the chocolate chip package from which he and our daughters are taking chips out to make our Sunday morning pancakes. "Although some people may not agree with that."
"Okay, let's decide then," I say.
"Made in USA." He declares.

This causes our oldest daughter to ask, "Does this include holidays like Christmas and Easter?" (We have just come from Target, where she ran a little reconnaissance on the Monster High dolls available.)

Doug and I then have a conversation about the level of what I will call "State-Madeness" we're comfortable with. Because we may be looking at a product made here in the US, but perhaps the source material comes from another country. For example, while we're talking about this, he and the girls are making our favorite Sunday morning breakfast: Chocolate chip pancakes. They're making them from scratch, in our kitchen in Washington state. Made in the USA, right? But when we look at the packaging for the ingredients, we aren't entirely sure the chocolate chips, baking powder, flour and salt are made here. The eggs, yes, because we buy them at our local Farmer's Market. A glance at the Nestle Toll House package of chocolate chips doesn't show much. They're distributed by Nestle Baking in Solon, Ohio. Since they're a Swiss company, we're betting they aren't made here.

A quick look at the Hershey website revealed a list of their products still made in Hershey. Great! But where do they source the chocolate from? One of our favorite chocolate makers, Theo Chocolates, based here in Seattle, definitely makes their products here. We've seen them on the factory tour. But they do source their chocolate (in fair partnerships) from other countries.

The Baking Powder (Rumford, made by Clabber Girl) was okay. Not sure about the flour because we'd ditched the packaging after pouring it into a canister. Salt (Morton) was fine.

How many tiers of "State-Madeness" are we willing to go to? What we decided:
- We absolutely prefer items made in the USA, from source to distribution.
- We can deal with an item made in the USA with possible overseas materials.
- "Carbon Credits" will be allowed on complex items, such as electronics. Cell phones, for example, have parts made in the US, but the batteries are made in Japan. If we buy an item like this, we'll make an equitable contribution to benefit children in need in the US. Doug is proposing a $1,000 limit on these items for the year. I don't know how realistic this will be.

Preliminary ground rules: 
- We can keep stuff we already have that hasn't been made in the United States.
- We can accept gifts.

This is hard. We began talking about trying it for a year, but in the small amount of research we're doing this morning (on batteries, athletic gear for Doug's cycling and my running, shoes, breakfast cereal, car parts for our foreign made car), we're getting a taste for how challenging it is to live in an urban environment without relying on foreign made products. So, we'll give it a shot for a month. Four weeks from today. Thank goodness we're starting on Farmer's Market Day.

For you, dear readers: Think about what you're wearing. What you've got in your purse or backpack. How many of those things can you replace with only American made goods? Let me know.

Stuff I Saw During My Run

- Litter. I know, it's everywhere, but litter just bums me out.

- A gray T-shirt, folded neatly and draped over a fence.

- Purple tulips, just about ready to open.

- A pristine orange Monte Carlo raised up, so it probably has hydraulics. Man, I miss those days!

- Four or five pairs of shoes. It looked like someone threw their boyfriend's stuff out of the car window but he didn't pick any of it up.

- A half-eaten piece of cake, on a red plastic plate with a fork. On the sidewalk. I am not making this up.

Lucky Number Seven

I ran seven miles with my training group today. My toes went numb at mile four and I hobbled for the most of the end. I felt pretty good finishing, mostly because I finished at the same time as the woman I was chasing for most of the run. When I asked her what happened she said, "Oh, I ran an extra portion because we took an early turn and cut the course by a block."

Huh.

So, I guess I ran almost seven miles today.

But I'm still eating the chocolate croissant Doug got me as a treat.

Loving PDX

The sign at Tasty n Sons, a restaurant in Portland.

Portland is the perfect weekend getaway for us. It's a three-hour drive, which is just enough time to feel as though you've gotten somewhere good without a sore bottom.

Our most recent trip a couple of weeks ago allowed us to check out the famed Portland Farmer's Market; a refurbished (and pretty hip) Marriott; Lodekka, a second-hand shop in a double decker bus and (not our usual sight-seeing fare) the Ultrazone in Milwaukee. Oh, and the girls and I gawked at the long line of people waiting for Voodoo Donuts while Doug changed our flat tire.


We began our first day in town at The Original, a diner Doug found on Yelp. Which we discovered (after walking down the block in the opposite direction) was connected to our hotel. The food was tasty, with healthier twists on regular diner fare. I fell hard for the steel cut oats.

A funky naugahyde wall at The Original diner.

Cool artwork at the diner by 'Panhandle Slim,' featuring quotes from famous folks. 

I particularly loved this one of Cesar Chavez.

Although we are fanatically regular patrons of our beloved Ballard Farmer's Market, we relish opportunities to check out farmer's markets in other cities. I'd heard about PDX's market, but it exceeded all my expectations. First of all, I appreciate that there are no dogs allowed. I love dogs, but not where I'm tasting and buying food. Nor do I enjoy having parrots or ferrets at the market, either, both of which I have seen while perusing the produce.

The range of hot food booths was amazing: burritos, biscuits, vegan pastries, sweet and savory pies. Then from produce to baked goods to tea to pasta salads - it was fantastic. We'll have to go back in the summer when harvests are booming because if this was a sample of their market in the early days of the season, I can't imagine what goodness awaits in the warmer months. We bought kimchi, bread, cheese and jam, all of which made a delicious hotel room snack.

That afternoon was spent at a laser tag party at Ultrazone, which was our primary reason for the visit. Dear friends of ours were having a birthday party for their son there, so Doug and Em got their laser on while Phee and I played arcade games.

Em in front of the Lodekka double decker.

Not yet ready to hunker down in the hotel room, we meandered over to Williams Avenue to check the scene. Lodekka, a dress shop housed in a refurbished double decker bus, brought on the nostalgia with red and black plaid thermoses, retro hats and floral handkerchiefs. Down the street, Tasty n Sons was just opening their doors for dinner, and we were very happy with their small plates, especially the "Pretty Damn Good Chicken Strips" and the Bouillabaisse with mussels, octopus, prawns and rockfish. A pretty well-rounded day, really.

Naturally, any trip to Portland wouldn't be complete for us without a trip to Powell's Books. We read a little, attempt to explore a new room in the gargantuan store, stock up and hit the road back to Washington. It's usually very quiet between Powell's and Vancouver because the girls are digging in to their books.

On our way home we stopped for lunch in Olympia. We usually break in Tacoma, but we were pretty hungry at this point. We found The Bread Peddler on Yelp and Urbanspoon, and we were glad we got to try it! The cafe boasted a number beautiful sweet treats and the sandwiches looked great. Incidentally, I just want to tip my hat to the fair city of Olympia, our state capital. I found it charming and completely delightful. We're already planning to spend more time there on future day trips.

Down But Not Out

Our family is finally coming out of our latest phase of illness. As many of you parents know, our little darlings run out into the world only to bring back the meanest, baddest germs you can imagine and gleefully goo them at us. My children are excellent germ disseminators. So excellent that both Doug and I were completely knocked down for a few days, trying to juggle work, parenting duties and our respective training schedules at the same time.

During these "down" times, we attempt a zen-like outlook where we declare that "the bridge is up." We live in a city divided by water, with a number of bridges that go up at some inopportune moments. Late to an appointment? Traffic is backed up because a boat with an incredibly tall mast is going through. Cars are stopped with engines off, their passengers leaving car doors open to lean against the edge of the bridge for a better look at the boat or to muse at the sun dancing on the water. There is nowhere to go and nothing to do but turn off your engine and wait, too. The bridge is up. Take a load off.

I love when the bridge is up - when I am appointment-free and the kids have already gone to the restroom. But I admit, as a lover of crossing off the To Do list, "bridge up" days are difficult. I beat myself up for failing to complete whatever tasks deemed important. I feel guilty for taking a nap.

When I shared these concerns with one of my trainers for the Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon, he encouraged me to rest up so I'll be totally ready to begin training again. When I returned, I was able to keep up with other runners who are usually in front of me. It felt great!

I'll continue to work on enjoying the "bridge up" days,  perhaps even working a few more into our schedule to maintain a little more up and down balance.

I'm Up! I'm Up!

Yes, it's not quite 7 a.m. on a Saturday and I am awake. As you may have guessed, I am not typically an early riser.

But this is the second official week of my half-marathon training, and dang it, I've got to get across town to meet my bright-eyed trainers. 

Before I head off into the cold, dark morning (yeah, I know it's Daylight Savings now, but this is the Pacific Northwest. It won't be spring until, well, until it's spring.) I'm gathering my water bottle and dried fruit, making sure my iPod is charged and donning my reflective hat. 

It's five mile run today. Hooray! (right?)

Girl Power. Oh, and books, too.

I spent most of last weekend on Whidbey Island, one of the San Juans here in Puget Sound. Each year the gal pals from my book club take a night away to stay at the family home of one of our members. It's less than an hour to drive to the ferry dock and less than 30 minutes on the ferry to Whidbey, so it's the perfect distance from the city to feel like we've escaped without schlepping too far from home.

We meet for lunch at The Braeburn,  a restaurant in the heart of Langley, then saunter around town to shop and browse. Langley is a sweet spot, with bookstores, galleries and a few unusual shops in converted houses. We finish out our shopping at The Star Store, where we gather whatever remaining food supplies we need for our shared dinner and next morning's breakfast. It's an ideal time to bond with fellow bookclubbers. Ordinarily we meet on a weeknight to discuss that month's book. Although we do our fair share of time off topic, it feels decadent to have no time limits, no expectant kids or spouses, no preparation for early mornings.

After our Langley stroll, we head to the house to settle in, then take a walk on the beach. In the past we've seen eagles above and whales spouting. Thankfully the rains stopped so we could enjoy the still blue waters and the snowy mountains in the distance.

Most of the year I feel obligated to these women. Yes, we are friendly and I see a few of them socially outside of book club. But we're together once a month to delve deeper into the book, which I truly believe, allows a greater understanding of ourselves. This may sound like I'm laying heavy hands on the book club, but since I've been a stay-at-home parent, my reading and the discussions around that reading are often my greatest intellectual stimulation. I ask a lot of these discussions, so I try to be as prepared as I can be in order to offer something of value in return. I'm challenged each month to ask more than, 'What did you like about the book?' because I deserve more than that - and so do these women.

So our Whidbey weekends feel a little like spring break. We shop, take walks, cook, eat, drink, analyze the best and worst dressed lists from the Oscars and maybe watch a movie based on a book we've read. Sometimes we talk about the book. This is also the time I remember to enjoy just being around these women. To forget what's on the page and remember how to connect on a personal level. I remember the power of a room full of women, all with our own histories, experiences, dreams, disappointments and plans for over coming those challenges. Each time a gal pal told a story to the group someone would counter with, "That could be a novel," or "That would make a good short story." And we meant it.

I love being among these women. I love that each year I get to know them in a different way. They are more inspiring than any of the characters we read about because they're real. And I'm lucky to know them.

Heart Beat

"Valentine's Day" is on HBO. A lot. Probably because it's getting close to the big hearty day. It's not the best movie, but I find myself drawn to a few choice scenes, like this gem below:

Lust is not pretty

Totally lusting after this:

Dr. Marten's Leather Satchel

And this:

Amazing typographic map of San Francisco from Axis Maps

Rockin' and Rollin' and Whatnot

Instead of making resolutions for the new year, I tend to make goals. I call them 'goals' to take some of the pressure off myself when those 'goals' don't get met. Or, as is more often the case, it takes a lot longer to reach those goals than I anticipated.

One of my goals each year is to move. Yes, you could say 'exercise' or 'get in shape,' but if I tell myself I will move more, it makes me feel like that rush about I do on a daily basis as a mom is actually achieving something. That's why I was so excited about the fitbit, which is a small wearable device that calculates the steps you take, the calories you burn and the miles you've traveled. By wearing it, I feel like I'm more active than (perhaps) I really am, but it validates the constant scamper I run at. There's also a very appealing flower icon that grows as you become more active. (I really love it when the flower has 10 leaves on it!)
The fitbit also calculates how much sleep you've had and of course, when it syncs in to your online account, will tabulate all of your data so you have more informed picture of your health. If you want to add more data online, you can manually enter foods eaten, maximum heart rate, blood glucose levels and even your mood for the day.

I think it's a great tool to help you realize where you're at on a day to day basis, giving you more information to help long term goals. However, just when I got into the routine of remembering to wear it all day (and night), glowing in the number of leaves on my fitness flower, the display went dark. Apparently, there is already a software update/fix for the PCs, but as a Mac user, I'd have to wait.

I wanted to take the time to wear it, sync it, and base all my information on what appeared online. I wouldn't have to peek at how many steps I took between breakfast and lunch, right? But it was like carrying around an iPod where you could only hear your favorite playlist when you were plugged into the computer-far less gratifying than I wanted it to be. So, I'm returning the fitbit. A bummer, but a lack of display combined with its questionable durability make it necessary to find other alternatives.

I'll have to search for an alternative immediately because I signed up for the Seattle Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon and I need a reliable training partner.

Big X

We celebrated Emma's 10th birthday with an all-day-girls'-play-date. She invited her gal pals over for archery, lunch, cake and a movie. I thought Doug would feel horribly outnumbered, but he ended up taking them to sushi and cooking Korean desserts with them. There's something to be said for being the only male in the house!

Emma was very pleased to have her friends around on her special day. We are thrilled to watch our thriving, growing girl.

Em was happy with her loot.

Per her request, Doug drew a picture of Artemis on her cake. 

Our rainbow cake for sending "iris messages." 

test your gif

Another Dave Sighting

The world really must be getting smaller because I saw Dave Matthews again.

Seattle isn't a huge city, but it's not Mayberry, either. I've lived here 14 years and I've seen my share of Seattle royalty (Howard Schultz at the now closed Oceanaire, Bill Gates at the Bellevue Galleria movie theater, Jay Buhner at a Sammamish Plateau eatery). Running into Dave Matthews at the CityArts Festival was coincidental, but not too unrealistic. But running into Dave Matthews at my kid's gymnastics class was totally surreal.

I didn't even try to talk to him this time. I felt so dorky chatting him up last time. Most of the parents were visiting with one another or turning to look at little Johnny as he called out, "I'm on the rings, Mom! Look!" I try to keep an eye on Phoebe since this is her first session where I'm not on the mats with her. So folks were pretty cool, not gawking or anything. He's just a normal guy, holding his coffee, waiting for his kid to finish gymnastics class.

That's twice so far. I'll keep you posted if he shows up again next class.

A Look Back

The holidays were a blur. Even though we kept it low-key and close to home, our family is still sort of recovering from the excitement. Here are a few moments I'm happy to look back on from the season.

Em and Phee during our pre-Thanksgiving snow

Phee sends her "Bighty" to Santa.

Phee is a natural on the drums.

 

I get a bass guitar from Santa!

The girls make cookies for Santa.

"Tangled" was a major theme for Phoebe this year.

Emma was thrilled with her "Spy Kit."

The girls hang out with Rachel the Pig at Pike Place Market during our 'staycation.'

Our impromptu sledding day at Snoqualmie.