The Traditional Christmas Hike

Almost every year since we married, J and I have wandered off into the woods on Christmas morning or afternoon.It's time for  just the two of us to decompress after the excitement. This year we had a quick Christmas morning gift exchange and yummy breakfast with the small one, my mom and her husband before driving to Lake Catherine State Park for the afternoon. The plan was to hike the Dam Mountain Trail, but we didn't realize that it closes during hunting season. Better safe than sorry. We did a loop of 2 other trails to get in about 4.5 miles of hike.

The 23rd and 24th of December brought record rainfall to our neck of the woods. Unfortunately it was bad enough to flood several areas, strand a few folks and even displace a few for the Holiday. It also meant that the waterfalls were flowing and we saw some pretty magnificent ones. Beauty and Destruction. Water always wins, no matter what.

We've hiked most of this area before but it looks totally different with that much water.

We had a great time and we can still look forward to going back to finish that Dam Mountain Trail someday.

Christmas Eve Fun and Folly

Of all the gifts in the stockings, or perhaps even under the tree, the boxing Santa pens were a much bigger hit than we expected. The picture does no justice. The Santas not only had boxing arms like Rock Em Sock Em Robots, the eyes lit up red when the arms moved so it was kind of like Possessed Boxing Santa. Not exactly the Christmas Spirit we hoped for, but we take what we can get around here.

I was the recipient of a beautiful tiara and light up wand- to go with my tutu from my day as a Beer Fairy with Sweet Sarah Smiles.                                   

 Yes, I did do a little dance with my tutu and tiara on.

All 3 kids were there along with the fiancee tagging along. The mooch. I guess we have to get used to him being around now. I think he enjoyed his presents though I don't think he understood the purpose of the reusable bag we gave him. It isn't a hat. I don't think.

I had to kick them all off my Wii Fit balance board. Luckily the kids were playing the games as my Mii so now I hold the high score in about every single game!

I had to wait until Christmas Day to use my new EA sports Wii game that I got.

And there was good food. Lots of good, not traditional Christmas dinner, food.

MMMMM pork loin with cranberry chutney and garlic rosemary potatoes with brussels sprouts a la bacon and pine nuts. Dessert was a chocolate pecan pie made by the oldest kid and my molasses cookies that had to leave our house because we could not resist eating them one after another.

Merry Christmas Ya'll!!

I'm late, I'm late...

I feel like the white rabbit. It's been one busy week! I have workouts to log, cooking to do, kitchens to clean. I just got out of the kitchen at 9:40 p.m. I've been in there since I walked in from work at 5:30. And the raspberry pinwheels did NOT turn out! EERRRGGGHH

Monday 14th
4 rounds of
400 meter run (outside)
30 sec mountain climbers
25 kettlebell swings x 20lb
25 wall balls x 10lb

Tuesday
warm up = 60 pushups
5 sets of:
alternating dumbbell chest press on balance ball 10 ea arm x 20lb
chair pushups x 12
front plate raise 15 x 25lb
walking push up 10yd x 10lb dumbbells = OUCH

end with partner curls x 45lb bar rep 10..9..8..7..6..5......1

Wednesday- should have been something else but because people were late and confused, we got sprints and punishment. I don't even remember because I blocked it out. I know it hurt.

Thursday
3 rounds
hang clean x 10 x 65lb
treadmill run 1 min @ 7 mph
chain pushup x 10(feet on shoulders of person behind you, supporting person in front)
400 m run on one round, other rounds
25lb plate push until other person finishes running
tire press- lifted tractor tire overhead and did presses x 10

Friday- that's right I bugged out and regretted it later because...

Saturday- we were supposed to ride but crap got in the way
Sunday- we were supposed to ride but crap got in the way AND we decided to invite a few friends over for a Holiday gathering which explains why...
Monday(today)- GOT A NADA TOO!!! Lazy Lazy Lazy Lazy. But exhausted.

The Lumpy Saga

About 3 hours before the picture above was taken....

This picture was snapped...

It may not look so bad, in all honesty it didn't feel that bad either. Yet. But it was broken. The pain would come.  At the time, it seemed it might have been worthwhile but in retrospect, NOT.

For 8 long weeks I wrapped that little finger in tiny ace bandages and kept a hard plastic splint on it except for the 5-6 times a day I had to take it all off and exercise it lest I lose flexibility which is common with this injury apparently as I was warned by the Dr. , her nurse, and the physical therapist.

After 8 weeks the Dr. cleared me to stop wearing the splint but when I asked how much longer it would hurt she said "Oh, at least a year probably and especially when it's cold." That is not what you want to hear in October. I could handle the news that my knuckle would never be the same, it would always be bigger. But this pain thing...not so much. Good news is, I have great movement and flexibility but it hurts like the dickens. Especially in the cold. Arrrrggghhhh. It's going to be a long winter.

So the other day, J looks at my hand and says "That finger is kind of lumpy, we should just start calling it Lumpy." Thus, Lumpy was born. I expect she might even have her own stocking this year. It will be filled with coban wrap, ibuprofen and bengay.

Excuse me,Lumpy and I have to go sit out on the porch in a rocking chair and predict the weather by her pain.

Friday Fitness Follies

I have no reason to title today's post as such, I just appreciate alliteration.

Sunday- I can't even remember but it seems we did a whole lot of hanging the house, putting up a christmas tree and lights (the poor tree STILL doesn't have ornaments) and some shopping.

Monday- back to reality
A good warm up with core work and mountain climbers
20 seconds of work, 10 seconds of rest (read that MOVE your lazy butt to where you need to go next)
8 intervals of each = 4 minutes total time at each station:
box jumbs 12"
full sit ups
plate push 25lb
push ups

I felt the need to punish myself with a 9th round of box jumps, sit ups and plate pushes at 4 intervals/ 2 min
Didn't think I could do more pushups but squeezed out 2 sets of 5 before collapsing :)

Tuesday - Nada. SO busy at work and home. Late night from visiting Central High School thinking we might send the small one there next year.

Wednesday- Sprints. OMG I HATE sprints. Mostly because I have no speed and I suck at them.
15 sec x 10 @ 10mph,  15 sec x 5 @ 11 mph
Then we had a "competition". Whoever came off the treadmill first had to do 5 burpees. We had 3 women today, I lost all but 1 sprint- and I'd RATHER do burpees than run!! Hear me!

Thursday-missed my morning class but hit 15 minutes on the treadmill walking hills and 25 minutes of step aerobics at work before I had to bail out for carpool. Add in about an hour of Wii Fit- we tried the Biggest Loser game tonight. I think the decision was the family likes the hula hoop game on Wii Fit Plus more than anything else.  I should post video. Joe Daddy has the high score in super hula hoop right now.

Friday Friday- core work to warm up and a little treadmill warm up
3 circuits of:
20% incline sprints at 7mph x 15 sec
plyo jumps @ 100lb x 15
box jump 18" x 15
single leg box jump 6" x 15
plate push 25lb x 15 yd
tractor tire flip x 15
no rest between sets!

I know I need an endurance workout this weekend but it's so cold. I just don't know. Does marathon house cleaning count?

Christmas in Candlelight

Christmas in Candlelight at Washington State Park was absolutely awesome again this year. This year we were a quartet, having invited one of the small one's friends along for the ride. The girls had a busy morning of placement testing for High School. Terrifying Tales of Adventures in Arithmetic and Literacy kept us entertained thru a quick lunch before we left Little Rock for the drive to Washington. A lecture on reading instructions before beginning a test was served up for dessert.

The first thing the girls found inside the old courthouse was this checkerboard. While J and I were perusing the gift shop and visiting with folks we only see once in a blue moon, the girls took on a marathon checker game. We had to go prod them out of the seats and force them out into the very cold but sun filled day.

One of the small one's favorite things in the park is this beautiful old Magnolia tree. I know it might not be proper grammar to capitalize Magnolia but look at it? It deserves a capital M.

It was planted in 1839 and is on the Register of Historic Trees. I know, I didn't realized there was a registry for historic trees either.


This lovely maid has "knees" that surround her, keeping her upright, and  leaving enough room for a multitude of children and adults to play in her shelter.

Go ahead and say "WOW".

Just WOW.

In the evening, more than 3000 luminaries line the sidewalks all thru the park. It is absolutely breathtaking.

I don't have any night time pictures to post because we were oh so busy doing things like this. Shoveling EarthQuake Cake in our mouths following the dinner of ham, dressing, potatoes both white and sweet, corn, green beans, mmmmm biscuits and 2 count them 2 kinds of gravy at the buffet at Williams' Tavern. Before and after dinner we were serenaded by a quartet and a choir. Lovely! Last year there were carolers in period costume singing while we waited.

Lest you think it's all about food, because I know that with our family, it sometimes is...

Elsewhere in the park is a working blacksmith shop, several historic homes, a candleshop and a print shop that contains some very old and interesting printing machinery. They have a press that was actually unearthed in Murphreesboro that people thought was a headstone because the only part showing above the earth does indeed resemble a tombstone. Cool. There is also a weapons museum at the park and the park is home to a School of Bladesmithing.

In the evening hours, many of the churches and the old WPA gymnasium play host to school and church choirs. The small one had a friend singing in the Bryant High School Choir so we stayed to watch their performance.

Oh my Lordy, peeps! 

Our evening would not have been complete if we had missed these Gentlemen (notice the improper use of capitalization again, and again, it is deserved). The Hempstead County Melody Boys made our evening. In the middle of their set, the small one leans over with her iPod Touch in hand and on it is this note:  

"The Banjo Player is the BEST Thing EVER."

Bless you Mr. Charlie Webb, wherever you are tonight.

Personal Note to The Park Wife herself...we're so sorry we missed out on fun and fellowship while we were in your neck o the woods. So to The Park Wife, Big Buckaroo and the little Buckaroos- NEXT TIME!

Weak Week

The workout schedule was weak this week.
Monday:
4 sets of 6 hang clean- 2 sets @ 45lb to warm up + 4 x 60lb
superset Straight Single Leg Deadlifts w/ 20lb dumbell + Walking Lunges w/25lb plate overhead to 60 reps each
Finish with 1 mile run with call outs. Which meant that every few yards at irregular intervals, C would call out "push up" or "mountain climber" or worse..."squat thrust" and we'd have to do those until he yelled "UP" again. The run was outside. It was chilly.

Tuesday:  warm up with 75 full sit ups
superset Push Press, Dumb Bell Chest Press, and Front Plate Raise to 75 reps each
      Push Press 1 x 15 x 45lb, 2 x 15 x 55lb, 3 x 10 x 60lb
      DB Chest Press 5 x 15 x 20lb
      Plate Raise 5 x 15 x 25lb
THEN we had to walk boxes. 8 boxes from 8-24 inches set up in a pyramid style. first 4 with hands on floor and feet on boxes- do 3 pushups then move feet to the next box without getting up- repeat- in the center, change hands to boxes and feet on floor and do the same-
at the end do pushups to failure. Which for me was 1. :) I was lucky I didn't face plant on the box pushups.

Finish: Shoulder Complex with 10lb dumb bells  7 lateral raise, 7 front raise, 7 rotator cuff, 7 shoulder press.  OMG

Wednesday: Would it shock anyone that I skipped Wednesday?

Thursday:
Warm up with killer Abdominal work led by Chris the Hun.
20 Dead Lifts @ 95 lb     run 400 m outside in the frigid air
20 Kettle Bell swings @ 20lb     run 400 m
20 Overhead Squats with PVC bar     run 400 m
20 Burpees. I heart Burpees.      run again.
20 Pullups. I can't do pullups. I jump, I strain, I try to get there. It's the best I can do.    I ran again though.
20 Box Jumps     run 400 m
20 Dumb bell Squat Clean 5 x 15lb, 10 x 20lb, 5 x 15lb     LAST RUN!!

Friday: Skipped Again. Don't pretend to be shocked. I planned a workout, but I got too busy.

Saturday involved exercisin my table muscles at Subway and William's Tavern at Historic Washington State Park.

Sunday's Plan: RUN! Outside, in the cold, on the hills.

What Happened to the Work Out Blog?

I lost my workout notebook last week. I'm heartbroken. It had 3 months of workouts, notes, and statistics (which maybe I could live without) but I'm missing being able to look up my "max" weight for lifting workouts, I can't remember everything. I'm missing my notes to self about which workouts were hard,  made me sore-what I did or didn't do afterward that contributed, etc. So to catch up THIS WEEK:

Sunday- Beer Fairies. 1 ten mile loop of single track did NOT make up for the morning playing Fairy Duster.

Monday-
Abs- 1 min ea seated twist, toe touch w/10lb plate,  leg extensions and scissors
3 sets, 5 sec rest between exercises, 30 seconds between sets, do as many reps as you can in 1min for each:
Sumo Deadlift with High Pull 45lb (bar)
Wall Ball 10lb -  deep squat and throw the ball up to an X on the wall, catch, repeat
Box Jumps on 12 inch box
Push Press 45lb (bar)
Burpees

Tuesday-
Abs again, I don't remember exactly what we did because I have blocked it. It was hard.
Push Press x 50       1 x 10 @ 45lb (bar)  4 x 10 @ 55lb
Front Plate Raise      1 x 10 @ 25lb
Partner Curls (pass the bar between partners) 1st turn is 10 reps, then 9, then 8....down to 1. I had a spot w/45lb bar
Static 21's  3 x 21 @10lb Dumb bells held straight out in mid bicep curl position- one arm 7 reps up, switch arms, 7 reps down, switch arms, both arms do full curl   OUCH
Rope Tricep Push Down 1 x 15 @20lb

Wednesday- plans shot and ended up with a short 2.5 mile walk/jog with the dog

Thursday- 15 mile bike ride, some road and a lot of "flat" whoop dee doo singletrack FUN

Friday- a whole lotta yard work and cleaning up. Made homemade tomato soup today, it's getting chilly and I love soup in cold weather.

Saturday- well that's today. As soon as the temp is over 50, heading out to my favorite gym

OT from Visitor's Center up to East Summit, up-over and around the West base trail and back to the VC. It was a good 1 hour and 45 minutes or so. I could have done another lap. Or at least a couple more miles. Maybe next weekend I'll hit it hard.

Who came dressed as a pumpkin muffin?

Thanksgiving. What a boring holiday. As if I need an excuse to overeat? We did have a pretty good time this year. J and I went for a short bike ride, then we joined the small one for some monopoly and bocce ball. In the evening we went for a late turkey dinner at a friend's house. And ate too much. As usual.

There was all the usual fare, ham, turkey, dressing, potatoes both mashed and sweet. Pioneer Woman's Wild Rice and Corn Casserole was a big hit, at least with my family, they gobbled it. Then there was homemade pecan pie and raspberry pie. We had no pumpkin pie yesterday- but we did have pumpkin muffins. I made them from the pumpkins we managed to save from the cannibal pumpkin in the picture. He wanted to eat them all.

You never know what to expect when you invite people over for Halloween.
This is Pumpkin Pie Spice.  Looks more like Scary Spice to me but....


Poor Pumpkin Pie Spice Girl. She had a terrible time fighting the men off all night long. She's sooo hawt...impossible to resist. I think her real name is Shawnda.

Bat Chips and Squash "Brains"  Yummy Mummy!

Boogers on a Stick and Ghosties, sweet.

Luckily, the night did not end this way for any of  our ghoulish friends. Except for the pumpkin.

Beer Fairies: Figment of the Imagination?

This past weekend was the end of the Arkansas Mountain Bike Championship Series with the Atilla the Hun race at Cedar Glades Park in Hot Springs. I have never participated in, nor  have I even been a spectator at this race but I've heard good things about it.  We love Cedar Glades. It's one of the first trails I ever rode and it has grown and changed by leaps and bounds since then. The trails are well kept and always in great shape. There is plenty of technical difficulty and some sweet rolls here. It also has a disc golf course, BMX track, climbing wall and a remote control airfield. Nothing like getting buzzed by small (very small) aircraft while riding a bike.

There was a rumor that the famed Arkansas Beer Fairies would show up at the race. I think they have become the stuff of legends.


The fairies situated themselves at the top of a hill that back in the day was known as "Heart Attack". The trail has been changed somewhat and the hill isn't quite what it used to be but it's still a climb. Imagine the surprise those poor souls got as they start pushing and working up that hill and they hear cowbells and fairy voices screaming "huhp huhp, get on up here, we've got your beer!"

It seems the fairies weren't the only ones in wings that day. I think the wings made him ride faster. Wings and Fairy Beer. The stuff champeens are made of.



Post Race- the Fairies took a lap on the course, alas, they once again became the elusive creatures they're meant to be and no one could capture a picture. How do they ride in those tutus?

Anti Bullying Week Across the Nation

This week is Anti Bullying week at schools all over the country. As an assignment from the Student Council Mentor (and awesome composition teacher) The small one and her friends put together this video. No one, especially not their parents, expected what came of it.
The kids were interviewed by the local news tonight on KTHV. They were phenomenal. Congratulations to my small one Miss Mc, Alex, Lauren, Hannah and Lizzie!

Pioneer Woman Part Deux

Now I can "finish" my Ree Drummond book signing story.  When I heard she was coming to Little Rock to sign her cookbook, I knew I had to go. If not for myself, for my S-I-L Julia. She is a fantasmic photographer and was enjoying Ree's photography and tips. She introduced me to Ree's site for the recipes because she knows how much I love to cook. I have often gone to The Pioneer Woman for recipes. Of all the recipes  from her site that I've attempted , not a single one has been a failure. Most have been wildly successful in fact. Which brings us to the story of .... duhn duhn duhhhhhhnnn

The Great Bourbon Sweet Potato Disaster of '07

Thanksgiving 2007. My S-I-L and her 2 precious small ones were driving about 7 hours to spend the holiday with us. I was frantically searching for recipes because...I couldn't possibly dream of having a "typical" turkey dinner with comp'ny comin'. I found what looked like an easy sweet potato recipe that did not involve marshmallows. Nothing against that gooey goodness, I was just trying to be ummm I dunno, sophisticated? The recipe called for GOOD bourbon. I don't know what that means. I bought cheap stuff. I figured, the recipe calls for only a little bit and it bakes out right? Smarty pants that I am, I put dinner together the night before so it would be less hassle the next morning. Oh no. Huge mistake. That cheap bourbon clung to those potatoes like a silk suit in summertime. Even after baking them, those sweet potatoes smelled up the entire room like a drunk tank at 4 a.m. on a Sunday morning. They had to go in the trash. Outside.  I have not lived that one down yet! Probably never will.

So I had to get Ree to sign that cookbook because even 2 years later...I am still trying to make up for those potatoes.

Needless to say, 2008 meant the dinner was traditional in every sense. Well except that I had to cook the turkey on the grill because my oven is too small (I have a 70's era kitchen people!).  I greased that bird up good with some rub from Williams Sonoma, no scrimping on the good stuff, unlike the bourbon. It was delish.

Thanksgiving 2009 plans? The Chinese Buffet. Fa Ra Ra Ra Ra Folks, it's all good!!

P.S. Everyone knows I'm not a good photographer. The pictures were taken by my S-I-L, THANKS J!

A Mother's Guilt

I'm a mom. I feel guilty. A lot. For what I give my daughter, for what I don't, for the way I talk to her and for not being able to ease my frustration.
This past weekend I grounded her from going to anyone else's house because it seems she is always gone on the weekends. Teenagers, right?  She told me her friends were working on a video for school. It is  anti bullying week and the girls wanted to make something special.When I asked if it was an assignment she said "no" so I didn't let her go.  I heard her on the phone on and off all weekend. I heard her say "I'm sorry but I really can't come over" and things like "that song is perfect". 

THIS VIDEO is what she and her beautiful friends were making. I feel guilty that she had to be involved over the phone. I feel, like a bully.

When I stop crying, I will apologize for not listening.

5:00 a.m. is Early You Know

I started back at Arkansas Sports Performance Center this morning.  The workouts are intense, usually shorter than your average cardio or sculpting class because there is little time wasted on resting. Oh my poor body! Short, tough, circuit training style. I really like em. Every day is something different and I never worry I'm going to get bored with a "routine" because there isn't one.

This morning was my first day back after almost 10 weeks because of the Syllamo. And my finger. The first thing is warm up. An absolute necessity! Once the workout begins, you need to be able to hit it hard.

Todays workout:

 4 sets x 8 repeats of 3 in1's:  Hang Clean, Front Squat, Push-Press

All in one fluid motion, or at least an attempt at fluidity. Mine weren't pretty every single time but I tried.  I alternated between 55lbs and 65lbs.  I found that my finger still doesn't like to grip heavy things.

30 seconds each Plate Push and Walking Lunges for 10 minutes

For this we push a weight plate (I used 25lbs) across astroturf. Hands on plate, butt up and run. Not as easy as it sounds. Then after 30 seconds we lifted the plate overhead and did walking lunges with Chris yelling to get deep and hold proper form! 30 seconds and back to pushing, repeat for 10 minutes. The trick was, you could not put the plate down. If you choose to rest you have to hold on to it. It wore me out but it wasn't impossible. I wonder if a 35lb plate would have made it impossible?

2 Dinners and a Show

Friday night we had some old friends over for dinner.  I met T about 7 years ago when she was a summer intern where I work (still) and she was trying to get in to Pharmacy School. She now has that Doctor of Pharmacy degree and has returned to LR after 4 years away.

This is lovely T and her husband M on their wedding day. Isn't she beautiful?

When J and I were married, we knew we didn't need the whole church wedding thing but we wanted our friends to come celebrate with us. We decided to have a big party, serve food we love, and dance the night away before we left on our honeymoon. We had a middle eastern restaurant do the catering and T gave us a fantastic wedding gift: she danced at our reception. T has been studying middle eastern dance ("belly" dancing) for several years. She was such a hit, I think it's the thing most people remember about our reception other then the raging storm that night. I have some great pictures of her dancing and wowing the crowd but they're on another hard drive, perhaps I'll have to hunt them down.


Friday night we had them over for dinner because we hadn't seen them in a long time. We needed to catch up.

We had a great time over the risotto dinner and a couple of bottles of vino. Tonight, T's dance company had a show at Taziki's restaurant in LR. We went to support her. She's still a beautiful dancer, a joy to watch, and J and I got to spend another evening of food and vino with M. Thanks!

Beautiful
as always,
with a megwatt smile.

Love my girl T!

How could I not?

My Favorite Gym

We are so lucky to have this park  in our back yard. Well, a 15 minute drive from our backyard. The 223 mile Ouachita Trail starts (or ends) here. We have so many hiking or running options: follow the OT for a couple of miles then head up Pinnacle or around the base trail or continue to follow the OT out for as many miles as we can stand. For Thanksgiving 3 years ago, we took the small one on her first overnight backpacking trip along 21 miles of this trail, ending at Pinnacle Mountain.

11-06. I can't believe that little girl is now taller than I am.

Yesterday was a beautiful fall day in Arkansas. Temps in the upper 60s by mid day, sunny, gorgeous. J and I headed over to my favorite outdoor gym. We started at the Visitor's Center and the OT trail head then  picked up the East Summit Trail up and over the mountain.  We stopped to chat with a friend just as the steep boulder climb starts, I am always up for a chat with a friend but I HATE getting passed. This guy comes flying by taking those boulders like they were office bldg stairs. RRRRRR, it's ON! I didn't catch him of course, but it did give me someone to chase.

At the top...I stopped to help a family take pictures. A set of 3 siblings that grew up in LR but had spread to Texas and Missouri with one staying put. And kids galore. Oh my. I hope those photos turn out, it was tough to get that many people in the photo, kids had to be wrangled, the wind was whipping and I am not a great photographer!

In the time it took the family to get situated, J had made it up and decided to take a picture of me taking a picture. Yes, I had 2 cameras-it was a big family remember?

This workout was turning into a social event! On the way down we ran into an old friend of mine that I hadn't seen in 4 years.  He was taking his 7 an 9 year old girls and 2 friends up the West Summit. That's a tall order for one man! By the time we hit the bottom and turned onto the Base Trail I was ready to run again and I went for it. I often fall on this trail. I think it's because I was doing it early in the mornings for a long time. Once I even jumped the gate at 6 a.m. to get on the trail. Ssshh don't tell on me. I din't fall today! I can do it without being a total clutz!

Ah the end is near, but it involves up. This is always tough no matter how long or short the hike has been. This one was shorter than my normal "alone" route. But it still hurt in the end. We stopped in at the VC to clean up a little and to start gift buying for Christmas. Ozark Soaps are great as small gifts or included in baskets.      I knew that lady at the gift shop thought it was a bit gross that I washed my face in the rest room, then when I came out and J was talking to her about what we had been doing all morning, she said "Oh no wonder you were washing up!" Yeah, sunshine, dirt, and running kind of make that necessary.

Note of apology to everyone in Fresh Market and IO Metro:  I'm really sorry you had to smell me. I promise I don't always look or smell like that. You always see me that way because your stores are on the way  home from Pinnacle and I feel compelled to stop no matter how gross I am.

Fallen off the Wagon

Or the mountain bike. Whatever.

I think I've been trying to block out this little tidbit. In rediscovering my much neglected blog, I realized I wrote an entire post about our trip to the Syllamo without mentioning something very important.

The Syllamo Broke My Finger.
So I had a little accident about 3 miles into the all day ride. So what. I have little oopsies all the time right? Unfortunately, this one involved getting my pinky finger stuck in a pile of wood debris while sliding head first down an embankment. It's not as bad as it sounds Mom, I promise. Except for the breaking the finger part. Really, it dislocated then snapped back into place so I thought it would be okay. When we got back to the car to stop for lunch I just had J buddy tape it and we rode the rest of the afternoon. The next morning my finger was swollen and blue so I went in to the Dr. to be safe. I had an avulsion fracture. I really wish I had the x-rays. So cool! This little bone fragment floating out there in my knuckle space was causing all the trouble. It didn't hurt when I did it or during the night but man was it hurting by day 2 after all the poking and prodding. Splint and compression bandages for 8 weeks, no weight lifting and I couldn't really grip all the way or straighten it all the way without pain so no more crossfit workouts for a while.

Excuses. I luv em. I used the broken finger as an excuse not to workout. But I cooked and cleaned and even did an Adventure Race (without training for it of course) and had an awesome Halloween party that deserves its own post. And then I got the croup. Maybe the flu, maybe just a nasty cold. Whatever, it kicked my butt for a week and a half. Better now. Playing catch up.

Tonight: Pioneer Woman's Red Pepper Risotto
Tomorrow: Garlic Smothered Chicken with New Potatoes. And I'm going to attempt this. Yes the cooking bug is back in full force. I am so happy to have family and friends that can appreciate.
Excuse me, I have to go infect cells with a nasty cow pox now. Later.

Good Grief Charlie Brown

Forgive me, it's been 2 months since my last confession.

Life has been pretty busy. Okay maybe I just figured I'm talking to myself so much of the time that it wasn't worth it. I mean seriously, when I have 2 maybe 3 people who read my drivel while the pioneer woman gets like 2 bazillion comments a day, it really does bring things into perspective. I don't post pictures, mostly because I'm not the one who usually takes them and I rarely take the time to "fix" the ones I do have access to in order to post them here. I could talk about cooking but since I broke my finger ahem 2 months ago, I haven't been getting the cooking bug as often as I used to.

I have been reinvigorated though. Because Monday night the Pioneer Woman herself was appearing at my local WalMart to sign her book. I had to drive the bus that day so I couldn't possibly leave work early. I hurried from the parking lot and was making good time until I saw the flashing blue lights. There were accidents in 2 places on my route to The Wal Marts. A 20 minute trip took 50 minutes. Aaarrrgh. So I got in line at the BACK of the store. And didn't move for over an hour. My sweet Babou even decided (after much begging and whining) to come up and keep me company for a few minutes, bring me a camera, and a happy meal lest I fall down from hunger WITH A COOKBOOK IN MY HANDS. J didn't stay long. It was estrogen ocean. There was one lone Asian man in line with a nice camera but I think that's another story. By then I had managed to befriend a couple of women in line and it was getting to be mighty entertaining. We got to meet Malboro Man, the Pioneer Woman's main squeeze. I always figured she only posted the most flattering pictures of him, his forearms, his butt in chaps, etc. Nope, he really is that handsome in person. And rather charming. Big surprise, right?

3 and 1/2 hours later I was finally headed home for the evening. When my sweet babou said to me "did you see what our daughter wrote on Facebook while you were gone tonight?" First I said "she's not supposed to BE on facebook on a school night!" then I read the post. And had to forgive her.

" Dear Family, So I squished this bug. And it is STILL twitching. It's guts are kind of coming out of the sides. Mm, tasty..... Yes, I'll probably get in trouble for: A) Leaving it sitting here.B) Staining the carpet with its guts.C) Killing it with a perfectly good notepad.or D) All of the above!Sorry about the stain...Love, Your Kid."

That was a note I wrote to my parents.
Aren't I just so considerate?

It was a good night.

Experiments in the Kitchen, AKA- Mom's Science Fair Project

So the other night I had this 5lb pork loin that I had thawed with no real plan as to what I was going to make with it. Somewhere I had recently seen a recipe for a slow cooker pork roast with amber beer. Hmm. J had some questionable amber beer in the beer and deer down in the garage and I had a pork loin. Perfect. But where did I see that recipe? Never mind, I'll just wing it. So I looked in the spice cabinet and see my collection of Dizzy Pig rubs. PLUG warning: I love these rubs! I coated my lovely loin, the pork I mean, with Dizzy Dust BBQ seasoning and let it rest while I did some chores. The lovely loin, as it will be known henceforth, was then browned in a big skillet with oil. Then I caramalized half a sweet vidalia onion in the oil. I made the gravy with lots of Dizzy Dust mixed in with the flour and used a bottle of amber beer as the liquid. The lovely loin and the onion and some fresh slices of garlic (about 3 cloves) and the rich, dark beer gravy went into the crock pot for 4 hours on high. Of course I have no pictures. I do have testimonials though they are unintelligible because they were grunted with mouths full of lovely loin and mashed potatoes.

I hope Chris doesn't sue me for using his Dizzy picture.

Pie, Strudel and Earthquake Cake. Oh and Bikes.

Wednesday morning with gatorade, a cold pasta and foccacia lunch packed, coffee and breakfast cookies in hand, J, my sweet Sarah Smiles and I headed out toward Mt. View, Arkansas for some trail ridin' fun. I've never ridden on the Syllamo trails so this was going to be a new adventure.

The trails still have some issues from mother nature's wrath during the winter and spring. I caught a bad spot and somehow managed a bad fall early in the day, turning my pinky finger into a Z. Some tape and 4 ibuprofen fixed it enough to Man Up and Ride On.

There were definitely parts of the trails we rode that I really liked. There was some hikeabike. I don't know anyone who will say they like hikeabike. The trail Gods provided us some nice views and some moderately difficult technique building areas that gave us a good workout. There were some nice rocky areas that were challenging but fun to play on, some sweet downhills sweeps and some sand. I do not heart sand but it does test your mettle. I had a good time despite the injury and came away thinking I've managed to improve my skills this last year even though it's been tough to find enough time to ride hard trails.

But the day seemed to be more about the food. With us, it's ALWAYS about the food. We had this really cool dude along for the ride, a travel writer. Who happened to also be working on a story about Pie. Pie. I love pie. Sarah loves pie. Our new writer friend, loves pie. We talked about pie and streudal for hours. Okay, Sarah talked about strudl for hours. Apparently if you haven't been to The Pantry in Little Rock for strudel, you are missing out on the sweet mystery of life. We rode, we talked, we even sang a little. Sarah and I found a soul-mate in our new friend who happily sang along to our bad TV theme song rendiditons. After 20 miles, a few hours, a couple of injuries and countless horsefly bites, we got off those blasted bikes and went to find pie. Sweet Glorious Pie. We went to Cody's in Fifty-Six and had pie. It was okay. Then we needed to drop our writer friend off at the Ozark Folk Center State Park. We can't stop there and not eat at The Skillet. They have green beans that are like crack. I don't know what they put in them but I could eat them all day long. That and the tomato/onion relish. Oh my heavens. Between the 4 of us we had grilled trout, chicken fried steak, catfish, baked potatoes, fries, mashed taters, green beans, carrots, homemade hush puppies, biscuits and cornbread and then....TADA Earthquake Cake. Now I've heard tell of Kaye's cooking afore. I hear she is one mighty fine country cook. I want to adopt her. Even though it would seem silly to adopt a grown woman, I'd do it anyway. Just for the recipe for the banana earthquake cake. See, she won't give out the recipe but I figure if I'm her momma, she'd have to give it up, right? Right.

 Excuse me, I have to find a dessert. Fast.

Facebook Has Taken Over

I've been pretty busy lately. Work and Home seem to be hopping along and free time is at a premium. Because my family seems to be addicted to Facebook, I am required to be also. That's my story, I'm sticking to it.
Last weekend were were here.

Devil's Den State Park in Winslow, Arkansas. It's quickly becoming a family favorite. There are miles upon miles of wonderful hiking trails, mountain biking trails and about 60 caves and countless crevices to explore. Usually, we are tent campers but this weekend...my sweet boy rented me a cabin. A CABIN! With a jacuzzi tub and a real kitchen! Oh my heavens it felt like the Ritz Carlton in comparison to our camp cots, 2 burner propane stove, ice chest and sharing a bathhouse with an entire campground adventures.

J and I were there to do the last of the Adventure Sprint Races put on by the Ozark Extreme Team and the small one came along hoping for a caving adventure with the bats. J has been very ill the last several weeks and we're just getting back into training together. He was a trooper. The race began about 10 a.m. with a super dooper trek thru some of the best trail areas in the park. We hit checkpoints across several different trails (and roads) on foot before getting to the mountain bike portion of the race. About 2 miles into the bike, my chain broke. J fixed it for me but pretty soon, the whole rear derailleur broke free from the frame and I was forced to "scooter" my bike. Eventually the decision was made that we couldn't possibly finish with me pushing my bike and we had to "quit" after 4 hours of hard labor. That was a tough call. Very tough. I felt like we were doing well especially considering J had really Manned Up for me after being so sick. Oh well. At least it was during a short race and not the "big one" coming up.
Later that evening we took the small one for a 2 hour guided hike with the park interpreter Casey. She appreciated it because it meant a slow hike. We, are not slow hikers. In the end we stayed back to explore a cave and got mulitple bat fly-bys! So cool.


The next morning we had that yummy french toast in the picture and headed out for another hike on Yellow Rock trail. What a gorgeous day we had. We could not have asked for better weather. I mean seriously, August in Arkansas and it was PLEASANT. That just doesn't happen people.
And now, back to the regularly scheduled program...a busy life.

A Month of Crossfit

I completed 4 full weeks of crossfit, missing one day each week except last week, I made all 5 days. It makes me sweat. It makes me tired. It makes me feel pretty good about how strong I am. Weekends have usually involved at least one endurance workout, running or biking for at least an hour, preferably 2 or 3. I've been tracking workouts and some of my favorites are days when it's a long list of exercises that you have to rotate thru as quickly as possible. This morning for instance, started with a bench press/hang time set.
Bench press at
80% of your max 1 x 6
84% of max 2 x 5
88% of max 2 x 4
between each set you have to hang from the pull up bar with your knees up, thighs parallel to the ground for 30 seconds.
THEN the workout started.

3 rounds
chest press x 8 30lb ea arm

farmer walk (walk all the way across the gym carrying heavy dumbells) 45lb

walking pushup for 10 yards (10lb dumbells in hands, do a pushup, extend an arm out without moving your feet is harder than it sounds, spider crawl up and do another pushup) this was the hardest thing on the list, I swear.

incline flies 8 x 15lb
flat flies 8 x 15lb

punching bag 30 seconds

start another set. If you can't, you have to hold a plank until you can start the next round.

Every day is something like this. I am really enjoying it. Except on days that involve running. Sprints blow.

A Week Without the Small One

This week I am recieving daily (or almost daily) updates from Wisconsin and Minnesota. The small one was offered a very, very generous vacation via accompanying her sweet friend Al, her brother, Dad, Gma and Gpa in their MotorCoach from LR to Duluth. I haven't seen her pictures yet, but since she called me to ask what the procedure was if you see a bear in the woods, I'm guessing there might be some real doozies. They stayed a couple of nights in a cabin on the Wisconsin edge of the lake. Hence the request for bear knowledge to be imparted. Apparently there were good trees to be climbed and she was told to make sure she didn't climb one with a bear already in it. I wonder if she ever climbed a tree after that warning?

A's Gma told me they were going to visit this bridge and take a lake cruise. This is gorgeous, I hope the small one remembered to take her own pictures.

The Trip, capitalized because it is a Trip not a trip, also included 2 nights in a suite inside the Mall of America. Oh me. Oh my. The phone call today at noon revealed that all but pocket change of the money she started out with has now been spent. Mostly on clothes. Ugh. I hope SOME of the lecture about buying things that will last as memories sunk in and it isn't all consumables. And what is this Minnesota Sushi she's raving about? Something about smoked walleye and some kind of roe that she can't pronounce. Only a 13 year old girl can go from Urban Outfitters clothes to smoked walleye in the same breath.

I am ready for her to come home. She has 4 more days. And no money. Ha. She must learn to budget someday. I hope.

The Start of Something New

Last week was my first attempt at multiple Crossfit workouts.

Monday:
general w/u
6 x 10 sec sprints
set 1: 6 x 6 ea
hang clean 65lbs
push press 20 lb DBs

set 2:
50 hang snatch
go to max rep then drop to plank until you can continue
I did 6 x 6 reps then 2 x 5

had little time to stretch and it hurt the rest of the day and into the next workout

Tuesday:
general w/u
4 rounds repeated:
800 m run ( tight and slow)
95 lb bench press to max (2 + 2 with spot was about it for me)
chair push ups to max (on toes, max for me was 4-5)

GOOD stretch, much better than Monday

Wednesday:
general warm up + 1 min run at 7.4 mph
12 x 10 sec sprints with 20 seconds rest in between. If more than 20 seconds is needed- do 5 pullups.
Did 7 sprints, pullups, only finished 3 more sprints, I was toast, 5 pullups.

In the evening I went out for a 2 mile trail run/hike on the quarry trail at Pinnacle.

Thursday: Rest day. Did 30 minute walk on treadmill at 3.7 mph intervals 2-8% incline.

Friday:
general w/u with 800 m jog
5 round repeated of : 5 pullups, 10 pushups, 15 squats
warm down 2 x 400 m jog with 30 sec rest in between
core work, roman chair w/ 10 lb plate, plank, side plank, toe touches, leg lifts, etc.

Sat: yard work
Sun: 18 mile bike ride, no big hills, avg 18 mph

A WEAK of no Blogging

This several days have been less "active" than usual, mostly due to heat and my general dislike of gyms.
I have managed a couple of treadmills workouts, an early morning short hilly run but no bike. J's been sick, too sick to do any working out and I find that I won't ride without him. Didn't say don't because I can, could if I wanted to, but I choose not to.
Last Friday I met Sweet Sarah Smiles for a foray into the world of Crossfit. Apparently there is a sports performance center here that does uber athlete training for speed-agility etc. that also has crossfit programs in the early a.m. and early evening.
1st workout involved a repeated circuit of :
400m run while holding a 6lb medicine ball OVER head
12 plyo jumps with 110% body weight
sprints on a whack treadmill that likes to spit people off the back all while a pit bull barks at our butts. Not kidding.
sprints-no idea what the settings were but basically the first round was 30 seconds at a good incline then by the 3rd set the incline was WAY up but it was 12 seconds. the speed was consistant, the time and incline changed. Whew.
THEN came the ab work. It was the only part of me that was sore the next day. My abs hurt for 3 days.
Then I drove to work, worked half day, drove to Vicksburg and chowed down at a seafood buffet at a casino. Noice.

Today went back for more torture at Crossfit to determine whether I not I want them to consistantly torture me for money.
5 repeating circuits:
800 m run
30 x 15lb kettlebell swings (ouch)
pullups (admittedly with rubber band assistance) to failure

Disappointed in that last one. My best circuit was still only 6 and by the 5th I couldn't do 1. rrrrrrrghhhh
Yeah, I'll be back. With Money. To pay for my own torture.
When I got home I parked the car in front of the house which means I'm opening my door against a hill. I thought I might let it slam back into me my arms are so tired.
youtube of crossfit fire explanation

Off with a BANG

Saturday afternoon the small one complained of an earache. Sure enough, Thursday's trip to Wild River Country with her lovely cousin Tricia (the DLI educated Korean speaking Air Force member one) not only provided her with what I hope are good memories of her cousin but a raging case of swimmer's ear. We were scheduled to leave LR at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday to meet sweet sweet Cari, not to be confused with sweet sweet Connie, about halfway between our respective homes 5 hours apart. Instead we were in the after hours clinic at Arkansas Children's Hospital getting a scrip for antibiotic/steroid drops and instructions from Dr. Simmons. We have never had need of this clinic before but since the small one's pediatrician retired a few months ago, I daresay we will use this facility again. We had the most pleasant Dr's office experience there. Kudos! We were done, had our scrips and even ate lunch before leaving LR only 2 hours behind schedule!
I have recieved one nightly phone call each evening this week so far. All short and to the point. Having a GREAT time, loving life, enjoying camp and making friends. So far they've done the physics thing building egg cases and popsicle stick bridges, done some GPS orienteering and today they are working in a genetics lab in the a.m. and a robotics lab in the p.m. This ROX! I want a robot too! I'm taking a half day off work tomorrow so I can drive down to Vicksburg to see her projects from the week and attend an awards banquet. Okay BBQ banquet, it IS Mississippi ya'll. I've missed the little bugger and she's home for a week and then off again to her 3rd week of being away from home this summer for Camp Mitchell. At least she'll be surrounded by friends, forced to GO PLAY OUTSIDE!, and only an hour away from home for that one.

Oh dear- Back to the subject of Fitness:
Got a treadmill walk/jog/hill repeat workout in on Monday. A short but hilly and hot walk on Tuesday but we got soft serve in the middle so I don't think that counts.
Had a nice 3.2 mile very hilly run yesterday morning before it got too hot. It was only 80 at 6:20 a.m. It really felt good and made me wish I'd timed it.
I've been invited by my Sweet Sarah Smiles to join her for a Crossfit class tomorrow at 6 a.m. Oh my. I like a torturous workout now and again but this might be pushing it.

Weekend Drives

Friday started off good with a nice 2 hour workout in my favortie gym...Pinnacle Mountain State Park. Heat was a bit heavy even at 9 a.m. but worth every drop of sweat.
Left LR about 3 for the drive to Fayettville. Dinner with the oldest (and tallest of our little family unit) on a lovely early evening on the patio of Hog Hause. We had one short cry over a spilt beer knocked over by wind and an errant menu but oh what yummy food! After dinner we were on to see a play where I completely obliterated my workout with a piece of opening night cake and a box of cracker jacks-oh yeah! BLEACHER BUMS is a play about a group of fans watching a Chicago Cubs game. The audience is facing the bleachers on stage as if they are on the field looking back at the fans. The Tall One was the head Scenic Designer for this play. Oooh Aahh. Well done! I had to ask how she made plywood look exactly like cement bleachers but she wouldn't share much of her secret.
Afterward we met some friends for more fun and frolick but mostly people watching on Dickson St. I am very thankful that The Tall One has mentioned she doesn't spend much time down on Dickson except for the theater and the bookstore since I watched many young women her age stumble, fall, sit on the ground and/or generally make asses of themselves. Very proud of her maturity.
After a very fitfull night of sleep due more to J's painkiller induced snoring than the bed lovingly provided by our friends, we drove thru Rogers to see the new Visitor's Center at Hobbs State Park-Conservation Area on Sat morning. WOW- they did a fine job and I highly recommend a stop if you're up near Rogers or War Eagle. We're already planning a backpacking trip on one of the many trails up there. I've only mountain biked a tiny little portion of what's available. Now you can catch the multi use trails from the parking lot of the visitors center. Noice.
Heading out for a trip to drop the small one ( but not shortest one ) off to go to Math and Science camp for a week. Hope she learns something!

Not a single picture

Spent a lovely weekend in Memphis and have not a single picture to show for it. That we took. So I am pilfering from the interwebz. Soon after the flight arrived bringing our smallest one home from a trip to see Grandparents, we headed straight for Blues City Cafe on Beale Street. For some reason our children all think that Memphis means Ribs at Blues City and bowling at Jillian's. Jillian's at the Peabody Place is now a 21 and over sports bar so that was out. Disappointing. But ribs and tamales at Blues City was ON.

The next day we intended to go to the Zoo and to Graceland but dawn arrived with thunder and lightening and high winds. We stayed at our hotel for a long relaxed breakfast and then spent part of the late morning at the Rock and Soul Museum. We were concerned that the rough weather wasn't over and wanted to be close to shelter if necessary. It turned out to be a gorgeous day. We had a great time introducing the small one to music she hasn't heard often enough. I thought maybe she wasn't paying attention or wasn't enjoying it but when we got home she asked if she could watch Blues Brothers AND if she could buy Sam and Dave's "Hold On, I'm Comin'" for her ipod. So she WAS paying attention!

We also took the tour of the Gibson Guitar Factory next door. I think it would have been better if it hadn't been a Sunday because there were no worker bees. It was still interesting to hear the hows and whys of the place even if we didn't get to see much actual assembly.

In between the museum and the factory, we got hungry and wandered to find a place we haven't tried before. We found Automatic Slim's Tonga Club on Second and Union close to the Peabody. We sat outside on this patio even though the inside looked beautiful...it was too nice a day after all the rain in the a.m. They were serving brunch so I had crawfish eggs benedict and it was the BOMB. J was craving salmon and they had a salmon hash that was also tasty. I thought the small one was going to cry when she found out she couldn't order off the "regular" menu but when her soup and sandwich came... she was all smiles. The chowder was most excellent and she tried to name ingredients for me suggesting I should attempt it at home. :) right.

This isn't what we ate but isn't it lovely? I think this place deserves a return trip next time we're near Memphis.