racing to the start

It's race day. And no, I'm not running the Marathon...yet.

But my girl Susan is.

And I'm venturing out into the rain to cheer her on.

So check out her blog when you can this morning. That's where I'll be hanging out. I'm live blogging for her.

Go Susan go!

can I get some cheese?

Because my Monday has been filled already with whine.

Nope, can't blame my preschooler and her first day of school. It's Mom2Amara needing a good spanking.

Oh, where to begin...

It's back to the daily grind for me. And that means heading into work. Can I tell you how badly my feet hurt right now? After two weeks away from the office, I'm just not accustomed to wearing heels. And to think I lived in heels BA (before Amara).

Finding the right shade of foundation is a struggle for me. I can never find a match for my Filipina skin. So just imagine how difficult it was this morning, trying to cover up my Florida tan and my raccoon eyes! My sunglasses left horrible tan lines!

And now I'm going through over 500 emails that need attention.

What joys.

today's good: Well, I choose yesterday to restart my running program. It was gorgeous out -- temps in the 70's. And I felt great after my 20 minute run. Not bad for my first time out in months.

today's bad: Need I say raccoon eyes again?

EDIT: I forgot to mention I have a new post up at Filipina Moms. Take a look if you have a sec!

why my daughter rocks

I've told all of you before about my quotable daughter.

Well the hits keep on rolling!

Today at Marshall's, Amara was trying on a pair of shoes (yes, another pair) when she asked me: "Mom, do these shoes make me look hot?"

And did I mention when she called Dad2Amara's cell phone yesterday, she heard her daddy's ringback tone (which is the theme song from "Gone with the Wind") and Amara said: "Awwww yeah. This rocks." I can't tell if she was being facetious or not.

Or how about when she made a fist and said to me: "Mom, give me props!"

I love my daughter.

today's good: I went running last night! It felt great to hit the pavement again. And now that it's warmer out and it's light out later, I really have no excuse not to get out. My goal is to do at least one 5K this summer. We'll see...

today's bad: When I say "warmer," that's all relative. I think it barely hit 60 degrees today. The picture you see was taken this morning at Amara's school field trip. It's the middle of May and she's wearing a heavier jacket. Grrrrr.

insomnia

It's almost 3 a.m. and I'm still up, watching TLC's Little People, Big World. (And that's mostly because I'm too lazy to look for the remote control.) I fell asleep for a bit while Dad2Amara worked on some drawings, so now I'm wide awake.

But it's been a productive weekend thus far.

I got up bright and early with the sun. I cleaned. I did laundry. I went running. Yeah!

Then Dad2Amara and I loaded Amara into the blue mom-mobile and we ran errands. Dad2Amara bought a tux for next week's gala. We're entering our second summer of landscape revamping so we hit the local nursery and bought some shrubs for out front.

It's been a pretty good day.

today's good: I'm pretty confident that my yard is going to look pretty this year! This coming from the mom without a green thumb!

today's bad: Anyone know how to knit? I was assigned homework at my knitting class and I now have 5 days left before I have to present my teacher a new scarf. I've tried several times in the last 36 hours to start and since I have no clue what I'm doing, if I make a mistake, I have to literally start over because I don't know the tricks to make it work. Someone please help!

Photo credit: MConnors
License: morgueFile terms

on the up and up?

This week is starting off well. And I don't want to jinx it. But maybe 2007 is finally taking a turn for the better. The magic 8 ball has to give me some good news sooner or later.

First, Great-grandma2Amara was released from the hospital. Thank God!

And remember my top 10 reasons why all moms go to heaven? Well the great ladies at the Crazy, Hip Blog Mamas have informed me that I am one of their grand prize winners!

Side note: Have you noticed I have already said "God" and "heaven" in my post? How very Catholic of me!

The only thing that could top this week is finding out a way to make "being Mom2Amara" a six-figure empire. Guess many other blogs are capable of doing. At least that's what an article in today's Boston Globe says.

I am in the process of doing a thorough spring cleaning on my two closets. I have organized my shoes (and it's quite impressive to say the least). And my clothes are now organized by season, type, and color. I need to make room for all of the great new summer dresses I plan on buying! Hey, we're not moving so I have a few more dollars to work with now!

today's good: Even with our 40 mph wind gusts, I went for a run yesterday. The resistance was incredible, and as tired as I was afterwards, it really felt great to hit the pavement!

today's bad: For the first time in a long time, I don't have a bad to report just yet. I sit waiting for my new purse and my new necklace. And I'm getting antsy over it. But if that's the biggest of my worries right now, I think I'm heading in the right direction.

my wish list

This is my first time participating in Photo Friday at CHBM. Yes, I know I'm kind of cheating since I'm not using a photograph that I took -- but you'll understand why in a moment.

This week's topic is "my secret dream." Those hip mamas want to know what our ambitions are. You know, like aspiring to climb Mount Everest.

I actually have a lot for my wish list. Before this post, I actually have a list that I keep tucked away...to remind me of all the great things I want to accomplish. The long list includes learning to kayak, living abroad, and taking a culinary course. Oh yeah, you can toss in finishing my scrapbooks as well.

But topping that list is running a marathon. Hard to imagine, I know, considering I can barely run a 5K. And difficult to achieve since I run so inconsistently. But when I can hit the streets, running is so exhilarating. It sounds cliche - but my senses are heightened. It's great alone time. I hear my thoughts. I see things in my neighborhood I would never stop and give time to. I love that I can release all that pent up tension and anger - at least for a mile or two. And I can taste victory, no matter how big or small.

I think I've said it before (and while I may sound like a brown noser) but check out Makita's blog because honestly, that woman can wake up one day and decide, "Hey, let's run a 10K today for the heck of it!" Phenomenal!

So mark my words: one day, I will run a marathon!

today's good: I'm really at a lost for words today so I'll just holla TGIF! Maybe it's sheer exhaustion. Or maybe I'm just having a mediocre week. Whatever it is, I'm just so grateful we've hit the weekend!

today's bad: Have you seen what's hit the midwest just in time for Easter? This springtime snow stinks!

Photo credit: Thomas_Sly
License: CC BY

running for the weekend

I'm finally feeling "well" after 15 days of bronchitis, in case you were wondering.

So I set the alarm for 7 a.m. so I could take advantage of Saturday's warm weather and go for a run. Here's a rundown of my day:

7 a.m. Out of bed.
7:05 a.m. Start a pot of coffee. Do a load of laundry.
7:15 a.m. Pick up Amara's toys. Toss on a pair of yoga pants and my Under Armour.
7:30 a.m. Pour myself a cup of coffee. I look for creamer in the fridge and discover it's pretty bare. I blame the bronchitis.
7:32 a.m. Hmmm, empty refrigerator. I head to the grocery.
9 a.m. I pull into the driveway, trunk filled with groceries.
9:20 a.m. I am done putting away all of my purchases when Dad2Amara reminds me I now have 10 minutes to get Amara to dance class.
9:31 a.m. Amara and I get to dance only 60 seconds late, only to find that her teacher is running 5 minutes later. Damn.
10:30 a.m. I take Amara home and gather my things for my afternoon interview.
noon After scarfing down a quick lunch, I drive an hour east to get to my interview.
3 p.m. Interview's done. My gal pal, Danielle, meets up with me at The Cheesecake Factory bar for drinks and munchies.
6 p.m. I'm home. But not before my car circles my neighborhood Sephora looking desperately for a parking space so I can buy foundation. Damn that busy shopping center.
8:30 p.m. I sadly turn off the boob tube after watching the Jesuits fail to make the NCAA Championship at the hands of a chestnut. I decide to iron clothes to pass the time before bed.

Um, what happened to my run?!?! Grrr. A mom's work is never done.

I realized this morning that we are 7 days to Easter, and Amara did not have a dress yet so instead of going for a run today, I went shopping. Then we dropped off my goddaughter's Easter basket. And next thing I know - I'm ironing again.

Guess I'll try to go for a run tomorrow.

out of touch

Damn.

I forgot my cell phone at home this morning. Blame mommy head on this one. I was in such a hurry and in such a daze that I left my stupid cell phone on my nightstand.

What if someone rings with something work related? Or what if I get into an accident and am lying dead in a ditch? Or worse yet, what if something happens to Amara, I'm not sitting at my desk, and no one can get a hold of me?

Yes, I am completely addicted to technology. I can't live without my cell. And heaven knows I'd rather be online than in front of the telly. I'm dependent upon all of this. I'm part of the must-have-it-now culture. How can I expect to teach Amara the virtue of patience when I myself have very little of it to offer?

today's good: I have a few! Goodie! Last night, Makita inspired me to go for a run so right before dinner, I went out and hot damn, it felt good! And then I came into work this morning to find an email that says on Wednesday, Dunkin Donuts is giving away free iced coffees. Wheeee!

today's bad: Need I remind you about my MIA cell phone?!?!

they trust me? with the future?

As a Girl Scout leader, I often wondered why other parents would trust me with molding the minds of their daughters. I'm no convicted felon, but think about it, I'm no Clara Barton.

So with news of the continuing search for a missing Boy Scout, I question what would I do if one of my girls were missing? My Girl Scouts always talked about camping.

Me? Camping? Last time I was roughing it, I stayed in a cabin without a bathtub. I lasted 6 hours before demanding that I be taken to the nearest hotel. And I once fell into a lake because someone tried to hand me a worm to put on my fishing pole. Yeah, a tent and compass are not my friends.

today's good: I had a very yummy banana nut muffin for breakfast. Sounds so simple, but honestly, most days as Mom2Amara, I'm rushing out the door that I forget to grab something to eat. So the muffin is a welcomed change.

today's bad: I slept right through my alarm again. How is it 2 adults, an Amara, and 2 dogs can sleep through the blaring ring of an alarm clock? So I did not get to the gym this morning as I had planned. Hopefully I'll be able to get a run in tonight.

yawn

What an uneventful weekend.

Still on my Hawaii hangover, I've had little motivation to do anything around the house. So needless to say, my house was filthy. Laundry was piling up, rugs needed to be vacuumed, and sinks needed to be scrubbed. Luckily, Dad2Amara offered to pitch in and help. Now the fridge is restocked and the sheets are fresh and crisp. And another week begins.

today's good: I'm shooting to try something new tomorrow. I am aiming to be at the gym around 430 a.m. so I can get in a morning run, then work like a fiend, and then pick Amara up at the end of her school day. Sounds ambitious considering school ends at noon...

today's bad: I am either coming down with something or my body has decided it no longer likes to be sleep deprived. I'm exhausted! Coffee no longer works. And 3 hours a night doesn't seem to cut it anymore. Actually, last night I got in 8 hours and I probably could have used another 4. Short of taking No Doze, I'm not sure how I'll ever feel normal again.

moms rock!

...and this is why. Have you seen this story?

A basketball coach goes to her game just five hours giving birth to a baby boy!

Only a mother could do something like this -- because not only do we love our children, but we're dedicated in all that we do!

Wow.

today's good: I went running last night! It felt so good to be back outdoors and doing something good for me! And I mentioned my run to a girlfriend and it looks like I now have a weekend running buddy!

today's bad: I slept in this morning waaaay past my alarm...and this means I couldn't get a morning run in. I was so trying to keep the momentum up. Hopefully it won't be raining when I get home tonight so I can sneak in a run!

New Year resolutions

New Year resolutions...how cliche!

But year after year, we do an obligatory look at our lives and determine what needs to be done to "fix" what is broken.

And while most of my resolutions never stick -- I always aim for the pie in the sky -- this year, I have told myself that things will be different.

In 2007, I want to be healthy. Not just for me but for Amara.

I have always thought about becoming vegetarian. But after watching a story last night on the Nightly News and then reading this article I think 2007 may be the year to at least lean more towards it. Now, I don't think I can give up seafood that easily and considering my Filipino mother never served my sister or I vegetables when we were growing up, it may be difficult. But in college, I gave up all red meat and felt the healthiest I had ever felt. So maybe that will be my starting point.

Then after our summer vacation, I stopped running. And I really did enjoy my daily runs. It was time for myself - time to rejuvenate. And I got to see a lot of my neighborhood, a lot of things that I would have easily ignored or drove right past. So I am also resolving to run more. Maybe I'll even get to my first 5K!

So that takes care of me physically, but I also believe in your mental well being. So I also resolve to blog more. Why? Because blogging is like an e-journal for me. And while I know not to divulge some intimate details (I do have family members reading), I can look at my posts and reflect on how far me, my dear hubby, and Amara have come.

So this year, my resolutions won't be cliche. I promise it'll be a way of life. Because a healthier me means a healthier mom2amara.