Being A Dad

I can't think of a more wonder thing to be than a Dad. Sure, there are times when you get frustrated with your child, but all that is erased when they laugh or hug you.

Reflecting on just the last few days sums it all up. The other night Lilli helped me make banana nut bread. She went and got her trusty step stool and was standing at the counter helped mix it all up. She loves to help out in the kitchen.

Saturday was a family Thanksgiving Party and she was having so much fun running around, giggling with her cousins (needless to say she fell asleep in 6 seconds flat that night).

Yesterday, she was a big help with raking leaves (in her own way of course). She wanted to help, so she got her Little Tikes shovels and used them as rakes (quite creative). Unfortunately she raked away from the pile, but its the thought that counts. Then when we were picking up leaves to put in the bag, she would spread it out on the lawn instead - "to help the grass grow" she said - hard to argue with that.

Then last night we got her suitcase and backpack out to get her ready for our trip to Florida. She actually started folding her clothes and placing them in the suitcase! With some additional help from Mom, it got packed. Then Lilli filled her back pack up with dolls and toys then proceeded to walk around the house with back pack on, pulling the suitcase behind saying that she was ready to go, even though we aren't leaving for a couple of more days.

Moments like these make being a Dad such a wonderful experience. These are the memories I'll have to remember the rest of my life.

The First Meeting

I met with some friends today who happen to organize races. I walked away a little overwhelmed, but they've broken it down into some easy to manage steps. The first step to making this race a reality and the hardest part, is to determine the race type/size, exact date and location - by Christmas. Once that's decided, then it will  be time to make the next round of decisions - i.e. how much do we want to take on ourselves, etc.

We want this to be successful and we want it to raise a lot of money and awareness and not to mention grow it each year. We need to think about potential sponsors, set up a timetable to make decisions and get things done. It sounds like there are a lot of companies that will donate supplies, etc. to not for profit organizations, so that will be important to get those contacts.

Other items to figure out - Race name, T-shirt design, banners, advertising? and many, many more things...

Stay tuned...

Locked IN

My house is plotting against me.

Really.

Just when I think I am free and clear of any projects, something comes up. Installing a sliding screen to the back door? Oh, well the threshold is rotten and so is some of the surrounding trim and not sure if there is any water intrusion... Gotta paint the trim? No problem, except that some if it is rotten too and needs replaced.

Yesterday morning was a little different though. I actually got up early to go for a run. I got dressed, I quietly made my way through the house, making sure I didn't wake anyone up. Got to the door, unlocked it and I still couldn't open the door. I tried locking and unlocking it again, but the knob would not turn! I thought about just leaving it and dealing with it later, but I feared the worst - a fire could break out and everyone could get trapped because the door wouldn't open -- granted there were 2 other doors, but it could happen. So I grabbed a screwdriver and pulled the knob off the inside and pushed it out on the other. I tried pulling the latch mechanism open, but it would not budge. So I went out the front door, got into the garage, got a bigger screwdriver and then came in and pried the latch open. Now I had a door with no knob that would not latch. What to do?

I thought quickly.

It was 6:30 am.

What is open at that time of morning? Lowe's wouldn't be open for another half hour and I had to still get ready for work. Walmart is the closest store and it was open. Wasn't sure if they'd have anything, but had to try. I hopped in my car and went in and, low and behold, I found want I needed! I got back home and found Steph and Lilli awake. They had no idea what had happened - they thought I had gone to work already.  I pulled the lock-set out of the box and then had to mortise int he new latch mechanism. 20 minutes later, the new knob was installed, and surprisingly it was much better than the low grade knob the builder installed in this house! Now I might replace all the exterior knobs... another project to add to the list. But before I start on that, I hope to get a run in!

a quick 5 miles at sunset

After a busy weekend, I was able to break away for a quick 5 mile run. The temperature was perfect and the sunset was just starting to set, but I felt awful... yet somehow I pulled out an 8:33/mile average. Running seems to be going well this week, so we'll see how it goes. I'd like to keep building on the recent "successes" I've been having. My pace has all been sub 9:00's this week, which has been great. Just need to keep that up as I stretch out the mileage from here on out.

the run that almost didn't happen

After a week of almost no running, I was determined to start the week (and month) off with a run. It didn't begin well this morning when the alarm went off and I could not get out of bed, but plan 'b' was enacted and I packed my clothes and took them to work with me with plans to run at lunch time.
It was a busy morning - one meeting after another and I had a million things to do today, so I almost caved and didn't go for a run, but at the last minute I got out of my chair and walked out of the office, deciding that my run was every bit as important as work. And you know what? It is. I mean, the week I didn't run I was miserable. I did not sleep well, I was stressed and felt uninspired. So what I really needed was a good, hard run. So I headed to the gym in the office park, got on the "dreadmill" and hammered out almost 4 miles on a hill routine. I ran until I was tired, then ran some more. It felt so good when I was done.