Bobcat Blast 5K

The first annual Bobcat Blast 5K was great. Sarah ran it in under 30 minutes (her first official 5K). I ran it in 22:14. If I had known I was so close to my all-time goal of 22:07, I might have been able to push myself a little more. Of course, if I keep training, it should be easy to beat whenever there's a next time. One down side to the day was that I couldn't go to morning mass.

More 5K Prep

Sarah, Claire, and I ran a 5K to prepare for the real 5K Sarah and I are running Saturday. I was doing well with 7 miles one day, then 8, then 10.5, then I was so tired the fourth day, I slept through one snooze of my alarm clock, which is unusual for me. Today, I had the sniffles, so I probably won't run more today unless I feel better later. Thursday and Friday were going to be mandatory rest days anyway, so I'll try to beat my 27:27 from my only other timed 5K.

Parish Initiatives

We got to meet with Fr. Molar yesterday to share ideas about parish initiatives that he would like us to be involved in. He didn't know we already did engaged encounter, but he wanted to develop some follow-ups for young families that get married or have baptisms in the parish. The emphasis is on baptisms since there are about 75 of those vs. 15 weddings annually. Those baptized usually stay nearby too, whereas those married may get married here because that's where one of them grew up, but is not where they will be living after the wedding. I thought using prayer couples and host couples for a reception for baptism anniversaries would be a good idea.

I also took the lawn mower into be fixed. Only the blade is bent, not the crankshaft, so once they have the right blade in, I can pick it back up.

Dance

Claire went to her first dance last night. Of course, I went to bed before she came home with Nancy, but she was planning on hanging out with her friends Katie and Jordyn to watch the drama of everyone else.

5K Prep

Sarah wants to run the Bobcat 5K in 2 weeks, so we went to the optional practice last night. I'm going to do it with her, while the other watch. We may schedule a few extra practices on our own. It should be fun and it helps raise money for the church.

Championship Race

I slept through the day after the race and just realized I never wrote about it. The Open JV Girls got first thanks to Sarah at about 18 (about 3rd) and Emily at 22 (5th). The Open JV Boys also won against 42 other schools. The JV Girls came in (a disappointing) 3rd. Claire was 39 (7th). The JV Boys won. The Varsity Girls came in 2nd thanks to 6th grader Katie. It was great and we got to celebrate at Jim's "retirement" party afterwards.

Sleep

I basically slept the day away yesterday. There's a time for action and a time for rest. Not equal amounts perhaps. But yesterday was a day of needed rest. I feel much better today.

Carbs

Our girls got to see their cousins Heather, Hailey, and Ray, and got their carbs for tomorrow because Grandma Mackin picked them up after school while Nancy and I were at work and made a spaghetti dinner. Nancy and I got over there in time for leftovers. Saturday morning's race should be fun. Diocesan Championship.

Crazy Hat Practice

It was a relatively regular day at school, although we did decide to make a few changes. One of the PTSA mothers didn't like that we rounded up to the nearest quarter, so we aren't going to do that anymore. Donna and Robin had done that just to avoid giving out pennies as change. We are also going to limit detentions for late/lost books to once a grading period (which means notices can be limited to once a grading period). We may also limit those with fines to 1 book instead of 2, especially since the rule is supposed to be no books out with a fine. However, as the title suggests, today's highlight was crazy hat day at cross country. We rushed to get Claire at 5 from Forensics, eat dinner and get to practice by 6, rush home and get Sarah ready for riding, while mom was out working. I did homework when I came home with Emily (and was supposed to check Sarah's, but ran out of time). All I have left to do is order a purple fuzzy diary from Scholastic with Emily's money. At least I'm here to do that. Nancy's cousin's husband just passed away under unknown circumstances a couple of nights ago. And yesterday's readings were about worrying about the big things and not the little things.

Inservice and Mass

On Monday, we had inservice, I wore my running shoes and only then realized how much grass sticks to them in the morning. The presentation on appropriate actions was haunting in hindsight. I called Lawn Joe at break and found out he doesn't have evening hours anymore, so I'll have to take a day or see if he added weekend hours. After school, the girls had their last hard practice at Hartwood Acres (once I found out how to get to their parking lot). I finished reading and did a little walking (and a little running to the bathroom) before practice ended for them. On Tuesday, I had to cover for Mrs Miller and go to the bank, so I left towards the end of 8th when I was done teaching and got back around 3:00, 10 minutes after the last period (9th). I told Mr. Beck I was coming back to lock up anyway. I was planning to pick Emily and Sarah up from scouts, but Nancy called to have me come home (since I didn't have Emily's car seat). Yesterday was a more routine day. I had a conference with Andrea from Capstone. Mr. Fishell coordinated a super flush to rid of the sewage sitting in the pipes under the school and stinking up the place (not that I could really smell it). The girls had their last run on gravel hill for the year, gearing up for Saturday. I guess that's not a very routine day, but more so than Tuesday. I still got all my prayers in, but I probably should have tried to get Mass in Monday morning in hindsight.

Zoo

The zoo was free today, so I took Sarah and Emily because Claire wanted to sleep in (and we wanted to beat the crowd). After lunch, I went for an 8 mile run. After dinner, I started to mow the lawn until I ran over a rock, which bent the blade (and maybe the crankshaft). I called about the mower today and have to find a day (or if they're open weekends) to bring it in and find out if I'm just getting a new blade or a new mower. Despite all this, I got all my prayers in too.

Homecoming

Homecoming was great. Of course, I liked people recognizing me and being happy to see me and talk with me, but I also liked the opportunity to make them feel good too. All the hugs seemed more natural than some of the hugs at Engaged Encounter, which sometimes seemed forced or expected. I hope I can go back to Bethany more often.

Twins

Karen came in the back door of the library this morning while I was working at the computer. I said, "Good morning," without looking up and she said, "Twins." So, I looked up and saw we were wearing the same basic outfit: black pants and maroon top. Then, when she was leaving this afternoon she asked, "So, what are you wearing tomorrow, so we can match again." That was my funny moment of the day, but it doesn't beat Sarah's.

Sarah went to the bathroom before lunch and couldn't get the zipper to her skirt back up. So, she prayed to God, "God, please help me get this zipper up." But it wouldn't go up, so she held it in place and got her jacket to help hide that she was holding it in place. She ate lunch one-handed. She played at recess one-handed. After recess, they had another bathroom break, so she tried again. This time it worked and she said, "Halleluia! My zipper is fixed. Thank you, God." She'd make a good religious (or faithful lay person).

General Meeting

If I had skipped the PBEA General Meeting, nothing would be different. The agenda said it all, which we didn't get until the meeting. Discussions could be held online asynchronously if there needed to be any. Oh well. It's another something to offer up.

Ditches

I recall Fr. talking about doing little things without big love instead of big things (with little love). Going over to my in-laws and diggin tulip bulbs out of the ground before company comes over in two weeks felt like the opportunity to do something little with a lot of love.

Confession

I made it to Confession yesterday. That was the highlight of a busy day. I also made it to daily mass like I do most Saturdays. I went for a 6.5 mile run while the girls got their flu shot. That got me down to my goal weight again, but then I went to my parents' and put 4 pounds of snacks back on.