Am I crazy?

So, it's been almost a week since I completed the Moab half marathon, (which in itself is somewhat miraculous since after running the Salt Lake half marathon last year I swore it would be my last!) and I haven't run since, but I'm feeling guilty now for being a slacker.  My friend Becky (who also ran the Moab half) called me on about Tuesday to say she was going to run the Salt Lake half marathon and asked if I wanted to do it too.  I must be somewhat of a masochist because I'm actually considering it.  But I'm not committed yet, I keep remembering how at mile 8 I started thinking "Man, this is getting really old - I'm kind of tired of running."  Then, somewhere between mile 10 and 11 I started thinking that I was going to puke and really wishing that it were a 12 mile race instead.  In my head I was saying, "OK just finish this race - without puking please, and you never have to do another half marathon in your life."  I just keep thinking how nice it would be to just run a 5K or 10K.  But I did improve my time by about 4 minutes, so there is a part of me that would like to see how I do this year on the same course as last year - to see if I really have improved.  But since Becky called me, I keep having nightmares about the race.  In one, I am at the start line and realize I forgot my power gels and there is no time to get any and I know I can't finish without them.  In another, the race starts without me.  I can't quite figure out why I'm not at the starting line, but since my biggest fear in racing is that I will come in dead last, (speed is not my strength) this is truly a nightmare for me.  I guess this all just really boils down to the question, should I or should I not run 8 miles tomorrow?  I'll have to let you know what I decide.

The Harp Recital or the Stringham Family's Final Public Appearance

Salt Lake City, Ut (AP) Due to the unruly, disruptive and somewhat obnoxious behavior exhibited by the Stringham children at a recent harp recital, the Stringham Family announced that Sunday night's harp concert would be their final public appearance.  The news was received by fellow concert-goers with cheers and resounding cries of  "Thank goodness!"  and "It's about time!". 

Despite the fact that Samantha performed on the harp beautifully (as can be seen by watching the above video)and exhibited decent behavior through the end of the concert,  her public persona crumbled at the end of the reception following the concert.  Her youngest sister had to be forcefully removed from the concert immediately after Samantha's performance due to her loud and disruptive behavior, and was locked out of the building until the end of the recital.  Her other younger sister was constantly on the move throughout the performances and began wailing loudly at the end when she was not allowed to play a piece on the harp as well.  Samantha's older brother began the concert with several loud sighs and moans, but after several reprimands and severe looks from his parents, did mange to end the night with relatively decent behavior, but this was not enough to leave the Stringhams feeling as if they could venture into the public eye again.  Upon leaving the recital, several of those attending were embarrassed by the screaming and crying they heard as three of the four children were physically carried off and loaded into the car.  When asked how he thought the evening went, their father was reported as saying, "*#!*?#*!".

It has been determined that except for possible rare appearances at family functions where the children's behavior may be overlooked by loving relatives or at least be less noticeable due to the obnoxious and/or rowdy behavior exhibited by uncles and cousins, the Stringhams will only be allowed in public in ones or twos so their behavior will not draw as much undesirable attention.

February Fun

Clearly, February is over, but since I still haven't completed my third child's "first year book" or even started my fourth child's "first year book" (and they are both well past their first years), then posting some pictures from February activities hardly seems to be behind the times.

We enjoyed President's Day weekend in St. George with Grandpa Ralph and Grandma Judy, Jake, and Rob and Michelle and their kids.  It was so nice to be able to spend some time outside and enjoy the sunshine, and the kids definitely liked spending time with their cousins.

 

Amelia had also been begging to go to the zoo, so one cold and rainy Friday, I took Megan and Amelia to see the animals.  There weren't any crowds, and the cats were all very active, but many of the animals were inside where we couldn't see them.  Amelia was a little disappointed that we missed the elephants and rhinos and that the train was not running,  but Megan, who is afraid of many of the animals didn't really notice the difference.

the "mop" rocks the red course

 Hey, Shawn here, want to see some wicked ski action, I couldn't be prouder of Jonas, featured here on the red course.  

manth breezes through blue

Shawn, again, not one wicked skier, but two! Moots kills it on the blue course.  Way to go!

Ziggy

Ziggy is our new puppy.  He is a source of great consternation and anguish in our home right now.  So far, we are down one space heater, one shirt, one pair of pajama bottoms, one tutu( although I managed to repair the damage - mostly), my cabinets in the mud room are being chewed to sawdust and there are various less noticeable holes in many other articles of clothing belonging to all family members, not to mention more than a few tooth and/or claw marks in everyone's skin.  I want to love this puppy like I loved our last dog, but I am struggling.  He refuses to be housebroken.  He pees on the floor over and over and over again.  Since we are still in the diaper phase around here, this is getting pretty old.

He is cute and really doesn't bark much (something Cisco did altogether too much), and Milsey loves him more than I could have imagined.  I'm afraid that this will have to be enough for now.  I do keep threatening to send him back, but there is always a great deal of wailing and complaining at that idea.    Maybe if the kids were in charge of cleaning up his puddles.....   As with all things, I guess this too shall pass, so Ziggy gets to stay for another day.