Climbing at Whitewater

A couple of weeks ago we went to the U.S. National Whitewater center in Charlotte. If you haven't been...GO! It is the perfect place to go with a family. It isn't jut a whitewater rafting place. It was a little to cold for us to go rafting, but we were able to watch a team practice kyaking. Very fun.

The boys loved climbing on all of the rocks.



Jacob made it to the top!


Brady climbed this rock and watched the kyakers for about two hours. Glad I brought my book!





Tod took Jacob on one of the mountain biking trails. He loved it! I was a little worried that he wouldn't make it, but he and his el-cheap-o bike made it out in one piece!! I rode the trail around the white water route. So beautiful. The fire department was doing rescue training at the center and it was fun to watch while on my bike ride.



After our biking and climbing adventures Tod and I sat and had a couple of cold beers and the boys enjoyed a Sunkist and a Sprite. We watched some kids do the free fall jump and decided to come back when the Zip line was open.

I think we wore Brady out!!! He sounds like a cat purring!!

Chaperone

Today I chaperoned Brady's field trip to Black's Farm. This is a local pumpkin/apple farm. The kids love it. They have a corn maze, hayride, a house made out of straw, farm animals, and there is always free ice cream at the end. To me, a trip to Black's Farm marks the beginning of Fall. We have done this trip annually since Jacob was 3 years old.

Today is also the coldest it has been in a very long time. I didn't dress appropriately. Brady had on two shirts and a jacket. I had on a short sleeved shirt with a fleece. Burrrr.

As we gathered around to listen to Mrs. Black explain about the farm and what all we are going to do this morning....it started to rain. Not a downpour, but that annoying rain when you are not sure if you need an umbrella or not.

Our group was the first to do the hayride. I must say that the hayride was the warmest place on the farm. We were all sitting so close I'm sure we generated enough heat to power the tractor. Brady LOVED the hayride. He squealed when we dipped and swayed from side to side. He didn't even care it was cold and rainy. Unlike his mother.

The morning was actually fun. Watching Brady with his love of farming equipment was so much fun. While all the kids were watching the pigs, Brady was admiring the combine harvester. I may have a future farmer on my hands.

One of our last stops was the barn. On one side the kids got to jump on a hay "trampoline", and on the other side of the barn were horses, goats, chickens, and a giant white turkey. In the middle they had hay bales set up for us to watch a puppet show about being a good friend. While we sat to watch the puppet show we all ate our free ice cream. Brady had his favorite - chocolate, and I had mine - vanilla. This was going to be the highlight of my morning. Nothing beats dessert BEFORE lunch! On about my third delicious bite of ice cream....the smell from the animal side of the barn waifed through the rest of the barn. Gag! Cough! Blech! The overwhelming stench of farm animals does not blend well with my vanilla ice cream. This may destroy my love of vanilla ice cream. The next time I eat my much desired vanilla ice cream...I may not be able to devour it because I will recall the powerful smell of poo.

Brady had a fabulous time at Black's Farm. On the way home he said, "Maybe next time we can ride in the combine harvester!!" My thoughts were, "Next time?! Next time?! I'm cold, wet, and cannot get the taste of vanilla poo out of my mouth! Next time?!" I said, "I hope so! That sure would be fun!"

An O'Donnell Wedding

This past weekend we drove up to Northern Kentucky for an O'Donnell Family Wedding. Most family events are a perfect reason for a family to reunite, to see how much the kids have grown, and to just catch up. Well, an O'Donnell Family Wedding is not one of these times.

An O'Donnell Family Wedding is an event. It is something that will be talked about for years to come. It is simply... a party. (A really fun party!)

Tod's cousin, Jill O'Donnell married Ian Sheckel this weekend.

Jill was 15 years old when Tod and I got married. She walked into our reception and said, "This is where I'm going to have my reception one day!" Well, that day came and she kept her word. We took over the hotel. An O'Donnell Invasion.

The reception starts out like every other reception with announcing the wedding party, dinner, first dances, cutting the cake. Once the music starts the party begins.

I am not one for dancing. I am usually the girl sitting at the table in the corner with every one's purses and coats drinking a beer tapping my foot to the beat. Well, at an O'Donnell Family Wedding...not participating is NOT an option.

I actually danced. The entire night! I am using the word "dance" very lightly. I kind of move around in the same spot occasionally keeping the beat to the music. But still. I danced.

Tod's brother, Pat is the family dancer. (Does every family have one?) Several times that night the dance floor was cleared to make room for Pat to move. Just amazing. It is hard to share the floor with Pat, but we were all out there.

The best part of the night was seeing Tod's Dad out on the dance floor with his sister and brothers singing and ....dancing. For those of you who don't know, Tod's Dad is in a wheelchair. Has been for four years now. I remember when he was in the hospital and had to get a blood transfusion. He said, "I hope it is the blood of a tap dancer!" Well Tom, you didn't need it. You definitely still have the same moves!

As the night was wrapping up we sat in the lobby and talked and laughed and laughed some more. I think we were all feeling a little blue that the night was almost over. Then another one of Tod's cousins announced that they were getting married in June!! Yes! Another O'Donnell Family Wedding!

Everyone Has a Story

Have you ever driven by a house and instantly know its story? That little farm house with an elderly couple sitting on rocking chairs. We all know that story. Married young, had many children, fought in a war, farmed the land, kids moved away, sold some of the land where a new neighborhood sits, retired and just waiting until Wheel of Fortune comes on the TV then time for bed. Yes, we all know their story. They have made a million "made for TV" movies about their story.

Today I saw a very young Mother at Wal-Mart Pharmacy and her obviously sick baby girl. She paid for the prescription with change. Nickles, dimes and pennies. You could feel her stress. I wondered if she had enough money for them to eat tonight. What was her story?

At the park there was a family having a picnic. The whole family looked very preppy. They even had the classic Eddie Bauer picnic basket and blanket. The kids were all very good looking and played nicely with the other kids at the park. I overheard the dad say, "I think Trevor is going to be a politician when he grows up." Then the mom said, "Either that or a criminal!" I thought...."What's the difference?" But there must be quite a story there for her to say that.

I wonder what people think when they see my family, when they look at my house. Do they see the couple married for almost 13 years who are still very much in love? Do they see this couple stress out over bills? kids? cars? money? family? Do they see the kids who don't want to brush their teeth? clean their rooms? drink their milk? Do they see happiness? Do they see love? Do they see who we really are?

I wonder if my image of others stories is correct.

That old couple could have millions of dollars in the bank and not a care in the world. They love their house and have no desire to move on up. They might hate Wheel of Fortune and go to bed late.

That stressed mother could have lost her wallet. She could have walked out of Wal-Mart and into a BMW for all I knew.

That happy preppy couple could have been just that. Happy.

I wonder if my image of others is just as off as others image of me. What is the story that I want others to look at me and see? We all have a story. Maybe we have more than one story. The actual story and the story people see.

Thoughts on Things I Saw This Week....

This week I have seen some interesting/strange things and I thought I would share.

*I saw a man dressed in a blue striped seersucker suit coming out of the courthouse. He even wore a flat brimmed hat. He looked like the fourth member of a barbershop quartet looking for a small town street corner to sing "Goodnight Ladies". Where did he come from? Where was he going?

*At my In-laws house I saw a new bottle of Breck Shampoo. Yes a new bottle. I didn't know they even made Breck Shampoo anymore. I do remember the first time I saw Brooke Shields was a magazine print add and she was the Breck Girl. (Kind of like today's Cover Girl.) After turning over the bottle I discovered that Breck is now made by Dial Soap. Strangely enough Breck Shampoo looks and smells an awful lot like Dial Anti-Bacterial Hand Soap. Hmmm....

*Yesterday I was behind a beautifully polished hearse with Arkansas plates. What are they doing in the Carolinas? Was the deceased so afraid of flying that even posthumously they drove half way across the country to rest in peace? Maybe this vehicle isn't being used for its intended purpose. A family wagon? A delivery (so to speak) vehicle? I'm still wondering about this one.

Rodrigo y Gabriela - 'Tamacun'

This is Rodrigo y Gabriela and they are AMAZING! Tamacun is my new favorite song... Enjoy!

Stepping Out of My Box

Do you know that feeling when you finally book your vacation and it is months and months away? You feel like that moment is so far away. You feel like it will just never get here. Well, that is exactly how I felt this past January. My sister, Ellen, called me and asked if I wanted to participate in the Outdoor Divas Triathlon with her. What?! Me?! A Triathlon?! Then the words just flew out of my mouth..."Sure! I'll do it with you!" What?! Me?! A Triathlon?! Oh no!


I looked down at my overweight body and let out a deep depressing sigh. How in the world am I going to get ready for this? Well, the event really isn't until August. I have plenty of time to get ready for it. So, I signed up for Weight Watchers and started training. At first I was just trying to get the weight off. Trying to get my body ready for the abuse of a tri.


As August neared I started to get anxious. I started to doubt myself. What was I thinking? August was still so far away. I have plenty of time.


Ellen would call me about once a month to see where my progress was. Neither of us had gotten in the pool yet to train. Ellen was a lifeguard as a teenager and we have always been good swimmers. She has done lots of cycling trips and living in Denver, CO they can bike just about anywhere. I've participated in many 5k races and feel good about my level of training there. Again, August is so far away. We have plenty of time.


As July 4th rolls around I realize that I only have about 6 weeks left to train. Yikes! I start my swim and bike training. I'm surprised how much fun I have swimming laps and riding on the greenway in Charlotte. Ok...August is approaching and I think I am getting close to ready.


As my parents come to my house to watch the boys while Tod and I head to Colorado for the Triathlon, I realize that the moment is here. The panic sets in. Am I truly ready for this?


Ellen and Jim had a fun Friday night planned for us. We head to Red Rocks to see Rodrigo y Gabriela in concert. Tod and I have been wanting to see a show here and it was such a bonus to be able to see Rodrigo y Gabriela!!


Here we all are during the show. Tod, Me, Ellen and Jim



We pick up our race packets at the Outdoor Divas store. It is now official. We have all of our goodies and our race numbers.


The morning of the event I wake having slept maybe 3 or 4 hours. Ellen and I quietly get ready while Jim loads our bikes in the car. I cannot tell you how many times I have packed and repacked my bag for the tri. I've mentally checked and double checked everything in the bag. What if I forgot something?


The 45 minute drive up to Longmont, CO was full of nervous laughter between Ellen and I. We watched a beautiful purple sunrise rise over the plains to our right and shine on the Rockies to our left. We approached the reservoir where the event took place and the truly fearful nervousness sunk in. We are actually doing this. We parked....immediately found the porta-potties...then unloaded the car.



The first order of business was to get inked. Volunteers wrote our number and our age at the end of the year on our arms and leg. I don't think I will ever forget the number 1154.





We set up our bikes in the transition area. There were 500 participants. All women. All nervous.

Each participant got a little piece of real estate the size of a towel next to your bike. I laid everything out in order of when I would need it. Questioned my organization and rearranged it several times. This was the final layout.

The announcement came that we all needed to go to the START area for an event meeting to explain the course and get hyped up for the race. We slowly herded ourselves to the waterfront where 500 women stood with nervous smiles. There were obvious seasoned veterans and obvious first timers. Women of all shapes and sizes.

As they explained the course it was so quiet. All of us paid close attention to what was expected of us and what we expected of them. Then they said..."5 minutes until the first wave!" Oh geesh. Here we go. We were in the 4th wave to start out of 8 waves. Right in the middle. The horn sounds for the first wave to go.....cheers follow.

Our turn. We enter the water and get ourselves used to the chilly water. It is a waist deep start for a 750 meter swim. "One minute!" My heart starts to pound. I can feel it in my ears. I cannot even catch my breath. "HHHHOOOONNNKKKKK!" Ok...here we go! Ellen and I start in the back of the pack on purpose. We want to stick together. I got a good kick in the side followed by a very friendly, "I'm so sorry...you ok?" Every participant was so sweet and supportive. But, I couldn't find Ellen. I yell her name and she is struggling. I talk to her and encourage her to keep moving. It is hard to swim when all you see is open water and the shore is behind you. We stay together and make it through in under 24 minutes. A record for me.

We have an easy transition to the bikes and start our 12.4 mile ride. It took me about 1/2 mile to get used to my bike. I rented it out there and it is very different than my little Target bike that I trained on. This bike is lighter and faster. We are able to stick together on this portion of the race as well. The route was very flat and fast. We finished in under an hour!

Now for the run portion. At this point I feel good. I feel like I can run 10 miles. I'm surprised at how good I actually feel. Then before we hit the one mile marker I start to fade. I just cannot get enough oxygen into my system. I tell Ellen that I have to walk for a few feet. She says that it is the altitude that is getting to me. This is the most strenuous portion of the tri and I need to make sure I can finish. After we pass the one mile marker we run again. Ellen encouraged me all the way. She kept saying.."we will run to that rock, ok...now we will run to that white truck, ok..now we will run to that orange cone...." I needed that support just to get me to the finish.

Here we are just before the finish line. And yes...those are smiles!!!

I am still in a bit of disbelief that I actually participated in a triathlon. Yes! Me! A Triathlon! And we were able to celebrate!!

I must thank Ellen for all of her encouragement and support throughout the event. She kept saying, "It's not a race! It's an EVENT!!" and "Just going for a swim in the lake!" and "Just gonna go for a quick bike ride!" and "Just going for a little run through a corn field!" I needed that kind of casualness to calm my nerves. Thank you to my parents for helping us with the boys. It was exactly what I needed to have Tod there at the finish line rooting me on. Thank you to all of my family and dear friends who supported me. I had all of your encouraging words with me the entire event. I also want to say a big thank you to my doubters. Yes, there are always doubters. After losing 30 pounds and completing a triathlon, all I want to say is... HA! In your face! Ahhh...that sure felt good.

I have stepped way out of my box. I mean WAY out of my box! As a reward to myself for completing the Triathlon....I got my nose pierced! Yay me!