my "living" room

I don't know about any of you, but I've always had this one dream about my house. To some (like BDO) it may seem a little
silly, but one day I'd like my living room to be clean. Is that too much to ask? I totally get that toys will be out and messes need to be made (and yes, more often than not, they do get cleaned up) but all I'm asking for is a small space where I could sit and chat with a friend or read a book and not have to see this...my living room doubling as a garage!!!

And then I am reminded about a story I once heard. (I will now attempt to paraphrase). A family had a small plot of land just outside the town they lived. His sons were in charge of milking the cows in the summer and the upkeep of the field. Their neighbour farmer came to the dad one day and told him all that was wrong with his farm- the fence wasn't fixed right, the grass a little long, etc. The dad replied
"It's a good thing I'm not raising cows. I'm raising boys"
So Bruce, even though I'd rather that you found a different spot to do your teaching, thank you for raising boys!
We do all kinds of "living" in our room!

just me and my ipod

Saturday morning's 8 miler was a beaut! A little breeze, sunshine and open road. The idea of socializing with the girls is my main motivating factor in rolling out of bed on run days. But today, the other 2 girls wanted a challenge.

Ugggh!

Didn't someone famous once say "Showing up is half the battle"? That is my philosophy, anyway.

I was not feeling so adventuresome and thought I'd stick to road running while they chose to run in the coulees. (I would be so happy if just one person who reads this blog does not know what a coulee is and has to google it. However, I know my following is small, and most of you are from here! I just think it is a great word.)

Luckily,I brought my music because I kind of figured today I would be a loner. Or aloner, as it were.

We've got a wide variety of music on that ipod, but the tempo (is that the correct musical terminology?) of a song by the Killers was working for my speed that day. Whenever I hear that song, I think of this snippet- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ae3tFI8wXE
Who doesn't love Nike commercials?

another month's gone by...

holey moley... it's been a while, but good news...The Stewart's are still alive.
Unlike our American counterparts we are STILL in school until the 26th. So we're still field trippin', sports day attendin', hot lunch plannin', soccer playin'...you all get the drift.
I did a run yesterday here in Lethbridge. Ladiesfest is a 5 mile run open - you guessed it- to only women. You get a rose at the finish line...and chocolate! How could I resist. I suppose I could have kept my registration fee and just bought my own Bernard Callebaut, but then I'd just feel guilty. It was good.
Bruce and Owen each did a triathlon in Vulcan last week. For those Trekkies out there...actually I don't think anyone that reads this blog is a huge fan, but whatever...Vulcan has totally embraced the whole Spock thing. Google Vulcan Alberta and you can check it out. That said, both the guys did well at the tri, even if the weather was not in co-operation. (PS- I hear the new movie is awesome, it's on my list...any movie aficionados out there that want to comment?) Dean and I continue to believe we are the best support crew/cheerleaders EVER!!
We are really getting into summer mode. This past Wednesday night I let the boys stay up until 10pm...to watch WIPEOUT. It's a family fave. Bonding as we laugh at others' misfortunes and pains. Check it out sometime. I guarantee at least one outloud HAHA moment.
Well, it's late and I just wanted to say hi because... it's been a while, so

HI

Why I run

Good Saturday morning, everyone!
I just got back from a morning run. It sure feels good to be out there with my running girls - it's an entire body, mind, and spirit workout.
I appreciate the life lessons we share as we're pounding the pavement. Bru asked what the "topic du jour" was. We talk about anything and everything, but here's a little sample:
technology (specifically, texting. Yes, I am a text virgin)
musings on motherhood (the good, the bad, and the downright hilarious)
aging parents
body image in the media and in our mirrors
FOOD (it's a chicken/egg thing- do we run because we love to eat or do we eat so we can run? We've decided it's a little of both)
our spouses --and 99.3% of the time it's in a positive light ;)
books we're reading
books we want to read (but maybe the movie will have to do)
the best products to get blood/grass/vomit (you get the pic) out of _fill in the blank_.
I really could go on and on.
Now you see why we are long distance runners- we have to be to cover all that!

If you ever get the urge to join us, come on out. The more the merrier.
If not, that's fine, too. Just find something that you love doing and take a little time to do it every day.
Watch this www.youtube.com/watch?v=RhLlnq5yY7k and you'll know what I mean.

Have a SUPER Saturday.

The Road Runners

The morning of the Lethbridge 10-4 roadrace started off kind of on the cool side, but the weather heated up once the gun went off. I ran the 10miler while the boys ran the 4.

We'll spare you the pics of the actual event...the after shots are so much nicer. I ran a 1:50, Dean came 4th in his age category in 48:16 while Owen came 3rd in 37:21. Bruce ran a respectable 25:35, good enough for 2nd in his age category while Grandma showed us all up and did the 10 in 1:27, coming in 1st. Some nice hardware, eh? If it sounds like we're bragging, well... we kind of are, but don't you think we earned it?

It was the 36th year of this race. It has gone through many course changes. Bruce and his sister ran the 10miler when he was 8 years old. Och now has a goal of doing it next year...he'll be 7!!

My boys...so proud of 'em!!!

It's me...again

So you have all learned my little secret.

A blog is just like my real journal.

I wite on a regular basis for a time, and then...I don't know, years go by and my entry looks a little like this

- we lived in Pocatello while Bruce did his M.PT

-had a baby boy ...actually we have two now

-older said children was baptized a few months ago

(you get the drift)

So to those people who have not given up on me, I commend you. You have a lot of patience!!

The Stew Crew is hitting the pavement this weekend a local road race. Stunning details to follow, but don't hold your breath!! J/K

One of our "quality" family activities is now spent huddled around a small screen...watching youtube clips! (Who watches tv anymore?) Anyway here's one of our favorites. This one's for Brecken...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5BxymuiAxQ

You'll be singing it all day!

run, run as fast as you can...

It is official. I have now become a Stewart.
Now, many of you thought that happened when I married Bruce nearly 14 years ago, but no. This morning at 6am I left the confines of dreamland and my nice, warm bed...turned on the computer, and...signed up for a roadrace!!
"Sounds crazy to me, with a capital C" was what I would have said before I was a runner. Now I am just really excited.
Melissa's Road Race is run in Banff and I am going to tie up my laces and be on the start line this September with some of my best friends. I'm a newbie to this race, but it's celebrating it's 30th Anniversary. Bruce will come and cheer me on. Now that he's into multi-sport events he doesn't have time in his training schedule to train for a 22K (13.67 miles for my American friends). I told him if I could do it, anyone could.
Gotta run..