Grants Pass Half Marathon

Nearly two months ago, I ran in the Grants Pass Half Marathon. The swag bag for the event was loaded with goodies and I was super impressed with the quality of warm up jacket. Love the colors, love the luxe-ness, love the Grants Pass Pride!

I was already pretty proud of myself for running at all and had pretty low expectations for killing the time. I just wanted to feel the pavement under my feet and take in the course. It started at the All Sports park, over the pedestrian foot bridge, over the 6th St. Bridge, up and around G. St, and back to the All Sports Park. That took care of about 4 miles. Then down Lower River Road and back Upper River Road. I have been driving that loop for a looooong time. I went to elementary school out that way and even lived on the deadly curve on Lower River Rd. There are some fond memories on that road and now I have one more to add to it. The course was even, relatively flat, and smooth. I finished the race almost before I knew it. 13.1 miles in the bag on a Saturday morning.

I crossed the finish line 10 minutes earlier than the other half marathon I ran BACK WHEN I WAS 26! How's that for killing time? Game on, Aging Mom Body! The time on the clock behind me is 10 minutes AFTER I had finished since my cheering section was a bit late for my crossing. No big whoop! They were there in the beginning of the race and later on 6th St. Alden was so confused as to why his mama was running toward him and then away from him without stopping to hug.

Gettin' My Hairs Did

Growing up and, until about 5 years ago, I knew that I probably wasn't going to have children but - in the event that I change my mind - I did know that I wanted to have long, rock and roll, sexy mom hair. I loved the long golden mane of a mom of some family friends had. Suzie could totally pull of the look. Me? Not so much. But I tried it anyway for a couple of years.

I've run the gamut of hair styles and colors. I've done permed bangs (thank you, second grade), I've had the obligatory mullet (thank you, fourth grade), I've tried razor cuts, near crew cuts, faux hawks, bottle blond (thank you, hair crumbling off at the top on my head at 19), bangs part two (no thanks, twenty-two), henna, braids, blah, blah, blah. Each style fit for the time and I was mostly happy with the results. Mostly.

But now I am super pumped!

I Want to Be Two Years Old

I Can't NOT Post These Pictures

Orange You Glad

To know me is to know I am more than fond of the color orange. So none of us should be surprised that Alden is really fond of it, too. Right down to his hair! I had picked out these pj's months ago hoping that he might like them. He do, he do!

Pouty Pants

So far our version of the "terrible twos" is not too intense. Alden is mild in comparison to other kids but he does need a bit more hugging. I'll take it!

Trick or Treat and No Trust

This year we posed as a work crew. Dustin was Construction Foreman. I was Lunch Lady. And Alden was Digger Operator. We had all of the gear except for the hairnets and knee high hosiery. Dustin fashioned a vehicle for Alden (which he refused to wear) and we were off to the Allen's Annual Halloween Party.

We need the profile picture from Shaunna where D and I are looking at each other. His F.U.P.A. and my BOOBS fit together like a yin and yang symbol. That's when you know it's real, y'all.

Parked for the night (but only after dragging it around the neighborhood in hopes of Alden trying it out again).

It is pretty difficult to gather kids in the first place but even more so when they are awake late on a school night, fueled by awesome outfits, and free candy. Tonight we spooked them into one room and got nearly all (Claire Bear? Where are you?)

Alden really got into Halloween this year. Last year was an exercise of just newly walking and learning to knock on doors. This year, he could knock, mutter "Trigger Trees" and "Sank You". He liked the candy portion of the exchange and would look back over his shoulder as he walked away, completely shocked that those people just gave him candy. For no reason! It must have something to do with his facial hair? Yes, that's it.

Alden had been content with either Dustin or myself escorting him to the front doors but then I blew it by trying to convince him to drop the candy in the bag we had. After falling twice in the dark and not catching himself because his tiny hands were fused to candy grenades, I tried to take the candy from him. That is not easy like the old saying goes. He shrieked and ran away from me saying "I no trust". Me? Or the bag? Or both, I asked? He confirmed with "I not trusting". And that was that.