How Do You Measure a Memory?

The kids are growing so fast.  No more little socks or shirts in the hamper.  Instead, everything is sized 10, 12 or 14 and the socks can all be worn by me in a pinch.  Where did the time go?

One of my favorite favorites!

I think I love this one because of my daughter's face.  She's a bit of a ball buster, and here, it shows.

Christmas Day 2005.

Failed attempt to capture the ever elusive Christmas Card photo of 2006.

I just remember it being a very, very hot morning when I took this.

3 kids, 2 chairs.  That counts as typical around here.

Thanksgiving 2008.  Freezing.  Maine is AWESOME sometimes.

A beautiful fall day.

Current.

I've made a valiant effort to take, edit and save a bunch of pictures of the kids.  Both my husband and I have very few pictures of ourselves and our brothers while we were growing up.  There are many times I wish we had more and feel like this is a gift of sorts that I can give to my kids.  

I have also been very good about keeping my kids growth charts up to date.  We measure every birthday and every half birthday.  And every once in a while, we randomly stand against the wall and take a measurement.

But, my kids are outgrowing their charts.  Not literally, but figuratively.  The growth charts were gifts when they were first born and are very juvenile.  Primary colors and spots to slide 3 x 5 photos into, the  charts are no longer appropriate for my kids.

I saw online, through a Groupon deal, a growth chart designed to look like a large wooden ruler.  But even with the online deal, it would cost me almost $60 once I factored in shipping.   I may love keeping memories, but this gal is CHEAP!  And I thought the price was way too steep.  So I did what any smart 40 year old gal would do.  I called my Daddy.

My father is a jack of all trades.  He builds anything and everything.  I need to dedicate an entire post to all the things he has made for me.  So I knew he would know right away what a 6 foot board would cost me at Lowe's or Home Depot.  He told me it would be around $15.  And sure enough, he was correct - only off by 45 cents!

I bought a 6 foot board.  At this moment, I am trying to remember what kind of wood it is - and am just completely blank.  My dad would remember, but he and my mom are onboard a cruise ship right now and in international waters.  So cell phones are off to avoid huge charges (I mentioned I was cheap, right?  See where I get it?)  However, I know it wasn't pine, and it wasn't oak or maple.  I picked the wood to avoid too many knots.  If you decided to do this project, any type of wood would work.  It only matters what you want to spend.  Pine = super inexpensive i.e. around $11.  Maple/oak = expensive i.e. around $25.

This was the unstained board.  I sealed it with Minwax's clear wood sealer.

I stained the board on both sides and edges with a walnut stain.  I started with a lighter stain, but wanted a darker, more antiqued look.

After allowing the board to dry over night, I used a measuring tape to mark off all of the inches along the side of the board.  If you do this project, keep in mind that when you hang it, it will be a certain distance off the ground.  That means the bottom of your board won't be zero, it will need to be the measurement OFF THE GROUND.  In other words, because I only very low ceilings, and the board is 6 feet tall, the bottom of the board will be only 6 inches off the ground.  So the very bottom of my board is 6 inches.  One inch in, the first mark I make on the board will be 7 inches.  My 1 foot mark will only be 6 inches up from the bottom.  Does that make sense to everyone?  I would hate for you to go through all the work and then find you didn't make your marks correctly.

I used my father's t-square to draw a 2 inch line to represent each inch on the ruler.

A closer look.

I made the line longer for each foot.  Sharpie markers work great, but I did the first lines in pencil and then traced over them - using the straight edge to do so.  If I had messed up, I would have had to either start over on the other side, or sanded out the sharpie.  

I found a font I like on the computer and printed out 1-6.  I taped it on the board to help keep track of which lines were to be drawn as 2 inches and which I wanted to be 2 1/2 inches and then the foot marks which were even longer.

After drawing all the lines, I cut out the numbers (this was the most tedious part of the project).  Then I traced the numbers and went back and used a sharpie to color them in.

Here is the finished project.  

My father, being a genius, hung a hook on the back for me and made sure it was right at the 5'10" point.  Because it wouldn't matter how well I did the board if I don't hand it up accurately.  So, when I finish transferring all of my kids previous measurements onto this, and hang it in our home office, I know I have to place the nail at exactly 5'10" from the ground.  

I'm very pleased how well it came out.  Now, not only do I have a great tool to help keep track of my kids growth, I also created another great memory with my father.  I had so much fun making this simple project with him and the chance to learn from him once again.  

What I Wore Wednesday

Phew!  Another week half way done.  The days are speeding by so quickly.  Soon, I will be posting pictures of myself in woolen mittens and big LL Bean winter boots on Wednesdays.

For now though, its still capri's, short sleeves and dresses with bare legs.

But first, today's jewelry.  I've been taught by a very good friend that a girl really has to have SOME priorities!

Pearls are a great way to dress up a denim shirt.  

My silver charm bracelet - which I WON in an online contest!

This was the whole outfit.  

Land's End light pink, fit 2 capri pants.

Ann Taylor denim shirt.

Guess sandals.  (Found at Marshall's for $10!)

Yes folks, that is right - $10!  

Ignore my toe.  It got hurt.  I crazy glued my toenail back on and all seems well now.

I mentioned I'm a redneck on the inside right? Hence the crazy glue.

Bonus this week!  Extra pictures from Monday and Tuesday!

Target t-shirt.  On sale right now for $7!

Gap Outlet grayish/brown capri's.

Land's End driving moc's in dusty rose.

It was cold most of the day, so I threw on a sweatshirt.  

But I jazzed it up with this pin from H&M.

Eeek!  That carpet is going soon and I can't wait.  Looks even worse in photos.

But, this is the only full length mirror in the house and I change the second I get home so I can

walk the dog before the kids get off the bus.

This dress was a super bargain at the Gap Outlet. 

There was racks of them, marked down to $12 a piece.

And guess what I had in my coupon folder?

That's right, a $10 Gap coupon.

I didn't wear any jewelry except for my watch and a small strand of stones.  The picture didn't come out well, so I didn't include it.  So, I went with leopard print ballet flats.  They are from Target.  If you want to see some really good outfits that go with these shoes, check out The Pleated Poppy, a blog I link to every Wednesday for What I Wore Wednesday.  I actually found that blog when I tracked back an outfit on Pinterest that I loved.  Lo and behold, it was Lindsey, the author of the Pleated Poppy in an outfit she posted on a What I Wore Wednesday post.  

I didn't realize how often I wear running shoes or my Converse All Stars until I went back to work.  Today, a package arrived from Land's End with a pair of navy driving mocs.  I imagine that next week's post will have at least one (or two!) photos of me wearing them.  Or perhaps the new Tretorns I treated myself to.  

Check back next week to find out!

September 11th

I don't think I ever felt as alone as I did on the morning of September 11th, 2001.  It was the first September in more than two decades that I wasn't familiarizing myself with the inside of a classroom.  My husband had left for an extended business trip that morning and all the friends I had were back to work.  It was just me and my 15 month old.

And then.  And then.

My breathe shortens as I recall that morning.  The Today Show on in the background.  Then a commercial.  And then - the world changed.  Coming back from a commercial break, the first reports of an explosion.  A woman calling in on the phone to give information.  I don't remember what she even said, but I can remember the emotion in her voice.  And I remember Matt Lauer's, Katie Couric's and Tom Brokaw's lack of emotion.  Perhaps they were remaining professional, but I have never forgiven any of them for it.  Particularly after the second plane hit, followed soon after by a plane flying into the side of the Pentagon and it became clear that this wasn't an accident.

I can't begin to imagine what it was like that day for those inside the towers, in the Pentagon, on United Airlines Flight 93.  I can't do anything but offer up prayers for their souls, for the healing of both mind and body of those that survived that day.  In addition, I can promise to never forget, as much as I would like to forget.  I can promise to share my memories of that day, the fear, the sadness, and shamefully, the joy of knowing that my husband and brother in law were safe (although stranded in other airports).  I will never forget how alone I felt, when all the nations lines were busy with Americans trying to track down loved ones and achieve the same sense of relief I had, and I couldn't get through to my mom.  I will never forget the look in her eyes when she told me she couldn't have answered the phone anyway as she was on the phone with her bosses daughter in law who was inside one of the towers at the time.

I can also promise to share my memories of the days after.  Of lines outside blood banks; people waiting to donate.  Of  baked goods being delivered to local police and firemen, to ensure they knew they were appreciated.  Of people being a little bit kinder to one another.  

If you are so inclined, please take a moment today to send up a prayer - for those that died that day, for those that were injured, either physically, emotionally or both that day, and for those that came to the rescue.  If prayer isn't your thing, many communities are sponsoring blood drives or collecting food, in an effort to harness the spirit that emerged so strongly in the days and weeks right after the attacks.

And be sure to give your loved ones an extra hug and kiss today.

The Karate Kid

One of my all time favorite movies.  Doesn't matter what time it is on, or if I discover it at the beginning, middle or end of the movie, I am dropping everything and watching it.

Today, I went to my son's final karate tournament of the year.  And while it wasn't quite as dramatic, he did this:

And he did it well enough to earn a second place finish in open handed kata.  He also placed third in weapons kata, and fourth in kumite (fighting).

Unlike the Karate Kid, they use protective gear in tournaments.  Thank goodness!  I wouldn't want anything to happen to this handsome face:

To Garmin or Not to Garmin?

I am contemplating my most expensive running related purchase (dreadmill excluded!)

To Garmin or not to Garmin?  That is the question.

I recently read Younger Next Year.

Great book.  Highly recommend.

It addresses the need to exercise with heart rate in mind once you hit your mid 30's and above.  The author's supply information about the medical and cosmetic benefits of exercising based on your heart rate and using a heart rate monitor to do so.

I am currently looking at some different models of heart rate monitors, some starting below a hundred dollars.  But, I have heard some great things about Garmin and am wondering if I should spend the extra money and go that route.

I would love some feedback from everyone.  Do you use a heart rate monitor?  Do you own a Garmin?  What are the benefits you have seen?  What Garmin model do you have?  Share away!

What I Wore Wednesday

As I have written recently, I have returned to work!  Today was my first What I Wore Wednesday (linked up again with The Pleated Poppy) since returning.  Last Wednesday was so hectic that I am not even sure I wore clothes to work!

Today was less stressful in the sense that I had my act together.  All the kids' lunches as well as my own were packed the night before and ready to go.  Clothes laid out for everyone.  Garbage ready to go to the end of the road.

But you all know what they say about the best laid plans, right?  Sure enough, after putting the garbage out and getting my first son off to school, with only a few minutes set aside to change out of my sweat pants and into my work clothes (my attempt to avoid dog hair, dog saliva, doggie footprints) I slipped on the wet driveway, broke my big toenail down past the quick, took a chunk out of the top and the side of my foot and had blood everywhere.  I'm still not sure its not broken as it has been throbbing all day.

Change of plans, change of outfit.  I had to plan around shoes I could wear with some bandages around my toe.  It was pouring rain and the last prediction I heard, it was going to continue all day.  So I knew my black loafers were my only choice.  I also knew I needed to be comfortable.  I was feeling uber sorry for myself and didn't want to deal with anything too tight, too short, too many buttons, etc.

I'm glad I went with this choice.  I was comfortable all day, even when the sun came out and the humidity crept up.  I was able to forget about how awful my bangs looked by the time I got to work and they had gotten damp and dried all funky.  And my toe stayed bump free inside my loafers and that is perhaps the most important part!

Black capri pants Bass

White Oxford: Land's End

Loafers: Bass

Black flower pin: H&M

Red wooden bead necklace: Bass

Awesome Training Run

Gosh, I love this meme.  It never gets old for me, I laugh each time I look at that little girl's face.  (Can I also finally admit that I have been pronouncing meme as 'me me' until just recently?  How embarrassing is that?)

I am quite sure that the reason I find it so funny is that it is based in truth.  I am not one of those few people who look good running.  I sweat.  A lot.  I turn red.  Very much.  I hunch over like someone who should be ringing a bell in a tower somewhere.  Overall, it is not pretty.  But I take comfort that I am not alone.

I check out anyone I see running or jogging.  And there are few of us who look great doing it.  There are some very awkward running forms out there.  Yet,  I admire anyone who is out there making the effort.

However, yesterday, yes, yesterday, I had an awesome run.  In fact, I am quite sure that the following is true:

I had grown concerned that I wasn't getting enough mileage in for my upcoming half marathon.  Between my daughter's soccer and youngest son's football starting in early August and my work and their school starting last week, I was not getting in any longer runs.  This week, I drove home from work and threw on shorts and shoes, grabbed the dog and headed out for some very fast 3 mile runs.  I knew I needed to be back in time for the bus.  One night, the dog and I were able to get a 4 mile trail run done when by chance, my daughter and son's practices overlapped.  I know that once my oldest son, Conor, starts back at the dojo this week, my time is going to be more likely spent in the van going back and forth between there and the practice fields, rather than on a running trail.  

So yesterday, I headed out for a 10 miler.  I figured if I could do it, adrenaline on race day would get me the other 3 miles without an issue.  The weather yesterday was perfect.  Sunny, in the lower 70's, and a very slight breeze.  I strapped on my iPhone, hit play on the playlist I had made up recently, hit record on Mapmyrun and off I went.  

At first, my achilles seemed to refuse to loosen up.  This is a chronic issue for me the past year.  It tends to swell to twice its normal size and look like a big, red marble.  I did PT for two months last year, but as soon as I started running again, it reflares.  I've done some online research and spent a lot of time in runner's blogs.  There seems to be a feeling in the runner's world that continuing to run may build up scar tissue, which in the end, will actually prevent a rupture.  And I am finding that the more I run, the less swelling and pain I have.  Fingers crossed!

Soon, after my second mile, I found my groove.  I stopped once to adjust the band holding my iPhone, but otherwise, I maintained my pace and before I knew it, I was knocking off one mile after another.  I did all 11 miles in less than an hour and forty minutes.  I averaged an 8:57 minute mile, even with the stop factored in.  

I'm thinking getting pulled along for 3 miles by my dog is the best speed work for me!  

While I am thrilled to know I will be okay on the 30th, and with the time I did it in and the form that I maintained, I am even happier to just get the miles done.  Because in the end that is what matters.