Dumpster Diving!

The other day it donned on me that the reason I don't post very often is that I think that every post needs a picture. I don't know why I think this but I do and have decided to change my ways. The main reason for my predicament is that although I take a lot of pictures, I hate downloading them. It is silly considering it takes all of one minute but it is just one extra barrier to getting my pictures on the computer. The other reason is that I just don't think blog entries without pictures are as cute. I must face reality though and accept that I have a lot of things to blog about and it is better to blog no picture than be delayed forever with a picture. This is my new burgenerblog mission (we'll see how long it lasts).

On that note, I have a lovely event from yesterday to write about. This is one that I am particularly glad that no pictures exist. Yesterday afternoon, about 20 minutes before school gets out, the secretary from Tally's school calls to inform me that she threw out her retainer at lunch. They tried to check the trash that was still in the cafeteria but no luck. I was fuming because she has had her retainer one whole week!!! Knowing I was not about to fork out the money for a new one, and wanting to teach her a lesson that I hope she will remember as long as she has her retainers, I told the secretary we would be there after school to go through the trash.

I then rushed to drop the little boys off at a friends and hurried over to the school. I brought gloves, goggles and a mask just in case. Tally felt badly but not bad enough until we got the honor of going through all the elementary school's lunch trash for the day. I got to make a lot of observations about what does and doesn't get eaten, how many completely full and unopened things get thrown out, how chocolate milk is the drink of choice and so much more that I won't describe. We finally found her retainer in our 8TH BAG (there were 10 bags)!!! Yuck! I am grateful for gloves, a hot shower and bleach after such an experience. I knew somewhere in my parenthood a day like today would come and I just hope that it is a once in a lifetime kind of experience.

I will post soon about Easter, Chase's Birthday, etc.

It's a Miracle, It's a Miracle...

Ok, for all of you who have known me for sometime you will know that I have always hating running. I used to joke with Rhett that if I committed a crime and I needed to be punished, just sentence me to running and it would be a fair punishment. So, the miracle is that yesterday I ran my first half-marathon, all 13.1 miles. That is the farthest I have ever run, ever! My husband convinced me that I could do this. He helped me train and get ready and I am grateful for all his vast stores of running knowledge.

I ran the race in 2:03;25. My goal was 2 hours even but I struggled on miles 5-8 running directly into a headwind. This wind did push me all the way into the finish though. The race was here in Havasu and it was a great race- well organized, scenery was awesome and the temperature was great. The only negative was the wind (for half the race). So, if any of my friends want to run a great race it will be April 10th of next year and you are welcome to stay at my house.

Rhett ran the half-marathon in 1:25:41 and used it as a training run as he gets ready for the Boston Marathon in two weeks. Chase ran the 5k in about 26 minutes and had a great time. It was a fun day for all of us and I really must honestly say that it wasn't that bad and I did enjoy myself. My legs were ready. My severe allergies have been acting up all month so the respiratory system was a problem and hindered my speed a little bit, but overall I finished strong and felt great. My calves are a little tight today but I feel good. I can honestly say I never thought I would run this far. I used to joke that the only way I would go that far was driving my car - ha, ha. I guess the old adage of "Never say Never" is so true.

So, we'll see if any races are in my future but for now a miracle occured right here in Havasu yesterday.

My Little Brother Rocks!

My little brother, Dan, moved to Athens, GA 2 1/2 years ago and I have only seen him one time since he moved. I love my little brother, his wife and his three cute kids and miss them so much. I am forever trying to find him some athletic training job in the west so he can move back out here. Well, last weekend his track team had a meet at ASU in Phoenix and so he worked it out to come out here to Havasu for a few days so we could visit. My parents came over from CA so they could see them also.

We had so much fun. He went to In-n-Out more in one weekend than should be allowed by law. We enjoyed just chatting, reminiscing, and hanging out. Dan is a great brother and we all miss his company. The only good thing about the end of the weekend is that we will get to see his whole family in July (including their new baby that will be arriving here in a couple of weeks). So, little bro, you rock! Thanks for visiting and thanks to Shelley for loaning him when you are so tired already. I love you both.