Honest Scrap Award

Big Daddy Diesel gave me the Honest Scrap Award... or as he put it, perhaps I'm being picked on?  Just kidding.  So now I am to write 10 honest things about myself.  I'm honest all the time, so I'm going to have to think hard about what to say so it's not boring...

1. I grew up never wanting to get married or have children, but to be a "high powered corporate attorney."  When I grew up, I got married, had twins and realized that if given the opportunity (i.e. large quantities of cash) and the ability to maintain a lifestyle that allowed for my children to attend good schools and have opportunities I didn't have growing up, I wouldn't work.

2. I ran cross-country in high school.  I say ran loosely because I never "ran" an entire race without walking.  The races were 2 miles long.  I did it because I heard colleges liked sports on your transcript not because I liked running.  Thus, I only got a varsity letter because I was a senior that year.  Boy have I come a long way.

3. I love people.  I get lonely working at home and drive Mr. Darcy crazy by wanting to talk his ear off.  I'm a  talker to begin with.  I'm that lady that talks to people in the grocery store or while waiting to get blood drawn.  Of course, that's not necessarily a bad thing.  I missed my blood work appointment by 5 minutes and they still brought me back and knew which of the phlebomotists is my favorite and let me see him... and I know it's because I'm friendly. 

4. I cry every time I finish an endurance event.  Every Olympic Distance, my HIM, and my first 1/2 marathon.  For some reason, I haven't cried after a sprint distance tri.  Huh.  I have no idea why I cry though.

5. Generally, if you tell me I can't do something, I'm going to prove you wrong.  Unless it's not something I care about.  I'll still ignore you, though.

6. I hate that I don't have anyone at the finish line for my races.  I don't blame Mr. Darcy at all.  Our girls aren't quite 4 and trying to entertain them and keep them safe while I'm out on the race course for a few opportunities here and there to see me, in the early morning hours at that, doesn't make a whole lot of sense.  Plus, it puts him in a bit of a grumpy mood.  So I get the why, but it still sucks.

7.  My personal theory is that life is an adventure.  Kind of like those adventure, pick your ending type books I used to read as a kid.  You chose option A and that brings you to this part of the adventure.  Had you picked option B, then you read a different part.  The hard part about life though is that unlike those books, there can be way more options than imagniable and you don't get to know if you "picked the right one."  But I have to say I haven't regretted any of my decisions.  I might have done things slightly differently or better, but I am who I am because of those decisions.

8.  I also think that we're all interconnected.  Even if we meet only once, we have an effect on the lives of others.  So we should be as friendly and as kind as we can be.  You never know when you might just help someone when they need it the most even if it's with something as small as a smile.

9. I often wonder if people who don't know me think I'm nuts because I smile and talk to them.  Truth is though, I don't care.  I'm me.  The best me I can be.  And some days that's better than others, but I'm just me!

10. I wish I was a better Mom to my kids.  I'm not really sure how I could change to be better, but I always feel like I worry to much about making sure they eat healthy, have clean clothes  etc. (the chores part) and spend too much time doing that stuff than just enjoying my children.  But at the same time, if I don't get those other things done, there'll be problems.  In talking to my friends with kids, I'm a good Mom and so are they.  And we all feel the same way.  Of course, that could be related to my deep seated fear that my best will never be good enough.  Good enough for what, I have no idea.  Good enough for who, I don't know that either.  But there it is.

So that was my list. I'm not even sure where a lot of that came from - but it's all very, very true.  I just started typing and out it came.  Sorry to get the award on a bit of an introspective day.

Now to award it to others...

Ryan at http://ndssprvsn13.blogspot.com/
KC at http://my140point6milejourney.blogspot.com/
x-country2 at http://crosscountrysquared.blogspot.com/
Rock Star Tri at http://www.rockstartri.com/
NJ at http://pinkytris.blogspot.com/

I didn't make it to the surprise for Doug today.  I had my blood drawn and discovered that there was an 8:30 am appointment to be kept with the termite people for our annual termite bond renewal.  I was bummed.  The surprise though was a group of people standing outside his hospital window on/near the heliopad so he could see them with signs saying they cared about him.  I was definitely bummed not to be there, but my thoughts were with him.

Instead, I got home in time for the termite guy and a little laundry.  I said I like to talk to people.  The termite guy is really nice.  It's the same guy from last year, Richey.  He and I talk about his kids and mine as we go through the house each year.  His son graduated from the University of Miami (FL) on a football scholarship and is about to get his master's and is going to be in the draft this week.  They predict he'll go in the 3rd or 4th round.  He's proud of him, but he's proud of his other kids too.  It was funny hearing him talk about how 2 of his kids are "water bags" meaning they cry easily.  I told him about Angelfish and how she is tough but you hurt her feelings and you get the waterworks, but how Ladybug isn't tough about getting physically hurt but she's a lot tougher about hurting her feelings.  Anyway, I like him.  He's even nice to the dog and talks to her too and tells her she's doing a good job barking at him.  What's not to like.  I need to make sure I see where his son ends up in the draft...

Then straight to work.  I've been working ever since.  I still have to get my bike to the bike shop and try to get my 15 mile bike ride in.  I can't promise anything.  But I sure will try!  Until then...