The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver

After much debate and indecision in my head, I finally chose the book that my book club will read for March.  It has been over a year or so since I've been the one to host my book club and the hostess gets to choose.  I first came up with about three or four books I had not read that I wanted to read, but decided against them because they were really long and our group consists of busy moms who may not have time to read 500 plus page epic novels.  

Anyway, after making things much harder like I usually do, I ended up selecting The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver.  I read it probably ten years ago, after I read The Poisonwood Bible and decided I must compulsively read all of Barbara Kingsolver's novels.  It was so wonderful to re-read this heartfelt and wonderfully rich novel about a woman who learns firsthand about the beauty and ugliness of the world around her.   

Children's Museum aka Kid's Museum

I was a single mom this weekend due to Justin going out of town to run a half marathon.  So, the boys and I decided to have some local fun.  We visited the children's museum.  We had a lengthy discussion in the car about the word "children" and Dylan decided it was too hard to say the word "children" - so he would call it the "kid's museum".  Fine by me.  Only when we arrived at about 4:00 p.m., we realized that fly-by-the-seat-of-her-pants mommy did not check to see what time the museum closed on Saturdays and we only had an hour to speed through the activities.  At least they gave us a discount!  

Ten Signs You Need To Be Pampered (Or Pamper Yourself)

1.  You are using your son's Bakugan shower gel in place of shave gel.

2.  The last time  you had a professional pedicure, you were pregnant with your oldest child - he is now seven.

3.  The last time you saw your hair dresser, you chatted about her son being at summer camp that week.  It's now almost February.

4.  Your idea of variety in work attire is:  Monday - black pants with at pink sweater, Tuesday - black pants with a blue sweater, Wednesday - black pants with a green sweater, etc.

5.  Your fancy soap is now being used as a surf board for the Donald Duck bath toy.

6.  Your idea of a long, relaxing bubble bath is eight minutes and your four-year-old only visits you twice.

7.  The last time you saw your fingernail file, you were using it as a screw driver to change batteries in Spiderman Pinball.

8.  The last time you had a professional massage, your four-year-old was a baby.

9.  There is a Hot Wheels car in your sea salt scrub jar.

10.  Bath & Body Whuh?

Goofin' Around

We are back home now after a long weekend in Orlando, Florida.  Justin and I ran the Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge - a 1/2 marathon on Saturday and a full marathon on Sunday.  It was so much fun!  

I trained for this more than I had trained for the Des Moines marathon, so I ended up about 15 minutes faster than my Des Moines marathon time.  My time was 5:21 for the full marathon.  My only goal really was not to stop and walk and I did it!  I actually felt pretty good.  No leg cramps, no upset stomach!  I think I learned a lot about what to do and what not to do from my first marathon.  I was also grateful to our friend who is a hydration expert - he helped me with some information on proper hydration because I think I got myself over-hydrated during the Des Moines marathon. 

Both races were absolutely amazing.  Disney characters and spectators lined the streets.  We got to run through Epcot Center, the Magic Kingdom, Animal Kingdom, and Hollywood Studios.  

Before the marathon, at the expo, we got to see a presentation by Team Hoyt - the father who has pushed his son in 27+ marathons and hundreds of other running events and Iron Man races.  They were such an inspiration and I was bawling just listening to them speak.

Most of all, I learned that it is truly amazing what the human body is really capable of when you put your mind to it. 

Book Review - Lean Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich

Now that the holidays are over, do you need a way to brighten up the rest of the winter?  Well, Janet Evanovich novels are just the cure for winter doldrums.  This most recent one I've "read" kept me laughing the whole way through.  I say "read" because I have listened to most of these novels on CD in my car.  My commute to work can take anywhere between 35-45 minutes depending on weather, traffic, etc., so any way to make it seem shorter is welcomed by me!  

If you've never read any of the Stephanie Plum series, I suggest starting at number one and working your way up.  Also, the books on CD are great because the narrator they found is hilarious and does awesome voices to all the characters.  If you like action-packed comedy with some sexual tension (and you don't mind some occasional f-bombs), this series is for you.  Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter who blunders her way through life and has several quirky side-kicks such as her Grandma Mazur and Lula, the ex-hooker.  

The thing I like most about Stephanie is she is just an average gal stumbling her way through life, following her instincts to the best of her ability.  She is not overly-sure of herself and manages to survive many sticky situations with some luck and some help from her friends and family.

Zen Running

My husband and I laugh about our different running styles.  Mine is "Zen Running" because I like running more for the meditative qualities and don't care too much about the speed.  For him, it's "Macho Running" because it's all about conquering a certain time or distance and oh yeah, did I mention the medals?  Sure, it's cool to say I've done a marathon, and it will be even cooler to be able to say I've done the Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge (half marathon on Saturday and full marathon on Sunday).  In fact, one week from today, I will be done with the half marathon part of the Goofy Challenge and awaiting the full marathon Sunday morning.  

I have to thank my husband.  Back in high school, I came up with a big list of stuff I wanted to do someday.  One of the items was to run a marathon, and I don't think I would have done it yet had it not been for my husband encouraging me to run longer distances.  I must admit, when he first started running, I was kind of jealous and crabby about his success and follow-through.  But now, I am happy for him, and myself for stepping up to the challenges.  Sorry to sound all corny and Brady Bunch, but thanks Justin!