This post will require some background.
In 2005, Jon and I made a plan to move to our ideal city. We made lists of must-haves, would-like-to-haves, and don't-wants then hatched a plan to make it happen. That is how we ended up in Cary, a place where we have no family but it has worked out to be everything we wanted.
In Chicago, I was in a book group, I ran races, I volunteered for the Sierra Club, I knew my librarian, I knew my dry cleaner. I made life happen. Then twin pregnancy + barfing + bed rest + newborn twins + two working parents + one traveling spouse. It seems like we've been on a never ending treadmill of busy-ness for years. At Christmas, we had almost two full weeks of no work obligations, just time with our family of four. It was glorious. Being introverted, I needed that mental time to think and think and think.
I wasn't ready to announce it on New Year's Day as my resolutions but this year, I am living life with one motto - DO IT.
I am done saying no to new experiences. I am done saying yes to things I don't want to do. I am done putting labels on myself. I want to be that person, taking life by the throat, instead of letting life happen to me. I am done telling myself that things are not possible because I am too busy with my job, my kids, my husband. Big big words but I am following through on this one and have never felt better.
What this means is this space may change a little. It's always been my mommy journal but there has been a lot of focus on the kids rather than the mommy. I want to teach my boys to live life to the fullest but I feel to do this best, I need to live it by example. What this also means is this year will see some CRAZY things.
* I'm going to try flavored chicken wings. I always say no to them because the work to food ratio is too high and I hate ripping apart meat with my hands. But so many people like them, maybe I am missing out on something. Ditto to any foods "I don't like." Kale, beets, ribs. All going to be eaten in 2010!
* I'm going to keep running. A lot. Yes it takes time away from my kids. After feeling like a ROCK STAR at mile 8 of a half marathon because of my training, I know this is the way to my best me.
* Thanks to a comment from Sara on the 500 in 2010 blog, Joanna and I are GOING to participate in a Warrior Dash. Yes we are going to run 3 miles while jumping over flames, crawling through mud, and repelling down a wall. Yes we're going to wear costumes. Yes you are invited to join us, either running with us or cheering for us.
2009 was not a great year but it fundamentally changed me in ways for the better. I feel that it gave me clarity on what is important and what is not important. It also helped me pinpoint changes that have been brewing under the surface but have not had time to come out.
2010 is going to be crazy. I hope you will all be along for the ride.
22 comments:
Dude, you are AWESOME! Crazy awesome!
I need to start asking around for ideas on how to train for the repelling portion of the dash. I'm afraid that if I ask my 74 year old father for advice he might just want to join us for the race.
You'll love the Warrior Dash! I did a couple of these several years ago, they had a different name but were essentially the same thing. Did you ever do a Wild Scallion race when you lived in Chicago? I can't wait to see what other changes you have in store for 2010.
LOL sounds like fun! Oh and I think the chicken wings will be the easy part...
You can DO IT!! What a great resolution!
Good for you. (I really think you'll like flavored chicken wings!)
Laura, have at it, and let us know how you feel about beets and stuff. (I love beets. Maybe it's because I always called them beetroot?)
Good for you! Which Warrior Dash are you doing? One of my friends is thinking about Maryland and I've been wondering if I'm crazy enough to do it. Hmmmmm.
Love your new take on 2010 and am looking forward to reading about it!
Go Laura! This post is inspiring!
Rock on! Sounds great to shake things up. I think that in parenting young children (especially twins, maybe?), it's kind of easy for the routine to take over and for life to just move on cruise control.
And seriously, you don't like ribs?! Come on, now. Smoky meat falling off the bone, fingers covered in BBQ sauce? What's not to love? :-)
BOOYAH! I can't wait to read all about your year!
I can't believe you're an introvert! LOL
I'm so with you on the work to food ratio - I get it. I STILL can't be bothered to eat chicken wings but ribs? YUMMMY
So fun! I've noticed that now that I'm a parent, if I want to do things, I need to be very conscious about it. Otherwise, time slides by and it just never happens.
I have an amazing beet soup recipe, if you want to ease into things that way.
I think you have always been a Do It kind of person, regardless of whatever state of life you are in. Enjoy branching out in 2010!
You go, girl! This is awesome!
Though this Buffalo gal can't believe you've never had wings. Gasp! Hey, did you know you can order them from the Anchor Bar, the home of the original wings? If you're in a "just do it" mood, you might as well get the originals! https://store.anchorbar.com/c-4-chicken-wings.aspx
As for Kale, I find it best in soups. Very yummy that way, not so much other ways I've tried it. Beets, can't help you too much there. They pretty much always taste like dirt to me. The golden ones are better than the red ones I think, and roasted with goat cheese makes them marginally palatable. (I've got some recipes on my recipe blog. Let me know if you want some links!)
Sounds like a great 2010 in the works! Yay!
Awesome! I'm so excited that you are doing the Warrior Dash! We have a group of 10 or 12 coming from Waco to participate in the race in Forney (near Dallas). We are throwing around the idea of going as the Waco Branch Davidians. How tacky is that? There has been talk of getting t-shirts made with Wife #1, Wife #2, Wife #3... printed on the back of them... and then of course one will have to say "Dave." And there may or may not be some pregnant bellies involved... so going to hell for this!
WTH are flavored chicken wings? Am I THAT out of it? LOL. I'm definitely along for the ride!
I think it is a natural progression as the kids get older to want to do more things that are just for yourself and so it would also be a natural progression for your blog to include more about what you do that may or may not include the kids.
Of course for most people that may not necessarily include participating in a Warrior Dash but then again you are not most people, which is why you have so many supporters such as myself who can't wait to see what this year brings.
Funny about the Warrior Dash as at the same time you and Joanna were throwing around the idea, we found out our best friends Scottie and Ali are going to do one here in SoCal the first week of April so I am going to go with them and cheer them on - it sounds like so much fun.
Cheers to "just doing it"!
I am right there with you on the ch ch ch changes! I haven't jumped on the athletic bandwagon but I need to. I am giving myself 8 months with Harry to get him past his first birthday and then wean slowly so that I can then start to do more for myself.
I am IN.
Nice! For recipes for unloved veggies, ask me. I have a gateway beet dish, Chris makes an awesome kale recipe and I even have a good eggplant recipe (and generally I am not an eggplant fan). Ask away and I will probably have something.
Also - I didn't realize you lived in chicago. Where and when? I lived there from 93-00 (Hyde Park and Andersonville)
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