Gone Wrong!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
An Amazing Story
At different times in my children's lives I've pushed the boundaries of my endurance and parented beyond my abilities. But 95% of the time I'm well within my comfort zone. The following story has inspired me to do better:
Strongest Dad in the World
Rick Reilly for Sports Illustrated
I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay for their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots. But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.
Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars -- all in the same day.
Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike. Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?
And what has Rick done for his father? Not much -- except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester, Mass., 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life," Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. "Put him in an institution."
But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. "No way," Dick says he was told. "There's nothing going on in his brain."
"Tell him a joke," Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain.
Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? "Go Bruins!" And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, "Dad, I want to do that."
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described "porker" who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried. "Then it was me who was handicapped," Dick says. "I was sore for two weeks."
That day changed Rick's life. "Dad," he typed, "when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!"
And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.
"No way," Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then they found a way to get into the race officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year.
Then somebody said, "Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?"
How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick tried.
Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii. It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you think?
Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? "No way," he says. Dick does it purely for "the awesome feeling" he gets seeing Rick with a cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.
This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992 -- only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time.
"No question about it," Rick types. "My dad is the Father of the Century."
And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries was 95% clogged. "If you hadn't been in such great shape," one doctor told him, "you probably would've died 15 years ago."
So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.
Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass., always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.
That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.
"The thing I'd most like," Rick types, "is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once."
Sports Illustrated Issue date: June 20, 2005, p. 88
Strongest Dad in the World
Rick Reilly for Sports Illustrated
I try to be a good father. Give my kids mulligans. Work nights to pay for their text messaging. Take them to swimsuit shoots. But compared with Dick Hoyt, I suck.
Eighty-five times he's pushed his disabled son, Rick, 26.2 miles in marathons. Eight times he's not only pushed him 26.2 miles in a wheelchair but also towed him 2.4 miles in a dinghy while swimming and pedaled him 112 miles in a seat on the handlebars -- all in the same day.
Dick's also pulled him cross-country skiing, taken him on his back mountain climbing and once hauled him across the U.S. on a bike. Makes taking your son bowling look a little lame, right?
And what has Rick done for his father? Not much -- except save his life.
This love story began in Winchester, Mass., 43 years ago, when Rick was strangled by the umbilical cord during birth, leaving him brain-damaged and unable to control his limbs.
"He'll be a vegetable the rest of his life," Dick says doctors told him and his wife, Judy, when Rick was nine months old. "Put him in an institution."
But the Hoyts weren't buying it. They noticed the way Rick's eyes followed them around the room. When Rick was 11 they took him to the engineering department at Tufts University and asked if there was anything to help the boy communicate. "No way," Dick says he was told. "There's nothing going on in his brain."
"Tell him a joke," Dick countered. They did. Rick laughed. Turns out a lot was going on in his brain.
Rigged up with a computer that allowed him to control the cursor by touching a switch with the side of his head, Rick was finally able to communicate. First words? "Go Bruins!" And after a high school classmate was paralyzed in an accident and the school organized a charity run for him, Rick pecked out, "Dad, I want to do that."
Yeah, right. How was Dick, a self-described "porker" who never ran more than a mile at a time, going to push his son five miles? Still, he tried. "Then it was me who was handicapped," Dick says. "I was sore for two weeks."
That day changed Rick's life. "Dad," he typed, "when we were running, it felt like I wasn't disabled anymore!"
And that sentence changed Dick's life. He became obsessed with giving Rick that feeling as often as he could. He got into such hard-belly shape that he and Rick were ready to try the 1979 Boston Marathon.
"No way," Dick was told by a race official. The Hoyts weren't quite a single runner, and they weren't quite a wheelchair competitor. For a few years Dick and Rick just joined the massive field and ran anyway, then they found a way to get into the race officially: In 1983 they ran another marathon so fast they made the qualifying time for Boston the following year.
Then somebody said, "Hey, Dick, why not a triathlon?"
How's a guy who never learned to swim and hadn't ridden a bike since he was six going to haul his 110-pound kid through a triathlon? Still, Dick tried.
Now they've done 212 triathlons, including four grueling 15-hour Ironmans in Hawaii. It must be a buzzkill to be a 25-year-old stud getting passed by an old guy towing a grown man in a dinghy, don't you think?
Hey, Dick, why not see how you'd do on your own? "No way," he says. Dick does it purely for "the awesome feeling" he gets seeing Rick with a cantaloupe smile as they run, swim and ride together.
This year, at ages 65 and 43, Dick and Rick finished their 24th Boston Marathon, in 5,083rd place out of more than 20,000 starters. Their best time? Two hours, 40 minutes in 1992 -- only 35 minutes off the world record, which, in case you don't keep track of these things, happens to be held by a guy who was not pushing another man in a wheelchair at the time.
"No question about it," Rick types. "My dad is the Father of the Century."
And Dick got something else out of all this too. Two years ago he had a mild heart attack during a race. Doctors found that one of his arteries was 95% clogged. "If you hadn't been in such great shape," one doctor told him, "you probably would've died 15 years ago."
So, in a way, Dick and Rick saved each other's life.
Rick, who has his own apartment (he gets home care) and works in Boston, and Dick, retired from the military and living in Holland, Mass., always find ways to be together. They give speeches around the country and compete in some backbreaking race every weekend, including this Father's Day.
That night, Rick will buy his dad dinner, but the thing he really wants to give him is a gift he can never buy.
"The thing I'd most like," Rick types, "is that my dad sit in the chair and I push him once."
Sports Illustrated Issue date: June 20, 2005, p. 88
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Three for Thursday
Three cute things Kat says: 1. "Oberdair" (Over There) 2. "Piss Daddy Piss!" (Kiss Daddy, Kiss) 3. "Saw Wee Mommy" (Sorry, Mommy)
Two Kudos to Gabby for her fabulous job promotion!! Congrats!
One Rant: What is up with the price of gas?? And are they mixing it with something that makes it evaporate? I'm sure I don't use up as much as the gas meter claims. Positive Even! This is what I paid tonight:
Yikes!
Two Kudos to Gabby for her fabulous job promotion!! Congrats!
One Rant: What is up with the price of gas?? And are they mixing it with something that makes it evaporate? I'm sure I don't use up as much as the gas meter claims. Positive Even! This is what I paid tonight:
Yikes!
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Life Lessons - Things don't always work out the way you planned them...
We're remodeling our master bathroom and laying new carpet in the closet and the bedroom. The whole job was suppose to take 3 weeks, so we packed up our bathroom and grabbed the clothes we thought we would need. I figured we could live upside down for that amount of time. Well, we're in week 6 now and I have clothes, shoes, towels, moisturizer, etc. scattered throughout my house. It's a chore to find anything. I have my fingers crossed that we'll be able to move back in our room next week. Here's what the bathroom looks like:
This is Bill's study:
And this is my backyard - hello, gross! We have an outhouse! Kitty and I were swimming today and she wanted to go potty in it. Bill had a friend over for dinner last week and, to my horror, set the table outside!
And do you see the battered chair cushion?? A squirrel joined in the chaos and ate through the heart leaving a hole. Squirrels are cute and lovable, but you can't trust them.
This is Bill's study:
And this is my backyard - hello, gross! We have an outhouse! Kitty and I were swimming today and she wanted to go potty in it. Bill had a friend over for dinner last week and, to my horror, set the table outside!
And do you see the battered chair cushion?? A squirrel joined in the chaos and ate through the heart leaving a hole. Squirrels are cute and lovable, but you can't trust them.
Monday, June 23, 2008
Crime and Punishment
A couple months ago May was at school and a little boy was playing with scissors and cut her nose. His parents brought him to the house and he apologized, looking like he wanted the porch to swallow him whole. He also lost out on some fun things at school. He's a fine kid, just made a poor choice. It could have been really bad, but it wasn't, so we get to have a little fun with it.
Here's the damage (one week later):
And here's the fun:
(click on the letter to enlarge it, so that it's readable)
I took his name off the bottom to protect the... well, guilty.
Hilarious! You're Welcome.
Here's the damage (one week later):
And here's the fun:
(click on the letter to enlarge it, so that it's readable)
I took his name off the bottom to protect the... well, guilty.
Hilarious! You're Welcome.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
One Of These Things Do Not Belong Here...
Saturday, June 21, 2008
New Friends & Neat People
Meet Yellow Card Roy. As Bill, Gabby, and I sat in the Amsterdam Airport on our way to Rome, Gabby noticed the man across from us struggling to open his pencil package. He would try to open it for a bit and then take a break and play with his phone or something. Then a few minutes later he'd pick the package up and try again only to set it down unopened. It was like he was attempting to crack a safe and he had to collect himself in-between tries. The process was driving Gab nuts - she just had to try to open it herself. So she practically bolts over to him and grabbed the package out of his hands. Between the two of them they finally got the offending package torn apart. We told him that we had been watching the whole thing and he was a great sport. We ended up chatting for the next few hours. He is Scottish and was very open about what an emotional and physical soccer player he is (thus the nick name we gave him), all of this in stark contrast to his nice guy demeanor. He's currently in a study program where he was going to Vienna. It was all very fascinating. After that he was meeting up with his wife for a vacation across Europe. They sound like a fabulous couple. I'm sure I butchered his story, but we really found him quite interesting and wish him and his wife well.
On the cruise we made fast friends with a couple of our dinner companions, Britta and Clara. The first night we sat with them I don't know how we even ate because we were laughing so much. I haven't laughed so hard since Cousin Jim told us a story about pigs and hot air balloons last summer. It's one of those "you had to be there moments," but trust me we were all rolling!
There's also tremendous depth to both women, so conversations were also enlightening.
Clara has a fascinating outlook on life that I just couldn't do justice to here. I wish I was more capable. One morning we saw her on our way to an excursion and she called to us, "I hope you have an epiphany!" Love her!
This is Jim and Britta. Have you ever felt an instant bond with another person, like you've known each other before? That's what it was like for me and Britta. Right away I knew I liked her and I was completely comfortable with her. There's no topic we can't discuss, no dance floor too hot, and no emotion we wouldn't share. She is fabulous and I'm sure we were meant to meet on this cruise.
On the cruise we made fast friends with a couple of our dinner companions, Britta and Clara. The first night we sat with them I don't know how we even ate because we were laughing so much. I haven't laughed so hard since Cousin Jim told us a story about pigs and hot air balloons last summer. It's one of those "you had to be there moments," but trust me we were all rolling!
There's also tremendous depth to both women, so conversations were also enlightening.
Clara has a fascinating outlook on life that I just couldn't do justice to here. I wish I was more capable. One morning we saw her on our way to an excursion and she called to us, "I hope you have an epiphany!" Love her!
This is Jim and Britta. Have you ever felt an instant bond with another person, like you've known each other before? That's what it was like for me and Britta. Right away I knew I liked her and I was completely comfortable with her. There's no topic we can't discuss, no dance floor too hot, and no emotion we wouldn't share. She is fabulous and I'm sure we were meant to meet on this cruise.
Friday, June 20, 2008
Happy Birthday, Mom!
This picture was taken at my mom's house in Washington. Today is her birthday and when I told May this morning she asked if I would make a cake. So I decided to bake a German Chocolate cake because it's my favorite and it reminds me of my mom. It's cooling now and I'll let the kids frost it soon. After dinner we're going to tell each other our favorite Grammy memories while we enjoy dessert. One of my favorite things about my mom is how easily she would laugh and how special she made me feel. I'm so grateful for the knowlegde that we will enjoy eachothers company again one day. Happy Birthday, Mom!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
My "Spa" Week
Sharlene, Melanie and I flew into Tuscon a day early so we could arrive at the "spa" as early as possible on the day of our booking. We ended up staying by the airport, which isn't the best part of Tuscon. We ate breakfast at the hotel,"deluxe continental" as you can see. But there wasn't a restaurant there for dinner, so we had to take a taxi (Victor the Cherokee was our driver). We told him we were starving, he suggested McDonalds. We asked for a sit down restaurant, he suggested Denny's. Help us! So we paid him $20 to drive us to "the best Steak House in Tuscon" recommended to us by another local as well. Here is where we end up:
Quality steak knives at Tuscons Finest.
Okay, we surrvived. But the next day I sure was happy to be relaxing at the spa and couldn't wait to get there. Melanie had told Sharlene and I how wonderful this place was, "Oprah's favorite" she said. Spa treatments everyday, great food, yoga... Here is where we spent all our time:
When I walked over the hill and saw the challenge area, I was totally scared. Where was the pool with the guy that spritzes water?? I hadn't even seen a massage table yet!
Okay, so I had a rocky start, but I threw myself into the challenges (really I went pretty slow) and I learned a lot about myself, my friends, and life. We did get a bit challenge crazy and signed up for as many challenges as we could sqeeze in during our stay - 5 in all.
Yes, this is me 35 feet in the air.
And yes, these are my bruises.
This is what gave me my bruises - The Giants Ladder.
This is Sharlene braving Quantum Leap. The little red disc she's stepping on moves around like a lazy susan. Yikes!
And this is Melanie walking blindfolded while 35 feet in the air!
This is Fain, our instructor - or as Melanie likes to call him, "Wise Mysterious Desert Man." He could be helpful during challenges (and he did save our lives by keeping us safe), but he loved to answer questions like, "Where do I put my feet?" with "I don't know. I know where I'd put my feet, but I don't know where you should put yours." Wealth of knowledge, Fain, thanks. After each challenge we would sit and discuss our thoughts. He was extremely insightful and I will forever appreciate his wisdom and willingness to share.
Me, having a little fun once the blindfold walk was over.
Our group, the three of us with Fain and Eileen. She will be leading challenges on her own soon and I hope to go on a few with her in the future. She is totally fabulous!
I had an amazing experience and feel very lucky to know such strong, brave, and courageous women like Melanie and Sharlene. I am grateful to be able to call them my friends; BFF's as we like to say. Thanks ladies!
Next time can we go somewhere that sells candy?? The health food kind of got to me...
Monday, June 9, 2008
Annual Girls Trip
I'm here in Arizona with BFF Sharlene & BFF Melanie. We've stayed at a hotel near the airport in Tuscon before we leave for Mirval in a couple hours. We feel like we're in an episode of The Simple Life. It's been very strange to say the least. Much more to come, but wanted to let ya'll know that I'll be gone for a few days. Luvs!
PS: Cousin Jim, go read Melanies blog and make comments. She wants to be your friend!
PS: Cousin Jim, go read Melanies blog and make comments. She wants to be your friend!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Oh No, It's Starting!
Driving home from a fun afternoon with my children, I was having an innocent conversation with May May and this is what happened to me:
May: "...16 oz equal one pound."
Me: "Oh, I didn't know that."
May: "How could you not know that???"
Baden: (In my defense) "She learned it a long time ago and can't remember so far back. Did you see how old she is??"
Ouch. That's just not right!
May: "...16 oz equal one pound."
Me: "Oh, I didn't know that."
May: "How could you not know that???"
Baden: (In my defense) "She learned it a long time ago and can't remember so far back. Did you see how old she is??"
Ouch. That's just not right!
Saturday, June 7, 2008
Commercial Break
Funniest Video
My friend Kathy sent me this very cute video and I thought it was so fun that ya'll needed to see it. I love how much fun the dad is having, too! Oh, and turn your sound up.
http://givingchallenge.ning.com/video/video/show?id=2039308%3AVideo%3A4573
Enjoy!
My friend Kathy sent me this very cute video and I thought it was so fun that ya'll needed to see it. I love how much fun the dad is having, too! Oh, and turn your sound up.
http://givingchallenge.ning.com/video/video/show?id=2039308%3AVideo%3A4573
Enjoy!
Friday, June 6, 2008
We Interupt This Series With An Important Announcement:
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Capri
Our second day in Sorrento we ferried over to Capri. While on the ferry Gabby and I chatted with this little boy who was visiting from England. He was so cute and sweet and he knew everything possible about that car he's holding. I did need some translation help from Jim so I could keep up - bonnet = hood, boot = trunk, etc. Anyway, he was darling and I appreciated his parents sharing him with us because I was really missing my kiddos.
When we got to the Island, Bill bought a map and he and Jim set about planning our tour.
As you can see, they're really taking this seriously. It should be a great day...
Here are Gabby and I taking pictures of each other while the boys do all the work.
About an hour later we had climbed this big huge mountain - on foot! Holy Cow, we were tired. Clearly had we known that "everyone" takes a taxi (convertable even!) we would have chosen that route.
In the process of hiking/climbing I lost half my clothes and couldn't be bothered to care.
Soon after reaching unheard of heights, we found a restaurant with this view from our table. Hello! Can't complain.
Gabby's lunch - Very Italian.
My lunch - So Capri.
Jim's dream boat.
Views of lower Sorrento from the ferry.
Unfortunately we didn't take too many pictures in Capri, but trust me it's beautiful and fabulous and all that jazz.
When we got to the Island, Bill bought a map and he and Jim set about planning our tour.
As you can see, they're really taking this seriously. It should be a great day...
Here are Gabby and I taking pictures of each other while the boys do all the work.
About an hour later we had climbed this big huge mountain - on foot! Holy Cow, we were tired. Clearly had we known that "everyone" takes a taxi (convertable even!) we would have chosen that route.
In the process of hiking/climbing I lost half my clothes and couldn't be bothered to care.
Soon after reaching unheard of heights, we found a restaurant with this view from our table. Hello! Can't complain.
Gabby's lunch - Very Italian.
My lunch - So Capri.
Jim's dream boat.
Views of lower Sorrento from the ferry.
Unfortunately we didn't take too many pictures in Capri, but trust me it's beautiful and fabulous and all that jazz.
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