I'm Back!!!

I know it has been almost a month since I last blogged! I have been a little (OK, a lot) busy! February was one heck of a crazy month. I was in charge of running the regional Science Olympiad Competition for Wichita and the surrounding cities. It started out with me just doing the registration, but ended up being a lot more. I somehow became the "go-to person" for every last minute question. I also was trying to prepare my very inexperienced team and two other coaches for 23 events. Somehow, I was able to stay sane. I did stay at school until 2:45 a.m. the night (morning) before the competition preparing everything, only to be at the competition at 6:30 a.m. to register all the teams. Coffee was my savior! Needless to say, my team didn't do very well. This is the first year my school won't go to state since I've been there! A little embarrassing, but maybe I will get some much needed help next year!


Enough of that! I also started my Philadelphia Triathlon training with my team! (That is probably what kept me sane) I'm doing another Leukemia and Lymphoma fundraiser with Team In Training. My race is in June, but I have a few other triathlons planned before that. I'm am very excited about doing Tri's! I'm getting some of the best personal training of my life and learning that running isn't my only favorite sport!






This is me at a team ride last October. It was called Octoginta. Who knew an 80 mile ride through Kansas could be so hilly?! It was a beautiful ride! I actually hit my top speed ever on a bike going down a hill....44 mph! That is a little scary on a bike! OK, I did enjoy it!






My 37th birthday was February 16th. I was supposed to celebrate it by going down to Dallas and participating in a Duathlon, but the WEATHER didn't cooperate. The threat of a major ice storm kept me from driving down to Dallas by myself. For the record, I am 100% DONE with winter weather this season! I know there are other parts of the country that have gotten it a lot worse than Wichita, but we have seen more snow, ice, freezing rain, sleet, thunder snow, and hail than I ever care to see again! My birthday wish is for an EARLY SPRING! That's all I'm going to say about that!

My friend and TNT teammate, Don (pictured above in the background), did make it down to Texas for the Duathlon. He left a day early. Don't worry Don, I'll beat you in another race!

Here is my bike sitting in the laundry room the morning of the race. : ( I was soooooo bummed!
I had just gotten new wheels (thanks Randy B.)put on and a tuning! My baby was ready to GO!

Look out Emporia Spring Migration Tri, I'm ready!




My birthday came and went. I do love my age. I enjoy the fact that with each passing year I am becoming much wiser and stronger than ever before. I am more sure of my self and able to make better choices. My hope is that my children will learn much quicker than me!





So far, so good....Maddy is sounding out words and trying very hard to read "word books" as she calls them (instead of picture books). She is the tallest girl in her class and, in her teacher's words, "a leader". She has become a very helpful big sister, often teaching Harrison what is right and what is wrong. This morning on the way to work she was even inquiring about how to drive a car! That might be learning a little too fast!


Harrison also has taken an interest in my driving. He has become a little back seat driver telling me when to "go" and when to "stop". He lets me know when he thinks it is okay to go. For example, when I'm trying to turn left at an intersection with a green light. As I'm waiting for the traffic to clear, Harrison is saying, "Mom! The light is green!" Gotta love it! The past couple of days have been a little rough at school for him. I think we've hit the "terrible three's"!!!!! Until it passes, the TV is unplugged and he may not be going to his friend's birthday party this weekend!



Well, I think I've caught you up with a few things. I have missed blogging, but now that Science Olympiad is over, I should get back to a more normal schedule again. Here are some pictures of what has happened over the past few weeks.


I tried to work from home. Maddy captured me "trying" to work with Harrison on my lap.











Denise and I enjoyed a calm morning at Panera with the kids....well, at least for the first 20 minutes. I'm not sure who gets more out of the caffeine, me or the kids??? (NOTE: the kids drink water. I drink the coffee) Here, we have taken over the leather couch.

Friends Chad and Joe took me out on the rainy night of my birthday! I hadn't seen these guys in a while so it was fun catching up with the architect gossip. The next night, Denise made the BEST Curry I've ever tasted! (Recipe courtesy of Tanya Tandoc) She, Kerri, and the kids sang "Happy Birthday" and helped me blow out the candles on my cake.
Uncle Dave!!!!

Uncle Dave from Seattle visited us this last weekend. Even though we only saw him briefly, Maddy hasn't stopped talking about him. She wants to visit Seattle sooooo bad! I've been telling Grandma Dee that I would visit Washington again soon, so I just purchased three tickets today! Maddy is thrilled! OK Seattle family, I've promised her a ferry boat ride, a volcano sight seeing tour, and some hiking! Hey, Uncle Dave, Harrison promises not to drink his milk too fast! (In the 1 1/2 hours that we saw Dave, Harrison managed to chug a bottle of milk, then throw up all over himself and Uncle Dave...good catch Dave!)

One of my favorite February traditions is to meet up with my Dad, Mary Pat, and Grandma Emma Lou for our "Girl's Dinner". Dad takes us three girls out to Cafe Bel Ami every year to celebrate Valentine's Day and birthdays. We always have so much fun. We eat anything we want with no worries. We talk about all kinds of things from debt to kids to favorite memories. I love this tradition. I hate to see the night end. Thanks Dad!




If anyone cares to see my new Leukemia and Lymphoma Team In Training Website, go here

http://www.active.com/donate/tntks/tntksAMairs1





I'm trying to raise funds through corporate sponsors this season. I've already been turned down by the Hyatt Regency Wichita. I've got a few more companies in mind to ask. Just in case some of you know anyone with money that they don't know what to do with...

How it all "vegan"

I've always been interested in nutrition. At one point in my life, I actually wanted to be a registered dietician. I teach about nutrition in my biology class. But, it wasn't until recently when I started to get serious about my sports training that I started to really focus on what I ate. Then, I read a book by Jane Goodall called "Harvest for Hope". This book really made an impact on me. (Jane is one of my heroes! Yeah, that is me talking to Jane above.) I knew I needed to make a change in what I ate, not only for my health, but for the health of our environment. So, today I began a trial run of being a vegetarian. At first I thought I would try to do the whole vegan thing, but that is close to impossible! And, after trying some vegan cheese, I decided against it! More power to those people! I will continue to eat some cheeses and eggs occasionally. Just no meat, period. Whenever possible, as I have for a while now, I will try to always eat organic foods. My biggest concern is to cut hydrogenated fats, additives, and preservatives completely out of my diet. I don't want chemicals, antibiotics, and hormones in my food. I know I need to decrease my caffine consumption, but I'm addicted to coffee, so I will work on this gradually! Here are some of the products I purchased today as part of my switch to being a vegetarian. I'm going to try it seriously for two weeks and then evaluate how I'm doing to see whether I can honestly make the commitment.