Now What?

I came back from the gym around 11am this morning after working out the muscle kinks from the half marathon I ran a few days ago. I felt refreshed and limber on this sunny, 60 degree October day. The agenda for the rest of the day was a visit from my parents. Our new den rug was arriving in a few days, and my Halloween costume was complete. Life was good. Then I checked my phone messages and realized something startling - my brain is a sieve. I gasped as I listened to the message from the Vietnam Vets donations rep who informed me that the driver was in front of our house earlier that morning for the "Pickup" but no bags were out. With a pang in my gut, I shamefully realized I forgot to pack up the kids old clothes and leave them out on the driveway. Last time I did the home pickup they came at the end of the 8-5 window. Figures today they came early. Figures I forgot. But there's really no excuse, except that now I'm in my 40s and my brain turn...

Over the summer I decided I needed a goal so I signed up for the Bay State Half Marathon. I love a good meaty challenge, and this race seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to get back into a regular running routine (and since I have the time, then hey, why not! The time off is a gift, right?). I also have this incredibly insane thought about running a qualifying marathon next year for Boston 2015. We'll see. First, let's start with 13.1. As a side note, I ran this particular half marathon back on October 18, 1998 with my friend Melinda. Sheesh, doesn't that sound like ancient history? And now, 15 years and 2 days later, I laced up my shoes and made the trek to Lowell for this fast and flat course along the Merrimack River. Running a big race again conjured many fond old memories and quirky race rituals yet provided a fresh perspective on what's new in the running scene in the twenty first century. Some things never change P...

My daughter will be four next month. It seems like yesterday she was this innocent little angel with a head full of soft curls who ate, pooped and slept her way into our hearts. We managed to get through her infant years blissfully unscathed from colic, reflux, "crying it out" and other sleep-inhibiting factors. The toddler zone was tantrum-free. We waited for Year Three to be THE year of fits, kicks and shopping mall embarrassments. But we got nothing. Her daycare teachers raved about her fierce independence yet warned, "You'll have your hands full with this one." Ignoring the warning, my husband and I high-fived our success. We were home free. Or so we thought. And now, on the cusp of Year Four, our perfect little princess has morphed into Demanding Diva. Her list of requests far outweighs Madonna's or JLO's. Urgent needs usually include immediate access to car keys, iPhone, Kindle, gum and lipstick. And when I say NO I immediately get WHY, ...