Nature's Shower

I have many memories of running outside when the rain started to fall. In Southern Alberta, the rained poured a little less. So, we took advantage of it. I love rain. It brings down the humidity lurking in the air. It's very refreshing.

So, I was excited to see that my girls found as much joy running in the rain as I do. A booming thunder sent Elle up the stairs.

I was reminded of a time many of us Freeze children were outside (intentionally) in a hail storm. With a helmet and garbage bag made raincoat, I was running around the streets splashing in puddles. Then lighting struck too close. I saw it zap down from the sky and hit an electric post. Yikes! While running home as fast as I could, I thought...where is Laura? I hope she's ok! She was fine. I wonder if Elle was thinking of Bryn as she darted up the stairs. Probably...that's what sisters do.

The Art Off

Brandon was feeling very artistic in the Studio at the Pittsburgh Children's Museum. So he challenged BIL, Rob to an Art Off. After they bullied some little kids off the art easels, they painted their own pictures.

Essence of Ocean was born. The easel height adds a whole new dimension to the piece.

I don't have a final picture of Rob's masterpiece.

Blueberry Hill

Yesterday, we went to Soergels in Wexford. It was fantastic! The highlight was picking blueberries. The girls could have picked them forever. Wade...not so much. However, I forgot my camera, so I have no proof. Instead, here's some high class art.

Ouchy Ouchy

This is what happens when you ride a plastic green tractor down 6 cement stairs. It's not recommended.

Floors

I just went around our house lifting up carpet in random places. What I found: this house has hardwood floors. Even the stairs. I'm resisting going through and ripping up all the carpet myself. That is incredibly hard for me. I must be logical:

1. We don't own the house. I'd have to get permission from Bert. Plus any money we invest in doing this wouldn't have a return unless we bought the house someday.
2. That's a big job. I've never done anything like it. Where would I put the carpet I pull up? What kind of tools do I need? Brandon's pretty busy, will I be able to do most of it myself?
3. Financially we couldn't refinish the floors underneath. Will the floors as is be better than the gross carpet on top?

I must resist pulling carpet up for now, or at least until Brandon gets home.

De Novo in the news

Check it out!

First HME Run

In an effort to keep track of training, I thought I'd post on here what I've done and how it felt. That way when I look back I can see if I've made any progress...which hopefully I have. Today was my first HME (Hard, Medium, Easy) Run. Brandon adapted it for me and I ran a 5 minute warm-up then did 3 HME sets as follows: 2 minutes hard, 1 minute easy, 2 minutes medium, 1 minute easy.

Here are my paces...they are pretty pathetic...but it gives me room for growth, right?
H: 8:45/mile (I started out too fast and slowed at the end of the 2 minutes)
E: 17:58/mile (that's really slow...)
M: 9:22/mile (I think this was about right)
E: 11:58/mile

H: 8:17/mile
E: 13:26/mile
M: 10:18/mile
E: 13:06/mile

H: 10:00/mile (in my defense, this was up a hill..but it's still pretty pathetic for a hard run)
E: 15:13/mile
M: 10:05/mile
E: 12:59/mile

By the end, I was ready to die and it took me a while to cool down. Fortunately, Bryn didn't wake up until around 6:15, so I had time to stretch etc before the day 'started'. I wonder what Bran has planned for me on Thursday....