29 March 2009

Jen and Nancy's Annual Moab Weekend

Last Sunday about this time I was arriving home from a great weekend in Moab with my friend Nancy. Looking outside at the snow on the ground right now I'm wishing I were still there - Moab was full of Spring.

Nancy and I had signed up for the Canyonlands Half-Marathon yet again, but in between the time of registration and race day we both developed problems (Nance - an injured foot. Me - pneumonia) that were throwing a wrench into our usual race plans.

Up until the morning we left for Moab I was determined to run the half come hell or high water, never mind I was less than three weeks out from having pneumonia and wheezed my way through just 4 miles. Two days before the race my friend Raj suggested I might not be in any kind of condition to actually run thirteen miles - but what did he know? He's a pediatrician, for Heaven's sake! LOL
On the morning of the race - with the excitement of the race and being with Nance - my denial had vanished and Nancy and I found ourselves lining up with (oh, I hate to admit it!) the 5 mile racers at the starting line as we made snarky remarks about being demoted to the beginners race this year. Okay, it was just me making those remarks because Nancy is far too nice to stoop to my level : ) Of course, the 5 milers were probably shooting me glances of pity as they saw me dragging on this at the starting line.

See Nancy Run

In the end the race was fun and enjoyable, and it was nice to be finished running after 40 minutes versus two hours so that we had more time to talk, which is the real reason for the trip , anyway. Nancy is the best conversationalist and we literally do not stop talking the entire three days we spend together.
We sat around talking in the sunny park for four hours waiting for the shuttle to take us back to our lodgings; staying here is the other reason we come on the trip : ) That afternoon we somewhat guiltily (because we knew husbands were back home wrangling the kids) indulged in spa there. Our talking being so consuming that we stayed in the sauna way too long. Had a great dinner ~ they actually have a very good restaurant at the ranch ~ and went back to our cozy lodge and beds. What a great day.

It was hard to say goodbye to a view like this from our front porch, but Sunday morning it was time to head back home. We caught a sacrament meeting in Moab before heading out and loved seeing the several other visitors in attendance who were dressed in their running clothes. Hello, the race was, like, yesterday. I loved it, though - especially the guy in running clothes AND bare feet!
And of course we spent the entire drive (getting progressively colder as we drove towards snow) in great conversation about extended family, people we knew in high school, church callings, gospel principles, temples, old boyfriends, kids, etc.
And best of all, for me, is that I've known Nancy for so long she knows all my annoying habits and features, but just chooses to ignore them and loves me anyway. Love you, Nance.

18 March 2009

Uncle Shelby

Despite having been voted "Class Clown" in high school, I sometimes get intensely serious for long periods of time - it was worse when I drank : 0 . I had been living in one of those times for the past several weeks and I think my kids had just finally had enough of it. One night last week, perceptive little Isaac started recounting funny episodes from the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid book, trying to find one that would make his mom laugh. Finally, Ike grabbed the book and said, "Mom, just read this one part." It did the trick...I could not stop laughing.

Wimpy - Shel

You see, Shel Silverstein (or Uncle Shelby as he creepily referred to himself) was a revered icon in my house when I was growing up. My mom would have us memorize many, many of his poems. I'd bet that between my sisters and I we could recite Where the Sidewalk Ends in its entirety.
Watch this clip of him singing with Johnny Cash and you, too, will stay in your bed for fear of meeting Shel in the hallway.

02 March 2009

It's Not My Birthday Anymore

When Matt married into the Minster family it drove him crazy that our birthday celebrations tended to be big ordeals that stretched over several days, often well past the actual birthday. Just one of my mom's affectionate quirks. He couldn't understand why a simple cake couldn't suffice.

So I found it especially priceless when Matt played Morrissey's latest song for me on the way home from my birthday breakfast this morning:

It's Not Your Birthday Anymore

it's not your birthday anymore
there's no need to be kind to you
and the will to see you smile and belong has now gone


So Morrissey and so very funny! But, actually, it is my birthday for thirty more minutes ; )