Wasn't there a movie about Lent? Or was that Lentle?

One of my friends just said to me today, "I saw on your blog that you are Protestant. Does that mean I'm Protestant, too?" She didn't know she was, but she is. Isn't that wonderful? I wish I didn't know that I was Protestant. That would give me more to think about.
Like Lent.
Today is the beginning of Lent, and I have given up alcohol. I'm really doing fine. I mean, other than the shaking and the cold sweat. Just kidding.
Besides the Lenting, and the tea drinking, I am also still in training for that half marathon.
It's hard work. For instance, today I walked two miles. It's gonna kill me, this training.
I'm really bad about the actual running. I whine, and avoid and do other things, and then I wonder why I am not doing better. In truth, I trained a lot today, just not with the running part. I rode a bike for about 15 mins. Walked briskly for half an hour. Worked a heavy bag for half an hour. Did weight training for 45 mins. I'm not really what you'd call a slacker. Except for the part where I was supposed to run 6 miles today, and I didn't.
I'm sure the race will be no big deal, since I'll be in fantastic shape. Right? I am running about 2 days a week. Sometimes.

I'm Protestant, a slacker, and female. Good thing I'm not single, eh? No one would have me.

Holy Lent, batman!

Being Protestant, I have never done Lent. Fat Tuesday, yes, but not Lent.
One of my problems with the reformed church, as a whole, is that it lacks the pomp and circumstance that ceremony and liturgy can bring. Protestants go to church in jeans and a baseball cap. They worship in gymnasiums. They take communion with white grape juice.
I want some incense in my life. A few stained-glass windows. Some beauty in my worship.
Once, long ago, I got to go to a midnight service on Christmas Eve. The pastor was a very flamboyant gay man, who did not speak from Scripture. He told some metaphorical story about a vase broken on the driveway. However, there was an organ and a choir, there was incense and a processional. There were candles and stained glass. I had no trouble meeting God amid such beauty, despite the questionable sermon.
I don't believe that Christianity has all that much to do with Jesus and Salvation. But, I do believe that Salvation, and Jesus, have everything to do with beauty.
Which is kind of a tangent, given that I was going to discuss Lent.
Lent:
It's this 40 day fast in preparation for the celebration of Easter. It's a way of setting aside something that is a normal part of one's day in observance of the need for redemption. Love that. It actually ends up being about 46 days, because Sundays are off-days. For instance, I am giving up all alcohol. But, on Sundays I can have wine with dinner. The reason is that Sundays are to be a reminder of the celebration for which we are preparing. Isn't that the coolest thing? I learned about it on wikipedia.
Or however you spell it.
So, I'm going to give this a whirl.
There are numerous things I hope to accomplish, besides the preparation for Easter. I rather suspect I'll lose weight, if wine is not a part of my evening routine. Also, I really just think that the 40 days of no alcohol will be a good way to clear my head. In truth, I don't drink to get drunk, but I do drink regularly. I think it's maybe a good thing to distance myself from it. It's going to be good.
No fat Tuesday, though. That would not be good.
What are you giving up for Lent?

A Scholar with no Ship

Apparently it's time to start thinking about college. Who knew? My eldest was invited to a college recruiting thing today. It's all about his mean lacrosse skills, see. There were about 75 high school boys from the entire State of Idaho, and only two of those were freshmen. My kid was one. Who is a proud mom? Did I mention that it really was an invite only thing?
My brain is spinning. Michael got to show off his skills this afternoon with the group, and there was a meeting for the parents tonight.
College? It's expensive.
Unless his ship comes in, there is going to be an uphill battle for this scholar. In the entire country, there are, like, 120 scholarships total given out every year. This ain't going to be his ticket to a free education. It's a sport for rich kids. Alas.

While Michael was at the deal this afternoon, the rest of us went to the Boise Art Museum. What ever happened to Art that is nice to look at? Isn't that kind of the point? Apparently not. This was an exhibit about robots, and the theme seemed to be large-breasted robots. I kid you not. There was even an 'adult' film playing featuring animated robots. It had a little sign which cautioned parents that there was 'mature material which may not be suitable for children'. Duh. By the time I noticed the warning sign, the kids and I had seen enough to make our own determination.
Art?

Also, may I just channel my Mother for a moment? What are teenage boys coming to? All of the boys at this college recruiting meeting this evening were wearing ill-fitting clothes and stocking caps. They looked like street urchins. I doubt they had bathed. What are they thinking? Here they were to meet a man who has power to recommend them to college coaches, and they didn't run a comb through their hair? I'm thinking, "Thanks for making it so easy for my kid to stand out." I required Michael to wear a collared shirt. I also insisted that he approach the speaker after to shake his hand and thank him. I did not see any other students who did that. Where are the parents?
If you are a parent....require personal hygeine, and basic good manners from your children. Please. Also, it is not appropriate for a young man to wear a grungy ski hat inside a building. Why do they want to? My boys want to.
What ever happened to good breeding?

I thought my greatest worry was getting this kid through 9th grade. Clearly, I was wrong. Now I have to think about getting him into a dynamite Lacrosse-playing college. I suspect it will take more than a firm handshake, and a clean shirt.

Photos from California

Tim and I were out of town last weekend, in California. My grandfather sent out a few photos from our visit today. Dani pointed out that Tim and I are beginning to look alike, as old married couples are wont to do. Indeed, we are.




This is Tim with his dad, uncle, and grandfather. Grandpa is 100 years old!



I like my husband. Lots.

Jenine made me shop

When you are going to run a half marathon, and you are me, you carefully evaluate your clothing options for training.

Everyone is more motivated when well dressed.

This conviction led me to a rather impromptu shopping spree this very afternoon at the local Fred Meyer. One would not expect that Fred Meyer would inspire uncontrolled spending. Well.

I am now the proud owner of some seriously killer running shoes, which, in my defense, were on sale. I also got several outfits to wear with my new shoes. By "several" I mean that I purchased a motivating new wardrobe intended to convince everyone that I am, in fact, a Runner.

This spending is Jenine's fault.
Here's how I worked out the question of blame...

See, Jenine is also training for the Big Race. She, who recently gave birth, is a total stud. When she called to inform me that she ran five miles today, where as I only ran four, I knew that I needed new clothing.

My 20-something sister, Dani, is also training for this race. She also recently gave birth, but she's in her 20s, so she can do anything.
We, who are knee-deep in our thirties, have more of an uphill battle. By "we" I mean Jenine.
I, as you recall, am rapidly approaching 40. I am just going to be really proud of myself if I can finish the blasted 13.1 miles in the dust of Dani's and Jenine's amazing running-ness. This is why I needed cool clothes and fancy running shoes. Obviously, I am not fool enough to try to compete with Dani, and I can't really even compete with Jenine. This is why I created a new Fashion Category, so I can feel better about my old self.

The race is May 15th, so you are likely to be hearing about it from time to time. Gripping story lines are what I'm all about. Who wants to train with me?

Here's what I've done this week: Monday Dani and I ran 4 miles in 45 mins. I was busy aching and recovering yesterday, although I did lift weights. Today, I ran, and walked a total of 4 miles in 50 mins. The walking part is because I was tired of running, and I can do anything I want. I did lift weights today, so that should help.

Mostly, I have been running distance twice a week, and interval training three other days. I do weights 4-5 days a week.
Fascinating, no?

Inspire me with your training secrets.

swimmin'

Swinsuit shopping last year was a matter of baiting the hook. I was single until August. However, I wanted to make sure to whet his appetite...well...as much as a woman-pushing-40-with-stretch-marks possibly can. (I just typed that confession on the public internet. Oh, dear.)
Last year, I wore a bikini.
This year, I am looking at swimwear with an eye to profound modesty. I have a daughter, see, and swimwear should cover her knees to neck.
Ah, what a little perspective can do.

I think that swimwear can really track the course of a woman's life.

There's that heady rush of independance as a teen, when we women realize the power of cleavage...and the bikini becomes a way of flexing our muscle (so to speak). My daughter will not be allowed, of course.

Then, as a young mom, modesty becomes a practical matter. I remember looking for swimwear I could nurse the baby in, without feeling fat and potpartum. That was swimwear with a batik pattern, meant to dizzy anyone brazen enough to look for long.

Once the kids were older, and I'd lost the baby fat, I found that gravity had come to stay...and I discovered Land's End. Their swimwear costs a fortune and provides support. I had a "swimdress" that I could have played tennis in without a blush.

And then,

and then....

I decided that no one was looking anyway, so why not get some sun? I bought a bikini (well-supported and overpriced). And I relaxed a lot. My stretched- out stomach faced UV rays for the first time since the late '80's.

I met Tim. All of a sudden, I had swimwear for swimming with my friends (bikini) and swimwear for Tim's pool (swimdress). I was modest right up until he expressed interest, and shared his Prince Album collection.

....Have you heard Prince? I started buying string bikinis.

And then, I had a daughter.

What am I going to wear this Summer? No idea. But I know what my girl is going to wear this Summer. There will be exactly NO cleavage. Swim Dress, baby.

On what I did this weekend

I ran four miles today with my sister. It was the first time in years that I had that euphoria that comes from running. It's like a drug. My sister is 25, as you'll recall. She was very gracious in pretending that she was keeping pace with me. She could have kicked my butt, no doubt.

Tim and I were in California for the weekend. We hung out with my grandparents, his grandpa, and his folks. But mostly my grandparents.
See, My grandparents love me. They have poured into my life more that all other people combined (save my mom). They are worthy of my respect. When I was looking for a man...I was looking for a man like Granny married.
This was the first time my Tim had met my grandparents.
It was Very Good.
As an extra bonus, the sun was shining. Love that.

We sat on the patio in the sun. Granny and Grandpa in their winter sweaters, me and Tim in Summer clothes. We soaked up the sun and talked about things that really matter. We talked about the kids, and the past, and the church, and the news. The hummingbirds dived through the air around us, and we exalted in relationship.

Relationship is God-like. It is what He designed us for, and it flows through our veins.

I love the relationships I have. They are a gift.
I love my grandparents.
I love my man.