Jock Strap!

Tonight we had a rather unexpected surprise at Karate ... somehow I didn't get the memo, but thankful to happen to have my camera in my handbag!

It turned out that it was Cody's graduation.  He performed with his classmates, broke a wooden board in 2 with his bare hands and was presented with the highest 'Ranger' honour of a solid Gold Belt.  This means he is now ready to commence his Leadership training in the young adult classes as of next week.   He also now wears a new fancy smancy uniform!!!  He's very self impressed and full of self accomplishment!  At this same time I needed to purchase his protective gear ...  

Yes, we (meaning Cody) had to 'inspect' in detail every item before we left the building ... it was so funny to watch - but my favourite was when he got to the Jock Strap ... 'mum, why to I have to wear one of these? (holding up a jock strap and using his normal speaks - aka loud) ... So quietly I tell him ... it's to protect your 'privates' (trying to keep anatomy talk to a minimum)  You see, I've never tried to hide or give cute names to his body parts - he's always called a spade a spade, and today evidently was going to be like every other day ....

Cody: what does it do?  How does it work?  Why would anyone try to hurt my penis?  As the body parts started to flow naturally from his mouth, the smiling and interested spectators started leaving like I had the plague .... evidently my answers did not satisfy him ...

And his questions didn't stop. Started again in the grocery store, and library ... and all the time in his 'quiet' voice! (Being scarcastic there!).

We got home and he was beside himself to inspect them further .... mum, he said, they look like undies! With pieces missing ...

Now, I myself having never seen a pair up close, intriged as much as he, and dying inside laughing whilst pretending all the time to be knowledgeable, slowly figuring how to put the piece in, you know, the hard bit, and then getting him try them on.  If only I could have captured the look of male reverence as he proudly displayed his new acquisition.  So I got a wooden spoon and proceeded to hit it. Big smile on his face.  Mamma, it doesn't hurt!!!  NOW he gets it!

I still haven't been able to explain well enough to satisfy his curiosity as to why girls don't use one ... Cody's logic dictates that girls have 'privates' too ... make sense to me ... ???


Anyways, proud of my little ones accomplishments and he looks like he's ready to take on the world!  Yea for all the Jock Straps out there!

'When You Thought I Wasn't Looking' - unknown author

Found this poem in Cody's Karate's monthly newsletter.  Makes me stop and think about how my words and actions should always be setting a positive example ....


When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you hang my first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately wanted to paint another one.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you feed a stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind to animals.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make my favourite cake for me, and I learned that the little things can be the special things in life.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I heard you say a prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always talk to, and I learned to trust in him.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you make a meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I learned that we all have to help take care of each other.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of your time and money to help people who had nothing, and I learned that those who have something should give to those who don't.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you take care of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have to take care of what we are given.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw how you handled your responsibilities, even when you didn't feel good, and I learned that I would have to be responsible when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw tears come from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things hurt, but it's all right to cry.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I say that you cared, and I wanted to be Everything that I could be.

When you though I wasn't looking, I learned most of life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and productive person when I grow up.

When you thought I wasn't looking, I looked at you and wanted to say, 'Thanks for all the things I saw when you thought I wasn't looking.'

The Birth of a Marathon Runner!

I'm going to run a marathon!  There ... I said it!  And yes my friends are looking sideways at me - but that's ok!  


Why you ask?  How on earth did you get to that?


Well, while we were in London, England, the London Marathon took place - and it ran right by our hotel, so we were smack bang in the middle of it!  We went out and cheered for about 5 hours - I lost my voice ... absolutely did not think it would be very interesting ... instead had a ball of a time!!


Cody turns to Daddy and says, 'Daddy, why don't you run in the Marathon so we can cheer you on?'  Daddy replies ... 'oohhhh, Daddy couldn't do that, but Mummy can!' ... so there you have it ... 


So, I ask you, why not?  Yes, I'm starting out a little later in life, but some of those runners were in their 80's and I'm guessing they started somewhere!!!  For those of you who know me, I'm very determined once I commit to a task.  I'm not planning to WIN the marathon - although stranger things have happened - just to be in one and finish the line .... no pressure, running and walking when needing to!


I'm slow ... in fact you most likely can walk faster than I can run ... that's ok.  I'm there for me, not to race.  


There really are LOTS of benefits as I see it.  They include:


Great roll model for my son
Getting fit
Losing some flab - I hope
Gaining energy
Acomplishing goals


Here's the downside as I see it:


Finding the time to fit the excercise in
Injuries
Paying to run in races (what's with that????)
Wear and tear on my body


So what have I done so far?  I started on the treadmill and eliptical while I was in London - walking of course!  Then slowing introducing the running.  20 mins on each.  Once I got home I dusted off the treadmill and have been using that to build up.


When I started I ran at a 4 miles per hour pace to find my groove ... which by the way took 6 weeks of making myself so it.  Once I found my groove, running became addictive.  What I mean by finding my groove is when you push a tad and can keep on running without having to stop for a walk.  My visual motivation that I watch on the treadmill is:


Distance
Calories burned


I'm not killing myself and constantly monitor my heart rate so as to manage my running.  After I returned from Europe, I went for my first 5k run with a friend and we had a blast!!!  She left in the dust and did a fabulous job!  I think I did good to ... well, for me I did and I was running ... and I crossed the finish line ... more amazingly, I wasn't last!!!


I ran my first 5 k in 46 minutes and I didn't kill myself.  I did however get a sore knee so now I'm on joint vitamins to help with the fluids in the knee.  That was the first time off the treadmill so it was a little rougher on my body.


I still have a lot to learn - but I'm going to do it!  It may take me a while to build up, but that's ok too.  My hubby has helped me get decked with 'real shoes', some clothes and most exciting was my generation 2 ishuffle!!!  Wouldn't mind the garmin type watch, but that can wait!!!  So, I look the part!


My friend was very encouraging before my first 5k when she told me that I have a ready won.   Standing at the start line when 99.9% of the worlds population wasn't ... all I had to do was finish the race.   


So, that's it in a nutshell.  I'm going to run a marathon!

Thought Provoking ....

Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.
- Maria Robinson