Day 78 – 80 Post Party! (And What A Party…)

Dear G, I'm so tired. I'm tired in every way there is to be tired. Even tired of being tired.

J had a the calmest of birthdays. A said quite cruely "this doesn't feel like a birthday", and I see what she meant, but under the circumstances it was the best we could wish for. Turning four J was still very tired and so pale, but well enough to help me to bake the cake he had wished for: an apple & watermelon cake. Absolutely no cream. Just fruits. He is so healthy, how come he gets more sick than anyone else?

I had never heard about a apple & watermelon cake before, so we really made it up as we baked it. And the little man claimed it was the best cake he ever had. Do I have to tell you his sisters did not agree?

Instead of a birthday party (postponed, but not forgotten) we've had crying parties with feverish L at nights.

Late nights, early mornings – we've had it all.

She gets Tamiflu too, but I think she might be having an ear infection. I know that isn't nice to say, but I was so concerned about J and when L also turned sick I was really to tired to handle it. Instead of praying for her life I just wanted to scream: SLEEP! Sleep, and sleep in your own bed, I'll get you anything if you just SLEEP.

The bar is open 9 pm – 7 am.

This is what kills me, and CJ can't really help me, as she is totally mother-craving when sick. (Also when not sick, but not as hysterically so…) And of course, the nightly parties have been waking him up too, so we're two tired parents trying not to explode.

Today that normally so happy and sunny little girl has been so ANGRY. I never seen her so angry! Though she explained it to me: I'M NOT ANGRY, I'M JUST SAYING NO!

I surely hope M doesn't get the same. Tummy aching and very sleepy were J's first sign… But if, just call me, I know everything about it now… Tomorrow we're going back to dr David, and hopefully we'll find out if the ghost is gone or still alive …

I say it again: you can't believe how tired I am. Or maybe you are the one that would know…

So what kept me alive? I've been running. Both Sunday and Monday. For a change I've chosen the south side of the bay instead of the north, getting some hill training. I want to prepare for the hilly running we're doing September 27, and I also needed something new. Today I even run the most hilly part twice, the one next to the bay (passing Ekholmsnäs). I actually enjoy the hilly running. Makes the running less monotone, don't you think?

WORKOUT: 7.89 + 7.86 k, a little yoga yesterday but no stretch at all today. I was lost in the woods and very late for dinner… But so glad I could get out and let go of the worry…

ps. Be glad that your party is over and done! And no, they wouldn't get the present-lacking party idea. They wouldn't get it at all. But I'll tell you a little secret: boys get better gifts. No Hello Kittens or Hi Plastic Bunnies, no boxes of 1000 cheap pearls in every vulgar colour. And certainly no high heels for 4 years-old with feathers.

But when they get bad things, they are much worse.

Soundmaking Parents Torture.

Screaming cars, exploding rockets.

Hells Angels or Drug dealer's estethic.

War.

And Death.

All of a sudden you'd long for Hello Kitty …

So I have another idea. Let's allow ourselfes to be a little snobbish again. Introducing The Posh Party, saying in the invitation that only full quality pedagogic presents are wished for.

Ok, maybe it's not such a great idea… My head might be out of function.

So it's time to say:

Goodnight,

C

Day 79 & 80 Post Party & ??

Dear C,
How is everyone? M had her party and I ate cake. We spent much of the day cleaning and preparing and hoping the weather held out. It did, we survived and used "our" playground as a base.
Perhaps in the future we should host present free parties?? Maybe plant a tree or save a child in a third world country instead. Would our 4 year olds understand this? Or what about a book party? On the invite write: please books only! Do not bring sparkly purses, anything hello kitty, or boxes filled with thousands of tiny beads...
Yesterday we all went to bed tired, but got up and out. Now Ms. M has a tummy ache and doesn´t seem to feel well. She fell asleep at 6 and is out. Sooooo we will see.
Ran last night 7k but ate some junk over the weekend and exceeded my two glasses of wine. Not great, but it was the weekend. Back to normal today and gearing up for yoga.
XXG

Day 78 What a difference a day makes

Dear C,
By now I hope things are a bit better for you and the kids and you were able to celebrate J´s 4th birthday. It is nice to hear that the meds for the "new flue" seem to work if it is in fact that.
Yesterday, when arriving home from work I just had to decompress from the week. As I started out it was sunny with a little wind, but as I kept going I was running with the clouds. The forest turned darker, and the wind got stronger. This made me run faster, am not sure why but everyone I met was looking up and wondering. By the time I arrived home it was raining but not too hard.
Today, another beautiful, sunny day. Easy to run a quick 6k. I feel good even though my shoulders have some issues. I know that my back muscles are very weak-and before I can really dig in the training at the gym I must solve the problem. Mostly, it comes with the rushing, and work. The one thing I know is that it gets worse without movement so that is why I keep going.
Preparing for M´s birthday party tomorrow. Party bags and baking a cake now. Many well wishes to you all. Get strong, and take a deep breath.
XXG

Day 76 - 77 This Is Nothing To Joke About

Guess who was Dr David's first Tamiflu patient?

My son.

The very one that is turning four tomorrow.

He's been having very high fever, heavy breathing and an aching stomach. By the way he also has an ear infection. A New flue test is taken, Dr David will call us Monday or Tuesday.

Now L also has fever.

I'm sleeping in their room to wake up if there are more breathing problems.

They say that the new flue is not dangerous. People get panic without reason. It's just dangerous for the "risk patients".

Like my son for example…

Wish us luck,

C

WPRKOUT: obviously not running. But I'm so glad you liked the yoga. And as soon as I get a chance, I will conquer the world. Starting with E's new challenges…

Day 75 September!

Dear G, September IS a beautiful month.
Not too cold, not too hot. Kids can be at their schools or preschools, mothers have time to develop their professionell skills.
Maybe even have time to enjoy the fresh, crispy air by running.
That is, of course, if their kids are healthy enough to be at there places.

Unlike my son, the big apple lover, the wonderful person that gets so easily sick. Noone has ever scared me like he does when he turns sick. Great love, lots of fear.

Day 75 September!

Dear C,

September has arrived and many plants in the forest have started to turn brown but it still is warm and feels like summer by the water. Some of the most beautiful flowers are still blooming and so colorful. The other day I ran by a beautiful garden so I had to go by again today.

Today some muscles that I didn´t even existed hurt-so it felt better to just keep going. Yoga, was different than I thought it would be- better. It challenged, stretched, and made me think of some very important things such as balance, and my flabby stomach. My mind didn´t wander and I didn´t think about much-but maybe too little? After a long day at work, and in Swedish my brain is mush. Overall, it will be great-good training and a lovely weekly ritual.

Getting back to the September. Time is flying. I can´t remember if I actually registered for the Lidingö loppet? Then I looked online and saw that you can only register on the day of the race now-ugh!

Also am so glad that we will continue the next 100 days as we are really just getting going!

PS Do you know the area where I should look for place for skiloppet? Hard for me to know where these things are from web site.

Today: 5.4km

Food, though need to eat more ( can you believe I am writing that)? Not so much time during day for anything, including eating! Barely have had breakfast or lunch this week.

Could use good stretch after today but am so done for today!

XXG

Day 73 – 74 Reaching New Hights

Dear readers, yesterday I had so much fever for a while that I couldn't even fix my daughters lunch.

No, it's not the new flue, it's just a cold mulitplicated with no sleep. Nothing to worry about, happens to moms all over the world…

Today I'm much better, and this very evening G & I started a new chapter in our search for better lives.

I have suggested to G that she should join the class of my favourite yoga teacher – here demonstrating a hand stand on a mountain in Bolivia (might seem like a strange thing to do, but to my yogi that's just business as usual).

And today, this historical day, after almost four years and at least 4 1/2 100 days clubs G finally joined me to yoga!

So what did she say? What did she think? Did she like it?

Well, among other things she said "This is Chinese torture". And "You're making me a cripple". Plus even "You're making me do this so that I can't run".

She has a good sense of humor, my friend.

And as everyone knows, there is no way I can beat her in our Nike+ running challenge. I would have to run both another 104 k PLUS what she will be running – in 26 days.

Yoga will make her stronger, and even more dangerous.

God knows what will happen.

We might even end up standing on our hands in Bolivia…