Beau Jackson

It’s been a crazy couple of weeks.  Last weekend was the Mo-Kan goat show in Sedalia.  Dominic went (he did well, with some goats, ok with others), and one of his doe kids broke her leg.  We’re really not quite sure how, unless she tried to jump out of the pen.  She should heal up ok, but having a goat with a cast on is a pain.

Last Wednesday, Allena broke *her* arm – she slipped on the front porch steps.  It had been raining and she didn’t realize it.  She broke her radius on her left arm, very near the thumb.  She’ll be in a splint for four weeks, and then a short cast for another three weeks or so.

Thus ends the broken bones report.

Today was Elizabeth’s first communion, which went well all things considered.  It was a high Mass, and as it was the feast of Corpus Christi, we had a procession (canopy and everything) afterwards, and Elizabeth got to walk right behind the priest in her communion dress and veil, which was very nice.  The diocese newspaper sent a photographer – maybe she’ll have her picture in the paper?

Before we got to church was a little hectic…we couldn’t find Teresa’s shoes (it’s always Teresa it seems).  We looked for nearly an hour – we ended up buying a new pair.  On the way there, we discovered that we (ahem…I) left the veil for Elizabeth’s dress at home.  Allena called a friend whose little girl had recently made her first communion, and fortunately was able to borrow a veil (whew!).

After we got home from church was…well…”nasty” begins to describe it.  You see, our AC has been out for a while now, and we’ve been leaving the porch door open with a big fan blowing to keep things cool.  Our porch has a gate, so this has been working to keep animals out.  However, we (ahem…I) apparently didn’t get the gate latched.  And the goats pushed the gate open.  And the goats came in the house.  And the goats SHIT ALL OVER THE HOUSE!!!!!  I can only say I’m astounded that they restricted themselves to the floor – it’s amazing that there wasn’t goat shit on the sofas or beds or table or counters, etc.

So right now I’m fairly disgusted.  I suppose with time, I will see the humor, and remember the good parts of today.  For now, I’m glad that it’s over and my daughters communion went well.

As for running – only had one run last week.  Allena’s arm has made things problematic (can’t pick up children well), but we’re getting used to it.  I’ll figure out where I am this week and report again – hopefully with good success – next week.

Week 6a went much better than week 6.  I got all three runs in, and did well with each of them.  It’s finally started getting warm and Saturday’s run really dehydrated me.  I need to get out a little earlier in the morning, and I’m going to start carrying water/Gatorade with me.  Next week begins running – no more running/walking.  The length of time goes down, but next Monday I’m supposed to run 20 minutes non-stop, which I haven’t done in about 15 or 16 years.  Wish me luck!  I feel pretty good about it.  This week I ran 10 minute intervals with 1 minute walks so I think it should go well.

Week 6 just didn’t happen.  I ran on Monday and actually did well – ran one mile, walked for two minutes, ran for another mile.  I haven’t ran that far in *years*.  It was slow – about 10 minutes per mile, but it was a milestone.

Sadly, it rained the rest of the week (a LOT) and I didn’t do any more running.  This week is supposed to be drier, so I’m going to call it week “6a”.

I’ve been writing about marathon training a lot lately, with only occasional tidbits about other things going on in life.

I think the biggest thing happening lately is that our oldest son is learning to drive.  He’s actually doing a pretty good job of it.  Last Saturday I took him driving in my little old truck, which has a 4-speed manual transmission.  The only other time he’s ever driven a stick was in his grandparent’s truck out in a hay field.  I gotta say I’m proud of him.  Not only was this the first time he drove a stick on the road, but I actually took him out on the highway for the first time too.  He does very well on the road – parking lots are a little scary.  He particularly needs to practice driving in reverse more.  I think I only yelled a couple of times :) and I sure laughed more than I yelled.  Anyone who drives a stick knows that starting off in first when pointing up-hill is tricky.  At one point he stalled 4 or 5 times trying to get out of a parking lot.  It got to be pretty silly.

William is getting to be more and more consistent with using the potty.  Only peeing so far, but going through two or three pull-ups a day is lots cheaper than a bunch of diapers.

Vincent is getting bigger and bigger – we think he’s got a tooth coming in, and he’s trying to roll.

Elizabeth will be taking first communion on the first Sunday of next month (if all goes as planned!).  Both Elizabeth and Teresa have cute new *short* hair cuts as well – nice for summer, but also nicer to brush as there are fewer tangles.

Julianna is really starting to talk more and more.  She asks for things and is starting to use multiple words together.  She also likes to sing “Old McDonald” and will sing out “E-I-E-I-O….COW!” :)

Allena has been running with me (and on her own) too, and is beginning to see the results with some slimming down.  We’ve both been trying to eat a little healthier too, and I think that’s helped.

On the farm, we have one doe left to kid, and one ewe (maybe) left to lamb – we’re not sure about the ewe.  I also managed to pretty much destroy the chicken coop trying to move it.  It’ll have to be re-built.  Meanwhile the chickens are all pretty pissed off.

So, that’s the update – anything going on in your lives, oh loyal readers? :)

Well, finally!  I have lost some weight – I’m down to 276 this morning, which is the first time I’ve been in the 270’s since about September of last year.

My running is improving – this week I went for 35 minutes at a time, and ran for 5 minutes / walked for 1.  I only ran twice last week (I’m going to try to run today, hopefully that will work out).  I’m at the point where I *think* I could run a full mile without stopping (gasp!  how amazing!  lol).  Of course, Week 7 calls for running 2 miles.  As I said, I had to step back from the training schedule so that I’m only running 3 times per week instead of 4, to keep my shins from aching.  Week 7 may have to have a week 7a, 7b, and 7c just to build up to that full two miles :)

In other news, William has started using the potty with some consistency – he still goes through several pull-ups per day, but he’s using the potty as often as not.  Woot woot!