I completed my Tri this morning. I was hoping to finish in 2 hrs 10 minutes. I finished in 1 he 57 mins. So I was really pleased. The open water swim was tough. Due to poor spotting on my part I swam an extra 200 yds and was 3rd to last out of the swim. Biking went better than normal for me and running was good. I came in the top half of novice women.

Ran 6 miles with 3 10 minute intervals at threshold pace. Now I’m resting until my Tri on Sunday.

I converted our formal dining room that was too small for our family into my space. I refinished and repurposed our old kitchen table for a worktop that currently is home to my gaming computer with two monitors. I have a gaming chair there. Above the table I have a display of Star Wars Pop figures. I repurposed and painted an old entertainment center to hold sewing and craft supplies. I also painted an old bookcase to match which stores my yarn. I purchased 2 smaller armchairs to have a cozy spot for knitting or chatting. If necessary I can put a cot in the room if we are overflowing with overnight guests.

I got in a swim workout this morning. That will be it for today

I train with a running group twice a week. This morning was 5.5 miles of hills. Hopefully I’ll get in some strength training this afternoon.

I used couch to 5k to start running too. I didn’t tell anyone including my husband about it until it was time to register for the 5k. I was too concerned I wouldn’t complete the program and didn’t want any one to know if I dropped out. There’s a free app that’s really good. I’m hoping to get back to posting regularly. I have my first triathlon this coming weekend. I’ve been training hard for the swim portion. I’m not much of a swimmer. Today - 1 1/2 hour swim practice, a easy hour bike ride and hopefully mow the yard. I’m trying to get back to regular strength training but it’s been hard with two a days for triathlon.

I think this is true regardless of homeschooling/institutional schooling. You see a lot of divorce as the kids go through high school or the nest empties. For women whether you stayed home the whole time or were the main responsible caregiver while they were in school/day care you are coming to the end of a major part of your identity/responsibility being a mom. I also think it’s easy to look at the path you haven’t taken and see the rewards and not see the sacrifices. As a stay at home parent I have a much closer relationship with my kids mostly based on shared time and experiences as opposed to dh. He’s a great dad but has a stressful time consuming job. He’s very successful at work but it’s not all roses for him. Travel, late nights working, demands from bosses, employee problems etc are all part and parcel of recognition and rewards. He can’t go back and change what he’s done to spend more time with the kids just like I can’t go back and restart my career.

I have no advice about going back to work I’m still homeschooling my youngest (4th grade). I’m 53 and haven’t worked since my oldest was born (she’s 27). My two bits of advice are 1. if you don’t want to homeschool high school don’t. Your opinion matters as much as your son’s. 2. Make friends your own age. I started running when I turned 50 then joined a running group. All of my running friends are in their 50’s and 60’s. My homeschooling friends are all much younger and even though I still have a young kid at home I really enjoy hanging out with people my own age per suing an activity that has nothing to do with my children.

Is this in the US? I’d love for my son’s school to have this. The Cafeteria is too small for the student body and the school is across the street from some good lunch options.

I usually have a piece of toast or a banana pre long run (anything over an hour). For runs over 90 minutes look at taking nutrition every 45 minutes during the run a gel or an electrolyte/carb drink like tailwind or scratch. If you’re peri menopausal Dr Sims has a new book out Next Level which is really helpful. Another mother runner is a podcast which is helpful as well.

Once when my dd was in kindergarten she lost recess because she was not keeping her eyes on her book during free reading time. She wasn’t bothering anyone or talk etc. At that time she couldn’t read at all. It was over the top. I got a note sent home in addition to the punishment. This was the only time she was disciplined that year. This is pretty typical. A lot of the expectations for young students are inappropriate and the discipline is disproportionate.

Taking away recess and silent lunch in elementary schools were the two most used and in my opinion the most overly harsh punishments. The kids were 7 and elementary school is a long day for them to begin with.

You need to keep your eyes open and stay away. They’ll attack people and pets etc. They are also surprisingly fast. It’s particularly dangerous if there are people who are feeding them. (Lord knows why anyone would feed them).

I get most of my workout gear at Academy Sports. Their store brand leggings are usually under $20. I have full length and capris. I’m small chested so the store brand sports bras are fine. I’ve also gotten sports bras in a 2 pack from Costco puma I think. Those were good too. For tops I have several quick dry tanks some store brand some underarmour. Store brand is fine for the gym as long as the a/c is decent. The UA tanks are much better but that only matters if I’m running outside. I like leggings for exercise classes and yoga. It’s just much more modest. For running/walking I prefer nike tempo shorts with the liner included. They’re usually on sale for around $20.

I would let the 18 yo make their own decision. I would probably send all 3 assuming your 18 yo has a car and will be taking it with them. I would talk to the 18 yo about taking everyone home if things get uncomfortable. I’d encourage your kids to invite the other kids to your house more. I would not send the 12 yo over for extended periods by of time alone.

French press and an electric kettle so simple and such a game changer.

This. We need to know what we are asking kids to live with. She smeared herself with her friend’s blood playing dead for an hour while surrounded by dead classmates calling 911 waiting for the good guys with a gun to show up. The good guys with a gun were right outside too afraid to go in. All so we have unfettered gun access. This is what we are willing to accept.

If it’s not their job then get out of the way and let others save the children. There were 19 police officers in the hall while children in the classroom were calling 911 begging for help for over a half hour. There were 150 police officers guarding the perimeter stopping parents who were willing to die to save their children. They prevented border control officers who wanted to go in immediately and rescue children and take down the killer from entering the building for half an hour. If it’s not their job get out of the way.

Has anyone else read that there were 150 officers surrounding the school? Good guy with a gun myth must end.

Yes here’s a link https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2018/12/21/us-judge-says-law-enforcement-officers-had-no-legal-duty-protect-parkland-students-during-mass-shooting/ This is all so overwhelming. Police have no obligation to do anything. It makes you wonder what’s the point in having them involved. Parkland was one resource officer running for his car. This case police formed a perimeter blocking help while doing nothing.

Exactly any parent would have gone in especially knowing your child is in there. You’d take the chance that the distraction stops the shooter and gives the police the chance to shoot/capture him. There’s no way it turns out worse than the 19 kids 1 teacher shot in that room. The blame for the shooting lies on the perpetrator however once the decision was made not to attempt to engage the shooter/enter the classroom the police have some responsibility for the decision they made.

It sounds like a choice was made to sacrifice this one classroom to save others. It’s a terrible choice. Those poor parents outside the school knowing their kids are in that room. If this is the best that the police can do how/why does anyone think armed teachers can do any better.

There’s a National Geographic special on Disney+ that profiles the North Carolina Zoo. It was really interesting. I’ve been to the NC zoo several times. It’s quite nice.

Before you spend loads of money on a program try spending a week recording what you eat using a free app. I use MyFitnessPal my dh uses lose it. Measure and accurately record your portion sizes. You maybe surprised at how many calories you are eating. It was really eye opening for my dh to see how many calories he was really eating and helped him make better choices and lose weight.

Momto3innc are you in nc? If so do you mind mentioning who did the surgery? When you say 2 large curve what were the angles of the curves? Where you originally told out of school for 6 weeks? We we’re told 3. Thanks. My 16yo ds is having spinal fusion this May for scoliosis in NC.