Helvetia 10k

After feeling so heavy and tired during my last pregnancy I couldn't wait to start moving again! So I started running with some friends in the mornings a few months ago and then decided I would really like to try a race course. I've always loved to run.....but I've also always had a hard time finding motivation to do so! So this was a great opportunity! There is a really great race course near here so for my first race I picked the Helvetia 10k (or Widmer Drop Top, as it's technically called). It was really hard to not want to really push it and sign up for the half marathon and I'm so glad I didn't now- the 10k was just right for the first time! I have a terrific running partner and really wouldn't have gotten this far without her! I'm so lucky!
Kristy and I started our race a little after 8am this morning at a clipping pace (maybe a little too quick, but I was over-eager) and finished with a sprint (that I didn't think I'd have in me at mile 4.5!) into the stadium at 9:05am with a race time of 1:02:26. My little family and my sister were there waiting for me at the finish line. It was just a really empowering feeling, that accomplishment! ...Maybe even a little addicting!

Aluminum Anniversery

How do we celebrate 10 years of marriage?

By forgetting all about it, of course!

Happy 10 years honey, in true Church style...

circa May 21, 1999

Here we go again...

When we bought a house back in 2002, we bought new appliances that we thought would last us forever since they were supposed to be a reputable brand. Namely, the Maytag Neptune Washer and Dryer and the Maytag Wide-by-Side refrigerator. Last summer when our washer's keypad stopped responding, I thought I would simply be able to buy a new keypad from a parts store online and fix this myself. However, when I dug a little deeper online, I found that this was not the case. The washer had been part of a recall that we had missed out on and to fix the problem would cost us about as much as a new washer. So off it went (free) to an appliance recycler who spotted it on Craigslist. This made me super sad (and mad!) since I really did like my washer quite a bit!



Our fridge, I have loved also. It is very spacious- able to hold my party platters and such (a feature I use surprisingly often). However, due to the frequent moves it has been subjected to, it has received a few bruises and scrapes and even has a drawer "up on blocks".



In addition, yesterday Hylton pulled himself up standing with the flip-out drawer in the door and lost one of the pegs that holds it in. The crushed ice button no longer works and the fridge makes a weird gurgling sound back behind it. It also seems to be oozing a mysterious orange glaze that I am constantly wiping up off the bottom.



Clearly, it needs some help. Today, finally, the milk was warm. That was the last straw. I looked online for troubleshooting and found that it, too, is part of a recall. Thankfully, this time it is recent enough that we can still claim our share. Evidently, there is a problem with the compressor and some kind of switch that can get ultra hot and melt all your frozen food (and sometimes start cooking it!) and even start fires. As mad as I was that the fridge stopped working, I can't help but feel grateful that the first sign of a problem wasn't my kitchen up in flames!

So, tomorrow, sometime between Noon and Dinner, the friendly Maytag repairman will have to put aside his magazine and come to call. Too bad he didn't spend a little more time getting the machines to work right in the first place! I'm thinking his retirement plans will have to wait... As indignant as we are at having thrown good money away, he'll be lucky to leave with a whole skin!