Category Archives: Family

On the Road Again….

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I was on the road again this weekend with the kiddos to go see Grandma & Grandpa TooTall and make a visit to a local indoor water park!  I managed to squeeze in a quick 6 miler before the festivities began.  When I’m up at the lake, it’s mostly road running.  I picked a route with a few hills since I was going short.

Then I was barely back in the house and the kids were dressed and ready for their adventure at the water park!  We went to Splash Universe in Shipshewana, IN.  The area is really known for its flea market and Amish shops but in order to accommodate the large number of visitors to Amish Country, the town had to build up a bit with restaurants and hotels.  This is one of the “fun” hotels that has an indoor water park and since it’s about 20 minutes from the lake, we try to go once in the winter so the kids can have some fun in the water and enjoy the 80 degree temps. 

See those slides in the middle?  Michael LOVED those things, probably went down them several hundred times, if not more.  Grammie would stand at the top to help police the little ones from piling down on top of each other and I was at the bottom to move Michael along so he didn’t get crushed by the next one coming down.  And then he would walk back to the top and do that again, and again, and again, and AGAIN.

Then this morning, I needed to go out for a longer run since I didn’t do it yesterday.  I wasn’t feeling it at all.  I really needed to run 12 but I could barely talk myself into leaving the house so I was pretty sure that wouldn’t happen.  Then once I did get out the door, I couldn’t get my Nike+ GPS Sportwatch to link up.  Apparently, it was tired too.  I waited & waited & waited then basically took off running figuring that’s why I had the sensor for moments just like this.  So I ran.

I made it about a mile before ducking into a seasonal campground.  I expected it to be deserted and wanted to see if there were any trails remaining from when we used to snowmobile there during my childhood.   We used to spend a lot of time in this location in the winter months as this was home base for a local snowmobile club that would snowmobile all over the lakes  and then return to this campground to warm up in one of the buildings where they would have coffee, hot chocolate and food.  However, that was when we used to get lots of snow in the winter. I can’t imagine that snowmobile club exists anymore, and I’m quite certain that most of the members of that snowmobile club are long gone like my grandparents.  So today was a trip down memory lane and like all good memories, the current reality never measures up.  I did find one old trail down by the lake but it was very overgrown almost to the point of being impassable.  I didn’t make it far before giving up and turning back. 

After giving up on “trail” running, I just circled the roads in the campground.  Half of the roads were pancake flat and the other half were very hilly.  So it was a good mix and I definitely got in some nice slow miles that were challenging.  I ended up with approximately 10.5 miles today but they were very slow.

So good weekend, lots of fun, a few run miles and lots of drive miles.

What did you do this weekend?

Happy Running,                                                                                                       Amanda – TooTallFritz

Time Changes ALMOST Everything……

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It was a busy weekend.  I went home to my parents with the kiddos for a trip to the Shrine Circus.  We have been going every year since Aby was 1 and now with Michael only being 2, we will be sitting in those same seats for many years to come.  I know we shouldn’t go because of all the sticky animal rights issues and we recognize that we are just perpetuating the problem but the kids love it, so we keep going back.  Then Sara and I whisper back and forth the entire time about how unnatural it is for the animals to have to do tricks, etc, all the while the kids are ooohhhhing and aaaahhhhing.  Auntie Sara & Michael, of course, he was being a stinker and wouldn’t look at the camera.

Grandma F & her girls – Lexi (Sara’s Daughter), Grandma & Aby:

Lots of fun but Michael kept demanding that the elephants “come, now!”  He was screaming at the top of his lungs, “Elephants, COME!”  At one point, he even insisted that he would go get them himself.  Yep, that’s my boy.  Sometimes if you REALLY want something then you just can’t wait but have to MAKE IT HAPPEN!

On days like this when I’m at the parents, I usually get up in the dark really early and go for a run before all the fun begins.  However, on Saturday when my alarm went off in the wee hours of the morning, I opened my eyes to shut down the alarm and realized that my head was pounding.  Killer headache before I even woke up.  Yikes!  So, I {gasp} opted to skip the run.  Once I finally was able to haul myself out of bed to go to the circus I soon discovered that “sleeping in” was a good option as we had a nice 1″ cover of snow and the roads were a mess.  I wouldn’t have made it far before I would have had to turn around for safety issues.

However, the change of run plans ended up being a great thing because I decided to run a new trail, mid day, in the town where I went to high school.  I had previously seen a  trail map of the Bixler Lake Walking Trail which was a perfect 3.1 mile loop around Bixler Lake.  Wow, things have changed since I went to HS.  This trail didn’t exist then.  I must admit my expectations were not high but I managed to recruit my pal Adella and she was brave enough to leave her warm house and snuggly kiddos break trail with me around Bixler. 

I was slightly nervous about getting lost, which if you know Kendallville, IN, this sounds RIDICULOUS but it was a trial thru the woods and well, I was anxious.  So I was beyond happy that Adella came out with me!  We soon realized that this “new” trail was AMAZING!  I took a billion lot of photos but will try to pare them down for you.  Here is the view from the parking area at the Sherman Street entrance which is only about a 1/4 mile from the HS. 

We ran about a 100 meters before I asked Adella if she would sit her ass on this snowy bench for the sake of a photo.  I know you are all green with envy, wishing it were your ass in the snow you were here with us.  

Sites from the Bixler Lake Trail

The wooded section was short, I was too busy taking photos talking with Adella to notice exactly how far but I would guestimate it being possibly 1/3 of the 3.1 mile loop, so roughly a mile.  However, the snow and terrain did not make it a quick trip thru the woods.  The area was also very wet, I would anticipate it being extremely wet in the spring and summer.  There were many places were we crunched thru snow/ice and into a little bit of  water.  Not deep but it was in the upper 20’s so definitely below freezing, and there was a wicked wind too so everything was frozen pretty good.  Just don’t wear your new shoes out here if you are gonna bitch worry about getting them dirty.  Once we busted out of the woods we were in familiar territory near the camp sites and pavilions where we used to run Cross Country. 

Hey random walking dude, can you take our picture?  A few sites from up by the camp sites. 

The remainder of the loop was much less eventful as we had to run the road back around the lake.  There were some improvements over the last 20 year as the K-Ville Parks & Rec Dpt has added a walking path and street lights beside a portion of the lakeside road.

Other things seem timeless……just the way we left them.

Kudos, Kendallville for the “new” improvements.  I’m impressed and I will definitely be back!  Thank you!  Please add a Starbucks next.

Saturday was a 9.22 mile day.  I ran the loop once with Adella, then we did some easier street miles, then I re-ran the loop solo.  The first loop was with Yak Trax that worked really awesome on the snowy trail but then I had to take them off once we hit the road.  The second loop, I ran without the Yak Trax and had some serious slippin’ and slidin’ going on in the wooded area.  So I give the Yak Trax a thumbs up in appropriate conditions.

Today (Sunday), I squeaked in a quick 5.5 miles as the kiddos were having breakfast with Grammie & Grampie.   I LOVE being at the lake with the parents because they honestly don’t mind my disappearing for a few miles.  Here is the sun coming up over Witmer Lake. 

                                             Swamp lands around the lakes:Lastly, the spot where LilWhiteDog ran out of the cornfield and into my heart forever.  I hope he is doing well in his new home.Great weekend running and otherwise.  I hope all of you had some fun and are ready to start a new week!  Did you do anything exciting or were you able to try anything new?

Happy Running!                                                                                                              Amanda – TooTallFritz

Practicality….

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So all the practical runners are now running boring subdivion routes to avoid those snowy & slick trails.  While I certainly understand the practicality of that decision, I still long for the beauty and tranquility of the tree-lined trails.  So Aurelia was brave enough to give it a go with me yesterday on the trails near Yankee Woods.  Me & Aurelia: 

But we didn’t make it very far.  We struggled thru deep snow for less than a mile before pulling out and hitting the roads.  It was beautiful even though short-lived and it sucks that of course, practicality always wins. 

We stopped so that I could remove the YakTraks, which were great in the snow, then off to traverse new and unexplored neighborhoods.  It was windy and cold at 22 degrees but the neighborhood homes did provide a wind break and we muddled thru for a slow 10.04 miles.  I’m pretty sure that I was holding Aurelia back as my quads are fatigued from some new activities and it was slow going for me but she was kind about it.  Thanks, Aurelia!

It was good that I got up and out early as my lil man did not leave my hip once I returned home.  At first it was all smiles and giggles and playing.

And then my lil man turned into a sleepy, feverish sickie.  He still isn’t better.  I’m currently awaiting the meds to wear off to see if he needs to visit the doc.   Love my lil man and totally don’t want him to be sick, ever if it does mean extra cuddles and love for Mommy TooTall.

Amanda – TooTallFritz

A Picture’s Worth….

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They always say that a picture is worth a thousand words and since we did about a thousand things today, this is the cliff note version in pictorial form.  The morning started with a quick run with the F’N Running Club.  After 7 to 9 inches of snow falling across the south suburbs, we were pretty light on bodies this morning.  Joe, Susan, Brian & Nicole showed up to run.  A a subdivision route was chosen in order to stay off the snowy, slippery trail.

I even busted my YakTrax out of the box.  They have been sitting new and unused for several years.  I really liked them in the snowy/slushy areas but they really hurt my feet when the streets were clear.  I could feel those springs up in my arch and it didn’t feel good on the Plantar Fasciitis.  I will try them out again tomorrow for a second chance but they may be banished back the to box sooner rather than later.

F’N Runners showing they are multi-talented and can run with their eyes closed.  Joe & Susan:Nicole:

Then straight home to the kiddos to play in the snow!  Aby on the snowmobile:

Daddy & Michael:

Michael and Aby on the swing….exactly what ALL kids do when there is 7″ of snow on the ground, right?

Dakota loves the snow!Libby hates the snow!

Then off to a car show.  The kiddos loved the Joker car.Then a few more errands and over to Grandpa C’s for Happy Birthday Cake.  Michael likes birthdays almost as much as he likes Santa. 

Then a “nutritious” take-out dinner:

Wow, busy day!  What did you do today?

Amanda – TooTallFritz

MomZilla…..

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You know how some days are just better than others?  Well, yesterday wasn’t one of the “good” ones.  I was emotionally off my rocker distressed.  For over a week, we have had a screaming toddler. 

Now our toddler ALWAYS screams, so what makes this so over the top?  Well, he has been screaming non-stop for a week, plus won’t sleep unless pressed up against me.  I move, he wakes up.  He even screamed over the weekend when Grammie was in town and that is really bad because usually everything is all about “Grammie”.  He even screamed when she was holding him.  So as a loving and caring Mom, I tried to be rational.  I tried to justify the screaming in that he might possibly be getting sick.  Or he may be getting new teeth.  Or maybe he is tired.  Who the hell really knows but yesterday I reached my breaking point.  And wow, did I break.  I snapped in two, over and over again. 

I was a MOMZILLA, or so I thought.  However, that term has already been appropriated in the Urban Dictionary, look HERE if you want to know the real definition of Momzilla.  So since I can’t use the word “momzilla”, let me just say that I was a Crazy Ass Bitch  crabby and screaming at everyone.  I had a lot of issues going on too….long day working/commuting. 

Okay, that’s not my desk but you have seen my desk already: 

Commuting was back to reality too with EVERYONE back to work after the holidays.

Then my friend is in town so I am particularly edgy.

All I want is chocolate, a good workout and some quiet-time.  But I was out of chocolate frosting. 

And the screaming toddler really got in the way of the good workout although I did give it an honest effort.

And then after, okay during, the half assed workout, I just couldn’t take it anymore.  I freaked out screamed and probably would have quit, if that had been an option.

I am hoping this Amanda comes back soon.  She is nice to people and enjoys spending time with her screaming children.

How do you deal with stressors, particularly when it’s that time of the month?  “Normally”, I do better but apparently I’m not feeling very normal.  Sigh…..

Stressed Out Mommy,                                                                                                Amanda – TooTallFritz

 

I Don’t Have Time……

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Time…..that is the issue.  Each of us struggles with the time management issue on a daily basis.  What do you have time for in your life?  Or more importantly, let’s just be honest, what do you MAKE time for in your life?

No time for workouts?  No time for reading?  No time to take care of yourself?  No time to cook healthy for your family?  No time to blog?  No time to keep up on Facebook?  No time to clean your house?  No time to play with your kids?  No time to sit and smell the roses?  Well, what DID you have time to do today?

I think moderation is key but I must admit that I try to fit in as much as I can each and every day.  I don’t have time for everything, and I screw mess things up a lot, but I do what I can.  I feel as if each day I am living on borrowed time.  The clock is ticking.  Time is running out. 

Please forgive me if I sometimes seem distracted.  Please forgive me if I appear to be rushing.  Please forgive me if I am tired because I was working, or cuddling my baby, while you were sleeping.  Some days there are things I must do, things which may not be important to you but matter to me.  I strongly urge you to think for a minute and figure out what you must to do today?  What needs to be done tomorrow?  Please figure out what is really important.  I guarantee that if it is REALLY important, then you will make the time.  No more excuses.  No more “next year”.  Make It Happen.  For you.  For your family.  For your life.  There is always someone willing to help you get where you are going.  It’s okay to be unsure, or not fully understand the where/why/how, just know that somebody will be there to carry you when you need it.  Now make some time for yourself.  Get your shit together.  Get healthy, or stick to your current routine to stay healthy, so that you can be there to carry somebody else when they need you.  If you are bored and tired of what you are doing, stop bitching change it and make time to make a difference.

Amanda – TooTallFritz

Run with Me Later?

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Yesterday when I came home from Christmas with the Fritz Clan, my Nike+ GPS Sportwatch was jealous had apparently not received the memo that I need to am taking some time off running. 

Makes a girl feel guilty!  If you don’t run much and are just into “toys”, I wouldn’t recommend the Nike+ GPS cuz you just might throw it out the window.  If you don’t run within 3 or 4 days the damn thing starts goading encouraging you to get your ass out the door.

Christmas with the Fritz Clan was awesome.  As soon as we finished with Christmas Morning here, we headed to Grandma’s for more fun.  To Grandmother’s house we go…….Lots of food….like every baked cookie/candy you can imagine.  YUMMY!  And more presents.  Aby & Mick.  

The Fritz Brothers…..Jim & Dad.

The Grandkids:  Aby, Michael & LexiMick helping Michael with presents.

I hope all of you had a great Christmas holiday and are looking forward to the New Year!  Hope to see all of you at the Dash into the New Year in Matteson on NYE morning….including a new friend, Rose, who I met at the Cheesecake Factory yesterday!  Rose, I’ll be looking for YOU!

Cheers and Many Blessings to all of you!                                                                      Amanda – TooTallFritz

The Stockings Were Hung……Christmas Eve 2011

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Well our stocking aren’t hung by the chimney with care because we bought the cheap house don’t have a chimney.  But the stockings are out and awaiting their goodies! 

We had a great day with many of the Thanksgiving Misfits returning for the Christmas festivities.  As I have previously mentioned, the Illinois side of the immediate family is very small, just my 4 and the in-laws, so I we always like to include friends who are available for drinking and eating celebration.  I always wanted a huge family with lots of screaming kids so the misfit friend factor really helps by adding more screaming kids livliness to our festivities.  Here is a photo of those little screamers angels.

Unless you are used to having a lot of little ones running around, I can’t possibly convey the difficulty of getting them all in one spot, looking at the camera simultaneously, somewhat smiling or at least sitting where we put them and NOT have one kid picking their nose.  Sorry about the nose picker but shit happens.

For many years, we have tried to adhere to some low-key traditions for the sake of my own excitement the kiddos.  We usually go to church on Christmas Eve but this year the service was at 9pm so it was too late for my lil man.  Even though church was out we  still moved forward with our other traditions.  We went outside and put food out for the dogs reindeer. 

Why YES, those are Quaker Oaks!

We give one gift…..always jammies. 

We also put cookies and milk out for Daddy Santa.Jealous of my tacky festive table-cloth, aren’t you?

After Reindeer Feeding, Gift Opening (only 1), and Cookie Placement, we read Twas The Night Before Christmas.  This is our version.

Then one last glance at Norad’s Santa Tracker and the kiddos are off to bed!  Although the kiddos are already tucked away in their beds, I just checked and Santa is currently dropping presents in Santa Claus, IN….then heading to Indy, then to Michigan.  Get those kids to bed so you can stay up and drink some wine Santa can come!  Love the Santa Tracker, that has been a HUGE motivator getting the kiddos to bed on Christmas Eve! 

Merry Christmas Everyone!!  I hope that Santa leaves lots of gifts under the tree for your little ones! 

What type of holiday traditions do you have?

Merry Christmas,                                                                                                      Amanda – TooTallFritz

Carey – Extended Family – Christmas 2011

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It is super hard to get the entire family together now as each of our families grow, and add spouses/children; however, this year, one of the Carey sisters sent us all an invite for a quick Christmas get together.  Fortunately I was in town, so yesterday was a jammed packed day for Ms. TooTall.  First, I ran with the F’N Running Club, then stopped for a few missing Christmas presents, then home to make Chicken Pot Pies for the Carey Family Get Together. 

Although this will never be a cooking blog, here is the pot pies in progress.  They were super easy:  1 bag of frozen chicken breasts cooked/shredded (I always cook my chicken in the crock pot, then pull it a part), Pillsbury Ready Made Pie Crusts, frozen peas/carrots/green beans (thawed), Campbell’s Cream of Celery (small can) and Cream of Chicken (large can) Soup concentrate, LOTS of Garlic & Pepper. 

They turned out really well, I would probably add a little chicken broth next time too because in an attempt to make sure they were thick and not runny, I went the other way and I think they needed a little more moisture although they certainly weren’t dry at all. 

We are also POTTY TRAINING full-time now.  Thanks to Nicole R. for posting on facebook that her 2.5 year old little one was taking the plunge cuz it was a big kick in the ass motivator for me to make it happen for Michael before the holidays because 1) he is ready, 2) it needs to happen and 3) time is of the essence.  So we are “all in” so to speak and there is no going back.  We went both days this weekend with very few accidents.  We even went to Aunt Sue’s last night in big boy pants and although mommy took the Resolve and a roll of paper towels he didn’t have one accident.  But who would want to potty in something this cool?

Aby has been pivotal in the potty training too because she helps him when I am folding laundry in another room and encourages him to go, even when he doesn’t want to do it.   These two will be inseparable for life, their bond is really remarkable.  Aby is an AWESOME Big Sis and I am super proud of her! 

Michael really isn’t into photos.  Aby – age 10 and Michael – age 2 (and three months cuz that’s important when you are a lil guy). 

Aunt Sue’s tree was really cool because it was decorated with Disney Characters.  I sat with the kiddos and we spent some time looking at all the ornaments.  Of course, Michael’s favorite was still a big Santa.  The kid is obsessed with loves Santa. 

The Carey, Labriola & Kunz Families

 The Carey, Labriola & Kunz Grandkids

Also, as an added bonus besides getting the kiddos together to run off some energy, Aunt Sue presented the Carey family with a coaster of their family crest.  She recently took a trip to Ireland to dig up some family history and one of her objectives was to find their crest…..mission accomplished. 

Super cool!  Makes me wonder, do the Fritz’s have a family crest?

How many family get-togethers will you be doing this holiday season?  Yesterday was the first of 3 for us.  I actually love doing the family thing, especially when other kiddos are involved so that ours can interact with their cousins.  How about you, do you like or dread the family functions? 

Happy Holidays!                                                                                                               Amanda – TooTallFritz

Tacky Christmas Has Arrived

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We had a busy weekend as a family and it was all about Christmas 2011.  After my very peaceful and ME centered Saturday morning, reality hit it was family time as we headed downtown to Chicago’s Christkindl Market.

This  has become a sort of tradition for our family even though hubby HATES the cold.  So for a month preceding the designated date, the kiddos are bouncing off the walls and hubby is bitching up a storm grumbling.  Michael has been begging to go to Santa’s House since July when we started singing our first Christmas carols.  Trust me when I say that Christmas is a big deal at our house.  I have always loved this holiday the most and it seems that the kids love the music and holiday lights just as much as I.  Hubby is a good sport about the season, and even seems to reluctantly enjoy it even though it is always usually cold.  Here we are enjoying the Glühwein, a hot spiced wine…….love me some good German Festivities even with Mr. Grumpy.While the kiddos were enjoying the warming tent, carmel corn and some cinnamon & sugar candied almonds.But everyone one knows we really came to see the best Santa ever!  I really enjoy the Santa at Daley Plaza.  It’s the same one each year and they always take your photo for free.  Nice touch.  Each year Santa’s House gets larger and this year, we even had a short period where we were able to wait indoors and shed the winter clothing for a nice photo.  I, however, didn’t shed my clothing cuz I didn’t realize I was going to sit on Santa’s lap be in the photo.

We also looked at the Macy holiday window displays, went up to the Walnut Room to look at the Great Christmas Tree and then we headed home.  It was a short day due to Mr. Grumpy the kiddos not feeling great and the large crowd sizes.  Here is a photo of the tree in the Walnut Room at Macy’s….I stole this from Maggie – Run for Pi(e), we tried to go up to take a photo but that didn’t work out quite as we planned. 

Today……Tacky Christmas OFFICIALLY arrived.  We usually wait a little longer to haul out the shit Christmas decorations since I we like a real tree.  If we get the tree too early then it dies because Aby forgets to water it before Christmas & New Years.  I must say that I used to pride myself on elegant and sophisticated Christmas decor but that has all gone to shit  out the window with the addition of a husband little ones to the family.  We now have lots of “extra” decorations for the children, and it also seems that our house has become the dumping ground we have inherited every handmade, crocheted item from our grandparents.  Since I am apparently not as sensitive as some, it is easy for me to throw out the crap pick and choose the items that fit into our holiday theme and donate the pieces that other’s might enjoy more for their homes.  However, not everyone in this household is a cold-hearted bitch like me and we now have A LOT of randoms.  So please, meet Tacky Christmas 2011……Really happy with the tree this year.  We purchased it locally, about 5 minutes from our home.  We didn’t cut it down, just went to a lot and picked it out with the kiddos.  Easy and still fun cuz they got to pick.  Ornaments include remnants I’ve had from days gone by, Mick & I’s childhood ornaments, ornaments given to our children, and a hodgepodge of life’s blessings.

Random overflow hits the playroom.

Plastic holiday table-cloth with window decor to match.

Tree of homeless/misfit ornaments.

Crocheted items from Grandma’s of Long Ago.

Mini Christmas Tree X2….there is another one floating around the house somewhere!

We have had a fun weekend and really enjoyed putting up Tacky Christmas 2011.  It’s all in good fun and the kiddos LOVE it.  I try not to move too many ornaments around when they go to bed  be OCD about the way everything looks cuz it really is about the kiddos at this point in our lives.  And if Mick wants to hang a crotched Christmas Card Basket from Grandma Long Ago, that’s okay too.  Memories are a wonderful thing.  However, the biggest thing for me is to constantly remind the kiddos that “Jesus is the REASON for the Season”.  I normally always take them to church on Christmas Eve; however, the service is late this year at 9pm.  Sigh….we will never make that…..too late for Mr. Michael. 

I hope all of you have a very joyous holiday season!

Peace on Earth….Good Will To Men……..                                                                       Amanda – TooTallFritz