Chase the Teddy

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We had a fun day at Girls on the Run.  Some days we focus more on running, other days we play lots of games and ‘sneak in’ exercise.  Today was a game day that incorporated speedwork.  The girls were divided into 4 groups of 4, and each group leader held a baton – a stuffed animal (ratty but washed dog toys).

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The first girl would run 1/4 of the way around the track and pass off the toy to her partner, who would sprint another 1/4 of the track and repeat the process.  Overall, the toy ‘ran’ about 2 miles, and the girls were exhausted from sprinting to one another – it was really fun!

 

We also played Octopus.  Instead of octopus and fish, we played holiday versions – with Santa chasing the Reindeer (cue to run: “Ho, ho, ho!”) and Menorahs tagging Dreidels (cue to run: “Dreidel, dreidel, dredil, I made it out of clay.”).  I cannot even DESCRIBE in words how much the girls love Octopus.  It’s always a winner at GOTR.

 

Post-workout snack:

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And for dinner… more takeout.  Yes, twice in a day.  I was too tired to do any cooking; plus, our oven is still shot.

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Gluten-free veggie pizza.  It was delicious.  Probably the best gluten-free pizza that I’ve tried from a chain in Charlotte.

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And last, but not least, small realization of the day:

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That, of course, does not count RELOADING the dishwasher or drying the dog. 

 

But still – timing my most-hated chores today made work a much more pleasant experience (and I’m always trying to find a way not to despise washing dirty pots).   Time is slow like molasses when I unload the dishwasher, but seriously… not that bad.   Just a small, silly realization that made my day so much brighter in a simple way.  And that, my friends, is something to smile about.

{ 35 comments }

 

  • Coco November 17, 2011, 8:11 pm

    You are going to be a great mother! I am sooo so soooo excited for you and your husband. I know this post was unrelated to pregnancy but AHHH so happy for you!!!

    Also, I LOVE doing dishes. Hire me! haha

    • Jen November 18, 2011, 12:58 am

      Can you come to my house? Hahahahaha. 🙂

  • CheezyK November 17, 2011, 8:28 pm

    Unstacking and stacking the dishwasher come second in my book only to scrubbing the shower! And you’re right, the dishwasher really isn’t that bad or time consuming but for some reason it’s the one thing we both put off as long as we can, sometimes even until there’s enough dishes waiting that we unload, reload and start the machine again! So bad …

    • CaitlinHTP November 17, 2011, 8:29 pm

      I know this is a total first world problem but THAT IS MY BIGGEST PET PEEVE EVER. And it happens to me approximately every two days.

      • CheezyK November 17, 2011, 10:40 pm

        TOTAL first world problem but it doesn’t stop us from complaining does it? 🙂 One of my biggest motivators is to remind myself to be grateful for the dishes that need stacking, the house that needs cleaning, the clothes that need washing … even the full time job and commute that make me feel too tired to be bothered with any of them. On the flip side I think we all need to remind ourselves sometimes that it’s not the end of the world if we flop on the couch and leave something until tomorrow.

        • eliza November 18, 2011, 6:54 am

          Side note: have you guys tried that shower spray that you spray everytime you get out the shower? You spray it all over and it takes about 20 seconds and then you barely clean the shower, like ever. Best invention!

  • Heather November 17, 2011, 8:30 pm

    Another way I make my two least favorite chores more fun (dishes and laundry) is by making them a joint effort with my daughter. She’s two and a half, so she LOVES helping with anything and everything, and getting to see how amazing she thinks everything is makes even the crappiest jobs seem fun. Plus, she loves getting a sticker on her “chore chart” any time she helps out with anything. She gets them for working out with me too, which also makes working out a lot more fun.

    • CaitlinHTP November 17, 2011, 8:31 pm

      This is one of the primary reasons I am procreating 🙂 Chore help.

      • eliza November 18, 2011, 6:51 am

        This is kind of related, but when I was nannying, one of the kid’s homework was to help with a chore that he didn’t normally help with. I suggested he clean the bathroom.
        Any teachers out there, the parents/nannies will love you for setting this homework!

  • Hannah N. November 17, 2011, 8:31 pm

    Omg, I had such a similar situation. The dishwasher needed to be emptied, but I was tired last night and so I put it off until this morning. Well I forced myself to do it first thing, so I couldn’t put it off again and it only took a couple minutes! I was so shocked when I looked at the clock expecting it to be way later than it was. Now if only I can apply the same attitude to putting away laundry. . . .

  • Mindy November 17, 2011, 8:38 pm

    I despise emptying the dishwasher, but not nearly as much as putting away clean laundry.

    • eliza November 18, 2011, 6:55 am

      Oh when the laundry is dry, and it is just sitting there.. annnoyingg!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) November 17, 2011, 8:39 pm

    I swear you will make the best mom ever. If you can motivate yourself to get the dishes unloaded that’s impressive! I HATE the job, but really hate a sink full of dirty dishes!

    We love Fuel and were so excited when we came to Charlotte this year and they had gluten free pizza. It really is incredibly good!

  • kathleen @ the daily crumb November 17, 2011, 9:11 pm

    i have been having major pizza cravings lately… thank you for adding to them!!

    i love hearing your GOTR stories… sounds like such a fun organization 🙂

  • Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries November 17, 2011, 9:11 pm

    I have the same feelings about the dishwasher. I absolutely despise it! You’re right though, it only takes several minutes. Thinking of how productive you can be in just a few minutes doesn’t make it quite so bad!

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey November 17, 2011, 9:36 pm

    i’m horrible at “final steps” in chores – like actually putting away the laundry. Or actually drying and putting away dishes.

  • Sarah November 17, 2011, 10:17 pm

    I try to think about how much “future Sarah” will appreciate the work that “present Sarah” is doing. It’s a delightfully positive feedback loop 🙂

  • Diane November 17, 2011, 10:39 pm

    haha omg I loved playing Octopus as a kid! also, unrelated but: http://news.yahoo.com/5-great-movies-pregnancy-235557487.html

  • Bizzle November 17, 2011, 10:47 pm

    ahhh, me hates to unload the DW too! And afterwards I’m like what’s the big deal? But, alas, the hate cycle continues.

  • Hallie November 17, 2011, 10:53 pm

    I am sure I’ll feel the same way someday, but the only thing I think when I hear people (not just you so I’m not trying to be bratty, I promise!) complain about unloading or loading the dishwasher is, “OMG I would KILL for a dishwasher.” I haven’t one in like 4 years and I miss it so!

  • Annette @ EnjoyYourHealthyLife November 17, 2011, 10:57 pm

    I HATE unloading the dishawasher, and my husband knows this so he is such a sweetie and does it all.the.freakin.time. He’s the best!

  • Khushboo November 17, 2011, 11:53 pm

    I actually don’t mind unloading the dishwasher- it’s probably my least dreaded chore!

  • Dominique November 18, 2011, 12:25 am

    Oh man, what I wouldn’t give for a gluten-free pizza right about now. Or some cookies. I hate vacuuming and dusting. For dusting it’s not about the time but about the fact that, where does the dust come from and why does it always reappear?! I know that some of it is dead skin cells but still, it seems stupid to dust things–so I usually leave it to my fiance.

  • Jen November 18, 2011, 1:02 am

    I can’t believe that I’ve never heard of Octopus – I checked out the link & now totally want to play!!!

    Also, love you perspective on the dreaded chores – I am going to try to remember this!

  • eliza November 18, 2011, 6:48 am

    Octopus can also be alligator, and we play it in the pool. Also, I am 20 and we still play it haha

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 18, 2011, 8:21 am

    I hated unloading the dishwasher at home too! But now I live with an apartment without a dishwasher… and I miss it! Unloading the dishwasher > washing dishes by hand. 😛

  • jenna November 18, 2011, 9:23 am

    it takes me 5 minutes to wash and dry the dishes (which i hate more than words could express) it also takes me 5 minutes to click through my favorite blogs. …decisions, decisions. : )

  • Christelle November 18, 2011, 10:35 am

    My most HATED chore is folding the laundry, I rather scrub 10 toilets than fold 1 load of laundry!!

  • Jen@FoodFamilyFitness November 18, 2011, 10:40 am

    Oh man, I HATE unloading the dishwasher, I don’t mind loading it, but I hate putting everything away. The other most hated chore: cleaning the toilets. I have a 9 year old boy, end of story.

  • HRCK November 18, 2011, 10:50 am

    That’s a really good tip! I really appreciate your desire to look for the bright side. I’m off to time how long it takes to unpack a suitcase (a dreaded chore around these parts).

  • Jill in Chicago November 18, 2011, 10:51 am

    Do you listen to any podcasts? I’m a big fan of NPR shows and don’t always have time to listen to them. So my “treat” while doing dishes is getting to listen to something like Car Talk or Wait, Wait, Don’t Tell Me that make me laugh.

  • Reenie November 18, 2011, 10:57 am

    That pizza looks soooo good.

  • Amber K November 18, 2011, 1:06 pm

    Ok, I finally timed both unloading/reloading the dishwasher and putting away the clean laundry. Neither took more than 5 minutes, but I was still going crazy the whole time I was doing it. Then I realized I was doing both in silence. Sooo much easier to do when music is playing or the TV is on!

  • Lili November 18, 2011, 5:34 pm

    ha! Sometimes I time it when folding laundry (hate this chore!) It seems to make me do it faster since I’m watching how long it takes me!

  • Julia H. @ The Petite Spiel November 18, 2011, 10:01 pm

    I’m so intrigued by that pizza of yours. Loving the big pieces of veggies, but it all looks so unevenly distributed! Haha..Looks like the pizza maker forgot to put veggies and cheese on a third of it!

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