So Many Hats

Today I’m a Worried Mom

ltutt — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 03:21:40 +0000

I’ve come to accept the fact that my daughter has seizures. It’s just one of the characteristics of Rett Syndrome. But every time she has one, I worry.

This morning, I was cleaning her up after breakfast before school. Just a few minutes before her bus pulled up, she started having a seizure. I was worried because of the episode. I was worried because the bus was waiting. I was worried because I still needed to get my son to school early.

After a very stressful time, I was extremely pleased to see her smile and squeal with delight at her video. Once again, I was reminded that she’s much stronger and resilient that she appears to be. Hat’s off to my daughter and hat’s off to our neighbor who willingly dropped my son off at school.

Today I’m a Morning Runner

ltutt — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 13:09:53 +0000

Ok, I typically like to run in the morning. But today, it was something.

I set the alarm last night for 5:30 (which is actually 5:20, but that’s another story). I knew I needed to get out there early to run my 30 minutes and have time to eat, coffee, shower and head out to work. My husband and kids have the day off and will likely be sleeping in.

Anyway, I heard my alarm. Hit snooze. Open my eyes to see 5:39. Which means, it’s really 5:29, I had already hit the snooze once and if I hit it one more time it will only be 5:48 (or 5:38 real time). Then it hit me… “I get to run today!”

That’s all it took for me to get up, dressed and out the door by 5:47 (yes, real time) for an unseasonably warm 30-minute run. Looking forward to the rest of the day!

Today I’m a Winter

ltutt — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 21:33:36 +0000

When I looked at my wardrobe today, my teal turtleneck in particular, I was oddly reminded of the color analysis phase of the 80s. I remember “having my colors done” when I was probably in junior high. And being incredibly disappointed that I was a “Spring.”

I didn’t like the colors in the spring swatch — salmon and yellow among them. I wanted to be a “Winter” with bold purples, magentas and greens. That said, I was never very fashion conscious so it didn’t make much difference in the end. In fact, I believe I have a number of school pictures that have me in colors very wrong for a “Spring.” There’s one in a gray blouse, another in a pale pink oxford and a third with a bright magenta sweater that makes my face look incredibly red.

Oh well. It doesn’t really matter now that I have a job in advertising where black is the go-to “color.”

Today I’m a Proud Mama

ltutt — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 21:01:05 +0000

A trip to the dentist with my daughter is a challenge. Not in the same way many parents face experience with school-aged children. There are no temper tantrums. No belligerent responses. No screaming or crying. Actually, quite the opposite.

My daughter was born with a genetic condition called Rett Syndrome (RTT). It’s a chromosome disorder that has affected her mobility (she uses a wheelchair), her speech (she does not have verbal language skills) and other physical and cognitive functions. Because of a number of typical RTT characteristics — teeth grinding, mouth breathing, etc — she has always been more susceptible to cavities and decay.

Today was her 6-month check up. I went in this morning with hopes of a good exam, but fully expected to hear about “a surface cavity” or “replacing a crown.” To my great surprise, the dentist reported — for the first time in all her 9 years — that my beautiful daughter does not need any dental work at this time!

Hats off to my favorite 9-year-old and a stellar dental appointment.

Today I’m a Communication Specialist

ltutt — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 04:12:05 +0000

Several months ago I volunteered to be in charge of publishing the weekly email newletter for my church. The content is provided to me, so I do very little writing. A marginal amount of editing. A fair number of image searches. And occasionally, a lot of heavy sighing due to the frustrations of my template layout.

Generally, I like MailChimp. It’s easy to use and doesn’t cause me too much grief. But boy… this week’s newsletter didn’t want to cooperate! Nevertheless, after 2 hours (instead of 1), I have succussfully published and distributed yet another weekly Encourager to the members of St. Barnabas Church.

Today I’m a Blogger

ltutt — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 22:26:33 +0000

It’s a new year and I decided it’s time to start blogging again. Now let’s be clear, this is NOT a New Year’s resolution… because I plan to stick with this one longer than 2-3 weeks.

I’m a writer and I started this blog as an outlet for me to write. The fact that I haven’t posted anything for approximately 18 months does NOT mean I’ve given up on writing. This past year, I landed a new full-time job as a copywriter in a small agency. This has spiked my interest in the creative process even more. I want to continue to explore other ways to improve my skill. I want to write for me.

My goal is to give you something to read every single week. And each post will follow the standards I established a long time ago… a glimpse of me and the many hats I wear.

Today I’m an Injured Runner

ltutt — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 15:33:15 +0000

So this was the year I truly got the bug. The running bug. I ran a few 5K races last fall and immediately knew I needed to set some running goals for 2010. I was hooked!

Here it is, mid-July and I look forward to my HOT, long runs every weekend. But I recently revisited the doctor for her take on my persistent pain in my right foot. Ugh. Clearly plantar fasciitis. Course of action included a cortisone shot in the heel, stretching routine and 4-5 days of rest. No walks. No runs. Stay off of it as much as possible.

Today is Day 5 and I have never wanted to go for a run more.

Looking back to January, I set out to accomplish the following running goals:
1. Finish at least 4 races
2. Finish a 10K race
3. Finish a 5K race in under 30 mins
4. Run throughout the heat of the Texas summer

With the help of the folks at Run On and a new podiatrist, I found a pair of new shoes and set my sights on two 5K races in the spring. I completed the Wish for Races in March and the America’s Run at Cowboys Stadium in April. Two goals down, two to go!

In April, I joined a running group that would help me run through the summer. The group follows Jeff Galloway’s method of Run-Walk-Run. This not only gave me support and encouragement to keep running in the heat, but also refocused my priority on distance, endurance and to have fun finishing.

My group was to complete 9 miles today. Instead, I slept in and made breakfast. I know in the end it’ll be important to give my foot time to heal, but it’ll be a long, slow road to get there. If all goes well, I’ll still be able to complete the 10K and at least one more race this year — hopefully a half-marathon.

Hats off to the athletes out there who have endured injury and come back strong. I want that to me one day. But in the meantime, I’ll just have to be patient.

Today I’m a Texan

ltutt — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 22:46:03 +0000

I just returned home from a weeklong family vacation. And although we had a fabulous time, it’s good to be home. Ironically, this vacation took us home — to Iowa — where we were able to spend the better part of four days with family and friends.

Some of the high points (in no particular order):

And a few low points (Nothing real can be all Norman Rockwell):

A mere hour after pulling in the driveway, you won’t find any of us in a room together. We’ve each found a favorite corner of the house to unwind and decompress. Iowa was a great place to visit, but we’re all very happy to be home in Texas! And if they’re thinking what I’m thinking, it’s all about a good night’s sleep in my own bed.

Today I’m a Kid Again

ltutt — Sun, 02 May 2010 01:35:36 +0000

Well, not really. But as it is May 1 — or May Day — I began to think about a childhood tradition that brought back a lot of memories.

I grew up in Iowa where it’s tradition to make May Baskets. I remember doing everything from homemade baskets made with construction paper to simple Styrofoam cups with pipe-cleaner handles. We’d fill the baskets with popcorn or candy and deliver them to the neighbors.

As I remember it (and confirmed it on Wikipedia so it must be true), the kids would set the basket on the doorstep, ring the doorbell and run away. The person receiving the basket would run after the kids. If you get caught, you get kissed.

One of my fondest (and funniest) memories is when I was maybe in 2nd grade. I was feeling particularly speedy that afternoon and decided it was time to deliver one across the street to the neighbor boy. I was pretty stealth about my approach and quietly set the basket on the porch step. I slowly reached for the doorbell. That’s when things changed.

His Dad has been watching me and quickly began pursuit! With my eyes as big as saucers and my heart beating faster than hummingbird wings, I turned on my heels and ran faster than ever before (or since). When my family retells the story, it goes something along the lines of “Her feet only hit the street once before she bounded up the dozen steps to our front door.”

I relive that moment nearly every year. And I was reminded of it once again this morning with a simple text from my brother: “Happy May Day. Or you could declare it Fred Bunch Day.” Hats off to all the kids who successfully made it through another May Day without getting caught.

Today I’m a Texas Runner

ltutt — Sun, 11 Apr 2010 21:21:54 +0000

It all started months ago when I first spotted a posting for America’s Run. It was promoted as the inaugural run and included a half marathon, 5K and fun run. Best of all, it was going to be at Cowboys Stadium. And as a Cowboys fan, it was a perfect opportunity to get up close and personal with this extraordinary structure.

I knew I wouldn’t be ready for a half marathon by April, so I immediately signed up for the 5K. A goal race for sure. Little did I know how great this would be.

Friday, I was able to see the stadium for the first time — packet pick-up day and fitness expo. The Stadium was awesome. The expo, not so much. But I was able to get many pictures from the stands and see the much-talked-about BIG screen. And yes, it’s BIG.

Then today, was race day. I met up with a couple of fellow-runners from my training group and had an exciting race — including another runner unfortunately stumbling right in my path. Starting just outside Cowboys Stadium, we took off at 8 am, ran past The Ballpark in Arlington and could see Six Flags over Texas just a short distance away.

After over 2.5 miles, I neared the Stadium again. This time, I was going inside. The route took us all through the tunnel deep into the fortress until we were greeted by an endzone. The blue and silver painted grass made me find more energy than I knew I had. I kicked into high gear and found myself sprinting the final 50 yards to the mid-field finish.

Overwhelmed with the view from the field, I scanned the crowds to find my family who watched the jumbotron to see me finish. A fantastic morning. A great race. A spectacular running memory. Will you join me next year?!