Moving along

After this week, just 15 more until the end of school... I can't believe how fast this year has flown by already!

I actually ran today! It would be much easier if it wasn't -500 degrees every morning, I might be more inclined to get up and run then...

Emily enjoyed dancing school today, although apparently she was pretty naughty and rolled around for quite a while. Later we were watching television and one of the shows had a sad little piggy, and Emily looked at him saying, "was he naughty at school and rolled around on the floor?"

Leslie's finally over whatever knocked her out this past weekend, and now she either has an ear infection, or sinus infection or something burning the side of her face off... Maybe it was the hunching over for 5 hours the other night working on my presentation for me... I get husband of the year award for that one :)

Speaking of the presentation, that's tomorrow, so I'm happy for that one to be over.

revision3 just updated their website. Much better looking now, if you ask me. If you haven't taken the time to check that out, now's the time. Bunch of great shows, and I'm hoping this is what networks are going to look like in 10 years, not so run by commercial executives but rather driven by content and people who watch them.

here's a behind the scenes look at the new website:

Time...

Getting off track has been the theme this week it seems like.. I've been busy working on some websites, so my presentation that I need by Wednesday is still un-started, I haven't run a minute in a week, been eating anything with more than 10 calories in sight, and working two full nights at a tournament... (with lots of junk food there, too)

Leslie's been very sick, so I've been hanging out with Emily this weekend. Yesterday we did lots together (yellow park, riding bikes, driving barbie car, going to the tournament, going to see Ryan's last time on the podium at the 7th grade honor band rehearsal before the concert, and tons of other stuff), but today Leslie got to take her to Olivia's birthday party, and then they got to go to the Doodlebops concert!!! Without me!!!

My mission is to regain my firm grip on that marathon-diet-healthy wagon, jump back on it, and get moving on my presentation due Wednesday. I have been thinking though, since some of my websites are lookin so impressive lately, maybe those that I helped get that stuff up for would be willing to work on my powerpoint presentation for it? Hmmmm...

It's been a while...

Sorry haven't posted in a bit, been a hectic week (or so). Emily's getting ready for school to start this week, I made it to Tulsa for a convention with Ryan (who just got a new job in Mustang! Congrats!), and we're busy getting stuff ready for school.

Not much else right now, I'll get back on here soon, I promise :)

This week over yet?

Emily:
She's still been coughing up a storm, but seems to be slowly getting better. Speaking of storms, it started raining and thundering a little last night, so she got to have a slumber party with us. I was at work until late last night, so I didn't get to see her much.

Leslie:
Apparently everybody she sees is now telling her, "wow, you look REALLY pregnant now!" Always a good pick-me-up :)

Pete:
This morning was my first "official" marathon training day, and I failed pretty good. I made it to my fourth mile, then had to walk a bit, then slowly crept back up to pace... If this is any indication of how the 16 weeks are going to go, I'm in for a bit of trouble...

The only thing I hadn't watched on my iphone was meet the press from before the Iowa caucuses. NBC must have known something with both the winners on the show before the polls opened.. I think it was rigged :)

After watching Huckabee and Obama during that show, I noted Huckabee posturing fear, Obama hope. I remember a man who thinks he's smart telling me those are the two biggest selling points for a candidate, just depends on how you want to approach it. You can reach most voters with one of those options, because it sparks emotional responses. My question is this, if everybody KNEW that those were the two biggest selling points for candidates to choose from, and then revolve every answer around that common idea, would anybody REALLY choose fear? I mean, I guess I can understand not having the objective perspective of seeing the overall message and just reacting to a fear message by thinking, "wow, I never really thought that if I didn't vote for this guy/girl, the world would come to an end," but knowing that they use this tactic, is there anybody out there who would really choose fear over hope? I'm not trying to be cute either, honest question.. Anybody?

And as long as this continues the way it has been, Oprah needs to add the "candidate club" in addition to her book club. When she speaks the name of a candidate, they're a number one sell... Hey Oprah, on your next show, can you just mention that Pete Liesenfeld needs a million bucks? That should do just fine.

The daily dose

Emily:

Yesterday we spent most of the day playing tea. We went to the yellow park on her bike with Leslie, and she drove to 7 eleven (the tree in the yard) several times with her barbie jeep. Her movie choice last night was Toy Story. I always remember seeing parents with their kids watching movies together wondering, "how in the world can you sit there and watch that movie a billion times with your kid? I mean, I understand the kid probably likes it, but how can you?" I TOTALLY get it... calm, quiet, sitting... aaaaah, it's like free ritalin.

She's been coughing up a storm the past few days. I guess if it keeps up we're going to have to take her in to the doctor.

Now Emily can open the laptop, turn it on, and navigate to just about any page she wants on pbskids.org.

We're still trying to get her out of diapers for poopin'. The latest trick is to have her sit on the potty with her diaper on, then we try to move the diaper out of the way just in time for it to come out. I know these are details you were just dying to read, but I wanted it documented, that way when she's sixteen and we're still putting on diapers to go poop in I can remember the good ole days...

Leslie:

After walking to and from the park last night, Leslie remembered why she loved being pregnant so much: the baby sits right on her bladder. This really isn't too big of a deal, she only feels pain when she moves...

Pete:

My first 8 mile run of training was today... Not too bad, but not too good either. I can't wait for those 16 mile days. Since I watch my video podcasts while I run, I need to find more to get me through these weeks. I usually have enough to watch, but I usually only run three times a week or so. Now that I'm running so much, I'm going to need content quick... Time to start searching itunes again.

We watched Brick last night. Leslie was asleep after the first ten minutes or so, but I totally loved it (was the best movie I've ever seen - have to through that quote in any time I like a movie..). I didn't think so much early in, but it got FANTASTIC, and I highly recommend everybody add it to their queues.

Well, I netted 2.8 pounds lost this week. Not quite up to biggest loser standards, but it's a start, especially for me not being able to last 12 hours without completely blowing the healthy eating. Since I have now "officially" began training now, no excuses anymore. I won't be able to make it on water alone, so I'm allowing myself water/caffeine diet/carb drinks (for running). Other than that, nasty food all around. Emily just offered me some chex mix as I was typing this... hoooooooooold strong...

I'd add some pictures, but alas, still no camera. I'm very curious to see how many pictures/videos are still on it when I get it back today. I'll be sure to post most (if not all) of them when I get it back :)

Good thinking...

See if you like this thought process...

I noticed yesterday that 16 weeks until April 27th actually starts next week, not this week. Since I started my program a week early, that means I can eat whatever I want until my "official" training starts on Monday! Ted's anyone?

Chebon and Kate came over last night for Christmas. We got a wonderful tea set! Emily had to wait ALL NIGHT before she could play with it this morning! After Emily went to bed, we stayed up playing ddr until about 12:30 in the morning! I haven't seen that time in a LOOOOONG time (without being asleep first, at least). Then, just for fun, I showed Kate and Chebon our engagement video. I still get so nervous even watching that video I want to throw up. That four miles this morning didn't feel too good after staying up so late last night. Reminded me why I like to go to bed at 8:30 :)

On a side note, I noticed while watching that video that Leslie is more beautiful every day. I know people say that all the time, but I really mean it... Those of you that know her know what I'm talking about. Can somebody please explain to me why she continues to put up with me?

So... I was going to post some pictures from last night, but I seemed to have misplaced my camera. I remember at one point somebody in that room saying that he was going to take it because he didn't like the fact that I was taking videos of him dancing... I know that wouldn't be the case, would it?

Emily has set up her tea set in the living room and has brought all the chairs from the kitchen over so we can have a little tea party now. After that she wants to play some wii princess, then go to lunch, then go to the yellow park. I guess she's got our day planned!

Back to Work

I'm heading out to work right now. Emily's been having a hard time over break seeing either of us go, so I'm curious to see how this is going to work out this morning.

I managed to get up at 5 this morning and do my hour run. The down side was I didn't have anybody to wake up and share my pain, the up side is that I almost puked... at least I got some of the old memories back :)

That hour wasn't how I remembered running for an hour before... As my dad so graciously pointed out, I am getting "old" now, so things will be "different." Thanks for that... :)

Off I go!

Last day...

Back to work tomorrow! We're trying to plan what to do with our last day of no-work right now. I got finished with my 3-mile/4x100m stride workout this morning, which led me to two thoughts:

1. When the training guide says 3 miles (plus one more mile of 100m strides) I had the feeling it was going to be a light workout... Wrongo. First off, those 100m strides that are supposed to be NON SPRINTING strides hurt like poo, and then when it says "walk to full recovery" between those strides, you're still putting on more mileage. By the time the workout was done I had run about 5 miles. Not what I had in mind for this morning.

2. I've been getting up at 8:00 to do these workouts this week. Starting tomorrow (which is an HOUR run), I'll have to get up at 5:00 to get these things done. I remember the days when I got up at 5:00... but they were a LOOOONG time ago, in a galaxy far far away. Plus, my only real enjoyment during those days getting up so early was getting to wake up Chebon, just so I could drag him with me to work out and watch him puke every morning. Aaaah the memories.

So, tomorrow will not only be less fun because we're going back to work, but that I'll have to start getting up at 5AM to get these workouts done, and I don't get to see Chebon puke. We'll see how strong my convictions are then...

Emily's gotten quite good at playing on her laptop. Now she can start the computer, open internet explorer (I haven't crossed her over to the dark side yet and forced her to use firefox... That day will come...), navigate to pbskids.org, find the game she wants to play (usually Curious George or Super Why!) and play for a while. Leslie asked last night if her being so content to play on the laptop for up to a half hour at a time is "healthy" - well, I turned out okay, didn't I? (hehehe) Then again, I didn't really get to start on the computer until I was about 5. What was life like before then? Besides, playing these "educational" (yeah, that's how we rationalize it) games by herself is the most independent time we've seen her utilize, so why not encourage it? :)

And for those of you still waiting (none of you) for my answer to Kate's question of the "week" about six weeks ago, I'm up to two composers now: Beethoven and Grainger. This last one's hard... Do I go for a jazz artist? Another classical who incorporates jazz? Do I go with a more rock choice, because all I've got right now is classical? If so, who? I should pick somebody like Sting, who's got tons (I'm allowed to include the Police stuff in that too, right?) of really good music, or do I go with a guilty pleasure, because that's all I'll have alone on my island? The one thing I can't believe is that you (Kate) expected an answer within a WEEK of you asking... Sheesh, that one should have been question of the year or something. I mean, it's not even in the same league as your "what's your new year's resolution?" Duuuh, spend less time on this computer and more time with my family. Oops, that one's not working out so well right now. Okay, maybe not so easy. Emily's making me peanuts, pears, and grapes in her kitchen right now, so speaking of that resolution...

Happy New Year!

Today was 2 miles at pace, 2 miles "Tempo," and 2 miles pace. I learned by mile 4 I may be shooting to high for 8 minute pace for the marathon. Tomorrow is 3 miles, followed by strides, so should be okay for that. My biggest problem so far has been eating. I decided 2 days ago I needed to lose this extra weight in order to run better, so I started eating healthy. That lasted about 24 hours. Not only did I blow it last night, I super duper blew it. Oh well, back on today. I've also vowed only water for the next four months. Ugh. I hate it already.

Emily and I have been going to the yellow park over the past few days on her new princess bike. She can ride it all the way up the big hill by herself now, and now likes not only to go down the hill by herself, but wants to ACCELERATE while doing it... I thought I had it bad when she wanted me to help her down the hill, now I'm sprinting to keep up :)

While everyone was surely enjoying ringing in the new year, Leslie, Emily and I were in bed by 8:30 last night. We woke up just in time to see New York at 11:00 (whoah, is Dick Clark finally looking [sounding] old? What happened to him?), then went right back to sleep.

The Liesenfelds: extreme party family.

We hope you have a wonderful year!