Objects at rest tend to stay at rest...

9/2/08 UPDATE:
Still run/walking every morn, thighs hurting less, still having major shin-splints and spasms in my feet. I tried getting new shoes (Nikes) but they still hurt. Any advice from my runner friends?

My butt hurts, my calves hurt, I have shin splints, and my thighs have started seizing up whenever I sit for any period of time...

After teaching an inspiring (not my teaching, the lesson) RS lesson on Sunday about life-reflection and goal-setting, I got up Monday morning and walk-jogged all around my neighborhood for 45 minutes. I am in very bad shape after about a year of sedentary lifestyle, and am carrying just a tad more weight around than I want to (desk work, stress, and too much junk food will do that to you). So I set some pretty simple goals - I bought a pedometer and swore to walk at least 10,500 steps a day (this is the recommended daily dose of stepping).
Monday morning went ok because I was taking it pretty slow and also, I wasn't sore yet. And, I had MUSIC, really good upbeat music that made me want to dance (Gwen Stefani, ACDC, Carrie Underwood, The Click Five, Simon & Garfunkel, and Greenday, to name a few)...you should have seen me when MC Hammer's "Can't Touch This" came on (not my normal listening choice but very good for working out). Yes, Chad was/is laughing at me.
Tuesday morning I started trying to run a little more, even though my feet went numb and the shin splints were so bad I had to sit on down on some perfect stranger's porch until I could bear to walk again (I HAVE been stretching!). When that day was over and I looked down at my pedometer, it registered a lowly 6400, and I thought, "that can't be right!" but on went the running shoes again and I was back out pounding pavement for 30 more minutes. Then I checked it again and had one of those classic Laura moments: the pedometer was set on miles walked, not steps. I didn't see that little decimal point the first time I checked, telling me that I had walked 6.400 miles. When I switched it over to steps, I was clear up around 17,000!!! Uuughhh...
Wednesday I barely made it. I thought I was going to die. 'Nuff said.
But today, something very weird happened...I was still in pain and had to push myself very hard, but after I had been alternating jogging (Runners are always skinny, haven't you noticed this?) with walking for about 30 minutes, the jogging portions sort of stretched out longer and longer. It stopped hurting. I felt pretty good, actually. Then I got this insane desire to speed up! When I got home, I was so proud of myself that I literally jumped in the air! I think I experienced runner's rush for the first time in my life!!! I've heard people talk about it but I never believed it really existed. Of course it could have just been the song that came on: "Paralyzer" by Finger Eleven.
All I can say is that I hope I get it again tomorrow!!!

Boatin' Fools

So we bought a smallish used boat last summer and Chad fitted it up with a tower and a new bimini (shade thingy) this summer, and we had a big trip planned to Lake Powell to play with my Sis. Kay and her family on their houseboat. Unfortunately, due to about 25 annoying complications (including a lingering stomach flu, yuck), that vacation turned into a stay-cation. The kids mutinied. So we have been visiting local lakes. First, Lake Piru, then Pyramid Lake, and tomorrow, if everyone is up for it, Castaic Lake. Boating is SO much fun! We are hooked! We have had a few minor issues, like Adam wiping out so badly on the kneeboard that he cracked open his head and was bleeding all over the place. And Sophie getting a little sea-sick. But for the most part, it has been really quality family time. The best part is watching the kids try new things (wakeboarding) and really start to progress and excel. And I even drove the boat!!! I can't believe I drove the boat! I tried pulling Chad on the wakeboard...I think I need more practice with that one.
Here's Adam wakeboarding:


Here's Megan wakeboarding (she wouldn't let me post the video...only a still shot):


More fun boating footage:

I have become a political activist!

After years and years of being very opinionated regarding politics and other things of national interest, I have officially stepped into the ring and am about to start throwing Laura-sized punches.

About 8 years ago, 61% of the state of CA voted for marriage to be defined as between man and woman. That meant that same sex marriage was illegal, although gay domestic partners still received all the same rights that married partners get (joint tax filing, legal rights in wills, hospital visitation and decision making in emergencies, etc.) It was a huge victory for those of us interested in protecting the traditional family. 3 months ago, 4 San Francisco based judges decided that this law, that the people voted in, was unconstitutional, and it was abolished. Which now makes it legal to marry a dog, in the state of CA, if you really wanted to...give me a break, the institution of marriage HAS to mean more than this!
In November, there will be a new proposition in response to this miscarriage of justice. Proposition 8 is the same 14 words that CA voters approved before, but this time it's put into our state constitution: "Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in CA." Vote "yes" on Prop. 8!!!

Why do I feel strongly enough about this that I am going door-to-door to get the word out? Because in the course of my life, both in University (where I graduated with a Bachelors degree in Human Development) and as a mother, I have read literally hundreds of scientific studies that proved that children have the very best chance in life if they live in a two-parent family, with both sexes present. It just makes sense - yin and yang, balancing each other out. I can see society falling apart, and I am certain that the disintegration of the family unit is a very basic part of this.
In addition, it infuriates me that 4 judges can overturn the will of the people. This issue has already been voted on. The voters have already spoken. We shouldn't have to do this again. Do we live in a democracy or not?

If you are not a CA resident, don't think you're off the hook. If our state is voting on this, yours will follow. Please visit ProtectMarriage.com and educate yourself on this issue. And send money!!! I am. Although I didn't live in CA at the time of the previous vote on this issue, I sent money then. It was my way of taking part in this battle to save traditional family values. The other side has been yelling so loudly for a lot of years on this subject. I think it is about time we started being heard. And I want my kids to see me standing for something!

Sophie-blackmail pics

Something smelled bad (at least according to Sophie, who hates the smell of pancakes) at Lybbert wedding 2008.
















Kind of gross to take a bath with the dog!









Sophie has known Ben Fenske since Nursery...this was when they came over for dinner one night a long long time ago...those kids are going to love this one when they are 16! Waahahahaha...evil mom laugh!

Sophie

Since this blog will be a journal someday, I wanted to write a little about each of my kids. Sophie seemed like a good place to start - being the youngest, she usually comes last.
Sophie has always had a very strong personality - and she has always thought she was an adult, from the time she was two, she would rather shoe/handbag/bra shop with Mom than play with normal 2yr old toys.











Sophie has always been a princess! Unlike Megan, who loves sports and animals, Sophie just loves all the typical girly-girl stuff. It makes her day if I paint her nails, or let her wear a little lip gloss. And shoes! Sophie has definitely inherited THAT Torgersen gene! She is obsessed...and the more sparkly, the better.







Sophie always stands out in a crowd - and has a quite unique fashion sense (with cousin, Ainsley Torgersen).













Oh, the great haircut tragedy of 2008!















Sophie loves the pool - in fact, she pretends that there is a mermaid living in our pool who is her best friend. I signed her up for 3 weeks of swimming lessons this summer so that she would be water-safe while hanging out with the mermaid...it was a daily struggle to get her to put her face in the pool. After all of that, Sophie learned to swim, alright. But only on her back. She refuses to swim the normal way - just motors all over the entire pool on her back! Yesterday, she jumped in, flipped onto her back, and yelled, "Ta-ta, Mommy! I'm off!"

And she is only 4. I am excited to see what Sophie will be like when she grows up. She is already so much fun...it can only get better! (Except for the years between 13-17. I KNOW those will be scary) Meanwhile, we are loving the entertainment, laughter, and joy that Sophie brings into our lives!

How to keep an old marriage new...

So last Thursday, Chad and I celebrated our 16th Wedding Anniversary. We didn't do much. I wrote him a little letter detailing my memories of the night before and the day of our wedding, and then got a little mushy about the past 16 years. He bought me a new purse. We went out to dinner the following night and did a little shopping for a new wakeboard at the Chick's tent sale. And, we played some practical jokes on each other.

This practical joking started a long time ago, but really picked up speed this past year. And I have to say, it keeps things interesting! We hide little plastic toys for each other in unexpected places (his best, texting me a picture of it, my best, putting it in his morning hot chocolate - who knew that a plastic fish would sink to the bottom of the mug?) Yesterday, I changed his sleep number on our bed - Chad usually sleeps at a 55 or 60, and I drained that sucker down to a very soft and mushy 5. When he rolled in for his Sunday afternoon nap, he got stuck! "What the heck?" I just giggled. But he got me back. Last night when I went to climb in bed (after a late night of blogging) my side of the mattress was hard as a rock! He had pumped that thing up to 100! I just giggled again. I'm so glad we make each other laugh. Now I just have to figure out what I can do to him next...

Beachy Fun!

Last week we had a cousin and a friend (Danielle Sloan) staying with us, so of course, we went to the beach. Twice. I am embarrassed to admit that this is the first time all summer that I have taken my kids to the beach - lousy mom! They had a blast, burying each other in the sand, building sand castles, boogie-boarding, body-surfing, and throwing seaweed at each other. Educational too! We learned that blow-up inner-tubes are illegal at the beach (but perfectly legal in our pool) because of the danger that a kid would just float awaaaayyy...like any marginally observant mom would let that happen! Also, did you know that when you pinch the seaweed pods, they make a satisfying popping sound? I entertained myself for at least 15 minutes with that. Kind of like bubble wrap.
Maybe we'll go to the beach again this summer....or maybe not. Twice in one week was alot. I still have sand stuck in my cell phone.

Adam's brush with FAME

We were sending nephew Nick Clarke off at the Burbank Airport when I caught sight of a really cute Louis Vuitton handbag that actually looked REAL. Then I noticed that whoever was carrying it was wearing matching stiletto Louis pumps too. Had to be a celebrity - who else would fly dressed like that? And it was - Katherine McPhee! (Second place on American Idol, season before last) She wasn't wearing make-up and had her hair all messy braided, but what was she thinking? Of course she couldn't hide wearing shoes and carrying a purse like that! She graciously agreed to pose with Adam, who took it all in stride. He was more impressed with her two little tiny Chihuahua puppies. They WERE darn cute! Should have gotten a picture with them!

My favorite women

These pics were taken outside the Manhattan Temple at nephew Matt Lybbert's wedding (to Noelle Nickolai) in June. Notice the perfectly manicured toes, in simply fabulous shoes! (I think the 5 of us single-handedly support the shoe biz. We have shoe-shopped in almost every state (mom, did you cover Alaska?) and at least 6 different countries.) These favorite women are, in L-R order: Kay Graham, sister; Dorothy Torgersen, mom; Teri Lybbert, sister; DeAnn Carter, sister. These women are my best friends and wonderful examples of righteous womanhood. I have been looking up to them and learning from them for 37 years now. Thanks, girls! I love you!

Welcome to my blog...

I caved. I admittedly have always thought the idea of a blog was great...for other people. I value my privacy and always thought that a personal blog was waay TOO MUCH INFORMATION (hence, the title of my blog!) about me for general consumption. I embarrass myself on a daily basis, just ask my family. Why would anyone else want to read about that? But since I am a big believer in journals (I have kept a journal since I was 8) and love the idea of printing out the blog as a journal...Welcome to the 21st century! (this IS the 21st century, right?) Oh boy, here we go...