Dear George Lucas

Middle Boy [9] wrote a letter to George Lucas recently...

The poor kid wrote the letter in early March, but for some reason it took me until late April to mail it for him.  When I finally sent his letter and drawing to Mr. Lucas, I enclosed the following note...

 

Chris and I crossed our fingers and hoped, someone... anyone... would acknowledge Middle Boy's efforts.  We explained to Middle Boy that George Lucas, not unlike Santa Claus, has lots of helpers and probably can't personally reply to every piece of mail he receives.

A few days ago, a special, large envelope from Lucasfilm Ltd. arrived.  I don't know who was more excited in our house -- the boys, or Chris and I.  [Click on the image to enlarge.]

A few pieces of Lucasfilm Ltd. swag were included, and Middle Boy handled the content of the letter with surprising maturity.  He said he understood why they needed to protect themselves... said he "knows the feeling" because of his chapter book idea.  [Middle Boy won't even allow Chris or me to view some of his movie or book ideas.  You never know who will steal a good idea, he says.]

He was thrilled with receiving anything from a George Lucas employee.

The original envelope, letter and artwork were returned... but the envelope had been opened, and it was obvious his "unsolicited submission or idea" had been read and reviewed.  If an Auquatrooper shows up on The Clone Wars series?  That's our boy!

See Chrisy run.

It's easier for me to stay committed to regular exercise when I have an event goal.  Workout partners are helpful too. I ran my first and only marathon two years ago. Prior to that I've run several road races of varying lengths, participated in mountain bike races, and triathlons. Triathlons are my favorite, but the logistics of tri training will be difficult for me this summer. I've chosen to run. I'd like to complete the Mid Mountain Marathon this September in Park City, Utah. It's a marathon on trails. There are a couple of shorter-distance events in August that I'd like to run also.

Running is relatively inexpensive and it's convenient for someone like me who's tethered to a three-year-old all day. I can run early in the morning and be home before the kids are awake on most days. It works for me.

I'm older and slower than I used to be, but running, riding, and swimming, all add a dimension to my life that I find not only physically rewarding, but emotionally therapeutic as well. Not unlike writing this blog. It helps me feel multi-faceted in my roles as mother and wife. The physical movement keeps me sane—a natural Prozac. [I've never been on an anti-depressant. I don't say that pridefully because there are times I, and my family, would have benefited from the medication. Just ask them.]

To track my training progress, I've started a new blog. It's called "See Chrisy run." I have a very loose plan for the blog's direction. We'll see how it goes. There's only one post so far, but my intention is to update regularly with how things are going, even if they're not going well.

If running or events aren't your thing, please simply send encouraging thoughts my way. Muchas gracias!

Girl Hair

Supermodel called me last night.

"I can't run with you tomorrow," she said. "[Mr. Supermodel] is taking me away tonight for our anniversary. It's our 20th!"

I naturally told her not to worry and to have a fabulous time. I'd be fine running by myself. We chatted a little longer, then I realized she wasn't just calling me to tell me I'd be running alone. She had a little favor to ask.

"Supermodel Jr. [Supermodel's 3-year-old daughter] has pictures tomorrow morning in her dance class. I don't think my mother-in-law can do her hair. You said you've always wanted a little girl..."

I have three sons and can hardly do my own hair. My personal hair requirements are 1) simple—no layers, and 2) long enough to pull back in a ponytail so I can wear a baseball hat. Supermodel assured me it would be easy to put Supermodel Jr.'s hair in two, low ponytails, BUT they had to be curly. She gave me instructions on how to do this with water and simple finger twisting.

I arrived at Supermodel's house this morning. Her lovely mother-in-law had already ponytailed Supermodel Jr.'s hair. The ponytails weren't curled though. They NEEDED to be curled because the little dancers are all SUPPOSED to have curled hair. The ponytails were...frizzy. My heart was pounding.

Did I mention Supermodel's mother-in-law is Portuguese and speaks NO English? Did I mention I speak ONLY English?

Portuguese mother-in-law proudly gestured to the ponytails. I smiled stupidly, nodded in an over-exaggerated manner and said, "Pretty!" very loudly. I called Supermodel.

"Sorry to bother you, but your mother-in-law did the hair. The part's crooked and the ponytails are frizzy. It's not a tight job." I was smiling and nodding at the mother-in-law while speaking. She smiled back.

Supermodel said, "Go in the bathroom, there's a spray bottle. Re-do her ponytails and wet her hair so you can fix the curls."

"Not comfortable with that...not at all. [Still smiling and nodding at mother-in-law.] I'll hurt her feelings. She's so proud. I'll do it at my house. I've gotta go. I'm gonna be late."

I raced home, grabbed a brush and a comb and was humbled by my inability to get Supermodel Jr.'s hair styled in two, low, tight ponytails. It took several tries and I felt like a fat-fingered-man. It was as good as it was going to get. I sat her on the counter by the kitchen sink.

"Honey, can you please lean waaay over the sink so I can get your ponytails wet? Then I can curl them!"

She didn't trust what I was doing, and was worried about getting her "pretty costume" wet. I followed Supermodel's instructions. One ponytail curled in a ringlet, the other one was wavy, no matter what I did. I tried my best.

And another thing? Supermodel Jr. was supposed to be in the tutu OR the shiny pants. Not both of them.

I'm exhausted.