October 2024
October was a good month of reconciliation for the Sutters. Not between us or with other people, but a month of fixing things that needed to be fixed, facing some past foes, and some great family times and fall vibes all around.
The first thing we reconciled was a flooded basement.
After I came to grips with some of the hard work being thrown in the dump, the prospect of going through more construction wasn’t that bad. So long as you keep the right mindset throughout the process, going through the re-remodel hasn’t been horrible. Inconvenient? Yeah. Expensive? Yeah. Annoying? Piss yeah. But people went through real problems and trauma from Helene, and poor Joshy needing to re-do his basement work wasn’t on that scale.
After getting that much-needed perspective after a couple days of sulking, it made the process much easier and I’m about to return to where I was a month ago. The flooring and paint is done. Back to cabinetry and furniture shopping.
The second thing we reconciled was leaving our fence and deck stairs unstained and unsealed for far too long. That was one of those projects that sucks to have done, but to protect your investment wood needs sealing apparently.
Past foes.
Calling it a foe is a bit melodramatic, but in a week I’m running a marathon and trying to accomplish a goal that’s alluded me for a couple of years. Specifically, I’m trying to get a sub-four-hour marathon in the bag. I’ve run a few marathons before and the two times I’ve been in good enough form to get sub-four, I’ve failed.
The first time I screwed up my nutrition plan and barfed about 15 miles in, my stomach seized up and I could hardly walk. End of the race.
The second time a few months later I had what I think was COVID or something like it, and about 17 miles in my breathing got jacked up and I couldn’t keep pace. Finished the race but not near my goal.
Those two chances in 2022 really stung. I had put months of work into those preps and to come up short sucked. So I took some time away from running, really most of 2023, and focused on other fitness goals.
Now, as I’m a week out from my first marathon since 2022, I’ve come to a place where I’m good whether or not I get the time I want. My long runs tell me I’m primed and fit enough to do it, but the marathon is a fickle beast and anything can happen. So we shall see, but at the very least I’m so excited to return to the distance and give it a shot.
Looking ahead to other things in November include our first family camping trip which I’m so excited for, welcoming in another foster child to our home in the coming days, and taking a trip to the Mouse’s house for my daughter’s birthday.
Best and Worst of the month:
Best thing I watched, read, or listened to: Lightbringer by Pierce Brown, the Dark Matter TV Series, Eric Mason’s message at Acts 242, and game 3 Yankees - Guardians in the ALDS.
Worst thing I watched, read, or listened to: The Michigan Wolverines offensive scheme.
Best experience of the month: Watching George play basketball and starting a fire without a match (Strike kit), felt like a man.
Best thing I ate: Sushi and Sashimi at Sushi Hut
