Simply Busy

Thank You

2012-02-09T20:56:00.002-06:00

1. Girl Scouts.....

.... for the ~~crack~~ carbo-loading this week.

2. Aveda.....

.... for helping me breathe again. Have you tried this? Just a little under the nose and my sinuses are open..... I may have to stick this little tube in my SPI belt Sunday, but I'm hoping to be over this by then.

3. Auto Correct.....

..... for getting me all excited and then tearing me down. Believe me, Hoover is NOT as exciting as Hawaii.

Half Marathon Worries

2012-02-07T21:07:00.001-06:00

*** My head is stuffy and I'm soooo tired. I'm not sick, but I have a head-full of congestion. Emergen-C, Sudafed, Advil, Vick's Vapo-Rub and sleep are my friends right now. I'm praying this goes away by Sunday.

*** I'm checking the weather daily.... ok, hourly. Sunny and cool seem to be on tap. First the low Sunday morning was around 29.... now, it's 33.

*** I can't decide how to dress....... capris? shorts? skirt? long sleeve shirt? short sleeve shirt? I know I'll be in some funky socks and some pigtails...... the rest, I just can't decide.

*** Earlier this week, we received Elizabeth's soccer schedule. Guess what? She has a game Sunday afternoon..... yes, she will have a 13.1 mile warm up. I'm worried she's gong to get injured between the two.

*** I need to get a couple of runs in this week..... I just don't feel like it. Should I lay off? Should I just suck it up and run?

*** Why am I acting like this is my first half? I know what to expect. I know the course.

*** Elizabeth is going after my PR.... I'm worried she'll be crushed if she doesn't beat it, but I know she will.

*** Yes, I'm already starting to worry I'll miss the alarm.

Love and Excitement

2012-02-05T18:54:00.000-06:00

This Sunday, I'm running the Mercedes Half Marathon with Steve and Elizabeth.

This is the 4th year in a row I've run this race. The 3rd for Elizabeth and the 1st for Steve.

I'm so excited.

Every year, I go back and read the story about how this race evolved and every year I tear up reading it. Ok, I lied, I cry like a baby reading it.

It goes like this........

A MARATHON FOR LOVE

It’s really a love story. The Mercedes Marathon, a test of endurance and determination, a goal that drives ordinary people to train for months, is really just a love story.

It’s a love story between a boy named Matt and his daddy named Paul.

Matt was born with Down syndrome sixteen years ago. But not only did he have Down syndrome, he also had the heart defect that often accompanies the diagnosis. A sick little boy, Matt required open heart surgery, and the whole idea frightened his parents, Paul and Cinna Sotherland.

Cinna vividly remembers being at UAB hospital with Matt and Paul just before Matt was to have his open heart surgery. The family was standing at one of the big windows at the end of the hallway that looked out over the streets of downtown. Runners, competing in the old Vulcan Marathon, were racing by, and Paul – who ran a little, just for exercise – looked down at his tiny son and made one promise. “You pull through this, Matt, and next year, Daddy will run a marathon for you,” Paul pledged.

Tough little Matt kept his end of the bargain, and Daddy began training. Together they tackled the challenges ahead: Matt’s challenges that come as a part of the Down syndrome diagnosis, and Paul’s determination to run 26.2 miles in honor of the son he so loves. During his training, Paul looked for guidance and motivation, and even good running shoes, from Valerie McLean, the owner of The Trak Shak running shops. Paul did run the Vulcan Marathon the next year, and then kept on running, completing nineteen marathons and half marathons too numerous to count. But it was really Valerie who took the inspiration from Paul and Matt.

She helped organize a half-marathon to benefit The Early Intervention Program (now The Bell Center), the place where Cinna and Paul brought Matt to receive critical therapies, and over the next five years, the Freeze Your Half Off Half-Marathon grew into a first-class event. Valerie knew it was time to take the event to a greater level, and in 2002 transformed the Freeze Your Half Off into the Mercedes Marathon and Half Marathon. Proceeds from the event are given annually to just two charities that provide services to children, one of which is The Bell Center for Early Intervention Programs.

During its second year, the Mercedes Marathon hosted the 2003 USA Men’s Marathon Championships in preparation for hosting the 2004 USA Men’s Marathon Olympic Trials. Using a multi-loop course proved to be an exciting venue for both athletes and spectators alike. The loop course idea was so successful, that both the New York and Boston Marathons used loop courses for the 2008 USA Men’s & Women’s Marathon Olympic Trials.

Now in its eleventh year, the Mercedes-Benz Marathon weekend of events has become a Birmingham tradition. The event has helped to raise more than $3 million for local charities. The 2011 event included more than 9,000 runners and walkers of all ages, shapes and sizes and was used by participants to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for various local charities.

All of that is important, but it really is just a love story.

********************

Are you in tears? If not, you should be.

I love how this event has become such a huge part of my family's life.

When Elizabeth was a baby, the race used to come right through our neighborhood and we would walk down the street and cheer on the runners.

Then, there were a few years where Elizabeth would run the Mercedes Kids Marathon. Starting in the fall, she would run a little at a time until she got to 25.2 miles and keep a log. Then, the Saturday of marathon weekend the kids run the last mile, cross the finish line and receive their finishers medal. I owe Elizabeth's love of running partly to this event.

And finally, a friend of mine and I ran the half for the first time in 2009 and I've run it since.... talking Elizabeth into joining me and finally Steve.

I'm so emotional going into this week..... it's the first half marathon we've done as a family. It means so much knowing that this race was started out of family love.

Do we have a goal? Elizabeth's goal is to take over the family PR (personal record) beating my PR of 2:35, while Steve and I just want to finish. I'd like to finish in under 3 hours (13:30 minute miles)..... yes, we are terribly slow runners.

Today, we ran our last long run before the race...... I think I'm ready!

Brain Potpourri

2012-02-02T16:32:00.002-06:00

Here are a few things running through my head right now.....

*** You know when you have little ones and the older ladies come up to you and tell you to enjoy every minute of it because your little ones will be big soon? Well, I know why they are telling to enjoy it..... because one day they will be teenagers and raising babies and toddlers are soooooo much easier. Teenagers and their problems will wear you slap out. I promise. I actually think I'd rather be sleep deprived from feeding a baby or comforting a toddler than losing sleep over teen problems. I remember being a teen..... it's worse the second time around and you have to watch.

*** I wish I had unlimited race fee funds. Signing up for races certainly keeps me running and I like to have something to look forward to. I wish I could do a 10K, 15K or Half Marathon a month..... not one of each..... oh and I guess I'd need some travel funds, too.

*** I finished my 21-Day Challenge and had sugar the first day I could. It was so yummy..... and all I could think about once the sweet stuff was coursing through my veins. I'm assuming that's how crack addicts feel..... constantly thinking how they are going to get their next fix. Yep, that's how I was with sugar yesterday. I couldn't get if off my mind. So, today, I'm off sugar again.... and I feel so much better already.

*** Speaking of what we put in our bodies, I 've been thinking about the chemicals we put in our bodies. See, I've been reading labels lately and I'm so amazed how there are so many things I can't pronounce that I've been poisoning (probably) my body with. You may not be old enough, but I can remember when a certain red food coloring would come with a warning... that it may cause cancer. Oh, and sacharine was the same way. Now I believe it's just common-place to accept that food is a bunch of chemicals. Well, I'm trying to pay more attention now..... and bug Hubs to give up his diet soda ways. I mean, if I had to give my my cancer sticks (cigarettes) then he should have to give up his chemical water (soda), right? All those chemicals could cause cancer. Sure, I don't know if there is any scientific proof, but I have a hankering, that's all.

*** I've been in a funk lately.... sorry if I've been negative..... I'm really trying to stay positive..... but you gotta learn from the bad times and they help you appreciate the good times more.

*** I ordered two yoga dvd's from Gaiam and they should arrive on Saturday. One is by Trudie Styler and the other is by Rodney Yee. I can't wait to try them out! I just hope they aren't too advanced for me.... I'm still learning and really do love it!

*** Today I was surprised with a visit by my favorite daughter and a couple of friends during lunch..... apparently they have 8th Grade-itis and would rather sit in my room than at the lunch table. Elizabeth decided to sit in my chair and wouldn't get up..... this was the result.....

..... I thought it was funny. Oh, and it was accessory day at school for Catholic Schools Week.... don't you love her hat?

What's on your mind today?

Running Shoe Fix

2012-01-31T19:41:00.003-06:00

I'm one of those runners..... you know, the one that wears her old running shoes around town after she has too many miles on them to run in them anymore.

Usually, they look bright and shiny after running 350 miles on the roads.... almost brand new except for the tread being worn.

When I got new running shoes for Christmas, I decided that maybe I should just toss my old running shoes in the trash because this time they looked like this.......

Yeah, they look pretty bad this time. That's from running on a trail with gravel and lots of dust being kicked around..... that's where Elizabeth's cross country team practiced over the summer and fall..... and yep, I did run out there a little. And I, also, think something got spilled all over them. Anyway, they were trashed.

I decided to do what my mom used to do...... I washed them in the washing machine and now they look like this......

..... sooooo much better! I had forgotten that they were grey and not white shoes. And all the stains came out. Yes, those aren't stains on the top of the shoes..... they are holes in the lining from my super-short toenails (I promise they are not long, I like them short)..... I must run funny and stick my toes up before my foot strikes the pavement because all of my running shoes rub holes right there...... odd, I know.

And when I dried the shoes, I tried a trick I learned on Pinterest.......

.... worked like a charm. I just dried them with a few towels and there wasn't any noise from the shoes banging around in the dryer. Pure genius, I tell ya!

21-Day Challenge Update

2012-01-27T13:13:00.001-06:00

Happy Friday! Yes, I know the day is half over, but I've been busy....... it's sickness season in the old health room....... I'm thinking I need to pull out the gloves and mask when kids come in...... that would be a photo op for sure!

Remember when I told you about the 21 day challenge I've been doing? Every day I eat a green veggie, exercise, log the food I'm eating and stay clear of sugar through the end of the month. Well, I can feel a huge difference in how I'm feeling. I have more energy (yesterday was the first day I took a nap, but I was exhausted) and I've lost an inch in my waist.

I can't tell you how much weight I've lost because I don't weigh myself anymore. Seriously, I haven't stepped on a scale since July. And I have to tell you it's liberating. When my pants are tight, I know I need to real it in..... and right now they are loose. I'm trying to not let a number that pops up on my scale control me anymore.... because when I do weigh myself, I get obsessed about it and I don't want to feel that way. You know what I mean? I get all upset that the number on the scale isn't moving down, but I seem to put aside that my pants are looser and I'm feeling firmer..... so out went the scale.

But, back to my challenge...... What am I doing to workout everyday? I mean, I could run everyday, but I knew I was needing to try new things to supplement my running because my knee has been feeling so tight lately and I knew I was needing to stretch out my muscles while training for the half marathon I'm doing in a few weeks. So, I came up with a schedule.......

Monday- Barre3 dvd

Tuesday- run and weights

Wednesday- yoga

Thursday- run and weights

Friday- Barre3 dvd

Saturday- long run

Sunday- yoga

When this challenge is up, I'm going to stick to this schedule and keep staring clear of sugar until the half..... then go crazy for a couple of days until Lent and give the white, sweet stuff up again.

As far as the weekends are concerned I do my long run on one day and yoga the other depending on weather and family schedule.

Since I added the barre and yoga, the tightness in my knee has almost vanished. Last week on our 9 mile run, I had absolutely no pain. But when we ran 3 miles the other night, it was all tight and stuff again. Crazy, right? Oh, and it used to kinda hurt walking up steps, not anymore. So, a good stretch workout a few times a week is going to stick around.

Are you working out? What are you doing these days to keep in shape?

My Current Favorite Things

2012-01-24T21:52:00.000-06:00

This workout dvd.....

..... I am really liking it... a lot. Thanks, Lori, for directing me to it.

Oh, and I find myself standing like this......

.... and I'm standing straighter, too!

Oh, and have your tried this.....

..... if not, you must. It's sooo smooth.

And what about this......

...... oh, so good, too!

I'm in love with my new running shoes......

..... seriously, in love! I went with the wide size this time.... to make extra room for my bunions and I haven't had any pain on my long runs.... NONE!

And popcorn from my Whirley Pop......

.... if you're a popcorn eater you MUST run out and get a Whirley Pop...... it really does make the BEST popcorn. Thank you, Steve, for giving it to me for Christmas.

And I enjoy the popcorn while I've been watching this.....

.... yep, I've succumbed to peer pressure from Suzette and have started watching Downton Abbey..... oh, I'm in love.... and speak in a fake British accent all the time now.

What's one of your current favorites?

Lucky

2012-01-18T09:30:00.001-06:00

Fifteen years ago today I found out I was pregnant with Elizabeth. It was the happiest day of my life..... and also the scariest because I knew my little baby growing in my belly would one day grow up and leave me.... and possibly hate me..... but most of the time love me. Today, I know that day is coming quickly because I swear it was just yesterday that I was sitting in an emergency room on a Saturday night, puking my guts out, when the doctor came in and told Steve and me we were going to be parents. Yep, God has certainly blessed us.

Quinoa

2012-01-16T19:53:00.003-06:00

I've been wanting to try quinoa for a while now..... I even bought some a few months ago.

But I was scared and the box was collecting dust in my pantry. I'm a big chicken when it comes to trying new things sometimes, I'm not afraid to admit that.

Today I cooked it and tried it..... um, YUM! I think this is one "health" food I can get into.

I made this recipe...... but adapted it a litte bit.

Here's what I did......

Ingredients:
2 cups water
1 cup quinoa
1 cucumber, chopped
1/2 red bell pepper, chopped
1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
1/2 pint of grape tomatoes, halved
handful of fresh parsley, chopped
1/2 handful of mint leaves, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
juice of one lemon
1/2 teaspoon salt

Bring water to a boil. Add quinoa and cook for 15 minutes. Once cooked and cooled, toss with other ingredients.

See, it's that easy..... and it's delicious. I wanted my salad to be a little more like tabouleh so I added more parsley and more mint which is why I didn't give a measurement for those ingredients.

I divided the recipe into 2 cup servings for lunch this week......

..... not too bad, right?

Do you have a favorite quinoa recipe? Care to share it with me?

Hello

2012-01-11T21:25:00.001-06:00

I don't have much to say this week... really this year. Have you noticed the lame posts? And I don't have much to say, but bear with me while I tell you what's on my mind.

On Tuesday, I started a 21 Day Challenge with my friend, Nif. Usually she does a 10 day challenge starting the 10th of every month, but this month she decided to kick our butts a bit and do 21 days (or you could do the 10). I chose the 21 day.... yep, I'm crazy.

There really isn't much to the challenge, but it's not easy. You log all of your food, make sure you eat a green veggie each day, cut out the sugar (read labels to make sure!) and do at least 30 minutes of exercise each day. See, not bad, but today I had the worst headache. From the lack of sugar, perhaps? I really didn't think I had that much sugar in my diet. Interesting, huh?

Of course, these were brought to the office today.....

..... I refrained. I was lucky it's early in the challenge.

I have been eating snacks like this though......

...... not a meltaway from a great little bakery, but they did the job after school today.

Let's see..... what else........

Oh, this product about made me wet my pants I laughed so hard when I saw it......

..... why does one need one of these? Can you not shake or stir your own martini? It's not that hard. I do it all the time.... I prefer mine shaken, not stirred. I took it as laziness at a whole new level. Hilarious, though, no?

Another thing that happened today.... Elizabeth stopped by my office for something for her lips.... they were feeling a bit dry. I offered her some petroleum jelly, but she declined. So, I checked my makeup bag and found these.......

..... she chose the ChapStick. She's so not into makeup...... not like me at her age.

Hello? Are you still here? I wouldn't blame you if you weren't.

Oh, since I'm trying to clean up my eating, I started baking my own bread......

This was a recipe for a Wheat French Bread. I made it into a loaf..... I'll let you know how it is.

If you read all the way to the end, thanks.

So, what's new with you? Do you bake your own bread? Are you eating clean like everyone else I know?

Conflicted Over Football

2012-01-09T10:26:00.001-06:00

That's how I'm feeling these days.

I know, I know. I don't have a dog in this fight and it really doesn't matter to me how it ends, but I'm feeling the need to choose a side.

On one hand, I could be for LSU.

My dad went to LSU for some grad work back in the 70's.

I knew who Mike the Tiger was before I had even heard of Big Al or Aubie.

When we moved to Birmingham, my dad always rooted for LSU over Alabama..... and I did, too.

Alabama is my school's in-state rival- I see the whole keep it in the state argument, but shouldn't we want other states to enjoy the thrill of winning if we're going with that argument? I mean, the championship has been in our state for two straight years.

On the other hand, I could be for Alabama.

Steve went to Alabama and it would make him happy for his school to win and I should want him to be happy as his loving and adoring wife, right?

See, I'm conflicted.

January.... Likes and Don't Likes

2012-01-06T10:40:00.001-06:00

Things I like about January:

it's a month-full of fresh starts

running in the cold

my house feels clean... perhaps because all the Christmas stuff is put up?

a brand new clean calendar

very few things to do or go to on the above new calendar

spring is around the corner

snuggling at home with a fire and blankets and hot tea

planning summer vacation

soup, soup and more soup for dinners

flannel pjs and fuzzy slippers

Things I don't like about January:

cold weather

the feeling that I can't get warm
cold, windy days

Old and New

2012-01-01T09:58:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year!

I pray that 2012 brings you joy, happiness and love.

Christmas break is almost over and hasn't been without incident........

Steve was sick with a fever and stomach bug before Christmas, the gingerbread house broke before Elizabeth even decorated it, E and I went to Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve and when we got home she had no interest in leaving cookies and milk out for Santa (sigh), the elves are still hanging where they were two weeks ago, the little glimpses of Christmas magic were so hard to find this year.

But, I'm going to try to focus on the good...... Elizabeth loved her big gift (she's going to visit her friend in Arizona in February), my whole family was together on Christmas, Steve was a trooper even though he didn't feel great, we spent a ton of time together.

I'm not making any resolutions this year, well not really. I want to enjoy my family and be more present around the house..... you know, listen when Steve and Elizabeth talk, have more conversations, enjoy them more than I ever have.

When Steve talks about work, it's like listening to a foreign language to me and I know I don't listen the way I should. So, I'm going to start looking at him and really trying to understand what he's saying.

Elizabeth tells me a lot of information..... I'm going to try to listen and retain a lot of what she says. I know, that's a lofty goal for sure!

See, here's how I think..... as wife and mom, I run this household- I do the meal planning, I cook, I clean, I make many of the day to day decisions when it comes to things around my house. I must make it a home and that means being present when interaction is happening and I know I haven't done a great job at that lately.

What about you? Are you making any resolutions this year?

My Most Watched YouTube Video of 2011

2011-12-30T18:00:00.000-06:00

No, I've never watched the Rebecca Black video for "Friday, Friday".... which was YouTube's most watched video of 2011. I'm thinking I'll keep it that way, too.

You know, I've posted a few videos this year and this is my most watched. Enjoy.... again.....

Blog Headers 2011

2011-12-29T18:30:00.000-06:00

As we wind down 2011, let's take a little look down memory lane.......

As you can see, I'm not terribly creative when it comes to blog headers.

I changed my blog name mid-year....... I'm glad I did it. Now, I just need to change it all over to my domain Steve bought for me.

As of right now, I don't have a header for January 2012 yet..... but it will come to me, I'm sure since I need to do a Christmas recap..... my holiday was out of the ordinary and I need to write about it because even I can't believe it..... and although I'd like to forget it, it must be journalled.

A Look Back at 2011- Month by Month

2011-12-28T10:00:00.000-06:00

Let's take a look back at 2011 with my favorite photos of each month.......

January......

..... I didn't even take this picture, but it's my favorite from the month. This was what Toomer's Corner looked like on January 11th..... the day after my Auburn Tigers won the National Championship game in football. Isn't it beautiful?

February......

.... here Elizabeth and I are before the start of the Mercedes Half-Marathon 2011. Good times, for sure!

March......

...... I started my first garden.

April.....

..... we had an extra Spring Break and a few of us moms took our kids to the beach for a few days and had a great time. I think we need a few more kids... don't cha think? Scarily, we spent one day worried sick about our husbands and friends when some tornadoes hit the state of Alabama. But it was a still a fun trip.

May......

...... someone was inducted in the National Junior Honor Society. Yep, she's a smarty pants.

June.......

...... we went to the beach and watched a few sunrises and caught a shark. OK, the second, I'd like to forget.

July....

..... I had dinner with the super cute Daphne from Flip Flips and Pearls.

August.....

.... Elizabeth fell in love with a new sport.

September.....

....... Elizabeth celebrated her 14th birthday with an Auburn football game with two of her best friends.

October.....

...... Elizabeth and I spent another day in Auburn.

November.....

...... we spent Thanksgiving in Disney World.

December.....

..... we celebrated the birth of our Savior.

Merry Christmas

2011-12-23T13:27:00.001-06:00

.... from our family to yours.

Thanks for reading this year.

The Elves

2011-12-22T07:48:00.001-06:00

Tired of making the elves do something every night?

Do you wake up in a panic because you're not sure if the elves are having enough fun and mischief at your house?

Kids complaining that their elves aren't as much fun as their friends' elves?

Are you constantly on Pinterest looking for new ideas for them?

Do you pray for Christmas to arrive soon so the elves go back to Santa and you can sleep peacefully once again?

Are you Googling to find out who came up with the idea for the elves to come visit and you daydream of ways to maim that person?

Well, one day it will end.... and you will sleep soundly not trying to come up with new things for the damn elves to do.

Because our elves have been hanging here since Saturday........

...... and Elizabeth doesn't even care anymore.

I promise the day will come...... and you will be sad..... rested, but sad.

A Very Merry Retail Christmas

2011-12-20T15:34:00.000-06:00

For 10 Christmases I worked at a clothing store in the mall.

Here's a few notes about men shopping at Christmastime.......

1. Men were easy sales..... for the most part they liked to get in and out of the mall quickly and just wanted something in the bag to give as a gift. And they liked complete outfits..... with accessories.

2. I'd say 99% of the men I waited on when asked what size their wife, girlfriend, daughter was they would say, "About your size. So, a small?" I smiled at the compliment ever single time.

3. They would usually shop on their lunch break and I knew many were appreciative of the help they received from me. Many came back year after year and would ask for me.

4. I worked in a store that didn't wrap gifts. So, I always offered to wrap a gift if they ran down the mall and purchased wrapping paper. And I really offered that to any customer, not just men, but it was mostly men who took me up on it.

5. I wonder if those men ever missed me now that I've been out of retail for 14 years.

A Gift to Yourself

2011-12-18T18:00:00.000-06:00

Not long ago, I was looking at some old pictures.

Lovely overalls and short hair, right? I thought that would hide the baby weight I was still carrying. I guess I was wrong. And I always heard if you want to look thinner, put a baby on your hip. That wasn't working either. Or maybe the 10 pounds the camera adds was counter-balanced by Elizabeth as a baby on my hip. Either way, none of it was working.

But what I really noticed and want to take a minute to discuss are my eyebrows. Wow, they are huge, right? Back then, all I did was pluck the strays underneath and between them. This was obviously before I had them professionally shaped.

About 10 years ago, I finally wised up and got them shaped. And they look so much better now.

(I'm in a beachy mood and would like to be at the beach, so I went back and found a beach picture to show you...... man, I'm not a fan of the cold....)

I knew my big, bushy eyebrows always bothered me and with the gene pool Elizabeth was coming from hers would bother her too.... one day.

Last year when Elizabeth mentioned wanting to do something about her brows, I knew I needed to take action. So, first we just took care of the strays, but I knew she was wanting more. So, a few months ago I asked her if she would like to go to my brow girl and get hers shaped. She jumped at the chance.

I called, made the appointment and now she loves her brows......

I love how our brows look so neat now..... and they frame our faces.... and they aren't the first things you notice anymore.

We are not big makeup girls.... I don't wear much at all and Elizabeth very rarely wears it. So, getting our brows done are the one little "happy" we do for ourselves.

What's one little "happy" you do for yourself?

Three Things

2011-12-15T13:12:00.001-06:00

1. Ten days until Christmas? Really? How has the time flown by? I'm wondering if it's because I was ready before Thanksgiving for the most part with my shopping and I've only been tying up some loose ends since then.

I remember when I was growing up how slowly it seemed for Christmas to arrive. Mom would decorate the house, wrap the presents and put them under the tree and then we just had to wait....... and wait...... and wait. Waiting is so hard...... but that's what Advent is all about, right?

I am really excited for Elizabeth to open her big gift. I think that's going to be my big gift... her expression when she opens it. I almost feel like I did when I was a kid..... the waiting is the hardest part.

2. Two things happened today.... first I got a private comment from a reader putting me in my place regarding a recent post. Second, I read this post about staying positive.

I do try to keep it pretty positive around here and find the humor in the things I do complain about, although I was not being funny about the topic at hand. Usually, if I complain it's way after the fact and share the looking-back-and-laugh moments of life. Perhaps I didn't leave enough time to write my thoughts with this one and I'm sorry if it sounded like I was making a blatant judgement.

I know people do need help getting around, I know people do have heath issues, I know people do want to escape. Sorry, if I offended anyone.

By the way, I have read some snarky blogs where moms only complained about their job as a mom in post after post after post..... I didn't like them and moved on. I hope my readers do find my everyday life pretty funny and not so complain-y. For the most part, I laugh at myself for many of my faults...... and there are many. Just ask Steve or Elizabeth, they'll tell you the brutal truth, I'm sure.

3. Half-marathon training started last weekend for us. I'm going to quote Forrest Gump- "That's all I have to say about that."

Christmastime Mystery

2011-12-14T17:46:00.000-06:00

This package was delivered to our house on Saturday.

It's addressed to Steve.

I was told not to mess with it.

So, I'm assuming it's a Christmas gift for me.

It's now Wednesday evening.

Is it going to sit there until Christmas morning?

Is it going to get wrapped?

Should I wrap it myself?

Is It a Judgement or an Observation?

2011-12-13T12:22:00.000-06:00

Last month, when I was at Disney World, I couldn't help but notice something.

It's really bothered me ever since I returned home.

And maybe I'm a little sheltered in my little world here in Alabama and don't really notice it on a daily basis.

We're a fat, lazy nation.

Now, don't get me wrong, I know I have a little weight to lose. The muffin top is jumbo, in my opinion. Steve knows he has some weight to lose, too. Elizabeth? Not so much.... she's adorable, but thinks she could lose some weight, too. Ahhh, she'll look back to photos of her and think to herself "what was I thinking? I'm adorable" in the same way I do when I see photos of myself back in the day and had the same thoughts as she does.

Everywhere I looked I saw people that were very large.... much larger than my family.... and wondered how they rode rides. How they fit in a seat on the bus. How they just managed on a daily basis carrying that much weight around.

Everywhere I looked I saw people in those little motorized scooters. Bumping into them, looking at their frustrated faces as they tried to navigate around "the world." I thought, wouldn't it just be easier to walk?

Now, don't get me wrong, I know there are reasons for people to be in such scooters..... but I think the majority of them are just lazy.

I know, that's a judgement...... maybe it's more of an observation.

But, I looked at my parents who are around 70 and they walked around...... with two young boys..... very busy boys..... and I have to say, I admire them for even tackling the task of taking three of their grandkids to Disney World for 4 days. And I looked at other people.... my age and older...... riding motorized scooters. Sure, some were older..... others just overweight. And I noticed the tags were from rental places around Disney...... they certainly weren't owned by the people...... so did they have them at home and use them on a daily basis? Probably not.

As we walked around EPCOT many days, I wanted to ask the people from the counties we were visiting what they thought of us as Americans. Did they see the same thing I was seeing? Do they think we're a nation full of fat, lazy people? Because that's what I would think.

I know I've heard that other countries think we are fat and lazy.... but for the first time I really saw it with my own eyes.

When we were eating in Italy one day for lunch, I asked our waiter if the delish eggplant parmesan I was enjoying was as good as his moms. He politely said no.... which is what I had expected him to say. He went on to tell us that they don't have chicken parm in Italy and some other things..... and I so badly wanted to ask him my questions..... but chickened out. I guess if I had had a second glass of the sangria they were serving I would have.......

So, here's to my parents who are older and probably wanted a scooter.... but braved the crowds on their feet..... and the others like them. And to parents like me and Steve whose feet hurt every single night from all the walking (and we're runners!).

And seeing first-hand what America really looks like had made us want to exercise a little more and take care of ourselves...... because one day we'd like to take our grandkids to Disney..... and not scooter around.

10 on the Weekend of the 10th

2011-12-11T18:00:00.001-06:00

Hi! How was your weekend?

I forgot to do 10 on the 10th.... again. So, you're getting what I got.... starting Friday..... how's that?

Friday, I broke out the best Christmas t-shirt......

..... EVER. Charlie Brown rocks! And why do my teeth look green?

All is calm.......

.... all is bright........

On to Saturday......

We went on a family run.......

.... we drove to the running trail, well I drove, and I forgot to take off my sunglasses..... so I ran in them. I'm not a fan of running in sunglasses.... they get all steamy.

We went to church Saturday night.......

... and I had to snap a picture of the nativity in front of our church. A few years ago, someone stole Baby Jesus. The news covered it and it was returned just in time to celebrate Christmas Mass.

Now.... on to Sunday...... are you still here?

We lit the third candle on our Advent wreath......

.... it's pink... er, rose as Suzette pointed out to me... and joyful.

I love clementines......

.... I love them even more in a basket on the counter.

I baked a few cookies......

..... and now my kitchen smells like this......

.... without lighting it.... but I like it lit, so it stays lit while baking, too.

And I made a little hot cocoa station in my kitchen.....

.... wanna stop by and sip on some hot cocoa and sit by the fire while we watch "Elf".... or "Love Actually"? I'd love that.

And finally, for those wondering who won my Christmas CD giveaway, the time has come to announce who.......

....... congrats HiTechDirtGuy! I'll get your CD's to you this week!

Thank you all for entering my giveaway!

Check out other 10 on 10th's here.........

A Little Christmas Happy

2011-12-08T21:10:00.001-06:00

I got a Christmas happy from a parent at school.

Cute, right?

I like how it gives a little Christmas boost to St. Francis in the kitchen.

Don't you?

Also, I like to get wine as a happy..... just in cases anyone is wondering.
(what movie is "just in cases" from?)

*****

Look who helped with dinner without being asked. It could be classified as a Christmas miracle.

If you're looking for something for dinner, I suggest you try this soup and these breadsticks.

You're welcome.

*****

If you haven't entered my Christmas CD giveaway, it's not too late..... you have until 6pm Sunday.