If anyone needs me...

I'll be working. On my tan . And my book.

(Please focus on the beautiful ocean/clouds combo and not my one-very-long-second toe.)

(However, if you have now spent some time critiquing said toe, please understand that it does absolutely denote an extremely high intelligence.)

Uh...

Anyone seen Eliot?

McNopoly?

In the spirit of a 'mommy fail' discussion started yesterday, I'd like to just get it out there that we sometimes eat at McDonalds.

This isn't about how we're all slowly killing ourselves, which I'm fully aware of. I do not support nor un-support the purchase or consumption of any fast food including but not limited to said McD's. Back to the topic: lots of us eat there, but how many of us play the McNopoly game? Every year I throw the little pieces away since we don't eat there enough to even bother.

So, I've run this idea by my handsome sounding board and he dug it. However, at the risk of sounding dumb, I'll share it with you since it won't work if I don't.

Here's the idea: I will start a master game board w/ the couple pieces I have. Instead of us all throwing the pieces away, save it and email me w/ which one you have. I'll mark it off the board w/ your name and contact info. Our chances have to increase if we all join together right? (I promise I'm not just sitting around doing nothing, this is just an idea that I had last year that I never posted.)

So, if we win something, those who's pieces won, get to split the $$. What does everyone think?? This is one of those moments where it seems kinda dumb until we win money and then it seems brilliant! Anyone in?? Pray about it and get back to me.

Appearances.

This post idea has been rattling around in the brain for a few months now. Over the summer I heard someone say they quit reading a mutual friends blog because she always looked like she had it all together, life was dandy, nothin' to see here except shiny happy people holding hands. Those weren't her exact words but you get it. It got me thinking. I'm sure we all do it to some degree.

While at the pumpkin patch with friends we rarely see, we noticed them laughing after watching us attempt to take a pic of Eliot. They made jokes about how after seeing all the cute pics of him we have, they thought he walked around posing perfectly for pics. Then after I posted some of our patch pics on facebook, one of my friends even commented this: "It must be so fun to photograph such a good-looking kid! So stinkin' cute in all of these!!"

Well, let's see...

Take 347? Nope.

And take 2931. Nope.

So, yeah...let's just set the record straight. Eliot is just like every other 3 year old. We take hundreds of pics hoping for 2-4 good ones. The digital camera was created by a parent, I'm sure of it.

We certainly don't have everything figured out as parents, and for sure not in marriage. Everyday life can get pretty stressful around here with all we have on our plates and I'm not even talking about how often Russ wrestles a block of cheese out of my hands. But I rarely post about that stuff. I should more often, even just for myself, but also for you. While some unhealthy part of me really wants you to think I have it all together, the reality is pretty much the opposite.

Some blog examples? 90% of gymnastics so far has looked like this:

But that's not what I led you to think, and the five minutes he actually participated I bossed Lisa around making her take a million pics.

And that cute little chocolate chip? Believe it or not, he spends a good amount of time like this:

That's a time-out. At the pumpkin patch. The place of utopia-like paradise for a 3 year old. And don't fall for the brown face of innocence, he deserved it and more, frankly.

So, don't be deceived. Things are not all sunflowers and bubbles around here. More like bubblewrap. (As usual, I'm not sure what that means.) We're pretty much making up this parenthood thing as we go, I fail daily at wife-hood, I consistently drop the ball in friendships, I can't stop drinking soda and I would like to take this opportunity to admit publicly that I don't know the last time I mopped the floor. (Let me think...how long have we lived in this new place?)

And while I'm admitting stuff, if you were in the stack that didn't receive a thank you card from our wedding 11 years ago, please know that we really were thankful for those _____ that you gave us.

In conclusion, know that we're not as polished this here blog may suggest and may need to throw in a few more 'keepin it real' posts. Oh, and, don't eat anything off my floors.

Pics from the patch!

The tradition lives on!

The race!

Starting my full-time job brought on some sacrifices, one of them being an additional obstacle to my running schedule. I could have made myself do it, but that would mean sacrificing time from something (or someone) else and I just couldn't do it. I ran off and on during the last 14 weeks but nothing consistent like you're supposed to when training for a half-marathon.

Several weeks ago, I made the decision to let myself off the hook and just sign up for the 10K even though my girls would be completing our original team goal of 13.1 miles. We drove Friday night to Columbia and woke up Saturday to thunderstorms and a chilly breeze. Not exactly ideal running conditions but there's not much you can do.


The girls starting the half!

My skills w/ our *new* camera aren't so great as you can tell. Either that or they were all running so fast it was impossible to catch. You decide. That's them on the very left, green and blue shorts.

My 10K started 15 minutes after they were gone. I enjoy running alone but was disappointed I wasn't able to at least start w/ my team! It rained 99% of the run. Some of that was actually pretty refreshing. There's something kinda cleansing about running by yourself on the trail in the rain for a long time.

Eliot keeps telling people that I won since I came in before the girls. I'm thankful he doesn't understand 6.2 vs. 13.1 yet. I'll take it!

Here's the "after" pic. I'm so proud of my girls! They each worked really hard for this and stuck it out together! Great job, girls!!

You're running out of time.

If you don't have a calendar right in front of you, you should know that there's only two days of September left. That's important to you. Let me remind you why:

This is a great example of what you might call a "before" picture. Before, well, a lot of things, but mostly important for this post? Before Ninfa.

People, this is what I would still look like. Seriously. She's that good.

You have until Wednesday evening (Feel free to call after Wednesday, you just won't get the sweet deal.) to call Strands Salon, and book an appointment for the some time in the next few months: 314-725-1717.

The appointment for your fantastic follicle future.

I'm closest to God's Heaven in my garden. With the Matador.

The answer to all my problems! Well, not all my problems I guess, just one (not to take away from the impact.)

The problem? My hobby. Earring shopping. It's Guatemala's fault (they have some mad skills down there!) And Ninfa's fault (we all know the best accessory to THE accessory is a cute pair of earrings.) So, yeah, I enjoy a cute pair-o-rings for my lobes.

That came out weird.

So, I've never really had a great solution as to where to house all my lobe candy. (ewww.) No jewelry box ever seemed adequate, mostly because like Moto Moto, " I like 'em big, I like 'em chunky."

So, whenever it comes to mind when I have friends over, I'll show them my pile and ask their advice. I usually hear "Well, I have this blah blah blah that works perfectly!" but their solution was never anything I could do. I don't have extra drawers or shelf/dresser space.

However, remember this weekend? Well, Julie happens to make jewelry so I know her "hobby" is worse than mine. She described an idea she's heard before using common household materials.

Ya'll, the clouds parted and heavenly hosts sang out the halleluah chorus.

Step 1: Find old frames. So, off hunting I went. I found two Goodwill treasures. This robust Matador had a cool frame and then a lovely cross-stitched little number reading "I'm closest to God's Heaven in my garden." (Sidenote: as I was purchasing this catch phrase, the lady behind me started oogling it and said, "ooh, that's beautiful." and then something to the affect of "I wish I would've thought of that." She was my third treasure at Goodwill)


Step 2: Buy screening. This vinyl role will last me til then end of time. It was super easy to work with.


Step 3: Replace Matador and God's Heaven with screen. Staple gun those suckers. Add some wiring for wall placement and SHA-BAMM! 16 year problem solved. (allowed to pierce my ears at age 16...) This isn't the best pic but you get it. Here's the cooler of the two:

(and a special thanks to my spouse for the supportive role with the staple gun.)

Summer Olympics 2020

Want a sneak peak? Click here to head over to Lisa's blog.

It's a.m.a.z.i.n.g.

And, no, it's not a clue about the Halloween duo.