My Curly Hair

My first day back to running didn't start well.  Cold, windy, and drizzling.  But I was going no matter what.  Mainly because I knew Karreen would be waiting on the corner.  That accountability can really come back and bite you in the behind, can't it?  So my straight hair and I started out.  And when I got back I had 'the curls'.  Not the wavy, half curly, have to work really hard on it curls.  'The curls'. 

The pretty/could never make it happen on my own/would pay big bucks for/perfect curls.

Can you see it?  You have to look close because it's only the top layer of my hair!  I've discussed my cursed hair before, but it bears repeating.

Sigh...If only I could make that happen without a cold drizzly run.

Killer Heels

Oh those heels. Please accept my apologies for not posting a picture sooner! I think I was in denial since I didn't get to enjoy them properly.

Please take a moment to pause and appreciate the beauty.
And my jammies:c)

I went to the doctor a few days ago after two weeks in the blasted boot again. The blasted broken boot. Say that 5 times fast.

It's okay, I'll wait.

I told him again that I don't wear it much around the house. I walk funny, but I don't mind. I just hate the blasted boot. He told me since it was broken and I was feeling okay, to go ahead and go without it. So after a cautious happy dance and a ceremony at the curb with a trash can, I put on my tennis shoes and spent the rest of the day being careful. Yesterday morning I woke up to go to an audition with McKinley. I put on jeans, a really cute top, and these adorable little flats I bought when I got the Killer Heels. I took one step and almost fell over. And almost cussed. So what have I learned?? I can't wear cute little flats:( Who knows how long I'll be in tennis shoes. But since it's not the blasted boot, I'll be fine. And since tennis shoes only go with jeans and t-shirts, don't expect me to look fabulous or stunning any time soon.

Because I'm sure you all know I usually do.

Stop laughing.

I mean it.

Is This Really What I Look Like?

I need a picture for our companies website and was feeling a bit cuter yesterday than normal. So I asked McKinley to take a few pictures of me last night after I got home from a very long day of work.

I had rice cooking and only a few minutes to do this but we just couldn't find the right place! We started on the porch, not enough light. We went to the garage door, too much light. Then we ended up on the side of the house. One big, honking, scary, hairy, spider above my head and I was done.

So here's what we got. Is that really what I look like? Is it just because I'm tired? Or 40 pounds overweight? Or old? Or the fact that carrying 3 children has wrecked havoc on my body? Or is it genetics? I'd love if it were genetics because then I could blame someone else.

Sigh...

I think for my half marathon reward I'd like:

-A chemical peel
-A face lift
-All over liposuction
-A new haircut and color
-A consultation with a makeup artist
-And while we're at it, different colored eyes.

Last time Shawn got me a Tiffany bracelet. I think for a race in San Francisco with a broken foot I deserve a little more.

Don't you???

Tap Tap

Hello??

Anyone out there??

Is this thing on??

Do I still have followers?

I promise I love each and every one of you.

But once again I've come to a point in my life when I'm too stinking busy!

After Shawn's family and then friend parties tomorrow, I will be back!!

And how do I know I'll be back??

Because I deserve a break!!

Did anyone that lives with me hear that?

Could a few of you call them and let them know please??

I'd appreciate that muchly.

Love you more than I love cleaning my house.

Which is a lot!

What I Did Tonight

Usually when the girls are at piano lessons I go back home to clean up from dinner or spend time with Shawn. But tonight Shawn was at a soccer game and dinner had been quick and was already cleaned up. So I grabbed my freshly checked out library book and headed a few blocks from the piano teachers house to the lake. I parked where I could see the sunset and started reading.

But something else kept grabbing my attention. I ended up getting out about every 10 minutes to take pictures. I'm so glad I stepped out of my routine and spent the evening at the lake.

Running Almost On E

It's that time of year.

School has started.

Schedules are filling up.

Chores are getting forgotten.

The pool is emptying itself.

And routine is hard to find.

And I feel like this.Almost running on e.

Anybody else feel this way??

Facebook Funniest

All these times that I've shared my funny Facebook friends I've left the most hilarious person out! How I overlooked this fabulous person I don't know.

So are you ready??

Here we go.

It's ME!!!!!

If you think I'm funny here you should see me when I get on Facebook and Twitter. I have them rolling in the aisles.

Here are a few of my favorites.

*For each sneeze that I have today I have a mini ab workout. I should have a 6 pack by morning.

*I'm home with the only democrat in our house. I'm not sure how she feels about health care reform but at the moment she just feels sick.

*I decided today was the day to clean out the attic. After all, it's been 9 years. We've accumulated enough to either start our own country or have a garage sale.

*I'm definitely counting the upcoming Wal-Mart trip toward my calorie burning today. If I buy a lot and run down the aisles with the cart I think I can get some good numbers. Stay tuned for how this theory works out.

*I just filled up my car for the 5th time in 13 days. Great way to kiss $300 goodbye.

*I was chased by a roadrunner today. No lie.

*I wonder if this is why I have a weight problem. I wanted clementines for breakfast and we're out...so I had a waffle.

*Let it be known-Princess Bride never gets old. Never. That is all.

*I honestly believe that Junior Mints and a Sonic Diet Dr Pepper with cherry and easy ice would make me feel 100% better. Anyone feel led to purchase and deliver??

Let me just say, one friend commented and said if she'd known earlier she would have. Another friend sent me a text and said she was out and would be over soon. Don't I have the best friends??

*I would like to know who hit me in the head with a 2 x 4 while I was sleeping.

Here are a few responses: The 2 x 4 fairy?? - I'm so sorry. Did I get the wrong house? My apologies.

*I've eaten 18 clementines in the last two and a half days. I expect to look like I have an 80's spray tan soon. In unrelated news...I need a manicure.

*I just fried two pounds of bacon. My house, and quite possibly the block, smell terrific.

*When Hootie became a country singer did he leave the Blowfish floundering?

*I am living in a house with no milk, eggs, butter, cereal, or oatmeal. That frightens me to my very core.

*I just found out it's a lot easier to treat your family to donuts when your purse is in the car when you get to the donut place.

*I am cracking up that McKinley just texted "No oyster oy" to someone because even though her eyes are dilated she insists she can see.

*My steroid says to take after supper. Since I'm not eating at my Grandma's, I don't exactly know when that is.


Really and truly, I crack myself up!

My inheritance

Growing up it was so embarrassing to me that my mom always got the bad shopping cart at the grocery store. Not just the one with a bad wheel, but one that had a horrendous squeak to go with it. To add insult to injury, she also got the bad fork every time we went out to eat.

After her death I noticed those things had passed on to me.

The carts. Oh the carts. They mock me. They haunt me. They follow me from store to store. I think it's the same one. I'll prove it. Some how.

Now to the forks. I do get the bad one. Sometimes even the only bad one at the table. But plastic forks, how can those go wrong? Well, for me, it can.

We like to go to Sam's and have pizza. The whole family can eat for under $20. The pizza is so big that I always eat it with a fork and a knife.Almost every time I'm there I get a bad fork. I don't notice it before I open the package, but after the first bite it's apparent.Want to know how smart I am? It's taken me several years, yes several to figure it out.

Hot pizza + plastic fork = twisted fork

I.

Am.

Not.

Very.

Smart.

VBS-full contact?

My VBS experiences have luckily gotten better since I started. McKinley's first year, at 4, was awful. I was her group leader and suddenly found myself in charge of 8 children who couldn't go to the bathroom alone, couldn't all walk the same direction at once, and couldn't listen to me!

The next year I gladly accepted an offer to work in crafts. I did that for five years and although I had glue, glitter, and paint in places I don't understand, I did enjoy it.

Then the Holy Grail of jobs became mine. Walk around, take pictures, put them on a flash drive, and hand them to the youth pastor in the morning for a slide show. I loved seeing everyone in all the different areas and most importantly, being able to go to the Hospitality Room at any time for a little snackie poo:c) That was my job for two wonderful years. Then we were given that amazing opportunity to go to Disney World during VBS last year and my job was given away. This year with a new children's pastor the job was not even an option.

When I mentioned this to a friend I was suddenly a snack helper. Snacks, okay, I can do that. See some cute kiddos, eat some stray snacks, and still hit the Hospitality Room. It's all about the munching. Monday morning I was there ready to go. Sadly, that meant GO. In my first 30 minutes I had walked about half a mile delivering napkins. My coccyx was ticked off. I limped to my friend and told her I was crumbling. Wonder of wonder, miracle of miracles, she sent me to the Hospitality Room.

I couldn't believe it. It was my mecca. No sweet little children with bathroom issues. No heat exposure. Just snacks. For adults. Chatting. Air conditioning. And did I mention the food?

I loved every minute of it. Well, almost. I didn't want to go on Friday.

Chocolate fountain day.Gag me with a silver spoon.

I stood by the coffee pot all morning to get hits of fresh air.

So as I was enjoying my new job (which I've requested for the next few years) how can this be explained?And these?You might have to just believe me on this, but they're bruises.

Go figure.

Maybe The Hospitality Room isn't all it's cracked up to be.

Awards/Tags

Well, somewhere in the midst of my phone and laptop crashing I got behind on my claiming of awards and tags.

I also think that life got in the way.

I hate it when that happens.

So get ready, this is going to be quick and painless. I hope. With my broken tailbone and ablation surgery in the last week I am all about painless.

First, the tag.

I was tagged by Wendy to do the 8 things survey.

8 Things I am Looking Forward To:

1. Summer break!
2. Seeing my girls grow into mature, confident women
3. Spending the rest of my life with my amazing husband
4. The honeymoon trip I was promised 14 years ago!
5. Finding the perfect job that will still allow me to stay home with my girls (It has to be out there somewhere!)
6. Becoming debt free
7. Taking my girls to Washington D.C.
8. Losing 40 pounds and feeling good about my body again.

8 Things I Did Yesterday:

Sadly, I stayed in bed all day yesterday recovering from surgery so I'll pick....Friday.

1. Went to breakfast with my awesome group of girlfriends and watched them eat and drink while we chatted.
2. Went to see a girlfriends new house.
3. Rode around with my friend MJ looking for garage sales. Sadly, because of the weather, we only found one that wasn't worth slowing down for.
4. Rode to the hospital with Shawn and got checked in.
5. Hyperventilated when the nurse started my IV.
6. Told about 27 different people what surgery I was in for. Apparently it's a test to make sure you're in your right mind. After the fourth person I just started telling them I was going in for a blow torch procedure.
7. Talked to my extra cute gynecologist who I picked because of his looks. Sadly he went bald and lost some of the cuteness. When he came to see me he had a hat on so he was cute again!
8. Made Shawn stop and get me a Braum's burger and fries on the way home since I hadn't eaten in 18 hours!

8 Things I wish I could do:

1. Lose these pesky extra 40 pounds!
2. Help make our family debt free.
3. Have my mom back.
4. Keep a clean house!
5. Convince my Uncle Kevin to move his family from Texas to Oklahoma so we can see each other anytime we want.
6. Make myself like running.
7. A round off followed by five back handsprings.
8. Always make the right decisions the first time around.

8 Shows I Watch

1. Friends
2. Seinfeld
3. The Biggest Loser
4. American Idol
5. Dancing With The Stars
6. What Not To Wear
7. Dirty Jobs (Hello Mr. Mike Rowe)
8. Bewitched

So, to tag people.....well, let's just say if you read my blog and have one of your own, I'd love for you to do this! I think it's fun to get to know these little things about people.

And now for the awards.

I got this from my sweet friend Beth.

I got this cool one from my Aunt Carrie.

It came with a little question and answer time:)

1.What’s your current obsession? Photography
2. What’s your weirdest obsession? Starbucks Caramel Frappucino Lights
3. What are you wearing today? Currently, jammies:)
4. Why is today special? It's Mother's Day and I'm the mommy to three amazing girls!
5. What would you like to learn to do? Knit. I've tried and failed many times.
6. What’s the last thing you bought? Sonic drinks. (Same answer as my Aunt Carrie)
7. What are you listening to right now? My running playlist of music. Sadly, since I won't be able to run for months.
8. What’s your favorite season? Winter. Love ice and snow, being cold, fires, cuddling up to get warm.
9. What’s your most challenging goal right now? Losing 40 pounds. Can't seem to get motivated. Swimsuit season is upon me and I haven't reached my goal. Now with a broken coccyx it will be a long time coming.
10. What do you think about the person who tagged you? She is more like a sister than an aunt! Sure wish she'd move here so I could see her anytime I want:(
11. What's your favorite guilty pleasure? Sonic Diet Dr. Peppers with cherry and easy ice.
12. Favorite vacation spot? Colorado
13. What would you like to have in your hands right now? A bank book with an amazing amount of money in it!
14. What would you like to get rid of? 40 pounds
15. If you could go anywhere in the world for the next hour, where would you go? To heaven to meet Jesus and see my mom.
16. What bad habit do you have that you would like to terminate? Over-eating
17.What super power would you like to possess? The ability to read minds.
18.What is the one thing that you have done in your life that you are the most proud of and if you had the chance to do it again you wouldn't change a thing? Raising my three girls to be kind, gentle, friendly, Christ-following people. I'd do it all over again in a heart beat. They are amazing!
19.What’s your favorite piece of clothing in your own closet? A dress that I bought for a friends wedding. It camouflages all the right things and makes me feel amazing!
20. What’s your dream job? Writer. My entire life I've dreamed of writing novels.
21. If you had $150 now what would you spend it on? A fun night out with Shawn and our girlies.
22. Do you admire anyone’s style? Yes, a friend at church. She always looks amazing no matter what the occasion.
23.Describe your personal style: Current but not too current:)
24. Who’s fashion show would you want tickets to? Vera Wang for a wedding dress show. I would get married over and over again if I could. Always to Shawn of course! But I just loved all the planning and shopping. I'd love to renew our vows every year and have a new dress each time!
25. If you could slap one person with no repercussions, who would it be and why? The man who fired my mom from her job at the local college. She never recovered from that. I just saw him Thursday and it's hard being a Christian and knowing I should forgive him.
26. What are you most proud of? My girls and their musical talents and abilities.
27. Why do you like to blog and how long have you done it? I love it!!! It's such a release for me! These things are always in my head; funny stories, weird and random thoughts. Now I have a place to let them out. 13 months!! I had to go look to make sure. Wow, 13 months. The friends I've made through this has been the biggest blessing. I love you all!!!

So, just like with the 8 things, I would love for all my readers to fill this out and claim the awards. You're all award worthy:c)

So, now I think I'm caught up. What a good feeling!

I Might Have A Problem

Think I'm stressed?

And sleep deprived?
Yep. I'm living up to the whole 'crazed mom' thing that started this blog.

Stay tuned for details.

If I survive.

And if someone could come peel me off the ceiling I would appreciate it.

Birthday Palooza

I've been mentioning on my Facebook status updates that I'm still celebrating my birthday. A friend gave me the above title for however long I feel my birthday celebration should carry on. I quickly fell in the love with the idea and adopted the term.

Here is a sampling of my birthday festivities:

23rd-Woke up to presents, cards, cute family members, and my favorite plain cake donuts in bed. Had lunch with two good friends and was given a cookie. Went to dinner at Pei Wei (the happiest place on earth) with Shawn and the girls. Went to the theater for the first showing of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown. Came home to my favorite ice cream.

24th-Took myself to Starbucks with the gift card Kennedy gave me. Met Debbie and Mark at a surgery center for his port removal and celebrated that and my birthday at Macaroni Grill. Shawn treated his parents and us to pizza at home before heading to the second performance of Charlie Brown.

25th-Slept in:) Taken to Carino's for a birthday lunch with Shawn's parents and my grandmother. Went to Hobby Lobby to shop with my gift card! Went to third performance of Charlie Brown.

26th-Invited to some friends house after church for a wonderful Sunday meal to celebrate my birthday.

Now, here's my problem....My final Palooza event will be Tuesday night when I go to Olive Garden with my girlfriends. That means that tomorrow, Monday, I will have no 'events'. Does it still count as a Palooza if I am forced to skip a day?

You can see why I'm worried.

If anyone would like to take me out for a meal, treat me to a manicure, take me to the theater, or just buy me something to keep this wonderful thing on a roll; please contact me!

I'd hate to see the party end.

***And if someone could suggest a simple way to remove all this fatty build up from my hindquarters from all the eating out, please let me know. As it stands...I'm asking Shawn to teach me how to use the chainsaw.***

It's my birfday!!

Update-I count myself truly blessed to have so many friends that take the time to wish me a happy birthday. To those of you that I know and those of you I may never meet; thank you. It was a wonderful day and you all made it that way!

Stefunk to the C:)



And I'm not going to cry this year!

Last year was miserable.

So, basically, it can only get better.

So what are my big plans this year? None of my own, once again.

I will be getting everyone off to school; working on the charity auction I'm a part of; getting the girls from school; getting McKinley if full makeup, hair, and costume; and attending the first of three nights of the all school musical that she's in.

I guess such is the life of a mom. I will be surrounded by the people I love so that will be a gift in itself.

But next year...I'm thinking about a destination birthday:c)

I'm not really a waitress...

I just painted my toenails since I knew I was going out of town. Sadly I don't care how they look during the winter because who sees them? But since I'll be leaving town tomorrow to go to a much warmer climate, and will be spending time in the pool, and will have 4 different roommates, I thought it would be nice. I really wanted a pedicure but I've heard so many runners say that a lot of people lose toenails after a full or half marathon. It would stink to pay to have it cleaned, shaped, buffed, and painted and then watch it fall off. I'm way too cheap for that.

So, back to my point. Sorry, I'm rambling. That's never happened before!

As I was digging through the nail polish bag I found an OPI color that someone had given me. It was red. Perfect for an all girl trip out of state. I always have to read the names, just for fun. Growing up I wanted to have the job where I got to name lipstick and nail polish. Maybe I still can. Anyway...more rambling. Good grief.

It was 'I'm Not Really A Waitress.' Hee-hee. I can't even say it without a sultry voice. Sorry you're missing it.

It got me thinking. What other names does OPI use?

Get ready.

• I'm Fondue Of You
• Make Men Blush
• Yoga-ta Get This Blue!
• Keys To My Karma
• I Only Drink Champagne
• Don't Melbourne the Toast
• Hoodoo Voodoo?!
• Mrs. O'Leary's BBQ
• All Lacquered Up
• And This Little Piggy
• Aphrodite's Pink Nightie
• At Your Quebec and Call
• Pink Before You Leap
• Osaka-To-Me
• Let Them Eat Rice Cake
• Have You Seen My Limo?
• Give Me A Coral Sometime

The list goes on and on. I can't wait to get my pedicure. I might have to check out 'Who Comes Up With These Names?'

I'm going to the prom! Well, maybe.

On our recent trip to Lubbock I got to spend some time with my cousin Tyler and two of his friends, Zach and Garrett. They're all great guys. High school seniors, lives in front of them.

They're also hilarious and kept me in stitches the whole time I was with them.

The subject of the prom came up because Zach and Garrett are going, and Tyler won't even consider it. I jokingly said that I would come down for it and go with him. He was not amused. It turns out that Zach and Garrett don't have dates in line yet either. Soooo, to make a long story short, because I've never done that before, I might be an emergency date!

I of course would want to go with Tyler, he's my cousin and we get along really well. But...since I've never been to a prom before...I think it would be fun to go with Zach or Garrett also.

I found out they both think I'm hot:)

And 23!

So they're not the brightest guys, but very observant!

Lines

I am NEVER at the beginning of a line! I cannot return something at a store, get my car washed, order food, get a prescription, check out with groceries, or get into a sporting event without losing at least 20 minutes of my life. Yet surprisingly when I finally reach to front of the line and turn around, no one is behind me.

I'm sure there is a deeper meaning to all of this but I'm too tired to figure it out.

I was behind a woman today in the drink line at Jason's Deli that strategically placed her lemons in her Diet Coke. Ice, lemon, little bit of Diet Coke, another lemon, more Diet Coke. She did this 5 times. And yes, I waited. Not patiently. I would never say anything out loud but the words going through my brain were not nice! And of course, as I quickly filled my drink to not keep the person behind me waiting I glanced over my shoulder...no one was waiting.

It's the story of my life.

Here it goes....

Well, here it is...my first blog. What to say...Four score and seven years ago...no, that was used somewhere else.

I graduated top of my class from Harvard and have started this blog to share my knowledge. No, that's not it either.

When I started my own multi-million dollar company I was constantly asked to share my tips so here they are...nope.

I am a 30 something mom of three girls and wife to an amazing husband. I am blessed to be able to stay home with my crazy girls and get lost in mountains of laundry and take home papers from school.

That sounds better.

I try to not lose my mind everyday as I over commit myself and try to keep up with schedules for five different people.

So, there it is...me in a nutshell. Wait, does that mean I'm nutty?