Where have you been?

Oh, okay, so I guess the real question is, Where have I been? Well, we had VBS all week at church! It was fun, but boy am I one tired girl! I promise to get on here soon and let you all know what I've been up to this week! I've got new kicks, am reading a great book and a new nickname! Ha!

But right now the kids want to go to the pool and I'm thinking that's not such a bad idea!

Meg Cabot?

Has anyone read her books? I was at Wal-mart yesterday (I know, it was terrible) and there were several. I didn't know which one to choose. Any suggestions?

A Funny Little Story

We just got new neighbors. We first met them a couple of weeks ago while we were outside with our children. They hadn't moved in yet, but were at the house looking around and deciding on paint colors and furniture placement. They were really nice and had 3 kids like us. I was very excited and hoping we could be friends. I decided that when they got moved in I would make them a cake. I have a recipe for "Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake". It is absolutely amazing (seriously, I have dreams about this cake)! It is so good that it actually won Pillsbury Bake-off in 1974! I have made it for pot-lucks, parties, Bunco, birthdays, new moms, friends who've had surgery, and well just about everyone. I took it to a New Year's Party last year and had to give out the recipe 5 times!

So, last week I noticed that they had moved in. On Friday I made the cake and even went to Target and bought Cynthia Rowley plates and napkins and tied some plastic forks together with some grosgrain ribbon just in case they hadn't gotten completely unpacked yet and didn't have any plates, napkins and forks to eat the cake with. I packaged all that up in a cute bag, put the cake in my cake carrier and off I went.

I get there and knock and the door. She greets me warmly, I offer the cake and the bag, she says "you shouldn't have" and then invites me in. We stand in her foyer and talk for several minutes about her new paint colors (SO much better than the previous owners). I look toward the Dining Room and she says "Oh don't look in there, its a mess. I cater weddings on the side and I have one tomorrow and I've been piling everything on the table getting it ready."

I could have crawled under the table, better yet, I could have ran out the door and taken my cake with me. I was so embarassed. Here I am bringing a professional caterer a cake! Lord help me! She's probably wondering why in the world I would bring her such a simple cake. She probably picked it over and is laughing at me! Ugh, I'm not sure what to say to her when she brings the cake carrier back! Don't get me wrong, she was SO nice. But taking a cake to a wedding caterer in like telling a certified electrician how to do his job. Needless to say I told Hubs the story when I got home and he thought it was a hoot!

Anyhow, here is the recipe in case you want it. It really is amazing!

Chocolate Covered Cherry Cake

1 package (18.25 oz.) plain Devils Food cake mix
1 can (21 oz.) Cherry pie filling
2 large eggs
1 tsp. pure almond extract

Chocolate Glaze
1 cup sugar
1/3 cup butter
1/3 cup whole milk
1 pkg. semisweet chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350. Lightly grease a bundt or 13x9 pan with vegatable oil cooking spray. In a large bowl mix the cake mix, pie filling, eggs, milk and extract with an electric mixer on low speed for 1 minute. Scrape down sides of bowl, increase mixer speed to medium and beat 2 minutes longer. The batter will look thick and well blended. Pour batter into pan. Bake at 350 for 30-35 minutes. Remove from oven and place on wire rack while you prepare the glaze.

For the glaze, place the sugar, butter and milk in a pan over medium low heat and cook, stirring constantly, until it comes to a boil. Boil, stirring constantly for 1 minute. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate chips. When the chips have melted and the glaze is smooth, pour it over warm cake so that it covers entire surface (if you made it a bundt cake, it will just pour down the sides and pool around the plate), the glaze will be thin but will firm up. Cool for 20 minutes before serving.

Above is a picture of the finished cake and the goodies I brought them. (Doesn't the cake look heavenly!)

Gettin Caught Up!

First things first, I want to thank AR, Boo and Hooties Momma, EB (Life's a Peach), and Alex over at Running Just As Fast As I Can for this sweet award! Right back at you! You girls make my day too!

Now, I have to give it to some other bloggers so here goes....

Rachel over at Always Wanted Four because she makes me laugh and because I think we would be friends in real live and because she is kicking my heiney and making me train for a half-Marathon!

A.D. over at The Cats PJs because she is such a sweet cheerleader (she always encouraging everyone) and because she always knows about the best snacks!

N.M.B over at Puttin on the Grits because she is a Grits (like me), and because she makes me laugh and because I am swooning over her new romance with a man she calls "Country".

Maddie over at Madras Matters because she always knows the best deals, she stuck up for a friend this week (that took guts) and because by golly, madras does matter!

Sasha over at Barely Keeping it All Together because I wouldn't be running right now if it wasn't for her!


So, Here's the MeMe I was tagged with. I was tagged by 2 or 3 people, and since I am about a week late on this I'm not tagging anyone cause everyone else has already been tagged! So here goes, enjoy!

What were you doing 10 years ago?
Hubs and I were newly weds and living in a very tiny apartment (but we didn't care!). I was working at a job that I hated and had just decided to look for a new one. It was June and it seems like all of our friends were getting married so every weekend I was either at a bridal shower or a wedding!

5 things on my to-do list today...

-Do this Meme (Hey, I've got priorities!)
-Tackle Mt. Washmore
-Return DVD's to video store
-Play with my kids
-Run

Name some of your favorite snacks...
Dark Chocolate (as Rachel says, I'm not wasting calories on milk chocolate)
Klondike Slim-A-Bear 100 calorie ice cream bars
Cheez-its


Name some places you've lived...
Tennessee, Alabama, Illinois


Name 5 things you would do if you became a Billionaire...

-Not tell anyone cause then everyone would be hitting us up for money
-Anonymously give a large sum to our church and our former church
-Build a bigger house (not huge, just a little bigger)
-Fund my children's college funds and start wedding funds for my girls
-Let Hubs quit work (but I know he wouldn't, he loves his job!)


And if you were wondering.... I did not go running with the running club on Saturday or today. I had a ton to do Saturday morning because we were going over to FIL's house to have lunch for Father's day. My SIL was planning a Mexican meal so will all chipped in with dishes. I was in charge of appetizers and I had 3 to make (on top of getting 3 kids and my self ready). I didn't go today because Michelle (the one who invited me) wasn't going to be there and I want to make sure she is there so that I know at least one person there.

On a gross note.. I lost a toenail! All of my running friends warned me that I might but I totally didn't believe them! The second toe on my right foot started hurting a few weeks ago and then started turning colors eventually settling on a beautiful shade of purple. The nail finally gave up Saturday night. Oh well, one less to paint!


Potty Training? Went fabulous! I was so not looking forward to it. Yes, it meant no more buying expensive diapers but it is a hassle and everyone told me boys were so much harder than girls. Well, little man proved everyone wrong and was potty trained in 3 days. I tell you, he's a prodigy!

New Kids On the Block? I'm going to see them in concert in Atlanta on October 29th! My friend Renee was a huge fan of theirs back in the day (I was a fan but not near as big as she). She went crazy when she found out they were going to be on tour this year and would be pretty near us in Atlanta. She told me about it a few months ago and asked me if I would go if she could get us tickets. I said sure, not thinking anything else about it. Well, she called me last week, she has scored us tickets! I couldn't quit laughing when she told me! She is so sweet to get me one too! This will be our birthday celebration (both our birthdays are in September)! I can't wait (I also can't believe I'm going!)
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Should I?

Today while at the club pool with the kiddos, I saw a friend whose daughter goes to school with Big Girl. The last time I saw her we were about to run a 5k (my first one). She asked me today how running was going and I told her about the 10k and the half-marathon I am training for. She told me about a running club she is in. They meet at between 4:45 and 5 a.m. every morning and run 11 to 13 miles. She said that not everyone runs that far, some run just half and then turn back. They incorporate hills in the run. She said not everyone shows up everyday but there are always at least 10 there. She invited me to join them. They are running tomorrow morning at 5. Should I go? I'm a little nervous. I guess because all this time I've been running by myself. I'm a little scared to run with other people. I also like the fact of having people there looking for you and when you don't show up they ask you why. That's a great motivator. Should I? Opinions? Anyone else in a running club?

Summer reading

It seems that I can get so much more reading done during the summer months. I love getting suggestions from friends about what books they have enjoyed. I can't remember who has suggested what book but here is a list of just some of the books I want to read this summer. I don't know if I'll get as much reading done this summer as I did last. Mainly because I am getting in bed every night at a decent hour so I can get up early and "train" for a half-marathon!

Right now I am still reading "The Other Boelyn Girl" by Philippa Gregory. It is really good and I plan on following it up with "The Boelyn Inheritance" and "The constant Princess".

I can't remember who suggested "The Last Mrs. Astor". I think it actually might have been several people. I hope to pick it up this summer.

I was shopping at Target yesterday and saw "The Luxe" and "Rumors". Both were very beautiful books and I almost bought "The Luxe" but thought that I better check the reviews on Amazon first before I buy just in case the book is horrible. I checked, the reviews are great and I will be picking it up as will as the sequel "Rumors" later on this summer!

So, what's on your reading list this summer. Don't tell me you don't have time to read! If you just read a chapter a day you could get through at least one book this summer! (Renee, since you are "off" for the summer you need to catch up on the "Shopholic" books so we can talk about them!"









Oh, and if you haven't been here in a few days, you should read the previous 2 posts. There's an exciting announcement on one!

Now, I've got to go clean because I promised the kids a trip to the pool later on today! I will be back to finish up my list of posts I want to do. While I am gone you can ponder the question "What in the world does "New Kids On the Block" have to do with anything?"

It Came!

I participated in a "Preppy Summer Swap". My swap partners were Elle from "Preppy, Straight Up" and Alex from "Running Just As Fast As I Can"! I Got my package from Elle on Saturday and I have to tell you that she did a fabulous job! Thank you Elle! Everything was so thoughtful and creative (and wrapped up so cute!)


Green on the top...

and pink on the bottom!

Everything was wrapped up with tissue paper and ribbon and marked with tags with their appropriate letters.

Here they all are! This was so much fun! Thanks to Alex over at "Running Just As Fast As I Can"
for hosting this swap! It was so much fun!

Got lots to talk about

I have been so busy the last couple of day that I don't know where to start. Here is a list of topics I'd like to talk to you all about.

- Summer Reading I'd like to do
- A surprise I received yesterday from my friend Renee :)
- Training for possible half-marathon
- Potty Training
- My summer swap arrived!
- A blog award I received
- A MEME that I was tagged to do twice!

I just don't have the time right now to do any of those subjects justice so I will just leave you with the teaser! Check back soon!

Also the above picture has something to do with one of those subjects, can you guess which one?

Its Official....I'm crazy!

This morning I finally got to check all the blogs I read since being gone this weekend to the Junior League Board Retreat (which was so much fun!). I noticed that Rachael had posted a comment on my "TKO" post, something about a post on her blog about running a half-marathon and would I be interested in running it too. So I mosey on over to her blog and read all about it and realize that she is serious. My first thought is "Hubs will definitly say no." And then I start thinking to myself (and even told Rachael) that I can't run a half-marathon I've only been running since January, there is no way that I'm going to be able to train for it by then. But, I decided to run it by Hubs anyway since I was sure he would say no way.

So here is the conversation that followed:

Me: Hey, you know my blogger friend Rachael that runs and has the cute little girl from Russia that I told you about?

Hubs: No.

Me: Yes you do. They live in Michigan and she's a doctor and remember that I told you about the little girl thinking that the word "indicate" means to have something in your dessert?

Hubs: Oh, yeah, that was funny.

Me: Well, she is running the Chicago half-marathon in September and she asked me if you and I would like to make a little trip to Chicago for the weekend and me run it with her and her sister.

Hubs: I'd be willing to do that.

Me: (nearly falling down from shock) Really?

Hubs: Yeah. I've only been to Chicago once and that was for your grandfathers funeral and you keep telling me how great it is and I think I would like to go back as a tourist. It would be fun. We could fly up there, cause I'm not driving it again (we did that 2 years ago, not fun), and have a long weekend, you run the race and we could go sight-seeing.


So, here's the problem. I was sort of counting on Hubs to say that we couldn't do it then I would have the perfect excuse to tell Rachael. Then, I thought that I could tell her that I couldn't get trained for it in time, but then she just had to go and post this on her blog.

Well, great! Now I have no excuse, and you all know how I feel about excuses. The truth is that running for 2 hours, 13.1 miles straight scares me to death. Sure, I've been running 6.5 miles (about 1 hour) for about a month now and at this point its really no big deal. But 13.1? Lets keep in mind here that I have only been running since January.

But, I don't want to be a person who makes excuses so, (oh, goodness, I can't believe I am going to say this) if my parents can watch our kids for the weekend, I'M GONNA DO IT! I know, I know, crazy! But I've been thinking about this all day and I like the idea of it. Oh and getting to meet Rachael (we have a ton in common) and her sister will be lots of fun and I LOVE visiting Chicago. I haven't really been there for any length of time in 13 years.

Also, I know that I will never train myself to run that far if I don't have a goal in mind. Signing yourself up for a race truly gets you motivated to acheive your goals. (There's a little hint for you C25K girls! Get signed up for a race!) I don't think I would have started running 6.5 miles if I hadn't signed up for that 10K. Then I think about Alex. She just got accepted to run the New York Marathon! How great is that!

The training program starts tomorrow. I am pumped!

TKO

This is my 6 year old. Back at the beginning of May her precious little brother accidentally knocked her very loose right front tooth out. We found the tooth lying on the driveway and all was well for the tooth fairy to come for a visit.

Fast forward to today. She has been going all week to a Vacation Bible School with a friend. Today being the last day she was very excited that there was going to be some "water" fun there. While trying to get into the "bubble pool" she was being very careful because she said it was slippery. She said she heard "Get In" from a little boy behind her and then a shove on the back. Poor EC landed face first in the pool. It knocked her other front tooth out (thankfully a baby tooth) and gave her a pretty fat lip. I got a call from the church to come pick her up. My momma hen instincts immediately came out and I was ready to give that little boy a fat lip of his own! HA! She's okay but she was so sad that she couldn't find the tooth to give to the tooth fairy. She has written the tooth fairy a sweet note explaining what happened. Of course the tooth fairy will not only leave extra money for this tooth but a note and a few prizes as well. Its the least she can do since loosing this particular tooth was a little traumatic.

But doesn't she look too cute with her toothless smile!

Life is Cool at the Pool

Oh, the lazy days of summer. We are totally living it up around here! We were at the pool Friday, Saturday, Sunday, yesterday and today. And if all goes well, we will probably be there tomorrow! I know it sounds like a lot but the kids love it and I get to hang out with some friends.

This summer is much more relaxing for me at the pool. Last summer Little Man was only 18 months old and had not been walking long. I had to sit on the side of the kiddy pool the whole time I was there and make sure he didn't go under. This year he goes under, splashes, etc.! I can actually sit in a lounge chair, read a magazine (OK, I just skim the magazine, I've got one eye on the kids at all times), and talk to my friends.

Today some of us were sitting there talking and we were discussing how it is so nice to be there. Its like a little club (well, it really is a club, a country club, but you know what I mean). I looked around and remarked that I knew nearly everyone there. Everyone knows whose kid is whose, and if your kid is doing something they aren't supposed to do, they will let you know. There are lifeguards on duty, but I honestly think the mom eyes are better!

Most of all I love that my kids are getting these memories. Lazy days spent at the pool with friends, coming home completely exhausted and barely getting a bath before falling into bed, blood shot eyes from the chlorine and cute pink cheeks! How do I make time slow down so I can savor these moments a little longer?







This is not normal, she's usually running around and splashing and swimming but I made her sit out so that I could re-apply sunblock

She is too cool for you hanging out on the side of the pool! (In pink and green,natch)

Here's Little Man trying to figure out how to escape from the kiddy pool area!