Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Red Wine and Rob ...

Thomas that is. Mr. ESPN bought me his new cd today and I am listening to it as I catch up on my blog reading. So sweet of him. I went to the gym today and intended to run 3 miles but got there late and only ran 2.5 miles. I had a meeting with a personal trainer to get an evaluation. Basically I rated - average - I thought I would be a little above average but oh well. He gave me some good ideas on how to change up my routine - like doing cardio less days and mixing in more resistance training. I am going to research online some workouts. Does anyone have any suggestions for active rest weight workouts or where I can find one? I know not all of you are into working out but a few of you are so any advice you have would be greatly appreciated. We talked to Chatty tonight and she was playing WII with Aunt B's boys and doing great without mom and dad. Our neighbor across the street brought Bia the cutest monkey cupcake and a balloon since she knew she was an only child this week - so sweet! We truly have the best neighbors.

Edit to Previous Post

Just to let you all know, no injuries were suffered during the photo process - bet you all didn't realize I was that talented! All evidence of the photos (other than the blog post) were neatly put away before Mr. ESPN came home from the gym. I didn't want to have to explain it to him or let him think I was wearing them for him, you know how guys are. Also - they are fairly comfortable, however when I wore them to a wedding and danced for several hours I did get blisters. So comfortable but not dance shoe comfortable!

Monday, June 29, 2009

Shoes and Some Sassyness ....

OK since I forgot to include a picture of the shoes and my readers want to see them, here you go ...













Have you ever tried taking a picture of your shoes while you are wearing them? Not so easy. Of course Mr. ESPN is at the gym (I went earlier) and Chatty Cathy is at my parents and Bia is sleeping (not sure how well her shots would have turned out) so I was on my own. It took about 20 tries to get the two shots where I am wearing them. I just think they look better worn than just sitting there ... I wanted to give you the full effect. Those of you who have been to my house know where this shot was taken and those of you who recognize granite coutertops can probably figure it out too - but I thought the deep red wall made an excellent backdrop for them!
Talked to Chatty Cathy tonight and she is doing good - behaving. She had a little sassyness (a little known word used to describe Chatty Cathy) that my mom nipped in the bud and all is good now. They all loved the movie UP! She is excited to go to Aunt B's tomorrow. I might need my own dose of intervention when she comes home! She kept telling me how she likes having sleepovers by herself, as in without her parents or her sister!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Weekend Recap and Life with 1 Child

Friday night was fun - I tied for 1st for sexiest shoes and got some nice goodies at the party. It was nice spending Friday night with the neighbor ladies and red wine! Can I save I love the store Total Wine? If you don't have one and love wine or beer - you are missing out. Great selection and great prices. Our good Irish friends came over yesterday to swim ... all 4 of our kids (and so was I) were in a mood at some point during the evening, we (the wives) were ready to hit the first bar we could find. Even with the attitude issues with the kids, we had a nice time. L - we need to schedule a get together monthly - if we put it on our calendars we will be sure to get together, that's what B and I have to do!

Catty Cathy is at my parent's house tonight for a 2 night sleepover (as she calls it). They are taking her to see UP tomorrow and she is super excited. I am not sure if she is more excited about sleeping over without Bia or seeing the movie. She absolutely adores my parents and loves going to their house. Then on Wednesday my parents are taking Chatty Cathy to my BFF's house and she is spending 2 nights there. My BFF's has wanted to have her oldest goddaughter over for a sleepover for quite some time and we were finally able to work out all of the logistics (my BFF's lives on the other side of town - as in an hour away). Needless to say Chatty Cathy will be extremely spoiled this week and we may have to have some sort of intervention when she gets home and back to reality! She told everyone - and I seriously mean everyone - all the parents at church, the checkout lady at Target, you name it, that she was having multiple sleepovers this week. She hasn't quite grasped the concept that not everyone cares about everything going on her in life.

Better get to bed - so glad it is a short week!

Thursday, June 25, 2009

Results and Some Things About Me ....

So the upper endoscopy went fine - no after effects other than being tired, so I can't complain. Dr. said it looked OK, I do have a hiatal hernia and changed my reflux meds and thinks that should help. He took a couple biopsies (standard procedure) and will have the results in a couple weeks. He is very thorough and even gives you color photos of your insides - nice huh? He is the same Dr. who did Mr. ESPN's colonoscopy and after that procedure offered to show me his pictures. There are just some things a wife shouldn't have to look at don't you agree??!! Mr. ESPN and I enjoyed a nice lunch at PF Changs and then I came home for a two hour nap ... it was lovely, hopefully I can sleep tonight. I hope those two Diet Dr. Pepper's I just drank don't keep me up!

So Dee tagged me to write 10 things you don't know about me ... which I think is a little hard since I tend to tell people everything but here I go .....

  1. I want to go to Nursing School (some of you know this already) - yes I have a Bachelor's in Business and Master's in Taxation and I want to go to Nursing school ... random but true (this is from the person who had a fear of hospitals as a kid)
  2. I always want the bed made everyday - some days I make it, but most days Mr. ESPN makes it.
  3. I want to move to Charlotte, NC - does anyone have a job for Mr. ESPN and me?
  4. When I was young I always wanted to go away to boarding school - must have been from watching Facts of Life so much
  5. I dream of having a beach house in the southeast (i.e. North FL, GA, SC or NC)
  6. I used to test out dessert recipes before making them for company. I would send my test results to Mr. ESPN's work and get their opinion - now they periodically ask him when I am sending something in.
  7. I don't care for hard alcohol but love wine
  8. I wash my hair every day (there are very few exceptions to this) and some days I wash it twice a day ... I know it is bad for my hair but I have to for my own sanity.
  9. I enjoy going to the grocery store (sans kids that is). I love having the cabinets and fridge stocked with new stuff.
  10. I have never broken a bone in my body ... yet!

Have a good weekend ... tomorrow night I have a girls party at my neighbor's ... there will be plenty of wine and a prize for the sexiest shoes (plus other goodies for sale - will fill you in next week) ... I will let you know if I win, I have some high peep toe heels that should be in the running for 1st!

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

Diplomas, Diapers and Digestive Systems ....

Diplomas - So I finally received my diploma in the mail yesterday (I graduated with a Master's in Taxation in May) so now it really feels official. It took the university forever to send me the official one because they had a freeze on my account even though the balance had been paid. Good thing I called to check on it. Now I need to go get it framed and I can close that chapter!

Diapers - So Bia is 2 years and 3 months old and has shown no signs of wanting to use the potty, that is until last night after her shower. I was in shock because this is the same kid who won't tell you if she has a dirty diaper and will stay in it without complaint until you figure it out. She also used the potty this morning. Woo Hoo! Now she really seems like a big girl!

Digestive Systems - I am sure you all wanted to know this but I am having an upper endoscopy tomorrow. I have had acid reflux for over 10 years - lovely I tell you. Anyway it has been under control with medication but go figure when I start really working out it starts bothering me again. The Dr. told me if you have chronic acid reflux for over 5 years you should have an upper endoscopy .... so needless to say I am five years late. My BFF has had this procedure before and says I will probably want to sleep all afternoon tomorrow - sounds good to me. I told her Mr. ESPN had plans of us going to the gym together tomorrow afternoon (since we both have to take the day off work - he has to drive me since I will be sedated for the procedure) ... oh well, he can stay home and wait on me instead!

Sunday, June 21, 2009

The Rest of the Week ...

Boy - was the end of the week ever busy ... VBS days 3 to 5, Dr. Appointment for Chatty Cathy (she has a herniated belly button), hair cuts (Chatty Cathy and me) and color (me - Chatty Cathy asked when she can get her hair colored and I told her when she can pay for it), dinner with my parents for Father's Day Friday night, Mr. ESPN golfing with our neighbor Saturday morning for Father's Day, gym for me and the girls, lunch at the course with all the kids (our neighbors and us - boy was that a sight - 5 kids running around the country club - we all agreed that is why we don't take our kids out!). As if that wasn't enough to keep us entertained we had my godson's 7th birthday Saturday evening. On the way over Mr. ESPN wanted to look at a car (we have been researching new cars for me). Needless to say after 3 hours at the dealer we ended up with a new car. Bia slept for the 1st hour in my old car and then they were fairly well behaved the next two hours. The ironic thing about buying it that day was we purchased the car I traded in on the day my godson was born! Mr. ESPN loves the car (M35) and I love it too but am always so nervous when we purchase any big ticket item. You would think since I have a degree in Finance and a Master's in Tax (and the fact that Mr. ESPN has a degree in accounting and finance) I would be OK with the all the financial stuff but I have the worst buyer's remorse! Anyways after all the excitement of the last few days we just laid low today. I took Chatty Cathy out to run some errands while Mr. ESPN watched the US Open and Bia napped. I think he had a nice Father's Day and is ending it with a Princess game (what a guy) with Chatty Cathy ... too cute!
Bia and Me at LOB's birthday party

Chatty Cathy and Me at LOB's Birthday party

Chatty Cathy enjoying LOB's birthday party

Chatty Cathy at VBS - the presentation for parents




Wednesday, June 17, 2009

VBS Day 2/3 and Bunco

So day 2 went ok - a little more of the same with the chatty girls and the same with day 3. Luckily I really like my co-teacher - she is awesome. Weird side note- she went to school with my BFF in Rochester, MN, small world! Yes BMB - we will discuss it this weekend (see if you can guess who it is???)! So Chatty Cathy loves VBS and all the praise songs. I must admit it brings back tons of memories for me from when I went to VBS as a kid. Chatty Cathy hums and sings them every afternoon and evening - it is such a delightful sound - I am glad she loves the Lord! I must admit it is renewing my relationship with the Lord as well!

I was talking to my co-teacher today about how tired we were and that I was in fact hosting Bunco tonight. She asked if it included wine - I said yes - as if there was any other way to host Bunco! Our group was small tonight - 2 no shows (rude I tell ya!) and one last minute cancellation due to work ... but it was fun with the small group. Good stories and wine! Mr. ESPN helped out a lot (getting stuff ready) and my fav UT (Tenn - go Big Orange) gal came early for an early glass of wine and a chat with my girls. She is one of my BFF's and loves my girls ( and my girls love her too - she is the best!).

Politics - so my VBS kids were discussing politics today and why McCain didn't win - some of the boys thought it had to do with him having a woman as a VP candidate .. mind you the boys in my class tend to be very sexist. I was having a hard time keeping my mouth shut as I am very vocal when it comes to politics and sexism!

Interesting conversation in the car today regarding politics - Chatty Cathy hears something on the radio about Obama. She says "I really like Obama". Well those of you who know me know I am extremely conservative and didn't vote for O so I was mortified by this statement. I tried to explain to Chatty how it is good to respect the president but that daddy and mommy didn't agree with his viewpoints (I didn't mention that her grandpa - my FIL - had an O sign in his yard during the election - we can't all be right can we???) but it was still important to respect our officials. It was hard but I tried to be PC. My good friend A (UT Gal) at Bunco laughed as I told her the story - she and her husband are very conservative and sometimes give me a hard time about being ultra conservative ... Also I got an Obama Agenda Survey from the RNC today (yes I am a proud member of the RNC). It was total propaganda for the RNC but I filled it out and am mailing it back because I think it is important to show that we don't all agree with the president's agenda. OK there I said it so we all know where I stand. I am a conservative Republican who supports the military (i.e. my brother) and minimal government!

SO Bon Jovi is on the tv now - You Can't Go Home - love this song - reminds me of my hometown of DAB, FL .... plus he is hot! No one better to sing about your hometown except maybe Rob Thomas (who I love and grew up in O town FL) or Kenny Chesney who is a good TN boy!

Monday, June 15, 2009

Day 1 of VBS

So last night Mr. ESPN comes in (shortly after the phone rang) and told me I was on my own today at VBS. The other teacher for my class called and said one of her boys was sick and couldn't teach today. As soon as he told me, Mr. ESPN asked me if a wanted a glass (bottle) of wine! I thought oh no the Lord is really testing me now! So I get there this morning and lucky for me the Asst. Director gave me another high school volunteer to help out (so I had two high schoolers and a middle schooler as assistants - they are very sweet and super helpful). My class is comprised of kids going into 3rd and 4th grade - 2 boys and 12 girls! OK - I thought 8/9 year old girls were still young enough that VBS was cool and so were the activities, but oh no not my group (well most of them any way). I heard one of the girls ask another what the best part of the day was up to that point and she said "walking", as in walking from one activity to another. Geez - I should have taken Chatty Cathy's age group - at least they like to get up and sing and do the activities with some enthusiasm. During the opening assembly half of my girls wouldn't even sing the songs, at least the two boys sang! The other kicker almost all of the girls have long blond hair so I kept getting all of them confused and had to keep looking at their name tags. One girl didn't even want to come to class this morning and one said she didn't want to come back tomorrow - NICE!

At the end of today's VBS, the Children's Director and Asst. Director asked how my class was and I told them how unenthusiastic my "girls" were. The Asst. Director said it is because their moms all treat them like 20 year olds ... and then said can you imagine them as teenagers - LOL! At least now I know it isn't just me ....

Chatty Cathy had a great time at VBS and was humming the songs this afternoon. Her class name is the wolves (it is a camping theme - with each class a different animal group - my class is the mountain lions). Each class had to come up with a sound and Chatty Cathy's class came up with a howl. She taught Bia the howl and they were howling all night!!! Annoying but cute!

Sunday, June 14, 2009

Weekend in Pictures ...

I have been putting Bia's hair in pigtails and it looks pretty cute, however every time I try to get a picture of her with them she refuses to look at the camera - this was as good as it got!
See what I mean about refusing to look at the camera?

Here is Chatty Cathy waiting in the Limbo line at S's birthday party

One of the few pictures I have with both of them smiling - too cute! This was Saturday morning before S's birthday party. The girls and Mr. ESPN and I had had a great time with our favorite Irish friends! It is a shame we don't see them more often, they live 10 minutes away and our families get along great ... life just seems to get in the way. Hope you all had a great weekend!






Friday, June 12, 2009

It's Going to be Tough ...

All morning this Billy Joel song has been playing in my head ....

"Well, we’re living here in Allentown And they’re closing all the factories down Out in Bethlehem they’re killing time Filling out forms Standing in line Well, our fathers fought the second World War Spent their weekends on the Jersey shore Met our mothers in the USO Asked them to dance Danced with them slow ...."

I know the reason why is because my MIL is leaving to go home to Allentown tomorrow. Oh what a sad day for the girls and I must say me too. I have thoroughly enjoyed her visit this time and I told Chatty Cathy I will be as sad as she is when she leaves. No, we didn't always have the best relationship but since I have had kids we have gotten much closer and I feel truly lucky to have her in my life. Not to say we don't disagree on things, because we do, but all in all I feel very blessed to have her as a MIL. I don't think my in laws will be back in town until Thanksgiving which is a long time to go without seeing your grandparents. I was trying to convince my MIL and FIL to take me along on their Italian vacation in October but I don't think Mr. ESPN would appreciate me leaving him home with the kids!!! But oh it sure would be nice!

On a happier note at least we have some fun activities tomorrow to divert our sadness. Chatty Cathy's favorite Irish Boy (S) turned 5 yesterday and his pool party is tomorrow. Yeah! His parents are our close friends from college so it will be a fun family event (Note - must take pictures to post next week). Yes there have already been discussions of an arranged marriage amongst the parents. Mr. ESPN will be taking the girls to the party and I will join them later as I have to decorate my classroom for VBS which starts Monday. I am very nervous about teaching as I am by no means as educated about the Bible as I would like to be. I am hoping this opportunity will help me continue to grow in my own faith and as a result I will make it more of a priority in my life (does that make sense?). Anyway it will be a great learning experience. I received our class list and included were medical issues/allergies for each of the students. Next to one of my students it said "Many - will send separate list." Oh I can tell the Lord is already testing me!

Random thought of the week - my mom joined Facebook and sent me a friend request ... does that seem as weird to you as it does to me (J you will probably get one from her too)? I have several friends whose moms have joined ... but it is still weird to me. Not that I am not close to my mom, I am very close to her but I feel like that is my place ... you know what I mean? Anyway, I guess that is why I haven't told anyone in my family (with the exception of my fab cousin J) about my blog ... I figure my family already knows everything this is my little place for my friends and me where I can say anything.

Tuesday, June 9, 2009

Weekend in Pictures

Cousin J
Me .. not sure why I am posing ...
Showing off my killer deal on BL!

Cousin J .. gotta love her hair .. wish mine looked that good (see how flat mine is in the next picture - good thing I live where it is super dry and no humidity)!

The Cousins ... thanks Cous it was tons of fun!
There is a 5 inch differential in height between J and I, so we either had to sit to take our pictures or I had to bend down, otherwise I looked like a giant! My other side of the family has the tall genes -
lucky for me both sides have the talkative gene (which I have nicely passed on to Chatty Cathy)!





Home Sweet Home

Girls weekend with my cousin J was lovely. We had such a good time catching up on life - it had been way too long since we had last seen each other. The resort was beautiful, massage relaxing and weather was perfect. So good we even got a sunburn (not good). We even got a free meal after complaining about poor service (as in a 45 minute wait for a salad), found $20 (ATM machine) and was able to convince cute bartender to give me my beer (BL) for the daily special price rather than the offered beer (MGD). All in all it was a fabulous time and we can't wait to try and coordinate another trip, we may even let our spouses and kids come along! We didn't take many pictures but I will try to find at least one to post.

The girls were super excited to see me which always melts my heart! They had a great time playing with Grandma and Grandpa while I was gone. Grandpa went home but Grandma is here until Saturday. Chatty Cathy is spending some one on one time with Grandma this week as we sent Bia back to school/daycare. I am not sure what I am going to do next week when I have to go back to cooking dinner every night. Mr. ESPN's parents have made dinner almost every night they have been here. It has been so nice. He and I have been able to go to the gym and come home to dinner on the table. Talk about being spoiled! But next week it is back to reality.

Speaking of MIL, she bought me a sewing machine last weekend. I have never sewed in my life. I have always wanted to learn and just never found the time. I told MIL this means she has to teach me to sew now! Chatty Cathy was pretty excited about the sewing machine as she was with us when MIL purchased it. They did a little sewing together yesterday and I have several mending/sewing projects for her to complete before she leaves. Yes I know I am spoiled!

One last thing - I decided to add a gadget to log how many miles I run ... Mr. ESPN wants to run a half marathon in January so I thought this would be a good way to encourage me ... I am tracking from last Friday (Fri-4, Sat-3, Mon-6) ... we'll see.

Thursday, June 4, 2009

Weigh In and Leaving on a Jet Plane!

First off - down 3.2 lbs at weigh in today. Not sure how much of that is water weight and the fact that I wore a light weight skirt to work today - but whatever it is I will take it. I have been good this week - no chocolate chip cookies, watching what I eat and running/weights ... but now comes the weekend!

This afternoon I am going here with my Cousin J (Dee she the cousin I was referring to). We are taking a shuttle from the San Diego airport to the resort and are not getting a rental car. I was telling Mr. ESPN I hope we are the only ones one the shuttle and maybe I can ask the driver to stop at a grocery store to get some water, Diet Coke and Wine ... you know the essentials for any girls trip! Cousin J is prego so maybe we can use that to our advantage! I even packed a wine opener in my carry on! Last night I told Chatty Cathy I was leaving and she told me she didn't want me to go - mostly because I told her I was going to San Diego and she thinks I am going to Legoland. I assured her I won't be going to Legoland and that yes indeed we are going as a family in late July. I also told her Mommy really needs these couple days away and that she has her Grandma, Grandpa and Daddy here to spoil her. She seemed OK with that but did ask me to cuddle with her in bed before she went to sleep - awww - melt my heart! I told her one of my most favorite things in the world is to cuddle with her and little Bia!

I have my camera so hopefully I will get some good pics of me and Cousin J. I can't even believe we haven't seen each other in over 5 1/2 years - that was 4 1/2 kids ago (2 for me 2 1/2 for her) ... too much time but I know we will pick up as if we saw each other last week!

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

Biggest Loser or Not and Puppies

First off we are not getting a puppy!

So there is a small group of us hear at my work that are participating in a 12 week biggest loser contest. Each week we weigh in and whoever loses the least percentage of weight (or gains the most) has to pay $5 into the pot. At the end of the 12 week period whoever has lost the greatest total percentage of weight wins the pot - $60. Now mind you of the 5 people only two of us regularly exercise. Last week when I went to weigh in I had gained 1.2 pounds (darn holiday weekend and working from home) ... so guess who wasn't the biggest loser - yep that's right ME! I was a little annoyed because I have been working out quite a bit (yes I do enjoy adult beverages on the weekends and splurge some). After talking to everyone else, they had all over indulged on the holiday weekend as well. So how was I the only one who gained weight last week? I would have thought others would have gained as well .. but nope everyone else lost some except for me. So game on (I think my competitiveness is starting to kick in) ... I am not going to pay in this week! It is going to be hard though with the in laws in town and my trip with cousin J this weekend.

Kids love having their grandparents here ... swimming and playing all day. Last night we started watching Marley and Me and the kids were mesmerized. Bia loves puppies, well actually she loves to look at them. She points them out wherever we go or whenever she sees them on TV. She also sleeps with two puppies. However, when it comes to actually petting them she gets a little scared (note - at a party last week she was terrified of a Westie but is OK with our next door neighbors husky). She couldn't take her eyes off the TV last night - she loved Marley! We'll see how she does with my BFF's version of Marley in a couple weeks, and my aunt's 2 Newfies when we go to FL! Chatty Cathy was sitting next to Grandma during the movie and kept discussing puppies and how she wanted one ... luckily for me Grandma is not a big fan of dogs and explained all the reasons why we can't have one. I LOVE puppies and dogs as much as Bia does but I can't imagine adding that to my agenda right now (J I don't know how you do it!) - I think I have enough to keep me occupied. So for now we will play with and love on all our friends/family/neighbors dogs!