Blog Title: My 3 Day Walk Training

In need of a vacation!

I am in serious need of some me time! As in, by myself, alone, no one else around!!!! I've been longing to get away into nature, but I don't see that happening in the foreseeable future. A friend of mine was making some las vegas hotel reservations for her and her hubby and offered to make some for Sean and myself. As much as I would love to get away for a weekend in Vegas, it's just not monetarily possible right now. My mom has been asking me what I want for Christmas and I seriously am thinking of telling her a weekend away with Sean and having her and my dad watch the kids. Something like that would seriously hit the spot right now.

MIA!!

I have been seriously missing from this blog for a long time. I'm sorry. Life has just gotten so crazy lately. My mil was here for 3 weeks, the kids schedules are insane (as usual) and I've just been running around like a chicken with it's head cut off. I haven't been blogging much on any of my blogs. I just haven't had the time. Hopefully things will start to fall into place and get a little less crazier and I'll be back!

New dinner ideas!

Three nights a week we all have to eat around 5pm because if we didn't, we wouldn't be eating until 9:30pm. The reason is soccer practice. We're up at the fields Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights; starting from 6pm until 9pm. So we need to eat early. And I'm having such a hard time with this. The kids don't get off the bus and home from school until 4:15. So they then have an hour or so to get homework done. And of course I'm in the midst of it helping them so preparing dinner at that time isn't an option. I think I need to break out my crockpot recipes and also my casserole recipes and for those 3 days do something along those lines. The crockpot is so easy to do. I just need to prepare it all in the morning and it's done by the time dinner time rolls around. Then I'm free and can help the kids with their homework. Casseroles can be done that way too. I can make them up in the afternoon and then they just have to go in the oven. I think I just solved my dinner problem! Now to just sit down and pick out 3 for every week.

My new phone...

A little over a month or so ago I got a new cell phone: LG Voyager and I LOVE it!!!! It's got the touch screen, I can put my music on it and listen to it, I can browse the web, check my email and all sorts of stuff. What I really love the most is the keyboard; no more having to switch through letters to get the one I want. I can just type it all in like I would be on a computer. I have been thinking of getting a memory stick for it though. My calendar is taking up alot of space because I have something on it for almost everyday up until Christmas. No lie! Between the kids soccer or flag football practices, then games or scrimmages for each, then add extra stuff like birthday parties or football games or concerts and we are booked solid for a while. So I'm thinking a memory stick would be a good investment right about now. I would like to add some music to my phone but I really need a memory stick before I can do that.

Breast Cancer Walk at Great Adventure in New Jersey!

A good friend of mine, Michelle, is walking in the Race for the Cure at Great Adventure, New Jersey on October 4th, 2008. She's walking in honor of her mom, who is also walking and who is a breast cancer survivor. Can you please visit her donation page and consider making a donation for such an awesome cause!!!! We would both greatly appreciate it!!!! THANK YOU!!!!

Michelle, I'm so proud of you!! You go girl!!!!!!

The market today!

The market today is a scary thing. I think the Dow dropped something like 700 points yesterday. My dad's been watching CNN and all the other news channels on a daily basis trying to follow it. I sometimes think that might make you more crazy then what's actually going on. There's not much you can do so following it like that could make you batty. I wonder how online trading is going right now. I don't know anything about it because we don't own many stocks - only what Sean has from his company. Plus, if you asked me how my portfolio is right now I'd give you a blank look. I do keep up with what's going on though at Wall Street by myself or from tidbits from my dad. The possibility of another recession is very scary! I remember all the stories my Pop used to tell me about that time. And they weren't good stories either.

Help out a friend!

Last November I signed up to walk in the Avon 2 Day Walk up in New York City with some friends of mine. The walk is the 1st weekend of October so it's just weeks away. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be able to walk in it this year which makes me incredibly sad. I've walked in 2 Breast Cancer 3 Day Walks here in Tampa two years in a row: 2006 and 2007. But, last spring I noticed that my one foot, that I have a pin in due to bunion surgery, had a protrusion coming out of it right where the pin is. I have yet to go to the doctor to confirm exactly what it is. But, I wouldn't be able to walk this year anyway because now I've got this herniated disc keeping me from doing much of anything. So, this was not a good year for me to walk.

I do however, have a friend of mine (and teammate) still planning on walking in the Avon Walk in a few weeks. She is short in her fundraising so if you could spare any amount of money and help her out for an awesome cause, we both would appreciate it!

Please visit her donation page and consider making a donation!!!!

Acne and your climate!

Ever since moving down to Florida, I haven't had as many problems with zits as I did up in New Jersey. So, luckily, I have no use for acne treatments. You'd think though that because I'm always using sun block, especially on my face, that I'd break out more. But I don't. I'm thinking it's the climate. Every time we'd go to Bermuda I'd notice a change there too. And the weather here in Florida is alot like the weather in Bermuda (one of the reasons I love it here so much). I'm hoping it (the climate) will also help out my kids when they become teenagers. Growing up I didn't have a huge problem with zits or acne, so I'm hoping I passed those genes on to my kids. I can remember a few people in my school class having acne problems and kids would make fun of them way too much.

Be My Bra

Old homes...

There's something about an old home that I love. Maybe it's the history of the house and the fact that it's walls have "seen" so much through the years. I know it's also the mystery of the house just because it's so old. Especially if it's an abandoned old house - then it definitely has that "air" of mystery and alot of them even are said to be haunted.

I remember this one old house which was by the train tracks that was said to be haunted. The neighborhood kids would all tell each other ghost stories and tell the younger kids how it was haunted. Then of course you'd have the dares to go inside it. I, of course, was one of the 'brave' ones that went inside. It was so cool inside too. It had an old, dusty, chandelier in the foyer; one of those old farmhouse sinks; a huge staircase that had a cool wooden banister; and a spooky cellar that I did not go down. Since the electric didn't work in the house there were no lights anywhere so there was no way I was going down into the cellar! Even if someone had a flashlight. And I only went in the house during the day when it was light outside. Even that was creepy enough to give you goosebumps all over. There were no stories of someone dying in the house; just the fact that it had been empty and rundown for so many years is enough to creep you out.

Project Pink

I got this great email yesterday from a friend and thought I'd post it here because it's for a good cause!

Email a Duck, Raise a Buck!
Congratulations! By opening this email, you helped Munchkin, Inc. (maker of clever infant products) raise another $0.05 for Susan G. Komen for the Cure to help in the fight against breast cancer.* Now you can forward this to friends and raise more money, start your own fundraising duck at munchkin.com or simply be happy that opening this email raised money for a great cause.
Forward the duck!

*Through October 31, 2008, for each email that is sent with a decorated electronic duck and is opened by the recipient, Munchkin will donate $0.05 to Susan G. Komen for the Cure up to a maximum total of $10,000. Susan G. Komen for the Cure's promise is to save lives and end breast cancer forever by empowering people, ensuring quality care for all and energizing science to find the cures. For more information, please contact Susan G. Komen for the Cure at 5005 LBJ Freeway, Suite 250, Dallas, Texas 75244 or visit http://www.komen.org/.

Flag football and soccer...

Flag football has officially started today! And I couldn't go to the game because of my neck/shoulder/arm thing I got going on. So I missed Kieran's 1st flag football game. I had put the camcorder out in hopes Sean would take it and tape the game for me but we both forgot this morning. He called once the game was over and the won!

Right now there about 30 minutes south of us at a soccer scrimmage for Tristan. It was supposed to start at 11 but was delayed due to thunder and lightning. So when I called Sean's cell at 12:20 thinking it was over, it was only halftime and they were losing 3-0. :( He should be calling soon telling me it's over. I'm hoping they got some scores in. It's a tougher team they're playing; they're in the premier league and we're not.

Does size really matter?

Everytime we get together with our neighbor both he and Sean gang up on me saying how we need to get a bigger, flat screen TV (our neighbor already has one and you've got to wonder if he's compensating for something else the way he goes on and on about bigger TV's ;) ). Anyway, I can almost tell when the conversation is going to switch from whatever we're talking about to us going to get a big LCD TV and I'm starting to get really annoyed with it. First I get annoyed with Sean (even though I know he's just winding me up) because he knows us getting a new TV right now is last on our last of things to get. Then I get annoyed with our neighbor because he just doesn't know when to shut up sometimes. At which point I just start ignoring both of them. Let's see; would Sean rather we be able to pay the electric bill so that we can watch the TV we already have, or go and buy a bigger TV (that we don't need because the one we have isn't broken) and then not be able to pay the electric so he wouldn't be able to watch it anyway.

This blog...

is one of four that I have and tends to get forgotten about somewhat. I just noticed today how scarce m blog posts on here have been. I think it's because I have my Pink Clover blog too which is basically where I blog about breast cancer and walking in walks and things in that category. I think at some point I need to consolidate between this one and my Pink Clover one and eventually get rid of this one. Although, I might just get rid of both at some point as I have a few ideas for something bigger and better!

Mud fight!!!!

was one filled with fun and friends. We had a BBQ here Saturday night and 3 families showed up (one family was cousins of our neighbor). I was so worried my nice, clean bathroom was going to become a mud room: it had rained almost every day last week and so every one's yards are huge mud puddles. (Or I should say were; it hasn't rained in a few days.) The kids played outside some during the BBQ and even decided it would be fun to have a mud slinging fight! If you could have seen my bathroom faucets, the sink and the floor you would have been mortified. I do have to admit though my hubby tried to keep it all clean in there by putting the kids right in the bathtub and washing off their legs and feet and then drying them before leaving the bathroom. Tristan had to have a complete shower in the middle of the BBQ going on because he was caked in mud (and apparently the culprit in starting the mud fest!). My bathroom right now doesn't show a sign of any mud in there so I'm happy!

The 3 Day this year...

For some reason I was thinking of the funny tee shirts that I actually still wear them - when I'm cleaning the toilet or the house that is.

Jeez it was hot last October. Wonder if it's going to be just as hot for the 3 Day this year? It falls on Halloween this year. I already told Sean I plan on being out there either Saturday or Sunday to cheer everyone on. Having walked in two already I know how awesome it is to have people there giving you their support. The kids love doing it too. We'll bring a cooler for walkers to dunk their bandanas in and maybe some ice pops. We'll see. I wish my mother-inlaw was still going to be here for it so she could go too. But she leaves to go back to Ireland the Tuesday before. :(

Going away for Christmas?

My mom and I had talked about possibly going away as a family this coming Christmas. I'd love to do it for Christmas and have the trip itself be the Christmas gift (of course the kids would get maybe 2 other little gifts as well). I know we'd have a blast! We've thought of maybe renting a house down in Sanibel Island or somewhere down there. I've heard it's beautiful there.

My youngest heard us talking one day and out of the blue he says "Why not get one of those really pretty Mykonos villa rentals"? My mom and I just looked at each. Mykonos is in Greece number one and number two where on earth would he come up with that? So we asked him how he knew about Mykonos and rentals and he said he saw it on a TV commercial one day. It was pretty funny though how it just came out of his mouth so matter of fact like. You know, kind of like "Hey Mom Mykonos is just around the corner right?" He's just too cute sometimes.

We have been looking into renting a beach house though in southern Florida. We'd have to get one big enough for the 5 of us, my mom and dad and Charlie and Syndi. I don't think that would be a problem. And we've decided if we do do this, to do it after Christmas but we won't go crazy getting tons of gifts or everyone.

Losing weight...

Last week while the kids were in soccer camp, I sat around with some moms and we talked about everything under the sun! Seriously! We were there from 9-12 every morning so there was alot of time to chit chat! One subject that came up was about eating healthier and losing weight and how, especially now since most of us are in our mid 30's, it's not as easy as it used to be. One mom was saying she's doing the diet pill route and using lipovox. Another mom was saying she's been going to the gym everyday but admits her eating habits could be better. Then another mom was saying how she's on the South Beach Diet and is doing wonderfully. I've just been trying to eat healthier and then next week I'm going to start putting some exercise into my daily routine. I need to get one good habit started and going until I start another one. And the eating healthier one is going full force right now.

Anonymous Mom!

Are you too negative?

You Are a Positive Person

No one would accuse you of being too negative! You're a naturally upbeat and optimistic person. Like everyone else, you come across things you can't stand every day. But unlike everyone else, you ignore what annoys you and focus on what uplifts you.

Working out with the kids home...

Summer has officially begun here in Tampa. The kids have been out of school since last Wednesday and any hopes of me starting some kind of exercise routine died that day. It's my own fault. I kept saying I'd start a new routine "tomorrow" but "tomorrow" never came. I need to sit down and come up with something though. Walking on treadmills is always a good way to exercise and we do have one in our bedroom. I guess I could always wake up earlier then the kids and walk for an hour. That actually might be kind of (almost) relaxing and help me to start off the day feeling great (or tired) and on a good note. I'm always afraid though that I'm going to get up at say 5:30am and the kids will hear me and then they'll be up too. Everyone being up at 5:30am makes for a very long day! And that's one thing I don't want. And the way our house is set up sucks too. If I wanted to wake up early and do a workout DVD I'd have to do that in our den and all of the bedrooms are off of the den so one of the kids is bound to hear me and wake up! And when one is awake, so are the other two. That's just inevitable.

I do see what I'm doing though - coming up with excuses as to why I can't workout. That's not good either. I guess I just need to start doing something, whether kids wake up or not.

Sean's new meds...

For the past few months Sean's been on medication for Gout and for his high cholesterol. I told him, he's 40 now, the time when you have to start taking medication on a daily basis. ;) He just renewed his one prescription but couldn't get to the pharmacy to pick it up so I did it for him. And holy cow - the one pill he has to take looks like it could be the same size as some of those horse supplements that they give horses. It's huge! I'd have to cut it in half to swallow it.

I'm actually proud of him - so far he's remembered to take his pills everyday. He leaves them in the kitchen by the coffee maker, that way every morning he sees them when he's going to make coffee and then remembers to take them. The Gout ones seem to be working too. He hasn't had any Gout flare ups since he started taking the medication. I think the Gout meds are lifetime meds to help control it. The cholesterol meds are until he gets his cholesterol levels down. I doubt that's going to happen anytime soon though. It's one thing to take the meds, but you also have to change your eating habits as well - something he hasn't been doing! He can be flabbergasting at times!

Keeping "track"...

With the way the world is today, letting your kids go off on their own is a scary thing! My kids are too young yet for cell phones and to be honest, they don't need them yet considering their ages and the fact that I always know where they are anyway. I see 6 and 7 year olds with cell phones and I think that's horrible. Seriously. Is it that necessary or are these kids just spoiled? It's sad in my opinion when kids these ages have cell phones - do you not know where your kids are at that age?

One thing I do like about cell phones these days is the gps tracking that some of them have. I think that's an awesome idea for when my kids are old enough to have a cell phone of their own. (Which won't be until their teen years - our kids don't have TVs in their rooms yet either - another pet peeve I have but that's for another post altogether).

Teens will be teens and having that gps tracking in their cell phones is definitely peace of mind for parents. It also lets you know if your child is lying to you or not. Something some teens do often (too often). I was a teenager once - I know what it's like and I know all too well how they can be. I have a few years left before we hit the teen years here thankfully.

Spring cleaning...

I've been doing a little spring cleaning here and there this past week throughout this house. Bleaching the bathroom tiles and sinks. Since everything in both bathrooms is white bleach comes in very handy! The tub is white, the tile is all white, the bathroom sink is white, the cabinet top is white and even the toilet is white! Which is surprising considering the woman who lived here before had 2 kids. You would have thought she would have chosen kid friendly colors. Or, maybe she was thinking that using bleach on white is easy?

Some other spring cleaning I've been doing is steam cleaning the carpets. It's killing my back and my hand though so I only got about halfway through our den/dining room area. I did Kieran's room a few weeks ago. And once I get the den rug done I still have to do Tristan's and Caelie's bedrooms and then the master bedroom. It's slow going but I'll get there eventually.

Here it is!

What you've all been waiting for!

Drumroll please!!!!!

First, I have to say, I was THE HIT of the salon this morning. I walked in and in front of about 8 women told them what I was doing (as far as chopping it all off and donating it) so from then on I had everyone in the salon's attention. They all watched as she chopped off my ponytail. Then as I walked through the salon for them to wet it so she could style it they all oohed and aahed. They even watched as she styled it and when I was done, they all loved it and congratulated me on a job well done.

And now, without further adieu, the pictures! Now remember, I'd never been to this salon before! And those highlights you see in my hair as she's cutting it, are my REAL natural highlights! I haven't died my hair in over 4 years, maybe more. I can't wait to rewash it and style it myself!

I decided to put it in a slideshow for easier viewing and to take up less space on here. For those of you that I sent a picture to via cell phone - disregard that picture, it came out horrible! It looks so much better in person!