Summer fun!

Last night, we had our annual pool party. It was a small group and we had lots of fun. We swam for the first part, ate dinner, played bocce ball and visited. Everyone was gone by 11:30 and Jeff and I were exhausted!! I remember when the parties would last until 3 am. Boy we're getting old.

I think I may have the download pics from my camera to the computer figured out, so I can add more pictures. I just have to find the cable. Unfortunatey, this means I have to clean out my closet...ick!! I hate clutter but I'm so good at making it! I'll put it on my to do list...

More later!

The Challenge

I am still not very motivated to go back to the gym. So here's my challenge and Jill's going to join me.

This challenge starts August 5 and runs for 12 weeks (ending around Nov. 3)

In 12 weeks, you have to accomplish the weekly goal 10 times.

Weekly goal: 5 days of exercising. 3 days of cardio, 2 days of strength training (i.e.weights)
2 exercise sessions need to be 45 minutes (or longer)

Cardio is any combo of walking, running, biking, etc.
Strength is weights of some sort (muscle pump class counts)
The 45 min. sessions can be a combo of strength and cardio (i.e. 30 min. strength and 15-20 cardio) but the session only counts as one strength session.


My reward: a massage at Healing Waters.

One week off and then the fun begins!!

My boring and busy life....

Jill writes in her blog every day and has so much cool stuff to write about. I, on the other hand, have been super busy, but nothing real exciting. This week I scrapbooked with Melissa, had dinner with Jill and Adam (who are leaving for KC in a few days). I have book club tomorrow and Jeff's last day at Via Christi is Friday. Busy, busy. I'm ready for my short trip to California soon.

6 pounds!

This year, I am really trying harder to be in better shape. I've been exercising 5 days a week. Three days of cardio, two of weight lifting. And in 3 months I have seen some differences. I can now hold L anytime and my arms don't ache. I can run the bases in softball without feeling like I'm going to die. I got bored (and sick) so I took about 4 weeks off from exercising. It was nice, but when I started back this week, I forgot how much I loved to sweat and exercise. It feels great at 7 am knowing I've done my jogging for the day.

And so...I've lost 6 pounds. One might think that's not much (me), but Thursday I did something great. I wore a shirt and pants to work. Tucked the shirt in and wore a belt. I haven't worn a belt since before L was born!! I'm so happy. My credit goes to my friend, Terri and The Beck Solution. That is one awesome book!!!

Reggie is outsmarting me

For several weeks, Reggie has been peeing in unapproved areas, mainly in front of my closet on the floor. I have been furious with her. I asked the vet and they recommended I have her checked for a urinary tract infection. 64 dollars later, she's fine...no infection. So there was a small thought that Reggie was peeing because I hadn't paid much attention to her. I feel bad. Since L's been here, Reggie's taken a back burner.

At the same time, my parents were in town and my dad bought Reggie a new brush. She loves it!!! In fact, she got brushed so much the first day, she has a couple bald spots. For 10 days, she peed in the box. I thought she'd need a break from the brushing since she was a little bald, but apparantly I waited too long. She peed on the floor. So Tues and tonight I got the brush out and you could see Reggie's eyes light up. So I guess we'll have regular brushing dates.

What a week!!

This week has flown by. After discovering the swifts, our garage started stinking like rotten food....or maybe a rotten BIRD!!! Disgusting! Jeff looked in the garage and discovered the dead bird (not the swift). There was unmentionables also....ick!

Wild West has been a huge media frenzy this week since Bill Etheridge filed for Chapter 11. It's sad....an amusement park that had potential.

We've been riding bikes in the evenings. It's so fun to check the neighborhood out, see what cool landscapes and houses there are!!

Chick lit rocks!!

I love to read. I read all sorts of books...fiction, biographies, mysteries, etc. I'm also a part of a book club and every summer we get to read a chick lit book. This year it's Bright Lights, Big Asses by Jen Lancaster. It's actually a memoir but it feels like chick lit because it's awesome!! I love reading when the writer is so good and you can sail thru a book. The book's about jen's day to day. Very interesting and it takes place in Chicago (a place I love to visit but would never live in).

It's not a bat!!!

For the past week, we've heard a funny noise. At first, we thought it was outside, then realized it was close to the house. Saturday, I told Jeff it sounded like a snake and coming from the fireplace. Well, he was brave enough to check it out by climbing up on the roof. He shined the flashlight down the chimney and lots of flapping was seen!! He was a little freaked out (me, I would have been screaming). So we're sure we have a bat.

Monday, I called animal control and the guy comes out last night and informs us after looking down the chimney that we have a chimney swift....and there are babies!!! Chimney swifts for those of you who didn't know, are birds that look a lot like bats. Supposedly the babies will fly away in a couple weeks and then we'll cover the chimney. Hope you learned something new...I sure did!

Grandma and Grandpa were here...

My parents were in town for a little over a week. We had so much fun. L loves them!!! She loves to play and pronounce their names. My mom and dad are always cracking up about the things she does. It was so nice to see them. They live in Pittsburg, PA so face to face is a luxury now. We do webcam frequently (one of the best gifts we've gotten). But up, close and personal is great. Mom and I did tons of scrapbook shopping. We played with my cricut. And we ate lots. The week flew by but it was so much fun! Now I'm counting the days til Christmas when we'll see them again!

More 4th of July

Our last few 4th's have been low key. We like it that way. Parade in the am, swim in the afternoon, grill for supper and shoot off fireworks. L loves all of it, except maybe the fireworks. She loves all the sparkly but none of the sound. But I was surprised, she did well this year. It was a great day until the skies ripped open at 9:15 when we were doing night fireworks. Jeff had to light everything in the rain. What a memorable experience!

4th of July parade

For the third year in a row, we've gone to the Crown Heights 4th of July parade. No, we don't live there, just know someone who does (now did). It's a wonderful and simple parade. Gather tons of kids and dogs and walk four blocks. Drink lemonade, eat popsicles...it's a great way to start the day. For some reason tho, this street gets no wind so it's always hot and steamy when we go. This year L got to participate. We decorated her wagon (bought to go to the zoo) and she had tons of fun. During the first couple blocks, she was in awe of all the kids, but at the end, she was waving and cheering! She loved her star tattoo that she got after the parade.

Quick updates....

This week is flying by! I was off Monday, worked today and off again tomorrow. My mom and I had pedicures Monday morning. What a great way to start the day. Mom got her hair washed and styled and we went home to pick up grandpa and L. We had a nice lunch at Jason's and went scrapbook shopping. After that day, I could see myself being a stay at home mom.

My grandparents live in Coffeyville, KS. Luckily they didn't get all the water at their house, but with the oil spill, the whole town is a mess. They went without water most of the day today and when it was turned on again, the water was so muddy and disgusting. Ick!! I can't even imagine what it would be like. There's one way into C-ville so my parents are going to see them for a couple days. Who knew rain could be so disasterous! Thank goodness my grandparents and safe and well...not everyone was so lucky.

Have a wonderful 4th of July and appreciate all the freedom we have and for the soldiers everywhere protecting us!